Gregory Defends Obama's Anti-Business Record: W Made Him Do It
Is David Gregory trying to raise his profile by becoming more overtly partisan? Gregory struck what at one point seemed to me a hostile tone in his questioning of conservative Sen. Tom Coburn on last week's Meet The Press. Then, on today's Morning Joe, Gregory went out of his way to defend Pres. Obama's history of being less-than-friendly to business. And the MTP host did it in a way that will warm White House hearts: by blaming George W. Bush.
The subject at hand was PBO's naming of GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt to replace Paul Volcker as a key economic advisor. The panel, and Chuck Todd in particular, were making the point that it signaled a significant shift from Obama's previous preference for academic types, to people with their feet on the economic ground. There was general consensus that PBO had earned the business community's suspicion, and that the president was now reaching out to reassure them.
That's when Gregory launched a defense that could just as easily have come from Robert Gibbs. View video after the jump.
Watch Gregory's W-made-him-do-it defense.
DAVID GREGORY: I just want to make a point. I think it's also, when we talk about this shift, we also do have to note something. You know, Pres. Obama did come in in very different circumstance. And where Pres. Bush left office, by the way, was not really as the major cheerleader for capitalism, OK? He was the one who did a big takedown on a lot of corporate America in terms of Wall Street and taking over Fannie and Freddie. So there was a logical extension for a new president to have to do some things that wouldn't exactly amount to a big bear-hug of business. I just think, I think contextually that's important [Ed.: good to know David thinks his point is important].
JOE SCARBOROUGH: David, I don't know though that he had to go to cap-and-trade, to a new entitlement system like health care.
GREGORY: No, I'm not saying that, I'm not saying that. But I think that in terms of big-government intervention in the economy, that started under Pres. Bush, it was never going to be an easy transition which is why I think part of it has taken as long as it has.
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Comments
These People are talking to the mirror!
Submitted by scottyusmc on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:21am.
Nobody else is listening!!!
I think we all know where Gregory stands
Submitted by StarAZ on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 12:21pm.
He could not GET much more partisan. If he is still thinking he is a reporter--well, those of us who can still bear to watch know better...
Gregory was quickly smacked down, too, and retreated........
Submitted by merly1 on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:21am.
He is so partisan it is laughable. Didnt Owebama even sign that law on Day 1 making
it easier, I think for women, to sue employers? Yes, Owebama has been a business stalwart.....the job creation has been just "boomin' "
Recession over almost two years
Submitted by octavioj on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:27am.
Well the recession has been over a year and a half. And we have nothing to show for it. Is that really W's fault?If Immelt's running of GE is a measure of success all is lost.
Submitted by scottyusmc on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:27am.
He has trashed the once successful American icon company. It is now a socialist junkyard with a business model that requires bailouts and government assistance to succeed.
and don't even get me started
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:52am.
and don't even get me started on the quality of their products....I have a GE fridge and stove in my home (came with it new) and will never have a GE appliance again.
GE Appliances, Ugh
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:09am.
2 years ago, I bought a GE microwave (because it was the only stainless one small enough for the space I needed).....what a quality product....NOT.
It died after a year. POS.
Next time, try Frigidaire. I have almost all Frigidaire appliances, and the dishwasher is the best one I've ever had...it's so quiet you can't even hear it, and I have a black glass electric cooktop that is almost as good as gas.
Obama & Immelt. Just wow. He's soooo thinking out side the box these days.
Okay, I'll put my sarcasm back in the drawer for now.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
didn't think of
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:50am.
didn't think of Fridgidaire....going with Whirlpool appliances for my new house. Bought them when they had the big rebate thing going on, and with discounts at Lowe's too, got great deals! I had a WP smooth-top stove in my last house and would say the same as you say about yours. I loved it.
And the GE stove I have is not a base model, it was their top-of-the-line (Profile) when we got it, and it's terrible. And pieces always breaking off in the fridge.
What does Jack think?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:48am.
Wish someone is the MSM would ask the previous GE Prez what he thinks about Immelt. Probably wouldn't get a straight answer but you never know...
Big government intervention
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:49am.
Big government intervention in the economy that started under President Bush???
Right, David, that evil old W started it all! Obama had no choice but to follow suit!!
Reminds me of the reporter in Batman...
Submitted by Hermano on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:51am.
You know, the one with Jack Nickleson as the Joker with "Smile-X" cosmetics products.
Hermano is Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Funny Mark
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:53am.
I haven't watched Morning Joke in quite a while, but flipped it on for about two minutes this am, to catch David Gregory and Chuck E Todd and this very segment.
UGH.
The funniest part was Mika wriggling in her hip huggers. Stupid twit, don't wear something uncomfortable!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Not another word about Bush,
Submitted by Van Halen on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:55am.
Not another word about Bush, Libs!
Not one more word!
We're heading into MONTH 26 of this horror of an administration and there is not one single accomplishment yet.
The economy is in shambles.
The wars have spread into Pakistan and Yemen.
The foreign policy is a disaster.
The Republicans, now controlling the House and majority of state governorships, have a tremendous uphill fight ahead to try to stop this Socialist juggernaut.
The future in general looks bleak with rising energy and food prices and continued worsening unemployment and foreclosures.
THIS is what happens when you let 1960's-era Progressive Liberals run a country with their failed ideas.
Bush, the Puppetmaster!
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 9:57am.
More proof that Bush is Omnipotent. No one, even Obama, can overcome Bush's power. He is the most powerful man, ever!
Bush is second. The most powerful force in the country is
Submitted by no tingly legs on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:36am.
the "vast right wing conspiracy" mentioned by Shrillary. It actually had the incredible power to place Bubba's you-know-what in Monica's oral cavity. I don't know if it involved force fields, magnetic beams, whatever, but that is definitely an intense amount of power.
Good morning Legs
Submitted by cocodrie on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:57am.
They used a guided muscle.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
GWB-was also to blame for the Titanic-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:01am.
Going down. These liberals must listen to themselves-to find how ridiculous they are and sound.
BHO is a radical left-winger from the 60's who has now put a suit and tie on. His object is to right
The perceived wrongs.
He and his underlings-are anti business-except now once behind the desk-BHO has found he can not
govern.(The buck stops here??)
GE's CEO has taken GE down with the same BS BHO believes.
Judge me by those I surround myself with-look for yourselves-Marxists/Maoists/communists
Paints the picture of whom and what BHO stands for.
I Was no Fan of Bush's Policies, but Give me A Break!
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:02am.
When will these air heads from the media including the ones in the White House will take responsibility for anything? They behave like students who do not pay attention in class and when the time comes to produce homework, they always find an excuse to justify not turning it in.
What will be next? Blame W. Bush for Global Warming?
You Have To Love This
Submitted by Bourbeau on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:05am.
An administration solidly suffering from it's own inept business decisions, now turns to a corporate executive, equally discredited for his management of his own company. Not only was he inept, he was flagrant liar when assessing his company's financial in Decembr '09. Sounds to me like he's a perfect fit for the Obama Administration.
Ditto on GE
Submitted by Walker01049 on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:37am.
Would never buy another GE product. Can't buy anything Gregory spews out either.
GE, say, doesn't this guy
Submitted by Tomorama on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:03am.
GE, say, doesn't this guy have something to do with a certain network?
Erin Burnett on Morning Schmoe actually took Immelt to task for "his being hired to create American jobs, but when one considers GE's overall workforce only partially American he should practice what he preaches" or something to that effect.
I don't know if it was a running punchline on the show this morning, but they ALL werre talking about how smart and good looking their boss "Immelt" was, pretty much kissing his ass and after Burnett said the above, Joe chimed in that she shouldn't be doing that.......
I kid you NOT.
David Gregory
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 12:13pm.
Does anyone watch this guy? Another NBCer loser along with......oh, too many to name here.
It's Bush's
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 1:00pm.
It's Bush's fault!!!
HAHHAHAHA
Cannot wait until the next election....
Obama, Bush Lite?
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 2:32pm.
So, Obama is just following in the footsteps of that inept, moronic, dangerous, job killing warmonger (that IS how the left continually described him) President Bush? Humm, that doesn't bold well for Obama now in 2012, does it?
Obama: Bush Lite. Yea, That's a snappy campaign slogan, isn't it?
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.
What's wrong with this picture?
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 3:42pm.
"The subject at hand was PBO's naming of GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt to replace Paul Volcker as a key economic advisor."
So he's not going to push for policies that favor his company.
Man, talk about a conflict of interests!!!!!!!!!!!
Immelt's compensation
Submitted by Rackie on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 5:22pm.
Total Compensation: $12.6 mil 2009
5-Year Compensation Total: $53,000,000
Truely man who understands the plight of the working man. If he can't do it Genghis can.
obama throws a red carpet shindig for a lying, thieving, murderous commie pig and invites various and assorted poohbahs and suckups hoping to divy up the spoils.
Citizens beware. We are more than "spending units" or "consumers". We are voters. We are the only ones who have skin the game. "We the people" are about to get f.....!