Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 2/12/09
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg] Want to share your thoughts on the stories we're covering tonight? You're in the right location. Just scroll down and post your comments. This is where you can "chat" with Anderson during the program. Want to know what we're covering tonight? Read EVENING BUZZ 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 $#&*) We're so tech savvy here at AC360°. At least, we like to think we are these days. So, we've got more goodies for you. Don't miss Randi Kaye's webcast during the commercials. She's filling in for Erica. Watch our WEBCAST And take a look at our live web camera from the 360° studio. Watch the WEBCAM
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Hi All:
I can tell you as a voter, the Republicans are going to be in trouble. They have been unwilling to put the American people 1st, and they will have to pay the piper. As you all have said, the President has high approval ratings, and it appears to the public that the Republicans are trying to screw him. What we dispise more than Congress right now, is the Republicans – hence our vote in November. We the people voted them out,and Democrates lead by President Obama in.
Also, he was on such a role with during the transition, they hate it. They want him to fail, and I want them to fail, and fall hard
Sharon S, I couldn't agree more, but politicians, like celebrities, are nothing more than spoiled self-centered power hungry brats who are in it only for themselves. The problem, in the case of politicians, is that the taxpayers end up paying the price.
Be reminded Lincoln was a Republican!
President Obama is trying to move this country into
the 21st century and the Repubs are stuck in the past
because they just can't deal with it.
Why are people defending the Republicans in this effort to reach across the party devide.
I think it is time for them all to operate for the greater good of the citizens in a responsible way.
–and we want to lead the world, what do we expect?
Dag I missed everything while I was in class tonight. The President spoke tonight. I didn't even know.
I agree with David Gergen's comment....... he have exactly point!
I don't think anyone wants the Rep. to "play nice" or rollover. I think that serious debate is a very healthy thing for a democracy. But lately it seems more like a collective Rep. tantrum...
The republicans aren't ready to bury the hatchet yet... and any one who tries to aisle is gonna take a lot of pressure... hopefully some of them can handle the heat... as for Gregg Judd... if ya can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen...
Anderson;
When is Congress going to come to realize, that the American people are sick and tired of all of this Bi-Partisonship? We need them to work together with our new President, not against him. Frankly, I'm disgusted with Washington, and I see our new President facing an up hill battle, trying to reach across the party lines. I think that the Republicans, need to un-clench their fists!
Its not the Rep's war on the Dem's or the president; it's the Rep's and the Dem's at war with each other!
Do the Republicans forget that they've had eight years of destroying the economy under Bush's leadership? They don't like the stimulus plan, but don't have any ideas of their own. What are they doing? Why are we paying them. Does Congress understand that they are barely clinging to a 12% approval rating??? They are considered inept on the best of days, so what's it going to take to get them to actually do something that helps this country?? We need a wholesale house-cleaning in Congress.
How long will the Republicans watch while Rome burns as they do their political posturing against the incumbent party? The world is coming unraveled as we wait for them to get done playing their childish games.
He needs to get tough with his own party, though, especially Pelosi. He should have stood up to her immediately when she and the house dems corrupted his original bill. It's not true bipartisanship unless he keeps his own party in line as well.
Hi Anderson,
I think its quite clear that most republicans want our president to fail.
They havent cared about the American people for the last eight years, so why should they start now.
Gregg is no suprise after what senator spector and the senators from main went through from THEIR own party, marked as traitors for excercising their own thoughts, this put him in an akward position comming from further from the right, The president wanted opposing and different views on his cabinet, if they dont want to play nice and have there own there to hold the unions down, buh bye, with 19 republicans and 17 democrats up for election in the senate, they should be pushing the center of the party not the extreme, well their loss is a democratic supermajority
Dont the Republicans understand, wishing the president fails is wishing the country fails. We are all hurting and suffering, All Americans, Repulicans and Democrats. Wake up before its too late.
I think that this was a republican ploy, to withdraw at the last minute. After all Gregg persued the position to begin with. They have demonstrated that they're NOT going to work with the Pres. The mindset that created our problems, will not be the same mindset that fixes our problems. Obama has tried to work with republicans, I wouldn't try anymore.
If nothing else, President Obama is thorough. I believe Senator Gregg is part of the "republican conspiricy" movement to make the president look bad. Why else quit in such a ungracious way, at a most ungracious time! Hmmm...
sounds like many of you on the blog tonite do feel the republicans are waging a "war" against the president
Carrie – I wasn't expecting them to "play nice." They haven't for the last eight years, no reason to start now. Hopefully the next generation of Republicans will prove to be more reasonable and responsible. And are you *the* Carrie Bradshaw? 😉
I think democracy is each side putting forth their ideas and opinion- then sometimes compromising so that progress can be made- unfortunately the mind set of some Republicans and some Democrats is that they are not willing to compromise to make progress. REpublicans have a greater motivation to be partisan right now because they think it will reflect on President Obama. Dems have been that way in the past too- but after 9-11 in a different crisis- Dems gave Bush the benefit of the doubt- I would like to see thE rEpublicans do that in this crisis.
David, I really value your input. You have so many experiences with both parties. You bring level-headedness to the discussion every night. Thanks!
Anderson,
David Gergen makes a good point about asking a CEO. Let us hope that President Obama takes his advice.
I think that the Reps. that work with the Obama administration are ones that need to be admired. I have no respect for the Sen. and Represenatives that stubornly refuse to 'cross the line'.
Please, no more Octo-mom! I'd rather see Barney Frank, and I hate Barney Frank.
I think David Gergen is wrong on this one. It sure seems like a war on Obama to me.
@ Casey J- I know. Now if we could just relay a slice of logic to DC, we wouldn't have to watch children fight over our toys.
Hey all! What is all this about. Why would this dude pull out today at this time? Why not tell the President what's going on and then pull out, not like this. The Republicans better be careful with all this back and forth with the President. The Republicans were putting all this pressure on this dude and he pulled out because of it. The Republicans just want drama, the just want to be in the spotlight forever. Yes Anderson, I do buy that there is a war vs President Obama. They want to be the opposition. It's not just the Republicans though, it's the democrats too. So much drama between the republicans and democrats. It makes me so mad.
wow citing the Taliban...maybe we should get the Taliban campaign manager to help Mr Gregg
Okay, stop with the Angelina Jolie thing. Seriously, stop it. There is absolutely no evidence for that. It's a shallow comparison that someone made up, and the media picked it up and started quoting it as fact. It's absolutely ridiculous and, frankly, irresponsible.
Enough with the "It's bad for the President." Anderson you're dead on the money here regarding the republicans wanting to take down the Presidency of Obama. David and John needs to give it a rest defending the republicans.
Seriously folks...did anyone honestly expect the Republican's to "play nice"? Surely that is going to take a long, long time...if it happens at all.
Bipartisanship is pretty much a lost cause in DC, they should just lay them on the table and measure
Justin...all 14 were actually artificially seeded by a doctor.
well here we go again i guess they just can't get it !!
trying to make our Pres look bad and it does not work
they are not in charge and they are acting like babies !!
Gregg did this on purpose i feel .. eight years and we finally can breathe and not be scared to death ....
Republicans need to go home and get a life ...
thanks
Brian
Shame on Sen. Gregg
If there is not a war on Obama and his administration they sure are making it look like that. I haven't seen anything in 3 weeks to dissuade me of that. Nothing. ZIlch. Zero.
Well this joke of a Government had better get their heads straight because I am sick of hearing all of them whine and complain!
They need to set their personal feelings aside for now!
both sides are acting like immature school brats who just keep throwing tantrums trying to get their way!
It doesn't work for kids and it won't work for these grown up brats either!
Really GROW UP! Both sides!
I disagree with Gergen/King that this is an embarrassment for President Obama. It is just another embarrassment for The Republicans. They continue to lie and misrepresent. They are cutting their own throats.
Were Democrats being partisan thugs by opposing Bush's tax cuts and his policies in Iraq? Funny, I don't recall people attacking the Democrats as partisans when they opposed Bush? Is the definition of bipartisanship agreeing with Democrats?
good evening,
they just don't seem good team players.
now it's the time to unite all efforts to rebuild this country's economy, not a time to petty fights.
There may indeed be a political culture of antagonism in D.C., but bipartisanship for its own sake should never be the great goal. Tone is a different issue from real political differences between the parties that are important. Where there's room for agreement (and of course compromise must take place for any group to get anything done), fine. But there can and should never be such a thing as "post-partisanship" when there are fundamentally different views of the nature of society and the role of government.
The census issue is huge. I wouldn't want to be part of this adminstration either under any circumstance. The is a mess. It is hard for me to watch this. I can't beleive i voted for this administration.
Anderson,
The disturbing thing about the Republicans' strategy is that we have some serious issues and it seems that it is Party first instead of country.
The other thing I do not understand is that the Democrats did not steal the election so why are the Republicans implementing this strategy.
I am disappointed but a couple of things are clear. The Republicans clearly want President Obama to fail. President Obama and his administration are putting too much pressure on themselves to fill these various positions.
Obama needs to get tough. That is my worry.
The Republicans should be careful, it seems to me that thier attacking the president. Sen. Gregg could have done the job for America but instead, its all about the "Party and its philosophy." Barrack will continue to call on Americans for change, and not party affiliates.
I'm glad Gregg withdrew, because I did not think he was right for the job.
Great point Anderson, CNN reported that the Republican leaders were pushing him. Because it wasn't a secret what Obama wanted to do in regards to the recovery plan.
Tax cuts of $13 per week... yippy! McDonald's here I come
Hey AC-
Watching this unfold with the republicans fighting with the presidents administration is unforgiving. The president is trying to hold an olive branch to them to only have it slap him and us in the face,
I am tired with these bullys and hope that they may learn their lessons in the next elections.