White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest held a Twitter Q & A today:
Join me today for #AskPressSec from 12:30-1:00pm ET, send any questions you may have my way!
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
It didn’t take long for some sharp Twitter users to come out swinging:
.@justinsink tough hit – but I am ready to roll. Let's see what you've got #AskPressSec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
And Twitter collectively answered, “Game on!”
@PressSec when will we get the truth about Benghazi IRS Bergdahl ACA Illegal EO Iran agenda why RU betraying ME allies admission FP failure
— Deplorable Taz (@moose_taz) March 26, 2015
@PressSec is POTUS plan to destroy America still the goal for his last days in office?
— Painter’s Wife (@painter_wife) March 26, 2015
Are the CRUSADES still responsible for this mess?@PressSec: Join me today for #AskPressSec send any questions you may have my way!
— KRenner (@KRenner2) March 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/jamesmsimpson/status/581114475568304129
https://twitter.com/jamesmsimpson/status/581115120673247232
Sadly, Earnest answered none of these probing questions. Not even this one from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus:
.@PressSec Why wasn't the Clinton ethics agreement signed by White House's @vj44 on behalf of POTUS & Administration enforced? #AskPressSec
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) March 26, 2015
Instead, the White House spinmeister pontificated about baseball and The West Wing (the TV show, not the real West Wing):
.@jdweinstock @Royals Counting on some young arms in the starting rotation to succeed. If they do, we'll be playoff-bound. #askpresssec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
.@Stubo_T Aside from Pres Bartlet? I wanted to be Josh Lyman ¬ just bc I think @WhitfordBradley did a great job w the role. #AskPressSec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
To be fair, Earnest did field a couple of substantive policy questions (by “field” I mean that he head-faked and dodged the questions while typing 140 characters on Twitter):
.@AG_Conservative actually France & P5+1 partners agree best way to prevent Iran from getting nuke weapon is thru diplomacy. #askpressec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
That’s not what AG asked, but head pats for trying, Josh. Let’s try again with another substantive question:
.@YR_AlyssaDC Sgt Bergdahl is in mil justice system. POTUS commitment to leaving no servicemember behind applies w/o exception #askpressec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
Another disappointed interrogator whose question was dodged by Earnest. One more try on Iran:
.@Will32283 Best way to keep Iran from getting nuke weapon is thru diplomacy That's why talks are in best interest of US&Israel #askpresssec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
Gotta run. Thanks for the good q's. I am committed to doing this more often – and @justinsink we may even try to start on time. #AskPressSec
— J Earnest (Archived) (@PressSec44) March 26, 2015
So glad to hear your thoughts on the Royals, Josh! Maybe next time you can give us your rundown on House of Cards.
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