[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/25/obama.conf.getty.art.jpg caption=" President Barack Obama answers questions during a prime time news conference."]
The New York Times: No. Washington Post: No. No. Ebony Magazine: Yes.
When the President was asked about the drug war in Mexico and homelessness, the questions didn't come from the mainstream media. And last night's news conference seems to indicate a trend for this president... reaching out to voters wherever they get their news.
A correspondent from Univision asked the President whether the drug cartel violence on the Mexican border posed a national security threat to the United States. The plight of the poor was raised by a correspondent with Ebony magazine. Spending on national defense and veterans care came up in a question from a correspondent with the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.
The President took questions from niche reporters at his first news conference when he called on a correspondent from the Huffington post. That reporter wasn't called on this time. But a correspondent from new media newcomer Politico was.
Political observers say this is a savvy way for the President to sell his message by going over the heads of the mainstream news media. Tomorrow, the President has plans to take questions on the economy directly from Americans on the White House web site.