Obama is holding a press conference at 3 p.m. Eastern today before he leave on an extended vacation.
Expectations are low. He is expected to announce new NSA oversight measures.
[press conference over - video embed removed]
[Twitter feed removed]
Obama prepared remarks on his intelligence community reforms are here.
Some reactions:
Obama says leaks led to discussion of government surveillance in a "passionate but not fully informed way."
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) August 9, 2013
"It's right to ask questions about surveillance." Yay! We got it right!
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) August 9, 2013
Obama: America is not interested in spying on ordinary people
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) August 9, 2013
POTUS is essentially putting a "HOW'S MY DRIVING?" sticker on the back of America's intelligence community.
— Daniel Foster (@DanFosterType) August 9, 2013
The govt is going to set up a website where all the rabble rousers who are "passionate" abt surveillance can complain (and not be tracked)
— Kirsten Powers (@kirstenpowers10) August 9, 2013
Here's the administration's 23-page white paper on bulk collection of call logs under Patriot Act Section 215 https://t.co/Pz1IZa7QSV
— Charlie Savage (@charlie_savage) August 9, 2013
Obama: "I do not think it's appropriate to boycott the Olympics." That's that – again.
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) August 9, 2013
Obama: "I don't have a bad personal relationship with Putin."
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) August 9, 2013
Chuck Todd: Is Snowden a patriot? Pres Obama: No, I don't think Mr. Snowden is a patriot.
— POTUS Press Pool (@POTUSPressPool) August 9, 2013
I give Obama credit for refusing to call Edward Snowden a patriot. I would give him much more credit if he called Snowden a traitor.
— Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) August 9, 2013
Obama is kinda-sorta trying to argue this wouldn't be happening without Snowden's leaks. Not very convincing.
— AdamSerwer (@AdamSerwer) August 9, 2013
Obama to @jonkarl: "core al Qaeda is on its heels, has been decimated." but regional groups are now in place, he says
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) August 9, 2013
Depends what the meaning is of "core al Qaeda" – #hesawthatQcoming
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) August 9, 2013
'Core' Al Qaeda Closes U.S. Diplomatic Facilities http://t.co/QX17hGN27q by Tom Joscelyn
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) August 9, 2013
I cannot get over how nervous these reporters look and act at POTUS presser. Either out of practice or afraid.
— Dana French (@DanaBordeaux) August 9, 2013
Obama most engaged when attacking GOP. Went much easier on Putin.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 9, 2013
I have some bad news for Team Shutdown: It just died. GOP won't have the balls after seeing this performance.
— DrewM (@DrewMTips) August 9, 2013