CNBC Allows Santelli to React to Tea Parties: 'I'm Pretty Proud of This'

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By Jeff Poor (Bio | Archive)
April 15, 2009 - 08:48 ET
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While Fox News has celebrated the Taxpayer Tea Party rallies and MSNBC has denigrated them, the impetus of the movement - CNBC and specifically Rick Santelli, its inspiration - had been conspicuously quiet about it.

But on CNBC's "Squawk Box" April 15, co-host Joe Kernen asked Santelli what he thought of being a "cultural phenomenon." That was the same show Santelli famously called out President Barack Obama on for the unfairness of his housing bailout proposal on Feb. 19.

"A lot of articles about these tea parties," Kernen said. "They all have your name in them, like you caused it. Are you actually attending any or are you just sort of got the idea going initially? What do you think? I mean, you're like a cultural phenomenon at this point."

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Santelli didn't shy away. He called the rallies American and said he was proud of what he inspired.

"I don't know about cultural phenomenon, but I'll tell you what," Santelli said. "I think that this tea party phenomenon is steeped in American culture and steeped in American notion to get involved with what's going on with our government. I haven't organized. I'm going to have to work to pay my taxes, so I'm not going to be able to get away today. But, I have to tell you - I'm pretty proud of this.

He also said despite the claims from others in the media, including people at CNBC's sister network MSNBC, calling the movement "Astroturf," Santelli declared it a grassroots movement.

"I think from a grassroots standpoint, I'm sure some of the media out there is not going to peg it that way, but isn't it about as American as it gets - for people to roll their strollers and make their signs and go voice their opinion about the direction of the country?" Santelli said. "Good, bad or indifferent - that's a great thing. There's not a lot of countries, of course, that afford their people that, that type of right. It's a great thing."

Kernen warned some may try to capitalize off the phenomenon he inspired.

"Just be careful, you may have some self-righteous type go off on a populist rant about your populist rant," Kernen added.

However, Santelli told Kernen inciting mobs and pitchforks wasn't part of his playbook.

"Well, you know, populist rant - mobs, pitchforks, that's the vocabulary I'm certainly not using," Santelli responded. "But, I'm sure it'll be out there nonetheless."


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The founder speaks

April 15, 2009 - 08:54 ET by 10ksnooker

One rant, and off it went.

TEA party

April 15, 2009 - 08:59 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

Notice the uninformed trolls here have been saying this is all FNC trying to stir up trouble. I have seen none of them who know that CNBC's Santelli really started this trend/movement.

Send a virtual TEA bag.

D

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

No, it's going to be

April 15, 2009 - 09:51 ET by Texasteacher

No, it's going to be acorn/code pink/chicago mob/random gay group that is going to be trying to start a fight and then blame it on conservatives.  I say let them try.  If they want another revolution, just remember who is armed. 

 

obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.

virtual tea

April 15, 2009 - 11:51 ET by soosan

thanks for the link DFTT, I was happy to send mine.

I need some help--

April 15, 2009 - 09:05 ET by misterbill

I never watch TV in the morning. I seldom watch network TV, (I get so angry at obvious half-truths), so  the question:

Does Kernen disapprove of Santelli's position or is it just my reading of Kernen's wording and body language?

 

Or is it just plain jealousy??

NBC is jealous

April 15, 2009 - 09:10 ET by 10ksnooker

Of anyone who has an audience, since they don't

We need stronger regulation

April 15, 2009 - 09:20 ET by ekslib

of our greedy government.

Right on, Santelli!

April 15, 2009 - 09:21 ET by Protocol_9

"I think from a grassroots standpoint, I'm sure some of the media out
there is not going to peg it that way, but isn't it about as American
as it gets - for people to roll their strollers and make their signs
and go voice their opinion about the direction of the country?"
Santelli said. "Good, bad or indifferent - that's a great thing.
There's not a lot of countries, of course, that afford their people
that, that type of right. It's a great thing."

He's spot on with his observation. It's great to see Americans coming together. Wait a minute this isn't new!

Do you think the crowds will be as BIG?

protocol9

taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear the most. -dostoyevski

Don't care

April 15, 2009 - 09:38 ET by Blonde

about your trolling opinions.

Just wanted to peg your post as such.

I hope he fails, too.

 

 

Troll #9

April 15, 2009 - 09:48 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

Yes, Protocol9 is one of those trolls I referenced above. Here's a link where he pinned Santelli's TEA parties on FNC.

A troll is a troll.

D

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

So says protocol_"I am not pi314"_9

April 16, 2009 - 05:32 ET by JWF

This is what you came here for?

Spanking up your Obama for the world to see?

So says the troll, protocl"I ain't a trol"9 the troll.

Rights are from God

April 15, 2009 - 09:26 ET by bradbenj5952

Correction to Mr. Santelli: it is not governments that afford people their rights, our rights to "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" are endowed by our Creator. Even if the government of the United States should engage in the abridgment of our God-given rights, they exist nonetheless. Even if they take away our freedom of movement, or oppress us, or persecute us in other ways, even unto death, our rights stand, because they are not granted by any government.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

bradben5952...

April 15, 2009 - 11:32 ET by dborschjr68

Brilliant post, sir.  Here's a quote you have probably seen, but I'd like to share it anyways:

"Our Constitution was made only
for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other."-John Adams

 

Santelli's silence

April 15, 2009 - 11:25 ET by traderjames

Santelli hasn't commented a lot about the tea parties, etc., because that's not what he does. His job is to give comments throughout the market day about bonds, interest rates, and commodities. He has every right to be proud of the tea party movement, but he is a humble man who knows his place. I have always liked and respected him.

Yes it takes a very humble

April 15, 2009 - 11:30 ET by JAJT

Yes it takes a very humble person to stay in the background and real Americans take credit for this Tea Party movement.

 

Santelli is doing what a real journalist does, focus on the job, and when asked about this, does not boast or claim all the credit for this. 

JAJT...

April 15, 2009 - 11:34 ET by dborschjr68

I agree.  I had wondered if he wouldn't take complete credit for this and seek to set himself up as the Tea Party Guru.  He didn't. 

Bravo, Mr. Santelli.  You are a class act, sir.

Actually...

April 15, 2009 - 21:24 ET by MichelleC

Mr. Santelli didn't start the phenomenon.  It was started out in Seattle by blogger, Liberty Belle, a few weeks before the infamous CNBC rant.  A few parties even took place before the rant.

Michelle Malkin has an excellent timeline showing how it all started:  http://michellemalki...

 

Republicans believe every day is the 4th of July.  Democrats believe every day is April 15th ~ Ronald Reagan