David Gregory: Obama Must 'Harness Anger' of Wall Street Protests, Combat 'Unfairness' in Economy
Appearing on Friday's NBC Today, Meet the Press host David Gregory discussed the political impact of the Wall Street protests and wondered: "How does the President try to harness this anger, this sense of unfairness about the economy, about income inequality in this country, about the middle class stagnating for the past 30 years? That's what the President wants to try to tap into here."
Gregory then declared that the left-wing movement, "allows the President to drive a populist message again." He went on to write talking points for Obama: "Here the President wants to say, 'Look, I'm on the side of the middle class here. I want more fairness in our country. The Republicans want to take you backward.'" The headline on screen read: "Can 'Occupy Wall Street' Protests Help Obama?"
Co-host Ann Curry had prompted Gregory to describe how the Wall Street protests could benefit Obama as she asked: "Is there a lesson for the Democrats, for the President, in how the Republicans dealt with the Tea Party, in terms of how the President could maybe mobilize these anti-Wall Street demonstrators?"
Here is a full transcript of Curry's October 7 discussion with Gregory:
7:16AM ET
ANN CURRY: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning.
DAVID GREGORY: Good morning, Ann.
CURRY: Surprising candor from the Vice President. Do you think that he might regret acknowledging the administration's vulnerability in 2012?
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; Biden: GOP Strong Enough to Win White House]
GREGORY: No, I don't think so. Nobody's trying to sugarcoat how vulnerable the President is because of this economy. It is where it is. I mean, the historical headwinds are significant for this president and for his vice president as he faces re-election. But I do think they're trying to position themselves to say, 'Look, we know we're vulnerable, but this is going to be a choice in this election and we've got a better approach in a very difficult economy, a better approach than the Republicans,' who, as the vice president noted, would still be strong enough to defeat this President under these circumstances.
CURRY: The Vice President used the word "underdog," a word that the President actually used earlier this week. Is it possible that this is part of an administration strategy to mobilize its base?
GREGORY: I think it is. I think there's no question they're trying to communicate, as Chuck just mentioned, the urgency of getting out and mobilizing the vote. They know, this administration does, that they need young people, they need minority voters, they need the key elements of their base to come out strong next year. They also need Latino voters across the country to come out strong. They've got to rely on those elements of the base to come out when they know there's a lot of swing voters, middle-of-the-road voters, who are not going to vote for this president, perhaps just because of the economy. And if there's no movement, the President doesn't really expect that he's going to get this full jobs bill through. So there's not a lot of movement. They at least have to, you know, rely on the idea that there'll be an alternative.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; Will Obama's Tough Tactics Work?]
CURRY: Meantime, Newt Gingrich earlier this week described this anti-Wall Street movement, this "Occupy Wall Street" movement, he suggested it should be seen as a black mark on President Obama's record. Is there a lesson for the Democrats, for the President, in how the Republicans dealt with the Tea Party, in terms of how the President could maybe mobilize these anti-Wall Street demonstrators?
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; Can "Occupy Wall Street" Protests Help Obama?]
GREGORY: Well, you raise a key point. How does the President try to harness this anger, this sense of unfairness about the economy, about income inequality in this country, about the middle class stagnating for the past 30 years? That's what the President wants to try to tap into here. Yes, it's difficult for the President because it manifests what people are anxious about, what they're angry about. But at the same time, it allows the President to drive a populist message again. You heard him yesterday – the Vice President, too – talking about banks being part of the problem, complaining about the fees that Bank of America is charging on ATM use. Here the President wants to say 'Look, I'm on the side of the middle class here. I want more fairness in our country. The Republicans want to take you backward.'
CURRY: Meantime, fresh from your interview with the Vice President – good one, by the way – you're going to be in Chicago and I understand you've got some special guests there?
GREGORY: Yeah, we'll be talking about the economy with Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to the President and now Mayor of Chicago, also talk to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. Yeah, we'll have a special edition from Chicago on Sunday.
CURRY: Alright, on Meet the Press. David Gregory, thank you so much.
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Comments
That read like a conversation
Submitted by forest on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:21pm.
That read like a conversation between Jarrett and Carney.
Except they would probably fawn a little less and talk a little more about the potential backfire that could occur when becoming identified with a reckless rabble of rowdy drugged-up communists.
A reckless rabble of rowdy drugged-up communists
Submitted by ThisnThat on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:31pm.
And stinky, as well. Headline: Owners of Zuccotti Park Say Conditions Unsanitary From Wall Street Protests. These lowlifes can't even pick up after themselves.
On the other hand, parents of these basement dwellers have reported a new freshness within their homes, and there has been a rush on locksmiths to change the locks of their homes.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
squalor
Submitted by MidAmerica on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 6:42pm.
I think we have a name for these protesters......fleabaggers.
"fleabaggers"---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 6:57pm.
Now that's funny!
And fitting.
MD
I'd be willing to bet.....
Submitted by creekrat on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 9:35am.
that somewhere deep down inside,these media types hate that the Tea party folks don't get arrested, leave everything clean, demonstrate quietly, and get the point across....as compared to this mess.
But, look whose side they must take !! Very sad.
Harness the Wall of Anger?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:21pm.
You know, this is getting to be problematic.
This "inequality" was created by the bogus potus and the democrats before 2010, a lot of damage was done and the cards were stacked to where we are today. And who was among the biggest helpers in that? The MSM, especially people like Gregory, Madcow, Schlitz, and the others at CNN and CBS and so forth.
So what is Gregory really saying here, harness the wall of anger? It's more accurate to say it's how Soetoro threatened to have the people start coming out in droves much like we are seeing today, this was no accident, but a planned event that was set in motion YEARS ago.
I fear that this is going to be the beginning of the civil war that we are going to face, fomented by this bogus potus over a non-existent crisis over contradictory information such as occupying wall street and etc. It's just as false as the global warming nonsense and people are willing to get violent over this. Indeed, I even fear we're going to see an eruption of violence real soon if these worldly rejects are sent home and sent home soon.
Yesterday's "press conference" performance is further proof of that this manchild is going to set up some sort of internal crisis between the haves and the have-nots....except the "have-nots" is the incorrect term to use, it's more like the "gimme-thats" who take that which isn't theirs to take. Therefore, it's the haves, those that have jobs, versus the gimme-thats, those that refuse to work for a living. They even said as such even if someone were to offer them a job, they would refuse it. They would rather just take someone else's money.
And it's going to get a lot worse. Some mayors, or other city leaders, like the mayor of Los Angeles, are helping these protestors. That's making a bad situation far worse when officials entrusted with the duties to protect fellow citizens rise up against them by siding with those people who are gimme-thats. Those people need to be removed from office, and that includes the bogus potus.
-Jon
Jon...
Submitted by ontheright on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 5:27pm.
...you are absolutely correct.
When the virus that currently resides in the criminal cesspools that are the inner cities' liberal "projects" and/or social experiments oozes out and spreads their infectious poison to the suburbs where a majority of the honest, legal tax-paying citizens reside, there will be blood in the streets...and it's not a threat, it's a promise.
Works for Holder.
Submitted by ampul man on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 5:59am.
Works for Holder.
CNN, the Clinton News Network---Bill decides; Hill reports
The "gimme-thats"
Submitted by ThisnThat on Thu, 10/13/2011 - 5:10pm.
A perfect description. And they will marry the "gimme-alls" and their off-spring will be the "gimme-mores". And they will all continue to live in their parents' basements.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Silly Protestors...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:21pm.
...Don't they know that Barry Soetero gets a huge chunk of his stash from Wall Street...
Could you alert me when
Submitted by buddyc on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:25pm.
Could you alert me when either Gregory or Williams reports on Fast & Furious and on Solyndra? Instead of being a cheerleader and adviser to Obama why doesn't he report or comment on real news?
Gregory was, is and always will be a light weight hack. Same for Williams.
NAKED BIAS
Submitted by cbeyer on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:44pm.
David Gregory here is giving the President advise about how he should campaign. Everytime I read or hear an outrageously biased expample of media bias I think it can't get worse! But it does. This is amazing only exceeded in naked virulent bias of the ODonnell interview of Herman Cain.
NBC/MSNBC...a 24/7 free commercial for Obama and the DNC
Submitted by cbeyer on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:47pm.
Why does Obama need a billion dollars for his sorry assreelection campaign when the Mainstream media cheerleads for him on a daily basis?
Gregory
Submitted by Curly on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 4:56pm.
One sad sack of cow manure, Mr. Gregory - you to a tee!
Gregory wants Obama to go to the Dark Side.
Submitted by NeoKong on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 5:28pm.
The Emperor: You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant.
Luke: No.
The Emperor: It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You, like your father, are now mine. The Emperor: Good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you.
The Emperor: If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed!
[shoots Luke with Force lightning]
The Emperor: Young fool... Only now, at the end, do you understand...
Is the midget davey drunk again?......
Submitted by jmigyanka@msn.com on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 5:33pm.
.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-BbjUSAD6w
Funny piece on
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 5:36pm.
Human Events that addresses the 99%-ers. Worth a read.
As always bk...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 7:54pm.
Steel on Target....
The 1% are, once again, getting screwed by a lack of return on investment!
wow
Submitted by kata on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 9:47pm.
and I thought PJMedia was being a bit harsh. They have two open letters to the "99%"
Hilarious, BK. I hope Blonde
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:40pm.
Hilarious, BK. I hope Blonde reads the link. The writer and her are kindred spirits.
strat
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 9:54am.
Yep, definitely a connection there.
One of the authors is Lori Ziganto; she's got a great wit and excellent writing skills. I follow her on twitter where she goes by the handle @snarkandboobs- which, coincidentally, are two things I'm quite fond of.
Thanks you two!
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 12:54pm.
That was a great read, BK.
Your lady writer has a lovely way with words. I enjoyed that, immensely.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Holy Confusion???
Submitted by Fredy on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 5:56pm.
I am completely lost in this. So someone help me, PLEASE!!!
Obama is the President of the United States, He is the most powerfull man in the world.
Setting aside the labor unions and other add on groups that are trying to make this protest their own, HOW is it possible that people are taking to the streets to protest the US government is a GOOD THING for the SITTING President?
The propaganda that yet another group taking to the streets to protest can possibly be good for the ESTABLISHMENT is too silly for consideration!!!
Van Jones was down there today
Submitted by kata on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 7:06pm.
doing some harnessing of his own. As was Jeffrey Sachs, Naomi Kline... Free Palestine... People United... so many harnesses...
today's harnessers
Submitted by kata on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 4:58pm.
Bill McKibben (AGW)
"Call to Action"
"People not Profits"
"Wall Street and the Rise of Hilter" (?!)
The Robin Hood Tax
No hajib on the dhimmi today?...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 8:04pm.
That goes for the female Gregory too.
Must be great to be in America and accuse America of not being "fair" as a fringe group is determined to extort the "rich" who pay for the layabouts!
"Unfairness" "Income inequality" "The Rich"
Submitted by krendler on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 9:36pm.
Gregory: "Here the President wants to say, 'Look, I'm on the side of the middle class here..' "
Is the president of the United State really supposed to be picking "sides"? And if he's on the "side" of the middle class, does that mean the "Rich" are his opposition? His enemy?
Why don't these unapologetic socialists go find another country to live in - like Cuba? They'd be a lot happier.
99%, Not By Any Measure
Submitted by Junk Science Skeptic on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 9:38pm.
Since they haven't drummed up the support of 99%, even in the far left media, I think they need a new name. The "Million Man March" that drew about 80,000 has already been tried, so why not go with the "Trillion Troll Trek" to describe the dozens attending the protests?
Well their not very bright,
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 9:43pm.
They forgot the decimal point .99%
Odd.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 12:07am.
I don't feel stagnated.
Nuthin' To See
Submitted by rammingspeed on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 12:58am.
There's no anger to harness. These people cannot articulate why they are "out there." (I think it's because we got all big bank-y, and stuff.) They bang on thee drum all day and stink up thee park in Manhattan and piss off thee neighbors and block thee roadways so people can't get to work. If Obama wants them, well, as effed in the head as he's proving himself to be, I'm not surprised. And he can have them.
How Many Fleabagers Can Obama Afford?
Submitted by Avitar on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 1:33am.
We know he doesn't pay for them himself but assuming that George Soros is not going to spend more than double his budget that bought Obama the Whitehouse in 2008 sets an upper limit on how soon Obama will have to start diverting Government funds to his political use.
Can we approximate how much it costs to put each Fleabager on the street? We had really good data for a while after the Vietnam War when some of the street operators went into business with rent-a-mob. Rock and roll band promoters could provide exactly the mobs of screaming fans they needed at a known cost.
That information pulled the curtain back on the money that created the anti-war and "civil rights" demonstrations. The media is in the Wizard of Oz’s wizard crying pay no attention to the community organizer behind the curtain.
The Caucasian race is the
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 3:44am.
The Caucasian race is the only race on earth determined to destroy itself.
I want more fairness in our
Submitted by PeskyDane on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 8:38am.
I want more fairness in our country.
When Dave and the rest of the NBC on-air "talent" announce that they are taking half their salaries and spreading it among the production assistants, then perhaps I'll lend him some credibility.
unfairness about the economy??????
Submitted by donabernathy on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 9:14am.
wasn't it Barry that gave Billions to Banks, Unions and his other cronies ..and a 12 dollar stimulus check to everyone else... PS...I still ain't got my Unicorn that poops skittles...
roflmmfao