Biden: We Will Embarrass Those Who Misuse Stimulus Funds
EmailABC News’ Karen Travers reports: President Obama said last night that he put Vice President Biden in charge of the White House’s oversight effort on the implementation of stimulus funds because “nobody messes with Joe.” The line got a huge laugh from the Members of Congress in the House Chamber, who are familiar with the loquacious Blue Hen from his decades as a senator from Delaware, and made Biden grin and blush in his seat behind the president. As he kicks off the first oversight session on the stimulus funds, Biden put states on notice this morning that the White House is not going to sit back and do nothing if stimulus funds are misused. “In some cases we can withdraw the money we can hold them accountable. And in other places we’ll just use the television, the radio and the media to embarrass them for not doing what their’ supposed to do,” Biden said to Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts. “We got to make sure this is done by the numbers, man, we gotta make sure people know where the money is going,” Biden said on ABC. “This cannot be squandered. We have an opportunity to get the nation back to work and back on its feet and the first piece of that is generating some economic growth here and we have to do it right.” Biden defended the Obama Administration from charges that it’s promising too much on the “The very things that people are saying are the most ambitious are not only need to be solved but are part of the solution, Biden said. “You cannot gain control of our budget deficits without gaining control of health care spending, you cannot gain control over our economy without gaining control of our energy policy and you cannot grow this country without an education policy.” On NBC’s Today Show Biden fired back at Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who delivered the Republican response to Obama’s speech last night. Jindal, who emerged as a leader among governors who said they would reject some of the stimulus funds, called the Democrats were “irresponsible” with the stimulus package and said it would not strengthen the economy or create jobs. “I hear a lot of criticism but I never hear anything in response – what would you do?,” Biden asked of Jindal. Biden will be joined by several cabinet members at the oversight meeting in the Roosevelt Room this morning, including: Accountability Board Chair Earl Devaney
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lisa Jackson
Chief of Staff at Health and Human Services Mark Childress
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
This country feels more and more like the communist countries we feared/fought in the Cold War.
Posted by: NPage | February 25, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
“This country feels more and more like the communist countries we feared/fought in the Cold War.”
Accountability to taxpayers makes you feel like you are in a communist country?
ROFLMAO
Posted by: Ranger | February 25, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
I just wish Obama/Biden would not speak. Every time they make a “major” announcement the stock market goes down.
Posted by: jas | February 25, 2009, 9:41 am 9:41 am
This country feels more and more like the communist countries we feared/fought in the Cold War.
*************************************
All courtesy of George W. Bush & his administration. I hope npage you and the republican complainers are enjoying what your Great President G.W. Bush has done to our country!
Posted by: yep | February 25, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
OMG!!!! Biden is going to embarass them!!!
Thats about right…thats “ALL” that will happen to them……
After watching all the ‘passes’ the Obama administration has gotten so far…the lobbyists the tax dodgers…etc.
The reality here is….when they destroy America…as we know it…they will face no punishment….they won’t even be embarrassed……
They will have solidified their monetary futures….as they steal ours…
After all the ponzi schemes that have come to light recently….
Americans still are;nt aware they’re being scammed by the Government….
Notice how many times Biden said “gain control?”
Posted by: J Moore | February 25, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am
“And in other places we’ll just use the television, the radio and the media to embarrass them for not doing what (they’re) supposed to do…”
This is where the media’s advocacy for Obama is truly frightening. This cannot be the change America needs.
Alinskey taught organizers to ridicule opponents when the arguments of their opponent could not be refuted by logic, evidence, or argument. In the streets, Alinsky had learned the old communist adage that derision would cause community audiences to laugh at their opponents, rather than listen to what their opponents were saying. (Rules for Radicals, pg. 131)
Posted by: WikiWike | February 25, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
I like the embaressment idea. I do not know if they will be embarressed but you can be darn sure that these elected officials will at the very least have lost of competition when election time rolls around. That works for me.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
This country feels more like the country my family can be proud of. We will no longer torture like the previous administration. We will be fair to all citizens not just those with big $$$ . Old cheney really should be going to jail at this point. Other countries will again be looking UP to the USA for leadership. This mess is going to take years to clean up, thanks to the bush-league.
Posted by: pt | February 25, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am
And how does the administration define “misuse”? Once again, it’s great rhetoric, but light on details.
Posted by: matt | February 25, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am
“I hear a lot of criticism but I never hear anything in response – what would you do?,” Eloquence from Joe. Who knew. Go getem Joe and hold their feet to the fire since the days of waterbording are over.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
Gee! Joe, you’re more than a little childish in your thinking. Pass me a few billion dollars and you can embarrass me all you want, while I laugh all the way to the bank. Wouldn’t it be a hell of a lot smarter to give the money to those who will use it wisely instead of just handing out checks to any lame brain who has his hand out. You can regulate how it is spent, and make severe penalties for those who abuse the system. Let me guess, if they squander billions, we’ll just embarrass them. How about some oversight before they get the money, and some serious jail time for anyone who abuses the money you took out of my pocket to give away? Joe Biden is the laughing stock of America. Embarrassing them! and you say, nobody messes with Joe. Please, please, please, Joe don’t embarrass me!
Posted by: jerry | February 25, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
This is such a joke. We will “embarrass” people? I’ll bet Bernie Madoff is just as embarrassed as all get out, but the billions are still gone and there are a lot of people out there you couldn’t embarrass with all the TV in the world – think Bill and Hillary Clinton as examples, and they are not alone.
This announcement is just another embarrassment from the Obama administration.
Posted by: Bill | February 25, 2009, 10:06 am 10:06 am
“As he kicks off the first oversight session on the stimulus funds, Biden put states on notice this morning that the White House is not going to sit back and do nothing if stimulus funds are misused.”
————————————–
Biden will have a hard time being effective in the role of watchdog. He has no experience in the area after so many years in the senate.
His biggest issue will be that no one takes him seriously. The president sets Biden up as an object for ridicule in televised events. Why would anyone have confidence in him?
Posted by: mad | February 25, 2009, 10:07 am 10:07 am
hey Matt. I refer you to the eloquant comment made by Joe Biden earlier “I hear a lot of criticism but I never hear anything in response – what would you do?,” I would guess that most misuses would include spa resort meetings that do not include the tax payers, golden parachutes for exeutives etal. and anything that does not benefit Joe Taxpayer.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am
“We Will Embarrass Those Who Misuse Stimulus Funds”.
The rich truly are different. Why not apply the same kernel of wisdom to the guy who steals from the corner store? Or the drug pusher sitting outside the local high school?
And this from a LAWMAKER?????
I would rather white collar criminals be treated to a higher standard. I would rather have the death penalty for the ECONOMIC TERRORISM they have performed.
Posted by: Race to the Bottom | February 25, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am
Obama has no clue on how to run this country that’s why the stock market goes down every time he speaks.
Posted by: no vote | February 25, 2009, 10:10 am 10:10 am
Do you really want to give up your freedom for this schmuck? By the time this guy is done with us we’ll all be wearing grey (or your choice of black), driving horses (if you can afford one), and standing in bread lines every day. Freedom isn’t free-and the press isn’t anymore either.
Posted by: Dude | February 25, 2009, 10:11 am 10:11 am
OMG, that is so rich coming from “Nobody messes with Joe” Biden. ROFLMAO. It’s virtually impossible for Joe to be able to embarrass anyone. Biden is the best thing we have going with the administration for the entertainment value alone.
” The villllllages. America’s friendlist hometown…..”
Sing it Joe! Stand up Chuck! LOL
Posted by: jennifert7 | February 25, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
race – hey they put the pictures of many people arrested in the paper in my home town. I do not know how effective it is but then many aof these people are not politicians for whom image and reputation is everything.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
Send bankers to China for proper judicial processing.
Posted by: Jail Wall Street investment bankers | February 25, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
dude – Freedom is one thing. Being allowed to run wild is another. In any true free society there must be base line rules and laws or chaos will reign as the Bush/Cheney administration has proven so well.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
I think what Biden means by embarass them is that they will bring their lack of doing what they promised they would do with the people tax dollars to light. I think the point is that once the announcement is made that this company fail to do what is right with tax payers funds the American people will stop supporting this company. So the incentive is for the company to do what is right so it won’t hurt their bottom line any further because if they do what is right, they will gain more business from the consumer.
I think it’s great that our new administration is trying to hold these companies to the fire! For too long they have stolen from us and we don’t here nothing else until they want more.
I thought accountability is what you complainers wanted?
Posted by: spring | February 25, 2009, 10:18 am 10:18 am
I am so proud of our President of these United States and feel great hope that the America we should be … will be, again.
Posted by: nell post | February 25, 2009, 10:18 am 10:18 am
EMBARRASS THEM? NO, PUT THEIR GREEDY AND CRIMINAL ASSES IN JAIL.
AND CONFISCATE THEIR ASSETS.
Posted by: Torgh | February 25, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
Hey Jail, Why not the punishment comensurate to the crime? That brings the death penalty to the front of the page. I am serious. Watch china if you don’t believe me. Madoff is laughing to the bank. The guy will spend his 5-10 more years in a country club and he has set up his family for generations. He has made a rational tradoff.
We need to change the equation so that NOT PERFORMING THE CRIME is the rational action.
Posted by: Race to the Bottom | February 25, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
If Biden is not hearing a response to “what would you do” Biden isn’t listening. And of course Biden never listens so that is no surprise.
Posted by: Plumber | February 25, 2009, 10:21 am 10:21 am
I agree with previous posters. We need to have a new crime called “economic treason” punishable by death and complete forfeiture.
They even execute billionaires in China.
Posted by: KCollins | February 25, 2009, 10:23 am 10:23 am
I think “socialistic” Barack Obama’s pittance tax cuts that we are getting starting april fools day are coming out of payroll taxes like social security not income tax.
This Obusha admin is an embarrassment!
Posted by: Americaisembarrassed | February 25, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
i really really tried to watch the speech carefully but i was so distracted by “jack-in-the-box” Pelosi!!
oh and Biden, what was he doing? playing crossword puzzles. but it was clear that he wasn’t paying full attention and maybe a little annoyed at Pelosi.
Posted by: jaj | February 25, 2009, 10:25 am 10:25 am
Wall Street has committed economic treason against the United States and must be dealt with as such.
Wall Street should be abolished, and completely replaced by a stock-exchange version of Ebay.
Posted by: desi | February 25, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am
Dude, the stocks have been going down WELL before Obama ever started. Or did you just figure that out now on the Limbaugh show?
O BTW, you people who make all kinds of
criticism about the plan, eat this POS GOP legislation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_Growth_and_Tax_Relief_Reconciliation_Act_of_2001
This cost the US 1.6 trillion, a figure “our children and our children’s children” will be paying.
And did you forget about the billions wasted in Iraq building THEIR infrastructure? Why don’t you say something about that?
“Obama has no clue on how to run this country that’s why the stock market goes down every time he speaks.”
Posted by: John Doe | February 25, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Embarrass Hell! These guys are criminals and need to be prosecuted. They have robbed more and been held less accountable than a common shoplifter. They should be stripped of all assets and put under the jail. Integrity, Morality and Common decency are Dead! Greed is the new god of trust in America.
Posted by: Jojo | February 25, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
All of this criticisms of the excesses of private business entertaining is starting to get silly. The latest is criticism of Northern Trust for their sponsorship of a golf event and the expenditures associated with it. NOrthern Trust took TARP funds but I can’t figure out why. They are essentially a bank that caters to the very wealthy. Are they even in the loan business for middle and working class Americans? As for their lavish spending, I don’t think their clients would be too impressed with a picnic at the local community center. All of this while Nancy Pelosi flies around in a private plane at taxpayer expense ahd spends Valentine’s day in Paris and then off to Rome. My own Senator was in Greece and took our state treasurer. I only wish some of these elected officials had to sit before their owh committees and defend their activities. Our Congress is a joke.
Posted by: Mary OK | February 25, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Natural consequences are usually the best, which is a hard concept for those stuck in a vindictive way of thinking and doing. I think part of what Biden was referring to was the online transparency available to everyone. There will be a citizen and journalistic race to weed out waste, which is far more efficient and of course, quick, than the old snail’s pace bureaucratic way of the past.
Posted by: kat the real one | February 25, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
What “their’ supposed to do”??
Have editorial jobs been lost to antiquity or is it merely stupidity?
Posted by: Kim Vandiver | February 25, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Embarrass them? If that was the case Obama and Biden would be at the top of list with Pelosi, Reid and Frank close behind them.
Just about the whole thing is an embarrassment as many of the things they are saying is allowing for this mess.
It is such a farce to think the govt can run just about anything better than the private market.
Who would you want to run you business..a govt official making decisions based on next years election OR a businessman managing a profit for a viable business.
WAKE UP Sheeple!
Posted by: John | February 25, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
It must be nice to be a Republican governor right now. Your national party spent the last 8 years putting the country in the toilet. Now the Democrats are elected to pick up the pieces, and now you can complain that the cleanup is “irresponsible” and too costly. Really? What WOULD you do? And more importantly, how are you so sure YOUR solution would work better? I want to hear Jindal’s plan. Obama says he’s open to all ideas; let’s hear it Bobby.
Posted by: bill | February 25, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
I’m all for the treason thing. Let’s punish those execs who swindle — but first let’s publicly stone those welfare abusers — same crime! We’re being ripped off daily by people who stopped paying their mortgages. I see it every minute of every day. There are many who are unable, but there are plenty who are not paying a dime, waiting to see what kind of “aid” Obama’s going to give them. They feel they have nothing to lose, lots to gain, at everyone else’s expense!!
Posted by: Jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:34 am 10:34 am
Obama’s speech about greedy wall street etc…
i am hearing/reading that it does not matter if you cap the salaries of those CEO, they can still collect millions thru other incentives (stocks). so really CEOS can say “ok i will work for 1.00″ but still get millions from stocks or other kind of work…
Obama has to know that, but yet tells America that we will cap CEO salaries, and he says that because he knows this makes people happy, but again, he doesn’t fully explain the truth, so when people find out by researching, it will only make Obama appear more dishonest.
Posted by: jaj | February 25, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am
Wall Street has committed economic treason against the United States and must be dealt with as such.
Wall Street should be abolished, and completely replaced by a stock-exchange version of Ebay.
—————————-
desi ,
WOW, talk about doing something stupid, just for the sake of doing something!
We all know you could never have any issues with something on the net!
Posted by: Mike_C | February 25, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
Embarrass them? Really? This is the newest slogan for the fledgling administration. It’s fits right in with the media coverage of ‘excess’ perpetrated by the likes of Northern Trust Bank. “Why are these guys spending $$ when they just got a bailout?” It’s a fair question. So, I’ve got a few other fair questions that need to be asked of the government, the business community, and the people.
1 – Hasn’t Northern Trust remained profitable (so far) thru the market shakeup? Was their golf tourney soiree a BAU event they’ve sponsored in the past?
2 – Has Northern Trust increased lending since receiving their $1.5B from the gov’t? If so, aren’t they holding up their end of the bargain?
3 – If they fail the questions above, where was the gov’t responsibility in writing the check for $1.5B?
4 – Where’s the coverage and scrutiny of Pelosi flying a chartered gov’t jet to Italy with a gaggle of congressional reps and her husband? Where does that fit into fiscal responsibility in these times? If BAU costs don’t cut it for banks…it doesn’t cut it for jet-setting politicians. Besides, I thought HRC was the Sec of State?
5 – Where’s the media coverage of average Americans behaving badly – albeit after receiving public assistance or the extended unemployment benefits? A handout is a handout is a handout – how about we start scrutinizing unnecessary spending by individuals? After all, that’s a big part of the current mess we’re in too. Let’s start putting faces of average Joe’s on the tube – maybe that’ll correct some behaviors out there.
6 – What would happen if all BAU corporate spending on travel, marketing, etc. ended today? It would only bring the airlines, airports, hotels, rental car agencies, convention centers, etc. to their knees or even bankruptcy. Yeah, the people who flew the Northern Trust clients and employees to CA are still getting a paycheck…the hotel employees still have a job…the restaurants…etc, etc. Careful what you ask for.
Posted by: FishMonger | February 25, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
John – at this point I trust the govt more. Joe business owner/banker has proven to be out only for himself and what he can get. A little regulatuion is appropriate since Joe Banker and Joe businessman are getting govt assistance.
Posted by: jenny | February 25, 2009, 10:40 am 10:40 am
I realize AIG’s bailout did not come from the “stimulator”, but maybe Joe can practice up by “embarassing” Geithner & AIG !
Posted by: Mike_C | February 25, 2009, 10:42 am 10:42 am
You guys are going to tire soon from constantly having to say, “I think what Biden was really trying to say……” lol
Posted by: jennifert7 | February 25, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
Bill-
now you are saying that when they receive bailouts they can’t collect on stocks until the bailout is paid off, that is the first time i am reading this. do you mind telling me where i can find that information.
Posted by: jaj | February 25, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
maybe we can have Joe over see the UN.
“Iran denied it had slowed down its nuclear activities and said it planned to install 50,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium over the next five years, a senior Iranian nuclear official said on Wednesday.
The U.N. nuclear agency watchdog said last week that Iran had slowed the expansion of its uranium enrichment plant at Natanz but had built up a stockpile of nuclear fuel.”
Posted by: jaj | February 25, 2009, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Hey bill, quit blaming wall street for the mess, Carter, clinton, frank, dodd, waters, forced on Them. If the government would stay out of their buisness we would be better off. The dow is over 140 down after that wonderful speech last night, i guess wall street does not watch american Idol
Posted by: Eagle Eye | February 25, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
“quit blaming wall street for the mess, Carter, clinton, frank, dodd, waters, forced on Them. ”
The 6 years of a Republican controlled House and Senate with a Republican President could have overturned any of those policies if they wanted.
Posted by: Use Your Brain | February 25, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Embarrass , embarrass hell, Joe , get off your butt, pick up your phone and
ORDER the Federal Marshall’s to confiscate All the money issued , and then put somebody IN JAIL . This is American Tax Payer’s money , not some gift that the congress thinks grows on trees ! It’s time for our congress to be either impeached, or replaced, one way or another don’t matter !
Posted by: Bob Dyer | February 25, 2009, 11:11 am 11:11 am
these two clowns are going to wind up giving the whole circus away.
Posted by: pj | February 25, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
“I hear a lot of criticism but I never hear anything in response – what would you do?,” Biden asked of Jindal.
I heard Jindal say that he would cut taxes first.
+++++++++
And Biden will embarrass abusers.
LOL. That means the money will still be spent, but Biden will say “shame, shame, shame” to them.
Don’t embarrass them, Joe, Veto it!
I hope the embarrass plan is not their plan in combating al Queda, the Talibahn and other terrorists.
Posted by: Sally J. | February 25, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
who’s biden?
Posted by: USA | February 25, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Why do they continue to put that moron on TV.
Can anyone seriously say that they feel comfortable with Joe Bidden overseeing 700 billion dollars?
Once again Obama has shown poor judgment.
Posted by: Jean | February 25, 2009, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
If Congress doesn’t get off its ### and start punishing these execs I am moving to Canada. They have similar tax rates, free health care, low crime, do not have to pay much for a military, etc. Only bad thing is the weather.
Posted by: Alex | February 25, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
The idea that the central government seeks to control the actions of the states and thereby the people is antithetical to the American ideal.
The strength of the freedoms in this country are centered at the state and local level. The attempt centralize government is reminiscent of our Cold War “enemies”.
Posted by: NPage | February 25, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Besides, Biden IS an embarassment. Bush was intelligencia compared to that babbling boob.
Posted by: NPage | February 25, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
The President should have been more
accurate in his comments by saying
“nobody knows what Joe’s talking about
most of the time”!
It’s hard to “mess” with someone
who is contantly making inaccurate and
“off the wall comments”.
Maybe President Obama meant to say
“Joe Biden is a Mess”! LOL!
Posted by: reaganfan | February 25, 2009, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
…And if there’s someone in the current administration who’s an expert in embarassing people, it’s Joe Biden.
Posted by: tt | February 25, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
Great to see Joe Biden being in charge of the stimulus use. He is as close to being an honest politician as they get, and the only one I might trust.
Jindal came out with this weird grin pasted on his face and sounded like a programmed robot when he came on with the Republican response. Creepy.
Posted by: cacatua08 | February 25, 2009, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
OK then start embbarassing the Dems in Congress and Obama oh thats right they are an embarressment.
Posted by: spock | February 25, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
This is a mess. However, it’s looks strange to me that,many love destructive criticism than progressive criticism. Some allowed political party to kill/hide their ideas for a better solution for the country they said they loved. LIARS!!. There is a wisdom that comes from above, it is time for the real AMERICANS to ask for it, or the Eaglewith stars will beg the chicken for aid. It is not time to serve the political party but AMERICA – in God we Trust.
Posted by: jao | February 25, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
Had that been a republican yesterday (wed)
on GMAC you you would have played it a hundred times——Biden appeared as a fool! He is overseeing our $ YIKES!
Posted by: Becky | February 26, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
I dont understand what they mean about calling out companies who misuse stimulus funds. Does the govt get to tell a company how it uses its funds? That is an attack on free enterprise. Besides, who should really care what blabber mouth Joe says about you.
Posted by: Mitch in NC | February 26, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Cheatin’ Joe goes Tony Soprano on us. Who’d a thunk it?
Posted by: frank | February 28, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
I don’t understand how republicans like Jindal can refuse any money offered to him through stimulus. My son Brennon has a cerebral palsy and has been denied repairs to his wheel chair by the state of Louisiana. His school is in need of repairs as well. Just last year in our community a multi million walk way was built around a park located in a desolate sugar cane field by approved by politicians who I’m sure are not honest people. Oh and you should see our so called three million dollar library. Any
way there priorities all twisted.
tanya labbe
Posted by: tanya labbe | March 1, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am