Geithner does not sympathize with Occupy Wall St movement

[brentspeak]

Geithner appeared at the Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, in a discussion moderated by Atlantic Editor-in-Chief James Bennet.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/tim-geithner-wall-street-obama-anger_n_996918.html

"Do you feel any sympathy for the Occupy Wall Street movement?" Bennet asked later in the discussion.

"No, I feel a lot of sympathy for what you might describe as a general sense among Americans as to whether we've lost the sense of possibility -- and whether after a pretty bad lost decade ... followed by a devastating crisis huge loss of faith in public institutions, people do wonder whether we have the ability to do things that can help the average sense of opportunity in the country. And I definitely sympathize with that," he said.

"That's why I think those of us in Washington carry such a huge burden. No, we're not just trying to clean up a huge mess, we have to try to figure out how to do that at the same time we're trying to restore faith in public institutions. That's an essential thing to do, because we're having a terrible debate, a huge debate, an important debate about what is the role of government in the economy and society as a whole. What we need to do is restore some basic confidence so that the government is able to perform those critical functions that the market can't provide."

White House Chief of Staff Bill "Mr. NAFTA and JP Morgan Chase executive" Daley, also chipped in to demonstrate his non-solidarity with American commoners:

Earlier in the day at the Ideas Forum, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley also commented on the Occupy Wall Street movement, saying,

http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/10/05/bill_daley_confidence_man.html">"I don't know if it's helpful. I wouldn't characterize it that way. Look it: People express their opinions. In the new social network world, they can do it pretty effectively outside the normal way, historically, people have done it. So whether it's helpful to us, or helpful for people to understand in the political system that there are a lot of people out there concerned about the economy -- I know the focus is on Wall Street, but it's a broader discussion that we're having."

[midnight]

1. This is unfortunate for him....

[Name removed]

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[Maccagirl]

2. Well then, Timmy, STFU and start doing the right thing by people

and throw in some competance while you're at it. These people aren't at a cocktail party, you nitwit.

[bullwinkle428]

3. Shock of the day!

:evilgrin:

[ChandlerJr]

4. #OccupyWallStreet slogan

Hey! Ho! BHO TimmyGeithner has to go!

[Name removed]

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[ProSense]

6. Let's see

"Do you feel any sympathy for the Occupy Wall Street movement?" Bennet asked later in the discussion.

"No, I feel a lot of sympathy for what you might describe as a general sense among Americans as to whether we've lost the sense of possibility -- and whether after a pretty bad lost decade ... followed by a devastating crisis huge loss of faith in public institutions, people do wonder whether we have the ability to do things that can help the average sense of opportunity in the country. And I definitely sympathize with that," he said.

"That's why I think those of us in Washington carry such a huge burden. No, we're not just trying to clean up a huge mess, we have to try to figure out how to do that at the same time we're trying to restore faith in public institutions. That's an essential thing to do, because we're having a terrible debate, a huge debate, an important debate about what is the role of government in the economy and society as a whole. What we need to do is restore some basic confidence so that the government is able to perform those critical functions that the market can't provide."

Earlier in the day at the Ideas Forum, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley also commented on the Occupy Wall Street movement, saying,

"I don't know if it's helpful. I wouldn't characterize it that way. Look it: People express their opinions. In the new social network world, they can do it pretty effectively outside the normal way, historically, people have done it. So whether it's helpful to us, or helpful for people to understand in the political system that there are a lot of people out there concerned about the economy -- I know the focus is on Wall Street, but it's a broader discussion that we're having."

Not exactly the rejection implied in the OP title. Still, it's possible that if Daley and Geithner had made strong statements in support, they'd have been accused of trying to co-opt the protest. They made general statements about people's concern for the economy and confidence in government.

[theoldman]

7. The economy is in the toilet because there are crooks on Wall Street.

Of course the former crooks from Wall Street will never support a rebellion against their buddies.

[ClarkUSA]

8. Unrec for false and misleading title. That's not what Geithner said at all.

Here's what he really said: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x790508#790523

[brentspeak]

10. That's not what he said at all?

You mean the same exact statement is...different?

:crazy:

[Name removed]

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[ClarkUSA]

17. Geithner did not say what your OP title is claiming.

Your headline is as contrived as John Edwards' claim he only worked for hedge funds to learn about poverty.

[Name removed]

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[Autumn]

11. My heart just bleeds for Geithner and Daley

such huge burdens they carry.:puke:

[Name removed]

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[totodeinhere]

21. Did Daley say "I don't know if it's helpful" or didn't he?

Saying that about the OWS is definitely negative. And I don't see what's wrong with HuffPost repeating Daley's words. And by the way, where is Obama's statement of support for the OWS?

[FrenchieCat]

24. I don't know if what is helpful......

I asked if it was helpful to the White House, in its current jobs bill campaign, to have economic angst protests in dozens of cities.

he responded....

"I don't know if it's helpful," he said."I wouldn't characterize it that way. Look it: People express their opinions. In the new social network world, they can do it pretty effectively outside the normal way, historically, people have done it.So whether it's helpful to us (the White House), or helpful for people to understand in the political system that there are a lot of people out there concerned about the economy -- I know the focus is on Wall Street, but it's a broader discussion that we're having." He pointed to Sam Stein, who'd been asking about supercommittee negotiations. "Part of the thing here, about a balanced approach -- I think people want to see fairness in the system."

Did he like seeing the people in the streets?

"If you go to other parts of the world, you see people who don't have the opportunity to protest like that. It's always good to see."

Of course, I'm citing from Slate, not Huffingpiss
http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/10/05/bill_daley_confidence_man.html

[polmaven]

31. Oh, FrenchieCat, C'mon!

Who needs context? Doesn't that just throw a wrench into our ability to whine? Whaddya trying to do, anyway????:shrig:

[Enrique]

15. I'm sure the protesters are crushed

;-)

[Autumn]

19. I'm betting the protesters don't give a flying fuck what

they say. Their opinion don't mean squat to them.

[ClarkUSA]

18. OP headline is as contrived as Edwards' claim he only worked for hedge funds to learn about poverty

Geithner never said what your headline is claiming. Why do you feel the need to trash his perfectly sensible and intelligent answers?

[Name removed]

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[ClarkUSA]

23. So RW AOL-owned HuffPo created a cut-and-paste hit piece of cherrypicked quotes? How Faux of them.

Roger Ailes would be proud.

If President Obama loses the election, it will be because of lying liars like HuffPo.

What's sad are the alleged Democrats who are fixated on attacking this President and his administration.

[FrenchieCat]

25. It's because they don't give a fuck about the truth....not really.

[ClarkUSA]

28. That is clear and has been clear since Day One.

[customerserviceguy]

22. Why would he?

He's always been on the side of the one percenters.

[Ignis]

29. +1

[ClarkUSA]

26. You've made up a false headline based on RW AOL-owned HuffPo's cherrypicked cut-and-paste hit piece.

Proof: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=790508&mesg_id=790568

You'd better find a source that isn't part of the RW echo chamber.

[Name removed]

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[Ignis]

30. AOL / HuffPost are Right-Wing media sources forbidden on DU?

I'm surprised no one has updated the Rules page yet. :shrug: