Gates also pushed innovation during a question and answer session Thursday, and continued to press his case for increased government spending on energy research and development.

FORBES: Bill Gates Still Believes In A Carbon Tax

Mr Starr was criticised for summoning Sidney Blumenthal, a journalist turned White House spin doctor, to answer questions about press attacks on the inquiry.

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It broke the tension for a while, but did nothing to dispel the impression this was a press conference with someone determined not to answer the difficult questions.

BBC: Blair ducks the hard questions