Live Blog: CNBC's Town Hall with President Obama

This is the live blog from today's CNBC Town Hall Meeting with President Barack Obama. The most recent posts are at the top. To read the full blog from beginning to end, start at the bottom.

1:45 pm EST: Okay, the town hall is over. The audience is gone, John Harwood is gone, the CNBC crew is just about gone, and the president is on his way to Philadelphia, PA for a Democratic fundraiser tonight.

I would have liked more questions asked on some issues, and there might have been more follow up to really get the president to be specific on what he wants to do.

But, what I took from today's town hall is that people are looking for answers—and they are desperate to get them from a US president, who is supposed to have all the solutions, no matter who he is.

Oh well, time for me to spin some more Rick Springfield. I finally found the sound guy.

1:15 pm EST: Okay, I would have to describe the audience as extremely attentive, interested and just plain on edge of their seats, if they had the room. I really think this shows how concerned everyone is. It was a serious group of people for sure.

1:13 pm EST: John Harwood came back for a final bow. He's going to be on CNBC for analysis for the rest of the day.

1:12 pm EST: People still seated, talking, trying to ignore the music I think, I know I am.

1:10 pm EST: Okay, Elvis, I mean Barack has left the room and probably the building in a few minutes. Everyone stays put till he actually does leave...the building. Oh no, the music is back. Kiss???? Gees.

CNBC.com

1:09 pm EST: Forgot, he has to work the other side of the room.

1:08 pm EST: The guy won't leave.

1:06 pm EST: Still shaking, kissing now too. He's like a politician playing a room. Wait, that's what he does.

1:05 pm EST: The fun is over! President walking around the room shaking hands. He seems to know some of them. People not hands.

1:04 pm EST: He must be having fun, he keeps talking.

1:01 pm EST: One last question from John. The president seems happy to run over a bit .. as he said "this is so much fun."

12:58 pm EST: Check that, some Secret Service walkie talkie chatter which means this is about to end.

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12:57 pm EST: It's getting close to a wrap. Again, there's a quiet "sound" in the room. Just the voices of John Harwood, questioners and the president.

12:55 pm EST: President doing a good job of making eye contact the whole time. He looks a questioner straight in the face and seems totally engaged with them.

12:51 pm EST: 9 minutes to go. No one's moving, just looking at the president. Heads nodding at certain points, chuckles at others.

12:50 pm EST: I have to admit, I'm listening as much as anybody. I want answers too.

12:45 pm EST: 15 minutes to go. Not as many questions as I thought there might be. The president does have long answers, but again, I don't notice any feet shuffling or yawning. Everyone's interested, or maybe looking for answers to their own questions.

12:44 pm EST: Audience sitting straight in their chairs, as is the president. He seems very casual and comfortable, if that's saying the obvious.

12:41 pm EST: Wow, this is flying by. Less than 20 minutes to go. Obama asked about the Tea party. People still listening intently. I don't notice any drop off in interest.

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12:38 pm EST: Obama responding about that he's concerned about the budget and doing everything he can to keep it down. Wonder would have happened if Rick was here. Might have been an interesting debate.

12:36 pm EST: CNBC's Rick Santelli, who's been critical of the president, is asking a taped question. Oh boy. It's the government spending that Rick is asking about.

12:34 pm EST: President mentions CNBC again and how people "there" were complaining about his actions on the economy. Some mild chuckles with that, maybe even a little nervous laughter. Hey, he can "knock" CNBC even if we're hosting.

12:32 pm EST: President got a supportive question— comment really and how business is "ganging up"on him. That lead to some nice applause for the president. Nothing overwhelming, but nice.

CNBC.com

12:30 pm EST: Still hearing pins drop as everyone listens. Very attentive audience. Hanging on every word. Especially taxes. Who doesn't hear pins drop on that one.

12:27 pm EST: Whoops, don't interrupt the president John, when he's talking about taxes, as Obama makes his case about what he thinks should be done. Got some applause on that one.

12:24 pm EST: Mood is quiet right now. Everyone listening. You can hear a pin drop and my typing.