Presidents involved in staged media opportunities and pre-prepared interactions is old news. Some are more deft at it (Reagan, Clinton, JFK, FDR) while others look dumb trying (Nixon, Ford, Hoover) but its par for the course. I can't think of a President who did not do such things at least since Coolidge. Roman and Greek politicians probably planted questions from the crowd too.

As to the article, I think GC and myself are on track. It has its bias, but a competent reader can still draw the pertinent facts.

Seamus