White House: We Never Said We Weren’t In A Recession
White House: We Never Said We Weren’t In A Recession
Thursday, the White House acknowledged for the first time that the U.S. was in a recession. “Obviously, the NBER came out and said that we are in a recession,” Press Secretary Dana Perino said. Even though the National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that the U.S. was in a recession that had started in Dec. 2007, the White House was still refusing to use the word as late as Wednesday.
Yesterday, when a reporter remarked that the White House had been denying the recession for months, spokesman Scott Stanzel interrupted her to insist the Bush administration had never done so:
QUESTION: The President finally said, first time at a podium, that we are in a recession. This administration had been saying for months, from the very beginning of 2008, that we weren’t. Who –
STANZEL: No, that’s not correct. That –
QUESTION: You said that –
STANZEL: — what we had said is that is a determination that’s made by the National Bureau of Economic Research. And as you know, they made that determination this week. So we are in a recession.
Watch it:
The reporter was right: For nearly a year after the recession started, the Bush administration has repeatedly and emphatically insisted the U.S. was not in a recession and would avoid falling into one:
– “The administration economists are not forecasting a recession.” [White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, 1/23/08]
- “We don’t believe we’re going to have a recession though.” [Vice President Dick Cheney, 1/30/08]
- “I think the experts will tell you we’re not in a recession.” [President Bush, 2/10/08]
- “The answer is, I don’t think we are in a recession right now.” [Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Edward Lazear, 2/11/08]
– “First of all, we’re not in a recession.” [President Bush, 4/22/08]
– “The data are pretty clear that we are not in a recession.” [Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Edward Lazear, 5/7/08]
- “I don’t think we are” in a recession. [Director of the National Economic Council Keith Hennesy, 6/3/08]
– “I don’t think any of the analysts are saying that” the U.S. has been in or is entering recession. [Perino, 7/31/08]
– “I think we have avoided a recession.” [White House Budget Director Jim Nussle, 7/31/08]
– “I just haven’t heard anybody talking necessarily about a recession.” [Perino, 9/5/08]
– “Well, we’ve talked about the definition of a recession before; it’s two consecutive — it’s generally considered two consecutive quarters of negative growth. We certainly haven’t had that.” [Perino, 9/17/08]
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The Bush Regime lied again? Shocker! They’ve basically been pathological on this front and the last 8 years have been propped up on toothpicks….made to look better than it was. To some Americans, we’ve been in a recession since 2005 which is around the time Americans were losing their homes, their jobs, and were feeling IT.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:34 amConsidering the number of times that the Bush administration has lied and then tried to cover up its lies with more lies, why would anyone with a grain of sense think they might start telling the truth now???? Lies are practically their stock-in-trade…
December 6th, 2008 at 8:43 amFROTTAGE & PURINA are burned out, they had to send CUEBALL JR out to peddle the lies today?
December 6th, 2008 at 8:56 amLooks like Stanzel and Perino took the same course.
They also seem to have bad memories,they simply can’t rememebr certain things that can be damaging to Bush & GOP.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:08 amDeny! Deny! Deny!
December 6th, 2008 at 9:11 amI don’t care if you were caught in bed with another woman, deny it, deny it, deny it!
Who you gonna believe, me or your lyin’ eyes.
The most dishonest administration ever.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:13 amI thought dana had debunked the recession already……
December 6th, 2008 at 9:45 amAfterwhich, the Press pool, in a move which was counter everything they have ever done, dragged Mr. STANZEL from the podium and pummelled him to daeth with their microphones. As the assistant liars tried to help Mr. STANZEL, they too we sucked into this vortex of pain.
Helen Thomas was seen hobling from the room with a crazed look shouting “Get me that fukcing beotch Perino. Where are you, you cuunt?”
Some were seen heading to the Whitehouse and the Naval Observatory with nooses in hand.
Fun was had by all releasing the pent up anger and frustration from the lst 8 years of treason.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:48 amOur fundamentals were “strong,” out homeowner society “patriotic.” These goons need to go right now. Where is Obama on impeachment? He’s lolling around thew center-right…
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog/
December 6th, 2008 at 9:53 amAnd after January 20, 2009, Stanzel and Dana Perino will be offering workshops titled “How to Re-write History” throughout the United States and in Europe.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:53 amwow, this guys talks like an idiot AND tries to belittle and act belligerent for no reason… why do these reporters take this crap?
December 6th, 2008 at 10:04 amGee, the lying liars tell lies…
Who would have seen this one coming.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:14 amI don’t know why we blog about the lies from administration, pundits, and repugs/neocons.
It is what they do.
Their lies are harmless until the maintream media “catapults them”
But many just want to talk about the chronic liars and not the folks that create the “echo chamber” that makes the propaganda work.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:29 amKayInMaine
They are not our problem and calling them “pathological” or blaming it on some kind of character defect helps no one.
In fact, it is a distraction – cuz they are just doin’ their jobs. They will always do this until they are replaced by new lying liars.
The real problem is the people that put them in front of the cameras.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:34 amWhether we are Technically in a Recession or not is beside the point and a Smoke Screen.
As the old saying goes…if it’s your neighbor who lost his job, it’s an economic downturn
If it is YOUR job, it IS a recession.
The Real Story about our Economy is told by numbers like Median Income…which has fallen every year since Bush took office. All the Growth during those years has gone to the Top Income Earners, leaving the Average American at a standstill or going down.
And the Average American Worker has Compensated by increasing Personal Debt…which has gone up Under Bush.
But the real Important Number to watch is JOBLESSNESS. Everything depends on American Workers Ability to Work and pay their bills.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:39 amI expected to see all the quotes about how strong the economy was. But I guess there wasn’t room for all of them.
The sky is blue. Water is wet. Bush lies.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:43 amThat’s odd because I can’t find any republicans these days that think the bush admin has done a good job. I can’t find any christains who suppported them that think they did what they said they were going to do……quite the opposite. The republicans I know were glad to see bush go and hoped mccain would truly be different…..they were of course mistaken again…..
Not only that but you ignore the simple reality that the republicans own the media…..they support them because they are owned by them……
Therefore you can’t really make a distinction between the republicans and the media that they own……they are the same and we have to do battle with them both at the same time…..
That’s why the internet has been so important in this election……it has effectivly exposed the media bias and we must level the playing field for liberals in that area while we have the chance.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:47 amBadger – you are spot-on with everyting.
But the REAL issue is the system that catapults the propaganda.
Chimpy, an abusive AWOL alcoholic/cocaine addict, was fraudulently hoisted into the WH – the entire campaign from 1999 on was a lie.
He is harmless until he is used as a tool and propped up by the mainstream media.
All of their lies are only effective because of the way the maintream media endlessly repeats them as facts.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:50 amFred – don’t jump to conclusions
Many around here won’t even buy into the fact that the problem is the media.
It was not my intention to write a treatise.
Gratefully, at lest at this blog, no one flames or bans you for questioning why we talk about the liars instead of the media.
That does happen at FDL, atrios, c&l, thecarpetbagger (they are gone) and most of the rest “advertise liberally” crowd.
Yup, once we are ready to talk about the folks that bring you the lies 24/7, we can talk about who owns them.
And then we can talk about what to do about it – peaceful action like an ORGANIZED economic boycott. This is what brought about ALL positive social change in the past 100 years.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:55 amFred – we didn’t “level” the playing field and we cannot. The power of the Internet for social change will be when we use it to organize peaceful action – supporting change that the majority of Americans want to see.
Please don’t kid yourself – mclame and the repug field had nothing to run on except 8 years of disaster.
We will see how next administration plays out, but we may see some ugly crap that makes the clinton years seem like a tea party.
December 6th, 2008 at 10:57 amI recall things differently. Civil rights, womens sufferage, minum wage, social security, etc. were not brought about by boycott…..they were championed by elected progressives.
I’m not saying boycotts are a bad idea but you can’t get enough people distracted from the everyday struggle of survival to get much done this way in our current world.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:00 amI pray that we have more truth and transparency in the next administration.
This has been the worst administration since Nixon….maybe worse than Nixon.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:01 amOh, so you are just saying that Obama and the democrats are really just like the republicans……is that really what you believe?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:02 amWhat? Are they saying they didn’t lie? That they denied the facts? That they cannot admit a screw up on their part? That they tried to bluff us?
45 more days.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:03 amit’s generally considered two consecutive quarters of negative growth. We certainly haven’t had that.”
Right, we’ve just had four consecutive quarters of negative growth, stupid bimbo.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:04 amOh but we can, and we have. The internet had much to do with countering the lies that sold the republicans to America in 2000 & 2004. I firmly believe that.
I also know that the real downturn for America came after the republicans sucessufully did away with the fairness doctrine.
When only one side is allowed to be heard then people don’t get both sides……
December 6th, 2008 at 11:05 amThey’re trying to hold up a fake legitimacy until after they are out of office so the downturn and the war won’t reflect negatively on just them…….they want to share the credit for their failures.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:07 amduh funduhmentils of duh ‘konme iz strong!!!
December 6th, 2008 at 11:11 amFred, if you do not acknowledge the roll of Dr. King’s boycott of buses, you do not understand how progressives get elected.
Live in your fantasy world and throw stones if you want – that doesn’t elect progressives either, but it seems to make you feel good.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:16 amFred
Dems = Progressives is another lie.
Lies from self-proclaimed “left” or “right” are equally dishonest.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:17 amdamn those new fangled voice and picture recording devices!
December 6th, 2008 at 11:19 amhrrumph!
conniptionfit Says:
Does anyone have the shrubs’ new address? Let’s sign him up for a bunch of progressive magazines, and get him on the ACLU’s mailing list!!
10141 Daria Place
Dallas, TX 75229
We’ve got the rest of Shrub’s retired life to remind him what a monumental disaster his terms have been.
Get busy.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am10141 Daria Place
Dallas, TX 75229
that’s lala’s new place… don’t bother her…
December 6th, 2008 at 11:20 amYou’re probably right, but I can’t see it being a big draw.
I mean, how many ways can you seeay, “You lie though your teeth” before it becomes redundant?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:21 amLook, I don’t expect the Dumbya to spend more than 3 days a year in Dallas, but lala will probably spend A LOT of time there, in the Ivory Tower laced neighborhood of Gilded, money-grubbing idiots.
Like her.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:22 amtherainmaker Says:
… why do these reporters take this crap?
the proverbial “64,000 dollar question”.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:25 amRight, we’ve just had four consecutive quarters of negative growth, stupid bimbo.
-DNFP
We had some anemic growth in the second quarter.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:25 amWho says we said you never said we were in a recession?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:26 amFred – you are amazing – I know, I shouldn’t respond. Keep hackin’ away at your keyboard though and ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK
Cuz that’s what a “progressive” does, right?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:26 amAnother Joe Says:
Many around here won’t even buy into the fact that the problem is the media.
uh… you’re new here???
December 6th, 2008 at 11:28 amWhy are liberal blogs so hung up on whether Bush Co. says we’re in a recession or not? Frankly, who cares what they think? I just want them gone.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:30 amActually, I thought we were haveing a reasonable discussion…..you however seem to not be willing to hear anything that you don’t already believe so I will leave you to your paranoid fantasy…….buh bye.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:33 amhaving……sorry.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:34 amwell darn…
December 6th, 2008 at 11:35 amanother joe seems to have turned into another concern trooll…
too bad… hope i’m wrong…
no katy – longtime lurker too
Let me clarify – buying into “the media is the problem” means:
*acknowledging that at least 80% of all media, music, multimedia that is widely distributed is owned by 5 global corporations.
*realizing these corporates see these assets as more valuable as propaganda and advertising tools than as providing a service to the public.
*understanding the entire system is made possible by the advertisers that buy in. The largest consumer product and services companies that most American’s support underwrite the repugs/neocons and the mainstream media.
*accepting that once you know this, you are no longer innocent if you continue to support any of those companies – we are part of the problem when we give them our dollars. Just refusing to shop with these business doesn’t change anything either.
*doing more than blog – personally boycotting these corporations means NOTHING because without an organized effort to communicate about peaceful economic actions across the nation, the status quo is actually uneffected by our actions – walmart simply doesn’t care if any of us, as individuals, comes into their stores.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:38 amfred – you don’t get it and you assume you are the only one that does. Real progressives have always known this is about much more than electing dems.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:39 amPlease enlighten me oh wise one.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:45 amCan I please point out something that you said?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:46 am
well joe – the media IS a huge problem, media OWNERSHIP at the root.
boycotts are mostly useless… the worst that happens is the workers are negatively affected…
it’s all about the internets these days – the saving grace…
that’s why NET NEUTRALITY is so important, as in VITALLY important.
and, yes, something must be done with some kind of FAIRNESS DOCTRINE.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:47 amThe fact that the Bush administration is finally admitting we are in a recession really makes me nervous. It probably means we are much closer to a depression than anyone may think.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:52 amBush reported to be drinking heavily
(Wayne Madsen – yeah, I know, some are not going to like him as a source, but interesting read anyhow)
With less than two months remaining in office, George W. Bush, witnessing a devastating defeat for the Republican Party, worse favorability ratings than those of Richard Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal, and the most devastating economic situation since the Great Depression, is reported by a number of well-placed sources in Washington as drinking heavily.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:53 amJust call it as I see it fred…
December 6th, 2008 at 11:55 ami heard he started drinking again right after 9/11…
…
on another subject:
Warning Given on Use of 4 Popular Asthma Drugs, but Debate Remains
New York Times – 12 hours ago
By GARDINER HARRIS WASHINGTON – Two federal drug officials have concluded that asthma sufferers risk death if they continue to use four hugely popular asthma drugs – Advair, Symbicort, Serevent and Foradil.
the bastids did it again…
we need a REAL FDA.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:58 amHe was never sober – a smirking chimp isn’t useful to his masters if he is on the wagon.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:59 amLike – who wants a sober chimp hangin’ around the white house?
December 6th, 2008 at 12:01 pmNow joe, don’t take this as an attack ok? I have read back through your posts and I can’t figure out what your point is. could you clarify it for me? You seem to be against…..everything and everyone. Help me understand what you are trying to say.
It’s possible that we aren’t at opposite ends on many issues but I just don’t know what you are saying…..
All I got so far is that when I claimed that the media was owned and directed by the right that you jumped on me with the boycott thing……can you help me understand what you want me to know?
December 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pmI agree. Headlines yesterday read like 1929 all over again. The only indicator that has been up the last couple of days has been the dow and it’s up from record lows over the last 8 years only……
December 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pmFred, if you cannot follow a simple 5 step process outlined in #47, I really have nothing else to share.
Maybe some can accomodate your “needs”, but I don’t choose to take the time today.
Perhaps when you don’t understand, it would be better not to try and put words into people’s mouth an wildly characterize what they have said.
But do what you like, but please remember, none of the rest of us appear to be your monkey (unless you have a sockpuppet here too).
December 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pmso, did i tell you guys how all three (3) of my OBAMA signs were stolen from my yard on 11/15, like 2am…
so, not wanting to let the prricks get to me, i fixed up another one right away with printed logos and clear contact paper, until the new ones i immediately ordered from barackobama.com arrived… i also added another sign: “thou shall not steal”.
when the new official signs came – i order 4 @ half price! – i fixed it up stronger and nicer and made a better ‘thou shall not steal’ sign for it…
the prrick(s) got that one last night – BEFORE 10:30!!! i was watching the repeat of OBAMA on LETTERMAN, stewing about the jerk who took my sign… decided to call the police – not on the emergency line though… just wanted them to maybe keep an eye out in case it got thrown to the roadside… the guy was real nice, said it was on the record now, it case it happened again… i told him i was putting another sign out…
which i did this morning… this time i hung my USA flag out there and fixed it with lights, wrapped the rest around the post it was attached to, and around the OBAMA sign… and since a flag is to be lighted at night if it remains out, that’s what it’ll be.
bastids ain’t gonna get to me…
and i have 2 more.
December 6th, 2008 at 12:12 pmwow… sanctimonious snide-azz… ok for you then…
December 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pmSo now you speak for everyone and I am the only one wrong?
December 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pmI’ve read 47 three times and from it I get that you don’t believe that the media is part of the problem.
Then you go on to lay out 4 or 5 obvious truths that imply that the media is a player but we are hopeless against them……that about it?
December 6th, 2008 at 12:21 pmFred – if you cannot grasp, you can do whatever you want. I could not care less if you are ready to be part of positive change at this point.
Believe it or not, you aren’t standin’ in front of the parade even if you pretend to be the ringleader.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:03 pmWhite House: We Never Said We Weren’t In A Recession»
Probably true…those exact words were not said.
But didn’t we hear all along “Things are good” “Economy is good” until the dike began to break.. when the fingers couldn’t hold the leak as hoped until the dems took over… to blame this on the dems?
It all began to break loose in Sept./Oct. … what an October surprise for the repugs.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm“White House: We Never Said We Weren’t In A Recession”
This Abbott and Costello game is beyond nauseating. Are we in a recession or not in a recession? The answer to that question to the clown President[since he can't seems to have a challenge to say the R word]is to look at how states are over 7% unemployment, how many jobs that were lost this year, how many homes are in foreclosure and about to be in foreclosure, how is retail spending in this economy, what is our national debt in this country as compared 8 years ago, and how many Wall Street companies have asked and received [once or more than once] a government bailout.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pmi didn’t know jeff gannon has a little brother.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pmi didn’t know jeff gannon has a little brother.
lol Good one. They could have been twins.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:35 pmNat Says:
Why are liberal blogs so hung up on whether Bush Co. says we’re in a recession or not? Frankly, who cares what they think? I just want them gone.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Because they are LYING AGAIN. Everytime they lie they need to be called on it. They shouldnt get away with lying just because they do it so often or so reflexivly. Reagan got away with exactly that. He wore the press down he just lied all the time and Bushco is doing the same. We OUGHT to choose not to be worn down. EVERYTIME they lie they should be called on it.
December 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pmI didn’t know you could have a spin class with just talking and without the stationary bikes.
Then again, I didn’t know getting White House press secretaries to tell the truth would involve us using torture techniques against them.
December 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pmAnother Bush administration “intelligence” failure?
December 6th, 2008 at 8:00 pmOf course they lie. They always lie. Even when you repeat what and when they said something. They will look a reporter in the eye and say they never said it.
This is why dealing with these people has been so bizzare. The rest of us understand on a different level then this group of idiots. My question is why the continual surprise when they lie? It is all they do.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:29 pmAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pmThese republipigs are agents of satan!!!
December 6th, 2008 at 11:32 pmWhen you compare business models you see kenron lay over and over.
December 7th, 2008 at 9:24 amThis has been going on the entire 8 years of looting.
Remember kenron always said things were fine.
Don’t get distracted. None of this is by accident.
Well planned down to the exact timing.
By mid january there should be nothing left to loot.
One would think that on the eve of their departure they might acknowledge the truth about a couple of things. I guess not. Once a bunch of lying sacks of shit, always a bunch of lying sacks of shit.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:21 amLet’s add Stanzel to the Axis of Stupidity and Sour Grapes mentioned in another blog.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:39 pmI lie.
I simply boldly falsify.
I look the other feller in the eye,
And just deny, deny, deny.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Sorry, I tried to link to the entire song on Pete Seeger’s website, but the TP wouldn’t let me. So here is the URL:
http://www.peteseeger.net/rosspero.htm
January 7th, 2009 at 7:20 pmMyself I can’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a special blank added to the job application forms used by the White House for the past 8 years that asked if you had ever been treated for or suspected of having Dissocial Personality Disorder. Had to be there for them to collect such a large group of them.
It was probably right before the question about what are fly wings for.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:16 pmthe bush administration lied about every thing since he first got into office, bush used 9/11 to get relected, the bush administration lied about mas disturction weapons, so why would anybody think the bush administration would stop tellen lies when they cant even tell the truth if it was right in front of them, we have been in a ression for quite a while now the rich got richer and the worken class got nothen, and the bush administration saw to that with higher gas prices, poeple being laid off, bush made his millions with the gas prices and so did many of the republicans in his cabinet, and all that bush is doing now is spending spending and more spending, he is one dumbo looken caricter who needed to be replaced last election..
January 9th, 2009 at 11:16 pmthey even tried to lie,
that they didnt know anything was going to happen in the financial world..
well..
thats a big load..check out this article everybody, and spread the word around the world wide web..
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10372963/1/bear-stearns-fat-cats-cashed-out-at-the-top.html
wall street’s fat cats bailed out at the very top, and left the rest of america squeeling for the bailout..
January 10th, 2009 at 8:00 pmI think we need more socialist programs like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to finish off our nation
January 16th, 2009 at 7:47 pmSomeone is under the FALSE assumption that if you don’t say it, that is makes it False or if you post a sign saying something is true that it is – example: Mission Accomplished.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm