Clinton Addresses Real Estate Industry

NEW YORK CITY-Saying he’s been enjoying his time away from the political spotlight and that Harlem is a wonderful place to have an office, former President Bill Clinton addressed hundreds of real estate industry professionals during CB Richard Ellis’s 18th Annual Market Forecast Breakfast at the Hilton.

Clinton detailed his activity since leaving the presidency. In addition to working on his memoirs, the talkative ex-president said he has focused his energies on a few key areas including providing economic assistance globally, promoting education, promoting reconciliation with various religions throughout the world and working to combat the AIDS crisis. One example he gave was of the business advice his office provides for small business owners near his Harlem office. “Most jobs are created by small businesses,” he added.

Questioned about the job outsourcing situation that has been discussed much in the media this past year, Clinton commented that it’s part of the cyclical nature of business and has been going on for years. “What bothers people today is that there is more of it,” he said. He noted also that it is happening in high-tech jobs and it’s going on now when the economy is in rough shape and there has been job loss. His “if-I-were-president” suggestions for combating the situation include providing tax incentives and being proactive to find out what industries might provide jobs in the future. (See Executive Watch for another take on the outsourcing situation.)