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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Are we not over the whole Race issue? Are there not more important things to discuss?
Obama needs to leave mortgage deductions and charitable contributions alone! I am not in that top 5%, but if he has his way, then the charities will most certainly be affected. This spread the wealth business is heading down the wrong path.
I should have send this sooner, but if you're looking for a place online to watch, check out cnn.com/live
"Can I ask you about race?" What kind of question is THAT for the President? He's the President...not your first date. You're a journalist, it's your job to ask him what you think is important! Jeesh!
Sorry I'm coming in late but I'm still trying to figure out how this help for homeowners thing is suppose to work because I have contacted my lender and I meet all the criteria and they still tell me they wont do it. I was told since I wasn't late on a house payment they wont think about helping me. I suppose I can stop paying to see if they will but that doesn't seem to be the right way to go. I know if I keep up making my payments at their current rate I'll be way underwater soon.
@Pati Mc: I'm all the way upstairs. I can't get Ali a candy bar right now. But I think he has a staff of people to handle that stuff, anyway.
A question about race? Wow a blast from the past!
Lori from IL, I disagree. Sometimes the question is more important than the response.
Mr. Velshi.
Can the President tell privately held companies what to do realistically.I remember, I am from California by the way, when we had a couple of years ago a problem with our power grid with prices hitting the roof because almost all of our power capabilities where sold to private companies who could set the energy prices to whatever they wanted and they did which caused a lot of trouble for the then governor of our state to do anything about it much like gas for cars.So Mr. Velshi can the government regulate or bully privately held companies to do their bidding?If so can that not be dangerous for how much before a private company will say enough?
Thanks.
Miranda
Ed Henry kinda put his foot in his mouth. Yeah it would have been nice to have swift action from our President been there done that. Its nice to have one that will actually think before he acts!
Jasmine- I agree the questions are very dry
@ John King..I'm not too thrilled with the questions either. They need to keep him honest on a lot of things but instead they are going too easy on him as usual.
Cindy..Ga.
King, I agree. The press seem to forget that the press conference is supposed to be a conversation, not just a question-and-answer period. Instead of firing off as many questions at possible, they need to pause and absorb what he says. Easier said than done, I know.
Ed Henry asked a great demanding question and didn't back down...applause goes out to him.
I've heard a lot about people concerned that the President is spending too much time talking and not enough acting. Any thoughts?
Please address why 2 elementary schools grades k thru 8 havebeen closed in pt. st. lucie florida this past week they are class a schools. these teachers probably dont agree with obamas opening statement that he has saved teacher jobs. another thing healthcare cost could be cut if we were not taking care of illigal aliens.
Why do I have to keep giving more because I have benefited from hard work and long hours away from home, because I don't drive a bus and make less.
@ Ali-you'd be putting your money where your mouth is. 😉
I believe that President Obama has a rational and as realistic approach to this current overall crisis as anyone could possibly manage. No one has ever ever in our countries history has ever dealt with as many major problems at one time. Please support his and our efforts to get it right and straight.
Ask the President when will the tax payers recieve a stimulus check return for all of that money is given to those big companies, so the american people can afford to buy food and clothes for their children and get oursleves out of dept! We need help now! All of the money is going to those companies that have their homes and the people are loseing our homes everyday!
HA,HA! He blew Ed Henry off! He likes to know what he's talking about before he SPEAKS! I tell my sons that! Make sure you KNOW what you are talking abot before you open your mouth! Funny.
@Ali...no worries! Remember our money only has value because we give value and people are willing to accept it in exchange for things of value...and chocolate melts so it wouldn't make it through too many transactions so I'm not sure how long people would accept it as payment...so go ahead and eat the chocolate coin! 🙂
if we were to give amnesty to immigrants and let them come out of the shadows, allow them to pay taxes and allow them to use their money in peace and with out fear would this help bust the economy?
Think the President could have given a more proefssional answer to Ed's question. His face showed that he didn't appreciate the question.
I have to admit that I voted for Obama, but the more I hear him talk, them more I listen to is direction, the more I realize that I made a mistake. I should have abstained at the polls. What a dissapointment...bailing on he middle class tax cut...shaky on answers to hard questions...saying the same thing over and over...I feel like I am watching a campaign stop....
I think he is on point, especially regarding charitable contributions.
Is it me or are the reporters only pointing out the obvious?
He needs to stop point the finger and putting blame on people. We do not need to live in the past. He needs to remember the Congress has been controlled by his party-Democratics-and he voted for these things. We all know the President can't do anything without Congress.
I would like to know how this will impact the middle-class.
Maybe we should check those in Washington tax returns.
Dan – I felt the same way.
Charity comes from the heart ...
Unfortunately, the President continues to whine that the country's economic condition has nothing to do with his presidency. Frankly, the statement is becoming tiresome. I don't want to hear about the problem. I want to know the solution. And telling me that he expects the me to continue doing what I do by working hard, providing for my children, and contributing to my communities is no solution. It merely means that for the working stiff, there is no relief in sight. At what point will he assume responsibility as the self-proclaimed leader he has described himself to be?
@ Ali - if Gloria won't let you eat the "red foil" chocolate coin - let me know and I will send you some "gold foil" chocolate coins!
Interesting point about charitable donations. If it's charity, you shouldn't need to get something in return.
No matter what Obama says, by cutting the charitable contributions he is hurting the people who need the help.
Sraw, it shame ...That is why education is so important that we have open mind and think out of bubble ...and not ask un intelligent questions ...
Ed Henry asked President Obama a question that he had just spent 5 minutes answering. What is he doing?? Obviously he was not listening to the President's answers. He wasted the President's time as well as ours. His questions seem shallow and off point.
I wish the questions were more interesting as well. Maybe we should teach these guys some improv..... 🙂
wages haven't went up in years while the bonuses got bigger. Can someone tell me when the last time unemployment checks got an increase? I really don't know!
Ok the Mexico was a good question. Anderson you had a guest on your show last night that stated the people will point out the cartel members if they feel secure. Have we not looked at the lessons learned from Vietnam and the GWOT that to counter an insurgency, which the drug cartel is to me, the government has to prove security to its citizens. I would argue that to defeat the cartel our government and the Mexican government will have to commit more conventional forces and treat the cartels as terrorists/non-state actors in order to build a coalition among Latin American states to defeat or destroy the cartels’ base from raw material to means of distribution. The war has already spilled over into the U.S.
I hope President Obama will address the importance of discontinuing Wall Streets oil speculation practices, which continues to drive up petrolum prices, hurt working families and harm consumer confidence.
Poor Ali – Jack....go get him a candy bar from the vending machine so that he does not have to "eat" his money.
I do not like his proposal to remove mortgage and charity deduction
For our country, at this time, I am thankful to have a President not only willing but very able to reflect his thoughts, plans and opinions in a manner as President Obama does. As Americans, we are all part of our Government each time we are asked to vote, listen to these types of coverage and read over laws and bills up for approval. Each day, it is more clear how each decision really makes a difference. I hope people of all ages, races and religions have seen that as one we can rise up, fall down and rise up again. Right now we are struggling, but we can rise again.
I hope that POTUS is not trying to be tough and in your face because of negativity he got about his 60min interview. I like to see him smile.
Oh, I like Ed Henry - but I think President Obama won that one!
And Ali - I say eat the chocolate! The world always looks better when munching on chocolate!
Why did he ignore the wounded warrior question? Is congress going to make my fellow sailor / soldiers pay for their own care?
I really hope that USA can restore the leadership and respect around the world........
I didn't hear anything new. I was glad to see Ed Henry ask his questions and rattle things a bit. He can be on my Christmas card list anytime! lol
In response to Cindy in GA...unfortunately President Obama did inherit this mess and as he mentioned instead of people criticizing offer options and suggestions to help...wow, you get real!
He "likes to know what he's talking about" before he speaks. I find that refreshing.
I would like someone to ask the President straight up and on record, when he knew about the AIG bonus and did him or his office press Dodd to add those bonus.
@Ali- technically it is our currency LOL 😀