Buffett:“When Charlie and I took this job,we did not agree to put our citizenship in a blind trust.” [View all]

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http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/reflecting-on-buffett-business-and-politics/?ref=business

Reflecting on Buffett, Business and Politics

OMAHA — “When Charlie and I took this job, we did not agree to put our citizenship in a blind trust.”

That’s what Warren Buffett said here over the weekend at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting when confronted by a shareholder question complaining that Mr. Buffett had become a public advocate for President Obama and the so-called Buffett Rule, which seeks to raise the tax rate on the wealthiest Americans — many of whom were in the audience.

Mr. Buffett’s longtime business partner, Charlie Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire, quickly quipped that his partner’s position on taxes “has reduced my popularity around my country club.”

It also appeared to reduce Mr. Buffett’s popularity among some shareholders. His comments came after the investor had submitted a question, saying: “My 84-year-old father won’t invest in Berkshire because of your stance on taxes.” Mr. Buffett replied with a zinger: “Sounds like your father should buy stock in Fox.”

The rich are the world's worst whiners.