Warren Buffett’s Secretary to Sit with Michelle Obama at State of the Union
- Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:08pm by
Christopher Santarelli
- Print »
- Email »
The Obama campaign has found its Joe the Plumber.
President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night is expected to emphasize economic inequality, appropriately timed coming off the Occupy Wall Street fall leading up to Tuesday’s release of frequent Republican front-runner Mitt Romney’s tax returns which reveal that the multi-millionaire pays an effective tax rate of 13.9 percent. To hammer home the political game that the Obama campaign has been playing, billionaire Warren Buffett‘s longtime secretary will be joining first lady Michelle Obama in her seating section during tonight’s speech.
The guest choice is significant because Buffett’s secretary, Debbie Bosanek, has become the embodiment of the Obama campaign’s central theme in 2012; appeal to middle-class populism disgusted by the excess of the “one percent” in the midst of economic distress.
The central discussion in politics over the summer revolved around the president’s failure to bring both sides together effectively during the debt-limit crisis and subsequent credit downgrade by Standard & Poors, all on top of continued high levels of unemployment and economic uncertainty well into the Democratic President’s first term. Then on August 14 came Buffett’s now infamous New York Times op-ed “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.”
“My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice,” Buffett wrote in the closing sentence of the piece that was heavily discussed in the media for weeks to follow. In the article Buffett bemoaned the tax rate for America’s highest earners, demanding that the the first thing the then newly instated “super congress” do is raise tax rates on those making more than $1 million.
In subsequent interviews Buffett harkened on a phrase he has used in the past, that his secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does.
The White House immediately jumped on Buffett‘s phrase and the easily populist call to tax the rich as a means to solve the nation’s deficit woes, shifting the main focus in American politics and the main stream media over night from the nation’s mounting debt and spending, to income inequality, the “Buffett Rule” and the “one percent.” This culminated almost exactly one month following Buffett’s ope-ed, on the September 17 “Day of Rage,” which became the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Come full circle, in a speech that many expect to be purely political theater for the 2012 general election, Buffett’s infamous secretary will watch with the First Lady from the House gallery.
POLITICO notes that it is common practice for presidents to invite guests to sit next to the first spouse that fit with the theme of their address, with Bosanek’s presence a big hint that the address will tilt heavily towards economic issues of fairness.
Bosanek has not made too many public appearances or statements since she became a political buzz word, perhaps because her plight and Buffett’s comparisons to her salary and tax rate have been thoroughly criticized, especially by Glenn Beck’s co-host Stu:
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 591 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 376 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 379 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 416 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (97)
Popp40
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:47pmThe problem is that many Americans will not see through this and will believe the lies that this administration and the media is saying. I hope I am wrong but I doubt that I am.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 6:59pmDon’t forget, Buffet’s tax lawyers are still fighting the irs about a billion $$ in taxes he owes from years past.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:50amMichelles reaction when being told was “What!! You expect me to sit beside this old white bitch??
If you think I‘m going to share the spotlight with this nobody You’re nuts. I‘m the first lady I don’t have to share the spotlight with anybody. Now get her out of here.
OMG
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:46pm@TheBlaze Moderators
FYI: Glenn has been advised [again] of your silly little antics.
ANYONE Who is experiencing “selective censoring” or being tossed into the “your profile” loop or the you need to “sign in” loop or whatever, when attempting to reply, contact Glenn via:
me@glennbeck.com
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:01pmSo, according to Democrat Logic… Everytime Warren Buffet WON, the 99% LOST… so i thought we were supposed to hate that tax dodging, corrupt LITTLE WEASEL anyway…. RIGHT ??? He’s a 1%er… So should want to camp out and take DUMPS on his Lawn !!!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:03pmGood to know. It happens all the time to me…Mostly when I use the phrase…They use the Constitution for toilet paper…They dont seem to like that one.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:06pmObama Voters want to share the WEALTH…. just not the LABOR… lazy, welfare grubbin crack heads….
Report Post »wakeuplds
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:17pm“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Report Post »I know that Glenn Beck has found the answer, though he hasn’t been doing a very good job of explaining it lately. Why did Oprah gain such a following when she consistently preached a false doctrine “any path you choose leads to God”? My MIL would always say… yeah but she does so many good things for people!
We are NEVER going to win the debate until we show the world that we care & we mean what we say. If we say “no more Obama corruption.” What does it say about us if we nominate a person who left WashDC due to ethics violations? If we plead “please, transparency Obama” What does it say about us if we nominate a person who has no desire of releasing such violation records? If we say “We’re tired of the sleaziness in Washington!“ If we say ”We want someone to REALLY bring people together?” I was a young woman in Cali during the Clinton scandal & I remember Newt was one of the most polarizing figures in the country. I’m sorry. Newt is a wonderful debater & he probably has changed & is saved now, idk. But he can’t be the nominee from our party anymore. Not if we really mean what we say. He can be forgiven of his sins but there are always consequences still from our actions. Newt’s consequence is that he no longer gets to be president.
I don’t believe he could win against Obama anyway, but that’s not the point. I’m asking why he should. PS 3 honorable men r running for pres.. anyone of t
AvengerK
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:21pmso in short..Obama’s “State of the Union” speech will be a performance where he’ll likely pull the class warfare act again for the national stage. Ignore the real state of the union…. I‘m sure he’ll mention Buffett‘s secretary pay a higher tax rate then her boss but forget to mention that Buffett’s already paid the 35% salary tax and now pays the 15% capital gains taxes on his investments. Typical Obama.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:25pmand of course..we‘re all meant to believe that Buffett’s secretary is suffering because her boss pays 15% cap gains taxes on his investmetns. Obama merely plays games with the American people.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:39pmHey Obama , I want 2 be ur friend 2 ! NOT
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:46pm.
@THEGRASSROOTS
You should walk a mile in the Monkey’s Shoes. I’m the most “selectively censored” person here. I have more stuff disapear that Obama does Trillions………….It’s those PC White Guilt Obama Voting Morons they Tattle Tail on you…….
——————————————————————————————————————-
Someone needs to tell Warren Buffett’s Secretary, not to cut in front of Moochell in the food line. She needs to see that picture of Mitt after he cut her off……….
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:49pmGet on board , the evil train is going foward with there BS .
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:51pm@Thegrassroots
Report Post »It’s not a conspiracy. I have had some “you have to sign in” loops. Just delete all your temporary internet files and cookies, then sign in again, no problem. The Blaze only moderates certain words like curse words, or offensive words. I have dealt with them a few times and they have always treated me with courtesy. Sending an email to me@glennbeck.com will do nothing, but add to the SPAM Glenn gets.
TerryDo
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 3:41pmHas Buffet paid the government his corpation’s back taxes yet?
And I will venture that although Buffet;s secretary pays more than 15% taxes on her salary, I will bet she only pays 15% on her capitol gains from her shares in Berkshire stocks.
And with all those years of devotion to Buffet, she probably earns between 175,000 to 200,000 a year between salary and company stocks. So she is not really the best poster child for the Obama Nation
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 5:30pmAccording to the cheapskate liberal Billionaire Buffet he only pays her $69K a year. He thinks the government should provide her everything else.
Report Post »loveoursoldiers
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:44pmIsn’t that nice. The big fat cat billionaire O cronie’s secretary ( prop) will be in the audience representing the little people..What a bunch of BS
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:01pmWhat you said!
Report Post »Instead of using an unemployed person as a “prop”, they use an obviously well compensated employee of an uber rich guy who is ‘in the loop’, so to speak, of Obama’s friends and supporters. If the administration wants more tax income, then they should promote policies that put more people to work instead of over taxing the job creators. They are only showing their ignorance in these matters by using Buffet’s secretary as a “prop”. The millions of people that are unemployed are offened by this administrations total lack of clarity of how to run a country and it’s finances.
doyley64
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:04pmI agree that it is unfair for Mr Buffett to pay a lower percentage in taxes then his secretary. we need to demand that his secretaries taxes be lowered, immediately. Along with everyone else’s !
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 3:16pmHe could say that the middle class should be like the investor class, invest to take advantage of the 15% tax rate, and claim he provided another tax cut for the middle class! Wonder if Warren told his secretary?
Report Post »budahbabe
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:40pmHow about we send a message to our leader. Turn off your television sets and don’t watch. Aren’t we saturated enough with Obama mania? You know how he goes on and on and pats himself on the back for all his wonderful accomplishments that never happened. You will hear in detail the highlights and opinions of the Obama media after it is over anyway because remember he walks on water.
Report Post »lionB
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:08pmI can’t watch him any more. He makes me sick to my stomach. If Obumer or his wife or Debbie Washerman Shultz comes on the TV I change the channel immediately. Every word they utter is garbage.
Report Post »EchoHawk
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 4:24pmThe lion is a lost lamb.
Report Post »Zcat
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:38pmWarren Buffett Stands To Make Huge Profit From Obama’s Rejection of Keystone Pipeline…
Obama scores a two-for-one, he gives his far-left “green” base their pound of flesh and lines the pockets of one of his most valuable supporters.
(Bloomberg) — Warren Buffett’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC is among U.S. and Canadian railroads that stand to benefit from the Obama administration’s decision to reject TransCanada Corp. (TRP)’s Keystone XL oil pipeline permit.
With modest expansion, railroads can handle all new oil produced in western Canada through 2030, according to an analysis of the Keystone proposal by the U.S. State Department.
http://weaselzippers.us/2012/01/24/warren-buffett-stands-to-make-huge-profit-from-obamas-rejection-of-keystone-pipeline/
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:37pmLooks like Obama once again is coming in from the behind…Mittens for President
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:31pmIt’s just sad how Obama has been in election mode for the past year instead of trying to run the country. He’s been focused on November 2012 since December 2010.
He should begin his speech with, “The state of the union is bad. All I care about is trying to score political points rather than helping struggling Americans. Illegal immigrants, sand, and politics are much more important to me than helping the millions of hurting Americans. I‘m a very bad president and I’m sorry for all the damage I have done.” The stock market would should up 15% in a day if he said that.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:30pmThe photo of the two of them gives me the creeps. It looks like Barry is breathing a little too heavy and buffet is starting to smile with perverse expectations.
Report Post »conservativeblackman
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:30pmStu looks a little to comfortable in that dress.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:30pmTypical Lberal Democrats:::: Symbolism Over Substance !!!! Who buys this crap anymore ???
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:35pmsheeple do………………….
Report Post »uisignorant
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:30pmSo Buffet will pony up the $1 billionin back taxes he owes today?
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:30pmOne of the reasons I do not want Romney is because he cannot articulate why the capital gains tax needs to be low. Warren Buffet is making money off his association with Obama through inside information. This secretary to sit next to Michele is showbiz like everything that is being done to the public through the media. We need someone with a fighting spirit who can articulate and explain to the American people who do not understand. They throw figures around and tax rates and the facts are that the same tax rate in the 60s is not the same as now because there were more deductions. Romney paid the 35% or whatever while he was making his money and he is retiring and living off and reinvesting what he is making off his investments. We need that in this country for jobs. I am so sick of the dog and pony shows ~or showbox~ the rhetoric over percentages and the BS that is thrown at people to influence. Rick Santorum was the only one to point out at the debate to then make the losses count. If Obama does succeed at taxing capital gains there will be less jobs and less revenue.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:29pmMichelle is rich…Buffets secretary is not. I suggest they cut Michelles money in half and give it to the lady as a sign of their intentions to what they are about to do to us again. Start redistribution of wealth with Michelles money…start tonight with that “poor” lady…
Tomorrow night me and Warren will exchange paychecks as a sign of his redistribution efforts…
Report Post »Obama can redistribute his wealth with one of you guys…any volunteers?
Stoic one
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:23pmYa gotta think larger.. USA is 25% of the global gdp; this needs to be redistributed across the entire world. THEN hope and change will be accomplished.
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:27pmThe real question is, how much money did Warren Buffett and Barack Obama make on insider trading and crony capitalism?
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:34pmanswer: Deep is the ocean ? How high is the sky ?
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:26pmIs this to celebrate Buffet’s financial success with Obama killing the Canadian pipeline?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:26pmThe 99 percenters preferred 1%! I pray that this is his last State of the Union.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:25pmHis line will go, “And when you look at evil people, and the people who work for them, like Warren Buffets secretary. OWS need to single these enablers out and make an example out of them.”
I bet she will feel silly sitting in the front row then.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:23pmI will not watch this, and I encourage everyone else to not watch it as well.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:25pmWhy would I listen to a bunch of lies that will burn out a lie-detection machine before its even turned on.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:39pmWe are wanting to have our head in the sand…we are.
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:17pmGreat! Let’s hear how the Democrats are for the working man now… as they brush shoulders with the most wealthy.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:16pmBet he won’t say the secretary pays 15% on investment income. Unearned income! How terrible! (sarcasm)
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:24pmShe should pay her fair share! This is an outrage!
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:24pmOr how much Warren’s railroad will benefit with no Keystone pipeline.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:37pmWhat the h*** is an “economy that works for everyone” supposed to mean? Sounds like the old undefined “hope and change” routine to me.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:31pm“economy that works for everyone” = Take care of the unions.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:16pm“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZR64EF3OpA
Report Post »garyM
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:15pmThat is such silly crap, like her being there is gonna change someone’s mind about taxes. People are smack dab crazy these days. Talk show host and all!
Report Post »mils
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:18pmobama’s creating more trouble ….
Report Post »………………class warfare…
it has little to do with taxes…more to do with deduction loopholes…creaed by said government.
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:14pmRingling Bros could have learned a few circus tricks from Washinton DC
Report Post »KeithOlberdink
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:14pmPreview:
Report Post »White men – bad / Colored people- good
Rich people – bad / Poor people- good
Business – bad / Unions – good
That about covers it, doesn’t it?
Do we REALLY need to spend 90 mins of our lives to listen to BO’s propoganda ?
Gonzo
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:23pmYo left this one out:
Report Post »Capitalism – Bad / Communism – Good
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:37pmALSO:
smoking cigars = bad
Report Post »smoking pot = good
executing murderers = bad
aborting babies = good
Jesus = bad
Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha = good
teaching children about condoms & gay sex = good
teaching children about our Founding Fathers & saying a prayer and the pledge to the flag = bad
Tri-ox
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:44pmAnd don’t forget – “The only good baby, is an aborted baby!”
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 2:32pmand : Occupier = good / policeman = bad ( well , unless he’s a union cop )
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:13pmPOTUS is destroying the middle class! Can I just puke now?
Report Post »