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Money Matters — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:45:45 GMT

So does anyone at thse meetings ever talk about cutting government spending rather then just printing more money?

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Chuck, WA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:46:11 GMT

Could we all be missing something over Senator Clinton being selected to become the next Secretary of State? Am I the only one who feels that Barack and Hillary have become friends? I will go so far as to state that Barack, Joe and Hillary are close.

One aspect of change Barack has already started…pragmatism trumps neo-con ideology

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Country First My Butt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:46:16 GMT

Didn't Obama mock Hillary's foreign policy experience during the campaign? He said that what she regarded at 'experience' was nothing more then having afternoon teas with foreign leaders. Now all of sudden she heads up State? Do when was Obama lying? Then, or now?

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JTag, NE — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:48:57 GMT

[[A couple of weeks ago, we noted that if Democrats don't hit 60 Senate seats now -- by winning in Georgia and Minnesota -- they're likely to achieve that feat after 2010, given the Dems' favorable ]]

What will be unfavorable for the Democrats is by 2010 Obama will finally have a real record. And with Obama-nomics, failure is a certainty. All that "favorable-ness" you speak of will be exactly what Obama is made up of today, a lot of hot air.

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Graham Chickers — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:52:10 GMT

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Pat, Boston, MA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:54:17 GMT

"Two, do the Obama folks wish they didn't get so much credit last week for the rise in the stock market? Credit last week, blame this week? Both were overstated. The Obama folks ought to stop trying to take credit for stock market rises at this point in the transition."
________________________________
All I heard from the media was "Obama has to get out there in public, Obama has to get out there to bring back confidence on Wall Street - even though he wasn't yet the President.

I don't know if Obama was ever planning on bringing out anyone until he had his team firmly in place. But the media DEMANDED he come "out of hiding". I doubt he was hiding, wasn't it more that he was probably TRYING to put together his Administration. This does take time you know.

Wonder why no one DEMANDED President Bush to step up to the plate? He is afterall our President. Isn't he?

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JTatEHT — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:54:22 GMT

I am not anti-media, but sometimes you have such a strong memory of what you said or wrote that it takes the place of reality. I never heard the Obama people taking credit for the rise in the stock market; that speculation came from the media.

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Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:55:17 GMT

The liberals who keep whining about Hillary and other more conservative picks need to get a grip on reality. We need to be smarter than the evangelical christian lunatic fringe who only wanted their own kind in power and brooked no opposition. Obama is making a lot of smart picks and we need to look at the totality of his picks rather than just focusing on a few individuals. While I don't like him keeping Gates on or having Jones on the team I still feel Obama is making smart choices overall.

Now it's official that "Idiot" Bush has caused two recessions in his 8 year reign of incompetence and terror. So glad that there are only 49 days left of this national nightmare. Prison would be too good for this criminal but I hope that the Democrats investigate and report all of his crimes to the people.

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Nashville_fan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:55:55 GMT

"We're all Georgians now:"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
lol

Great subhead guys!

Reminds me of the good old days when every international incident was spun into a campaign advantage . . .

Remember all the posturing about the assisination of Benazir Bhutto? Remember President-Elect Obama's overseas trip? Remember the hostages being released in Columbia so conveniently when John McCain was in town?

Ah memories! :)

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Tax-Spend — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:57:59 GMT

FR: ( In fact, had Democrats found better candidates in both races, Democrats might not be in this current situation. )

Um, same is true for the Republicans. Many Republicans decided to be just like the Democrats, and we see where that got them. The Republicans have done nothing more then clean out the Rinos and pave the way for real conservatives to move up in their places. The Democrats are stuck with the same old liberals they've had for years. Change? None on the left.

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Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:00:59 GMT

Let's hope the repugnant ones don't win more governorships in 2010 so they can screw up the balance of power with their nefarious redistricting scams. Look at the mess they made last time, especially in texas.

I wouldn't say that the remaining Cabinet posts that need to be filled are lesser ones or unimportant. I've been miffed that Veterans Affairs hasn't been given more respect and money the past 8 years. Energy is also another very important area that needs more emphasis. I hope that Hagel gets Veteran's Affairs as I'm sure he would give vets the respect and support they deserve, something the repugnant ones have failed utterly to do.

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Clara Kansas City, MO — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:00:59 GMT

"...but Chambliss is the clear favorite." Ugh, I think we are using the term 'favorite' a little loosely here.
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"It’s recess(ion) time" - this whole paragraph is silly. Is it possible that the market tanked yesterday due to the fact that many realized our government has 'covered up' the recession for a year, during an election even. If the market is indicating anything right now, I think it is indicating a complete DISTRUST for Government AND the Corporations that have been in bed with Government for the past eight years. We all believe our mattresses are better equipped to handle the privitization of profit and the public sharing of losses? I don't recall hearing anyone from the Obama camp taking credit for the market last week. More media spin was what I saw.
------
and from yesterday:
“No President in American history liberated more people that George W. Bush. Over 50 million and less soldiers have died under Bush than Bill Clinton. Facts we must accept and live with. Sandy Moore
I did not realize that. Those are truly amazing stats. Impressive.” Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:27 PM)

I know you both can’t be stupid, I mean you found your way to the ‘internets’; but have you ever thought about maybe ‘googling’ or fact checking ANY of the emails you see? Or any of the crap that you read? This took me less than three minutes. I am not intentionally trying to be rude, merely pointing out that with a minimum amount of effort – you can find actual facts to support or dispel any truth or myth, respectively.

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_more_soldiers_die_during_bill_clintons.html
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Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:01 PM) Good One! You’ve still got it!

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Phillip, Dallas, TX — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:02:19 GMT

While the Virginia rule of voting for Governor of the opposite party of who is in the White House will be tested in 2009, the GOP in the last two years has lost the state senate, lost 4 house seats, and 3 congressional districts. McDonnell may be favored from name id, but whoever comes out of the primary will have the resources to win.

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Ron Indiana — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:10:09 GMT

The media keeps talking about the Obama-Clinton relationship. I watched David (Got-ya) Gregory and he was trying to drive a wedge into the relationship asking all sorts of dumb questions. Nobody, nobody bit on his questions. BTW, Huffington has David as the new MTP moderator. I sure hope not!! He is the worst of the bunch. Back to Barack and Hillary. Will Hillary get into Barack's inner circle. My guess she will always be on the edge, sometimes in, sometimes out. She will have to earn her way in, then she will play lose with the truth and be out again.

BTW Where does MSNBC find these characters like Christopher Hitchens. Just because he has an English accent, doesn't make him intelligent or an expert on anything. Olbermann has good solid analyists like Richard Wolfe on his show. Today's news will be about the auto industry. Lets see what happens.

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Pat Huntington NY — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:14:58 GMT

Stocks went down yesterday because Hillary was selected for State. That happens anytime she shows up. For some reason, the Democrats think celebrities can get the job done. That American public, and business leaders, know better then that.
Graham Chickers (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:52 AM)
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How ignorant and uninformed can you be? Stocks tumbled yesterday, because it was announced, officially, yesterday, that we are in a Recession, which actualy began Dec. 2007. All sides agree Hillary was a good pick. So, the Stock market plunge had nothing to do with her. Get a grip on reality Man!

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Phillip, Dallas, TX — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:17:54 GMT

I meant to say Democratic primary (Moran, Deeds, McAuliffe)

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jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:20:20 GMT

Why wouldn't the Govs what there share of the give away.This is called the gravy train effect.And as long as the money printing presses are working overtime,now is as good of time as any.I guess we the people will just keep above the water line so we can keep bailing out the fat cats,who ran these company's into the ground and are being rewarded.

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Diane from Illinois — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:25:36 GMT

Why does the media think those of us who call ourselves "liberals" would be upset with Obama's picks? I'm about as liberal as you can get and I find his cabinet picks not only acceptable, but brilliant on some picks. I campaigned and voted for him because of his judgement and intelligence and have no intentions on questioning that right now when he hasn't even been sworn in. No time in American history has a President-elect EVER been looked to prior to his swearing in, as President-Elect Obama has over these past few weeks. People are counting down the day until Bush leaves the White House; it will be a cleansing and new beginning that this country desperately needs. I, for one, am NOT disappointed in our President-Elect and I doubt many folks that voted for him are either. Give him a chance. He will prove to be one of our greatest presidents ever.

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avrds, Montana — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:26:49 GMT

FR: But outside Iraq, he never pandered to the left as much as they thought he did; the left simply heard what they wanted in Obama.

-----

No, we've paying close attention to all of it and will be keeping the pressure on, _especially_ about Iraq.

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Spin Cycle — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:27:31 GMT

-- The liberals who keep whining about Hillary and other more conservative picks need to get a grip on reality. ---

Who needs to get a grip is the Leftists of the country who think Hillary is a "conservative" pick. Conservative? In what regard? She voted for the war? So did Biden, and he's no friend of anyone on the right. Hillary is a true leftist, a socialist. She's earned he liberal stripes 10 times over. The spin from the Left that Hillary is some kind of moderate is just that, spin.

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Reality Bites — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:38:57 GMT

While I don't like him keeping Gates on or having Jones on the team I still feel Obama is making smart choices overall.
---------------------------------------------------
What's your problem with Gates and Jones, Eric? Oh, that's right, any Republican has to be bad in your eyes. Such an open-minded fella.

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thats a fact jack — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:40:57 GMT

thanks to bush/cheney/rove/rush and the NO REGULATION rethugnutz crowd it is OFFICIAL we are in a recession and have been for a year but then everyday WORKING AMERICANS have known this for a while but leave it to the ANTI-AMERICAN crowd to try and blame OBAMA for it, it wont work AMERICANS know bush and his buudies are to blame.

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CC, Iowa — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:42:07 GMT

Market is going up today. Time for Obama to jump in and take the credit.

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Charles B. Cincinnati, Ohio — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:44:01 GMT

Looks like the far left that voted for Mr. Obama have been "left" out, can those far leftist say "see ya"! Boy did you get fooled! Now who do they support?

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denise, toronto — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:01:08 GMT

Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod, Ronald Klain, Larry Summers, Paul Volcker, Tim Geithner and Peter Orszag. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish, but am I the only one noticing that Obama and Biden are not so much assembling staff, as gathering a minyan?

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Kathy, Charlotte NOT THE PUMA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:04:36 GMT

and from yesterday:
“No President in American history liberated more people that George W. Bush. Over 50 million and less soldiers have died under Bush than Bill Clinton. Facts we must accept and live with. Sandy Moore
I did not realize that. Those are truly amazing stats. Impressive.” Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:27 PM)

JUST FOR CLARFICATION, THAT'S PUMA KATHY, NOT blkbtrfly Kathy, Charlotte

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Pat, Boston, MA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:11:11 GMT

I don't think people should ridicule the left wing/progressive media side of the Democratic Party.

They're the only ones who got it right with our current Administration. It's really amusing to read and listen to all the rhetoric being made up about Obama/Clinton from so-called professionals.

GWB got a free pass for years. EXCEPT with the left wing media. The MSM media is rarely correct anymore. They seem to be nothing more than gossipers. Especially the pundits on tv. Pretty bad when we're in such a crisis. It's a shame really.

Where was the media this past year? Covering the recession? No.

Covering Reverend Wright and Sarah Palin. I just thank my lucky stars it's not McCain and Palin up on that stage trying to figure out how to jump start our economy. And I thank my lucky stars for Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow and DailyKos and Arianna Huffington and Lawrence O’Donnell.

Chris Matthews made no sense last night surmising about why Obama picked Clinton. It was ridiculous.

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Frank Grant, MD — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:19:04 GMT

Does it matter to Liberals if our troops die in Iraq, or Afghanistan?

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Beverly in Chicago — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:19:28 GMT

The Obama folks ought to stop trying to take credit for stock market rises at this point in the transition.
******************************************************
There is one thing the Obama folks can’t take credit for and that is the recess(ion). Neo-cons, does Voodoo economics, trickle down, and read my lips no taxes, refresh your memories?
====================================================
Socialists never change their stripes. Just watch Obama if you need proof.
Tigger Stripes (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 5:46 PM)
====================================================
You are absolutely, correct, that describes Bush and his predecessors. They have not changed their capalitstic Socialists’ actions as evidenced by the Wall Street meltdown, and the Big Lie … The Economy is fine. However, President Elect Obama’s, on the other hand is tagged as a liberal and progressive.
Before the next levy breaks, the next child is denied access to medical care; we should invest in infrastructure and follow President Elect Obama’s lead sensibly not blindly. If you have suggestions, here’s a link… We can all be a part starting audaciously from the bottom up. http://change.gov/
====================================================
These are the same things that happened in Chicago, but it didn't stop Illinois voters from voting for Obama.
Identical Twin (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 5:37 PM)
====================================================
Illinois voted for Obama and most of America for change from lies, doom, and gloom; rather it was audacious hope to change. Follow President Elect Obama’s lead sensibly not blindly. If you have suggestions, here’s a link… We can all be a part starting audaciously from the bottom up. http://change.gov/

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jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:24:26 GMT

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Pat Huntington NY — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:27:13 GMT

The spin from the Left that Hillary is some kind of moderate is just that, spin.
Spin Cycle (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 10:27 AM)

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Umm, what about republicans who call her moderate, including Rush? Your post is misinforming.

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Craig Liste, Texas — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:27:45 GMT

Whatever bailout of the auto industry includes it SHOULD also include that all top executives be fired. Period.

Diane from Illinois

Brillant. Who would you have run the companies then, some guy off the street? Let the unions run it? Let the workers run it? Let the government run it? Do you know anything at all about running a business? More populist bs from the Left.

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Rush's Friend — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:29:38 GMT

Umm, what about republicans who call her moderate, including Rush? Your post is misinforming.
Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 11:27 AM)

Now liberals are agreeing with Limbaugh? Obama truly is a uniter!

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Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Note to Graham Chickers -- The stocks did not go down yesterday because Hillary was announced as Obama's pick for SOS -- they went down because of all the bad economic news, primarily the announcement that the US has been in a RECESSION for the past year. Jeez, the Clinton-hates will SAY ANYTHING to "prove" their point, but the only point that's being proven is on the top of their heads.

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BethanyB — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:30:33 GMT

You know -- all you whiners out there complaining about Hillary and/or Barack need to shut the f$#! up. He will be out next president, She will be our Sec of State - get over it. As for what was said during the campaigns - will you give me a break? Did you hear the s*&t come from Regan about Bush 1 or the garbage from Bush 1 about Regan, yet they were the REPUBLICAN ticket TOGETHER!!
Will you people stop trying to drive a wedge in to something just so you can feel good. If you are unhappy with the results of the election or of Obama's selection for his cabinet - MOVE or run yourselves (then you can do it your way). Otherwise will you let the country try to get back to the position we were in back in Jan 2001. You know - back when we were not at war in 2 different countries, we had a triple digit surplus and people actually liked us in Europe.

I am so tired of people trying to point fingers and pick a fight when they are unhappy with the choice that 69 million Americans made. Did you hear that is almost 25% of the population of the United States, not just the voting people!!! Only out done by Regan, once!!

If you are so unwilling to allow Pres Elect Obama to actually get into office before you start blaming him for the sky falling, maybe you should go to a country that doesnt change anything at all ever. I think IRAN might just be the place for you or maybe Saudi Arabia - you know the place where theY kill the woman because she was raped!!

This country has been in the pockets of the Big Oil companies,the Haliburtons, and the Blackwaters long enough. It is time the middle class to start to regain prosperity, seeing as how the middle class is pretty much what makes this country work. Not the CEO's or the Big Wigs--they just bark orders and collect the money.

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kenn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:31:12 GMT

HAHAHAHAHAHAH OBAMAlosers you thought he would actually change things and look you got HILLIARY anyway hahahahahahahahahahah you see GATES hows that make your change feel and you know the best is that the obammawannabes still spin for him ohh how grand where is seirra now,hate hilliary,HA,shes your mouth to the world enjoy, HE WILL BE JUST LIKE BUSH with all his supporters yapping about the great job he did and before you know it eight years are gone and we can all look back and see the worst president in the world GWB,here is hoping I love hilliary and I like how Iraq is going with the surge and maybe things will work. Too bad LEFTIES your time came and went.

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Faith Restored — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:35:21 GMT

JTatEHT - THANK YOU! How dare you guys at MSNBC try and put that hype on Obama when you the media were whinning for him to step up and calm fears and fill the power vaccum Lame Duck Bush left. Try as you all might this isn't PE Obama's fight just yet and we still are living with the fallout of the last 8 years of incompetence under GWB whose watch IT STILL IS. Deal with it and then take up your criticisms with PE on Jan 20.

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kenn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:38:22 GMT

You wouold have voted for hilliary but she was as the rev put it A WHITE WOMAN,but they found a token place for her cant wait till she resigns like cyrus vance because the plan is wrong baby and not sit idely by and watch as the president BUSH runs the country into a war that you POWELL wont support except to the UN and everyone who heard his voice only to come back later and try and sidestep responsiblity well he did endorse OBAMMA

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Mel — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:39:51 GMT

I really hope that Martin can pull an upset...
Saxby Shameless - is the draft-dodger that unseated Vietnam Vet and triple amputee Max Clealand by claiming that Clealand sided with the terrorists.

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Look out oil folks-your days are numbered — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:40:56 GMT

Now that it is official, America, is in a recession, I want someone in the journalist community to do a piece on Bush/Chenney and the increase in their personal wealth. Opensecrets.com has their income increasing by the millions since in office.
Mr. Wallace needs to get a clue. After 9/ll the war was begun to increase the personal war chests of these two robber barrons!
The Bush/Chenney reign is the most vile and indecent regime ever let loose on America! The nation they were to serve has only been a personal racketeering business for them and the oil companies.
Senator Obama was elected to end this war and the oil company'smonopolies. He can stay if he does these two things in my opinion.

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Mike Gboro NC — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:44:20 GMT

The market crashed because Paulson spoke yesterday. It rose because Obama named his team and offered his stimulus plans.

The world has no faith in the current administration. Which is why, because of the Dems insistance on a financial plan from the 3 the market is up today.

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Diane from Illinois — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:55:02 GMT

Brillant. Who would you have run the companies then, some guy off the street? Let the unions run it? Let the workers run it? Let the government run it? Do you know anything at all about running a business? More populist bs from the Left.

Craig Liste, Texas
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Leave it to a righty to come up with this conclusion. Ever heard of hiring NEW people to run a company instead of the ones that ran it into the ground???? Or is THAT ought of your league? Probably think Palin is a good pick for 2012, too, huh? Geesh!

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Mark, Seattle — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:59:41 GMT

Speaking of nightmares, I see California is having problems paying it's bills LOL.

Maybe if they would stop spending money on taking care of illegal aliens and stop chasing business out of the state, maybe they could be healthy again.

But as long as Liberals continue to make the same mistakes they always have, it will be their nightmare for a long time.
jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 11:24 AM)
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Ummmmm....Jerry? You do know that your home of Texas hosts the highest population of illegal immigrants per capita in the United States right? You would'nt be so ignorant to post a comment like that about California without knowing the facts would you? A right-winger telling me that our national nightmare is our problem is nothing short of ridiculously stupid Jerry. You neo-cons created this mess and now sit back and point fingers as we try to fix it. You right-wingers display the maturity and mental fortitude of a 3rd grader. No wonder you were put in your place so resoundingly on Nov. 4th.

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Has Nwamadi, Dallas TX — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:01:45 GMT

Hello my democartic and republican friends,

It is so amazing with all that is going on both domestically and internationally that people are still refering to one another as right wing or left wing. It's shame that we cannot put our petty ideologies aside for the sake of our country and children. I would recommend that we all step back and help our communities regardless of affiliation. Bottom let's just get the job done and stop worrying about who the heck is getting the credit. Ameicans First!

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Bob, Orlando — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:02:51 GMT

Sen. Mel Martinez (D, FL) just announced he will not seek re-election.

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Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:06:38 GMT

Oh come on, Frank in MD -- conservatives are NOT the only "real Americans" who care about our country and our troops. You just hate "liberals" (i.e., anyone to the left of your far-right position) so much that you'd SAY ANYTHING, and let the facts be damned.

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j fl — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:06:58 GMT

Jerry..you want us to be as healthy as we are now under republican rule...hmmmmm...like the last 8 yrs I suppose?

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Sandy Moore, Indy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:07:17 GMT

>>>No President in American history liberated more people that George W. Bush. Over 50 million and less soldiers have died under Bush than Bill Clinton. Facts we must accept and live with.
Sandy Moore, Indy (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 4:19 PM)

==========
I'll accept these "facts" when you cite a source for them (and Blogs don't count).

50 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

ABC NEWS Sunday Morning with Greorge Stephanopolis this past Sunday. (Source)

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LB, Virginia — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:08:29 GMT

Eric and others: it's not the Liberals who are whining. It's right wingnuts pretending to be us. I have noticed a lot of "new" people on here who claim to be libs complaining about Hillary, the market, the cabinet picks are lousy, etc., but one can tell they are not what they claim to be! I haven't seen one of us who write on here regularly going nuts with Obama picks. It's just the right wanting him to look bad.

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Sandy Moore, Indy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:13:53 GMT

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kenn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:14:04 GMT

Jerry, ARNOLD replaced the liberal and now its hasta la vista baby for caleeforneeea. republicans suck as much as demorats and dont forget it give it 4 to 8 years and the voice of AMERICA will sing a new song called "dont blame me" like the BUSHIES are now you would never know half the country voted for him and have as much fault as he does.

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Sandy Moore, Indy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:18:58 GMT

I know you both can’t be stupid, I mean you found your way to the ‘internets’; but have you ever thought about maybe ‘googling’ or fact checking ANY of the emails you see? Or any of the crap that you read? This took me less than three minutes. I am not intentionally trying to be rude, merely pointing out that with a minimum amount of effort – you can find actual facts to support or dispel any truth or myth, respectively.

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_more_soldiers_die_during_bill_clintons.html
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Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:01 PM) Good One! You’ve still got it!
Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 10:00 AM)

Gary, everything you can find on the internet is true? You are easier than I thought. How do you discern the fact from fiction. Your small world facts from a small state population of Montana explains your being so simple minded.

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Dan St. Louis, MO — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:27:45 GMT

Graham Chickers (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:52 AM)

I have to call this comment what it is - ignorant and uninformed. The stock market went down yesterday mostly due to the OFFICIAL announcement that the country is in a recession. Yes, most people knew it. When news of that nature filters to those trading stocks, their first reaction is to sell. Do you not understand this, or are you more of the type of person who selects "talking points" in order to state your view. If the latter, it's pathetic.

Wonder why no one DEMANDED President Bush to step up to the plate? He is afterall our President. Isn't he?
Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:54 AM)

Pat, it amazes me how "conveniently" people forget this fact. They do it to promote their views, not to get to the truth or to demand action from the president THEY voted for. And thank you for your later comment about the stock market.

JTatEHT (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:54 AM)

I've also not heard the Obama camp taking credit for the jump in the stock market last week. What I've heard is from bloggers, not from the Obama team itself.

Eric, I sometimes agree with you, but have to disagree with you about Gates and Jones. I believe they bring the right kind of judgment and continuity to the table that Obama needs in those positions at this point.

Denise, what is your definition of minyan (I'm assuming you mean minion). One definition of the word can refer to being "followers" while another definition is "a highly regarded person".

Craig Liste, Diane didn't go far enough for you. There are plenty of capable people within the auto industry to take over, whether their experience came from Ford or Toyota. And yes, they are Americans. When other companies have CEO's that run their companies poorly, they are replaced. What is the matter with asking for accountability from them? What is the problem with asking these CEOs to run their companies responsibly or suffer the consequences (such as being fired). Most businesses I know are run this way. If you don't do the job, they find someone else. Do you have a problem with that fact? Or would you rather the company just run itself into the ground like other major companies in the past (did you forget Enron? Tyco?) Some people have short memories when it's convenient for their argument.

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jacksmith, Dallas, Texas. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:34:29 GMT

WE HAVE MORE TO DO:

Democrat Jim Martin is in a runoff against Bush Republican Saxby Chambliss for the Senate seat from Georgia. Bush's Saxby Chambliss voted against spending a few measly dollars to provide health care coverage for Georgia, and Americas needy children. But he supported wasting hundreds of billions of your dollars, and the life BLOOD of Americas finest on an unnecessary war in Iraq.

At a time when 47 million of you have no health insurance coverage, and over 100 million of you with insurance are just one major illness away from complete financial destruction. Bush and Saxby Chambliss voted to make the heart break of bankruptcy relief even harder for all of you to use.

You see, Bush and Saxby Chambliss, and his family don't have to worry about their health care coverage. They have the finest health care coverage your tax money can buy for them. Courtesy of you. The American Tax payer. In fact, no one but the super rich can afford the health care coverage you the tax payer provide for Saxby Chambliss, and his family for FREE! with your tax dollars.

He supposedly works for you. But he doesn't think you and your family should have access to the type of taxpayer supported FREE health care that you provide for him, and his loved ones for FREE!. Doesn't that just make you BURRING MAD!

Vote for JIM MARTIN for US senator from Georgia. Vote for JIM Martin who will be on your side. Vote for JIM MARTIN who will work with President Obama and a majority congress for you. Vote for JIM MARTIN most of all for your-self, your family's, friends, and loved ones. Vote for JIM MARTIN for a better America, and a better World.

Don't let Saxby Chambliss make a chump out of you by tricking you into voting against your own best interest. Saxby chambliss is NOT! on your side. He's not one of you. He is on George Bush's side. And we all know what a catastrophe the Bush Chambliss administration has been the past 8 years.

Contact all your family and friends and do every thing you can to see to it that JIM MARTIN and GEORGIANS! take that senate seat back for Georgia, and America. No matter where you live in America. This is important to you. President Obama will need all the help, and power you can give him to try and fix this catastrophic mess that the Corrupt Bush Chambliss administration has created.

As I said before you will have to vote in overwhelming numbers to overcome the Bush Chambliss "Let Them Eat Cake" vote fraud machine. Vote early if you can. Then help everyone you can get to the polls and vote for JIM MARTIN. You and your loved ones don't have to be Saxby Chambliss's victims anymore.

I know you will get it done. Just like you did for President Obama.

God bless all of you

jacksmith - WORKING CLASS... :-)

First thoughts: Hat in hand

Dan St. Louis, MO — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:37:12 GMT

Sandy Moore from Indy, where are those 50 million people? Are you referring to Iraq? They're liberated from Saddam Hussein, but the country itself is not yet liberated. As long as terrorists continue to fight within its borders, it cannot be considered "liberated". I suppose you consider Afghanistan "liberated" as well. If either country were truly "liberated", there would be absolutely NO NEED for American troups to still be fighting in either country.

First thoughts: Hat in hand

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:56:26 GMT

But outside Iraq, he never pandered to the left as much as they thought he did; the left simply heard what they wanted in Obama.
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You obviously haven't been paying attention, First Read...

"The Left" as you like to call it, is not some one-note monolith. Many on that side favored Edwards initially, as well as Dodd and Kucinich. They knew Obama was more of a pragmatist than some of the other Dem candidates, but eventually came to support him. Many "libs" know that Obama won't govern from the left as much as some would like, but the overall direction in governanace will be in a more progressive direction.

Of course, feel free to keep dumbing down the big picture. It's good practice for David Gregory as he (allegedly) prepares to take over MTP. Blech.

First thoughts: Hat in hand

No more gas and oil party — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:00:15 GMT

To the morons that suggest that Obama needs to step up and is somehow responsible for the stock market going down? Don't forget, it's YOUR guy, the Village Idiot from Crawford who is still in charge, even though he is hiding out in an undisclosed location with his buddy (and codefendant, Tricky Dick).

Jerry, you are still wrong and still a loser. You do know that California has a GOP governor, don't you? How has Texas (with their GOP governor) done with illegal immigration? Yep, thought so....

First thoughts: Hat in hand

Bob, Lyons Oregon — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:33:40 GMT

some of you people are real idiots, the stock market went down yesterday because they announced through that report that we are in a recession, that is it.

First thoughts: Hat in hand

Troy Williams, St Louis MO — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:49:45 GMT

What about nominating Sarah Palin as Secretariat of Energy. That's one department people knows she is well qualified. After all, she sat on the Alaska energy board (prior to being Governor) and knew enough to expose corruption there. Also, her Energy record is very good as Governor.

First thoughts: Hat in hand

chris, nh — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:49:50 GMT

Doesn't the state Legislatures set the new Congressional districts?