Helloooooooo Campbell, Randi and best bloggers!
I saw Robin Reade on Healine news interview 3 former hostages men today. They are so awesome and felt great! I can’t wait hear from 3 former hostages to speak tonight.
Happy Thursday night!

Hello Bloggers

Hi Campbell and fellow bloggers!
I am absolutely outraged over McCain advisor’s “whiners” comment. How insulting! And to think, Obama is the one being called the elitist!

so we are whiners and are in a mental resession…..comments like that are the reason why people get bitter

Hello Ms. Campbell,
What is next, Whiners? Good answer by McCain on job prospecs,
Bless his heart on the Viagra question!

Hi Campbell and all. Today has been quite a day for McCain. His top economic advisor doesn’t speak for him, but advises him? ooookkay

Hey Campbell and Randi.

Man can you believe Gramm!? Talk about nuts!

Cindy..Ga.

These are two grumpy old men who have no idea of what Americans are going though why should they. Ones a millionaire the other one is married to one.

FYI, people losing jobs and homes is not mental. It’s real.

Hello bloggers! Gotta love politics! Whiners we are not. Gramm needs to open up his eyes and see what’s happening around this nation.

Gramm has been out speaking for Senator McCain for months.

How is this different from Obama’s spiritual advisor (Wright) and military advisor (Clark)? Surrogates on both sides have said dumb things.

I agree with David Gergen, He have good point and right the money!
John McCain please stop whine.

talk about raw politics indeed……McCain seemingly never wants to talk about anything to do with health care

McCain doesn’t want to face facts about insurance companies.

Great day for McCain, its not fair for insurance to cover Viagra and not birth control pills for women. It amazes me that a woman would even vote for him. Hee is to think about it. duh

Wow, that was one flustered McCain…

McCain looks like that question made him want to vomit!

It’s hard to see money problems when one has a lot of money to begin with. Those were “obnoxious comments”.

Hi Campbell. Hi Randi.

I don’t know why anyone is suprised by this “whiners” comment. The majority of Republicans have NO IDEA what everyday life is like for those of us who weren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths.

The viagra issue was funny. I’m guessing that he doesn’t have, oops I mean doesn’t want to state his opinion on this. I guess he has to review the polls.

McCain knows good and well that even if we had “choices,” insurance companies would continue to make sure birth control was heavily controlled by them. ridiculous. That was a perfect opportunity for McCain to show an inkling of support for women and he blew it.

Viagra is a personal matter as well. Why would he have not thought about it. He is definitely out of touch in a lot of areas.

Good evening!!

How can McCain not remember how he voted? It’s just like saying “I don’t remember if I’m for or against it”.

Seemed like he was looking for the teleprompter to help him with an answer.

Ugg, that birth control comment was a cop out. Of course both should be covered.

Wow, talk about putting McCain up against the wall. I would be uncomfortable answering it too, however, I believe birth control pills could be covered by insurance if they are required to treat some type of medical condition just like VIagra does.

Cynthia,
Right! I agree with you……. I don’t think I don’t want to buy viagra and cover for me. I hate this.

My wife was just laid off today and a close friend of ours found out her hrs were cut in half what was MCcain top economic advisor thinking .
His statements hurt me as well as every other hard working american.

Gramm is correct….and McCain doesn’t need to denounce him. Someone needs to define “recession” so that people understand what it is. I teach real estate courses and I have frequently asked students over the past 6 years what is the state of our economy. Many of them say we are in a recession, even when the unemployment rate was 4.5%, interest rates were very low, and the economy was growing at a decent rate.

I agree with the blogger Ms. Storm about how McCain doesn’t want to address health care issues. When he does they are superficial and don’t address some of the major problems with the health care system.

Will if he is speaking for himself, he really should be able to answer that question. Based on what he believes.

Good grief. It’s so clear that McCain can’t think on feet. Watching his town hall meetings reveals the same inability to express himself effectively. I would hate to have him involved in high level diplomatic meetings.

I would think it’s cheaper for insurance to cover birth control than a pregnancy.

I hope these comments by McCain help Carly Fiorna and other women supporting McCain that he really has consistently voted against women’s issues, such as birth control. He has a long record.

…but Viagra helps people who have a physical problem there not the same thing. I don’t disagree with birth control but like McCain it’s a personal thing,

I just wish insurance would cover anything!!!!!!but as a woman I don’t feel warm and fuzzy about either of these candidates. (bet a lot of men don’t either).

The viagra and birth control coverage discrepancy is just one of many problems with our health care system. This is a microcosm of the larger problem.

I realize that McCain got put on the spot about the birth control question, however, that issue is really not as important to me as the economy, the war, and other aspects of healthcare.

Miles, I was thinking the same thing but then realized it’s about his inability to relate more than anything. I think he’d be MUCH more comfortable and confident in meetings with powerful decision makers than the everyday voter.

I don’t think Obama was talking down to black people. This is not only a black issue, I raised my oldest daughter alone (not by choice) He didn’t want to be in her life and hes white.

Looks like the true McCain’s is being revealed! He is the elitist and very much out of touch the American people!

McCain looked like a deer in headlights…what happens when he is asked the real hard questions by world leaders??

Please, birth control is much cheaper for the insurance companies to pay for than unwanted pregnancies on their costs and on the governments for that matter.

Mike in Ny,
I don’t have insurance to buy something like birth control.

insurance coverage is a big part of our economy issue. McCain should be able to answer such a simple ethics/fairness question.

The Jackson/Sharpton crowd want to blame all the problems in the black community on the government or whites. Nothing is ever their fault. I’m glad Obama spoke up.

I didn’t see Senator Obama’s comments as talking down to Africian Americans - what he said is true and not only of AA fathers but this goes across racial lines as well.

I am anxious for a reporter to ask McCain why he voted against Equal Pay for Equal Work. I wonder how he would respond

Obama was not talking down to black people. Jackson’s comments were uncalled for. Obama’s tone did not change.

I don’t see that Obama was speaking down to anyone. He was just stating the facts.

Cindy…Ga.

I agree Cynthia. Obama’s comments were not talking down to AAs. It was a call to build up and step up.

Tired of jesse jackson never understood a thing he said but being raised in and african american family ,well it jesse so let it be .
Now the one time i understand him this is what he says maybe it was the captioning underneath.

Even Rev. Jackson’s son thought his Dad’s comment’s were disgusting. Talk about putting your foot in your mouth.

Obama is also treating African Americans as Americans and not a seperate entity.

Mike in NY,
Me too…….. I agree with you….. I am so glad Obama have to stand up for himself.

Sen Obama’s comments were right on the money for families and the role of males, regardless of the background. As an educator I find too many students with no male role model at home. Jackson again opened his mouth and inserted his foot. Even Jackson’s son had major issues with those comments.

After realising he was caught, Jackson should have explained why he was upset with Obama instead of caving in with an apology. He has a right to his opinion, doesn’t he?

I don’t think that Obama has been talking down to black people! These are some serious problems in the black community as well as all communities! Obama is not afraid to be up front about the situation! We need his candid honesty!

I think both pills are a personal thing, so either both in or both out.
But McCain handled the question good.

Hi Campbell, Randi Kaye, everyone. Calling everybody whiners, that’s nuts, but there’s a point in what Gramm said about America not being in decline that shouldn’t get lost.

Obama was not talking down to AA…he has made those comments not only in a “black church” but in stadiums and schools to every race that was there to listen. This is an issue that is ramped in many races and cultures. Not just the AA community Jesse Jackson was completely in the wrong in his comment.

People are really adding to Jackson’s statements. The speech Obama gave on father’s day was directed to fathers. If they are stepping up, great. If not, they need to examine why.

Hello everyone — Good to read your opening comments tonight. I was so surprised by the turn of events in the McCain campaign today — both by the Gramm comments (what was he thinking?) and by McCain on health insurance for birth control (was he thinking at all?) As a man who has been showered with gifts over the past 48 hours, Obama handled the Gramm issue well with his line that we only need one Dr. Phil in this country — and by another line that it’s not a “mental recession” when people get hurt paying for $4 gas.

I disagreed with my friend Ed Rollins when he said tonight that these stories are basically about GOP surrogates getting off message — they seem to me to be more about how the McCain campaign sees the world — but I agreed with him when he said that that was one of the most uncomfortable candidate scenes he has seen in his 40 years of politics. Many of you seem to agree, too.

Obama’s comments were’t only directed to black people; most of the divisive groupings are media driven. Remember Obama grew up without a father.

Jolene, you and I were thinking the same thing regarding Jackson. Right on!

I agree with Jolene. Whole families without Health insurance is a travesity to say the least. There are too many families without basic healthcare.

Susan, Rev. Jackson has a right to speak his own opinion and I’m sure he realizes that he doesn’t speak for all AAs.

People may think Obama was talking down to AA but I’m sure there are some stats out there that back what Obama was pointing out.

I agree Susan. I was hoping to hear Jackson explain himself, and not just say he mis-spoke. I am hearing every one else explain why he said those words, but it’s all spin unless I hear it straight from Jackson.

I agree with Norma, because these two men are far removed from the real world. They need to watch a single mother put $10.00 of gas in her car and hope that gets her to her job for a week. Also, I have taught school for the past 38 yrs. and this past year, I listen to more stories than ever of children whose only meals were at school. No dinner at home that night or no electricity was available, because there had to be a choice on what to pay that month-rent or electricity. Our elected officials are far removed from the working class and they tend to forget what it is really like.

hi everyone.. so glad you all are watching tonight.. so much news!!
anybody out there “whining” about anything tonight?? just curious… we’d love to know what’s on your minds..

David…..always great to get you on the show and a double bonus when you join the blog.

Randi…..oh there is certainly alot to “whine” about but I am a glass half full kind of girl so I am happy tomorrow is Friday

Jessie Jackson just wants some attention! It is so sad how sometimes we as blacks talk about how we want our people to progress and succeed but then often times we are the very ones that prevent it from happening by tearing each other down! Oh and don’t mistake my statement, I’m not talking about Obama! He was just stating facts and trying to help us to move forward!

Lots to “whine” about isn’t there??????

David, I agree with you 100% I think this definitely says a lot about how McCain sees the world. His surrogates are people that he surrounds himself with for a reason, especially in the case of Phil Gramm, who has written a lot of his policy positions.

David Gergen
it surprises me how our policy makers are so out of touch with constituents well of course with a struggling economy and uninactive govt, we have to whine.

EARTH TO GRAMM : the average american doesn’t make a senator’s salary. we are not over paid for basically doing nothing.

David G, you are totally on point about how the GOP campaign sees the world. It seems to me and I might be wrong but Senator McCain seems to have to see what his campagin people or the polls says before he can give an answer. That was a simple question - both should be made available - even I know that and I am not a politician.

David, well said. The whining comments and McCain’s own comment about the gas tax break being a psychological/mental thing. (Can’t remember the exact quote)

Jackson seems to think that a black President should be ‘payback time’. His sense of entitlement is disturbing.

In regards to Ms. Chideya‘s comments: What’s wrong with African-Americans accepting personal responsibility for their actions? Why does the government have to solve their problems?

no surprise Rove did not show up…..wish they could through the book at him

What difficult truth was Jesse Jackson talking about? I think what Obama was talking about is the difficult truth!!

Oh I’m definitely whining that McCain is not more in touch with the American peoples concerns! He already doesn’t know anything about the economy and mentions the gas tax holiday stating it will be psychological effect! He thinks the American people are just down right stupid and has no respect for us!

Hello David Gergen! The issues that surfaced today for McCain and how he handled them allows us to see his leadership capabilities. I’m not so impressed by McCain’s advisors, they don’t seem to be on his side nor are they preparing him for these kinds of situations.

P.S. It’s time for you to get your own little pic for the blog, don’t you think?

The way McCain responded to the birthcontrol question speaks to his thought process when it comes to women and their health issues. Why is birthcontrol a personal issue that insurance shouldn’t have to pay for, and male sexuality (Viagra) is a real health issue that should be paid for? Hmmmm……

If Imus would have made the comment into a hot mic, such as the one Jesse Jackson did, Jesse Jackson would be having a fit!!! As far as Obama talking down to the black people, I completely disagree. I did not hear him specifically say black fathers were abandoning their parental responsibilites. There are plenty of white men that need to rise up to their parental responsibilities as well.

Hi Randi!! I am watching AC360, of course!

“Whining”? Are you passing out cheese to go with our “whine”?

Rove makes me angry at the government. He personifies everything that is wrong with this presidency.

I think there is an underlying point to Gramm’s comment. The press loves doom and gloom. Things are bad, but they have been much worse in the past. Remember the stagflation in the 70’s? I think his point is that America is resilient, and we’ll get though this, like we have in the past.

David G.
I agree with you, people don’t have health care or insurance, they cannot afford to buy birth control or other things……… i don’t have either insurance, I have healthcare myself.

Perhaps if birth contro; pills were covered, we wouldn’t have to worry about so many irresponsible, absent fathers!!

@Jake: I noticed that! Great minds thinking alike! Ha!

that chess set is amazing
it’s beautiful

The interview with the freed hostages was jaw dropping. I can’t wait to listen to it again, because i could hardly believe it the first time around.

Carl Rove: Just another example of the Bush administration thinking they are above the law!

I am not surprised about Rove not showing up. But it doesn’t matter if he goes or even gets convicted of anything. Good ol’ boy W will just get him off the hook. Look at his buddy Scooter.

Is is good or bad that John McCain appreciates the humor of the question about Viagra, and birth control?

Rev. Jackson messed up, but he has a difference of opinion with Sen Obama.

I love that chess board somehow I understand it.

I agree that chess set is amazing. So much work.

The hostage situation story is amazing.

It is amazing to hear the former hostages. I can’t imagine how that must feel to meet your children for the first time.

Cool Chess set!!

Cindy..Ga.

i don’t care what he thinks but rove is not above the law.

This interview is soooo amazing…these guys are amazing…I don’t know how they held it together for 5 years…

Oh boy! Rove is big trouble……. he won’t show up for hearing, he isn’t obey to order to show up to testify hearing.

the chess set reminds me of Shawshank Redemption when Tim Robbins carves chess pieces. These three men are just so couragious

Glad to hear the hostages interview. They are a true examples of hope. Their words are much needed in this miserable political fist fighting season going on. My thoughts are with them.

Looks like the hostages formed some strong friendships with each other. It’s got to be tough for them. Being a hostage and living in the jungle for 5 years has got to change you. I wish them the best during this time of recovery. Fascinating story.

Maybe they will pick Rove up & put him in the honeycone and then may be will go in and testify.

Hannah, I thought of Shawshank Redemption too. Using chess to keep your mind sharp and make yourself believe you were someplace else was brilliant.

@ Hannah. Excellent connection with the chess set. The one thing that the then-hostages could not lose was Hope!

isn’t that hostage story incredible? imagine living in that jungle, chained to each other and a tree for 5 years.. not knowing if you’re ever going to get out?? not know ing if you’re ever going to see your kids you know you have.. i’ve interviewed hostages before who have told me they plan roadtrips in their mind to pass the time.. or they build a house.. a different room every day.. it helps pass the time.. i guess building a chess set helps too, huh?

Wow! They are so emotion, amazing together for 5 years. my heart touched…….. made me cry……… I like to say thank Robin Reade interview men!

I believe we have a doctrine in this country that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Rove has not been accused of anything so I think it is wrong to presume him guilty of anything.

As a mother, I am so relieved for these parents. I cannot imagine people thinking I could harm my child

I hope that they can use the data base to look at all of the DNA of criminals to see if they can find JonBenet’s killer.

Cindy…Ga.

Rove didnt show up and congress wont do anything , they could arrest him but they wont he get contempt charge run out the clock and get away with it again.

Hello again — last night’s comments should have been required reading for Jesse Jackson — and tonight’s should be required for the McCain campaign. John McCain is actually a fine human being, but your comments make it clear that tonight’s clips did him no favors. Bye for now.

Perhaps the instigators who accused the Mom of murdering her own daughter caused her death.. That sort of stress after loosing her daughter may have caused her to have cancer. It is awful that she did not live to hear the apology.

Are ”we the people” the whiners, or is he speaking of politicians in Washington? I am pretty sure the Constitution says that all of us as Americans have the right to voice our thoughts and opinions.

Ok…but wouldn’t the parents DNA also be on the clothes since they would have helped put her nigh clothes on?

Cindy…Ga.

It’s sad that Patsy Ramsey died before her and her family were officially exonerated as suspects in JonBenet’s murder.

Rove is guilty for not showing up. In many courts, that is seen as contempt.

The Touch DNA technique is very interesting. So if they have eliminated the parents, then who is the new suspect?

Cindy: yes, there would be evidence of the parents. but if there is an UNKNOWN trace of DNA….that rules out the parents.

Randi Kaye,
I agree with you. I felt that men are so brave together for 5 years in jungle in Colombia South America, I knew what they are so amazing men……… made me cry so emotion.

I think DNA samples should be taken from every person in the US. It would help solve crime, find missing children, and free the innocent.

DNA needs to be taken from everyone who has committed a felony!

Gary, we are not claiming that Rove is guilty. We are claiming that he is not above the law and must comply with congress as we all must. If he is not guilty, why not show??

Great for the new DNA but the whole case has been very odd to me.

Shelly: you make a very valid point. To often we forget these things in the politically charged environment.

It is amazing that it has taken this long for justice for the Ramseys.

Interesting point Toobin brings up about the DNA database. I agree, though, it would be hard and more costly to require everyone to have DNA samples taken vs. a fingerprint.

I love to see Toobin on. He brings his great mind and adds some great snark too!

Cindy…Ga.

Mike: I totally agree with you.

Mr. Gergen, i am a woman who took birth control for a number of years, and not for medical reasons. I never thought my insurance should pay for the pills. My choice, my bill.

Why not file DNA into a database for everyone at birth? Why not.

I completely agree that Jackson has the right to his opinion in free speech. The Constitution protects his right to do so. It just doesn’t seem to me that he voiced his opinion in the correct manner. The language he chose makes me cringe….it almose appeared like ‘locker room” talk.

DNA does not tell you more about a person than fingerprints. Big misconception. They don’t sequence the entire genome.

Why hide if you’re not guilty? Only the guilty run.

I am glad Ramsey are not suspects, they never arrest or accused or wrong arrest…. the DNA is very important to find real killer than Ramsey………

Jolene: they take footprints of babies…why not do it then? When do finger prints actually develop? Are we born with them or do they happen over time, like hard skulls and kneecaps?

Christine, depends on the type of insurance you have - some insuranaces cover birth control pills.

Great Christine, but not all women are like you. What if they have diabetes and it is dangerous for them to get pregnant. Just like Viagara they should be able to have it covered.

Amazing news stories tonight especially the hostage story. A prime example of how resilient we can be when the need arises. Chess definitely requires concentration and thinking skills. Excellent game.

Those hostages were amazing. I’m so happy that they have been rescued and are back with their families.

I agree, MaryBeth. They can have my DNA right now. Who knows…it may save me from being falsely accused of something some day. Can you imagine how much a database full of everyone’s DNA would deter a would-be criminal?

They truly supported each other out there in the jungle, gave of themselves in so many ways, that comes out in the different part of the interview.

Mike in NY,
You are right on the money!!!!! very important use DNA to find real killer or hide killer…….

I hope he cleared up the record that Senator Obama was a Christian It’s a shame that some people in this day and time even think like some of those people interviewed - we’ve obviously have a long way to go.

Oh my goodness, I can’t believe someone would actually saying something like that. Black man with change in his hand? He needs to get out and meet more people.

Man, those people at that baseball game scare me!

i dont even know what to think when I hear people say Obama is a Muslim…..just dont get it

Ok, I hope that person from TN doesn’t represent all of residents of TN.

Geez! I can’t believe that I Report. Actually, I live in GA so yes I can believe it.

long lines for a phone. yikes, these people have too much time on their hands don’tcha think?

Uhhhh, the only black man with change is with a cup in his hand? well there you have it.

That man gives Southerners a bad name….

you are born with your fingerprints, they develop before you are born. Even the fingerprints of twins are different.

For a database with everyone’s DNA you need a big computer in order to be able to compare and to file the data.

O now I’m so upset that someone in this day and age can be so ignorant as to say they’ve never seen a black man make change! That’s why this country is in the shape it’s in now because of ignorance like that!

I have seen that “bunny that opens envelopes”- it is a cute video.

@Marybeth: Footprints and fingerprints are basically processed immediately. DNA has to be taken and processed (kind of like a blood test). Although you have a great point at suggesting that DNA is taken when you are born, I still think there’s a larger cost involved to process DNA and keep them in a database vs. taking a foot or finger print and just filing it away in a folder.

The news tonight is blowing me away! Great job Campbell (especially since you’ve been holding down your show and 360)! Randi, you are always awesome, and David G. your contributions to the blog have been phenomenal! Keep up the great work! As always, thank you everyone for the enlightenment!

Stephie: thanx for the clarification..I didn’t know when they developed…so a computer database of fingerprints would be easier…smaller computer…less RAM…

Good Thursday evening..So a bunny opens the mail? Hopping to it? Good for him..Good work Campbell and Randi..Night all.

I always look forward to David Gergen’s comments. He provides an excellent insight into the everchanging world of politics.

Good night Campbell, Randi, best bloggers!
Have a good night!!!!!! Sleep tight!!!!!
See you tomorrow night!!!!!!!! I coulldn’t wait back to AC360!
I love bunny, it is so cute! I fed carrot bunny! day of shot!

Cute bunny! I’d rather them eat my mail, especially bills rather than the flowers in my garden!!!

Great show. Nite everyone!

Awwww cute little waskly wabbit.