Open for Questions -- Response

[sarcasmosis]

How about some "real science" in response to the #1 question, instead of a condescending and fairly insulting response? We are talking about something that could easily lead to way to fixing a large part of our economic and energy problems in one fair sweep. It's called industrial hemp, and legalizing it would be the most sweeping improvement in cultural policy since the end of the last prohibition, as well as a great start to a legacy of ending the politics of propaganda.

[SeekerOfFalsehood]

What happen to transparency? I went to the website and the questions are no longer there? I should be able to read the questions even though it's over.

I raise this question because I don't recognize any of the question answered within this video. I spent a long time reading the many top question in each of the categories. And none seemed to have made it into this video.

I would be grateful for a link to the top 10 questions for each category plus the number of votes recorded.

[fmarinko]

Part 1.

I'm surprised no one's talking about 'science being put to the forefront again'. That is by far the biggest development in my opinion. Rational scientifically informed policy-making will serve as the vehicle for tackling essentially every other issue discussed in this video and on this board.

[BlueSuit222]

It's about time "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed. Thank you President Obama.

[chin075]

Reading comments on these videos and other political blogs, I realize that Americans are tremendously jaded and cynical, which makes the enthusiasm, hope and sense of purpose that Obama has helped generate all the more precious.

[polyrhythmic1]

I would have liked to hear Gibbs respond to one of the many questions related to UFO Disclosure. If Barack Obama is for "open government" then he should tell the American people the truth about alien visitation.

[Beadbud5000]

Good video and question for the Obama people.

[alofat99]

This is a great idea! I cant wait to hear more!

[typhonsentra]

I hope that's true.

[putittogether]

test, oh never mind.  I know FASCISM WHEN I SEE IT NO FREE SPEECH NO FREE SPEECH

[Jacksonholenativ]

AWESOME!!! Don't Ask Don't Tell is going down in flames! Thank heaven we will have gay and lesbian military officers serve with honor and openness! That's a major paradigm shift from the pathetic and failed policy of the past.

[scipio2009]

The interview, in my opinion, was going okay, until you brought up the 3rd Rail(A) of America, the controversy and issues behind "don't ask, don't tell".

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't see how an issue like that, which has the country, in many areas, staunchly against, is one that can be answered so bluntly, in one word.

Just a heads-up, but I hope that Team Obama gets the Big 3 issues out of the way, Economy/Energy, Health, Foreign Affairs, before pushing at "Don't ask".

[nIkbot4000]

what a joke this all is.

When are you guys gonna have the spin to address the number 1 voted idea on your pages?

Stop hiding.

[Chick6517]

that was so funny i really cant believe you guys did that and have de guts to put that stuff out here for the public to see gotta give u props.

[salvarfawkes]

Love the one-word answer. Most of these answers seem to be very straightforward and BS-free. It's a big change from what we're used to seeing on the campaign trail, and I only hope that we can expect more of the same.

I wonder, though... once Obama is up for re-election, will the BS come back? Is it possible to run an election campaign without all the doubletalk and vacillating that both sides end up mired in? Maybe you could try doing things differently next time.

[OrbitalDiamonds]

It's about time DADT was done away with!

[unameitltd]

What a joke, questions about the real ecnomic cancer of having the PRIVATE federal reserve bank in near total control of the encnomy were ignored. When is Obama going to get tought with the banksters??

[lioneaglegriffin]

i wanted a second amendment response.

[wdgeo]

When will the arrests and trials of this present administration begin?

[kwilhelmy]

The topic of marijuana decriminalization was yet again one of the leading topics that WE THE PEOPLE asked about. Yet the same answer is given... Obama isn't interested in what WE THE PEOPLE want. He wants to do what they lobbyist tell him to do... so much for "Change"

[joyray82438]

Has the plight of the sole proprietor self-employed construction worker been addressed?

These workers personify American individualism and independence. Working by bid and contract, they dont have the safety net of unemployment insurance. They are heavily invested in their tooling, equipment and expertise, and their options are severely limited in this economy. The only alternative has been to utilize hard-earned credit for living expenses. When credit is exhausted - no options!

[georgezimmer]

The last answer was the best!

[clarkslick]

Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor (ideally Patrick Fitzgerald) to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?—Bob Fertik, New York City

[hyraxproductions]

Barack! Why did you appoint Admiral Blair, someone who supported the slaughtering of the East Timorese, to be the head of National Intelligence? What kind of an evil man would not only sit by, but also disobey the president by refusing to tell a dictator to stop the killing? Ditch Admiral Blair! If you read this comment, look into it, and write to Obama yourself. Let's ask him the hard questions!

[slatkin]

Universal health care just like Germany has. Poop.

[runn1ng]

why our politicians in europe don't do this kind of thing :(

[BrookerStooker]

some Chinese officials harvest Falung-gong members' organs for sale on the market...

How does Obama deal with these Nazi-like crime ?

[TedMulligan]

He skips many of the questions! Here are the REAL winning questions (part 1):

Economy:

>1,570,061 votes on 21,849 questions from 52,429 people

>Banks get money with no accountability (19,271)

National Security:

>317,329 votes on 4,999 questions from 22,188 people

>stop the war on drugs (6171)

[agent0064life]

Since this administration is going to be based on science and fact rather than ideology, wouldn't it be sensible to legalize and tax cannabis, as it is safer than other legal recreational drugs such as tobacco and alcohol?

[kjgear]

Another example of not answering questions (we had enough of that with Bush): "Im concerned about the banks who received tax payers money and have had no accountability. Will this be corrected after President-elect Obama is in office?"

The key phrase from the question: "who received tax payers money."

The lackluster response: "...we will put in place reforms to ensure that your money in invested well."

What about the money ALREADY poorly invested with the banks who are just sitting on it?

[cannaboid420]

Ummm Drug Law Reform...? Yeah that was top of several of the categories but you guys chose to ignore it. My question with 7.5k votes was how Marijuana prohibition was different than alcohol prohibition...

We want more of a sentence than... "Obama Administration is not or the legalization of Marijuana"

It is so much to ask "WHY?"

[BurntPickle]

Just ignore the drug war question. Lame.

[kjgear]

"Comment Pending Approval"???

That doesn't sound like an "Open Government" or "Change We Can Believe In"???

[kjgear]

In their "response" their stated that some questions "have been answered previously" and listed legalizing marijuana as one of them: President-elect Obama is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.

But that was not the question that was in the lead. It was: "Our current war on drugs is failing America... What is the government going to do in an effort to fix this major problem?"

President-Elect Obama, please show some spine and answer this question seriously.

[teron678]

Good feedback/responses ... should have elaborated more though ...

[TravisMay11]

Transparency is awesome.

[DrCrYz]

Good job on not answering the tough questions that were asked, you know the ones like will you restore checks and balances and look at bush's anti American laws that he passed. What about the cannabis question ? a one line answer to one of the most voted on questions as we all know the prison system is a business making certain people mega profits and that is the reason cannabis smokers and other people who commit petty crimes are jailed. Change? more like more of the same.

[MozTS]

finally gays in the military, is there any other first world countries besides america that still bar homosexuals from military service?

[beeohhski]

you know if you legalized marijuana and sold it by the quarter ounce for 20 a quarter in everytown all over you would make more than enough money to help the country get back on its feet becasue everyone likes to get high

[tfeems]

What about appointing a special prosecutor to investigate crimes committed by the Bush administration?

[InnocentByproduct]

I have a few questions:

1) Will Barack Obama entertain the Austrian Schhol of Economics instead of JUST Keynesian economics?

2) Does Barack Obama realize the severity as well as the impedning urgency of Peak Oil?

3) Will Barack Obama include the revitalization of our national rail system in his infrastructure program? (Higheays are great, but rails are more improtant--LOADS more important.)

[greycloud24]

this is awesome, by far the best idea i have heard in politics so far.