Obama says Tea Partiers owe him a thank you
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/16/art.teaparty6.gi.jpg caption ="President Obama said Thursday night that he thinks the Tea Party movement owes him a thank you."]
(CNN) - Tea Party activists marked Tax Day with a high-profile rally in Washington, DC, and other protests across the country, but President Obama says the anti-tax movement actually owes him a thank you.
Speaking at a Democratic fundraiser in Miami Thursday night, the president touted tax cuts in the stimulus measure and the fact that the tax rate has not been increased for those making less than $250,000 a year.
"So I've been amused in recent days by these people having rallies," he told the crowd at the fundraiser to laughter. "I think they should be saying thank you."
Members of the crowd, who paid between $250 to $1,250 to attend the event, immediately rose to their feet and replied "Thank You!"
The White House noted Thursday that federal taxes were reduced by $173 billion in 2009 and said that the average tax refund is about 10 percent higher than last year.
Obama also won a standing ovation from the Miami crowd when he praised the recent passage of the health care reform plan.
"As my vice president said, 'This is a big deal,'" Obama said to laughter in reference of Vice President Joe Biden's verbal slip at the bill's signing ceremony where he was heard telling the president "This is a big F-ing deal"
"And he was right," Obama said.
From CNN Politics
- Exclusive: Federal investigation into Trump fake elector probe expands to multiple states
- Results are in: Best Balance Transfer card of 2022
- US intelligence assessing whether North Korea tested missile with properties not seen before
- Jury begins deliberations in trial of former Hillary Clinton lawyer Michael Sussmann
- Student loan forgiveness divides Americans more by party and age than by education
- Fact check: Debunking false viral tweets about Abbott and Cruz after Texas mass shooting
Well, they are amusing. I would think many of them have spent a fair amount of their income just getting to and staying in Washington for the rally. But it's fun to get together and complain about imaginery taxes, I guess.
Maybe these Tea Party folks are protesting against the higher spending now, which WILL lead to higher taxes
Either Obama is not paying attention, he is just plain stupid or a liar or maybe a little of each. The Tea party protests aren't just about people fighting for their pocket book. They are fighting against what they see as irresponsible spending and lack of accountability and corroption. Obama is in essense saying, I helped give you yours so you should thank me. That is precisely the kind of thing that people get irritated with; politicians promising groups of people something and expecting their support. Fortunately for Obama, that works for most people, particularly the Democratic party. The Tea Party seems to be fighting to put a stop to government spending and they are promoting a balanced budget. They get ridiculed by the press and by the Democrats as being ignorant hicks, which is outrageous. Republicans surely have their problems too but I will never vote Democrat again.
yes because obama clearly wants to destroy the country. its all a plot to drive this country in to the ground. how did we all not see it before? come on people.. the guys is the PRESIDENT. he's doing what he thinks is best to make this country better for ALL the people living in it, not just the ones privileged enough to have jobs, healthcare, etc. he's the president for the next 2.5 years and likely again for another 4 after that so SUCK IT UP
attention all .... November is coming..there is nothing you can do about it... VOTE THEM ALL OUT... this is OUR country and WE will all take it back...You deserve BETTER !!!
Obama's stats about federal taxes being reduced and refunds being higher are distorted since noone has jobs anymore to actually pay taxes.
Not very Presidential to laugh at a very large and growing portion of our Population. Tea Party is seeing the future of much higher taxes because of all the spending.
I would love for any of you Obama supporters to tell me what taxes Obama has cut since he's been in office. He hasn't cut ANY. But go ahead, I'll give you time to look it up on the internet.
I don't actively support the Tea Party movement, but I do understand where they are coming from. I don't support rampant government spending – I didn't support Bush's spending and I certainly don't support Obama's.
My taxes were slightly less this year. However, at some point the piper must be paid, and everyone will be affected.
Instead of name calling, listen to what others are saying.
Obama ought to get a little more presidential by not dwelling on people or movements like the Tea Party or chiding Sarah Palin about her knowledge, or lack thereof, of nuclear matters. In his postion, as the leader of the free world, he should be focusing upon more important issues.
My family is well into the six-figures for household income. We paid 9% of our total income in Federal Income Tax.
That's a pretty sweet deal considering what we get for that money.
These fat old white folks who show up at these rallies are crazy. They don't want to give up any of the socialism they already use, but they don't want to pay for it either.
I don't "beleave" a word you say DC
Is it not obvious that the Tea Party is just disgruntled Republicans, angry because of the failed leaders they put in power.
Angry because they were wrong all along and the progressive were right. Angry because ... what ever, they are just angry people looking for Government to baby sit them and only them and those they identify with and to h#$! with everyone else.
For the most part they appear to simply be stupid people unable to cope with a changing world. They put up the false banner of demanding low taxes, because, frankly, they have no legitimate gripes.
Bottomline...because of Bush and the stupidity of the repubs for the 8 years, it doesn't matter who is in the WH. Taxes are likely to go up. Bite the bullet, and face reality. We are in a mess!
Truth and logic means nothing to these racists. The only thing they think about is the BLACK man in the Oval Office.
They are a minority and will have little to no affect on future elections. They get their attention by being loud, obnoxious and rude. That sells news, therefore they are on the news.
Only the Tea Party could use the "Taxation Without Representation" theme to protest "Taxation With Representation"
Okay, I be the first
Thanks for the debt (and my kids thank you too)
Thanks for the restrictions on our freedoms and choices
Thanks for reinforcing liberal control of MSM
Thanks for the new taxes on the productive so the indolent can be more comfortable
Thanks for the new welfare state
Thanks for the resulting crime (current and expected)
Thanks for the unemployment (now and expected)
Thanks for the additional healthcare costs that are coming
Thanks for the higher mortgage rates
Thanks for the inflation to come when the new taxes and costs on the productive work their way into prices.
And a GREAT BIG THANK YOU for being honest enough to tell the country, you don't represent all of them, and that the successful, honest Americans are either fools or the enemy.
what a moron. he uses our tax paying money for charities and his donations to his campaign i hope he keeps talkin smack as the tea party grows. only thank you we owe him is for the lack of jobs and big debt he created!
Obamessiah hasn't seen his recent poll numbers yet has he? Now is not the time to further divide the American people with a goofy looking duece eating grin on your face!
Taxes must increase. We're at a 60-year low. Even Ronald Reagan realized that taxes had to be increased and he didn't have a huge war deficit. Thanks Conservatives...two useless and un-winnable conflicts paid for on credit and you want to skip out on the debt?!
Does anyone really think with all this spending, and the healthcare legislation, that higher taxes are not coming. So, whats the point of the presidents comment. It seems those that support the presidents policies will believe anything he says.
And Obama is a classless baffoon.
“Obama”? “On a scale of 1-10, how amused were you? The reason I ask, is that I want to compare yesterday’s amusement to your amusement after November’s election. Talk to you soon.
It's mindboggling how ignorant these tea baggers are. Their misplaced and manufactured outrage just because their party is not in power after 8 years with 6 years of total control of all brunches of the govt. driving the country into gutter, after inheriting budget "surplus" from Clinton. I plead with you to see the country first before your party. NO you don’t love your country, you only love your party. Stop bring the country down just because your party is on in control. Please, please give your currently democratically elected president a chance....
What a smug and condescending President we have.