President takes low-key tone in second prime time news conference

How stupid does he think we are? He knew about the bonuses quite awhile back. Let's even give him the benefit of the doubt and say he didn't know about the bonuses. Does it really take a few days to comprehend that the AIG bonus situation was bad? If it takes him that long to figure out something that simple, I have zero confidence that he is going to be able to lead us out of this disaster. He & his administration are making it worse.

I think Obama helped relieve my concerns. I wasn't comfortable with such an expanding defiecit just to rescue banks/insurance companies, etc. But Obama reminded me, it's his job to try and save the economy, and unfortunately the way companies are intertwined, it might be needed. He also reminded me we have a 1.3 trillion annual defecit anyway, without any kind of necessary social progressive advances (education/energy/health). He's got my support.

I think he is being neutral as possible and getting fustrated that things aren't exactly going the way he thought it would, but I think that the companies shouldn't get the money. The government has the resources to give the money straight to the people. They could do it all. I could use just a little help to survive this recession. I mean think people they have the resources to check everyone's credit out and pay on or off what is delinquent. I know i know my fault or your fault even though I'm laid off in two week, but Think on it if the government done it this way it most likely would have been cheaper. And the people would start buying NOW instead of later. In order to receive the help with it the way it is would still take it longer to get out of the recession. For the people are still scared to spend any money.

Robin

Although I am in favor of President O'bamas plan to bring us out of this "depression", I was really hoping to hear more about a health care plan. With all of the unemployment, the majority of them will lose their coverage. And in my case, I have no health insurance but many health problems.

Susie

I think the President did a great job with the news conference. I especially like the way he reassured the people that he likes to know what he's talking about before he speaks. Sort of looking before you leap, so to speak.

“It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak."

Brilliant! I love that we have a president that doesn't have a disconnect between his brain and his mouth. I thought the question that preceded this answer was more than a little silly and deserved the short response it got. I believe President Obama's focus on heathcare, energy, and education are dead on.

Being a political conservative, I must say I think obama is doing a decent job so far. Standard campaign BS is typical. "I'll do away with pork" didn't last long did it? However, what I don't like and am surprised more people arn't talking about is his constant referal to " I inherited this" Who did he inherit this from? A democratic controlled house and senate. Bush? Clinton? Does it now matter anyway? Move on. Dems need to quit acting like they are holier than thow. Quit rasing my taxes for the liberal agenda and fix things.

I'm very concerned with the way Pres Obama is talking about taking over companies like AIG if they don't meet up to "Government expectations" While they're at it why not change D.C name to Lennongrad. It sure looks like a total govt, run country and that scares the he** out of me,

Most Presidents do speak calm, almost professor-like tone in news conference, he can only do what House will pass, he can not do it with out them. AIG bonuses, this should never happen. Now this Country would not be in this condition if they would Stop spending and Sending to other Countries and rebuilding the other Countries, The price of Oil should be traded even with a BASKET of GRAIN. Another thing is the High Paid Government employee's Federal and State, with Tax Payers Money the pay should be set, some are over paid, like TVA, and many other Federal Offices,and with some State Offices.

Obama was clearly in charge, doing what we elected him to do - lead! Its just been so long since the country had a leader, we don't quite know how to react.

BTW - He was NOT short with the CNN reporter - his answer was just short and to the point.

It was good to see the teleprompter in front of him instead of the tennis court standard he always uses. I had high hopes his speech and answers would provide new ambition and vigor to a disastrous week in Washington. The questions were not answered well, he seemed angry at times, and repeated the same responses. He seemed very unsure of his figures which caused us great concern. He did connect with us on the issue of the sacrifices of the American people. The AIG answer blew all his good effort. He has my support but has to do better on "real" information.

Ed Henry is the man! He is not only a world class journalist, but he sets an example for all journalists to follow. No matter what the scenario, how tough the situation the jounalist should always be able to ask the tough questions.

Ed brought the game, and Obama couldn't handle it! Hopefully the press will continue to take the gloves off, and get to find out the answers to some very heavy hitting, serious, hardline questions!!!!!

Where can I buy an Ed Henry bobble head, cuz now I _want_ one!

I believe the President did not answer one question directly. He danced around many of the questions and the reporters did not ask him hard enough questions concerning AIG and why foreign banks received so much money.

I didn't vote for Obama, but do think he is trying. It should be WE THE PEOPLE not Dem or Rep. and I think Obama is trying to go beyond "Party Lines", We have to forget who is Dem or Rep and come togeather to fix this mess.
Obama did a fine job explaining this last night and I have a little more confidence in him (if the HOUSE/COUNTRY stop the "Party Lines" and come togeather).

Im sorry i agree with the presidents response i would rather take a few "DAYS" to make sure i had all the facts before i just blow up like 99% of the morons who want to scream foul play

I think Pres. Obama was in shock that a real newsman asked him a "tough" question. He's been sliding all along..controlling the media at every turn. This question took him by surprise: that's what happened.

President Obama did seem frustrated but he is running a whole country.

Just as President Obama said, after being asked three times, in simple terms, he would rather think before he speaks. Doesn't this make sense. Unlike what others do not do in Congress or government.

In regards to the comment made by President Obama, yes he did seem frustrated. I would chalk it up to being tired! Hr has been jetting all over the country. It seems as though he is darned if he does and darned if he doesn't respond the way people want him to respond/ To be honest, I do not think he knows how to respond to anything. He has not been at the White House long enough to know what is going on with the Senate and the House. Yes, he is a wonderful speaker, but I believe that he is starting to realize what this job really entails,

I wish everyone would give President Obama the same respect that they gave President Bush.

The speeches...direct questions, roundabout answers, and the ways of a politician. Notice how he did not answer the question as to middle class tax cuts. He spoke of everything he wanted for his pie in the sky, but never answered the question. Change, what change? Seem to be the same bat channel but a different bat a day.

Everyone is looking for him to make some mistake whether it be small or huge. So what if we have a President who speaks his mind. Wouldn't it make sense to research and look into what is going on before talking publicly about something. This man can do nothing right in the eyes of republicans. They are waiting for him to fail and unfortunately for them I know he won't. Besides, when is the media not looking for an opportunity to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

While I am not in support of the context with which the AIG bonuses were awarded, the fact is that true performance bonuses are and should be a part of executive compensation packages.

The real issue I have is that I believe the media is using the AIG bonus issue to spin controversy. I don't believe the media has been neutral in their reporting which leads viewers and the general public to a position which is based on partial information.

I would like to see the media spend their energy and resources looking at more of the bigger picture and less on pinpointing issues that might raise emotions.

The Prez continues to talk about what he inheritated from the past administration like it was all caused by Bush but this problem started during the Clinton Administration and will continue with his spending habits that he admits will continue with the national debt spiralling out of control.

I believe the President's response was right on. With all of the things going on with the World Economy, an emotional issue such as the AIG bonuses are a minor dilemma in the shadow of the frivolously used money being thrown around by these Corporations on the day to day. Firing hundreds to buy naming rights to Stadiums or even Sports teams that aren't part of our immediately supported economy are wastes of money and nothing more than their move to save face.

I was surprised that Obama is trying to cut back on charitable donations. Wealthy people who donate will now get to write less of it off on their taxes. I guess he feels that his government is taking care of the less fortunate that it feels are worthy and charitable institutions need to die and go away...

Obama pronounces words correctly and uses proper grammar – it's so refreshing to listen to him speak, no matter what the subject. And I thought his response to Ed Henry was perfect! I laughed out loud and many friends on Twitter commented that they did too. Slam!

This country was built on the backs of people willing to take risks. Thank goodness no one told our founding fathers what risks they should or shouldn’t take.

Obama tends towards the scholarly answer, almost like a professor in front of the class (us). I liked his little bit of spunk directed at Ed Henry, the press is usually seen as kind of a yammering, yapping, gotcha question lobbing, group more focused on going viral than asking tough, fact-based, un-biased, questions. Good for him! Beyond that, the budget making process is political sausage making, what comes out the other end will have little resemblance to what Obama started with. It is curious how the defense budget gets another pass with Obamas budget, its the biggest discrectionary line item and offers the greatest chance for savings?

We must understand that it took us 8 years to get into this mess, it will not take 20,30, 60 or 6 months to get out of this mess. It's time that we, would we rather have a president that just does what he want or would you rather have a president that takes the time to think about a problem. MYSELF the later.

Policical rhetoric as usual... he'll tell us what we want to hear but cover up what we don't and when issues turn up that "they didn't know about" because they are only in office for a short time, break out another bandaid. That's all most issues will need because next week, we'll focus on something else. It's going to be a l-o-n-g road to recover from the continued wasteful spending that we're witnessing.

I am proud of the way President Obama is addressing the issues and communicating directly on a regular basis with the press and the public. Finally we have a leader who can intelligently communicate his thoughts without assistance of people around him. And one who thinks before he speaks. He continues to have my support – at least he is making an effort to fix what is broken.

I think that he should leave healthcare alone. Tell me one thing the government runs that works. They are running SS out of money by 2042. The National debt will be over 9 Trillion in 10 years. I am 42 years old and I am self employed and pay $106/month for my dental and health insurance with a $3000 deductable (pretty inexpensive). My auto insurance cost is about the same, and so is my cable bill. You pay what is important, but that is what is broke in this country.

Obama is making an effort.More so tann bush did in 8 years.It will take a little time to fix all that george bush screwed up

Good Morning Sunshine.
I think his reaction to the AIG bonuses was warranted. I'm sick of hearing about it myself. I think I would of reacted the same.

President Obama did seem a bit frustrated but he is running a whole country.

How long if ever has it been since a PRES. was " DOING TO MUCH ". He came into a mess and well if you have ever stepped in a mess some times the clean up is just as messy.

The President handled himself like the leader of the free world should, not every thing is a cover-up

John

I heard that guy this morning say that they saw the first glimmer that Obama might be a one-termer because of how he responded the the AIG question. Why? Because we have someone in office who doesn't back down? I would rather him take the time to get the facts then get up in front of us and talk out of his rear-end.

I waiting for an Obama speech where he stops this adolescent whining about "inheriting" something. It would be better if he was working instead of campaigning on Leno.

When I heard the question asked by the CNN reporter, my first thought was that it was a stupid qustion. My second thought that the answer was obvious answer. . I actually made the same respone as Obama, just quicker!

I agree with Floyd and am glad President Obama wants to know what he's talking about before speaking on a subject, unlike our past president. This country has had enough of the foot-in-mouth syndrome to last us a long time. And, as President Obama stated last night, if it was easy to "fix", it would already have been fixed. It amazes me that what took 8 years of reckless spending and neglect to get this country in the recession it's in today, yet people expect Obama to "fix" it in two months? People can't really be that clueless, can they? As Obama said when he was campaigning and as he said last night, this is going to take years to "fix". He needs the support and prayers of very U.S. citizen, and he has mine.

We seem to be playing the blame game. I would like to see the congress and senate give back their pay increases. Why are we blaming AIG what about the fact that the oil companies that put us in this recession aren't being fined. How quickly we forget 5 dollars a gallon. Can you afford more taxes I can't but we are all going to get them.. taxing our carbon foot print you should say picking our pockets

What was that ad that ran between 7:10 and 7:30 critizing President Obama? It was similar to a campaign ad run by Republicans. "Is this change you can believe in?"

I want to know who sponsored this ad.
I want to know why it was allowed to air.

I cringed at the non-supportive message to the President of the United States that this ad represented. Even worse, I cringed at HLN airing it. I have never seen such an ad during a Presidency other than if the President was a candidate running for re-election. This ad was not far if not a demonstration of direct treason.

Confronted with the subject of AIG, the presidents visual reaction of disgust (which we all share) was quite noticable. It simply made him fall short of a quick and proper reply.

I think it's about time that our president showed a little steel when dealing with the idiots in the media who seem to think that somehow they're qualified to run the country. Honestly, listening to the news these days, no matter which chanel is on, just makes my bp rise... don't those nuts know how stupid they sound? Way to go, Barack!

many of us in America have had enough! enough tom cruse news, enough slandering of President Obama! and most of all enough of corporate America dictating our beliefs! Everyone continues to rage against AIG. what about the ten billion dollars we are spending in Iraq a month! and most of that going to Haliburton! not the troops and certainly not the country the Bush administration devastated! give me a break. President Obama has done more for this country in sixty days then the last crew did in eight years! i would not be trying to label him a one term president!!!

Hi Robin,
I have to chastize the reporter who badgered the President on how long he took to be outraged over the AIG bonuses. Who cares?? The press needs to come up with better and more important questions on the problems we face today. The rest of the questions were professional, concise and to the point. The question posed by this reporter made him look as though he worked for the National Inquirer and he needs to get a grip on the reality of the situation we face. The President was absolutely right to get short with him.

bottom line for me as a small business owner is that my stocks are on the rise, money is being pumpep into economy and my business is good. [home improvements] obama is making changes for the better and it is paying dividends, this reporter is focused on negative reporting and it shows in his questions, why is it that the news media always trys to focus on the negative stories instead of positve results keep up the good work PRES

It was typical of our need for instant gratification to even pose the question of why it took a few days for the President to make statements regarding the AIG bonuses.

The Obama AIG outrage is just smoke and mirrors – I wanted to hear more about the "fusion" centers. Obama campaigned against surveillance against citizens and now the fusion centers are growing and putting Americans who voted for third party candidates (Ralph Nader) or are found with propaganda for such candidates on a "domestic terrorist" list. I want to hear more about what's going on with issues like this. However, it was refreshing that someone went over the speech with him so that he pronounced tough words like "Orion" correctly and didn't thank himself for showing up and speaking...

I quite frankly am sick of hearing about it also, we opened a restaurant in August and I don't let our staff discuss the economy, unless they are speaking of it positively and guess what our restaurant is doing quite well, so why don't we all start talking about some good stuff!!

Great press conference and response! It is refreshing to listen to an intelligent president.
He probably meant that he liked to know what he was talking about to differentiate himself from you know who in the previous administration.

It is funny how people forget the mess that George Bush received when he came to office. The economic slowdown was happening before Bush took office. I would rather have a country boy with bad grammar telling me the truth, than a sweet talkin used car sales person trying to sale me a lemon. This bailout plan is a big lemon; no economist will tell you that you can spend your way out of debt.

Someone needs to tell Obama that he's already been elected and he can stop campaigning...stop traveling and get to work!

Why are we helping out an insurance company, the auto-makers, and anyone else who's putting their hand out? We have countless small businesses going bankrupt everyday and nobody is handing out our "hard-earned" tax money to them. As Obama had said, the FDIC has a commitment to the banks. Those are the people that we should be backing and it mandates that the FDIC will manage. The AIG lost its money by providing mortgage insurance to the banks. Let's go directly to the banks to resolve it and let the insurance company go down with their bonus money.

Good Morning,

I do think that President Obama speech and responses to questions. I would prefer that the President after he address journalist to state what press they represent. Furthermore the Zenger that occurred w/ the CNN reporter with the video please show the giggling or laughter. Even if you do verbally express it kind of down plays what I saw and heard. Furthermore when you one reporter, please follow it up with of sister CNN for those who are not aware of who he is and in so doing limiting the idea that it was someone who is not in "main mass media" . . .

Although I loved the question I do feel that President should have said that random acts of kindness that are "destressers" like in long line of traffic letting someone out of a parking lot, letting someone go first at the check out counter, holding the door open for someone who is elderly or sick, etc. Although, personally I feel that everyone should try to be observant and try to be kind when possible in this recession and great fear that many people feel KINDNESS can go a long way . . .

until then,
Dizel
BLZ 502 (Morehead State University, KY, USA)

The press conference with President Obama was good. I hope he can help us more with our economy. However, Mr. Obama still has
a lot of work ahead of him. I know it will take time. So, people, be
patient!

END THE FED..SUPPORT BILL HR1207..FORCE THE FED TO OPEN THE BOOKS AND SHOW US JUST WHAT THEY ARE UP TO. THEY HAVE STATED THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW..PROVE THEM WRONG.
ON 04-01-2009 SEND A TEA BAG TO THE WHITEHOUSE AS A SYMBOL. (REMEMBER THE BOSTON TEA PARTY) ALSO LOOK UP AND JOIN TEA PARTY MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
GOOGLE/YOUTUBE WHO OWNS THE IRS
INCASE YOU DID NOT KNOW...ITS A PRIVATE BANK..IT IS NOT A GOVERNMENT AGENCY

President Obama campaigned on this mess! He was the one who said he had the ideas to fix it, so he needs to stop blaming others. HE has plunged us into record level debt; he is the one who's budget could bankrupt our country. I'm already tired of the "pass the blame" comments he offers at every opportunity.

Plus, his tax evading choice for our treasury, Tim Geithner, was well aware of the bonuses before the latest bailout....as was Barney Frank and Chris Dodd.

Wake up people....this was a conscience choice by this administration.

Ed Henry wasn't asking a question, He was making a statement. It was disrespectful. Future press conferences are not likely to allow Henry to steal the floor to make a statement again.

I think he is doing the best job posible for the mess he has been handed. People seem to forget very quickly who the real person was
that approved the plan that gave the money to AIG in the first place. Obama has every right to show a little bit of anger and frustation on this subject I know i would!

I am not at all happy with President Obama in general. So I did not want to waste my time watching him. He probably didn't say anything different. He thinks it's more important to bail out big corporations than to help the American people.

Give me a break, people! At least Obama sounds intelligent and can say "nuclear"... How quickly we forget how bad it was just six months ago!

I watched the news conference last night and still have a question. The President was asked about increasing the number of troops. He never responded. I would like to know what is plans are for troops increasement and where he plans to house the increase. Military bases are being closed all over the United States. The remaining bases are becoming over crowded. President Obama should dismantle the BRAC committee and start reopening and building more bases. I am proudly married to a Veteran, a proud Army mother and a proud military supporter. The military should be taken care of and showed the support of everyone.

WHEN ARE DISABLE VET GOING TO GET A RAISE AND BETTER HEALTH CARE. THE MONEY THAT WAS GIVEN TO AIG SHOULD HAVE WENT TO US. ITS GOOD THAT HE IS DOING WANT HE CAN ABOUT THE MESS BUSH LEFT THE COUNTRY IN.

President Obama side stepped the real issues of getting our economy back on its feet, by campaigning for a 3.7 Trillion Dollar Budget which will create a deficit that this country will never dig itself out of. He has broken his campaign promises about not doing business as usual in Washington. He wants to spend more money, and the only way to get out of this mess is to quit spending monies we do not have and borrowing money from other countries. He did not ease my fears, only made them worse!

The bonuses for AIG were in the stimulus package that congress "did not have time to read".Now obama wants the money back. He knew it all along.Just another sure sign he wants us Americans to believe that these big buisneses can't run without the governments big helping hand.Can you spell "SOCIALISM"?What about the bonuses for Fannie mae?

My comment is about Bobby Jindal's comment about Obama's conference.

I'm from Louisiana and I am outraged and embarrassed.
I mean, seriously. It is okay to want the President to fail?
No, its not.

I agree with what Meghan McCain said on Larry King. If you are an American and you love America - why would you WANT your president to fail - no matter who it is.

I mean, it is okay to think he is going to fail but it isn't okay to WANT him to. Even though I think Jindal is an idiot. I don't WANT him to fail. I want him to do good things for Louisiana so it can turn around and be a better state because I love Louisiana. I wish Jindal would love his country.

Completely disingenuous. Obama, Pelois and Reid (with an sneaky assist from Chris Dodd) rammed their stimulus plan through Congress by claiming the sky is falling and the President now has the audacity to express outrage over the AIG bonuses? The only thing the American taxpayer gets are a raw deal, lies and disillusionment.

Can you imagine what would've happened during Bush's disastrous 8 years in office if the Dem's wouldve tried to pull the BS that the Right-wing is selling these days, ie; "We want Obama to fail..." ?
You would've seen the nastiest, ugliest scenes play out live on the tube and in print, with every last, left-leaning dissenter being publicly chastised as a traitor and a threat to "National Security". Moreover, there wouldve been indictments and prosecutions based on such actions. If you have any doubt of that, just read over a long, sad list of the civil liberties that we as a nation have lost in the last 8 years. If the Right/Wrong could've outlawed free speech in the name of "National Security" they would've. You know it and I know it so let's not waste time debating the obvious.
However these days, the Right-wing seems to be immune to such recriminations. I personally think that Rush, Steele, McCain and the rest(traitors, all)are voicing the last, dying gasp of the old, white establishment that has progressively run this once proud country into the ground since the end of WWII.
Im very sad that Michael Steele got sucked into the fluff-blather that is the New Right. Political ambition knows no bounds I guess, and a person of color heading the Republican party(or trying to, albiet with alot of resistance from the big-mouth bully; Limbaugh, hereafter known as "Fat Bast***") makes about as much sense as a straight person heading up the Natl. Alliance for Gay, Lesbian and TG's.
That particular alliance wouldnt want a straight person at their helm anymore than the Right wants a black man or any minority in charge of "Their" party. Jeez, just look at how the Right/Wrong has treated Obama since he announced his candidacy?! Steele's position as head of the RNC serves nothing but try to entice blacks over the the Right, which as most persons of any color know is NOT in their own best interest.....remember, it takes a MAJORITY to win the Presidential Election and the majority won handily folks. Steele must be a glutton for punishment to have accepted that job. It makes sense though; Obama picks Biden instead of Hillary, so McCain picks Palin. Obama wins the election, so the Right picks Steele to head the floundering ship. Has the Right/Wrong ever had an original thought in their lives since Lincoln? This is NOT the party of Lincoln, it is the party of George H.W. Bush and The New World Order(read; Nazism is alive and well and living in the U.S.). The sooner that the general populace realizes the vast, possibly irreprairable damage that the white ruling class has inflicted on civilization in general and promplty ejects the power brokers, lobbyists and lawyers from their lofty positions, the better off we'll be. Legislators make law, lawyers interpret it. When did we start letting the interpreters create the language? Better to let your bookie give you a "hot pick"! Your chances of succes are surely greater than having lawyers creating law. ....giving the keys to the asylum to the inmates.... This is so obvious that I really hate to have to point it out.
If you want Obama to fail, you want America to fail, no two ways about it. You are a traitior and a threat to National Security. How does that feel? Get used to it. If and when the real truth about the last 60 years of this nations history is ever revealed, there will be a wailing in the streets and a great gnashing of teeth in protest, and perhaps we, the people, will finally take back this nation from its long-time jailers.
Oh btw, im Native American/White mix, straight and somewhat conservative, so my comments arent fueled by any particular prejudice or agenda. If you've studied history as I have, my words will ring with truth. If not, you need to get offline and open a book.
I dont expect to see this monolouge posted, but as a citizen and a patriot I had to try.............

Good Morning,

USNews.com lists the U.S. population at 305 million as of Jan 2009. The proposed bailout money is 1 trillion dollars. If each American age 18 and up received 1 million dollars they could pay off their homes, cars, etc, invest the remaining amount and stimulate the economy. That would save well over 900 billion dollars of tax payer money and actually do some good for the economy American families. How about them apples?

spending our way out of this economic mess will not work for the country any more than it works for a family or bussiness .
wealth must be grown...we can't just take it from some and give it to others.No matter how many pieces you cut it into, a pie is still just a pie.

I no longer have any confidence in this President/comrade....

I think it is a good idea for anyone to get the facts before they speak on a subject. It is responsible of President Obama to take that approach. It sure beats the prior administrations lack of ability to address issues intelligently.

I say good for the President. He wanted to move on and he did! My respect for him is growing with each day. As for Alex Castellanos and his "one-term" crack, he's just bitter over McCain's loss. Once a conservative, ALWAYS a conservative.

Happy to see a President that considers what is said before speaking; the fact that he is capable of thinking far superior to what we have had in the past.

I think people are too harsh on Obama about everything he does and says. I like the fact that Obama and his wife Michelle seem more like real everyday people and not robots saying exactly what they are told and doing only what people on the hill think they should.No one is giving him the chance to show what he can do,nothing happens over night.

It was refreshing to see "Our President" acknowledge the issues that our country is facing. I was impressed that he did not "wait" for the press to ask the questions about AIG and other issues, rather he addressed them up front prior to press questions. Though the situation is extremely horrific with the AIG situation, it's time to learn from it all and move on to other pressing issues, as there are MANY!

Michelle from Killeen, TX

Comprehension is not the issue. I respect those who choose to respond rather than react.

Obama was just letting the reporter know his not going to answer or act uninformed on the AIG issue. My impression is Obama wants to be a very informed President to act in what is the best interest of all those concerned. Because his decisions will affect many lives in short and long terms, I call that being a responsible President. People need to back off and let him get to work, and don't over analyze everything he says or does. GO President Obama!!!!!

We as can hold our heads up high by having a President that can speak in a highly educated matter rather than the stupid clown that was SELECTED for 8 years that brought this all about, After watching the movie FROST/NIXON what he did with watergate was nothing compared to what BUSH/CHANEY did to the world and the United States. Give OBAMA a chance and support him he is serious and I for one am proud he is President of the United States of America.

People seem to forget that WE as Americans got US the U.S. into this situation because of a sense of entitlement and WE not the President allowed this to happen. After years of Mr. "I'm a free market guy", do people really expect for coporations such as AIG to not take advantage of loop holes and oversights? Why did it take so long to acknowledge the outrage? Seriously? An intellegent person would think that after dealing with a President who made on the spot decisions that many now consider premature that WE would want someone who takes in the full scope of a situation before a statement and further decisions are offered.

Did any one notice that President Obama is already thinking he will be President for 8 years when he said he wanted things to be better by the end of his frist term in his opening statement? I think Obama will a one term President, thats what I think. Also, I have been asking why no one ever mentions that fact that President Obama is half white and half black, making him a black and white President not a black President. Since he was raised by the white side of his family, wouldn't it make sense to say that he is more opt to think white rather than black?To me President Obama seems to say the same things over and over nothing ever changes.

What real news man? The questions were stupid.

Where were those news man when the Bush/Cheney regime ruined our economy. They didn't ask any questions then because they were afraid to. Give the man a chance. He has 8 years of corruption and mismanagement to fix. I guess everybody got so used to having 2 dictators that you can't appreciate a true democratic leader.
If President Obama is able to fix this mess within his first term I would be amazed. He inherited a country in shambles.
I detect a note of racism even in the press corps – shame on you!

Good Morning Robin.
I think one of the issues missed in the Presidents plans is one that faces most retired and soon to be retired (Baby Boomers) and that would be how to allow us all to survive in this failing economy. We struggle to pay our mortgages and there is no help in sight.
My solution would be to lower ALL mortgages interest rates to at least 3%. That would put more spendable money in everyone’s hands and the economy would straighten itself out in not too long a time.
Thank you for listening,
Joanne

I believe the president did an excellent job. I too believe that the
"why did it take you two days to respond" question was a "dumb"
question. And I think the President's answer was not a result of anger but beared out the truth about how the President thinks and processes information. Maybe Henry should have thought a couple
of more minutes before asking that question.

PEACE

Interesting how Republicans cry foul at the slightest gov't interference in business, yet Obama is supposed to be an expert on all murky details that swirled around the AIG riddle wrapped in an enigma only a few weeks after his election. Even Buffett admits he doesn't understand it all. It is obvious that the GOP is desperate to latch onto any conceivable opportunity to discredit a President that is smart enough to see through their deceptive, self-serving interests. Perhaps they have grown unaccustomed to conferring with an individual who is adept at speaking in complete sentences – they miss that down home, maverick-y, 'smoke 'em out' banter. Sorry boys – your eight year golf weekend is over. No one is "entitled" to bonuses they haven't earned for work they never did at the expense of shareholders who are struggling to hold onto the little they have left – especially now that the shareholders are US taxpayers. Next we'll be suffering the usual GOP diversionary strategy: guns, religion, etc. – Yawn...

What the president is trying to do is important to the majority of Americans who need jobs, and health care. I am glad that the rich are going to pay more in taxes, they can afford it. More regulation is what is needed to make sure that greedy CEO's cannot continue to rip off tax payers. More people will benefit from fixing our crumbling roads and bridges and that will help put people to work. In Michigan we have been hit hard with job loss unemployment is the highest in the nation and our roads are the worst in the nation. We need to get Americans working and start manufucaturing products made in America! That is homeland security! Obama is doing a great job and I like the majority of Americans understand that it is going to take time to get us out of this mess.

As a young black American I am very upset with the Questions that the media asked. The MEDIA had GLOVES on. The only questions asked were about RACE , TENT CITIES and UNEMPLOYMENT that were hard hitting. I want to know why government keeps giving BILLIONS of dollars to companies that are full of Greed and Incompentance. The American People have been waiting for SEVEN months since the FIRST BAIL OUT took place under Bush. Why has Washington not got the picture that this is NOT working. GIVE the money to the people $150,000.00 to each American Citizen over the age of 18. Then give each 16 and 17 $25,000.00 for college. We the people would buy cars, clothes, furniture, other useless things, but most of all we would be able to pay for our houses. This would remove the toxic assets from the bank books and would have cost this country HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS LESS, KICK STARTED THE ECONOMY and put US THE PEOPLE BACK TO WORK! SHAME ON YOU MR and MS SENATOR AND CONGRESSPEOPLE! I think it is time to tell these people what needs to be done and they better do it.

I dont really know what is going on so I cant agree or disagree on what is being done..My only question is where does President Obama think all this money they are throwing around is coming from ??????????

Where was all this outrage when this stuff was happening? You had 8 years, 8 years of this and NOW you are upset. What about the Gas/Oil companies that actually started this whole mess? Why aren't they involved in any of this "recovery"! Put the blame where it belongs People. Look in the mirror!

I felt the President made a strong, logical, and convincing case for supporting his programs. I felt the CNN reporter looked like a real ass last night; his question little more than showboating with a strident, adversarial tone. I liked the President's response that he likes to know what he’s talking about before he speaks. We'd be better off if more people – and particularly leaders – conducted themselves similiarly.

yeah, Jerry! Ive seen those figures before and they seem to ring true. Fat chance of that ever happening, though. However, I dont need a Govt. bailout; I need quality health care that I can afford, and a job to be able to pay for it. Out of work here 1 yr due to then record-high fuel prices. The price of fuel has dropped significantly since then, but Im still unemployed and most goods and services are still at last years prices. That ain't right.

And as for my previous rant, which I thank CNN for posting; I believe that Obama inherited the Titanic. Ive never seen Power let go of anything that wasnt already beaten to a bloody mess and ruined for all future generations.
To expect Big O to turn this around in any reasonable ammount of time is pure fantasy and the RIGHT/WRONG knows this. They took decades(Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush(s) to get us in the mess we're in and we're not seeing them lift a gilded finger to help.
I guess their philosophy is: if WE cant have what is rightfully ours then we'll just hammer in the final nail and pick up the pieces when the fire is out.... Again; prosecute Bush(s), "Chee-ney", Rice et all; for their crimes and we'll go a long way towards repairing our standing in the Intl. community. Now I know that world economics isnt supposed to be run like a popularity contest, but who wants to do business with a jerk?? Not Russia, China, Iran, No. Korea, etc. These countries arent made up of scimitar-waving, camel jockeys or Neo-Commies as we're led to believe; they are real people with families, legitimate needs, concerns and responsibilities. They want clean air, safe food and water, a job, shelter, a few coins in their pockets, and a chance for their kids to have it better than us(a tip-o-the-hat to JFK).
Its their elected/appointed/coup-installed leaders whose voices we hear and consequently condemn. Like us here in the US, their leaders dont really speak for them, they speak for big business and their own versions of the military-industrial/medical/legal/media complex.
Obama may or may not accomplish anything he sets out to do, but if the ship sinks it wont be because he didnt try..........Thanks.

As our president has already showed us, he is very much human. He makes mistakes like the rest of us and has worked harder to make sure that he learns from them instead of sweeping them under the rug. HIs nose is not up in the air so high that he can't see the little people down here and I honestly think he is trying to help better out livesinstead of worring about lining the pockets of the rich. I hope he keeps working for the poor. I am one of them.

I think Obama is doing very well after he has only had this job of 64 days what do the people expect, most of the things he is blamed for are not his faults. I think if the people will give him a chance he will be a wonderful president, he is trying to do a lot because he knows the people expect him to. I can;t stand Ed Henry and some others at CNN because are suppose to be none political and you can tell very well what party they are with. I watch CNN all night , our bedroom tv stays on all night, and I really like Anderson Cooper but he is getting just like the rest.

You apologists amaze me. You're happy that Obama thinks for two days before he speaks??? What about his shameful comment about disabled individuals on Leno the other night? He didn't seem to think about that one before he insulted tens of thousands. You cowards!!!

“It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”

All this news about this comment? Does CNN not have any real news to report? Much ado about nothing!

Can we just give the man a bit of a break? Everything he says is over analyzed and taken out of context...like the bowling thing...come on people, that joke was funny...most of us would have said something similar...and i don't blame him for not wanting to talk about AIG...haven't they figured out a solution for that screw up?

Regarding the last two comments mentioned on air. I wish the President would have taken the same amount of time to know what he was signing when he signed the stimulus and omnibus bill.
Packerland Sandi

I feel that President Obama' statement about AIG and wanting to know what he's talking about was absolutely absurd. In closing gitmo, Obama openly admitted that he did not know what would happen with the detainee's but that he was sure they could figure something out. His comment lastnight was to simply dodge the question and make himself look good at the same time. The AIG incident is tragic, but unfortunately there is no legal measure that can be taken against them. We somehow let this get by us when lending them money. Only move we can make from this is to not let it "slip-by" again.

I'm only 20 years old so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that half of America is still against president Obama! Now that AIG has made a mockery of his recovery plan by handing out bonuses the country wants to immaturely point their finger at Obama! Get over it! The problem started before Obama and will probabaly take longer than his spot in the white house to fix! I for one am very happy Obama likes to know what he's talking about, other presidents in the past haven't so that's why we're at where we're at! Let's do as Obama says and come together as one nation! Not a divided nation! I think everybody has forgotten that a house divided will not stand!!
Blogger Nikki

I feel that the reporter who asked the "2 day response" question, addressed the President rudely. Most reporters speak respectfully with our President and get good responses. That reporter got the answer he deserved. President Obama is trying to make a positive connection with the American people and I respect him for that.

Maybe President Obama should read a passed bill before signing it into law. Last I knew, the President can use the line item veto. Why didn't he? He approved the bonuses by signing the stimulus bill and should take responsibility for it. What scares me is what else was in the bill that america doesn't know about.

Has the american people forgot Pres.Obama JUST took office a few months ago and expect him to instantly repair Bush's 8 YEAR mess. I mean really COME ON. I feel Obama is doing the best he can with what he has to work with. It's like a clean up crew after a bad tragic accident .

Pres. Obama has done more in the last few months than most presidents have done in their terms....and he is challenged with overwhelming issues......he seems to be trying to "right" the wrongs of this greedy self-centered country. We as Americans should stand behind our President and support him. Let's give him a fair chance. My faith in congess and trhe lobbyists has vanished..we as a country need to get rid of the lobbyist system..it seems most of them are corrupt.
from.
a former 63yr.old former republican

ps....Obama is one of the most intelligent speaking presidents in decades. He had a great response for the reporter who tried to harass him on the AIG bonus questions....it is always better to be informed than to give an instant response in any situation...this is only common sense-

President Obama doesn't like people who do not think HIS way. The administration is embarrassed with the handling of the AIG bonuses. And so he was understandably upset about any reference to it. Leaving that aside, I believe that putting our country into a deficit over 9 trillion dollars in 10 years is very careless. We should be cutting back, not overspending. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!..... Congress should cut back the President's budget down to 7 billion dollars minimum. Stimulate the economy and the house market, not executives pocket books.
Some think it was the old 'republican' congress that caused all this....no, no, no...............congress was a democratic congress with a republican President..............and it was the democrats that could have avoided this economic situation. President Bush warned them several times...............and he was right. They didn't listen and wham..........here we are! Following President Obama's budget will mean economic disaster given to future generations.

Again a dumb question by the media trying to cause controversy. The President in his own words 'can't count how many decision he makes a day'. He can only deal with a problem when it's brought to his attention. And when a problem is brought in front on him he has shown great ability in dealing with them.

When Ed Henry asked his question about the bonuses, my immediate thought was: "Oh Lord, he's back to THAT again." Henry has been reiterating the same question over and over and over and over again on CNN, always in tones which suggest it is the most important question of the day. Even before he posed the question at the President's press conference, Mr. Henry's Johnny-One-Note stance has been annoying me. Sorry, Mr. Henry. Although I agree that the bonuses were (and are) outrageous, and taht the Administration might have handled the situation better, getting stuck on the bonuses in the midst of our cucrrent economic situation is like focussing on a pimple when one has pneumonia. Let's move on!

This doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that alot of people want to see President Obama fail! I'm 20 years old and can see this! He responded in the suave manner he always would! And I'm glad he said what he said! Other presidents in the past had no clue what was going on! And they failed us! Let's do as Obama says and join as one! "A house that is divided will not stand!" So who's foot is in who's mouth?! I think we have this backwards

I voted for Obama...but the way he is doing things with AIG should be taken into consideration...instead of giving them money...OUR money he should hand out the money to WE THE PEOPLE to get the economy going,...I in turn would spend the money...and it should be more then a mere...300 or 600 or 900 ...more like 100,000 that would get the economy going...I know I would be out buying things and spending money that I know would get the economy going cosidering Im a single parent without a job...and yet the unemployment only goes so far....thanks

Jack

I find the President VERY difficult to listen to. He talks a LOT but really says very little and never seems to answer the question that is ask. It is a very old dodge to answer a question with aquestion and he is a master of that . I have also watched he facial and eye movements as he speaks and as a interrogator I see a LOT of deception in his use of words , expressions and eye movements.

People are forgetting, much of the funding to AIG is a loan. They have to pay it back and on top we have stock options of ownership ( even if they are low in value). As far as the CNN reporter's entire question. CNN should play it in its entirety, and not just a clip of the later of the question. Remember it was a two part question. The Reporter could have left the kids future out of it– outrageous and kid’s future in the same Q? Any parent will tell you, question my authority on planning for my kids, and you'll get clipped quickly. I believe it is the President that is the Harvard Graduate, not the reporter. The reporter wanted to know why President Obama wasn’t quick enough with a response for him to file his report. Answer: The reporter only has one story to file, whereas the president is actually working on multiple stories, lives and other facets of government. Your lead story is not the lead story for Americans, and maybe the executive producers who decide, that was going to be his question, should have simply "Asked something else!". Why, because his first answer isn't even being played,, and the reporter ended up looking like a doofus for asking it. It was like watching a crybaby, cry ( the reporter) because you didn't give him his lollipop quick enough. Where the REPORTERS report on AIG when the government announced the bailout loan funds were being handed out back in 2008. Why did the reporter wait so long and frankly took a holiday break. The reporter’s lack of investigation, is evident if you want to make a case that " this was known a while ago", as some conservatives are pointing out. The reporter rather relied on " other news sources to get his story"- why didn't he call to AIG for comment on their ownership/Control, instead getting flushed on National TV in 2009 like some AIG used tissue? - I think it is the media that needs to catch-up. Ahh some of the networks are sooooo slow. Your lack of media resources shows. Especially with that question? Was it the travel costs that weighed your company down and prevented some of the "true investigative reporting", instead of commentaries.– come tell us the truth?

Good Morning,

Sorry, I was thinking about what I said before which was posted @ 8:27am EST. I remembered that my response aboue a zenger was from a different question the one about the AIG bailout and the lack of response time by the President. I'm sorry Chuck and anyone else who follows up on that pervious comment. I feel kind of stupid although it didn't help that this morning I have a PSY test . . .

until then,
Dizel
BLZ 502 (Morehead State, KY, USA)

The Republicans had 8 years with the Bush Administration to create this mess. Funding a controversial war effort, tax breaks for corporations, no control over predatory lending institutions, and you still offer no solutions to the problems. But you sure know how to point the finger in blame, to someone trying to fix what you broke. Don't cry, whine, and blame; unless you have a solution. It makes you look foolish. Our new President hasn't even been in office for 6 months yet. Quit being part of the problem, and start being part of the solution.

I really would like to see Obama outline a plan that would put these "bailouts" in the people's hands. Give the American people the money that the government is giving these big corporations and banks and let us decide who to save by giving them our business. I think that would be the best way to stimulate the economy and keep the bonuses out of undeserving hands. If the CEO's and others can attract enough people's business, then maybe they deserve the bonus they are getting.

I"m very confident of Obama to get this country back on the track. the only people are against the president are the Republicans which they want his policies to fail. This president only has been in the office for 64 days and you hear all the Republicans saying he is failing. They talk about the spending and I wish they thought about it since they were in control. Even back when Reagan was president , he talk about spending out control when Carter was in charge and than when he was in charge he out spent Carter. The only president had control of spending was Clinton. Now Obama trying to help the low and middle class or the main street to get back in charge of their life. When this country get a increasing middle class and than this country will be find. I believe we will have more control of the spending in the near future. Obama want to invest in the people and not the very top.which drag this country to were we are now . Trickle down economic never work and it time to trickle up again when we had a middle class.

I think that Pres. Obama is just getting the Country deeper in debt with no end in sight. Where is all this money going to come from? Mr. Obama acts like he's still on the campaign trail with "Town Hall Meetings" and going on late night TV shows. This does nothing to ease the fear of a greater recession. Stop traveling around and get in the office for longer than a week at a time.

I agree with the answer President Obama gave to Ed Henry. It is like a re-occuring decimal.Please drop it Ed.There are more important questions for you to ask so just move on.
President Obama looked tired. This man is working very hard yet you see stupid comments on different blogs telling him to get to work etc.
I admire the President for the way he is with his family and the way he is hangling the people's business.Good luck to him. It is a very hard job.

If anyone of you out there believe that the President cares about the average American you are surly living in the world named utopia/nirvana. All I hear from his comments is the same from day to day. It will take time for this to come full circle. Wow, what a revelation. Does he think that Americans don’t already know this? However, in the same breath, he says that he was unaware that the AIG fiasco was taking place. Come on now, no one believes that and it makes him look like he is defiantly not up to date on his own recovery package. Now for the Pork that’s attached to this so called stimulus package. The sponsors of this bill should be more than ashamed, this is what’s wrong with the economy now, too much junk attached to bills that have no reason being there. The sole purpose for Pork is to ensure that politicians might have a chance to be re-elected, how pathetic is that, spending tax payers money to get themselves re-elected. But I guess that’s the way of the world. Let’s ask the President to be honest, he said he takes responsibility for the AIG payoffs, well let him pay back the incentives that the executives received. He can make all the comments he wants to and take responsibility, but if he does not send the money back what’s the point of taking responsibility? None whatsoever. That’s like me saying I take responsibility for the worlds problems, so what, I don’t have to correct them. I might as well kept my mouth and let people think I’m stupid instead of talking and removing all doubt.

I just found something that makes me even sadder than AIG and the Maddoff scandal. Just waiting for the burning cross now... :
http://www.mofopolitics.com/2009/03/24/video-nrsc-obama-change-you-can-believe-in-ad/

When will this country ever come together? When will we ever learn? When will we reach beyond hatred and differences and unite as Americans in the cause of repairing and emerging as a true UNITED States of America.

When will some people stop looking out for only themselves and love thy neighbor? ...instead of love thy neighbor's money?

Sure, our President is going to make mistakes...and yes, we need to keep him "in check," but all remember about throwing stones from behind your glass houses. We will keep you "in-check," too.

re: all this hoopla about Obama's so-called "terse" response to the question about how "long" it took him to respond officially to the AIG bonuses.

Those of us who actually stayed tuned to the entire broadcast will recall quite clearly that our Presidents' final so-called "terse" response to the reporter came after that reporter had asked the Same question Three Times.

Three Times, folks. President Obama did answer that reporter clearly the first two times he asked about "why how long?". Reporter (sorry I can't recall his name) also Twice stated that New York local gov't had apparently (paraphrasing) 'seemed to have taken on this issue' while Obama had not.
The response you CNN are choosing to focus solely on is that final answer that Obama gave to that reporter after having been three times asked the same damn thing,
Am I repeating myself here? Am I repeating myself here?
I am quite sure CNN captured that entire news conference thus I am certain that CNN is choosing to Spin It,
Well, there are plenty of news sources out there and I am now plenty dissappointed in "Morning Express" for going the "Sensation" route.
Shame On Y'all. I will not likely tune in to Robin Meade anymore.

Both parties have their mean spirited folks and they all seem to find their way into blogs. That alone makes everything they say suspect at the very least.

I am neither for or against the president.......nothing he does is his fault and nothing he does can be credited to him. He is a puppet, folks. Pure and simple. He is selected by people you and I will never see or hear about (although we did hear about the Harriman Party and Clinton). It is the same regardless of party affiliation.

The media's job is to keep us distracted from the real issues. They can build up a man to be seen as stupid or articulate. Doesn't matter. The president is manipulated from the start and he knows that history will judge him, good or bad. He doesn't really care, he is an egomaniac......he signed up for whatever happens and wants to go down in history.

What you all should be doing is watching the people who plan to mold your future to their liking. Congress!! Congressmen/women are competing with one another to see which side of the aisle can screw up the country "first and worst". They ALL are responsible for what goes down as "inherited" and each and everyone of you should spend your time watching your representative officials in action.

The only part the president plays in this regrettable behavior is that he gets his name on the ticket and by virtue of people's willingness to ignore facts and become sheep, they will vote for all those of the same party even if their past shows them to be crooks. So, obviously, the man/woman nominated to run on the ticket must be charismatic, articulate, handsome (if possible) and a minority (most desireable). It works, doesn't it??

Finally, if you really believe that Bush was stupid or that Obama really has his finger on the pulse of the nation, you are probably one of the above bloggers. You get all of your news from a biased media and don't know how to tell fact from fiction. Meanwhile, our "legislative community" is cheering our stupidity and picking our pockets.

The President's patience appears to be waning and it's showing in his clipped responses... How many days does Obama need to "think... before speaking" about the AIG bonuses? It might be awhile before Ed Henry gets a nod to ask a next question!

Fred – Florida

Dorothy is right, the bonus money was a mistake but when compared to the several trillions of dollars that President Obama want s us to spend, it is NOTHING! I think the attention given to the AIG bonuses is nothing more than a diversion to take away attention from the real problem which is the spending budget that the President Obama wants passed.

The several trillion dollar proposal at this time is not a "budget", it's a "speeding spree". Whatever happened to, "No PORK"? No matter what President Obama says, his actions are showing that his administration will be, "Washington as usual". I just wish the President would make good on at least one of his campaign promises !

All the stories I have seen about President Obama’s response to CNN reporter Ed Henry’s query about AIG bonuses have left out Henry’s original question, leaving the impression that the follow-up was the sole source of the President’s indignation.

Possibly, a second look at that first question would help explain Obama’s reaction.

[From CNN’s transcript of the press conference:]
Ed Henry asked, “Mr. President. You spoke again at the top about your anger about AIG. You've been saying that for days now. But why is it that it seems Andrew Cuomo seems to be in New York getting more actual action on it?

And when you and Secretary Geithner first learned about this 10 days, two weeks ago, you didn't go public immediately with that outrage. You waited a few days. And then when — you went public after you realized Secretary Geithner really had no legal avenue to stop it.”

Henry clearly insinuated that Obama waited to complain about the bonuses until those objections would not be actionable, implying that Obama’s ‘outrage’ was disingenuous. This was not so much a question as it was a veiled indictment of the President’s motives.

In my opinion, the President showed some, if not considerable, restraint by responding only to the latter part of the question, which concerned the budget proposal. However, when Henry’s follow-up was again asking why he had delayed, Obama bristled. His reaction is more reasonable when considering the defamatory nature of the previous question; by excluding that from your reports, viewers may infer the President is more volatile than he actually is.

CNN took the time to talk to Mr. Henry on air about the incident, yet still failed to broadcast their entire exchange from press conference. This kind of one-sided reporting is the cornerstone of progaganda agenies, like Fox. But, I expect more from my news outlets.

I think he is doing an awesome job and that people need to leave Obama alone. He didn't get us into this mess but he is having to get us out of this mess. We need to really support him and give him a break. Thank God for Obama and I pray that he will persevere through all the trials the american people seem to be putting him through. We could get through this a lot easier if we prayed for him and for our country and worked with him not against him.

I AM A BIT ASHAMED OF CNN NEWS AND HLN FOR NOT GIVING A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, THE CNN REPORTED ASKED THE SAME QUESTION THREE TIMES AND PRESIDENT OBAMA TWICE GAVE A CLEAR ANSWER TO THE REPORTER... YET THE PRODUCERS PLAYED A TRICK ON THE NEWS CASTERS AND THE PUBLIC BY NOT SHOWING THE FULL OR THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE SAME QUESTION BY THE SAME REPORTER WAS SAKED AND ANSWERED...SO FOR ANY OF THE SO CALLED POLITICAL ANALIS TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE THIRD TIME ASKED WELL THEY ARE JUST AS STUPID AS THEY THINK WE ARE.

Not at all encouraging for the American people.

How stupid does the President think I am? Taxpayers saw the bonus debacle coming from a mile off. Our elected officials need to tell the trufth and come clean. They are perceived as dishonest as the crooks in the TARP corporations.

The banking industry built an illusion of wealth around mortgage securities all the while Greenspan vowed there was no "bubble". Now we are being sold a bill of goods about recovery and bailouts. GET A CLUE AMERICA–take back our country. It belongs to the people not the crooks who we have mistakenly trusted.

How can we trust a system of government that has failed us at every level–and now includes Obama? You cannot have faith if there is no trust.

What the banks did may have been legal but it was not moral and the ethics are certainly in question. We are a country with no moral or ethical rudder–only a legal system built by bottom feeding attorneys.

WAKE UP MR. OBAMA: "Tell the trufth and shame the devil." Set us all free, only then can be make a recovery. Building more illusions will only hasten our demise and follow the same path as the ancient Roman culture.

Everyday I see evidence of American crumbling in our headlines.

If he DIDN"T know about the bonuses, then I don't want him running my Country. He should have known and my guess is that he did. Now it's time to find out if the recipients of the money are just going to get a smack on the hand (like all the others).

Obama is as refreshing as the morning sun. We finaly have a president that wstill do what is needed without the concerns of were it leaves him even within his own party.

The job is to what is best even if its not popular. Obama is his own person and is family first as he should be. I wish the Obama's all the best that is to come.

It may take into the next decade for the press to realize that we are witnessing the best that we could have asked for, but they will.

It is politics and I understand the give and take that must be made. Thats not Obama's fault, It's the American publics fault for being so simple minded and excuse me,listening to late night TV.

I'm for going in debt as a nation to be reborn as the global leader again for the next century.

Lead or follow, you choose.

Regards,
Angus Broadwell

Who is this OBAMA Fellow the announcers on Fox network and CNN Keep talking about Could they be talking about OUR PRESIDENT~~~~Why the lack of the respect for the office .

Marisa,,, if you were that focused over the last eight years we would be so lucky. Republican i'm sure. Our president has to submit. When changed by the individuals that you should be mad at ( probably in your own state ) ,,,, Obama has to weigh the options,,,,, now or later. You people are going to eat him up one way or another. GET REAL!

I wish I could be a guest one time without being cut off on CNN.

I looked at the news conference and my take on it was obama was right on point what was wrong with him say he would like to get tge facts before he put out something wrong. ED and CNN should except that , But instead Cnn want to keep going on on on . Do CNN & Bill have anything good to say obama?

I was a little disturbed and dissapointed when I watched the president get mauled by reporters last night.

I am amazed that we as americans, are not behind our american-elected president 100%. This is a democracy and we have chosen our leader. How is he supposed to lead us if he is not backed by us?

I am a huge believer in freedom of speech....but whatever happened to POSITIVE NEWS QUESTIONS...or POSITIVE QUESTIONS WITH SOME OUNCE OF TACT? How long are we going to buck the president? When are the AMERICANS as a whole going to trust and stand behind our current leader? We must stand together! That is the only way we will be successful as a country.

FYI- you lose my ratings when I see our fellow americans barking at our president. Wow, remember when the Dixie Chicks said somehting about former president Bush? They were ridiculed by many americans. In fact, some stations banned them completely. Yet, our news reporters, etc. can lash out at our president and make condescending comments? Troubling.....

This is what i think of president obama"s news conference, no it did not leave me feeling opimist about the economy and the country.

As far as the bailout payments go....Let them fall on their faces. I'm tired of hearing about million dollar bonuses, when their company mismanaged finances, especially when we, as regular folks are losing family businesses, jobs, and homes. I'm apalled at the recent news of corporate mismanagement of bailout money to be used to stimulate this, that, or the other.

It's people living on million dollar bonuses that leave the rest of us scratching our heads in disbelief, when we're wondering if we'll have a job next week, if we'll get a job next week, or where and how we're going to live when our banks prey on us, or if we can even borrow to stay afloat. Bailing out AIG, the automakers, banks, or anyone else who have been preying on the American public for years, are finally getting there due. Let them fail! Nobody's bailing out John Q. Taxpayer. How is it that an insurance company like AIG needing a bailout, when they pay out million dollar bonuses to CEO's; when the money was to be used to settle bad mortage loans? The banks and insurance companies are a complete scam. They are crooks who should be held accountable, not bailed out. If bank loans were affordable, and not predatory, then we could all make our payments. If insurance rates were affordable, maybe million dollar bonuses wouldn't be. Don't get me started on the auto industry.

The Republicans need to get off the blame game, and start working for what their getting paid for as well. Remember, we can remove all of you in the next election, if you choose to jump on the Obama train to see him fail. I see a bunch of wannabe politicians, "LImbaugh"; and others, who stand on the sidelines exercising their right to free speech, but I don't see them coming up with any legitimate solutions.

My hat is off to President Obama's ability to keep his mouth shut, until he has studied the appropriate solutions to our problems. Perhaps Rush Limbash, and others should take his example, and know what their talking about, before they open their mouths. Stop being traitors and haters. Start being patriots and serve your country as such. That's what your elected to do. Serve.

Considering what we've had to put up with in the recent past, I think the conference was on track. The correspondents asked some questions which required debate among my family members trying to understand the questions. Not for ignorance on our part, but perhaps because they didn't know what they were asking. The high point; when President Obama stated “It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”. It's been over eight years since that's happened!!!

people
i think obama has a full plate right now and he has nobody in the dem. party to work with. all the official that we have voted into office are so busy working on there reelection plans that the real issues don't get there attention.. that is on the dem. side of the issue. on the rep. side, well those sob's should look in the mirror and take a good look. there 8 years have taken a toll on everything & we won't get out of this very soon.. i see the things in washington going from bad to worse. the crooks have figured out the system, it has taken 233 years but they are in fact bring us down.. in they i mean, our politician, bankers, wall street exec, & big company ceo's.. almost all of these people are all out for themselves but try to make out that they are there for the people of america.. president obama needs to work on these politician on both sides of the table, let them know he will make it known where & when that he find corruption anywhere in washington.. after all, that is what he said he would do ...

class in economics. Do you really know whats going on in our country. While you have lost your jobs, homes, dignity and everything you worked for the Whitehouse is having a party every Wednesday night. Congress gave themselves $4,300 raises in January, did Obama ask them to sacrifice. Did you know Nancy Pelosi's net worth is over 7 million dollars. Chis Dodd's wife sits on a subsidiary board for AIG collecting a paycheck, they also own several houses, a mansion in Ireland on the Ocean. Wake up and start researching the people in Congress they are looking out for themselves.

I Think That President Obama Is doing a great job in the 65 days he has been in office and I think that everyone needs to let Him and his staff work , He has a lot of work rebuilding the ecomony. Stop stressing the little stuff.

Mr. President , please pull out your pimp hand and make use of it! We the people could provide a list of names(if necessary) that deserve a good "where's my money bitch " slap down. Either way I'm sure you will deal with the issues at hand with the eloquence of a butterfly, but please show a little of your ghetto side.....

Sincerly,
Someone who would pay to see you in a cage match with Rush Limbaugh!

I watched President Obama's Presidential News Conference.It was EXCELLENT!In particular,I want to remind our viewers that President Obama expressed that one of our problems is that we are NOT a manufacturing economy.90% of our economy produces NOTHING.We have become a Nation of information,pencil-and-paper pushers,and financial 'zombies'.This is a very serious problem;however,it is solvable.The Government must institute some forms of PROTECTIONISM.They must ENCOURAGE reliable manufacturing business start-ups with out-right direct aid.Other Countries already do this?What the hell are we waiting for?We must SUPPORT our current core-industries like auto.PERIOD.The money that was 'thrown' at the failing financial institutions;would have produced better results if it was used to 'prop-up' and expand our manufacturing sector.Why the hell do we need a securities sector,if we don't have a viable manufacturing sector to invest in?

America is begining to see the truth about Obama. He is all talk and polish. Our country was ready for change, and would have elected anyone that was not Republican. Oh yes, he is all polish, and zero job knowledge. His staff has shown their own inexperience, and the Democrats are passing blame around themselves as usual. He won't talk about the wars much, because he is realizing his "get out of there" plans are not so simple. He has yet to give a speech from the heart, and not from a telepromter or a plagiarizing speech team. That includes his campaign speeches. Congressional Liberals leading us to Socialism, using our tax money to bail out companies they recieved camaign funds from. (Its true, look up Mr. Dodd on the list) His approval has already sank to 61%, which only means that Americans are begining to wake up from the dream election to realize that Obama is lost, the polish is fading, and we are headed into even more debt as a country. If change is what you wanted, then thats what we are geting. Socialsm, and not a good socialist either....

Yes, Obama's speech was excellent. However, that is all he is and allhe has. His lack of experience and inablitlies are shining through. Once again, we as Americans are being told to not question Obama, and to follow him blindly. Anyone who has an opposite view is called racist, anti-american or part of the problem.

The problems that America is facing now began under the Clinton adminstration when loans were given to people who could not afford them and jobs were sent off of American soil. Yes, Bush was a disaster and did not help the situation. However, playing Robin Hood and passing out money from the rich to the poor is not a solution either.

i just don't understand why they didn't give the money to the people at the bottom of the food-chain like us. i think we need it a helluva lot more than the big corporations-especially when they are handing out millions of dollars in bonuses.my family could use some of that money to help keep us afloat during these hard times when my husband has been laid off after 11 years of dedicated service. it sure would take alot of stress and worry of f of us,and also keep our credit in good standings with the lenders. i don"t see any of them knocking on my door offering to help us with money or a job.i would love to sit down with the President and discuss what is going on at the bottom of this food-chain,that is where they should of started to begin with to make sure we were ok because without us the CEO'S/V.P.'S/PRESIDENT'S of these companies would have nothing.

Every president entering office, inherits the former administrations agenda, and is to often the reason given by a new administration for controversial steps they have are taking to correct that inherited problem. Blame for the taxes in 20 years that our grandchildren will be re-paying will also be an Inherited problem, who will be blamed then?

I thought he was going to take our troops out of their, he is sending more in, and we are going to rebuild the place, how stupid can he get, america is so bad off why can't he take that 6 billion and rebuild america, i really dont understand, we go in blow up a place after they attack us an u.s. soil, and than we go back and rebuild it ,just bring our guys home and let those people fight among them selfs, we won't get in it untill they come back to the u.s.

Okay, the AIG slipped through Obama's hands and he's attempting to understand the problem before reaching a solution and not creating a bloody war about it, sounds familiar?

Since the day of President Obama winning, there has been constant nagging from the country when will he fix this problem we are having.
They didn't even given him time to wash his face the next morning, come people do you really have such a low confidence in President Obama? I'm 56 years old and I've never seen a any other President be treated the way President Obama is being treated. Why? Can the Reb- and others say why? Do they really think that other President's did such awesome job? I truely believe some of this is just hype to get the attention away from whats really gonig on. President Obama has went in closet's and found dirty laundry that has been going on for decades and now he is exposing them and now peolple are saying he don't know what he is doing. Bravo Mr. President for doing the job that we the people pay you to do. Bravo!

Hi robin, my comments seem so small, compared to the thousand others., but to the point: Obama, dont send more troops to Afganistan!!! This whole war, since it began, has been a bad idea! I know this sounds crazy, but ive seen what the future is like, before 911 even happened! I had a dream about an ongoing war right here at home. "t was world wide knowledge that we were in the end of days the us had been at war with terrorists for quite some time, and most of our troops had gone off to war and were killed off. all that were left was women, children, and a few other americans. Terrorists were roaming the streets, buildings were on fire. Natural dissasters were thew least of our worries! America had been taken over!!!"

Please listen to my warnings!!! Ive seen enough to believe that this could be our future if we keep sending troops to their end! We need the protection here! And why we go over there to fight their army but also train their troops is beyond me. I know what this sounds like, but im telling the truth! For the people who knows me know to listen to me.
I would'nt be opening up to say this if I did'nt feel the need.
I recognize the looks I get when I warn someone of whats about to happen if they go through with something, but I also know the look of supprise when it does happen because of their ignorance.

It makes me mad that people aren't even letting our President get through the first 100 days and are ready to give up on him. I think that people need to learn that and give him a chance. People he just got started and I believe he will be the best ot the best. To President Obama, you have my full support as an American and I hope that we don't let each other down. Hope all of you are with us in the US.
Jon Phillip Boulton.

Well said Jon... and the beauty part of this American system is the ability to speak your mind and share your thoughts without condemnation or imprisonment. Having said that, i think a little more research should be taken before keeping your eyes closed and just accepting that all will be fine. Wake up Jon!!
Briefly, i don't agree with just keeping my hands over my eyes, ears and mouth (and tying my fingers for e-mailing), just to see what will happen after 100 days. I am intamately involved with witnessing grotesquely wastful spending at the local and state levels. It's criminal! I see the same format still being applied at the federal level. In a nutshell, let the big failing companies fail and stop throwing "our" good money after bad. That would be a good start for "CHANGE".

I do think that the president is doing the best with what has been given to him. He does seem like an honest man, but that "can do" speech allmost seems like he wants to wave a magic wand and solve all of the worlds troubles, and dont we all! "Well most of us annyways". The point is, in order to come to world peace, everyone everywhere must all agree on the same thing "PEACE". Which is the sad trouth. Not even Obama as President, or as a person for that matter, can change. Speaking of change, sending more troops out to fight sounds like the same old thing we have done for the last eight years! Of course we dont want the fighting here, but do you honestly think that they want the fighting over there? Or do you think that the Iranian people think the Americans are bringing cayos to their country and are eventually going to get pissed off and retalieate?
I could be wrong, I really hope I am, and maybe our pres. has thought all of these concequences through, and his tactics really will get us through these tough times. Im trying to stay optimistic but keep getting let down time after time, because of our government and other scams!

Angus...I was actually. I'm not a Bush fan at all. Just because people think Obama is doing a horrible job does not make them Bush supporters. That is my pet peeve...that anytime someone says something about Obama, the response is "Well what about Bush?" OK, Bush was horrible, too, but in 8 years, he didn't change America as much as Obama has tried to in 60 days.

For those saying to give Obama a chance because he hasn't been in office that long, you're missing my point. I'm not expecting Obama to have fixed this mess by now. Not by a long shot. I actually don't think the government is capable of doing that. The more they get involved, the bigger mess it is going to be in the end.

My judgment of Obama is based on decisions he's made in his first 60 days...federal funding for international abortions, etc.

Good Morning..! I've waited for weeks to hear anyone talk about the real problems and it hasn't happened yet. Honestly, is our government's leaders, media, etc...that clueless? Our country is in a recession, millions of people have lost everything they had...exactly what American's do they plan on giving loans to for a house, car or anything else when the majority now have credit scores that wouldn't get approved a loan to buy a shovel much less anything else! Seriously, it doesn't matter what the incentives are when the majority of Americans don't qualify for a loan of any kind. Please someone bring this issue up! I hope someone will have the courage to say what so far no one has had the courage to say! Personally, I think the American people should have been bailed out and not all of these huge corporations! What makes these decisions any different than Bush's administration? Atleast then everyone knew the wealthy were going to be the ones to prevail, that was pretty transparent..!

Thank you.
Sincerely, Inquiring Democrat American!

Why is our country having to carry the auto industry?
If all the car manufacturers took there "existing" inventory of "completed " vehicles(wich probably equals several hundred thousand)and took all the models 2 yrs or older and sold those new cars for 5000k each(newer models,2 yrs or newer,10000k each), it would pay the majority of their bills,get rid of exsisting inventory,and improve emitions country wide by introducing newer ,greener vehicles into our enviroment.I get so irritated that this has taken up so much of the news.. Why are we paying a cent when theres billions in existing inventory not being moved because of rediculous overpricing..
There needs to be a public voice for this.The car industry will get double the money if we "give" them bailout money, "and" they get to sell their new vehicles at traditional prices.
It should be a congressional mandate to make the car companies sell there existing inventories, world wide , before they manufacture newer vehicles..

I agree with Annette. I am in the market for buying a house, I have land to put up for a loan, and am hoping for a modular home to be put on that land. BUT!!! I keep on hearing the words CANT DO IT! NO NO! I dont think that by bailing out the Auto ind. and major banks is going to make one damn bit of good when the people of this world dont have AIG bonises, big Govt. loans and or decient credit!! Ive said this before! If the average person donsen't have the means to buy these newley bailed out co. then how the hell are we supposto benifit from this major money the Govt. is putting out into the hands of the allready rich?!!!

Your coverage this morning of Tyra Banks' interview of Levi Johnson, boyfriend to the Palin's daughter was dispicable. There was absolutely no point in airing that interview other than trying to humiliate the Palin family. This is exactly why the press has become such a hated industry.

I know that President Obama has a big job trying to solve the problems that have developed over that last decade. We the people have to give him time and pray for him to find the right solutions that will benefit we the people, he dosen't have a magic wand that he can wave and poof every thing is better. I hear all the critics complaining and I never hear anything that they can come up with that is better. For once when some one says I dont agree with a plan they should at least have one that is better. There are many economist here in America , why haven't any of you come up with a plan that can repair the mess that we are in. I feel like all this is set in motion to make the poor poorer and the rich are still getting ahead. The bottom line is this God has it all in control and we the people need to acknowledge him and he will bring us out of this.