Obama in Savannah: ‘It’s hard to import windows from China’
Updated at 12:52 a.m. And it’s over. A 16-minute speech, by the clock. I’ll generate more details on the speech itself in a bit.
Updated at 12:40 p.m.: President Barack Obama was bang on time. He waited through a small portion of the crowd – then singled out Gov. Sonny Perdue, who is a Republican, and Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, who is not.
No mention of the Senate filibuster, and he’s deep into energy details, so it won’t happen here. On why energy refurbishing of homes is a good area for producing jobs: “It’s very hard to ship windows from China,” Obama said.
Obama noted that Georgia’s 10 percent unemployment rate doesn’t include those who have been reduced to part-time jobs.
The most ironic note so far: Obama noted that he’s sending a record amount of federal cash to community colleges, such as Savannah Tech. But up in Atlanta, lawmakers are about to slash spending at the same Georgia institutions.
Updated at 12:05 p.m.: We are in a quiet mode. Unusual for a crowd of 300. The only thing to be heard is Doug Richards doing his noon stand-up.
We’ve been told that President Obama might address the one-man filibuster being conducted by U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky. That’s a “might.” Not a certainty.
If Obama does, he’ll get a good reaction from the crowd, which is mostly a hand-picked collection of Democrats.
U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston so far is the most prominent Republican at the Obama event. He’s at the other side of the room, so I haven’t been able to reach him. Just got a call from U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s office. They want us to know that Johnson flew down on the plane with Obama.
Competition to get in here was fierce. State Sen. Lester Jackson of Savannah, a Democrat, said he submitted a list of 47 for invitations. Only four received them. And he was one of the four.
Just spotted House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter of Dublin, the only candidate for governor here that I’ve seen. The mayor of Savannah just walked in, too. So Obama is close.
Savannah – Just got checked in and seated for the noon appearance of President Barack Obama at Savannah Tech. One magnometer, 500 or so VIPs, a boatload of press, and ran. Not a good situation.
The president is presumably on the ground, or at least that’s what AP reports, but there’s no sense of urgency at this invitation-only event. Not exactly a town hall situation. It’s a quiet place, no waiting music. And that’s a good thing.
Outside, Obama has brought everyone together: Nuclear protestors and NRA demonstrators, tea partiers and health care reform boosters. But the first sign was I saw had to do with none of these: “Tobacco or higher education? Which do you support?”
That’s a state budget issue.
At least two members of Congress are here – John Barrow of Savannah and Sanford Bishop of Albany, both Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, we’re told, will be here as well. Gov. Sonny Perdue is to meet Obama at the nearby air base.
On the state level, Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin are to be here, too.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
78 comments Add your comment
pn
March 2nd, 2010
5:39 pm
Obama is a thoughtful, pragmatic and far-seeing man. He is trying to get the United States back on track with manufacturing and industrial production capacity, and at the same time reducing our dependence on oil from despotic states– and coal, which is poisoning our air and water. He has even taken the somewhat unpopular tack of supporting nuclear energy; realizing that there is no other viable option for our huge energy needs in the near term. But he also is supporting energy research and development of solar power, led’s, catalytic energy production, battery storage, fuel cells, high speed rail, meglev, etc. Nothing I have heard from any politician for decades is as positive and helpful to our economy and society as what he is trying to accomplish. Previous politicians have sent tens of millions our manufacturing and service jobs overseas, and the U.S. is reaping the results as it falls further behind China and other countries every day. Obama is making a major effort to reduce our decline and increase our manufacturing capacity. For all his efforts he has been badgered and harassed incessently. If he cannot succeed, it shows me that this country is truly trending towards becoming ungovernable, and will continue it’s slide into third or fourth world status.
White Conservative Turned Blue
March 2nd, 2010
5:46 pm
Let me spell it for you C-o-n-s-e-r-v-a-t-i-v-e T-u-r-n-e-d B-l-u-e…that would be ex-conservative, now democrat. nobody said liberal DN. get it right. As far as Tea Bagging, stupid is as stupid does and you gave the name to yourselves—- so the Conservative conventional wisdom is insane. Consider the record:
A week before he was sworn in, Obama jammed part two of the bank bailout down the throat of his own party — a $350 billion accomplishment.
Two days after he was sworn in, Obama banned the use of “harsh interrogation” and ordered the closing of Guantánamo.
A day later, Obama reversed George W. Bush’s funding cutoff to overseas family planning organizations — saving millions of lives with the stroke of a pen.
Three days after that, Obama gave a green light to the California car-emissions standards that Bush had been blocking for six years — an important step on the road to cleaner air and a cooler planet.
Two weeks after that, Obama signed the stimulus bill — a $787 billion accomplishment.
Ten days after that, Obama formally announced America’s withdrawal from Iraq.
A week later — we’re in early March now — Obama erased Bush’s decision to restrict federal funding for stem-cell research.
In April and June, Obama forced Chrysler and GM into bankruptcy to save themselves Iguess this is a bad thing?.
In June, Obama reset the tone of our relations with the entire Arab world with a single speech — an accomplishment that the Bush administration failed to achieve despite a series of desperate PR moves (anyone remember Charlotte Beers?) and a “public diplomacy” budget of $1 billion a year.
Also in June, Obama unveiled the “Cash for Clunkers” program, a “socialist” giveaway that reanimated the corpse of our car industry — leading, for example, to the billion-dollar profit that Ford announced on Monday.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the order to release the torture memos, Obama’s push for charter schools, his $288 billion tax cut, or the end of Bush’s war on medical marijuana. Or the minor fact that he seems to have — with Bush’s help, it must be said — stopped the financial collapse, revived the credit markets, and nudged the economy toward 3.5 percent growth in the last quarter.
President Obama is now a month or two from accomplishing the awesome and seemingly impossible task that eluded mighty presidents like FDR, LBJ, and WJC — health-care reform.
Obama’s early returns also include a host of remarkably cautious and prudent national-security decisions that seem, these days, to have been completely forgotten:
Appointing a conservative Bush holdover like Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense.
Appointing an establishment centrist like Leon Panetta at CIA.
Appointing a hard-ass like Stanley McChrystal to head up our military forces in Afghanistan, despite McChrystal’s dubious involvement in torture and the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s death.
Increasing the number of drone attacks on Al Qaeda — more in the last year than all the Bush years combined.
Reinstating, with tweaks, Bush’s military tribunal system for Guantánamo prisoners.
Fighting, in another unexpected defense of a controversial Bush policy, lawsuits against the “warrantless wiretapping” program — as recently as this weekend with a decision that a leading civil liberties group called “extremely disappointing.”
Sending, way back in February, seventeen thousand more soldiers to Afghanistan. As Fareed Zakaira recently pointed out, this was just three thousand fewer soldiers than Bush sent to Iraq for his famous “surge.”
This is the first year….
cutty you"re up
March 2nd, 2010
5:54 pm
Yes, Jimmy Carter never met a dictator he didnt like. Reagan was the powerhouse who brought down the Soviet Union. Carter only brought joy to the USSR’s eyes because they viewed him for the weakling he was. As far as your statement about Obama “reducing” taxes for most Americans, that is one of the funniest things I’ve heard this decade, and its just started. Have you looked at your paycheck lately and seen a decrease in federal taxes? This is making the assumption that you work and are paid where deductions are taken out;not an insult just probing here. Under his plans, your taxes will double what you were paying under Bush. How else do you think he’s going to pay for the $787 billion stimulus bill and all his other social programs? I suspect you are young and haven’t been around the block long enough to file anything more than a 1040-EZ form and are liberal because most college students seem to be. Liberalism gives way to conservatism once you start contributing more than your fair share of taxes. Get back to me after you’ve had your first 100K year and we’ll see how your views change.
Chris Mathews is covered in his own spittle because he is drinking, again and because he is a racist
March 2nd, 2010
6:29 pm
Cutty is a democrat tool. The only ones supporting Obama now are the die-hard democrat base and those that cannot admit they made a huge mistake voting for a man who hasn’t created one single job in the private sector. Now they will have to suffer watching their messiah stumble and bumble his way through his first and only term. Here’s why Obama is failing, a part from being a lib/socialist/democrat-hack. You see there is no one now to turn his C’s into A’s. The media wh@res, like Jumbo G, are doing their best to prop him up, but it is not working. They can’t sell it. They can’t sell Obamacare, or the Obama brand anymore. It is funny and sad. More funny than sad, though. Happy Thoughts, You Stinkin’ Libs!!!!!!!
Wanna see a democrat racist. Watch this guy. He gets paid millions to say crap like this. To quote John Lebowitz. “Chirs Matthews is one scotch away from becomming Ron Burgundy.”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/01/27/msnbcs_matthews_on_obama_i_forgot_he_was_black_tonight.html
Former Obama supporter
March 2nd, 2010
6:32 pm
Can we export Obama to China in exchange for some windows? I bought the hope and change razzle dazzle, I was such a fool.
White Conservative Turned Blue and then Red Cause Obama is a failurer
March 2nd, 2010
6:35 pm
YEAH!!!!!!!! Lets trade Obama for some Chinese take out or windows, or dog food, or arugula, or whatever. Let them have him and maybe we can start keeping cleaning up the mess he and his hangers-in have made.
RGB
March 2nd, 2010
6:39 pm
Cain did well in his Senate race–finishing second to now-Senator Isakson. Mr. Cain garnered more votes than U.S. Representative Mac Collins, so the assertion that conservatives won’t vote for Cain is inaccurate. I voted for Cain and consider him superior to Isakson.
My larger point was that the statists who try to paint conservatives as racists will have a difficult time substantiating the charge since Mr. Cain fared well in his Senate run, hosts a successful talk radio show on one of the most prominent radio stations in the city, and enjoys considerable support from the pro-America, anti-high tax constituents who comprise the Tea Party.
Regarding G.W. Bush, he spent too much money on a variety of programs including the Rx drug program (which Democrats love). Bush’s focus was chiefly on keeping America safe and he succumbed to Democrat spending demands so that they would continue to vote for funding for the troops. Bush’s deficits ballooned in his last two years during the time the Democrats controlled Congress. Conservatives don’t appreciate the fact that Bush ran large deficits, but by comparison he now looks frugal and President Clinton almost looks like a genius. Bush’s largest annual deficit was about a fourth of Obama’s in his first year in office.
The difference between most conservatives and most liberals is that conservatives have, will, and do criticize Bush for excessive spending. We criticize him on immigration reform and on prosecuting the war in a sub-optimal manner. But in the area of national security, he had sound results–which Democrats neither acknowledge nor appreciate.
Whitey turned blue
March 2nd, 2010
6:45 pm
Let me address a few of his so called “accomplishments” as well as some of your other points. I dont have time to address them all because I am a busy man;however if I agree with something you said I will acknowledge it as such.
First, passing a $350 Billion handout to any private industry is not an accomplishment,its a give. BFD. He seems to think throwing money at a union dominated industry is going to help it compete in the world market;it wont. Read Economics 101.
Second, closing an offshore jail for terrorists and banning the use of “harsh interrogation” such as rock music and sleep deprivation to obtain valuable information from these Islamic thugs is not an accomplishment;its a sign of weakness and gives terrorists hope everywhere. After all, if you know you can communicate an act of terror against the US at least you’ll now have the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent under BO and Eric Holder. This is not an accomplishment. Besides, last I checked Club Gitmo is still open. Maybe you can spend spring break there and bring the Islamic goons some homemade cookies if you feel so bad for them.
Third, I dont know enough about the CA emissions issue to comment so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.
The $787 stimulus bill is not an accomplishment, its an expense that does nothing more than pay for pet projects in congress’ home districts. For example, how have the “Putting Americans to Work” signs you see on Old Alabama Rd in Roswell/Alpharetta stimulate the economy? I’ve seen this same sign on Old Alabama Rd for 6 months now but I have yet to see any road improvements. Is this an accomplishment if you cant implement the program effectively? Besides, who did it put to work other than a paving contractor for 3 weeks. Temp jobs only temporarily stimulate the economy. Read Economics 101 again if you dont follow my logic here.
Stem cell-again dont know enough about the issue to comment.
GM and Chrysler, f—k them. If they cant compete, let them go out of business. You failed to mention though that Rahm Emanuel hand picked the new CEO of Chrysler due to a little pay for play system the Chicago politicians seem to have down pat.
Next, the Arab apology tour was not an accomplishment;especially after he bowed to the Saudi Arabian leader;even they view it as a sign of weakness. Again, apologizing is not much of an accomplishment. If you see it as an accomplishment, then at the end of my diatribe you can apologize to me for being wrong and consider it an accomplishment for yourself.
The Cash for Clunker program had good intentions, mainly to encourage people to better their gas mileage and give them financial incentive to do so;I’ll give him credit for thinking outside the box. The truth of the matter is that it was implemented in a typical govt bureaucratic fashion with many dealers not receiving all of the money they were promised, a govt unable to handle the flood of paperwork, and the bottom line that for each $4000 a new car owner received, it ended up costing the govt $24,000. Now I’m not a mathematician or anything but a $20K loss per transaction is not much of an accomplishment, is it? Maybe it is in a liberals world, but in the real world you would be out of business soon. Ever operated a business before? When the outflow exceeds the cash flow you better close your doors. Unfortunately the govt is not in the business of making sound business decisions.
Finally, health care reform is something only about 20-25% of the US population wants. Most Americans are content with their health insurance, and for those that dont have it there’s Medicare and Medicaid. NO ONE has ever been denied healthcare at an emergency room before, ever. The health care act is going to largely provide health care for 2 groups:illegal aliens, and younger Americans(in their 20’s) who simply think they dont need it but CAN afford it. If his plan was so great and the Dem’s have complete control of both houses of Congress, then why hasnt it passed? And dont say Republican obstructionism because that is hard to prove when you own the majority. The fact remains that if Americans wanted health care reform it would be passed by now because of the support it would have behind it.
So to call the majority of your talking points accomplishments is subjective at best. If these are accomplishments, I cant wait for the “accomplishments” in years 2,3, and 4; as there wont be a year 5-8.
How’s that Hope-Change working out for you?
White Conservative Turned Blue and then Red Cause Obama is a failurer
March 2nd, 2010
6:45 pm
RGB, wanna know why dems/libs are weak on national security? They secretly hate this country. The think we deserve what we get. That’s how they roll. Look what PresBO has done to the CIA. Seriously, Democrats are funny when out of power and dangerous when in. Good news is that it looks like Obama is going to be a one-termer like Jimmy Moohammed Al-Bin Carter. The libs are just mad that Obama sucks. It is that simple, like them!
Cutty's mom
March 2nd, 2010
6:53 pm
I have to go turn a trick, so I’ll make this short. You fellas need to take it easy on Cutty. He used to have to ride the short bus. Obama and his Chief of Staff would call him an “effing retard.” Leave him alone. Bloggin’ all he has. O.K. gotta run my John is here! Bye Bye, now.
JD in Marietta
March 2nd, 2010
6:59 pm
RGB, I agree with everyone of your points. I wish Herman Cain would run again.Frankly I’m not real crazy about Saxby, and Johnny seems to be too quiet for my tastes. I believe Herman would put Harry Reid in his place as well as some of the other leftists in the Senate. He’d also bring up the topic of the Fair Tax, although it wouldnt get much traction until the landscape in Washington changes. I wonder if he can be convinced to run for Congress somewhere; John Lewis cant last forever.
Cutty you''re up
March 2nd, 2010
7:01 pm
Agreed, I realize Cutty is a youngun who got on Mama’s computer when she wasn’t looking. Hopefully she won’t put him to bed without dinner.
RGB
March 2nd, 2010
7:01 pm
I agree that many Democrats (especially elected officials at the national level) dislike (even hate) America–which explains Obama’s apology tour, bowing to foreign officials, attempting to curry favor with the “Islamic Republic of” Iran, dismantling the planned missile defense system for Poland and other area countries, et. al. They don’t believe in American Exceptionalism. In fact, Obama said that all countries believe they are exceptional. He failed the test big-time.
When the President wants to try and imprison CIA officials who lawfully interrogated terrorists, I know of no other way to describe it.
To many libs, politics is merely a sport to be won–similar to an intramural football game.
Meanwhile, the country is going down and they don’t seem to care as long as their guy wins.
JD in Marietta
March 2nd, 2010
7:06 pm
Amen RGB. As long as it suits their purpose, Dems/Libs/Progressives don’t care about weakening this country. They just want to be everybody’s friend and would be content if America’s position as #1 would disappear forever. Then of course, they’d find a way to blame it all on Bush years after the fact.
Wackolibhack
March 2nd, 2010
7:09 pm
It is Bush’s fault Obama sux. I hate Bush!!!
RGB
March 2nd, 2010
7:10 pm
You expressed it well JD. Like you, I’m not wild about either of our two Senators. Isakson is prone to want to raise taxes (didn’t he used to be a Dem?) and both of them seem to need too much prodding to get them to do the right thing.
I wish Herman would run for something larger than a congressional seat and I believe he has more influence in his current role than he would as a U.S. Representative. He’s stated that unless he feels he is called to run, he won’t. I know that grates on libs because their higher power is the federal government.
He’s a solid, centered man whom I admire and I’m grateful he’s around. In fact, I’m going to see if I can tune him in [Newstalk 750 WSB for the uninitiated].
Cutty
March 2nd, 2010
7:23 pm
You guys are funny. No credit to Gerald Ford, eh? 1040-EZ, lol. I know more about taxes than probably any of you. Accounting major in school, worked full-time for the IRS until I graduated, and am a CPA. Being that this is the busiest time of year for me, I must take the time to say you all have no clue. I like Herman Cain, he’s common sense. I’ve already said that, and all I’ve heard is how I ride the short bus, but am probably more educated than some of you; including the hooker thats turning a trick as we speak.
I don’t mind paying my share in taxes. I recall a few months back Gwinnett wanted to raise taxes an average of $10 per household, and people were ready to burn the county building down. They’d rather giver tax breaks to CEOs instead. But its no use arguing with some of you.
Cutty you're up.
March 2nd, 2010
7:33 pm
Cutty, if a $10 tax increase was being proposed I could live with that. What Pres Obama has in store will add several zero’s to that amount, several. Not to mention deferring the mammoth national debt and paying interest on top of it. Glad you made it off the short bus and have a professional job. See, govt schools do work. I’m sure you are more educated than me because you said so. Is a hooker considered a tax deductible expense? I guess its too late to audit Ted Kennedy’s previous returns.
Wackolibhack
March 2nd, 2010
7:34 pm
It is Bush’s fault that Cutty answers the help line at H & R block. It is Bush’s fault that Professor Cutty lied about supporting a conservative. It is Bush’s fault that Cutty, like all liberal, suffers from latent racism and could never support Cain. It is Bush’s fault that Cain is black and has wandered off the Democrat Plantation. It is Bush’s fault that Democrats attack those blacks like white southern DEMOCRAT slave owners did the GOP in the 1860’s. It is Bush’s fault that the country is sick and tired of democrats, the MSM and all things Obama. I hate Bush!!!
Cutty
March 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm
The PC term for hooker is “horizontal laborer.” At least that is what the script at H & R Block says. Let’s not be offensive,
Cutty you're up.
March 2nd, 2010
7:42 pm
I like that. I thought only Acorn helped horizontal laborers with writeoffs. I’m sure transparent kneepads can be used as a business expense too.
RGB
March 2nd, 2010
7:55 pm
“….but am probably more educated than some of you…”
It doesn’t take long for the alleged elitists to tout credentials which are not impressive.
CPAs/accountants count things, follow tax policy prescribed by others.
I’m no more impressed by an accountant’s opinion on tax policy than I am an actuary’s opinion on health insurance.
Bean counter. Egghead. Arrogant at that.
‘Nuff said.
Cutty you're up.
March 2nd, 2010
8:03 pm
Noticed how I acknowledged his superior intellect, because he said so. I should send him my tax return and he’ll rethink his chosen profession. Of course, that makes me sound like an elitist. He did after all acknowledge that Herman Cain is a good guy, but also gave a backhanded compliment when he said he cant win because he’s a conservative.
Cutty
March 3rd, 2010
10:50 am
Nice you guys. When you can’t argue the facts, just deflect and demean. Real Patriots you are.
Cutty
March 3rd, 2010
10:51 am
And I said he can’t win because conservatives in this state won’t vote for him. Get your facts straight. How come he didn’t win the republican primary? Wonder why.
The Political AVENGER, ta-da
March 3rd, 2010
11:33 am
I’ll bet “C3ATL” is as black as a night in an Atlanta Housing Project is dangerous. The fact is NEVER has a more unqualified man EVER been elected President. He’s not a bad man, just not up to the job.
The General
March 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
Huh? Tell me again why it’s hard to import windows in from China? We import brazillions of items from China. Oh, he meant *Windows*…as in MicroSoft Windows 7. Yeah, the pirated software is a pain to get through customs…
Clear Eyed
March 4th, 2010
2:26 am
@ The Political AVENGER, ta-da – If you think Obama is unqualified, what is your measure of being qualified? Would Bush 43 meet that standard? If Bush 43 and Obama switched resumes, who would appear to have the better credentials?
The GOP operates like a fraternal organization, where 100% loyalty is valued more than talent/ability. It’s the rich folks’ version of welfare/socialism/communism. Let a few talented people carry the load behind the scenes (based on their ability) and have the loyal dummies like Reagan and Bush 43 do/say what their told. The less talented simply stay loyal in order to collect a check (see “Brownie”, Sarah Palin & others). These folks aren’t qualified for their jobs, but they belong to the group so they will still get paid (based on their needs).