Report Suggests Obama Jobs Adviser Jeffrey Immelt Dumping Obama for Romney
- Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:07pm by
Becket Adams
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Jeffrey Immelt, General Electric CEO and head of President Obama’s Jobs Council, is reportedly jumping the Obama re-election ship and defecting to the Mitt Romney camp, according to Fox Business’s Charles Gasparino.
If true, it would be a major blow to the Obama campaign’s image.
But hold on.
First off, Gasparino’s report isn’t based on statements made by Immelt, but rather the say-so of the CEO’s friends. Furthermore, a GE spokesman has gone on the record saying reports of Immelt supporting Romney are “ridiculous.”
But let’s assume the rumors are true. What reason would Immelt have for abandoning the Obama campaign?
“Back when he agreed to advise the Obama administration on economics, General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt told friends that he thought it would be good for GE and good for the country,” Gasparino writes in the New York Post. “A life-long Republican, Immelt said he believed he could at the very least moderate the president’s distinctly anti-business instincts.”
And although GE has greatly benefitted from its relationship with the U.S. government, gorging itself at the federal subsidies trough, Immelt is apparently dismayed that he can’t “fix” the president’s anti-business stance.
“…Immelt doesn’t think he’s had…much luck moderating the president’s fat-cat-bashing, left-leaning economic agenda of taxing businesses and entrepreneurs to pay for government bloat,” Gasparino writes.
To put it simply, Immelt has allegedly given up on the idea that he can move the left-leaning president towards the center, according to Immelt’s friends.
“The GE CEO, I’m told, is appalled by everything from the president’s class-warfare rhetoric to his continued belief that big government is the key to economic salvation,” Gasparino reports.
As one friend of Immelt put it: “Jeff thought he could make a difference, and now realizes he couldn’t.”
What’s the takeaway from this story? What are the bigger implications?
“Immelt’s conversion from public Obama supporter to a private detractor is important: It shows how even businessmen who feast off his subsidies worry about his overall economic agenda and its long-term impact on the economy,” Gasparino writes.
But if Immelt worries so much about the president’s long-term economic goals, why doesn’t he speak up?
It’s called “self-preservation.” Think about it: what does GE stand to gain should its CEO make his disdain for the president’s economic policies public?
“The president now routinely talks up his desire to tax businesses that create jobs overseas, and GE overseas expansion is well-documented. Nor does the company want to put all its green subsidies at risk,” Gasparino notes.
Then there is the likelihood that public displays of disapproval from GE executives would result in the president turning his “class warfare” gun on them. And what major company needs to deal with that kind of headache?
This is to say, Immelt will probably keep his mouth shut.
Still, according to friends of Immelt who spoke with the Fox Business reporter, the CEO’s disgust with President Obama’s economic policies is “real and palpable.” And despite official statements from GE spokesmen, Immelt’s friends claims he’s pulling for Mitt Romney and wants desperately to see the former Massachusetts governor defeat President Obama in the fall.
However, aside from the personal assurances of Immelt’s friends, are there any other signs that might indicate an Immelt defection? Actually, there might be:
In 2008, GE execs (who often take their giving cues from the guy at the top) gave over five times more to Obama than to McCain. This time around, GE executives have raised nearly twice as much for Romney as for Obama, and Romney isn’t even the nominee yet.
Then there are Immelt’s letters to the shareholders:
“We live in a tough era in which the public discourse, in general, is negative . . . American companies, particularly big companies, are vilified,” when “we need to work together to find a better way.”
In the words of Gasparino: “Sure doesn’t sound like an Obama booster to me.”
That is if this is all true.
(H/T: WZ)
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Comments (104)
teebubba
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:19pmI didn‘t care for Jeffrey Immelt before he became associated with Obama and I’m not going to begin liking him now. He has driven GE a once great American Corporation into the ground on his watch with or without the help of the WH.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:48pmTranslation: Immelt sees the handwriting on the wall. Rats are always the first to abandon a ship that is going down.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:05pmLets see if Romney will make a deal with the devil. If he take any donation from immelt he signed he sinks his campaign.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:15pmWhat does this tell us about Romney? I’ve heard him described as Barack 0bama in a Ronald Reagan suit. I think they’re right.
Report Post »TeaPartyForRomney
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:04pmThis is because Immelt can’t stand Obamanomics. Romney has been where Immelt was and knows how the economy works. Here is the speech he gave on the economy to the University of Chicago and told the students there, “I don’t see how young Americans can vote for Democrats”: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/mar/romney_talks_economy.html
This is why Immelt and Jack Welch and so many businessmen are voting for Romney… HE GETS IT.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:00pmImmelt – your a turn coat traitor to the US – you stay with Obama – We want them all out – including you!
Then when your out – I hope our Congress will investigate your dirty dealings.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:46pmAll the Large Corporations are led by Leftists who support Socialists. GO FIGURE!
Report Post »Freedom from liberals
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:48pmLife long republican my arse. He is a sell out to gain government subsidies and line his pocket. A true republican should stand for values and principals and not cave for personal benefit. This man is a joke.
Report Post »RonmeyPaulBotsrOdd
Posted on March 21, 2012 at 4:23amBait and switch…people being fooled. Immelt would not allow this to be leaked out – this is just to further the push to have Romney the opponent. His speech after winning Illinois says it all. Flat, boring and full of business about business and freedom business. They already own Romney – thus they will put up a little hit here and there, but the total calculated run against Santorum and contraception while again shows you who they are afraid of running against. Romney = no fear. Just last week he was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from one Fox show the next. He has as thin a skin as Obama, but just thinks he can stay above the fray and outspend to win. That may prove to be effective in the primary, but against “the machine”???
Report Post »pbrenda51
Posted on March 21, 2012 at 9:57amI refuse to buy anything GE…..recently went for new washer and dryer….when salesman took me to GE, I told her I don’t buy anything GE…..she asked me why and I told her that the ceo is in bed with Obama and making lots of money because of it……she said she has had several others come in and refuse to look at GE also……I also have stockpiled my light bulbs as I refuse to buy mercury laden bulbs and will not buy GE brand……..we ALL should be doing this
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on March 21, 2012 at 11:25amJeffey now has a white racing stripe between his brown nose and those two outer brown racing stripes from Obama. He’s afraid Obama might lose and G.E. will actually have tro pay taxes.
Report Post »50BMG
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:12pmGee, did Jeffrey finally figure out that he was being used by Obama?
Too late, GE. Your CEO prostituted your company, and now you’re complicit in the destruction of American capitalism. Perhaps if your board of directors had spent some time reading about the history of the Third Reich, you’d have figured out this trap a bit earlier.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 4:49pmSocialist love Collectivism… so, they really must Love COLLECTIVE SIN!
Report Post »RonmeyPaulBotsrOdd
Posted on March 21, 2012 at 4:30amThey will keep prostituting…there will be no change even if Dole, er McCai…ummm Romney is elected as we are being led to slaughter. This race is still being controlled by the media and administration. Very telling in Axlerod tweet toward an article last week about menstrating women not allowed to be in Mormon ceremonies last week. If you think Romney is going to win..think again. Now – lets all say it together. If you think Romney is going to win..think again.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:10pmStay away Immelt…we don’t want you!
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:09pmWho freakin’ cares? This Immelt character – he’s dirty, no doubt. First, if you had a clue and were concerned about the future of this nation, why on earth would you possibly accept a position on a literal regime? It makes no sense from a rational view point. People that are THAT rich cannot be THAT obtuse, can they? I saw Obama’s schtick from a million miles away. You’d have to be excessively naive to the point of moronic not to see it.
Report Post »GERATMO
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:09pmEither way you look at it, this is a good thing. Even though Jeff is a Progressive Obama supporter, if he defects to the Right side, it makes Obum look bad and brings votes the Republicans. I dont care who does what as long as we win the Presidency.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:16pmWell, it certainly doesn’t mean anything to me. If it had been from a guy that exudes character and integrity, then obviously. But Immelt? Dirty.
Report Post »islamhater
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:51pmLMFAO! He is a commi that see’s Obama going down. He is trying to save his a$$……Asoon as another commi gets in office he will be right up his/her a$$… DO NOT be FOOL’ED!!!! All these people must go.
Report Post »libertytreecaretaker
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:57pmImmelt is no better than a welfare queen parasitic to the tax payers and will latch on to whomever is in office. CUT all subsudies to GE now!
Report Post »delinski
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:13pmImmelt could easily be “Dagny’s brother” in Atlas shrugged. He is a traitor to American Entrepreneurs and businesses in general. If he does change his ways and switch to Romney I will cut him some slack though.
Report Post »mermaid7
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:53pmWell, I will give Immelt the benefit of the doubt if he’s changing sides. Maybe he’s seen the light.
Some could say that he‘s just saving his butt and sees the writing on the wall in order to see who’s winning….and he wants to be on the winning side!
Time will tell and only God knows what he truly believes. But we will forgive him as many did believe in the “Nope and Change”.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:50pmBirds of a feather, flock together!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:47pmI’m getting a mental picture of Obama barricading himself in the Oval Office on inauguration day. A big pile of coke on the Resolute Desk and a cache of weapons aroud him. When Secret Service comes to drag him out of the office: “Say hello to my leetle friend!”
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:56pmLOL .. as long as they get him out and fumigate .. I will be one happy citizen.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:56pmLol Al pacino AKA Tony Montana,face covered in blow and firing his lettle friend,a classic.
Report Post »altannt
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:40pmI wouldn’t fall for it. Obuma maybe told him to say it they are to chummy. Sounds like a trap.
Report Post »Freedom Keeper
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:38pmhttp://oleglorynews.com/2012/03/18/the-complete-destruction-of-the-fourth-amendment/ Scary stuff!!!
Report Post »Tolkayn
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:48pmNot as scary as the truth here http://www.tromsite.com
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:22pmTolkayn. I don’t have time to read/look at all that. What is it about?
Report Post »Tolkayn
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:17pmThis article clearly shows the insanity we all face everyday in our current socio-economic system. It truly scares me that the absurdity of where we all are, right now, in terms of the direction of our future in the current flawed and failing socio-economic system we created for ourselves.
Report Post »I saw the following information for the first time yesterday evening and I have not been able to go to sleep since. http://www.tromsite.com/
Seeing this will fundamentally change the way you look at, not only, our failing socio-economic system, but also how you view yourself and the world we all live in.
abbygirl1994
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:38pmJeffery Immelt… tax paying eluder….. who really gives a fat fart about Jeffery Immelt.. is this a ploy to have people steer away from Mitt?? Sorry.. I will believe this when I see it! This administration is afraid of Mitt Romney.. why?? Well it has to do with good and evil!
Report Post »John 3:16
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:56pmWe can only hope that all Constitutionalist Americans steer away from Mitt, the RINO establishment Romney: So if this helps, so much the better for America.
Report Post »Dahart
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:59pmI still say Rommey is Obama Lite
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:10pmYes, but if Romney is nominated, I will vote for ANYONE, BUT Obama.
Report Post »MS-GlenNBC
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:14pmGeorge Soros said he would be happy with Obama or Romney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyftC27vNp0
Why would this be a surprise.
Romney went along with Socialized Medicine, I bet Immelt would be able to get Romney to sit on his hind legs and beg. Good Romney…. Good Romney.
Romney is a Crustacean…. Immelt will break him.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:37pmKeep your powder dry for Romney, Jeff, and don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes . . . in November . . . two weeks before the election would be just about perfect.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:35pmThink there probably could be many intelligent businessmen out there that were duped by Obama in the beginning…thought he would be “moderate”, “center” when needed & could be “persuaded” to be more “reasonable” – like past Dem presidents. Politics as usual. Has nothing to do with “intelligence”. They go “with the flow”, etc. as others have stated.
Report Post »Obama & his handlers were counting on the overwhelming “unbelievability” of having a President that actually was a lying Marxist/Communist racist ideologue who hated traditional America and was the culmination of decades of evil schemes for decades by our enemies…to take us down from within. This is just too humongous for people to grasp – along with being their first “black” President, which was used to keep people quiet about any criticisms or concerns. He “flew under the radar” for sure…..since his youth, being “prepared” & lining up all the other like minded traitors to be in necessary positions to protect his secrets, like the DOJ, judges, State Dept,, etc. They achieved it all with Obama. Plus who wants to admit that they were fooled about such a serious matter? Even our wonderful Repub. Reps. in Congress are cowards and/or living in denial – it’s an election year and probably just foolishly hoping things will be solved with the elections – that is, IF there are any elections….(martial law?)
PRAY !!!!
HorseCrazy
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:32pmimmelt is a weasel who has tanked GE. never said liberals were loyal or good in business.
Report Post »Al Gored
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:51pmGood for China’s business.
Report Post »MS-GlenNBC
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:19pmaccording to Romney Supporters being a good business man makes you conservative….
Bill Gates
Warren Buffett
Jeff Immelt
Willard Romney
Steven Spielberg
Being a business man doesn’t make you conservative.
Report Post »John 3:16
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:24pmJeff is just interested in sticking with the PROGRESSIVE candidate he thinks has better odds of padding his pocket and Romney is as good of a progressive candidate as the Rino establishment has to offer. Obamalite=Mitt Romney.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:33pmamen
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:23pmWith Obama working to raise taxes on overseas earnings of course Immelt is worried. GE will be paying even higher taxes than it is now. Or…government contracts with GE may be in jeopardy when Romney takes over the white house. Dont’ forget..GE ramped up “Green” projects in 2009 in anticipation of Obama’s policies. Immelt is a slime bag.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:41pmG.E. ain’t paying taxes now AvengerK.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:23pmStay away from both Obama‘s and Bush’s people…Everyone from Karl Rove to Van Jones…Leave them in the dust-bin of history where they belong
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:38pmYou can put lipstick on a pig it’s still a pig.
Report Post »Once a traitor always a traitor.
Gonzo
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:20pmRats leaving a sinking ship?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:26pmSing this in your best Mousekateer Mickey Mouse Club tune: F-*-*-K-E-D—A-G-A-I-N! That must be how 0bama feels about now.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:39pmHe thinks it‘s all Fox News’ fault! Honestly, I read he’s saying that privately .
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:47pmObo dont care Ive said it will say again
Report Post »Democrats Republican out
Its Progressive vs. American ( WE THE PEOPLE)
What Obo dont get done the next progressive will work on
I hate to say Ron Paul Me or maybe Gonzo may be your
only hope
Bring all troops home
Secure border
Jail,deport,or send bags of pink progressive to
third world to fee the hungry . They tend to feed on theirown anyway……………………….
Black Midge
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:18pmIf Jeff Immelt jumped ship, I want to know why Oprah is silent. She was the driving force for his election anyways.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:30pmIf Oprah was smart,and I beleive she is,she should come-out and say if she were to endorse Obama for a second term,she would only be doing it because Obama is black…Her ship is sinking,and she is probably smart enough to know why
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:34pmshes silent because nobody watches her anymore
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:41pmOprah got her “own-comings”. She has been slipping down in the “Queen of Daytime” chair…just like little kids that will on purpose slide-out of their “high-chair“ but unlike ”mischievous kids”, Oprah’s slide-out is not her intent. History seems to repeat itself when people think they are “royalty” and the rest of us are “stupid-peasants”. When you put other people up on petal-stalls…well, “they” are just people…that’s it.
Report Post »Jeff isn’t a fool. He is a low-bellied snake in the grass…not trustworthy!
AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:48pmP.S.
Charles Gasparino…what a hoot! He is “savy smart” & has an attitude “I’m not here to win a popularity contest” He has one of my favorite accents…New Jersey/NYorker?
Report Post »Hey everyone…..Happy Spring! It snowed here in Mt. yesterday, but the sun is out now & the birds are singing…Life is Good! God Bless America!
marhee9
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:17pmHow convenient for Jeff Immelt. He sucks up to Obama fro 3 years, and now that he knows Obama is toast, presto chango, he’s a Republican again. This guy is a slimeball for sure, stick with Obama Jeff.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfgeFnOZbI
football lady
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:23pmOr maybe he just woke up form the KookAid induced coma.
Report Post »conserve48
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:16pmAs Limbaugh puts it. He is only one of the ‘Union Sluts’. They will go to whomever will line their pockets.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:28pmAnd that probably includes all of the republican candidates.
Report Post »bobbyjoe
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:16pmRats leaving a sinking ship????
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:36pmLie down with the dogs, get up wih fleas more like. He made a huge mistake, and he is going to be very sorry for it.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:37pm“Goes ahead, knocks my head off, but don’t throw mes in da briar patch.”
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:15pmRomney and Obama are both financed by the same people. This goes to show the clones(Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich) are really not much different from Obama on the debt, spending, war, and freedoms.
Report Post »football lady
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:21pmThey are 100% different and you know it. Ron Paul is not going to win anything! Get over it.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:34pmThey are about 35% different…give or take
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:55pm@shylow
You nailed it! Good post! We Americans have to keep our eyes on these people.
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:33pm@football
100% huh?
Romney/Obamacare
Both support the NDAA
Neither put budgets on the table that cut current spending, the only cuts are to future increases.
Both have supported gun restriction laws
Both have been/are pro choice.
Both have raised taxes and fees on the people they serve.
Both have been for bailouts.
Both believe we should be the global police force.
Both believe in foreign aid.
Both have admitted to be “progressives”.
Both are funded by Goldman Sachs and other big banks.
Should I keep going?
So tell me, where are they different?
S
Report Post »happ77
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 1:39pmThey are polar opposites. Ones a communist the other a
Report Post »businessman.
freedoc
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:48pm@Martinez012577
Bravely, and accurately stated.
Romney is a progessive ‘conservative’. Nothing more or less.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:13pmImmelt is full of B.S.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 12:20pmI am sure this story is not true as GE loves the zero taxes and tax credits. But in any case, I don’t want him in my camp. Stay home Jeff.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 2:19pmDissension in the ranks of the left could be good. Their attacks won’t be as focused & they may be more desperate. They’ll make mistakes. Fund raising will be down for the Democrats. So Immelt even thinking about jumping ship is a good thing. I don;t expect a announce by Immelt until Romney clinches the nomination & closer to the Republican convention. Immelt will want to limit damage from revenge attacks by Obama & company.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 3:11pm@ Walkabout
Report Post »You know what happens to people who talk ?
Never seen or heard from again.