Rahm to Yachting BP CEO: Stay out of PR
In an EXCLUSIVE interview on This Week, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had some career advice for BP CEO Tony Hayward: Stay out of PR.
Host Jake Tapper asked for Emanuel’s reaction to new photos of Hayward sailing on his yacht today in the waters off the coast of Britain.
“Well, to quote Tony Hayward, he’s got his life back, as he would say,” Emanuel said with a smile. “And I think we can all conclude that Tony Hayward is not going to have a second career in PR consulting. This has just been part of a long line of PR gaffes and mistakes.”
“But, beyond that photo,” Emanuel explained, “there’s really a substance here that matters. That’s clearly a PR mistake, but he’s made a number of those mistakes. What’s important is: are we capping the well? Are we capturing the oil? Are we containing the cleanup? Are we filing the claims? Are we also cleaning up the mess? That’s what’s important.”
Emanuel said the new Hayward photos would be “fodder” and that “people will chew over this,” but he insisted that important thing was “dealing with the problems down in the well and dealing with the problems in the region.”
Emanuel said it is “important for the people [to get] the resources they need to restore their lives and restoring that coastline to its environmental purity it had at one point.”
The full interview will air Sunday on THIS WEEK.
After the interview, taped Saturday, the White House announce that President Obama was headed to Andrews Air Force Base for a round of golf with Vice President Biden and others.
- Jake Tapper

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I’d go sailing, too, if I had spent the day with a pack of wolves trying to make political points instead of gathering facts.
And just what has Rahm done about BP; other than get a free apartment from one of their executives?
These people are punks.
Hey, Rahm, I’d like my COUNTRY back.
Posted by: LweatonNC | June 19, 2010, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
“White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had some career advice for BP CEO Tony Hayward: Stay out of PR.” – ABC News
Cmon Rahm, stay out of PR yourself dood.
If you don’t like Tony Hayward going sailing then you ought to be upset with Barry Obama going golfing.
How silly this advice from someone like Rahm is.
The White House is disconnected from reality.
Posted by: Noz | June 19, 2010, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Rahm needs to go back to Israel and stay there.
Posted by: smokepipe12345 | June 19, 2010, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
It aint Rahmbo’s buisness what a person
does with their time. The government got their bribe money. Now they have to leave him alone, or is that NOT how it is done in “Chicago style politics!?!”
Posted by: CBA | June 19, 2010, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
I think the American people have looked at this disaster and utimately who is responsible for the incompet of controlling it all wrong! First of all, I watched the congress (hail mary ) atempt to make CEO (Hayward) look like an incompetent moron which I thought was really the wrong thing to do. I admit some of Hayward’s responses were in fact lame but some were acceptable because he probably does not really know what caused the explosion. Now with that said, I would like to clear up the most important fact of all that will probably shock most of you experts. Our government is supposed to protect our people by making sure that all business owners comply with building construction and operating codes (so to speak) meaning Your production facilility must be safe to operate! OK! Now the government inspections must approve the drilling rig design plan by the use of permits before they can start building or operating. So the rest here is just common sense,right? That means that our inspection contractor must have the expertise to determine if BP has proper safety cut off valves built into the well cap.At least one in place directly below the break in pipe. As I was looking at the video of the oil gushing out I was saying to myself (turn off the safety valve) you know! And then I figured out that we do not have one! It is outragous that Obama administration and our government claim no responsibility at all! But then why would obama want our taxpayers paying 20 billion dollars out to the Fisherman. ####! they get more than double what I get on maximum unimployment benifits.
Posted by: lynn golff | June 19, 2010, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
“Well, to quote Tony Hayward, he’s got his life back, as he would say,” Emanuel said with a smile. “And I think we can all conclude that Tony Hayward is not going to have a second career in PR consulting. This has just been part of a long line of PR gaffes and mistakes.”
——–
:>)
I think Rahm had a good response. A bit of biting snark but without taking the bait and going off on a tangent, bringing it back to what’s important.
Posted by: progressive mama | June 19, 2010, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Hey, Rahm, I’d like my COUNTRY back.
Posted by: LweatonNC | Jun 19, 2010 1:23:38 PM
It was never solely your country, and you should have taken more care with it. Electing those who bring on calamity after calamity — neverending war, economic disaster, severe job loss, policies that trample on liberty and our ideals– raising the misery index (yes, Bush, Cheney and the Republican boneheads in Congress) and then blaming those willing to take on the job of cleaning it up shows how little you care about OUR country.
Posted by: progressive mama | June 19, 2010, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
O come on now RHAm you are just as bad as your BOSS the DUM ONE he is out Golfing drinking dinning today .His wife is on a billionair s beach house in CA ?? So SHUT UP.
Posted by: Joeray | June 19, 2010, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
Rahm Emanuel is just playing the Chicago party line. He is nothing more than a puppet on a string like the rest of the talking heads in Washington are. Come on November 2010 and November 2012 for the final chapter of
“How to screw up Washington even more”.
Posted by: Retiree | June 19, 2010, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
To everyone on here bashing Pres Obama. I am mad about certain things that the government did not do right from the start. I live here on the Gulf Coast (Florida).Let’s remember something here though, I remember certain pressing issues that Pres Bush probably should have stayed in Washington for, but did not.He took his vacations as well. What I am wanting is some action to plug up this hole as fast as we can. I can not stand Tony Hayward, period. He probably should just keep quiet and let someone else do the talking.
Posted by: Milwifew | June 19, 2010, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Hey Rahm
Nothing BP can do can begin to equal the damage done to this country by you and your Israel First buddies. Go home to Jerusalem. Stop bleeding this country you blood sucking leech.
Posted by: Cassarit | June 19, 2010, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
CONGRESS is as GUILTY as BP!
Posted by: Juan | June 19, 2010, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
“But, beyond that photo,” Emanuel explained, “there’s really a substance here that matters. That’s clearly a PR mistake, but he’s made a number of those mistakes. What’s important is: are we capping the well? Are we capturing the oil? Are we containing the cleanup? Are we filing the claims? Are we also cleaning up the mess? That’s what’s important.”
um, yea….was he projecting about POTUS? IMO same applies….just need today’s golf pic…
Posted by: push2shove | June 19, 2010, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Rahm Emanuel telling BP CEO Tony Hayward: to stay out of PR deserves the “pot calling the kettle black” award of the year.
Posted by: Tyrone | June 19, 2010, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
It would do well if all the Jew haters would stop their rhetoric. Rahm was born in Chicago, Illinois and last time I checked that makes him an American citizen like yourselves. Perhaps you should go back to were your descendants came from before arriving in the United States. I’m sure Native Americans would second that vote…get all the ignorant racists out of this country. They have polluted this country enough with their bigotry.
I wish they could pass a law that racists could not breed and have offspring. That might end racism in this country.
Posted by: Marie (Portland, Oregon) | June 19, 2010, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
It is unconscionable for Mr. Hayward to be out yachting at a time like this. Mr. Emanuel knows better than anyone that it was not the right thing to do….He should have spent the time getting in a few rounds of golf instead. That’s what a real leader does during times of crisis.
Posted by: Virtus2021 | June 19, 2010, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
Was Rahm running around shooting reporters with a squirt gun when he told Jake that Hayward should stay out of PR because he’s created a bad picture?
Har.
Posted by: MayBee | June 19, 2010, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Mr. Emanuel,
In this another summer of discontent, do focus on the oil clean-up. But don’t depend on corporation bashing as a cover for your bosses only lousy progress in creating jobs for Americans. I’m beginning to sense that the more the president bashes corporations the fewer jobs are actually created in the private sector. He’s nearing the end of year no. 2. I’m not sure how much longer we can take this economy of lack and this record debt to which he’s added more debt. It’s really not too much to say that when it comes to managing the economy, creating jobs, and reducing debt, your boss is Bush III. As Clinton said, “It’s the economy, stupid!” And so it is.
Posted by: merlionasfriend | June 19, 2010, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Emanuel served in the Israeli Defense Forces during the Gulf War. He’s a dual citizen like Ari Fleischer, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle and the rest of the Bush neo CONS…
What you didn’t know this. You have a computer, why not look up some facts before you play the racial/ethnicity card? Nah, no Obamaphile EVER bothered to be confused with the facts!
You’d rather have somebody do you thinking FOR you, just like the Palin/FOX fools.
Posted by: CBA | June 19, 2010, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
I have sailed in hundreds of yacht races. I have cancelled my participation in many others because of because of lesser matters. Why is he sailing, and not sitting in jail, along with the other British Petroleum executives for manslaughter?
Posted by: Larry Linn | June 19, 2010, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
With advisers like Emanuel and Axlelrod who needs enemies?
Posted by: cuban casino | June 19, 2010, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Jake, I appreciate your reporting. Thank-you for letting us know what the president is doing in the midst of this disaster. The hypocrisy of this administration is appalling!
Posted by: debra | June 19, 2010, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
It is unconscionable for Mr. Hayward to be out yachting at a time like this. Mr. Emanuel knows better than anyone that it was not the right thing to do….He should have spent the time getting in a few rounds of golf instead. That’s what a real leader does during times of crisis.
Posted by: Virtus2021 | Jun 19, 2010 3:37:27 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fadinghope | June 19, 2010, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
O.K. I am cracking up. Of all people, I don’t think Rahm needs to be fussing about anybody else regarding PR. This White House has the worst PR problem I have EVER seen. Too funny. As far as this nonsense? It’s all nonsense. I do not care who golfs or watches races. They do get time off.
Posted by: secondlook | June 19, 2010, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Debra, While it is an attempt at fair and balanced reporting to note that the Prez is out golfing..again..how many people these days actually “make it” to the last sentence of an article?
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
Yea , leave PR to people like Rahmbo who know how to cultivate a clean , honest image .
Posted by: nat turner | June 19, 2010, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
Just a passing thought..What would Hillary be doing this week-end if she were president?
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
It could be said that Rahm Emmanuel has a few of his own PR problems. It’s not nice what he called the majority of Democrats who favored a Public Option last year, blanking liberals.
Posted by: jane | June 19, 2010, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
As the gulf residents don’t know where there next dollar is coming from, our President and VP are enjoying an afternoon of golf, and wasn’t it last night that our Pres. was enjoying a ball game, And wasn’t it this week that the first lady,kids and mother enjoyed a night at the BB game. And weren’t they enjoying high $ restaurants and staying at a multi million $ mansion on the beach. Wouldn’t the average american or the gulf residents enjoy the same! The pres is rubbing all this in the face of americans who are trying to make it thru the week!
Posted by: Sa1950 | June 19, 2010, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Hayward goes yachting, Barry goes to a baseball game…
Sure glad all is well in America and it’s still BUSINESS AS USUAL!!!
Posted by: Is_It_November____Yet | June 19, 2010, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Didn’t Hayward just get “sacked” yesterday and replaced by Bob Dudley? But if not and given Champagne Tony’s track record, maybe we’re better off is he’s yachting and not further screwing up the Gulf of Mexico.
And for you Obama Haters two questions-Why is Shrub Bush’s mountain biking during two wars and Katrina more disrespectful than Obama’s day of golf. And why aren’t each of us picking up tar balls on the beach?
Posted by: B.Bear | June 19, 2010, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
This President is just too stupid to get it.Today he had a ready-made talking point with the BP yacht story; he then completely blows it by golfing with Biden.Obama and Hayward look like two peas in a pod.This isn’t rocket science;it is common sense to at least look like you are taking a crisis seriously.I never believed the “brilliance” nonsense-if that was true we would have seen transcripts and academic awards.However,never in my wildest nightmares did I believe that he was flat-out dumb.
Posted by: Nephron | June 19, 2010, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Tony isn’t in charge anymore — why shouldn’t he go do something else? And while Rahm is blasting BP, his boss, the whiner-in-chief, is out … golfing. Yes — how’s that for hypocrisy?
Posted by: Liz | June 19, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Bear, its about the double standard..that’s all. If Rahm is gonna bring up Hayward frolicking on the sea, then its fair to point out Obama’s frolicking on the grass. As in Katrina, if things were progressing well on the gulf, no one would begrudge them some RnR..but ask our troops..you can’t stand down in the middle of a battle..and last I checked that’s what the president himself said we have going here….and why aren’t we all picking up tar patties? Cause we’re not allowed to! You have to take a class first and be part of a govt sanctioned crew…and don’t you even think about picking up an oil coated bird, you’d probably end up in jail..this is how the government works..they convince you you can’t do anything on your own..and then do a crappy job themselves.
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
Local residents need to ask the questions ! For example the BP people don’t want workers to wear face masks when they cleaning up the oil because it looks bad . Your local Chamber of Commerce people are telling people it’s OK to go the the beach .
It appears that BP wants people at the beach so that down the line when this all goes to court BP will just show up with pictures of people at the beach with oil around them !
The sad part is do beach visitors know the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that some PAHs in oil may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens.
Some people who have breathed or touched mixtures of PAHs and other chemicals for long periods of time have developed cancer. Some PAHs have caused cancer in laboratory animals when they breathed air containing them (lung cancer), ingested them in food (stomach cancer), or had them applied to their skin (skin cancer).
You have to ask yourself if your willing to put yourself and your childrens lives on the line here !
Posted by: Bill Carson | June 19, 2010, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
They have so much time to worry how he spends his time off, why don’t they have time to get an extension to the unemployment benefits? The last extension expired June 2. There are people going hungry and losing there homes right here in America. I think it is a shame how the BP accident has pushed the plight of unemployed Americans into the shadows. SHAME ON YOU ABC, NBC,CBS, FOX and mostly OBAMA and CONGRESS.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
B.Bear – If it were only a day… yesterday, it was the baseball game… He’s played more GOLF in less than 2 years than any other President has played in a FULL 4-YEAR TERM, even TWO FULL 4-YEAR terms!!!
But hey, he’s on top of the issue, ain’t he?
LOL!!!
Posted by: Is_It_November____Yet | June 19, 2010, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
Debbie – I, for one, am waiting for the inventory of homes to increase, and their value to decrease.
I may buy when the market is at its bottom, having held off on buying when the market was enjoying its bubble.
You see, SOME of us actually THINK before we buy….
Posted by: Is_It_November____Yet | June 19, 2010, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
Bill, the steak I have on the grill right now would be declared off limits if I had the DHHS out here..and don’t even let them look the apple pie in my oven..(pesticides, you know) Come on now, didn’t you ever have to scrape the tar off your feet as a youngin’ at the beach? I did, and I’m still alive..this is getting crazy
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
ABC why are you not after the Obama admin for not doing their jobs. They have the overall control of the Gulf and Obama spends his days Golfing and fund raising. I never see media reports from ABC about this, about the Federal Government not doing everything they can and interrupting cleanup, and Obama’s lead person only working part time. Stop being biased and report truly what is or isn’t happening.
Posted by: Jeff G | June 19, 2010, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
Why is everybody blowing up Tony Hayward for going to watch his yacht, and nobody (that I’ve seen), is berating Obama for attending a baseball game in the midst of this crisis Same thing in my book. I know BP has made a lot of terrible mistakes, but anybody, no matter who they are, has to get a little relief from the stress of this. Give him just a little bit of a break.
Posted by: Patty | June 19, 2010, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
Why do you give BHO a free pass. He can’t plug the hole but, he could sure as heck “clear the decks” for other to accelerate the clean up and keep the mess from making ground fall. The bureaucracy and bureaucrats are make thing much worst not better. After 60 days why is anything in the way of “full speed ahead. Obama is failing us all and still playing politics.
Posted by: Barking Bear | June 19, 2010, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
Jake – get real. I thought Barry was taking it over for BP like he does everything else. Oh right more finger pointing. And where is barry today? and Rahm shoud heed his own advice. BTW – can someone tell Barry that Im still unemployed. Almost a yr now. Maybe he can help get me a govt job. I hear they make 22 p/hr and only work 4 but get paid for 8.
Posted by: 11wonderwoman11 | June 19, 2010, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
Jake – You and ABC news are not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes here. People are finally seeing Barak Obama for the Monster he is
Posted by: 11wonderwoman11 | June 19, 2010, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
Love the closing line, tapper. You are the master! Yep, after Rahm trashing the BP yachter, then the WH admits the pres AND veep are going golfing that same day. Sauce-goose-gander– you know the expression.
No, I don’t expect the president to be trapped in the oval office 24/7, but I do expect the WH not to pile on when others take a break just like the president does.
Now, let’s suspend the Jones Act for the next 30 days and actually ramp up the clean-up, which should have been done a month or more ago, but better late than never. What a bunch of incompetents (and I don’t mean just BP)
Posted by: moderate | June 19, 2010, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm
Wonderwoman, what on earth makes you think Mr. Tapper is covering for the WH? I think he is devastatingly letting them hoist themselves on their own petards. He simply reports Rahm’s own words, then slips in that lovely little “oh, yeah, btw” at the end that undercuts all Rahm’s criticism of the BP pres. I think Jake is a fabulous reporter and not carrying water for ANYONE on any side of any issue.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Tapper.
Posted by: moderate | June 19, 2010, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Oh my Dear Emanual and Obama I think you guys should stay out of PR…Infact why dont you guys take a LONG vacation….Things would be much better off here if you did
Posted by: JKO | June 19, 2010, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm
“Now, let’s suspend the Jones Act for the next 30 days and actually ramp up the clean-up, which should have been done a month or more ago”
====================
As posted on Offshore Magazine’s website:
“National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen instructed the Coast Guard federal on-scene coordinator, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Maritime Administration to ensure any Jones Act waiver requests regarding the BP oil spill response receive accelerated processing.
No Jones Act waivers have been required for the 15 foreign-flagged vessels currently in operation in the Gulf of Mexico. A foreign flag vessel can conduct certain operations as part of the flotilla if it is an oil spill response vessel and meets the requirements of 46 USC § 55113.”
The Jones Act generally applies to vessels carrying merchandise, not cleanup vessels. The whole Jones Act talking point is just another right-wing red herring.
Posted by: Skip | June 19, 2010, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
I’m still waiting for the split screen of Obama playing golf while the oil continues to pollute some of the most precious wetlands in America.
Posted by: Roma | June 19, 2010, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Mr. President,
You had time to go golfing, where is the unemployment extension?
Mr. Emanuel does not like to waste a crisis, I’ll use this one to put light on the unemployment in America.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Yes, Tony Hayward on a yacht is offensive, yet this is an example of a imbalanced (biased) story from ABC News. Many spots of people in disgust about Hayward, yet no spots or cross-examination of the hypocracy of the White House comments. President Obama siad he is in charge, yet how many golfing outings, basketball team receptions, concerts, et. al. has he been involved in during this time where he is “at war” with the oil spill?!
Posted by: Don in Campbell | June 19, 2010, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Hey Mr. Emanuel, here’s some substance that matters: The White House’s initial response to the crises: send lawyers. Analogy: Crash on Interstate, would you send EMT’s to extricate the injured or send lawyers with business cards? Let no crisis go to waste to play the blame game. Too bad the media doesn’t cover all sides with fairness.
Posted by: Don in Campbell | June 19, 2010, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
The extension for unemployment benefits comes from CONGRESS not the President. Scream at the Republicans in Congress who are saying they don’t think they can fund another extension. Blame them for not passing another extension.
Posted by: Cindbird | June 19, 2010, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
Cindbird,
Mr. Obama got his healthcare through CONGRESS when he wanted it.
FYI-the REPUBLICANS put up a plan for the UI extension and the DEMOCRATS objected to it because it was funded with stimulus money.
IF THE PRESIDENT WANTED IT DONE WE WOULD HAVE IT ALREADY. But, then has the Gulf spill to take the heat off. Why worry about what the man that USED to be in charge of it was spending his time after being away from home for a couple of months?
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
Obama has been going around playing golf many, many times, singing songs with Hollywood celebrities, wining and dining on vacation since the oil spill, yet the American main stream media all act blur and keep quiet. He had been enjoying this using American taxpayers’ money and his office working time. Why the silence and outcry ???!!!
Yet when the chief of a private corporation go on vacation just for once and using his own money and time, the American main stream media all make him a demon while continue to shield Obama and idolise him. Why the bias ???!!!
The American media and government are collaborating to demonise the British and blame them for the oil spill so that they can punish and loot BP and its British pensioners as much as they can so that Obama can use these money to continue to dine, wine and golf.
Posted by: ymchoo | June 19, 2010, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
while the erstwhile President has booze-fueled rock concerts at the White House and plays golf a record number of times. Amazing. There is more important things than “PR”….how about stopping the leak? Or correcting the economy? Or restoring civil rights? Or ending the war(s)? Or protecting the border? Nope, I’d rather have Earth-Wind-And-Fire and McCartney concerts and play another few rounds of golf!
Posted by: Ed | June 19, 2010, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
I wish Mr. BP was on top of the project by going to Washington Nationals games or playing golf.
Posted by: Jim Tayberry | June 19, 2010, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
sing with Paul, fund raising dinner with boxer, golf, and people are blasting someone else?
Priorities to oboma fall to only what he wants to do. Protect our borders, nah…not that either.
Poor excuse for a man, nevermind the president.
Posted by: Pat | June 19, 2010, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Before you start going after this man, look him up on the internet. He majored in Geology. He is not a driller. I don’t know about you, but I have never taken my day to day problems to the CEO of the company. Why would anyone expect the CEO of a company the size of BP to know that there was suddenly a pressure problem on a rig being drilled? They pay experts to drill these wells and expect them to know how to handle the problems.
If he is yachting in England then he probably enjoys the water and just might feel bad about what is going on. But the administration needs to get the heat off of other issues so they are focusing attention on BP. Those people in the gulf states will be getting paid wether there would have been any tourists this year or not. Remember there is an a 10% unemployment rate. Others are not shopping, saving their money… the economy does not make it look the tourists would have been out in mass.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
O’Blamya gets a free ride on this….he was at a baseball game? What the h— has he been done other than whine and spend our money.
Posted by: RogerS | June 19, 2010, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Great story Jake. I think the time for subtly has passed though, this administration’s hypocrisy needs to be exposed out front, not in the final paragraph. A more accurate headline might have been “White House criticizes BP Exec R&R While President and VP Golf”
Posted by: Cowboy Ranger | June 19, 2010, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
WOW. Look at all these professional butt kissers come to the defense of a Brit over their American President.
I guess color of skin over rules nationality.
Posted by: Jesse | June 19, 2010, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
Rahm Emanuel giving PR advice?????????? RU Kidding!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lovingpolitics | June 19, 2010, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
Jomama72
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Wow look they found a way to put people to work in the gulf.
Drilling personnell get a 6 month vacation on BP’s dime.
United States gets to bill BP for Coast Guard.
Administration gets attention on Gulf of Mexico instead of the fact that we are in a depression and FDR died in 1945.
The Chief of Staff made a snide comment and drug the POTUS into the mud.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
jomama,has any of that crap had ANY effect on the spill?
Posted by: Nephron | June 19, 2010, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Read it..•Approximately 59 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline is currently experiencing impacts from BP’s leaking oil—approximately 34 miles in Louisiana, four miles in Mississippi, nine miles in Alabama, and 12 miles in Florida.
Say goodbye to the GOBP..November..November..remember November..YES WE ARE MOTIVATED
Posted by: jomama72 | June 19, 2010, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
seem that obama play golf today for 5 hours why isn’t he being slammed like the president of BP. Rhambo nobody wants to listen to a failed ballet dancer, keep to lying and your chicago thuggery.
Posted by: john | June 19, 2010, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm
Dear Rahm Emanuel,
Do you already forget which the Commender-in-chief in USA enjoyed playing 18 HOLES OF THE GOLF ALL DAYS AFTER THE OIL SPILL?
Owe
Borrowing
A lot
Money
Abundantly
BP CEO, Tony Hayward isn’t not the President of USA.
Posted by: IMPEACH OBAMA | June 19, 2010, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm
Do you actually think that this is the first time that there has been oil on beaches in the gulf coast? When I was a kid you couldn’t go to Galveston without getting tar on your swimsuit.
While yes it is a tragedy it is not the first time this has happened. This is media hype to take the heat off. Just like when we went through Monica-gate they are playing games to get attention away from what is going on in Washington.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2010, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
I am not a Democrat… but as a woman I keep wondering..what would a President Hillary Clinton be doing this week-end?
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
Skip, if talk of the Jones Act is just “another right-wing red herring” as you say, you had better pass the word on to Ken Wells, the head of the Offshore Marine Service Association– hardly a right-wing organization. He testified before congress this week:
“We find that many of these vessels are blatantly ignoring the Jones Act,” Mr. Wells testified. “Worse, we find that the agency charged with enforcing the Jones Act has failed to live up to its responsibilities to enforce the law and to interpret the law as Congress intended.”
And if we don’t need to waive the Jones Act, why has Admiral Allen set up an expedited process to handle wavier requests?
Posted by: moderate | June 19, 2010, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm
The World News says Obama and his family will go to trip for summer vcation to Greece in Europe. If someone knows detailed about it, please conform it.
Posted by: Jasmin-NY | June 19, 2010, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
Moderate..so all of this begs the question..why oh why would an earth day celebrating, vegetable garden planting, windmill blowin’, solar panel heated government not have slashed through ANY obstacle, like the Jones act, that was hindering the protection of our precious environment? answer? Because while they LOVE the Pelicans..they OWE the unions.(no foreign ships, no foreign crew..not even in this emergency. Do you know that we have been removing needed equipment off of foreign vessels and putting it on American ships so as to abide by the Jones act?)
Posted by: cindy | June 19, 2010, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
The World News says Obama and his family will go to trip for summer vcation to Greece in Europe. If someone knows detailed about it, please conform it.
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The Greek newspapers claimed Obama was coming to Crete. But the US embassy said it would be “surprising” if he came under the circumstances, though the plans weren’t denied.
Posted by: jane | June 19, 2010, 11:25 pm 11:25 pm
well thats all well and good for the President to speak….I personally along with others feel the senate should have to live off of what we get for unemployment, take away the credit cards, expense accounts and their jobs and see if they can live on 280 a week….also stop their extensions….see what they do then…I’m 57 and been out of work for over a year and a half, filling out resume after resume for a job that doesn’t exist….they are overseas or in mexico….bring the jobs back to the united states so we can go back to work then they don’t have to worry about passing an extension,…..we would all be back at work…..I say to CONGRESS….put yourselves in our shoes….I like others have no family or credit cards to fall back on so I like thousands will loose everything….the county agencys won’t help….God forbid we make to much on unemployment……so what as americans are we to do when we trust our government to help us….
Posted by: jj | June 19, 2010, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm
And if we don’t need to waive the Jones Act, why has Admiral Allen set up an expedited process to handle wavier requests?
***********************************************
Too bad the waivers weren’t being expedited in April when the Dutch offered to help build sand barriers to protect the wetlands in Louisiana along with their crews and boats for retrieving the oil.
Instead American crews had to be trained to use the Dutch boats and techniques since the Jones Act stipulates that Americans have to be employed first. Consequently, the project was started very recently rather than the Dutch crew beginning the clean up almost two months ago. Needless to say, it must have been very frustrating for the people of LA to have had to wait for the critical expertise and assistance as oil invaded their shores and wetlands.
Posted by: jane | June 19, 2010, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm
For three weeks following the oil disaster Obama and all the other bigwigs went about their lives-parties, vacations, jet-setting and such without ever contacting BP to get the details and coordinate efforts in minimizing damage and now they have the nerve to criticize Hayward for a one-day event? Such hypocrisy!
They enjoy any crisis that arises as it gives them the opportunity to push their socialist agenda.
Posted by: jalexandre | June 19, 2010, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
I await tomorrow’s airing of the show on ABC.I am sure that Jake will ask penetrating questions to Rahm about his role in trying to bribe Sestak to stay out of the Pennsylvania senate race.I also am sure that Jake will ask Emanuel about his role in trying to force Blago to appoint Valerie Jarrett to the open Illinois senate seat.I’m sure.
Posted by: bobmac | June 20, 2010, 12:16 am 12:16 am
Remember all Obama wants is someone to blame for anything. I am not defending BP but Obama has done nothing good for this country and has only hurt it with his Liberal waste of time and money policies.
Keep the heat on the Liberals and VOTE THEM OUT !!!!
Posted by: Rick Allen | June 20, 2010, 12:21 am 12:21 am
With all due respect to Mr. Emanuel. Stop the blame game and the deflection.
The POTUS has unilaterally called in a private entity and demanded that it turn over a large sum to his chosen management.
No legislative or judicial action. No preexisting authority. Just a ukase.
PLEASE ask whether you are comfortable with this type of power in one person’s hands.
If you are comfortable would you still be so if that person were [a POTUS whose position you don't support]
Posted by: Miri | June 20, 2010, 12:23 am 12:23 am
did anyone at ABC copy-edit this?? awful.
Posted by: Harrison | June 20, 2010, 12:26 am 12:26 am
>>“And I think we can all conclude that Tony Hayward is not going to have a second career in PR consulting<<
What about a second career as a lobbyist in the Obama Administration?? He'd fit right in.
Posted by: Jay Dee | June 20, 2010, 1:16 am 1:16 am
I forgot to mention in my last post. Chase doesn’t want to honor it.
Posted by: Debbie | June 20, 2010, 1:38 am 1:38 am
Hey Rahm, It worked, by keeping the focus on the oil spill we were able to allow 2,000,000 more possible democrat voters into the south west, your boss wink wink.
Posted by: Bill from Pa. | June 20, 2010, 1:39 am 1:39 am
WOW! Rahm is one to talk!!
Posted by: W. Wallace | June 20, 2010, 1:45 am 1:45 am
Does anyone need any more proof that this hostile Administration is willing to destroy the environment in order to push its radical agenda? Vote them out!
Posted by: Roma | June 20, 2010, 2:05 am 2:05 am
Yes and Obama, Emmanuel, Cheyne etc spend every single minute in church down on their knees remembering the thousands they are slaughtering every day as well as their ‘trained’ foot soldiers who are killed. They don’t eat, drink have holidays or anything.
Posted by: Bahhumbug | June 20, 2010, 3:57 am 3:57 am
Something strange happened the other day, June 16, the day that Pres Obama met with the chairman of BP. I was watching CNN live on line. After the meeting ended the Pres came out to speak with reporters, actually it was more like giving a statement, as soon as the Pres was finished saying what he had to say, he literally walked-ran away from the microphones, leaving the press shouting out questions. As soon as he finished the BP chairman came out and made a statement, one which can be viewed almost everywhere on the web.
The thing that bothered me was what Obama said, “I personally guarantee that BP will pay.” I found that puzzling.
When I have tried to find that tape on line, I find another one. That of Obama giving the same speech, but this time from inside the White House and without the statement of his personal guarantee that BP would pay. This second statement obviously happened later in the day when the White House press corp was reassembled and brought back in for a more formal meeting.
It was like the White House called “do-over” and replaced one “take” with another they found more favorable. Is this something the White House and the news services commonly do?
I believe that if we were able to see that original tape Obama would be facing some difficult questions about his statements. To me they were alarming. Also, is it typical for the President to make statements and then run off without answering questions. I found it bizarre.
Posted by: YerachmielMordechai | June 20, 2010, 4:02 am 4:02 am
What a crock of rubbish.
Hope Barack is pleased that Rahm Emanuel has today pledged that whilst any problem exists that the US President can affect, Sasha and Malia will never be spending free time with dad.
Posted by: James Davison | June 20, 2010, 4:15 am 4:15 am
Never let a crisis go to waste.
Posted by: LongT | June 20, 2010, 5:21 am 5:21 am
I didn’t vote for the man….
Posted by: LongT | June 20, 2010, 5:31 am 5:31 am
This from a guy who told obama’s own supporters to go F themselves after receiving some constructive criticism. I say the same to you rahm – dont expect a future career in PR.
Posted by: Dave | June 20, 2010, 5:49 am 5:49 am
How’s ya feel now Barrack?
Posted by: LongT | June 20, 2010, 6:15 am 6:15 am
Yachting, golfing, golfing, yachting…
Posted by: Lori Smith | June 20, 2010, 6:15 am 6:15 am
The guy doesn’t know what he’s doing. But even worse he’s surrounded himself with people that don’t either.
Posted by: LongT | June 20, 2010, 6:17 am 6:17 am
The general population here in the United Kingdom find the whole American attitude to this situation to be beyond belief and exceedingly hypocritical.
A huge amount of ‘BP bashing’ is taking place and news reports from the US media shown here show US citizens making totally ridiculous comments. One woman shown stated that she was waiting for ‘the Queen of England’ to make some comment on the situation as after all BP is a ‘British company’.
This shows the complete insularity of the American populus. Anybody who knows anything about the British monarchy would know that the Monarch is considered to above such political matters and would never make any public statement that would seem to apportion blame.
It is also interesting to note that BP is a global business, not wholly British and subcontracts some of its’ activities to US businesses as in this case to Halliburton. Where is the uproar and backlash against these US parties?
As a final point, it is perhaps sad and indicative of the self interest of the US population that they never saw fit to display such anger against their own US company Union Carbide following the Bhopal disaster of 1986.
Posted by: Chris van Straaten | June 20, 2010, 6:21 am 6:21 am
Hey Chris….how bout we shove oil onto your coast.”This shows the complete insularity of the American populus. Anybody who knows anything about the British monarchy would know that the Monarch is considered to above such political matters and would never make any public statement that would seem to apportion blame.” Yeah, we figured that! Can you come to my house so I can slap your a$$!
Posted by: LongT | June 20, 2010, 6:30 am 6:30 am
The small people or as Obama would say, the “bitter working class”, must be outraged to see Obama on the golf course instead of being on the Gulf Coast..
Posted by: Sigmonde | June 20, 2010, 7:28 am 7:28 am
Lets all play golf and watch the white sox just like the president did – Fair and balanced?
Posted by: Matt | June 20, 2010, 7:41 am 7:41 am
At least Hayward is a private citizen. Who cares what he does? I care more about Obama campaigning, having social events at the WH, golfing etc while Rome burns!! What a hypocrite!!!
Posted by: Kathy in Pa. | June 20, 2010, 8:23 am 8:23 am
I just can’t take it anymore. I feel sorry for you Jake having to constantly interact with the people we send to DC. It’s getting to be like Sodom up there..is there even ONE decent person left? I’m tuning out for the rest of the day so we can celebrate a truly good man; my husband. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.
Posted by: cindy | June 20, 2010, 8:27 am 8:27 am
Like many other comments on here, I am amazed at the level of ignorance and bullying, from the American Press, people and their Government. Obama’s chief of staff’s comments today was just the latest in a longline, I suggest
that instead of critising BP and it’s senior team at every turn, and living this out in the full glare of the biast US media, that they actually spend time working with , which as the rest of the worls knows, is not something the U.S. is actually good at. The fact is you were offered help right away from the Netherlands and your government turned it down!!! Why? And finally, as most Americans know and preach, family is at the heart of everything and no matter what the BP CChief does deserve to spend fathers day with his children.
Posted by: CraigC39 | June 20, 2010, 8:38 am 8:38 am
The Houston Symphony was performing for free last Thursday and Friday. I did not go because I did not want to pay for the gas. There are a lot of important things going on right now. Please remember that this is only one of them. The unemployment situation needs to be noticed by the media not discarded as yesterday’s headline. It is still here.
Posted by: Debbie | June 20, 2010, 8:38 am 8:38 am
“how bout we shove oil onto your coast”
————
Hey Long T – American companies did…Torrey Canyon and Piper Alpha. You just proved his point about American isolationism.
Posted by: Gracefully | June 20, 2010, 8:43 am 8:43 am
To Chris from the UK: I find it a bit difficult to read the things you write. Americans have great pride in their land, as I’m sure you have in yours. We are deeply hurt not only financially but emotionally by this disaster. I have read several posting from people in the UK, and all of them, ALL of them seem to disregard the pain of watching this happen. Certainly you are going to hear things that are emotionally charged from people. The queen comment to blame would not be appropriate, that’s absurd to ask for. Please understand, BP is a British company, but 99% of our focus has nothing to do with the Brits, just those who represent (badly) BP itself. For a moment I was going to write ‘what if this happened to you’, but no one wishes this upon a friend, and the US and UK will always be friends. Stop siding with BP on this, you too should have some compassion for your friends in the US, and appropriately should be wanting BP to take full responsiblity. Instead all we seem to hear from the UK is messages like yours. Help us, we are drowning (in oil).
Posted by: Jerry | June 20, 2010, 8:44 am 8:44 am
Jerry – we do care but we can’t do anything about it from over here and we find it galling that Transocean, Halliburton and the US Regulator seem to be being ‘let off the hook’ or trying to ‘wriggle of it’. The view from over here, is that you need a relief well and it takes 4 to 6 months to put in place. So, it’s a waiting, trying everything else while we wait, situation. So long as they stop it, the ocean will recover but it may take up to a generation to do so. Fortunately, mother earth is good at making up for our mistakes.
Posted by: Gracefully | June 20, 2010, 8:57 am 8:57 am
Hey Jake,
What a blown opportunity for Tony Hayward and BP! He had every opportunity to turn his yachting getaway into a PR success. Imagine if he had invited a few of the Gulf Coast ‘small people’ to join him on his yacht for a few days away from the disaster, to talk about problems and solutions in a welcoming environment; Tony might have scored a real win.
Mr. Hayward exhibits all the symptoms of the insular ivory-tower corporate executive culture. When the CEO exemplifies this kind of behavior, there can be no doubt that this culture permeates the entire organization, as underlings always seek to emulate the behavior and attitudes modeled by those at the top.
Posted by: Jim | June 20, 2010, 9:02 am 9:02 am
Why is this any different from Obama playing endless rounds of golf or his sing along with Paul McCartney?
Our President is too busy looking to blame others rather than solve problems.
Posted by: cynthia | June 20, 2010, 9:07 am 9:07 am
To our British contributor, there was a huge negative reaction with regards to Union Carbide and Bophal. And if you think that Americans are insular and never criticize their government or corporations, then you must live in an alternate universe without access to American media.
Obama’s poll numbers have gone down and he’s getting hit with regards to this from both sides of the political aisle. Americans are incredibly upset and (other words that wouldn’t be polite to use on this site) in general. The Gulf of Mexico is literally being murdered in front of our very eyes, and that also includes the coastline with a horrible environmental impact as well as killing the economies of entire coastal communities from Louisiana to Florida (and soon the East Coast if this keeps up). If the worst case scenario happens, you’re talking about 2/3 of the coastline of our ENTIRE country being decimated.
If this was happening to you, how would you react?
As to these comments from Emmanuel? Pffft, have a great time golfing! Working day and night to stop the spill? So laughable, such lying dreck, such spin, and only fools would believe it. Yep, Hayward looks like a tool but so does our administration. Emmanuel needs to shut up, too.
The only person that looks halfway decent in this entire debacle is Jindal, and he waited too long to find his testosterone but better late than never. The states should just shove BP and the feds out of the way when it comes to the coast and protecting waterways and wetlands and then send them all the bill. En masse, the governors should declare a state of emergency and just do the best that they can with whatever resources are at hand.
For this is a time for damn the torpedoes. Don’t wait for it all to be killed while wringing your hands, DO something about it. You don’t stand there holding a hose while your house burns down and the EPA does a moronic ‘environmental impact report’. Excuse me? What is the impact of six inches of crude in the wetlands? With such low IQs how do these people function in real life?
Government is filled with fools who only know how to write checks for stupidity, but drag their feet with real problems. Corporations are dnacing to minimize the PR damage, and meanwhile our country is being screwed.
Real Americans, stand up and take over. All of these fools have proven that they’re incompetant and self serving. Just ‘get er done’.
Posted by: JR | June 20, 2010, 9:08 am 9:08 am
Jerry, no one but no one, wishes this on to anyone no matter where they are in the world. BP was a british company but is now an international business, with more US share holders than british, however as I said in my previous post, it’s now time for the US Government to stop scoring media points and for them to start working with BP, which should be, and is NOT the main goal of your government. As for the special relationship between the US and UK, Obama and his team seem to have forgetten this, with the comments that they have and continue to make, thankfully our new Prime Minister seems to be seeing through this and looks to be keeping Obama at arms length, whilst approaching and dealing with the BP Board of directors in a manner that hasn’t been done in the full glare of the press.
Posted by: CraigC39 | June 20, 2010, 9:08 am 9:08 am
I didn’t watch the video but I’m curious: did at any time, Rahm take his clothes off and start poking Tony in the chest?
Posted by: Bob | June 20, 2010, 9:12 am 9:12 am
Al Capone in Gangsterland Chicago paid off the police, the court system, the elected officials, etc… to keep the flow of illegal alcohol flowing to the masses. BP/Big Oil has paid off the Department of Mineral Management, the politicians, much of the press, etc… What is the difference? The Atlantic Ocean becoming a dead zone, that is the difference and it can never ever happen again. OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING MUST END. Are we this desperate that we need to drill one mile under water then three miles under an unstable seabed all for five days of US oil consumption (100M barrels of oil in this particular reservoir, 20M barrels a day consumed in the USA)? It is a sick joke and the joke is on all of us. What needs to happen for our government to mandate a SPECIFIC renewable energy policy? The entire 2.4BILLION gallons in this reservoir to leak into the Gulf of Mexico? BTW, that is 98% more then has already leaked….
Posted by: Michael Bunker | June 20, 2010, 9:16 am 9:16 am
Calm down people. The situation is improving. The truth is I’ve never been more on top of my game. Now…Huh? What’s that? Gulf??? Oh, silly me. I thought we were talking about GOLF.
My bad…
Posted by: Obama | June 20, 2010, 9:18 am 9:18 am
Meanwhile at the White House: Golfing, golfing, golfing, golfing, golfing, blaming Bush, golfing, golfing, parties, golfing, oh, more golfing etc.
Posted by: JLJ | June 20, 2010, 9:25 am 9:25 am
Rahm, I suggest you abide by the advice you gave to Hayward. ….said without a smile
Posted by: malcat | June 20, 2010, 9:28 am 9:28 am
Rahm Emanuel’s comments about second career in PR was a childish attempt at irony. Pathetic. Waxman et. al. behaved like a bunch of spoilt little brats. Pathetic. BP is responsible for the clean up, they admit it. Ranting at Hayward will not help sove the problems. I’m not strongly nationalistic, and not in any way anti-US…far from it, but I did feel proud to be British when I saw the dignified way Tony Hayward responded to the cowboy lynch mob of a congressional commision.
Posted by: Rob Slack | June 20, 2010, 9:30 am 9:30 am
I agree with you Chris. I am ashamed of this media whipping against Mr. Hayward and BP. Our own president should not have refused help from the Netherlands in the early days. What an arrogant you-know-what. I was also ashamed at the so-called “outrage” by our Congress when Mr. Hayward testified. How could he answer anything when the US Justice Dept. has his company under criminal investigation? Last to be fair, Mr. Obama went golfing Saturday…why is this not mentioned. Rahm Emmanuel is trying to focus on BP and away from the failings of our president and administration. They show a total lack of class and good manners. Also, your point is good in that hundred of thousands of Americans are employed by BP, and have invested in the company. This nonsense needs to stop. If the bad press hurts the company’s profits, then people will be out of work and BP will not be able to “pay”. Stupid.
Posted by: Jenna | June 20, 2010, 9:32 am 9:32 am
For the first time in my adult life I’m not proud of my country and president
Posted by: dugfresh | June 20, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am
Hayward: Yatching, Obama: Golfing when they both have more important work to do? By thins point we should all understand these two fools are simply in the way. Give the authority and tools to Jindal.
Posted by: OldSarg | June 20, 2010, 9:49 am 9:49 am
It might be wise to get Rahm out of PR.
After all he wants the populace to eat the dog food!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | June 20, 2010, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Rahm Emanuel is a jerk. I won’t be watching this morning.
Posted by: jan | June 20, 2010, 9:51 am 9:51 am
We are in this mess because of the kind of thinking I’m hearing on this show. The President is ruining the economy by making PB responsible for the damage it has caused? It’s as if the President is extracting money from a company for absolutely no reason. If there’s damage to the economy it’s BP that caused it, not the president for seeking justice. The same people who supported this off shore drilling and the continuation of our archaic energy policies are the same ones wanting to deny swift reparations for an unprecedented catastrophe. In this instance, it is the job of the President to act as he is doing. These opinion idiots influencing the public in these media programs are a big obstacle to solving the real problems we are facing. You should continue to put people on the air, like Bill Gates, who are intelligent and able to put forth clear explanations and solutions.
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 20, 2010, 9:52 am 9:52 am
Rahm doesn’t mention Obama attending the Paul McCartney Concert
Posted by: didntfoolme | June 20, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am
There is no one in Washington DC who could pass the first day of PR101. Now if they signed up for Self Preservation101 or How To Line My Pockets At the Taxpayers Expense101 they would all ace the tests.
Posted by: OFBG | June 20, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am
I am absolutely amazed that the ideology of people will completely blind them to reality!. Thinking people can keep numerous thoughts going in their head at one time. What would any of us have Obama or Hayward do? They are managers. Are they supposed to stay locked up in a room looking at the video of the spill until it is capped? The 24 hour new cycle and the vehement hatred for Obama, actually has people defending BP for being the most reckless, corner cutting, safety violating company on the planet!. Do you all hate our government that much! To all of you who seem to have the attention span of a gnat, Obama won by a landslide. A LANDSLID. You can look at polls and say that a huge percentage of people don’t like him or his policies. Do you realize that the people polled are people who still have land line phones? These people are ancient mouth breathers, kicking and scratching into the 21st century. Who cares what they think? The polls mean nothing. Actually they are exactly counter to reality. But the traditional media doesn’t even get it. The MSM is dead, but they don’t know it yet.
The people that count and vote and are out helping others. They aren’t here posting ideological vitriol. They are out making a difference. They are living reality and not sitting on their couches letting the hate filled cable news wash over them. America is becoming third rate at the hands of the tea party,right wing ideologues that don’t care about reality, only hating the black president and ANYTHING he does. He could negotiate world peace and John Bohner would say it was bad for America.
Morons.
Posted by: mrfairplayman | June 20, 2010, 10:16 am 10:16 am
The biggest free pass of the day. Way to go, Jake! It would’ve been a shame if you actually pinned him down and made him answer a tough question rather than filibuster the WH talking points. Epic FAIL today!
Posted by: Balancer | June 20, 2010, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Wow, I thought Jake Tapper had some integrity. To allow Rahm to criticize Hayward for yachting at the same time Obama was golfing is so hypocritical! But what was worse was to allow Rahm to spew his talking points about job creation when we all know that any jobs being creating are jobs we as taxpayers are paying for and won’t be around next year. How stupid does he think Americans are?
Posted by: Sandy | June 20, 2010, 10:29 am 10:29 am
1. Rahm is every bit as bad as Rove. And, no, I didn’t watch.
2. Rahm thinks the recession is over? Maybe for the top 1% but for the rest of us it is very real and without jobs, appears to have no end.
3. The landline is for work and I always vote, mrfairplayman.
4. I predict Obama won’t get a second term if he tries for it.
Posted by: jan | June 20, 2010, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Hay Rahm pay you taxes !!!
Posted by: hkdakota | June 20, 2010, 10:36 am 10:36 am
Rahm should follow his own advice – stay out of PR work. He speaks as though he’s a GOOD representative and he’s NOT.
Posted by: sheryl hastor | June 20, 2010, 10:37 am 10:37 am
This administration gives us a clear indication that we have a president that is like a lifeguard that sits on the chair, carries his whistle, lathers on the sunblock, watches the water…only problem is he can’t swim.
Posted by: Joa | June 20, 2010, 10:41 am 10:41 am
It is interesting to see Mr Emanuel equate holding a meeting having concensus. Unless there is agreement there is not concensus.
Posted by: tillyerkt | June 20, 2010, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Saw Diane Feinstein this morning-CNN. Tuned in late, and she was describing a president. I thought she was talking abaout Obama. Then I heard the name…Karzai. Couldn’t believe the similarities!!
Posted by: Joa | June 20, 2010, 10:43 am 10:43 am
mrfairplayman,the ONE thing Obama isn’t is a manager.Rahm said that the big contribution to the spill effort was to “make” BP drill a second relief well-a statement so stupid that I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
Posted by: Nephron | June 20, 2010, 10:55 am 10:55 am
I can’t believe the frenzy the media is spinning around Tony Hayward taking a day off to go yachting. Would it be better if he went golfing like Obama? Give me a break – even the most dedicated executives and world leaders take and deserve time off to actually have a life. It doesn’t mean that Hayward minimizes the seriousness of the Gulf situation. This is just more media hype to keep people watching their shows for higher ratings….GET A GRIP, ABC.
Posted by: Patti | June 20, 2010, 11:14 am 11:14 am
I wonder if tap dancing was Mr. Tutu’s minor in dance school. He sure does it well, ya think?
Posted by: WBGSJ | June 20, 2010, 11:20 am 11:20 am
Media — you need to go back & watch All The Presidents Men. You’re making me sick! Here’s Mr. Tuutu telling us how President Who? “made” BP drill a 2nd well, “made” them pay out $20Billion, and “told them” to get this spill cleaned up faster, and slaps Rep Barton around? PULEEZE. The “philosophy” here is the Constitution. “all men are created equal” at this week’s INQUISITION, not the “CIVILITY espoused by the Committee. Rep Barton was apologizing for the “manner” in which BP was being treated, not giving them a pass. He was absolutely right on about the “shakedown” President Who? and how the Congress would be behaving. And, like a true Southern gentlemen, he spoke his mind. All other Southern Congressional members that spoke against him should be ashamed of themselves! IMO, doing so made them a part of the President Who? train.
Posted by: WBGSJ | June 20, 2010, 11:28 am 11:28 am
This was an unpaid commercial for the president and Dems, courtesy of ABC. Jake Tapper, like a school boy, sat silent as Emanuel spun an unchallenged tale of the beauty of the Democratic view of the world as well as how horrible in every way the Rep. plan would be as an alternative. According to Mr Emanuel “force” of govt. is the only thing between us and doom, disaster and despair. Once again, where was a balanced examination of the issues rather than a political snow job?
Posted by: J B | June 20, 2010, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Rahm is such an idiot when it comes to PR. I know we have seen the pictures where the President has been golfing, and attending other non crucial functions during this spill. Its like the old saying “Pot calling the Kettle Black”. No racial thing but just an expression.
Posted by: Larry D | June 20, 2010, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Wow..that has to be the most shameless, kiss-ass interview I have ever seen. You simply let Emanuel spew the Obama line without challenge, just as you and the rest of the poodles do with Gibbs every day.
In form do ou get the questions approved by Gibbs?? email or in person??
Posted by: Barney | June 20, 2010, 11:47 am 11:47 am
THANK YOU JAKE!!!
Posted by: Debbie | June 20, 2010, 11:48 am 11:48 am
George gushes anytime anyone from the administration appears on his crappy biased show.
Posted by: Drew | June 20, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
I’m glad Hayward is clear headed enough to take some time off while batalions of BP engineers and other professionals grapple with the problem at hand. This confirms the organization is deep in resources and that it can take necessary effective steps.
What has happened to corporate responsibility? Were the flow capable of stopped by now wouldn’t it have been? Are the BP engineers not in the best position to determine and implement the best solution?
The idea that our government has forced the hand of BP by requiring a second relief well, escrow, and other measures takes the responsibility away from BP and effectively puts the government in charge of the problem.
The Obama administration has deemed itself the authority in best position to solve this crisis. Again, this behavior illustrates the philosophical difference in the two parties; one grants freedom and expects responsibility (capitalizm-though regulated) and the other will squash freedom and determine responsibility in the interest of its constituents.
Barton was right. We do owe BP an apology for the way we have forceably intervened. BP will be held accountable regardless and should not be victim to a heavy hand of the feds.
Has the media focused on the effects of the drilling moratorium or the pension beneficiaries with BP stock in their portfolios? The well will be capped and the mess will be cleaned up. I worry that the real damage here is far greater than environmental.
Posted by: MDL | June 20, 2010, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Rahm thinks BP is out of touch with the small people?
Are small people the same as bitter people that cling to guns and God?
It appears the BP’s elites and the elites in Washington have a lot in common.
What time is the party tonight at the White House?
Posted by: fran | June 20, 2010, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Obama has golfed seven times since the oil spill started.
Can you just imagine how much this would be on the MSM if it was Bush?
Obama takes every opportunity to call this the worst environmental disaster EVER. He’s compared it to 9/11 and a war.
Yet he sees nothing wrong with golfing 7 times since the “war in the gulf”
started.
Either Obama doesn’t care how that looks or he is totally out of touch and clueless.
Posted by: mick | June 20, 2010, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
Rahm Emanuel’s father, Benjamin Emanuel, specialized in the terrorist bombings of buses carrying British troops and policemen during the British Mandate in Palestine.
Benjamin Emanuel, a Jew from Russia whose real name was Ezekiel Auerbach, was arrested by British police for terrorist activities in the months prior to Israeli independence. Many of the British policemen killed by Emanuel and his Irgun colleagues between 1947 and 1948 had been transferred to Palestine upon Indian and Pakistani independence in 1947. Irgun saw the increase of British policemen from the Indian subcontinent as a major threat.
The Jewish terrorist murders of British troops and policemen resulted in massive anti-Jewish riots in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, and Cardiff in 1947. In 1946, Emanuel’s Irgun bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing 91 people, including 28 British soldiers and policemen.
British intelligence also believed that Benjamin Emanuel may have been related to Vladimir Jabotinsky, a Russian Jew from Odessa who founded Irgun. Jabotinksy, who was an admirer of Benito Mussolini and who secretly negotiated for the expatriation of Jews to Palestine with the Nazi government in Germany and Admiral Miklos Horthy’s pro-Nazi regime in Hungary, died of a heart attack in New York in 1940.
Wikipedia deleted Benjamin Emanuel’s entry in 2008, shortly after Rahm Emanuel was designated as President Obama’s chief of staff. Wikipedia is a favorite device for the perception management goals of Dr. Cass Sunstein, Obama’s director of the White House Office of Regulatory Affairs.
With a record of terrorist acts contained in his MI-6 files, Benjamin Emanuel was permitted by U.S. authorities to emigrate to Chicago from Israel in the 1950s, becoming a citizen. Rahm Emanuel was born in 1959.
Posted by: karl | June 20, 2010, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
If Obama was as obsessed with sailing as he is with golf, you can bet Obama would have been out sailing yesterday.
Time for Obama to show how much he “feels our pain” and stop golfing until the hole is plugged.
And stop those weekly glitzy celebrity parties at the White House.
Posted by: kyle | June 20, 2010, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Those photos of Hayward out sailing are hard to swallow.
But so are the pics of Obama on stage singing along with Paul McCartney.
I’m not sure who is more clueless–BP or the White House.
Posted by: millie | June 20, 2010, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
“I’ve been fully engaged since day one.
Now watch this swing”.
Posted by: greg c | June 20, 2010, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Obama, the Community Organizer, was playing golf with Biden. Like Nero while Rome burns. The rest of us “little people” are still clinging to our guns and religion trying to scrape out a living in Obama’s Economy.
Posted by: Roma | June 20, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
It was great to see Greta on the Roundtable this morning. Nothing like having an addt’l “just the facts” backup to George Will. I thoroughly appreciated hearing a more fair and balanced discussion by intelligent, civil participants in every seat at the table. Invite those people back, please!
Posted by: WBGSJ | June 20, 2010, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
What a hypocrite. The BP Exec goes sailing once, how many times did Obama go golfing? How many times did he go do other things since the beginning of the spill? One time for the BP Exec is nowhere near the many for Obama… What a joke.
Posted by: Walter ZUmbrennen | June 20, 2010, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
Why is it racial profiling to ask someone speaking spanish for proof of residency, but to require people to be fluent in spanish for administrative positions is not?
Posted by: Debbie | June 20, 2010, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
There is a possibility that the Republicans will take control of at least house of congress in November.
If that happens there will be investigations of the Obama administration.
How long do you think Obama is going to keep Rahm around pending congressional investigations? I usually watch the polls. This year I am just going to watch Rahm. If he resigns between and November, none of us will really have to watch the polls.
Posted by: James Torguson | June 20, 2010, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
RE: Your interview with Rahm on THIS WEEK-
Why didn’t you mention the fact that Obama was golfing on Sat. and you mentioned that that BP guy went sailing? What kind of reporting is that? Our government should be at least appearing to be action. I see all talk and little action. You seemed to be one sided and didn’t even question anything that Emmanuel said. He got to spout his political views and you didn’t question anything he said? Sad, that our media is so biased! Can’t you just pretend to be the devil’s advocate? just for fun?
Posted by: lee | June 20, 2010, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
After the BP oil spill -
Obama was golfing 3 times
Obama was busy fund raising 3 times
Obama was campaigning 4 times
Obama was in Chicago relaxing …
Main Stream Media (MSM) thought we are stupid …
He is a joke, an empty suit. He is worse than Carter, weaker than BUSH (I never voted for REPUB. before but I will in 2012
Posted by: talk from sf | June 21, 2010, 2:52 am 2:52 am
I hope that everyone who is critizing President Obama for playing golf, also work or be on call 24hrs a day and most of all no forms of entertainment or sports allowed.
Hypocrites !
Posted by: Wave06 | June 21, 2010, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Good job on the story lamestream waterboys, you have carried the pail for the white house once again like good little house boys. Rahm, shut your stinking pie hole and quit spending us into oblivion.
Posted by: Red Ruffansore | June 21, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am
“This has just been part of a long line of PR gaffes and mistakes.” – Rahm
Does that include all those NoBo golfing excursions during the spill?
This guy needs a mirror desperately.
Posted by: Noz | June 21, 2010, 11:00 am 11:00 am
The whole bunch of these thugs should be put on trial and then thrown in jail. They have done NOTHING but spend money since they took over the White House. Where are the jobs, B.O.? Where is the recovery B.O.? Where is the transparentcy B.O?
Posted by: Preload1 | June 21, 2010, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
Someone tell Obama. It’s Gulf…..not Golf.
Posted by: Preload1 | June 21, 2010, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Rahm, Prezbo is out on the course again this weekend.
Think anyone in the main stream media will do their job and ask about the hypocrisy. Don’t hold your breath.
Posted by: Ted Bell | June 21, 2010, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
Golf or Yachting. Hayward or The President. Frankly I don’t care that either of them do those things during this mess. Probably helps them stay sane. But I do resent being told it is okay for one, but not the other.
Posted by: Burnie | June 21, 2010, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm