Robert Reich: No More Sharks Left for Hillary Clinton to Jump

[flpoljunkie]

From Robert Reich's blog...

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Hillary Clinton Doesn't Listen to Economists

When asked this morning by ABC News' George Stephanopoulos if she could name a single economist who backs her call for a gas tax holiday this summer, HRC said "I'm not going to put my lot in with economists.”

I know several of the economists who have been advising Senator Clinton, so I phoned them right after I heard this. I reached two of them. One hadn’t heard her remark and said he couldn’t believe she’d say it. The other had heard it and shrugged it off as “politics as usual.”

That’s the problem: Politics as usual.

The gas tax holiday is small potatoes relative to everything else. But it’s so economically stupid (it would increase demand for gas and cause prices to rise, eliminating any benefit to consumers while costing the Treasury more than $9 billion, and generate more pollution) and silly (even if she won, HRC won’t be president this summer) as to be worrisome. That HRC now says she doesn’t care that what economists think is even more troubling.

In case you’ve missed it, we now have a president who doesn’t care what most economists think. George W. Bush doesn’t even care what scientists think. He rejects all experts who disagree with his politics. This has led to some extraordinarily stupid policies.

I’m not saying HRC is George Bush. And I'm not suggesting economists have all the answers. But when economists tell a president or a presidential candidate that his or her idea is dumb – and when all respectable economists around America agree that it’s a dumb idea – it’s probably wise for the president or presidential candidate to listen. When the president or candidate doesn’t, and proudly defends the policy by saying she's "not going to put my lot in with economists,” we’ve got a problem, folks.

Even though the summer gas tax holiday is pure hokum, it polls well, which is why HRC and John McCain are pushing it. That Barack Obama is not in favor of it despite its positive polling numbers speaks volumes about the kind of president he’ll be – and the kind of president we’d otherwise get from McCain and HRC.

Haven’t we had enough of politicians who reject facts in favor of short-term poll-driven politics?

posted by Robert Reich

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/193022.php

http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2008/05/hillary-clinton-doesnt-listen-to.html

[K Gardner]

1. Bravo ! If only her supporters were able to understand this.

[blm]

26. I'm just LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!

This is so DEAD ON and funny in its simple truth. Excellent comedic value.

[truedelphi]

40. I need some instructions on how to laugh

And envy you your ability.

(Maybe I'll find it easier once Obama actually ends up with the nomination.)

[FSogol]

2. K&R. n/t

[cliffordu]

3. So now we have a couple hundred economists and the US Treasury

thrown under the bus.

Will it never end??

[natrat]

71. hillary, what a friggin joke her whole deal is

[livetohike]

4. Robert Reich for V.P.!

:-)

[PassingFair]

9. An EXCELLENT idea! n/t

[hedgehog]

5. kick

[Ian David]

6. She could jump Robert Reich. He's very short. n/t

[flpoljunkie]

11. Well, she's only 5'2" herself, so that would be problematic.

[Cali_Democrat]

19. Hillary is only 5'2"?

I didn't know that

[Ian David]

24. Did you know that Insane McCain and Dennis Kucinich are both the same height? n/t

[ms liberty]

46. I didn't know that...

So Obama's taller than McCain? Hmmm...

[Starbucks Anarchist]

64. Obama's about 8 inches taller than McCain.

[SwampG8r]

37. me either

man o man
that is a huge ass on her
i think bill likes them full sized

[Ian David]

23. But she's got really big ankles. n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

33. You mean cankles

:evilgrin:

[Frisbee]

32. You had me going there...

5' 8-1/2"

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0166921/bio

[SwampG8r]

38. oh thank god

whew

[ecstatic]

53. watch it now! I'm a shorty

5'2"

Too bad she isn't! She would have won maybe half of a cool point with me.

[flpoljunkie]

63. That is inaccurate. The 6'2"Barack Obama towers over Clinton, who's wearing 2" heels in this photo.

[tblue37]

31. He will fit under the bus, even though there's so little room left. n/t

[SwampG8r]

39. you must have missed this they got a new bus

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5796712&mesg_id=5796712

[Thickasabrick]

7. Awesome point. eom

[DJ13]

8. Obama needs him out on the stump

In fact, all of the former Clinton supporters now backing Obama should be out stumping in Indiana and North Carolina (and on TV every day) for him.

[psychopomp]

10. Mr. Reich is a great asset to the Obama campaign

He is practical and even-keeled and offers a very common-sense rationale for his backing of Sen. Obama's campaign.

[stlsaxman]

35. Robert Reich WAS a valuable asset to the Clinton Presidency... the brains behind the prosperity.

This is a STRONG message coming from Reich.

Wow!

:wow:

[midnight armadillo]

51. And he should have been MA's gov over Romney

He lost the nomination to a party insider, who went on to lose spectacularly against Mitt Romney, giving us 4 years of Mitt as gov and then mitt's irritating, pandering presidential campaign. He would have wiped the floor with Romney in the governor's race. <sigh>

[babylonsister]

12. Rec'd. Open your eyes, Clinton supporters. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

13. Excellent piece by Reich

At first I thought that maybe Obama should pander like Hillary and McCain for votes and embrace the gas tax holiday hoax. I have changed my mind.

A change is needed in Washington and poll-driven politics needs to stop. Hillary represents more of the same and Obama is all about change.

Hillary is the status quo candidate.

[City Lights]

14. "It polls well."

Fluckin' A.

Recommended.

[Triana]

15. like bu$h, Hillary doesn't listen to experts either. Too arrogant. n/t

[OHdem10]

16. What we elitists do not get---the average Joe and Jane who would

be most affected by this, do not give one whit about Wonkish
Theoretical Arguments and see them as "The Elites are at it
again." They know and understand, since Hillary told them this
is not some Energy Policy. Rather, it is a wish to give them
some relief for the summer driving season.

When we say it is only 30 to 100 dollars, that is not the way
they do the math. When they have the nozzle in the tank, $2.80
looks a h-- of a lot better than $3.00. We sound like a bunch
of snobs. They perceive us as turning up our nose at that small
amount of money when their budgets are so tight they will take
relief anyway they can get it.

First rule of a good politicain. Pandering is ok. If you know
exactly what can be pandered and when.

[Muttocracy]

18. for that, the point should be that she can't do it this year anyway. nt

[Cosmocat]

29. You don't get it ...

Yes, people will TAKE the cheesey rebates Bushco throws at them, they will take this pathetic and counter productive gas tax rebate, in the context of Pols going the low road ... People are pragmatic, if pols won't lead, if they will give bread crumbs out, people will take them ...

But, they are STARVED for REAL leaders, for elected officials who have the simple courage to simply do what is right ...

Given the choice between someone who will say what a retarded idea it is vs throwing the crumbs, people will go with the real leader ...

[pop goes the weasel]

49. it's elistist to think that way

Most people know that 18.9 cents off each gallon is chump change. The government's bite hasn't changed; it's the profit of Big Oil and the general increase in demand that are to blame. Gasoline officially became too expensive for my under $30K income and 32 mpg car when it hit $3/gal. Temporarily removing the gas tax won't do a damn thing to make it affordable for me, and I would know that it would only make matters worse when the tax inevitably returned, probably higher even.

Now, one thing that the federal government could do would be to subsidize the replacement of older vehicles with gas savers. Maybe if there was some sort of rebate incentive, where you could trade your car or truck in and get a federal subsidy for every mpg of improvement, whether the car is new or used.... And then the gas guzzlers and smoke-belchers could be taken off the streets and recycled. Or maybe focus it just on the lower third of income earners, so we'd go out and buy better cars. That would help conserve fuel, and help the economy out.

[speedoo]

17. That's Bill Clinton's former Labor Secretary smacking Hillary down.

He's smacking her down because she deserves it. I guess Reich is just another Judas.

[phrigndumass]

20. .

K/R

[Cha]

21. hilary's "economists" would say "politics as usual"..

Obama's would give a real answer because they care about our Economy.

hilary is politics as ususal..that's why she's lost the nomination and our Country WINS.

[Joanie Baloney]

22. Reich on, Dude!! (n/t)

[psychopomp]

25. kick

:kick:

[Duke Newcombe]

27. Note to Obama: Grab Reich NOW...

...for Labor Secretary, or anything other position he wants...! He's a freekin' genius--always has been.

Duke

[TBF]

28. I love Reich's blog and read it regularly. I was thrilled when he endorsed Obama.

[ekwhite]

42. Robert Reich for Secretary of the Treasury

He would be a great asset to the Obama White House.

[IDemo]

43. Seconded

[hollowdweller]

47. Reich was one of my favorites of Clintons admin.

I still read his articles any chance I get.

[psychopomp]

59. Me, too

I was in University studying Politics at the time and had to read his book, "The Work of Nations."

Great sense of humor, case in point: His 2002 book is titled, "I'll Be Short: Essentials for a Decent Working Society."

[MilesColtrane]

60. Reich would be an excellent replacement for Fed chairman Ben Bernanke.

Of course, he'd have to cool his heals until Bernanke's term is up in late 2009.

Or, Obama could offer him the job of Secretary of the Treasury. That's definitely a step up from Labor Secretary

[DissedByBush]

30. Buying votes with cash is illegal

So she tries to find other ways to buy votes, like this.

[kwenu]

34. Odd how she forges ahead into the depths of stupidity even though it's clear her plan is stupid.

[K Gardner]

36. Love this so much I'm kicking it !

[ecdab]

41. K & R - time for a politician that thinks about the long term good of the nation as opposed to

one that thinks about the short term good of their own political campaign.

The difference between Hillary and Obama couldn't have been painted in clearer terms - and to think that Hillary was the artist doing the painting.

[ms liberty]

44. I really like Robert Reich...

Always have. He communicates complex sujects in a way that anyone can understand. And he's dead on right, too.

K&R

[DevonRex]

45. Kickerooni! nt

[quantass]

48. .

[invictus]

50. K & R

[TragedyandHope]

52. It's good to see a real expert speaking out

[madrchsod]

54. that`s got to hurt.......

[southerncrone]

55. I love Robert Reich....he's absolutely brilliant.

I certainly hope the next POTUS will tap him again to serve this nation. He is a wise & thoughtful man who has served this country well.

We need more like him.

[skyounkin]

56. Kick'd

And Rec'd!!!

P.S. great but super cheesy Star Wars pic!!

loving it!!

[dbmk]

57. Thats DETECTIVE Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, thank you very much!

[judasdisney]

58. Will Krugman continue to defend her with his "elitist economist" support?

[Perry Logan]

61. She's jumped all these sharks, yet she's still neck-in-neck with Obama. Go figure.

[CaptJasHook]

62. Reichious!

[Javaman]

65. Jumped the shark? she fell into the shark tank ages ago. nt

[happygoluckytoyou]

66. GOBAMA

In case you’ve missed it, we now have a president who doesn’t care what most economists think. George W. Bush doesn’t even care what scientists think. He rejects all experts who disagree with his politics. This has led to some extraordinarily stupid policies.

WHAT they think..... HE DOESN'T EVEN CARE THAT THEY THINK

GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA GOBAMA

[delt664]

67. Strangely enough, silence from the Hillary camp...

<crickets>

[Apollo11]

68. Not sure if you count me as part of the Hillary camp

But I agree with Senator Obama about the gas tax holiday.

I also support Hillary's plan to tax the oil companies on their record profits.

In fact I agree with Al Gore that we should replace income taxes with carbon taxes.

If this was implemented, gasoline would cost a whole lot more.

In Europe, they are already paying up to $9 or more for a gallon of gasoline.

It would be naive to believe that the $2 or $3 gallon is ever coming back.

[liberalcanuck]

69. Man, the similarity between HRC and Bush is just frightening.

Nothing pisses me off more than people who refuse to listen to the subject matter experts (except pundits - I don't listen to them :puke:).

HRC/McSame = Bush

[CindyKay]

70. Hillary Supporters I have some Questions for You

Did Hil-LIAR-Y forget to tell You that She has No Authority & Cannot Authorize a Tax Holiday ?
Answer : Yeah She Forgot !
Has She Reminded You that The Dick-Tater will Veto a Windfall Tax on the Oil Companies ?
Answer : Yeah She Forgot !
Has She Bothered to mention that even by some Miracle there was a Gas Tax Holiday the Oil Companies will Increase The Price of Gas to make up the difference and that they can raise it even Higher than the Tax Savings ?
Answer : Yeah She Forgot !

She is a Pandering Arrogant Elitist LIAR!!!!!!!!

Obama 08

[nealmhughes]

72. I'm afraid making Chachi an integral part of the story or a Hawaiian vacation can't save Mme. now.

Evidently she is now taking a cue from the late George Wallace with his infamous "pointy headed intellectuals" theme. Those silly intellectuals like Keynes, Wellstone, and Sanders! What a crowd! Run away, they are coming with analysis!

[lonestarnot]

73. I love that Robert Reich!

:loveya: Robert!

[gateley]

74. Hilary's version of "So?" nt

[katerinasmommy]

75. Reich is a decent man

I never liked the Clinton administration but Reich was always someone I respected. And that was way before he ever came out for Obama. He really DOES "get it" and he REALLY DOES have some sort of fellow feeling for the American people.

[Seymour Glass]

76. In 2000, Reich stabbed Gore in the throat

And like he does now with Hillary, he played all innocent and went to his constant pals in the media to publicly agree with the nastiest things the media already believed about Gore.

On countless cable shows during the primaries - helped push the "Gore is a liar" and a pro corporate whore - bs that directly put Bush in the WH.

In 2002, when he ran to be the nominee for Gov of Mass - his entire campaign staff were ex Bradleyites. This false and phony little, little man with a giants ego was "shocked", angry and very insulting when both Clintons endorsed his rival over him. They knew what HE did to Gore!

And then he has pretended almost all of this election to be "undecided" - while in reality - he has been with Obama since day one.

He's made himself into nothing but a "campus radical" media pundit. He's a fake and a phony. Nothing more.