President Obama: ‘Are There Times Where You Say, ‘Man, I Wish This Was Happening Faster?’ Absolutely’
Email“I love getting out of Washington and talking to folks,” the president said as he finished up the day in Emporia, Va. “You know what it does, is, it puts faces to the names and the the stories that I get every night and the letters that that I get every night.”
“And when you’re in the rope line and somebody grabs you and says, ‘You know, I’ve been out of work for 6 months but I haven’t given up and I’m still trying and I hope folks are looking after their business in Washington,’ it gives you the kind of energy that you need to keep on going,” Obama said.
“Remember you asked me earlier today, you said did I think that if we hadn’t done health care and we’d stayed on jobs would things be different?” he recalled. “All I have thought about for the last three years is how to get the economy back going. Obviously Afganistan and Iraq and bin Laden – there have been a lot of other issues.
“But my singular focus every single day is: how can we make sure that this economy is working for ordinary folks,” he continued. “That’s what led me to run for office. And you know there’s no doubt that over the course of two, three years where the economy’s not recovering as fast as you want that wears on you. Because you know that people out there need help.
“But every action we’ve taken whether it’s saving the auto industry, it’s passing the Recovery Act, Wall Street reform, all these things have been designed to, you know, make that transition back to an economy where the values of the American people are reflected in people being able to find jobs that pay a good wage and making sure that government’s living with its means but also investing in the things we need to succeed,” he said.
“So I guess over the course of two, three years, are there times where you say, ‘Man, I wish this was happening faster?’ Absolutely. Are there times where I think to myself that somehow we’re not going to get there? Never. I always believe that somehow, some way Americans end up finding the right path forward.”
-Jake Tapper
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” making sure that government’s living with its means ” why Mr President were you and the democrats against a balanced budget??? Is it bacause republicans thought of it????? Spending 410 billions a day does not help, 4 trillion in 2 1/2 years does not help, where are all the lefties who complained about Pres.Bush spending 100 billions a day and that with 2 wars. Oh I forgot the democrats don’t like when someone tells them enough is enough, quit throwing money out the window, quit gambling with taxpayers money, your not a hedgefund.
Posted by: Lizzie | October 19, 2011, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
So here we have it, Good Cop, Bad Cop. Obama acting like it is only a matter of time til things turn around,while still trying to sell his jobs bill. On the other hand Bad Cop
Joe Biden barnstorming the country telling anyone that will listen that if you do not pass the jobs bill, it is only a matter of time before you are raped, murdered or robbed. Once again there are 194,000 Google articles on this and numerous You Tube Video’s of Biden saying this. Spend all this money basically for states
can retain employees for a year. This is nothing but giving them money for election purposes, so the unemployment number comes down a little. This will
do nothing to spur private sector hiring, and without that no sustainable recovery.
Posted by: deadwrestler | October 19, 2011, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Sometimes, “things not happening fast enough” can be translated to mean your policies were poorly designed to bring about the things you wanted to happen.
It’s like when you take a wrong turn on a road. You can *think* that it is taking too long to get to your destination, but in reality you just aren’t going to get there.
Posted by: Maybee | October 19, 2011, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday indicated Congress needs to worry about government jobs more than private-sector jobs, and that this is why Senate Democrats are pushing a bill aimed at shoring up teachers and first-responders.
“It’s very clear that private-sector jobs have been doing just fine; it’s the public-sector jobs where we’ve lost huge numbers, and that’s what this legislation is all about,” Reid said on the Senate floor.
—
Harry Reid is right. We need to hurry!
Posted by: Quick and Angry | October 19, 2011, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
And Bachman,perry and Romney won’t be able to make this economy better any faster. Their gripe is that their is too much spending but when asked to produce a jobs bill that does not require spending,they produce absolutely nothing.
Posted by: minds12 | October 19, 2011, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
I think Santorum, Bachmann or even Romney should have mentioned that in Rick Perry’s Texas not only are children living in hunger and poverty and without health insurance, but Texas has one of the worst child abuse records in the country. So, of course, Perry doesn’t address those problems but rather slashes funding for child abuse prevention.
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
“A new poll out today from the National Journal shows 59 percent of Americans agree with the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Moreover, Americans support a surtax on millionaires — something Democrats have proposed to pay for a jobs bill — “by a huge 68 – 27 margin.” These findings are consistent with several other polls on the 99 Percent Movement and those on raising taxes on the wealthy. As this chart {available at both the national journal and think progress} demonstrates, Republicans are the only group which opposes the surtax.” — Alex Seitz-Wald.
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
Mr. President…… Please stop spending taxpayer money on your CAMPAIGN appearances and get back to Washington where you can work to solve problems!!! —- On second thought…. we would probably be worse off if you were in DC changing things….. never mind…… continue on!!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | October 19, 2011, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
“American voters are adept at sending mixed messages to elected officials. None are as confusing as the signals from the heartland over how to fix the federal budget…That’s why U.S. Representative Ron Paul, the [so-called] “libertarian” seeking the Republican presidential nomination, performed a valuable public service this week when he unveiled a budget plan that shows exactly what balancing the $3.8 trillion budget through spending cuts would look like.”– sfgate/bloomberg
Note that this is seemingly what the radicalized base wants, based on their rhetoric, right? Read Paul’s plan and the article quoted. Also note the candidates balked and chuckled when Anderson asked about Paul’s plan.
Despite mixed signals on many different things, the majority of Americans support the provisions in the job bill, and many in the health care reform legislation which was demonized by the right. Republicans have broken their promises to listen to the American people and to focus on jobs. In stead, they’re recommending tax hikes on the middle class Their so-called “jobs” bill is a job-killing gift to polluters, the wealthy elite in the 1%, insurers and Wall Street.
Once again, it’s the GOP against America. The majority of Americans are not conservative and are sick of GOP dysfuntion.
Enough already. Vote them out. Vote dem, moderate, independent– but vote OUT the obstructionists who are failing the middle class and our kids.
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
“In one case, the Federal Reserve consulted with General Electric on the creation of a commercial paper funding facility and then provided $16 billion in financing to the company while its chief executive, Jeffrey Immelt, served as a director on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Immelt is now President Obama’s “jobs czar.”
Best of luck to those 99%ers, Kimmy…
Posted by: Peter Orszag | October 19, 2011, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
“In stead, they’re recommending tax hikes on the middle class Their so-called “jobs” bill is a job-killing gift to polluters, the wealthy elite in the 1%, insurers and Wall Street.”
Who would want that sort of thing to go on?! And did you know that some companies don’t even pay taxes?!
Posted by: GE | October 19, 2011, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
51% of Americans aren’t paying any federal income taxes that pay for things like interstate highways, the military, national park maintenance, etc. They’re freeloaders along with the 99 Percent Movement. Who cares what they think? Their lifestyles are subsidized by the wealthy they hate. It’s time that the freeloaders started contributing.
“Everybody has got to make some sacrifices, everybody’s gotta take a haircut.” – President Barack Obama
Everybody, Kimberly. That includes YOU. You’ve been subsidized long enough. I want your taxes raised dramatically. 80% minimum. We’ll see how much you like big government when you actually start paying your fair share.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
And we all have skin in the game, Chuck. Some just more than others…And some actually get the skin of other people with federal approval!
Posted by: George Kaiser | October 19, 2011, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
“Everybody, Kimberly. That includes YOU. You’ve been subsidized long enough. I want your taxes raised dramatically. 80% minimum. We’ll see how much you like big government when you actually start paying your fair share.”
Kimberly, Chuck is right. We all need to make sacrifices. We have to stop these subsidies and loans that are failures. All of us need to pay taxes too.
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
“Vote OUT the obstructionists who are failing the middle class and our kids.”
Posted by: Kimberly | October 19, 2011, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
It’s already happening. As the 2010 midterm elections showed, Progressives in both parties are being thrown out of office as fast as possible at all levels of government. Many more Progressives will lose their jobs in 2012. Be patient.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
Chuck should pay more. He’s a whiner.
Posted by: Dan | October 19, 2011, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Reid’s priorities laid bare. “It’s very clear that private sector jobs have been doing just fine, it’s the public sector jobs where we’ve lost huge numbers, and that’s what this legislation is all about,” Reid said on the Senate floor.”
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
What A CLOWN and Imbecile
Posted by: Obama Drama | October 19, 2011, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Democrat pollster Schoen detailed his “Occupy Movement” poll findings in the Wall Street Journal on 10/18/11 —- The protesters have a distinct ideology and are bound by a deep commitment to radical left-wing policies. Our research shows clearly that the movement doesn’t represent unemployed America and is not ideologically diverse. Rather, it comprises an unrepresentative segment of the electorate that believes in radical redistribution of wealth, civil disobedience and, in some instances, violence. Half (52%) have participated in a political movement before, virtually all (98%) say they would support civil disobedience to achieve their goals, and nearly one-third (31%) would support violence to advance their agenda… What binds a large majority of the protesters together—regardless of age, socioeconomic status or education—is a deep commitment to left-wing policies: opposition to free-market capitalism and support for radical redistribution of wealth, intense regulation of the private sector, and protectionist policies to keep American jobs from going overseas.
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | October 19, 2011, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
President Obama: ‘Are There Times Where You Say, ‘Man, I Wish This Was Happening Faster?’ Absolutely’
Yep us too, we can’t wait to get your racist dividing, class warfare, behind out of office
OBAMA_________VS________AMERICA
Posted by: Yep I said that | October 19, 2011, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
Posted by: Dan | October 19, 2011, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
“Everybody has got to make some sacrifices, everybody’s gotta take a haircut.” – President Barack Obama
Time to pay up, freeloader.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
“51% of Americans aren’t paying any federal income taxes”
These Americans pay out a larger share of their income in payroll taxes, sales taxes, user fees, and tolls than anybody else does.. the claim that they’re getting some kind of free ride is just propaganda.
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
POSTED BY: YEP I SAID THAT | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 1:53 PM 1:53 PM
yawn . .. got any more trite cliches to offer?
Posted by: Steve | October 19, 2011, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Totally irrelevant. Interstate highways are paid for with federal income taxes. If you drive on them and you’re not paying for them, you’re a freeloader. In fact, if you use ANY federal services paid for by federal income taxes and you don’t personally pay any federal income taxes yourself, you’re a freeloader. Period.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
“51% of Americans aren’t paying any federal income taxes”
These Americans pay out a larger share of their income in payroll taxes, sales taxes, user fees, and tolls than anybody else does.. the claim that they’re getting some kind of free ride is just propaganda.
POSTED BY: NUMBERS | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 1:55 PM 1:55 PM
And its propaganda repeated even though they know it skews the truth. Republicans lie.
Posted by: Calvin | October 19, 2011, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
These Americans pay out a larger share of their income in payroll taxes, sales taxes, user fees, and tolls than anybody else does.. the claim that they’re getting some kind of free ride is just propaganda.
—–
Correct. Pure propaganda. Glad you brought that up. I was speaking about this with Tim Geithner just the other day…
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
“And its propaganda repeated even though they know it skews the truth. Republicans lie.”
Sadly, yes.
Posted by: George Kaiser | October 19, 2011, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
“And its propaganda repeated even though they know it skews the truth. Republicans lie.”
Posted by: Calvin | October 19, 2011, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Those numbers come from the IRS. Feel free to call them up and accuse them that they’re spreading “propaganda” and “Republican lies.” I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to talk to you. They might even take a keen interest in your own tax situation. Good luck.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
If you really want to be funny pretend you’re Herman Cain and tell us how your 999 plan won’t tax the poor and give away huge tax breaks to the wealthy again. Economists are getting a big laugh out of it.
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
“Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich performed best in Tuesday night’s Republican debate in Las Vegas and compared the other candidates to “bickering” children”
Sounds like the Republicans on this blog.
Posted by: Randy | October 19, 2011, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
POSTED BY: NUMBERS | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 1:55 PM 1:55 PM. Are you telling the rest of us that we are exempt from paying payroll tax, salestax, and all other taxes and fees. Sounds good, so next time someone wants more taxes I tell tem the left or you says I don’t have to pay them.
Posted by: Lizzie | October 19, 2011, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
“If you really want to be funny pretend you’re Herman Cain and tell us how your 999 plan won’t tax the poor and give away huge tax breaks to the wealthy again. Economists are getting a big laugh out of it.”
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Are these the same egghead economists who are constantly surprised that their economic predictions are wrong month after month after month? Why would any sensible person care what those idiots think given their abysmal track record? They’re obviously clueless.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Where was he 3 yrs. ago, when he SHOULD have been working on JOBS? Missing, of course.
This President is a fraud, a huge liar, and a pathetic excuse for a leader.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 19, 2011, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Those numbers come from the IRS.
POSTED BY: CHUCK | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 2:09 PM 2:09 PM
Oh, well Chuck, post the numbers for what per centage of people are paying payroll taxes, excise taxes, property taxes, state taxes, state income taxes, etc. And post how much money that amounts to.
Even poor Americans pay a chunk of their income in taxes. But let’s just skew the truth to be ‘fair’ right Chuck? The Republican right are a bunch of transparent phonies. Selfish whiners.
Posted by: Don | October 19, 2011, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Those numbers come from the IRS. Feel free to call them up and accuse them that they’re spreading “propaganda” and “Republican lies.” I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to talk to you. They might even take a keen interest in your own tax situation. Good luck.
———————-
Chuck,
We are investigating these potential lies as we speak. Fast and quite furiously, I might add.
Posted by: Eric H. | October 19, 2011, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
“If you really want to be funny pretend you’re Herman Cain and tell us how your 999 plan won’t tax the poor and give away huge tax breaks to the wealthy again. Economists are getting a big laugh out of it.”
You should have seen Peter Orszag spill his martini at lunch!
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
Where was he 3 yrs. ago, when he SHOULD have been working on JOBS?
POSTED BY: RICK MCDANIEL | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 2:18 PM 2:18 PM
A better question would be ‘where were you Rick’ when ARRA was passed, or the Small Business Loans Act, or . . . ? You might want to brush up on your knowledge of history, or consider memory enhancing vitamins and supplements.
Posted by: Jed | October 19, 2011, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Are these the same egghead economists who are constantly surprised that their economic predictions are wrong month after month after month? Why would any sensible person care what those idiots think given their abysmal track record? They’re obviously clueless.
—
Chuck,
This sort of thing isn’t easy. Mistakes will be made. I’m sure you read this story here:
By Huma Khan
Oct 19, 2011 10:31am
Federal Reserve Board Rife With Conflict of Interest, GAO Report
We have been working very hard on this!
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
“Where was he 3 yrs. ago, when he SHOULD have been working on JOBS?”
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 19, 2011, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Why he, Pelosi, and Reid were much too busy shoving Obamacare down our throats even though most Americans didn’t want it. They then spent considerable time and taxpayer money granting 1,500 waivers to employers and unions who were blindsided by the law’s provisions and threatened to drop their mini-med plans immediately, throwing millions off of health insurance. Oopsie.
Obama did promise 3.5 million new green jobs well before now. Remember that? I’m sure they’ll materialize anytime now, probably in China and India. Notice the administration no longer uses the phrase “greenshoots” anymore? Luckily for them, their sycophants have a short memory.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Are these the same egghead economists who are constantly surprised that their economic predictions are wrong month after month after month? Why would any sensible person care what those idiots think given their abysmal track record? They’re obviously clueless.
POSTED BY: JEFFREY IMMELT | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 2:26 PM 2:26 PM
Yeah, we now the type of economists we need . .. Republican economists. . . they were so good . . .
As early as 2006, top advisers to Mr. Bush dismissed warnings from people inside and outside the White House that housing prices were inflated and that a foreclosure crisis was looming. And when the economy deteriorated, Mr. Bush and his team misdiagnosed the reasons and scope of the downturn; Mr. Bush was still calling it a “rough patch.”
The result was a series of piecemeal policy prescriptions that lagged behind the escalating crisis.
“There is no question we did not recognize the severity of the problems,” said Al Hubbard, Mr. Bush’s former chief economics adviser, who left the White House in December 2007. “Had we, we would have attacked them.”
Posted by: Dave | October 19, 2011, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Posted by: Don | October 19, 2011, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Federal income taxes pay for interstate highways. If you’re not paying federal income taxes but driving on those highways, you’re a freeloader. If you receive any federal services you don’t pay for, you’re a freeloader. Are you a freeloader, Don/Calvin/Jed/Dan? The selfish whiners are freeloaders who want others to subsidize their lifestyles. That sounds like you.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
“Why would any sensible person care what those idiots think given their abysmal track record?”
I take it you don’t watch the weather forecasts either then…
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Posted by: Don | October 19, 2011, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Federal income taxes pay for interstate highways. If you’re not paying federal income taxes but driving on those highways, you’re a freeloader. If you receive any federal services you don’t pay for, you’re a freeloader. Are you a freeloader, Don/Calvin/Jed/Dan? The selfish whiners are freeloaders who want others to subsidize their lifestyles. That sounds like you.
POSTED BY: CHUCK | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 2:39 PM 2:39 PM
Oh poor Chuck. Such a whiner . .. and after all this country provided for you.
Posted by: Tanya | October 19, 2011, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Weather forecasters have a much better record, plus their mistakes don’t tend to cost us trillions of dollars.
Posted by: Chuck | October 19, 2011, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Yeah, we now the type of economists we need . .. Republican economists. . . they were so good . . .
As early as 2006, top advisers to Mr. Bush dismissed warnings from people inside and outside the White House that housing prices were inflated and that a foreclosure crisis was looming. And when the economy deteriorated, Mr. Bush and his team misdiagnosed the reasons and scope of the downturn; Mr. Bush was still calling it a “rough patch.”
The result was a series of piecemeal policy prescriptions that lagged behind the escalating crisis.
“There is no question we did not recognize the severity of the problems,” said Al Hubbard, Mr. Bush’s former chief economics adviser, who left the White House in December 2007. “Had we, we would have attacked them.”
—–
We just need some more time. I’m glad you understand. We are in difficult positions, let me tell you…Like I said, even Peter is having a tough time.
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
“All I have thought about for the last three years is how to get the economy back going” – President Barry Hussein O’Bama
3 Years and he still doesn’t know what to do!?!?!
A M A Z I N G !
Posted by: Noz | October 19, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
“The economy is just going through a rough patch”. George W. Bush, Republican economic genius.
Posted by: Sue | October 19, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Oh poor Chuck. Such a whiner . .. and after all this country provided for you.
———
Lots of us have had it tough, but we’ve hung on! If only Chuck understood.
Posted by: George Kaiser | October 19, 2011, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
POSTED BY: KIMBERLY | OCTOBER 19, 2011, 12:57 PM 12:57 PM. All I can say is don’t move to Texas, stay where you are. Kids are feed every day in school free of charge, if they can’t afford it, hospital care is given to ALL even if they can’t afford it. As for child abuse its not worse then any other state. Apparently you live in a place where government is there to hold your hand and provide you with all your needs free of charge.
Posted by: Lizzie | October 19, 2011, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Posted by: Sue | October 19, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Sue, please stop lifting my talking points. It’s hard enough to keep track of all the screen names I already use. Come to think of it, I even use your name and its variants. But I’m no phony. President Obama just needs all the help he can get.
Posted by: Dave | October 19, 2011, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
“All I have thought about for the last three years is how to get the economy back going” – President Barry Hussein O’Bama
3 Years and he still doesn’t know what to do!?!?!
A M A Z I N G !
—
Noz,
I have to spend lots of time here trying to help people like you understand what is going on. We need more time and more patience. Obama knows this. What don’t you understand? The Federal Reserve Board isn’t a fun place!
Posted by: Jeffrey Immelt | October 19, 2011, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
It depends on which economists you listen to Chuck. I challenge you to cite an example where either Paul Krugman or Robert Reich have been dead wrong in the last three years. You won’t find it. Their predictions, from inflation rates, to the effects of the stimulus running out, to investors ignoring the S&P downgrade, and the effect of fiscal policy in Europe, have been very very accurate.
Posted by: numbers | October 19, 2011, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
Paul Krugman…. A consultant to Enron…enough said
Posted by: Letters | October 19, 2011, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm