Bill Clinton: “I have a different opinion about my participation and the regulators' participation. First, let me tell you about--I can…”

“I have a different opinion about my participation and the regulators' participation. First, let me tell you about--I can only comment on the first instance you mentioned, the bankers meeting. I think it is an appropriate thing and can be a good thing for the President and for the Secretary of Treasury to meet with a group of bankers and listen to them and listen to their concerns and, if they have certain issues, to explore those issues. I can tell you categorically that no decision ever came out of any of those coffees where I or anyone else said, ``This person is a contributor of ours; do what they asked us to do.'' But I think those meetings are good. I think the President should keep in touch with people. I think he should listen to people. I never learn very much when I'm talking, and I normally learn something when I'm listening. So I think that they're good. In retrospect, since the DNC sponsored it, I do not think the Comptroller of the Currency should have been there. I agree with Mr. Ludwig, and he should have been told who was sponsoring it, and it would have been better had he not come. I agree with that. But I think there is a distinction to be made between the President meeting with people, listening to them, and then, at least if they raise some serious issues, having them looked into. But I never made a decision for anybody because they were contributors of mine. I don't--but I do think it's important to listen to people. But you're right--or he was right, it would have been better if he had not been there. Regulators should not come to meetings that are sponsored--have any kind of political sponsorship, I don't think.”