Reconciling the Talking Points

The video archive from Monday's lecture at the Panetta Institute of Public Policy, where former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich and the Bush Administration's SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt discussed the economy with CNBC's Ron Insanta moderating is not yet available, so it's hard to see why two points from Mr. Pitt don't conflict.

From the Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel's report;

Pitt said little has been done to prevent a repeat of the economic crisis and collapse of the past two years. He criticized the Obama administration for giving stimulus money to the very companies and banks whose misconduct caused the systemic failures in the first place and said the money should have been put into the pocketbooks of taxpayers to create a ripple effect in the economy.

vs.

Pitt agreed gridlock is the worst he’s seen in 42 years working around the federal government, but he blamed the problem on an unwillingness from the White House to seek compromise solutions. He also accused the president of trying to create a "class war" by demonizing bankers and other Wall Streeters.

I guess you can "demonize" the President for rewarding the bad behavior without "demonizing" those who behaved badly -- don't hate the playa, hate the game -- but it seems a little disingenuous to me.