Obama ‘Campaigns’ for Reid Without Calling for his Reelection
EmailABC's Yunji de Nies and Jon Garcia report: Although President Barack Obama’s town hall in Henderson, NV was billed as a White House event, it sounded a lot more like a campaign rally for Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). The President repeatedly lavished praise on the embattled Senate Majority Leader, thanking him “for his leadership,” and calling him “one of the toughest people I know.”
“He takes his licks, but he gets back up. Harry Reid has never stopped fighting,” Obama told more than 2000 Nevadans at a high school just outside of Las Vegas.
He credited Reid in part for bringing tax cuts to “95 percent” of the audience and said that with Reid’s toughness, the Recovery Act funds will be recovered.
“We’re gonna get your money back, because Harry Reid is gonna get your money back,” the President said.
Reid returned the compliments, saying Obama has a “superb mind. He is a calm deliberate man who is a peace maker both here and around the world.”
Obama attended a fundraiser for the DNC last night and has appeared several times to stump for the Senator. But at those events, the Democratic National Committee foots the bill. At today’s event, the taxpayers paid the price.
Though the President did not explicitly call for Reid’s reelection, Obama touted Senator Reid more than a dozen times in his opening remarks and several more times during the question and answer session. At one point he even handed the microphone to Reid, who was sitting on the stage right behind the President, so that Reid could take one of the questions from the audience about building tourism in Nevada.
In addition to touting Reid, Obama also used the event to try defray the anger in Las Vegas over his recent comments which many here say reinforced a negative stereotype of the city.
Earlier this month Obama said: “When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.”
Today, Obama asked one audience member, who was visiting from out of town, if he was spending money in Las Vegas. “Yes sir,” the man replied. “That’s good!” Obama replied. “That’s what we like to hear. .. Everyone comes to Vegas! That’s what I’m talking about!” the President said to applause.
The town hall was also the event the White House used to unveil a new $1.5 billion mortgage relief program, designed to stem the tide of foreclosures in the five states hardest hit by the housing crisis. The new program will use money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and is designed to be more effective than the current plan by using local housing authorities to administer the money.
“This fund is going to help out-of-work homeowners avoid preventable foreclosures. It will help homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth find a way, to pay their mortgages, that works for both the borrowers and the lenders alike,” Obama said.
“It can't stop every foreclosure. And tax dollars shouldn't be used to reward the very irresponsible lenders and borrowers who helped bring about the housing crisis. But what we can do is help families who've done everything right stay in their homes whenever possible,” he said.
Obama took seven questions on everything from health care to energy to education. Most of his answers centered on his often repeated policy plans to spur investment in new technologies and getting the economy back on track.
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Obama has been walking on some thin ice lately. I begin to seriously question his intentions behind some of his most recent acts. It feels like he is trying to divert from issues like Afghanistan!
Posted by: China | February 19, 2010, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
OK, so if Obama goes to Vegas, but doesn’t actually ‘campaign’ for Harry “beady-eyes” Reid, is it still the kiss-of-death for Reid’s election? Hmmm…
Posted by: Hmmm | February 19, 2010, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
GEE, 95% OF US GOT TAX CUTS? I EARN LESS THAN HALF OF OBAMA’S “250k” TAX CUTOFF POINT AND MY WITHOLDING AND PAYROLL TAXES WENT UP AND STAND TO GO UP EVEN MORE WHEN THOSE EVIL “BUSH TAX CUTS” EXPIRE. OBAMA IS A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR WHO PREACHES TO A BRAYING MOB OF MENTALLY-CHALLENGED FOLLOWERS WHO BUY EVERYTHING OBAMA SELLS.
Posted by: MARKM | February 19, 2010, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
The wheels of the bus go round and round….bump, bump there goes Hary.
Posted by: david | February 19, 2010, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Unbelievable! One week he is for across the board spending cuts, the next week, he’s giving away (yes, giving away) 1.5 billion to “help homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth”. Can he do this? Can he appropriate funds like this? I thought only Congress can appropriate funds. Maybe they are already appropriated. At any rate, it’s never gonna stop. He’s gonna keep raping the taxpayers to pay for future votes. That’s all this is: payoff for future votes. How can we stop this?
Nevada: you need to do the right thing and call a Code Brown! Harry needs to go for the good of the country. It’s up to you, Nevada!
Posted by: Geepa | February 19, 2010, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Money for Nevada= Harry Reid, money for California=Barbara Boxer and Pelosi, money for Flordia=Charlie Crist and on and on and on. Buy the votes for the gang.
Posted by: carol in Alabama | February 19, 2010, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
ABC’s Yunji de Nies and Jon Garcia report…
.
Dear Yunji and Jon, please report on the TARP legislation. What was the legislation crafted for….was it intended to be a slush fund to help worthless democrats in political trouble get reelected? Where in the TARP legislation does it authorize political payoffs to five states who have managed their finances worse than everyone else? Why are the other fifty-two oBama states having to pick up the slack from these five slacker states.
Posted by: gk | February 19, 2010, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Obama has been walking on some thin ice lately. I begin to seriously question his intentions behind some of his most recent acts. It feels like he is trying to divert from issues like Afghanistan!
—— I agree 100% with the above blogger. His action / agenda seemed very fishy. At first I thought because he lacks experience but now I am skeptical on many issues he deals with.
Posted by: talk from sf | February 19, 2010, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
By not calling it part of the Reid campaign the American taxpayers foot all of the cost!
Posted by: tillyerkt | February 19, 2010, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
By not calling it part of the Reid campaign the American taxpayers foot all of the cost!
Posted by: tillyerkt | February 19, 2010, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
Explain to me why the taxpayers are paying for what is, in effect, a “reelect Reid” meeting. I DO NOT want my money going to elect this bribing senator!
Posted by: stevemb12 | February 19, 2010, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
When the Nanny-in-Chief comes to town people have their hands out for some ObamaCash.
Where does he get his cash?
From his stash.
In other words–taxpayers.
Everywhere Obama goes he takes a big gift.
Actually a big bribe.
Posted by: ollie | February 19, 2010, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
Anything about jobs?? Anything?? He just keeps giving money away, at our expense.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | February 19, 2010, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
If I promise to vote democratic can I get some TARP money to pay my mortgage?
Posted by: stevemb12 | February 19, 2010, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
More rantings from the caps lock challenged in America.
Folk the $1.5 billion was already allocated in the stimulus for assisting Americans. They have been judicious in handing it out to make sure it wasn’t wasted.
As for jobs… I suppose the folks working out these loans have jobs, paychecks and tax obligations. But everything is not about jobs, or healthcare… but if we step away from the CPAC we can see that they are all interconnected.
No one thing is going to “fix it”. Its not an easy problem we’re in, took many years and poor decisions to get into, and not everyone is going to agree on how to fix it.
Be pleased and reassured to have a thoughtful intelligent leader who listens to both sides and discards factless plans.
Posted by: DewyB | February 19, 2010, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
LOL Harry Reid was done and Obi-Wan just stuck the fork in him. Hopefully he will continue his campaign swings between now and November and get rid of a few more. If were lucky maybe we can get him to speak up for a few Rino’s we would be better off without too.
Posted by: formerdem | February 19, 2010, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Conservatives are so foolish, and it is not even a stretch to figure out where they get their information from. Thankfully, there are more intelligent people in the US that are not as gullible as conservatives.
Posted by: wernervonphooey | February 19, 2010, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
Be pleased and reassured to have a thoughtful intelligent leader who listens to both sides and discards factless plans.
Posted by: DewyB | Feb 19, 2010 6:40:29 PM
________________________________
Indeed. And not so lucky to have a Republican right incapable of anything other than whiningj, accusing and name calling.
Posted by: tierra | February 19, 2010, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
Obama in a fit of fake outrage, told the FatCats he wanted every dime of taxpayers money paid back.
Not to pay down the deficit,like repaid TARP was supposed to be used for, but to spend it again in states where Dems need to be reelected.
Can Obama/Dems accomplish anything without a payoff?
Posted by: kyle | February 19, 2010, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Obama uses our money to fly to Nevada, then uses our money to buy votes for Harry.
Posted by: larry | February 19, 2010, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
It’s really unbelieveable that we have a president that lies all of the time….in my lifetime I have never seen anything like it….it’s really quite amazing that anyone could do this and not think we’re smart enough to figure it out.
The good news is that no one beleives him any more….no one….all the trust is gone….everyone just laughs at him now….mortifying!
Thank God our country has woken up….the tsunami is coming in November….and the good news is that there are not enough progressinves in this country to stop it….even with Acorn inventing new ones all of the time.
It all brings a big smile to my face.
Posted by: Gooser | February 19, 2010, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
Obama uses our money to fly to Nevada, then uses our money to buy votes for Harry.
Posted by: larry | Feb 19, 2010 7:49:29 PM
_______________________________________
You really don’t get the simplest of things.
To get their countries through this very severe economic recession, every western industrialized democracy has instituted three things; 1) stimulus funding, 2) deficit financing and 3) tax relief.
That is exactly what this administration is doing – you can whine as long as you want, but you’re being TOTALLY hypocritical given that the last Republican administration grossly overspent during the ‘good’ economic times – when they should not have been doubling the national debt and growing the deficits.
Every time you squeak about the spending, you are squeaking hypocrisy.
Study what other western industrialized countries have done to try to survive the economic melt down.
Posted by: tierra | February 19, 2010, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
….even with Acorn inventing new ones all of the time.
__________________________________
As soon as you use this phrase you reveal you have not interest in the truth or fairness – you’re just out to smear the President and the Democrats. And demonize them.
Does the Republican right have nothing else except for smear tactics and fear mongering?
Your attempts to demonize the Democrats are laughable after the 8 years under Republicans Bush and Cheney.
Laughable.
Posted by: tierra | February 19, 2010, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
Tiger Woods offered a public apology to his wife, kids, mom, friends and colleagues. I am waiting for when Mr. Obama will have his, “I have taken good care of my wife and kids. I have never cheated on them, not once, not ever. But I have cheated on you the American people and for that, I am truly sorry. I will have given my daughters a strong education and money to spend. But I have taken money from future generations, the young, which you will have to work extra hard to pay back. For that I hope that you have in your heart to forgive and trust me once more. God Bless America. President Obama.”
Posted by: young_voter | February 19, 2010, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
Tierra whats laughable is the 9 million dollar payday for the GM CEO. Dont you find that amazing when he has attacked wall street and the banking industry for their million dollar paydays yet the one company he can control he allows a 9 million dollar payday.
Posted by: Stanley | February 19, 2010, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
So, tierra. How do we pay off this national debt? At what point do we stop spending. Where do we start. Don’t say Middle East wars. Those are Obamas now. I know you won’t want to cutback on social program spending. That’s what Democrats are known for. Increase taxes? What will that do for the economy? Where would you start? Just curious. Do we leave it for our g-children?
Posted by: Geepa | February 19, 2010, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
Subconsciously he must understand that this is losing cause —
Posted by: Quo Warranto | February 19, 2010, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
So now Obama is working his magic for Harry Reid. Just like he did for Creigh Deeds in Virginia, John Corzine in New Jersey, and Martha Coakley in Massachusetts.
ROTFLMAO
Posted by: Election Czar | February 19, 2010, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
Posted by: tierra | Feb 19, 2010 8:45:04 PM
Newly released video from 2008, Barack Obama: “I’ve been fighting alongside ACORN my entire career.” And so it continues today from the White House.
Why not? ACORN was Obama’s political launch vehicle.
Posted by: ObamACORN | February 19, 2010, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
To highlight this campaign type visit to Nevada, Obama announced to spend 1.5 billion dollars taxpayers’ money to relieve the housing disaster in five critical states, with Nevada being one of the five. Now we know the spending of stimulus money is not only like pork, but is closely linked to campaign for Dem. lawmakers, like Chris Dodd two months earlier.
Posted by: austin | February 19, 2010, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
So, tierra. How do we pay off this national debt? At what point do we stop spending. Where do we start.
__________________________________
If this were an easy question, it would have been answered by now.
As soon as the Bush administration doubled the national debt and grossly increased the size of the deficit, increased taxes were in the future. So, increased taxes will be on the agenda. This administration has said it doesn’t want to raise taxes on anybody earning under a certain amount – until the economy is stronger.
A good first step is a Bi-Partisan Deficit commission of some kind – to work seriously on how it will be done.
Posted by: tierra | February 19, 2010, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
tierra wrote: “A good first step is a Bi-Partisan Deficit commission of some kind – to work seriously on how it will be done.”
.
Nothing serious about this at all. The man-child coward doesn’t have the guts to do it himself so he conjures up a phony commission to remove his fingerprints from what he really wants done. He will wax eloquent about how he tried to save the middle-class from devastating tax increases but the rascally republican on the commission just would not cooperate so we have no choice but to raise taxes. You can see this one a mile away.
Posted by: gk | February 19, 2010, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm
Go right ahead and campaign for Reid. We don’t want either of you losers back!
Posted by: JustMe | February 19, 2010, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
Posted by: gk | Feb 19, 2010 11:51:13 PM
Actually, its the Republicans who are running away from the Deficit commission – they took the national debt up to $10 trillion, but don’t want to participate in responsibility for the tough decisions required to address those debts and deficits.
Bi-partisan is the way to go on this one – shared responsibility across party lines. It’s a no brainer.
Posted by: tierra | February 20, 2010, 12:02 am 12:02 am
“Actually, its the Republicans who are running away from the Deficit commission – they took the national debt up to $10 trillion, but don’t want to participate in responsibility for the tough decisions required to address those debts and deficits.”
.
So Bush was writing those checks? You might want to bring that up with Nancy and Harry, they are falling down on their jobs.
.
“Bi-partisan is the way to go on this one – shared responsibility across party lines. It’s a no brainer.”
.
Little boy oBama has a chance to be a leader here and lead by example….but he just doesn’t have the guts. Gotta have someone else to take the blame.
Posted by: gk | February 20, 2010, 12:19 am 12:19 am
Posted by: gk | Feb 20, 2010 12:19:12 AM
If you’re foolish enough not to see there is shared responsibility or this, and a shared responsibility to identify the solutions – you’re simply biased and bigoted against the Democrats and the President.
Fair enough – but we know where you’re coming from. Smear the presidents.
Your ‘boy man’ insult is just that – juvenile name calling. Grow up.
Posted by: tierra | February 20, 2010, 12:42 am 12:42 am
This trip to Nevada drives me nuts. I know it happens in Washington w/ both parties, but Obama campaigned against politics as usual. How is this not politics as usual – Reid’s in a tough political fight. Obama uses Federal $$$ from Tarp to do something that boosts Reid and basically holds a political event. Too much even for me.
Posted by: Fedup | February 20, 2010, 1:47 am 1:47 am
Obama in a fit of fake outrage, told the FatCats he wanted every dime of taxpayers money paid back.
Yeah, too bad obummer didn’t mention most if not all of the money has been paid back and many didn’t want the money to begin with!
I hope Obama continues he’s winning ways on helping candidates with their RE-elections! MOROOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!
Posted by: Jeff | February 20, 2010, 3:59 am 3:59 am
Obama attended a fundraiser for the DNC last night and has appeared several times to stump for the Senator. But at those events, the Democratic National Committee foots the bill.
>>At today’s event, the taxpayers paid the price.<< Quit wasting MY money you ass!!
Posted by: Jeff | February 20, 2010, 4:13 am 4:13 am
is it still the kiss-of-death for Reid’s election? Hmmm…
We can only wish Hmmm…..
Posted by: Jeff | February 20, 2010, 4:59 am 4:59 am
Vegas and Obama were both created with union funds.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | February 20, 2010, 7:40 am 7:40 am
Getting back to the topic at hand, this is about how Obama is going to help Reid lose the election, like he had done for other candidates.
Posted by: jonny | February 20, 2010, 8:09 am 8:09 am
Harry Reid is gone………he’ll be back to real estate deals…
Posted by: LongT | February 20, 2010, 9:32 am 9:32 am
tierra…keep drinking that grape Koolaid…
Posted by: LongT | February 20, 2010, 9:33 am 9:33 am
Obama plays the inside beltway game very well….the interesting thing is how many believe he’s any different….
Posted by: LongT | February 20, 2010, 9:35 am 9:35 am
Obama campaigned for 3 candidates and all three candidates lost. who needs Obama in NOW?
Posted by: Sabagan | February 20, 2010, 10:28 am 10:28 am
NA NA HEY HEY GOOD BYE …. Since taking control of the Senate, what exactly has Harry accomplished? Harry leads the Senate to pass legislation to improve America and our lives. What has Harry done towards that? Blame shift all you want, but what has Harry done? That’s how you vote… not because he’s a Dem … what has be done? Let me help— NOTHING
Posted by: Nate | February 20, 2010, 11:53 am 11:53 am
THE THING and THOSE THAT SHOULD TO GO AWAY OR STEP DOWN IN 2010 ARE;
-TAX CHEATERS, TIM GEITHNER AND CHARLES RANGEL who is Rep.(D) in my distric in Manhattan. Nancy Pelosi has unconditionally and unfairly forgive Rangel’s cheating of taxes.
-HARRY REID AND NANCY PELOSI.
-AG ERIC HOLDER who has waste taxpayer’s money and a huge efforts for protect the rights of Terrorists in GITMO.
-HSD, JANET NAPOLITANO who has not qualified the position, Homeland Security.
-STOP PRINTING US$1,000,000,000,000.00
Posted by: GOTTA GO AWAY | February 20, 2010, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
tierra…keep drinking that grape Koolaid…
Posted by: LongT | Feb 20, 2010 9:33:58 AM
____________________________________
“Koolaid” – now THAT is clever! Did you think that up yourself? Very clever! Love the independent thinking on the right. And it’s not just a mindless bumper sticker – it has real depth of thought in it. And you thought it up yourself! Clever!
Posted by: tierra | February 20, 2010, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Obama was out in Nevada BUYING votes again!! He told the people he would give them 1.5 billion for housing. He is such a flim flan man!! After what he said about Nevada they should tell him to keep his money!This morning on TV they were talking about a bill he is passing that will cost 15.9 BILLION and has OVER 9,000 earmarks in it! What happen to going over line by line and marking out all the earmarks? He tells so many lies, guess he forgot he said that! Now our estimated debt is between 12-14 TRILLION dollars !!! Wish we ONLY had the 800 billion that Bush left us with! Seems like pocket change compared to Obama’s spending and that is in ONE YEAR!!! We can’t take 3 more years !!!
Posted by: TXAR.55 | February 20, 2010, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
Obama campaign for Reid? Yup, Reid will lose.
Posted by: Mickie | February 21, 2010, 12:11 am 12:11 am
Is the DNC paying for this campaign trip or are the taxpayers stuck with the bill?
Posted by: wow | February 21, 2010, 1:38 am 1:38 am
Obama,whent o N.J., Mass,Va,and S.C. to help campaign for the incumbent and said he wanted them re-elected and got what the people wanted instead. So he learned his lesson not to call it campaigning,but that is exactly what it was.Wasting tax dollars again.
Posted by: stormerF2 | February 21, 2010, 9:50 am 9:50 am
He needs to be on every tv set in this country, 24/7. With a basketball in one hand, nobel prize in the other and a cigarette hanging from his lip with ash dropped all over the podium.
Posted by: smartlillena | February 21, 2010, 10:05 am 10:05 am
I’d be willing to pay for that!
Posted by: smartlillena | February 21, 2010, 10:07 am 10:07 am
Reid tried to change things for the better but ran into a brick partisan wall.
Posted by: Nick | February 21, 2010, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Liar
Posted by: smokeranch | February 21, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Another Obama joyride at the expense of American taxpayers.
Posted by: This Corrupt Administration Will Destroy America! | February 21, 2010, 11:54 am 11:54 am
Obama goes to Vegas only
to continue to pull the wool
over the eyes of the sheep
on their way to the
slaughter. He speaks highly
of Reid but doesn’t actually
endorse him. Gives the mic
to Reid to answer questions
he doesn’t want associated
back to himself and tells
everyone that with Reid’s
toughness, Reid will get the
Recovery Act money back….
so who are you going to blame
by kicking out of office? Reid!
But they both NEED to go,
starting with Reid in Nov 2010
Posted by: No Wool on These Eyes | February 21, 2010, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Obama would do better distancing himself from Reid. Reid and Pelosi are dragging the country into ruin.
Posted by: Charlie C | February 21, 2010, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm