It's the visuals, stupid

By Creature

Yesterday, to close his fiscal responsibility summit, the president had a press conference type Q&A with members of Congress (and other invitees). It was a unique event with the president at a podium and the rest below him in the audience. The visual of a president in charge, taking questions graciously, was striking and I'm surprised those in the audience, who looked small and subservient in comparison, agreed to be part of it.

Case in point - the tiny John McCain:



This was the president at his best.

Steve Benen has more.