In the midst of his State of the Union "victory lap," President Obama answered a round of questions on Twitter from users using the "#AskPOTUS" hashtag. As expected, there were some serious questions that the President answered, and then there were the other ones.
President Obama answering questions on Twitter right now. #AskPOTUS pic.twitter.com/l93WZoAy1A— petesouza (@petesouza) January 14, 2016
Typing on an alarmingly small keyboard, Obama scrolled through the inquiries and seemed to show a lot of excitement for someone who was about to have to scroll through Twitter.
Hey everyone! Ready to answer your questions here at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. Let's do this. #AskPOTUS pic.twitter.com/jA1MEbwcxg— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
Obviously, Obama answered some important questions about college and climate change.
Expanded pell grants, capped loan repayments at 10% income, but now want to also make 2 yrs community college free. https://t.co/RS9XFDpp9c— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
new power plant rule reduces biggest source of CO2; now we need to invest in clean energy tech, energy efficiency. https://t.co/gQg3FEHXxo— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
He even weighed in on the contentious, ongoing gun debate.
great - we need well-meaning folks from all stripes to get info on how we can respect 2A and reduce gun violence https://t.co/dZ0vRltrZg— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
places to start - @GabbyGiffords's https://t.co/ATm1M4iMgU and @Everytown— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
In total, Obama answered only nine questions over the course of half-an-hour, not exactly the deepest dive into connecting with the electorate. As such, that left a lot unanswered.
Of course, as a former Chicagoan and a huge hoops fan, Obama also couldn't resist weighing in on one question that circulates through the basketball universe. And a lot of people asked if a hot dog is a sandwich.
love em all, but as a bulls fan got to go with mj. in baton rouge, just met lsu freshman ben simmons - will be great https://t.co/Du1gflVYp4— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
Of the thousands -- probably tens of thousands -- of questions Obama didn't get to, the requests ranged from the bland to the downright offensive. But a few slipped through that, really, are worth answering before he leaves office.
#AskPOTUS when is @Drake going to drop Views from the 6?— Kyler Cross (@Kyler_Cross) January 14, 2016
Have you seen Space Jam? Thoughts? #askPOTUS @POTUS— Jules Ray (@JulesTheOnly) January 14, 2016
#AskPOTUS Do you want the White Sox to sign Justin Upton or Yoenis Cespedes?— Write Sox (@WriteSox) January 14, 2016
#AskPOTUS @POTUS who are reys parents just tell me— darth™ (@darth) January 14, 2016
Can you DM me "Y" if aliens are real, "N" if they aren't, or "NC" if you'd rather not say? #AskPOTUS I won't tell a soul— Dracarys Noir (@HunterOrBHunted) January 14, 2016
And so it goes on the Internet.