“I personally believe this is a good deal and the best he could have gotten under the circumstances,” (former Pres. Bill Clinton) said, urging fellow Democrats to support it. … “If I was in office now, I would have done what the president has done,” he said. – MSNBC
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Sen. Bernie Sanders put Pres. Obama to shame today (still is) on the Senate Floor.
The Sanders filibuster/long speech story was briefly topped by the appearance of former Pres. William Jefferson Clinton in the White House briefing room, with Pres. Obama excusing himself to meet his wife and go to his Christmas party. It left the Big Dog to make the case for Obama’s tax scheme, which he hasn’t been able to make for himself.
Clinton managed only to make Obama look even smaller.
It’s not 1997 anymore.
Bill Clinton’s economic prowess is inestimable, but he’s never been called a progressive. The most important thing he said in the briefing was that when he came into office “after 12 years” of Reagan and Bush Sr., the deficit had gone from $1 trillion to $4 trillion. Now think about the damage George W. Bush did, with those economics what Pres. Obama wants Bill Clinton to sell. The other difference, which Clinton acknowledged, was that the financial system had collapsed during Obama’s time, making the dire circumstance much greater.
Then former Pres. Clinton started fearmongering just like Pres. Obama’s team has started doing, even going so far as to utter the word deflation. It was very sad and you could tell he wasn’t enjoying it. But this is what it’s come to in order to sell Obama’s toxic economic stew. Talking down the economy is never the answer, unless you want to push people to do something they wouldn’t normally do.
Watch this video (non-partisan econ expert) please. We don’t need to pile on $900 million of debt in lieu of better economic policy prescriptions, which include middle class tax cuts, as well as tax cuts up to $1 million, which would include the bulk of truly small businesses, but we don’t need to subsidize Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Investment and education is important too, but you can’t fix the economy without also fixing trade policy, which should start with the South Korea free trade nonsense. Money on an exodus out of this country is another problem, which Dylan Ratigan talks about daily.
After flying overnight to get to Washington Clinton was tired, his voice taxed, but his drive, health and soul sustains him. God bless him for making the trip and trying to save Obama, but as we saw in the midterms, the damage Pres. Obama has done is wide and deep. What Obama needs is an outside force to lift his presidency up and out of its state of repose, a power William Jefferson Clinton does not have.
Meanwhile, there’s Bernie Sanders. All you have to do is listen to Sen. Sanders for 5 minutes to understand that the economic moral high ground is with him not Obama and Clinton, both of whom are selling the side of a wealthy and elite system that got us into this mess in the first place. A system to which both parties are beholden. A too big to fail system that needs to be broken up.
A reminder, Pres. Clinton has said over and over “I don’t need a tax cut.” He knows this is bollocks. But being a good soldier to try to save a flailing fellow president is what members of the President’s Club do and William Jefferson Clinton is the best at what he does.
Minds will shift, but I hope the tax scheme is change in the process, either that or scuttled. It’s bad economics.
…as Sen Bernie Sanders keeps on keeping on. What a tour de force this man delivered today.
This post has been updated.
“Meanwhile, there’s Bernie Sanders. All you have to do is listen to Sen. Sanders for 5 minutes to understand that the economic moral high ground is with him not Obama and Clinton, both of whom are selling the side of a wealthy and elite system that got us into this mess in the first place. A system to which both parties are beholden. A too big to fail system that needs to be broken up.” — TM
Brava, Ms. Marsh.
Thanks BG.
Watching all you Obama haters blow a gasket over this tax deal makes the whole thing worth it! LOL! This President has a history of doing stuff gets attacked for it only to be proven right in the fullness of time. I have no doubt that this pattern will be repeated in this case as well. Another thing! That article you wrote describing the President as “flailing” during his news conference defending this tax deal couldn’t have been any further from the truth! For the entire time Obama has been on the national political scene he has never lost his cool!!! Ever!!! I watched the news conference myself! That was a naked lie!!!
Depressing. I can not believe Bill is out there endorsing not restoring the Clinton tax policy, which is easily the cornerstone of his success as President. I’m just depressed.
me too. damnit. clinton is hurting hsi image by wading into this. hillary needs to get the hell out of this admin. its sinking fast
Totally agree.
I agree too. Bill really disappointed me today. But then again, after watching him handle this by himself with the White House Press Corps, I wish Obama would just stay away and attend non-stop parties for the rest of his term and just let Bill take over and run the country.
Taylor…thanks again for doing such a wonderful job.
I appreciate your take on the Clinton appearance and agree with it.Did it seem odd to anyone else that Obama ducked out?
Even though he was just trying to save Obama I so love to listen to Clinton talk,his abilty to communicate hard concepts is par none and he never disrespects anyone.Next to him Obama appears like a callow young brother,maybe that is why he left.
I did not catch Bernie Saunders,I was outside trying to wrestle with christmas lights. Maybe I can catch him on C-Span’s website.
LL:
VERY odd to me… what a message! I’ve got another party to attend… Michelle’s waiting for me. Bill… Do my work for me…
And of course the Clinton’s never attended any parties when they were in the White House? LOL!
And to suggest deflation??? Jesus. Sad.
Maybe he believes it? He says he studies the economy every day. I mean the deflation part not the frame
work. I think he is worried that his party is going to fall apart and maybe he believes that for the moment it is the only thing standing between us and the barbarians.He is a Democrat through and through.
I think liberals like many that comment here are in the process of leaving the Democratic Party.I think Clinton unlike Obama perceives the shift and is trying to head it off. He was trying to sooth us.
There is no risk of deflation. If he is half as smart as I think he is, he surely knows this.
this is bullshit. clinton knows better. clinton cant do obama’s job. he cant. today ade obama look weak again having bill shill for his sorry ass. clinton cant see obama is who he said he was in 08? come on.
Agreed. Bill should not have endorsed this, and he’s got to understand the political implications of the payroll tax holiday. And really Bill, I’m supposed to be excited about ethanol subsidies? Come on.
Well, there is a tiny small part of me that imagines the glee inside Bill….he did issue a warning to all Democrats about what would happen if they nominated Obama….and all of it came true…probably worse than he imagined…So I believe a part of him left the Democrats…But he has never forgotten the middle class…the people he did help in his Presidency….that is why he is there….This is the best Democrats will get at this juncture…Obama is a disaster is every possible way…and Bill Clinton knows it…so what he is saying is that now that you elected him…this is the best you’re going to do now….and unfortunately…that is true…All the crying and moaning is coming from those same people who vilified Bill….He must get some pleasure in telling them that this is the best they can do now…Obama looks ridiculous….Leaving the stage…what an amateur…what a poseur. Bill knows it. But he did warn them all. Now they need to take their medicine. They were all morons. I have little sympathy for their embarrassment at the type of person they made President. It shows their bad judgment. Sort of tough to complain about the Republicans picking an idiot like Bush when the Dems picked Obama instead of a Clinton.
Really? No risk? Do you read Krugman? Ever?
Oops…sorry. I was thinking inflation.
Dec. 6, 2010: The SF Fed Explains How We’re Closer To Deflation Than We’ve Been In Decades
A measure that weights consumer spending in all categories (PCE) shows sustained disinflation like we haven’t seen in decades
http://www.businessinsider.com/disinflation-accelerates-2010-12#ixzz17qSNGdCn
Let me join the chorus: BRAVO, Taylor!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with Taylor, former President Clinton must endorse Obama’s bill (whether he agrees with it or not). Democratic party is crumbling under Obama’s incompetence. Someone has to save it.
Like Taylor said, Bill’s in the President’s Club. I have never agreed with former presidents criticizing sitting presidents. No matter what. It’s why I despise Jimmy Carter. This is about presidential protocol and showing some class. In fact, Dubya gained some respect back with me by keeping his mouth shut, after leaving office. Wish Jimmah would learn to do same!
I only pray when these tax cuts get extended (they will), this nation’s banks will stop hoarding the money and release it all to create those jobs this nation so desperately needs. I don’t care which party gets the credit. Without new jobs, we are going down as a nation *sigh*
I was so depressed watching the white house press room with former President Clinton and President Obama. President Obama seemed not to want to be there and wanted to go to the christmas party while President Clinton was there answering questions. Then President Clinton sticks up for the bill, which shocked the crap out of me because there are people wanting to go back to Bill Clinton tax era, and the bill does the complete opposite. The former Presidents are giving the republicans so much cover !! President Clinton care about the party and does not want to see the fighting but you have got to take a stand if your against something which is totally against democratic principles.
Bill Clinton did take a stand…in the primaries….and we see what thanks he got from Democrats….So this is the hand that was self dealt to the Dems by one of their own, Princeling Obama….Bill now cares about saving the middle class and working class. I believe him…In the short run, this is the best Dems will get to boost the economy. They’ve lost everything else with Obama. Bill is saying take this deal if you want some hope of jobs. The rest is irretrievably lost. This is your hope and change. Deal with it. Not for a moment do I believe Bill was doing anything other than telling it straight. During the midterms, he stumped for those who backed Hillary. Anyway, Bill is the one who looks Presidential…to everyone. It is all so very sad…what happened to the Democratic party or as Hillaryis44.com says: the Dimocratic party. But all of us here at taylormarsh.com knew this would happen (OK maybe we hoped it wouldn’t or couldn’t be this bad!!) We experienced the primaries and the Animal Farm syndrome. But seeing it actually in its 3D splendor is mind boggling. Imagine, Obama actually excused himself from an important press conference on the economy so he could go to a party. Says it all.
so why int he hell would clinton do this and soil his legacy- the clinton tax code and econoomic prosperity for obama’s crap? imserious why? what did obama promise bill something so big he took up this favor for him? bc bill has to know the words he used otday were factually wrong and that obama is sinking fast.
Bill tried to save the midterms. He tried to tell Democrats not to go over the cliff. But now that they’re in the air, he’s pointing out a small ledge. DADT is gone. Dream Act..gone….This is what is left…And the truth is….Obama does care about being reelected…and only a better economy offers that hope… And Bill Clinton is constained by the fact that Obama is President…and this is who Obama is…facts are facts. By the way, Alan Grayson made a point of stating that we could have waited until January…and by executive order, Obama could order that unemployment checks not be stopped. Obama chose this course…because it was the easiest for him. Like leaving Bill at the press conference to do the hard work of explaining things….Obama doesn’t like hard work. He likes being the star…and making things easiest for himself…as in non confrontational….line of least resistance…If the economy improves, Obama’s chances improve. What more can Bill say? He said it many times and was called a racist. He learned that game.
I think you may be right klassicheart,I think he might have been saying this is the best you can expect,don’t rock the boat or more can be lost.
Saunders was speaking the truth too,the best we can hope for is a continuation of a morally corrupt and unjust economic system rigged to benefit the powerful at the expense of everyone else.
In about thirty years Americans have gone from citizens,to consumers,to taxpayers, to prey.
I’ve said it before here and I’ll say it again. There is not a lick of difference between Corporatist Obama and Corporatist Bill Clinton. Today is a perfect example. Bill Clinton was/is better and playing the con-game, that might be the only difference.
Yeah, that presser was kind of surreal. But, concerning these tax cuts, this is just another example of the lack of process, in government or in general (a cultural trait???)
Whether it’s Gates/Crowley, Shirely Sherrod, Ground Zero Islamic Center, TSA searches, Wikileaks, 911 Health Care, on and on…
When problem/challenge arises, there is a need for an immediate answer/solution, any answer/solution, with disregard to following a process.
DeFazio is also speaking out about the tax cuts, among other bad decisions. He was on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday today, and pulled no punches in his criticisms.
“Save the Democratic Party!” becomes a growing concern for some (many?). As said already and multiple times, that concern is apparently why Bill Clinton stepped in. Disappointing to some of us, but I don’t think a huge surprise.
As for Obama’s exit to go to a party — I have no problems with the Prez and First Lady (whoever they are) attending parties, but the visuals alone in this particular incident are yet another moment of wondering what happened to the Obama brand spin machine.
To save the Demorcratic Party, Bill has unfortunately stepped in on the wrong side. If this deal goes forward, there is no point in the Democratic Party. Not only is Obama giving the Republicans the tax cuts for the wealthy (and who thinks there will be a better chance of ending them in 2 years?) but his payroll tax cut is also going to end up becoming permanent thereby jeopardizing Social Security. Personally, I’ve come to the conclusion that dismantling Social Security is one of Obama’s real goals. I wish Hillary had been able to get him to reveal more of his thinking on that during the primary; he would not have been the nominee if the Democratic base had known his true thoughts. See Dan Froomkin’s column at Huffinton Post to learn how Obama repeats right wing lies about Social Security.
Bravo Sen. Sanders. People like him make me hope that all is not lost with our country.
I agree. Seeing Senator Sanders filibuster gives me some hope.