About Contact Archives RSS Columns Photos

Democrat attacks Treasury Secretary…except he’s the Fed chairman

By Michelle Malkin  •  January 17, 2008 05:34 PM

Ready for your afternoon snort-inducer? Put down your beverage and watch Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur go on the attack against Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson…or rather, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke. D’oh!:

Reuters reports:

U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur came to a House committee hearing on Thursday prepared to ask U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson tough questions about his involvement in the subprime mortgage crisis.

Unfortunately, she was questioning the chairman of the Federal Reserve.

The Ohio Democrat, at a House of Representatives Budget Committee hearing, said she wanted to know what Wall Street firms were responsible for the securitization of subprime mortgages. She then asked: “Seeing as how you were the former CEO of Goldman Sachs …” But the only person testifying at the hearing interrupted.

“No, no, no, you’re confusing me with the Treasury Secretary,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

“I’ve got the wrong firm? Paulson, Oh, OK. Where were you sir?” Kaptur said. Bernanke noted that he was head of the Princeton University economics department.

“Oh, Princeton, oh, all right, sorry. I got you confused with the other one … I’m glad you clarified that for the record,” she said.

She’s glad he clarified the record?

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Fed chairman pwns ill-informed Democrat
  2. Right Voices » Blog Archive » Would It Be Too Much To Ask That The Democrats Know Who It Is That They Are Meeting With?
  3. Wizbang

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:36 pm, thirteen28 said:

    And these are the people that say Bush is dumb?

  2. #2
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm, Dave from Flint said:

    Nothing to see here, folks, just another confused Democrat. Move along, now.

  3. #3
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:43 pm, navywife91 said:

    Bush didn’t know the names of some foreign leaders, but this woman doesn’t know she’s talking to the Fed chairman from her own country. I’m not going to call her dumb because hopefully she’s embarrassed enough. Bush would have been all over the news tonight if he had made that mistake. Look what they did to him for walking to the wrong door.

  4. #4
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:43 pm, Jerry said:

    …I suppose it goes without saying that Democrats do not understand the economy. The most important man in fiscal policy, and you do not no his name. This would be hilarious if not for the fact that she sits on a committee that has oversight of fiscal matters.

  5. #5
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:44 pm, John Ansell said:

    Open mouth, insert Hsu.

  6. #6
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:45 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Bwahahahaha! Too funny!

  7. #7
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:50 pm, graysonret said:

    Funny! Someone on her staff is in big trouble. Wrong notes! LOL

  8. #8
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, Sunshein said:

    Wrong talking-points. Her priority was to ask a pointed question, not to listen.

  9. #9
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm, secondsight said:

    It was reminescent of the Disney ad with the squeaky voiced dinosaur: “I have a big head and short arms”

    (Then don’t box.)

    The curse of Lightweightedness is upon her, and will never be lifted even if she gets a brain and joins the Republican Party.

  10. #10
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm, DesertLover said:

    Hmmm … she’s from the same state so I wonder if she got a ride to the hearing on DK’s UFO Express ??? :roll:

  11. #11
    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm, DougT said:

    I like the “…I got you confused with the other one…”

    Those freaking interchangeable accountants.

    Oh, man, that was funny.

  12. #12
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, guspapa said:

    Kind of like Billary’s reference to the President being “Pathetic” WOW These folks are well schooled… And it’s all Booshes fault ( I thought that Woodrow Wilson brought the Fed Reserve into being ) great stuff

  13. #13
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:12 pm, katieanne said:

    “Oh, Princeton, oh, all right, sorry. I got you confused with the other one … I’m glad you clarified that for the record,” she said.

    The other one? What a nimrod. The least she could do is know who she is talking to. We are to think she has a good grasp of the subject she is asking questions about? What a joke.

  14. #14
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:15 pm, SirKnob said:

    This happened ‘on the record’. You would not believe some of things they ask ‘off the record’ of the wrong people all the time.

    People are consistently told to drop everything, go to the hill, to let some congressperson vent their constituents ill will on some poor public servent. Only to find out that the person doing the crying was not only wrong, blaming the wrong organization for their being prevented from doing something illegal, but also living in the fantasy world of ‘the law should not apply to them because they have money’.

    I have seen it go so far as a congressperson demanding that the organization submit legislation to allow their wealthy constituent to break the law. The congressperson never intends to pass the legislation, but demands the attempt only satiate the ego of their wealthy constituent.

    Many of you have often heard of the silly things some government agencies ask for, now ‘you know the rest of the story’. :-)

  15. #15
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:21 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    Treasury is part of the Federal Government. The Federal Reserve is a privately owned non-governmental group that just happens to loan all our money to the government with interest for which we all pay the freight!

  16. #16
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:26 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Glad to see they’re paying lots of attention.

    Doh!

  17. #17
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    “No, no, no, you’re confusing me with the Treasury Secretary,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

    “I’ve got the wrong firm? Paulson, Oh, OK. Where were you sir?”

    …and when did you stop waterboarding your wife? Where am I? What day is this? Do you have S-Chip yet? Bring me my beef jerkey…

  18. #18
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:32 pm, Speakup said:

    “Oh, Princeton, oh, all right, sorry. I got you confused with the other one … I’m glad you clarified that for the record,” she said.

    But, but, she has such wonderful intentions.

    Look at it this way how can you possibly eat your heart out with your foot in your mouth?
    Just keep on chew’n.

    Liberals can’t live with’em, can’t live…well thats not true we could live without’em.

  19. #19
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:34 pm, SHoward said:

    She may indeed be speaking without having a clue (about this or any other subject), but I still believe in the validity of the question.
    – Dan Rather

  20. #20
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, atxcowgirl said:

    Her incompetence Kaptured for posterity.

  21. #21
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm, granite said:

    #3 On January 17th, 2008 at 5:43 pm, navywife91 said:

    “I’m not going to call her dumb because hopefully she’s embarrassed enough.”

    You’re being too charitable.

    These clowns have tremendous influence and control over how much we are taxed, how we defend ourselves against enemies, how decent or coarse our culture becomes, and other aspects of our lives (even if no immediate control over some of these)…and she can’t walk into a meeting knowing the correct name of the man she is going to question?!?!?!?!

    How long do you think I’d last if I did not know which patient I was dealing with? (Or how long the patients would last, for that matter.)

    I’d like to use a stronger word, but clown will do for now.

    Un-blanking-believable….

  22. #22
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:43 pm, Salt said:

    meatpieandtatters said:

    Treasury is part of the Federal Government. The Federal Reserve is a privately owned non-governmental group…

    I’d describe it as being half-way between government and private. The board of governors are appointed by the president and can be removed by him if ‘for cause’. Congress doesn’t fund them, but they do make a report to the Speaker.

    The difference between the chairman of the board of governors and the secretary of the treasury may be lost on the average citizen, but one would hope that a representative asking questions of one (or the other) would have some understanding of their role and function.

    Too often these Q&As become nothing more than stomping grounds to bloviate on talking points in order to “prove” your value in Congress.

    Look, everyone, I put the screws to some high muckity-muck to let them know we’re pissed. What? Wrong muck? All well, let me continue my tirade. The cameras are still rolling and they’re all the same anyway.

  23. #23
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm, Barry F. said:

    And, she’s on the House Budget Committee?!

    Oh! Wait. She’s a 13th term Democrat, educated in England, part of the domestic policy staff of the Carter Administration, etc.

    Well, that should help explain her snafu then. ;-)

    Dave was right in post #2…

    On January 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm, Dave from Flint said:

    Nothing to see here, folks, just another confused Democrat. Move along, now.

  24. #24
    On January 17th, 2008 at 6:49 pm, John Ansell said:

    It’s Bush’s fault she mixed them up.

  25. #25
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:08 pm, d1carter said:

    Just making the home folks proud….?

  26. #26
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm, navywife91 said:

    granite
    I don’t want any of our trolls to use my statements as an example of “right wing extreme hatred…”

    :)

  27. #27
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:33 pm, Boomer said:

    Is she this prepared and informed when she votes too?

  28. #28
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:34 pm, mngirl said:

    Some women, give women a REALLY bad name.

    There really are a few too many of the dizzy ones with control over our tax rates.

    mngirl, CPA, MBA

  29. #29
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, Blind_Mule said:

    OMG, Moron alert. Maybe she had’nt had her Safe FDA approved anti-depressent’s. you know if the FDA approved it it’s got to be safe. Oh I’m sorry we were talking about the fed chairman my bad.

  30. #30
    On January 17th, 2008 at 7:51 pm, brooklyn red said:

    Paranoid thought of the day:

    It’s 2009. The Dems have won, we have Hillarycare, & for her many years of loyal service, Rep. Marcy Kaptur is now “Lord-high Health-care Czar for life”… & you need a procedure. :0

  31. #31
    On January 17th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, JohnHolliday said:

    … & you need a procedure. :0

    “Turn your head and cough,” said the doctor as he put on his chain-mail glove.

    Sorry. Nasty visual. My bad. Couldn’t resist.

    Just remember, if you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it’s free.

  32. #32
    On January 17th, 2008 at 8:32 pm, blues said:

    The fact that someone that stupid would run for office underscores the reason she shouldn’t.SHE IS TOO STUPID.

  33. #33
    On January 17th, 2008 at 8:37 pm, mnmike said:

    Poor girl, she’s still got sugar plums and spending fairies dancing in her head.

  34. #34
    On January 17th, 2008 at 8:48 pm, brooklyn red said:

    Doc Holliday, I’m confused… if freedom isn’t free how can health care be free?

    Darn smartass libs.

    by the way… I get this pain in my wrist every time flip some aclu kid a bird…

  35. #35
    On January 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm, Wade said:

    Bet she know what is on Pelosi’s Gourmet Menu though. Just another turd in the DC punchbowl.

  36. #36
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:00 pm, ajmontana said:

    I think her and Pageant Girl attended the same schools.

  37. #37
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:05 pm, zorro said:

    Wow! I can just see her giving herself a forceful forehead slap with the butt of her hand. Maybe she should have had a V8…

    Ohio voters! Are you paying attention?

  38. #38
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:12 pm, JohnnyNJ said:

    ……..It’s really scarry that someone so ignorant and illinformed could be a 13 term member of the Congress of the United States of America, and on the budget committee no less.

  39. #39
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm, petergwynne75 said:

    new Ann Coulter piece up — she’s endorsing Romney

    http://www.anncoulter.com

  40. #40
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:26 pm, NotaSlickFan said:

    In Kapturs’ defense she had just returned from breakfast with the Kennedy’s. In her hazy and confused head she was probably still somewhere near “75 bottles…” and the Kennedy’s were rolling in the aisles on the chamber floor.
    Patrick was trying to explain that he was there for a “late session” and Teddie, well: “What’d you call me? I’ll kick your, oh, ok, I vote for green beer, save the earth…”.

  41. #41
    On January 17th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, madchef said:

    And this years Roseanne Roseannadanna award goes to……

  42. #42
    On January 17th, 2008 at 10:28 pm, uhangtight said:

    yes these are the group of people that are going to ‘fix’ the economy and tell us how to manage our money? right.. how do these people get elected?

    of course, i guess i shouldn’t be so shocked, we have repubs falling for the hucster, too. this is another reason for term limits.

  43. #43
    On January 17th, 2008 at 11:01 pm, docflash said:

    Reminds me of the guy who puts the icecream cone in the forehead.Duh.Next we can teach her how to spread peanut butter.

  44. #44
    On January 18th, 2008 at 12:44 am, DirkBelig said:

    Here’s how we get a better and brighter Congress:

    1. All current officeholders are immediately fired and thrown out of the building.

    B. Anyone who wants to run for office is IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED!!!

    3. 535 American citizens are randomly selected by lot and taken to D.C. to serve two year terms. If you have to miss your kid’s soccer game because you’ve been called, tough darts.

    4. All empaneled Congressmen and Senators will be given a salary of $10 million per year BUT in the event they passing any non-defense-related spending bills and/or raise taxes, deductions will be made from their salary. In other words, every time they spend OUR money, THEIR money will be taken away. This will encourage stasis and thus, more freedom and wealth for the rest of us.

    Wasn’t that easy?

  45. #45
    On January 18th, 2008 at 12:47 am, BrianNY said:

    All those “economic types” must look the same to Marcy Kaptur.

  46. #46
    On January 18th, 2008 at 3:21 am, tacodawn said:

    Awhile back I watched Ben get totally lambasted by some nitwit witch Congresswoman from CA.

    She kept screaming at him to go talk to Bush to get us out of the war!

    He just stared at her blankly.

    He knows what he’s dealing with believe you me.

  47. #47
    On January 18th, 2008 at 7:45 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    “Snort-worthy”

    The funniest headline I have ever read:

    Lohan to work in morgue as punishment

    Sorry - just had to bring it up and this thread is Snort-worthy.

    In the imortal words of Emily Litella… never mind.

    This woman should join Lohan!!!

  48. #48
    On January 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am, bloghooligan said:

    what a friggin idiot. oh, and clarifying that for the record…as if it was the record that was incorrect. these dems don’t know the first thing about humility.

    but more importantly, her hatred of Wall Street is clear.

  49. #49
    On January 18th, 2008 at 7:57 am, bloghooligan said:

    >

    these are the same citizens who can’t locate Utah on a map? or tell us who our second president was? i’ll take my chances with the trash there now.

  50. #50
    On January 18th, 2008 at 8:30 am, Bigurn said:

    I must admit this: Marcy Kaptur is my Representative. She’s a tool. The Toledo-area, Union, anti-business crowd loves her. She continues to be overwhelmingly reelected, and I don’t know why. This kind of thing is pretty common, and she just got caught this time.

    Bigurn

  51. #51
    On January 18th, 2008 at 11:46 am, DagneyT said:

    Another excellent example of the brilliant women of the left!

  52. #52
    On January 18th, 2008 at 11:48 am, jsr said:

    Marcy Kaptur is a Democrtaic shill that is rapidly dragging Ohio down the path of Michigan. To her, the position held by her victim nor his background or experience or even his name are important, or even relevant. What is important is she gets to make a point and humble a rich, evil conservative responsible for the suffering of the people.

  53. #53
    On January 18th, 2008 at 11:48 am, DagneyT said:

    “these are the same citizens who can’t locate Utah on a map? ”

    Or like the Democrap congresswoman who complained about her hotel room in Orlando, FL. She was upset because she couldn’t see the ocean!

  54. #54
    On January 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, Chuck_g said:

    She is also my “representative”, and the mix-up with the person she was talking to is bad enough, embarrassing, but the point being lost (it was not highlighted in the Reuters summary at the top)is that she was trying to make the point that as a former CEO (so she thought) of a Wall St. firm (big business), you are responsible for the subprime mess (so the Dems now maintain) and you need to pay back some of your big salary/bonus/ill-gotten-gains!!
    Don’t miss the forest for the trees, folks!

  55. #55
    On January 18th, 2008 at 3:09 pm, itzWicks said:

    Ugh. This is simply par for the course. Except that it shouldn’t be.

  56. #56
    On January 18th, 2008 at 3:54 pm, amigoneus said:

    Bwaahahhaaaa! #53 - I was eating ice when I read about not seeing the ocean in Orlando and I spit the ice out and it hit my computer screen. I really needed that laugh (with accomaning snort) today! Thanks a million.

    Did it happen to be the same congresswoman who spoke of the flag our astronauts planted on Mars???

  57. #57
    On January 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm, amigoneus said:

    Oops - accompanying

  58. #58
    On January 18th, 2008 at 5:07 pm, max said:

    Maybe she should have had a V8…

    Well she most definitely did NOT stay at a Holiday Day In Express last night!

You must be logged in to post a comment.


Belmont Club

» A self-made hell