Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 2/6/09
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It's good to have a president who is going out to talk directly to the voyers and not having his message "filtered" by the media!!
This whole process has just begun and if there are not 60 votes the Republicans will just filibuster!!
Mr Gergen 🙂
For a compromise both sides would need to give some stuff up.Of all the places education?! That sucks! Of all the places to cut in a considered first rate country we tend to cut children out first and leave the money to adults?!I do not get it period.
Miranda
@David Gergen: I'm relieved it sounds like this bill is finally getting passed. I don't blame House Democrats for being mad about some of the cuts. To think that items like Pell Grants were up for debate is ridiculous. Part of my education is due to Pell Grants. Obama and the Democrats are thinking what's good for this country long term, Republicans are playing politics.
Hello Anderson, Erica, and best bloggers.
Anderson you sound a bit stuffy, hope you are able to rest this weekend.
As far as the stimulus, i don't agree with the education cuts. We need that to launch into the 21st century. That is one area definitely worth the fight, cut out some of those tax cuts.
What percentage of tax cuts were in there before?
anderson how they figure building schools isnt stimulus last time i remember schools mdont build themselves
850 million goes to Amtrak....and don't get me wrong, I like Amtrak. But they chose to cut money from the future of this country?
The Gop wnts tax cuts to hepll buisness creating jobs i don't think it will benifit the poeple who make less money during the year .
There shouldn't be no such thing as a stimulus.
Why is education considered pork?
I just heard on CNN that the government isn't in the business of building schools...however, they are in the business of providing welfare to big business!
Good evening, Anderson and the AC360 team! Happy Friday!
I guess it depends what the tax cuts are and if they will actually hit the economy, even as a liberal i saw there was part of the agenda in the bill.. thats just a sign of the house being the house... but we need to start injecting money into the economy or this free fall will bring us all down. We all need to keep in mind the forclosures are just the tip of the iceberg before we even talk about the million people who lost jobs in the last 60 days, there were 9 people in line to be forclosed on for everyone that already was.. so the markdowns further credit freeze as the banks try to value their assets. it is a scary time truly and i dont think this will be enough, another trillion or two in the next year will be necessary
Exactly what I was thinking Ashley-Hamlin, NY. When does education qualify as pork? I'm a student as well.
It is horrible that there are so many jobs lost, especially in one day! hopefully we can get some stimulus checks because i need some new technology for school! That will definately make more jobs, i am of cousrse a shopoholic.
I think that if cutting education from the bill will get it passed so be it, because I don't beleive the Presiden Obama will forget about education just because it will not be on this bill.
@Diane...honestly, it would seem more logical to hand out thousands to the poor and working class–those who are more likely to spend it promptly.
Good evening, Anderson, Erica, David, and bloggers (Meghan D, Pati Mc, Glenn, Ashley H., etc)!
David, I am disappointed with the compromise, to say the least. I am told, and according to my sources this information is accurate, that the current version of the bill allocates 42% to tax cuts. Top economists seem to agree that infrastructure spending results in nearly $.50 more on the dollar, rendering this version of the bill quite a bit weaker than previous versions.
As Rachel Maddow so uniquely put it, "We should inform the American people that they are being 42% punk'd."
The school cuts are about consturtion what does that include bilding of them or cuts to programs and teachers levels of education given in the classroom @ David Gergen
Gergen, I think Democrats have made much compromise to meet the bipartisan levels set by the Administration, why are republicans so stingy in working to pass this? Do they think only of themselves, average Americans need this stimulus to be approved as quickly as possible. And one person's pork is another person's key to improving the economy. We are moving at the rate of the republicans.
another advisory panel? only jobs are for the washington crowd, what a joke!
Wow it looks like they removed a few nickels and dimes from a bag full of twenties by removing some of the pork. At least that might get the bill passed.
Thought of the opposition: If you can not help, dessarange, after the important is participate.
I don't like the fact that they are taking away a big chunk from education. Big mistake I think. It might be a temp. solution but I think education is a subject they will have to return to later.
David Gergen,
I'm disappointed to hear that education spending has been cut, but we really need this thing passed. Perhaps in the future they can get those education things passed.
But it's most important that we pass *something* so I'll take it. I'm pretty disgusted with the Repubs, though. Certainly no friend to the average American citizen.
David G. Cutting $100 billion is better than nothing. There's probably at least that much left in non-stimulus items.
Wow Dana, Ed and Ali sounds like a serious show tonight.
Good Evening Anderson, Erica and 360 bloggers!
TGIF!
🙂
Thank goodness the some Senators have seen the light.
Good evening Cooper, Hill, Gergen, correspondents, contributers, panel, bloggers, staff, crew, and team!
Gergen, thanks for your question. I think there is a lot more pork in that bill that they could have taken out. I'm a student and I am offended by one senator's comment that this new bill "trims the fat." Since when is education fat?
It sounds like they put a lot of the education funding back in right?
Stimulus plan, bad with him, worse without it!
Hello David G.
Wow!!!! I agree with you!!!! I think that Democrats have to right angry at Republicans take tax cut....... I am disagree with Republicans take tax cut tonight!
looking at the ticker, there are only three GOP guys aboard? At least there could have been more of a response; an understanding that jobs come in all forms and shapes...
Any version of the stimulus plan will work 6, 9, 18 months from now. People need help now to buy food, pay mortgages, pay for gas. Give a stimulus check to taxpayers and you solve the immediate crisis overnight and save BILLIONS. Even if every man, woman, and child was given 1M (that would be less than 350M), or even 500K, as little as 250K, the taxpayers problems stop. We then have time to get jobs going, new energy programs started.... Only one way to stop the bleeding now, get the money to the people. There would also be 100% approval rating by the taxpayers.
How is cutting money from education a good thing? That's VERY disturbing. Republicans don't have an eye on the future?
The president's original request was for 775 billion, so that is pretty close; the leadership of both parties have been through too many "wars" to get away from the same old fueds...there needs to be time limits on Congress...too many are still living in the twentieth century.
Hello Anderson, Mr Gergen, AC360 crew and fellow bloggers...
Mr Gergen what made them cut down on education? What do you think the reason would be? Isn't it one of the most important of the bill?
T.G.I.F Anderson,Erica
HI to Megan Dresslar , Pat Mc ,Brandi
Yeah deal is almost done great !
Only 60 votes neded to pass it's getting so hard to wait.
Hey Gergen, Anderson, Erica and ACBloggers, tonight's show is going to be good one
Hey, everyone! So, this stimulus thing...looks like a compromise is in the works. Just remember that a true compromise leaves everyone unhappy.
I'd like to say, David, that in a stroke of irony; one of my old college friends is currently living on food stamps, so I'm sure that she is going to be oh-so-thrilled with the cuts being in education.
Seems "Drama" is synonymous with "Senate," doesn't it? Good evening bloggers!
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if Obama actually got to read the contents of congress' stimulus package to see if it meets what he wished was in it.
oooooh, education cuts, i imagine there are going to be many upset educators out there.
you go the first comment tonite Mr. Gergen! Yay you! lol
Hey all! Just postin up what a miricle it is that there was an actual compromise!
Hi, Anderson, David, AC360 team and bloggers!
Evening for everyone!
Where can I find a copy of the bill as it is to read?
Hello Anderson, Erica, David Gergen, David in IN, Brandi, Michelle D.,
Rikki, Ashley, Minou, Chris S, Pati, Glen up north and best bloggers!!!
That is good news for everyone, I heard that $ 780 billion doing down from $ 900 billion, I hope that stimulus plan will pass soon this weekend!! I am begging the senators will yes that stimulus bill pass!
Hey Anderson
Sleepless in Germany.Oh what a week,all this bad news,I think its time to get fear about our future.Tthank God its friday.I wish you a verry good weekend,enjoy the silent.Hardworkers get some rest.
Thank you for your work
Good night from Germany/Bonn
Hello everyone - Would love to hear what you think of the compromise stimulus plan that has emerged tonight in the Senate.
It cuts some $100 billion in spending from the House bill (a big chunk apparently from education). This looks like a big enough compromise to get a few Republican Senators on board and win approval in the Senate. The President embraces it, but Speaker Pelosi and many House Democrats are angry about the cuts. What do you think? Thanks, D