WASHINGTON — President Obama tweaked the mainstream media yesterday by granting a rare one-on-one interview to Amazon Kindle Singles, the online retail company’s new foray into downloadable journalism.
Obama’s exclusive interview — a coup for any major newspaper or broadcast network — gave a ringing presidential endorsement to Amazon’s high-tech publishing business.
It also tweaked the White House press corps, prompting charges that Obama was circumventing traditional media.
Obama sat down for the interview — which will be available online today in a download — with Kindle Singles editor David Blum after delivering a speech on his economic plan at an Amazon warehouse in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The president is just the second subject of the Kindle Singles Interview series. It premiered last week with Israeli President Shimon Peres.
Kindle Singles sold the Peres piece for 99 cents.
In his speech, Obama proposed what he described as a “grand bargain” with Republicans.
He offered to trade lower corporate-tax rates for more stimulus spending on infrastructure and education.
Corporate tax rates would drop from 35 percent to 28 percent, with manufacturers getting an even lower 25 percent rate.
“That’s the deal,” said Obama. “I’ve come here to offer a framework that might help break through the political logjam in Washington and get some of these proven ideas moving.”
Republicans gave it a cool reception.
They insisted tax reform also include lower individual income-tax rates.
The venue for the speech also drew criticism from traditional publishers who complain Amazon.com has a near monopoly online.