President Obama floated down from his ivory tower this afternoon to explain himself to the American people. The White House press corps was only too happy to help:

It's rather telling that @BarackObama has told "journalists" at least 3 times in this that they've made great points in their questions. — Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) October 8, 2013

If you like your sycophantic WH press corps, you can keep your sycophantic WH press corps… — Brad Thor (@BradThor) October 8, 2013

Is there anyone in the press corps worth a damn? Were they given the questions beforehand? #StateMedia — John Nolte (@NolteNC) October 8, 2013

Close … Jay Carney actually gave POTUS a handy-dandy list to keep track of all the sycophants. No, really:

rare acknowledgment by Obama that he calls on who his press office suggests he call on: "I'm just going through my list – talk to Jay." — Rick Klein (@rickklein) October 8, 2013

Amazing. Obama just admitted he’s is only taking questions from his pre-approved reporter list. — DjWeideman (@DjWeideman) October 8, 2013

Jay Carney RT @bceil @rickklein @BretBaier who made the list he is just going through… — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) October 8, 2013

It's nice of Jay Carney to choose which reporters are allowed to ask Obama questions. — jon gabriel (@exjon) October 8, 2013

Conspicuously absent from the list: Reporters who have demonstrated a willingness to ask difficult questions.

Huh. Pre-selected reporters didn't ask any questions on Obamacare. Funny, that. — Brittany (@bccover) October 8, 2013

POTUS clever so far in his selection of WH press questioners. Nothing from @edhenryTV or @jonkarl who might ask a challenging question. — Brit Hume (@brithume) October 8, 2013

A trio of Fox News journalists took notice:

Questions from WH press corps are pathetic. As of this moment, not a single tough or challenging inquiry. — Brit Hume (@brithume) October 8, 2013

Agreed-Nothing at all RT @brithume Questions from WH press corps are pathetic. As of this moment, not a single tough or challenging inquiry. — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) October 8, 2013

Watching press conferences today I am convinced some in the media are as removed from reality as those in Washington #softballquestions — Adam Housley (@adamhousley) October 8, 2013

Amen. What the American people witnessed today from the press corps wasn’t journalism; it was bootlicking.

They're no longer the WH press corps. They're the WH press corpse. — Bryan Preston (@texasbryanp) October 8, 2013

@allahpundit No . The sycophants and toads of White House Press Corpse did their job of shielding their master well . — Benjamin Bell (@TattooQ) October 8, 2013