Obama’s Counterterrorism Speech Interrupted By Heckler...(updated with full video)

[ProSense]

Obama’s Counterterrorism Speech Interrupted By Heckler (VIDEO)

President Barack Obama's speech Thursday at National Defense University was interrupted by a protestor, identified as Code Pink's Medea Benjamin.

Obama mostly allowed Benjamin to shout her criticisms, repeatedly thanking her.

"You should let me finish my sentence," Obama ultimately said.

<...>

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obamas-counterterrorism-speech-interrupted-by-heckler-video

Updated to add:

WATCH: Full Video Of Protestor Heckling Obama

Before he began to outline his proposals for the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during a major counterterrorism speech Thursday at National Defense University, President Barack Obama was interrupted by a protestor, identified as Code Pink's Medea Benjamin, who shouted several criticisms before being escorted out.

"You are commander-in-chief. You can close Guantanamo today," Benjamin shouted, according to a White House pool report.

Obama repeatedly implored her to let him finish.

"You should let me finish my sentence," Obama said.

He later said he's "willing to cut the young lady who interrupted me some slack" because he was addressing issues that are "worth being passionate about." But minutes later, Benjamin interrupted the speech again, as the President stood at the podium and listened.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/watch-full-video-of-protestor-heckling-obama

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[Tarheel_Dem]

1. I listened on NPR, and she actually wound up helping him make his overall point. That may not....

have been her intentions, but good on her! It was a great speech, and I hope he has partners in Congress to make his plans a reality.

[ucrdem]

2. Medea Benjamin, dang.

I was hoping it was Michelle B.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Randi just told Medea to "check her meds". Medea, at this point, is an impediment to change.

She's a professional protestor, with no visible means of income, and she made the President look great, by comparison. This wasn't the forum. If Guantanamo's closure is her goal, she should be heckling the Congress, that's where the money is.

[ucrdem]

4. You'd think she'd at least have gotten hold of a copy of speech

so she'd know what the heck he was actually saying. It's like she hasn't figured out that Rumsfeld isn't there anymore. Yeah I don't get it either. Maybe she should check her eyeglass prescription too.

[librechik]

7. a real-time sensitive response would have been nice, instead of canned protest n

Something like Thanks for the policy changes, more change is needed! would have been a better choice, perhaps.

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. As another poster said, it would have been great if she'd studied a copy of the speech prior to.....

her "protest". She just seemed stuck in a mindset that's become all too familiar with protestors. They may be passionate, but they're so invested in their talking points, that they come across as woefully under or misinformed, and become easily caricatured. The "movement" is desperately in need of new faces, quickly. Medea probably hasn't realized it yet, but she made the president look good.

I argued with someone on this board who was denigrating the POTUS for not raising taxes on the rich. I mean, really? I suggest they leave their bubble, pick up a newspaper once in awhile, and update your talking points accordingly. It makes them look ridiculous, and they become a laughingstock, and it's their own fault when no one takes them seriously anymore.

[librechik]

11. yup, keep up with the news, pls. n/t

[Ken Burch]

22. She's BEEN doing that...for years.

She has to take any chance for exposure that she can-it's not like torture opponents are given anything close to a fair shake in this country.

[Tarheel_Dem]

23. Her actions yesterday, completely let Congress off the hook. She's a one trick...

worn out pony, with whom the American people disagree, re: Guantanamo. She had her 5 mins., and the world moves on. Liberals desperately need new faces.

[SidDithers]

5. Medea would rather #StandwithRand...

Sid

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. !!!

[alcibiades_mystery]

18. Oooofah

Pitiful.

[longship]

26. Yup! Medea lurves herself some Ayn Rand Paul!!

People here who think she serves Democratic interests need to get a clue.

[spanone]

6. if it had been a republican President, should would have been shutup after two words....

this President 'respected' her.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. So, he was finally motivated by the protesters against his policies to do something.

Bravo to Medea Benjamin and Code Pink for doing what he asked and holding his feet to the fire.

[ProSense]

12. Yeah, that's the only reason he gave this excellent speech. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Gosh, we agree on something.

[alcibiades_mystery]

19. When Evil Obama does something they like, it's only because The Virtuous Good Ones made him

There's no conversing with fanatics.

[ProSense]

21. It's

"When Evil Obama does something they like, it's only because The Virtuous Good Ones made him"

...sometime to cover being pissed that the President agrees with you.

[Kolesar]

25. :snort:

Just catching up. Tx4obama linked to this thread.

[G_j]

13. Thank You Medea!

and lol to those posting here who would prefer you STFU.

[ProSense]

14. Isn't it great

"Thank You Medea! and lol to those posting here who would prefer you STFU."

...that the President allowed her to speak? He even stopped to listen.

[G_j]

15. I agree with you.

good for him!

I think a good speech does not policy make, so I believe she plays a gravely needed role.

[G_j]

16. I'll add that

the president made a huge step in admitting the program exists!
This is a major policy change in it's self, and a good one.

[arely staircase]

20. Obama is a class act

"He later said he's "willing to cut the young lady who interrupted me some slack" because he was addressing issues that are "worth being passionate about." But minutes later, Benjamin interrupted the speech again, as the President stood at the podium and listened."

[bunnies]

24. wow. She really made an ass of herself.

Hadn't seen the video. Ugh. It was worse than I thought.