Statement to reporters: no questions. Isn't that their job? If you were really helpful you would help, not hinder them.
However, it was enough to see how tense the situation became if a question was asked.
Obama got agitated that he was faced with a substantive question.
Asked how he could reconcile a strict ban on lobbyists in his administration with a Deputy Defense Secretary nominee who lobbied for Raytheon, Obama interrupted with a knowing smile on his face.
"Ahh, see," he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."
Pressed further by the Politico reporter about his Pentagon nominee, William J. Lynn III, Obama turned more serious, putting his hand on the reporter's shoulder and staring him in the eye.
"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."
The press was not allowed open access to the second-swearing in for example, a situation that CNN's Ed Henry noted: “It is ironic, the same day that the president is talking about transparency, we were not let in.”
Wait until he faces genuine questions live.
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