I could not find the transcript
anywhere so I typed this all by hand. Listen to how relentless he was at trying to spin her in a negative direction against President Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSH6FZ-kKIHemmer:That's Velma hart in her comment about hotdogs and beans is spreading to every cookout in America, and Velma Hart is my guest tonight from Washington DC. Good morning to you Ms. Hart and thank you for your time today! I know you're off to your job in a matter of moments here. We tried to squeeze you in this morning to (inaudible) supporting your two children in private schools as you explained the other day during that town hall meeting, so thank you for coming on today. I want to make it clear I've watched you in other interviews and I've seen you say - or heard you say, rather that you still believe in President Obama's vision. You're still a supporter of his, but but the comment that got my - got my attention was when you said you were exhausted of defending him. Now in politics today we all have these discussions with our families and our friends and our colleagues about where the country is headed. What did you mean by the exhaustion you expressed - in defending the current administration?
Hart: Well, you may remember there were three components that. There was defending him - his administration and my own vote for for change. Um, because I support that vote for change. And so, I'm not going to let people talk negatively about the progress that we're making when we know that there's a bureaucratic system that is limiting that progress. And so, that's really what I meant. And I honestly thought that the President was very gracious. I thought his response was going to be, "Velma I'm exhausted, too. I don't understand why people don't get what I want to do. And there's so much bureaucratic process that I have to get through to get that."
Hemmer:Would you have been satisfied had he said that? Because the impression I get is that you weren't satisfied with what came back at you?
Hart: Oh, I was satisfied with his answer because I just wanted him to answer the question. I wasn't looking for a specific outcome. I had no specific answer that I was looking for. I wanted him to address the questions, and I think he addressed the questions but for that last question on, um, is this the new reality. Um, but I think he addressed the question and I'm satisfied with the answer that he gave me.
Hemmer:Well, as you sit here today and.. uhh.. listen.. you've become like Joe the Plumber, and Martha and I are going to buy tickets when you and Joe the Plumber are going to have the big national debate. All kidding aside, what you touched on was this disconnect that a lot of Americans feel and that's why frankly they're going out and voting in huge numbers during these primaries. Now, why is there this disconnect in America today between what the President had done and what he has said and
your... reality?
Hart: Um, I don't think there's a disconnect. I think there's a slower progress than we would expect. Or - or maybe not expect but would have hoped would have been in place by now. Um, I think what happened - what has happened is the President, with the bold agenda that he had set out is just having difficulties navigating and getting his agendas passed and moving forward. Um, and I think he - I think there are a lot of reasons for that - and I think that we are not helping that agenda either.
Hemmer:If it's been that difficult maybe it's not the right agenda.
Hart: That - that - that's a fair position for you to take, and certainly one of the considerations that aught to be on the table.
Hemmer:The reason I bring that up is because in fourtyfive minutes the Republicans will announce their 'Pledge to America.' Will you listen to that? Will you read it? Will you give it consideration?
Hart: Uh, as I've said if you've been following the interview you know that the parties don't matter. It's the substance that matters to me. So I want to hear from all sides. I think we need all sides as part of this discussion in order to make meaningful change and to make the right decisions going forward. So of course I'll listen to it, I think it's an important part of the landscape. Um, but at the end of the day I believe in the change that I voted for, and that's the change I'm going to support to the very end I think.
Hemmer:I got you. You know how the - final point here and I'll let you go here 'cause I know you got to get off to your job. A lot of times when these Whitehouse events are set up ... they're kind of staged, and they know the direction that the want to - cause they have a message that they want to get out to the American people. Do you think you surprised him with the point you were making?
Hart: I don't know. I can't read what was in the President's heart. This was not - as far as I know this was not a Whitehouse event. I thought this was a town hall meeting set up with CNBC. And so that was - that was the direction I was coming from
Hemmer:Anytime the President goes out to talk and take questions like this it - it's Whitehouse event.
Hart: Well, and - and what I was about to go into say is I'm sure there was some coordination on that. Um, but I don't know whether the Pres - whether the President was aware of the types of questions he was going to receive. I don't know any of that. All I know is I had an opportunity to speak to a man that I truly admire, um, that I believe can help us all move forward. And I wanted to ask a difficult question because we are in challenging times and difficult questions are going to get us moving forward.
Hemmer:Listen, a lot of people heard you loud and clear. Um, good luck in your job today. Good luck supporting your two children. Your husband's a very lucky man.
Hart:Ah, thank you
Hemmer:Thank you for your service as an army veteran and the work you do today for veterans across America. Velma Hart. And when you and Joe the Plumber hook up let us know!
Hart: I don't know Joe the Plumber I'm not connecting (laughs)
Hemmer:See you later have a great day.
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