Sure enough, once the Obama administration had the support of the public, and Congress passed the stimulus plans, the speeches and testimony of the president, treasury secretary, and Fed chairman, changed to upbeat assessments and forecasts that the economy would begin turning back up.

FORBES: Calmer Rhetoric In Washington The Biggest Boost For Markets

To muster that public support, the White House, Treasury Secretary, and Fed Chairman Bernanke constantly bombarded the nation with speeches, and testimony before Congress, about how terrible things were, with the economy teetering on the brink of a depression, and the stock market in a serious bear market since its 2007 top.

FORBES: Calmer Rhetoric In Washington The Biggest Boost For Markets

For the same reasons, the subject was not included in many public speeches, Congressional testimony and the Secretary of State's United Nations presentation in early 2003.

CNN: Text of CIA Director George Tenet's statement