Obama Promises To Use Any ‘Executive Authority I Have To Help The Middle Class’

[ProSense]

Obama Promises To Use Any ‘Executive Authority I Have To Help The Middle Class’

In a speech Wednesday in Galesburg, Ill. that emphasized the need to restore the nation's middle class, President Barack Obama pledged to use "whatever executive authority" he has to make that aspiration a reality.

Below, an excerpt from the remarks as prepared for delivery:

Of course, we’ll keep pressing on other key priorities, like reducing gun violence, rebalancing our fight against al Qaeda, combating climate change, and standing up for civil rights and women’s rights. But if we don’t have a growing, thriving middle class, we won’t have the resources or the resolve; the optimism or sense of unity that we need to solve these other issues.

In this effort, I will look to work with Republicans as well as Democrats wherever I can. I believe there are members of both parties who understand what’s at stake, and I will welcome ideas from anyone, from across the political spectrum. But I will not allow gridlock, inaction, or willful indifference to get in our way. Whatever executive authority I have to help the middle class, I’ll use it. Where I can’t act on my own, I’ll pick up the phone and call CEOs, and philanthropists, and college presidents – anybody who can help – and enlist them in our efforts. Because the choices that we, the people, make now will determine whether or not every American will have a fighting chance in the 21st century.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-promises-to-use-any-executive-authority-i

President Obama's remarks on middle class, Galesburg, IL, as prepared for delivery
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/24/1226205/-President-Obama-s-remarks-on-middle-class-Galesburg-IL-as-prepared-for-delivery

[Hotler]

1. Mr. President how about telling Eric Holder......

to start arresting the Wall St. bankers even if it is for jaywalking.

[leftstreet]

2. He couldn't do this 5 yrs ago?

But I will not allow gridlock, inaction, or willful indifference to get in our way. Whatever executive authority I have to help the middle class, I’ll use it. Where I can’t act on my own, I’ll pick up the phone and call CEOs, and philanthropists, and college presidents – anybody who can help – and enlist them in our efforts.

[NoOneMan]

6. What would he be talking about now?

Politicians know better than to make themselves obsolete by doing their job

[ProSense]

21. Well, "5 yrs ago," Democrats were the majority in Congress. n/t

[leftstreet]

33. Wait...you're saying he waited until they weren't?

That's shocking

[TBF]

26. The CEO's he calls will be sure to help ...

[adieu]

44. I sincerely don't think

Obama envisioned the pushback and the obstruction that the GOP at all levels and all branches have laid on him. I mean, did you anticipate an opposition party that was willing to take the country hostage, not to even gain benefits for the party, but just to sully the person, because he's black?

The GOP isn't holding a gun to the head of American citizens, demanding money for their uber wealthy masters. Of course, that's a great benefit while they have the gun to the head. They're holding that gun to the head demanding that Obama fail. And they're trying to demonstrate that Obama has failed whenever Obama takes a step in any direction. It's as if Obama can't succeed. I wouldn't have mattered had Obama pushed through Obamacare or failed to do so. It wouldn't have mattered if he helped complete TARP, or pulled out of Iraq, or took out OBL, or whatever. The GOP will find fault and drill down hard and emphasize and reemphasize the fault and failure at every opportunity.

I've seen people like that before. They are the ones who want to see failure in others because they're failures themselves and can't fathom the thought that someone lesser than them can succeed.

[leftstreet]

45. The GOP was dead when Obama took office

I mean seriously - look at 2006 and 2008

Voters completely denounced Reaganomics, the Religious Right, BushWars... all of it

Meh, Obama and the Dems have spent 5 years reviving that dead party so they can claim oPPoSITioN !!!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

3. Promises, promises. After five years of this, even the very patient

(or very slow) can understand that the Republicans didn't appoint the Bush-carryovers and other Republicans to high level positions in the Obama Administration. Obama did.

Bush has been out of office for more than four years. Bush is no longer the president. His Administration is not negotiating in secret for the TPP (NAFTA on steriods) to sent more American jobs to foreign countries. Obama's Administration is doing that.

When coordinated attacks were committed by the militarized police against peaceful Occupy Wall Street protestors and nothing was done by the U.S. Attorney General to protect their civil rights, Bush was not the president. Obama was and still is.

The banksters who were bailed out instead of being sent to prison don't want to hear what the OWS protestors have to say, but that doesn't mean that the Obama Administration should be involved with or allow the police to deliver unnecessary and excessive violence to shut them up.

[FirstLight]

11. +1000!!

it's like we are just being told what they think we want to hear, and nothing really changes, does it?

My life has not changed significantly in the past 8 years (i used that number to include bush years...)

...
does the govt have the power to make my life better? have they tried?
would it make a difference if the bankers got jailed...maybe not, but it may be a place to start
instead, when a movement comes to address these exact issues, they are squashed by militant police and DHS

the 1% have us all over a barrel, and it doesn't matter anymore who is the figurehead or who we think we want or elect...because the elite are really the ones holding the strings

[cali]

4. right. because he's done so much of that.

not.

[Cali_Democrat]

8. LOL

The teeth gnashing from the haters is amusing.

Don't worry, he'll only be there for 3.5 more years.

Enjoy.

[AgingAmerican]

13. The past is prologue

nt

[leftstreet]

16. People who point out his ineffectiveness aren't 'haters'

Jesus

[cali]

17. yes, yes. I"m a hater and you're a smarmy toady sychophant

kissing his shoes and uh oh yeah, being an apologist.

Don't worry, I can speak in mind numbingly stupid and meaningless cliches just like you!


insert silly smilie here:

[Cali_Democrat]

20. Oh...you left out paid authoritarian Stasi surveillance state lover

[cali]

22. oh if isn't the saintly cali dem

who never attacks personally except when calling others haters.

I love your hypocrisy. it's so cute on you.

[Cali_Democrat]

23. Thank you

[cali]

25. you are more than welcome, my dear.

[Igel]

49. "Smarmy toady sychophant" is a cliche? Don't be so modest. n/t

[Whisp]

41. yeh, he's been sitting back and eating bon bons all this time.

lazy bugger. good lord.

what he doesn't need is dead weight keeping what he can do, from being done. Whinging fire breathing foot holders that see that eternal glass half empty, probably in their personal lives as well.

I hope the next 2 years go by fast for him and his family so he can leave his job and tell everyone to fuck off. Of course he would never say that, nor even think it, but he has people who care about him, that would say that and mean it. Then the firebreathing hairs can bask in the enjoyment of the next president - which will Never be as good an opportunity to change things as this one.

You will have missed your chance to become part of a solution. but of course, when years go by, most present day belly aching whingers will be telling their children how they were on Barack Hussein Obama's side when the shit came down. In embarassment they will lie.

[steelmania75]

5. He could start by not appointing Larry Summers as Fed Chair. nt.

[woo me with science]

9. And not pushing the Trans-Pacific.

Or the Grand Bargain.
Or Race to the Top.

[Fumesucker]

7. The poor on the other hand are doing fine, they have so many programs to support them n/t

[hughee99]

10. Given his efforts on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, I'm skeptical that this is anything more

than a speech intended to play to the crowd and will be forgotten before he even gets back to his hotel. I hope I'm wrong, though.

[Brickbat]

12. Clearly, he really means it this time.

[AgingAmerican]

14. Lets hope so

nt

[woo me with science]

18. The REAL OBAMA is about to emerge!

Hold your breath, everyone!

It was supposed to happen in February....again:

The Real Obama is Imminent!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3326758)

but it's so much more exciting, still having the anticipation, nearly FIVE years into the Presidency!

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

15. A lot of nasty comments on this thread.

No wonder they're in situations making them so bitter.

[TBF]

27. "No wonder they're in situations making them so bitter"

It's all your own fault you asshole whiny workers. Shut up and take your reduced wage (no minimum - yippee!) and beg for more. Obviously you are poor because you suck. This has nothing to do with capitalism or bankers running amok - and certainly nothing to do with one family (the Waltons) having more wealth than 40% of the rest of the country. Wealth inequality is your fault because you didn't throw a football well enough or work for the right company. It is your own damned fault your company was outsourced - that had nothing at all to do with NAFTA.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

29. 99% of that was addressed by the President today.

If people didn't sit around with their fingers in their ears, maybe we could have meaningful discussions around here.

[Zoeisright]

58. Exactly.

But some people seem to hate this democratic President, which is really, really bad for 2014 and the country.

[TBF]

60. This has nothing to do with personalities -

if has to do with what this president has actually done. I give him a lot of credit on civil rights and women's rights issues (worked on the campaign in 2008, donated and voted for him in 2012). Talk is cheap - I want to see results (ie challenge the income inequality - that is where the problem is).

[Scurrilous]

61. They hate this Democratic President...

...and they'll hate the next Democratic President. Some people are never happy and are impossible to please.

[demwing]

47. Your name is false - you need moee than coffee

Maybe a nice, steaming cup of human empathy.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

48. I'd bet what little money I do have that a lot of his most ardent critics

are better off than I have ever been.

And, no, I don't blame this President for any of my difficulties.

[Hydra]

57. I'd take that bet

But I wouldn't have anything to put on the table against you. I know at least 10 DUers who are in really bad shape, and the people running our party don't exactly care, since they're busy feeding at the trough and congratulating themselves on duping us.

Keep posting though- you're doing a good job highlighting how our leaders are failing us by adopting their mannerisms.

[DFab420]

19. You should all be a little humbled by these replies. Seriously step back and re-read some of the

things that are being said here... just block the DU header from you're browser, and see what some of these comments really sound like..

[Scurrilous]

24. Thanks.

K & R

[JoePhilly]

28. The disgruntled are drawn to your threads like Moth to Flame.

[great white snark]

36. I swear to gawd some people join DU for the sole purpose of bemoaning ProSense.

She is just that good. Unflappable to the extreme.

[JoePhilly]

37. Its amazing to watch ...

... and its many of the same folks who will see an OP that simply describes a positive event, with no spin at all ... like say post data about a 5 year high in new home sales ... and so they go on that thread and complain about how awful that news is.

My favorite is the complaining about links to sources or to other posts with more sources.

At some point, links to sources, became a bad thing.

[great white snark]

42. The dreaded blue links!

Another hilarious charge is that she's paid to post here. GREAT LEAPING LUNGFISH there is no amount of money to make up for the constant, constant abuse. I imagine she stays for one reason: love. Love of country and party and President.

[JoePhilly]

46. Wait ... you mean they aren't paying YOU either????

[Jamaal510]

59. These

posters make that type of charge about a fellow poster who posts good news about a Democrat on a site that is dedicated to Democrats. It's as if some of them forget what type of website this is.

[Arctic Dave]

30. I'm sure he will be all over it.

Where is the eye rolling hand job smiley when you need it.

[ProSense]

31. Well, there are enough

"I'm sure he will be all over it."

...people working to undermine the President's agenda.

I mean, a positive statement about what can be done has to be rejected by all sides.

Down the road, domeone other than the President will suggest he do this mention this, and it will be met with something about he "lacks the courage," or "he doesn't want to" or some other dismissive statement.

These workers haven't had a raise in 22 years (SEIU)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023329624

Tipped Minimum Wage Increase Would Give Millions Of Workers First Raise In 22 Years (SOTU proposal)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023329624#post26

[Arctic Dave]

32. My wife has been working on this for over six years.

I'm glad it's finally on his radar.

[Waiting For Everyman]

34. IOW, he doesn't have a clue what he's doing and couldn't care less.

And "standing up for civil rights"??????? Ha! That's a good one! A knee slapper.

Maybe he should re-read his own statement against reigning in the NSA. And maybe he ought to ditch the free trade deals he's cooking up. His performance today was nothing but hype.

Let me tell you something, and I don't care if you believe me or not, it's true... I was really in his corner, when he starts losing people like me, he is fucking up bad.

I don't think I've ever criticized Obama until today, certainly not much if at all. But I have had it with this bullshit now. And his cutesy talk doesn't mean squat to me. There are a few politicians left who care, God bless 'em, but he is not one of them. I predict that when his term is done, he will break all records in amassing a nice bank acount for himself. He'll probably be in the billionaire's club in no time.

"the writing's on the wall, come read it, come see what it say... shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes; I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams... " (Bob Dylan, Thunder on the Mountain)

[ProSense]

35. Yup, "he doesn't have a clue"

That's what that's what his speech was all about, being clueless.

[Scurrilous]

38. "I don't think I've ever criticized Obama until today..."

The Obama admin is acting more and more like Nixon's. (Fri Jul 19, 2013)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3296847


I saw that sick display on tv (Tue Jul 16, 2013)

MSN broadcast the whole thing. I can't believe that's what they consider news.

And Obama? Going on as he did about Old Bush? Gross. Yes, I get that he had to take part in it, but he did not have gush and fawn over him as he did.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3270680


I'm seeing insanity at work in this government. (not kidding) (Wed Jul 10, 2013)

Obama is going off the Nixon deep end. And this Stasi-esque lunacy will probably still be in place long after he leaves office.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3214771

[Waiting For Everyman]

40. Do you comprehend English?

Did I make an absolute statement? Nope. And is that date pretty recent? Yep.

So just what is your problem, itchy fingers?

[emulatorloo]

55. Feel bad you got caught?

Too bad.

[great white snark]

39. Come on people clamoring five years for the bully pulpit-where's the support?

I know, too little too late right? You don't believe him? Just words?

He's drowning in opposition and needs our help.

[allin99]

43. lmao.

[ProSense]

50. Yeah, heh! n/t

[PoliticAverse]

51. Text of Obama's speech (from whitehouse.gov)...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/24/remarks-president-economy-knox-college-galesburg-il

[MannyGoldstein]

52. Giving Larry Summers the keys to the economy will go far

And the PTT will be the (secret) coup de gras.

[MotherPetrie]

53. "I will look to work with Republicans as well as Democrats..."

Keep trying, President Obama! I'm sure you'll eventually get Republicans to accept your generous offer of Chained CPI.

[Lint Head]

54. Until the criminal George W Bush, the prick who brought down the economy by taking

us into a war that sucked all the treasury up like a vacuum, is put into jail nothing will change. The same criminals who caused the downfall of the middle class and degradation of the poor are still running Wall Street and in positions of power in the US Government.

Executive Authority up to this point is a damn joke.

[Llewlladdwr]

56. Awesome.

Maybe he could speak to the Secretary of Defense about halting the furloughs.