NBC: Does Mitt Romney Look Like He's 'Rooting for Failure' of the Economy?
At the top of Monday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer warned Mitt Romney against going after President Obama too hard on the stagnant economy: "Romney's campaign using the rise in unemployment to target President Obama's record on the economy, but can he make his point without sounding like he wants the recovery to fail?" [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Later, fill-in co-host Savannah Guthrie talked to left-wing MSNBC host Chris Matthews about the GOP's economic message and teed him up to slam Republicans: "I mean obviously they see that the bad economy will ultimately be good for his [Romney's] prospects, but they don't want to be perceived as rooting for failure." Matthews ranted: "But of course they are. You know, they've got a spring in their step now. This is great news for the Republicans.....All things being equal, they don't have to do anything except enjoy the economic downturn."
Matthews then struck a conspiratorial tone as he blamed the business community for the lagging economy:
...it's not just the billion dollars that are going into the super-PACs from the right-wing, people like the Koch brothers, think about the $2 trillion that big business is holding back from investing....big business is the President's big enemy right now. He's got powerful enemies, and they're using that economic input not to help him but probably to play it very safe right now until the election....basically they're rooting against Obama to succeed. They don't want this recovery to come big time between now and November.
Here is a full transcript of the June 4 segment:
7:00AM ET TEASE:
MATT LAUER: Blame game. Mitt Romney's campaign using the rise in unemployment to target President Obama's record on the economy, but can he make his point without sounding like he wants the recovery to fail?
7:11AM ET SEGMENT:
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Chris Matthews is host of Hardball on MSNBC. Chris, good morning to you.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Good morning, Savannah.
GUTHRIE: Kind of a one-two punch for the President on Friday, that disappointing jobs report and then Wall Street tanking. I know you consider this to be a game changer. Is that because economic perceptions are now really hardening, it's that close to the election?
MATTHEWS: Well, that's what everybody thinks. That these decisions voters make are in May rather than October. I question that. I think people are going to be watching this election all through the presidential debates this fall. All three of them.
It seems to me, though, the way I look at politics is like baseball. The voters are the manager of a baseball team. They're looking at the pitcher on the mound. They're not looking at the bull pen. The problem with the Obama campaign all the way through, and it's more acute now since the Friday news came in, is they've tried to focus on the player in the bull pen, the pitcher out there. That's not the way the voter looks at it. The voter looks at the guy out there on the mound, is he getting them out? Is he leaving too many men on? Is he letting the count go too long? They want to know if he's still got his stuff. Can he put the team out on the other side? Can he win this economic war with this recession we just went through? And I think that's the problem.
And now with the numbers popping up, with the numbers going to 8.2, only 69,000 jobs, less than 2% growth rate so far this year, which to me is the most devastating news, he has got to come out with a performance on the mound now, which means he's got to talk job creation, challenge Congress to a big jobs program, huge jobs program on highway building, all kinds of stuff like that, make them say no. Number two, he has to lead the way towards a debt reduction program. Short-term job creation, long-term debt reduction, he has to be the leader on the mound and perform out there, because the conditions aren't going to get that much better between now and November. It's about leadership in a tough time. It's not about changing conditions. It's about who's leading us in dealing with them.
GUTHRIE: Yeah. Chris, fair enough. But what about Governor Romney? I mean obviously they see that the bad economy will ultimately be good for his prospects, but they don't want to be perceived as rooting for failure.
MATTHEWS: Well, that's right. But of course they are. You know, they've got a spring in their step now. This is great news for the Republicans. They know they can walk in, if this economy continues to go downhill, if the unemployment goes to 8.5, if the growth rate stays below 2, they're probably going to win the election. All things being equal, they don't have to do anything except enjoy the economic downturn.
And that's – and by the way, it's not just the billion dollars that are going into the super-PACs from the right-wing, people like the Koch brothers, think about the $2 trillion that big business is holding back from investing. Now they're obviously doing that primarily for business reasons. But when you look at their sensitivity about things like equity last week, with Clinton being sensitive to that and Cory Booker, big business is the President's big enemy right now. He's got powerful enemies, and they're using that economic input not to help him but probably to play it very safe right now until the election. Then they can say, "We're waiting for better regulatory regimes, we're waiting for better corporate tax rates." But basically they're rooting against Obama to succeed. They don't want this recovery to come big time between now and November.
GUTHRIE: Well, we've got to leave it there. Chris Matthews, thanks. And a reminder, you can catch Hardball week nights at 5:00 and 7:00 Eastern on MSNBC.
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Comments
Today is not news
Submitted by Tuari on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:42am.
Today should not be able to sell themselves as a morning news program. It's nothing but propaganda and should probably have a disclaimer after every commercial break.
NONE of the Lying Stream Media are viable news sources!
Submitted by Colonel Robert ... on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 1:35pm.
Network to network to network ... there is but ONE news-script writer ... well controlled and more socialist than Lenin, Stalin and Mao combined.
The only differences found in network news are the color of the female's dresses, who gets to wear the tightest fit and the highest platform shoes.
One word of actual in-context TRUTH would blow all the world's fuses and create defecation hemorrhages at the Controller Levels sufficient to fertilize the Sahara and Gobi deserts.
Colonel Robert F. Cunningham
Albuquerque
➚ Nero's cheerleader
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:45am.
Are we surprised Obama's socialist policies reinforce what we already know about socialism? No.
You see, Chris? At some point, doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results approaches the outskirts of theory and points decidedly towards proof.
And
Submitted by grammajane on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:47am.
viewers are supposed to listen this guy when he, on network tv, didn't even know the 6 letter capital of Russia? What possible credibility does he have and who is dumb enough to listen to his arrogant and uneducated agenda on anything, dealing with politics, or anything-else, for that matter.
Ahh, yes, the evil Koch brothers
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:50am.
I guess the Unions strong-arming their members and using their dues for Dem campaigns (Wisconsin) isn't a story. And Heaven forbid Mitt point out the inadequacy of the current administration.
Matt, aren't you supposed to be over at the Olympics? Get an early start, would you.
Well to continue with Matthews analogy...
Submitted by c5then on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:51am.
Obama has walked the bases loaded and now faces the big homerun king from the other team. It's not the beginning of the game either. According to Obama, he inherited a bad score and runners already on base from the previous pitcher.
So the manager (voters) is left with the choice of leaving the rookie lefty in the game even though he's gotten us into a worse position than when he entered, or do we switch pitchers and go with a veteran righty who has been in similar situations and saved numerous other teams (Olympics, Domino's, Comcast, etc.)
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
I believe o'bama's pitching
Submitted by ThisnThat on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 1:09pm.
I believe o'bama's pitching experience is limited to (a) throwing like a girl, and (b) missing home plate wide left. As reported by WAPO (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/05/AR201004...)
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
TNT
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 1:25pm.
In my daughters softball years, I saw middle school girls pitch better than Obama. How sad is that?
It's pretty clear o'bama's
Submitted by ThisnThat on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 1:42pm.
It's pretty clear o'bama's never hit one out of the park, made a diving catch, or thrown a runner out. Someone gave him an intentional walk in 2008, and the media is trying to sacrifice themselves to bunt him to 2nd base. But that's not going to happen -- Romney's about ready to pick him off at first and we -- first basemen all -- are going to tag him out so he can be sent back down to the minors, where he belongs.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Who the hell needs to "root for a bad economy?"
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:52am.
We already have one that is TERRIBLE. Rooting to get a "bad" economy would mean we want it to improve over the shambles it is now.
Drone Boy is really in trouble when the tingle is gone from Prissy's leg.
Bush wasn't doing all that bad (compared to this regime) until he got a liberal majority in congress to push his a$$ over the wall.
Drone Boy has his own Senate dragging anchor for him.
Such hypocrisy
Submitted by Rasmus on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 11:59am.
Of course Mitt Romney is using (and should use) the economic situation as a campaign talking point. The liberals are trying hard to keep it out of public discussion because "it makes our guy look bad." But wait, don't I seem to recall Barack Obama's campaign beating the heck on the drum of the bad economy under 8 years of Bush when he was the new guy? Promises of hope and change, and turning around the economy and ending the war, etc. I am so disgusted by this - not Obama's campaign tactics, which are sophomoric and tasteless but just what I'd expect from them; no, I'm disgusted by the media's corruption in supporting their man. This is more like Nazi Germany's propaganda machine than it is American journalism. Or maybe more like Baghdad Bob's Iraqi media machine for Sadaam Hussein - because, honestly, to those with a brain to think and eyes to see, it's ridiculously transparent and even funny. The sad part is so many Americans don't use their brain for independent thought, and/or refuse to use their eyes to see the truth. I'm really worried about the United States that my grandkids are growing up in.
Economy
Submitted by stan25 on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:01pm.
Here we go again blaming the Koch brothers for the faulty economy. Again Tingles raises the ugly head of big name Republican donors, but gives the big name DemocRAT donors, such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Jon Corizine and the Hollyweed elites a free pass.
Economy
Submitted by stan25 on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:01pm.
Here we go again blaming the Koch brothers for the faulty economy. Again Tingles raises the ugly head of big name Republican donors, but gives the big name DemocRAT donors, such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Jon Corizine and the Hollyweed elites a free pass.
Anytime a Democrat is in
Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:02pm.
Anytime a Democrat is in charge of an economy, it's only a matter of time before it turns into a financial turd. Romney doesn't have to cheer for a bad democrat economy, he (and everyone else) just has to sit and wait until they royally screw things up.
And to those who voted for Obama: How's the job search going? Since you're stupid enough to vote for a "community organizer" who has no experience even running a popcicle stand, going from bad to worse is poetic justice. But you really proved to everyone you're not a racist! I guess that's more important.
big business is obama's big enemy?
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:04pm.
...and who is responsible that big business became an enemy of obama's?
➚ Here's a question
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:07pm.
Why would we applaud the success of this President? And we do recognize he is succeeding.
The Obama Public Relations
Submitted by John21 on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:13pm.
The Obama Public Relations firm will allow you to continue to talk about the economy but doesn't like it when you point out their client "Obama" is the primary cause of it being so bad.
So, if you continue to do that they will report it not as a political discussion but as an attack on America by hoping for failure. It does not matter that the continuation of Obama policy and regulations will cause America pain or failure just that you can't talk about it without punishment. They then act as if you act like RINO John McCain we will not really attack you for being stupid (they are used to stupid politicians) we may even report your campaign fairly (Laughter).
_______________________________________________________________________________
“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.” Ronald Reagan (1977)
Romeny's not rooting for it...
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:16pm.
Romeny's not rooting for the failing economy, he's mourning over it, just like most of us are. That's quite unlike Obama, who's actually taking credit for it, except, of course, for when it's "not his fault!"
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Obama seems quite the WIMP
Submitted by Texndoc on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:26pm.
Oh, The Republicans! The Republicans!
As Peggy Noonan said, Reagan had a Democrat House and a Democrat Senate and went in with asbestos britches on wielding a big hammer and get his agenda through.
Obama needs to take off the evening gown. He does nothing but deflect and blame.
So intellectually dishonest
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:31pm.
I don't want the Chevy Volt to spontaneously combust, but I can't say anything lest I be seen as wishing GM to fail.
Just a left-wing attempt to try and take away the biggest argument in the campaign. Shameless.
You gotta love how he
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:34pm.
You gotta love how he disguises his accusation as an innocent question.
That's our of Liberal Media 101.
To me it begs the question:
Submitted by thestalkinghorse on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:52pm.
WHAT RECOVERY?
Does Romney look like he's
Submitted by NCfairandbalanced on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:46pm.
Does Romney look like he's rooting for failure? His answer should be: no more than any other presidential challenger to the incumbent. Give me a break.
Hey Chris: didn't you start rooting for the economy only in mid-late January 2009? Again, give me a break!
What was Obama's team doing in 2008?
Submitted by Lipton on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 12:53pm.
Obama could have avoided this situation if he listened to conservatives telling him that he was going to wreck the economy. He went ahead and did it anyway. Now we are supposed to pretend he had nothing to do with it?
Lauer wants us to completely
Submitted by ThisnThat on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 1:28pm.
Lauer wants us to completely ignore o'bama's failures as if the failures simply don't exist. But when Bush was President, he and the rest of the MSM constantly scolded Bush for his 5% unemployment rate. Liberal hypocricy, anyone?
BTW, here are the unemployment rates for the past 5 presidents:
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
I'll take 5 more months of pain...
Submitted by gwalt on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 2:23pm.
for 5 years of gains. Yes, we want Obamanomics to fail. And Matt, whats with the warning azzhat?
Can we please get MRC to spend some money on a billboard, news ad or TV ad and name Lauer as an Obama surrogate? Enough with treating these people as faceless/nameless "MSM" and "media". Get him front and center and call him what he is----a DNC hack.
"A lot of briefing for a 2 hr. special with Dan Rather. Saw the show & wonder why we bothered". Ronald Reagan
The Latest Attempt at Misdirection (see pick pocket)
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 4:47pm.
This is so transparent. I guess we're finally seeing the transparency we were promised 3.5 years ago. This is pitiful actually. So the economy, which everyone cares about the most in this election (although not being a flagrant obsessive liar might be a close second), and Duh Bumbler has done everything wrong for the economy since he took office, if the GOP talks about that then their all evil and want the economy to fail.
Gee I'm waiting for if you mention the unemployment number you get called a racist. Anyone care to bet on it?
NBC is starting to resemble Comedy Central in Political Coverage
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 7:01pm.
Matt Lauer: Mitt Romney, DON'T YOU DARE criticize our President's failure to turn this HORRIBLE ECONOMY. For More on this, lets ask the guy on our sister network, M.S.S.R. (M-BS-NBC) that proclaims that whenever Obama Speaks, He gets THRILLS UP HIS LEG, Chris Matthews!
Both NBC and M.S.S.R. (M-BS-NBC) are as comical as watching Psychotic Inmates Run the Asylum.....with No Supervision, No Medication, and No White Padded Walls.
Lauer
Submitted by NotFondOfLibs on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:32am.
Who is Lauer that he should be issuing warnings to Mitt Romney about how to run his campaign as it relates to Obama's economy? Lauer would do well take care of his own business especially when he shows up as a guest on a late night show and neglects to wear socks. What an arrogant creep.