Obama tells Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses

[ProSense]

Obama tells Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses

By MARK S. SMITH, Associated Press Writer

BURBANK, Calif. – President Barack Obama told Jay Leno on Thursday that he was stunned when he learned of the bonuses that bailed-out insurance giant AIG was paying its employees.

Obama told "The Tonight Show" host the payments raise moral and ethical problems — and vowed again to try to recoup the cash for taxpayers.

"We're going to do everything we can to get these bonuses back", he declared.

Leno asked Obama what he thought when his staff first advised him of the payments, many made to traders in the very division that brought American International Group to ruin.

"'Stunned' is the word," Obama replied in a taped appearance on "Tonight." He said he found it hard to fathom how anyone would accept lavish payments in those circumstances. "People just had this sense of entitlement. We must be the best and the brightest."

But Obama staunchly defended Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who's increasingly come under fire for failing to block the bonuses.

"I think Geithner is doing an outstanding job," Obama said. "He is a smart guy. He is a calm and steady guy. I don't think people fully appreciate the plate that was handed him."

Obama added Geithner's carrying on "with grace and good humor. He understand that he's on the hot seat."

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[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Well, techinically, Leno said he was stunned about it

and Obama nodded and then said, "stunned" is the word"...but never mind about twisting it up as they always do in the media. :rolleyes:

Ya know, with the Bushetals spending so much time blanketing the airwaves, has anyone asked them about these AIG and Merrill Lynch 'contract bonuses'?

[ProSense]

2. Despite the title, it's clear that's what Obama replied. On Bush, there is this

TARP inspector general says Bush administration specifically considered and approved AIG bonuses.