Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 2/5/09
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anyone who thinks change is going to occur overnight is idiotic. change requires time.
Cool the plane will fly soon!!!!!
Obama 's ringing forth the change he preached during his campaign .He's dertermingd to fix this but as he sadi we's have to work along side one another to get this mess that left behind after 8 yrs of failure.
I am glad to hear President Obama shows compassion for the millions of people unemployed. I just lost my office job in January, and each of these people that have been affected are not only a statistic but an entire family that has so many worries and a possible future financial crisis.
The stimulus plan is not unanimous anywhere. Economists complain the most conservative format and the size of a tax cut; liberal economists wanted more spending on infrastructure, people on both sides shows that costs do not generate jobs or economic recover, while others think the model of a tax cut not will generate more consumption by Americans, but more savings.
You say he hasn't done that much.. how many times did George Bush go to the Hill and meet with any of the Dems?? For that matter how many times did he even go meet with the Republicans???
So to say Pres. Obama hasn't done that much... I reject that .. I think the republicans are the ones that are not doing much... they have lied repeatedly about him.
2 weeks on the job and he's already frustrated! 2 more weeks and we'll see the president's hair turning white!
I think that people who have lost their jobs should not worry, and do something such as volunteer. This may not help stimulate the economy, but it will help the lowest class, and ultimatly we need all classes to have an economy.
@Jolene, you would expect for these old guys to stay up all night, would you? LOL
It's great to see Air Force One landing with Obama onboard - it's still hard to believe he actually won!
Perhaps if some of these Senators would spend more time in their home states, they would be more supportive of the Stimulus bill. I'm an educator from AZ. We're now 49th in the Nation for spending on Education. Our new Gov. has just passed a bill that will drastically reduce spending still. We're facing significant layoffs out here. McCain and Kye haven't seemed to notice.
I think it's time to play hardball with the republicans...they have no qualms playing hardball...This is serious business and Obama needs to do what he needs to do.
I do think that the President learned quickly (and I honestly think it was a tough thing for him to accept) that everything in Washington is politics. You can have a cocktail party and make nice but each party is still going to protect its interests and do everything it can to stay in power. He now knows that being "nice" won't cut it. He works for the good of this country not to make Republicans happy.
The mom with the kids 8 kids has to do what's going to make the money! That's why she wants to go public. Lets see what company gives up a sponsorship
Anderson, I think there is very little real bipartisanship at work in Washington today. The American people are nothing more than pawns in the power struggle between Democrats and Republicans.
If Obamas christmas package is so good, how come Democrats dont like it either!!!!!
why expect Republicans to vote for it, if Dems dont like it!!???
Bush bulldozed the democrats and the republicans. He said this is what I want and this is what you are going to do. They did it. That's how we got into this mess. They are all gutless. Obama is going to have to do the same thing. But unlike Bush, when they get on board, he can give them credit they don't deserve.
Republicans should understand particularly those congressmen who think that tax cuts to the rich will bring us out of the mess they and George Bush created. I think it should dawn on them that Gearge Bush inherited a surplus from Bill Clinton instead of increasing the surplus he squandered the surplus on tax cuts to the rich. Please republicans get out of the way and let Obabma's policy create job we badly needed
This is a big gamble for the President. The people have turned against this outrageous spending bill. The President needs to be pissed at Nancy and not the Republicans, but yet he is praising her for her hard work? The people do not want this crazy bill and this speech tonight didn't capture the general public's view.
It seems like Pres Obama has gotten a look at tomorows jobs report. I think that he's made an sincere attempt at bipartianship, even some of the republicans would agree to this, and they have made no effort to work with him to get our country out of the mess that we're in. The mess that THEY helped create. President Obama is right, the time for action is NOW. We can't afford to keep losing jobs the way that we are.
hi, everyone. great discussion from our panel tonight – as always, i know! 😉
Good for President Obama! The Repubs who are dragging their feet by pretending to double check in the interests of the people, aren't losing their jobs, yet, and don't seem to understand the severity of the situation for many people! They are like little kids who want the rules to favor them. Too late for that!!!!
Tell the republican to go to the neighborhood and see how stressful people are because they don't have a job.Why they wasn't making any complaints when bush was spending all the money in Iraq.Now the people in this country need help the republicans making all that noise.
Anderson! The Repulicans have proved to the country WHY they lost the election and put Pres. Obama's plan at a deep delay! They are petty, devisive, contentious, pusillanimous wimps serving ONLY the needs/wants of the wealthy who pull their election purse-strings! They came up with a "plan" that is 8 YEARS out of step with reality mirroring the Bush admin. desire to leave the country broken and in ruins. Their's is a Partisan pout-fest at it's worst and the country is suffering! They fiddle whilst Rome burns!...
GO get them President Obama. Love this man !!
Judy
He makes toomuch sense maybe thats why they want to give him a hard time...??
David Gergen
Sorry I have to disagree with you tonight. The President has extended his hand to the republicans and all they have done in return is complain about the stimulus and criticize the president. You can only be nice for so long. Let's not kid ourselves, the rupublicans had no intention of voting for the stimulus. Instead of complaining, bring something to the table (besides the same tired tax cuts) and get the stimulus passed already. This is not about political posturing........people's lives are at stake.
" It looks like Mr. Cool is losing his."
It's called posturing. It is calculated and intentional. You never want to get someone "angry" who has a lot of patience and calm. You will live to regret it.
GOP policies worked soooo well in the past – no weapons of mass destruction, the FDA in shambles, the SEC doesn't work, there is no money left for what we need because the GOP spent it all.
MMMM, I want more of that!!!!!!!!!!
Congress needs to ACT NOW!!!!!
This is ridiculous....people think doing nothing is going to magically fix the economy. PLEASE…..Just like President Obama said “He received this in a big box with a big red bow on it”…..let’s not forget that…
I feel President Obama's frustration. Too many Americans are hurting as Dems & Reps try to make political points instead of our nation stronger. They should be ashame!
Hi Anderson, I think our leaders in the Senate and House need to get this thing moveing. I'm a self employeed business owner who really needs somthing to stimulate this econemy. I can't believe that these rich and powerful men and women forgot who put them in office.
I love President Obama's passion for the American people. If we believe and share in his vision for the people we should be staunch supporters. Times are tough and inaction is not acceptable. I also believe advice from those that have lacked any substantial ideas on the economy for the past eight years should now be looked upon as reliable.
President Obama is right to be impassioned. He is wrong to accuse the Rebpublicans of bringing the same "worn out" arguments (not the exact word he used) that got us in this crisis the last 8 years. He won't have credibility without acknowledging this started with Clinton and was absolutely the responsiblility primarily of Dems like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd and Chuck Schumer. If he won't concede that, he won't be credible and will look like a typical politician. Not time for games is right!
@ Ralph – I couldn't agree with you more...its time to lift the restrictions and let the brilliance of a human mind and nature shine -:)
The Senate should take all the time they need to get rid of most of the program spending which will do very little to get the economy moving.
Want to get the Economy moving; 1) cut the bill to about 500 billion 2)give all tax payers, of record, a 15 % tax cut 3) send home several million illegal Immigrants 4) wait two month to give tax payers time to be sure the tax cut will not be revoked 5) watch the econmy blossom
We need a stimulus bill to pass soon!!! President Obama needs to not cave in on more tax cuts just to get republicans on board. The Bush tax cuts are still in place and we are still losing jobs!!!! The republicans are holding up this bill with the same ideas that got us into this mess. TARP also needs to be reformed.
I just wanted to write in about the issue surrounding Michael Phelps. I think it is ridiculous for the media and others to make such a big deal about a person smoking marijuana. And yeah, he did it and regrets it because of the fact that his private life was invaded but are we going to go after all of the people that are in the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. that have smoked pot and get them suspended and their contracts taken away? No! Cause if we did there wouldn't be any sports to watch!! Some people just need to get a life! And you media people need to put your focus on things that matter like the economy, and healthcare!
And now that sinking feeling – salesmanship is no substitute for leadership. And herein lies Obama (and the country's) problem. I am left to wonder, what would Hillary do. Certainly not keep referencing herself the way Obama does.
OK, I'm too windy so I'll split it up.
If most Americans are like my co-workers, they aren’t listening to anything but radio talking heads on their way in to work and they DON’T GET IT. They don’t listen to the economists. They don’t get that this is SUPPOSED to be BIG. I get tired of “bi-partisanship” seeming to mean, “Lay down for the republicans to carry on with business as usual”. Well, if that is what they think they are WRONG. Maybe this speech was partisan, but it’s clear that republicans *aren’t* willing to give one inch either. Well, guess what, President Obama is a democrat and if he has to go that route, having given republicans MORE than enough time, then so be it.
Wow ! That's the Barack Obama we got to know and admire ! He is the only one telling it like it is . The republicans who have NO leader are forced to pick this situation to establish their turf and are using as President Obama says Cable chatter to puT a negative spin on this Bill . I find it funny that Senator Graham in his verbal attack aginst the president today had to go all the way back to Regan and Oneill to give his voice of disent some credibility ! AsK Joe the plumber maybe ?
All the Southern Senate Members need to step back and allow this Young President to do what the American People ask him to do!!!
Bush gave him this mess and now maybe Congress and help clean it up or do they need a history time line to follow.. they are locked in the past!!! Give him what he needs
Leave Michael Phelps alone. He is an amazing human being but imperfect like the rest of us. This is a story receiving way too much coverage.
I think Obama should get this passed as soon as possibale ,but i think he should take his time figuring out were it would be most needed
Bipartisanshp is merely a strategy. If Republicans have not allowed that strategy to work inspite of the good gestures the President has offered to them in the last two weeks, the President is right to use another strategy – political assertiveness. Sometimes that is the language a stubborn opponent understands.
If the bill was accepted as-is, we would only have learned about all those ridiculous programs after the fact... I am glad someone is taking a keen look at it.. will delaying another 2 days make that much of a difference? I thought President Obama said politics of fear dont work.
Anderson and Erica President Obana is "Fired up ready to go"
Good Evening,
I love the passion that President Obama has and it clearly shows that he's fighting for the american people. I agree, the plan may need work but it's just like he said, nothing is perfect. The american people need help and tax cuts will not work. If they add the payroll tax to the plan and people are losing their jobs, how will this tax break help? It won't. I love this country and I know that we can come together and make this plan work. We have too, not just because of now but also because of the future- our children. Enjoy your night. Thanks.
I think that the stimulus bill is being disected the way it should be. Obama said we needed change, so how about changing the wasteful, fluff spending. After all, " this isn't a game". Let's not try to slip into the stimulus anything that isnt stimulus I mean come on. And let's stop spending all this money on conventions, now is not the time for our politicians to be partying with our money.
I'm so glad President Obama is putting the foot on the brake for CEO salaries...Although this is just a slap on the wrist, considering some of the crimes they have committed.