Summers On Falling Sleeping: It Was My American Dream

Caught sleeping at a meeting with credit card industry executives last week, Larry Summers defended his White House nap on Sunday, saying that, with a topic "boring enough to put you to sleep," he was just trying to achieve his own American Dream.

From the closing moments of the chief Obama economic adviser's interview on Fox News Sunday:

WALLACE: We have less than a minute left and I do want to ask you one more question and I suspect you figured this one was coming. You were spotted at that meeting with credit card executives, it sure looked like you were falling asleep. Question: Do you find President Obama's speeches less than compelling, sir?

SUMMERS: Chris, you know, it's kind of like I was thinking about the fine print on some of those credit card disclosures which is written boring enough to put you to sleep. And President Obama wants us all to fulfill our American dreams. And I guess I was starting that day.

WALLACE: You've been a serial dozer because you were spotted at an earlier meeting. are you not getting enough sleep, sir?

SUMMERS: We're all working very hard in this administration, Chris, because we think that we want to support the president in what is a tremendous responsibility that he has to get this economy growing again and to again establish a period when family incomes are rising.

WALLACE: Did the president rib you?

SUMMERS: Oh, we've all joked about American dreams in various ways.

On a more serious and pertinent note, Summers cheered legislation that would provide "relief" and protection to credit card users, though he didn't directly say whether the White House would support an immediate freeze on retroactive interest rates.

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Comments

[pltmcs]

I read an interesting post on www.ProudlyMadeInAmerica.com about how credit card problems are tied to you manufacturing problems. We need to fix the CCs so people don't have to be scared every time they get a bill.

[pittsburghunionguy]

It appears HuffPost's headline proofreader has also been "falling sleeping" on the job.

[CUL8R]

Okay? LOL

[foxfan]

He can try to laugh this off all he wants to. He should havebeen awake for the whole thing.

[liberalbug]

When he woke up, his interest rate had been raised to 29.9 % and his late fees were increased to 50 bucks.

[blues101]

Doesn't anybody proofread this stuff? It's Falling Asleep....­..........­..not falling sleeping. Although that can happen.

[darker]

While you were being persnickety and oh-so picky,
your credit rate had been raised to 29.9 % and
the late fees were increased to 50 bucks.

Happy now?

[JohnA581]

He can sleep during the credit card meetings, he know that the usury for his banker buddies will continue. He needs the sleep to stay awake during the bailout meetings so he can make sure to funnel the money to his best friends in the industry. This guy cares nothing about the people.

[darker]

L. Summer cares about HIS people: the "nanny state for the rich & corporate
welfare queens". Might as well be A REPUBLICAN.

[dezzertguy]

Why would anyone expect an honest answer to this question. Like he is really going to say, "I was bored" or "who gives a darn". Just like Hillary's lies, no politican or operative is going to admit they screw up.

[d45]

If I fell asleep in than one meeting with my boss, I'd be looking for work... If it's too much for him, he should move over for someone else.

[tailgateshirts]

yeah.... since you work 18 hrs a day trying to save the country from economic collapse..­. right...

[petef59]

He could have napped in the limo during the ride to the hill.

[Judyisacutie]

I have my resume ready and I'll arrive early Monday morning with plenty of energy. Hire me for a White House job.

[linton]

I am now allowed to take an occasional nap on the job.

[Prattvictory2]

You must have an important job to be able to sleep at work.

[Judyisacutie]

Yeah. Nap in a high level meeting concerning the national economy = cute.
Nap on your job at McDonald's = fired.

[patriotic008]

Not funny Mr. S u mm er s

[CheshireCat 2]

People need to watch the hateful comments. Obama picked this guy so this guy is awesome. Who cares if he falls asleep every now and then? Like none of you have never taken a nap on the job.

[ThatOne4Me]

Me? NOT ONCE.

[sandpiper1]

I plead guilty of falling asleep at work...eas­y to do when your job consist of mostly reading patients' charts and staring at a computer screen. Give the guy a break. At least Obama's staff work on Sundays, did Bush's staff ever work esp. on a Sunday?

[patriotic008]

I do think hateful comments are unnecessary, but actually, can't say I have napped on the job.

[nana4g]

The Treasury Dept is keeping the working hours of a nurse! I can understand the dozing off. At least he's awake when on the job, right? Thought his reply was pretty funny.

[ham4114]

He fell asleep because of George Bush.

[SCG]

It's his wakeful hours which concern me.

[ham4114]

LOL. Hilarious. Thanks.

[SangZe]

My American dream didn't fall asleep, it died under the directorship of these yahoos.

[Arthur954]

Falls asleep for ten minutes and the swine flu breaks out.
Larry, we cant do without you

[Montgriz]

You can be certain, this jerk did not sleep while receiving millions of dollars from banks he is now working with.....

[canadiansoccermom]

He's working under President Obama now. He's probably never worked as hard in his life. They all look very tired.

[Montgriz]

Oh, come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 This guy was paid 5.2 million by the banks while he was being considered for his job.......­.get a clue.....t­he only American dream this Clinton holdover has is a large Swiss bank account...­....