At the recent media celebration of Barack Obama's first 100 days as President, Barack Obama made the bold claim that he created or saved over 150,000 jobs.
This budget builds on the steps we’ve taken over the last 100 days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity.
We began by passing a Recovery Act that has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs and provided a tax cut to 95 percent of all working families.Source
This would be wonderful news, if it were true. Unfortunately, no one seems to be able to figure out where he got these numbers from. They just don't seem to add up to the facts.
So where do they get away with a number like that?
Actually, I thought this was easy. The administration has claimed that ARRA (“the stimulus bill”) will “save or create” 3.3 million jobs in 2 years. So I thought perhaps what they were doing was taking the date of signing, Feb. 17, computing how much of two years had passed (71/730 ~= 9.7%) and … well, that doesn’t work, because on a pro-rated basis they would get to claim 321,000 jobs.
I thought then maybe he had specific numbers. I recall him saying that he was told Caterpillar would call back the 20,000 in layoffs it had originally called for. But that doesn’t work out either, because Caterpillar is still laying off. Initial filings for unemployment insurance have risen through the first 100 days, though today’s number is a hopeful step downward.
Of course, no one will ever know the difference. The media wouldn’t dare challenge Obama with any difficult follow-up questions. Not one reporter asked president Obama to corroborate this claim.
—John Stephenson is editor of Stop The ACLU.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
No, why should they, they
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:41 ET by 10ksnookerNo, why should they, they are busy with the boot licking.
too true...
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 23:22 ET by klchadwickbut it seems that no matter how hard the BHO Admin and the liberal press try to play EVERYONE for fools, they are only fooling those that WANT to be fooled. As soon as I heard this number leave his mouth, I immediately jumped on it and questioned it.
Of course after questioning the number I had to make a sarcastic remark somewhere to the effect of "Even if the govt could "save or create" that many jobs, imagine how many could have been not JUST saved, but CREATED by the private sector". How I would love to be able to ask Chairman Obama that question...of course then I would probably proceed to get tossed on my ear....but it would be worth it!!! ;0)
http://politicaldessert.wordpress.com
Didn't the US lose over
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:43 ET by math4lifeDidn't the US lose over 600,000 jobs in March alone?
math, 600 K jobs were in the private sector, not really worth
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:55 ET by upcountrywatermentioning..
We are talking about 150,000 real gov union jobs..
None of this Joe the plumber stuff./sarc
Reagan VS 0bama
Didn't Blinky Pelosi say we
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:16 ET by JerryDidn't Blinky Pelosi say we were losing 400 million jobs every month?
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Obama's claim has about as
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:46 ET by Chris NormanObama's claim has about as much legitimacy as me claiming I saved 100 million jobs. I mean, how can one prove this - are these employees labeled or something? As in a button reading "This job saved by Barak Obama"?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
he could
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 20:45 ET by katainkenthe could say a million jobs... first he'd say 500K then a million in a 4-6 months time when its forecasted jobs are supposed to start recovering. Possibly a few people would check. A number being questioned might even make a small entry buried in a website like CNN. But, I am relatively certain he will be able to continue unchallenged. When it comes time to run for re-election it will be a promise kept. There really is no way to define a 'job saved'.
The frog and the slowly boiling water syndrome prevails here. The American public's general apathy coupled with the assistance/compliance of nearly major media outlet just makes it that much easier and faster.
I love to help the helpless but I'm not gonna help the clueless ~Dennis Miller
Thank you John... You are
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:49 ET by bigtimerThank you John...
You are exactly right, the presser was infuriating, I was seething with examples that you used here for starters...the press is hated, and they don't even wonder why...nor care.
I miss your great blog posts here.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Maybe he's right...
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 19:55 ET by BKeyserdid anyone consider that? I mean, I've been doing something similar to the President; by not flushing for almost a week now, I have SAVED almost 27 gallons of water! The fact that the city pumping station has not had to purify, store, or move those 27 gallons, and the reduction to energy expenditures in doing so, AND the CO2 NOT emitted into our precious and dying atmosphere has added or saved about 150,000 milliseconds for our planet's survival.
How 'bout a pat on the back for Bob, huh?
BK... LMAO! You get a big
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 20:05 ET by bigtimerBK...
LMAO!
You get a big pat on the back from me just for the comedy your post provided here!
Thank YOU!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Thanks BT
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 20:37 ET by BKeyser...but I gotta say, its not all roses over here...
If you're taking Cheryl
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:19 ET by JerryIf you're taking Cheryl Crow's advice and only using 2 sheets of TP, I'm sure you'll understand if I don't shake your hand.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
"150,000 jobs saved" versus
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 20:48 ET by Pewah"150,000 jobs saved" versus the millions who are currently employed sounds about as impressive as when the messiah announced that he was going to reduce $100 million in expenditures from federal budgets while ramming $3 trillion in new spending down our throats.
At this point I honestly believe that he does not understand money at all. When he talks about financial numbers its like listening to a young kid who has been hand fed his whole life and is absolutely clueless about how much anything costs or what it is worth. Spending your entire life in the public sector often brings with it this kind of ignorance of simple economics and finances.
Not one reporter asked
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:14 ET by TN MomNot one reporter asked president Obama to corroborate this claim.
The media is still in it's Enchantment Phase.
I think I Figured Out Obeyme's Math
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:19 ET by rightwingidiot100 days in office
54% approval rating (Rasmussen as of 4-30-2009)
$3.6 trillion budget passed
$100 million to be saved by departments
53 - # of lies Obeyme told last week
123 - a number that Obeyme assigns to himself to desribe how awesome he is on a 100 point scale
2 - # of children Obeyme has
2.8 - college GPA of Robert Gibbs
So:
100 x 54% = 54
54 x 3.6 trillion = 194.4 trillion
194.4 trillion / 100 million = 1.944 million
1.944 million x 53 = 103 million
103 million / 123 = 837,398
837,398 / 2 = 418,699
418,699 / 2.8 = 149,535 jobs saved or created
Makes perfect sense to me.
Obmoney
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:23 ET by misterbillHey, I'm the Magic Messiah the man with purple lips
I publicize US secrets so enemies sink our ships
I'm fixing our economy by a plan of tax and spend
And I don't give a shit who gets it in the end.
I'm changing Fed ownership to "common" on the stocks
Now I'm the man who decides what's made in the box
And every M*****f***er who didn't vote for me
Will be sitting on the sideline pleading "take me", "take me"
I'll own your goods and houses, your bonds and your cars
I will leave you NOTHING to go spending in the bars
Your hard work and your savings will all be blown away
And I will give them to those who 'til now did only play.
I'm going to fix this country to look like what I want
And I don't give a shit who it comes back to haunt
And I'll be sleeping soundly for each and very night
While listening to the CDs of good old Reverend Wright.
You see you foolish people, you said you wanted change
Now that you have chosen me, you'll find I'm really strange
So forget about your college, your homes and your parks
In the next few years baby, You'll learn about Karl Marx.
To the tune of "I am
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:40 ET by JerryTo the tune of "I am Woman" (Helen Reddy)....
I'm Obama, hear me roar,
With donors too big to ignore.
As I spread my brother's wealth across the land.
Well I've killed some embryos,
But there's so many more to go,
So I'm funding all abortions on demand.
Yes, I'm unwise,
And it's sure to cause you pain,
George Soros paid my price,
And look how much I've gained.
If I have to.
I can fool anyone.
I am wrong.
I'm reprehensible.
I'm Obaaaaammmaaaa...
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
LOL
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:17 ET by QueenMumWell done, Jerry.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Good morning Jerry
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:44 ET by cocodrieVery accurate, very true. Very funny and very sad at the same time. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
How far down this despicable road will we go?
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Obama can say whatever the
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:24 ET by msh1973Obama can say whatever the heck he wants, he could say that the moon was made of cheese and no one in the msm would challenge him or dispute him. My gosh they are blinding following him right off a cliff!
Ha Ha Ha Ha!!
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 21:37 ET by RowaneHahahaha, Media...Challenge...Obama...Hahaha...you're kidding me, right?
Maybe Obama saved 150k overpaid union jobs!
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 22:40 ET by jefflebowskiMaybe he saved those over-paid UAW workers with our tax dollars...for a few months! What a tool!
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.com
Let me think....ah, nope.
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 23:25 ET by mattmLet me think....ah, nope.
I didn't do it!
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 01:14 ET by ReaganFanI was just commenting about this yesterday. The press and many people will believe anything that comes out of Obama's mouth.
He could be giving a prime time speech with 50 million people watching, pull out a gun and shoot the camera man in the face on live TV and then say, "I didn't do it!" There would be no one in the press that would contradict his claim.
I can see it now, Charlie Gibson would say something to the effect that the camera man died of a massive brain aneurysm. Obviously it had to be true, because the president said so.
Challenge him on them?
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 02:22 ET by ConservativeRexChallenge him on them? They are the ones who gave him those numbers. Just plucked 'em right out of thin air. Just like anything else this empty suit comes up with. Soros told him 150K, it's 150K.
Will the media ever
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 02:43 ET by DJEddleWill the media ever challenge Obama on anything? I would like to see anyone who considers themselves "the media" to challenge Obama on this:
One Hundred Days of Illegitimacy
I'd like to especially direct that to those who claim to be all about protecting the Constitution and the rule of law. I suppose only certain parts of our Constitution are to be upheld, so long as they don't make one appear to be racist to the politically correct and/or fascist opposition.
Nobody ever said maintaining liberty, our Constitution, and the rule of law was easy. I just wish more people were willing to defend them.
Rational Liberty: Where Reason and Government Collide - The best website ever!
The sheer audacity of
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 08:56 ET by dscottThe sheer audacity of this man to proclaim he "saved" or "created" 150,000 jobs (3 months) when in one week the unemployment claims are running 630,000. At this rate most of the country will be out of work by the end of 12 months.
It's such an absurdly obvious lie that neither he nor the MSM are willing to lay out the methodology of how he arrived at the number lest they look foolish. Even if 150,000 government jobs were created expanding government programs, the point is these jobs DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE TAX BASE. Any moron can employ 150,000 liter pickers and claim they created jobs. Is this Obama's plan? Create millions of government jobs to employ all those on unemployment? Is his plan to finance all those jobs by printing money? Because that's what the Fed is doing down in buying Treasury Notes and Bonds.
The only time Obama can claim he created 150,000 jobs is when there is a NET increase in jobs, i.e. 150,000 more people are working then when he took office. So far this moron has cost the country over 2 million jobs and that's not anything to crow about, so that means the economy has to employ 2,150,000 people in new jobs just to get to that point.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Monday Chrysler plants are CLOSED.
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:10 ET by sevenThey are shut down. Lights out. If Chrysler has 25,000 workers in assembly, they have lost their jobs. But yesterday he took credit for "saving" 30,000 Chrysler jobs. If he saved the jobs, they will be working this month. If they are off for 2 months minimum truthfully the Head Used Car Salesman has gotten them laid off.
Where is the liberal
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:16 ET by QueenMumWhere is the liberal outrage that a foreign car company will be taking over Chrysler?
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Quite right, but since
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:53 ET by dscottQuite right, but since Chrysler has 54,000 workers worldwide by his own admission of claiming to save 30,000 jobs he has sacrificed 24,000 of them. If that's what Obama's claims really mean, then unemployment in this country is going up dramatically.
By Obama's liberal math he only expects to save 55.6% any company's workforce if Chrysler is a typical example. So when Obama claims he is going to create or save 2.5 million jobs, what he really means is 2 million people are going to lose their jobs permanently, i.e. a net reduction of 44.4% of those companies he screws over. So far he is doing pretty good, don't you think? He kept his promise... well over 2.2 million people are unemployed since he took office.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
UAW shutdown?
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:16 ET by slickwillie2001I've noticed that in press reports on the Chrysler shutdown, and the earlier GM Summer shutdown, no one will report on what the UAW workers get during that shutdown. That makes me suspicious that their benefits are so lavish that the liberal media are embarrassed to report on them. Are they furloughed at near full pay? Or full pay less what the union can get from unemployment insurance that the government will fork over? Need some citizen reporting here.
With the federal seizure of Chrysler
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:06 ET by sevenObama is approaching his first completed 24 hours as a used car salesman. His blank resume is now not so white as it was a few weeks ago.
Something tells me Fiat may balk on Obama's closing techniques.
What happened to 3 million?
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:15 ET by StarAZIf 150,000 is not even accurate, I guess the promised 3 million are yet to be ... er, saved? What about created? Sorry--don't want to put anyone on the spot.