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‘Get in the Game’: Obama Lectures Chamber of Commerce on ‘Mutual Responsibility’

Feb. 7, 2011 5:25pm Meredith Jessup

Working to reaffirm his commitment to creating jobs and to reassure Americans that his administration is a friend of the private sector, President Barack Obama addressed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday. But while taking time to address the group may seem like an olive branch offering from the Obama administration, the president’s remarks seemed to demonstrate a continuing divide between the president and the business community.

Throughout the course of his speech, the President stressed that businesses owe certain responsibilities to the nation. “I understand the challenges you face. I understand you are under incredible pressure to cut costs and keep your margins up. I understand the significance of your obligations to your shareholders and the pressures that are created by quarterly reports,” Obama said. “I get it.”

In return, Obama suggested the government’s responsibility is to “encourage American innovation.” The president also used his speech to garner support for his investment priorities, including infrastructure development and education reform.

At times, he was more direct in demanding businesses take on a more charitable role, suggesting that corporate profits “be shared by American workers”:

Of course, your responsibility goes beyond recognizing the need for certain standards and safeguards. If we’re fighting to reform the tax code and increase exports to help you compete, the benefits can’t just translate into greater profits and bonuses for those at the top. They should be shared by American workers, who need to know that expanding trade and opening markets will lift their standard of living as well as your bottom line.

We cannot go back to the kind of economy – and culture – we saw in the years leading up to the recession, where growth and gains in productivity just didn’t translate into rising incomes and opportunity for the middle class.

While he continues to try and move toward the ideological center in the run up to his 2012 reelection bid, his liberal base may not be as supportive as he hopes.

“Two weeks ago the President promised that he would work to rebuild people’s faith in government – meeting with the biggest lobbyists in the country is hardly a step in the right direction,” said Erica Payne, the founder The Agenda Project, a 501(c)4 that works with progressive organizations to coordinate messaging.

The group launched this online ad condemning Obama’s decision to even speak to the Chamber:

“Go talk to whoever you want to, but let’s not have a lot of illusions about who you’re going to talk to,” Payne added. “Obama went to meet with lobbyists for the biggest 45 corporations in the country, all of whom are opposed to very basic reforms, environmentalism, all of it.”

“Let’s just not lie about it,” she said.

In addition, several protesters gathered outside the Chamber building — joined by Ralph Nader — and accused Obama of turning his back on labor unions:

Will the president’s outreach to the business community win him favor with the American public? If the last two years are any indication, this meeting of the minds will likely be short-lived.

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Comments (353)

OHFORPETESSAKE
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:14pm
If this guy had just a couple more IQ points, he’d be mortified at the speech he just gave.

It’s an international embarassment how little he knows about business.

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neverending
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:09pm
Arrogant sorry sob. I can’t stand to even look at him.

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ARIZONA VETERAN
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:07pm
GEEZ, wasn’t that BOY just attacking them last year? he must really think whitey is as stupid as his welfare kenyan/african peeps are..

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- RightPolitically
  Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:18pm
  Your comments are offensive, yet you have the right to air them! God bless America!
  
  Report this comment
olsparkee
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:06pm
I have just two words for anyone that believes, even for a moment, that he is moving to a moderate position: LAME DUCK.

We just saw what Pelosi and Reid did to rape the country in their two month LAME DUCK session when there were no elections at stake. Obama would do so very much more to instill his totalitarian, progressive socialist vision. Russia, China, North Korea have demonstrated what happens when a “Benevolent Dictator” takes power.

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ARIZONA VETERAN
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:05pm
A Ronald Regan Centennial salute to oBowMa, AL GORE, the pima county sheriff, holder, clinton, nappytanno, epa, naacp, seiu, afl-cio, la-raza, sharpton, jackson, the cbc, acorn and their democrat terrorist, union, liberal, friends,
from the “vitriol enemy, & hostage takers” with love
…………………/´¯/)…………
……………….,/¯../………….
………………/…./……………
……../“/´¯/’—’/´¯¯`•¸……..

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- encinom
  Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:42pm
  You mean Reagan’s salute to the nation, Reagan did make deals with Iran and South American drug lords (Iran/Contra). Reagan did sign the first START treaty with the Soviets. Reagan did raise taxes and triple the national debt. If Reagan was in office today 1/2 Term Palin would be calling him a RINO and the tea-baggers would be out in the streets protesting.
  
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- TheGreyPiper
  Posted on February 7, 2011 at 10:20pm
  So….do you disagree with those things, or are you applauding Reagan?
  
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MBA
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 8:00pm
He just can’t help himself. He really does think everyone else is stupid and he is the only intellectual in this country. HaHahahahahaha! He’s just plain wrong.

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wodiej
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:59pm
How many financial experts (who haven’t cheated on their taxes) need to say what he needs to do? I think he knows by now-he just won’t do it because he wants to re-distribute wealth.

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temple62
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:54pm
So now is the time for Obama to solicit the Chamber’s support after two years of ignoring their efforts to promote business while he coddled unionization. Unions don’t give paychecks nor do they create jobs! He needs to take a junior college course in Economics 101. Newsflash: Documented liars have very little credibility, Obama!

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Whostolemypig
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:53pm
This guy is completely delusional.

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heyjim55
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:53pm
It’s good to see that almost everyone here see’s the Dear Leader for what he is a communist.

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sometimes
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:51pm
Why can’t people see through this guy by now. All of a sudden he is friendly and congenial towards the Chamber of Commerce? What a joke. It’s so obvious it’s because he’s running for re-election and wants their support. He didn’t have any problem last year dissing the Chamber of Commerce. This guy is a work of art.

Watch what he does (or doesn’t do)…. not what he says.

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IMPrepared
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:47pm
To put it simply:

“It’s a slow day.
Heck, let’s mozy on across the way and pick on the folks at the general store”.

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Randyrocker
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:46pm
America needs to attend to some real business pertaining to Barack Hussein Obama and now!
http://atlahmedianetwork.org/?p=12986

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AlBundy
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:43pm
For a president that has NO CLUE, he shouldn’t lecture the business community. Hey Obama, the meeting wasn’t for community disorganizing.

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florida123
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:42pm
If this isnt a Communist in action what is?????

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suzpenn
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:34pm
I left out arrogant.

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suzpenn
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:33pm
Obama gives a whole new dimension to the term ‘slick’. America should be drilling and producing our own oil, gas, coal, and nuclear resources creating millions of jobs and bringing in much needed tax revenue. This Administration was just cited for contempt for blocking our off-shore drilling and not lifting it’s ban. But Obama found it perfectly fine to give $2 Billion to Brazil for it’s off-shore drilling. Mr. President, you are an arrogant, incompetent, water boy for George Soros and yours policies and ideologies are not only ruining this country and the lives of millions of Americans they are a threat to our National Security.
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SRB Ohio
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:33pm
I’m so tired of this President lecturing us on how to live our lives, and then the First Lady tells us what to eat.
A return to a 4% unemployment rate and he’s calling this the failed policies of the past and this from a man but to the best of anyone’s knowledge never even ran a lemonade stand.
He has not a clue about what to do overseas. He has not a clue about how to fix our economy but he stands there in the bully pulpit and tell successful businessman what they should do

Before the year is out we will see $6.00 a gallon gasoline and household electric bills skyrocket but never fear our President will be there to hand out unemployment checks and welfare benefits to ensure his next reelection.
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Whiskey Tango
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:27pm
Here is my 2 cents worth…….wait a minute….I can’t afford that!

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woodyb
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:25pm
Throughout the course of his speech, the President stressed that businesses owe certain responsibilities to the nation. “I understand the challenges you face. I understand you are under incredible pressure to cut costs and keep your margins up. I understand the significance of your obligations to your shareholders and the pressures that are created by quarterly reports,”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Their challenges, he understands!!!!!
Their obligations, he understands!!!!!!!!!!

When, if EVER, is he going to start to understand HIS OWN challenges, obligations, and responsibilities???????????

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Harmony
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:23pm
Obama and the liberals have it backwards. The foundation of any society is the producer – not the government. Any successful country will have protected the producer. The socialists are building their house on sand, and if enacted, will not stand.

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Scarab Sport
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:22pm
Obama is in all out election mode now. He wants to give the illusion of being pro business and that he has moved to the center. However, for over two years, he has demonized big business and insurance companies. Killed the auto industry and destroyed the industries real long term investors. He gave an undeserved ownership interest in the government bailed out automotive companies to the unions. The electric Volt is a big loser. Green energy investment is a joke. Several solar panel plants where the USA donated millions to help promote green jobs shut their doors because they could not compete with China. His Interior secretary shut down off and on-shore shore oil exploration and production. He Is using the EPA to get a form of cap and trade in place. Has his sights set on killing the coal industry using EPA regulations. Took over Health Care. I could go on and on. Not one person in his administration has any true business experience. Him included. They are all spread the wealth, spend us into bankruptcy, open up the boarders, political hacks. I can’t believe they have the nerve to do what they do, and say what they say, with a straight face. What has Obama really done to help create private sector jobs? Or, promote foreign investment in this country? The answer: Absolutely nothing! On the balance sheet, the job losses overseas over the last two years far out weight any gains. The USA has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the civilized world. Obama and his cronies are 20th century snake oil salesmen.

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MistaB
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:22pm
It’s great having a guy who never had a real job in the private sector telling business leaders how so run their businesses. What a joke!

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Barry@Occidental1980
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:16pm
Search ‘I get it’ @ http://www.urbandictionary.com.

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Raise the Banner
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 7:14pm
No, sir, you don’t get it.

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