First thoughts: Obama's very busy week

Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009 9:17 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Obama’s very busy week: In the Obama Era, every week has seemed to be busy, but this week is particularly so -- and it has little to do with health care, at least at the presidential level. Today, President Obama gives a speech on the economy in Troy, NY and then does Letterman. On Tuesday, in New York, he speaks at UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s climate-change summit, holds a bilateral with Chinese President Hu, meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas, and delivers remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative. (Also on Tuesday come the results from our newest NBC/WSJ poll.) On Wednesday, Obama addresses the UN General Assembly. On Thursday, he heads to the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. And then on Friday, the president holds meetings with G-20 leaders and then has a press conference. But these aren’t the only political issues on his -- or our -- plate. Afghanistan, David Paterson, and Virginia’s gubernatorial race are all in the news (see below). And so is health care, with the Senate Finance Committee marking up Max Baucus’ bill tomorrow.

*** Obama’s Sunday-palooza: So what did the president get out of his five Sunday show interviews? Was it about selling his health-care plans to the American public, again? Was it about sending messages to Senate Dems and Olympia Snowe? Or was it -- as American politics becomes increasingly shrill, uncivil, and partisan -- about portraying himself as the only grownup out there? As for the news from his Sunday-palooza, it’s hard for any ONE thing to stand out when the president sits down for five interviews. That said, there were some buried nuggets. On ABC, Obama seemed to suggest that, politically, Democrats will need some sort of "Medicare protection" amendment to support. On CBS, when asked about the letter seven former CIA chiefs sent urging him to reverse Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to re-open those CIA interrogation cases, Obama appeared to only offer Holder tepid support. And on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Obama said he wants to shift the debate over Afghanistan from troops to strategy. “The question that I'm asking right now is to our military, to Gen. McChrystal, to Gen. Petraeus, to all our national security apparatus, is … how does this advance America's national security interests? … [I]f it doesn't, then I'm not interested in just being in Afghanistan for the sake of being in Afghanistan or saving face or … sending a message that America is here for the duration.”

*** We’ve got a leak! Yet as if on cue, within hours of Obama expressing some skepticism about increasing troops in Afghanistan, the McChrystal recommendations get leaked. Gotta love it: Who says it's ONLY Congress and the two political parties leak news in this town; the Pentagon knows how to play the game, too. Here’s the Washington Post, with a Bob Woodward byline (!): “The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in an urgent, confidential assessment of the war that he needs more forces within the next year and bluntly states that without them, the eight-year conflict ‘will likely result in failure’… Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal says emphatically: ‘Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) -- while Afghan security capacity matures -- risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.’”

*** Obama on the economy, innovation, education: Obama’s economic speech today in Troy, NY will take place at 11:50 am ET at Hudson Valley Community College. So before he plays the role of world leader at the UN and G-20, he’s reminding folks that he’s focusing on jobs and the economy. It’s worth noting that the speech occurs in the NY-20 congressional district that Democrats won earlier this year and where the debate over the stimulus was an important issue. Per an administration official, Obama’s remarks “will outline the administration’s strategy for innovation: investing in education, infrastructure and research; spurring productive entrepreneurship and sustaining competitive markets and achieving breakthroughs for national priorities including health care and energy.” Joining (and introducing) Obama will be Dr. Jill Biden, who’s work is in education.

*** Obama’s not-so subtle message to Paterson: Also joining Obama in Upstate New York will be Gov. David Paterson (D), which could be AWKWARD after the New York Times reported that the Obama White House was encouraging Paterson not to run next year. It shouldn’t be surprising that the White House is getting involved in electoral politics. Remember, presidents' also are leaders of their party, and all of them, when they can, sometimes step in (just ask Senate candidate Tim Pawlenty about the call he received from Dick Cheney in 2001-2) The reason Obama is intervening here: Paterson’s poll numbers are dismal; the New York political landscape is a mess; the most recent state legislative session was a disaster for the party; Rudy Giuliani could very well run for governor; and 2011 is the redistricting fight, which will decide how the makeup of House districts will be for the following 10 years. There is a hope among some Dems that if Paterson decides not to run, and if the party rallies around Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, then Giuliani will get cold feet and not run. It is ironic listening to Obama deride "politics" when he is a very savvy political player. Of course, you have to be to become president.

*** Steele's “stunning” statement: Did anyone else catch RNC Chair Michael Steele’s comments about the Paterson news? After accusing Jimmy Carter last week of playing the race card, Steele said this yesterday: “I found that to be stunning, that the White House would send word to one of only two black governors in the country not to run for re-election. And it just raised a curious point for me. I think … Gov. Paterson's numbers are about the same as Gov. Corzine's numbers, yet the president was with Gov. Corzine. One really BIG difference between Corzine and Paterson: Corzine was actually elected… By the way, the only person to benefit for this story going public THIS week (just before the Obama was to appear with the New York governor) was Paterson. And given the Caroline Kennedy history, there are a bunch of folks around Paterson who have no problem with leaking. The question is whether this ends up helping Paterson, or whether it actually accelerates the process since many New York Dems are hoping Paterson, sees the writing on the wall.

*** Good news, bad news for Deeds: There was good news and bad news for Creigh Deeds (D) in Sunday’s Washington Post poll on Virginia’s gubernatorial race. The good news: Capitalizing on the fallout over Bob McDonnell’s (R) thesis, Deeds has narrowed the Republican’s lead among likely voters from 54%-39% in August to 51%-47% now. The bad news: Even after McDonnell’s thesis has dominated the news and airwaves, he’s still above 50%, which is a solid place to be a month and a half out from this election. Question: How much of this Deeds movement would we have seen if there HADN’T been the thesis story? Is this just a natural tightening of the race? Moreover, McDonnell has the enthusiasm edge right now -- 36% of McDonnell supporters say they are very enthusiastic about voting for their guy, compared with just 22% of Deeds supporters who say the same thing. That 14-point gap isn’t chump change.

*** All about enthusiasm and the NoVA ‘burbs: So in order to win, Deeds has to improve on those enthusiasm numbers. And here’s another number to watch: Deeds now leads McDonnell in populous (and Dem-leaning) Northern Virginia by a 57%-40% clip, after being essentially tied there last month. For Deeds to beat McDonnell in November, he’ll need to win NoVA by at least 60%-40%. Also in the poll, Deeds leads McDonnell on women's issues overall, abortion, health care, and education. But McDonnell leads on more bread-and-butter issues, like transportation, state budget, the economy, and jobs and taxes. McDonnell also leads Deeds on the issue of guns. By the way, Obama’s approval rating in Virginia, according to the poll, climbed from 47% in August to 53% now, which is essentially what his national average is. More proof that as Virginia goes, so goes the nation?

*** Mark-up time: As for health care, we might know by Thursday where the Senate Finance Committee eventually comes out, after considering some 500 amendments. By the time Obama returns to DC on Friday, he believes he'll have a Finance Committee bill that will have, at a minimum, the support of Olympia Snowe.

*** I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal: Finally, given all the attention to health care and this week's international focus, the government’s apparent success in disrupting a potential major terrorist attack is no small deal...

Countdown to Election Day 2009: 43 days
Countdown to Primary to Replace Ted Kennedy: 78 days
Countdown to Special Election to Replace Kennedy: 120 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 407 days

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Comments

Real News—An Endangered Species:

Over the weekend I saw CNN put out an ad essentially saying that Fox News is not truthful. Duh! I smiled and thought, “I’m glad to see that!” An example of the news media monitoring their own industry.

It may have been Time or Newsweek who did an expose’ on the shoddy news spewed out by Fox. It’s about time.

This morning on Huffington, the headline was “All blogosphere: All opinion”. Ain’t that a fact! It would be pretty pitiful if the only news we received were the comments from US on First Read.

I envision newspapers going the way of the quell pen. Government bailout would only prolong their demise. No one’s fault, just progress. The action is with the electronic media.

What I see which is most disturbing is lazy journalism. Someone will pick up an article written by…anyone…cite the source and will reproduce it as fact. Well, it’s not fact, it’s still an opinion. This sort of thing happens on FR far too frequently.

In the electronic media too many guests are on our favorite news programs are commentators who have their own programs. Still opinion with few facts. Chris Matthews has trouble getting direct source people so he has to rely on comments from David Gregory and Pat Buchanan and a whole host of commentators.

Rachel Maddow is one of the few who goes directly to the source to get her information. Ironically she is becoming the pathfinder for getting accurate news. Investigative reporting from those like Michael Isikoff should be the direction we follow. Yes, that costs money. But how much is accurate news worth? Spotlighting the truth is worth having a sound democracy.

Feisty: A win for da Bears. I would not have predicted that. BTW, my predictions do not come from math or numbers; they come from observation and weighing what I see.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:25 AM)

Obie told George Stephanopolous he was "too busy" to think about ACORN. Yet, he has time to go on Letterman, five shows yesterday, comment on Kanye West and jeter's record. Hmmm....maybe,, he ought to be thinking about his JOB. Did we hire a president or a media man?

stay home Obie (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:27 AM)

Cole T., Vermont (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:27 AM)

Stephanopoulos finally nailed Obama down on the middle class tax issue. The government charging a fee to opt out of insurance, or forcing people to pay a premium for an insurance policy is in fact a tax. Obama though doesn't see it that way, so he just waves his hands around and denies it, and in effect lies. Stephanopoulos even goes to of all places, the dictionary, to define what a tax is, and Obama just bemoans the fact that Stephanopoulos would have the audacity to actually challenge him. Stephanopoulos better watch out or the IRS will be checking his taxes real closely. And of course, on page 26 of the Baucus plan, the one Obama was referring to, it defines the required fees on people as an "excise tax".

So who's lying now Obama?

Raise My Taxes (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:28 AM)

Good morning all . . . feeling a little under the weather today so I'll be brief:

President Obama IS the only adult in the room.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:28 AM)

Dear Liberal Race Exploiter,

Our records indicate that your Race Card account has been used is in excess of your pre-established limits.

Your excessive usage of the Race Card privilege for unauthorized transactions is causing the Race Card to lose effectiveness among all our Race Card members.

Effective immediately your Race Card privilege has been revoked.

Sincerely,
Democratic National Race Baiting Chairman

Democratic National Race Baiting Chairman (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:29 AM)

The Liberals have a target rich environment, the Republican Party. Making Light of them is like shooting fish in a barrel, so easy a caveman could do it!

The Merry Prankster (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:30 AM)

Rosey Reed, NYC (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:30 AM)

If you are a white person, then you are a racist.

The Merry Prankster (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:31 AM)

We can see the Moon from our Dawg House, that's why we howl here at First Read everyday like it's a Full Moon!

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:31 AM)

Before Obama walks down any halls of the UN, he's going to have send his SS detail out there first to clear out all the dictators that want to shake his hand, pat him on the back, and tell him what a great job he's doing to make the US a socialistic country

Aaron Ross, Pennsylvania (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:32 AM)

Someone needs to tell Steele that Paterson was NOT elected governor [he took over after Spitzer resigned] and therefore is not running for re-election but for his first elected term as governor! And besides that, Steele must not know what's been going on here in NY...the Republican Party in general polls better than Paterson here as Governor...that's how bad it is for him. Cuomo has almost 70% approval rating here [better than Obama!] and would kill all possible opponents in a general election. AND...Cuomo's record as State Attorney General is stellar!

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:32 AM)

“The question that I'm asking right now is to our military, to Gen. McChrystal, to Gen. Petraeus, to all our national security apparatus, is … how does this advance America's national security interests?"

Dear Mr President,

Here is a copy of the report you commissioned. I read it and maybe you should too. It outlines the very questions you're using as a delaying tactic. If you haven't been able to get a copy,

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/Assessment_Redacted_092109.pdf?sid=ST2009092003140

When you get a chance, please read it. I hear we already have men and women fighting and dying there every day, and I think you'll agree that they deserve your attention.

Thank you and may God bless...

Bing Censored? (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:33 AM)

Paterson is (literally) blind. He can't see "stuff". Which is obvious since he has demonstrated political illiteracy. Maybe deaf, too? Political tone deafness.

Mind you, I am an Independent and no fan of Cuomo (not a fan of Giuliani, either). We in NY have done the AG to Governor thing before and we know how that turned out.

Bloomberg would be a terrific governor choice. Otherwise, can we try someone else with a bit of independent (non-demagogic) judgment, please?

Actually, I would not mind if Mrs. Clinton decided she wanted to return to the Senate and would run for her seat again.

drs (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:33 AM)

First Read is my InforMation Age Battleground. Welcome to Hysterical Asymetrical Political Warfare, Prank Style!

The Merry Prankster (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:33 AM)

One of Obama's gifts is that he appears not to be a politician. Unfortunately he is.

Alan, NJ (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:35 AM)

BROWN-NOSING AT IT'S FINEST

Obie's butt-kissing TV events, all this week, including Letterman, who has kissed more than a few himself, will NOT help Obie's health care plan OR his approval ratings in general. Too much exposure and selling a health care lie on talk shows (cheap stuff) is degrading to the office of the president.

Rory Storm
Polythene Pam
Pagan Baby ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:35 AM)

*** Steele's “stunning” statement: Did anyone else catch RNC Chair Michael Steele’s comments about the Paterson news? After accusing Jimmy Carter last week of playing the race card, Steele said this yesterday: “I found that to be stunning, that the White House would send word to one of only two black governors in the country not to run for re-election. And it just raised a curious point for me. I think … Gov. Paterson's numbers are about the same as Gov. Corzine's numbers, yet the president was with Gov. Corzine. One really BIG difference between Corzine and Paterson: Corzine was actually elected… By the way, the only person to benefit for this story going public THIS week (just before the Obama was to appear with the New York governor) was Paterson. And given the Caroline Kennedy history, there are a bunch of folks around Paterson who have no problem with leaking. The question is whether this ends up helping Paterson, or whether it actually accelerates the process since many New York Dems are hoping Paterson, sees the writing on the wall.

==========

This statement makes no sense. Corzine was elected? Quoting that great statesmen from Wyoming: "So?". Why is Obama telling Paterson not to run? Why is Obama even meddling in state politics, he's doing it both in NY and in MA (Kennedy's replacement). I guess if Byrd goes, Obama will be working the pols in in WV.

Steele is right, there is a double standard. If a white Democratic president did the same as he is doing, they'd be accused of being a racist.

Terri Michaels, Provo Utah (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:37 AM)

It's not clear what Paterson sees in Obama. It's not clear what Paterson sees at all.

Nuvi Gold, NY (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:38 AM)

Sunday 9/20/2009 on MTP >>>

GREGORY: Do you really think the President is a socialist?

BOEHNER: Listen, when you begin to look at how much they want to grow government, you can call it whatever you want, but the fact is —

GREGORY: What do you call it though?

BOEHNER: This is unsustainable. We’re broke.

GREGORY: That’s fine. Do you think the President is a socialist?

BOEHNER: No!

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

So, basically, Boehner admitted that all he was doing earlier this year at C-PAC was fear-mongering and attempting to scare the public for political gain.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:38 AM)

Every week it’s the same story… THIS is the week that is going to make or break this presidency.

Ongoing has been the HRC debate, then we had the joint address to congress – another make or break moment, and now it’s the criticism of the missile defense program. Is he giving preferential treatment to Russia (horrors!), or does it make sense strategically and financially.

I realize the MSM needs ‘catchy’ headlines, but this is becoming a weekly rerun of the same ongoing headline – just ‘insert’ latest front burner issue.

Who knew Chicken Little would become the mantra of the MSM… (i.e. 'as Chicken Little goes, so goes the country'?)

Pitiful, just pitiful…

Lyn, KCMO (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:40 AM)

Former Gov. Sarah Palin will deliver a keynote address today at the CLSA [CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets] Investors’ Forum, where she will touch on “US foreign policy” and “discuss her views on governance, healthcare, and of course, China.”

Palin requested media not be allowed in the event because, she said,
“If I do that with the press in the room, I will have to say different things.”

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Sounds to me that there are going to be some tall tales told.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:40 AM)

What a blundering fool... hasn't he learned yet that we are tired of hearing him and the best thing he could do for this country is SHUT THE HELL UP!!

Paul Miller, Iowa (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:40 AM)

That's so funny that Idiot Steele would come to the rescue of David Paterson. Is there no limits to Steele's Hypocrisy? Nope!

The Family Research Council is the American Taliban! The leader of this domestic terrorist organization is Mullah Tony Perkins, the True AntiChrist! We can never allow this modern day Judas to sell out our Secular Democracy for thirty pieces of silver. He wants to turn our country into another Iran, a Religious Tyranny ruled by religious fanatics like himself and the other Evangelical Christian Lunatic Fringe Despots where they can cram their Christian Sharia Law down all of our throats.

He started out his unholy Values Voter Summit with the song "Why Should God Bless America?" instead of "God Bless America". Why do they hate our America so much? Yes we can see what kind of values these plastic jesus idolators have as they held discussion death panels that promote ending responsible birth control and putting women back in their place, at home barefoot and pregnant and out of the workplace.
Just look at the Democracy Haters he brought on to speak: Magic Underwear Romney, Clueless Carrie Prejean and Mullah Huckabee are but a few. The only notable name missing was Clueless Carrie's Mom, Sinner Sarah Palin. Most likey couldn't bribe her with enough money for her to show her Wicked Wink.
We who love our Secular Democracy must remain ever vigilant as we can never, ever allow this group of religious fanatics to hijack our government again. We've seen what happens when they do thanks to the Reign of Terror of Tyrants Bush and Cheney plus the Reagan, Bush, Bush National Debt.

Ironic that 500 years ago people fled Europe for our shores to escape religious persecution, and now the enemy of all rational thinkers and freedom lovers is in our midst. Do not allow this Quisling Fifth Column coven of craven religious witch hunters to rise up and steal away our Secular Democracy or everything our Founding Fathers fought for will be wasted.

Reject & Denounce The Family Research Council!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:42 AM)

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All this is yours for the total cost of FREE! Small print: (Plus one trillion dollars shipping and handling. Actual product may not be as described in this infomercial. Benefits subject to change without notice.)

Pitch Man (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:42 AM)

"So before he plays the role of world leader at the UN and G-20, he’s reminding folks that he’s focusing on jobs and the economy."

World leader? American jobs are the issue, not healthcare. The Obama Administration is good at inflating the numbers of people without health insurance but Obama suppresses the rising unemployment numbers while Biden tells pople the stimulus is working.

The Dept of Labor U-6 unemployment stats show nearly 17% unemployment!

Where are the jobs Barack? (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:43 AM)

You know, I never believed Rush Limbaugh when he said Obama was looking to cut America down a peg or two and redistribute wealth across the board. But, I have changed my mind. I am a facts/democraphic dude, and this is what the facts are. Obama has destroyed the USA economy, especially small business which is the real economic engine for job growth. Obama has put forth an unworkable national health plan that will further bankrupt our economy and diminish quality medical service for all Americans. And......this morning, the real killer. General McCrystal is urgently requesting that more troops be sent to Afghanistan as soon as possible with the emphasis stating we either send the troops or lose the war on terror. The response from POTUS Obama: let's just stand pat until we have a real, workable war plan. This guy and his minions want to destroy our country and turn it into a socialist or maybe even communist nation. Limbaugh was and is right on the money. No wonder he wanted to see Obama fail. Failure for Obama is success for our nation. I suspect, based on the good General's comments, he will either demand the troops or resign. POTUS Obama does not have the best interests of the United States in both his heart and mind. As for his TV Blitz, another massive failue and lying session!!! Good news is no one with half a brain was watching this failed dog and pony show.

Gray Fox (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:43 AM)

The Republicans may have found a Pulse, but there's still no Brain Wave activity! The GOP is clinically DOA, time to pull the plug!

The Merry Prankster (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:44 AM)

So when is a tax not a tax?

When Obama says it is not a tax.

Sort of like not knowing what the meaning of 'is' is.

Also, in the wake of the Entertainer in Chief's whirlwind tour of television networks, (except for the one he thought would ask the toughest questions), we have learned what his priorities are:

He has been following the Kanye West story.

He has been following Derek Jeter's milestone acheivements.

He thinks that the White Sox, 6 1/2 games out of first place, 17 out of the wild card, still have a chance to make the play-offs.

He has no understanding of anything about the ACORN story. He has not been following it.

He does not think that people 'understand' his health care message.

Tell me, oh massive number of OPbama worshippers, just exactly what color is the sky in Obamaland?

It cannot be the same as the sky here on earth. He and the first lady have no concept of reality. Mrs. Obama takes 35 cars, a full secret service detail, closes down 6 blocks and one metro station last Thursday, all to buy a head of Tuscan Kale at the farmer's market. There was no one in the White House kitchen who could run that errand?

Can you imagine the media firestorm if that had been Laura Bush?

Can you imagine the media firestorm if George Bush has said that he was not following the national story of a group he had been affiliated with?

Or declared that a tax was not a tax, because he said so?

Or if he had anointed himself Entertainer in Chief?

I can.

no joek, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:44 AM)

Carrie Prejean is proof that California has fruits and nuts, all wrapped up in one convenient package!

The Merry Prankster (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:44 AM)

Obama just wants to get along with out enemies. Just like Carter did.

Dann M., Texas (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:45 AM)

Thank You President Obama for finding me a good paying Union job! I Support the Employee Free Choice Act!

Willing to Work (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:45 AM)

Oh, you stupid dimmocrats. There you go again. Getting all soft and mushy on terrorism. You went and arrested this guy before he even had a chance to blow himself and others up. Now he'll get a cushy jail cell someplace, and Halliburton won't have a chance to start a war against Iran so we can use some o' them there ICBMs we've been hankerin' to buy.

See what happens when republicans aren't in charge? That oughta teach ya.

Inverse Anna Molly (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:46 AM)

I Couldn't Believe My Ears

We were given the news last week that 46,000 Americans die each year because of improper health care. 46,000. And yet for the GOP, it is more important to see President Obama fail with this legislation than to assist in straightening out our health care system.

Evidently their message is – we don’t want President Obama and the Democrats to succeed, therefore, we will have to continue to die. Even children.

And on a weekend when the president felt it necessary to go on all the morning shows because the GOP continues to misinterpret everything he has to say, all Peggy Noonan can say is he is “boorish”??

Did she think Cheney was “boorish” when he went on tv attempting to sell not health care, but an unjust war?

Poor Peggy. We have a president more articulate than Reagan ever was. And it’s killing her. What a snobby condescending jerk she is. Her only mission in life is to protect the “great communicator’s” presidency.

Peggy Noonan – The GOP’s dream spokesman. Shallow. Pretentious. Self-centered. Phony.

Is she or is she not a journalist? Shouldn't she be talking about health care and not her personal opinion of President Obama?

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:47 AM)

So, basically, Boehner admitted that all he was doing earlier this year at C-PAC was fear-mongering and attempting to scare the public for political gain.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio

Those unemployment numbers? No need to be scared about those. Report on Afghanistan? Nothing to be afraid of there either. Obama saying the excise tax proposed in the Baucus bill is not a tax? No double-speak there either.

You're right - There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Connie Bridges, Orlando FL (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:48 AM)

Pres. Obama on MTP Sunday,'How do we balance freedom with our need to look after one another.' The repubs don't think we have to be concered with that humanitarian stuff; they think we should just keep things as they are and let their lobbyests lobbying for the big insurance companies so they can keep doubling the ins. premiums so they can keep sucking the nations wealth out of our country. Health ins. rises 4 times faster than wages,>>at this rate only the rich survive, the poor just die off because they can't afford insurance that keeps doubling while wages "if they are still lucky enough to have their job." The repubs love this sciene because the poorer people don't vote for the greedy republicans, unless they are religious zealots who are gay haters & equal rights oppressors.

gepa (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:49 AM)

President Obama has a busy week indeed, but then when doesn't he have a busy week? It's good that he can go out and report that the stimulus is working and that our Bushwhacked Economy is rebounding thanks to the Obama Recovery.

Bill Maher made a great point about the Tea Parties Friday night. He pointed out all the fatties there protesting against health care reform. Instead of tea baggers they looked like big Creampuffs, or dare I say ScreamPuffs....hold on.... I just got a call from their corporate sponsor and he says to call them Pillsbury Dough Boys.

Bill said it looked like for many of them that it must have been the first exercise they've gotten in years. I guess that Tea Parties do have a useful purpose after all. They can now claim attend a Tea Party for a healthier America, come get Exercised.
Bill also made another astute observation about the exaggerated numbers the ScreamPuffs claimed for their Tea Party as they claimed they filled the Capitol Mall. Their numbers were over counted because so many were fat, it only takes one whale to fill a tank at Sea World.

Bill's other most excellent point was to make taking better care of ourselves health wise a matter of Patriotism!

Liberals eat ScreamPuffs for Lunch!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:51 AM)

What Steel fail to see is that Obama doesn't play games ,and race isn't his issue,Now Steel has a problem,but he has a lot of problems,most come from his small voice from within there party,he has to cower to Rush for goodness sake,so most see him as a small voice, and little else.Voted in because of his race.Saw a short clip from Gotchas interview,where the president said,"david you must not have been paying attention to the address to congress or to what the president had been saying all along about HCR.Gotcha and Joe have got to know,we would like LO'D and you two have got to go.

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:51 AM)

I was watching those two clowns Boehner and Graham on MTP yesterday lying and misrepresenting HCIR and saying anything that might result in killing the legislation, as usual, and David Gregory pointed to a very interesting report recently released that was commissioned for the Business Roundtable. This is not a left wing group. Its an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with more than $5 trillion in annual revenues and nearly 10 million employees. Member companies comprise nearly a third of the total value of the U.S. stock markets and pay nearly half of all corporate income taxes paid to the federal government. Annually, they return $133 billion in dividends to shareholders and the economy.

All you people out there that think health care reform doesn't matter to you or will affect you in negative ways because you have employer provided health care benefits think again. This report indicates that not doing anything or passing a watered down bill will result in cost increases that will be hard for any middle class American or corporation to absorb or maintain.

Not only are you one job loss or illness from being affected by doing nothing or passing a watered down bill but you may want to reconsider your opposition since by 2019 those costs will increase to around $28,000. And if you believe your employer will pick up these increases or increase your wages at this rate you are delusional, nor should they be required to.

http://www.businessroundtable.org/news/health_care_reform_perils_inaction_and_promise_effective_action

GS, PA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:53 AM)

Ron Indiana: Over the weekend I saw CNN put out an ad essentially saying that Fox News is not truthful.

CNN and MSNBC spend an inordinate amount time cutting down Fox. But it doesn't matter, the people have figured out who is lying, who slants stories to the Left, and who is unfair in their reporting of the news. MSNBC and CNN have been getting away with their left-wing slant for years, but now that they have been exposed for what they are, they are being cry babies about it. Does Fox get it right everytime? No, but neither do CNN and MSNBC. CNN and MSNBC didn't even mention the Van Jones and ACORN stories until after they were no longer stories, they choose to ignore them. People go to Fox to get the real news, not this nicley packaged garbage CNN amd MSNBC, and the networks for that matter, are putting out.

Tanya T., Alabama (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

Rachel Maddow is one of the few who goes directly to the source to get her information. Ironically she is becoming the pathfinder for getting accurate news. Investigative reporting from those like Michael Isikoff should be the direction we follow. Yes, that costs money. But how much is accurate news worth? Spotlighting the truth is worth having a sound democracy.

Feisty: A win for da Bears. I would not have predicted that. BTW, my predictions do not come from math or numbers; they come from observation and weighing what I see.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:25 AM)

*****************************************************

First of all dude: CNN is putting that BS out because of the ratings showing FOX NEWS crushing CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, combined.

Since you know so much; why is it that you dont seem to understand FOX has 2 different entities: NEWS and OPINION/ENTERTAINMENT departments.
Your beloved MSNBC does not distinguish and pass opinion off as news.

Maddow, Olbermann, Matthews are all OPINION and ENTERTAINMENT shows...NOT NEWS....They may validate your opinion in YOUR view so you constantly quote them as factual conduits.

BTW: Maddow does not go directly to the source. If she did she wouldnt get caught in so many lies.

Everyone you quote is a damn lefty.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:55 AM)

That leak from the Pentagon reminds me of the joke about the submarine with the screen door. We can see that the Pentagon still has a hangover from being under the control of War Criminals Bush and Cheney, they politicize their work in public. We have a mess in Afghanistan to clean up because of the neglect of the War Criminals.

All this blowharding at the Value Voters Summit about making the party of sore losers more Masculine has me wondering what they're overcompensating for. How many Larry Craig's do they have in their party, that we don't know about, that they're trying to cover up? While they were all lathered up decrying feminism openly I wonder what the hidden message was.

The Values Voters make a brave macho noise about more guns and more missiles will make our country strong. Just like a bully who tries to cover up his cowardice with tough talk. President Obama has shown us the strength of his convictions by scrapping that idiotic missile deployment to Eastern Europe. Barack has shown us that we can be strong with Smart Talk instead of SmartAleck Talk.

The Values Voters and their Masculinity seminar unwittingly have given us Liberals a new line of attack this weekend, attack their Masculinity! Since they have no restraint in dishing out low blows then we need to retaliate in kind with our own low blows. Attack their Masculinity and Watch their Heads Explode as they Foam at the Mouth that we're using Low Blows Below the Belt.

Distract Them from Distracting Us!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:56 AM)

Mitch McConnell is right, Obama can't get anything in health care done until he gets off the campaign trail and gets in a room with both Democrats and Republicans to hammer out a deal. Obama though seems more interested in being a celebrity then he does a leader, so he keeps going on all the talk shows and now on Letterman tonight. Think Letterman will crack a few Palin jokes, you know, just to get the President warmed-up? I wonder if the Special Olympics will come up.
Rosey Reed, NYC (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:30 AM)

----------------------------------------

Why should the President waste his time beeting with Congressional Republicans like Chuck Grassley who have no interest in any good-faith negotiations?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:57 AM)

There are people who believe Obama wants to redistribute the wealth throughout the world, not just within the United States. Obama is known to have studied Saul Alinsky who said, "You have to destroy the economy to make the people dependent on government" I would like to think that this is not happening in the United States, but you have to wonder with all of these policies that will result in bigger government, more taxes, higher inflation, redistribution of wealth, and the punishment of success. The value of our dollar is sinking and now they are talking about a global currency. Is the Obama administration the ultimate trojan horse?

t. hamner, kansas (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:58 AM)

I write this with a heavy heart after my Steelers lost yesterday....FR notes what a busy week this is with President Obama's schedule jam-packed with a number of different appearances and issues and what do the Obama-haters say? He doesn't want to govern he just wants to be famous. They just don't want to see how hard this man works--remember he is briefed on all the things he does and works long into the evening on these matters--and how knowledgeable he is on a broad range of issues. It is easier for them to focus on the appearance on Letterman.
On Afghanistan--I agree with the question President Obama is asking--how does it advance our security interests? I don't see how sacrificing our young people and funds advances our security interests.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:59 AM)

So Obama has yet another thing that he isn't going to do anything about, the war on Afghanistan. That war is "Obama's war" and is the one the liberals said that needed to be fought. Yet his own party wants him to lose that war, and it looks like Obama will do the exact wrong thing and agree with his party.
Cole T., Vermont (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 9:27 AM)

----------------------------------------------

Once again, do we have to ask who's fault it is that President Bush didn't do a damn thing about Afghanistan because of the fabricated war in Iraq?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 10:00 AM)

When Obama says "Deficit neutral" - that means he's going to tax the living daylights out of the People.

F. Farley-Jones, Philly (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 10:01 AM)

To all the posters ranting about whether requiring everyone to purchase health insurance is a tax or not, a simple question:

Are health insurance rates rising 3 times faster than incomes a tax?

Is the cost of gas skyrocketing inexplicably every summer a tax?

Is the interest on the debt ran up for the Iraq War a tax?

Is the money required to bail out Wall Street and pay their fat bonuses a tax?

Is the $900+ each insured person pays NOW to cover the uninsured a tax?

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 10:01 AM)

Obama needs to do some LBJ type persuasion. He needs to get people in a room and bash heads together if necessary but get it done. I didn't like LBJ but the man could get stuff done. I like Obama but I am becoming disappointed in his ability to get stuff done. Talk shows are fine. They counter the lies spewed by the conservative hate mongers on Fox and elsewhere but more than that needs to be done. By getting the job done those hate mongers will, once again, be proven wrong. That done several times will further diminish their credibility and eventually people will not believe them any more.

Above all Obama needs to sit down with the Democrats and get them to agree on things. They don't walk in lockstep like Republicans do and so corraling Democrats may be like trying to herd cats. But he needs to try. At least get a majority to agree with each other and get these important bills (health care primarily) passed with or without a public option. It can be tweaked later.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 10:01 AM)

RASMUSSEN DAILY TRACKING POLL, Monday report:

Overall, 49% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance.

Fifty (50%) now disapprove.

It is important to remember that the Rasmussen Reports job approval ratings are based upon a sample of likely voters.

OBAMA SUPPORT IS NO BETTER NOW THAN BEFORE HIS "LIE TO CONGRESS" SPEECH.

OBAMA IS NOT GAINING ANY SUPPORT ... (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 10:04 AM)

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