“We care about the small people.” – Carl Henric Svanberg, June 16, 2010

The quote may prove to be a gaffe that is, at best, English-as-second-language-awkward, and at worst, poorly-timed and tone-deaf corporate paternalism.

Carl Henric Svanberg, the Swedish chairman of BP, emerged this afternoon from a meeting with President Obama at the White House, appearing subdued, even chastened. He addressed reporters and made it through ok, before finishing his comments by saying, “Thanks a lot.  And I will take a couple of questions.”

Completing his response to the final question, Svanberg complimented Obama for his sincerity and concern for those suffering from the effects of the Deepwater Horizion oil spill.  Then, perhaps feeling that his contrition was well-received and probably thankful that his afternoon at the White House was about to come to an end, Svanberg attempted to make the tricky and perilous move from PR defense to offense, offering this unfortunate promotion of BP’s compassion.  “I hear comments sometimes that large oil companies are greedy companies who don’t care, but that is not the case at BP.  We care about the small people.“