It’s not easy being a Wall Street gazillionaire these days
Nick Confessore of the New York Times has a big story in the forthcoming Sunday magazine about Obamas sour relations with Wall Street and the impact its having on fundraising.
Buried in the story is an extraordinary anecdote: Wall Streeters are so upset about Obamas harsh populist rhetoric that they privattely called on him to make amends with a big speech like his oration on race designed to heal the wounds of class warfare in this country.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina recently met with a group of Wall Street donors, and they gave him an earful:
For the next hour, the donors relayed to Messina what their friends had been saying. They felt unfairly demonized for being wealthy. They felt scapegoated for the recession...
One of the guests raised his hand; he knew how to solve the problem. The president had won plaudits for his speech on race during the last campaign, the guest noted. It was a soaring address that acknowledged white resentment and urged national unity. What if Obama gave a similarly healing speech about class and inequality? What if he urged an end to attacks on the rich? Around the table, some people shook their heads in disbelief....
This administration has a more contemptuous view of big money and of Wall Street than any administration in 40 years, [one] donor said. And it shows.
Ya gotta read the rest of the story.... http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/its-not-easy-being-a-wall-street-gazillionaire-these-days/2012/05/02/gIQAAWzZwT_blog.html?