Steve Jobs met with President Obama. As the story goes, Jobs held out for an invitation, but when none came, he went anyway. There were many items discussed, but this is the one that struck my eye.
You’re headed for a one-term presidency,” he told Obama at the start of their meeting, insisting that the administration needed to be more business-friendly. As an example, Jobs described the ease with which companies can build factories in China compared to the United States, where “regulations and unnecessary costs” make it difficult for them.
Obviously, Obama ignored the advice. Why would a Nobel Prize winner take advice from someone like Jobs when he can get advice from Valerie Jarrett on a daily basis?
In fact, to show his disdain for such advice, Obama has made attacking business the cornerstone of his campaign for 2012. He blames big business and Republicans for the bad economy. More government, more regulation, more taxes, that’s what we need in America today.
Who will be right and who will be wrong come 2012. One man was an innovator, an entrepreneur, a visionary, a leader and one who could capture the needs of the public in product and message. The other is a community organizer.
If I were a betting man, which I am occasionally, I would put my money on Jobs. In fact I will when Vegas opens the betting window for the 2012 presidential election.
