Obama Reminds America (Again) That He Inherited This Mess

March 16, 2009

Bush is back! At least when it comes to the blame game. The Washington Post points out that over the last month, President Obama has invoked his predecessor's role in creating the financial mess many times.

Obama can easily point to the trillion-dollar budget deficit, a 14-month recession, and failing banks left behind after eight years of a Republican in the White House.

A while back, a majority of you said the stock market's drop was not necessarily a reflection on Obama's economic policies. Do you place most of the blame for the financial mess on President Bush and his policies, or does the good and the bad news reflect more on the new president?

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37 Comments

kurniakasih 4 years 8 weeks

Even Obama said to not place blames, instead to focus on fixing the problems. I could've sworn that came out of his mouth today on tv. Unless my eyes and ears were completely fooling me. I find this really funny because I suppose, it's ok to place blame, as long as it's on the last administration/Bush's LOL (not that they're without blame) but not on the incompetence of people like Geithner, Dodd and co., part of the current administration.

Carrie Sue 4 years 9 weeks

I'm not above a good fight every now and again, but it's getting a little ridiculous :) And I like the shamrock...is it yours, or just a pic you liked?

chatondeneige 4 years 9 weeks

CS, I think that citizen likes to see her sugars fight... that's the only explanation one can possibly come up with for essentially reposting a story for the billionth time.

Carrie Sue 4 years 9 weeks

I don't see why this is news...

beavis667 4 years 9 weeks

Most of the policy that made the housing bubble, sub prime buildup, and interactivity between public banks, investment banks, and AIG happen was put in place in the 90's. Clinton and the Republicans started it. Bush and the Republicans and later Democrats failed to fix it. This is why you have both sides blaming greedy wallstreet folks for the problems we have now. Nearly everyone with any tenure in Washington should take some of the blame, and they are doing the best dance they can to cover their asses.

hypnoticmix 4 years 9 weeks

This kinda cracks me up because everyone is so desperate to hold up (a) bad guy and there is no one bad guy/group. I'm not even concerened anymore with blame I'm just concerned with fixing.

Brendelwoman 4 years 9 weeks

Put on your big boy pants, Obama. You wanted the job, right?

genesisrocks 4 years 9 weeks

It's annoying and unproductive to complain about inheriting it from Bush, but I understand where Obama is coming from. I mean some people are already blaming him for the economy and I'd try to deflect the blame if I were him too.

UnDave35 4 years 9 weeks

I think what we mean when we say "spend like a democrat" is that we spend on what isn't necessarily wise at the time. When we see a pork project (bridge to nowhere), and say "Sure, sounds good to me! It will provide jobs, if only for a little while." When decisions to spend are not entirely thought out beforehand. Yes, it's condescending to the democratic party, because I know that not every dem is like that, but also not every republican is a bible thumping racist who owns a big business.

lemuse20 4 years 9 weeks

I'm wondering what he meant by "Yes we can!"...

flutterpie 4 years 9 weeks

George Bush spent money like a democrat. That mentality is so freakin annoying, clinton is a dem and he didnt spend money like bush. bush spent money on the republican things that were near and dear. creating new government such as the dept of homeland security and that office of faith services (cannot think of the name for the life of me), bailing out banks and tax cuts and breaks for the wealthy. so where in that spending spree was he "spending like a dem"

UnDave35 4 years 9 weeks

It's ok, I'll talk to you in 12 years.. ;)

flutterpie 4 years 9 weeks

sorry dave im at work so it takes me 12 years to write and post a comment!

UnDave35 4 years 9 weeks

Ummm, comment #20?

piper23 4 years 9 weeks

Everyone is to blame and its up to everyone to fix it.

flutterpie 4 years 9 weeks

i think its so funny how at the beginning of all this every republican from rush to hannity were screaming that it started with carter and clinton made it worse and bush just inherited this, blah blah blah. now that obama is doing the same exact thing and they say he needs to get over it. when will someone just be honest enough to say, everyone is to blame and its up to everyone to fix it?

stephley 4 years 9 weeks

"So that's all we have to do to provide sources? Say, look, and I know what was said? I'll keep that in mind." Hmm. Do YOU really want to discuss sources with me? :)

UnDave35 4 years 9 weeks

So that's all we have to do to provide sources? Say, look, and I know what was said? I'll keep that in mind. As to who to blame, I think our elected officials are to blame. All of them. From 2001-2005, a republican controlled house and senate went on a psneding frenzy, and Bush didn't do anything. From 2006-2009, the dems have controlled the house and senate, and haven't been any better. In his first 3 monthes in office, Obama has spent more money than any other President has spent in 2 years. The best thing to do when you are in a financial hole is to stop digging. Please government, stop digging us further in debt.

kasey009 4 years 9 weeks

I think its a joint effort, and they are both partially to blame, but only bc George Bush spent money like a democrat. Things were bad, but since Jan are speedily getting WAY worse and it's not necessarily that Obama has done anything, but he's talked too much and scared people and scared the wall street crowd and scared the economists. People are afraid of what he says hes going to do, and of course a few of the things he's already done. The point is though, he sounds like a kindergartner when he goes around pointing his finger all the time like he is.

clarabelle98 4 years 9 weeks

Okay, so Bushy was in office for 8 years. So what? Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it a Democratically controlled congress for like the last 4? How can all of this be one man's fault? Bush certainly isn't blameless, but the time for finger pointing is OVER and the time for Action started 3 and a half months ago. Get over it Obama and do what you said you would do.

stephley 4 years 9 weeks

Chat, I have backed my claim. Look in threads for comments referring to minority mortgages, they're here. If you can't find them, that isn't my fault. I know what's been said, and by whom. Think people who hate ACORN.

chatondeneige 4 years 9 weeks

Tia, who's disregarding it?

tiabia 4 years 9 weeks

You know what else seems easy, to completely disregard the past administrations mishandling of what was a surplus, and then place the blame on the new administration.

chatondeneige 4 years 9 weeks

Stephley, you can't make ridiculous comments and not back them up with fact. Well, you can, but it makes you look silly, to be quite frank. It makes you look as though you've completely made up the comment. So, unless you're willing to provide any backing for your claim (including, but not limited to ONE SINGLE COMMENT) I (as well as anyone with any critical thinking skills) will assume you've completely made it up.

stephley 4 years 9 weeks

It isn't my fault that you can't find the many comments that I know are on the site, just since the beginning of the year. Look for references to minorities and mortgages - they're here. I haven't a clue what your second question is about.

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