A wtf? moment at the Whitehouse press briefing

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Tony Snow, the new Whitehouse Press Secretary, got a strange question on Tuesday at the daily briefing. I am not sure who asked it (perhaps the Foil?), and I am not even sure if I understand the question. I thought it was kind of funny though. Anyone care to shed some light on this for me?

Q A question on Iran. As far as Prime Minister of Israel’s visit is concerned, here at the White House is the first meeting after so many threats from the Iranian President — Iranian President and Hamas work on one, they are both friends and — so what do you think that is possible to have peace in the region when Iran President making so many threats, even today, that nuclear weapon he is making is supposed to be used on Israel?

MR. SNOW: Well, again, we’re engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts to try to make sure that the government of Iran not only becomes a good neighbor in the region, but also renounces any nuclear ambitions.

Q On the economy, what message you think the President has for small investors and small businesses, because 20 years ago I invested $1,000 in an Indian-American Liberty National Bank in Washington. Today the value is $180, after 20 years — $1,000. I bought it from a credit line, 21 percent. So what advice will he have today for small investors as far as the economy is concerned?

MR. SNOW: You’re asking me what advice the President should have because you put your money in a bank account 20 years ago? I think I would encourage you to contact your personal investment counselor.

Q Today, what advice the President will have for me. Should I put $1,000 elsewhere? Should I invest it?

MR. SNOW: The President does not engage in handing out personal investment advice. [Link]

Come on. This is funny people! What the hell was all that about? Is Liberty National even an Indian-American owned bank?

16 thoughts on “A wtf? moment at the Whitehouse press briefing”

  1. This is hilarious, Abhi. I just listened to the clip on the whitehouse page — and sure enough, it is our friend Goyal. Kingsolver asked a question about the Da Vinci code a few questions later… insanity.

  3. Please tell me this made it onto the daily show today!!!

    I’m pretty sure the Daily Show is on a hiatus for a week or two.

  4. Well since I was working late I thought I would put my google tin foil hat on. Btw, Saheli, seems like Daily Show is in repeats this week. I found some interesting links, but nothing really conclusive.

    1) I believe he is referring to ‘First Liberty Bank’ 2) Link to a government website on enforcements – no clue what that means – Link. Some of the members are Indian. 3) Search on one of the names produced this news bite about a merger with another bank Link 4) Someone created a webpage on Goyal Links. One of the links being the SM posted above. 5) Apparently either Goyal did this or some did it as joke, but here is a myspace link. 6) Google produces an astounding 3k+ number of links to his name. Wow.

    Am I misunderstanding about the 21%..shouldn’t he have more even with the upheavels in the last few years. What a psycho question…

  5. How did you possibly hear about this? Please tell me you don’t listen to the White House press briefings on a regular basis 🙂

    MR. SNOW: The President does not engage in handing out personal investment advice.

    Oh, if only this were true.

  6. Saurav, he does. You don’t become a political analyst just like that. And he reads ABC’s The Note too. Online. While blogging and quaffing large mugs of coffee. Like the DeeCee Pollsta that he is.

  7. The bank is indeed First Liberty National Bank which was founded by a bunch of desi uncles in the late 80s. I think they were enamoured by the thought of owning a bank, although none of them really made it thier full time job. The stock still complains about buying the stock, and the mismanagement by the board of directors. The saga came to an end last week when First Liberty was purchased by WashingtonFirst. http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2006/05/22/story4.html?page=2

  8. “… because 20 years ago I invested $1,000…. Today the value is $180, after 20 years — $1,000.”

    That’s an abysmally low ROI..

    and Sluggo, the Goyal website seems to be down. Is there a mirror?

  9. that is funny. if the guy is desi i bet its that notorious desi white house correspondent that can always be counted on for funny and bizarre questions. didnt sepia run a story on him?

  11. How did you possibly hear about this? Please tell me you don’t listen to the White House press briefings on a regular basis 🙂
    And he reads ABC’s The Note too. Online. While blogging and quaffing large mugs of coffee.

    I can’t comment on this while there is an ongoing investigation into the matter. We have to let the investigation run its full and complete course. There will be a time for explanations from the proper people at the end. Next question please.

  14. I can’t comment on this while there is an ongoing investigation into the matter. We have to let the investigation run its full and complete course. There will be a time for explanations from the proper people at the end. Next question please.

    I have only one response.

  16. That Washington Post article is really amusing:

    “Here’s the most recent, in which Mokhiber noted the Justice Department sided with those who support Ten Commandments displays in government buildings: “Mokhiber: ‘The question is, does the president believe in commandment number six, thou shalt not kill, as it applies to the U.S. invasion of Iraq?’ “McClellan: ‘Go ahead. Next question.’ “