Bailout Watchdog Warren Draws Fire From Conservatives

politico.com:

Elizabeth Warren, the Harvard law professor charged by Congress with overseeing trillions in financial rescue funds, has a surprising secret weapon: Dr. Phil.

The outspoken consumer advocate has appeared on Phil McGraw's show twice to talk about the financial difficulties facing middle-class families. Another visit, Warren argues, could help explain the complexities of regulatory reform to a wider audience.

Read the whole story: politico.com

Comments

[funkalicious]

The only power Elizabeth Warren has been afforded by the dems or repubs is the bully pulpit.

Reaching the masses of chip munchers and soda droolers through popular television programs
may be the only way to shake them out of their sugar, fat and salt laden torpor.

We have seen an open conduit of power which flows from wall street to the White House.
Tim Geithner covers up and obfuscates the banks failed stress testing until after the earnings announcements. Dividends are payed off with tax dollars to rich fat cats via the TARP money.

So if you are charged with oversight and have no power to reign in the rape and pillage. What avenue of redress is left for our new hero Elizabeth Warren?

Methodically edumacating the masses via a controlled TV mass media message so maybe they only steal 3/4 of the money. The reporters are too busy with juvenile puerile sophmoric humor designed as a beard for wall streets continued theft via organized political crimes.

[klondiker]

She was phenomenal on the Daily Show. Her explanation of the boom and bust cycles throughout American history was brilliant, and it showed her deep understanding of why regulation is important.

[PhilipTaylor]

Here's an Easy to understand "Serious and Humorous slide show" of the banking crisis from Princeton's Uwe Reinhardt:

http://www.princeton.edu/~reinhard/pdfs/French-to-Blame-banking-crisis.pdf

(if any humor can be found in what's happening).

[slinkymom]

I agree. She was as personable and intelligent as anyone I've seen so far that has spoken on this issue. She should be out there talking on this topic more to help everyone understand what has happened to bring us to this point and how she is handling the TARP fund issue.

[jerrypl]

What is clear is that the neo-con Repugi-cons are afraid of Elizabeth Warren. Firstly, she is smarter than all the cons put together, and secondly, she is not bought by the financial crime syndicate and their surrogates, like Geithner, and Summers and Bernanke. She is doing what she was charged to do---investigate the TARP.

Ms. Warren is so cool and I really appreciate that she is willing to be so public.

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[blood1]

Although this has been stated numerous times, I feel obligated to add my voice, just in case anyone is checking!
She is doing exactly what she was appointed to do...look at the facts and not the politics of the facts.
There are a lot of (we) adults out there that appreciate an honest opinion, place the spot light where it should be, in all the dark corners. The administration and legislators alike may not be pleased to hear they are not "doing a wonderful job" and that there are other opportunit­ies/option­s that may be better, but we are where we are.
LOL when legislators complain that the recommendations may "scare" the public. Really? Consider that they are afraid, but the public wants a truly unbiased investigator and SHE IS IT!
Great Work Ms. Warren...k­eep up the great work and the honest appraisals!

[EFC]

This is a case of financial industry grifters and their surrogates in Washington getting in a tizzy because an intelligent principled person is scrutinizing their bogus financial instruments and their TARP malfeasance. Hopefully Elizabeth Warren’s recommendations will be acted upon so that in the future the economy will no longer be subject to the recklessness and greed of these parasites.

[WhatsLeft]

Warren was in a documentary in '06 re the credit card industry and she "gets it" big time. She understand the predatory nature of credit card companies and how dishonest the banks are so it isn't any surprise that she is getting slammed by the Right. The Righties need banking for their next job.

[mbillot]

An outstanding documentary called "Maxed Out"

[JScott]

A message to all her detractors 'WHAT'S THE MATTER, YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH?"

[babyboomerorig]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

[RoloTomassi]

'Financial services lobbyists, who’ve long disliked Warren for highlighting predatory lending and abusive credit card fees, argue that she’s using her post to push her own, anti-industry agenda."

NOTE TO FINANCIAL SERVICES LOBBYISTS:

Under the current circumstances--in regards to the financial institution abuses noted above--nearly all Americans are embracing an anti-financial industry agenda! Lending is down and interest rates are up if you're dealing with any of the despicable financial institutions that we're bailing out, and we're not happy about that AT ALL. Warren represents an intelligent American's typical views on these issues.

Get a friggin' clue, ferchristsakes!

[mjtaylor22]

SHE MUST BE SOING SOMETHING VERY RIGHT IF THEY ARE ATTACKIG THIS NICE LADY.
So is a sweetheart, and very smart. And very honest almost to a fault.
I watched her on the daily show she explained 100 yrs of regulatory history in layman' s terms
simply and it was great.
now we all know that the business practices of the last decades destroyed our economy, esp predatory lending, and massive de regulation­... that's like making bank robbery legal and then wondering why people are robbing banks left n right so whomever is attacking her, is obviously out of touch, or scared to death that business as usual full of lies deception and no regulation, will be out of business. I mean this enormous economic downturn was caused by the very people criticizing her all those trying to fix their mess. Why do they still have a major voice in the media?
I guess to sell papers.

[mjtaylor22]

SHE MUST BE SOING SOMETHIGN VERY RIGHT IF THEY ARE ATTACKIG THIS NICE LADY.
So is a sweetheart, and very smart. and very honeys almost to a fault.
i watched her on the daily showshe broke it down very simply and it was great.
now we all know that the business practices of the last decades destroyed our economy, esp predatory lending, so whomever is attacking her, is obviously out of touch, or scared to death that business as usual full of lies deception and no regulation, will be out of business. i mean this enormous economic downturn was caused by the very people criticizing her all those tyrying to fix their mess. why do they still have a major voice in the media,
i guess to sell papers.

[1differentdrummer]

Well yes. And wasn't the R model for doing things a roaring success? Actually it was, if you mean bankrupting the country.

[ekrub]

If banking industry officials and conservative politicians are upset with Warren, then she must be doing something right.

[kfdan]

Elizabeth Warren, the Harvard law professor, is a straight shooter and if she had the tools to force accountability, I believe there would be greater public control on how these banks spend the bail-out money! As it stands, she can't demand information, she can ask and you can bet your shrinking dollar that the banks will do anything but provide information that will make them hold to responsible action! TARP under Bush was a promised trade of dollar for dollar in stock ... that lie was exposed by Warren. The public got around 66% percent in value for each dollar invested ... 70 billion dollars was a gift to these banks! I wouldn't have known that if she didn't reveal it. She has my respect!

[MissingAmerica]

I felt badly for this woman as she tried to explain the intricacies of the bailout. It is clear that she was placed into the middle of a total disaster! People seem to forget that Bush started this, and the money they gave out was just that -- GIVEN! It was used to purchase shares that are virtually worthless and no one even bothered to find out where the money went or how it was used. Her task at hand is figuring out where Paulson's treasury under the Bush administration went and how it was used, since they never even demanded accountability. Hers is not an easy task. Perhaps the GOP are concerned that revelations over this fiasco will prove embarrassing to their party! Aren't they used to that by now?

[ptobe]

It's amazing how some folks are so terrified of people expressing opinions that run counter to their own.

Whatever happened to the free market of ideas?

[PW1206]

If they don't involve you getting a bigger retention bonus, they're bad ideas, and America doesn't want them.

Apparently.