In an interview on ABC News with Chris Cuomo, Bill Clinton said that Obama needs to sound more optimistic when speaking about the economy. I think Clinton has a valid point. One of the things that always impressed me about Bill Clinton as president was what I perceived as an ability to make the public feel hopeful on the economy when he was first tasked with cleaning up the mess that Bush, Sr. left behind.
“Look, the American people, I think, know the president has tried to reach out to Republicans,” Clinton told ABC News’ Chris Cuomo. “And it takes two to tango. I think there are some of them who really believe that just-say-no politics is good politics.
“It was — briefly, only briefly — in the ’90s. It isn’t anymore,” he added. “So, sooner or later, I think if he just keeps chugging along, just keeps the door open, invite ‘em to every economic conference, invite ‘em to every meeting, eventually, he’ll start getting some votes” in Congress.
Clinton also gave former President George W. Bush a very “harsh review on the economy,” but he placed the blame on the Republicans for “the current fiscal crisis by not moving sooner to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.”
“I personally believe, based on my experience over the years with the economy, that if we moved aggressively on this home problem a year and a half ago, even a year ago, as much as 90 percent of the current crisis could have been avoided,” he said.
With regard to President Obama’s warnings that “the economy could get worse before it gets better,” Clinton said, “I like the fact that he didn’t come in and give us a bunch of happy talk. I’m glad he shot straight with us.”
But Clinton added, “I just want the American people to know that he’s confident that we are gonna get out of this and he feels good about the long run.”
Clinton thinks Obama should talk to the public in greater depth about the economy.
“I like trying to educate the American people about the dimensions and scope of this economic crisis,” Clinton said. “I just would like him to end by saying that he is hopeful and completely convinced we’re gonna come through this.”
He added that though the economic problems are large, he expects the stimulus money to help.
“I think you will see some good economic news from the stimulus fairly soon,” Clinton said. “I think you’ll start to see people express gratitude for getting the unemployment benefits, the tax cuts and the food stamps. And you’ll see the money flowing through the economy. Then I think you’ll see every state be able to quantify how much better shape they’re in, because of the education and health money.”
Clinton also repeated what he said earlier in the week, that Obama is doing a great job in his first month in office.
President Obama has been tasked with cleaning up a huge mess left behind by the Bush administration. It in some ways seems insurmountable to me, but I think he’s doing a phenomenal job. We all know the economic mess will take longer than we like to turn around. I think that can been stressed while giving the public just a little more optimism and doing more educate the public. Just my 2 cents. I get the feeling that the obstructionist Republicans seem to want those who are struggling to feel they should not be asking for help. That’s just wrong minded in my opinion.
I would be happy if we make significant progress by the end of Obama’s first term. People are nervous and worried right now. President Clinton has a nice way of calming those worries while being honest about the economy. I also think he does a nice job of backing up Obama – people recognize that Bill knows what he is talking about. Educating the public helps them to understand better.
I’m not so sure I agree. I think the general public isn’t aware of how deep and systemic these problems are, and a lot think the stimulus bill will just fix everything.
I think this post is dead on. The Republicans are going to play politics to the nth degree on the economy. Obama and the administration have to educate the public about the importance of trying to stem the foreclosure rate. Yes, it is true that some people who were irresponsible will be helped out, but a major goal of this program is to stabilize the housing market (or at least slow the rate of instability). The Republicans are framing this as anothe welfare bill, and that is a lot of crap.
I have always felt the American public can not handle the truth. We expect everything to be rosy and sunshine. When are we going to be adults, face the facts and deal with them? We are so soft anymore that we just cannot seem to face the truth. What a shame. If we continue on this road we will never recover.
Here’s a good example of what’s wrong. Every party involved needs to have their heads examined:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008764830_belletowers20m.html?2009
sunnyinttown Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
You are so right about the American people. I can say first hand that they can not handle the truth. When my husband was County Commissioner, he told it like it was to the public and they just didn’t want to believe it. So, he wasn’t elected into a second term. And guess what!! People came up to him later and told him he had been so right. And they thanked him for his honesty.
People need to realize that this is very serious. I really feel comfortable with Obama as President. And really thought he hammered home to the Mayors that anyone who plays the system will be nailed.
I think there is a balance. On the one hand, people need to know the truth but also need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel – otherwise, why bother? So some degree of hope is important. I don’t think it has anything to do with being adult, it is more about human nature. I think educating the public on something that is pretty complex is a good thing. I think the more knowledgable and educated the public is on something that is pretty complicated, the more they will stay the course rather than give up in frustration. Yes, they need to know the stimuus won’t solve everything. Let’s face it – the whole thing is pretty depressing and people are worried.
Justlen
Thanks for that link. That looks like a purely illegal scheme.
djjl Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Justlen
Thanks for that link. That looks like a purely illegal scheme.
And irresponsible on the part of the buyers. And malfeasance on the pert of the bank. Perfect example of a bubble.
The buyers were clearly ignorant. It is definitely more than malfeasance. It would seem to be a scheme to dupe the buyers in order to keep the earnest money.
djjl Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I agree. My only point is it clearly illustrates the entire market went nuts.
The media is covering the economy like its the current “big disaster show” – sensationalizing how bad everything is. They are making people scared.
AliceP
The media is good at sensationalizing. Things are pretty darn bad however. But somehow we all need to have some faith I guess.
I hope and pray all of this works. The President has some of the smartest people around him, so all I hope is that they know what they are doing.
Betsy
Me too… Me too. It just irritates the heck out of me that this deepening problem went on for so long before BushCo admitted we were in a recession. Stuff could have been done. Argh!
As Rachel just said, no one during the BushCO said how many trillions he spent for the Iraq war. He called it “emergency” funding. And when I get emails from hubby’s classmates calling Obama a socialist and hold on to your bootstraps we’re going down the tubes, my blood boils. Then I get into an argument with them. And hubby just laughs. The latest is a video that they are sending out that they claim Bush warned about the fall in Apr 2001, and of course it’s all Freddie and Fanny. I just can’t believe that all these people are college graduates.
Betsy Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
As Rachel just said, no one during the BushCO said how many trillions he spent for the Iraq war.
You got that right, Betsy. That combined with the tax cuts for the wealthy have in large part given us our huge deficit. Money just disappaered and nobody questioned anything. It’s surreal.
Betsy Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I hope and pray all of this works. The President has some of the smartest people around him, so all I hope is that they know what they are doing.
And Obama is very smart, too. He has a good head on his shoulders and good instincts. I think he is going to right the situation. He’s got a lot on his plate and so far he has hit the ground running.
I agree with you lynnette. He is a very brilliant man, which is refreshing after dealing with Bush, who I believe knew he wasn’t that smart, therefore Cheney ran almost everything. Between those two and Rummy our country was almost ruined.
I think I’m coming out on the side of Soros. We’re in a global depression, the likes of which I haven’t seen. I grew up on Depression stories, but I’ve not lived through it.
I think he’s right.
Nothing government does will make much difference.
They can mitigate our pain, provide basic services, etc.
They can’t turn back the tsunami of this crash.
I don’t blame any of them, honestly. I think it’s just what happened.