Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama continues to be a fundraising juggernaut, having raised nearly $31 million in April alone. But it’s safe to say none of that campaign money came from billionaire financier Carl Icahn.
“I personally think he’d be a terrible president,” groused the 72-year-old corporate agitator to a well-heeled crowd of hedge fund managers and investors in New York yesterday.
Not known for restraint in expressing his opinions, Icahn warned listeners that a Democratic-controlled Congress and White House could wreak havoc in the economy, with “instant inflation, higher taxes and much higher interest rates.”
“I think what would be devastating is that you get a Democrat as president coupled with over 60 senators that are Democratic,” said Icahn, who has previously thrown his support behind Republican John McCain, who is 71. “They will legislate a huge spending spree.”
A huge spending spree? Budget deficits? Didn’t the U.S. have a budget surplus at the end of the the tax-and-spend Democratic Clinton years? And now we have record deficits after seven years of a Republican Bush presidency? And everyone is worried about inflation.
Of course, that’s all academic. The view from some on Wall Street: Republicans are fiscal conservatives and Democrats are tax-and-spenders.
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“A huge spending spree? Budget deficits? Didn’t the U.S. have a budget surplus at the end of the the tax-and-spend Democratic Clinton years? And now we have record deficits after seven years of a Republican Bush presidency? And everyone is worried about inflation.”
The Clinton years were practicing a contractionary fiscal policy, which runs by taxing everyone heavily and reducing government spending. This would be disasterous in such a recession in which we are in.
Besides, wars are expensive to run, but don’t blame Bush for it, if a Democrat was in the White House during 9/11. Nothing would have been done.
- Posted by Nick DudekI suppose Icahn is worried about lowering his income. Under the Republican “Tax the poor and give to the rich”, one might see his point of view, however not agree with it.
- Posted by AJMIt’s about time someone brought order to the freefall CEO pillaging of the economy. If Icahn thinks the economy is doing well (for the general public) under the Republicans, then senility has kicked in.
Fortunately the majority of voters do not bother with comments like Icahns. The Political system is a far cry from Icahns board room brawls.
“It’s about time someone brought order to the freefall CEO pillaging of the economy. If Icahn thinks the economy is doing well (for the general public) under the Republicans, then senility has kicked in.”
A) Bush is not a Republican in anything but name, and the congress has been Democratically controlled for the majority of his second term.
B) If one believes the money going to CEO’s doesn’t motivate the economy, then I invite you to consider how many people work as a result of a wealthy person’s personal spending.
If, as an American, I were to be upset about anything, it would be how the drums of war on both sides of the aisle have led a persistant chant of “fear, spend, fear, spend” - thus retracting our freedoms and further burdening a strained economy.
Socializing the country is not the answer. Limiting ALL government spending and enforcing fiscal responsibility on those companies who should be suffering the consequences of their unethical policies more likely is.
- Posted by da6dyes, I spelled persistent incorrectly
- Posted by da6dIcahn stated “I personally think he’d be a terrible president”. Why Icahn because you could NOT buy him???
- Posted by jcClinton’s soul may be for sale but Obama has grassroots which trumps you and your money. HA
This dude, Carl Icahn, is an idiot!
- Posted by Sam Jones IIIthis race has turned into a reality show:
http://thevote.abc13.com/2008/05/dancing -with–1.html
- Posted by tom abrahamsWonder who the top 100 contributers to Obama are since he is has more money coming in then any of the others in this election.
- Posted by Jack from KansasOh no, Obama doesn’t have the support of the most greedy person in existence? BIG SURPRISE THERE!
- Posted by youfail