Reply #10: You stated it clearly

[quaker bill]

"hidden from view". Anyone with the notion to ask a tough question was consigned to "siberia" (the back row), and never called on. This was no accident. The MSM anchors make their bucks for asking the President questions. Under Bush, the first time anyone of them asked a tough question was the last time they had a chance to ask questions at all. When they cannot ask questions, they cannot "get the story", and they become dispensable to the network. (translate: lose their jobs, and just like you and me, all these folks like to be employed)

Barack, on the other hand, has no fear and spreads the question opportunities around the room. I just loved his response "because I like to know what I am talking about before I speak" (just one more sharp contrast to shrub).