Mrs. Clinton said she was grateful to hear Buffett quoting facts and figures during her introduction because, “the other side is running an evidence-free campaign”. Buffett was the namesake for the push by the Obama administration to seek a tax rate of 30 percent on those earning $1 million or more.
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After Buffett’s remarks, Clinton emphasized that she and the billionaire agree that the wealthy need to pay more in taxes.
Clinton said: “Warren is 100 per cent right, as usual”.
As for her tax plan, Mrs. Clinton’s campaign says she’ll have more details after the new year. Buffett, who often talks about how he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary, spurred President Barack Obama to introduce the “Buffett Rule” in 2011 but it has yet to be enacted. Congress hasn’t enacted it.
After praising Clinton for talking about raising incomes and criticizing Republicans for not doing so, Buffett said, “America should work for those who are willing to work”.
“Despite incredible bounty, millions and millions of Americans have been left behind”, Buffett told the boisterous crowd, his second day of events with her this month.
Buffett joked that Nebraska wouldn’t be in “play” in 2016 – it’s a reliably Republican state that hasn’t voted for the Democratic presidential candidate since 1964. He said, “I do not condemn them in any way”. “I mean I used to love Abbott and Costello, people like that”.
Buffett endorsed Clinton’s presidential run on Wednesday, telling the audience of around 800 people that the primary reason he is backing the former secretary of state is because of her plans to address economic inequality.
The famed investor says he would be “delighted” to see Clinton take the oath of office. Bernie Sanders, Clinton has pushed back against concerns among some liberals that her time in the Senate representing NY left her too close to Wall Street bankers.
Clinton was campaigning in deep-red Nebraska, which is holding its caucus on March 5.
In total, 59 percent of Democrats said they are supporting Clinton compared to Vermont Sen.
Warren Buffett’s appearance with Clinton was aimed at offering his stamp of approval to the Democrat’s economic message of inclusive capitalism and toughness against Wall Street excess. The investment guru’s annual shareholder meeting is dubbed “Woodstock for Capitalists” and drew an overflow crowd of more than 40,000 people from around the globe in the spring. He was also scheduled to join Clinton at a private fundraiser in Omaha.
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“What he brings to the table is that he’s one of the few highly-respected business people who average people view as one of them”, said Marc Lasry, a NY hedge fund manager and Democratic donor, in an interview.
