What was the strategy in saying he doesn't want to punish banks?

[grasswire]

Obama may not want to punish banks. But why would he make a point of saying so in the SOTU?

I can't think of a strategic reason to say that to the public.

[Cleita]

1. I agree. Especially now that they enjoy personhood, take them behind the

wood shed and spank them.

[grasswire]

2. Doesn't a majority of America want to punish banks?

And didn't he talk about how much everyone hated the bailouts?

So why say that?

[DJ13]

3. He's still trying to play it right down the middle

Cons dont like "punishing" banks, even if the other 70% of the voters want them hurt badly.

Obama still doesnt get it that trying to placate the cons only paralyzes his ability to fix things.

[Windy]

4. Getting our money back and doing what is right is not punishment. Its entitlment. Look deeper like

he does.

[Romulox]

5. Banks are the new base! nt

[truedelphi]

11. How cynical you always are.

But I have to admit - along with the Big Medical Interests and Big Insurers, he has a lot of friends among the small circle of Banksters that his policies serve.

[Peacetrain]

6. Seriously.. you lay a hand on my local credit union and I will take you to the mat!

How do you think we buy houses, cars.. some gift from the GODS... not all banks are the same.. small town banks keep businesses, in business

[donco6]

7. I don't see it as punishment.

It's just logical. We're looking for money - they obviously have it, as they have so visibly demonstrated. So we're going to take some. Simple. The Rs can scream "retribution" but I think Obama just wanted to head off that false accusation.

[Snotcicles]

8. I think he was saying his motive was, doing whats right, not retaliation. nt

[avaistheone1]

9. No one is accountable for anything in government

which only harbors distrust and resentment from the people.

Life doesn't work like that for us little peeples.

[grasswire]

10. so what IS right?

Do nothing to hold those accountable who took down America's economy? I don't think Americans are in that kind of a mood.