Inspire Political Discourse

Full Transcript: President Obama's Speech to Congress - February 24, 2009

Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery
Address to Joint Session of Congress
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
To view the video, click here.

“Madame Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, and the first lady of the United States.

I have come here tonight not only to address the distinguished men and women in this great chamber, but to speak frankly and directly to the men and women who sent us here.

Video: President Obama's Speech to Congress - February 24, 2009

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Click here to read the transcript.

Geithner and Summers to Head New White House Task Force

:: DETROIT: Obama to appoint a White House task force to oversee auto recovery. Plan to appoint a "car czar" scrapped. From HUFFPOST:

WASHINGTON — It will take more than one "car czar" to help get the embattled U.S. auto industry back on track, President Barack Obama has decided. Instead, his administration is establishing a presidential task force to direct the restructuring of General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, a senior administration official said Sunday night.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers will oversee the across-the-government panel, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made.

:: President to Appoint Task Force on Autos - Jake Tapper, ABC News
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FULL VIDEO: President Obama's First Press Conference - February 9, 2009

To read the complete transcript, click here.

Op-Ed: Stop Crucifying the Auto Industry

Author Note: I have no ties to the auto industry whatsoever, and no family members or friends who are employed by the auto industry.

I'll just be real up front about this. I am freaking tired of watching Congress lambaste the automakers, and here's why.

The government threw taxpayer dollars at the financial services industry as if they were on fire. $700 freaking billion dollars at an industry which begged and lobbied for deregulation all the while it was rewarding it's managers for poor performance.

Today we learned that Merrill Lynch's CEO has asked for a $10 million bonus. For what you ask? After all, the idiot completely took down his own company. Well, the jackass today said that he deserves a bonus for brokering the merger of ML with Bank of America because the losses would have been greater if he had not. Can he spell CORPORATE F*CKING GREED??