learn first, speak later

Here's President Obama from last night's press conference:

QUESTION: So on AIG, why did you wait -- why did you wait days to come out and express that outrage?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I --

QUESTION: It seems like the action is coming out of New York in the attorney general's office. It took you days to come public with Secretary Geithner and say, look, we're outraged. Why did it take so long?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it took us a couple of days because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak. (Laughter.) All right?

links:
NYT transcript of the press conference

FactCheck corrects some errors

James Fallows and Bob Cesca comment on the Right's manufactured TelePrompTer outrage