Obama Swipes at Fox: Pushing Narrative That Poor People Are ‘Leeches’

[freshwest]

by Josh Feldman - May 12th, 2015



President Obama spoke at a poverty forum at Georgetown University earlier today and took a swipe at Fox News for, as he put it, perpetuating certain stereotypes about poor people. The president addressed media efforts to “suggest the poor are sponges, leeches,” and that they’re “lazy” and undeserving.”

“If you watch Fox News on a regular basis,” Obama said, “it is a constant menu––they will find folks who make me mad, I don’t know where they find them.”

He’s referring to the “I just want a free Obamaphone” stuff that adds to a narrative, the president lamented, that needs to change, because that affects “people’s impressions of what it’s like to struggle in this economy.”

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/obama-swipes-at-fox-pushing-narrative-that-poor-people-are-leeches/

Medialite has a video. Here is the complete Georgetown University verison to view here:

The President Joins a Conversation on Poverty

The White House

Published on May 12, 2015

President Obama sat down at Georgetown University to discuss how we can address poverty in America. May 12, 2015.

P. S. More evidence that Obama has more brains in his little finger than 98% of his detractors. The other 2% don't talk trash.

BTW, this is the BOG. Deal with it.

2 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Gawd! I need to put the BOG on Ignore.
	0 (0%)
	Good golly, I am glad the BOG is here.
	2 (100%)
	The BOG stands for Barack Obama Group.
	0 (0%)
	The BOG stands for a place where cranberries are grown.
	0 (0%)
	We do not serve cranberries, blueberries, etc. at the BOG. Sorry.
	0 (0%)
	The BOG should offer free fruit juice. Otherwise, it's useless.
	0 (0%)
	I'm so poor, I eat dirt and worms, and no one cares.
	0 (0%)
	Poverty is not a problem! Get a job!
	0 (0%)
	What a LIAR! I watch Fox and am offended.
	0 (0%)
	I am offended at everything so I won't vote, rec or comment.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Iliyah]

1. I don't understand the poll

Anywho, thanks

[Old and In the Way]

2. How about this?

I don't like Obama,so I will post a bullshit survey

I wou l d be happy to choose this option!

[Cha]

3. THanks for this, fresh!

[freshwest]

4. The video is long. but shows the brilliance of the man. Now, who will listen? n/t

[sheshe2]

5. Brava freshwest!

http://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/598158088739389441/photo/1
The White House
✔
@WhiteHouse

RT if you agree: It’s time to expand opportunity by investing in early childhood education. #PovertySummit
12:09 PM - 12 May 2015

hite House Live
✔
@WHLive

“There’s a lot we can do. The question is, do we have the political will—the communal will—to do something about it?” —Obama #PovertySummit
11:50 AM - 12 May 2015

Joy Reid
✔
@JoyAnnReid

President Obama says we must have a "both, and" not an "either, or" conversation on the individual vs governmental approach to poverty.
11:49 AM - 12 May 2015 · Washington, DC, United States

[freshwest]

7. He said 'government!' He really is a Communist! Horrors! Fox was right all along.

President Obama says we must have a "both, and" not an "either, or" conversation on the individual vs governmental approach to poverty.

[Iliyah]

6. I'm not a poll person . . .

poll are numbers and a history teacher said once which is still with me . . .

When people are grouped into a group of numbers, not the person with a name, identity, than the corporations has won.

Nothing against you tho.

[MADem]

8. Haves and have nots. So long as we don't have equality of opportunity in this nation,

this kind of "leeches" denigration (mainly coming from the wingnut brigade) will persist. Some people like that, too--they just want to have someone to look down on. Damn if I can figure out that kind of attitude.

I am glad that he is bringing it up. It's not all about "bootstraps" and "nose to the grindstone" and "hard work." When there is NO opportunity, when there are NO jobs, when there are NO alternatives, when there are NO personal examples, it's not surprising that there are people who feel as though they are mired in despair and don't feel that they have equal access to the American Dream. That needs to change.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. i loved the poll!

It was a great way to entertain and also be a BOG IQ test.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Glad it's here, cuz the good news often sinks to the bottom in GD & I never read the back pages.

His detractors will never let up, but thank goodness, neither will he. Thanks.

[sheshe2]

12. Hey Tarheel...

I just wanted to thank you for your comments on my Obama Op~

Lol~ I always seem to get my hides when I post about him. Who knew.