The Hill News

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs explained the purpose of President Obama's upcoming India trip on Thursday after a Twitter follower asked why Obama wouldn't travel to Europe to "shore up wavering support" for Afghanistan instead.

The Q-and-A â€" dubbed "First Question" and using the hashtag #1q â€" is a new venture for the White House as it seeks to improve what many believe has been a problem communicating its message effectively.

"The purpose of the India trip that the president will take at the end of next week is anchored in two economic summits that will happen at the latter end of the trip â€" ! the G-20 and the APAC, the Asian Pacific Summit," Gibbs explained in a YouTube video posted to the White House feed. "We begin in India because not only is Asia one of the fastest-growing regions of the world, but India â€" its economy is one of the fastest-growing within Asia. The president will and looks forward to working with Indian partners, but more importantly to developing some commercial relationship that helps American businesses here at home." 

He added that the president will travel to Lisbon, Portugal, in mid-November for the NATO summit, and that Afghanistan will be "front and center on the agenda" there.

The second question, from user @NJHighlands, was more lighthearted.!

"Is it true that the new Secret Service codeword! for POT US is 'Dude'?" the question asked.

Gibbs responded that the president's codename has been "Renegade" since he gained Secret Service protection in 2007.

"First Question" will be a regular effort. The same technique has been used in recent weeks by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), Hawaii House candidate Colleen Hanabusa (D) and other politicos aiming to connect directly with constituents.