Welcome @WhiteHouseQandA Twitter Friend

So, it started with a Tweet.  A few weeks ago Ari Melber (The Nation) and @roadkillrefugee had the following Twitter Conversation that I picked up on via my Twitter Stream at @EndTheRoboCalls:

• @AriMelber @bobfertik But it would be nice if Gibbs could take questions directly from Twitter

So, what to do?   Here is what we do.

1. DONE - Set up a dedicated Twitter Account @WhiteHouseQandA
   
2. DONE - Include a new HashTag as well --> #WHQandA
3. DONE - Start the conversation!
4. DONE - Start a petition to have the White House Press Briefing include questions from the people - Sign here!

Who:

• Anyone in the world on Twitter

Why:

• Why not?
• Seriously, Obama has been a very open and transparent candidate and, now, President.  He has stated time and time again that he favors openness and grassroots democracy.
• Now is the time to allow any person in the world to ask a question of the White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs.

Where:

• On Twitter, of course

Will this work?

• We don't know until we try.

Why won't it work?

• First, the White House Press Corps likes to control the questions.  They won't be happy.
• Second, this idea is against the tradition of the White House Press Office.  They've never taken questions from "the people" before.