Who says businesspeople can't get a fair shake from the media? Just ask Warren Buffett, who knows the secret recipe for media adoration: support Democratic candidates who advocate populist social programs.
Buffett, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," was interviewed in San Francisco prior to a fundraiser for Clinton. Reporter Becky Quick referred to this appearance as a "special cause."
"Today he is in San Francisco and he's here for a very special cause - campaigning, or actually trying to raise money for Hillary Clinton, who's running for president," Quick said.
Buffett told Quick: "[I] told her [Clinton] before she ran, I told her I would support her if she ran for president. I told Barack Obama the same thing." When pressed to pick one candidate over the other, Buffett chose not to.
"They know we got a wonderful country and we got a wonderful economic machine," Buffett said. "So, they will build on that, but they will look to an America, in my view, that makes more people share in that prosperity and without in anyway dampening it."
Buffett touted their views on health care and education as the reason he is supporting them.
"They have a view that 300 million Americans in a country with $45,000 of GDP per person - ought to have decent health care, there ought to be progress made on education and a number of things," Buffett said. "And I think they both share that the view we need to, more deserved respect around the world. I think this country has really lost its moral leadership around the world and I think both - either of them could restore it."
In September, Clinton unveiled her health care plan that would cost taxpayers $110 billion annually.
Buffett was not challenged by Quick on the costs of their plans, nor the tax burden it would create.
Buffett has curiously become the darling of the media, in a time when businessmen are often attacked by the media.
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huh?
December 11, 2007 - 15:42 ET by candanceCampaigning for Hillary = special cause?
Excuse me while I bang my head on my laptop.
candance....
December 11, 2007 - 16:52 ET by motherbeltWanna borrow some of my duct tape????
LOL
Of course he is a darling of the media!!
December 11, 2007 - 15:43 ET by OldSailor88He spews Liberal talking points!!
Hey, Warren. You want universal healthcare and high taxes so bad, why don't you just cover it as an out of pocket expense? You're a GADZILLIONAIRE for cripes sake!!
Funny....
December 11, 2007 - 16:28 ET by Prester John...how these contributors are giving money to elect someone who wants to take every penny they have.
Oh well.
"They know we got a
December 11, 2007 - 16:08 ET by Killgrave"They know we got a wonderful country and we got a wonderful economic machine," Buffett said. "So, they will build on that, but they will look to an America, in my view, that makes more people share in that prosperity and without in anyway dampening it."
So you "build" upon a machine by severly crippling or removing crucial parts, and also load it down with other components that either do nothing or actually get in the way of moving parts?
Oh yeah, and do this without "dampening" the machine.
It's obvious Buffet prospered greatly under the blessings of capitalism, and now he is turning against it. If there was a free market inquisition this freak would be burned at the stake. And I would be there with the freak'n marshmellows.
Kilgrave, you beat me to
December 11, 2007 - 16:50 ET by motherbeltKilgrave, you beat me to it! I had just copied that load and was ready to paste it when I saw your comment.
Is that the biggest pile of tripe you've ever heard, or what? I cannot believe that came out of the mouth of a financial genius.
HRC talks about socializing health care, taking profits from the oil companies, and any number of other re-distribution plans...Obama wants an automatically increasing minimum wage....and Buffet thinks these people are going to "build up" the economy?
If HRC had had her way, back then, Buffet would not have been able to become the gazillionaire he is; she would have stifled him at what she considered an "appropriate" level of wealth.
Capitalism for me, but not for thee....
Oh, and BTW, Buffet also thinks that he is WAY undertaxed....he could write a check for millions to the US Treasury any time he wants, but he refuses to "pony up" unless by law, everyone else has to also.
Warren Buffett: Populist Fraud
December 11, 2007 - 19:44 ET by fitzfongWarren Buffett has cultivated the myth that he's a reasonable, fair-minded capitalist based on the fact that he has largely eschewed the "trappings of wealth". The conventional wisdom is that since he doesn't drive a fancy car and he invests only in "blue chips", he is somehow a better person than your average capitalist. Nonsense! In truth, he's a smug, greedy, do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do socialist whose primary motivation is to continue building his own wealth while destroying the wealth of others. His ongoing motivation is to accrue more authority and power...and to be viewed as elevated and morally superior. Just like your garden variety socialist dictator. Warren Buffett is a fraud.
In business, Buffet has
December 11, 2007 - 19:54 ET by jdhawkIn business, Buffet has certainly been successful. However, like many people that enjoy success in one area, they think that they have a certain entitlement to be heard on anything that they care to pontificate on. Buffet doesn't mind pontificating on all manner of subjects. He "pet rock" is various socialist positions.
That he went out of his way to rescue the Washington Post years ago, may tell you of his liberal leanings. That he is a staunch supporter of anything and everybody liberal should be no surprise. Fortunately, this is America and he is entitled to just one vote like the rest of us.
Regarding his "read" on health care. We have the best health care system in the world, now. It works extremely well despite nearly 50% of it already being run by the government. What we need is a REDUCTION of government in health care, not an increase. Buffet is 180 degress out on this score.
It is a shame that he is treated with kit gloves on any show that I have heard him interviewed on. He should be given the same scrutiny on his views as any other public figure.
For example, I would ask him, OK, if you think the US should adopt a socialist health care program, how come it isn't working everywhere else on the planet?"
jd in my opinion, Warren
December 11, 2007 - 20:41 ET by motherbeltjd in my opinion, Warren Buffett and Ted Turner are two of a kind. They both think that because they are filthy rich, they are automatically "wise" and everyone is obliged to listen attentively and pay homage to them. Frankly I can't believe either one of them got so rich with the principles they are now espousing. I guess it's a case of "I got mine, too bad for you."
Motherbelt, I can't
December 11, 2007 - 22:15 ET by jdhawkMotherbelt, I can't understand it either. I know some rather weathly people and they are as liberal as Buffet and Turner. I think it has to do with preception. It is a feel good ideology - on its the surface. The reality is far different.
There are number of issues and historical weigh points that the left has been extremely successful falsefying in their favor. Several come to mine in which the liberals at the time were clearly on the wrong side of the issues for example, our Civil War, the government work programs and so-called safety nets that came out of WWII, branding McCarthy, the causes and consequences of the Vietnam war, the WOT, etc. Conservatives have done a poor job of ensuring that these weigh points are fully explained and that we were are on the right side of the issues. People like Ann Coulter have done a great job in explaining how liberals go about turning these issues in their favor. Her book about McCarthy comes to mind.
Moreover, if you can get a liberal to really express his or her views as to why they are liberal (for some reason that isn't an easy proposition), they will tell you it is about feelings. When you point out feeling good does not make good policy and that it hurts rather than helps it target(s), prepare yourself for donny brooke. Here, the so-called War on Poverty comes to mind.
The attitudes of Ted Turner,
December 12, 2007 - 00:07 ET by fitzfongThe attitudes of Ted Turner, John Kerry and Warren Buffett are very typical of wealthy liberals. Now that they're perched atop the roof having been placed there by helicopter...they want to pull away the ladder so no one else can get there. They resent the pursuit of wealth by others because they themselves have nowhere to go but down.
great buffett characterization
December 11, 2007 - 20:47 ET by LionKing"...smug, greedy, do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do socialist"
You really caught the essence of Buffett. He is always claiming that he is under-taxed...the wealthy should pay more. I have called out liberals like Buffett and Turner...if you think you should pay more, then pay more...that goes for any tax happy liberals. If you want higher taxes, just pretend they are higher and pay more...leave my money alone, though.
[Everyone is happy. Liberals are happy paying higher taxes and I am happy enjoying my tax cuts.]
Warren?
December 12, 2007 - 04:04 ET by okiehawk44Now that you have yours -- gotten in a relatively free market -- you are now wanting the rules changed -- is this so no one can come along and do what you have done? It's probably a subconscious thing, but you do not want others to be as successful as you do you? Don't worry Warren, your friends will make sure of that.