Good evening Anderson, Erica and all Bloggers. Anderson glad you made it through that horrible hurricane in Texas. Lots to talk about tonight with the Melt Down on Wall Street. A lot of people will loose a lot of their retirement behind this event.

Evening Anderson...

Looks like Wall Street took a beating today. I hope it won't take much more of one!

Cindy...Ga.

I thought my future was already ruined before today. Go figure.

Hello everyone

I hate to admit it, but I'm getting slaughtered. Thanks Bush administration! Thanks grreedy "American" banks!

Hey Anderson, good to have you back on your hotseat just back from Vegas celebrating my birthday and looking at the crowds there it does not 'seem' like there's an economic meltdown on the horizon!

good evening my loves. =) glad to see you safe anderson. poor wall street, insane. not wamu...

I'm not too worried about Wall Street. Your in for the long haul with stocks, remember?

Good evening Anderson, et al.

Gov. Strickland declared a state of emergency for southwestern Ohio today. At least 5 people died by falling trees. It was a wind storm we weren't expecting with hurricane force winds. I'm glad I got my power on but for others it may take up to a week to restore.

Hey everyone! Been waiting all night to see what's new and whether the media will start calling out McCain for his negative attacks and false statements from him and Palin.

Let's get it started!

As always, looking forward to a great AC360. Very interested in continued coverage of Ike and the topsy turvey issues of FEMA and communications breakdowns. Wall Street - unbelieveable !!

What to do? Who to blame? Here goes the blaming game, and all kinds of promises from the politicians. God help the Real Working Americans, with the hard sweat to keep the Country afloat.

Hello everybody – Wow – this economy is in the pits – How can anyone believe McCain can fix it when he has been the same as Bush voting 90% of the time! He thinks the economy is fundamentally SOUND. What planet is he living on? McCain's a dinosaur and not to be believe!

Hellooo Anderson, Erica, and best bloggers!!!!
Oh no!!!!! Wall stock going more drop today!!!!! I hope they won't ruin my money!!!! that will be more trouble!

what is mccain talking about: 'fundmentally sound economy'?

Many, many people are losing jobs, retirments, homes and their
way of life. I don't anyone that feels financially secure these days.

I hear too Asia market also down now big drop!!!

The economy is falling apart and people don't care about hearing punch lines from politicians. The sad truth is you reap what you sew. People gear change. If Obama loses it is simply because America is still racist, not because McCain has a plan.

Oh god, this worries me. I'm a college freshman right now, and I'm afraid that there won't be a job waiting for me in 4 years. Darn, I knew I should've become a doctor.

It was McCain's former Chief Economic advisor Phil Gramm that authored the deregulation that led to the credit card predatory lending. This is the same man that called us a nation of whiners. I have no faith in McCain's economic plan.

The economy is falling apart and people don’t care about hearing punch lines from politicians. The sad truth is you reap what you sew. People fear change. If Obama loses it is simply because America is still racist, not because Senator McCain has a plan!

Anderson,

Short-selling should be illegal. Or, at the very least, restore the up-tick rule.

The scary part is how the international markets are going to react over the next 48 hours. I'm crossing my fingers (there isn't anything else you can do.) for the domino affect to minimize quickly.

Hey Anderson, good on you for looking both campaigns ads and showing who's actually lying. I think CNN viewers are a bit tired of seeing Obama lumped with McCain on negative ads, when all he's actually trying to do is set the record straight on McCain's initial attack ads. We need to hear the truth, the difference between fact and opinion. Despite campaign spin, we can discern fact, and CNN should focus on this more than simply both parties spin. Thank you.

So, if AIG goes bankrupt, what happens to the insurance policy holders?

Tom Foreman just said both candidates want to lower taxes without stating that McCain wants to cut taxes for the wealthier citizens of our society. This tax differentiation bwtween candidates is seldom given by the media. Can anyone explain why? Thanks.

Whew.. what a Monday. At this point, all you can do is sit tight, especially if you are years away from retirement. I just felt so bad seeing the workers leaving Lehman carrying a box knowing they were let go. It gives you a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.

what scares me the most in this situation is that this will have a major GLOBAL impact; at a time of a global slow down instead of adding more fuel the economy to stabilize and reverse the slow down, we are pouring water on it – this is very bad

I agree with you Patty!!!
Most people are frustrated their jobs, homes, or cars and not afford to buy gas......

Since I have hardly any money in the bank let alone in stocks or 401k accounts, does today's drop really mean that there are even darker days ahead like Anderson just said? What if the market gains 300 points tomorrow? Would that matter ?

Everything is going down the tiolet.. where's our president? ... seriously... this is so bad...

We need someone in the White House who is going to bring CHANGE ...!!

There needs to be more regulation, in my humble opinion as it relates to Wall Street. In addition, where was the board of directors for Lehman, out for an expensive lunch? They have accountability here too.

Hello but there is devastation from Ike. Including my town 2 hrs. North. let's hear what happened, I just got power!

Unless something more dramatic happened in the wars, this campaign was always going to come down to the economy. Unfortunately it took a stock market crisis to draw in people's attention.

I think both Campaigns have been fibbing for some time. November can't come soon enough.

We have aig insurance and mortgage by wash. mutual. Did I hear that both are about to go bankrupt. What is going to happen ? What does this all mean to us. My family is VERY CONCERNED and WORRIED. Tell us something. Pleaseeeeeeeeeee !

AC – glad to see you on dry land.

the economy and the recent events should be the shot that obama needs. is he not doing a good job getting the message across or do people just dont care?

The Central Bank isn't such a great idea. What have we done to ourselves?

Patty, In the midst of the Great Depression FDR said America was fundamentally strong as well. I believe McCain meant it in that context.

dark days ahead... indeed???
What was that all about? It is true that we are in a chaotic time, but to forecast the political weather....

I am so sick of being lied to by McCain and his campaign. If Sarah Palin claims to have said thanks, but no thanks to that bridge one more time I will scream

Is there a Federal law that allows some sort of temporary control of the economy, analogous to Marshall law for policing? eg, can the Fed freeze all rates, prices, and whatever?

Is CNN just replaying the same clips of Sarah Palin asserting that she "killed the Bridge to Nowhere," or is she actually saying that line in a dozen different speeches? If so, that's just sad. A lie's a lie, no matter how much you dress it up.

Why does Palin keep repeating this same line when virtually every news outlet has debunked it? What is her problem?

Good evening everyone! Today has been scary. Worried about what's next.

I think the long haul investment theory. How many companies we are holding in our retirement/investment accounts that will be useless paper tomorrow? I'm very scared. Canada is very scared.

People loosing their jobs,their homes, the stock market took the biggest plunge in 7 yearsand now it's harder if not impossible to get a loan and McCain says the economy is fundamentally sound! Yea, I want this guy to be my president.

Doesn't Palin and Tina Fay look just alike? Gee~ I hope that is the shot! I missed it. No Electricity from Ike.

Am I missing something....Where is our economy fundmentally sound at? John McCain's pocketbook maybe?????

McCain has gone a little too far with his ads. They are insane.

Didn't even look at investments today. Gas and the grocery store were bad enough.

o.k. What is it with Sarah Palin. Does she believe that if she continues to tell a lie over and over that it will become true. Come on!

Obama criticizes Palin for the "Bridge to Nowhere," but the media is not telling voters that Obama and Biden voted for it as well.

Welcome back Betty Ann!!!!
I am happy that you are safe now!!!!

Finally McCain-Palin are being called onto the carpet for their many misstatements in this campaign. McCain's twisting of Obama's sex education ad was despicable.

Hi Anderson .good to see you after Hurricane Ike. First time I watched that much Hurricane coverage as storm came ashore. From follow up reporting pictures, I can't believe people didn't evacuate barrier islands, just a cat. 2. too. The coverage will help

Stock market is hurting, Wamu and AIG execs need to hunker down and find help. I'm surprised to hear Lehman couldn't figure out something Sunday, can they try again? To what extent can Lehman function after bankruptcy? Any?

Happy Monday, bloggers...wish the news today was a bit happier!

Palin hardly has a stellar record: When she became mayor of her 7 000 populated town it was debt free. She got a lobbyist who was able to get over 23 million in earmarks and she still left the town with a debt of 22 million.

I’m not sure one is lying any more than the other!

On Sarah Palin: I'm saying thanks, but no thanks to the gov from nowhere.

Anderson, the problem is with the people "we" put into office. So who is to blame? Voters and the politicians making the poor decissions and allowing CEO's to make millions of dollars while running the company into the ground. I pray we can get control soon.

Gas prices up, banks failings, this sounds like my grandparents talking about the depression years.

Hi Andersen, glad to be here.

If McCain and Palin lie at this stage of the game ..we don't need them in the White House..we already have a few liars there.

Finally. Let's get down to the truth. Thank you Anderson. Thank You!

Thanks for keeping them honest! Hard to get unbiased programming these days and it seems the other networks have made up their minds. The republican party has shamed the legacy of Roosevelt and Lincoln!

"DEMAND THE TRUTH" – We have all this disproofs, and still want to claim it's true. Thanks for your work, on all this issues.

I think there is a lot more about Palin that the media needs to uncover. A LOT more...

Exactly how low does the market go before it (so call) crashes. It looks like we're pretty much there. Doesn't really look like things could get much worse.

Lehman Bros, Merrill Lynch, AIG, etc. will the Ceo's still get their bonuses? We are all hurt by this and the tightening of credit and the drop in the stock market. Economists all insist that the basics are sound. But you couldn't tell that to the person who is paying 4.15 per gal for gas or who has lost his job.

Hello Erica, It has been a very volitile day. Hopefully tomorrow will be not be a jittery day on Wall Street.

I hope we don't look back on this day in our history books and mark it as the beginning of America's decline from its superpower status. With all these lies in the political arena, I'm getting more than a little nauseous when I think about the future.

McCain/Palin Credibility At all time low
Obama/Biden Credibility At all time High
Lies have no legs to stand on.

hello everyone!!! today was major downfall for our country...hopefully we can rebound!

Hellooo Erica!!!
Happy Monday night to you!!!

Why is there this unreasonable expectation that this campaign won't turn dirty. Every campaign since Jefferson vs. Adams has been dirty. In fact, compared to many, this one has been sparkling.

Do Palin or McCain even remember what the truth is?

OMG...that investigation started before she was the VP candidate and now Obama is running the investigation...LOL

Wow, they are paranoid if McCain's campaign thinks that Obama is somehow now able to orchestrate a state investigation in Alaska that has been going on long before Sarah Palin was named V.P.!

Hey Anderson~ I don't think they trust Palin to talk by herself. I can't wait until she does! hehe

Good evening everyone!

Sara Palin....yawn!!! Ok, if she has nothing to hide, then why not talk openly to the press? The whole thing reeks of something not good..

I like Tina Fey way more than Sarah Palin

Palin keeps lying and she will not answer any questions. She is being investigated for abuse of powers–and has told state employees that they can not talk to the investigator. She now says that she will not talk to the investigator. Is that double or triple abuse of power?

If Palin is as capable a politician as the McCain campaign would have us believe, why do they continue to keep her from answering direct questions from the press and the public?

JOAnn: The earmark was tagged on to another bill that they supported. These earmarks are often not a part of the bill when it is voted on but just put in.

How can Palin just refuse to cooperate with an investigation. Would Obama get the same amount of slack on dealing with a similar issue?

Thanks Megan and all in 360 land! i appreciate your well wishes. We are fine but so many are not!

First, Thanks to all of you folks at CNN for telling the truth, and giving the facts, and covering recent events.

I am very worried about the economy. I worry as to how far are economy will collapse. It seems that all the ingredients for a new great depression are present.

I don't understand how John McCain can stand in front of the people he claims to want votes from and say with a straight face that the economy is fundamentally sound. He isn't sitting in a house with a mortgage hoping to be able to retire in about 5 years while his 403B is with AIG. The Baltimore County Public Schools where I teach chose AIG as a safe company for my future. Is John McCain's strong economy going to cover the loss of my life's savings? I think not!

How can someone say they won't cooperate with an investigation? Even if she is a governor? Is that legal? I thought no one was above the law in this country.

Today's stock market plunge was rough, to be sure, but not as bad as investors had feared. The market will recover as our economy truly is "fundamentally" strong. Remember, the true measure of a country is not how many people want to get out, its how many people want to get in. Our nation is still great, and our people still 'survive' on a much higher standard of living than most other countries in the world. Glad to be here, and I look forward to the rest of the show.

That segment shows that the McCain campaign is absolutely lying!!! How can they get away with this??? Palin says Alaska provides 20% of US energy when it's only 3.5%!!!! This is ridiculous. Thanks for calling them out, Anderson. Keep up the great work, pal.

Are these polls really reliable? I mean how is it possible that McCain is running a dead heat with Obama with everything going wrong in the US and McCain running on Bush's platform. If he gets elected it will further cement the idea that either a majority of the people are just ignorant, or the media has become a complete failure in giving the people the information they need.

Yes! I agree with bloggers.....
McCain is too far his ads against Obama..... I disagree with McCain's ads!!!!!!

Neither candidate has made me feel like they have solutions for the economy. Let's face it- if elected they both will continue with the status quo. Im not poor and I am not rich- i feel I get lost in the mix with both.

The Republicans think they can fabricate the making of history and fabricate a movement of passionate Americans voting for change. I pray the American people will be able to tell the difference between a counterfeit and the real thing. Palin is a counterfeit.

@ Betty Ann....i second that. i'm glad that you're safe. i couldn't even begin to imagine what you went through. glad to hear you have power and are able to be here.

Anderson, thank you, thank you, thank you! So glad to see your team stepping up and demanding the truth from both campaigns. I am so tired of journalists abdicating their responsibility to make sure that we as voters know the truth. Thank you!

Has this happened before? This will only be my third election cycle. Have campaigns been this outrageously false in their accusations before?

This candidates are getting people to think twice before they cast there vote

TIme always tells and I am thankful that the media has covered this so aggresively since Jan! Maybe there will be more people that vote in November than voted in American Idle last year!

How on earth would the nation ever feel comfortable with John McCain taking over the country with this economy if he can not run his own campaign and hold true to his stated principles?

Finally someone is fact checking both sides!

Incidentally, the UK economy has officially been declared 'the worst in 60 years'. That was linked directly to the mortgage-meltdown in the USA.

What's going to happen now? How much worse can it get? This is not a problem for the USA; it is a GLOBAL calamity.

I don't understand everything about high-finance. I DO understand that a load of incompetent, greedy, loonies gambled with the pensions, mortgages, and investments of middle-class Americans, and LOST.

Regulate, regulate, regulate! The whole 'laisser-faire' free-market economy, that the Republicans (economic conservatives) espouse, is making THE WORLD poor!

It's always been the rule that politicans "stretch" the truth and pad their records. But with McCain/Palin, it is bald-face lying. That is what needs to be brought to the American publics attention. Thanks to Barbara Walters and the ladies of the "The View" to show the MSM how it is done.

Hard to believe that smear compains can work... Can't belive this could end up to be our pres and vp...

Hard to believe people actually are going to vote for him. Also hard to belive that Sarah not willing to cooperate with the investigation. I know his numbers are going to down.

Good evenning Anderson. Is it true Gov. Palin order her staff not to speak to the press when she was mayor of Wasilla?

Sen Obama and Biden...drive home tax relief ... use the numbers $250k for families and $50k. How doesn't want our grandparents to pay less? Most families in these "undecided states" do not make over $250k...drive the point home...

Wow Victoria you are absolutely right!
TIme always tells and I am thankful that the media has covered this so aggresively since Jan! Maybe there will be more people that vote in November than voted in American Idle last year!

No it is not equal.

Candee?? You are a journalist, don't tell us u dont know.
Considering the state of the economy, McCain had no business stating $5M rich,considering all the poor and middle class.

Thanks Mark. The truth, thank you.

I agree with Candy. Both sides have been less than truthful. I just don't understand why there is more outrage toward McCain. I don't remember the media, press, etc. caring when Obama claimed that McCain thought only people with $5M or more are wealthy when this was clearly untrue.

Why won't Sarah Palin give interviews/answer reporters questions and why is the media putting up with it?

I know for one thing, I'm not concerned or swayed by the ads on tv. Ads are just the sort of middle men and to me nonsense. I'm more concerned by what the candidate themselves say...

I am relieved to hear David Gergen say that the media has finally gotten angry and frustrated with McCain and his campaign of deception.

I watched Joe Biden out stumping today.....I like him alot. Alot more ideas out of him then I hear out of Palin.....I keep hearing the exact same things from her. How bout coming up with something new to say

I never heard of that EVOO thing either.

Love the head bobble Anderson – but Erica does it better.

Erica,
Wow!!!!!!! you're lucky lady!!!! you won..... I like your funny caption beat 360!!! Awesome!!!

Candee?? You are a journalist, don’t tell us u dont know.

Candy was trying to be objective and cautious so I don't fault her at all. She a great reporter.

Anderson,
I just don't understand how Sarah Palin can still get away with NOT answering questions from the media. Isn't this America? Aren't we supposed to be informed citizens who will choose the next president and vice-president?

Michelle you are absolutely correct. How can someone joke to such extent while the economy is in such a horrible mess. It wasn't funny to me. You see thats the problem with fokes who don't have a clue about the middle class, especially when you haven't ever been one yourself.

Sit back and wait let's see what happens? All darkness comes to light.

good evening

Tacey in answer to your question.. no we are not just replaying old video...Palin repeated the "Thanks but no thanks" line today.

Palin sounds as if she is in another beauty contest. Tina Fey has her (character) down pat on SNL. Her exaggerations and lies are just too much!!

Why give up free press unless you have something to hide?

Palin is asking to represent us as the 2nd most powerful person in the world, yet she won't even take questions from those she wants to represent. I would like you to answer a few of my questions before I allow you to represent me.

How could any trust Palin or McCain when it sure seems like Palin has been put under a Gag order by the party itself. Sure seems like someone has something to hide about her.

I can't believe she still won't talk to the media. Keep pushing this issue.

Thank you Anderson for telling us the truth behind the stump speeches. I am tired of all the same old lies they tell about each other.

Gary is such a fantastic journalist; I am anxious to see his report!

Anderson, please stay on top of that issue with Palin. How long can she keep on making these ridiculous claims that had been fact check so many times and was found to be absouletley false. If its never about the truth than what is it.

Palin cant hide forever and being that there isnt much time left till Nov it doesnt give reporters very much time to have a chance to do a real interview that would have substance.

I hope the victims of Ike aren't dropped off the radar. They still need help. Red Cross needs funds.

She is a politician. It's part of her JOB to talk to the media. It's very suspicious that she refuses to answer questions. She has something to hide.

wow the pictures from Texas are just insane.....prayers to people in Texas and surrouding areas

OMG all those families are now homeless – just awful

Thankfully, Palin is supposed to start taking questions at a town hall meeting this weekend.

Yikes, AC, I hope and pray that those people all evacuated.

"Destroyed" ? I'd say the are was "erased" .

How could people think that it was safe to sit out Ike. I just dont understand it. Its just so sad.

glad to see Gary Tuchman in one piece with a tan no-less

I'm glad to see Gary Tuchman out of the driving rain. He always does an excellent job in the field.

That one standing building must have been made of steel. I'm sure they're grateful its standing ..... but with no one else around... you now have to live like a hermit... my heart goes out to those who have such great losses.

I am surprised that CNN allowed Gary to walk inside that house!

OMG i just fell in love with the new VP, Palin's twin sister Fey. i will give my vote to them if she runs for VP.She's got it all together.

Thank you for reporting from Galveston. I hav e not heard any news as i just got power.

I don't normally live blog, but I just have to say this...those images of Ike's path of destruction remind us that global warming is real.

Hang in there Gary and crew! Your the best!

Last night the remains of Ike came through Syracuse. Winds only gusted to 60 MPH, but we lost power and my neighbor's house had a tree come down on it. I can't imagine if it were 2-3 times worse.

That is breaking my heart for Houston and Galveston......... that is so terrible damaged many houses!!!! Thanks Gary for coverage Hurricane Ike whole weekend..........

Its like a bomb went off and all there is just wood twigs.

Holy you know what... Those pictures of the destruction look awful. We won't forget Ike for a long time. When a hurricane is the cause for deaths in Missouri, that is crazy... My heart goes out to those in the gulf.

I thought someone was going to answer why that one house in Galveston survived and the rest did not...can someone investigate or ask how that one house survived? Did it have any special structural enhancements or what?

Oh my, those poor people. With the way the economy is, how will they ever be able to rebuild.

Wow! My heart goes out to the hurricane victims.

500000 people are with out electric power , nobody knows , when it going to be fixed

It is amazing to see this picture of Gilcrest, Ike the winds and the surge just slammed the Texas coast.

If not for the warnings and the evacuation this would be a much worse disaster.

Great reporting by Gary Tuchman before during and after the storm.

Thoughts and Prayers out to the people in Texas and Louisisana

Good night. Thanks 360.

Just wanted to thank CNN for the great job they did in covering Hurricane Ike over the weekend. My prayers go out to all the families affected by this horrible hurricane. It is great to see how everyone comes together in times of great need.

after being without power for 10 days the past 2 weeks from gustav... i know how those in Houston are feeling... but not how those in Gavelston feel.... wow

Love your show. Never miss it.

Good night Anderson Erica and best bloggers also Betty Ann!!!!
Have a great night!!!! Sleep tight!!!!
See you tomorrow night!!!!
Day of the shot with Saturday Night Live!!!!!! LOL!!!! they made me laugh!!!!!!! very funny!!!!

Tina Fey and Amy are perfect and I couldnt stop laughing. Hey maybe Anderson should guest host.

What happens to the employees of AIG if the parent co goes bankrupt on or before payday. Do they get paid??

Those Texas pictures are just awful. My heart goes out to everyone (USA & beyond) affected by the recent devastation...

All these comments about the market being “fundamentally” strong are a bit premature. We haven't seen the bottom yet and I suspect there is yet one last bubble about to burst: the american dream.

I hope 360 is going to be as aggressive about Obama's lies as you were about McCain's.

Ike remains knocked out power for ovr 600,000 people in Cincy. Gusts were up to 75 mph and power won't be fully restored until this weekend

Great show tonight.
See ya tomorrow! Good night.

I thought someone was going to answer why that one house in Galveston survived and the rest did not…can someone investigate or ask how that one house survived? Did it have any special structural enhancements or what?

Yes, alot of them have special walls that can fall away so that the house then sits up on stilts of a sort.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families...

Good night, everyone! And thanks for answering my question, Anderson!