Charlie Rose

d maclean  10/06/2008 09:35 PM Report

I watched this clip becaue I am a fan of Milton Friedman, a venerable economist from the University of Chicago, who unfortunately has passed away. This guy does not sound like the typical economist as he quickly condems the playbook to cut taxes on the corporate rate, in favor for the special interests of the favored targeted group. I am suspicious of the claim that Obama's plan is a net tax cut if you take into consideration his spending and tax plan. Even if true, which I doubt, there is a big gap between the advisor's words and actually getting something into place. In the end, despite the fresh new look, very little has changed. The sales pitch is that Bush is bad for the economy, how can someone be so stupid as to repeat the same play. It seems to me to be long on tapping into the dislike of Bush but very short on deviating from an explaintion of economics from a rigerous point of analysis.

BVA  08/19/2008 03:47 AM Report

If Obama's strategists, consultants, pollsters, debate prep people, and managers had not yet developed an effective answer to the most obvious, the most likely, and the most important question, ABORTION -- then why did they allow him to appear for questioning at an evangelical religious forum?

Is this malpractice or simple incompetence?

Is Drew Westen really right about the Democratic consultants?

Would the title of Amy Sullivan's 2005 "Washington Monthly" article, 'Fire All the Consultants!' be more effective for the Democratic Party if interpreted literally and not just figuratively?

sock puppet  08/18/2008 09:26 PM Report

WSJ article tossed billions around re military purchase proposals stemmed from Russia / Georgia conflict - repeatedly. Now this is an all points bulletin for lovers of irony (alas at any cost). What if the Reagan tactic backfires into a what-goes-around-comes-around. This time we - not the Russians - bellyup trying to keep up (militarily at the expense of prudent economics). If we're not already there we're damn close - and the world / Russia knows it. This bit of world insecurity brought to you by Cheney, Shrub, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld et al neocons inc. What a rogues gallery lineup of putrefying SCUMBAGS. A damning indictment on our system that they're still free. AND YES, MCCAIN IS MORE OF THE SAME DESPITE HIS TURNCOAT WHIMPERS OF OTHERWISE!! PARTICULARLY HIS JINGOISM!!!!

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And yes Jingo-John is emulating W in exacerbating our impotence with inciting swagger and bravado that we can't backup - and survive. Petulant feet-stamping children for another eight years will be painful, but alas inevitable. The national IQ deserves it.

Preston  08/18/2008 08:09 PM Report

Also, this notion, that "John McCain is the same as George W. Bush, blah blah blah", pitch, that the Obama campaign tries to, I don't know, foolishly?, desperately? push. I wonder how many non-subscribing, free-thinking voters will buy into that obvious rhetorical over-reaching stab. I think it actually makes McCain's job easier.

Sanford N. Sahn  08/18/2008 05:30 PM Report

Austan Goolsbee sounds like a financing representative from a car dealership. His typical response to a Charlie Rose question was "That's a good question" or "It's quite complex"; then he followed up by digressing into some irrelevant anecdote. Goolsbee failed to clearly articulate what we hope is a fair and effective economic policy. He gave us the opposite of "straight talk", which is to say he refused to admit that even effective tax and budgetary policies may require sacrifice for uncertain future gains.

It's this reluctance to make clear statements about his proposals and the benefits and sacrifices involved that are dragging at Barack Obama's campaign. Conversely, John McCain is making money on poor policy proposals because he gives them in crisp, confident, succinct sound bites.

TABS  08/18/2008 04:22 PM Report

My Mother always did tell me that I needed remedial classes when I was growing up, now I know the reason why. I am "intellectually challenged." Thanks RN for the heads up, I appreciate it, Mother never told me.

Preston  08/18/2008 03:26 PM Report

Such a moral tragedy. (wink)

Preston  08/18/2008 03:17 PM Report

Boy, you really got it ALL figured out, I never realized it really is just all that simple; thanks for fooling me. Now Coward Queen, eh-hem, I mean Howard Dean (just encase he's a hero of the gridiron) will want to give you a big kiss on the cheek, throw you a bone and then throw you out the door (because he really doesn't like you) for converting yet another intellectually-challenged sucker for free.

RN  08/18/2008 11:44 AM Report

Republicans have proven overwhelmingly that their policies fail miserably for all but the very rich.

There's no reason they should have power anymore. Their entire raison d'etre is to fool intellectually-challenged people like TABS into voting for things that just make rich people richer and wreck everything for everyone else.

They've made suckers of our least fortunate. Such a moral tragedy.

sock puppet  08/18/2008 03:55 AM Report

Whoops! Apologies to the linguistic purists amongst us. Double negated that last sentence. Try: Neither candidate - even if they were sincere - will be able to control the M-I juggernaut. We're toast! Not even any consolation that the oligarchs will fry along with the rest of us.

sock puppet  08/18/2008 03:48 AM Report

Good news for Jingo-John and his monger of conflicts large and small. This quip just in from the WSJ: Now, the Russian situation makes the debate over the equipping of the U.S. military a front-burner issue. "The threat always drives procurement," said a defense-industry official. "It doesn't matter what party is in office."

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Mr. Gates's approach was recently codified in a Defense Department strategy document emphasizing a balance between developing capabilities to carry out unconventional warfare missions while fielding forces capable of handily defeating adversaries like Russia's or China's militaries. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

The article tossed billions around - repeatedly. Now this an all points bulletin for lovers of irony (alas at any cost). What if the Reagan tactic backfires into a what-goes-around-comes-around. This time we - not the Russians - bellyup trying to keep up. We're nearly there now.

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The neocon M-I complex is already lobbying for destroyers and f22 fighters and spears and bows and arrows and maybe some cinder shovels. Destroyers?? Go figure. Must make them in a heavy dudes congressional district.

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Neither candidate - even if they were sincere - will not be able to control the M-I juggernaut. We're toast! Not even any consolation that the oligarchs will fry with the rest of us.

TABS  08/17/2008 09:17 PM Report

Barack Obama has claimed that the American political system is broken. That is patently false, the American people have become apathetic about their own government and freedoms. This is evidenced by the small percentage of participation in elections by the people. For many decades things were just hunky dory and the American people thought all is well and we don't have to be involved in the process anymore. Well things ain't so hunky dory anymore and the populace is awakening. However like all Liberals. Obama wants the government to take take responsibility for fixing a "broken system." That quiet frankly smacks of a totalitarian political system in the offing. .

Preston  08/17/2008 08:55 PM Report

Vaddy inderresding... He says in his best suspicious German accent, with one eyebrow raised.

TABS  08/17/2008 06:41 PM Report

After watching Obama on the CNN Public Forum, I have decide to change my vote. I will vote for Obama because somebody has to be left to vote for him. I know everybody is entitled to a mistake in their life and this is mine. NOT!!

Preston  08/17/2008 06:23 PM Report

I'm not going to vote for Obama, because I think..., no,... I KNOW, that John McCain has the potential to be a much better President at this point in time. But that doesn't mean I buy into all the BS being thrown at Obama by the Republicans. I know it's all a big game being played out by the "professional politicians" and the crusading, self-flattering know-it-alls like myself on both sides of the ball. But, I have a sense that Obama is really a smart, decent guy. I hope he has a good long career in politics (whatever the future voters deem to be as long). And, if he ends up elected President (this time), it will not be the end of the world, and he will be mine and every other citizen of the USA's Commander-in-Chief. And those who don't like it will just have to get used to it.

sock puppet  08/17/2008 05:32 PM Report

TABS - Touche! 9/11 exonerated deficit spending for Repulicans (but not those damn tax-and-spend Democrats). I concur. Our policies in nearly every respect imaginable have been irreproachable - probably even prior to 911. (I'm a sucker for political jargon. Remember "Compassionate conservatism," and not meant as an oxymoronic pun, guileless without irony?) Anyway, mea culpa. I'm duly chastened. The forum is yours et al.

TABS  08/17/2008 04:13 PM Report

It is really easy to pick out where BO was being disingenous during the CNN Forum. On 2 major questions BO was being PC and covering his own views to be acceptable to mainstream America. The first was on the issue of his faith....specifically when he was talking about how important Jesus was to him. The second point on what it takes to be "Rich." The tell tail give away was his stuttering....there would be times he would pause and repeat a word as he was thinking abit about his answer. When he was afraid of what he might say that would hurt him politically the frequency of the stutter would go up dramatically.

Preston  08/17/2008 08:07 AM Report

TABS, you're killing them with the TRUTH. Be careful though, they might sneak up behind you with a feather duster.

TABS  08/17/2008 07:04 AM Report

The differences between Liberal and Conservative personality types became starkly clear while watching the Obama, McCain public forum on CNN. Obama is the prototypical Liberal in that he is equivocal in nature. The Liberal recognizes that he has a dark side to his personality and is always questioning his motives for acting and thus can be hesitant in his actions......The Conservative on the other hand does not tend to contemplate his dark side but chooses from right or wrong. This either or dichotomy tends to make their personalities rigid in nature, and can lead to zealotry which can put them on dubious moral ground. Senator McCain transcends this prototypical Conservative behavior for one reason. He was held as a POW for 5 years. This abyss forced him to confront his dark side, from which he was able to transcend Conservative dogma. This is the reason why he is considered to be a maverick in his own party.

TABS  08/17/2008 06:03 AM Report

Dear Sock: There is one little fact that you are forgetting. September 11, 2001. Exactly what did the Fed do? They dropped interest rates 7 time to a rate of 1%. What did GM do? Introduce 0% financing. What did the Fed do the week of 911? Lent European Banks 80B. Why because the abyss opened up and exposed the fact that the financial system in the world is a house of cards.....Now why would this effect a run up in the deficit? Answer what has been the tried and true method of avoiding depressions and recessions since the 1930's. INCREASING FEDERAL SPENDING. ACHT ZOOOOO....Everything that is going on today in the financial markets can be linked back to 911. Nine eleven was the first crisis of liquidity.......Further ArnHold put 3 Propositions on the Ballet in CA after he got elected. The Civil Service Unions spent around 40M to defeat them, what is ironic is that the people voted down the very reform that ArnHold promised to deliver if he got elected. After that defeat ArnHold has just been going along with the program........The thing that sank CA was not that the power companies were deregulated, but the way Grey Davis went about buying that power. If I recall correctly he didn't sign a long term contract, thinking he could buy it on the spot market. When the price spiked he was stuck buying it at a higher rate. It was at that point that he bought a long term contract, right before the price went back down. That was the demise of one Democratic Governor.

sock puppet  08/17/2008 12:27 AM Report

TABS - You ended with: "The Democrats JUST DON"T KNOW WHEN TO STOP SPENDING out in California. What makes anybody think it would be any different on the national level? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is from San Francisco...HELLO? "

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Well good morning. Trust you slept well. Your Rip Van Winkle amnesia seems to have conveniently forgotten that the last eight years and the largest deficit ever has been runup predominatley under a Republican watch. Also as I recall Mr. Swartzenager is Republican.

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Some might charge that, "THIS IS ANOTHER PARTISAN POLITICAL RANT." Gasp, choke! Now who would make such an unfounded accusation? Has a certain ring to it though, no?

guitarsandmore805  08/16/2008 10:36 PM Report

California is a perfect example of why McCain and the Republicans can not be trusted with the economy. Enron and the relaxation of the regulation laws spearheaded by then Republican Governor Pete Wilson ruined the economy in California.

“California was the first state to deregulate its energy market. In the mid-90's, under Republican Governor Pete Wilson, California began deregulating the electricity industry.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_electricity_crisis

It was the sell off and privatization of huge chunks of formally fully regulated companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric that caused the economic crisis in California.

The privatization of utilities is a huge mistake. You can not guarantee prices to consumers while at the same time allowing the costs to float with the whim of market investors. That would be absurd and that is exactly what they did.

california  08/16/2008 05:53 PM Report

What was charlie on? I've asked myself the same question on numerous occasions. Let's blame it on lack of sleep and attribute it to poor preparation. I'm sure his research staff, the ones who provide his executive summaries, are dismayed by some of the nonsensical questions he asked. However, charlie can be grateful that his guests are nimble and smart enough to carry the show.

TABS  08/16/2008 03:07 PM Report

THIS IS ANOTHER PARTISAN POLITICAL RANT:......It is hard to understand why people are so in love with Obama. Do they hate Bush so much that they would cut off their own nose to spite him? If you want the REALITY of an Obama Presidency and Democratic Congress just take a look at California. When Governor Grey Davis(D)was recalled the state had a $15,000,000,000.00 deficit. The newly elected Govenator ARHOLD floated a Bond Issue to cover the deficit. In the past 5 years the revenues in California increased by $24,000,000,000.00 a year. California OUTSPENT those new revenues with an increase in government bureaucracy and is NOW facing another $15,000,000,000.00 deficit. The Democrats JUST DON"T KNOW WHEN TO STOP SPENDING out in California. What makes anybody think it would be any different on the national level? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is from San Francisco...HELLO?

Preston  08/16/2008 01:43 PM Report

Foolsbee!... LOL! I love it!

TABS, The more I read you, the more I like you.

B. Berg  08/16/2008 11:54 AM Report

I've been trying to get friends and acquaintances to watch the Charlie Rose show for some "intelligent", conversation............This wasn't it!!!

I feel sorry for the students at the UofC trying to figure out just what this guest was saying.

TABS  08/16/2008 04:33 AM Report

THIS IS A PARTISAN POLITICAL RANT:...Many Democrats compare Senator Obama to John F. Kennedy. Does that mean that the Russians under Putin will eat Obama's lunch to? If one remembers it was Khrushev that ate Kenndy's lunch at the Vienna Summit in 1961. It was from that meeting that the Cuban Missle Crisis ensued. As it was from that meeting that Khrushev thought he could get away with placing missiles in Cuba. So the comparison of Obama and Kenndy might actually be acurate, as both leaders have/had little real experience which could lead to a crisis situation.

TABS  08/16/2008 04:33 AM Report

It was a smart move for Obama to send Mr Foolsbee to allay the fears of a Socialist America under an Obama nation. However the impression one got from Mr Foolsbee was one of smoke and mirrors. Mr Foolsbee did make one statement that gave away the whole sham. That statement was that Obama has the viewpoint of of South Chicago Liberal Democrats. Further one only has to compare the substance of Mr Foolsbee's interview and the interview of the 3 children from Princeton that followed. The 3 children from Princeton at least gave one some meat and potaotes while Mr foolsbee gave the viewers an air sandwich.

Carol J  08/15/2008 07:43 PM Report

Mr. Rose, Can you ever have a conversation that does not mention Obama???? You seem to have more people on your program from the Obama camp than from McCain or any of the previous runners. How much is he paying you. Share the wealth with the rest of us.

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You stated at one point you were asking people from the McCain Camp to come on your program. Keep trying and trying harder. I am sick to death of Obama, obama obama.

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Come November, 2008, for President of the United State I will write in the name of Charles Pete Rose. Can you guess who his vice president will be. Who else!

mark ahlheim  08/15/2008 02:26 AM Report

Wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Ray. Tonight's conversation (and I am referring to the panel portion of the show here) left me begging for more--both in terms of understanding the point Charlie's guests were attempting to make and a fuller discussion of the topics that were at hand. At one juncture in the show, Mr. Hong starts to make a point that energy spot prices are way out of line with future prices, about to make the point (I think) that current energy prices are way out of line with the economics that underpin them, but the viewer is suddenly switched to a whole different topic. I would have loved to have heard the fuller discussion. I think this is one case where the show was way too tightly edited, so much so that like Mr. Ray writes, tonight's conversation comes across as convuleted and disjointed rather than insightful, which is the way I am sure it seemed to those who witnessed this conversation in the studio.

Jeff Andrews  08/15/2008 01:24 AM Report

Austan Goolsbee - This is my first exposure to this guy and I can't believe my ears. He appears to say that Obama can increase taxes including cap gains taxes by 25% and yet Obama's plan is a net tax cut. I guess he thinks if he repeats garbage often enough people will believe it. For once hopefully Charlie will get the Republican point of view and is as passivbe as he was with Goolsbee.

Joe Ray  08/15/2008 12:22 AM Report

May I please ask, "What was Charlie on tonight?" It was the most reduntant and convuleted conversation and interview I have ever seen on this show. No one knew what Charlie was asking half the time, and none of the panel members could answer to please Charlie in any form whatsoever.

Let's all get on the same track next week, ok?

Back off Charlie, and let the guests at least complete a sentence, before you change the subject.

Thanks.

RE Mant  08/14/2008 11:58 PM Report

I have been and remain unimpressed with Mr Goolsbee and I think Obama is as much a Keynesian as McCain, but none of that was addressed in this discussion, which I consider Rose's fault. However, I do think redistribution an appropriate policy to correct inflation and prevent the bubbles caused by it if the Fed refuses to do its job. The reason for this is because bubbles are not just a problem for the wealthy, and not just in this particular case, but because the transfer of wealth that occurs in them skews productivity and savings in the same way that mercantilism or monopoly skews free trade.