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January 22, 2010 in City
Obama, Verner talk trade
President Barack Obama addresses the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. Spokane Mayor Mary Verner, not pictured, was in the audience.
(Full-size photo)
Spokane’s mayor on Thursday got a brief audience with President Barack Obama at the White House.
Mary Verner was one of about a half dozen mayors Obama picked to ask questions after he addressed the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors convention.
“To my surprise I was acknowledged by the president,” Verner said in a phone interview Thursday evening. “He gestured toward me and asked me, ‘And what is your question young lady?’ So my first response was to thank him for calling me a young lady.”
Verner said she asked Obama about “foreign policy impediments to our businesses” that want to export clean energy products and services to China or elsewhere.
Obama responded that boosting the “domestic clean energy economy” is “urgent” because China and European countries are gaining ground on the United States, said Verner, who was one of five Washington mayors in attendance.
“He does not want the United States to be at a competitive disadvantage in clean energy like we were at a competitive disadvantage in the automobile industry,” Verner said.
The mayor said she would have liked more detail, but that she was satisfied with the president’s response.
“He had a roomful of people asking questions, so his answers had to be succinct,” Verner said.
Verner said other mayors had already asked about other topics on her list, such as stimulus money for cities and strategies to get banks to loan more money to businesses that would create jobs.
Before the question-and-answer session, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden addressed the 200 mayors about economic development and other issues facing cities.
“Our strategy (is) to build economically competitive, environmentally sustainable, opportunity-rich communities that serve as the backbone for our long-term growth and prosperity,” Obama told the group, according to a White House transcript, which does not include the Q&A session. A recording of the meeting on whitehouse.gov also doesn’t include any of the mayors’ questions.
“I think all these cameras are going to move out, so you can tell me the truth,” Obama said, according to the transcript.
Spokane pays $15,000 a year to be a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said city spokeswoman Marlene Feist. Verner said this week’s meeting is the first time she has attended the national conference.
Last year, Verner visited Jilin City, China, one of Spokane’s sister cities, as part of a U.S. State Department program to help build trade partnerships. She said disagreements between the United States and China relating to climate change have hampered “our opportunity to establish direct business relationships between Spokane and our sister city.”
Local businesses that could benefit from fewer roadblocks in exporting green technology include Itron and control panel manufacturer Pantrol Inc., Verner said.
“We are eager to conduct some follow-through on that Chinese trade mission,” Verner said. “So I wanted to put that back on the president’s radar.”
MAC faces angry crowd 
liarsinnews on January 22 at 8:01 a.m.
No question in my mind now, we are in bigger trouble than I thought when Obama, called on Spokane`s Mayor Verner. Not only that, is he having eye sight problems? And I wonder if spending money sending Verner to Washington DC is a wise way to spend taxpayer money?
Ninch on January 22 at 8:17 a.m.
Why, dick, do you have to be so rude? Please learn to disagree without the insults… especially against women.
I am glad that Spokane’s Mayor asked a relevant question, although I disagree that Obama gave a responsive answer. Verner asked about “U.S. exports” and “foreign policy,” whereas Obama responded with “domestic” and “China as competitor” rather than “China as consumer.” Verner sees future economic opportunities, but Obama is stuck with his yesterday campaign rhetoric.
lewis8457 on January 22 at 8:48 a.m.
Maybe Obama needs to know how to be more incompetent. He is talking to the right person for that.
Just shows what a mess we are in when he is asking questions of a one term mayor of a little pot holed town.
the streets are looking like we are in a war zone.
MrNatural on January 22 at 9:52 a.m.
Why dispense with the pleasantries you may wonder? I think Nero called it fiddlin’
I am interested to see how this audience with the president will result in benefits for Spokane. I do hope the Spokesman will bird-dog this thread of interaction just to see if this junket was worthwhile.
Megan_B on January 22 at 1:53 p.m.
Gosh aren’t we just patriotic! We can’t even be proud that our mayor was selected for a question by the President of the United States! And how is it that his selection is a reflection of his “bad” performance? If you don’t agree with him, fine, but why not shoot for some logical arguments people? Ridiculous.
And Obama is right, we should be working harder to develop and focus on new energy technologies so we don’t fall behind, but lead, the rest of the world. If we make the best, and the cheapest, we will be the highest in demand. Simple economics.
liarsinnews on January 22 at 4:44 p.m.
Niinch:
Your right a uncalled statement re eye sight. As for women in general, I lived with 3 in my home for 20 years. Today, 2 left the nest over 30 years ago and are career ladies doing excellent work. The 3rd who I`ve have been married to going on 59 years (married to the same woman) speaks volumes re my opinion of real ladies. Ninch I guess your in the same class!