Barack Obama became the latest in a line of politicians, including Michele Bachmann and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, to be shouted down during a speech by Occupy Wall Street’s preferred mode of addressing groups, the human microphone. Speaking at a high school in New Hampshire about his jobs plan today, the president was overcome by the now-familiar sneak attack: “Mike check!” The shouters went on to cite “over 4,000 peaceful protesters” (OVER 4,000 PEACEFUL PROTESTERS!) arrested at demonstrations around the country, before being drowned out themselves by the rest of the crowd chanting, “Obama! Obama!” The president played it pretty cool: “No, no, no, that’s okay,” he said. “I’ll listen to you, you listen to me.” It’s worked with Congress, right?
Update: While Obama was shaking hands in New Hampshire, a protester handed him a note, as photographed here, which seems to have the text of the human microphone’s planned message. It reads:
Mr. President: Over 4000 peaceful protesters / have been arrested / While banksters continue / to destroy the American economy (with impunity) / You must stop the assault / on our 1st ammendment rights [sic]. / Your silence sends a message / that police brutality is acceptable / Banks got bailed out. / We got sold out.
