Finance

Yikes: Obama Compares Economic Crisis to a Hurricane…During an Interview With a New Orleans Reporter

Obama Compares Financial Crisis to a Hurricane in New Orleans With Karen Swensen at WWLTV

A metaphor for the country's economic crisis? A woman walks through the destruction of her childhood neighborhood after Hurricane Katrina. (Photo: AP)

Barack Obama gave an interview to the New Orleans news station WWLTV recently, and some are cringing at his use of the word “hurricane” to describe the economic crisis.

The exchange began with reporter Karen Swensen asking:

When you took office, in New Orleans the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent. It’s now at 7.2 percent. We’ve had 4,000 people lose their jobs just between April and May. What would you say to those constituents, to those voters who would say, ‘I’m not better off, with all due respect, than I was four years ago, I’m worse’?

Predictably, Obama began by blaming Bush for “most” of the job losses, before saying that his administration has been trying to clean up after a “financial hurricane.”  He responded:

Well, if you look at what’s happened, not just in Louisiana, but across the country, most of those job losses initially came in the first six months of me being in office, right as we were hitting the worst part of the crisis. And we’ve been doing clean-up ever sense. I mean, this is essentially like–it was a financial hurricane that hit, and we’ve been cleaning up ever since.

Watch a short version of the clip, which aired on Monday, below:

Or watch the long version of the clip, via WWLTV:

Perhaps the president thought that, since he was in New Orleans, voters would empathize with a “hurricane” situation. But its possible he didn’t think twice about the word choice.  Either way, the response has not been positive.

Commenters on the conservative site Weasel Zippers remarked:

-”…And somebody thinks this is the smartest man in the room?”

-”…Can you imagine having an ego the size of the sun and the insight of a seven-year old child?”

-”…Next Obama a cappella: Here I am … Rock you like a hurricane!”

With unemployment stuck at 8.2%, it would probably be better for the president’s re-election campaign if he didn’t use the word “hurricane” to describe the country’s economic crisis, even if he isn’t taking responsibility for it.  But to make the comparison in New Orleans, where a real hurricane ravaged the city less than a decade ago, is another blunder entirely.

(H/T: Washington Free Beacon)

Comments (65)

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  • Thordomr
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:08pm

    I am from New Orleans and contrary to what people are saying it can be compared to a hurricane and this is how. As with a hurricane you can see it coming but you can‘t be sure exactly how bad it will be though you can prepare for it and lesson it’s damage if you take it seriously and know the right things to do.

    So how did Obama handle this “hurricane?” He broke the windows in his house instead of boarding them up so they wouldn’t be blown out. He depleted all his resources instead of stocking up. Finally, now that it’s a Cat 5, he when to his bed room and went to sleep instead of getting out of dodge.

    Report Post »  
  • JohnLarson
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:28pm

    That‘s not nearly as bad and bizarre as comparing Obama to Nazi’s and Hitler in front of Jews.

    I’m a liberal and Obama is a pragmatist wimp. If making sure you have health care is the most fascist Obama can get, that’s a pretty weak comparison retards.

    Report Post »  
    • bhelmet
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:41pm

      Serious gall to call a Communist a Nazi.

      Report Post » bhelmet  
    • BetterInformed
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:31pm

      @ larsen

      Yes, Obama the president and in all likelihood your employer, has been given the green light that will require all to pay the “Health Care Tax”. The topic here is the economy. An economy that is counter to the symbiotic relationship on which you and your ilk depend.
      Am I going too fast/ Try to pay attemtion.

      Report Post »  
    • shakedowncrews
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:31pm

      No, JL, that’s the beginning. The Fascists were socialists who allowed for private enterprise, but ONLY if the “entrepreneures” produced WHAT THEY WANTED and HOW THEY WANTED IT.
      Now, a few examples:

      GE: gets massive tax breaks (zero taxes paid) and privileged treatment by the government if they help produce “green products”
      GM: takes over the company, hands it to unions, and tries to mandate that they produce more hybrid and electric cars, even though they are not desired by the public and don’t sell. Then bitches that Romney’s companies expanded overseas and ignores that GM did the same (20,000 jobs in China). The Obama administration has poured roughly $5 billion in taxpayer funds into the electric-car industry, andthat money is lost.
      Green Batteries: A123 Systems, a battery maker that received $380 million in government support, announced recently that declining orders had forced layoffs. Instead of up to 3,000 new Michigan jobs as Obama and the company had predicted, it now has 690 employees.
      Fisker, Backed By More Than A Half-Billion Dollars In Loan Guarantees
      TESLA MOTORS
      Solyndra, Obama’s Poster-Child For “American Ingenuity And Dynamism,” Declared Bankruptcy.
      Ener1, An Energy Storage Company That Received A $118.5 Million Stimulus Grant, Filed For Bankruptcy
      Beacon Power $43 million federal loan guarantee, filed for bankruptcy

      How about Cash for Clunkers, Green energy training programs, and much more.

      Not to mention ignoring federal la

      Report Post » shakedowncrews  
    • docwillie
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 5:13pm

      Mr Lawson, no one said Obamacare was the most fascist he could get, and no one here compared Obama to Hitler, liberal lies and misdirection

      Report Post » docwillie  
  • jmgair
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:27pm

    The decline we saw in the first 6 months he was in office was the people pulling back as a reaction to what most of them knew was coming with such an inexperienced candidate now running this country. The decline began in January 2007 when Pelosi & Reid took control of both houses and shortly after that Obama was elected and that combination became the demise of this once great country as we all can see today.

    Report Post »  
  • jas0707
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:24pm

    Idiot.

    Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:21pm

    Interesting analogy..

    Well I guess if a Hurricane could last four years..

    Engulfing the entire U.S. ..

    Leaving its people to suffering from its effect for generations to come …

    YES I AGREE…!!

    No one …..will soon forget ..Hurricane “BARRY”

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Gita
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:16pm

    Only the lazy crazy and uneducated will be voting for Obama in November just like their dear leader lazy crazy and uneducated.

    Report Post » Gita  
    • LIBSALWAYSLIE
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:28pm

      By comparing the economy to a , hurricane, he’s trying to perpetuate the myth that its not his fault, you know, how can you blame any one man for a hurricane? But its his economy, he owns the dismal condition of the U.S. economy. I say he’s made it worse, and that we’d be better off today if obama had done absolutely nothing at all.

      Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
  • rowdygirl
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:14pm

    If he gets voted out in November, will Romney be allowed to blame Obama for the next 3 years?

    Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:31pm

      LOL, yep. The right media will blame everything on Obama, while the left media will blame Romney.

      Both sides suck.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:03pm

    Well BO if most of the losses came in the first six months that tells you that no one has confidence in your presidency and since you haven‘t been able to change their impression of you they’re not hiring anyone.. The cost and risks are too great for the potential return you dumb ass

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:02pm

    A hurricane is not something you can do anything about , other than prepare, the economy can actually be fixed pretty quickly, by giving people incentive to employ, instead making it almost impossible, by reducing the blood sucking GOVERNMENT at every level….by actually preparing our young people to work instead of expecting a handout….. By dismantling the job killing EPA, by closing military bases in 135 countries instead of the ones in this country, by telling foodstampers to pick up trash, mow vacant lots or do some type of work for their freebies, that alone would cut the welfare rolls in half…..shall i go on ?????we could fix this overnight, and November is a good start….

    Report Post »  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:00pm

    Now, *that’s* entertainment. If only he got the joke too…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
  • TheBigWill
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:54pm

    There’s a small part of me (VERY small) that would like to see President Obama re-elected to see him continue to blame his predecessor even 7 years after taking the job. Why not blame President Washington for helping set up the country’s institutions? I think Socrates might have to shoulder some blame for his writings as well. In fact, who invented writing? They need to accept their fair share of blame…

    Like it or not, after you get in the office, you own it. Something good happens (killing of UBL), you get the credit. Something bad happens, you get the blame. It is sooo disingenious to blame your predecessor after you’ve been in the office for 3 years…

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:53pm

    …
    If I had a dollar for every time this guy has used the word “crisis”, I would be wealthy.

    Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:39pm

      LeadNotFollow
      Even though you would be rich..
      If I had a nickel for every time they blamed Bush..
      I’d be richer..

      Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:52pm

    The fact that the Democrats in New Orleans and Lousiana missused the moneys to improve the leeves is Bush’s fault. The mayor screwing up the evacuation is Bush’s fault. The fact that the day of the devastation Bush did not get on a plane and went to New Orleans that all the problem is his fault. I agree that Bush assigned an idiot to the position of head of FEMA, but I guess people aren’t allowed any mistakes.

    Why doesn’t the media in New Orrleans do a story of where did the help come to help rebuild the homes. Churches, private companies, non profit organization did and are doing the jib. The gov’t even up to now have provide mold infested trailers.

    What has Obama done for the disasters that have occured on his watch … nothing but words and hugs. What has he done for devistated inner cities that have unemployment of 12% and hire .. Nothing .. All he does blame Bush, Republicans, and Tea Party members.

    Report Post »  
    • right
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:31pm

      The substandard levees are a product of the Army Corp of Engineers. Come to find out they cut corners and didn’t do such a good job. Our federal government at work.
      And as far as evacuating goes, you can’t force people to leave. You can only request. The fact that so many chose to stay even after being told how bad it would be just shows they expected the government to take care of everything if things went bad. And boy did it.
      Of course plenty of the people that stayed are so used to the government taking care of them…………… Well, need I say more?

      Report Post »  
    • lamarlamar
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:43pm

      I live in New Orleans and did so through and after the storm. It has been a screwed up mess from the beginning! When our DEMOCRATIC WITCH of a governor got into a ******* match with “W” and would not let the Feds in it all started going to hell in a hand basket! The police ran away (with the help of Caddy’s they stole from Sewell Cadillac), the city administration ran for their lives, the only police that stayed were the harbor police and the man who stayed in charge was charged with disobeying an order when he refused to leave,he refused to abandoning the city! His Democratic appointed 1st in command ran for her life to Houston! Thank G-d “W” finally took charge before the city went up in smoke! The Demo’s here abandoned the city! The city government collapsed when the elected officials ran for their collective lives leaving everyone else behind! GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE NEWS REPORTS!!! Now, after the GUARD got things in order, they did come back for photo ops!!! By the way, the Harbor Police that stayed, saved thousands of people!, that’s more than could be said for those in charge! AND THE PLACE IS STILL MESSED UP!!!

      Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:52pm

    this MARXIST NON AMERICNA BORN WANNA BEA DISCATOR is completely out of it n needs to eb REMOVED IMPEACH OBAMA TODAY NO WAITING THROW HIS SOCIALIST ASS UNDER THE BUS

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:52pm

    Yea Barry, and the whole country is standing on their roof tops waiting for some help from the federal government.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:50pm

    …
    Proof again, that he can’t speak without his speech writer and teleprompter.
    He’s a total moron. Jimmy Carter looks like a genius, next to this guy.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:49pm

    Yeah, and obama is our mayor Ray Nagin….in way over his head……incompetent, DEMOCRAT….

    Report Post »  
  • RETIREDUSAFDEFENDER
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:48pm

    What a dumba$$!!

    Report Post » RETIREDUSAFDEFENDER  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:43pm

    The economy tanked when Democrats took control of both houses of congress, in 2007…… too bad the Republicans are too spineless and stupid to point that out………the Tea Party needs to completely take over the Republican party……and hey Mitt, make the debate about the border not about the immigrants themselves, thats how you win on that issue…. We can deal with the illegals after we seal the border…….kinda like that story about the female drug dealer who was deported five times in two years……. Theres a hole in the boat, so bailing out the water doesnt do much good……

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:58pm

      Nobody seems to remember that Rock City.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Madmilo
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:41pm

    Only an idiot would vote for this moron again.

    Report Post » Madmilo  
  • v15
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:37pm

    Hurricane Obama

    Report Post » v15  
  • HelloWorld
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:34pm

    Yes, lets talk about student loans. The next financial crisis. What is the amount of money that is spent on student loans for inadequate degrees that do not help anyone become a self-sufficent human being.

    Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:08pm

      Again, you are right. It is because they are making puppets for the regime. It has been in force for some decades. The only jobs they will get is to work for those who are destroying America. They put the carrot on the stick and the rabbits went for it full force. Now we have a bunch of loons looking for work who are not skilled at anything except leftist rhetoric.

      Report Post » blackyb  
  • CatB
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:34pm

    -”…And somebody thinks this is the smartest man in the room?” NOT ME — NEVER!

    -”…Can you imagine having an ego the size of the sun and the insight of a seven-year old child?” NO — BUT THAT IS OBAMA!

    -”…Next Obama a cappella: Here I am … Rock you like a hurricane!” OBAMA .. IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!

    OMG 2012 LIBERTY!

    Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:30pm

    Ok, let’s review.
    Hurricanes like economic devastation?
    Austrians that speak Austrian?
    Navy corpsemen?
    57 states?
    Polish death camps?
    Maldives?
    Malvinas?
    Where the hell are those affirmative action college transcripts!

    Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:28pm

    Of course. The same idiots that belive Bush dynamited the levees, could easily be convinced Obama inherited the economic mess.

    Report Post »  
    • hauschild
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Obama is the best evidence of the unintended consequences of affirmative action.

      When you continually tell average minds they’re genius, you risk mass destruction – especially if your prop happens to get elected POTUS.

      You tell these people they’re so brilliant that at some point, these people being the not-so-intelligent lot they really are, actually begin to believe the lie. And, when that happens, you have a under-qualified minds that do not understand their limitations – which is first scary, and then what you’re witnessing with Obama.

      Again, being educated has nothing to do with being intelligent.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:10pm

      @Hauschild:

      Good point. It’s still amazing at times that when Biden or Obama slaughter the language and insult people they can get away with it in the media; and yet, one conservative says anything, they spin it as the most vile and race hating words that existed since the beginning of time.

      Something of interest I just located in a book, the D.W. Griffith movie “The Origin of Species,” almost failed to pass muster with the movie censurs of the day, until he argued, and was supported by then POTUS Wilson: “It is in the same class as the Bible and Shakespear.”

      God if we could only have stopped the progressives back then from the damage being done today.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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