good evening everyone. Have you checked out our new -fangled blog camera? it’ll show you what we’re up to even during commercial breaks. Truth is, we’re not up to much, either preparing for the next segment, re-writing some up coming copy, or blogging, but you never know. Sometimes the crew stages a big dance off competition during commercial breaks. Kind of a Sharks vs. Jets thing.

Wow always something new on the 360 blog. One step closer to getting our dry cleaning done on the 360 blog.

Anderson and Erica.. .don’t forget to wave at everyone watching at home

Anderson, no offense but the live feed is like watching paint dry…

Hi Anderson……..have to check out the Live Cam……….like we don’t have enough to do watching your Show AND following the Blog…….now we got a camera to watch??!! ha. Have a great Show……..as for me, I’m gonna’ watch ya.

OMG! the cam is friggin coooooool!

Hey, the cam is cool! Nice addition to the Live Blog.

ok who’s idea was this……the camra thing….they are genuis

Hi there,
Very cool new toy. good luck with it tonight!

Anderson I like the bog camera. I think it’s interesting. Looks like a good program tonite.

Anderson,

You look great. Come back to California. We miss you. Glad to hear you are doing well. We were worried about you. Love you. Have a great week. Congratulations on the awards. You deserve it.

The webcam is cool! Great idea.

ALL votes counted, Clinton is less than 1% behind. In the Electoral College she is up 219 to 202. If the DNC doesn’t want primaries after March, they ought to have a rule to the effect.

Clinton should stay in the race. Gives everyone a chance to vote.

This election year appears to be politics as usual. Our countries challenges have never been greater. The Economy, 2 Wars, Healthcare, Social Security and Education are serious concerns.
I find what is occurring in our democratic process problematic for the voters. I have voted democrat for more years than I care to think about. I have never been so disenfranchised by my party. It would be nice if there were an easy answer as to which candidate will be representing the party come November. But a party that is trying to silence the vote is not a party I want to belong to. It is obvious that the party leaders are trying to force Hillary Clinton from the race so they do not have to deal with not counting the votes in FL and MI. If the party leaders continue to go try and push Senator Clinton from the race they will do more to disenfranchise voters than anything either one of the two candidates could possibly do. Come November I very well may be a registered Independent voting for John McCain.

Good evening Anderson, Erica and crew. Nice addition. I wish we had more time to blog and that some feedback was possible during the show. I know time constraints prevent that. I know, how about a live two hour show instead of just an hour??

With the web camera and the live blogging, I don’t think I will be able to watch the show. I am not good at multi-tasking. ha

Hi Anderson,
Welcome home!!!! and hello Bloggers!
Wow! Hillary and Obama have to stay in race….

Gov. Cuomo suggests that Obama and Clinton forge a united ticket. I am considering voting for Obama, after voting Republican for years. Adding Sen. Clinton to the ticket would stop me from doing so.

I guess I will watch paint dry - I can’t get the live feed on my computer anyway.

Plus watching the 360 crew fall all over Obama just turns me off

Hi Anderson,

Nice camera! She can run but has to keep it real that it is mathematically very hard to overtake Obama. Ironically, this is supposed to be called the Democratic party but honestly, the primary, at least this year has been all but democratic.

Florida and Michigan were disqualified. A ball hit out of the playing field is called a FOUL. Michigan and Florida were out of the playing field. Those points don’t count. They can have a seat in the mean time, but they’ll have to wait for the next game in order to count.

oh there is Erica….so far from the main desk

To Chuck:

The DNC does not proscribe primaries after March (there are still some 10 primaries remaining). The DNC did not want early primaries.

Anderson — Why have there been no polls taken in PA since the 24th? In THIS election that’s a LONG time! We got NC today but why no PA? I should think that would be tracked daily with all the controversies going on withing the Dem Party these days.

Anderson,.

Why do you not have the “behind the scenes” video’s on your website, a link would be nice…I missed some of them and I’d like to see them. Great idea…

Lawyers….Yeah!

Jill

Correction Anderson: Hillary has held a MID to HIGH double digit lead in PA, not a LOW double digit lead, like you said on the air…. check realclearpolitics.com

Anderson, you once again neglect to point out that all of these crys for her to get out are from OBAMA supporters!! Why?

Anderson, how can Larry’s guests Joe Klein and Michael Reagan be so biased to say that Obama is great politician? What has Obama done to have such a title? CNN keeps pushing the Obama compaign to new heights every day and trying to convince the voters that he is the next president. Please! How about being fair to Hillary Clinton!

Don’t undertand why it’s Obama’s fault theres no re-vote in FL & MI. I thought the states legislation/govenors decided not to hold re-vote.

Hillary needs to stay in the race–like you say “keeping them honest”

Isn’t it true that because Hillary is a woman the Dems are trying to bully her out of the race? I just heard one of your guests say that she feels that way, and I don’t blame her! I feel it just watching.

Obama is over-confident if he thinks his toughest hurdle is jumping over Hillary. Wait till McCain gets his teeth into him.

I know one thing, I am going back to the Republican party after watching how she is being treated. Through this entire race she has been disrespected, and this is the final straw.

Is that a dream ticket or a nightmare? Candy is right. There is no balancing between these two.

Yeah, Really Concerned America…
I agree with you….

I think Obama and Mrs. Obama would be extremely annoyed if they had to put Clinton on the ticket. If he has to put her on the ticket due to party infighting that will be really unfortunate.

The live web-cam is fascinating. If I had to be on the 360 set with a live camera following my every action- I would be a bit nervous and feeling like I am being scrutinized under a microscope.

Just wondering…does this live cam thing mean you all will have to behave for the whole hour!?!?! LOL

Well, if Hillary Clinton would agree to have 360 interview her or go out on the road with her, then, those bloggers complaining about bias on Obama would finally have nothing to say.

Cool webcam Anderson! Too bad there’s no audio though. I can see you!

Hi Anderson, I live in NC and I am so excited that our vote in NC will really count in this election. Why does everyone in the media and the Obama camp want to take this right away from us? A couple months ago I was very excited about the Democrats chance to take back the White House and I was excited about both our candidates. At this point, I have lost my trust in Obama and our party leadership. The party leaders are fools if they don’t believe voters like myself will vote for McCain in the fall. Hillary is not the candidate that is tearing the party apart. Obama’s lack of judgement is the reason the party is being torn apart.

Hi, everyone - hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

The blog cam is pretty cool, isnt it? Dont be alarmed by the delay — it takes a bit to get the video from the camera through the encoders and back out to you online.

Staunch Republican here with the hope that both continue to beat each other up for another couple of months…..however, why should Hillary step-aside? Obama doesn’t have the delegates to secure the nomination, there are more states to vote, and the super-delegates (the party’s own rules) can still be heard from. This ignores the fact that John Edwards still hasn’t endorsed anyone as well.

If I’m Hillary…..given Obama’s ‘Wright Problem’ and the possibility that Florida and Michigan delegates “could” still be seated at the convention…….I ain’t going anywhere.

Hi Anderson, Erica, wow, so much to do know with the show, the new behind the scenes camera and the blog… doesn’t that feel a little like 1984 for you guys, even being watched during the break? Great to see the show! All the best from Germany ;o)

Cool web cam. Candy’s right. The candidates don’t like each other.

Wheel? It’s on during suppertime.. LOL. Everyone is glued to the TV and in a good “comfort food” state of mind. No better time to woo a voter.

Can you clearify that Hillary lied about Bosnia

Hi Erica,
that is so cool for webcam………. that is good idea!

Candy, my favorite CNN political reporter, is correct. These two candidates, not only don’t like each other, they don’t compliment one another. More importantly, Obama supporters don’t want a disingenuous VP, but thanks anyway.

Erica: Yes, I noticed the delay on the blog cam, good thing there’s no audio, I’d be a bit nutso by now.

Hi Erica,
The web cam is very cool. It’s fun to watch everything going on.

Here’s an early answer on why candidates are advertising on Wheel, Jeopardy, game shows — not who you might think — perhaps it’s autistic children and their parents (like us… not your typical couch potatoes!)

Hillary should stay in the race–it is far and open–but retail politics will be on Obama’s side. Watch him to widen in NC and narrow PA before April 22.

Why not more coverage of FL’s Bill Nelson’s plan for “primary season and elctoral college reform”?

Slater,

Isn’t it possible that people are trying to bully her out because she’s losing?? Why is it because she’s a woman? When people were trying to bully Huckabee nobody said it was because he was an evangelical.

Anderson,

John King just said that if Clinton can win 5 or 6 of the next contests that she might have momentum. If there’s 10 contests left how does splitting the contests give her momentum?? It just doesn’t seem to add up.

Will someone please make the point that even if a candidate should drop out of the race, the votes in the upcoming primaries will still count. I am weary of hearing from the Clinton camp that certain Obama supporters are suggesting that they don’t want votes to count. It’s a cheap shot that plays into people’s fears.

If Hillary loses NC and wins by less than 10% in PA and less than 10% in Indiana she should step down. COnversely if Obama gets smashed in NC, PA and Indiana he should step down..

The media has been pro Obama so women are going to make sure this is not over!

John King and Chuck in Alabama: Where did you get that info? I’ve been trying to convince Anderson to let King show us on the map the states where polls are giving the electoral counts to Clinton, to Obama, and to McCain. I would like for Obama to win, but I’m thinking it has to be Clinton to defeat McCain in the big states with the electoral count.

There’s another reason for both candidates to not even mention the possibility of the “dream” ticket. If either Hillary or Barack hinted that the other could be on their ticket, and then didn’t follow through on that possibility after their opponent dropped out, the other side’s supporters would take that as a fundamental betrayal, a cheap trick to convince their candidate to drop out. This would leave the Democratic party infinitely more divided than it is already.

I live in Florida and as much as I would like my vote to “count,” I understand that neither Obama nor Clinton are to blame for our mess. Our wonderful state has once again screwed up large! (Thank goodness I am originally from South Carolina … )

Why did the Clinton campaign try to DISENFRANCHISE so many voters in TX this past weekend? There are numerous eyewitness reports that her campaign challenged every delegate (more than 3000 at some precints) in an attempt to prolong the process. Why is the MSM not reporting this.

Remember, it’s Clinton’s camp that’s pretending that Obama is trying to disenfranchise voters in MI and FL, when they are actually the ones trying to do this.

I am so confused by the way that Clinton supporters want “fairness”. If someone says something about Obama, they jump and say “What about Hillary?”

I don’t dispute the fact that she has done good things or even the fact that she basically wants the same things that my candidate wants. I do not want to vote for her at all.

I voted for Bill Clinton TWICE and used to say that if she ever ran that I would vote for her. Enter Barack Obama. He moved me. He makes me want to be a better person. I believe he can unite the parties and actually get something done. Hillary will be fought every step of the way if for no other reason than she’s viewed as a pit bull. Which I agree with.

Hillary is win at any cost and the end justifies the means. Come on Hillary supporters! Your candidate is still in it and has every right to be BUT if she loses, would you really rather support McCain who has views and agendas so TOTALLY different than hers? Do you think that is what SHE would want?

Support your candidate and when it’s all over, support the party. These two people have almost the exact same political agendas. They difference is who they are and how they communicate. How they unite or divide others. It is clear to me that Obama is a uniter and Hillary is a divider.

Prove me wrong Hillary supporters! Support who ever gets the nomination.

Anderson:

As a Democrat, I am not impressed with our choices for the Democratic nomination. Please get Al Gore in this race. He’s the only TRUE Democrat left that represent TRUE Democratic values.

I though USA was the land that believed in everyone having a vote. Why get out before everyone has had their chance to vote if its as close as it is.

Let everyone have their say. Is it any wonder some states wanted to move ahead their dates for voting.

Anderson..
Its unforgivable what the media has done to this election on the democratic side. To push one candidate over the other is reprehensible. And because of that unfair treatment-as a Democrat-if Barack gets the nomination-I will vote for McCain. Once again the Democarts would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory-congratulations!

Andreson,
Does McCain have problem with his eyes? I noticed he’s wearing dark sunglasses a lot and its not even summer yet.

Anderson; women, including black women, didn’t get the vote until 1920; they have been suppressed by both white and black men.

People need to stop asking Chelsea about Monica. That has nothing to do with her mother becoming president.

Agree with Slater. With a race this close, why are the newsmedia as well as the old boys club trying to force her outZ She could bring it closer and neither can reach the actual number. As a Democrat, we need a better process in the future. This is fuzzy winnings. How can we leave out big states that voted? Why are the Democratic boys allowed to push her out? This may be my first Republican vote. Not really comforting process.

Kim, Cool reference to 1984!

Hey, AC,
Love the new web cam!
I just fired off a letter to the DNC because the asked me for a donation. I told them to do their job and take care of this mess before they hand the election to the Republicans. This election is ours to lose and if they allow the continued acrimony to tear the party apart and hand the election to McBush, I am done with the party. It’s time to get real already.

Rhiannon in Little Rock

Anyone else wondering how much of Obama’s contributions come from “federal assistance” recipients?

Hi, Kim — youre up late in Germany!

It *is* a little creepy to know the camera is there and live all the time… but then again, we are surrounded by cameras, so I guess another one shouldnt make too much of a difference

Chelsea has been asked THAT question and answered it. None of your business is her answer! Asked and answered..period.

where is michelle obama? she seems to have disappeared since the wright contravercy. why

Theresa, if Obama moves you so much, maybe you should elect his speechwriter to the presidency.
Hillary gets stuff done. Warm fuzzy does not get stuff done. I would never vote for someone just because he seems like a cool guy and says a bunch of nice things that make me smile on the inside.
McCain would rip Obama to shreds in the GE. Clinton is tough enough to withstand anything the Repubs will throw at her.

GO HILLARY !!!! This “scheme” devised by the obama “group” will backfire - big time! To even suggest Hillary get out is just crazy - why should she??? Has he WON - NO!!!! they BOTH will need the superdelegates - and you must count FL & MI - then Hillary will win.
People do not like the general attitude of the obama campaign - thought he was going to be different . Nobody likes a bully and the voters will come to her rescue to show that, especially since obama has made his whole message about change.

Twice Chelsea Clinton has said “None of your business” when asked about her mother’s handling of the Lewinsky affair. She would have come across better if she had said how she thought her mother had held up well under the stress of having a philandering husband.

Hillary should just get together with John Edwards and make him the running mate for her candidacy……..that would instantly provide her with legitimacy for a continued campaign as well as the momentum that the super-delegates need in order to choose her over Obama.

Could your panel address the endless Florida / Michigan issue?

There’s so much blog chatter about Obama’s campaign not wanting these voters to have their say, or “allowing” these votes to count, but that just isn’t how it is.

But what the heck IS going on with those delegates??

Thanks AC

I don’t understand why would Obama think about addinhgHillary to the tickets, given all the negatives and access baggage she brings along; let alone it will be in opposite to what he wants to do: new blood; future rather than past. she is the past. time to hang it up

I’m thinking there is going to have to be a “dream team” with Clinton and Obama now. It’s the only way the Democrats can be united to defeat the Republicans in the general election.

Dear Anderson,

When will Florida & Michigan come into play? I think that it is so unfair that the Obama people in Michigan will not let them do a revote. They continue to block the process. And I think it is also the same situation in Florida. Please let their voices be heard.

It makes GREAT news to talk about an alcoholic doctor who worked under the influence!!! BUT, we are not talking about the real issue. Addiction affects 10% of the population, doctors are included. We are just as susceptible to the DISEASE of addiction as we are to diabetes and cancer. When we become addicted, we seek treatment. After treatment, we are monitored by state monitoring boards to ensure our sobriety. Treatment does work!! We go back to work, our medical records are protected through HIPPA, and we successfully return to work as sober, recovering physicians. Thats my story, and my patients are better off for it because I am sober, more compassionate, and a better person in my recovery. PLEASE look at addiction as a medical disease that requires treatment, not a moral weakness….

Robert, I don’t think the media is pushing one candidate over the other. The same road that goes north goes south - I’m sure there are people that are saying if Clinton get the nomination the will vote for McCain or just stay at home.

Sounds like another college student wants his 15 minutes of fame. Good job Chelsea!!

John King: Obama picked up another SD today. Allegedly picking up 7 more. Is this impetus for Hillary to at least slow down the rhetoric of staying in for the long haul?

Jim (Ohio)

Worked in Game Shows - the most popular ones draw a 33 share sometimes better so you have a huge audience base with an easy mild mannered host and a show where politics and opinions are not present. Wheel hits he broadest swath of working class wal-mart shopping America and works to a repetitive formula. That repetition and familiarity makes a viewer receptive to other information coming in - they’re relaxed in their evening routine (in the case of Wheel) - passively participating in the puzzle - so that part of their minds are working - its the PERFECT time to influence the middle of the road demographic, and perfect for PA and NC upoming elections.

Michael, I agree..though Chelsea handled the question better the second time compared to the first

Florida and Michigan broke the rule. You can’t have it both ways folks.

I’m a little torn here… on the one hand I wouldn’t want to be reminded of my dad’s extramarital affairs, on the other hand it’s legitimate to ask about politicians’ differences between what standards they say they adhere to and their behavior that contradicts it…. hmm…

Shannon,
Hillary is one of the most polarizing people in politics, she lose both houses just like Bill and nothing will get done.

Ron,

Its spelled c-o-n-t-r-o-v-e-r-s-y, and she has small children, and I’m sure being the great mother that she is, she’s spending time with them.

Obama and Hillary probably got a memo from big cheeses to cool the battle and harp on McCain. We’ll see

Nice little dance, Erica!

Anyone see the person who asked the question of Chelsea at NC State. Look very closely next time CNN plays it. It will make you wonder planned or not? You be the judge!

This whole 6 week delay in the primaries is so stupid. Everyone is worried about the Dems. falling behind in the general election, but in the past moth all the two have been doing is vacationing, bowling, and trying to get on Wheel Of Fortune. They need to move the elections all up because it feels like when this race started John McCain was young.

My little brother paid $55 to see that Wrestlemania event last night. Geesh - waste of money.

Rumor has it that Senator Edwards is leaning towards Obama, but Hillary and Bill are running throwing up obstacles to slow the nod to Obama or perhaps keep him neutral as-long-as-possible. Is this true?

Hey Anderson and Erica!

The new live cam is pretty cool - just a question though. Is there someone that could explain some of the things that are going on behind the scenes maybe in a blog post later on down the road? Its interesting to see what happens on commercial breaks and such, but with no sound sometimes its hard to figure out exactly whats going on!

Thanks for such cool interactive content!

MODERATOR: Jamie, great idea! I’ll work on that.

Hillary is crazy to think she can change the rules in the middle of the game. If she was ahead in the polls she would resist any revote in Michigan and Florida also. Everyone knew the rules before this started and everyone proceded with that in mind. Her negative ratings are up because she is percieved as a sore loser. This is America where everyone loves a great contest, but bending the rules or changing them is not looked at favorably. She will win Pennsylvania and a couple other states, but in the end it will be clear that Obama is ahead in the popular vote and the delegate count. That will seal it. Hillary Clinton will have to live with the fact that she choked, she underestimated her opponent, was outworked by her opponent, this will go down as one of the great defeats in modern political history. How she bows out of this race will determine how she will be viewed from here on out. Let the process play out, hopefully she will retain her respect in the end by being a gracious loser.

John in CA….nope. Neither one can win the magic number which makes us all wonder why Hilary is supposed to withdraw!

I don’t think it’s possible for any one of them to reach the 2.025 pledged delegates unless one of them starts winning at least 80-20or higher, which is not very likely…

The people of Florida did not break the rules. The Republican majority representatives in Tallahasse voted to change the date.

Ron - you can bet her absence is no accident. Despite the “new” politics, Michelle Obama garners negative publicity, so is being kept behind the scenes.

I think the race should continue on but they shouldn’t hit each other below the belt. They are suppose to be on the same side.

I’d hate to have Hillary bow out now when she’s used such negative tactics. I’d like to see her get back to showing how informed she is on the issues, how intelligent she is, because she is and has been the first viable female candidate. If she’s going to be the runner up at least she can go out in style, versus having people say, that’s why women don’t run for office.

Kim that’s the point no one can win — Unless they pressure Hillary to quit, and the News Media and the DNC is pressuring Hillary to do it so their hand picked candidate would get the nomination.

To Erica:

Erica you are the highlight of my day, even if i have to wait until 4am here in germany to see you.

To Anderson / The Panel:

The so called “dream ticket” with clinton and obama on one ticket is being discussed over the last few days again, and i was wandering if it realy is an option or if they just keep this option on the table to maintain peace in the party?

To those that talk about Hillary’s baggage? At least she has a verifiable, written history in public service!! So yeah she has baggage, A lot of it and most of it is good!! What is Obama’s written, verifiable history??? She is human and any one of us that wants to throw stones better take a good look inside of ourselves first.

I agree with you Yvonne, they should be on the same side.

Patricia: A Democratic State Senator in Florida introduced the bill and pushed it through. The Republican governor in Florida signed it. It was pretty bi-partisan.

A loyal Democrat in Ohio

Dave, you raise really good points, and i appreciate you posting.

I’m sick of the nominations being sewn up by the time Kentucky holds its primary. I think Hillary should stay in the race until the convention. I was considering voting for Obama until the Jeremiah Wright story broke. Keep fighting Hillary. Its about time a woman got the chance to run the country. She can’t screw it up anymore than men have over the years.

I absolutly love your show

AC360 Love the Webcam!!

I don’t understand these people who say they will vote for McCain if their candidate doesn’t get the nomination. Don’t they care at all about the policy positions of Mccain vs. their candidate? If folks have bonded so much with their candidate vs. caring about where this country will be in four years if McCain becomes president, then they are just following this primary for the “soap opera” effect.

No one ever mentions that Hillary has one the big states to Obama’s little red ones that will go to McCain in November anyway. Hillary has the big electoral states on her side.
People also overlook that she’s really not that far behind in the delegates, and if MI and FL were to have revotes, as would be the democratic thing to do, she would be winning.

Thanks, Daniel - that’s very kind of you

Where is Michelle Obama? Is she still pissed off about Bama’s wrap on Wright’s knuckles?

Chuck in Alabama. I am from Alabama and am not on federal assistance and have contributed to the Obama campaign. In any case, the ones that have contributed obviously believe in him and what he stands for.

I couldn’t agree with you more, Theresa. The Hillary supporters who say they would not vote for and support Obama should he become the democratic nominee is like kids playing a game of kickball and when one of the two teams is losing, they pick up the ball and quit. It doesn’t make any sense to me.

These people talking about counting the vote in Florida and Michigan need to either impeach the people that broke the rules or sensor them. Oh wait, they are people that endorsed Hillary that has caused a lot of this mess and now they are trying to spin it to be Obama. The DNC needs to take away there right to be a delegate or super delegate status for them disenfranchising the people of those two states. They should be outraged at there leaders, but then again there are doing nothing more than the person they endorsed except misleading(misspoke) the people of those states.

John McCain does have quite a past and I do think no matter what candidate you vote for, McCain deserves our respect for his service.

Ha. Jurassic Park 4 - subtitled Romancing The Stones 2 (get it, Jurassic/Stones)!

What you all have to remember is that this speech was given today in MS, a heavy military state, Columbus AFB isn’t that far, MS State is huge Sonny Montgomery and conservative, and McCain was pushing his audience. Which he should…

I totally agree w you Barry and the pundits have it all wrong as usual,
in my area ev1 I speak to says much the same.

Howard Dean is worst DNC chairman ever, I blame his shortsightedness in handling the Florida and Michigan primaries.

I have never voted Republican in my life but I will vote for McCain as a protest vote against the DNC.

And I will not change my mind in November. After all the mess was created by the repubs, let them clean it up,

I

Dave, Syracuse: You make some excellent points and add a perspective that many of us could not otherwise understand. However, I think the danger is in a physician that continues to practice while addicted. Do you have any suggestions for those of us who know of such physicians? Good Luck with your recovery, Dave.

Tony, there are Obama supporters who say they will do the same, or vote for Nader, which, let’s face it, is also a vote for McCain.

Why do people think McCain must be sick if he’s old?

If he’s well enough to run a presidential campaign, he’s probably well enough to be president.

do you know if your doctor is a diabetic? has had cancer? treated for depression? treated for addiction? Of course you dont. This is going to be a great topic of debate

I love listening to Mccain talk about experience. Experience is useless if your always wrong. Obama’s point is well taken, Cheney and Rumsfeld had more experience than anyone when it came to foreign affairs and have proven to be two of the biggest disasters in modern history. America doesn’t have the influence it thinks it does in Iraq, if it did then why was it Iran that negotiated the cease-fire in Basra and not the US? Its because ALL the shia groups are closer to Iran than they are to the US. Mccain allows ideology to get in the way of whats really going on, he doesn’t have a clue.

I agree that we should respect McCain tremendously for his service as well as Mrs. Clinton who has served us in numerous ways as well for years. different types of service for sure, but public service deserves our respect in all manners. I still can’t figure out why these people want these jobs!

How come most of the newscasters and pundits seldom question Obama about his lies?

Ny, Ca, NJ and most of the so called big states are Dem states and will go to whoever the Dem candidate is. We get the nominee by delegates not electoral college, Please quite trying to changes the way things are done or skew the number to favor HRC, she represents the past it is time to look to the future.

Barack Obama made his “famous” I don’t support the idea of a war in Iraq speech while he was running for the Senate in a state that was anti-war. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It was politically expedient for him to take that position at that time. That’s not inspiring. That’s not change. That’s political business as usual.

Ronni, you bring up an excellent point - I’ve also wondered if those who seem so angry about the chance their candidate will not get the nod are using their vote to voice what they think about the issues and who will best lead the country over the next four years… or if this is little more than a trip back in time to the playground.

That should be an interesting segment about McCain’s cancer tomorrow. I had an uncle die of skin cancer. I had no idea how serious skin cancer as a disease can progress throughout your body.

Welcome back, Aderson.

Love to see Clinton/Obama together. Obama can get more experence for the future. Otherwise, another dark age for the party.

Back in the beginning of the whole run, I was rooting for either Obama or Hillary to be in the lead… then all those, erm, conspiracy theories left me scared of Hillary. The sad thing is, who knows if they’re even 100% true. Seems really odd to be scared of a candidate just because of information that’s nowhere to be seen/heard through traditional news sources… but then again, I won’t even be voting in this one (being Canadian) so where do I go? I’ve avoided weighing in on this because of my being, well, such a featherweight on the issue. But since everyone’s digging into it, heck… I guess I should be happy should EITHER make it to the White House.

Hey Anderson, Erica & fellow bloggers,
Just one problem with the live cam, is that for some reason CNN has blocked Live Video in Australia & we get CNNI on all cable (we call it Pay-TV here) networks, so is there a way that this can be unblocked so myself & many other Australian’s can watch the live cam?

The fact that McCain and Clinton DO have experience which CAN be judged is important. Obama can’t be “judged” because he has done nothing.

First I am not going to vote for Mccain. Second I don’t like Obama, and don’t think he will be a good president so I am not voting for him. If Obama gets the nomination (because he is hand picked by the White Male DNC), I simply will not vote.

Michelle Obama has been out of the spotlight to avoid the Rev. Wright matter and because she still soaking in the fact that she has finally realized for the first time in her adult life how proud she is to be an American

Rick, when it comes to Repubs choosing between Obama and McCain, who do you think they will vote for?
This whole “uniting” quality about Obama…I really don’t buy it.
Of course people are rallying around him. They’re also rallying for McCain and Clinton. It’s called campaigning. When it comes down to it, people will vote on ideological platforms. Conservatives will not vote for Obama just because he’s inspirational, neither will they for Clinton, so I think this uniting quality is overrated and will not make any difference in the GE or afterwards. GW has divided the country so much it will take years to recover. Neither Obama nor any other candidate will magically change that in a year or two.

I sure hope this publicity puts the Doctor out of business.

oh my god that poor woman…..how can these doctors still be able to practice???

People seem to forget that there is a difference between the politicians of Florida and Michigan and the voters. The voters didn’t break any rules and didn’t have any say in the primary dates, but the DNC in its ultimate wisdom decided to punish the voters because it was mad at the politicians. They then say that Florida and Michigan decided not to do a re-do because again the DNC and politicians couldn’t agree. This decision will be very costly if they don’t correct it and find a way to accurately represent the voters of those 2 states.

Good for her for suing the doctor, although I’m not sure you can put a price on your health and getting the help you need. She needed a doctor to be there, not a paycheck due to his negligence.

Wow, one person talking about the doctors issue… Why leave it at alcoholism? Though I agree that alcoholism has much to do with this, I’ve heard of doctors (small community) who have performed under the influence, regardless of if they’re actually alcoholic or not. The question in my mind is: how regular is this practice?

Interesting topic about the doctors… my first feeling is that they have aright to their privacy just like everybody else unless they are not up to doing their jobs right. Maybe it’s more about better screening the quality of doctors’ performances in general than about substance addiction? There are more reasons for medical malpractice than addiction…

Randi: How many GREAT doctors are there? 8,000 in recovery and treatment out of how many?

It’s amazing that that program to hide a doctor’s drug addiction actually exists; how would they ever think that it would help patients?

My mother and sister are Florida voters who are extremely upset that their voices are not being heard during this primary. They have let it be known to me loud and clear, there will be a price to pay for the DNC’s actions.

Forget the alcohol addiction–this doctor should lose his license for good from sheer incompetance.

The story on healthcare physicians with issues are a product of a poor Credentials and Executive Committee at the hospitals they serve. I an a healthcare executive and this is an issue that should b handled within the peer review committees of hospitals. Even if confidential addiction issues, physicians should have no surgical privileges while in any treatment. Hospitals are at fault as well as the medical boards. I can assure the public that this is not something that I have seen in my 30 years of service to hospitals. Most know better than this.

I love the new web cam!! AC, are you cold? haha

OMG!!! What is that??? Those poor people!!! I hope they sued for malpractice! That poor woman! How could he just leave her like that and think it’s ok?

I agree w/ Dave. My fellow medical students and I are concerned about the perceptions of the public toward doctors. Doctors should not operate or treat patients if they are incapacitated, but they should be given a way to get better, not automatically fired. Most programs have very strict oversight by other physicians and by psychiatrists that assess the ability of that doctor to perform. It is a culture that expects doctors to be more than human that prevents them from seeking treatment, and that is the most dangerous scenario.

thanks rosie, we need to have more education on the disease of alcoholism among our future physicians. This disease is so prevalent, but we do not teach it in medical school. We, as physicians, do not know how to treat addiction or even identify it! Education is the key to protecting patients from doctors who are in active addiction.

So your new web cam. My new obsession.

I can’t believe this guy was allowed to practice….this is very disturbing.

Ok, I’m glad I’m not eating during the show, that poor woman with the pouch being her intestines is terrible….this segment is definitely an eye opener.

I have neither seen nor read anything that would disprove the notion that Obama is politics as usual.
He makes great speeches. He’s no different than any other politician, for better or worse.
The difference is Hillary is proven and can beat McCain.

I am looking @ you on the CAM now…please can you say hello to my wife here. She’s is always glued to AC 360 when you are on the air !

this is so scary…..im about to go under the knife myself for something i need done….i guess i will do a massive background check now of some sort…..and yeah i would love to know if my docter had a problem with drugs …….

Question to Dr. Dave

How do you suggest we make sure this type of horror story does not happen to us, or anyone else? Do we not, as a patient have the right to know that our doctor is suffering from medical condition that could comprimise our care from our doctors?

I understand your points, but this seems to be a real problem.

Well, Renee, that’s an interesting comment to “put it in perspective”. I wish I could just keep track of everything being said here!

I’m wondering why doctors should get a special treatment than other people, and why should their treatment being kept secret???

I notice most people stating comments for Hillary ARE women…what percentage of her voters are women vs men?

that DOC should be thrown in the SLAMMER
the Fuzzzz should get him.
and that pooor women who’s dying of cancer depressing really.

what if these doctors are addicted to something else? do they still get that protection?

the scary thing is, if I heard correctly, there could be as many as 8000 of these types of dangerous doctors on the loss at any given time. And again if I heard correctly, that was in CA alone. WOW. I wish there were better laws to protect innocent people.

I think this doctor addiction story is pretty sensationalist. I sounded off on the other blog, but there is something this story is missing.

Obviously no one wants to see those horrible things happen to anyone but I think the emotion this segment stirs up overrides real perspective & reality.

This doctor segment is so disturbing. As a patient, your medical records are an open book to doctor’s and health insurance companies to decide whether or not you get affordable coverage - yet there are actual “programs” out there that let doctor’s do this to you without knowledge? What happened to patients rights? How come the people of California don’t know anything about this program? And our state medical board goes along with it? Unbelievable.

Hillary Clinton and her supporters keep talking about needing to win in the big battle ground states and the disenfranchised voters in Michigan and Florida. But let us not forget that they knew before they voted the rules and consequences of moving up their primary. They disenfranchised themselves. However as a resident of the west, not a resident of a large “battle ground state” it is a hard pill to swallow to hear that my vote is not to count because I live in the west where supposedly Democrats can’t win. Why then is the convention being held in Denver, why is there now a Democratic senator from Montana? I think the Democrats should stop shooting themselves in the foot, and not give an inch. Try and win the west as Obama has done, don’t concede it then you do loose it. Her argument is simply ridiculous and it is a desperate attempt to grasp at straws. I’m surprised Cafferty isn’t having a field day with this one every day.

I guess one of the issues is - how well run are these oversight programs for doctors?

The doctor is quite disturbing. I think one has the right to know if their doctor is being treated for an addiction.

Anderson, Thanks for exposing these doctors. Imagine living in a small town where you get what you get because doctors generally don’t make much. The horror stories I hear in this town make me afraid to be treated locally.

Hal: great ?

Rick: you need to get with the program. The issue of electability is what will matter in the general election, hense the electoral college will, in the end matter far more than these primary votes. The general election (the electoral college) will determine who is going to be the leader of this country. Go Hillary!!

The fact that doctors have addictions is not the main problem everyone should look at. They are human and humans sometimes get addictions. What should get people mad is the fact that they are operating while under the influence. BTW i love the live cam. I am hoping to become a broadcast journalist when i graduate and im like a kid in a candy shop right now!

Hey folks Airline Pilots don’t fly if they are drunk so how should doctors be allowed to operate on a human being.

It is a real problem, and a common one. But so is the bus driver who is an alcoholic, the school teacher who is a drug addict. PLEASE look at this topic as a medical condition that requires treatment. Yes, I know many doctors who are just like me, doctors who became addicted to drugs or alcohol and are now in recovery, sober for years and years. Our anonymity is important to our recovery. Keep up the good debate, this is helpful for everyone

I’m horried that Dr. West can still practice. Alcohol on his breath? Unforgiveable!

WOW…how many doctors are out there treating people?

BTW, if I smelled alcohol on my docs breath, I’d write to the College of Physicians and Surgeons and get them suspended, or at least try to stop them from practicing.

LisaR,

I don’t understand your reasoning. If the republicans created the mess in Michigan and Florida, why would that make you vote for them?

As far as I can tell, both democratic candidates agreed not to count and seat the delegates for Michigan and Florida after they decided to move up their primaries.

My feeling is, once you agree to the rules, it’s not fair to change the rules in the middle of the game.

@Daniel: isn’t it a private thing if you are being treated for some kind of substance abuse? It means you are willing to get help and fight the addiction and most people wouldn’t want their employers to know… that is as long as their performance does not endanger anyone…

Erica, it’s not about a trip back in time to the playground it’s like Barry said early on in the blog. “A party that is trying to silence the vote is not a party I want to belong to.” Let me add that a candidate that doesn’t want a re-vote is not a candidate that I trust and it’s definitely not a party that I trust.

Shannon, you’re right true conservatives won’t but independents and Obamaicans will vote for Obama but not Clinton, she will bring out the GOP like nobody can.

It is really scary to hear that he is still practicing medicine.

Doctors have WAY too much influence over others lives to be allowes privacy when it comes to substance abuse. By no means should it be neccessary to scream to the world that they are abusing, but there is absolutely no reason they should be allowed to operate. This is ridiculous!

Anderson, I know the monitoring program in NY is fantastic. It is called the committee for physicians health. It ensures patient safety, confidentially, and protects the public. I can tell you all about it, but it involves RANDOM drug screening (trust me, truly random) collected by monitors, therapy, and involvement in the program lasts 5 years

Whether addiction is a disease or not, why are medical professionals not held to random drug tests like others to whom we entrust our lives? airline pilots, commercial drivers etc. What makes a doctor different from me is that MY line of work and what I do does not involve the life and death of others

ugh…Anderson, this is the most disturbing story I’ve heard. I love CNN for investigating this. It sickens me to think that despite all of the pain these doctors have caused, not much is being done

Took a quick check - apparently to respond to this story (Addict Surgeons), the California medical board website has linked to their Diversion Audit documents.

I would hate to see what Dr. West pays for insurance with all of these suits.

Mandated disclosure would be a breach of privacy… Why should it matter unless it interferes with one’s work, especially if it’s all in the past?
It would be good to sign a contract with individual practices saying that you’ll stay clean, though.

Anderson, As an RN in the operating rooms of three hospitals for 40 years I find it unbelievable that any doctor could get away with performing surgery under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any RN, or scrub tech that I know would have blown the whistle at the time of the procedure. As RN’s we are the patients advocate in the OR and in all hospitals there are mechanisms to handle these situations.

Why did they think that hiding doctors addictions would help the patients in the first place. Plastic surgery scares me, some of the tings that happen seem like they came out of a horror movie. Plus I’ve gotten to the point where I dont trust doctors, this is something that shows why. Its sad really.

i understand the necessity for a program like this… doctors are people too… but shouldn’t they put in place more precautions? like a way to stop a surgeon from operationg while he/she is under the influence?

Whats there to debate about revoking the doctors license?? The doctor practiced medical treatment under the influence and when he did that he took other peoples lives into risk, while it is his choice to drink or whatever other drugs he may participate in, it is not his right to do so when taking care of patients, it is absurd he still has his license and is still practicing and should be revoked immediatley

Anderson,

This is one of the sincerely sorriest stories you’ve had on it quite a while, along with the Walmart story. It makes me feel absolutely sick.

Can you please cover how people can find out what we need to about doctor’s.

Really Concerned American, I totally agree with you

Yes it’s private but they shouldn’t be allowed to practice either.

Kim, I believe you hit the nail on the head: As long as their performance does not hurt anyone. Is rehab the threat of hurting, or is it the time spent before actually making it to rehab?

Forging AA logs and fixing UA’s are standard using behavior. When I worked as a counselor with the criminal justice drug court system, you wouldn’t believe the things my clients were able to get away with (and they knew how to manipulate the system). An active addict knows how to play the system. And sadly, these people suffered for it. However, I know many medical and counseling professionals IN RECOVERY who help people heal every day. Guess what? My addiction is my private business between me and my supervisor. My supervisor will determine if I am not capable of treating someone. Not my patient. And outside agencies aren’t going to understand the medical profession (or addiction).

Sure, Doctors should go to rehab too, but, they shouldn’t practice or do surgeries. They should at least be honest with themselves. If I was a doctor with an addition, I wouldn’t want to practice until I was free from the addiction.

I think every person has a right to keep their treatment for addiction a secret. I am not condoning doctors that continue practicing when they KN