Obama Takes Swipe At Fox News, Tea Baggers

Barack Obama has largely left the partisan shots at his conservative opponents to his aides and the DNC, except when directly asked for a response.

But during his town hall appearance on Wednesday in Arnold, Missouri, the president took an unprompted swipe at the cable news networks (presumably, Fox News) and Tea Party protesters ("folks waving tea bags around") whose complaints about government spending, he said, were the equivalent of political gamesmanship.

"When you see, you know, those of you that are watching certain news channels on which I'm not very popular, and you see folks waving tea bags around, let me just remind them that I am happy to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security," he said. "[Sen.] Claire [McCaskill] and I are working diligently to basically do a thorough audit of federal spending," Obama told the crowd, at one point mimicking the waving of a tea bag with his left hand.

"But let's not play games and pretend that the reason is because of the Recovery Act, because that is just a fraction of the overall problem that we've got. We are going to have to tighten our belts but we are going to have to do it intelligently. And we got to make sure that the people helped are working American families and we are not suddenly saying that the way to do this is to eliminate programs that help ordinary people and give more tax cuts to the wealthy. We tried that formula for eight years and it did not work. And I don't intend to go back to it."

The shot across the bow at the Tea Party demonstrators follows prior administration efforts to paint those protests as decidedly non-reality based affairs. Usually, the argument entails reminding these individuals that the White House has passed the largest middle class tax cut in the nation's history. But the notion that the Recovery Act is "just a fraction of the overall problem" seems like a hard pill to swallow, not least because of its $787 billion price tag. Two weeks ago, the president and his aides announced plans for $100 million cuts in agency budgets as a step forward in fiscal prudence.

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Comments

[American50]

12:24 AM on 05/07/2009

Obama Takes Swipe At Fox News, Tea Baggers

Please People
You know I am a Socialist!!!!!!!!! "Barrack Tax the sh+t outta people OHbama"

[American50]

08:07 PM on 05/06/2009

Obama Takes Swipe At Fox News, Tea Baggers

Well when you have lived off the tax payers your entire young life
This is what happens.
He simply doesnt know the real WE THE PEOPLE....Period

[textynn]

07:53 PM on 04/30/2009

Stimulate the Economy with Jobs and Paychecks!!

I don't understand why more jobs are not being created or planned for creation. WE should also be reinstating many of the government and state jobs that were cut during the Bush Administration. Many thousands of teachers all over have been cut. Many teachers have been replaced by a marginally educated low payed"educator" running a dvd that "teaches" the class. This is ridiculous. This is the new thing in our colleges and community colleges. I know because all of the experienced teachers in my entire program were replaced by teachers with AA degrees and these video curriculums were launched. A whole department of tenured teachers were just dumped without notice.

Can you imagine getting up in the morning, traveling to school, parking, paying tuition, running to class so you can be on time to watch a one size-fits-all dvd being operated by a non expert. If you have a question the instructor is expected to look in the manual and give the student a page number to look up in their book. The curriculum is actually designed to be used by a non-teacher.

There are millions of jobs out there with the infrastructure in place just waiting for funds to happen.

[Sanity01]

06:17 PM on 04/30/2009

He sure seems to listen to FOX NEWS a lot. He hears them a lot better than he could hear Rev. Wright.

[lilacluvr]

07:47 PM on 04/30/2009

You mean the way John McCain and the other Republcans listen to Pat Robertson who has said some pretty wacko off-the-wall stuff? Or maye the Rev. John Hagee who said Katrina was God's punishment for the US tolerating the gays.

One doesn't have to lilsten to Fox News to know what they say - it is the same talking points memo passed from one monkey to the next.

[Sanity01]

12:54 PM on 05/04/2009

The difference would be that he sat in Rev. Wright's pew for 20 years as opposed to Sen. McCain simply being endorsed by the guys you refer to. By returning to that pew for all those years, agreement certainly is implied. I may not leave a church if I hear one sermon I don't agree with but I'm not staying for 20 years if the same theme is being preached (and I don't agree).
On your last comment, I'm glad it was you and not me that wrote that 'cause it would have been considered racist if I had written it.

[leftypower]

10:08 AM on 05/01/2009

unsubscribe

[Sanity01]

06:15 PM on 04/30/2009

I personally think his stategy is Brilliant! Insult them- ignore them because they don't count anyway. They were in the (almost) half of the country that didn't vote for him. But I've been watching and listening to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC and they told me that EVERYBODY loves him now and thinks he is doing a GREAT job! These must just be a group of them "right wing extremist" that Ms. Napolitano was referring to. I think he should just keep on ignoring and insulting. No way they could ever grow into anything.

[HFR]

06:14 PM on 04/30/2009

Every time one of the extremist evangelical fox news channel commentariat speak they should begin their statement with, "I wish", and end it with, "If only"!

[GoldenAgeMaster]

04:16 PM on 04/30/2009

I don't think calling out Americans is a very smart idea. In fact, his little dig last night has made him a lot of enemies.

Especially when you consider he wants to personally invite some of, what he considers, leaders in the Tea Party movement, to the White House to talk about these issues. Only problem is, protesters did not start to organize until AFTER the April 15th Tea Parties. Finding leaders is gonna take him some time, dontcha think?

[edg1]

04:56 PM on 04/30/2009

Boo-hoo!!! Obama made a lot of enemies by naming Faux News. What a shame!!! Faux was oh-so-friendly to him before this. NOT!!!

[bluedov69]

05:41 PM on 04/30/2009

Oh boo hoo conservatives ... President Obama is soo sad that you wont be his special friend

[bluedov69]

05:36 PM on 04/30/2009

Can this man do anything right to you! Please if the conservative party does not have any ideas other than bashing the president please shut the F*&^%ck up!

[Katmommy]

05:46 PM on 04/30/2009

Well since I am not part of the conservative party I am not shutting up. Its all well and good as long as he is being praised but the moment someone voices their opinion that doesn't follow his, small minded people pipe up with "shut the F*%^%ck up. Yeah and like thats a party I would like to belong to as well.

[The Lorax]

03:34 PM on 04/30/2009

Oh, snap!

I love this guy!

[FantasticFourFan]

03:33 PM on 04/30/2009

I mean threatens THEM! Can we get an edit button in here?

[FantasticFourFan]

03:32 PM on 04/30/2009

I love how the right can't think of anything he's ACTUALLY doing that threatens him so they have to make up stuff like the Fairness Doctrine and taking guns away. It proves just how empty their complaints really are!

[AntsyAmerican]

04:34 PM on 04/30/2009

And to prove that addition gun control would be bad, the knuckle-draggers are out there shooting people every chance they get.

[American50]

10:45 PM on 05/06/2009

you mean democrats have guns? wow!

[Joe Padilla]

01:43 PM on 04/30/2009

More war, more debt, more corporate welfare.

So far that's all we have.

This isn't a left or right issue.

First, do no harm. That means stop this nonsense. Then we can re build.

[GoldenAgeMaster]

04:18 PM on 04/30/2009

Joe,

Bravo! What we have here is an American issue, but nobody seems to care.

Gio-

[CentralVA]

04:39 PM on 04/30/2009

You are right, Joe Padilla. Both political parties need to understand that a huge (and growing) percentage of voters will no longer tolerate their borrow and spend approach.

[Katmommy]

01:40 PM on 04/30/2009

I can see here that most on here are TRUE DEMS. The ones who believe that socialism is the way to go. And then you have the sprinkling in here of Republicans. Well I am neither. I am admitting I did not vote for Obama. I did not like him, still don't. I am not liking the idea of the pied piper leading us to the death of this country. I was glad when I found out 5 states have informed the government of their right to brake away from the the U.S. Because I live in one of those states. I cannot believe what is happening. This country has not been United in quite sometime. Most of you on here grab at Obama's dig and are running. Calling all others who don't follow your playground rules names. Yet when they were the ones calling names you ALL were out there screaming how it is unfair. Where is the example being set?? You didn't like it yet now you are doing it. GROW UP and set an example then. If you are the high and mighty party all of you think you are show them what it is about instead of playing the same game they were with the same rules and then degrading them for it.

[Outofnowhere]

02:02 PM on 04/30/2009

Gee, you say GROW UP and set an example, yet you want to take your state (like it's marbles) and leave like a little kid! I don't agree with everything said here, but I NEVER remember anybody suggesting anything like than during the previous administration.

[Katmommy]

02:17 PM on 04/30/2009

Previous administration did not go about trying to take away the right of free speech with the fairness doctrine which says that there should be a blend of different opinions. How is that fair and balanced when there is 50 channels of liberal leftism and 1 or 2 channels with the conservative right. Thats not fair and balanced. How about your right to bear arms? That is an ongoing change with the new treaty being placed in Mexico that Obama lied about. He stated that 90% of the weapons that were in Mexico came from the US. And thats a lie it is 90% of the traceable weapons were traced back here which equals about 6,000 weapons.The untraceable weapons equalled about 30,000 which came from China, Russia, South America, etc.... He is also trying to control how businesses are doing business. Our forefathers were the ones who set the rules for this country people who do not like them change them to what benefits that adminstration at that time. Hey I never said I agreed with what Bush did either.

[Sarahmay57]

02:11 PM on 04/30/2009

Did you vote for Bush?

[Katmommy]

02:18 PM on 04/30/2009

No I sure didn't.

[Katmommy]

01:16 PM on 04/30/2009

OKOK enough already. I swear the two parties here are starting to sound like children. And yet this is the start of the destruction of our country. Not all the TEA parties were hush hush on where they were and I know that for the most part the one in AZ was not a slam Obama party it was voiceing peoples concerns. Now look at yourselves and see when you slam someone down for voicing their opinions you are asking for a dictatorship not a free country. This country cannot say rightfully say anymore how united we are. The 2 major parties cannot stop slandering each other. This country has already started showing that division of it is imminent. Those that want change fly their flags, scream in joy,because they have their president, forget the true meaning. People voted for him not because of his politics but because they wanted to be a part of history, of voting in the first black man. Nevermind the fact that he isn't 100%. ............. What are you people thinking?

[Guitar63]

01:46 PM on 04/30/2009

All of your claims here are based on assumptions. I think you need to do some fact checks rather than just spouting off random ideas. I agree with his politics. Have you read either of his books? Start there. Just as they have the right to protest their concerns, people have the right to talk about how baseless those concerns are. - And have you watched FOX news? Do you have any idea how much they distort the truth? It is absolutely ridiculous. In comparison with almost every other news source, the amount of negative publicity they give Obama is like 5 fold according to a recent poll on CNN! Do some research, and THEN try and make such a claim.

[Katmommy]

01:50 PM on 04/30/2009

Fact checking? Oh is that what you all are doing????? Then I stand by what I have written. Read his books? Well Hitler wrote a book because he thought he was right too. Maybe I should start there. Yes I have watched Fox news and have watched CNN. THEY ARE BOTH BIASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarahmay57]

02:15 PM on 04/30/2009

When you start voicing some REAL concerns, they will be addressed. This BS about taxes is exactly that....in all likelihood YOUR taxes are going down. The stuff about debt for our children...where was this talk when Bush was running up the debt? It is empty talking points and people don't care.

These protests are about two things--sour grapes over losing an election, and racism. Period.

[Katmommy]

02:28 PM on 04/30/2009

I didn't see John McCain suing Obama because John McCain lost the presidency.
I did complain when Bush raised taxes, but I never said anything about that now. And as far as the issue goes on racism that cannot be when in FACT I fall under the category of a mixed african american and caucasion just like our president.

[booker52]

11:29 AM on 04/30/2009

Fox Noise is just a phony network with no real idea what is going on. They are the network of hate.

[mgray34]

10:33 AM on 04/30/2009

If Obama is successful...

The majority of Americans will have affordable healthcare.

The USA will be the leaders of the new Energy Revolution, like the Information Age and Industrial Revolution before it, creating a new energy economy.

The US will be able to get out of Iraq without the country falling apart after troops leave.

Public Education will be funded like it should be.

The US Auto Industry will flourish in the new energy economy.

There will be a more level playing field where taxes are concerned which will help the average American.

So then why would the GOP want him to fail in this??? Because if he succeeds it PROVES their policies didn't work for the average citizen in this country making them irrevelant. You know a vote by the GOP is POLITICAL when every member of that party votes the same. If you look at the stimulus bill in the house (no GOP votes), and Ob.ama's proposed budget vote (no GOP votes in the house or senate), it speaks volumes about the GOP and what their agenda is.

[Katmommy]

01:25 PM on 04/30/2009

Affordable healthcare??? Do you know I pay for my healthcare and receive great benefits, and what kind of healthcare do you think I will recieve when he gets that going. Well let me tell you, I will no longer be able to take the medications that prevent my body from attacking itself. Why you ask well let me tell you. First off, people are thinking that this healthcare is going to be the same as what those of us pay for have. WRONG! It is an AT NEED BASIS. Nothing about preventative care. Second, do you honestly think that you will be able to get into a doctors office same day for some little emergency? FAT CHANCE. Third, you think you wait long enough in an ER room now just wait because everyone and their little brother will be in there now. Hell, they have health insurance why not.

[patriotparty1]

02:37 PM on 04/30/2009

You are sooooo right Katmommy. You notice AKA Obama has never mentioned making the insurance companies, or drug companies make price concessions have you? Oh no! Because soooooo much of his campaign money comes from these companies. Why do you think he wanted to make Dashell HHS secretary? Oh that is right, no lobbiests in his cabinet. Except of course for this over here, and oh yes, this one over here, and Dashell (however he spells his name). Who was a highly paid lobbiest for health care for the last several years. So their top lobbiest was going to be the person to put together government health care for all of us.
It will be just like pension plans and 401 K's. As soon as it is all government, you watch companies drop their provided coverage. Then we will all be at their mercey. He will tell us what car to drive, they will put satilitte on them so they can tax us on how many miles we drive, (oh and by the way keep track of exactly where and when we go), tell us what kind of health care we can have, tell us what temprature to keep our houses because we will not be able to afford to heat or cool them, which banks we can use, which schools our children will go to, and what they will learn, what sexual education they will receive, etc, etc, etc. NO THAT IS NOT COMMUNISIM. Like HELL IT'S NOT.

[nylibgrrl]

07:24 AM on 05/02/2009

If you NEED that medication then that would fit the "at need basis" assuming you were even correct about that, which you aren't. Whatever system gets put in place, it's not necessarily going to be just Medicare as the publicly funded option, first of all, second of all, people will have the CHOICE, if they already have insurance, of keeping that OR going to the public system.

I think you're either very lucky or full of it about how "great" your benefits are. Most people are paying higher and higher premiums, copays and deductibles every year while their income has stayed the same (or, in more recent months, decreased) and the insurance companies cover fewer and fewer things. If you lose your job, continuing your insurance through COBRA is a joke, too. It's ridiculously expensive, especially since people's unemployment checks aren't that big. The healthcare system needs a MAJOR overhaul.

[Joe Padilla]

01:44 PM on 04/30/2009

But if he does fail, it all his fault right?

[nylibgrrl]

07:26 AM on 05/02/2009

oh, of course. Wouldn't have anything to do with the roadblocks his opponents put in his way at all.