Tonight, in a speech to joint session of Congress, Pres. Obama spelled out his vision to improve the U.S. job market. We'll have feedback from both sides of the aisle. Will his plan work? Will the GOP back it? We're also looking at past promises by Pres. Obama on the jobs front. We're Keeping Them Honest. Plus, breaking news on a new terror threat in the U.S. surrounding the 9/11 anniversary. An official calls the threat "specific, credible but unconfirmed." The source also saying that New York and Washington were mentioned as possible targets – the same cities hit 10 years ago.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
|
Filed under: Live Blog |
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Michele Bachmann's response is too predictable–doesn't really lead anywhere.
Good Night everyone.
Hopefully those in the hotter areas of Southern California and Arizona find somewhere out of the heat!
Good Night Everyone! "Great discussion!"
Last night debate candidates didn’t answer many direct question
I thought they did. Perry was very direct; debates offer little time to address anything in detail. Also, there are always too many in the debate for everyone to have sufficient time.
Thank you & good night Anderson & Team360. (I hope the blog will continue later at the 10pm show).
Good night fellow writers – great conversation tonight and finally some hope (possibly).
Excellent analysis with All panels!
I am very disappointed in Michele Bachmann
Interesting that the focus was on her tonight instead of the frontrunners. Very interesting strategy. Good luck with the electricity; just had that problem several hours a few days ago.
The heat is actually dangerous in areas over 100 degrees. I have major concerns for those people.
Understand. It was 103 when ours went out.
The whole thing sounds like the old saying," Put all the economists in the country end-to-end and they still wouldn't reach a conclusion."
We are Not going to save the economy with just spending cuts. Increased taxes for those who can afford it, tax breaks to small business who really need it and so many other actions Will add up to a Recoveryl.
I believe that most Americans Want to help. However, what they defintely Don't Want is to see their tax money wasted on things like a "bridge to nowhere" or private airports for use of members of Congress.
Bachman & other rep. candidates are negative, negative, negative!
You are so positive. Good for you, Starr. That's what we all need. Be positive and let's all help this economy recover.
Hopefully the infrastructure would be our much needed electric grid across the country that is in much need for repair/replacement
Excellent point Nina with the news that CA, AZ are presently not receiving power!
No one was more negative than Obama was toward Bush. This goes with the game; unfortunately, it is much that–a game.
Good night Anderson! Sweet dreams. Good night Everyone!
I was very delighted to hear that we will be putting many people to work on our infrastructure. That is exactly what happened in the depression. Roosevelt placed 11 million people to work which was one of the major factors that helped us out of the depression.
Good Evening everyone.
We have had a major power outage from major ports of Southern California all the way to Arizona. Talk about "hot"
The weather was slightly cooler today than yesterday.....thank goodness!
Hi Nina!!!!!
Hang in there, Our prayers & thoughts with you!!!!!! I hope you keep safe and take care yourself!!!! 🙂
Thanks Megan. It was almost 100 degrees at work and dark before they let us go! lol
The amount of debt is scaring me.
Good discussion on the jobs plan, Anderson.
I have not heard anyone discuss how the Social Security fund (including Medicare Payroll tax fund) will make up for the loss of revenue caused by a payroll tax holiday or reduction. Is this not essentially kicking the can down the road? Even if it is a different highway?
I have been thinking the same thing for the past year. That one is difficult to understand. No increases for seniors on SS, but break for those paying into it.
Yes!!!! Good point there, Cathy!!!
I like Jay Carney
Vic,
Me too....... Jim Carney is best one of press secretary I have seen his!!!!!!!! 🙂
Do I dare to hear that Reps might want to work toward getting something passed? Oh I hope so.
Possibly if he has a plan as to how it will all be paid for. It seems he wants to work with Republicans as well.
Jobs – don't we need a demand for USA goods or services first? it's like what comes first the chicken or the egg. Seems confusing when they make everything so complicated. Smoke and mirrors?
I think we have a great demand in the USA for better maintained infrastructure including roads, ports, rail and utilities.
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with that, but will it be a long term solution. We have to think beyond the politicians election cycles and will it provide enough good paying jobs? I'm on board with Obama, just have questions about the long term solution.
It is hard to think about what has to come first when so much has collapsed. Might be able to use an emergency triage way of thinking where we have to stop the profuse bleeding first, then can look at how to get the person totally well and back on their feet.
I am a Canadian, and can realize that the economic woes of the world are not President Obama's fault. He is trying to keep the economy from a great depression. Just suceeding in that alone should make the citizens realize that is a huge achievement. The economy will grow over time, and it can grow faster with money injected by government. More jobs means more taxes for govt. in which case they will be able to pay down the deficit. WISH WE HAD OBAMA HERE FOR OUR PRIME MINISTER. By the way, we have government health care, thank goodness. Everyone here has right to health care, and you don't go broke because of ANY health problems
Thank you for your post Colleen. It's good to see it from your perspective. And I wish we had health care available to all. Another thing our President tried to get done but was met with a stone wall (made of lobbyists who threw huge money around)
As a former member of the military; I'm wondering if this power outage in california and Arizona could have to to do with a terrorist attack. This is just the kind of thing they like to do, especailly in the so called "West" of the United States, we couldn't be be expecting iit there. God, I hope not. This could be a major problem with a main feed that has been tampered with in some way....
I simply like the fact that tonight the Republican party "shot themselves in the foot." By not formally responding to the speech, the President had the last word. It is time for both Parties to go to work!! I'm very happy with this speech and I actually optimismistic that something will be done and our government will function as it should. The speech was NOT a joke to me, it was a leader leading.
I don't feel they shot themselves in the foot in any way. By not responding, most likely it was a sign they wanted to work with him given that responses from either party are always filled with points of disagreement.
A lot of the things he is promising now are things that should have been done a long time ago.
I am 100% with President I can buy or start a small diner and hire 5 to 10 people
That is my retirement plan own a small business
Than underemployed I glad to be self-employed its help nation economy
Good for you Vic. We need hundreds more like you!
Yay!!!!! Good for you!!! I am proud of you, Vic!!!!!
Yes Gloria. Game on!! Independents are just as upset with congress as everyone else. I think they will interpret this speech and the general outline of the plan as reasonable and needed. If they get behind it, it's another 4 years for Barack Obama. When he "takes it on the road" he is always at his best.
Love your post, Sharon. I Am an Independent voter and i have been extremely discouraged by much of the Tea Party's philosophy & the Rep's who went along with them on the debt ceiling.
I'm basically a centrist. The President's speech made "sense" to me. Of course, i Do want to see the facts (how we are going to pay for this plan.)
Regardless, i am sincerely encouraged by Obama, who, up to now, has, in my opinion, has been a disappointment especailly regarding the economy.
I think you can go out to the White House web site and read more specifics on the jobs speech if you need to know how he's going to pay for it. He said it wouldn't cost us anything. Do I believe him – more yes than no, but not 100% if that makes any sense.
GO President Obama! What an excellent speech to every American. Shame on any congressman who does not vote for this Jobs Bill -you will suffer at the polls next year. Americans are tired of this 'no tax' promise and holding us hostage to extremes. This President just showed us the leader he truly is.
I as one American am tired of everyone pointing to the wealthy (which I am not) to foot the bill for everyone else. We should really ask why half of us pay no federal income taxes. Some loopholes for them also need to be closed.
Its about share not about their wealth
Yes, and everyone needs to contribute some "share."
Ok good so its has to in proportion
The tax rates have always (at least for all the years I have paid) been in proportion to income.
After tax loop hole proportion doesn’t have any meaning
The tax structure we have is really bad. I wonder how some people can fill out the forms every year. I imagine alot just give up and fill out the EZ form. I'm all for restructuring the tax system.
Ann,
I agree with you....... That's right, Shame on Republican Congressmen who keep their money as hostage!!!!!
Greetings everyone,
The credible terror threat for NY/DC is horrible news – praying for the safety of everyone in NY/DC and that the efforts of the terrorists come to naught.
This speech is not old same speech it has more substance
Let's see now, President Obama is calling for new jobs... very credible and honorable... However, insofar as the housing industry is directly responsible for in excess of 22% of every job right here in the good ole' US of A, why does he continue to ignore (or is that refuse to address) the housing crisis.... wonder if he first needs the permission of the Wall Street lobbies... spineless...
The new terror threat is very disturbing. I think the threat level should be raised if only for the heightened focus on 9/11 during these days surrounding the tenth anniversary.
Paula,
Yes, It is..... Very disturbing indeed........
I think that the presidents plan is great for the country and it's not just democrat or republican.I really wish that the media would stop trying to pit republicans against democrats ,it's bad enough for most americans.Maybe if the media would be on a more positive note maybe people would'nt feel so down about a possible compromise.The president was bipartisan,and america needed the boost of confidence that he brought tonight..
John Mc Cain is right on housing market many underemployed want to move for good jobs but can’t sell their house and hard to rent we tried we may lose 30 gram and credit score
Alot of states in the West had a huge building boom. Sen. McCain is right. Property values are way down where I live.
Our President delivered a great speech! It's time for congress to put the American people first and act now to pass the Jobs Bill
Hellooooo everyone and Anderson!!!!
Thanks for coming in for join us tonight! 😀
That's right president Obama!!!!! I agree with him!!!! Wow!!!! New terror????? Hmmmmm.... I am not worried at all, We are safe for now!!!!!
Great speech (I'm a moderate...not a dem). Positive, good ideas, willingness to work out problems, get people back to work. So I guess Congress won't like it.
Tina,
Yes, That's good point there..... It is republican Congressmen and women don't like his plan......That reason is no one knows how we have lot of problem our economy right now. 😦
RE: free trade bills. As far as i know, they have been submitted to Congress and have just "sat there" for the last almost 3 yrs.
I truly respect John McCain, and agree that the housing problem remains Huge. I have 3 friends who have lost their houses and my little sister is struggling to keep hers. It is a problem that needs to be addressed.
God bless him for his continued efforts at bi-partisanship.
I think a very good speech. Need specifics, what will it add to deficit if they dont find more than 1.5T in savings by Christmas. Is there something in place that makes sure they find more to pass the bill? Will wait to hear the specifics and hope he releases those to decide if I support the plan.
I think (not completely sure) that the President said something to the effect that he has people auditing the Fed. gov. in an effort to weed out truly ancient and un-needed programs. If that's the case, it's my guess we could save many billions and perhaps more.
I agree with that – maybe even trillions, really. But when and how long will that take and is that part of the plan to force that to happen and what is timeline. I like what he said – I really did. I think it sounds good overall – strong ideas – just wondering more about the specifics of the bill he is proposing.
Infrastructure will become important to businesses that can't get their products to market quickly and efficiently.
You can bet they are hot on the trail of those 2 trucks right this minute.
Classified? There are probably 100 people out there that may have seen something that didn't seem right to them but they just don't know they should be suspicious.
“They don’t have the luxury of waiting fourteen months.” Best lines best moment
You can say that again. People are stocking up on dried beans not skipping dinner out. I think it's getting to the point were what you eat for dinner not where you eat dinner is a fact of life. What food provides most protein, etc.
I loved it too Vic. And so very true.
That was one great line and Truth of many in the President's speech, Vic.
Of course, as we could see with Alex & now the othe Rep. panelists the "spin" and talking points are at the ready. I couldn't believe Alex C.'s negativity.
There's two sides to everything. A CEO of a small company was recently interviewed and said he had three people cancel their interviews for employment the day after the unemployment benefits were extended. Apparently they did have 14 months to wait.
Americans love to work, work come home play with kids that is great pleasure in the world
May be that CEO didn’t want to hire
Who pass back round check got jobs from us people are begging for jobs
A CEO would not schedule interviews when he is not hiring; simply too busy for that. The people canceled. We are naive if we think some would not prefer the unemployment money over a job.
Good evening every one
After president speech breaking news about terrorist threat we have to take seriously
In regard to terror threats, why don't they release descriptions, etc., more specifics to public? We're all interested in protecting our security.
Good evening Anderson & Team 360.
Hello blogger friends!
WOW – what a speech that the President gave!!
WOW – now we have a "credible" threat to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11! I sure am glad that our intelligence services are "on top" of the situation.l
Starr,
I agree with your comment!!!!!! Good point there!!!!!!!
Hello everyone.
Obama's speech was great. I watched tweets and getting a very positive response from the trends I was watching. He's got alot of believers out there. Just need Congress to get off their backsides and start fighting the economic war on unemployment. Go team USA.
I'm Glad to hear that the tweet world is responding Positively to the President's speech. I know i was Moved. It was a frank, if not blunt call to Congress to Do Something for the American People! Yes!
Me too Starr. I think he revved up his base (that's me) and good to hear John McCain being somewhat positive. I have to have some hope that congress will do something. Otherwise it's just too depressing to think about.
Yes, Sharon, the speech was excellent and exciting and Positive – something that so many Americans need to hear right now – a plan & positivity!
I am also encouraged by Sen. McCain (who i have a great deal of respect for). I am also encouraged to hear the Boehner & Cantor felt that they could pass some of the President's plan.
I am an Independent and a centrist. I am also, hopefully logical. I believe the President right now – it made sense!
The threat level is always high in New York!
Gloria,
Yes, We do!!!!!!! I hope not get warning without our knowledge as well.
Good evening everyone. I hate to hear of the recent terrorist threat but not surprising around the anniversary of 9/11. I pray this will not happen. Happily though, hurray for the President for a wonderful speech. Let's hope a plan can be passed quickly that will help the country.
Yes, Sharon, i agree re: 9/11 threat. But i know i am encouraged that the intelligence services are on top of this so hopefully Nothing will happen. That is my prayer for NYC & WA DC (or anyother city in our country).
I'm so excited over the President's speech!
Anderson,
Hi! It's great to see you on.
Very good speech from Pres. Obama. I hope the jobs plan will be given a chance to be effective.
Good Night Everyone! Greetings!