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Hey Erica!!!!
Welcome back!!! nice see you!!!!! I don't have a comment about 8 babies now....
Hi Anderson, Erica, Megan, everyone blogging. Its good to hear dems and repubs are narrowing their differences as Dana Bash reported. Some hopeful news. I hope this can bring on some republicans.
Yes that exchange with Henrietta Hughes in Ft Myers was a jolt of reality. Terrible for people to live in their car. Also that man on unemployment, those unemployment benefits aren't all that much, maybe not even enough to get by.
Good Evening Anderson and Erica!
Like most, I'm skeptical about the "bailout plans" but at the same time, they have to do something. Or at least try. I'm just really grateful that we finally have a president that seems to really care about the little people.
And, I don't understand this woman with the 8 kids at all.
was that lady behind Mrs Hughes (at Fort Meyer's) saying "I love you" to President Obama? if so, it's cute!
The dollar is effecting jobs here in Canada @Glen up north the John Deere plant is closing it's giong to impact a community with jobs lost .
good evening!
i might be a little bit picky, but what did Pres. Obama's saying, "I'll have my staff talk to you afterwards" actually mean? there are probably a lot of people like that woman. should everyone knock on the president's door? i find it a little absurd.
Sandy, for the country to recover, it needs a stimulus. so the words are somewhat synonymous.
I am interested in those talks as well. Is there a place on the web that outlines the stimulus plan as it changes? I am certainly interested in what will happen to education and health care.
Poor baby bankers want details of the Treasury plan. How about details on how they packaged all thoes bad mortgages and how they spent the bailout money from the Bush administration. Regulation is needed badly. Government is not the problem after all: Mr. Regan.
I think Obama has a sharp mind, a concerned heart and a strong determination. These are leadership skills which will be important, especially as times toughen.
I can't get over how the President came out to talk to the "people" about the bill and why it's important. Most politicans think we are only good for elections and fundraising. I am a bit verklempt....
There is truly Great Medicine in the Enthusiasm that a Leader Gives, this was eminant in the appearance of the President in Ft. Myers.
The Reaction of the Lady Hugged, and the Expression of the Lady behind her really got me...saying, "I love you Barack", and blowing him a kiss.
I do know that he will work hard to make sure that this money is well taking cared of.
The "bailout bill" passed the senate but its missing a key item–there wasn't a "bad bank" created to remove banks toxic assets off their balance sheets. This means credit will remain very tight. No credit - no jobs and no economic growth, period.
Hi Anderson
About the treasury sec. speech today..
What do wall strret expect? They want every thing to settle 'morrow.
Today wall st lost 380 points but can any say why it gaind 200+ point yesterday
Tks
chandra
It brought tears to my eyes today when i saw the exchange the president had with the the lady in fort Myers!
The woman in Florida who is homeless and Pres. Obama's response to her was very heartwarming....
The House and Senate should watch that clip a few times, perhaps that would speed up the negotiations and get the stimulus bill passed and moving forward. I'd much rather we DO something than nothing at this point...
Isabel, as with everything, solid change doesn't come overnight. Obama can't expect everyone to be on his side from the word "go", nor does he. That's why he remains confident: his hopes are firmly grounded, yet focused on the desired outcome: a strong economy and a safer future for all.
Anderson,
I can't help but admire President Obama. His compassion for not only those who have been directly affected by this crisis, but for making a true, honest effort to reach across the aisle. He really isn't getting the credit he deserves and I think history will judge his efforts much more graciously in the years to come.
Greetings all! Sorry I'm late but literati game was getting good.
i love seeing our president get out there in and for the people who voted for him, hes getting the real feel of what people are going thru.
I'm pretty perplexed by Obama's doom and gloom tone. FDR tried to create hope. Obama seems to have switched to fear as a motivator. Didn't he complain about Republicans doing exactly that? Consumer confidence needs to be restored. Saying a catastrophy is right around the corner is exactly the opposite of what's needed.
Renee
Mrs. Hughes has been playing over and over again on local TV. Sad part is that they have been playing Sam the Screemer as well.
His name is Julio, and he was so funny. It caught me off guard and I know it caught the President off guard.
hello bloggers,
how are you all tonight? good to have you with us. so much news tonight.. hope you stick around for it all. i have a piece later on the octuplets mom. all i keep hearing from people is "how much these babies are costing taxpayers" since it turns out the mom has been on food stamps with her first 6 kids and now has 8 more. wow!
wait til you hear how much it's costing just to care for these babies in the hospital. what do you think about the octo-mom as some are calling her?
@Sandy – A very good point. The media really should avoid the phrase "stimulus" as it has come to have a negative connotation. "Recovery" is both a more optimistic and accurate term.
Oh-oh, with the President "having his staff speak with" that woman afterwards, reminds me of Eva Peron's (Argentina in the 50s) programs that managed to help those who had some sort of profile, for P.R. effect. Kudos to that woman for speaking up! I think it's great people are comfortable speaking directly to the President–he's very approachable.
Obama will demonstrate that who we elect really matters. D. Gergen made a point a while back about the need to bring really bright, intelligent people back to government service. It's true. Too often government is occupied by family dynasties or people who are just good talkers. This isn't a cyclical problem. This was a problem created by behavior and policies.
I'm glad that the senate did pass the stimulus package. Something really does need to be done. Hopefully they can make some progress with the negotiations tonight.
Lisa...my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Australia affected by the fires. I have family that lives in Australia and am so incredibly thankful that they are safe and sound.
Anderson -
Thanks for showing the whole exchange between President Obama and Ms. Hughes. It humanizes our President. I was very impressed with his interaction with her. ( I was working on paying my bills at the time - grumbling as usual - then I saw her story and remembered just how fortunate I am. )
I have great admiration for the President because he is continuing to use the Town Hall format and speak to the public so intimately.
Holly, I hadn't heard about storms in Kansas–I hope you're all okay out there.
I saw one black lady asked Obama.......... she felt so emotion need help as job and home..... my touched my heart in Fort Meyers, FL Hall Town Meeting this morning!
Jo Ann, North Royalton, Ohio
I am sorry, but this looked like a set up to me.
I highly doubt that this was set up. It didn't look set up an any way.
President Obama is BETTER than Camelot! Wowza!
evening bloggers
when I 1st saw that clip of that very enthusiastic man I thought he was playing a joke/causing trouble — but just a man who realizes how much this president truly cares about Americans
That lady, Ms. Hughes, reminds me so much of my Mom. I'd like to send her my love. Lillian
How could Geithner expect to sell a package without any details?
It felt like the old campign days with Obama speaking to Ft Meyers
It was charged up emotional lilke that student they showed on Rick Sanchez's show he was asking about money for college.
Mrs. Hughes has been playing over and over again on local TV. Sad part is that they have been playing Sam the Screemer as well.
Great point Anderson! I think that's why its so impressive. I like the fact that the President explains in detail with his answers. I hope Ms. Hughes is able to get the help she and her family needs.
Anderson,
It would be helpful to know what the alternatives to the bailout plan are. If the President is pushing his plan so hard, there must be at least a few other options he's not pushing. Can you tell us what those are, or might be?
Thanks,
Cindy
Did anyone see that lady ask President Obama for help in Florida? Appararently, she was homeless and out of work. Obama gave her and kiss and said his staff would contact her. Then afterwords some elected representative in Florida gave her a house to live in.
A very touching story
Hello Bloggers,
I have been glued to CNN this evening. Now this is good coverage. I'm glad to see CNN covering the news without bias again.
Yea! Big Star for CNN.
wow..our pres. is a ROCKSTAR! I like it!
I love my President! What a wonderful person he is!
I'm wondering why the media keeps calling this a stimulus package, yet the white house and the president call it a recovery package? Doesn't recovery package better explain it?
I am sorry, but this looked like a set up to me.
The Republican “No Chorus” better seriously consider their position and options in conference committee or face a losing battle next election.
It took 8 years for the previous administration to destroy the economy so it will take a few years to pick up the ball again. Give the president a break. He inherited that ball.
It's gonna take forever for the subcommittee (5 dems and 5 republicans) to glue the House and the Senate bills together. We're not anywhere near being "in the clear" yet.
Hello Anderson, CNN team and fellow bloggers.
Wow, in the current clip (on the stimulus bill) that woman just broke my heart, the way she said "Please help". This is the sort of thing that has inspired me to study journalism.
This is a difficult time for everybody, however, it is also one of the most interesting times.
THanks for keeping us informed..would have been nice to get some international news too...