Obama retreats on trade war
posted at 12:42 pm on February 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama found another way to look weak and inexperienced this week, this time on the trade war threatened by the administration’s stimulus package. After pandering to unions by inserting a “Buy American” clause in the gigantic porkfest, Europe and Asia threatened trade sanctions on American companies competing for business in their markets. Obama finally ran up the white flag instead of Old Glory:
The European Union warned the US yesterday against plunging the world into depression by adopting a planned “Buy American” policy, intensifying fears of a trade war.
The EU threatened to retaliate if the US Congress went ahead with sweeping measures in its $800 billion (£554 billion) stimulus plan to restrict spending to American goods and services. …
Last night Mr Obama gave a strong signal that he would remove the most provocative passages from the Bill.
“I agree that we can’t send a protectionist message,” he said in an interview with Fox TV. “I want to see what kind of language we can work on this issue. I think it would be a mistake, though, at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we’re just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade.”
Give Obama some credit for coming to his senses, albeit a little late. The protectionist language in the bill locks out foreign suppliers from our infrastructure projects, which sounds great until one realizes that other nations will lock out American companies from their infrastructure projects as well. It’s a replay of the Smoot-Hawley disaster, and it would magnify the current economic crisis immeasurably in touching off a trade war — just as the original Smoot-Hawley did in 1930.
Unfortunately, though, Obama looks less like a leader and more like a man reacting to events. He should have foreseen the consequences of the legislation before pushing it. Now, instead of looking like the leader of the free world, Obama looks like a man flailing in the water, looking for lifelines, without a clue as to how to govern or an understanding of trade or foreign relations. He projects weakness, uncertainty, and inexperience at a time when America can ill afford any of those three, let alone the hat trick.
Blowback
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“He should have foreseen the consequences of the legislation before pushing it.” The fact that he didn’t tells us the obvious: Barry is not ready for prime time. He doesn’t even qualify to be a senator; but he would make a great hypnotist, if he cared about anyone but himself.
Liberty or Death: I think Bardman was speaking about the ~53% of the voters who voted for this twink.
I was immediately struck by Barry’s creepy, hollow man persona when I saw him give that speech in ’04 at the DNC. The minute i tried to tell my bro about my gut feeling I was blocked by The Great White Guilt. Between that and the black lock-step vote, no one had a chance to beat The One, no one.
Christine on February 4, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I get the feeling that sore winner liberals are going to be worse than sore loser liberals as Barry collapses.
Vashta.Nerada on February 4, 2009 at 1:31 PM
fogw on February 4, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Exactly. Screw Detroit. And screw all the blue states who can’t balance their budgets and scream for federal monies.
There are many of us in flyover states who are tired of funding losers, especially when they spit in our faces.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Amateur Hour
Cicero43 on February 4, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Everyone, I think Obama did his best in this instance by trying to make the right decision in this instance. Like Ed said, give him some credit.
If Obama is in over his head (which increasingly appears to be the case), it is nothing to gloat or celebrate about. The man is our President, like it or not, and as he goes so goes our Nation. We won’t look much better than the loony left, who bashed President Bush on a daily basis, if the posts that roll in here look more and more like unmitigated gloating over an error that will in all likelihood be corrected. As much as the libs deserve payback in full, I sense that most here are above that, place our country above political pettiness, and still respect the Office of the President.
If Obama continues on a march toward socialism, or continues to make serious erroneous judgments (such as over certain Cabinet appointments) there will be plenty of additional opportunities to legitimately and roundly criticize his decisions in the near future. Here, however, Obama looks like he will act promptly to correct a mistake.
I voted against him in 2008, and feel like I will also do so in 2012, but for now I continue to pray for him that as our President, he is given the wisdom to make the right decisions that will make our country strong.
OneVision on February 4, 2009 at 1:32 PM
How many days ’til January 20, 2013? Anyone?
ladyingray on February 4, 2009 at 1:24 PM
1445 days, 23 hours 25 minutes. Exactly.
Bishop on February 4, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Damn, Bill Ayers was telling me if I stand strong behind the American unions, the world will bow at my feet. And it worked so well in my college economics lab. WTF, this president stuff is trickier than I thought it was going to be.
hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Dissent is patriotic.
- Hillary Clinton
fogw on February 4, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Not from Detroit or Michigan, just with that mentality that they can do some good. Worker-friendly doesn’t mean unionized nor business-hostile.
Had the PATCO decision not encouraged folks to open fire on all sorts of workers, it wouldn’t be worth a 20+ year effort. Your kind decided to extend it to folks in IT, and once they saw the blue collar similarities in offshoring – Reaganism was on borrowed time.
Perhaps the existence of unions makes a point to keep things improved to the point where people don’t ask for them. Their existence ensures good conditions for all. The offshoring of IT to the Third World would be a lot harder if they had to deal with a powerful labor component. They couldn’t just offshore and bypass millions of citizens who could do the work.
You could have worked with America on good terms. Now you’re going to have to work with what the citizens bring to you.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:35 PM
OneVision on February 4, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Too many “ifs” in your post. Wake up and smell the coffee.
It’s time to be a realist.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Everyone, I think Obama did his best in this instance by trying to make the right decision in this instance. Like Ed said, give him some credit.
Easy to do when it’s a matter of altering the language in a stalled bill; say a few apologies and start lining-out what you don’t like.
A few thousand Americans being slaughtered by a terrorist that Ogabe refused to have killed or imprisoned, quite a bit different.
Ogabe is clueless and fervent praying won’t save us from his dangerous ineptitude.
Bishop on February 4, 2009 at 1:38 PM
That’s why Ohio has Strickland and not Blackwell. Don’t confuse us with states/commonwealths such as Massachusetts or California. We decided not to give the GOP a chance – they’ve already thrown buckets of spit in our face.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I intend to give BHO all of the respect that the Left gave to Bush, minus the papier mache heads and assassination threats.
Cicero43 on February 4, 2009 at 1:40 PM
The President is right.
“Passing such laws is a natural instinct in hard times, and after the stock collapse of ‘29, Congress gave into that instinct by passing the Smoot-Hawley tariffs. Other major economies retaliated, compounding the Great Depression. Surely we have learned better.”
Learning from past mistakes and not repeating them.
Change.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Yippee, no trade war. That’s a good thing, right?
tarpon on February 4, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Second grader photo-op clearly is not working.
Next the WH PR guys will call for fluffy bunny or kittens…
Sir Napsalot on February 4, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Yeah, you’re really showing us Sethstorm. For “smacking citizens around” (whatever heck that means), we get sentenced to four years of total bumbling incompetence at the hands of a man who hasn’t so much as run a lemon-aid stand. Yeah, you’re showing us all right. I didn’t realize you had such a negative opinion of the One, though.
smellthecoffee on February 4, 2009 at 1:42 PM
lemonade
smellthecoffee on February 4, 2009 at 1:43 PM
…past is prologue…
~Joe Biden
LEBA on February 4, 2009 at 1:43 PM
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Why do I get the feeling you would be complaining if the price of a pair of socks shot up to forty bucks.
Bishop on February 4, 2009 at 1:43 PM
You honestly think that if that Porkulus Bill had passed and reached his desk, he wouldn’t have held a press conference for the signing, singing the bill’s praises as he did so?
Che’nge.
RickZ on February 4, 2009 at 1:43 PM
What a douche.
Yeah, Granholm has been such an improvement on Engler, eh? Christ, now that Kathleen Blanco is no longer in office, she has to be the worst governor in the country, hands down.
You really are an Axelrod/Soros plant, aren’t you Seth? No one could be this agressively stupid.
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Learning from past mistakes and not repeating them.
Change.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 1:41 PM
The renditioners and Predator operators thank you for your support, considering they are still in business.
Change.
Bishop on February 4, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Give it another two weeks.
I bet President Obama can over throw that title.
Sir Napsalot on February 4, 2009 at 1:47 PM
That’s why Ohio has Strickland and not Blackwell. Don’t confuse us with states/commonwealths such as Massachusetts or California. We decided not to give the GOP a chance – they’ve already thrown buckets of spit in our face.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Clean up your own act, and stop begging.
Losers!
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I believe them as being a check against the worst of business.
Our country is made of the people who hold legal citizenship. From those people, the family is not the government, but of those who we traditionally consider as family.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:48 PM
But in reality they breed greedy ass-clowns who would even try to strike when the country was economically vulnerable like say after the 9-11 attacks.
Stay classy and patriotic you loveable Stevedores!
They even strike for politics, huh?
hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Here you go. Tic Toc.
redrock on February 4, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Sorry, I don’t swallow that crap sandwich, not after you posted this …….
I worked in two union houses early on in my career, one an aircraft manufacturer, the other city government – working as an outside consultant. Union workers excell at wasting time, taking coffee breaks every 30 minutes, smoking cigarettes, taking long lunches, producing very little, while they sit around and watch the newbies do all the work for them. When layoffs come, the hard working newbies fly out the door and the do-nothing dinosaurs remain on board.
Unions are a joke. As evidence, I give you the floundering auto makers in Detroit.
fogw on February 4, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Hmmm…that’s interesting, I’ve been a citizen of this country all my life and the only “smacking” I’ve ever “perceived” of getting from my gubment is when a lefty president “smacked” me with higher taxes!
Perhaps sethstorm you are a refugee from Iran and are suffering from PTS from all the smacking around your previous government did to you, I assume this as it’s the only logical explanation I can come up with to explain your illogical comment!
Also, as baldilocks so eloquently expressed here:
I too have felt the whole reason why 57% of America voted for Obambi was a childish and immature means of extracting vengeance for 8 years of the terrible “smackings” people like seth imagined they suffered at the hands of the evil McBush-Hitler and his right hand man Darth-Cheney!
If the reason for voting in Obambi was some sort of vengeance for the last 8 years (as seth alluded to) not only was it childish and immature to do, it was also reckless as it has compromised the security of our nation during a very difficult and trying period in our nation’s history…I hope people like seth are proud of themselves…oh and as baldilocks said…good luck finding a country better than this one!
Liberty or Death on February 4, 2009 at 1:51 PM
That’s strange, I don’t see Strickland of our state asking for bailout money. I see a lot of people who want to implode Ohio and remake it into a permanently Red State.
I did my part by voting for someone who doesn’t make an economics exception to “defending against enemies foreign and domestic”.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Here are a couple of pieces regarding VATs and how they disadvantage U.S. products, but have we threatened a trade war?
1
2
DFCtomm on February 4, 2009 at 1:52 PM
theboss on February 4, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Not to tar all history teachers with the same brush. My daughter graduated with a history major two years ago, so I have one in the family. But relating truth instead of PC BS can be extremely stressful. Bless her heart, she’s up to the task.
(Even in high school, Daddy’s Little Girl was something of a bomb thrower.)
oldleprechaun on February 4, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Give the President until summer when you’ll see his approval rating lower than President Bush. Congress will be in negative territory……………
adamsmith on February 4, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Proof about unfair VAT from the office of a liberal Democrat. Okay! BTW, he needs some major proofreading in those docs. Did you read them?
hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 1:57 PM
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Read “What’s Left” by Nick Cohen. You and your ilk are soooo….. outre. And Bambi is a dinosaur. You just haven’t figured it out.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Excellent book. I think it probably has too many big words for Sethy, and not enough “the revolution is at hand” and “workers of the world unite” rubbish.
Pearls before swine, Cody.
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 2:01 PM
8 Years? I’m afraid you’re off by at least 2-3 administrations, crossing 2 major party lines. Try about any administration since 1981. After realizing what has happened in that amount of time, Bush and Cheney did a minor role. They only helped to get rid of the “…but, but overpaid union worker!” excuse by supporting offshoring at the white collar level in the same breath as their tax cuts. It’s hard to justify my excuses as just union tripe when it happens across the board.
That’s why if there is any dramatic tax cut, it would be wise to make something that won’t just go to more H1/L1′s. Create the jobs in this country with our own citizens, not just give the means to expand the offices in somewhere else.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:02 PM
A broken clock is right twice a day, but the second one references Duncan Hunter if you demand brand purity in your reading material.
DFCtomm on February 4, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Pearls before swine, Cody.
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Yes, indeed. I swore I wouldn’t bother, but needs must, eh? It seems a losing battle with the multitude of nitwits out there. We press on, though.
Cheers!
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Well it’s a good thing the Emporer has advisors to pick out his new clothes considering the awful decisions the Emporer has made in his first two weeks, unfortunately his advisors are just as lame as he is therefore the 43% that didn’t vote for the empty suit are just as screwed as the 57% of the deaf, dumb, and blind morons that DID vote for him!
However, as one of the 43% that didn’t vote for the empty suit I will take great pleasure and solace in constantly reminding the 57% what shallow morons they truly are whenever shitte hits the fan!
Liberty or Death on February 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The second link is a much better article giving some background on why we haven’t implemented a VAT of our own, so I should have linked it first. I added the document from the democrat to show the issue was still very current, since the article was from 2006.
DFCtomm on February 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM
No, it seems to have too much focus on the West Coast/Rocky Mountain liberals over the ones who only switched out of betrayal.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Great. One line quote, but the article is still by Ilum Wurman.
hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 2:15 PM
You are obviously not familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, survival needs always come first, the rest is icing on the cake!
My point is the strength/weakness of our economy becomes a moot point if our survival is in jeopardy, therefore protecting our republic from enemies foreign and domestic most certainly should be our FIRST PRIORITY, not the economy!
Liberty or Death on February 4, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Betrayed? Air traffic Controller I bet. If so, they get the same amount of sympathy the dock workers get from me. They use tactics that cripple industry and hurt the American People. But unions are for the little guy?
hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 2:17 PM
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Nice try, douche. Not even close.
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 2:18 PM
No, it seems to have too much focus on the West Coast/Rocky Mountain liberals over the ones who only switched out of betrayal.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha
Leave now with your head held in disgrace. Fool!
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 2:22 PM
That says it all…
bluelightbrigade on February 4, 2009 at 2:22 PM
If America has any chance of regaining her once vaunted place in manufacturing, we should get rid of unions ASAP. I agree with most posters here that unions induce a culture of less productivity, having had to deal with them at some point in life. We should definitely be worker-friendly, heck any business would do that for purely Darwinian reasons, if not for more altruistic ones.
peter_griffin on February 4, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Obama specifically promised pragmatism instead of ideology. “Reacting to events without considering principles or a broader context” is exactly what pragmatism means.
hicsuget on February 4, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Good on her…we need more like her in our educational institutions right now!
Liberty or Death on February 4, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Well, it seems that this trade war issue is providing evidence to the contrary. It is saying that defending our country includes the economy.
Then I’d like to know where the author deviates from there and talks about the “liberals” who are of the Manufacturing Belt.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
PS, Shitstorm, another reason why Nick Cohen moved right is because of mindless idiots like you. Too embarrassing.
Hahahahaha…. too funny. Read The Guardian, CIF, to see how stupid your compatriots are.
Hahahahahaha
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Is the source ideologically pure? Probably not, but is the information incorrect.
DFCtomm on February 4, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Wow.
Just, wow.
The first rule of holes…..
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 2:33 PM
I hear what you’re saying sethstorm, however our nation was in the toilet economically prior to going into WWII, it wasn’t until after WWII ended that our nation experienced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. I’m not saying we should go to war to have a strong economy nor am I saying having a strong economy ISN’T important, it is, but our economic situation doesn’t (and shouldn’t) trump the survival of our republic.
Economies expand and contract all of the time and I’m certain our economy will experience another unprecedented amount of growth once our war against fascist Islam is over, however our first priority is to protect our republic from fascist Islam, then we can concentrate more fully on our economic situation, something that will probably improve on its own when we’re not fighting a global conflict as it did after WWII.
Liberty or Death on February 4, 2009 at 2:36 PM
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 2:33 PM
And he/she gets to vote. Ugh. Ignorance.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Is he going to make it to 100 days???
right2bright on February 4, 2009 at 3:40 PM
You do remember the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act?
Johan Klaus on February 4, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Ron Paul wanted that act…but it was already taken.
right2bright on February 4, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Yet this Boy-king still has not clue about what snubbing Colombia has done to jeopardize the balance of power and international good will. Could he take a page from the reaction to the “Buy American” provision?
His understanding of history, the Great Depression and its relation to the damage of Smoot-Hawley, and economics is woeful. I cannot even credit his knowledge of the Constitution.
Unfortunately, Democrats have a tendency to promote policies that generate very damaging, unintended consequences.
onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 4:08 PM
I hope the economy stays bad, so these obama voters have to SUFFER – AND I hope Obama fails miserably, so the MSM is exposed for the frauds they are.
marklmail on February 4, 2009 at 4:17 PM
onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 4:08 PM
You’re so harsh! One can’t expect AA candidates promoted by a media owned by the DNC to know anything about American history, economics, world history, or anything!! What up wit’chu?
Bling, baby! Party like 1929? No dates or statics, we jus’ party!! Super Bowl, $100 Wag’sumthin’ steaks, Rinos, we got it! Party large and live large!!
And shaddup. Otherwise, MO gets on your case. ‘Nuff said.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 4:19 PM
This is one guy who doesn’t need any more credit. Never in the history of the world has one guy gotten so much credit for doing so little.
kangjie on February 4, 2009 at 4:22 PM
This is one guy who doesn’t need any more credit. Never in the history of the world has one guy gotten so much credit for doing so little.
kangjie on February 4, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Yup. He’s also the guy who should never have been POTUS. Look at his face in his pressers. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I predicted that they will suddenly find a hypo-allergenic shelter dog just at the right time to distract from a crisis. Maybe it’s time to wag the dog already?
Brat on February 4, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I also remember 2 separate administrations also selling out to countries like China.
Bring something to the table that makes trade sound good to someone who’s been on the wrong side of it (and in this country).
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Don’t you mean so much damage in such a short time?
onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM
This administration has strange similarities to the Keystone Cops.
stenwin77 on February 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Hey Barry, does this mean we’re not unilaterally scrapping NAFTA? Do we believe what you said in Ohio, or what your advisor said in Canada?
I’ll give Barry a pass one this one. We need Canadian oil.
Steve Z on February 4, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Bring the kennel.
the_nile on February 4, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Good to hear though it would’ve helped if the language wasn’t in the bill in the first damn place as others have pointed out.
Maybe Pres. Obama should be less concerned about what corporate execs are paid and not start a trade war when the nation or the world for that matter can not afford.
Yakko77 on February 4, 2009 at 5:17 PM
The man is our President, like it or not, and as he goes so goes our Nation.
That maybe so. But he doesn’t get a free pass. He promised he’d heal the earth, lower the sea levels, and heal my soul.
You don’t get a free pass if you make promises like that.
I R A Darth Aggie on February 4, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Mexico has had huge taxes on imports and they have an economy to die for.
Johan Klaus on February 4, 2009 at 5:32 PM
“Give Obama some credit for coming to his senses”
yep. A journey of a hundred million billion trillion miles has to start somewhere.
notagool on February 4, 2009 at 5:33 PM
obama didnt come to his senses..
no he was just
THREATEND by an entire continent with a lawsuit..
as a laywer he realized he opened himself so he is now back peddaloing so fast he might even reverse Global warming..
jcila on February 4, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Protectionism is as bad as you assert, and union bosses are no doubt often for it; but, tragically, Obama’s support was as much pandering to steel CEOs who, only weeks ago were reported in the WSJ as being all for another Smoot-Hawley.
Faux capitalists never learn any better than socialists. There’s not a Henry Clay Frick or Charles Scwab among them.
JDPerren on February 4, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Protectionism is as bad as you assert, and union bosses are no doubt often for it; but, tragically, Obama’s support was as much pandering to steel CEOs who, only weeks ago were reported in the WSJ as being all for another Smoot-Hawley.
Faux capitalists never learn any better than socialists. There’s not a Henry Clay Frick or Charles Schwab (the steel man, not the financial CEO) among them.
JDPerren on February 4, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Do you have a link to a running clock?
Kevin in Southern Illinois on February 4, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Obama mentions he “looks different” in 3..2..1..
drunyan8315 on February 4, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Thanks, I knew this was out there…bookmark…
…check.
ladyingray on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Two more “screw ups” to add to an already long list.
1. Signing the SCHIP expansion bill.
2. Capping executive pay for bailout firms.
Maybe Obama could set aside a day each week to do 5 or more television interviews where he says “I screwed up”. I for one would applaud him for being so brutually frank.
DrStock on February 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM
He is proving to be the dog that caught the bus. I don’t think he has a clue what he is doing. God help us all.
After two weeks of on the job training,,, even with an adoring media,,, he has to run away to read bed time stories to children. Unbelievable. What’s he going to be like two years from now?
Maybe he’ll need to appoint a President Czar. Someone who can be responsible for all the duties of the President while just reporting to him.
JellyToast on February 4, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Wait a minute. You mean a man who was not even a very distinguished state senator does not make for an effective leader of the free world in the most powerful executive position in the world?
Huh…who would’ve thought it.
AmericanUnderground on February 4, 2009 at 6:44 PM
But he speaks so nicely
AmericanUnderground on February 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
sethstorm
strickland DID ask for bailout money.
heathers on February 4, 2009 at 7:05 PM
I miss Dana Perino.
So whoever is pulling Obama’s strings isn’t a very good marionette I take it?
Dr Evil on February 4, 2009 at 7:30 PM
I think you mean “clean” and “articulate.”
Y-not on February 4, 2009 at 7:32 PM
I thought Biden said after 6 months we will face a crisis? I guess that crisis was on January 20th. Maybe we can convince those 500 million unemployed each month to vote republican next time?
I’m sensing some frustration and rapid aging of the self-anointed savior. And here I thought he was the second coming of Abe Lincoln….
dthorny on February 4, 2009 at 7:34 PM
He projected all of these things during the campaign, as well, to people who were really looking. Panderers are weak and uncertain, and his inexperience was glaringly obvious.
And as if destroying America from the inside out isn’t ‘achievement’ enough for him, and Iran, Korea and Russia are going to have a field day with him.
I’ve been phenomenally depressed this week every time I read the news.
ProfessorMiao on February 4, 2009 at 7:36 PM
What a big large huge wuss. He apparently isn’t familiar with the protectionism that the EU has imposed on all non-EU producers of chemicals. Further, he is not familiar with the spate of new laws they rolled out to prevent non-EU manufacturers to establish EU production facilities by making it “environmentally” impossible to produce anything. Long story short: A producer of chemicals not located in the EU needed to pre-register their chemicals with the EU to be able to continue shipping their EU customers at a stiff import premium. Couple this sandwich with the roller coaster EURO versus the US Dollar and that’s something to think about.
ericdijon on February 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Is it possible to impeach a President for being completely incompetent.
katy on February 4, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Comrade Obama has completely misread the will of the people and is attempting to drag the country into an abyss. Every indication is that he is an empty vessel that inspires no confidence or respect.
rplat on February 4, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Do you think Biden would be better?
ProfessorMiao on February 4, 2009 at 8:02 PM
I understand that Biden is an idiot of the first magnitude. And I’m sure Obama picked him expressly for the purpose of such a scenario. However, I would feel a teensy weensy bit more secure with him in office only because his actions would come from some some sense of life experience. He’s an idiot but he does not posses the arrogance and frightening idealism that Obama has.
katy on February 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
I swear. This man must have fallen off a turnip truck.
His stupidity never ceases to amaze me. Windows a door NOT.
Now he chases us out of Kazakhstan through his weakness. His nominees are as corrupt as his wives fake (bribery) job ended the day she ceased being able to direct 3,000,000 to her employer.
Steveangell on February 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM
“Seems a federal grand jury is investigating former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and senior Bush White House aides on possible charges of obstruction of justice tied to the firing of then-US Attorney David Iglesias.”
New Sheriff in town.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Hey Sethstorm,, I have a couple of questions. Why does the big unions always support open borders with Mexico? That one really makes me wonder. Why is it that the Big Three automakers still can’t out quality their cars compared to their German, Korean, and Japanese counterparts? I understand that unions were needed to stop the big barons a century ago but now, the unions seems to only worry about their pocketbooks instead of the quality of their products that they make. One thing today Savage mentioned that the Steel Industry in the USA has to go through a lot of enviornmental scrutiny compared to lots of imported Brazilian steel that ravages the Amazon areas. Both labor and the Producers need to find a middleground.
garydt on February 4, 2009 at 9:30 PM
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