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The president used a town hall on the economy Wednesday to blast Republicans for doing little to help jump-start the recovery or to help prevent the kind of near collapse of the financial system that led to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
In a fiery, campaign-style speech before a crowd of some 1,350 people in Racine, WI, the president said the economy was growing and adding jobs and that Congress was on the verge of passing a comprehensive overhaul of the financial regulatory system that he said would protect the economy from "the recklessness and irresponsibility of a few," protect consumers and make sure that taxpayers don't have to foot the bill for Wall Street's mistakes. But he criticized the opposition, particularly House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), for not supporting the bill.
"The leader of the Republicans in the House said that financial reform was like -- and I'm quoting here -- using a nuclear weapon to target an ant," Obama said. "He compared the financial crisis to an ant. This is the same financial crisis that led to the loss of nearly eight million jobs; same crisis that cost people their homes; their life savings."
The president was referring to comments Boehner made in an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper. The Republican leaders told the paper, in reference to the financial regulatory bill: "This is killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
Obama said most people don't see the financial crisis as an ant, reprising a common theme from the presidential campaign, when he consistently sought to show that Democrats understood the concerns of everyday Americans, while Republicans were "out of touch" and beholden to large corporations and lobbyists. In fact, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs used that very phrase to describe Boehner during the daily press briefing on Tuesday and Obama repeated it today, signaling the argument would likely play a role in this year's elections -- along with other common themes from 2008 like fighting for change and against "the interests of the status quo."
"He can't be that out of touch with the struggles of American families," Obama said of Boehner. "And if he is, then he's got to come here to Racine and ask people what they think."
With the mid-term election approaching and polls showing the economy remains issue number 1, the White House is eager to demonstrate that they are focused on jobs and to convince voters that the steps the administration has taken so far, with the help of Democrats in Congress, have helped to put the economy on the right track.
The White House has launched "Recovery Summer", during which administration officials will be traveling all around the country highlighting infrastructure projects funded by the stimulus package and during the 40 minutes he spent answering six questions, the president spent some 13 minutes explaining and defending the stimulus package, which critics have said was too costly and has done too little to create jobs.
Still, officials admit there's a long way to go. Obama noted that Racine, where today's event was held, has the second highest employment rate in the state -- at 14 percent, and noted that he wanted to see the nation's economy growing faster, at 4% or 5%, to help create more jobs. Today he called on Congress to take additional steps to speed the recovery, from extending unemployment benefits -- noting that Republicans have been blocking a vote on this issue -- to helping small businesses get access to credit and providing aid to states.
The latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed there was more pessimism about the economy in May than there had been since July of last year, with only 33 percent believing it would improve in the next 12 months. Sixty-six percent said the economy would get worse or stay the same.
States are still facing deficits that could lead to more job cuts and the Consumer Confidence Index fell precipitously in June, a bad sign in a country where consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of GDP. Despite five straight months of job growth, private sector job creation continues to lag. Even so, the president made a point in Racine of noting that the economy had added private sector jobs for five months in a row. Wall Street is bracing for a Friday jobs report that could show fewer jobs were created overall last month, as government census jobs disappear.
Boehner's response
Boehner's office released a statement after the White House sent out excerpts of the remarks the president was to make in Racine.
"Attacking Republicans is a lot easier than explaining to the citizens of Racine, who face 14 percent unemployment, why one in every 10 Americans in our workforce is unemployed nearly 18 months after the president's trillion-dollar 'stimulus' spending bill was enacted," the statement read, in part.
It went on to say that the financial regulatory overhaul would "kill more jobs" and make matters worse in part because it does not include a revamp of Fannie Me or Freddie Mac, the government mortgage companies contributed to the financial crisis.
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I wanted to be bipartisan, until I realized that those slimy bastards were evil...Now, can I get a couple of you slimy, evil bastards to come on board with my (fill in the blank) program?...it never changes...Mr Bi-partisan post politics is no different than the "polarizing" politicians of the past. He never was, but the media and the true believers are always willing to swallow the "line" hook, line and sinker...Didn't this guy win the nomination in part because Hillary wouldn't be able to work with the republicans like he would?
Calling it as he sees it and as it is dangerfield. You folks and others wanted honesty and transparency. Well now you are seeing it in full color. And it is about time.
By the way. Hillary would have ripped the republicans to shreds for their obstructionist behavior long before Obama decided to do the same. She would have told them what slimy bastards they were from day one.
Looks like Obama is doing a good job ripping the Democratic party to shreds. The minority of people like CA here are the only remaining cheerleaders for Mr. Hopey and Changey. And as for Hillary, just what is she doing now in days? Haven't heard much from her lately.
dangerfield, you have to be as blind as a bat in the sun if you don't see that the republicans have been blocking nearly everything the president has tried to get done. And, they have done it for no other reason than to make him fail. They have tried to make all of his policies his "waterloo" and continue to do so.
As for the media, they seem to be taking the side of the republicans since the day that Fox News said they were "in the tank". The fair and balanced reporting faded because the media, like Fox, get most talking points from the likes of Limbaugh and the rest of the conservative crew. They don't report the news, they create their own commentary and analysis without ever finding facts and that is just the truth. Look at what they did to the healthcare reform (lies about what was in it), the stimulus (it is working, I see the effects in every state I travel in), financial reform, now the oil spill (not his fault but they will use it for political gain) and all of the other policies. No, the media is not in the tank for the president, but, I am and proud of it.
JoAnna:
Why do people like you and Mix Bag and a few others try and support your arguments or discussions with such over generic trite phrases as "most people", "the majorityof people", "only reminaing cheerleaders", etc. Your dependence on such phrases to try and prove that the majority of people are opposed to Obama as well as your use of the Palin "hopey/changey" phrase only validates one thing. A childish and underdeveloped mind. Please try and be a little more mature and grown up when you respond. Otherwise many here will just have to begin leaving you out of the discussion where it will no longer be worth taking your time to post a comment.
"They don't report the news, they create their own commentary"...and apparently so do you...
Look at what they did to the healthcare reform (lies about what was in it),you mean the press?
the stimulus (it is working, I see the effects in every state I travel in)...so, you're the one! Some tout success, some failure and still others say the jury on the stimulus is still out...
There are actual studies done on press favoritism, but you probably didn't know that. Here's a heads-up on one joint that is practically famous for stuff like that...
Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics & Public Policy with the Project for Excellence in Journalism.
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/presspol/
You're welcome...
CA,
Is it really these "slimy bastards", or is it that -
Obama is the most divisive and polarizing president in Gallop history by a significant margin.
Hope that is not too generic and trite.
Nah, it's pretty much the slimy bastards. It's hard to argue that point when Mitch McConnell admitted going in that his strategy was to block everything, just to hand the Democrats defeats.
Geeze, don't go away angry CA, just go away. And don't forget your pom-poms.
Evidently being a highly educated black man who was elected President in an electoral landslide is very polarizing
Forrest,
I not sure, but it seems he was black and highly educated when the American people elected him as president.
Can you think of any other reason Obama is the most polarizing president in Gallop history?
No I can't. I think he is doing a remarkable job at trying to address real problems no one else cared to address in the last 10 years. The republicans right from the start said they hope he fails and have been relentless in their waterloo strategy. Thats were I see the polarization coming from. The republicans got their way almost always for the last 8 years and when the indication is that they won't continue to get what they want exclusively then he is polarizing. Giving billions to bankers and denying working people of an unemployment extension is polarizing. Calling working people spoiled, and lazy, saying that unemployment benefits is a safety net not a hammock is polarizing. Calling the president Hitler, a communist, a socialist and all the other ridiculous rhetoric is very polarizing. The situation is polarized but I don't see it as something the President is responsible for.
Lets sum up what Obama is good at. Blaming others for his problems. Suing corporations and suing states that pass laws he doesn't like. Strong-arming programs like health care through congress. Giving campaign style speeches. Believing that giving campaign style speeches is some kind of leadership (it's not). Spending money he doesn't have. Wanting to spend even more money then he doesn't have. Being a partisan left-wing ideologue. That's about it. Pretty pathetic that man Obama.
1350 people. Not much of a crowd.
Iwonder if Feingold was anywhere nearby-to explain to obama why he is a 'no' on the finance bill?
Oh, come on, no joe - it was a town hall meeting, not a Packers game!
I'd say that's still about 1349 more people than either you or I could pack in.....
I'm a little surprised that First Read hasn't had much discussion of the quickly-concluded confirmation hearings for General Petraeus.
As someone not normally inclined towards enjoying Maureen Dowd's editorials, I must admit that I was somewhat amused at part of her June 29th New York Times offering. Dowd discussed the determination of Democratic Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) to put General David Petraeus in a box regarding the proposed withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan beginning in July, 2011.
Responding to a query from Senator Levin, General Petraeus responded that he regarded the withdrawal initiation deadline as important in stimulating responsible behavior by Karzai's Kabul regime.
In her editorial, Dowd then said:
"Like a child with a favorite bedtime story, Senator Jack Reed wanted to hear it again."
I'll bet he did, Maureen...but the truth is, when President Obama persuaded General Petraeus to take a demotion and assume command of the troops in Afghanistan, he ceded control of Afghanistan, going forward, to Petraeus. That would include any timetable for withdrawal.
Maureen Dowd, I'm sure, wouldn't agree...but I'm wishing President Obama and General Petraeus the best of luck in Afghanistan.
Because, if one of them fails in Afghanistan...the other does as well.
Oh, before I forget...
Attacking the GOP is no substitute for effectively governing the nation.
He's President, and he has significant majorities in not one, but both Houses of Congress.
The electorate isn't likely to be accepting excuses, in lieu of results, in November...given those undeniable realities.
Mixed up Bag of Ignorant
The majority in the Senate doesn't mean much when the rules, RULE 22 specifically, allows the minority to shelve all the bills that have already passed the house. This obstructionism will be made more and more clear long before November. The Re-peat-the-lie-to-the-PUBLIC-ans are in for quite a surprise in October.
It's always good to hear from First Read's resident 9/11 "truther", Paul...
Do you still believe that your government deliberately murdered nearly 3000 U.S. citizens in the World Trade Center? Are you still aligned with the twin mental giants, Rosie O'Donnell...and Charlie Sheen?
You know Paul, there's a conspiracy theory out there that could use your help, Paul...have you considered joining the "birthers" as well?
in October? Don't tell me the Nationals aren't going to make the post-season!...
Seriously, (if that's possible in any rational reply to someone who thinks "Re-peat-the-lie-to-the-PUBLIC-ans" is clever wordplay) this stuff won't mean anything in the November elections. If unemployment goes below say, 8.5% and is trending down, with the economy producing 150,000+ private sector jobs, the democrats will retain control of both houses. If the economy isn't much better than it is today, the republicans will make huge gains, potentially wresting control of one or even both the house and senate. Everything else is a sideshow and will have no more impact on the elections than "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" will have on Steven Strassbourg's e.r.a...
Rodney
RE-PEAT-THE-LIE-TO-THE-PUBLIC-ANS is starting to catch on.
Mixed up Bag of Ignorant Chicken
Rosie and Charlie may not be the brightest people in the world but they are wildly more successful in our capitalistic free market system than you. And they don't know half of the truth about 9/11, yet they know infinitely more than you. It is curious that the people that do not wish to"forget" 9/11 demonstrate daily that they know almost absolutely nothing about it, and then deliberately miss-state what more knowledgeable people tell them about it.
Rosie and Charlie do, however, have the advantage of being brighter than you are, Paul.
And sadly, it's not a particularly close competition.
As for the "birthers". Why do they want so badly for Joe Biden to be President? Do they think that would change much of anything?
Mixed Bag
In defense of Paul, I have some surprising information for you, information that the Bush admin worked very hard to hide and bury from public notice concerning the Twin Towers on 9/11 and the time preceding that day.
1. Bush's younger brother was in charge of security for the towers, the company he brought in for that security was an affiliate of Haliburton. On 9/11 he happened to NOT be in his office, but was taking a day off and was in another building with a room that had a clear view of the towers but was safely far away.
2. Just prior to the start of the actual collapse there was a series of sharp explosion impacts that was filmed and sound recorded by the responders and reporters on the scene that came from the first tower to fall. Based on expert witnesses it sounded like high explosives, not low explosives which are more of a boom, but sharp, deep felt impacts close together such that it sounded and felt like an earthquake, BEFORE the collapse started. This happened again JUST BEFORE the second tower collapsed. These were caused by the high-explosive cutter charges that were used.
3. Both collapses were linear in nature, meaning they went straight down, pancaking as they went. This is exactly the way a CONTROLLED DEMOLITION would be conducted.
4. Almost all of the I-Beam support members (the upright structural pieces) showed evidence of explosive shearing at precise angles, just exactly as one would expect in a controlled demolition. They were not flame cut (torch cut) after the collapse, they plainly showed the effects of high explosive cutting charges, again, Just like in a Controlled Demolition, before the collapse.
5. Another of the buildings on the World Trade Center grounds, in fact the one that housed the security offices, exploded and collapsed even though it had sustained NO damage from the aircraft impacts and the first responders can be heard in the recordings as saying "Was that #5?" "Yeah, they Blew it already!"...!!!
6. The White House and the Administration KNEW that the terrorists were planning to attack using aircraft (widely documented) and actually pulled away the FBI agents who could have stopped them. Not only did they know it was going to happen, they Let it happen...and helped make sure that it was as disastrous as possible.
7. The Federalist Society, made up of entirely NeoCon and other Extreme Right Wing people as well as the members of the defunct Moral Majority, had written that in order for them to be enabled to gain nearly unlimited Presidential War Time powers and sway the populace into going to war with Iraq that it would need a "Pearl Harbor" level of attack on US soil....Prior to Bush getting into office.
8. Bush was no where near the White House when the attacks, one planned for the White House, happened. Knowing they were going to happen he left his wife there knowing that the private loss to him would help to enrage Americans and bolster his arguments for going to war with the "People who did this." He was willing to sacrifice his wife for the Project.
Now Mixed Bag, you do not have to believe this, but almost all of this information can be found on the web. Much of it has been relegated at "Conspiracy Theory" however the facts of what happened are rather plain and just because the coverup "Investigation" worked to hide most of this data does not make it any less real. The last time I posted this kind of information, here on FR, within a day I had an intrusive attack on my computer that went right through all of the firewall and anti-virus programs that I had running, like butter, and had files copied out and were being sent, via e-mail forwarding, to an unknown site. I unplugged the computer from the net immediately and stopped the sending midstream. I had to deal with a particularly nasty, and from what the tech told me, governmental level Trojan Intrusion program that utilized some of the Government/Military cutouts that are required on any computer sold in the US. Yes, they are there and they can access your machine anytime they really want. Again, you do not have to believe me, do your own research looking for the points I lined out for you, but it happened, and they have so far, gotten away with it. How much do you think that crowd cares about 3k lives and a few buildings when they were taking us to war for their own multitrillion dollar profits? Not much at all, they never have and never will, as long as they live fat and happy and they very nearly destroyed this Nation during their 8 years in power, INTENTIONALLY!
I know the Truth and will tell it, Loud and Clear. You do not have to believe me, the info is out there for anyone to find, they just label it Conspiracy Theory and figure that no one will believe it because of that. However, too many people know what happened and they will not be able to keep it buried forever. The Truth WILL Prevail!
B. Honest
I am sorry to hear that they have probably put you on a "list". The powers afforded the government to intercept and digitally record all of our communications is a duanting thing. Michael Hayden ceased being a true patriot quite some time ago. Project for a New American Century, PNAC, WAS AT THE CENTER OF ANNOUNCING THEIR PLANS TO "HIJACK" OUR NATION. Jeb and Marvin Bush have been working with Dick Cheney longer than George W. has. Nobody trusted George to keep their secrets.
Paul
I know, I have been on their list for a long long time, actually encountered live agents when I was running my business checking to see if I was producing firearms in my Knife, Sword and Armor business. LOL, I knew better than that, even though I prolly could produce firearms, I have never been interested. I did historical reproductions for around 12 yrs and was doing nothing to really interest them, but they checked me out anyways. In any case, the truth will eventually prevail.
I am not so sure that the truth will ever prevail, but some of us have to at least make the effort.
Mis-information is one of our enemies. I took Bill Fairfax to task for claiming to have seen a "Four engine aircraft" fly into the Pentagon. I have to correct you too. Laura Bush was scheduled to testify in the Russell building next to the capitol building. I don't have information confirming any attempt to hit the Whitehouse with the aircraft, the Capitol building would be a much easier target to hope to aquire visually and hit. Anti-aircraft batteries have always been rumored to exist for the Whitehouse for at least twenty years. Why they couldn't defend the rest of D.C. has always been a mystery that went unexplained. Cheney was running things down in the E.E.O.C. OF THE Whitehouse while Bush read a children's book upside down in Sarasota, Fl. (JEB country) Norman Maneta places Cheney in E.O.C. getting updates on the position of the flight coming to hit the Pentagon.
I can easily believe that, It actually makes sense since they kept Curious George out of the informational loop. I know I do not know everything, but I certainly know enough...more than I like really.
When republicans attack the hard working families of this nation I am damn glad and proud that the president returns the fire I wish he would do it more often. I'm thrilled the president "twisted BP's arms" on behalf of the people damaged as opossed to republicans twisting arms on behalf of the corporations. Thank You Mr. President.
I missed the right button, lol
As I said earlier, we are all ignorant. It is merely a matter of degree as to how much we don't know. We are also a nation of willfull ignorants, the willfully ignorant, and willful ignorance. Those that seek to enslave us , provide both the distractions from any interest in "reality" and the complications to the enactment of the will of the majority to positively affect reality. It is amazing how many young men in this country can name the starting lineups for sports teams in all the major sports, but have no idea who their congressperson, senators, or state's attorney general are. It really is quite sad. The entertainment industry is really the distraction industry, the Fed's Monopoly money is made available to insure that the majority of the population pays no attention at all to the kinds of things that we argue about here every day.
"PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!" Wizard of Oz image in The Wizard of Oz
"Religion is the opiate of the masses"- Lenin Today we have Television on Cable
Bread and Circuses have been replaced with 24/7 Television and Subsidized Food Production