Tech Every Where: President Obama Visits Facebook Headquarters [PHOTOS]

Saturday, April 23, 2011

President Obama Visits Facebook Headquarters [PHOTOS]

President Barack Obama discussed the economy, technology, innovation and more during a packed town hall Wednesday at Facebook headquarters.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg‘s first question to Obama focused on the economy and how the U.S. will turn things around while bringing down the deficit. He discussed rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and cutting the budget to reduce the deficit. “We have a long-term problem with Medicare and Medicaid,” Obama noted, stating that “20% of the patients account for 80% of the cost” of most hospitals.

Most of the time though, Obama addressed questions from the audience, as well as user-submitted questions collected via the web. During this line of questioning, Obama addressed the housing crisis, clean energy research, immigration policy, Medicare and education reform.

Many of the questions came from Facebook employees. One asked Obama about a recent budget proposal from Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. The employee asked Obama if his budget plan was bold enough. “The Republican budget put forward is fairly radical,” Obama responded. “I wouldn’t call it particuarly courageous,” he added, before continuing with criticism of the viability of Ryan’s plan.

Another question focused on how the government would slow the rise of health care costs. Obama said the government should provide incentives to invest in new IT technology that would reduce costs.

At the end of the town hall meeting, Zuckerberg, who was uncharacteristically wearing a suit coat and tie, presented Obama with a uniform he’s more familiar with: a Facebook hoodie.

Here are photos from Obama’s visit to Facebook headquarters: