Ken Griffin On Why The Democrats Have Lost The Love Of (Some) Hedge Fund Managers

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"Let's go back to 2008, because it's important to understand the past to understand the present."

"There was a period of unprecedented spending and entitlements- you saw a frustration in the asset management community with the expansion of government that took place under George Bush. The embracing of the Democrats then was a hope and a wish to return to the policies of President Clinton, who demonstrated a fiscal conservatism we haven't seen in a long time in this country. The frustration with Obama is that the administration is taking the spending levels of the Bush era and multiplying them by some multiple. We are greatly concerned about the fiscal stability of this country...We need to move quickly before we reach the point of no return. I believe that's what's driving the public demonstration of hedge fund frustration."

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Ken Griffin Would Love To Spend All His Time Figuring Out How To Keep His Funds Above Water But Someone Has To Make Sure America Stays Awesome

"I spend way too much of my time thinking about politics these days because government is way too involved in financial markets these days," he said in a rare interview. He later added. "Part of my sensitivity to these issues is that I now live in the middle of a hyper-regulated industry, where not only is government affecting how capital markets work, or how banks work, but (the government) is punishing savers." The 43-year-old hedge fund manager said he has invested more time than ever before on politics since the financial crisis of 2008 nearly crippled Citadel. The firm's two flagship funds have since recovered, surpassing their so-called highwater marks this year..."I think (the ultra-wealthy) actually have an insufficient influence," Griffin said in an interview at Citadel's downtown office. "Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet." [Chicago Tribune, related]