Obama Holds Twitter Townhall, Appeals to Youth

President Barack Obama responded to questions from young Americans submitted through Twitter on July 6. Twitter’s Executive Chairman Jack Dorsey read live questions. The hourlong session touched on a wide array of topics, ranging from debt-ceiling talks to future space plans.

Obama’s Twitter Town Hall follows his Facebook Town Hall in April. He is working hard to reach out to younger people through social media networks.

“We’ve entered a different information age where people get news and information in a different way than they did in the past,” said White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer in a statement.

Obama made several personal references, especially during discussions on student loans.

“I’m a guy who had about $60,000 worth of debt when I graduated from law school, and so did Michelle. We were paying a bigger amount each month. It was more than our mortgage … for 8–10 years. So I know how burdensome this can be,” said Obama. Both the president and the first lady came from less affluent backgrounds yet attended Ivy League colleges.

He went on to mention how college students will not have to pay more than 10 percent of their income in repayment starting in 2013. “That obviously helps to relieve the burden on a lot students.”

“Millions of students are getting more affordable student loans and grants as a consequence of the steps that we’ve already taken. … Tens of billions of dollars’ worth of additional federal dollars that were going to banks are now going to students directly.”

Obama also said teachers need to be paid more. “Young, talented people aren’t going to go into teaching if they’re getting paid a poverty wage. … Countries that do well are the ones that continuously commit to making education a priority.”

Obama spoke of consequences he believes will happen if Congress refuses to raise the debt ceiling.

“Our credit could be downgraded, interest rates could go up drastically, and it could spiral into a second recession, or worse,” said Obama. “It’s unconstitutional for Congress to not allow Treasury to pay its bills.”

He said tax breaks should not be given to corporate jet owners, oil/gas companies, or other billionaires. The money should go toward fixing the debt problem.
“I’m happy to have those debates. I think the American people are on my side on this.” The president expects to complete a negotiation in “one to two weeks.”

Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-Ohio) Tweeted a question. “After embarking on a record spending binge that left us deeper in debt, where are the jobs?”
Obama said a total of 8 million jobs have been lost due to the recession, four million before he took office. In the past 15 months, he said he created 2 million new jobs.

He cited his work with Boehner in passing a payroll tax cut last December, which provided an extra $1,000 to most Americans. That money contributed to the economy’s growth.

Obama plans to create more jobs by improving the nation’s infrastructure. He wants to improve specific areas such as roads, bridges, sewer lines, water mains, Internet broadband, and air traffic control systems.

“It’s an example of making an investment now that ends up having huge payoffs down the road,” said Obama.

“I’m sure the speaker will see the light,” joked Obama.