It must be hard to keep a straight face when you report that the President of United States going to cut $100 million from a $3.5 trillion budget and then say he is serious about cutting government spending.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs couldn't pull it off. In the White House's April 20 press briefing, Gibbs was asked by Associated Press reporter Jennifer Loven why the $100-million target was so small and she even accused him of making a joke about it.
"I'm being completely sincere that only in Washington, D.C. is $100 million not a lot of money," Gibbs said. "It is where I'm from. It is where I grew up. And I think it is for hundreds of millions of Americans."
But somehow, CNN correspondent Elaine Quijano pulled it off. Originally on CNN's April 20 "American Morning," and again on CNN throughout April 20, Quijano reported the Obama administration was making an effort to cut spending.
"Basically this is about President Obama trying to show that he is serious about cutting back on government spending," Quijano said on "American Morning." "As you know, critics have really blasted the Obama administration for its spending plan, saying that it's going to be putting a tremendous financial burden on future generations."
According Quijano and various other media reports, the cut target is $100 million. But she didn't explain to viewers just how small that is in the grand scheme.
"So today, as you mentioned - President Obama is going to be convening his full cabinet for the very first time," Quijano said. "They'll be meeting in the Cabinet Room later today. And two senior administration officials tell my colleague Susan Malvo that's he's going to challenge them to cut $100 million over 90 days and that after the end of that 90-day period they're going to have to basically report back on how they were able to cut back on those expenses."
Harvard University economics professor Greg Mankiw put it in perspective in a post on his blog on April 20 - that these cuts are much ado about nothing.
"To put those numbers in perspective, imagine that the head of a household with annual spending of $100,000 called everyone in the family together to deal with a $34,000 budget shortfall," Mankiw wrote. "How much would he or she announce that spending had be cut? By $3 over the course of the year--approximately the cost of one latte at Starbucks. The other $33,997? We can put that on the family credit card and worry about it next year."
Quijano didn't inform viewers of that reality, but she wasn't hesitant to trot out the Obama administration's talking points - citing other relatively inconsequential cuts.
"Now at the same time, President Obama is expected to give some examples of how departments are already working to trim the budget fat if you will," Quijano said.
According to Quijano, the following examples were signs of he was serious about fiscal responsibility:
"So all this John [Roberts] really intended to show fiscal responsibility," Quijano concluded.
- Department of Homeland Security - working to save an estimated $52 million over five years by buying bulk office supplies.
- Department of Agriculture saving an estimated $62 million over 15 years by consolidating seven offices into a single facility.
- Department of Veterans Affairs saving an estimated $17.8 million by either canceling or delaying various conferences in addition to using video conferences as a cost-saving measure.
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It's 11% of the money we
April 20, 2009 - 15:31 ET by BKeyserIt's 11% of the money we gave to Gaza... bummer, if they'd have cut it from the stimulus bill, we could've given Isreal's sworn enemy a cool bil...
$100 M Spending cut
April 20, 2009 - 15:35 ET by NorthCoasterThis is just a bone thrown to the rabble. The MSM and Obama will blow it up to look and sound like it is a giant concession the the populace that showed concern at the Tea Partys.
Give Obama credit
April 20, 2009 - 15:44 ET by Cool ArrowJust think about it. If the Administration can find $100 million in savings, that's 30 cents saved for each American this year.
If I steal my wife's share, and that of each of my three kids and their three grandkids, and if I throw in an extra $2 dollars, I can buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
I can stretch it even further at the local 7-11.
Form over substance impresses the foolish every time.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Hmmm...
April 20, 2009 - 18:45 ET by PA ConservativeWell put CA. Somehow, I don't think the MSM will be reporting the messiah's budget cuts this way! Nice Job.
PAC
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new government...
Give Obama a Grade...
April 20, 2009 - 15:42 ET by Nearly Nobodyhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id...
When MSNBC reports the
April 20, 2009 - 15:53 ET by SpaceManSpiffWhen MSNBC reports the results of this poll, they'll lump all A, B, C, and D together, and say he's got a passing grade from the American public. LOL Just you watch and see.
Thank you, Nearly
April 20, 2009 - 15:53 ET by CarlosSThat was "F" un :-)
44% have already given the "O" an "F"
His D+F total has hovered right at 60 percent. Last week . . .
April 20, 2009 - 18:42 ET by CKA in Red State USA... his F was at 45 percent.
My guess is that MSNBC will never mention this poll of theirs.
The libs will get wind of it
April 20, 2009 - 20:16 ET by general companyand the A's will shoot up. Thats what happend last time
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
bahahaha
April 20, 2009 - 15:44 ET by katainkentthat's like saying I'll buy one less stick of gum this month. Oh, the humanity.
I love to help the helpless but I'm not gonna help the clueless ~Dennis Miller
Like Rush said today...it's
April 20, 2009 - 16:00 ET by oldArmyLike Rush said today...it's going to take them 90 days not to be able to cover 1 day's interest on our current deficit.
I can see why CNN is all excited about this.....matches their business model..
I've already posted earlier
April 20, 2009 - 16:02 ET by ThisnThatI've already posted earlier today that CNN plans on making these "cuts" a highlight during its "100-day celebration" broadcast next week. CNN will not question this number, and will not inform its viewer how insignificant it is. And it will question any and all critics. This is how CNN works, folks, and Elaine Quijano is just the front piece of it all.
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
It's not Elaine Quijano's
April 20, 2009 - 16:06 ET by oldArmyIt's not Elaine Quijano's fault....believe me...she hasn't a clue to what she is reporting...
It's those damn Teleprompters....they are taking over man!!!
If Bush had proposed budget cuts of $100,000,000
April 20, 2009 - 16:11 ET by Prester JohnThe MSM would've ridiculed him from now until doomsday, but coming from BHO it must be taken seriously.
It is truly amazing how stupid the Dems and the MSM think the Aemrican people are, but then again given the fact that BHO and the Dems are in charge I guess you can argue they're right.
It's worse than that.....
April 20, 2009 - 16:37 ET by motherbeltThe DHS savings are over 5 years, so that's 10 million a year.
The DoA savings are over 15 years, so that's about $4 million a year.
The Veterans' savings aren't qualified, so even if you count the entire $17 million, that's only a total of $31 million a year, not $100 million, which they would have us believe!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Not to Disparage the Graph as to Content....
April 20, 2009 - 16:14 ET by rexdraconimBut the dot representing the $100 million was WAY too big!
I understand that it had to be enlarged to actually be visible.
Anyone want to use their 33 cents and purchase an Obama flavored lollipop?
Just trying to find some value and business opportunity in this....
"You can have Peace or you can have Freedom; just don't count on having both at the same time." - R.A.H
"I'll take the harsh reality of liberty over the illusion of security...everytime!" -me<
"Department of Veterans
April 20, 2009 - 16:23 ET by Benny"Department of Veterans Affairs saving an estimated $17.8 million by either canceling or delaying various conferences in addition to using video conferences as a cost-saving measure."
Okay, what about the all the local ecomonies now left w/no business because of all these conferences being cancelled?
Also, couldn't believe he said w/a straight face "working to save an estimated $52 million over five years by buying bulk office supplies." What the hell were they doing before? Buying one pencile a a time! GOD HELP US!
I have come to the
April 20, 2009 - 16:41 ET by kangarooI have come to the conclusion that demonuts are more than 2 sanga's (sandwiches) short of a picnic
If he gives me $1Million, I
April 20, 2009 - 16:50 ET by b4m4wyIf he gives me $1Million, I swear I will give $30k to charity.
only 3 % thats when its
April 20, 2009 - 17:04 ET by kangarooonly 3 % thats when its good to be a liberal you don't have to give sheet or give a sheet, (not you b4) just sayin
Like Robert Gibbs, I also think $100 million is a lot of money
April 20, 2009 - 16:52 ET by mom_roxAnd, Robert, guess what else? I think $3.69 trillion is a whole lot more money!
(Jeff, thanks for the chart - save that for the next tea party. aside: Would a $400 'tax rebate' dot even be visible?)
~~save your tea, dump congress~~
sheesh of course 100 million
April 20, 2009 - 16:58 ET by kangaroosheesh of course 100 million is alot of money when you compare it to a million, but ain't worth bupcus against HELLO 3 and a 1/2 trillion DOLLARS "little pinky inserted in corner of mouth"
When someone says "hundreds
April 20, 2009 - 17:04 ET by motherbeltWhen someone says "hundreds of millions" of anything, what comes to mind?
The US population is just over 3 hundred million. so how many is hundreds of millions? All of them? All of them squared?
Oh, I get it....he's counting ALL Americans...North, South and Central!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
I've been laughing on and
April 20, 2009 - 17:14 ET by bigtimerI've been laughing on and off about this pathetic farce all day.
Yeah boy...that'll settle those rednecks down from having those silly Tea Parties dontcha know!
My tag-line applies to all who even try to promote this bull, let alone the administration and OSoros himself..which should go without saying.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
millions??
April 20, 2009 - 17:23 ET by misterbillFor heaven's sake--enforcing immigration law in California alone--no welfare, no free health care for illegal aliens and it will save 100 times the amount he is talking about.
$62 million over 15 years??--KMA. I will most probably be dead by then. What a pack of ignorant fools. BTW What will the expense be to consolidate the buildings and personnel??? What about more space at the single location?? How much?? What about moving and living expenses?? Sheesh!!!!!
liberal logic
April 20, 2009 - 17:29 ET by candance-Spend $100 on junkfood and soda in your groceries
-Use two coupons to save $1.50
-Tell your husband he should be thankful for being married to a coupon clipper
I Guess Chairman Zero is a Closet Conservative
April 20, 2009 - 18:44 ET by dbo"So all this John [Roberts] really intended to show fiscal responsibility," Quijano concluded.
Translation:
3.69000 trillion = fiscally irresponsible
3.68999 trillion = fiscally responsible
Penny Wise and Dollar Foolish
April 20, 2009 - 19:27 ET by ghblogI think that the Administration's next spending cuts will be to force his White House staff to use coupons when they purchase their Kobe beef for the cocktail parties or maybe they will buy it in bulk.
See more of my comments at:
http://www.framingthedialogue.com/archives/penny-wise-and-dollar-foolish/
→ Creating jobs
April 20, 2009 - 19:32 ET by Cool ArrowAnd he could hire a ful-time Japanese-to-English translator to read the coupons.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
"Basically this is about
April 20, 2009 - 20:25 ET by TN Mom"Basically this is about President Obama trying to show that he is serious about cutting back on government spending," Quijano said on "American Morning."
Biased Stupidity.
Don't tell CNN, but people know how to use a calculator!
Ladies and gentlemen, may I
April 20, 2009 - 22:48 ET by RR GOPLadies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the Left's newest pro-Obama talking point.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
DHS uses the EASY Button
April 21, 2009 - 07:04 ET by freecitizenIn the examples given, all they are doing is trimming administrative operating costs. They are not cutting anything, and should have been pursuing these sort of operating efficiencies in an ongoing manner as a matter of course not just by presidential mandate. This is why the government sucks at running anything.
CUT PROGRAMS!! Hell, cut entire departments.
Liberal: remove all that's Right, and this is what's Left.
Like A...
April 21, 2009 - 07:39 ET by rightwingidiotLike a fart in a windstorm.
"Obeyme's budget. Just another crap sandwich. Open wide, America." - RWI