Obama uses WH press corps as threat against Chrysler investors; Update: Tapper reports, WH denies
posted at 11:15 am on May 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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An attorney representing several Chrysler bondholders accused the Obama administration of intimidating his clients by issuing threats of public humiliation if they opposed their brokered deal to resolve the automaker’s debts. Speaking to WJR, Thomas Lauria said that the White House called the bondholders “vultures” for insisting on their rights as senior creditors and told them that the Obama administration would use the White House press corps to attack them in the media. Corky Boyd has the transcript (also via HA reader Geoff A):
Lauria: Let me tell you it’s no fun standing on this side of the fence opposing the President of the United States. In fact, let me just say, people have asked me who I represent. That’s a moving target. I can tell you for sure that I represent one less investor today than I represented yesterday. One of my clients was directly threatened by the White House and in essence compelled to withdraw its opposition to the deal under the threat that the full force of the White House Press Corps would destroy its reputation if it continued to fight. That’s how hard it is to stand on this side of the fence.
Beckman: Was that Perella Weinberg?
Lauria: That was Perella Weinberg.
Glenn Reynolds wonders how the White House press corps will feel about being used as an arm of the administration to beat its opposition into submission. My guess? Enchanted, with just a couple of exceptions. He also wonders whether they will show the slightest inclination to ask about these allegations. So far, it looks like the Sounds of Silence on the WHPC dial rather than We’re Not Gonna Take It.
Bear in mind that this is one attorney operating in his client’s interest, and attorneys do like to make media waves by fighting cases on the evening news and the front page before they fight them in court. However, the WHPC should be asking whether they’re getting played by the Obama administration — and consider the strong possibility that they’ve allowed themselves to be put in that position.
Update: Jake Tapper reports the allegations and wants an answer from the White House:
A leading bankruptcy attorney representing hedge funds and money managers told ABC News Saturday that Steve Rattner, the leader of the Obama administration’s Auto Industry Task Force, threatened one of the firms, an investment bank, that if it continued to oppose the administration’s Chrysler bankruptcy plan, the White House would use the White House press corps to destroy its reputation.
Thomas Lauria, Global Practice Head of the Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Group at White & Case, told ABC News that Rattner suggested to an official of the boutique investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners that officials of the Obama White House would embarrass the firm for opposing the Obama administration plan, which President Obama announced Thursday, and which requires creditors to accept roughly 29 cents on the dollar for an estimated $6.8 billion owed by Chrysler.
Lauria first told the story, without naming Rattner, to Frank Beckmann on Detroit’s WJR-AM radio.
The White House now denies the allegations, claiming that there’s no evidence of it (via Geoff A):
The White House said the story was false.
“The charge is completely untrue,” said White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton, “and there’s obviously no evidence to suggest that this happened in any way.”
No evidence? What about Lauria’s personal testimony?
Meanwhile, Tommy Christopher — who actually reports from the White House — dismisses the charge:
As far as the “threat” Lauria alleges, it sounds an awful lot like someone told his client that public opinion would not likely be favorable to people who would obstruct a fair deal to save Chrysler. That’s not a threat, it is a reality. It’s no more a “threat” than John McCain’s campaign promise to make earmarkers “famous.”
Apples and oranges. McCain threatened to make public officials “famous” for wasting taxpayer money. The Obama administration allegedly threatened to use the WHPC to destroy the reputations of private citizens as a punishment for not relinquishing their contractual rights for having helped float Chrysler. There’s a huge difference between the two.
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It took me 10 minutes to realize you were not accusing INC of treason. I’m getting old.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I haven’t been all the way back in comments on this thread, but in case no one mentioned it, NewsBusters has a lengthy transcript up of the radio interview:
Establishment Media Is Ignoring White House Threats to Chrysler’s Non-TARP Lenders; WJR Interview Transcript
This is just a bit:
INC on May 2, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Forget the POS nObama, he is enabled by the MSM, its time to take the torches to NBC, CBS, ABC and CNN. The sooner we hold the media responsible for their criminal conduct the quicker this administration will realize they are accountable to all of America and not just the loser entitlement crowd.
dmann on May 2, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Bingo. Make 2010 elections the end game for everything from now ’til then.
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 8:41 PM
YES! Thank you. I listened to the interview a while ago and was wishing I had a transcript.
We won’t stop this without challenging it on Constitutional grounds. You know that. I know that. Most here at HA know that. But where are the GOP lawyers?
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM
ok, what’s the theme for July 4th? freedom?
the outrageous spending seems almost minor compared to all the power grabbing & rights smashing.
ideas?
kelley in virginia on May 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM
That is brilliant.
Second thought: The tea parties were non-partisan. So, if the non-partisan nature is to be maintained, you cannot state your goal is to “retake” the House, but something else. At the moment, my mind fails me, but I’ve grown used to that.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 8:50 PM
At the bottom of Tapper’s entry, he had this:
Maybe it’s a good thing that Lauria is an Indy who leans to the Dems. That makes it more of a citizens’ issue.
I’d bet that Mark Levin and Andrew McCarthy are keeping an eye on this. Gateway Pundit has a link to Levin discussing it yesterday.
YouTube audio link to Levin.
INC on May 2, 2009 at 8:51 PM
We want a House of the people, not a House of Lords.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Minor, indeed.
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 8:52 PM
We want a House of the People, not a House of Lords.
Independence Day!
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Good Tea Party sign.
INC on May 2, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Thanks, Keemo :]
P.S. – Anyone with savvy willing to take this idea up?
bluelightbrigade on May 2, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Good point. (Boo hoo, Lox. I’d hope to be so sharp at ‘your age’, or even now for that matter.)
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Just rub your head vigorously with a flint stone every day.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Loser entitlement crowd includes most of the MSM who are being propped up by Soro’s, Chinese, Russian and Muslim money, all share motive and opportunity as enemies of capitalism and America. The MSM continues to hemorrhage customers and revenue yet none have changed their tone and message because they have been assured a taxpayer’s bailout will keep them in the propaganda business. Least we forget our government is scrambling to rush hate laws onto the books which will make this site liable for your opinion. Enough is enough!
dmann on May 2, 2009 at 9:03 PM
More Thug Thizzle from Barry. This is becoming as common as reporting the sunrise.
Fed45 on May 2, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Oh yeah, and ain’t great not having getalife around here? It’s amazing how quiet the other trolls have gotten too.
Knucklehead on May 2, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Del Dolemonte on May 2, 2009 at 9:08 PM
“we want a House of the People, not a House of Lords” sort of bothers me.
People’s Republic of China.
but hey, my mother was a bircher so that’s where my mind went. (would killing me be a hate crime?)
kelley in virginia on May 2, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Truth.
Mommypundit on May 2, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Yep, it’s icing on the cake that he’s a Dem donor.
I’m betting Levin, if no one else, will get the ball rolling this weekend on this story. My guess is FNC and Drudge are just out for the weekend. But Monday on talk radio all hell will break loose.
Obviously, talk radio is not enough. It must be forced into MSM coverage.
If all else fails, maybe I’ll do as someone here suggested, buy an old Chrysler and torch it. Low technology; high concept.
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Seriously…and it’s probably a good idea to get on this now while the court is semi favorable. Where are they and why are they waiting??
Mommypundit on May 2, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I mentioned that earlier today. It would appear they have no arguments to justify his behavior on this subject or Gitmo. I assume they are getting the spinning points from the boss. Should be interesting.
Cindy Munford on May 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Well, I know the next ones were supposed to happen on July 4. That’s sort of bad, though…I don’t know if a lot of people will want to miss their own celebrations. When is president’s day again?
I think if the next local parties were all organized in the area news stations (sidewalks, etc.) that could be fun.
Mommypundit on May 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM
+1
Your post about Argentina was good. And I agree with your critical point about the need to know history. We need to know many things right now. If we’re going to prevent our country from slipping down the course it’s on, we need to get smart, and we need to know how to communicate to people, help people understand what is going on. I want to help “the shirtless man” too. But I want to preserve a healthy separation between government and private sector in the process of doing that.
tartan on May 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM
First, no burnings in effigy. This should be a safe family affair.
Many broadcast studios may have little public space available. That should be the key determining factor. If you can only have a small group in front of their studio’s cameras, forget it. Each group will have to check the availability of public space at studios in their area.
For the network HQ’s, off the top of my head, NBC HQ at Rockefeller Center seems possible, but I don’t know about ABC, CBS & CNN. And I take that Fox will cover anyway.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM
The President is riding a mighty high horse, but what goes around comes around.
rob verdi on May 2, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Mommypundit on May 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Cindy Munford on May 2, 2009 at 9:23 PM
The silence of GOP lawyers boggles the mind. Does the GOP know how to do anything but whine?
We can whine ’til the cows come home, and the Obamanation will proceed undeterred. Our only hope, at least from now to the elections, is to challenge the Obama administration in court on Constitutional grounds.
But what do we have? Silence.
And they wonder why I no longer contribute to the GOP.
petefrt on May 2, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Well, this administration would see a rally to citizenship as a protest about them.
Actually, I think nothing would honor the Founders more than to do both at once.
INC on May 2, 2009 at 9:26 PM
The man has no talent and that includes his “gift” which eludes him without a teleprompter.
When ability is not there, the Fresh Prince of Hot Air turns to Chicago Thugery.
jdflorida on May 2, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I actually agree about nixing the effigies…(I said it for effect, really…)
…but I’m deadly serious about protests being brought to the MSM’s front doors.
No more letting them get away with their “let them eat cake” attitude.
(& btw… boycotting TV/newpapers, or anything DOESN’T work in this scenario…)
bluelightbrigade on May 2, 2009 at 9:30 PM
yes! a celebration of ….
don’t take my independence.
kelley in virginia on May 2, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Hopey,as a 2 year Senator,and gifted community organizer
agitator,has extended,his other gift,
which looks every bit of,a ACLU Lawyer,and in turn,has
made history,as the first President to hold office as a
‘Political Activist’!
Hopey/Changeys Temple Pillars of Ongoing and Neverending Activism,and Perpetual Sh#t Distrubing from the Oval Office!
Debauchery and B#sterdization of the White House seems to
come in many forms from the Liberal Party,and just like
Bill Clinton’s disrespect for the White House,it appears
those Liberal cigars come in many shapes and flavours!
(Sarc!).
canopfor on May 2, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Can the President be impeached for extortion?
threeCents on May 2, 2009 at 9:48 PM
AFAIK you do not need a party affiliation. So why not run as an independent? All one really needs to do is stress that your goal is to put the house back in the hands of the people. In fact I would encourage everyone who can run for office to get on the ballot or at least collect signatures. You really don’t need to be partisan. OGumby is making it easy.
jdkchem on May 2, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I think bringing the protests to broadcast studio doors and major newspaper offices is a fantastic idea.
Good job!
Just as long as there is enough room for a big crowd.
Then, you can have Fox broadcasting the protests outside other’s MSM HQ’a which have the choice of obvious hypocrisy or covering it themselves. And private videos can be posted on Yot Tube.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Term Limits
Term Limits
Term Limits
Term Limits
Term Limits
and….
Repeal the 16th Amendment
Repeal the 16th Amendment
Repeal the 16th Amendment
Repeal the 16th Amendment
Repeal the 16th Amendment
Knucklehead on May 2, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I linked to this old 1999 article last night.
The Founding Fathers, High Crimes and Misdemeanors, and Impeachment
The man who wrote it is a physician, not an attorney, but he does quote Coulter, and Hill and Bill (in 1974).
INC on May 2, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Will never buy an American automobile as long as it is government owned.
This whole episode with the “greedy” (meh) hedge fund managers and threats from Ogabe is another sign the man-child is nothing but a hardened Ayers/Alinksky-ite/COMMUNIST!
Branch Rickey on May 2, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I’m only suggesting that IF the protests are to be viewed as non-partisan, THEN there should be no talk using the specific phrase, “retake the House,” as this sounds like it can only be a Republican slogan. Therefore, if you don’t want to be dismissed as a partisan campaign by the MSM, avoid partisan sounding language. Of course, the MSM may well dismiss you for any other reason they can pull out of a hat or make up on the spot.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 10:18 PM
There is no confidence and no rule of law.
We have elected a mobster.
The goal is simple now – consolidate all power possible by 2010. There will no longer be three branches of government. Executive only and token remaining.
Deliver a broken, indebted nation to the IMF. By 2010 it cannot be reversed.
Starlink on May 2, 2009 at 10:20 PM
This is just confirmation that the WHPC is, indeed, a propaganda arm of your president.
What a sad day…
mz.josephine on May 2, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Jack Kemp has passed away.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Jack Kemp (1935-2009)
God of all consolation,
in Your unending love and mercy for us,
you turn the darkness of death
into the dawn of new life.
Show compassion to the family and friends of Jack Kemp in their sorrow.
Be their refuge and their strength
to lift them from the darkness of their grief
to the peace and light of Your presence.
†
Amen.
Loxodonta on May 2, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Alinsky was a mobster.
But what makes no sense to me is this desire on the part of some commenters to destroy Chrysler. This strikes me as being an emotional populist reaction, not unlike those who were in a rage over A.I.G.
How does it help, say, the bondholders Obama is screwing to destroy Chrysler? What is the point of setting one’s own car on fire? Shouldn’t any rage be directed towards the U.A.W. and the government (including Congress who is responsible for much of the economic meltdown AND for forcing companies to make cars no one wants?)
Obama could not care less about Chrysler either. What does that tell you about whose side we should be on here?
Buy Danish on May 2, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Yes, but once the Extortionist in Chief got away with the “pitchforks protection” comment, he realized he can do whatever he wants. Slippery slope, here we go. No one in America has the balls to try stop him until it’s too late. That’s why he rules with fear as every other cultish leader like him has done it. Human nature is human nature. Everyone is just hoping things will work out OK after he’s done with us, but his goal is to make Constitutional recovery impossible. There are ways to do this, just as there’s been in every other shocked, reeling and exhausted nation in history.
We’re confused by his actions because people assume he cares about the nation and the rule of our laws when in actuality his primary goal is to methodically dismantle both before he continues with secondary goals. He’s trying to absorb our national power into himself in that process.
Mark my words here. He will forever be known to his closest allies as the man who brought down the Great Satan. He isn’t f-ing around. He’s a man on a mission who doesn’t care if we fight back and he goes down with the ship as long as he brings everything down with him.
econavenger on May 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM
R.I.P. Jack Kemp.
Buy Danish on May 2, 2009 at 10:32 PM
What we would do without Tapper? I’m surprised they haven’t sent him packing yet. Or just don’t start ignoring him.
amkun on May 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
How do we fight a man so mad for power with such personal charisma as Obama? Oh please let this end. Please expose this madman!
petunia on May 2, 2009 at 10:50 PM
For some reason, this put me into a fit of giggles! (Probably because I identify with it.)
Alana on May 2, 2009 at 10:51 PM
And now he also gets his puppet in the Supreme Court.
petunia on May 2, 2009 at 10:52 PM
They are going to lie anyway. You could create a party that is the furthest thing from Republican and the liars in the media would still call you a Republican because you oppose their messiah. Why bother? Use the media against themselves. It is not hard to point out that the liars in the media are doing the bidding of their messiah because they believe that tax payers are nothing more than sheep to be fleeced. Why pussy foot around when you can kick these jerk-offs in the nuts? Hit them hard and make them hurt. Put ogumby on the defensive. Only a coward uses the media to attack a private citizen. Bloody his nose and he spends the next 4 years in the fetal position. You don’t get bullies off your back being nice.
jdkchem on May 2, 2009 at 10:52 PM
When Gibbs gave them an “A”. That should have been an insult to everyone of them. Their job is not to make the President happy it is to be watchmen against the powerful.
petunia on May 2, 2009 at 10:54 PM
“In the course of my life I have very often been a prophet, and have usually been ridiculed for it. During the time of my struggle for power it was in the first instance only the Jewish race that received my prophecies with laughter when I said that I would one day take over the leadership of the State, and with it that of the whole nation, and that I would then among other things settle the Jewish problem. Their laughter was uproarious, but I think that for some time now they have been laughing on the other side of their face. Today I will once more be a prophet: if the international Jewish financiers in and outside Europe should succeed in plunging the nations once more into a world war, then the result will not be the Bolshevizing of the earth, and thus the victory of Jewry, but the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe!”
Guess who said that….
csdeven on May 2, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Holy shit, sad news indeed.
lowandslow on May 2, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Bill Burton has had quite a week, huh? Responding to the White House’s lack of concern for national security with a response that wouldn’t look out of place in a flamewar on a lefty blog, and now this. But why would this White House put people in positions of power who had any idea how to behave in the real world?
Jim Treacher on May 2, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Heh. I was browsing Newsbusters and came across this story about a May 7th FCC “Diversity Committee Meeting” on the Fairness Doctrine. Which serves as a chilling reminder that given the right circumstances it could be easy as pie for the White House to act as extortionists. Even easier than it is now.
Buy Danish on May 2, 2009 at 11:40 PM
He can’t be that stupid.
Cindy Munford on May 2, 2009 at 11:45 PM
“Takings clause” lawsuit, anyone???
The Chicago thug-in-chief just stole billions from private citizens, including the pension plans of the “little people” he claims to love so much!!!
landlines on May 2, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Straight-up, thug-style fascism. Socialism nationalizes interests outright and orders them to serve the will of The State. Fascism uses the power of government and media to threaten and coerce interests to serve the will of The State. If this story proves true, it is the most damning information we’ve yet heard about Obama. And it paints a very grim picture of the future for this country. This is not America.
Blacklake on May 3, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Sure he can, just listen to him with out TOTUS, the man cannot put forth a cohesive thought.
N4646W on May 3, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals … except the weasel.
- Homer Simpson
MB4 on May 3, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Haven’t read the entire thread but I have a question: after all the brute force being applied by POTUS to ‘gift’ the UAW; who is supposed to be purchasing the product that Chrysler will produce?
red131 on May 3, 2009 at 12:25 AM
All those who wish to keep their kneecaps intact.
DasObamaReich on May 3, 2009 at 12:27 AM
There’s more. If Ted Kennedy had won, when he ran, we could have had Glugboat One. But I guess losing is what happens to all politicans who can’t cross that bridge when they come to it.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on May 3, 2009 at 12:29 AM
As long as the T Parties continue along the lines that they have been, your going to attract people from both parties. Those people are smart enough to vote for the principals of the T Parties, which means that some Republicans and some Democrats are going to be ousted in favor of candidates that support the principals of the Republic, which is what the T Parties stand for. As long as we can attract folks from both parties, they will in turn educate others. Then we should start to see both parties start to stand for the Republic.
More thoughts?
N4646W on May 3, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Es ist zu einfach mein Führer.
Johan Klaus on May 3, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Obama, gangsta.
Johan Klaus on May 3, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Are you talking about the 40mpg thing Obama is requiring Fiat to produce as part of the re-org? If there’s no natural demand for it (which there almost certainly won’t be), it will at least be purchased in large numbers for government fleets. Alternatively, its price could be subsidized by the government via tax dollars to make it sufficiently cheap that many will buy it anyway. Either case would serve as front for laundering taxpayer dollars through the Chrysler, the UAW, then straight into Democrat coffers. It’s a political machine.
Or at least that’s the plan. Our greatest hope lies now in Democrat incompetence. They’ve shown an ability to screw up sure things before–all we can do is hope they dig deep and find a way to do it again.
Blacklake on May 3, 2009 at 12:51 AM
This brings us to the stress tests for the 19 biggest banks in the land. The most stressful conditions are supposed to be 10% unemployment and a 20% further fall in home prices. That doesn’t sound too stressful to me. Considering the government reported figures are a manipulated lie, we already have unemployment between 15% and 20% in the real world. A 20% further decline in home prices is a given. The Case Shiller futures index forecasts that the New York Metro area will fall by 31% by the end of 2010. The massive overhang of housing inventory, the coming onslaught of mortgage resets in 2010, and the millions of foreclosures in the pipeline guarantee at least 20% further downside in housing prices. I have a feeling these 19 banks are going to need to study a little harder for their test. Professor Geithner is giving them an open book take home exam and gave them the answers. They will still flunk.
The stock market has been soaring as banks report fraudulent earnings. These banks are purposely underestimating future losses to make current earnings appear better than they really are. Hank Paulson and Ben Bernanke demanded that Ken Lewis commit fraud by not revealing material information to the public about Merrill Lynch. Why are they not being prosecuted? Bankers protect the members of their bankers club. Dr. John Hussman describes how it works in today’s world:
“That’s what these bureaucrats want during their stint in government service, that’s how they advise our elected officials, and then their revolving door takes them right back to Wall Street. This thing is run by investment bankers and corporate bondholders for the benefit of investment bankers and corporate bondholders.”
The government is desperately attempting to convince the world that the banking system is sound and recovery is under way. The actions they have taken have not and will not fix the system. The waves have washed away the foundations of sand propping up the U.S. financial system. Instead of learning from their mistakes, officials have decided to rebuild on a new foundation of sand. We are borrowing from foreigners to bailout bankers and handing the bill to future generations. With government dictating the future of our banking system we can count on massive fraud, waste and mismanagement. Dr. Hussman’s frustration is well founded:
“It’s frustrating, but we are wasting trillions of dollars that could bring enormous relief of suffering, knowledge, productivity, and innovation in order to defend bondholders of mismanaged financials, and nobody cares because hey, at least the stock market is rallying. If one thing is clear from the last decade, it is that investors have no concern about the ultimate cost of the wreckage as long as they can get a rally going over the short run.”
This public relations effort will fail. There are hundreds of billions of losses left to be recorded by our big bad banks. If you believe this is almost over, you are not paying attention.
KentAllard on May 3, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Scr-u-em. Political arm twisiting is one thing but this smacks of plain old kneecapping to me. Who the hell wants Olby running your junior high school love letters in the 7-9pm time slot?
OK, well maybe some of us.
Seriously, this is kneecapping, right from Lake Shore Drive.
Before 2012 each and everyone of you will ‘peek’ out the curtains to see who the hell is closing a car door in front of your house. Paranoid? Ask yourself when you push aside the drapes.
Limerick on May 3, 2009 at 1:13 AM
In 1974, Congress created the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corpration as part of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. It makes whole, at least up to $54,000/year, retirees whose pensions fail.
steveegg on May 3, 2009 at 1:17 AM
You and me. Do Americans not realize that this is just the beginning? We will have to buy these cars because the competition will be wiped out. The socialists will never let Chrysler fail. They will make us an offer we can not refuse. If anyone doubts this, then they are a fool. The government will control the banks, the automotive, the insurance and the energy industries. They will bring to their knees all privately owned companies, so that the federal companies will survive.
bloggless on May 3, 2009 at 1:22 AM
You and me. Do Americans not realize that this is just the beginning? We will have to buy these cars because the competition will be wiped out. The socialists will never let Chrysler fail. They will make us an offer we can not refuse. If anyone doubts this, then they are a fool. The government will control the banks, the automotive, the insurance and the energy industries. They will bring to their knees all privately owned companies, so that the federal companies will survive.
bloggless on May 3, 2009 at 1:23 AM
You and me. Do Americans not realize that this is just the beginning? We will have to buy these cars because the competition will be wiped out. The socialists will never let Chrysler fail. They will make us an offer we can not refuse. If anyone doubts this, then they are a fool. The government will control the banks, the automotive, the insurance and the energy industries. They will bring to their knees all privately owned companies, so that the federal companies will survive.
bloggless on May 3, 2009 at 1:23 AM
all the ducks are being put in row. And Ms. Inc we have a chuckle tonight as we discussed this article and fall out last night. Mr. Lauria, you are a patriot. If what you say is true you are more than that, you may have a death wish but that for another day.
Grass roots. Unpaid. Americans with a fire in their belly.. and without a party, Holy Crap is the GOP is agreement with this stuff? We gotta get a plan.
I have said it before. Everything happens for a reason. We can’t let America lose focus and betray our own Constitution. We’re literally winging it.
I can’t bring myself to believe that the current Admin is so evil that they want to destroy the very fabric of the American way of life and the freedoms we hold dear.
What I do know is that we need to REMIND THEM how important those freedoms are to those who honor it.
I was on a plane to Buffalo not a week ago and a Canadian and I were talking and I had an epiphany. Here’s my beef. I know that my neighbor who pays NO TAXES has far less investment in this Country then I do. Kind of like the something for nothing principle. If you don’t pay for it, you don’t value it. Look at our landfills. Sheesh I could go on but… I don’t agree with bailing anyone out. Sorry but I’m a single Mother of three that has never and will never sell out for Government check – no matter HOW HARD IT GETS. It’s called INTEGRITY with a dash of SELF WORTH.
Go the Streets. Small intimate, larger in Cities, talk to your neighbors and friends. Beats the hell out of freaking twitter.
And be nice, respectful, and intelligent. But I KNOW, something for nothing, a vote, citizenship, paycheck is never the same as earning it.
God Bless You America and good night.
seesalrun on May 3, 2009 at 1:23 AM
and last thing, kind of reminds me of the the quote
ah. but nothing to see here, we’re told as much.
seesalrun on May 3, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Chicago Thuggery Comes to Washington.
bloggless on May 3, 2009 at 1:39 AM
I’m sure he didn’t mean it as a threat. I believe the Messiah gives us all a free will and tests us to see if we will come to him, or fall to eternal damnation.
Star20 on May 3, 2009 at 1:44 AM
I’m playing catch up after being out all day, but this story, and the excellent putdown of Obambi tactics by McCarthy, and this absolute smokin of libdroid Jon Stewart by Bill Whittle has made my day!
2ipa on May 3, 2009 at 1:45 AM
The White House Press Corp. should learn a little history……..
………… start with Yuri.
It will not end well for them…….
……. and we, who are left, will not come to their rescue.
Seven Percent Solution on May 3, 2009 at 1:47 AM
OK, bear with me as I give you some background info for the perspective here. My mom is 85, she has been an old fashioned liberal all her life, she can’t help it, she was a teacher and union member (LOL). I am the black sheep of the family. Carter cured me of my liberal DNA, I now have an immunity to the liberalness I was born into.
She has been in Holland for the past 2 weeks on a river boat cruise and a bit out of touch with the news. I picked her up at the airport tonite and she asked about the FIAT deal and Chrysler. Last she had heard, it was a done deal.
When I explained to her that Obama tried to force the bondholders to give up their interest in the company so Chrysler would be owned wholly by the UAW and the government, she was appalled. She doesn’t understand how the President thinks he has the power to tell people who own bonds that they have to fork them over to the government!!! (simplistic explanation, I know).
Granted she was a Hillary voter, but voted lock step for Obama even though I talked until I was blue in the face about why he was dangerous to our future. Now she is beginning to understand that this guy is not the kind of Democrat she believes in. She now has voter’s remorse.
If my hard core liberal mom is feeling queasy about him now, this has to be fairly pervasive in the Dem base because she is pretty hard core. She never gave up on Carter back in the 70’s, as much as he was a miserable failure as a President. She doesn’t think Obama was “fair to the car companies, compared to how the banks got their bailouts”. Granted she has lived in MI all her life so she has a bailout bias, but still, the bloom is off the Obama rose for her.
Baby steps.
karenhasfreedom on May 3, 2009 at 1:49 AM
karen,
At least your mom is still pretty sharp. My mom loves Obama, but has not idea why, except that he is “handsome.”
Star20 on May 3, 2009 at 1:58 AM
There is no difference, Ed. The Obama admin can do whatever they want. Just like the gay marriage folks and the pro-abortion folks and the anti-theist folks. This is the new America, full of intolerance for those opinions that do not conform to New York’s fucked up worldview.
spmat on May 3, 2009 at 1:58 AM
I shouln’t say New York. I should say, “The better America that understands why redneck Southern New Jersey guido bastards should die for country that hates them.” That’s better.
spmat on May 3, 2009 at 2:08 AM
I agree with you that there needs to be vocal and assertive opposition to Obama and the MSM’s function as Obama’s shield, spear and mouthpiece.
Now, please be safe, clever, and effective at it.
Loxodonta on May 3, 2009 at 2:14 AM
Okay, how about this?
We want a House for the People, not a House of Lords.
(Although it wouldn’t be a hate crime, it would be a crime to lsoe you.)
Loxodonta on May 3, 2009 at 4:17 AM
If you want the protests to be non-partisan and positive, then local organizers have to be non-partisan and positive in their words and deeds. In turn organizers can encourage participants to be that way as well. Some participants will be partisan or rude anyway, but what can you do?
Regarding themes: I’ve been posting this quote a lot, but think an excerpt also belongs in this thread:
… our belief in restraining government spending, pro-growth policies, tax reduction, sound national defense, and maximum individual liberty.
– Ronald Reagan
To me, there are core conservative principles that once and should again unite Republicans, as well as drawing conservative Democrats, Independents and Libertarians, some of which may have very liberal views on other issues, into an electoral majority. I put it this way:
END POLITICAL CORRUPTION
REDUCE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT
LOWER TAXES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH
REDUCE THE DEFICIT
KEEP AMERICA SAFE, STRONG AND FREE
So, think of your core conservative principles that are most likely to unite, rather than divide. Then express them in your own words, keeping it as simple as you can, without sounding like the typical, liberal chants. So, for example, I suggest avoiding:
THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATEDJust in case you were thinking along that lines!
And when Obama and the MSM get you down, try to keep in good humor and keep the faith. Use what works for you. I offer this:
Let those who have failed take courage,
Though the enemy seem to have won;
If he be in the wrong, though his ranks are strong,
The battle is not yet done.
For sure as the morning follows
The darkest hour of the night,
No question is ever settled
Until it is settled right.
– Ella Wheeler Wilcox
My very best wishes for your efforts. God’s speed.
Loxodonta on May 3, 2009 at 4:48 AM
Terrific advice.
So far, this seems to be how the tea party group near me operates (Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to the party, which was advertised as a “Family-Friendly Affair” – I don’t know. Yikes. Is that divisive? Does that offend gay libs?).
Anyway, if you had a little time, perhaps you could kindly write a lengthier primer and post it online? I’d definitely bookmark that link!
misslizzi on May 3, 2009 at 6:39 AM
Remember Joe the Plumber …
tarpon on May 3, 2009 at 7:31 AM
Nay. I’m too often just to lazy or distracted to write more clearly.
TheBigOldDog on May 3, 2009 at 8:39 AM
The one that has been taken over by Moonbats and turned into an American version of Fallujah.
I did and that makes it clear this guy is out to “remake” America in his image. I give you, The One’s Prayer:
Our Obama, who art in Washington,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in America.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our green house emissions,
As we forgive those who breath out around us.
And lead us not into critical thought,
But deliver us from the evil of freedom.
TheBigOldDog on May 3, 2009 at 8:51 AM
The investors bought bonds that said in the event of a bankruptcy, they would be first on the list of creditors. Now the Obama Mob is just blowing off that contract. Sorry guys, Obama makes the law. Your contract is just so much paper blowing in the winds of change. Can’t imagine why the investors are so upset. And if you complain, Obama will sic his lapdog media on you. Don’t feel bad though. You can always use those bonds to wallpaper your bathroom. It’s bound to help stop global warming.
gordo on May 3, 2009 at 8:59 AM
barry’s statement to the whpc about “speculators” is proof. They made the threat, then he went out and gave them a little taste. Kind of like finding a horse’s head in your bed. Proves barry is directly involved. It would be great to have a reporter put this right in barry’s face but on the otherhand, not giving him any mistakes to learn by may be better. This adminstration has already equaled Nixon’s. A little more time and they may do something that cannot be ignored or corrected. The danger is in how much power will he have consolidated by then and will laws matter at that point?
peacenprosperity on May 3, 2009 at 9:09 AM
So we are to be afraid of our Government. Not just the IRS but the entire freakin government. Correction, just be afraid of the close circle White House-ran government. See, the voters who put these thugs in office aren’t involved in this country except for the handout portion, so they won’t be affected nor do they care of any of this and how it affects the productive people of the country.
johnnyU on May 3, 2009 at 9:10 AM
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