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If Obama loses, Democratic “racism” to blame

That is, if you can believe such contrived, loaded polling.

Alternate explanation? Older whites, rather than being “racist,” aren’t particularly taken in by a guy who promises everything and says nothing. Too, they’re old enough to remember the Weathermen, Alinsky, Community Organizing, BLT, etc. — and they, being the bourgeois Democrats of the sixties and seventies, aren’t particularly drawn to the “new leftists” who have since taken over the Democratic party.

In short, they are more tied to their Democratic identity label than they are to the representatives the current incarnation of the party is putting forward.

And let’s face it: it begs the question to say that the political climate is primed for a Democrat takeover because of Bush’s low popularity rating and people’s dissatisfaction with Iraq — particularly when one considers that Congressional ratings are far lower than Bush’s, and that the latest Dem “leadership” move was to run from a financial crisis.

Obama represents that party. Perhaps not every white feels it is his or her duty as a guilty descendant of some racial oppressor to vote for a Black man just because the political establishment thinks now is the time, and He is the One.

Of course, I’m just spitballin’ here. And you’ll note that the survey doesn’t ask the obvious question: could it be that Barack Obama just ain’t black enough?

Dolemite/Palin 2012: Once you go black, you never go Barack.

(h/t Terry H)

102 Replies to “If Obama loses, Democratic “racism” to blame”

  1. Jeffersonian says:

    “Have any of you noticed that Barack Obama is part African-American?”

    To be precise, Guv, Barack is part African…pappy wasn’t in any way American.

  2. ushie says:

    He’s just a guy. A regular guy. I think the fact that he’s not God is distressing to some people, and that there are those who really don’t believe in the God-ness of him really frustrates them.

  3. happyfeet says:

    Baracky is plenty black I think, and the angry is just a bonus. But the whole ooh look at me I’m black no really check me out I’m like totally a metaphor for hope and change thing has gotten really stale. It’s like that’s very one-hit wonder. Everybody bought the single but nobody wants the whole cd I don’t think.

  4. was that rant yesterday, including the f-word for real? finish it with a “ready to lead?” and its a perfect mccain commercial

  5. happyfeet says:

    what are you talking about?

  6. happyfeet says:

    I don’t get what he’s on about.

  7. urthshu says:

    Search me, man, I’m still like “wha-? black?”

  8. Pat R. says:

    If this is the Left’s idea of reaching out to the PUMAs, I’m not sure the hair grabbing is going to work all that well.

  9. urthshu says:

    OK, but srsly, if in 2040 or something the Dems were to front a candidate who was sponsored by PETA, ALF/ELF, Earth First! or dKOS, would anybody look at the guy/gal more than a half-minute, voting-wise? Prob’ly you’d just collect Youtubes of the stoopidity to LOL @

  10. happyfeet says:

    But still that’s a more substantive premise I think urthshu than hey my blackness is totally like the chocolate to the peanut butter of the presidency for real we is talking yummilicious y’all. Baracky has wasted so much of my time I’m just never gonna get back.

  11. panther girl says:

    found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them “lazy,” “violent” or responsible for their own troubles.

    Perhaps they did find this. However, it doesn’t account for the “but I don’t mean so-and-so (my neighbor, the folks at my church, etc.)” phenomenon. To a great extent, when people make generalizations (which is what these surveys ask them to do) they lean toward what they consider a prototypical example (e.g., partying undergrads, busybody old ladies, etc.). They do not tend to consider those folks who do not fit the stereotype so easily. So it is perfectly congruent for someone to say on a survey that they think blacks are lazy (or whatever) but still vote whole-heartedly for Obama b/c “I didn’t mean blacks like him. They’re just race-baiters. And this from the candidate who is going to ease racial tensions.

  12. panther girl says:

    Thanks hf! Now I have to go to the store and buy chocolate. Enabler!!

  13. Salt Lick says:

    …could it be that Barack Obama just ain’t black enough?

    Well, a couple of friends who are government workers are hoping he is; they say if he’s assassinated at least they’ll get another federal holiday.

    I denounced them, of course.

  14. Darleen says:

    many calling them “lazy,” “violent” or responsible for their own troubles.

    Uh…hello? “Lazy” “violent” are definitely negative views of a whole GROUP

    but did the word “responsible” become a negative?

    (btw, this kind of IRRESPONSIBLE grouping is a well-honed, dishonest tactic. Barry used it recently when when decrying so-called negative attacks on him … “And that’s what the Republicans, when they say, ‘This isn’t about issues, it’s about personalities,’ what they’re really saying is, ‘We’re going to try to scare people about Barack. So we’re going to say that you know, maybe he’s got Muslim connections or we’re going to say that, you know, he hangs out with radicals or he’s not patriotic.’” Note that “hangs out with radicals” is actually true.)

  15. C Smith says:

    To anyone who says my vote should be affected by DNA: Get Stuffed.

  16. Darleen says:

    JeffG

    Media INVENTS White Racist

    A quote attributed to Sandra Cichon, a private citizen, is spreading across the internet as a living example of White Racism. Did a reporter put words in this woman’s mouth?

    An article in the St. Petersberg Times, quotes Cichon as having said, “I can’t imagine having a black president . . .”

    In a phone interview Saturday, Sandra Cichon of Spring Hill, Florida denied that she ever spoke with any pollster or reporter concerning Obama or about anything regarding race. Cichon was taken by surprise when phoned by this reporter, and she was not aware that she had been quoted in any newspaper.

    from JawaReport

  17. Jeffersonian says:

    I dunno, #15, I’m still voting Human this Nov. 4, though it’s likely a jackass will be inaugurated no matter what I do.

  18. panther girl says:

    Darleen,
    “Responsible for their own troubles” started becoming negative at exactly the same time there became a surge in practicing (as opposed to research) psychologists. Alcoholism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, poor, minority, on and on. No one can be faulted for their troubles because everyone has an excuse, er reason. I don’t deny that each of these can be devastating to deal with. But why is it that some folks (myself included) can grow up in these conditions and come out okay but others can’t? Might it have something to do with the person themselves. Nah, that’s crazy talk.

  19. urthshu says:

    18 –
    That stuff is kinda perfect storm-y. The psychs really do have good intentions, but they use a medical model, so everything gets described as a disease entity when it isn’t necessarily so. And they also want to lessen the stigma of having MI in general, which is eh good.
    But its surprising that folks accept the disease entity label b/c of not wanting the responsibility over their own choices/actions. I mean if folks valued their damned civil rights you’d think they wouldn’t line up to be diagnosed as legally weird, but there it is.

  20. panther girl says:

    I agree completely urthshu (#20). But it takes a little more brainpower to get the civil rights argument than it does to see that diagnosis = benefits for me (Rx drugs, special work accommodations, sympathy from family members, extensions for exam deadlines, etc.) It’s amazing how many folks (not all, by any means) get diagnoses just to show how unique they are. “You don’t understand. I’m not like other people. The reason I don’t do well on exams is because I have (fill in the blank).” They don’t seem to realize that the whole line of students behind them is saying the exact same thing. It’ll be interesting when the pendulum swings back and people want to be “normal” again to prove their uniqueness.

  21. Alec Leamas says:

    What the poll doesn’t measure is just how yummy it makes clingy white people in Pennsylvania and Ohio to be told to vote for Barack, or else.

    Also, I think a lot of the resistence to Barack in the Democratic party is from working people and rank-and-file Labor, who aren’t keen, as a cultural matter, for a fellow who hasn’t “paid his dues” (Labor is where we get this saying) and who always seems to saunter right into the best opportunities and offices without much preparation, experience, or work. I know these Labor types – I grew up with them, and I still drink with them – you start as an apprentice, keep your mouth shut, learn the trade, and defer to the hierarchy. I have visions of little emo Barack campaign workers with the Olberman glasses going in to the Local 401 to enlist the Ironworkers and coordinate the campaign, and the absolute failure of communication that is inevitable.

    Hence, I predict 6-8 phantom points in Pennsylvania in November.

  22. urthshu says:

    Reading the article is eh fascinating to me.

    I’m old enough to remember a time in my very racially divided and divisive city [Rochester NY – where Alinsky got his groove on during the 66 riots] when the black part of town was fairly-so middle class, with quaint bakeries and restaurants, theaters and jazz clubs. I was a kid, but my mom could walk us through kids in tow and shop, whatever. The old heads would watch out for the neighborhood and kids didn’t act the fool b/c their parents would find out and they’d catch it hard.

    Now though? Poor and criminal mostly.

  23. urthshu says:

    ah, to my 23 –
    Its just funny-hmm that people never saw that time and place, that they think this whole race has always been this or that way. It isn’t so.

  24. urthshu says:

    It also occurs to me that Obama doesn’t typify that old, solid black tradition – but I can’t really say why exactly. He just doesn’t, despite having the family in one piece, the house and success, etc.

  25. Alec Leamas says:

    “It also occurs to me that Obama doesn’t typify that old, solid black tradition – but I can’t really say why exactly. He just doesn’t, despite having the family in one piece, the house and success, etc.”

    The spice that is missing is “hard work.”

  26. happyfeet says:

    Baracky is different cause he thinks normal black people aren’t good enough, mostly cause they are unorganized and not down with the cause enough. If only they would listen more better. I think he resents what he has to work with a lot. It’s not fair.

  27. urthshu says:

    No, that isn’t it.
    Can’t quite put my finger on it, though. You’d need an older black man to voice it, I think maybe.
    Not hard work, exactly. Maybe a willingness to call out stupidity, a kind of missing wisdom thing. Dunno right now.

  28. urthshu says:

    Remember tho – this angry ’cause and struggle’ stuff is sort of new-ish in the larger scheme of things in the black culture. Foisted on them by a white guy taking advantage of real grievances too.

    Not alot know the shit what was going on here. The police chief was a dick to everyone, not just blacks, but the blacks were really fkn steamed, beating folks down with 2x4s and whites were riding around with shotguns. Alinsky came in and organised them, by God and they got nothing much except more and worse ghettoes.

  29. You’d need an older black man to voice it, I think maybe.

    Indeed.

  30. happyfeet says:

    I loves Baracky. God knows I do. But I kill him dead ‘fore I let him beat me.

  31. Paul T. says:

    Dosen’t everyone know what a MINORITY is? Blacks are a minority. Asians and Hispanics are minorities but they will side with the Whites in this election. There are not a lot of Whites that will vote for a Black Man unless he is conservative in his thinking (Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, or even Bill Cosby). Most Asian, Hispanic and White people don’t really trust Black people unless they spend time with them and find that they are normal people too. As long as ONE minority tries to put themselves above all other people they will continue to NOT recieve the RESPECT and TRUST that WE ALL WANT.

  32. McGehee says:

    Spies, if that link was supposed to go to a particular page at that site, all I got was the front page.

  33. Weird. They may have disabled direct linking.

    Here’s a link to the HTML page that has the audio file.

  34. happyfeet says:

    Huh? Come November there will be plenteous whites voting for Baracky. It will be historic and meaningful, if open to interpretation. It’ll sure not be nothing, least of all some kind of racial rejection, and that’s a whole separate conversation from whether America is ripe for socialisms. Baracky could have won, but he wasn’t ready yet. Nobody’s fault he jumped the gun but his.

  35. Rob Crawford says:

    There are not a lot of Whites that will vote for a Black Man unless he is conservative in his thinking (Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, or even Bill Cosby).

    And, ya know, a lotta those whites (er, “Whites”) won’t vote for a “White Man” unless he’s conservative in his thinking. It’s almost as if the determinant factor is something other than race…

  36. McGehee says:

    Thanks, Spies.

    Paul T., I’m hesitant to reply to your comment until I see more of what underlies your thinking — but my first impression is that of outdated language and assumptions.

  37. urthshu says:

    Whites will vote Obama and it was whites that helped him get to where he is. And also hispanics and asians. Just like how McCain got the nod from all kinds, including blacks. Surprise the world is bigger and more complex than color this or ethnic that.

  38. Sdferr says:

    Here’s another fellow with a testament to the past, SBP.

  39. urthshu says:

    The Cosby speech I remembered. Good, too.
    Did you read the latest Whittle peice? He was saying about how societies struggle to rise from ignorance all the time, then fall into short, brutish, nasty ignorance again, and he says sometimes thats b/c people just give up.
    I think maybe thats what Alinsky taught here. He taught them to hate the system so much that they gave up struggling to get away from ignorance, since the alternative to ignorance was embodied by the society he taught them to hate, you know….

  40. guinsPen says:

    the single

    Speaking of which, can anyone spare a few? I was planning to vote O!, but he doesn’t look like anyone on any of my dollar bills.

    Maybe he’s on some of yours.

  41. I just want to make an aside, that I’m literally crying at how… satisfying (for lack of a better word) it was to read this thread without interruptions from trolls.

    Of course, I just got done watching a sappy chick flick w/ my wife, and we’re going to watch another one shortly, so my emotional balance is kind of off. Still, though, I’m ecstatic.

    So, what’s this about Obama being black? I mean, he’s got some dark skin, but are they really trying to smear him by claiming he’s African-American? Like that’s some sort of “smear” anyway.

    RACISTS!

  42. […] OBVIOUSLY RACIST Blacks Against Obama Interrupt Rally. If Obama loses, Democratic “racism” to blame …. […]

  43. E. Nough says:

    I think what galls me the most is that Obama — an unaccomplished, undistinguished, self-aggrandizing, thin-skinned, useless bloviator and con artist — has the arrogance to think that I won’t vote for him because he is black.

  44. Mr. Pink says:

    How can a Democrat be racist? I was under the impression that just by voting a straight Dem ticket every 4 years I was absolved of my racism.

  45. sears poncho says:

    #

    Comment by E. Nough on 9/21 @ 4:44 pm #

    I think what galls me the most is that Obama — an unaccomplished, undistinguished, self-aggrandizing, thin-skinned, useless bloviator and con artist — has the arrogance to think that I won’t vote for him because he is black.

    Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding

    We have a winner, collect your kewpie doll at the front gate :)

  46. Rich Cox says:

    E. Nough I think what galls me the most is that Obama — an unaccomplished, undistinguished, self-aggrandizing, thin-skinned, useless bloviator and con artist — has the arrogance to think that I won’t vote for him because he is black.

    Than you could not vote for him because he is white too… just as much that as the other. That is what has always been stuck in my crawl….

  47. sears poncho says:

    I know it’s been said elsewhere, but I want someone to give me a believable scenario where a white person with Obama’s resume even gets the nomination.

  48. ST says:

    I just want to make an aside, that I’m literally crying at how… satisfying (for lack of a better word) it was to read this thread without interruptions from trolls.

    It’s not that we don’t care…honestly. As it turned out, many of us were summoned to George Soros’ “secret island lair” this weekend for last minute instructions on how to exploit racial divides for political gain.

    A bit tiresome really.

    But there was cake.

  49. urthshu says:

    I was told there would be cake

  50. urthshu says:

    thing is, this past week has been all-racism all the time ‘damn you conservative/repub rejects’ and we’re like what 50 days away? Obama doesn’t fear any backlash from this stuff?

  51. sears poncho says:

    I thought PIE was the normal fare on this blog

  52. dre says:

    guacamole and pie, greasey union workers on the side

  53. geoffb (JARAIP) says:

    “useless bloviator and con artist”

    Ah, doesn’t BLT stand for “Bloviate, Lie, Tax”?

    Is there a guacamole pie? Two birds one stone.

  54. SarahW says:

    Red velvet is the new pie.

  55. LunarTuna says:

    Boiled down to a point…You are a bigot if you don’t vote for “O”. Sounds to me like the Dems are setting the ground for an “O” loss. Or at the very least they are desperate and know, but won’t acknoledge, just how close this thing realy is. Inspite of having the MSM in the tank.

  56. Carin says:

    Do you think it will make anyone feel better if I got a bumper sticker that read: I wouldn’t vote for Obama even if he was white?

    I’m all about clearing up any misunderstandings about this.

  57. Alec Leamas says:

    “I wouldn’t vote for Obama even if he was white?”

    How about, “Not because he’s black, but because he’s RED.”

  58. Carin says:

    Still thinking:

    It’s not a black thing.

  59. dre says:

    Obambi: Too Red and Too Wright

  60. dre says:

    Obambi: Ayers on the side of Red

  61. Tare Kona says:

    You people are really racist.

  62. McGehee says:

    But there was cake.

    You ate the cake?

    You were invited to an evil mastermind’s lair, he offered you cake, and you ate the cake!?

    Dang fool.

    […]

    And STOP LOOKING AT ME!!!

  63. cranky-d says:

    And STOP LOOKING AT ME!!!

    I laughed. I really did.

  64. dre says:

    “You people are really racist.”

    Human RACIST.

  65. Fletch says:

    jefferson-

    I dunno, #15, I’m still voting Human this Nov. 4, though it’s likely a jackass will be inaugurated no matter what I do.

    I, for one, will welcome our alien overlords.

    “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky animals and you know it.”K

  66. Obambi: Ayers on the side of Red

    A Pinker Shade of Red.

  67. Sdferr says:

    I happened to catch the last minute of Brian Lamb interviewing some guy named Lionel, that’s all, Lionel who evidently works as a radio jock for AirAmerica. Brian’s last question was “Who do you think will win the election in Nov?” and Lionel’s answer (paraprasing) “I want Obama to win but I’m very nervous that he can’t because there is a large component of the voting public that is simply racist. If Obama doesn’t win” he says “that is no reflection on Obama, but is all about the racism of the USA.”

    Seems to be the word of the day.

  68. Sdferr says:

    Flaming Skull alert. Or see Jawa. Maybe something like that [the referenced post] could cause Obama to lose too. Axelrod has always struck me as some serious sleaze.

  69. Darleen says:

    Sdferr

    I have the links here

  70. Sdferr says:

    si se puede

  71. Sean M. says:

    A Pinker Shade of Red.

    Black and white and Red all over?

    I denounce myself.

  72. Pablo says:

    There are not a lot of Whites that will vote for a Black Man unless he is conservative in his thinking (Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, or even Bill Cosby).

    And then there are lots who will, and they wouldn’t vote for a white man who is conservative in his thinking. See how this works?

  73. Maggie Mama says:

    I’m really tired of hearing the “racist” meme being used because the person has no other defense. Rather than deal with the issue and refute the charges, they cry “racist.”

    I have NO choice but to believe that they are guilty.

  74. Lisa says:

    I have pretty much given up on this ridiculous website, but I was curious to see what your thoughts were on the direction of this country as we completely restructure our financial institutions. Alas, nothing.

    When are you going to talk about what is really going on in this country? Is it that you haven’t yet found a way to blame liberals for the looming financial collapse? Or are you just so locked into your race-baiting routine that you can’t seem to stop?

  75. McGehee says:

    Shorter Lisa: “DANCE, MONKEY!”

  76. alppuccino says:

    Lisa,

    Who advanced the idea that income verification is akin to racial profiling? When did that happen? What are the unintended consequences? Are the basic fundamentals of lending strong? What happens when you eschew the fundamentals for the sake of expanding the “right to home ownership”? What are you wearing?

  77. geoffb (JARAIP) says:

    Well there is this which nishi tried to hijack.

    And this.

  78. dre says:

    “Is it that you haven’t yet found a way to blame liberals for the looming financial collapse?”

    Fannie Mae-Roosevelt, CRA-Carter, Expanded CRA- Clinton

  79. cynn says:

    amen, Lisa.

  80. Lisa: Is it that you haven’t yet found a way to blame liberals for the looming financial collapse?

    Well, there’s this, and this, and this.

    Good reading all.

    However, I’m sure that you’ll ignore all that in lieu of pretending that I called you a stupid n____r or something of the sort.

  81. Maggie Mama says:

    Lisa, I’m willing to leave Bush and his 2003 proposals out of my comments since you suffer from BDS.

    However, why don’t you check on McCain’s position on the FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2005? And check out who was against it.

  82. Rob Crawford says:

    Or are you just so locked into your race-baiting routine that you can’t seem to stop?

    I tried to do some race-baiting this weekend, but couldn’t figure out how to get the damned things on the hooks.

    Seriously, if you want to talk about a specific topic, start your own blog. I hear they’re cheap.

  83. Ric Locke says:

    Bulls*t, Lisa (and cynn).

    This is and was a bipartisan f*up. If you can’t accept that — if you have to assume that all Democrats/liberals are pure, and Republicans/conservatives carry all the blame — then whatever decisions you make will be wrong, and the “solutions” you come up with will make things worse, because you’re working from partial data.

    There aren’t many people commenting here who aren’t prepared to accept that conservatives, at least nominal conservatives, have contributed to the problem. But if, as Instapundit notes this morning, we can have an extended interview with Sen. Dodd without a single mention of Countrywide Financial, you aren’t getting all the data. It may please you that the folks with cards up their sleeves are on “your side”, but it means that you don’t want to solve the problem and are thereby likely to make it worse.

    Regards,
    Ric

  84. Alec Leamas says:

    Clearly, the only way to fix the financial crises is to raise the Capital Gains tax, remove the payroll tax cap, and raise the top marginal rates. That should end all of those shennanigans.

  85. cynn says:

    On the other hand, the more you pound your racial and DemBlame nails, the more irrelevant they become. So have at it.

  86. On the other hand, the more you pound your racial and DemBlame

    cynn: did you read the links I posted?

    Hint: those aren’t black people, nor are they Republicans.

  87. cynn says:

    Look, Spies, I’m tired of the blame and finger pointing. It’s fruitless, and it deflects my attention from the fact that we are now a nation of sin-eaters, courtesy of Comrades Paulson, Bernanke and Bush. I sure as hell hope the Dems have at least enough courage to demand more accountability across the board, but I’m not betting on it.

  88. Look, Spies, I’m tired of the blame and finger pointing.

    Did you read those links, cynn?

    If so, are you going to address them?

  89. Rob Crawford says:

    courtesy of Comrades Paulson, Bernanke and Bush

    What did Bush do?

    And do you have any blame to spare for Dodd, Frank, and Obama?

  90. dre says:

    What did Bush do?

    2001

    April: The Administration’s FY02 budget declares that the size of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is “a potential problem,” because “financial trouble of a large GSE could cause strong repercussions in financial markets, affecting Federally insured entities and economic activity.”

    2002

    May: The President calls for the disclosure and corporate governance principles contained in his 10-point plan for corporate responsibility to apply to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (OMB Prompt Letter to OFHEO, 5/29/02)

    2003

    January: Freddie Mac announces it has to restate financial results for the previous three years.

    February: The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) releases a report explaining that “although investors perceive an implicit Federal guarantee of [GSE] obligations,” “the government has provided no explicit legal backing for them.” As a consequence, unexpected problems at a GSE could immediately spread into financial sectors beyond the housing market. (“Systemic Risk: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Role of OFHEO,” OFHEO Report, 2/4/03)

    September: Fannie Mae discloses SEC investigation and acknowledges OFHEO’s review found earnings manipulations.

    September: Treasury Secretary John Snow testifies before the House Financial Services Committee to recommend that Congress enact “legislation to create a new Federal agency to regulate and supervise the financial activities of our housing-related government sponsored enterprises” and set prudent and appropriate minimum capital adequacy requirements.

    October: Fannie Mae discloses $1.2 billion accounting error.

    November: Council of the Economic Advisers (CEA) Chairman Greg Mankiw explains that any “legislation to reform GSE regulation should empower the new regulator with sufficient strength and credibility to reduce systemic risk.” To reduce the potential for systemic instability, the regulator would have “broad authority to set both risk-based and minimum capital standards” and “receivership powers necessary to wind down the affairs of a troubled GSE.” (N. Gregory Mankiw, Remarks At The Conference Of State Bank Supervisors State Banking Summit And Leadership, 11/6/03)

    2004

    February: The President’s FY05 Budget again highlights the risk posed by the explosive growth of the GSEs and their low levels of required capital, and called for creation of a new, world-class regulator: “The Administration has determined that the safety and soundness regulators of the housing GSEs lack sufficient power and stature to meet their responsibilities, and therefore…should be replaced with a new strengthened regulator.” (2005 Budget Analytic Perspectives, pg. 83)

    February: CEA Chairman Mankiw cautions Congress to “not take [the financial market’s] strength for granted.” Again, the call from the Administration was to reduce this risk by “ensuring that the housing GSEs are overseen by an effective regulator.” (N. Gregory Mankiw, Op-Ed, “Keeping Fannie And Freddie’s House In Order,” Financial Times, 2/24/04)

    June: Deputy Secretary of Treasury Samuel Bodman spotlights the risk posed by the GSEs and called for reform, saying “We do not have a world-class system of supervision of the housing government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), even though the importance of the housing financial system that the GSEs serve demands the best in supervision to ensure the long-term vitality of that system. Therefore, the Administration has called for a new, first class, regulatory supervisor for the three housing GSEs: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banking System.” (Samuel Bodman, House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Testimony, 6/16/04)

    2005

    April: Treasury Secretary John Snow repeats his call for GSE reform, saying “Events that have transpired since I testified before this Committee in 2003 reinforce concerns over the systemic risks posed by the GSEs and further highlight the need for real GSE reform to ensure that our housing finance system remains a strong and vibrant source of funding for expanding homeownership opportunities in America… Half-measures will only exacerbate the risks to our financial system.” (Secretary John W. Snow, “Testimony Before The U.S. House Financial Services Committee,” 4/13/05)

    2007

    July: Two Bear Stearns hedge funds invested in mortgage securities collapse.

    August: President Bush emphatically calls on Congress to pass a reform package for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, saying “first things first when it comes to those two institutions. Congress needs to get them reformed, get them streamlined, get them focused, and then I will consider other options.” (President George W. Bush, Press Conference, The White House, 8/9/07)

    September: RealtyTrac announces foreclosure filings up 243,000 in August – up 115 percent from the year before.

    September: Single-family existing home sales decreases 7.5 percent from the previous month – the lowest level in nine years. Median sale price of existing homes fell six percent from the year before.

    December: President Bush again warns Congress of the need to pass legislation reforming GSEs, saying “These institutions provide liquidity in the mortgage market that benefits millions of homeowners, and it is vital they operate safely and operate soundly. So I’ve called on Congress to pass legislation that strengthens independent regulation of the GSEs – and ensures they focus on their important housing mission. The GSE reform bill passed by the House earlier this year is a good start. But the Senate has not acted. And the United States Senate needs to pass this legislation soon.” (President George W. Bush, Discusses Housing, The White House, 12/6/07)

    2008

    January: Bank of America announces it will buy Countrywide.

    January: Citigroup announces mortgage portfolio lost $18.1 billion in value.

    February: Assistant Secretary David Nason reiterates the urgency of reforms, says “A new regulatory structure for the housing GSEs is essential if these entities are to continue to perform their public mission successfully.” (David Nason, Testimony On Reforming GSE Regulation, Senate Committee On Banking, Housing And Urban Affairs, 2/7/08)

    March: Bear Stearns announces it will sell itself to JPMorgan Chase.

    March: President Bush calls on Congress to take action and “move forward with reforms on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They need to continue to modernize the FHA, as well as allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to homeowners to refinance their mortgages.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks To The Economic Club Of New York, New York, NY, 3/14/08)

    April: President Bush urges Congress to pass the much needed legislation and “modernize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. [There are] constructive things Congress can do that will encourage the housing market to correct quickly by … helping people stay in their homes.” (President George W. Bush, Meeting With Cabinet, the White House, 4/14/08)

    May: President Bush issues several pleas to Congress to pass legislation reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before the situation deteriorates further.

    *

    “Americans are concerned about making their mortgage payments and keeping their homes. Yet Congress has failed to pass legislation I have repeatedly requested to modernize the Federal Housing Administration that will help more families stay in their homes, reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure they focus on their housing mission, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance sub-prime loans.” (President George W. Bush, Radio Address, 5/3/08)
    *

    “[T]he government ought to be helping creditworthy people stay in their homes. And one way we can do that – and Congress is making progress on this – is the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That reform will come with a strong, independent regulator.” (President George W. Bush, Meeting With The Secretary Of The Treasury, the White House, 5/19/08)
    *

    “Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration, reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure they focus on their housing mission, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime loans.” (President George W. Bush, Radio Address, 5/31/08)

    June: As foreclosure rates continued to rise in the first quarter, the President once again asks Congress to take the necessary measures to address this challenge, saying “we need to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks At Swearing In Ceremony For Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Washington, D.C., 6/6/08)

    July: Congress heeds the President’s call for action and passes reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as it becomes clear that the institutions are failing.

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080919-15.html

  91. B Moe says:

    I sure as hell hope the Dems have at least enough courage to demand more accountability across the board, but I’m not betting on it.

    Did you just say that now? At the end of the Obama 08 campaign? Just you just really say that out fucking loud right now?

  92. Obstreperous Infidel says:

    Ah, thanks cynn. I mean it. I needed some humor this afternoon. I got it. Thank you.

  93. Log Cabin says:

    Gee… Reading Cynn and Lisa makes me think there really is nothing to lberalism except “Blame Bush”. I guess I would take these people more seriously if they would just come out and say, “I am not interested in how it happened, I just want to hang it on Bush and then bitch about the situation we are in.”

    Oh yeah, “and we need more regulation and taxes, too!”

    What a surprise. Yawn.

  94. Rusty says:

    #86
    Or we could cap govmt. spendeing at current levels,and institute a flat tax on income. Reduce the capital gains tax to 7% and watch big money run around the market like a greyhound on meth. Taxing people that are broke is a bad idea.

  95. ironpacker says:

    #22
    I am a retired ironworker, one of those “greasy union workers”, who is a registered independent and votes conservative. Most of my brothers in the building trades are pretty much pro gun, anti abortion, and resent the bite taken out of their check by “Uncle Sugar”. However, they are encouraged by union leadership (AFL-CIO) to vote a straight Democratic ticket. They’re constantly told that voting republican is guaranteed to lose them work. This is because most of the “pork” that comes out of Washington, DC requires prevailing wage. The fact that the AFL-CIO would endorse Charles Manson if he ran as a Democrat doesn’t matter. I think that the defeat of Gore and Kerry might be and indication that a lot of union workers in the building trades are not listening to their leaders and are voting their conscience.

  96. […] the villains here, we’re to understand (as are they, hopefully to the point where their guilt and their sense of wanting to stay in the good graces of […]

  97. Howard says:

    THE RACISM RED HERRING …
    If Obama can get Americans to base the election on racism,
    then it will take their attention off the fact that he has no experience,
    no credentials, and no issues.

  98. Maggie Mama says:

    Howard, “no experience, no credentials, and no issues” sounds very racist to me….

    Kind of like the dems saying that complaints against the McCain campaign for criticizing Raines, former (FIRED) CEO of Freddie Mac, who is aiding the Obama campaign.. Since Raines is black, the charges are “racist.”

    Idiots leveling idiotic charges. The word “racist” should be banned from the campaign.

  99. Maggie Mama says:

    P.S. Howard, ;-D

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