Edwards Discusses Hedge Fund Job (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Edwards Discusses Hedge Fund Job
By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer

May 8, 2007, 1:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said
Tuesday that he worked for a hedge fund to learn more about financial
markets and their relationship to poverty in the United States.

Edwards won't disclose how much he got paid as a consultant to
Fortress Investment Group, but said he did keep the money.

"It was primarily to learn, but making money was a good thing, too,"
the 2004 vice presidential nominee said in an interview with The
Associated Press.

He said the amount he was paid will be revealed when he releases his
financial disclosure forms.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-edwards-ap-interview,0,5073223.story

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Heppin' The Lil' Guy Through Hedge Funds

Looks like any mention of the enormous gulf between Edwards' walk and his talk gets me excoriated, with a side order of thread lock, so I'll shut up now.

[jcrew2001]

45. The little guy doesn't need the stock market?

Wealthy people shouldn't concern themselves with poverty? Is that what you're saying?

[smalll]

95. Remember this Doonesbury?

Sure, it's about the war rather than "The Two Americas" but it seems apropos -

The disconnect between Edwards' walk and his talk has become, in my opinion, a real problem of electability. The Republicans would have an easier time ridiculing Edwards into defeat than they would almost anyone else. He has spent the past four years preparing for this run for President, and over this time, he has

1)Built a huge-ass house for himself
2)Including a :rofl:"recreation barn":rofl: (I'm sorry, the humor in that little phrase never gets old for me.)

3) His wife criticizes his poorer neighbor for his "slummy" property, and says that the neighbor keeps his property that way just to "spite" the Edwardses!

4) He gets $400 haircuts on the donor's dime. And now,

5) He says he joined a hedge fund to learn about poverty.

Can a candidate win this way? Sure he can - as long as he's not running as a "Two Americas" populist!

[Adelante]

96. I never saw that Doonesbury

Too funny :D

[jcrew2001]

105. It doesn't seem like the other candidates care about the Economy

Its always the economy stupid - bill clinton said that

Americans care about their jobs and their money, first last and always.

Edwards has the plans, the competency and the intelligence to be a great president.

[Adelante]

106. Are you on valium or something?

You're not the sharp, nasty jcrew we know and love. What have you done with jcrew?!

[jcrew2001]

109. I became a republican because I only care about the stock market

and Economic growth. Haha. Trickle down economics, real estate bubbles, dot coms, bio-tech, and re-newable energy are my passions now.

[jcrew2001]

104. Yes, having an Economic Plan for Growth and understanding how

Economic policy works in the United States will enable him to create programs and encourage economic growth.

Obama is trial by fire - he has no economic plan.

Edwards is doing everything to preprare for the Presidency. He's the only one who can win the general election.

[Dr.Phool]

2. Even a hedge fund attorney is better than an oilman.

[elizm]

24. How about someone better than BOTH!

[jcrew2001]

46. We need a dirt poor farmer to run for the WH

That way they will be above corruption from wealthy donors.

[Cameron27]

3. Since when do they hire consultants

to learn about that which they are consulting?

[elizm]

25. VERY good point! n/t

[jcrew2001]

94. Its important to have an Economic Growth Policy that is not

just about tax cuts for the rich, but rather investment in new industries, business, and education, along with health care.

[venable]

26. he consulted on global issues and their effect on local populations

not on how to run a hedge fund.

He got paid to do what he could do and they could not.

In the meantime, he got an inside view of hedge funds, how they work, and the effects of their work.

this is not that complicated.

[Cameron27]

27. That's information that I couldn't find,

do you have a link?

[venable]

34. he said it on Stephanopolous

last sunday

[Cameron27]

37. He actually didn't say anything like that.

I just watched the video again, and he talked about *consulting* in very vague terms and didn't specify anything at all about how global issues effect local populations.

[venable]

38. He said, I thought on Stephanopolous,

that his job was to consult on global issues. In my opinion, this isn't vague. this is a standard role for those who know foreign leaders and foreign ministers and have had staffs that are familiar with realities on the ground overseas.

the job is not finance, or investment, it is simply providing the contacts and context that come from the political realm, and there is nothing untoward about this role, at least by definition. certainly people abuse it, ie Carlyle Group, Halliburton, etc.

you watched the tape and I didn't, but if it wasn't on Stephanopolous, it was somewhere in the last few days. THIS WEEK is the only tv show he's been on this weekend, so far as I know.

In any case, even if I can't find the link, this is absolutely the kind of thing that a former Senator would have to offer a company like this. I would expect proof to the contrary, frankly, as Edwards has zero business world experience, so the default description of his work would be consulting on political and social situations in foreign countries, the economic implications of which would be the baileywick of the hedge fund guys.

[Cameron27]

39. You may be correct,

but he still needs to be specific about those consultations and not allow for extrapolations one way or the other.

[CreekDog]

40. Edwards needs to say that? You mean to get your vote?

You're not voting for him anyway.

Let's just get that out there while we are on this topic.

[Cameron27]

42. I'm not voting for him in the primaries no,

but I will in the general. You bet it will take of a lot more than just knowing what he did at Fortress for me to support him. He's made too many mistakes, BIG mistakes for me to trust that he'll make good decisions as president.

I don't accept his present rhetoric without putting it in the context of his past actions.

[jcrew2001]

52. Real world experience beats classroom exp

I would say its also important to have competent financial advisors and a network of advisors available.

Obviously, Hillary Clinton lives in NYC because that is where all the money and wall street connections are. She can get the best advice and the best donor contributions.

The President can't be a neophyte on Economic matters. He/She must understand how policies and programs can help the middle class, other than tax cuts.

There shouldn't be a Trial by Fire for the next president.

[LSparkle]

4. I consider myself an Edwards supporter, but this bothers me

I'm open to being convinced it was a noble thing to do, but it just doesn't comport with his populist message (IMHO).

[gratuitous]

5. Damn, getting paid for working

Will that faux-populist Edwards cavil at nothing??? Why he hasn't been strung up by now is beyond me! What's next, paying a fair price for goods and services? A system of coinage and money? I'll bet he even favors a uniform system of weights and measures! This man must be stopped.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. No. Getting Paid For Learning.

Nice gig if you can get it!

[gratuitous]

9. That's not what the story says

It says that Edwards went to work for the company. He says himself that it was a combination learning/earning experience, but he went to work for them. Do you have something against people being paid to work, even if they learn? Or is learning for its own sake sufficient remuneration? In that case, I'd really like you to come "work" for me, because all the things you would learn should be more than enough remuneration. In fact, you might even end up owning me money.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. 'It was primarily to learn' - John Edwards

Looks like John answered it directly himself.

[gratuitous]

18. So if he learned on the job, he doesn't deserve pay?

Or, what is it that you're saying?

[jcrew2001]

51. Real world experience is better than classroom experience

imo.

[madfloridian]

7. Chelsea Clinton works for a hedge fund company. What's wrong with that?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15549672/

I must not be very bright, but I don't see a problem with either Edwards or Chelsea working for one.

"NEW YORK - Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton has joined Avenue Capital Group, a $12 billion hedge fund manager whose founder has contributed to many Democratic Party campaigns, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.

Clinton, 26, the only child of former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, has taken a post at the New York-based fund manager in an undisclosed capacity, the source said.

.."Well-known in hedge fund circles, Lasry has contributed to political campaigns for Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Bradley, John Kerry and other Democrats in recent years, federal election records show. However, Lasry has also contributed lesser amounts to campaigns for President Bush, the records show.

Chelsea Clinton couldn’t be reached for comment. A spokeswoman for Avenue said the company “does not comment on issues of company personnel.”

[MannyGoldstein]

8. She Has An Absolute Right To Do That

And I have a right to vote for people based on my asessment of their character - which includes a comparison of what they say they are about, vs. how they actually live their lives.

[jcrew2001]

50. I hate when wealthy people pretend to care about others

that's so un-American.

[Connie_Corleone]

11. I didn't know Chelsea was running for president

and passing herself off as the champion of the little guy.

[jcrew2001]

49. I hate when people pretend to care about the little guy

Its almost as bad as ignoring the little guy.

[elizm]

22. Is Chelsea running for Prez atsthe 'populist'...

And give me a break...Edwards is only doing it "to LEARN about how it affects the poor"?? Once again, why can't he just be HONEST!!!!

[CreekDog]

23. He said he did it for the money --that's pretty honest

Or do you just take quotes out of context to make them sound worse than they are?

[elizm]

30. No, he said he did it to....

"learn about financial markets and their relationship to poverty -- and to make money too". It's the part about doing it to learn about 'their relationship to poverty' is the part I question and find disingenuous if not downright laughable. But I have NO doubt that he did it to make money!

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-edwards-ap-interview,0,5073223.story

[CreekDog]

31. So you don't believe him, that's all, but you can't say that he was lying

It's his word against yours.

[elizm]

33. Oh, PLease! n/t

[jcrew2001]

48. What's wrong with making money?

Can't poor people learn how to make money? Can't everyone learn to make money? Isn't it important for public officials to know how the economy is effected by the market?

[wyldwolf]

12. damn... just damn.

[Adelante]

15. Edwards is some kind of movable feast

I'm growing quite fond of him :D

[w4rma]

13. Good!

I'm tired of people getting into office without any apparent clue about how these things work and what is broken about them.

[CreekDog]

14. It is not hypocritical for Edwards to work for a hedge funds

This is in reference to response #1:

Edwards stands for: government acting to alleviate poverty though programs, funding, action and regulation. He has not proposed eliminating the market based economy.

And unless the hedge fund did something wrong and Edwards participated, I don't see the issue.

The reason to excoriate you on this is not because you are criticizing Edwards, but that you are doing so without basis. Calling it hypocritical means that you are saying that Edwards is doing things in conflict with his stated positions and opinions, which he is not.

Criticize Edwards, but do it on the basis of the facts. You are simply saying, jeez, that candidate that speaks out against poverty is a hyprocrite because he made money working for a big investment firm --"that sounds hypocritical".

As far as I know, the Kennedy's, the Roosevelt's were a pretty progressive lot, were not hypocrites and did a darn good job making a lot of money through investments. I guess you would say they are hypocrites too, but you would be wrong.

Now, a communist, who opposed the market system or the stock market, but invested in one, that would be hypocritical. But that's not the man we are talking about.

Sheesh and double sheesh!

Stop posting about hypocrisy unless you can recite the definition and prove that hypocrisy is actually present.

[Cameron27]

16. Good point, but

we don't know what Edwards actually did at Fortress, because neither he nor Fortress has ever explained. He went to Germany and met with a head of state I believe, but that's all that's known.

[w4rma]

36. This article had this paragraph edited out in a recent update, but he answers your question in it.

Edwards said he also spoke to some Wall Street investment firms such as Goldman Sachs besides exploring the position with Fortress. He said his role was to advise the firm about what he saw happening economically in the United States and during his travels overseas.

[Jillian]

17. A used car salesman

That's the only way I can describe this man.

He tries to be smooth, but there is something about him I just don't trust.

[CreekDog]

19. Jill, good way to choose a president

Go vote for someone who gives you good vibes --I'm sure that will do the trick.

[CreekDog]

20. Hope the mods lock this

All I know is that it seems like everytime a false Edwards bashing thread gets locked, another one is there in minutes to replace it. I think some folks have an axe to grind.

It is to Edwards credit that despite all the stuff being thrown at the wall, the worst thing they can come up with is the indistinctive amount (from other candidates) spent to prep for tv appearances (aka haircut/makeup).

The hypocrisy charge is the one that burns me the most. By this standard, the candidate that promises to help the poor, but is not poor is a hypocrite. Yet this candidate is a worse choice than the one who doesn't promise to help the poor at all.

This thread is just flypaper for unfounded attacks.

[CreekDog]

21. Jill, Didn't they used to use that "something I don't like...

...about him" against minority applicants for jobs?

[tkmorris]

28. You are rather transparent

You do know that, right?

[CreekDog]

29. Transparent in what way?

If even I don't know, then maybe it's not so obvious to everyone else.

And no, I'm not working on his or any other campaign. I just hate when he is criticized for no good reason, whether it be unsubstantiated allegations of hypocrisy or "something I don't like about him"/used car salesman jibes.

Anyone who gets that kind of criticism without legitimate basis, deserves the strongest defense. I choose not to let comments like that stand without argument.

Further, the folks making these allegations are not backing them up well at all.

For instance, I have never seen:

-references to Edwards campaign positions, stands and words that are contradicted by his actions

-references to Edwards statements saying that he would forgo makeup and haircut and other things that rich people have

-references that state that Edwards work for the hedge fund either did something wrong or contradicts statements or positions taken by him or his campaign

That should be the standard for these criticisms. The ones that lack substantiation seem to be generating more support for Edwards here than they are doing him harm.

[jcrew2001]

44. Did you trust slick willy, or french kerry, or even

gore or GWBush?

So, do you think someone like Obama who hasn't done anything and will likely learn on the job through trial by fire.

Or do you think Edwards will not deliver or try to deliver on any of his objectives or goals? Do you think he is just a DINO?

[NCarolinawoman]

32. Hedge funds are an exclusive club for multi-millionaires and I can deal with that, but

they thrive off of globalization and they are NOT TRANSPARENT. They are NOT regulated.

My question for John Edwards would be "What did the Hedge Fund get out of all of this?" He said he got paid as a consultant and learned some things. According to the article, members of the Hedge Fund contributed to his campaign. But we don't really know anything more. The bottom line for hedge funds is making lots and lots of money. They can be ruthless; they are not Mother Theresa, they don't do payrolls, and they are not philanthropists.

If this were an investment bank, which can actually do a lot of good at times, or (shudder) the drug industry, or a even a defense contractor, it would be pretty cut and dry what is going on. But here, we will never really know.

[w4rma]

35. This article had this paragraph edited out in a recent update, but he answers your question in it.

Edwards said he also spoke to some Wall Street investment firms such as Goldman Sachs besides exploring the position with Fortress. He said his role was to advise the firm about what he saw happening economically in the United States and during his travels overseas.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. Nedra Pickler is a RW hag/hitwoman.

[jcrew2001]

43. So, can poor people succeed in financial markets?

I admire Edwards as being the only candidate to directly address poverty as an issue and make it a focal point. Obviously, non-supporters feel that poverty is unimportant, or that rich people shouldn't concern themselves with poverty since they do not know what it is like to overcome or live in poverty. They also think that limousine liberals should only concern themselves with their wealth class and switch to the republican party.

(1) It important to learn the real world workings of Financial Markets, build a strong network of competent financial advisors, and use this Real World Work Experience to educate the poor and less-educated and less-accessible citizens. It is also more important and Essential for Policy makers to Create and Encourage Programs and policy that actually work to help the middle and lower class citizens rise up.

(2)Poverty can be caused by instability in the financial markets. Solutions must to found to address the causes and provide solutions.

(3)Its essential for a President to understand how to stimulate the Economy and to have competent advisors.

[jcrew2001]

47. Any news is Good News?

There's no thing as pointless publicity. This issue has no legs, however, it succeeds in reminding everyone that Edwards is wealthy and cares about poverty.

Voters like successful and wealthy people, it shows that they are educated and succeeded in their profession.

This news also keeps Edwards in the news and helps attract supporters and remind everyone that there is a 3rd option.

[CreekDog]

53. Heads-up for the next anti-Edwards thread

Now that these have died down and we've come in and successfully challenged the animus towards him, not only will they not respond with substantive criticism of Edwards (except that which applies to many other candidates), they will start new threads with the same old allegations.

Pretty much everyday I come here I see at least 1 anti-Edwards thread peddling right wing talking points against him, saying that he's a hypocrite because rich people can't advocate for the poor (sic) and that his haircut cost too much (without wondering what everyone else spent on the same services).

And yesterday was the worst, because Edwards was said to have that "used car salesman..." way about him and "something about him" that just wasn't right (sic).

These allegations have been so baseless and so unconstructive that I've decided I will challenge them for the hot air that they are. If folks want to argue against him or any other candidate without substantiation, they should expect to be challenged. Reasoned and substantiated argument is fine, but innuendo, they should expect some serious comeback.

[Cameron27]

55. You're so right, Edwards is singled out

for baseless, unsubstantiated aguments. Wait, what? Have a talk with Hillary's supporters, or Obama's.

[CreekDog]

59. Those types of attacks on others are also wrong

And I've defended them as well and not participated in baseless, right wing talking points dissemination. Which is more than I can say for some folks in this thread going after Edwards.

[jcrew2001]

81. This is why it helps to not have any policies

so no one can make fun of you.

[Telly Savalas]

107. Be fair.

In having released a pretty detailed set of policies this early in the game, Edwards is an exception to how things typically work. It's great that he did, but doesn't really form grounds for attacking other candidates. Obama and Clinton have been and will continue to slowly roll out policy proposals -- this is the sort of pace one is used to seeing in the early stages of a presidential campaign.

Moreover this thread is a perfect illustration of why other candidates aren't in that big a rush to present their plans. Even among a bunch of supposedly left-leaning political junkies, there's basically no discussion of Edwards policy. Instead it's mostly a bunch of juvenile attacks on the man's character.

I guess you gotta admire the guy for trying to paddle his canoe upstream.

[jcrew2001]

84. This is why it helps to not have any policies

so no one can make fun of you.

[jcrew2001]

85. This is why it helps to not have any policies

so no one can make fun of you.

[ChiciB1]

61. I Try So HARD NOT TO Jump In On This Stuff... Just Want To Say That

I completely agree with you CreekDog. I mostly try to IGNORE it because IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP! He's pretty well "branded" by some and every Teeny-Weeny thing is going to get flamed here.

And before ANYONE asks me a question or wants to know WHY I don't "want to know the truth" let me just say... I won't respond.

I've seen so much of this that I've come to the conclusion that there is some sort of concerted effort going on here and it's not WORTH my reply! And it's just made me want to defend John Edwards all that much more!!!

I'll give my standard reason! I live in La La Land, the Monkeys & I are doing just fine and I NOW have quite a collection of Blinders I can choose to wear on any given day!

Stupid is as Stupid does!!!

[CreekDog]

82. ChicB1 I agree with you and thank you

I have found that arguing back exposes the hollow arguments for what they are.

It's truly amazing how vapid many of these criticisms are and when you press for more detail, there simply is none. It's terrible and it's all over DU against potential nominees.

[ChiciB1]

103. Having Lived In Florida For So Long... My Skin Is Thicker Than It

and once was!! And WHERE I live in Florida makes it even more so! Not that this is the Florida I moved to a long time ago. Once it was MUCH better!

I miss Bob Graham!!!

[SaveElmer]

54. I don't know...saying you have to make a boatload of money to learn about poverty...

Seems like a hard sell to me...

Personally I don't care that he worked for a hedge fund...nothing wrong with making money...I would have just said that..

[CreekDog]

56. He didn't say that

He said:

"It was primarily to learn, but making money was a good thing, too,"
the 2004 vice presidential nominee said in an interview with The
Associated Press."

You said:

"saying you have to make a boatload of money to learn about poverty"

Big difference. You no longer have credibility on this subject because you have lost all objectivity. Please go work with John Solomon on Harry Reid hit pieces --it's clear that you have a future in that.

[SaveElmer]

57. ...

From the article...

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said
Tuesday that he worked for a hedge fund to learn more about financial
markets and their relationship to poverty in the United States.

[CreekDog]

58. Elmer and you said something different:

"saying you have to make a boatload of money to learn about poverty"

No, Edwards said no such thing and you have paraphrased him in an innacurate and dishonest way to make him look bad.

And you come to DU to do this, no less!

Just stop it. Play fair, play accurate. Don't bend his quotes to make him sound bad.

[SaveElmer]

60. Are you saying he wasn't paid then?

eom

[CreekDog]

62. Elmer, now you are misquoting me

I posted the following quote (which included making money):

It was primarily to learn, but making money was a good thing, too,"
the 2004 vice presidential nominee said in an interview with The
Associated Press."

Elmer, are you not able to read, or are you not able to tell the truth?

Meanwhile, you misquote Edwards and then accuse me of lying, which I didn't do.

Your arguments are so bad and your lie so transparent (about me), that you are actually helping Edwards, which you don't seem to want to do.

So, this is all you've got on Edwards? You hold against him something he didn't say and when you get called on the innaccuracy, you make up one against the person who called you on your duplicity.

You are undermining your credibility, well, you were while you had some, that was before the distortions.

[SaveElmer]

63. You are splitting hairs...

John Edwards says in the article that part of the reason he went to work for a hedge fund was to learn about them in relation to Poverty...

He is also being paid...

It is a very hard sell IMO, to make the argument you had to go work for a hedge fund to learn about its relationship to poverty. I recognize he said earning money was good too...and that is fine...he should have left the "learn about poverty" part out of his explanation...it does not sound genuine and sounds like he is not entirely comfortable with being seen as rich...

I said nothing about you...I was responding to Edwards comments in the article

[CreekDog]

64. You said he had to make a boatload of $$ to learn

And that was patently false.

And you argue that it doesn't matter (oh, it's splitting hairs!) and that what you said was accurate when anyone who can read your actual words knows otherwise.

That is not splitting hairs, that's calling you on what you said.

Be an adult and take responsibility for your words. If not, nobody should listen to you.

[SaveElmer]

66. Oh please...

When you say you are working for a hedge fund to learn about poverty, and then take a boatload of money to do it...that is exactly the message you are sending...

It sounds stupid and disingenous...

[CreekDog]

67. Ah, now you are talking about Edwards' message

But before it was what he said.

Next time defame accurately, then you won't have to back down little by little to salvage your argument.

I promise to be nicer if you play fair.

[SaveElmer]

70. No...

My first post was entirely about what Edwards said...you made it about what you said...

[CreekDog]

76. You said "are you saying he wasn't paid then?"

suggesting that I implied/said he wasn't paid, when I said he was.

You were talking about me and talking about him and I was right to defend myself. Perhaps you should read your own posts when I complain about them.

[SaveElmer]

78. Delete...keyboard malfunction

[SaveElmer]

80. Delete...keyboard malfunction

[SaveElmer]

83. Because...

You implied I got Edwards statement wrong...which I didn't...he said he was going to work for the hedge fund in part to learn about poverty, and in fact he is being paid for it...

[CreekDog]

65. And you implied that I said he wasn't paid by asking if I said he wasn't

But my actual words included his "making money" comment.

What's next, when did I stop beating my wife?

As Ray Taliaferro would say, "I don't know how such an intelligent person could say something so stupid".

Read it again and there's your answer.

Goofus.

[SaveElmer]

69. Go away...

You know damn well what I meant...he said he went to work at a hedge fund partially to help him learn about poverty...and at the same time he is being paid...it is a lame thing to say, and no one is going to take it seriously...

He should have just said he went there to make money...period...nothing wrong with that.

[CreekDog]

72. You should have said what you meant, not what you said

Your later posts got better, but only after you were called on it.

And I've tangled with you before and you argued the same way.

But I think you used the first argument because it was more pithy, more effective, but not honest either.

Nope, we can't have as much fun if we try to be accurate, them's the breaks and I didn't make the rules.

Had you made a fair argument in the first place, I would never have been able to so easily refute what you said.

[SaveElmer]

75. My original post...

I don't know...saying you have to make a boatload of money to learn about poverty...

Seems like a hard sell to me...

Personally I don't care that he worked for a hedge fund...nothing wrong with making money...I would have just said that..

Nothing about you...this is entirely in response to Edwards' comments...

[CreekDog]

79. "saying" means what in the dictionary?

You say that Edwards was "saying" and then you attribute to him remarks he did not SAY.

Egads. C'mon, it's not a crime, but you were so sloppy about your writing and in a way that served your purpose and harmed a man's reputation.

Golden rule man.

[SaveElmer]

89. Brother...

Fine parse things all you want...it is just a way to redirect the discussion from the issue at hand, that is Edwards really lame statement/actions regarding his employment at the hedge fund...

[jcrew2001]

73. Because its not important to have an economic strategy

or economic growth plan when you become president? Because you don't need a network of economic and business support to accomplish goals and implement prgrams?

[SaveElmer]

74. Of course you do....

And there is no way to do that without being paid for it?

People are not going to believe it was necessary...

[jcrew2001]

90. He could make money from writing his bio or giving speeches

or trading commodities or real estate deals, or just suing people.

[SaveElmer]

91. The issue is not making money...

Nothing wrong with making money, through speeches, real estate deals, or working at a hedge fund...but to claim that you are doing it at least in part to learn about poverty, sounds stupid. People have enough sense to know consulting at a hedge fund is not a necessary step to educate yourself about poverty...

[jcrew2001]

93. Because having an Economic Policy is separate from financial markets?

and capital investment in new technologies and start ups to create new businesses on US soil and promote job growth and re-educate an unemployed workforce through tuition re-imbursement and loan repayments, and ending dependency on foreign oil to reduce the price of gas and oil?

Are these the type of things that financial markets and capital investment not deal with?

[jcrew2001]

101. I'm holding a seminar on cattle futures, are you interested?

easy money for the impoverished.

[SaveElmer]

108. Gee...I'm not running for President...so I guess no!...nt

[jcrew2001]

71. Obviously market forces don't affect poverty - yeah right

morgage rates, interest rates, bankruptcy, are a few things affected by the market. Not to mention unemployment, capital spending, investment, new industries, new technology.

Tax Cuts for the Rich!

[SaveElmer]

77. And there is no way to educate yourself on these issues...

Without being handsomely compensated for it?

[jcrew2001]

88. Real world experience is better than classroom experience

But I look at Corzine and he never learned to buckle up.

You gotta pay for your 2 kids college, plus your wife's cancer treatment, plus retirment for your parents, there aren't any govt handouts here.

[jcrew2001]

68. The purpose is to rise from poverty - not actually be poor

If you want to learn "to be poor" you can live in a cardboard box and eat at a soup kitchen.

If you want to rise up from cyclical/generational poverty, then you may need more than giving everyone a free college education. How about Bankruptcy Laws, Mortgage loans, Predatory Lending, Welfare, Capital Gains taxes, Death tax, groceries, gas tax, electric/heating oil, medical bills, tuition bills. These are real issues that middle class Americans face.

[rosesaylavee]

86. This is actually very intriguing...

I wonder what he plans to do with this information? Perhaps place a limit on participation in certain funds based on income - perhaps for folks making under $25K?

He is becoming more and more interesting to me.

[jcrew2001]

92. He'll probably try to increase capital spending while

decreasing expenditures on middle/lower income citizens, while providing affordable health care, job education and greater business growth through investment in new industries and technology, cutting college tuition costs, and loan repayments, helping first time home buyers, decrease gas and oil prices through energy conservation and independence, etc.

[rosesaylavee]

87. dupe delete

[AtomicKitten]

97. CNN is reporting this rolling their eyes.

Effin MSM.

I realize this sounds but when push comes to shove, there is a battle royale ahead and I really hope people take stock of what is really important and what is at stake.

[jcrew2001]

98. I know, because Economic Growth policies won't decrease poverty

hahaha - maybe it will. Lower Taxes, increase capital spending.

[AtomicKitten]

99. Numbers make my head hurt.

I just want the Magic Fairy to fix America.

[jcrew2001]

100. Hey, Obama's Trial by Fire will be wildly successful

or he'll be another Jimmy Carter!!!!

I hope our next president cares about the economy, its always the economy stupid - if all else fails, maybe the morman scientologist nerd can save us from recession.

[AtomicKitten]

102. whoever inherits this steaming pile of poo that was once America

will have their work cut out for them ---

our candidates will have a pool of talent from which to draw to fix America