Clinton to unemployed: Obama’s ‘not Houdini’

Published April 30, 2012 4:00am ET



Former President Bill Clinton told a group of wealthy donors not to regard people suffering in today’s economy as a reflection of President Obama’s record.

“We are beating the clock,” Clinton said while arguing that economic recovery under Obama has moved faster than it would under a Republican. “Why do I tell you this? Because somebody will say to you, ‘maybe, but I don’t feel better.’ And you say, ‘look, the man’s not Houdini; all he can do is beat the clock,'” he instructed the donors.

Clinton made the comments during a joint fundraiser with President Obama, a high-dollar event. Tickets to the dinner cost $20,000 a piece.

Economist Robert Shiller this morning equated the contemporary American economy with that of the “late Great Depression.”