[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 9996] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]MEDIA SHOULD DEMAND ANSWERS FROM OBAMA ______ HON. LAMAR SMITH of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, May 27, 2010 Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, today President Obama had his first full news conference in about 10 months. That's longer than former President George W. Bush ever went between news conferences. Here's what the Washington Examiner's chief political correspondent, Byron York, wrote recently about why the national media have tolerated President Obama's silence: While Obama dodges questions, his spokesman stonewalls them. In one sense, the press, or at least some members of the press, have only themselves to blame. Obama treats them with contempt because he knows that when big tests come, they've always been on his side. There's no reason for him to think they won't be there in the future. Why does Obama do it? Because he can. The national media should demand answers from the President, not give him a free pass on news conferences. ____________________