President Obama’s Message to Wall Street Tonight on Regulatory Reforms: “Don’t Fight Them”
EmailThe president will be shaking the New York money tree this evening at two DNC fundraisers expected to rake in around $3 million.
According to prepared remarks, he will say: “And while I’m here in New York, I want to stress again the urgency of financial reform. The finance industry is essential to a healthy economy and the well-being of our country. That is why we stepped in to prevent a collapse which would have had far reaching and devastating consequences for the American people. But we as a country should never again be faced with such a potential calamity because of the reckless speculation and deceptive practices of a short-sighted and self-interested few.”
He will then add: “So if there are folks from the industry here tonight, I ask you to join with us in passing what are necessary reforms; don’t fight them. It’s important for our country. And in the long run, it will be good for your industry to have a level playing field in which everyone knows the rules – and everyone knows that the rules will be enforced.”
-jpt
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
“While I’m shaking you down for campaign money, I just want to be clear: If you don’t like what I’m doing, shut up.”
Posted by: mesquito | October 20, 2009, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Translation “You see what I’m doing to health care. You want to be next?”
Posted by: Sean | October 20, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Good for him. This is the type of honesty we’ve been missing for a while – *while asking financial industry players for donations* Obama is also clearly and explicitly telling them what their country is asking of them. It certainly is not “ask not what you country can do for you,” but it is on par with a thousand points of light.
Posted by: jhw539 | October 20, 2009, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
Mr. Obama, Let’s have a little less talk and speeches.
Posted by: young_voter | October 20, 2009, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
Rasmussen’s October “trust” numbers, and how they compare with September’s:
Issue Dem GOP Diff Dem GOP Diff Shift
Health Care 40% 46% (6) 44% 44% - (6)
Education 38% 43% (5) 45% 40% 5 (10)
Social Security 37% 45% (8) 43% 41% 2 (10)
Abortion 35% 47% (12) 37% 44% (7) (5)
Economy 35% 49% (14) 39% 47% (8) (6)
Taxes 35% 50% (15) 40% 48% (8) (7)
Iraq 31% 50% (19) 37% 47% (10) (9)
Nat’l Security 31% 54% (23) 39% 51% (12) (11)
Gov’t Ethics 29% 33% (4) 34% 35% (1) (3)
Immigration 33% 40% (7) 33% 45% (12) 5
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
“But we as a country should never again be faced with such a potential calamity because of the reckless speculation and deceptive practices of a short-sighted and self-interested few.”
I dont presume he means Barney Frank.
Or the politicians on both sides of the aisle that repeatedly encouraged weakening mortgage-lending standards; that maintained a very cheap dollar, encouraging highly leveraged investments….
It should be clear that the Fed never ‘prevented’ any collapse. AIG and Fannie/Freddie DID collapse; Citigroup is still on life support; the Fed forced BoA and Merrill into a merger that may sink both; the ‘stimulus’ spending has done nothing except make lending nations consider dumping our paper on the rightful concern of inflation.
All Washington is doing is *pretending* to be making a difference. In the process they will pass a bunch of, at best, useless regulations, at worst, things that drive industry into the dirt or overseas.
Posted by: Notherguy | October 20, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Isn’t that what they say as they put the pillow over your face and push down?
Posted by: Thobert | October 20, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
Democrats crushing GOP in generic ballots by 12 pts! (Wapo)
GOP self id’s at lowest level ever (WaPo)
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
Obama said: “That is why we stepped in to prevent a collapse which would have had far reaching and devastating consequences for the American people.” —
What exactly did Obama do to prevent a devastating collapse? It was Bush who passed TARP, which at the time was designed to prevent the far-reaching and devastating collapse. Obama came in several months after Tarp was passed and passed a stimulus bill, but it’s most would agree that the threat of collapse had passed – most banks were working on repaying the tarp money. The stimulus money was designed to protect and create jobs – and although it has had some modest success, it’s truly a stretch to say it prevented a devastating and far-reaching collapse.
Posted by: Pencil holder | October 20, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
“What exactly did Obama do to prevent a devastating collapse? It was Bush who passed TARP, which at the time was designed to prevent the far-reaching and devastating collapse”
Can right wingers make up their minds?
Is TARP responsible from saving us from the abyss or is it the the cause of our huge budget deficit?
Here’s a clue, Obama, the Democrats and President Bush worked to make TARP happen.
The rest of the GOP stood on the sidelines.
Between the time TARP was supposed to be passed to the week later when it finally was the market went into a full panic.
Thanks GOPers for making a terrible situation all the worse.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
‘don’t fight them…. it will be good for your industry to have a level playing field in which everyone knows the rules.’
Is he speaking to children? This is not going to go over well.
Posted by: Jenny | October 20, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
The world according to Ryan C:
“Can right wingers make up their minds?
“Is TARP responsible from saving us from the abyss or is it the the cause of our huge budget deficit?
“Here’s a clue, Obama, the Democrats and President Bush worked to make TARP happen.
“The rest of the GOP stood on the sidelines.
“Between the time TARP was supposed to be passed to the week later when it finally was the market went into a full panic.
“Thanks GOPers for making a terrible situation all the worse.”
—-
Luckily, Ryan C, you don’t have any trouble making up your mind: you’re very sure about things that just aren’t true.
I’m sure glad “Obama, the Democrats and President Bush” were sufficient to pass TARP all by themselves while “The rest of the GOP stood on the sidelines.” I’m glad Alexander (TN), Gregg (NH), Kyl (AZ), Lugar (IN), Snowe (ME), Voinovich (OH) weren’t actually voting for TARP but were actually “making a terrible situation all the worse.”
P.S. That story isn’t at your president’s demonized FOX News channel so it must be credible, right?
Posted by: FactsRStubborn | October 20, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
Would you please stop playing basketball and raising demo money and give a little thought to the troups defending the nation?
Posted by: jonny | October 20, 2009, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm
Yeah, don’t fight it or else we’ll go on the Sunday political shows and attempt to destroy you, your companies and your families, if necessary. Chicago style, baybee.
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
The Millions of Dollars is call a donation to all Politicians for the cause but to hard working America’s it looks like BRIBE MONEY from industry they are buying our politicians everyday is my take on what a fundraisers really is from the DNC or the GOP!
This is how pork barrel spending is born and takes place from all these high-priced fundraisers!
Our politicians are selling there souls to the NEW YORK INDUSTRY CALLED CORPORATE INVESTOR!
Posted by: Brendett NC | October 20, 2009, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
“Really? I specifically recall McCain suspending his campaign so he could get back to DC to work on this.”
You mean when McCain came down to torpedo it after the whole country laughed at Schmidt;s idea that he was stopping his campaign to save the country?
You may have been too busy spreading the Ashley Todd hoax to notice.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Is he speaking to children? This is not going to go over well.
Posted by: Jenny | Oct 20, 2009 7:03:14 PM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Everyone will get a blue ribbon after participating in the presentation. Right after writing their checks.
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
As usual the leftwingnuts ALWAYS SPIN POLLS TO MEET THEIR AGENDA WITHOUT INCLUDING ALL POLLING DATA…congressional generic balloting goes for both the dems and repubs just depends upon which poll you are comfortable with ABC/Wash vs. Rasmussen…For the truth..DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH…..
Posted by: Parallex View | October 20, 2009, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
“I’m sure glad “Obama, the Democrats and President Bush” were sufficient to pass TARP all by themselves while “The rest of the GOP stood on the sidelines.” I’m glad Alexander (TN), Gregg (NH), Kyl (AZ), Lugar (IN), Snowe (ME), Voinovich (OH) weren’t actually voting for TARP but were actually “making a terrible situation all the worse.”"
Wow 6 whole Republicans in the Senate.
That almost matches the 10 GOPers in the House.
Of course that ignores the fact the voting took place a week later after GOP leadership stalled the original bill.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
“When will you apologize even once?”
I should apologize for talking about you spreading the Ashley Todd hoax?
That’s strange.
Why won’t you apologize for pushing a hoax by a Young Republicans aimed an inflaming racial tensions even after it was clear she was lying?
Or do you still claim she was attacked?
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
I say if Obama and the dems want to take credit for TARP…LET THEM…NO REALLY, BUT GET IT IN PRINT AND SAVE IT….
Posted by: Parallex View | October 20, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
“As usual the leftwingnuts ALWAYS SPIN POLLS TO MEET THEIR AGENDA WITHOUT INCLUDING ALL POLLING DATA…congressional generic balloting goes for both the dems and repubs just depends upon which poll you are comfortable with ABC/Wash vs. Rasmussen.”
ROFLMAO!
Someone doesn’t like what the WaPo poll said!
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
Has that young democrat worker from Colorado apologized for vandalizing a democrat office in Colorado? Have the dems apologized for spreading the lie it was health care opponents who did it, when in fact, it was one of their own?
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
Short-sighted and self-interested few yup thats whos in the white house,gimmie a break.
Posted by: earl | October 20, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
“I say if Obama and the dems want to take credit for TARP…LET THEM…NO REALLY, BUT GET IT IN PRINT AND SAVE IT.”
Actually I would be happy for the right to just pick a position versus blaming Obama for the deficit caused by TARP while not giving him credit for the catastrophe it averted.
‘;ve said Bush deserves credit and scorn for TARP for the same reasons.
Right wingers want to be able to hold TARP up as a Bush triumph while saddling Obama with the deficit baggage.
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
Has that young democrat worker from Colorado apologized for vandalizing a democrat office in Colorado? Have the dems apologized for spreading the lie it was health care opponents who did it, when in fact, it was one of their own?
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
“Has that young democrat worker from Colorado apologized for vandalizing a democrat office in Colorado?”
I know right wingers aren’t that bright but I was referring to Concerned in OH spreading the Ashley Tood hoax here not Ashley Todd herself.
Though come to think of it, the Young Republican never did apologize.
Did the President of the Young Republicans who forwarded the story to the media ever apologize?
Posted by: Ryan C | October 20, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
I was referring to Concerned in OH spreading the Ashley Tood hoax here not Ashley Todd herself.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I know what you were referring to. You do it here incessantly. It’s all you have and most people have no idea what you are talking about because it just don’t matter and no one cares. It’s weak.
Just a suggestion, but maybe you should be careful about who you call liars and hypocrites.
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Everyone will get a blue ribbon after participating in the presentation. Right after writing their checks.
Posted by: jennifert7 | Oct 20, 2009 7:12:30 PM
**********
What do you think a blue ribbon costs?
Posted by: Jenny | October 20, 2009, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
You’d better watch your step ABC! if you dont tow the line for Obama, you will be out of the loop just like FOX! Nothing will be allowed that doesnt work to Obama’s advantage politically. He’s watching you.
Posted by: ABC watcher | October 20, 2009, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Is that quote complete? Shouldn’t it be:
“Don’t fight them … or else.”
Posted by: PD | October 20, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
“Don’t fight them. The rules will be enforced”
Wink Wink
And until then enjoy the bonuses.
Posted by: larry | October 20, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
CNN poll of 1,008 “adults”:
WASHINGTON (CNN) – For the first time since he took over in the White House, Americans don’t see eye to eye with President Barack Obama on the important issues, according to a new national poll. But the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey does indicate that a majority approve of how Obama’s handling his duties as president.
According to the poll, which was released Tuesday, 48 percent of people questioned say that they agree with Obama on the issues that matter most to them, with 51 percent saying no. That’s a switch from April, when 57 percent said they agreed with the president on important issues, with 41 percent disagreeing.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
Bravo, Jake for your questioning of Gibbs today! At least one reporter is not content to be a houseplant at the White House. Keep it up.
Posted by: Kieran | October 20, 2009, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
President Obama is entirely to blame for the contrbution of the ill-advised auto bailouts and the failed “stimulus” package to his catastrophic deficit. It is his and hiis alone, and he must be held to account for it. Neither he nor his serfs can avoid it.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
You’d better watch your step ABC! if you dont tow the line for Obama, you will be out of the loop just like FOX! Nothing will be allowed that doesnt work to Obama’s advantage politically. He’s watching you.
Posted by: ABC watcher | Oct 20, 2009 8:16:27 PM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The attack on Fox was a warning shot to ABC and CBS. I think Jake Tapper is a pretty smart guy. I doubt we agree on everything politcally, but I do feel he’s honest and has integrity in his reporting. It will be interesting to see how it plays out over the months and years. He’s earned my respect.
Now, how much money did GE/NBC/MSNBC get in bailout funds? Which brilliant GE exec is an advisor to the admin? I get all tingly just thinking about it.
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 28% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
Oh, and I forgot to mention I don’t think Jake would have asked the q’s today about Fox if he didn’t have respect for Major Garrett as a reporter of Fox News. The WH is slamming him when they make these comments and that is a problem with reporters who know and respect Garrett’s years of very respectable and fair reporting.
Posted by: jennifert7 | October 20, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
RCP average Obama approval among Registered/Likely Voters: 49.33%.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
Chairman Mao would be proud
Posted by: turn to Chairman Mao for guidance | October 20, 2009, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm
Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama is betting his presidency on the success of his health-care bill. The politics of health care may now be costing troops their lives in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
“RCP average Obama approval among Registered/Likely Voters: 49.33%.”
I have never seen RCP post a separate average just for the Registered Voter and Likely Voter polls. You STILL haven’t told us where on the RCP website we can find this culled average.
Posted by: Numeros | October 20, 2009, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
CNN poll of 1,008 “adults”:
Gotta love how Fascist Hyena puts quotes around adults, like adults are distasteful somehow.
So the two pollsters who most accurately predicted the 2008 presidential election results, CNN and Ipsos/McClatchy, have Obama’s job approval at 55% to 43% and 56% to 40%, respectively.
Posted by: Numeros | October 20, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
“Nationwide, Obama’s approval rate is increasing, according to the most recent Associated Press-GfK poll.
“Fifty-six percent of voters surveyed this week said they approve the president’s job performance.”
Posted by: julieterra | October 20, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Often the approval index bounces up or down by a point or two without any change in Obama’s broader approval rating. So it may be significant that in today’s survey, likely voters disapprove of Obama’s job performance by a 52-47 percent margin. That’s a little worse than what we’ve generally seen lately.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 20, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
“And three makes the trend. First it was AP, and then Gallup. Now, the latest Washington Post/ABC poll shows President Obama’s job approval rating moving back up, marking his first gains since April.”
Posted by: julieterra | October 20, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
Make it four polls . . ..
CNN Poll
“At the same time, Obama’s approval ratings remain high. Fifty-five percent said they approve of the job he’s doing as president, and 66% said “Obama has the personality and leadership qualities a President should have.”
Posted by: julieterra | October 20, 2009, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
===============================
You gotta love the UTTER HYPOCRICY OF OBAMA. He goes to Wall Street to criticize the bonuses they pay their executives, but he does it at a DNC fundraiser where it cost $34,000 per seat and most of the seats were purchased by Wall Street executives.
================================
Socialism is deciding what to do with other people’s money but being unaccountable for yours.
Posted by: N Waff | October 20, 2009, 11:50 pm 11:50 pm
Jake Tapper showed strength and resolve in questioning the Obama administration’s attempts to suppress Fox News. Jake will very likely be reprimanded or fired by ABC News and he will lose out on any future Obama administration interviews; but Jake was aware of the consequences and concluded that being an American was far more important. Jake now has my respect. ABC News needs to follow Jake’s lead; as opposed to following the lead of a White House Communications Director, who announced publicly in front of an audience of high school students, that her mentor is Mao Tse Tung.
Posted by: Ken Tito | October 21, 2009, 1:41 am 1:41 am
Decisions, decisions.
Why don’t we bring our troops home while Obama is having committees decide what his shoud be?
After all, it might take a while.
zzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzz.
Posted by: Ragnar | October 21, 2009, 2:34 am 2:34 am
My favorite part of this news clipping is the “Don’t Fight Them” part. That seems the current MO for this administration. I think you showed great courage today Jake. It is not our governments job to tell us what is news and who can tell it. Just as it is not there job to tell us our healthcare. I question their notion of a level playingfield.
Posted by: Matt | October 21, 2009, 3:00 am 3:00 am
Rasmussen Poll as of Tues. Oct. 20, 2000 47% of voters somewhat approve of President 52 somewhat disapprove of President. So which poll was it stated Obama’s numbers were up?
Posted by: bailedout2 | October 21, 2009, 3:14 am 3:14 am
Gallop Poll as of Oct. 20, 2009 approval rating down by 1%…50% approval and 43% disapproval. Highest rating was back in Jan @ 69%. Point is don’t rely totally on one set of Poll numbers….
Posted by: bailedout | October 21, 2009, 3:27 am 3:27 am
MSNBC reporter on Morning Joe said this morning that there were only 12 Wall Street money men at that function last night…the rest were just plain Democrats! After all, it was a DEM FUND RAISER!!
Posted by: ross | October 21, 2009, 7:49 am 7:49 am
Obama….
The constant lying.
The staggering arrogance.
The dangerous narcissism.
The astounding incompetence.
Continuing with healthcare, Obama wants to put as much of the private economy under government control as possible to create his nanny state utopia where he is the boy king.
Let’s continue to stand strong against Obama in every way and get Congress out of the hand of Pelosi and Reid in 2010.
Obama is a smug, smirking con man. Nothing more. Wake up, folks.
Posted by: Jackson | October 21, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Let’s keep the torches lit and the pressure on. The sooner Obama is rendered impotent, the better for America and the world.
Here’s some good news out today:
“The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13. That’s just a point above the lowest level ever recorded for this President. It’s also the sixth straight day in negative double digits, matching the longest such streak.”
Obama wants our freedom and tax dollars as his Marxist play things. Let’s push back HARD and ensure that he doesn’t win.
Posted by: Kyle Roget | October 21, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am
Obama has a lot nerve considering that Barney Frank, ACORN and Obama serving as their attorney are one of the principle causes of the Mortgage Meltdown.
Posted by: paul | October 21, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
CNN Poll
“At the same time, Obama’s approval ratings remain high. Fifty-five percent said they approve of the job he’s doing as president, and 66% said “Obama has the personality and leadership qualities a President should have.”
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 20, 2009 10:39:40 PM
CNN Poll
That has about as much credibility as a FOX NEWS poll.
Posted by: 'Un-American' | October 21, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am
This president sounds more like a Chicago mob boss everyday. Don’t Fight me, Get out of the way and shut up. I swear we went from a cowboy to a mob boss.
Posted by: 'Un-American' | October 21, 2009, 11:12 am 11:12 am
“That has about as much credibility as a FOX NEWS poll.”
CNN was one of the two pollsters who accurately predicted the 2008 Presidential election popular vote outcome.
Posted by: Numeros | October 21, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
I find it strange that, rather than persuading people to the correctness of his position, Pres. Obama routinely tells people to shut-up, get out of the way, not to fight him or his agenda, etc. Then he wonders why people fear he may have secret dictatorial proclivities. He brings out peoples’ paranoia. The insurance industry (see Humana) or the Chamber of Commerce come out against health reform; instead of arguing against their claims, he shuts them down or, in the case of FOX, he shuts them out. Not very liberal or open-minded or tolerant.
Say what you will about G.W.Bush, but he showed class in the face of protests and opposition. I remember when anti-war protesters were giving him a hard time and a reporter asked him about it and he said he disagreed but that he was glad they were exercising their right to speak out. That’s presidential; that’s American. Obama acts like neither.
Posted by: connor | October 21, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Say what you will about G.W.Bush, but he showed class in the face of protests and opposition. I remember when anti-war protesters were giving him a hard time and a reporter asked him about it and he said he disagreed but that he was glad they were exercising their right to speak out. That’s presidential; that’s American. Obama acts like neither.
Posted by: connor | Oct 21, 2009 1:52:12 PM
INDEED!
Posted by: 'Un-American' | October 21, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
What we are seeing is inexperience and he is moving towards a Nixonian paranonia about those who disagree.
Tick-Tock…Tick-Tock…Tick-Tock…
Posted by: Mike_C | October 21, 2009, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Say what you will about G.W.Bush, but he showed class in the face of protests and opposition. I remember when anti-war protesters were giving him a hard time and a reporter asked him about it and he said he disagreed but that he was glad they were exercising their right to speak out.”
More right wing revisionism
“President Bush dismissed antiwar protests today as a factor in his plans for confronting Iraq and pressed ahead with a strategy to persuade reluctant allies that United Nations weapons inspections would not secure the disarmament of Saddam Hussein.
In his first public comments about the antiwar demonstrations by millions of people over the weekend in the United States and abroad, Mr. Bush said his overriding goal was to protect the American people and that leadership sometimes involved bucking public opinion.
“Size of protest ? it’s like deciding, well, I’m going to decide policy based upon a focus group,” Mr. Bush said in response to a reporter’s question at the White House. “The role of a leader is to decide policy based upon the security, in this case, the security of the people.”
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie
Posted by: Ryan C | October 21, 2009, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
In his first public comments about the antiwar demonstrations by millions of people over the weekend in the United States and abroad, Mr. Bush said his overriding goal was to protect the American people and that leadership sometimes involved bucking public opinion.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 21, 2009 5:22:11 PM
There’s a difference between not making policy decisions based on an opponent’s point-of-view and telling opponents to shut up and get out of the way.
The point I was trying to make was that Bush, at least not in his public statements, respected opponents’ contribution to the debate; Obama doesn’t want to have one.
Posted by: connor | October 21, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm