Brian Williams Asserts Romney ‘Called Out’ on ‘Unrealistic’ Pledge to Reduce Unemployment to 6%
NBC anchor Brian Williams on Wednesday night ridiculed Mitt Romney’s quest to reduce the unemployment rate to six percent by 2016, a level enjoyed fewer than four years ago.
“Back when Newt Gingrich pledged $2.50 a gallon gasoline, if elected President, he was called out at the time for an unrealistic number. Today,” Williams charged without naming any source, “some of the same thing happened to Mitt Romney when he made a pledge on unemployment as part of his overall defense of his work at Bain Capital.”
In the subsequent story, Peter Alexander relayed how “Romney made this promise, that he would lower the unemployment rate to 6 percent by the end of his first term.” Alexander, however, provided no evidence to support Williams’ condescension.
From the Wednesday, May 23 NBC Nightly News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: On the presidential campaign trail, back when Newt Gingrich pledged $2.50 a gallon gasoline, if elected President, he was called out at the time for an unrealistic number. Today, some of the same thing happened to Mitt Romney when he made a pledge on unemployment as part of his overall defense of his work at Bain Capital. Our report from the trail tonight from NBC’s Peter Alexander.
PETER ALEXANDER: Speaking to a room full of Latino small business owners, Mitt Romney today blasted the President for, in his words, attacking their success.
MITT ROMNEY: It’s no wonder so many of his own supporters are calling him to stop the war on job creators.
ALEXANDER: Vowing to turn around the lagging job market, Romney made this promise, that he would lower the unemployment rate to 6 percent by the end of his first term. And after days of stinging criticism from the Obama campaign about Romney’s record at Bain Capital-
MAN IN AD: Like a vampire. He came in and sucked the life out of us.
SECOND MAN IN AD: It was like watching an old friend bleed to death.
ALEXANDER: Romney defended his experience in an interview with Time magazine.
MITT ROMNEY: Having been in the private sector for 25 years gives me a perspective on how jobs are created that someone who has never spent a day in the private sector, like President Obama, simply doesn’t understand.
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Comments
Will Brian eat crow on the network news if Romney succeeds?
Submitted by jakee308 on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 4:06am.
Somehow I think if he even comes close they'll make excuses.
Seems to me like they want Romney to FAIL. Didn't they have a hissy fit when Rush did that?
Typical. So typical of the press today. They're making a big mistake. It just hasn't caught up with them yet. First we'll get rid of the socialists in Government, reset the country's economy and open up our energy industry.
Then we'll turn our attention to the lying, treasonous, partisan sob's in the press for their malfeasance. Well actually it's already happening; they're losing viewers and money left and left so people are showing they're tired of being dissed and dismissed by the so called unbiased press.
Sure they're unbiased, just ask them, they'll tell you. It's all in conservatives imaginations. Or is it that we're too stupid? I forget which excuse they push the most these days.
Any Romney success is almost by definition non-news.
Submitted by needle on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 7:54am.
Any Romney success is almost by definition non-news.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
CNN also spent the day ridiculing Romney's pledge to
Submitted by Rush Fan on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 5:16am.
reduce the unemployment rate. Here is a sample of their biased reporting:
CNN Newsroom with Suzanne Malveaux
MALVEAUX: Let me actually put that quote on. We didn't actually hear the audio. But this is what he said about unemployment in his first term. And here's the quote. He says, "I can tell you that over a period of four years, by virtue of the policies that we put in place, we get the unemployment rate down to 6 percent and perhaps a little lower." Jim, that's what stood out in our mind in this interview.
ACOSTA: Yes.
MALVEAUX: A pretty extraordinary promise to make straight away. [.....]
ACOSTA: [.....] But you're right, this is probably the most striking excerpt from this interview. Mitt Romney predicting that he will lower the nation's unemployment rate to 6 percent from where it is right now, about 8.1 percent. Suzanne, that would be a very impressive feat when you consider the fact that the unemployment rate really soared in those initial months when President Obama came into office. You'll recall every month there was about 700,000 people being thrown off -- out of their jobs and the unemployment rate just kept going up, up, up and up. So for the unemployment rate to go down that dramatically would be something else.
Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
COOPER: And his critics said that he's essentially promising something right there that may happen anyhow, no matter who's in office. In the words of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's projection earlier this year, quote, "As economic growth picks up after 2013, the unemployment rate will gradually decline to around 7 percent by the end of 2015 before dropping to near 5.5 percent by the end of 2017."
And by the end of 2016, the CBO estimates the jobless rate will be at 6.3 percent which is very close to what Governor Romney is there promising. Now that 6 percent he mentioned today is also -- is actually lower standard that he's apparently holding the White House accountable to. When the last batch of jobless numbers came out, you may remember he said, quote, "Anything over 4 percent is not cause for celebration."
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And the bias beat goes on.
Obama is the DNC media’s Frankenstein
Submitted by needle on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:10am.
If Obama, the most completely incompetent chief executive imaginable, cannot solve a problem, does it follow that Romney cannot solve the same problem?
Of course not. The real problem here is that the DNC media cannot come to terms with the calamitous consequences of its own reportage manipulations in promoting Obama as the wonder of the century, when in truth he is the disaster of the century.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
Oh my, Rush Fan....you mean she forgot the Stimulus?
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:12am.
Because Obama and the Democrats promised that the Stimulus would have reduced Unemployment to 6% by 4Q11.....um, that was six months ago.
I was so annoyed I graphed it all last fall.....here it is, in all it's glory through Q311. The graph is so simple, even Joe Biden could understand it ($800 BN down the rabbit hole, for nothing).
I notice Ms. Malveaux didn't ridicule Obama's failed promise, though, did she?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Blonde~
Submitted by GG_NB on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:25am.
Cool graph! But I would not be so sure about Joe Biden. [[*_*]]
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
You may have a point about Biden, GG
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:30am.
After all, he can't count to four. "We're going to focus on that three letter word.....JOBS!".
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
:)
Submitted by GG_NB on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:43am.
.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
Aw, come on, Blonde!
Submitted by panzerakc on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 2:41am.
Joe was obviously somewhere he couldn't take off his shoes, so of course he couldn't count to four! :D
Blonde......I have no doubt that Malveaux inadvertently forgot
Submitted by Rush Fan on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 4:49pm.
to mention the multitude of Obama's failed promises, as well as his multitude of lies. Let's give CNN and Malveaux the benefit of the doubt.
I don't have to tell you that CNN has been at the forefront of consistently criticizing President Obama and the Democrats for their failed policies and promises.
Excuse me, but I'll have to stop now, as I have an upset stomach. I'm having difficulty swallowing my own sarcasm.
By the way, your graph is cool!
For those who missed Rush Limbaugh's show today, Rush really enjoyed this article by Victor Davis Hanson titled The Power of Cool
Thanks, Rush Fan!
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 4:54pm.
I love graphs....I may have to update that one.
I find it insane that the media is glomming on to Romney's unemployment estimates, if his policies are enacted.....whilst totally ignoring The Once's TOTAL FAIL!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
They should all quit their
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 5:01pm.
They should all quit their jobs and sell shoes.
That's how much credibility they have.
How
Submitted by HockeyKid on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 6:26am.
can a "news story" with no sources and no facts qualify as anything other than gossip?
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Much the same
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 6:37am.
They word a poll to get the probable resulting answers that they want to hear, and then report it as "news"
Or propaganda
Submitted by needle on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:53am.
Or propaganda
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
School choice will do it...
Submitted by MacWell on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 6:30am.
The voucher system for America's school children will be enough to win Mitt part of the black vote, and much of the rest of the (working poor) vote. When we allowed one woman and nine black robed men to throw G_d from the classrooms, America's educational system started it's path down the toilet along with the future's of many of America's school children. The dumbing down of our students, the lack of responsibility from teachers, and the rewriting of our history, is not a winning stance for children.
Imho, If one child is pushed through the system without ever learning how to make a living in the world, that alone is grounds for a total change in that system. If Romney follows through with the vouchers for education, we will see a difference in a year. Obummer is right about one thing, we the people do need change, except not the change he had in mind.
Unrealistic Pledges?
Submitted by the struggler on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 7:04am.
The clown we have now said he was gonna lower the sea level.
And what about
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:06am.
Obambi's pledge to cut the deficit in half during HIS first term (or his would be a one-term proposition - his words)? I would think putting the entire country in the red for the next several generations as well as risking an economic collapse, both of which affect every single American and many not yet born would be of more concern than the 20 million or so out of work. There are over 300 million US citizens right now, and Da Wun's poilcies threaten every single one of us. While I feel for those out of work, if a$$hats like Williams want to focus on campaign promises, the failed promise of halving the deficit is far more immediate than Romney promising to lower the unemployment rate by 2 points or so.
You misunderstood him. He
Submitted by texastommy on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:11am.
You misunderstood him.
He said he was going to lower the "C" level. So, it would only take a student 15 out of 100 points to earn a "C." That way, all kids succeed.
Pay attention!
More double standard
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 7:08am.
And when Obama promises to get unemployment under 6% by the end of his second term?
Well, he's a genius and a 'can do' kinda guy, and so much smarter than all of us, and really on top of things.
Hey Mr. Williams, I could bring unemploy...
Submitted by LastKnownOne on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 7:13am.
Hey Mr. Willams, I could bring unemployment down to 5% in 3 years. It is very simple. It's called: GET THE GOVERMENT OUT OF THE WAY PROGRAM! One simple tax code: Flat tax 8-10% for EVERYONE - no discrimination there is it Mr. Williams. Stop spending every dime taken in +. Get rid of all of these programs that suck the tax payer dry and last forever that you liberals ALWAYS create. OBEY the Constitution.
Personally, I would get rid of the Federal Income tax all together and have the States tax the people and then the States would apportion some of their money to the Federal government. The Fed government would then be forced to live within its means, period. It also wouldn't be able to buy off votes or States, or force any State to do anything because the Fed's wouldn't have any financial leverage to intimidate the State.
Mr. Williams, why do you and your lib buddies all seem to never surpass the IQ of a 2nd grader?
Brian~chair,please
Submitted by GG_NB on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 7:35am.
Give up your job. That's not hard news -- that's editorilizing. Stop pretending to be a journalist. You've so lowered that standard that you might as well be the "man on the street" interviewee.
Go be a pundit. Write editorials for "The New York Times," "The LA Times" or "The Washington Post." Do PR work for Obama.
But get out of the anchor chair!
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
The media are working for the Obama regime
Submitted by c5then on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:30am.
They are trying to get people to accept an official 7-8% unemployment rate (that is woefully under-reported because it's actually well over 10%) to reset the electorate for the future socialism that they want to usher in.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
COOPER: And his critics said
Submitted by Pinetree3 on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:36am.
COOPER: And his critics said that he's essentially promising something right there that may happen anyhow, no matter who's in office.
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There it is right there. They are saying if it does go down to 6% under Romney, they will not give him credit for it.
In Mr. Williams small mind if
Submitted by John21 on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 8:55am.
In Mr. Williams small mind if Obama can't/won't do it, it is a lie.
His following of the liberal agenda will not permit his small mind and large ego to think any other way. Besides it follows the DNC talking points that I am sure he was handed right before airtime.
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Obamas bundler ran Bain
Submitted by TeddyRoos on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 9:46am.
At the time this company went under one of Obamas bundlers,was actually running Bain. The hypocrisy is so thick here. When Bush was president Williams was screaming that a recession was around the corner with unemployment at an unreasonable 5%. Now that their fellow socialist is in the white house, Williams wants us all to accept 9% as the new full employment.
It is unbelieveable. Why
Submitted by Bettendor on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 10:10am.
It is unbelieveable. Why can't we focus on getting 6 percent unemployment? How about getting it back to around 4 percent? And gas back down to under $3 a gallon? Permanently? Why must we accept high unemployment and high gas prices?
Mr. Williams, please go back to Sesame Street. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL_6MIMYLS8
I'm certain that Williams doesn't hold Obama to...
Submitted by Conservator on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 10:07am.
...the same standards regarding the many FAILED pledges he made as a candidate in 2008. Has Obama fixed the economy in three years as promised? - NO. Did Obama cut the federal debt by half in his first term? - NO and in fact has added over $5 trillion in new debt. Heck, Obama hasn't even closed Gitmo yet. I could go on, but the point hopefully has been made. Brian Williams, NBC, MSNBC and The Post (far more to mention) are active members in Team Obama's 2012 reelection bid.
NBC v. MSNBC
Submitted by Kevin Groenhagen on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 10:16am.
I just heard Chuck Todd on "The Daily Rundown (of Mitt Romney)" say that most economists believe we'll get to 6% unemployment by 2016 even if we stick with the current policies of Obama. So which is it? Six percent is "unrealistic" or 6% is to be expected any way?
The boat has sailed.
Submitted by okiehawk44 on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 10:48am.
More and more I get the impression that the boat has sailed and Obama et al are not passengers any longer -- oh sure leftists in the media and academia are going to go down with Obama while still on the dock but I just get the gut sense that people have had enough of this utopian vision thing. We'll see in November.
If Herman Cain were the nominee, I would see 5 or even 4.5%
Submitted by gopcongress on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 12:10pm.
But no matter. Romney, with a GOP Congress in both Senate and House, should be able to move the number down simply by reducing spending, taxes, and cutting unneeded regulations (ie, regs that are not backed by real science).
"The news and truth are not the same thing." -Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER