Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 2/5/09
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The only reason this stimulas package has to be passed by Feb 16 is that Pres. Obama knows the more the American people learn of it the less support it has. $1 trillion in a week that would be $52 trillion in his first year in office. I think not.
I thought I had heard that the Dems were at a 5 star resort for a few days on the taxpayers money. I think that they are trying to push this package fast before people really know what is in it.
I think it is criminal that the Congress is insisting on holding onto the pork at the expense and suffering of the taxpayers.
What we are seeing is the difference between democracy and dictatorship as between the stimulus plan China "announced" and the stimulus plan that is being wrangled on the floor. Not sure which I'd pick if I were an American about to lose his or her job.
How disappointing. We are hurting and they are playing politics with our lives. Does anyone care about the ordinary American?
Obama is well liked...but the man has lost a ton of credibility with Pentagon-Lobbyist and the tax dodging Cabinet appointees. His speech tonight was a big mistake.
He's not a tough guy. He shouldn't try to act like one.
I really think Obama wants a solution I just wish all of the House would stop their ego trips and arrogance to get it passed!
Obama made an effort of mammoth proportions in his attempts to get the republicans on the same page, to get them to drop their partisan politics, it is about time that he showed them who is the commander in chief, elected by the people to fight for their rights...yes, some of the things in the stimulus package should definitely be dropped, but take into account that overall this is a small percentage of the whole package and in all truth being pushed by Pelosi and others not Obama
Go Obama – It was time he gave the speech. I am tired of the partisanship in Washington ! Enough already – Tell these politicians to wake up and look out of the Beltway. The Republicans are never going to let Obama have his day in court. As for the press – well they just love to tear down the statue no sooner than it has been erected.
Fed up with them as well. Give the man a chance – We NEED change.
I believe it starts with the mortgage crisis that were in .Prez Obama needs to look at that.i,m not spending because I have to save for my mortgage payment every month.
Greetings to all! As our new president said He was handed this 'gift' when he took the job!! And how many republicans whined when Bush had hundreds of pages of a bill to pass, did they whine about spending then?? I THINK NOT!! Let our president help us for gods sake .They should grow up!
Oh my goodness! That was an awesome comment! What do suppose a stimulus is?! Of course its spending! That's how you stimulate an economy...and I'm surprised some of our lawmakers don't know that!
This stimulus package needs to pass. The time for political agendas taking precedence before the needs of the nation is over. The stimulus package is indeed moving fast, but as President Obama says, it is out of neccesity. America is in crisis. Action must be taken. At the end of the day, there will undoubtedly be some money wasted in the stimulus package. But if it saves the economy, is that really an issue?
To the question is Congress moving to fast on the stimulus plan:
Answer: Not fast enough to slow down the the thousands of layoffs, (626,000 employees now on unemployent), lost homes, lost health care of families.
Congress: Get moving with the stimulus plan or lose the confidence and trust of your contituents.
How can Congress complain about AIG when they take a retreat during a time of crisis? Who is paying for their trip? They should be in Washington earning their money, and solving this problem.
republicans are crying out, president turned his back on them, but they did it to him, before he even started to extend his hand. republicans need to show bipartizanship, they have lost the election.
Yes Obama IS a fast learner. I don't imagine that anybody walks into the office knowing how to "president". I'm feeling more and more confident now as Obama learns and adapts to his changing environment.
I think we are moving to fast on this stimulus package. I say we because it is America's money not just the government. I really don't see how this bill will create jobs. I just hope someone making up this spending spree knows what they are talking about. There are so many conflicting reports it makes your head spin. I think they are scaring everyone into this bill and we need to take a deep breath, and think about what the heck we are doing. If I ran my household like the government runs the budget, i would be in line for a handout!!!
I think the Republicans need a big shot of humility. They had their chance and they FAILED. They ought to admit it and back down. We need to stand behind Obama. Who else is left to trust?
The Republicans want this to fail, because the President came in popular.
I don't think the speed of the bill is the important issue. It's the content of the bill. As it stands it's a spending package not a stimulus bill.
If Obama thinks it's great then pass it and accept responsibility for it.
It's pretty hard for President Obama to make a bi-partisan speech when Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and others seem to be dead set on derailing Obama's attempts at being bi-partisan.
Obama is talking to dems and reps. He has reached out, attempted to gather input. They just whine. He's working to get something done. He's not namecalling, etc. I agree with the rest of you: The senate is not listening!! Keep at it Mr. President. Anderson, David, Joe Johns-thanks for the reporting, coverage and helping us figure this out!!!
I hope Obama continues to use a public forum to keep the people who make up this great Republic informed.
obama is right we need bail out the economy. but he should also say to the american people that this will be the last time the government will help.
It seems like Rep's may be testing Obama? He is going to need to keep the heat turned on because if he can reach average voters with his message, you can bet those voters will reach their representatives. Obama is literally taking the fight to main street now.
The republicans say they want more tax cuts. Currently most business books are in the red and laying off workers. The trickle down ewconomics of the past was never very effective for the middle class and especially now when any tax cuts business will use to balance there accounts and not create jobs or expand. They are using the American people as a pawn to rebrand themselves as fiscal conservatives. Where was this fiscal responsiblity during the last eight years
Anne- I agree with you! The fact that he admitted to it was enough for me. HAd he hid behind the camera lens and denied that it was him in the picture, I would have felt differently. But he didn't, he said he was wrong, now people need to move on!
What some are refering to as pork is really saving jobs. This package should not only create new jobs but atleast minimize the lost of already existing jobs. If one gains a job and one loses a job where is the stimulus? He has fund in there for states to maintain teachers, firefighter, EMT, etc... The republicans are refering to this as pork. Is that pork?
Hi Anderson et al...
It would be great if you showed more excerpts of Pres. Obama's speech earlier today. He made a very compelling case and pretty much rebutted every fallacious point the hyper-partisan Republicans have been making over the last several days.
I find it really important to give the President the opportunity to speak directly to the people.
Finally this is what I've been waiting to hear from Obama!..... Repub's were given an extremely fair shot... and they decided to play screwball with it.
I cannot believe that the stimulus package contains repairs to
golf courses and replacing club houses. This does not help
folks without house who cannot afford to play golf (even tho I like golf).
The pork is staggering and there has not been thought to this bill.
I think US risks a bleak future with the attitude show by President and politicians. Only way to come out of this mess is Govt to invest on infrastructure and give complete tax break to manufacturing companies who invest. Invest heavyly on agreculture.
What they went home ? Oh sure people lie awake at night worrying about hier finances and Harry Reid sends the senate home exsuse me? I want them to stay there all night if they have to . Make a strong cup of coffee.
US will receive the bulk of foreign investment by Petrobras (state oil and natural gas in Brazil).
Go Mr.President Way to Go
Anne – there's the rub. The picture doesn't even show pot. It shows a bong. Bongs are legally sold in the US "for tobacco use". Tobacco isn't illegal, therefore bongs in themselves aren't illegal. What makes this illegal is that people are saying Phelps smoked pot. Who are these people?
We've lost our business, our home, and our dignity. We are retired military and it seems that we don't matter to our own government. President Obama is passionate about helping us, but only time will tell if our representatives are as well. By the way, Semper Fi.
I totally agree - President Obama tried the bipartisan route and look what happened? NOTHING. He knows the American people can't afford NOTHING. He also knows the American people voted for the Democratic agenda and that's what we expect.
He has a brain a smart one
Anderson,
Hi! I thought Pres. Obama's speech spoke very well to the stimulus effort. I'd hope the bill would succeed sooner rather than later.
Dear Anderson,
I enjoyed your interview with the US President Barack Obama, and have more of an understanding of what is happening with global economic plans.
You are doing a great job keeping me informed.
Sincerely,
Lisa L
Sydney, Australia
I'm not sure if the president's plan will work and the republican are not sure it won't work. The buck stops with him and he should not bend any further.
They need to move faster!!!!!!
Obama may be being "NON-bipartisan" but look....if he gets squashed in this, he is going to lose any type of momentum or credability as a solid leader. I really wish it never had to get to this, but the bottom line is this, Republicans got shut out of the drafting of the stimulus, but that doesn't mean u use fiery rhetoric and bs political menuevering to block help that is needed for Americans. LETS HOPE THE SENATE ACTS LIKE ADULTS TOMORROW!
It's unbelievable that the Republicans are stalling the whole process by making a mountains out of mole hills. What's their fear anyway? If the stim. plan doesn't work out, they can say : seeee, we told you so!
I think that the people who have lost their jobs should not worry, and just do something, anything, volunteer even. This doesn't help stimulate the economy or yourself but you have to do something. Thank you
The stimulus package should ALL be spent on items that will create jobs and stimulate the economy. Take the pork out! This bill is loaded with old programs democrats have been trying to get through for years. This is not a time for pork.
I think that Obama has grown tired of catering to the Republicans, he's been doing it since day one. And they kept pushing him back, so what is he supposed to do? Dad's mad.
I say good for the President...the republicans & some democrats were trying to bully him-I think he did right by letting them know that he is willing to work with you if you are serious, but if all you want to do is be disagreeable & are only playing politics-I guess he had to remind some people that he is the president of the united states...he tied being mister nice guy, but he needed to show them whi is boss!
You go O!!!