Everything You Need to Know About the Obama AMA on Reddit

As political candidates struggle to get in front of potential voters, they begin to reach out in different ways. Most everyone is familiar with both the President Obama’s  Facebook and Twitter account, but most recently, the Commander –in-Chief made a huge splash by announcing “I am Barack Obama, President of the United States — AMA” (AMA means “ask me anything” in Reddit-speak). This prompted a flurry of Tweets, Facebook posts, and internet pandemonium for the duration of the AMA, during which President Obama answered questions on everything between beer and the economy, which promptly crashed Reddit and gave pop culture web sites like Uproxx content for days, if not weeks. So, without further ado, here is everything you need to know about the Obama AMA on Reddit.

  1. Money is a Huge Concern For Everyone

During the half hour AMA on Reddit, the President covered many monetary issues, including campaign finance reform and a possible constitutional amendment, to repayment of student loans. Included in this was money given to candidates from lobbyists, to tax rates for both the rich and the middle class. The President was specific in some responses, such as an 18% tax decrease for small business and more access to loans from the SBA (Small Business Administration) but less responsive in others.

  1. President Obama Loves Basketball

Perhaps more important than any money issue, is President Barack Obama’s personal life. During the Reddit discussion he mentioned basketball as being an important factor in maintaining work/life balance as President of the United States, as well as the fact that his favorite basketball team is the Bulls, and Michael Jordan is his favorite player. The real question that wasn’t asked in regards to his response: IS Michael Jordan a Democrat or Republican?

  1. People Care More About Internet Memes than the Presidency

The word “meme” comes up just as many times as “PresidentObama” during the 30 minute session, including a reference to the President Obama “Not Bad” meme by the President himself, winning President Barack Obama “cool points” which, no doubt, he plans to redeem for votes. Included in this meme-athon is two images, one of which linked to presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

  1. NASA Rules!

While only addressed once by the President (and indirectly answered as one observer noted) NASA is high on the list of those who attended the Reddit session, as it was talked about several times in the comment thread. Mars and Curiosity figured highly during the AMA, more so than the war in Afghanistan, also indirectly answered by the President as one of the toughest things he had to confront during his current administration.

While this is no means an exhaustive list of the sniping and jokes that usually pop up during any political gathering, this should be enough to allow anyone to talk intelligently about the President’s AMA on Reddit, and even some memes that are bound to follow. Also, beer – a link to the President’s private recipe is also discussed.

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