Why do I never hear CNN nor the pundits discuss the issue of ordained ministers running for President? How could an ordained minister maintain a separation of church and state?

Right now it is moot whether or not Mitt was an ‘ordained’ senior elder of his church, Pastor Huckabee certainly is. Would any of his supporters have anxiety if a priest, rabbi or Imam were running for President?

David,

Tthe race is not down to 2 candidates, McCain, Huckabee and Ron Paul are 3. Secondly, since we are entering a dramatically important time in our country, it would really be enlightening to actually hear you talked about ALL the choices and let us hear from ALL the candidates. That way, the American people will be better prepared to make an informed choice.

Just watched Challenges facing the next President. What a brilliant programme. The three guys, Anderson, Fareed and David were brilliant and it made for excellent viewing.

My husband and I are in the 36% tax bracket - yes, we resent paying the taxes, but not for the reasons that the pundents and politicians are constantly stating in their rhetoric. IF we saw the U.S. education system improving, our borders being protected, the working poor and middle class being provided with healthcare, and the welfare system being reformed, we would gladly pay even more.

HOWEVER, here is our real life experience. We grew up in small town Texas, went to college, returned to our hometown, participated in the family business, and I taught school. As the Federally funded housing projects grew, so did the problem of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, child abuse and neglect. When my son entered Junior High, he asked to leave, and so we did. We moved to a small, rural community that has not allowed federal housing. The school district has actually had to give millions of dollars to other districts under the Robin Hood Program in Texas, but to keep the integrity of their town and school intact, they accept the sacrifice.

Bottom Line: Americans will sacrifice for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but not to subsidize a way of life that encourages our citizens to be lazy, irresponsible, and lacking any initiative. This will be the death of the American way of life. As a citizen of south Texas, I am for protecting our borders, but truly believe that we would be better off to allow Mexican citizens to work in our state and become citizens, and tell our welfare citizens to go to work, or go to Mexico. The children of Mexican immigrants that I have taught worked harder, achieved much higher academic standards, including college degrees, and appreciated their education 100% more than the welfare children that I taught. Honestly, all of the kids that I taught that grew up under welfare, have followed the typical path - have children for money, live in federal housing, and live the welfare life.

Here’s what we want - protect our borders from terrorists, and criminals. Let those who want to work and provide a better life for thier families, come legally. Tell our welfare culture to go to work, or go to Mexico, or to any other country that will accept them.

We will not accept paying taxes at the current rate when we see no benefit. However, we will gladly pay more taxes for better education, benefits for those who work, secure borders, a fair immigration policy, and welfare reform.

Dear David
Im a student at the University of Miami and ive been watching the presidential race and from now on both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton need to stop throwing stuff at eachother and know that their both liked, and need to unite the democratic party. By accepting that they are “The Dream Ticket”, no republican candidates can match them….
I just wanted to say this and get the voice out for the future, us the students!! We need change “Yes We Can” with “Experience”!!

Hi David,
Extreme Challenges was a great wealth of information. Thanks for such an insightful hour. I find this format of just sitting down and explaining the facts really helpful. Good job all of you.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Re: Challenges…I hope Fareed and David will be available as counselors for the next president.

The special on the challenges facing the president and our country in the next 4 years was very thought provoking. War, the economy, the mortgage meltdown, and the environment are huge problems by themselves - all together they seem daunting. I hope our next President and Congress can work together on the problems and not sit on their hands because of partisanship and let things get worse by doing nothing.

Great special David- you and Anderson and Fareed did a wonderful job on this one

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

I watched the show last night, the challenges facing our nation . It is the best show so for regarding the election . That emphasis what an important election it is and what is in stake for this country and the world.
I hope you will repeat this again. David and Fareed are simply brilliant and knowledgeable.
Anderson keep doing the good work

That program was absolutely fantastic last night! I was on the edge of my seat. Despite being very tired and forgetting the name of the show, I had to let CNN know I would love to see more dialogue like that in future. Was completely brilliant. Thanks so much.

I watched the Challenges program with a great deal of interest. Seems like these issues would make excellent questions for the remaining debates. I’d sure love to know how each candidate plans to tackle each of these perils facing our country.

I turned on CNN last night and also caught most of Extreme Challenges. Despite the silly title, I was extremely impressed with the content. I’ve always liked Zakaria, having watched his regular visits on The Daily Show and read Future of Freedom. I was also impressed by what Gergen brought to the table, given all his experience in previous administrations. I was only familiar with him from recent political coverage.

Anyway, it was the best thing I’ve seen on CNN in recent memory. Issue-based, comprehensive, and helped to put the next 4-8 years in context. Please re-air it so I can DVR it and watch again!

Thank you for an intelligent presentation on the serious issues facing the country and the next president of the United State. Please do more of these stories. I just e-mailed Anderson Cooper about the same thing. Unfortunately I gave the credit for this insightful presentation to Wolfe Blizter instead of Anderson Cooper. Please send my apologies to him. He did a great job.
We need more of this kind of reporting and less on who likes Bll Clinton or whether he was unfair to Senator Obama . This country and the press needs to focus on how to protect ourselves fromt he REAL Meanies in this world, like Osoma Bin Larden. These type of people must be laughing at us and just chopping at the bits , waiting to do another 9/11 on us.

The program Extreme Challenges of the Next Four Years should be required viewing for all Americans. It is a REALISTIC look at what we are up against and the complexity of hurdling those challenges. I only hope whoever becomes President will hire Zakaria and Gergen. I want CNN to keep my favorite Anchor, Anderson Cooper, so he can constantly keep the American public up to date with the challenges ahead. Thank you for the intelligent look at our issues and the sacrifices needed.