Live Blog: President Obama's Speech 3/24
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg] Here's your chance to weigh in President Obama's speech. What would you ask our panel?? We want to know. Please tell us in the comment section below. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment posted if you follow the rules: 1) Please keep it short 2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (no need to yell) 3) Use your real name 4) No links 5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated, PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
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Yes, Anderson ... tag cloud ... I like this!
There used to be a standard for good manners & firm but polite questions at press conferences. The president caringly, calmly & clearly addressed issues for me, a four-decades-long Republican & a politics junkie. Obama is my president unless or until he abandons the middle class, seniors and children’s needs
I think you all need to let this guy fix this economy,do you all want him him to say something he has no answers to and let you qoute him?remember what happened during the campaign when sen Mccain says "the fundamental of the economy is strong" and a catastrophe the following week,this is a smart president.Apology to Ed Henry for that short answer,this is not to belittle him.
The president has to understand that for some regardless of what he does, he's wrong. Thank goodness that for the country, we understand the president is human, was given a heck of a mess and is doing as much as humanly possible to repair the damages Hurricane Bush-Cheney-congress -senate left behind.
I must not have been watching the same press conference because I did not see President Obama get angry nor have a deer in the headlights look. I saw an intelligent man choosing his words wisely, unlike what we have had the past 8 years.
It appears to me that President Obama is held to a considerably different standard than the previous president. His comments, gesticulations, and demeanor are critqued to the extreme. Have we forgotten the past eight years when our Commander-in-Chief could hardly make a coherent statement, much less answer a question with any simblance of clarity?
Give this great man a break. At this point in time, when we're in such dire straights as a country now (thanks to the last 8+ years), turning against the only man who has ever been so clear in showing us of his great determination to make changes for our nation, should be acknowledged and praised – not bash him during his first 60 days in office! As Mike from NY touched on earlier, I agree... President Obama "inherited" massive problems that cannot and will not be adjusted or fixed in 60 little days. The fact is, it took 8+ years to get to this point, therefore, it must take years to get us back in balance again.
Have faith, Americans.... please have faith. Your faith will help to make us stronger and stronger each passing day.
What I don't understand is; why is everyone mad at Obama for the AIG-deal-gone-wrong? Didn't former president Bush give AIG all that money. Bush should have structured the deal better. At least Obama is trying to get some of the money back.
It was incredibly refreshing to hear a president who was not trying to evade questions and who could discuss topics intelligently but clearly enough to make sense to the average Joe.
I continue to wonder why people keep saying that he is trying to do too much at once. Everything in the economy is interdependent. Reducing healthcare costs for individuals and businesses will help free individuals up to spend more in the rest of the economy and free businesses up to invest in other things the business needs thereby stimulating others in the economy. It’s not complicated. It’s a domino effect.
I think the President came across tonight as being very honest and I support him 100%. I think that it really doesn't matter that he waited a couple of days to address the AIG issue because he's already told the American people to blame him. This President has inherited a "mess" and we should cut him some slack.
Heather – MS
If Alex Castellanas thinks President Obama's arrogance may cause him a one term presidency, I would say after the last 8 years of arrogance shown by the Bush/Cheney administration, Obama may be the first president to serve 3 or more terms.
I am a strong supporter of President Obama. And tonight I am glad he showed some anger.
For some mysterious reason, this will make his footsteps harder and his words will become more clear to the ears (republicans and democrats) of those that's acting like children.
Kudos to Ed Henry for asking a tough question. We need gutsy reporters, especially with a President whose public comments are this scripted. Whether the president is a Democrat or a Republican we need to know that the Fourth Estate doing its job.
also!
david, u are a genius! 🙂 wish u could explain stuff to me all the time! I dont use all the politic talk... u help me understand!
as far as the debate,
why would u comment on something ur not 100% sure about. i sure the heck wouldnt. So Barack was right by not commenting on the AIG thing in advance, i think the media wants to much info, sometimes i mean he has tons of stuff hes dealing with,! i mean lets give him a year and see how things go, come on 64 days! 🙂
hes not God!
President Obama did a great Job! There was a lot of talk about a "flash of angry" apparently the flash was so quick and sudden that most of America missed it. Most of us saw a poised, very confident President Obama being honest and open with us concerning his policy. It's so pathetic that republicans have to invent a issue to complain about.
The President was asked a direct questions regarding his slow response to the AIG bonus issue. He answered the question directly. He was asked "why did it take you so long to respond?" He said: "I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak." What was wrong with that? He did not dodge the AIG issue. He was not asked any further questions about AIG. So how is it that you, AC, conclude that he didn't want to talk about AIG?
My hope is, when & if we clear the back side of this economic debacle, we will all remember how we got here in the first place. That being greed and a total lack of policy and regulation enforcement by our government.
Hey Yall!
Nice to have some of the "best polictical news team" on the blog tonight!
in my opinion, i think the POTUS is doing an exceptional job in answering questions. He looked calm and resevered while those questions were being thrown at him..
The President is good at answering questions and talking!!! That is about it!!
All I have seen him do so far is TALK TALK!
President Obama needed to be asked the AIG question, for an administration that has promised to be the most open ever, it leaves alot to be desired when they played a part in protecting the AIG bonuses and only pretended to be outraged when the American people voiced their anger.
Autocratic? That' s rich! Let's go back in the time machine and remember Dubya who not only thought he was God but never could name any mistake he made! Thanks for the laugh, Lisa!
"Arrogant"? What a revealing thing for that individual to have said. What he clearly meant was "Uppity" but he didn't have the fortitude to say it. Anyway the President's feelings won't be hurt. Ed Henry should take a lesson from Obama in that regard. Tomorrow's another day, Ed! Keep on pluggin.
Obama showed real knowledge on a host of issues and was articulate in explaining his policies. When you compare this with the message driven, inarticulate George W, it is a difference we can be thankful for. I was disappointed in CNN's petty, critical coverage. Is our country's biggest problem that Obama took two days to express outrage over the AIG bonuses(in fact Summers and Rahm and had been critical of the AIG bonuses on the Sunday talk shows)?
The funny thing is that the media is talking about his anger with Ed Henry. No one is mentioning the tone that Henry use to hammer the President with that question about AIG bonuses. Henry had a demanding tone to which the President responded with an emphatic "I like to know what I am talking about."
I am sure this has been asked and maybe even answer before; why do we keep saying and believing there are companies such as AIG that are too big to fail? It would cause too much disruption? I think we already have that.
Re: "Obama taking on too much"...Don't hold it against him because we have a President who is willing to put in a full work week.
Thank God we now have a president who recognizes the value of thinking before speaking! More power to him for being thoughtful and deliberate in his comments. The portrayal of him as "showing anger" in response to questioning is inaccurate and politically motivated.
Two things –
President Obama did answer Ed Henry's question – he said he doesn't answer if he doesn't have facts. Wow. We finally have a President who doesn't want to look like an idiot in front of the cameras. Would you guys have called him "angry" if the question had come from an MSNBC correspondent?
David Gergen is the bomb. He's intelligent and communicates beautifully. Thanks for having him on so often!
Now let's see.....He has 3 years and 10 months to fix a problem that Bush created in 10 years. Why are all you people and also the CNN analysts (especially you Alex) actually expecting him to do more than what he has done? None of you could have accomplished what he has done in the last 60 DAYS! Therefore, anyone's negative commentary is only obviously self-serving. Remember folks, he still has 3 years and 10 months before re-election! Perhaps I am the only one that realizes that he is looking beyond the next week.
The first time is always the hardest, after that it becomes addicting -as long as it stays a productive addiction to the internet, anything CNN is productive 🙂
Hope you're enjoying
I don't think his response to Ed Henry was rude. I probably would have responded exactly the same way if I was President. I think he answered the question perfectly. He did not respond sooner becasue he wanted to get all the facts first. Once he's had time to review the response now he can respond appropriately. He's a cool person not a hot head like our former president. He likes to mull things over to make sure he's saying and doing the right thing. He does not react but responds thoughttfully. The American public is not accustomed to this type of response or leadership. But I much rather trust someone that behaves in this way than someone who responds quickly without all the facts.
the campaign is over.please stop talking about what was inherited,didn't pres. Bush inherit 911? Many pres inherit deficits let's work together Thanks for listening
@Carmella. I agree
President Obama, perfect 10, press 1 (maybe)
Obama hit it dead on with the tax increase sorry Ali Velshi, your still my dude, and you can eat the chocolate coin. Ali don't forget we need you to give solutions....please stay on point....
I do not agree with what Ed did. If the president wants an issue to die let it die. He is the President. If you all have all the answers on what the President needs to do?.. then you run for office in 8 years. This goes for Alex's as well.
John King, I think we are learning how Obama handles himself when he can't hide behind a telepromptor and has to think on his feet.
Just give President Obama a chance. He does not have a magic wand nor can he solve this in his first 64 some days in the office. Everyone needs to be patient, have faith in the President and his cabinet and most of all, we need to contribute to solve the issues.
On the President's speech. We continue to talk about AIG big exectuives getting the big bonuses. I think we need to stop pointing fingers and work together and get this country back to once where it was.
Also Ed Henry mentioned that the president became angry. We need to understand the president is human, and who doesn't get angry at times. Let's stop juding and offer suggestions to turn this thing around
The news media is irresponsible. I have lost all respect for them. They are focusing on unimportant details with little consequence (e.g., the AIG bonuses). All they care about is ratings. Really – the problems facing this nation are so huge and all news media does anymore is feed the fear, anger of the public. Who for the most part hold equally as much blame as bankers, politicians, etc. Everyone is accountable for the situation we are in!
I wonder what kind of reaction the Republicans will have when regulatory bills actually make their appearance in Congress.
David Gergen just knows what is really going on! He always nails it!
AC360
Anderson what question would you have asked President Obama?
Miranda
I think that the President did an excellent job tonight! I'm still trying to understand the republican philosopy of being so anti- Obama.
Obama is no longer running for President, he is the President. The Bible clearly states that a kingdom divided, will surely fail.
Are they so anti-Obama that they are willing to sacrifice the lives of the American people, or are they ever going to come to the reality that we elected our President for four years?
I am so tired of hearing people say they think Obama is doing too much. It's past time we get something done, and we never will unless we take some kind of a risk. These people need to let the guy do his job and quit whining.
AIG was a mess up but he has been doing good at everything else. People want to have a perfect Administration but the reality is that we all make mistakes.
I feel hearten by the smartest guy in the room answering question about the economy.
Time and patience....and a prudent plan....let's all get on board and stop with all the bug'n
It is extremely refreshing to have a President who is articulate, intelligent and able to communicate his vision for America. I do not recall in the last 8 years how many times President Bush stood in front of the press to answer questions candidly. Do you? Specially when the country was at a crisis.
If Obama has not a great experience on economics and all the ´big´bosses have made mistakes, who can we trust?