Larry Summers: If the next job numbers reek, blame the snow
posted at 8:53 pm on March 1, 2010 by Allahpundit
Good stuff via HuffPo, and doubtless a prelude to being told three months from now that lower-than-expected numbers over the summer are due to people staying home to avoid the heat. There will be a global warming tie-in here eventually, assuming there isn’t one already.
A hypothetical for you. Assume that Summers sincerely believes this. Is this nonetheless a case where it’d be smarter politically not to mention it? Remember, their credibility among the public on the stimulus is utterly shot. The only reason this clip is getting play tonight on blogs, in fact, is because it sounds so laughably lame. All that being true, what does he gain by tossing it out there? Better to take your lumps on Friday if the numbers are low, vow that the new jobs bill will help, and cut your losses.
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So when you miss one or two days of work because of snow, you get laid off for six months? Makes perfect sense to me.
Skandia Recluse on March 1, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Unexpectedly unprecedented.
Enoxo on March 1, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Immature children blame others for their mistakes. Mature adults accept blame for their own mistakes.
wildcat84 on March 1, 2010 at 8:56 PM
And if the job numbers reek in April, you sure know what you can blame it on….
cue it up for me mista DJ…
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 8:57 PM
I hope I am wrong, but I got a bad feeling about the losses this week, like meltdown level or close.
rob verdi on March 1, 2010 at 8:57 PM
And the case study of what not to do when in a leadership position continues…..
The next president is going to have nowhere to go but upwards.
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Ok, these little bits the ‘rats are throwing out now aren’t even funny in a gallows humor sort of way any longer; this is insanity. The crap the left is going to try and shove down our throats on the flimsiest of excuses is going to get worse by the day.
Bishop on March 1, 2010 at 8:58 PM
They’ll do both and see which sticks to the wall. The MSM will pick up the slack.
AUINSC on March 1, 2010 at 8:59 PM
What will Al Gore have to say about this?
Knucklehead on March 1, 2010 at 9:01 PM
All together now:
Stop Job Climate Change! Stop Job Climate Change! Stop Job Climate Change!
Bring on the Job Climate Change deniers!
Bruno Strozek on March 1, 2010 at 9:02 PM
And democrat law makers losing their jobs can be blamed on November Rain.
ThePrez on March 1, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Oh the economy is frightful,
Unemployment is not so delightful,
And since it’s not us you know,
Blame the snow
Blame the snow
Blame the snow.
Rocks on March 1, 2010 at 9:02 PM
The numbers must be horrendous…?
d1carter on March 1, 2010 at 9:03 PM
The groundhog saw its shadow, therefore, six more weeks of unexpected poor jobs numbers. Makes sense.
cyclown on March 1, 2010 at 9:03 PM
It’s always something, anything but the Obama socialist policies.
jukin on March 1, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Hedging…
Oh by go y
Have a ho y jo y
…No L
and no luck.
singlemalt_18 on March 1, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Aren’t there a million or so that are being dropped from the unemployment numbers due to the expiration of funemployment benefits?
txag92 on March 1, 2010 at 9:05 PM
It’s gonna be bad. I expect a huge jump to 10.5% – 10.7% range
uknowmorethanme on March 1, 2010 at 9:05 PM
The Democrats are so creative in their blame game. Newest target: the snow.
conservative pilgrim on March 1, 2010 at 9:05 PM
The rate shows no sign of dropping,
The stimulus isn’t popping,
But since it’s not us you know,
Blame the snow
Blame the snow
Blame the snow.
Rocks on March 1, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Whatever the number is – add about ten to it and you’ll be a helluva lot closer to the actual unemployment – no matter WHAT the weather.
GoldenEagle4444 on March 1, 2010 at 9:08 PM
but if they improve, forget the snow and credit the glorious Marxist economic policies of his holiness. Viva Obama! Viva Chavez! Viva la revolucion!
elduende on March 1, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Reminds me of the time that British Rail blamed the wrong snow for train delays.
OldEnglish on March 1, 2010 at 9:10 PM
WE’RE GONNA FOCUS LIKE A LASER-BEAM ON JOBS!
lm10001 on March 1, 2010 at 9:10 PM
But January was the hottest on record!
artist on March 1, 2010 at 9:10 PM
fify
July 10 on March 1, 2010 at 9:11 PM
Ok. I’ll admit, I don’t know what to make of it. Part of me wants to think that he’s just trying to get in front of what he expects will be a rough few months. On the other hand, if he’s expecting it…wouldn’t an increase in jobs be unexpected?
Weight of Glory on March 1, 2010 at 9:12 PM
We already know that this is a pre-emptive attempt to head of the bad numbers. Unexpected is becoming a joke and they have lackeys reading blogs.
thomasaur on March 1, 2010 at 9:13 PM
s/b head off
thomasaur on March 1, 2010 at 9:14 PM
As a small business owner, I am scared sh*tless of what this clown posse will do next. No way I plan on hiring anyone anytime soon. Just trying to survive this assault on our country. GOD help us!
lukespapa on March 1, 2010 at 9:15 PM
They are trying to rickroll those who hate the administration, i.e., we wil lbe champing at the bit for bad numbers, but they will be steady..
ParisParamus on March 1, 2010 at 9:15 PM
I’m having a hard time believing that I would even hire Larry Summers to clean my cat’s litter box…
Seven Percent Solution on March 1, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Without the stimulus the snow would have been worse with corresponding job losses. Once again the stimulus has been shown to be working better than we hoped.
jukin on March 1, 2010 at 9:17 PM
We will never leave this dark night,
Before you know it’ll be the norm!
But if you will keep voting right,
Entitlements will keep you warm.
Rocks on March 1, 2010 at 9:20 PM
I blame the Democrats on the jobs created/ jobs saved NO JOB SNOW JOB.
redridinghood on March 1, 2010 at 9:20 PM
So instead of pivoting, PBHO should have been making snow angels.
Bishop on March 1, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Snow, yea that’s the ticket.
BDavis on March 1, 2010 at 9:22 PM
“Who knows”, Larry? The Shadow do.
Sorry, jerk, but real working people make arrangements in bad weather. The last year I lived in NJ we had a blizzard.There were also almost 500 horses to be fed and watered.Ten people stayed on my living room floor so we could get’er done. What was usually a 5 minute walk to the closest barn was almost 45 minutes of waist deep snow walking.
katy the mean old lady on March 1, 2010 at 9:22 PM
So, we can lose 100k more jobs than expected and it will actually be an improvement? Why is this man still employed?
ROCnPhilly on March 1, 2010 at 9:22 PM
LOL, I knew it was coming before I clicked on the link.
MobileVideoEngineer on March 1, 2010 at 9:23 PM
The country is slowly dying,
And, poor schlub, you still keep buying,
That it’s not us you know
Blame the snow!
Blame the snow!
Blame the snow!
Rocks on March 1, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Is that…?
Is this guy smart?
Wasn’t he supposed to be smart?
0bama to his handlers
gstep58 on March 1, 2010 at 9:26 PM
All of that unexpected snow plowing in Feb should have produced beaucoup new jobs. What am I missing? Salt miners have been running three shifts keeping up with demand as well.
GnuBreed on March 1, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Does ANYONE believe ANYTHING this administration says anymore?
GarandFan on March 1, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Kind of like that whole mess at Harvard where Summers provided “best guess” explanations for the higher proportion of men in high-end science and engineering positions.
This is just how Summers rolls!
July 10 on March 1, 2010 at 9:27 PM
self-inflicted fun! :)
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 9:27 PM
So instead of pivoting, PBHO should have been making snow
angelsimams.Bishop on March 1, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Just sayin.
artist on March 1, 2010 at 9:27 PM
The groundhog saw its shadow, therefore, six more
weeksmonths of unexpected poor jobs numbers. Makes sense.cyclown on March 1, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Fixed that for free (the next time will involve a fee)
gstep58 on March 1, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Easy test – Washington and Oregon have had a warm, dry winter. So, obviously, their unemployment rates will drop massively, since weather wasn’t a factor…
Realist on March 1, 2010 at 9:29 PM
slight mod
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 9:29 PM
NO
we won’t blame the winter
We’ll blame Summer(s)
macncheez on March 1, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Gotta blame it on somethin’
Gotta blame it on somethin’
Blame it on the snow that was blowin’ blowin’.
Blame it on the warming that didn’t heat those days.
MobileVideoEngineer on March 1, 2010 at 9:31 PM
The only thing missing is…
Seven Percent Solution on March 1, 2010 at 9:32 PM
Exactly right, OR and WA has had spring all of February. Our numbers should carry thee nation.
What morons. People are scared of what these morons are going to do next. Paralyzed with fear. There is no hiring because there is no confidence that there will be money to cover the payroll.
ORconservative on March 1, 2010 at 9:34 PM
“Without trillions more in stimulus spending we will have to layoff police, firefighters, and snowplow drivers.”
Bishop on March 1, 2010 at 9:34 PM
yeah, apparently, nobody can work when it snows.
/durbin
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Snow causes men to abuse their wives and children too, I’ll bet.
ORconservative on March 1, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Does this type of comment help the message that the Democrats understand what it takes to govern?
DrStock on March 1, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Yeah, but those women will be happier now that they can get their healthcare. They just won’t be able to get to the clinic cuz their deadbeat, wifebeater husband won’t get off his butt to shovel the driveway because he don’t earn no unemployment money to do it.
/reid
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Bishop on March 1, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Good one. BHO does a hard pivot in the snow. But when does a hard pivot become a pirouette, and when can it lead to whiplash?
DrStock on March 1, 2010 at 9:40 PM
The silver lining here? Horrible unemployment numbers will be posted, and Americans will see a Congress totally focused on HC reconciliation, not jobs. They’ll try the ‘HC bill is a job-creator’ pap, but it won’t fly. The image of a Congress ignoring the needs of Americans to pursue a radical ideology will be as crystal clear as ever…
joejm65 on March 1, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Did we have snow in the country when the unemployment rate was 5 or 6 % ?
macncheez on March 1, 2010 at 9:42 PM
OK, lets test the hypothesis … It’s snowing everybody is laid off. Hmmmm seems like there might be some flaws here.
Isn’t it far more likely the employees will be asked with shoveling the snow.
What would businesses do if it rained.
tarpon on March 1, 2010 at 9:42 PM
exactly its all spin, manipulation and outright lies.
this is a sober read of reality (the math does not lie)
http://market-ticker.org/archives/1993-How-Long-Before-You-Wake-Up,-Politicos.html
elduende on March 1, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Yes, but it wasn’t snow-snow.
conservative pilgrim on March 1, 2010 at 9:45 PM
What the numbers never show is the self-employed freelance people out there who are ineligible for unemployment bennies. Many of us are under- or unemployed, and see few signs things will pick up during Osama Obama’s regime.
Moreover, weather has nothing to do with it. Nothing.
MrScribbler on March 1, 2010 at 9:46 PM
If that doesn’t work they’ll go back to blaming Booooooosh.
redridinghood on March 1, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Yes we did and I was busier than a one legged man at a butt kickin’ contest.
thomasaur on March 1, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Funny line, but in reality we’ll start seeing a fake turnaround with jobs by then because of the millions of TEMPORARY census workers we’ll all be overpaying. If even that, coupled with massive expansion of government jobs can’t stop the hemorrhaging, they’ll go with what you said as plan B.
See above… They’ll just say “see, it was just a dip in this awesome recovery because of the snowstorms”.
As always, AllahPundit, I feel the need to remind you that you are a smart enough guy to know that these evil bastards can’t possibly all be dumb enough to think these economic policies will actually do ANYTHING good. It’s simply impossible. There are policies that work, and those that don’t, and we’re watching these people supercharge the latter. Again, you would have to be retarded to believe that they’re just wrong/stupid. So what conclusion are we left with? Sure they’ll lie and pretend they’re really trying, while in reality they’re deliberately overwhelming the system until we’re bankrupt and the country collapses.
What’s that you say? That’s just crazy Glenn Beck talk? Okay, then explain their actions to me? And explain to me all of the redistribution Marxist BS Obama says when he doesn’t have a teleprompter and doesn’t know the tape’s rolling? Explain to me how it would seem that every single person he’s ever known is either radical, terrorist, Communist, anti-Semite, anti-white, anti-American, conspiracy theorist, etc. etc. Are you going to sit there and say you really believe he and his advisers are all just that stupid and had no idea who these people were? REALLY?!
The longer you continue to put on blinders, the more respect I’ll continue to lose for you. As it is I don’t come here anymore for much other than headlines, videos, and skimming a couple of posts until 5PM ET.
RightWinged on March 1, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Summers wins the SumAmatuerism of the month!
You know, when spring comes…I bet it rains.
Meremortal on March 1, 2010 at 9:54 PM
When do the Census workers inflate the job numbers?
CWforFreedom on March 1, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Snow is white. Obviously racist. Snow wants Obama to fail.
I rest my case.
PattyJ on March 1, 2010 at 9:56 PM
I don’t get it. It snows in November and December every year and those months always see a temporary spike in hiring due to the holiday season.
Wait, why am I trying to argue logic with a member of the Obama administration?
Doughboy on March 1, 2010 at 9:58 PM
I know this seems absolutely illogical, but they really do believe their policies are the right ones. Truly.
For example, two of my daughters (10 & 13) were having a conversation with another girl (15) about this. The girl argued that we “need to spend our way out of debt.” (Naturally, her family shares her beliefs.) That is the most idiotic idea I’ve ever heard, but they really believe in the Keynesian philosophy even though it always fails when implemented.
Is it sheer stupidity or willful ignorance?
conservative pilgrim on March 1, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Businesses in utopia close during the rain too….They want the employees out finding the rainbows and chasing unicorns.
ted c on March 1, 2010 at 10:10 PM
A little snow isn’t gonna shutter a business that isn’t already on the brink due to other factors.
Sekhmet on March 1, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I wonder why they want to govern a bunch of people who they believe are too stupid to figure out how to shovel their cars out and go to work when it snows.
No wonder they think we need government health care.
Lily on March 1, 2010 at 10:17 PM
This is all just too Rand/Orwell for me.
HAnthonyWayne on March 1, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Snow job.
TN Mom on March 1, 2010 at 10:22 PM
Must be nice to live in your world, but you simply can’t believe that they’re this dumb. All signs point to Cloward-Piven, not learning disabled. These people are the most highly educated, Washington connected people who aren’t 15 year old girls who don’t know any better then their numbskull parents. Believe me, I wish I could live in your world where I’m just seeing stupidity, not evil… but it’s just not the case.
RightWinged on March 1, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Love that song.
I’ll bet the comedy channel misses this entirely. Glad that you didn’t.
IlikedAUH2O on March 1, 2010 at 10:39 PM
It’s even more simple than that. People that are actually in politics spend very little time examining their ideologies. Most of their efforts are spent making a name for themselves and building their careers.
July 10 on March 1, 2010 at 10:46 PM
I think it’s both–stupidity & ignorance and sinister motives. I am not doubting the Cloward-Piven model of the Obama Administration, and all evidence points to government control.
My example only provided some evidence that people truly believe in these misguided economic policies. Btw-her parents are both “highly educated” and professionals.
Honest question: Do you think Summers is a willful participant in the govt. takeover or is he a true believe in their policies simply trying to provide cover or some of both?
conservative pilgrim on March 1, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Hey, Larry–I thought you said girls couldn’t count…
Noel on March 1, 2010 at 11:11 PM
Does he really believe we are that stupid? November 2010 is going to be a bloodbath
pjf626 on March 1, 2010 at 11:50 PM
It is sheer willfulness to ram Marxism down our throat.
RightWinged, HA is always poorer when you’re not here. Being mad is totally ok. Going away is not. I don’t mean from HA, but from fighting these devastating destroyers of this land. They are single-minded in their pursuit. We must and we will stop them. Such arrogance must be and will be punished.
Schadenfreude on March 2, 2010 at 12:28 AM
Forgot – socialism just leads the way to ultimate marxism.
Schadenfreude on March 2, 2010 at 12:28 AM
I see. Then we do totally agree. There are plenty of regular folks who believe the lies, even “highly educated” people. In fact the higher the education, the more likely people are to believe in this crap. I always say that the most educated are often the least informed. It’s the group think and the liberal indoctrination that happens in higher education, and the lack of true teaching of history.
My main point is that with the amount of people advising on and making policies, the majority have to know the truth. I simply can’t buy that these people truly believe their policies will help the economy and country as we have known it. They simply disagree with the values of the nation, and as Obama said want to “fundamentally transform” us. They don’t think that these policies with be good for our “old” economic system and free market. They know that their Marxist utopia sucks, but still they think it’s “fair” and “social justice”, etc.
As for your question on Summers, I don’t know enough about him to comment specifically on where he falls on the true believer-willing participant scale… But as an economist, I’d have to say he should be smart enough to know what will/won’t work. I’m going to say that he’s getting a paycheck to say something. As for whether he believes in all the “social justice” BS that guides these other radicals, I couldn’t say without researching the man much more… which I feel is a complete waste of my time, because he’s just one guy, and his motivation isn’t particularly relevant to me.
RightWinged on March 2, 2010 at 12:34 AM
The lying is so phony it’s just pathetic, whether it’s Summers or Pelosi or any other blooming liberal fool.
When a progressive is talking just think “14 year old girl” to remind yourself they can’t think rationally and what they say is a freakin’ joke.
T J Green on March 2, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Let me get this straight…the people telling me that we just had the warmest January ever (caused by global warming) are now blaming the expected bad unemployment numbers on a cold/snowy winter! This seals it. Obama and company think we’re f’in idiots.
jwp1964 on March 2, 2010 at 12:41 AM
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would.
woogs on March 2, 2010 at 12:49 AM
FIFLS — Makes sense that people put off going to sign up for unemployment 1) offices closed, 2) better to huddle at home in PJs until the roads clear up.
AH_C on March 2, 2010 at 12:54 AM
If we just had decent Healthcare . . .
BigAlSouth on March 2, 2010 at 7:12 AM
“
It’s Bush’s fault”“It’s the blizzard’s fault”
“
I think you’re stupid“olesparkie on March 2, 2010 at 7:33 AM
So what is going to clown going to lay the blame on if the job numbers stink in the summer, the warm friendly sunshine?
pilamaye on March 2, 2010 at 7:37 AM
I would like to see 1 example of a person getting laid off because of a snow storm. Sure some people may lose a shift or two because they can’t get to work or the company closes down for a day or two. But I refuse to believe anyone loses a job and has to file for benefits because of a snow storm.
angryed on March 2, 2010 at 8:21 AM
It’s the Hawaiian tsunamis’ fault.
Coronagold on March 2, 2010 at 8:21 AM
Three letters come to mind:
CYA
rbj on March 2, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Well, if their logic (?) holds, AGM/climate change will reverse this, right?
Everything will be okay next month.
Cybergeezer on March 2, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Sure, blame the snow.
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp161/janewli15/0423_larry_summers_snoozing_bs.jpg
diogenes on March 2, 2010 at 9:45 AM
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