Showing that Barack Obama is fighting for the common man, on Friday’s CBS Early Show correspondent Jeff Glor reported on the President’s reaction to big bonuses on Wall Street: "For a man who prides himself on being cool, this was a rare flash of anger, if planned. A tongue-lashing directly from the Oval Office, which is indicating now they will look to change the rules if Wall Street doesn't itself."
Glor explained: "...firms gave out $18.4 billion in bonuses to New York-based employees last year, the same year the Dow Jones caved in 33%. And yes, a lot of the bonus money came from T.A.R.P. government bailout funds, taxpayer dollars." There was no mention of the fact that then Senator Obama was a strong supporter of the bailout.
At the top of the show, co-host Julie Chen declared: "Target Wall Street. An angry President Obama lashes out at bonuses worth nearly $20 billion." Co-host Harry Smith introduced Glor’s report in a similar fashion: "In our series ‘Red, White, and Greed,’ President Obama chastising Wall Street for paying itself big bonuses while the economy and the banking industry tanked."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
7:00AM TEASE:
JULIE CHEN: Target Wall Street. An angry President Obama lashes out at bonuses worth nearly $20 billion.
BARACK OBAMA: That is the height of irresponsibility. It is shameful.
CHEN: But can the Fed get its money back?
7:05AM
HARRY SMITH: In our series 'Red, White, and Greed,' President Obama chastising Wall Street for paying itself big bonuses while the economy and the banking industry tanked. Early Show national correspondent Jeff Glor is here with more on that. Good morning, sir.
JEFF GLOR: Harry, good morning to you. For a man who prides himself on being cool, this was a rare flash of anger, if planned. A tongue-lashing directly from the Oval Office, which is indicating now they will look to change the rules if Wall Street doesn't itself. The president said he saw the numbers in the news and thought one thing, outrageous.
BARACK OBAMA: At a time when most of these institutions were teetering on collapse and they are asking for taxpayers to help sustain them, that is the height of irresponsibility. It is shameful.
TOM DINAPOLI: Well, the president expressed outrage, and I think main street expresses outrage as well.
OBAMA: State comptroller Tom Dinapoli reports that firms gave out $18.4 billion in bonuses to New York-based employees last year, the same year the Dow Jones caved in 33%. And yes, a lot of the bonus money came from T.A.R.P. government bailout funds, taxpayer dollars. While the 2008 bonus number is down 44% compared to 2007, it was still the sixth largest on record. And while the average worker's bonus dropped 37%, they still got an average of $112,000 in extra pay.
OBAMA: There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to get bonuses. Now's not that time.
GLOR: It is worth noting that 260,000 jobs were cut in the financial sector last year. And Wall Street has long bristled at outside criticism, saying the public and government officials simply don't understand private industry. But this tension now is likely to only increase. Harry.
SMITH: Jeff, here's my question. Is there any real likelihood that any of this money will get back into government hands?
GLOR: It's a question a lot of people are asking, and some lawmakers want it back. We looked into it. The experts say it is highly unlikely any of this money is returned.
SMITH: Alright. Thanks, Jeff.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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Did the President say what
January 30, 2009 - 18:01 ET by motherbeltDid the President say what he thought should be done with that money?
Should they give it to "the economy?"
Should they give it to "the banking industry?"
It wouldn't matter to him, I'm sure, what was done with it, as long as they didn't get it....it's a matter of "fairness" after all.
Obama, worst president in the history of man
January 31, 2009 - 07:16 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsDid the President say what he thought should be done with that money?
Not exactly, it was implied it should have gone to the 'government' so it could be doled out to the needy, such as ACORN, La Raza, Planned Parenthood, PBS, Hamas, etc..
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Just like Christopher Dodd,
January 30, 2009 - 18:00 ET by dscottJust like Christopher Dodd, Obama is busy pointing the finger so it doesn't get pointed at him. After all, Obama did what he was told to do by Dodd in 2005 to vote AGAINST reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Both of these crooks got hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the very people whom they have just thrown under the bus by their criticism. Nothing stinks worse than the self righteous indignation of hypocrits.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Ahhhh, you gotta love the
January 30, 2009 - 18:01 ET by ckc1227Ahhhh, you gotta love the irony. As Obama pushes for an additional trillion dollars of irresponsible spending, he's criticizing Wall Street for rerwarding employees with $20 billion in bonuses.
It's true that when people
January 30, 2009 - 18:05 ET by Old EuropeIt's true that when people give you money they expect something in return. So they bail the companies out only so that they can then socialize all companies by telling them what expenses are justifiable and what not. It's none of BHO's business how companies spend their money. I can blow my profits they way I want to. But unfortunately, the bailout is all about institutionalizing socialism.
Wealth envy will be our downfall
January 30, 2009 - 18:15 ET by R D Helm-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Class Envy Card
January 30, 2009 - 18:17 ET by Red JeepGovernment makes alot off those bonuses for doing nothing.
Those bonuses are down 44% from 2007, meaning a 1 billion dollar loss to NYS in tax revenue.
The more the bonuses the more the tax revenue.
Poor little lord obama,
January 30, 2009 - 18:36 ET by SlicksterPoor little lord obama, people are seeing through his spending bill. The government didn't tell the companies how to spend the money, they just said here it is. Sorry magic negro, you hired a tax cheat and put lobbyists on your staff, too bad. His whole presidency thus far has been nothing but scapegoat hunting and whining.
Uh-oh...
January 30, 2009 - 18:50 ET by Roger the ShrubberA tongue-lashing?!?!? Quick, somebody get Chris Matthews a change of underwear!
obama scolds
January 30, 2009 - 21:34 ET by MidAmericaand!..... if you do not do as he says, he shall taunt you a second time!!
Harry Che-Jong Smith
January 30, 2009 - 19:12 ET by GoodieSMITH: Jeff, here's my question. Is there any real likelihood that any of this money will get back into government hands?
What a POS Socialist. CBS is the enemy within.
O's last day 1-20-2013
And why beholdest thou the
January 30, 2009 - 19:22 ET by RR GOPAnd why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? -Matthew 7:3
I'm sure the Emperor Jones heard that once or twice in those 20 years at the feet of the good Reverend Wright?
Man, where to start...his wife and her exorbitant salary for doing, well, we're not really sure what?
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Ooh! A tongue lashing from Barry -O!
January 30, 2009 - 23:01 ET by OxyCon"My leg is getting all tingly just thinking about it!" - Chris Mathyoos
"We're moist! I mean, really wet!" - the "Today Show" cast
I don't remember obama
January 30, 2009 - 23:27 ET by TN MomI don't remember obama giving a tongue-lashing to the UAW for owning a multi-million golf course.
CBS: It's kinda cute how y'all failed to mention the millions obama has left over from his campaign. Really precious is how you failed to report how much obama (& Dodd) received from Fannie/Freddy. Awesome how you failed to mention the millions and millions Obama spent on his inauguration in spite of so many people on Wall Street/Main Steet losing their jobs!
CBS=UNfunny Clowns!
OBAMA: There will be time
January 31, 2009 - 00:01 ET by Massage_Master07OBAMA: There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to get bonuses. Now's not that time.
Let's see. Since NOW is not the time for them to make profits or get bonuses, I guess NOT is not the time for them to pay TAXES also? I mean, just HOW are you going to stop them from making profits or getting bonuses Barry? Tax them to death? Impose a penalty on TOP of the taxes that they already pay?
Those that live in the White (GLASS) House should not be throwing stones. Why don't YOU forgo YOUR pay as POTUS to save the tax payers some money since you AND your wife are already millionaires, that BOTH of you made DURING the past EIGHT years under the "terrible" Bush economic policy? I guess that THAT won't happen though, will it? You can also throw in Nazi Peloser and Dingy Harry Reid in that catagory also. Not to mention Chris Dodd and Bawney Fwank.
Hot tempered prez
January 31, 2009 - 00:50 ET by nkviking75"For a man who prides himself on being cool, this was a rare flash of anger, if planned."
Oh, please. Obama is thin skinned and easily angered. He tries to look controlled, but you don't have to be Dr. Phil to realize he has a quick temper.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.