Posted on 05/16/2012 8:30:17 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Bill O’Reilly spoke to economist Ben Stein about a potential Mitt Romney presidency, as well as what Stein thinks of President Barack Obama. Going beyond wanting Romney to win, Stein said Obama isn’t particularly smart. Smarter than “the average bear,” but not of the likes of President Richard Nixon.
Stein began by speaking about he riots in Greece, warning those who think it can’t happen in America. Young people without jobs who are angry, and have nothing better to do, may riot, he said. It’s “fun for them. They can be provoked into doing it at a drop of a hat.”
O’Reilly then pivoted to the question of a Romney White House, saying it’s inevitable that he would make huge cuts in government spending. Stein responded saying he would like Romney to win, but doesn’t think he will because Obama will “swamp” him in terms of fundraising. But of course there would be cuts, he said:
And the people will be whipped up by a frenzy by people at MSNBC and elsewhere, at least that’s my prediction. There will be rioting in the streets and they won’t even need MSNBC. They will be whipped up into a frenzy by their local friends and family. They’ll go out and riot and we will see things like we saw in Greece here in America. Then I don’t know what we’ll do.
Finally, O’Reilly asked, “Barack Obama is a smart man, you would say that, right? He is a smart man?” Stein replied, “No, I wouldn’t say that.” He added, “I wouldn’t say is he a smart man. [...] not in the same league of presidential genius as Nixon, for example. But he is smarter than the average bear as they say.”
Take a look, via Fox News:
(VIDEO AT LINK)
Ben is right: President Nixon (and Reagan) were much smarter than this cipher.
Just saw this, Ben Stein actually was annying, saying Obama will win because he is a formidable campaigner and will outraise Romney.
Whereas imho BHO is an unctious bore.
Why did Al Franken win Ben Stein’s money in his 2008 senate race?
I bet BOR didn’t like that statement.
He won Ben’s money as did BHO.
Stein is a moron.
He may win. He won in 2008. Many are invested in him having a second term: Crony capitalists, radicals, blacks, homosexuals, welfare layabouts, illegals, union members, teachers, etc.
Stein took the words right out of my mouth. I don’t think Obama is Patty Murray-dumb, but I’ve not seen one single, solitary thing in the past 3+ years to suggest he’s the “philosopher-king” he was presented as in 2008. I also agree he’s nowhere near Nixon in terms of political genius. Whatever faults Tricky Dick had, that man had an intuitive grasp of politics, especially foreign affairs, that few could hope to match.
I disagree with Stein on the fundraising issue, though. I think Romney will be far more competitive in the fight for campaign cash than Stein thinks.
Especially after you add in Karl Rove’s SuperPAC and all the other outside money.
Don’t sell Braky short. I have always thought that he is plenty dumb, maybe even Biden class stupid.
If by riot, he means getting together with some musicians and playing some good music and drinking beer all day, then I’m down for that kind of riot.
If he means the type of riot where you break things that people pay money for, trying to fight cops and getting arrested and possibly shot, then I’ll pass every day of the year for the rest of my life. I prefer a different type of riot.
Stein kinda has a point when you have one of Hollywood’s biggest actors host a $10,000 per plate gathering.
I think that Obama is a kept man, like a prostitute. As long as he stirs up the simple, and looks good, they let him live a life of perks and pleasure. It doesn’t take tons of brains to be a prostitute, especially one with a teleprompter to speak off from.
He’s right. BO is not bright at all.
What’s your opinion of Sarah Palin, Dan Quayle and George W. Bush?
And what are you going to do when that worthless, back-stabbing flip-flopping liberal goes back on his word?
Don't expect your check back.
It wouldn’t be “my” check, it’d be money I raised through phone calls. If Mr. Romney, or anyone else had to rely on my checkbook, they couldn’t run for dogcatcher in Bugtussle.
Please don't evade the point. I wouldn't give Romney a bent penny for any campaign promise he makes, signed or otherwise. The man's a weather vane without a moral compass.
Ha! Fair point, FRiend! :-)
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