Obama fields 22 questions in 22 days!

Chicago, Nov 27: In the 22 days since winning the White House, President-elect Barack Obama has taken 22 questions from reporters and has done two sit-down television interviews.

The Democrat has also set a record of sorts by holding four press conferences since November 4, three of them consecutively this week. Obama has beaten his four predecessors in number of post-election, pre-inauguration press conferences. With one Cabinet post officially named, he is working at a faster clip than former President Bill Clinton. In 2000, Mr Bush gave one press conference as president-elect, and not until December 19, because the results of his victory over Vice President Al Gore were so long in dispute. As president-elect in 1992, Clinton held three pre-inauguration press conferences.

George Bush held one press conference as president-elect, on November 11, 1988.

Ronald Reagan also held one press conference before his 1981 inauguration. He called the major press conference to trot out his Cabinet nominees, but didn't show up himself.

As president, Mr Bush has held 49 solo press conferences, though his last was more than four months ago. He averages 12 questions but took 21, including follow-ups , at his most recent July 15 time on the podium.

Clinton held 62 solo press conferences.

Bush has held 155 joint press conferences with foreign leaders, while Clinton held 131.

ANI