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After meeting today with President Obama and senior administration officials in a highly anticipated session at the White House, top BP officials emerged from lengthy talks to apologize to the American people and promise their company will repair the damage done along the Gulf Coast.
"I would like to take this opportunity," BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said, "to apologize to the American people on behalf of all the employees of BP -- many of whom are living on the Gulf Coast and I do thank you for the patience that you have in this difficult time."
In front a large group of reporters gathered at stakeout cameras outside the West Wing, Svanberg tried to sympathize with local fisherman and business owners, saying large oil companies like his often he get a bad rap. At BP, he explained, "We care about the small people."
He told the press, "I hear comments sometimes that large oil companies are greedy companies or don't care. But that is not the case with BP. We care about the small people."
But Svanberg also stuck a somewhat defensive tone, saying BP has "always met our obligations and responsibilities." He argued that "we have made clear from the first moment of this tragedy that we will live up to all our legitimate responsibilities."
Calling the meetings "constructive," Svanberg said BP is committed to repairing the environmental and economic damage to the Gulf Coast region. "We will look after the people affected," he pledged.
"This administration and our company are fully aligned in closing this well, cleaning the beaches, and care for those affected," he explained.
Moments after Obama announced a $20 billion escrow account to cover damage claims because of the spill, Svanberg promised those claims would be handled "fairly and swiftly."
And, heeding the calls of many U.S. lawmakers, Svanberg made some news by announcing that BP's board decided to suspend its dividend payments this year.
But Svanberg side-stepped a question of whether BP took safety short cuts on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded on April 20. He said the company is doing its own investigation "where we will scrutinize everything that we do to make sure that we understand the root cause of this tragic accident -- because it shouldn't have happened."
Svanberg said he hopes his company's actions "over the long term that we will regain the trust that you have in us."
BP CEO Tony Hayward, who's been the face of the company's response since the tragedy, didn't speak to the press. Instead, he stood behind the chairman -- alongside BP's general counsel and managing director.
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Chuck Todd made fun of the BP Chairman's speech said he was not a good example for the company to use because he had language problems
Chuck you owe this man an apology. No matter what this company does it's not enough for MSNBC particularly.
Christians are taught to forgive and correct mistakes. This situation is no different. American Cable Chatter has been reduced to pundtry, acting as if they were president or even qualified to be President when absolutely none on Cable News chatter is not. Constantly second guessing the President, when they are not even close to being as smart as he is.
The President was able to get $20Billion not the $75 Million Cap that BP has to pay by law his accompolishment far exceeds that then he also got $100 Million for the oil rig workers which Pundits and Republicans said he could not do and that it would be illegal.
The EXXOn Valdes, what did that President get? The Supreme Court even overturned the Jury's Verdict and significantly reduced it to a paltry amount
Chris Matthews constant second guessing, this proves that it doesn't prove that the President wasn't on the Gulf Coast daily but rather doing his job and multi-tasking taking care of the other catastrophic problems American Families, you know those suffering from the Republican Depression.
He did not have to talk to Tony the CEO of BP, not necessary, MSNBC needs to understand that the American People are concerned with Results, not that 24-hour Cable Chatter which has become so loud many have turned them off
This President's accomplishments are the following on this Spill
$20 Billion Dollar Fund to make sure that those who's jobs are affected don't loose anything but rather will get paid as if they are working
The fund has NO CAP and does not prevent anyone from suring the company should they so desire
$100 Billion for the Oil Rig workers who have been laid off because of the Spill
This entire industry as the CEO of EXXON said on Capitol Hill knew that they had no Fail Safe for such a disaster in deep water drilling
THis problem is the fault of congress, if BP had so desired they could have refused to pay and said they only owed $75 Million in accordance with those "smart" congress folk who refuse to POLICE the Oil, industry among others and we all know who they are
Matthews and Morning Joe are a part of the problem they were in Congress and never attempted to solve the problem with letting Big Business or the Oil Industry from Policing itself, yet they are screaming daily
Mr. President a job well done and we know that you will make sure that this oil is cleaned up and stopped ASAP that you will not let up
Mr. President don't listen to this Cable Chatter, we the American people don't listen, they are not smarter than 5th graders, it's called ratings.
June:
Agreed as much as I despise BP... I don't think the Chairman's comment about the 'small people' was intentional! I heard it live and think it was a language 'thingy' which is going to turn into one more PR nightmare for BP!
BP's Chairman obviously was NOT slandering anyone. We often say "looking out for the little guy". This was his attempt at the same sentiment. We like to say put your money where your mouth is. He DID that. BP could have said we will offer token payments and then see you in court. They showed their intentions by putting up a huge sum of money. Give them a little break for trying to do the right thing.
June,
You hit all the points. Chucky just keeps getting worse and worse. I liked him when he did election analysis. He should stick to that only. Everything else coming out of his mouth of late is garbage.
The repugs just will not get behind our President. They want him to fail but do not acccept any responsiblity for being the Ropea Dopes of Nope. They talk today about Finance Reform, but continue to block it in the Senate. Our President yesterday made a promise, and damn it, he kept it as you so well documented above. Now they are complaining about a poor choice of words from BP referring to the small people. We talk about small businesses all the time. The word was not correct but English is not his native tongue. I understood this be be that he cared for all the people that were harmed by this oil spill. ANy Commnents
US Navy, spot on! It appears the GOP leaning corporations are riding high on record profits, but refuse to hire anyone because they are intent on bringing down this presidency no matter what it does to the American middle class, even though the wall Street is well over 10,000. It also appears the republican leaning oil industry was offering no help to the clean up of Americans hurting in the wake of this disaster, once again trying to make this Obama"s Katrina. Anyone remember Waterloo. It appears some republicans are dead set on trashing this country just to score political points. Truly sad that they would harm the very country that has helped secure their wealth, just for power.
I am agreeing with both of you - first off Chuck Todd used to be quite good during the campaign and giving us the numbers etc.. But now he is throwing out horrible stuff which are his opinions about the President - actually after the speech last night they were all rude and had ineffectual coverage. This was not the time for a speech that will bring tingles up your legs - this was the time for the "big picture" and personally I thought he covered it quite well.
And now - he has BP doing what he said last night. Lets rip him to shreds people - geez.
that it would be illegal....June
June, I don't think anybody said it would be illegal for him to ASKfor the money. It was when people were saying he could "make" them, "force" them to do it that it was pointed out he doesn't have that authority. Some people were also calling for him to "take control" of BP, which he cannot do either.
Frankly I was disappointed in Chuck Todd, all of MSNBC lately. For whatever reason they are intent on trashing the President and all his efforts. None of them have mentioned the great milestones achieved today.
Walter Cronkite, etal would never have disrespected the profession as the current Media constantly do. Media does not take time to let words sink in before they begin tearing it apart. Media's rush to expose shortcomings does much to undermine the American psyche.
Of Rachael Maddow, i say: I was standing at the sink when notification that John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been shot and was dead in Dallas, Texas came to me. The entire country was led in prayer. When called to Prayer, Walter Cronkite did not ridicule the newly enthroned President for leading us in prayer. He joined us. I'm not asking you to surrender your denial of God, just respect those of us that love and depend upon our God and let our President remember us all in his prayers, and remind us to pray for our neighbors, our leaders, ourselves and our country.
I am glad that the apology has been spoken. It is a good first step. It is my strong hope that it is followed up with actions that are swift and just.
Maybe BP will surprise me. Dare I hope that they actually might be sincere in their words? After so many years of being misled and lied to from what seems like every direction (wall street, weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, pick your topic here) I"m more than skeptical.
And while the focus has shifted to the speeches and the repirations - the oil continues to gush..........
I doubt that business and people are the same word in anyone's language. Small businesses exist in all cultures, small people only exist in the minds of elitists.
Paul,
The head of BP was talking about the businesses not individuals per se at the time and I took his comments to refer to "Small Businesses" which are getting hammered. He choice of words was not the best choice and I was not clear on the point I was trying to make but I do not think he really meant to belittle anybody. Maybe he did, neither of us can be certain and maybe he is an elitists. For now I am willing to accept what he said as to be applied to all peoples and small businesses in the Gulf Area. I hope he does just that. Time will tell.
Thank you for your comment. I enjoyed the chat.
Was I not concise enough for you? Try re-reading my earlier post. In no language are the words "business" and "people" interchangeable. They have separate latin roots. If you want to believe that he meant to say business but instead said people, as if the are the same thing in Swedish (they aren't), then I guess you are one of those people who would believe that Saddam Hussein was a direct threat to the United States. You people believe whatever you are told to believe by Hannity and Limpballs and now the Beckster. Are you ever going to figure out that you are being conned by them? I doubt it.
Now you are being an ignorant a$$hole. I voted for President Obama and am a Democrat and proud of it. You are a jerk. I have nothing but contempt for Beck, Rush, and the others and now including you. Read what I wrote. Iwas trying to give the swed the benefit of the doubt. As of this writing he has apologize for his improper use of the language and I believe him. This was all I wastrying to say. I was not trying to compare word for word as you indicated above.
This site is starting to get way too many self-righteous, ignorant, brain dead idoits like you.
Can you not understand what is written or said? Svanberg said "small people" three times. Then you want to give him the benefit of the doubt?!?! Why? Then in your next post you say you BELIEVE his apology, which was exactly my point. You're the type of person who BELIEVES what you're told. I am thankful that you support Obama. But if you don't want to be lumped in with the "sheeple" who believe Hannity, Beck or Limpballs, stop BELIEVING that anyone is telling you the truth in their prepared statements. It is only when they make a gaffe that they are telling you the truth.
"We care about the small people"? No, thanks. The small people don't need the phony compassion of the small-minded.
They just need your money. Don't pretend to care.
Small people comment, is it worse than "THEY cling to their guns and religion"? Seemed to have forgotten that one for the number one elitist in the country.
vernr... isn't it about curfew time... the village is looking for it's resident idiot
Yeah you do need to go to bed
Sorry to disappoint... Otis... but I'm not going anywhere :0)
And you need to go back to school....vernr
didn't know you libs were so sensitive. Guess it fits though
We often elect our Presidents based on what the majority of the people feel the country needs in the way of leadership.
In the wake of 8 years worth of bungling, misadventures and abuses of the system often bordering on corruption, the country opted for an individual who was, among other things: (a) brighter, (b) intellectually more curious, (c) inspirational and (d) more systematic, "work the plan" and low-key in his management style. That's what times called for.
Since, in a very real sense, most of us usually look in a rear view mirror when determining who to vote for - subsequent events on the ground don't always match the skills of our newly installed political leaders.
We thought the times called for a straight-arrow version of Cool Hand Luke. Instead, we've had a crisis no one could have envisioned and one that many people apparently feel call for fiery, pro-active and perhaps even dictator-like leadership.
Sorry. President Obama doesn't do fiery very well (unlike his predecessor, he's much better suited to taking the necessary time to bring in the experts, develop a well-thought-out strategy and then implement the strategy). Unfortunately events in the Gulf region call for quicker action/turnaround within the context of an impatient and increasingly panicky citizenry metaphorically "watching an asteroid slowly move toward earth."
Like any newly elected President, he's had to expand his range of management and executive skills "on the job", with the major problem being - if he acts out of character and overdoes the emotion, you guys will accuse him of being a phony. With regard to President Obama's leadership style, the national news media hasn't been especially helpful.
Props to Mikka Brezenski - who pointed out that the media has villified President Obama for "being too cool and measured" at a time calling for (I guess) more demogoging and hysterical outbursts of rage.
I just wish MSNBC, CNN and others would get off the "how does every nuancy thing impact the political landscape" and, instead focus on a major environmental crisis and what we're doing to best address it.
As a nation, we've got a huge problem. And all you guys have to do is peck away at the Chairman of BP referring to "small people." (Talk about a lack of focus)!