Mario Piperni dot Com

Obama Pumping Money into the Auto Industry

You’re free to interpret this one as you wish.

Obama, the Economy and Public Opinion

Polls come and polls go. At best, individual polls are mere snapshots of public sentiment on any given issue. At worst, polls can reflect the bias of the pollsters themselves or those who interpret the data. Questions can be skewed in the way they’re phrased to elicit a desirable response. One’s best defense is to only pay heed to polls which come from reputable sources.

When it comes to politics, polls are even more of a concern. As the old line goes, a week is an eternity in politics in that public opinion can instantly shift on breaking news. What is of greater relevance when one is interpreting a new poll, is to look at the trend. If it’s all pointing in one direction, then one can have greater confidence that the polling results are a true reflection of the public opinion.

So what am I leading to here? Simply that in in this time of economic uncertainty, being able to gauge public sentiment and trust in their elected leaders is of paramount importance. Emerging from a recession has as much to do with hard numbers and policies as it does with public perception. When people lose faith in their institutions, then it doesn’t matter a damn how you tweak the system. It’s imperative you get the majority to believe you’re implementing the policies and changes which will turn it all around in due time.

So, how is President Obama doing in this area of public perception? He’s doing pretty good and the numbers are heading in the right direction. Here’s the latest from a Washington Post/ABC poll.

Forty-two percent now believe that the country is headed in the right direction compared to 8% back in October.  As well, 57% believe it’s headed in the wrong direction as compared to 90% in October.  Good trends.

Again, the trend is pointing in the right direction.

A 65% approval rating in this ugliest of times is a positive sign.

What we can discern from the above poll is that there is still a way to go in boosting consumer confidence. Millions have lost their jobs while millions of others are suffering in one way or another during these tough economic times. But in the all important area of public perception, the numbers are all pointing in the right direction. Your thoughts?

GM and Chrysler - Crunch Time

In a speech today, President Obama laid out the government’s ‘tough love’ approach in future dealings with automakers, General Motors and Chrysler.

The Associated Press:

“President Barack Obama refused further long-term federal bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler, saying more concessions were needed from unions, creditors and others before they could be approved. He raised the possibility Monday of controlled bankruptcy for one or both of the beleaguered auto giants.

At the same time, eager to reassure consumers, Obama announced the federal government would immediately begin backing the warranties that new car buyers receive — a step designed to signal that it is safe to purchase U.S.-made autos and trucks despite the distress of the industry.”

The highlights:

• Late last year, GM has received 13.4 billion in government loan from the Bush administration.  Chrysler received $4 billion.
• In February, GM asked for another $16.6 billion while Chrysler asked for $5 billion more.
• The automakers are facing the worst auto sales in 27 years.
• GM owes a combined $48 billion to its bondholders and retiree health care trust.
• Chrysler owes approximately $18 billion to it’s bondholders and health care trust.
• The government will offer GM “adequate working capital” over the next 60 days.  This is the time period in which GM is expected to offer a restructuring plan.
• Obama has given Chrysler 30 days to finalize a merger with Fiat SPA.  If successful, the president stated that the government would consider lending a maximum of $6 billion to Chrysler.
• In a move to bolster consumer confidence in GM and Chrysler, the government will stand behind warranties issued by the companies.

It is clear that the government is much more concerned with the survival of GM than they are of Chrysler.   The demise of GM, the world’s 2nd largest carmaker, would have a much greater impact on the economy than would that of Chrysler.

The bottom line in the President’s message is that both automakers must restructure immediately if there is any hope of either receiving further bailout money.

Breaking News!

Chrysler just announced that a deal has been reached with Fiat.

“We are pleased that Chrysler, Fiat and Cerberus have reached agreement on a global alliance, supported by the U.S. Treasury.”

The President’s speech on the auto industry:

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Obama On World Stage

This week Barack Obama heads off on his first European trip as president.   His itinerary takes him to London for a meeting of the G20 – the world’s 20 largest economies , to Czechoslovakia on the occasion of NATO’s sixtieth anniversary and then to Turkey where Obama will hold a global, video-based town hall meeting.  There is speculation that it will be in Istanbul where the President will deliver his long-awaited address to the Muslim world.

The Washington Post writes:

“After 69 days in which international issues have taken a back seat to attempts to rescue the economy at home, President Obama takes the world stage this week as a wildly popular figure among the people of Europe, but one who faces a difficult task in selling his plans to the continent’s leaders.

The president plans to push for a new approach to the war in Afghanistan, aggressive action to stop the proliferation of weapons and a more united European effort to combat the global recession.

But if the U.S. president thought his popularity would cause foreign governments to fall quickly into line behind a new American leadership, experts warn, he could be in for a rude awakening.

The German government has resisted calls to deploy more combat troops to Afghanistan. Russia is pushing back against a NATO missile defense system in Poland. And the Czech prime minister last week described the U.S. plans for global economic recovery as the “road to hell.”

The London meeting will deal with the need for a global stimulus package as well as laying the groundwork for reforming the policies and structures which in part caused the economic crisis.

The Prague meeting will focus on the proliferation of dangerous weapons as well as putting forth a strategy for fighting the terrorist threat as well that of rogue nations.

A major component of Obama’s European trip will be to restore America’s standing in the world.

Washington Post:

“Obama’s election was heralded by many European leaders as a clean break from the administration of President George W. Bush, who angered many in foreign capitals with what they viewed as slight regard for their input. They saw Obama’s Republican predecessor as reckless and too willing to act without first achieving consensus.

We think [the trip] is obviously going to be a fundamental part of the president’s agenda of restoring America’s standing in the world, and particularly in Europe,” said Denis McDonough, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications.

Longtime observers of cross-Atlantic presidential trips say Obama retains much of the star power he exhibited during his campaign swing through Europe last summer, when he delivered a speech to more than 200,000 people in a German square.

“It’s still a case that European leaders want to be seen next to Obama, preferably with Obama, his arms around their shoulders and a big smile, because he’s so popular in Europe,” said Reginald Dale, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.”

More to come…

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The GOP's No-Number Budget

The Republican Party embarrassed themselves on Thursday by announcing that they had come out with a budget proposal to counter the Obama budget. Unfortunately (or comically) they left out the numbers and simply presented a rehash of Bush era economic policies.

Here’s how the conversation went between House Minority Leader Boehner, who introduced the budget, and reporters.

From the Huffington Post:

“Today we’re introducing a detailed road-to-recovery plan,” he told the reporters. Other than the tax proposal, however, the plan was absent any details. Instead, it hammered the Democratic budget as too expensive.

Reporters — mainstream, liberal and conservative — greeted the Republican document with a collective scoff.

“Are you going to have any further details on this today?” the first asked.

“On what?” asked Boehner.

“There’s no detail in here,” noted the reporter.

Answered Boehner: “This is a blueprint for where we’re going. Are you asking about some other document?”

A second reporter followed up: “What about some numbers? What about the out-year deficit? What about balancing the budget? How are you going to do it?”

“We’ll have the alternative budget details next week,” promised Boehner. Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had wisely departed the room after offering his opening remarks. (“Today’s Republican road-to-recovery is the latest in a series of GOP initiatives, solutions and plans,” he had offered.)

A third reporter asked Boehner about the Republican goal for deficit reduction, noting President Obama aimed to cut it in half in five years. “What’s your goal?”

“To do better,” said Boehner.

“How? How much?”

“You’ll see next week.”

“Wait. Why not today? Because he asked you to present a budget.”

“Now, hold on,” said Boehner. “The president came to Capitol Hill and laid out his blueprint for his budget during the State of the Union. He didn’t offer his details until days later.”

“In general, where do you see cuts coming?” the Huffington Post asked.

“We’ll wait and see next week,” he said.

Another reporter reminded Boehner that he has “criticized Democrats for throwing together a stimulus quickly and nobody knew what they were voting on. Are you saying that your budget will be unveiled on the same day that the House is expected to vote on it?”

“No, I expect it’ll be out next week,” he said, though the House is expected to vote on the budget next week. “But understand that a budget really is a one-page document. It’s just a bunch of numbers.”

Though not today, of course.

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Too much! And these clowns want the levers of power back?!!?

The Democratic National Congress immediately responded with one of their cutesy web videos which deservedly mocks the Republicans.

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Obama's Policy on Afghanistan/Pakistan

“And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you.”  -President Barack Obama

There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that President Obama is dead-down serious in taking on the threat of terrorism head on. Today he announced his Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy.

The highlights:

• An additional 4000 troops will be sent into Afghanistan on top of the 17,000 previously announced.
• Obama described the mission as follows.  “So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.”
• Hundreds of civilians will be sent to the region to aid in the effort.
• No timeline was given as to when the U.S. will withdraw its troops.
• American casualties in Afghanistan increased by 35% in 2008.
• The Pakistani government must make a greater effort in dealing with the terrorist haven on its Afghan border.
• The $2 billion in annual funding for the war will increased by 60% this year.

The days of chest pounding are over as is the belief that terrorism can be defeated with guns and bullets alone.  Here is how the president described it.

“There is an uncompromising core of the Taliban. They must be met with force, and they must be defeated. But there are also those who have taken up arms because of coercion, or simply for a price. These Afghans must have the option to choose a different course. That is why we will work with local leaders, the Afghan government, and international partners to have a reconciliation process in every province. As their ranks dwindle, an enemy that has nothing to offer the Afghan people but terror and repression must be further isolated. And we will continue to support the basic human rights of all Afghans – including women and girls.”

Smart.

Here’s the speech.

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Quite the character that Karl Rove.  As the architect of George W. Bush’s rise to power, no one is ever going to ever accuse Rove of being an idiot.  Quite to the contary, he’s brilliant and if you ever desperately needed to accomplish a task, having Karl Rove on your side could only help.  That is…if you didn’t give a damn about scruples or integrity or honesty.  If lying in the most blatant of ways or smearing the character of those who oppose you is not the type of thing which keeps you up at night, then by all means go out and hire the number one smear merchant in the nation – Karl Rove.

The Democratic National Committee’s video response to Rove’s statement that Barack Obama is arrogant was perfect.   DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse expounded:

“If Karl Rove wants to call someone arrogant, perhaps he and Dick Cheney should look in the mirror.  It was, after all, the Administration he worked for and helped lead that left America entangled in two wars, tarnished our reputation aboard, squandered a budget surplus and drove the American economy into the deepest economic crises since the Great Depression by insisting on their arrogant, ‘our way or the highway,’ ideological approach to domestic and foreign policies.”

“Arrogance was a staple of the Bush-Cheney-Rove approach to politics and policy – eschewing accountability, blaming others and failing to level with the American people. The only thing the America people are interested in right now is the type of measured, informed action the President detailed last night to stabilize and grow the economy, improve health care and education, create green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. They are not interested in the musings of the men who, more than anyone else, are responsible for creating the challenges we currently face.”

Yep.

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President Obama - Everywhere

You just can’t escape him no matter how hard one tries.  In the last few weeks, President Obama has been on Jay Leno and 60 Minutes.  He’s given townhall meetings in California and elsewhere, a prime-time address to the nation on the economy as well as a prime-time news conference.  Today he gave a televised internet townhall get-together.  Hey, this president loves video so much, he even put one together for the people of Iran!

Previous presidents have had varying degrees of affinity when it came to appearing before the people and answering the tough questions.

From an old Lew Rockwell post:

“Dwight Eisenhower was reluctant to make mistakes and thus took to taping his press conferences for later broadcast. The silver-tongued John F. Kennedy wasn’t concerned about such blunders and initiated the live televised news conference. Presidents Johnson and Nixon had plenty to hide and hence loathed answering questions from what they saw as an adversarial Beltway press corps.

The presidential press conference has become less and less frequent since FDR’s reign. Jimmy Carter conducted 59, while Ronald Reagan presided over just 44, very few of them after the Iran-Contra scandal broke. Bill Clinton was the darling of the national media and considered the press conference an ideal forum to display his charms. But like Reagan, Clinton did all he could to avoid reporters following the advent of All Monica All the Time. That strategy backfired, however, when members of the press would pepper him with questions during photo ops.

“…George W. Bush, avoids formal press conferences like Ellen DeGeneres avoids men, and it’s no wonder why.”

We currently have a president who exudes confidence unlike anyone before him and who understands how public opinion is formed in this age of instant communication.   Sitting silent allows your naysayers to control the message and if President Obama has shown us anything it’s that he has no fear in standing up before the masses to sell his ideas.

It’s going to be an interesting four years.

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What is it about the Republican party which has it attracting an unfair proportion of kooks?  Is it the free giveaway of conical tin hats?  Might it be the free elephant rides at all RNC conventions?  Or is there a deeper more complex explanation as to why there are so many loonies who call themselves Republicans?

Let’s take a look at a couple of my favorites who made headlines this week with some crazy talk.

Michele Bachmann – Representative from Minnesota

From the Huffington Post

“Controversial Rep. Michele Bachmann said this weekend that she wants residents of her state “armed and dangerous” over President Barack Obama’s plan to reduce global warming “because we need to fight back.”

“Asked about the White House-backed cap-and-trade proposal to reduce carbon emissions, Bachmann told WWTC 1280 AM, “I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us ‘having a revolution every now and then is a good thing,’ and the people — we the people — are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country. And I think this has the potential of changing the dynamic of freedom forever in the United States.”

“Bachmann also told her constituents she was “a foreign correspondent on enemy lines,” sending Minnesotans warnings through her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace. “I try to let everyone back here in Minnesota know exactly the nefarious activities that are taking place in Washington.”

Chuck Norris – Washed out actor and all around nutcase.

The following is from CrooksAndLiars

Part A:

“A little while back Chuck Norris showed up on Glenn Beck’s program and mostly bantered right-wing populist talking points, but they focused especially on the Second Amendment and gun rights, with Beck playing up the possibility of new gun laws under an Obama administration:

NORRIS: Well, yes. The whole thing is that’s the Second Amendment — the Second Amendment. The final line in the Second Amendment says, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

That means not by the president, not by Congress. They are not allowed to take our rights away with this because of the Second Amendment, Glenn. And the thing is, I have a 700-acre ranch in Texas. And I have a lot of guns on my ranch.

I don’t use them for hunting. I’m not a hunter. But the thing is, it’s for protection. And the Second Amendment was designed for tyranny against the government. If the government decides to become a tyrannical government, our guns are to protect us against that. And that’s really what the Second Amendment is all about, Glenn.”

Part B:

Norris later appeared on Beck’s radio show.  You can read an account of their fascinating conversation here.  But the following is the really frightening (or comical) part…

Part C:  On March 9, Norris writes an article in the radical and ridiculous WorldNetDaily…

“… When I appeared on Glenn Beck’s radio show, he told me that someone had asked him, “Do you really believe that there is going to be trouble in the future?” And he answered, “If this country starts to spiral out of control and Mexico melts down or whatever, if it really starts to spiral out of control, before America allows a country to become a totalitarian country (which it would have under I think the Republicans as well in this situation; they were taking us to the same place, just slower), Americans won’t stand for it. There will be parts of the country that will rise up.” Then Glenn asked me and his listening audience, “And where’s that going to come from?” He answered his own question, “Texas, it’s going to come from Texas. Do you agree with that Chuck?” I replied, “Oh yeah!” Definitely.

It was these types of thoughts that led me to utter the tongue-n-cheek frustration on Glenn Beck’s radio show, “I may run for president of Texas!”

I’m not saying that other states won’t muster the gumption to stand and secede, but Texas has the history to prove it. As most know, Texas was its own country before it joined the Union as its 28th state. From 1836 to 1846, Texas was its own Republic. Washington-on-the-Brazos (river) served as our Philadelphia, Pa. It was there, on March 2, 1836, where a band of patriots forged the Texas Declaration of Independence. (We just celebrated these dates last week.)

… For those losing hope, and others wanting to rekindle the patriotic fires of early America, I encourage you to join Fox News’ Glenn Beck, me and millions of people across the country in the live telecast, “We Surround Them,” on Friday afternoon (March 13 at 5 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. CT and 2 p.m. PST). Thousands of cell groups will be united around the country in solidarity over the concerns for our nation. You can host or attend a viewing party by going to Glenn’s website. My wife Gena and I will be hosting one from our Texas ranch, in which we’ve invited many family members, friends and law enforcement to join us. It’s our way of saying “We’re united, we’re tired of the corruption, and we’re not going to take it anymore!”

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And that folks, is the type of trash which some conservatives expose themselves to.  These people are practically begging for some mentally deranged individual to take up arms against their own government!

Sigh…

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President's press conference - March 24, 2009

So what did we learn from President Obama’s second prime-time news conference?

Not much…at least little more than we already knew.  Here are the highlights.

Budget

The president reaffirmed his commitment to passing four key elements of his budget proposal.

• health care reform
• energy renewal
• education reform
• deficit reduction

That would leave the middle class tax cuts and a proposed cap on carbon emissions as the areas of his budget which he is willing to compromise in the short term.  With the $400 tax credit already in effect in the recovery bill, the president is willing to deal with that issue on a separate front.

AIG

The President said, “I’m as angry as anybody about those bonuses.   [Executives] enriching themselves on the taxpayers’ dime is inexcusable.”

But he also added, “…the rest of us can’t afford to demonize every investor or entrepreneur who seeks to make a profit.”  Mr. Obama had previously expressed his disapproval of Congress’ proposal to levy a 90% tax on the AIG bonuses noting that using the tax system to punish ‘the few’ was not the way to go.

Significance of being the first African-American president

Obama said that the nation experienced “justifiable pride” at his inauguration

He added, “But that lasted about a day.  Right now the American people are judging me exactly the way I should be judged and that is, are we taking the steps to improve liquidity in the financial markets, create jobs, get businesses to reopen, keep America safe?”

Good answer.

Slapdown Moment

Ed Henry, CNN’s correspondent, in an attempt to play smartass-look-I’m-a-tough-reporter-guy, asked the president why he did not express immediate outrage at the AIG bonuses and instead took two days to respond.  Obama responded with, “Well, it took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”

Nice!  (Ed Henry has always irritated me so I kinda enjoyed that moment.)

As for the President’s overall demeanor, the New York Times expressed it well.

“Throughout his time in public life, Mr. Obama has confronted questions about whether he was too detached, too analytical, too intellectual. In the campaign, he was as likely to be compared to Adlai E. Stevenson as he was to John F. Kennedy. And if there is a pattern to Mr. Obama, it is to lumber through periods like this and then become intense and animated at the first sign of trouble.”

“Over the long term, Mr. Obama’s calm has served him well, in particular at the critical moment in the campaign when the economy began its steep slide.”

Your thoughts?

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