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Reporter's Rant Provokes White House Ire

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2009 6:30 PM CST

(Newser) – The White House struck back at a CNBC reporter today for loudly dissing President Obama's housing proposal on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, the Wall Street Journal reports. Rick Santelli’s 5-minute tirade, an Internet hit and apparent paean to conservatives, received a cool welcome from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "I’d be happy to buy him a cup of coffee—decaf," Gibbs said.

“I would encourage him to read the president’s plan and understand that it will help millions of people,” Gibbs said, adding that it’s “important for people who rant on cable television to be responsible.” Gibbs also invited Santelli to Washington to discuss the matter, a challenge Santelli took up. “I would love to show up,” he said. “I want a dialogue. Enlighten me, enlighten America.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

Rick Santelli unloads a few opinions at the Chicago Board of Trade. (YouTube)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs adjust his glasses as he listens to a reporters question, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answers a reporters question, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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CNBC's Rick Santelli responds to criticism from the White House. (YouTube)

See Rick Santelli's rant at the Chicago Board of Trade. (YouTube)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 31 comments

BackAgain

Feb 24, 2009 6:41 AM CST

5 states in mortgage trouble-do you want to pay for their mistakes. If it was systemic it would be spread out over more of the country.

BackAgain

Feb 23, 2009 6:37 AM CST

That is what the left does, make fun of everything they do not agree with, how intelligent. Keeps them from actually having to respond with something concrete. So much for hope and change.

oldgoat

Feb 23, 2009 2:03 AM CST

I just wondered if Santelli was just as upset about the Gov bailing out the mortgaqge and banks and letting them get some very nice bonuses in the deal? Or is that different when it is people that you deal with. Why are they any different than the people that bought too much property? However before slamming too much the homeowner bill might want to think about the option of not doing anything. When a property goes into default and is shuttered many times the places willl be stripped and vandalized. So while it is sitting there empty your property values go down and since the values go down and that default property is sitting there the gov isn't getting the revenue that it needs. So guess what? Your property taxes will go up and probably have benefits like say cuts in gov services. With a depressed area then crime usually will go up and then the insurance goes up. Sooner or later the property will get sold at a far reduced rate. Kind of like pay me now or pay me later, but you will pay.

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White House • housing market • CNBC • economic stimulus package • Robert Gibbs

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