Obama enlists Bill Clinton's aid on economy

[The Northerner]

* Obama enlists help of Clinton to reach out to businesses

* Polls show public mood on economy is souring

* Business group accuses Obama of neglecting jobs

* White House report: Stimulus created millions of jobs (Updates with White House reaction to Chamber's letter)

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama sought on Wednesday to lift sagging confidence in his economic stewardship by enlisting the help of predecessor Bill Clinton, as a leading business group issued a scathing critique of the administration's policies.

Clinton, who presided over the 1990s economic boom, was to join Obama at a White House meeting with business leaders at 2:35 p.m. Eastern time (1835 GMT) to encourage job creation and investment, including in clean energy.

Obama also consulted investment guru Warren Buffett earlier in the Oval Office as he gathered views on how to boost growth, the White House said.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a leading business group, issued a rebuke of Obama's economic agenda, accusing him and his Democrats in Congress of neglecting job creation and hampering growth with burdensome regulatory and tax policies.

Four months before the November congressional elections, Republicans have tried to paint Obama and his Democrats as anti-business.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1426836720100714

[Rageneau]

1. It would be okay with me if Big Dog just took over the whole show.

I have very happy memories of how things were when Bill was POTUS.

[leftofcool]

12. +1

[Toucano]

2. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a criminal syndicate.

Their opinion of federal economic policies is no more relevant than the mafia's opinion of racketeering and extortion laws.

[mediaman007]

4. The CoC is the NRA for business.

Why are they begging the government for help. We're giving the Free Market lots of room to make its move.

The Chamber complains about regulations, but business regulations are not frivolous. They are the result of economic abuses. The markets don't police themselves, so when the market abuses the public, expect regulations.

Besides, the Chamber of Commerce is run by the right wing, not businessmen or business women.

[Toucano]

6. The market thrives on competition, not monopolization and consolidation

Regulations are required to ensure competition in the market and prevent the abuses that are inherent to "too big to fail".

The Chamber opposes these regulations at every turn.

Facism is not "capitalism" and they cannot be allowed to continue to confuse the two.

[Fumesucker]

3. Wheee.. Maybe Bill can get us some new free trade agreements..

Like NAFTA..

That really did wonders for American workers..

[asdjrocky]

5. My thought exactly.

After that, they can further consolidating media ownership, like the telecommunications act.

[Toucano]

7. And maybe another little outfit in Benton, Arkansas can become the next scourge of the planet. n/t

[Selatius]

9. Don't forget he also signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act.

Y'know...the law that repealed the Depression-era Glass-Steagall Act that prevented consolidation between commercial banks and investment banks, which probably only contributed to the crashing of the economy in 2008.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. As did most favored nation status --

for China. :hi:

[lib2DaBone]

8. I just want to tell Bill Clinton and Obama one thing....

You CAN NOT let corporations move jobs to low-wage China... and then let them import their cheap..inferior crappy merchandise back into the United States for re-sale!

The are cleaning our clock... don't you guys get it?

[DonCoquixote]

10. I will say this once, twice and thrice

The reason people are disappointed with Obama is because he was supposed to be the UN-Clinton, and he became the NEW Clinton. Bill, I know you are fresh from wrecking elections in your home state, but please, please, please, exit the damned stage already! Part of the reason your wife lost the election is because they knew you would find a way to worm your way back into influence.

[okieinpain]

14. man you guy's aren't happy with anyone. n/t.

[lib2DaBone]

13. We went thru this back in the 60's with Japenese cars, TV's and pocket calculators...

...(that was before Honda and Toyota established plants in the U.S.)

I guess we learned NOTHING from the past.

FAIR TRADE.... NOT FREE TRADE.