Posted on 06/08/2010 5:39:27 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama says he would have fired BP CEO By Michael O'Brien - 06/08/10 07:45 AM ET
BP's chief executive wouldn't have a job if President Barack Obama were in charge of the oil company, the president said Tuesday.
Obama said he had not spoken to BP CEO Tony Hayward directly, but added that he thought that Hayward should probably be out of work in the aftermath of the massive oil spill triggered by an accident in a BP-leased pipeline and rig.
"He wouldn't be working for me after any of those statements," Obama said during an interview on NBC's "Today" show, referencing comments made by Hayward in which said he wanted his life back before the spill.
Hayward apologized for the remarks, which were seen as dismissive to the families of 11 oil rig workers who died after a massive explosion that set off the leak. But the BP CEO has also faced criticism for his company's overall handling of the crisis, as well as its corporate practices. Lawmakers have called on plans for the company to suspend its dividend to shareholders this summer, and have questioned an ad blitz the oil company has waged to fight back against an increasingly negative perception in the wake of the spill.
The president said he hadn't spoken to Hayward directly, but emphasized that administration officials were constantly in touch with the chief executive and other top officials at BP. Obama reiterated that the company was acting at the direction of the U.S. government.
The company, the president said, would also be made to make sure that those adversely affected by the spill are properly compensated for losses.
"We are going to have to make sure that not only do they shut down the cap, we are not only going to have to make sure any deep well drilling process out there is in fact fail safe, and oil companies know what theyre doing, but we also have to make sure that every single person that has been affected by this is properly compensated and made whole.," he said.
"Absolutely they can afford it," the president added. "If I see BP nickel-and-diming people down there, they are going to have to answer to us."
Mr. Obama: I would have fired YOU.
so, following that logic it would only seem fitting that obummer be “fired” for his handling of the job of President of the US...... Live by the sword, die by the sword.
That's the government's job. 0 hates to see the competition.
This guy has a rich fantasy life.
At a time when we need a leader we wind up with Walter Mitty.
This man is a jackass. As Rush put it, he is always the most condescending and least qualified person in the room.
Barky’s employee expectations are higher than most. Unless you’re a tax cheat, you just don’t measure up.
Ooooh. Big man. The kenyan loser has an entire staff of tax cheats with zero experience in anything except pilfering money from US citizens and now he says he’d fire the BP guy?!
I guess he’ll have to have the government take over BP...ooops.... BRITISH Petroleum....
Walter Mitty would be an improvement.
Obama says a lot of things.
Campaign funds buys you friends.
"Absolutely they can afford it," the president added. "If I see BP nickel-and-diming people down there, they are going to have to answer to us."
Wow... where to begin.
- Drilling is "fail safe"? Right... so obviously no more drilling.
- "Compensated and made whole" - that's your concern right now? Litigation?
- BP "nickel and diming"? Right...they are losing MILLIONS of dollars a DAY and they are concerned about doing this on the cheap.
In all seriousness, the guy is an idiot. Why anyone thinks he is intelligent is beyond my capacity to understand.
What is stopping him? He fired GM’s CEO.
..firing him is up to the board of directors and they’re elected by the owners of the company; the shareholders....capitalism is way over this community organizer’s head.
Maybe the pres_ent should golf less.
I knew he didn’t have any leadership skills, but I didn’t that he’s not even a good follower. He has severe learning dissabilities coupled with psychotic behavior. If/when we get involved in a real conflict that threatens our shores, we’re doomed with this nothing in the WH.
Fly t*rds have more value than the Loon-O-dent.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.