Making a better sale

happy, boston, ma — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:27:11 GMT

haha oh god, mccain couldn't find any better business to talk to them about than sonic?? it's best for the public's digestion if that place goes out of business.

Making a better sale

LithMike, Chicago, IL — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:30:24 GMT

What are the House Republicans saying to thier constituencies? I was a Republican, but these people just embarass me. And... Sarah Palin - I just saw a Paris Hilton interview where Paris comes across as being much more intelligent and articulate than Sarah did this week. Where is McCain's leadership over his party and why didn't he vet Palin?

Making a better sale

McSame & Failin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:41:13 GMT

The Sonic restaurant chain is anything but a SMALL business.

Making a better sale

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:41:32 GMT

Making a better sale

Chris F. Antioch, CA — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:41:57 GMT

It was a toxic bill. Both sides were to suck it up and give King George a bill he would sign. No one really wanted to sign it. It's ridiculous political posturing on both sides, but Pelosi's insult and Boehner's and Cantor's hurt feelings probably did save us a bunch of money and grief in the long run. It's not everyday that Congressional dysfunction saves our asses.

Hopefully, now, the Dems can go back and draw up a bill that will actually help the American people. I have just a feeling that Frank and Dodd have something prepared that they really want to pass, with bankruptcy and mortgage relief for actual people, and now with the political pressure building to get something done, we might just get it.

Making a better sale

RA — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:43:07 GMT

They did vet Palin...She was the best candidate they could pick based on their standards...

Making a better sale

KL, New York — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:43:58 GMT

Does it matter what company it was? If Obama talked about Sonic, I'm sure you'd be praising him for recognizing the smaller companies, no?

Making a better sale

Change of socks you can believe in! — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:44:15 GMT

McCain/Hilton 2008! But, only if Tina Fey doesn't want the job!

Making a better sale

jbentley, Chicago, IL — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:44:40 GMT

Blaming "both sides of the aisle" is one of the lamest, longstanding cop-outs of the Washington punditry.

Bottomline is that it was the hardcore, "free market" Republicans who got us into this mess and it is the GOP that is standing in the way of it getting solved.

Making a better sale

Paula Kruse Minot, ND — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:46:09 GMT

I understand we need to do something about the situation(bailout). I have also heard some senators are putting in earmarks for money for other things. What's up with that? Our government needs to have one line bills sticking to the subject. I also realize that some earmarks are used for good things. ex. Senior building This I can accept. Bears, crabs, roads that go nowwhere. where is common sense??? right now congress should be concerned with what is absolutely necessary...

Making a better sale

Suzanne, western ny — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:49:04 GMT

Well at least they are talking in real main street talk. I fond Obamas explanation as he spoke in Nevada and gave specific but real life time situations on why passing this bill would benefit the American people. I don't care if they need to explain it in terms of 3rd grade talk as long as the message is understood so that Americans can form an informed opinion that relates to life and how they will lose.

Once again Obama seemed to do a good job of explaining the situation and the hows and whys that are needed to restart Americas financial egines even if peopl dont have money directly in the stock market that it will affect them too.

Lets hope this works because the end of the week will be really scary.

Additionally, Obama has continued to maintain calm and also call for a continuation of Bipartisanship on all levels instead of the blame game and then doing another 360 degree turn. I feel he is more capable of leading this nation at this point in time.

Suz, western NY

Making a better sale

Bailey Quarters, Twin Cities, MN — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:49:34 GMT

Oh my! John McCain says I may not be able to get my onion rings at Sonic. Well, I can always go to that other place. I'm not worried about onion rings. Wait...what? Barack Obama says I may not be able to send my kids to college, refinance my home or get a new car. Whoa! Now that sends a clear and urgent message. Why is John McCain worried about my onion rings when this is going on?

Making a better sale

Gary, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:52:07 GMT

I am an avid Obama supporter, but all candidates are forced to swallow this deal b/c if they don't the Wall St titans will pump millions into supporting their opponent(s).

What everyone is ignoring is the fact that we can use this $700B to directly provides loans to these businesses, through a retooled SBA or a new agency to be formed, rather than sending it to the clowns that got us into this mess in the first place. Making loans or capital available to businesses does not require that money go to Wall St - especially without needed regulation to ensure they don't piss it all away again!

Making a better sale

Union Rules — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:52:25 GMT

jesse MN -Johnny,Sonic restaurants are a Million dollar operation,

Most, if not all, restaurants are million dollar operations. You have to pay off the local unions, so that makes the building alone worth that. Then you have your union workers making three times what they should, that kills your payroll. Then Obama and his klan show up to tax you at the federal, state and local level. Now you're up to a multi-million operation. All cause you wanted to sell a few hot dogs.

Making a better sale

JCR, Cedar Falls, IA — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:54:27 GMT

If you want any hope that your ship will come in, make sure John McLame isn't your pilot. That dipstick couldn't lead a ship into harbor if he were the figurehead carved on its bow.

Making a better sale

Dick Dublin, IL — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:56:31 GMT

jbentley, Chicago, IL - Blaming "both sides of the aisle" is one of the lamest, longstanding cop-outs of the Washington punditry.

You're right jbently - it's the Democrats fault.

Making a better sale

Not an Econ major — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:00:44 GMT

I don't get two things:

1) why do business all need to borrow money? Isn't the idea to make a profit, then use your own money, interest-free? How can you be successful if you NEED credit, every month?

2) Why can't banks loan money to good credit risks? DO they just loan money when they paper the walls with it, or nothing at all?

Making a better sale

WOW — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:01:22 GMT

Sonics.......I can cook a hot dog at home if I had a home and could buy hot dogs.

Making a better sale

Jules, Big City USA — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:01:43 GMT

Johnny,Sonic restaurants are a Million dollar operation,maybe in your mind thats a small biz.but not mine .In my mind a small biz would be a mom&pop operation where mom works the counter and pops works the grill,they work 80 hours a week, do the books ,order the supplies,clean the joint after hours and still try to have a life.While in your mind the middle class earns 5 million a year it only makes sense that you would think Sonic was a small biz.I wonder how many burgers you recived to shill for them.Or who on your staff lobbyed for them.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 1:41 PM)

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

Not sure what kind of resturants they have in MN, but down here in the Big City, USA, even the fast food places employ dozens of people. No two people even working 100 hours each a week will be able to keep even the smallest resturant running. Maybe you're thinking of some guy with a cart selling hot dogs perhaps? Any brick and mortar place would easily be a million dollar operation. And yes, I would call someone running that operation a "Small Business owner", just the kind of evil American Barack Obama wants to tax to death, or at least until they go out of business.

Making a better sale

Al, Houston, TX — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:01:50 GMT

Both components of our economy are suffering; the financial services sector (the tracks on which our economic train runs) and more importantly the producer/consumer sector (the engine that pulls the train). The bailout plan that was rejected really only offered relief for the financial services sector. Democrats need to assume more of a leadership roll; re-write the bill adding relief for producers and consumers and then properly educate the public as to why it needs to pass. In this way they reach out to Republican legislators through their constituents. Since Bush and his team have proven inept in educating the public, the Democrats should use their most recognizable figure as their spokesperson Barack Obama. The Democratic bill should be just one component of a strategy aimed at rebuilding our economy to the point when it was at its greatest strength; from the years 1948 to 1962. What gave it its strength then was a large, productive and fairly paid middle class.

Making a better sale

DaveB, North Las Vegas, NV — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:02:27 GMT

Interesting that Obama frames the crisis in terms of people and Biden frames it in terms of business.

Making a better sale

Jackie , Chester, VA. — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:04:33 GMT

I just watched Obama making remarks. He made it easier for the average voter to understand how this will affect each and every one of us. This is not an exact quote, but it stuck with me."If your neighbors house is on fire, you may say well he always left stove on or smoked in bed. That may be true. However, the fire at his house will affect your house. First, you have to make sure the fires out. Later, you can make sure they stop leaving the stove on."

Making a better sale

Con-men., (R) Spokane, Wa — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:05:24 GMT

As some Republicans have pointed out: Confidence, Man, Confidence

Making a better sale

dyellon md — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:05:58 GMT

McCain just doesn't get it. Sonic is big business, not the kind of small businesses that Obama wants to support and help with his middle class tax cut. McCain thinks that middle class is people who make less than 5 million dollars a year. How can McCain relate to us- his economic adviser Grahm says we are all a bunch of whiners, and McCain himself said that the fundamentals of the economy are sound. You do the math- who do you think will help us more?

Making a better sale

eagle1776 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:08:02 GMT

The candidates need to back off and let the people on the committees handle this. When it comes for a vote on the Senate floor they can go, vote, and then resume their campaigns.

Making a better sale

Chris, Binghamton, NY — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:08:17 GMT

I hope that as they rework this bill, they do not suspend the "mark-to-market" rule. The last thing we need is less transparency.

Making a better sale

iowan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:09:57 GMT

I recommend the onion rings.

Making a better sale

dp in PHX — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:10:14 GMT

Quick... we need $700 billion to save Sonic Drive ins, d@mmit!!!

(And here you thought this bail out wasn't important, HA!)

Making a better sale

Cathy, Asheville, NC — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:12:22 GMT

When are the Republicans going to admit they were wrong about deregulation and apologize to the American people for getting us into this mess. It is time they took responsibility for their actions.

This crisis affects every American. Try and get a car loan, mortgage, or student loan. It is nearly impossible. If we do not fix what is broken, we all lose.

Obama/Biden 08!!