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February 23rd, 2009
09:45 PM ET

Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 2/23/09

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Filed under: Live Blog • T1
soundoff (601 Responses)
  1. ericacnn

    I love green food – peppers, beans, peas (I eat sugar snap peas nearly every day), salad, spinach, arugla, broccoli, you name it! I like a lot of color on my plate... makes me feel like I'm at least trying to do sthg right 😉

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  2. senegalese-girl, Pa

    vegetables are good for you Anderson

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  3. Naissa- San Benito, Texas

    Hi Erica! I feel so silly that I didn't blog with y'all! I didn't even know a blog was going on last night! Grr!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  4. Megan Dresslar - Shoreline, Wa

    Hi Erica!!!!
    You're welcome!!!! I do love to watch Oscars including Live Blog! it was so fun to see you and Anderson!!!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  5. Jeff

    With all of this help going to the large banks, how will it effect the small local banks. Why don't they just give the help to them, where they seem to be able to monitor the loans better in their own community

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  6. Mike, Syracuse NY

    Interesting that Obama will add as much debt in the next 4 years as Bush did in 8.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  7. Sabrina

    @Cindy in GA – President Obama did go up to the hill and speak to Republicans only regarding the stimulus bill very early on, so don't believe the talking points they were included.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  8. Michelle D . Fonthill. Ont

    Thanks Erica It was such a blast thaks you for keeping Jack Gray in line i hope Ac enjoyed his cheetos did you get the orange of your fingers yet -AC?

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  9. EJ (USA)

    Boy, is the Octodad going to wish very shortly he had stayed away from a TV camera. How fast will she slap a lawsuit on him for child support? Sorry….children support. Lots of children

    They have to make up a new kind of support called 'octuplets + six support.' You don't wanna get the govt after you for that kind of support.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  10. Sarah

    It's extremely admirable for President Obama to publically have Congress ask him questions. This is the kind of transparency Washington has been missing for the past eight years. As far as conservatives blaming democrats for everything, that's something that has been going on since the dawn of time.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  11. Kemas - Dacula, GA

    Economic stimulus is not about spending but empowering small business to produce more and hire more. Encourage comes in terms of lower tax, credit free fall and less regulation

    February 23, 2009 at 10:24 pm |
  12. Jennifer - Michigan

    Oh, OK – there's a lot of us that like green foods! Healthy stuff tastes good and it's good for you.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  13. Barbara from NJ

    Hello Anderson,
    I'm a financial illiterate, so I thought you or your experts may know the answer to my question. I just wanted to know if it is at all possible, that the investors (people buying & selling stocks), are intentionally selling off stocks, because perhaps they do not agree with President's plan? I am not implying that they are selling off, because they are insecure, I am sort of implying that the sell off is more of a criminal nature. In other words, can investors have that much control over our financial system?

    Thanks,
    Barbara from NJ

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  14. Jasmine-Spokane,WA

    Obama needs to stop worrying about the political side. Just do what's right and he'll be fine! 🙂

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  15. Manoel Queiroz

    I have a true feeling inside of me that bank problem and all those worldwide confusion state that economy is now i'll be solved, maybe not today, maybe not next month, but it'll solve matter of fact. Here in Brazil we had more than 30 years inside a mega inflation and we grew strong and learned how to fight it.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  16. Chris Sosa - Boston, MA

    @Esma – Yes, it does! In fact, I just bought a green organic drink about 30 mins ago. 🙂

    @EJ – I vote he use that mildly sarcastic looking one from his Wiki page. Haha.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  17. Glen Up North

    Um, Robert, no, 1 Billion divided by 300 million is about $3.33, meaning 3 dollars 33 cents debt per person. 1 _trillion_ divided by 300 million would be $3,300 per person. Perhaps that is what you meant?

    February 23, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
  18. Mike, Syracuse NY

    McCain has long been a watchdog on military spending. Since the next increment of the Presidential helicopters either needs to be ordered, or the program cancelled, it's a timely and relevent question, not a gotcha. The program is late and overrun.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  19. Stacy

    @Jennifer: I like green food. (You never know where the blog conversation is going to go, do you?)

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  20. HOWARD FRANKEL

    Good Evening,
    Would Ali continue to fund your 401k in this market?
    I am 57 & my wife is 52.
    We are both working in good health. Pay our bills with no credit card debt
    Thank You
    Howie Frankel

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  21. Dodie Ryan from Irvine, CA

    @ Sandy! You will still owe as you are considered an asset in which they or the collections company can use. I have a huge loan with Citi and I will still have to pay for it whether it is with them or someone who buys it up.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  22. David

    Been with Captial One for over 20 years. Received notification in mail that interest rate will increase from 7.9% to 17.9% & will no longer be fixed but variable rate. Even though I've never been delinquent on payments. While at the same time, Captial One is running a commercial on your channel stating they want to work with there customers. This will cause me and other customers to stop using there credit cards and hurt the economy.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  23. kim-chicago

    Actually I am beginning to think this is a really good time to think about investing. There are some great deals with solid companies that I truly believe will survive this economic mess we are in.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  24. Sharon S

    the President has great words but will they mean anything in the end?

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  25. Fred - Washington PA

    All right already! We all agree that we shouldn't be leaving a huge debt for "our children and our grandchildren." We get it. We really get it. Now can we please stop talking about it? Please? No matter how much we try to guilt-trip each other with that reference, that debt is only going to get worse. Yes we can't.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:22 pm |
  26. Michelle D . Fonthill. Ont

    Eight is enough it's so creepy how much she looks like Angelina Jolie

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  27. Jim S.

    We are often told by economists that the long-term prospects for the stock market and even the economy in general – albeit it to a lesser extent – are strong. What is the rationale or evidence for this belief? What data do we have to support this optimism? P.S. My wife and I love the show!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  28. ericacnn

    Hi, bloggers – a HUGE thanks to those of you who joined in the Oscars blog last night!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  29. Brian in Minneapolis

    @Esther good point.. .people don't want to think about the fact that we are a bankrupt country. We can look forward to years of high interest rates, run away inflation and skyrocketing prices due to all the money that is being printed to bail out these bad companies. Get ready for 70%+ tax rates just like Europe to pay for all these bailouts.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  30. Lauren--NY

    Chandra Levy. I haven't heard that name in a long time (before the past couple of days, anyway).

    I'll admit that the Republican governors who did not support the stimulus are in a paradox because if they accept they look like hypocrites and if they don't accept they're hurting the people they're supposed to represent. That said, I think the former option is better. It's better to look like a hypocrite than to be one.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  31. Minou, New York City

    That's right. Octo-yawn! I'm tired of ppl trying to make money off of other's misfortunes (in this case the babies, who don't know what hit'em yet..)

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  32. EJ (USA)

    I don't know how smart it is for Gov. Jindal to say he's going to turn down that money for Louisiana...

    February 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
  33. Lisa, Michigan

    Boy, is the Octodad going to wish very shortly he had stayed away from a TV camera. How fast will she slap a lawsuit on him for child support? Sorry....children support. Lots of children.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  34. justine

    I have check myself lately with my lack of hope and enthusiaum for the new President and his policies and doling out of mine and my great gradkids money. He's better than Hilary. I do not understand and know that if we took money from the government and blew it without doing what we should of. They would not accept my response of oops, next time I'll do better when i come back for more. We were pre-approved for a home loan and the banks go south. And now we are going to have to requalify under their new guidelines. We have been waiting for 2 weeks for an answer We thought about going to a different bank and found out that the loan we did qualify for will show as a turn down with the requalification requirement which effects our credit report. This is a real mess and it is getting worse not better

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  35. starr formerly known as vincent

    Question: what about credit cards?? I just received notice that for having my card for so long and paying it off and paying regularly, i am being rewarded with a percentage rate Raised form 10% to 17%!!

    When they deal with the banks, can they also deal withthe credit cards??

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  36. Glen Up North

    If you really, really _hate_ green foods, Anderson, try single-cell chlorella powder (or tablets) taken with the tangiest lemonade out there. Full of chlorophyll-induced greenness, it literally woke me up after no sleep on my first-ever transatlantic flight (forget caffeine)!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  37. Polly, OH

    @Lisa in Michigan:
    Exactly! Who in their right mind would want to trade an honest President for a foolish one? I'm glad he isn't operating like McCain or Bush. Maybe people can finally respond LOGICALLY, and not solely on what the President was able to "convince" us of. I hated, hated that. "Did the President convince...?" No, thank you. Tell us if his plan will work and if he's truthful about the circumstances. I don't want to be convinced, I want to be informed.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  38. yves,longisland

    hello!Mr henderson ,ac360one of my favorite show,well we all need to work togheter to fix our economy.it is an American problem,not mr obama"s.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  39. James

    David and Ali, don't you think the president addressing the banking system at this point would add more distress and stress on the economy? There has been such negativity by the GOP with the stimulus and from the people on the mortgage plan that the president may think wisdom is on the side of being cautious.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  40. Dana Woods

    President Obama was as usual very charismatic in his dealings with the Republican Governors and Congress. The Republicans will be hard pressed to continue just randomly opposing him, the public is very intelligent and see him making a sincere effort to help our economy and keep his promises. Please remind Ed Henry as the Washington Correspondent that he should refer to him as President Obama. He speaks every day he should be an old hat at this.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
  41. Michelle D . Fonthill. Ont

    What about green beer that's worth the price of admission only on St,paddy's day

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  42. Ashley - Hamlin, NY

    Rikki – Actually, I think they're horrible. I just love the idea of them....they are so ridiculous I can't believe they exist.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  43. Jennifer - Michigan

    Am I the only one that likes green food? I know I'm weird....oh well.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  44. Esma

    How many more Octonuts do we need to meet?! Don't tell me 8, that's too obvious...

    About the banks, if nationalizing them is what we have to do to restrict these morons at the banks from wasting our money on ridiculous accessories, fine.

    David Gergen, you are so awesome!

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  45. Rebekah Jensen

    Banks: So in other words, as long as people think the banks might be nationalized then they won't buy the stock out of fear that they might lose it all. Is that a correct assessment of the situation?

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  46. Ken, Louisiana

    As a lifelong Republican I've determined that I will probably never vote for the Republican Party again. I am tired of the grandstanding, the hyprocrocy and the set up for 2010 and 2012. I am a small business and a single parent and the economy needs solutions; not punchlines. I am disappointed that the party is counting on me and others being dumb as a chain saw to not see their genuine desire for absolute failure of the American economy for their political gain.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  47. Jasmine-Spokane,WA

    with this economy I think we should take a big hint from history. I'm not talking about the dirsection of it, but how our banking and financial systems got started in the first place. We also need to learn about those people who worked on our banks in our nation's early history.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  48. Megan Dresslar - Shoreline, Wa

    Anderson,
    I love green vegetables so much.... I used to eat green beans, broccoli and more.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  49. EJ (USA)

    You know – I'm glad Anderson has the little picture back – but I've seen better pictures of Anderson.

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
  50. DeeDee

    Ali, could you address the fact that the Credit Card companies are lowering available credit closer to the balance owed? Doesn't that negatively effect your credit score by artifically creating high balances?

    February 23, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
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