Bush's Forum on Economy: More Than The Usual Crowd

The New York Times ^ | August 13, 2002 | Elisabeth Bumiller

[T Lady]

Waco, Tex., Aug. 12-The White House moved today to counter criticism that President Bush's economic forum here on Tuesday was a public relations vehicle by releasing a list of participants that included a sprinkling of Democrats and some influential corporate leaders not ususally associated with politics.

While the list was heavily weighted towards the Bush-friendly South and West, it also included Franklin D. Raines, the chief excutive of Fannie Mae and the budget director under former President Bill Clinton; Carleton S. Fiorina, the chairwoman and chief executive of the Hewlett-Packard Comapny; Kenneth I Chenault, the chairman and chief excutive of the American Express Company; and Jeffrey L. Bleustein, the chairman and chief executive of Harley-Davidson Inc.

Another participant, Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, predicted that the forum, to be held at Baylor University here, would be "a mixed bag between a dog-and-pony show and constructive consensus," and said he hope the message out of Waco would be "greater clarity that we should be confident that we are on the right path."

The White House did not release the list of invitees until mid-afternoon, when most of those named on it were out of reach of traveling to Waco.

The list included very few New Yorkers or Wall Street executives or even representatives of the oil, gas and energy industry-an area sensitive for the White House since both the president and Vice President Dick Cheney have worked for energy companies that have been the subject of federal inquiries.

Also included were such surviving dot-com celebrities as Margaret C. Whtiman, the chief executive of eBay Inc., and Jerry Yang, a co-founder of Yahoo; professors like Michael E. Porter of the Harvard Business School and Jagdis Bhagwati of Columbia University; and small-business men like Egon Schlottman, the owner of Pics and Gifts near Baylor, who said he was invited to the forum on Friday by a member of the White House advance team who used to frequent his shop as a student.

"I'm so thankful that I'm able to do this, which is probably the biggest thing that has ever happened in Waco, Tex.," said Mr. Schlotmman, 61, a Republican who said he supported Mr. Bush's economic agenda.

White House officials also said the event that officially runs from 9 a.m. to noon would consist of 14 hours of "serious policy discussion," mostly in the eight panel discussions held simultaneously during those hours Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney are also to appear at four panels each.

Among the major Republicans donors invited were Henry A. McKinnell, the chairman of and chief executive of Pfizer Inc., which gave nearly $1.4 million in unrestricted soft money donations to Republicans in 2000 and $160,000 to Democrats; Ivan G. Seidenberg, the chairman and chief executive of Verizon Communications, which gave nearly $900,000 to Republicans in 2000 and $573,000 to Democrats; and Charles Schawb, the chairman and co-chief executive of the Charles Schawb Corporation, which gave more than $406,000 to Rebublicans in 2000, and nothing to Democrats.

Even Republican supporters of Mr. Bush have recently criticized the forum as an exercise in promoting the Bush economic agenda and a reaffirmation of the president's policies, rather than an open airing of the economic problems facing the country. The White House has said the forum would will offer many points of view from people from 40 states.

[T Lady]

As you can probably guess, Ms. Bumiller is in a snit since no one from New York (I would hazard to guess Sen. Hillary R. Clinton and Sen. Chuck Schumer)was invited to this gathering of economic minds. Yes, I said economic, since most of these folks, including the President and Vice President, happen to know a thing or two about economics. One will be hard-pressed to find the 'Republican supporters' of the President who criticize the forum. These individuals aren't ever named. And the line about "Promoting the Bush economic agenda?" How pathetic. Of course the 'Rats conistently remind us that Bush never had a mandate, so he hasn't got the right to promote any kind of agenda, much less a rather sound one at that. Naturally, what would a New York Times article be without the disclosure of "Unrestricted Soft Money Donations to Republican Candidates?" What this has to do with an economic forum, I'll never know. But it does suggest these fellows indeed know which side their bread is buttered on. I wouldn't give a plugged nickel to a 'Rat, either.

[gov_bean_ counter]

What this has to do with an economic forum,

About the same as a roster of the attendees at Cheney's energy meetings. The idiots can't argue of the merits of the policy so they complain about the process.

[JulieRNR21]

I watched some of this Forum this morning on FOX then switched to CNN to see if they were airing it LIVE.....of course not!

When FOX stopped showing it I went to C-Span. There were many Black leaders in the panel I saw....some from academia (business schools) as well as business.

CNN showed their bias by NOT airing this Forum! Musn't let Americans see the President doing something to address the economic situation, especially with Blacks who praised his leadership & efforts.

[Moonman62]

Even Republican supporters of Mr. Bush have recently criticized the forum as an exercise in promoting the Bush economic agenda and a reaffirmation of the president's policies, rather than an open airing of the economic problems facing the country. The White House has said the forum would will offer many points of view from people from 40 states.

Of course the Rats and the NY Slimes are going to criticize. But I believe this economic forum really is a dog and pony show. Bush has invited enough people that he'll be able to only listen to what he wants hear, and tout it in the coming days, while ignoring the dissenters. Bush and his Harvard buddy, Lawrence Lindsay have already made up there minds on what they want to do with the economy. Bush loves big government, and he wants the Bush clan to be for the Republicans what the Kennedys are for the Rats.

[T Lady]

Of course the Big Media 'Rats aren't going to air ANY Black response to President Bush that even remotely positive!!!! Why that would just scare the living daylights out of McAuliffe & Company!

[steve50]

Just pre election photo op stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush gets up and says "I feel you pain" and bites his lower lip before long. I wonder if Kenny Boy and Skilling are in speaking?

[JulieRNR21]

Just noticed that your are a newbie to FR.....welcome...great thread!

[T Lady]

Thanx...glad to be here! :-)

[kaktuskid]

The prez wants to make the death tax repeal permanent...would FatBoy Clinton do that??

[steve50]

Good idea, now let's cut spending. My grandchildren are far enough in debt as it is.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Bush and his Harvard buddy, Lawrence Lindsay have already made up there minds on what they want to do with the economy. Bush loves big government, and he wants the Bush clan to be for the Republicans what the Kennedys are for the Rats.

Bingo. Larry Lindsey, and the rest of Bush's team, are economic morons. He couldn't find a Laffer Curve with a compass and a map. All these business leaders are nice but not very knowledgable about monetary policy...which is the key issue in resurrecting this economy.

[WVNan]

I would like to know if Ms.liberal reporterette ever reported on any clinton forum by revealing the contributions given to the Dim party by the attendees.

[lonestar]

You sound ticked off that you have all the answers and weren't invited.

[Moonman62]

Good idea, now let's cut spending. My grandchildren are far enough in debt as it is.

Yes they are, but the Bush team wants to increase government spending, and here's how they'll do it. The first step is to increase the individual savings rate. You can't have people putting their money in stocks, so you destroy and villify the stock market. Now people will put their money in savings accounts with banks. Banks buy safe investments like government securities, and that's what the government needs to issue in order to grow.

The same thing has happened in post 1990 Japan. Their stock market and economy has contracted since then. They have a massive savings rate. What they don't want you to know is all those savings have been used to fund massive increases in government spending. Japan has the highest government debt to GDP ratio amongst the largest industrialized nations. Their yearly spending is twice what they take in via taxes. Japan is now at the point of default, and that's where Bush wants to take us. Bigger government, and a more powerful Bush dynasty at any cost.

[swheats]

The article had to hit at least two of the talking points of the DNC:

1. Bush and Cheney connections to Harkin and Halliburton's SEC inquiries, and

2. Rich donors attending that gave soft money to their campaigns.

These people are sickening. They can't lead and try to hinder everyone else from learning the truth.

[T Lady]

Apparently the President is having none of their nonsense. Contrary to what some may believe about Bush being for big government, he made some very strong statements (via recorded clips on The Hugh Hewitt Show this afternoon)suggesting otherwise. He made the valid point of allowing more people-notably entreprenuers-to keep their own money and to allow smaller businesses to expand.

[McLynnan]

I watched much of the forum on C-Span and the President was quite clear on where he intends to steer the country and had some very pointed messages for Congress. I was pleased to see that the administration is finally responding to claims Bush tanked the economy. The White House has a new talking point --"the country entered a recession 3 months before Bush took office". I heard that phrase repeated over and over again today. About time.