• 28 Jul 2011 at 9:35 AM

Ken Langone Sees A Much Bigger Problem Than The Debt Ceiling

By Bess Levin

Ken Langone popped by CNBC earlier this morning to guest host Squawk Box with Becky, Joe and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Is he worried about the debt ceiling? No. “It’s a done deal,” Langone told the gang. “They don’t know it yet, but it’s taken care of.” There is something Ken is losing sleep over, however, and it’s the fact that President Obama doesn’t always wear a jacket in the Oval Office.

Langone told CNBC that Obama’s behavior has been “unpresidential.” “He is dividing us as a nation,” Langone said. “He’s not bringing us together. He’s willfully dividing us. He’s petulant.” The co-founder of Home Depot sharply criticized the president for promoting class warfare through his repeated attacks against “fat cat” business executives and his targeting of tax loopholes. In sum, the behavior is symptomatic of Obama’s disrespect for the office he holds, Langone said.

“Ronald Reagan would never go into the Oval Office without his jacket on—that’s how much he revered the presidency,” he said. “This guy worked like hell to be president…Behave like a president. Let me look at you as a model to how we should behave. What does he say? Fat cats, jet airplanes. What is the purpose? Us versus them. “The thing I fear the most about the future of America is…divide us, we all lose. This has got to stop.”

If Obama wants to show us he cares about America at all he can start with a trip to Brooks Brothers today.

Ken Langone: Debt Ceiling Done Deal (Video) [CNBC]
Langone: Obama ‘Unpresidential,’ ‘Petulant’ ‘Dividing Us’ [CNBC]

Comments (68)

  1. 1
    Posted by ExtraOrdinaryPopularDelusions | July 28, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    See my picture, you filthy hobbit.

  2. 2
    Posted by WallStreetFatCat | July 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Best guest host Squawk Boxu00a0has ever had. I’m hopeing that they replace Andrew Ross Sorkin with him.

  3. 3
    Posted by jumbo | July 28, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Good thing Lagone isn’t around at night when the camera crews and photographers go home.u00a0 That’s when Obama likes to put his ball sack on the Resolute Desk.u00a0

  4. 4
    Posted by Hamilton | July 28, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Talking about petulant fatcats while wearing a goddam US flag pin after having made billions selling hammers is the NKI

  5. 5
    Posted by Dr. Rosenrose | July 28, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Langone went on to further identify with the Everyman, saying “Oh, yeah. You mean like when your lazy butler washes your sock garters and they’re still covered with schmutz?”

  6. 6
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    …we’ve got to steal, Barak Obama’s birth certificatennn-Ben Gates

  7. 7
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Was Langone able to use his inside voice today? he is like a little kid sometimes you have to tell him that…

  8. 8
    Posted by ExtraOrdinaryPopularDelusions | July 28, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Bess, where’s the dislike button on this thing?

  9. 9
    Posted by JP Demon | July 28, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    This guy is a thug and Grasso sugar daddy…F U Gavone!

  10. 10
    Posted by like it is | July 28, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    and providing jobs for millions of illegal immigrants while at the same time providing cheap durable goods used in home sales to hyperinflate an unperpetuated housing market which gave all Americans a false sense of wealth and eventually led to the current lull and perhaps eventual downfall of the American financial system (breath in gasp…..) is the NKI

  11. 11
    Posted by Brian1284 | July 28, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Tie is a little small though, I am suspect.u00a0

  12. 12
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Umm… pretty sure that Toll Bros., KB Homes, Centex, and the rest of the major players weren’t buying plywood and plumbing fixtures from a retail home improvement outlet.

  13. 13
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Yes, I agree. A jacket should always be worn in the Oval Office.u00a0 Pants, well that’s another story entirely.nnBill Clinton

  14. 14
    Posted by Wren | July 28, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    I know security analysts have to divulge their positions when they go on CNBC. u00a0Doesn’t Ken have to divulge his position regarding Rudy 2012? u00a0(i.e. he’s a pitcher)

  15. 15
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Riding the NKI meme horse until it collapses, exhausted, is the NKI

  16. 16
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Asshole

  17. 17
    Posted by Cat in the Fat | July 28, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Oh Ken, c’mon fella, you’re just jealous that Obama can take off his jacket and not look like the fuckiing Michelin Man you fat amoral piece of waste. u00a0Co-founder of HD? u00a0That’s bullshit too. u00a0He funded them, he didn’t found the company, nor did he run it. u00a0Ken Langone in a hardware store is like, um, Ken Langone in a hardware store…

  18. 18
    Posted by Cat in the Fat | July 28, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Oh Ken, c’mon fella, you’re just jealous that Obama can take off his jacket and not look like the fuckiing Michelin Man you fat amoral piece of waste. u00a0Co-founder of HD? u00a0That’s bullshit too. u00a0He funded them, he didn’t found the company, nor did he run it. u00a0Ken Langone in a hardware store is like, um, Ken Langone in a hardware store…

  19. 19
    Posted by Elmers47 | July 28, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    What is this insane, old crony crapping on about???!!! F’u old man.

  20. 20
    Posted by First MBAs, now this?!? | July 28, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Bess, what’s with all the debt ceiling posts lately?u00a0

  21. 21
    Posted by NattyLAX | July 28, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    hes fat and looks like a cat. sounds about right

  22. 22
    Posted by NattyLAX | July 28, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    hes fat and looks like a cat. sounds about right

  23. 23
    Posted by trojan | July 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    ken looks like a catcher to me

  24. 24
    Posted by trojan | July 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    ken looks like a catcher to me

  25. 25
    Posted by Dome Hepot | July 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Ceilings, we sell plenty of ceiling materials.u00a0 If your ceiling is too low, buy our 8lb sledge hammer and put in a skylight.n-K. “Langone

  26. 26
    Posted by Dome Hepot | July 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Ceilings, we sell plenty of ceiling materials.u00a0 If your ceiling is too low, buy our 8lb sledge hammer and put in a skylight.n-K. “Langone

  27. 27
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Langone/Assness 2012.

  28. 28
    Posted by Treseme | July 28, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I bet he puts Ragu on pancakes. nnGuy Fieri CFA

  29. 29
    Posted by American Bandersnatch | July 28, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Going to Brooks Brothers worked for me.nn- See picture above

  30. 30
    Posted by American Bandersnatch | July 28, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Going to Brooks Brothers worked for me.nn- See picture above

  31. 31
    Posted by Guy with a sweet 1998 'lude | July 28, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Ken – I’m disappointed you did go for the deeper orange.nnn-A. Mozillo

  32. 32
    Posted by Guy with a sweet 1998 'lude | July 28, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Ken – I’m disappointed you did go for the deeper orange.nnn-A. Mozillo

  33. 33
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Speaking of big problems. CS IBD… ouch.

  34. 34
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Looks more like yo’ momma. In fact, yo momma so ugly they filmed Gorillas in the Mist in her shower!nn- Tracy J.

  35. 35
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Looks more like yo’ momma. In fact, yo momma so ugly they filmed Gorillas in the Mist in her shower!nn- Tracy J.

  36. 36
    Posted by You Are All Clowns | July 28, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    F*** you all.u00a0 Ken has more integrity and gumption that anyone I know… shame on you disparaging a true patriot… chicken shits wouldn’t dare say this to his face.u00a0 That’s the difference between you and him.u00a0 He would speak his mind to your face and not flinch.u00a0 F**ks!

  37. 37
    Posted by You Are All Clowns | July 28, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    F*** you all.u00a0 Ken has more integrity and gumption that anyone I know… shame on you disparaging a true patriot… chicken shits wouldn’t dare say this to his face.u00a0 That’s the difference between you and him.u00a0 He would speak his mind to your face and not flinch.u00a0 F**ks!

  38. 38
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Yeah, what is up with that?! Is the debt ceiling like important or something?

  39. 39
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    LOL.

  40. 40
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    LOL.

  41. 41
    Posted by First MBAs, now this?!? | July 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Is that what’s been in the news lately?nn- LEH Quant

  42. 42
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Looking good, bro…a bit gray around the gills but good nevertheless.

  43. 43
    Posted by Adultfriendfinder? | July 28, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Also, none of my trades seem to be going through.u00a0 n-BSCu00a0Derivatives Trader

  44. 44
    Posted by Adultfriendfinder? | July 28, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Ken,nnOnly insecure pussies, or peopleu00a0of little importanceu00a0wear their jackets indoors.nnObama

  45. 45
    Posted by yeahalittlemessedupiknow | July 28, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Um, I’m pretty sure the only reason Reagan didn’t take his jacket off was because if he did, he would never be able to find it again.

  46. 46
    Posted by John Q. Public | July 28, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Fuck this motherfucking cosucking wop bastard. He and his ass-raping cronies better worry about class warfare because if these assholes in D.C. continue to destroy the middle classu00a0 we’ll be coming for douchebags like him. I’d like to see him hanging upside down from a lampost outside NYU. On fire.

  47. 47
    Posted by ExtraOrdinaryPopularDelusions | July 28, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    I’m not sure what gumption means. Can you use it in a sentence?

  48. 48
    Posted by Jriems | July 28, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Jackets are a crutch for the talentless.

  49. 49
    Posted by Adultfriendfinder? | July 28, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Zerohedge.com

  50. 50
    Posted by A Guy Who Isn't an Imbecile | July 28, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Try this link you illiterate imbecile nnhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gumption

  51. 51
    Posted by Willy Wonka | July 28, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    You must be new here.

  52. 52
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    ???????

  53. 53
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Amen, k. powers.

  54. 54
    Posted by ExtraOrdinaryPopularDelusions | July 28, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    *Whoosh*

  55. 55
    Posted by The Real John Q. Public | July 28, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Oh wait… American Idol just came on…u00a0 Never mind.

  56. 56
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    That’s right, cry and whineu00a0to mommy when you get owned. nnThe only Obozo supporters leftu00a0back himu00a0because:nnIts there Job (on welfare, work for the goverment)nnThey’re racist (will back him no matter what because he looks like them)nnAre Gay (and have a one track mind on politics, indeed they would vote for stalin,hitler,mao if they where pro gay marriage)nnALL of the ABOVEnnn

  57. 57
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Clearly, “No Child Left Behind” needs to be properly funded.

  58. 58
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Have you ever heard anyone– with the possible exception of Yosemite Sam– use the word “gumption” in actual speech?

  59. 59
    Posted by Guest | July 28, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    yeah you really “owned” him by posting a 1950′s backwater hick comment.

  60. 60
    Posted by DingALing | July 28, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Once upon a time, attendees of NYU had dignity and respect for the capitalist society…

  61. 61
    Posted by Wahoo | July 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Riding your horse until it collapses is down right cruel.

  62. 62
    Posted by Incorruptible | July 28, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Take it easy there Robespierre

  63. 63
    Posted by Anonymous | July 28, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    this is the NKInnhttp://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=hts&oq=&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS438US438&q=NKI

  64. 64
    Posted by ExtraOrdinaryPopularDelusions | July 29, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    I think I heard it on a TV commercial foru00a0Werthers Originals once.u00a0

  65. 65
    Posted by The Observer | July 29, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    So are teleprompters

  66. 66
    Posted by Colonial Fashion Critic | July 29, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    Neither Reagan nor Obama had/have any respect for the oval office. If either of them had any respect for the Presidency they would always wear a powdered wig and silk stockings like George Washington. If history has taught us anything, it is that Presidential styles are completely fixed and cannot change.nn- Guy who wants to bring back tight Kennedy era secretary sweaters for chesty secretaries that can’t manage 20 words/min

  67. 67
    Posted by John Q. Public | July 29, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Apres moi le deluge motherfuckern

  68. 68
    Posted by Ann Fox | November 4, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Where are the people like Ken Langone when we are looking for a presidential candidate? He is intelligent and has common sense and as far as I can see doesn't owe a lot of other factions for crawling his way to the top. If someone would give the American people a person they could believe in, we would happily vote for that person. It would give us hope.

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