CEA chief: Focus on innovation shows Obama finally backing business

President Barack Obama’s focus on innovation in recent weeks shows he’s finally treating the commercial sector as an ally instead of as an opponent, according to Consumer Electronics Association president Gary Shapiro.

“I think the president has pivoted since the election in recognizing that business is not the enemy,” Shapiro said. But he said President Obama is still pushing the concept of class warfare, which he called “very unhealthy.” “It’s not just a matter of pushing policies, it’s what he says and how he positions things,” Shapiro continued. “He spent the first two years demonizing the common enemy out there as business, I don't think he understands the impact of that. Now it’s the upper 2 percent of income.” Despite those reservations, Shapiro was largely supportive of President Obama’s recent pledge to support technology entrepreneurs by reducing regulatory hurdles and reforming the patent process.