When it comes to picking a moderator for a game of ¿Quien Es Mas Macho?, somehow John Harwood doesn't spring to mind. But there was CNBC's chief Washington correspondent on The Ed Show this evening, twice accusing Pres. Obama's businessmen critics of "whining," and instructing them to "man up."
Schultz set the stage, playing a clip of Mort Zuckerman describing Obama's White House as "the most anti-business administration." Trying to tar Mort with the R-word, Schultz spoke of Zuckerman as having considered a run for Senate from New York "as a Republican." In fact, the Zuck man is a lifelong Dem known for supporting liberal causes. He briefly flirted with an independent or Republican run for Senate as a means of avoiding a Dem primary, but is as much of a Republican as Mike Bloomberg.
Then came Harwood, who wrote off Obama business critics as a bunch of selfish, whining wusses . . .
ED SCHULTZ: This narrative that is developing against the Obama administration that they are, quote, bad for business: what's the game plan for the White House to fight back on this?
JOHN HARWOOD: Well look, part of the White House argument is that these businessmen are really upset because of what's going to happen with their personal income tax rates when the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of 2010. I was talking to a senior White House official today who was saying that a lot of this whining is cover for that very personal effect. I got to tell you, you mention what's happened to the Dow. Nobody doubt that the financial system is more stable and better-functioning now than it was when Pres. Obama took office. I find it a little beyond belief the whining that you hear from some of these people who ought to man up.
John Harwood: macho man.
