Talk about dead horses!

Hillary - Congress already turned you down.

The whole stupid idea is dead.

boy she really does count on voters being dumb, doesn't she?

(i>"I do feel pandered to when you talk about suspending the gas tax," the woman said, adding: Call me crazy but I actually listen to economists because I think they know what they've studied."

Ding. You Go, "Girl".

This is fun.

Frankly, I'm pretty surprised they have Obama supporters there asking questions. Team Clinton probably won't be too happy about that. But it sounds from Ben Smith like she's treating Steph like a rag doll, so I'm sure that will go over well with all of her non-elitist supporters.

Do you know how horrific it is to have a Dem bash another Dem (the likely nominee) playing the "elitist" card? Which, of course, is code for "educated." Because God knows the last thing this country needs is a bunch of people aspiring to higher education.

I adore Hillary. Simply adore her.

"'I think we've been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous amount of government power and elite opinion behind policies that haven't worked well for hard working Americans,' she said."

Actually, I think the problem is that for the past 7 years this administration has been too willing to IGNORE expert opinion - in the areas of foreign policy, global warming, etc. This administration's well-documented war on science is one of the most disturbing aspects of the last 7 years.

It's a shame. With the sorry lot that they had, Hillary could have easily won the Republican nomination if only she had changed parties last year!

Yep, she'd continue in the fine tradition of Dubya--ignore the people who have the knowledge and the answers, and the more people try to straighten you out, the more you dig your heels in.

I think Hillary has now dragged out every last canard Republicans love to use. Anti-intellectualism!!? Those over-educated economists who don't care about everyday folks?

McCain won't have to pay for ads against Obama he will just show clips of Hillary calling him elite, effeminate, and on the side of the educated. Nothing like rushing to the bottom and appealing to the lowest denominator. Don't remind them that you strove mightily to get into elite East Coast Ivy League schools. Go ahead and encourage folks to distain education.

No wonder people are drawn to Obama's message of "lifting folks up."

Last time I checked, cutting infrastructure and jobs in order to achieve a short term political gain is not a working class ethic... no self-respecting working class man or woman would blow their rent check on drinks for their buddies.

God bless the woman who called a spade a spade. It is a pander, a short term tax cut that puts people out of work. I shudder to think about my wife filling her tank, saving 50 cents, while a highway worker gets a pink slip. The concepts just don't reconcile with my moral decency... but then again, I'm an elitist.

Onondaga County -- up here in Upstate NY -- canceled its gas tax a few years ago. The price did not go down, the county finances suffreed and it was repealed. Senator Clinton should look to the state she is supposed to represent. But then -- as we have learned -- was NY state anyting more than a stepping stone for the senator.

"I think we've been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous amount of government power and elite opinion behind policies that haven't worked well for hard working Americans."

Economist hae great 20/20 hindsight. The great economists and legislators are the ones that allow and cause this mess we're in. Now all of a sudden we want they're expert opinion as validation.

Nuts to that. I say common sense of shifting the burden to the oil companies not only makes sense but, if you oppose it you are rightly labeled an oil company shill.

Clinton is right.

So, according to Sen. Clinton, expertise in a given field is now elitist, meaning of no practical value. That's a real good message to send to the children. Maybe it's this attitude that's making the US less competitive internationally. According to this kind of thinking JFK and FDR where both out-of-touch elitists. Intellectualism is supposed to be a good thing. Especially when managing large bureaucracy. This is one of the things I hate most about American politics, the disdain for intelligence.

There is no one more "elite" in this country than the Clintons -- they are trying to establish a dynasty. While the Bushes established their's on oil, the Clintons are basing their's on the financial sector.

Cleverly, Hillary blames the prices on the "mean oil companies", but the fact is that these companies now control only about 20% of the world's reserves, while the rest is run by state-owned national companies in China, Russian, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. And they are beginning to not even put their oil on the open market -- cutting deals directly with each other.

Ironically much of what is wrong with the dollar now is because of the financial policies of the (Bill) Clinton era. Of course, Glass-Stegall being repealed helped and actually encouraged the credit and mortgage bubbles that are now collapsing.

During the Clinton years, Bill and Hillary got particularly close to the financial sector -- not manufacturing. And, it was during Bill's administration that finance became the #1 sector of the economy, surpassing manufacturing.

There are theories that when finance becomes so central to the economy of a nation, it spells a signal of the great nation's collapse. It happened to Spain, the Netherlands, then Britain, and now... probably us. Kevin Phillip's writes convincingly with more detail about this in his books.

The Democratic Party of today is wealthy precisely because it now occupies the place with Wall Street that the GOP used to. Obama represents the last gasp of popularism -- and he survived because his campaign, alone, truly understood the Internet's unique ability to serve as a communication and fund raising medium.

For people thinking that the Democratic Party is of their great-grandfather's FDR era, think again.

This Party is now beholden to the financial sector. Expect to stand in line behind the pinstripes to get anything. Did anyone see Chelsea Clinton at the elite Kentucky Day Derby gala? What about her job at an elite hedge fund? How about the cozy relationship that the Clintons have with the Chinese? The US is already being put into a 3rd wheel position as the Russians and Chinese are building an Asian coalition, the likes not seen since the 50's (and based on oil production). How close do we want the POTUS to be with the Chinese?

Obama is unique because he is less beholden to the Wall Streeters than Hillary.

It would be extremely bad for the country if Hillary were elected for this reason. The dynasty aspect is also a hint at what happens during a great nation's collapse. In most respects, John McCain is actually better for the long-term well-being country in this sense than Hillary. Obama, of course, is our last chance to truly try something "new".

When are people going to start talking about the obvious? Why isn't she dropping out. Barring Obama, as they say, "being caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy" Billary is out. So why is she still running? Because she would prefer McCain in office than Obama. Keep things in the hands of the "good ol'boy network" and give her another shot at it in four years. Hillary puts her ambition before you, me, the Democratic Party and the entire country.

Hillary should prove right now that she can get that gas tax holiday passed. It would prove whether she really has leadership potential.

Of course her fellow Dems would be mightily pissed that she put them in a bind of doing what is best for the country or pandering for votes. Way to go Clinton.

This is where Obama really needs to separate himself from the Republican/Clinton style politics.

He said it on meet the Press this morning, but he needs to make the insulting "Gas Tax Holiday" his prime emblem of the politics he wants to overturn. Personally, I think he should equate it with the Boston Tea Party.

He needs to say

Hey Indiana and North Carolina, this Gas Tax Holiday nonsense is a Republican con job. A holiday? John McCain and the Bush administration are trying to make it sound like we ought to have a big party to celebrate the fact that they're going to drop the price of gas from $3.75 a gallon to $3.65 a gallon, and work things around to put even more money in the pockets of big oil. Anybody remember what gas cost when they got into office?

And Senator Clinton is right in there with them--proposing a minor variation on the same thing.

It's the Iraq war vote all over again--a lie to the American people and Senator Clinton supporting the War while splitting hairs over what it meant. It was a vote against the interests of Democrats and ordinary Americans then, and this is a vote against our interests today.

The Republicans and Senator Clinton think we are all actually dumb enough to fall for this--that we'll knock back a couple of shots, slaughter some hawgs and get ready for a hoe-down to celebrate our GAS TAX HOLIDAY!

Well Indiana and North Carolina, I have a different idea. Let's tell the Republicans and Senator Clinton what we think of their politics. Instead of a gas tax holiday, let's turn this into a BOSTON TEA PARTY. Except instead of dumping tea in the harbor, let's dump Senator Clinton and the Republicans! Instead of a dinky gas tax holiday, let's give them a permanent holiday!

What do you say? Let's make this the Indiana Tea Party and dump Senator Clinton and the Republicans! Let's make this the North Carolina Tea Party and dump Senator Clinton and the Republicans! And in November, we'll make this an All-America Tea Party and dump George Bush!

Something like that, anyway. The point is that the "Gas Tax Holiday" is nothing to celebrate. Obama needs to take up the torch here.

Um, so all those economists, who as a group probably have less money than the Clintons do, are ignorant elitists.
And pigs have wings and the moon is made of blue cheese.

Is there any way to get her to shut up and go away?

Compare and contrast:

“I think we’ve been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous amount of government power and elite opinion behind policies that haven’t worked well for hard working Americans” — Hillary Clinton, in full pander mode, defending the “Gas Tax Holiday” on ABC’s “This Week”

“And I don’t like these élitist airline pilots, with their locked doors and ability to fly planes. I think I know how to fly my own children through the air.” — Jon Stewart - The Daily Show

The price of gas at the pump is primarily due to increased demand by developing countries and a 40% loss in the value of the dollar. You can blame the GOP for the crash of our currency. Bushs War debt is the driving force. Clinton's reference to "elite" ought to be challenged. Let her define "elite." As she has used it so far, it has been directed at people who are educated, knowledgeable and informed. Perhaps these people should be weighing in and influencing public opinion. Obama seems to appeal to the educated and informed. Hillary's base seems to appeal to a disporportionate number of the under informed.

STFU, Hillary!

And sadly, CNN keeps the bashing on Senator Obama, saying that he is out of touch because he is against the gas holiday tax break...

This is unbelievable...

I wonder if CNN is giving money to the Clinton campaign...

What a joke this HRClinton has become.Since the economists are referred to has "elitist",how long before she joins the repukes rank & tag the scientists who are calling on modifications of our way of life the same "elitist" BS.

Next hillary will be joining the creationists and anti-global warming folks in their disdain for the intellectual, elitists. Apparently that Yale education did about as much good for her as it did for Bush.

The most ridiculous part of this is that it really has nothing to do with the opinions of economists. It has to do with actual market forces and the rules of economics. What Clinton is doing here is a classic ad hominem and she knows it. Whether economists are elitists are not doesn't change the rules of math. Either it will work as policy or it won't and if it will, despite everything we know about supply and demand then Clinton needs to be forced to make an argument as to how her plans will somehow violate the basic principles of economics. Arguing about whether or not economists have the best interests of the working class in mind is arguing on the ground she has unfortunately, to her discredit, chosen which is to say, arguing on the basis of a completely irrelevant issue. Does 2+2=4 or not? The answer does not involve the character of any particular mathematician.

I suppose all that stuff in the Iraq intelligence reports available to her -- but never read -- before supporting the war was just full of "elite opinion," too?

Stunning.

Undeclared supers? One candidate just declared that educated opinion based on history and fact is somehow a negative. Please tell me how this is good for America and democracy?

"I don't listen to economists."

Has Bush even said something so stupid as this?

jajaja, Colbert anyone, leading from the gut, that's GWB for you and know HRC's supporter must go out and defend this, this is getting orwellian.

As usual, the Republicans try to drive a wedge between and "the common man" and those who are educated, skilled, and competent by labeling those who actually know what they're talking about as "elitists". This is one of the oldest Republican tricks in the book. What, you say? Hillary's not a Republican?

Prove it.

No doubt our fair Hillary would also characterize the majority of climate scientists as elitists if her internal polling and focus groups recommended it. I'm waiting for her endorsement of intelligent design any day now.

Forget for a moment what a lousy idea this gas tax holiday is. The bigger story is how clearly this reveals (as if it needed any more revealing) that HRC is without any core conviction whatsoever.

On this issue alone, she's managed to stiff-arm concerns about our fiscal solvency, our infrastructure, our international dysfunction as it relates to energy profligacy, and climate change. Simultaneously.

I think the DENIAL of 'elite' opinions is what we've had for the last 7 1/2 years, W continues to talk about being the Decider, not worrying about polls, and ignoring scientific or economic or other 'elite' opinions in favor of ideology. Here we have someone ignoring expert opinions in order to paint herself as an ordinary Jo, not even in the name of ideology, and looking damn Republican in the process...

"I do feel pandered to when you talk about suspending the gas tax," the woman said, adding: "Call me crazy but I actually listen to economists because I think they know what they've studied."

Amen.

I want a video link to the question from the audience member! Can't find it anywhere. Thanks. :)

This may sound random. However, economics is not a science yet. The negative externalities from Walmart/China effect failed to take into account the fact that China was the second consumer country of cars last year. This is to say that they will and are competing with Americans for gas. We all know the this gas is rationed via price. So those low low prices on Walmart goods/service are now coming back to haunt you at the pump. Fact is that as the third world expands thiet middle class, they will demand more fuel to run their cars.
China has one fifth of the earths population and if you add India it one third. They have a small middle class in comparison to America. China is about to surpass Japan (the second largest consumer on planet earth) as a consumer nation. America is the largest consumer nation and experts expect China to be number one in about 2025. So big corporations have to grin and bear it is they want into the China market. China doesn't respect intellectual/copy right, much more than human, child labor. In other words they have the clout to sign contracts with disappearing ink. If you dare complain, your punished by being excluded to the soon to be biggest consumer nation ever.

So I'm reading the transcript from today's show and there is no mention of the incident with the voter.....was it not televised????

Anyone here ever read Hillary's health care plan? Here's the link to the plan as posted on her Web site: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/healthcare/americanhealthchoicesplan.pdf

At the bottom of each page, you'll see a number footnotes citing the "elite opinion" of a many prominent economists -- some of whom even have PhDs!

The woman clearly thinks the hoi polloi are all idiots. You might even call her "elitist."

i am really looking forward to paul krugman's next hit job on obama and his republican talking points. does anybody have any theories about what is going on in his head? why does he hate on obama and ignore tanya harding's daily bile? will he ignore this insult that specifically targets him?

How many economists do you know also drive an eighteen wheeler? Or a cab? Or have a contracting company? Or callouses even?

No disrespect to economists (And btw,her economic advisor, Gene Sperling who was also chief economic advisor to her husband and was referred to as the MVP) but the vast majority of them have as much of a clue about daily expenses and budgets for working people as Rudy Giuliani does for a gallon of milk.
Perhaps Sen. Obama is either afraid of being tagged a "socialist" or doesn't want big oil to take the hit. You can believe her solution was vetted by her advisers.

The difference between Clinton's plan and McCain's is vastly different. McCain's is irresponsible tax cuts - the stock resolution to everything Republican and therefore the people - us - in the end - take the hit. Clinton's plan is exactly the kind of policy we need. Sure to strictly 'inside the boxers' or hard core conservatives it's radical sounding but so was FDR's First One Hundred Days, federally insured banks, the TVA, or social security to the Henry Luce's or economists of that era.
Hillary's plan is not a be all end all and perhaps you're not aware of this - but any short term relief for a majority of Americans is something that would be welcomed.

God forbid these poor souls shoulder some of the current burden..

Buoyed by soaring crude oil prices, Exxon Mobil announced yesterday that it set new records for U.S. quarterly and annual corporate profits in 2007, and Chevron, the nation's second-largest oil company, also reported big gains in earnings.

Exxon broke the record it previously had set for profits by a U.S. corporation, earning $40.6 billion last year. It earned $11.7 billion in the fourth quarter, or $2.13 a share, up 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006. Revenue for the quarter rose 30 percent, to $116.64 billion. Exxon's profit for the year came to $4.6 million an hour.

Chevron said its profit rose 29 percent, to $4.9 billion, or $2.32 a share. Chevron's quarterly revenue grew 29 percent, to $61.41 billion. Profits of the five biggest international oil companies have tripled since 2002.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con tent/article/2007/02/01/AR2007020100714. html

I was just making the point that DOT COM was a great source of economic activity to the deregulated banking system. They found sub prime to fill the void. Prior to Reagan who establish the RTC (Resoultion Trust Corporation) to liqudate S&L real estate holdings, there was a difference between commercial banks and S&Ls/Credit Unions/etc... Commercial banks had FDIC as insurance, FDIC is the taxpayers money and was put forth to avert the runs on banks way back in the depression era. FDIC is real money and not monolopy money.

No political party is innocent. They all use tax cuts/rebates, interest rate reductions, and in this case wholesale deregulation for short term political gains and or to avert the economic down cycle. Sooner or later the FED, congress, and or taxpayers are forced to face the cost/bear the burden.

This reminds me of all the consumer benefits we have gotten from the global economy. We love the prices China/Walmart has given us. However, the fact that China was the number two consumer of autos last year, puts them as competitors for fossil fuels to run those auto. We as a nation being the number one consumer nation have enabled them to purchase them autos. Price is what rations fossil fuel at the pump. Did any economist expalin this prior to the wholesale shipment American jobs overseas?

http://seekingalpha.com/article/71265-the-credit-bubble-deregulation-gone-wild

So you disagree with the premise of the New Deal? Perhaps some other time we can toss some thoughts around. Interestingly enough however, the argument you state re the New Deal is one I usually hear from Republicans. Myself, I would rather err on the side of compassion.

You were doing okay, until you reached for a stereotype -- and a cheap one at that. That disappointed me. The fact is that I have worked with elected officials which were both Dems and GOPers. And you know what? Not one of them twirls his or her mustache.

I tend to avoid both left and right dogmatic arguments: I've been around too many people on both sides to know that I've rarely met malicious people. As a result, I have heard multiple sides of issues. I have found that the so-called "progressives" are often just as rigid and close-minded as the extreme right. That's not too progressive.

Short term relief for vacations is like complaining about not getting dessert. Vacations are a luxury. If you have children, it may be more beneficial to think in the long term -- to extend our finite supply of oil as long as possible. It's well known the lower prices encourages consumption. Add to that all the economic analyses you've seen recently.

It's time for the country to grow up. We desperately need it to. Maybe then, being labeled as "intelligent" won't be the elitist slur it is in the US -- unlike the rest of the world that is passing us by.

I look forward to discussing things with you, taters, in the future.

Well, for the most part, American voters are dumb