Opinion: Barack, you made the rants too long

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For most of my career as a journalist I have moonlighted (or mornlighted) as a university instructor. A recurring theme of student evaluations, especially in the first few classes I taught, was that I talked too much. So I empathize with President Obama, who went on and on in answering questions in his first news conference.

Howie Kurtz, the media critic of the Washington Post, delicately noted that the president’s ‘lengthy, multi-part answers -- allowing for just 13 questions -- went well beyond what the journalists asked.’

Granted, Obama wanted to shoehorn into his responses a detailed defense of his economic stimulus plan. But, really, he should have said goodbye to the filibustering tradition when he left the Senate. I had both a personal and professional interest in the press conference, but I found myself fidgeting as Obama extended and embroidered on his answers. (I have the same reaction when moderators at panel discussions limit the number of questions from the audience by adding ‘just a brief comment.’)

If Obama watched films of John F. Kennedy’s news conferences he would realize that brevity is the soul not only of wit but also of advocacy. Maybe next time he’ll be pithier and less professorial, and leave the long-windedness to Joe Biden.

AP Photo/Ron Edmonds