POTUS and TOTUS meet the press: Defensive about AIG, blame-card on debt, blows off charities
President Obama will hold a news conference tonight in a few minutes, starting at 8pm Eastern. TOTUS is fired up and ready to go, too — but after a few opening remarks, POTUS will fly without a net.
The White House sent out a preview:
President Barack Obama looked to steer the nation’s economic attention to the bigger picture Tuesday night and away from recent days’ micro-focus on outrage over executive bonuses, declaring signs of progress as his administration attacks the crisis “on all fronts.” “It’s a strategy to create jobs, to help responsible homeowners, to restart lending and to grow our economy over the long term,” Obama said in remarks released in advance of his prime-time news conference.
During a crowded week for the White House and furious debate that echoed from Main Street to Capitol Hill corridors, the president sought to take a step back. He summarized the steps taken so far by his administration to address the worst economic disaster in a quarter-century, framing them with optimism.“We will recover from this recession,” he said. “But it will take time, it will take patience and it will take an understanding that when we all work together — when each of us looks beyond our own short-term interests to the wider set of obligations we have to each other — that’s when we succeed.”
I’ll update with any gaffes or unusual occurrences (such as non-sycophantic questions from the press).
***
8:01pm Eastern. POTUS/TOTUS on economic crisis: “It took many failures to lead us here.”
And you will be victims of many more!
Obama touts the tax cuts he signed into law. ($13/week that won’t buy you earrings worth Michelle Obama’s time.)
Obama assails the “illusion of prosperity,” while he adds to the illusion.
Assails borrow and spend, while espousing more borrowing and spending.
Re. AIG bonuses: “I’m as angry as anybody.”
(But Geithner is doing a heckuva job, and I’m not letting him go!)
***
8:07pm Eastern. AP’s Jennifer Loven gets first question…why pushing for new government authority of financial institutions? “I think there’s going to be strong support for this authority.” AP: “Why should people trust govt to buy up toxic assets?”
BO basically says: Because they will.
Refers to IndyMac as a success story. Hello?
Talks about the “tools” he needs.
Tools = power/control.
***
8:15pm Eastern. Jake Tapper gets a question. Right now, Senate Dems are writing a budget not including middle class tax cut, cap and trade, and other measures. Will you sign a budget if it does not contain tax cut and cap and trade?
I expect health care reform, blah blah. “I am confident that the budget we put forward will have principles in place. Middle class tax cut will be there for next two years. Cap-n-trade – the broader principle is that we have to move to a new energy era.”
Refuses to talk more about it, since he hasn’t read it.
Basically, he’ll sign it.
***
Next q: What about the debt you are creating?
Obama goes back to his Bush’s fault card. I’m inheriting debt, so nyahnyah.
Blasts Republicans for not proposing an alternative.
But…
Here’s GOP Leader Boehner:
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today held a press briefing in advance of President Obama’s news conference scheduled for this evening. At the briefing, Boehner challenged the President’s assertions about Republicans and noted that the GOP has presented alternative ideas directly to the President on every major issue where there has been disagreement this year – and will offer a better budget solution later this week.
“I think a lot of Americans believe that our economy is in a crisis. Americans are looking to Washington for solutions. The President has offered a budget that will, in my opinion, hurt our economy and destroy the very jobs that we’re trying to save and to try to create. And I believe Republicans were offering better ideas to the President in hopes of building a better budget.
“This is today’s front page the Louisville Courier-Journal. If you read it you probably won’t be surprised that the President will probably say this again tonight in his press conference. With all due respect, Mr. President, the statement is not true, plain and simple. Your budget spends too much, it taxes too much and borrows too much from our kids and grandkids, and I believe Republicans are offering a better solution.
“Last week, I released a video — a YouTube video outlining our budget principles and laying the groundwork for the alternative budget that we will release later this week. Our alternative will create jobs by allowing American families and small businesses to keep more of what they earn, ensure that the federal budget doesn’t grow faster than the family budget, expand access to health care while preserving Social Security and Medicare, end the bailouts to protect taxpayers and reform the financial system, encourage an all-of-the-above energy strategy to make us energy independent, and to fight inflation so the prices of goods and services that American depend upon will remain stable.
“Now, this isn’t the first time we’ve offered better solutions, and the President knows that. Eric Cantor and I personally delivered to the President our stimulus proposal at the White House in January. Our plan would create twice as many jobs at half the cost as the President’s plan, and that’s even according to an economic analysis by his chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. And what was the response? The White House pretended they never even saw it.
“At a time when our economy is in serious recession, I think Americans deserve better. They need solutions, not distortions. The fact is the President’s budget spends too much, taxes too much and it borrows too much. It raises taxes on every American family and small business. It includes irresponsible levels of spending, reaching $5.1 trillion 10 years out. And if you look at the spending in this budget, you can begin to see how out of control this spending cycle is, and it doubles the debt on our kids and grandkids over the next six years. If you look at these debt figures, you can see this. This is all of the debt through 2008 that’s been accumulated in our country by 43 Presidents in 220 years in our history, and the President’s budget will double that over the next six years.
“I just think that this may be the most irresponsible piece of legislation I’ve seen in my legislative career. It’s an irresponsible plan that only makes the crisis we’re in worse. But when it’s all said and done, I think it’s time for a do-over. We need to start this budget process all over again. And I will hope that the President will work with us to build a responsible budget that will help strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work again.”
***
8:31pm Eastern. Question from Stars & Stripes on how to save money in defense budget.
Obama cites John McCain to back him up on procurement cuts.
But I thought McCain = 4 more years of Bush = Bad?
***
Q about AIG. Why is Andrew Cuomo doing more/getting more answers than you and Geithner, who were slow on the uptake? And what about debt you are creating that your daughters will inherit?
Obama ignores first question. Debt answer: It’s hard. Best way to tackle it is to reduce health care costs.
(By spending a few trillion dollars and engineering a massive govt takeover!)
Reporter follows up on AIG question, which BO didn’t answer. Why did it take you so long to respond?
Snippy: “It took a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about.”
Snorting. Out. Loud.
***
8:39pm Eastern. “I don’t believe we need a global currency.”
Politico asks about mortgage interest/charity deduction limits. Obama still supports. “It’s not gonna cripple them. They’ll still be well-to-do.”
Follow up: It’s not just the wealthy. It’s the charities.
Obama: They’re wrong.
***
8:46pm Eastern. Q: What about homelessness? Tent cities everywhere!
Obama: We’ll have more programs.
(But didn’t homelessness end with the Age of Obama?!)
***
Dumb question from Ann Compton: What about race?
Obama: I’ve been dealing with the economy.
***
8:56pm Eastern. Blahblahblah. Rambling last answer. Losing consciousness…
***
Fox News’ Bret Baier notes that NYTimes, WaPo, Times, Newsweek, big media all frozen out of q’s.
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.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
Nancy Pelosi Explains Why Obama Flip-Flopped on Super PACs
February 9, 2012 10:08 PM by Doug Powers
50 Comments
Report: Solyndra Sold Assets Cheap to Entity with Close Ties to Investors
February 9, 2012 10:08 AM by Doug Powers
49 CommentsFormer Democrat Rep. Regrets Vote for Obamacare Due to Contraceptive Coverage
February 7, 2012 03:40 PM by Doug Powers
75 Comments
Middle Class Payroll Tax Cut Extension Comes Courtesy of Mortgage Fees on Home Buyers
February 6, 2012 01:36 PM by Doug Powers
35 CommentsHiring Spree in NYC
February 1, 2012 02:47 PM by Doug Powers
43 CommentsMr. and Mrs. Cranky Pants
January 27, 2012 10:35 AM by Michelle Malkin
138 CommentsStimulus-Backed ‘Green’ Bankruptcy of the Week: Ener1
January 26, 2012 03:06 PM by Doug Powers
67 Comments
Obama and Jan Brewer Have Words on Airport Tarmac; Update: Brewer Book Sales Skyrocket
January 25, 2012 09:54 PM by Doug Powers
165 Comments
Warren Buffett’s Secretary to Sit with First Lady at State of the Union Speech
January 24, 2012 12:35 PM by Doug Powers
93 Comments
Categories: Barack Obama
Babalu Blog
» Greece is BurningPatterico
» NYT hails the safety net: Poor hardest hitDaily Caller
» Inside Media Matters: Sources, memos reveal erratic behavior, close coordination with White House and news organizationsNice Deb
» Former DEA Chief Tells Fox News: 3 Other Federal Agencies Knew About Operation ‘Fast and Furious’AmSpecBlog
» Weekend Political Wrap-UpJustOneMinute
» I Guess I'm Still Stuck On StupidThe Hill
» Rep. Ron Paul not conceding Maine vote
Since Totus relies on a preselected list of reporters, why doesn’t he help stimulate the economy by hiring stand ins to fill the rest of the seats.
RetFireman, sadly, those under the age of 30 received revisionist history in school.
Anything that did not happen in their lifetime, did not happen.
Anything heard from their Parents or Grandparents is anecdotal.
B. Hussein Obama is a joke. He made no other statements except for talking points that the liberals want to push as far as a socialist agenda. I bet the stock market tanks again today.
Of course the MSM isn’t going crack down and grill him like they did Bush. Don’t you see; he’s a HISTORICAL president! You don’t diss your part in touching living history, kinda like the apes stroking the slab in “2001″.
James Greenidge
Queens, New York
Seances R US
Brought to up by the Greenshirts of America.
What happened to freedom and liberty?
OT
Associated Press is at it again, boo hoo hoo sob story before the Officers that were killed in Oakland (w/o remorse) by this scumbag were even honored.
killer painted victim
I’m glad you acknowledged the struggle to stay awake, Michelle. It came at about the same time (at only 6:56 Mountain Time) that I started making snoring noises and my 9 yr old playing in front of me turned to see if I was really sleeping.
My son also brought up, sometime during the prez’s answer to Mike Allen of Politico, “He [Obama] ‘uhh’s’ a lot…”
Why was Mixon even on the streets? He should have been locked up and not a threat to anyone.
Urkel the Magnificent gave half as*sed answers to planted questions for almost an hour. He defended the destruction of the economy unsuccessfully and promised more bread & circus at Taxpayer expense.
I wish my TV had an O-Chip that would block Urkel Vision and switch channels to programs that don’t get my blood pressure up like listening to Urkel’s shameless lies.
Old trooper, it’s a mess, on Oreilly last night a judge let’s a pedophile free w/o any monitoring into a neighborhood so he can oil up and sunbath at a community pool, then in New Hampshire they hold a shoplitfer in custody on 110 thousand dollars bail for steeling 500 dollars worth of shrimp.
figure that one out.
(I think the citizens are having a rally to get the perv off the streets Saturday in Tampa)
adding…. the boy he molested was mentally challenged.
Thanks for
watchingsuffering through that for us, Michelle! I could not bring myself to watch it, but I knew you’d have the analysis!“Illusion of prosperity” is all we’ll be left with if his budget goes through!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hSnEMV58F8&feature=player_embedded
best youtube video EVER.
Thought I would share this suggestion from another blog:
BSOTUS (Big Screen Of The United States)
tgr, there was another one on hot air….
One Big Ass Monitor America
I’ll continue to be disheartened as long as GOP accepts the liberal talking points (as if they are all worthy of consideration) and responds to them (enviro topics, social programs – the real prosperity killers, etc.).
What a waste of time it is too often when in good faith we go to the polls, only to get something else in congress.
1) The judge’s neighborhood is gated – his children are secure, or, he doesn’t have children.
2) The shrimp theft caused a shortage which meant no shrimp at his cocktail party that night – very embarrassing.
Just figuring.
It’s amazing that Odopey has to take advice from dipsticks around him on how to act. good speaker my eye, the guy is a flippin Puppet, nothing more. I wonder how much time they waste on giving him lessons on body language before air time each day and if it’s before or after he blows of National Security briefings. This guy makes me want to barf.
That’s because there is no logic to anything he says or does. Unless you consider destroying America logical.
Obama is a fraud. There is nothing… Nothing.. that he has done to date that is good for our country. Nothing.
lol, tgr…..
The pedo story was on Oreilly and I read the shrimp piece on my home page. two diff stories. But your explanation is exactly how these libtards think.
Nope, no logic…only feelings.
I don’t even watch the POS on TV anymore. I change the channel every time he comes on and like many posters here have done, when I’m in the store,I turned the magazine that has him and MO on the cover. I’d rather watch the Bizarre Food show. At least it does’nt make me gag.
So he traded his teleprompter for a giant tv screen. Who does he think he is fooling?
OT – but not
The most ethical, transparent president eva!
ajmon, I agree that this guy is a puppet. I’m convinced that someone is pulling his strings. I have more respect for TOTUS than the one.
and some wonder why we have no confidence in this fool!
The great orator wasn’t. My wife thought he was being deliberately extra boring to lull the public to sleep.
Tent cities are cropping up everywhere!
It’s one thing to realize that we elected a socialist – it’s another to realize he’s another in a long line of un-serious adults….
…I admit there was one answer to a question that he didn’t give the pat “anti business” answer to, or maybe I was just dreaming…
Maybe the teleprompter is really HAL 9000
or even Colossus
No strings…just an arm up his arse, with a hand moving his mouth.
My remote chose ‘House’ over BHO.
Looks like I didn’t miss anything.
I heard on the radio this morning that the station was trying to find someone who had watched zerO so they could ask their opinions but they couldn’t find anyone what had even watched.
sheesh – too early
Goodmorning Misscheryl, could that radio station be on the conservative side??? Ohhh well, now that I think of it…most of the surviving ones are..
Think I’ll wander over to the dark slobbering side of the net to check what’s up there.
LMAO, jangar. The first thing that came to my mind was Jeff Dunham with Achmed the dead terrorist. Jeff, time to have another guest on your show. A black Irishman called O’Dummy with a telepromter. (my apologies to all Irish, of course).
I could not watch this.
I heard all I needed to know this morning on a soundbite–yup. Blame Bush.
Hey Gladz – well, now that you mentioned it. But then again, Oklahoma is pretty conservative – maybe that splains it hahaha. Liberals in Oklahoma are few and far between. We have them, but try to keep them located within a couple of square miles. It’s best that way…
Ha! Jeff Dunham wouldn’t be able to hold a word long enough for his puppet Odopey to say……. andddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.
Oh yes, it’s Booooosshhes fault. He raised the deficit to 1 trillion so we must raise it to 4 trillion to fix his mess. Okie Dokie!
aj – I hate it when he does that! Quit it!!!!
actually it’s more like aaaaaaaaaaaaannd
Not this shabbily, though. And, two wrongs don’t make a right: Does it make it OK when Obama imitates the President your side labels as the worst in history, by using a prompter and call sheets everytime he comes before the public?
If Obama really is “the smartest guy in the room,” let him prove it by going before the people sans teleprompter and call sheets.
lol misscheryl, I think joy mentioned it also…. and you’re right it is aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd, with an uhhhhhhhh, sometimes at the end. I know all this sounds petty but he gets away with so much carp it makes me sick to listen to him speak and watch.
Dumba$$ Voters 08′
Unreal they fell for this turdburper.
I understand your pain, I feel it to. It’s hard to watch someone who is playing us and thinks he’s getting away with it.
Did the POTUS ditch the TOTUS for a TV MOTUS last night????
Classic Seabee…
Much as it hurts to watch, I think it is important to pay attention, not only the president, but to all of government. Knowledge is power, or at least it once was…
Thirteen dollars a week, huh? that’s dinner for two at McDonald’s.
MM said:
Funny…here was my talk:
Tools = appointees to work under Geithner.
I agree that we need to pay attention and watched the whole press conference.
The president spoke very well with not many uhhhhs and aaaahs. Many people who watched and listened will not really understand the substance and will be fooled that he knows whereof he speaks and many people tuned out after a few minutes and quite a few did not tune in at all. I listened out of a sense of duty to myself and to the country that I love. Knowledge is power.
Re: my post #244. One of his uh, uh, uh moments was the question regarding ethics of Fed funding embryonic stem cell research. Very revealing. Also revealing were back to back questions regarding tax exemptions for charitable contributions and then homelessness. Wow!
Don’t rely on someone else’s assessment. Watch for yourself.
If you want to sum up what’s wrong with the republican party…
Here’s GOP Leader Boehner:
Who the heck in their right mind looks to Washington to solve this “crisis”??
No
republicanconservative I know.Is it just me, or did it seem that all the “questioners” seemed to be reading from pre-approved questions? Seems the questions were all designed to give BO the opportunity to bring out his talking points.