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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Ed Henry just got his name scratched off of the White House Christmas card list! Good job Ed!!
@ Cindy..Ga. The people who are trying to stand up to the corruption in the Mexican government are ending up dead. Besides, they're using our drugs, our money and our guns to fuel this mess.
Ooh tough question
excellent question from ed henry...cuomo up in ny has been leading the charge considerably more aggressively than the feds
whoa ed henry is keeping it honest.
I like John King's comment about the whole budget mess and the secrets going on. And then Obama was saying that they need to be honest.
Ed Henry with the most provocative question of the night so far. Also cramming two questions into one. You go, Ed!
I completely agree that the federal procurement system (especially in Defense) needs an overhaul. Doing so will certainly result in millions saved.
lets get behind this incredibly intelligent President, he has integrity that is clear, he is doing his best we have to come together.
I don't like spending so much money either but what else do we have. If the company you work for is having problem financial problems and they decided that if they kept spending(paying your salary, which is an expense) it would bankrupt the company, would you get upset? or quit? would you work for free? how about keep paying you so you can keep putting food on your table.
John King, I have always thought that they have overestimated economic growth in order to make their numbers work. I don't trust any of them.
Why does Mr. Obama continue to use the "even John McCain agrees" line for validation? I find those references to be both transparently defensive and undermining to his arguments.
What about job losses???? I think he is out of touch!!
As a vet – I did not hear an answer that I liked regarding the care of "Wounded Warriors" and those with PTSD and or TBI – they are not mutually exclusive.
You would not believe how much your economy affects ours. I feel your pain. I have confidence that President Obama will get your country back on its feet. Maybe not in the near future but he will eventually. The AIG controversy just makes me so MAD. I am not american and they don't affect me personally but what they did with the bonuses. I know there were contract issues involved but how can those people live with themselves, don' they have a concience.
@Eliza. I am glad he spoke about it, would have liked to hear more.
Included in the Presidents' stimulus package he has alloted certain funds for health care, with the enormity of the project and the billions it will take to just get it up and running. all told it will take 4 to 6 years to implement a viable system that leaves no family without care. With this in mind does the President really think that it is realistic to get such a huge health care up and running. He seems to be confident, but is he confident that if he goes two terms he may still not have a viable health care system
Gerard Kelleher – Milton, Ontario
@ John, Ali and Tom – I am very appreciative of the information that you are sharing wtih us, Your knowledge is remarkable guys. Thanks for sharing.
What about the War on Illegal Immigration, Your thoughts Mr. Obama any ideas not present on the teleprompter
What about the automotive jobs? Michigan is going down as we speak. People are moving out of the state, having problems finding part time jobs even. There might not even be much left by the end of the year. What steps have been taken to help the automotive business? Not just the big three but all the contractors and sub-contractors that help supply the big three? Help please!
Annex Mexico, make it part of the USA and the government can handle it.
What about addressing the drug problem in the US, 90% of the drugs in the US come from Mexico. Sending patrol is only a short term solution.
First and foremost Mexico needs to deal with the corruption in their own government before they expect us to step in and do anything about the drug war going on there.
Cindy..Ga.
Pres Obama, is so incredibly articulate, intelligent and concise. He does not spin, he answere with clear explanations and give the impression of integrity. Big job, he is doing his best, support him.
@ Jo Ann We will NEVER end up wishing we had Bush back...
Will every reporter in the room get to ask a question?
Didn't he see Anderson's "60 Minutes" report? The cartel and the violence are already here.
@ Sandy – there's your border question
We need to listen to the President carefuly and not knee jerk to certain hot points. His plan is for the future. Every economist agrees that to gain long term benefits we need to increase spending. How will we compete in education and healthcare w/o spending? How will we have a successful future w/o them?
Thankfully the drug crisis is being addressed. Scares me how something that can seem a world away is so close.
Today there is a harsh article by Paul Krugman, in The New York Times, where he wrote about the plan presented yesterday by the government Obama. With the title “Financial Policy Despair,” Krugman says the plan will not work. He also says that President Obama is wasting time and credibility.
Let's see if the President today changes these negative reviews
Help me understand how the president would call "foul" on the AIG bonuses that were a part of their contract (which I don't approve of either), yet simply write off the pork barrel spending as "last years business?" AIG=$165M Omnibus Spending Bill Pork =$8B
Mr. King
The President speaks of Medicare and Medicaid as well as the need to address the health care system as a whole so my questions are one why does America not have a nationalized health care system like are European allies do and from your contact with The White House what are they planning to do now that Baby Boomers are getting ready to retire into the Medicare and Medicaid system?
Thanks.
Miranda
It took decades to accomulate this debt and the President is just beginning. How long does it take for a normal person to get out of debt...I know it is taking me awhile.
I thank goodness, finally a question about the War On the Border...that should be a priority..especially us who live along the border
Nice to have a question on the border control issue. I didn't know they'd be discussing that tonight.
@Tom – I haven't really taken notes since the beginning of my undergrad studies a few years back. I do find it hinders my ability to listen. Like you, I only take down names, numbers, direct quotes, and the occasional reminder note.
Mr. Tom Foreman,
I respect your analysis regarding the dangers of multi-tasking, DC, and the Carter administration. But I truly believe something in a large majority of the American people has changed with the election of the current president. People are more engaged, well read, and willing to voice more informed opinions about issues (like the budget) to their elected officials. More people are willing to hold their elected officials accountable for not getting things done in DC to improve our nations chances for short term and long term prosperity (whether we agree with every proposal of the president or not). After 35 years following politics I certainly feel that something is considerably changed about voters since this election that DC has yet to grasp.
I agree with Obama, where are the alternate budget plan? I believe he is a President that will look and consider other people ideas if they are better than his.
@Cindy...the problem is, is that he inherited the deficit amidst a financial crisis...the best way to get out of that is to spend more money...consumer spending and confidence is the cornerstone of the economy and so people keep talking about how much money he is spending but it would be as big a controversy if the deficit wasn't so out of control when he took office
Ok. I still do not understand the math... $800B+ and there are 300M people in the United States. Why not give everyone a million to allow them to pay off bills and spend, then use the difference to invest but into infrastructure. It’s the tax payers’ money to start with.
glad to hear a drug war related question.
Cindy, Obama may have "inherited" this mess from W, but he voted for a lot of it as well. We may end up wishing we had Bush back!
this mexico question is a hot one...especially considering his latino support in the election
Did I miss something or has POTUS not smiled once tonight? I miss his smile already.
question about Mexico....remember Anderson is live from the border tomorrow night and Thursday night. yes, shameless plug...you knew it was coming from me.
@ Jack – and his laughter on 60 Minutes
@ Tom - will DC ever wake up and take the needs of the people before their own individual agendas? I truly believe President Obama is trying to change Washington - but Washington seems to be digging in it's heels even harder.
@ Jack - hope your stress is under control and yes, it's a little sluggish. I always find it hard to keep up with the blog and watch the TV - thank God for TiVo so I can back up the broadcast if I need to.
Sure would be nice if the President would answer one question without beating around the bush and playing on words!
I think it is great that President Obama and his staff are identifying and tackling all the major issues that are first needed to taken on and secondly necessary to address simultaneously. Kudos to him, its why we voted him into office. Its been a long time since we have had someone who is willing to try!!
@ Ali–I agree with your point about job loss; is there any way to tell how long it will take for the job market to become less dreary?