Charlie Rose

Komron  12/17/2007 01:57 AM Report

Charlie when are you going to have Ron Paul on the show? He is clearly at the very least in better position than Richardson and with all the internet support it would be a shame not to invite him.

A.Gomez  12/10/2007 05:57 PM Report

Prediction: Fred Thompson will inevitably resign himself to the foregone conclusion that his campaign for the Republican nomination lacks the drive and motivation necessary to win a single state. Thus, he'll eventually do the right thing; go back to doing what he was doing before he decided to run- campaign for the most qualified individual, John McCain.

Laura Davis  12/09/2007 12:05 AM Report

I missed the interview with Mike Huckabee who is rapidly becoming the darling of the Christian evangelicals in Iowa and elsewhere. Was Huckabee asked about the Wayne Dumond parole case during his tenure as Governor of Arkansas? Apparently, Huckabee exerted pressure on the Arkansas parole board to pardon Wayne Dumond, a convicted rapist, and they gave in to the pressure. Mr. Dumond was released from prison after serving only a short period and then promptly raped and murdered a woman in Missouri. It would seem that Wayne Dumond claimed to be "born again" while serving his prison term and this led the Christian evangelicals to ask Governor Huckabee to get him released. If Governor Huckabee becomes the Republican nominee the Democrats can and should create a Willie Horton type ad about this matter. What sort of judgment does Huckabee have to cause the parole of a dangerous rapist and murderer? Also, this type of action belies Huckabee's claim that he will not be beholden to Christian evangelicals if he becomes President. His image as a nice guy is yet another media concoction. He might be more pleasant than Bush but he will be worse for this country, as difficult as that might be to imagine. Its about time Charlie Rose stops being a "nice guy" and starts asking tough questions of these candidates.

dmitry  12/08/2007 08:32 PM Report

Mike Logan, I've seen four interviews: Huckabee, McCain, Richardson, and Thompson. My impression is that Charlie has been much harder on the Democrats. Since I'm leaning to the Republican side, I wish he would ask the Republican candidates much harder questions than he has so far. When I saw Charlie pin down Richardson on education, I thought "man, I wish he'd done the same with Thompson and Huckabee."

Kevin A.  12/08/2007 05:48 PM Report

Dinosaur.

Mike Logan   12/07/2007 12:43 PM Report

Those who can do, Those who cant..

Scott McGeee  12/07/2007 09:43 AM Report

He clearly will not receieve the nomination. You have stronger candidates in your party. The interview was rather dull. Even my conservative colleagues, at the university where I teach Poly Sci, commented that they have seen better Republican candidates and candidate interviews. I'll just say it...Huckabee gave a much better interview. He seems like the better candidate for your party. His interview was much, much better. Yes, I watch Charlie Rose every evening (to answer someone of little significance on this site). Oh, Charlie....LOVE the candidate series.

Mike Logan  12/06/2007 09:38 PM Report

Question to all you conservatives on here how many of you feel genuinly that Charlie is objectiev in his questioning as oppsed to letting his personal bias shine through? I personally see a constant barage of anti bush anti conservative anti american establishment tones in his questions themsleves, though I do like the man and his method in as much as he does try to be objective, But I had to ask this question because i am suprised that there are so many open minded conservatives who not only watch this program but also feel comofrtable enough posting here with all the abortionists on call here 24/7 to bash anything conservative anyway this is the chatroom tough guy sining out :)

Linda D in Nevada  12/06/2007 06:23 PM Report

Mr. Rose,

Words simply cannot express my appreciation for your excellent interview of Senator Thompson. Thank you so much for devoting the full hour to him and, especially, asking such intelligent questions.

Clearly we need a man of his stature, thoughtfulness and knowledge of the issues and challenges facing our country to lead us through the next several years.

Although your program aired here in the Las Vegas area at 3:00 am this morning, I am so thankful I was wide awake and alert to enjoy all of it. Fred Thompson is the man we need.

Thank you again.....

electric-rascal  12/06/2007 06:16 PM Report

Thank you Mr. Rose for the thoughtful and extensive interview with Senator Thompson; it gives us a better opportunity to find out about them as compared to the usual crap that passes these days for a "presidential debate". // I've done extensive homework on all of the Republican candidates and find Fred to be a singularly straightforward and honest individual and one that cares deeply about this nation. // I find him well informed, experienced, grounded in the US Constitution and quite capable of LEADING (not managing) our nation for the next 8 years. // I summarily reject any candidate that panders, I also will not vote for a "moderate" that will likely continue on our current fiscal course that will bankrupt our democracy and fail to defend our country from all enemies and illegal invaders. // Of all of the candidates, I find Fred Thompson to have the most serious and workable PLANS (not just position statements) for Immigration, Security/Defense and our Economy. // No matter your party affiliation or current candidate choice, I encourage each and every voter to DO THEIR HOMEWORK and not just go by whatever 'talking-head' pundit is on the TV screen; THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION HINGES ON THIS ELECTION and I ask you to make this important investment before selecting your candidate. // A thought-provoking, candidate-independent TownHall.Com article is "Who Will Decide How You Vote" (http://tinyurl.com/37aqov) and I found it to be of value.

Keyser  12/06/2007 04:34 PM Report

I was undecided before this interview. Fred is NOW "MY Man."

Meg Regel  12/06/2007 02:34 PM Report

Since Thompson doesn't have a chance at making the nomination, and he's such a happy guy, why is even running. Is it to increase his visibility, importance and power, or is it to give us wisdom such as people should wait until they get married to have children, or that illegal immigrants are dragging down the scholastic accomplishments of American children, and that's why kids aren't going into math and science like the used to. It's the Mexicans! It wouldn't have anything to do with a society under a dramatic transformation because of computers and the internet while our educational system operates much like it did fifty years ago.

I don't know what is worse, his moralizing about parenting or xenophobia about illegal Mexicans. He seems like a throwback to the Eisenhower era, and all this stuff about getting back to the founding fathers is like the back-to-the-land movement during Nazi Germany. Let's all go back to simpler times.

S Benn  12/06/2007 09:50 AM Report

Thank you for this interview and the others on the candidates. Your respect for all of them and giving them time to express their thoughts without interuption helps us see their true vaulues. This show helped me see Fred Thompson will make a great leader if we are so blessed to have him elected. I went to his site, fred08.com and read his detailed plans for our country. The people above talk about his generazations in the interview. The need to look at the issues on his site and then decide how great he will be!

Ginny Scott  12/06/2007 01:28 AM Report

Mr. Rose I love the idea of you and believe that you are truly trying to get information out to us (whether political, medical, social, cultural) to make us better informed and improve the collective dialogue. Thank you for that. However, the more I've watched I more I've come to expect of you and the more I've come away disappointed. You too often shy away from the hard questions. When Fred Thompson was on your show talking about how he believes in checks and balances, separation of powers, and how great our federal system of democracy works, why didn't you ask him if he approves of federal signing statements. If so why? Isn't that in contradiction to checks and balances/separation of powers. Why? Does Then you asked Mr. Thompson softball question after softball question. "How important is education to you?" His answer "Very important." What do we learn from that? In total you spent about 5 minutes on education and through it Mr. Thompson contradicted himself and gave vague responses. (Ex: He said he historically believed matters should be left to the states but apparently thinks eduction is different now because it is so important. However, apparently, one of his ways to improve education, I guess at a federal level given that this was the scope of your question, includes not having children until you get married. How could you let the questioning end like that. It just didn't make sense.) When you asked Mr. Thompson about the latest intelligence estimate on the nuclear weapons program of Iran (that they stopped it in 2003) Mr. Thompson said some rather general comments that included a suspicion that possibly the information was put out there by Iran. What?! How can a serious presidential candidate say such things and Charlie Rose sit across from him and basically nod his head. Maybe all your viewers don't know this but I'm sure that you know the NIE is the combined and collaborative viewpoint of the 16 national intelligence agencies. NIE's are considered weighty stuff. What on earth was Mr. Thompson saying? Was he saying that our intelligence agencies suck and they rely upon the press releases of Mr. Ahmadinejad? Was he saying that somehow a third world country like Iran has co-opted our entire intelligence system so that it is basically Iranian controlled. Or was he saying that he doesn't have a clue what a NIE is (or thinks your viewers don't know) and so he can get away with mindless propaganda? We don't know because you never followed up. You let Mr. Thompson say whatever he wanted, unchallenged. Mr. Thompson's responses throughout the interview, were well deserving of "lets hold on here and analyze what you are saying here." But, you didn't do that. When a high ranking minister from Egypt appeared on your program, (I am sorry but I do not remember the title (possible Foreign Minister)) there were no questions about the domestic situation in Eqypt. I was longing to hear a question on the government's position on female genital mutilation, which according to the NYT Egypt has the highest number of victims of this in the world and, if memory serves me accurately, something like 90% of the female population in Egypt is subjected to this. When Erik Prince, the president of Blackwater, included your show on his tv tour, you entirely missed the mark with your questioning. How do I know this, because I saw good reporting on Blackwater a few weeks lter on Bill Moyers' Journal. Mr. Moyers didn't have the opportunity to interview Mr. Prince but he did report on serious problems with Blackwater that were knowable at the time you did your interview. Mr. Moyers even commented that one of the things that prompted him to do a piece on Blackwater was watching the Charlie Rose Show and the others Mr. Prince appeared on and witnessing how all of you didn't ask the right questions. I recognize that it can be tough to ask the impolitic question but you have the microphone for all of us. You are our voice. Finally, you should recognize that the criticism I level at you now is entirely your own fault. You created me. You (the NYT, KCRW's To the Point, On the Media and maybe a few other journalistic outlets) keep alert and thirsting for more. Feed me the good stuff. Sincerely, Ginny Scott

Kasprinkle  12/06/2007 12:34 AM Report

Mr. Rose,

Thank you for your interview with Senator Thompson. In a world of 30 second sound bites, your insightful approach is a breath of fresh air. You had no agenda, actually LISTENED to his responses and asked intelligent questions. Tell me, sir, would you consider conducting journalism seminars for the reporters at CNN?

FRedStates  12/06/2007 12:26 AM Report

While the other candidates are making headlines bickering over who cut their grass â?¦ what theme song to useâ?¦ and what they said in Kindergartenâ?¦ Thereâ??s one candidate whoâ??s serious about the real challenges facing Americaâ?¦ Here we see Fred Thompson addressing the real issues important to America. And while some candidates are cracking wise with their favorite action heroâ?¦ Fred Thompson is real solutions to America's challenges. Find out more about Fred Thompson and his plan for a better America at Fred08.com.

Bobtx  12/05/2007 11:57 PM Report

Charlie, I appreciated your professional interview and good questions. Fred loves that kind of forum and also loves talking policy, of which he knows a lot. He has the most thorough policy statements of ALL the candidates and I love that he operates from consevative principles. Great Show.

Joan Litton  12/05/2007 11:35 PM Report

Fred Thompson answered the questions based on his strong beliefs in Federalism and the principles laid out by our Founding Fathers. I can think of no better way to make policy for our country or govern than that. Isn't that why we have a constitution? Think about it.

Michael Lang  12/05/2007 10:50 PM Report

Last night I told my sister I don't think I could ever vote for Hilary Clinton. Bush,Clinton,Bush ,Clinton enough already with the family dynasties and 16 years of someone running for the highest office in the land whose only real qualifications are that they were related closely to one of the previous tenants. If Clinton gets elected and serves two terms we would have had a graduate of Yale university in the presidency for 28 years.

Enough already and than I sit and listen to this candidate ramble on in vague generalities and answer every question with shop worn platitudes. He refers to the NIE report as a newspaper article when it is the overwhelming current assessment of 9 independent intelligence agencies and Fred its good news, The Iranians discontinued their Nuclear Weapons Program in 2003 and for practical economic reasons. Of course does anybody believe Fred would have discounted the result of the study if the conclusions were that IRAN was only one year away from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Fred's foreign policy insights are only exceeded by his economic acumen. "trade deficits demonstrates our economic strength" So we don't make anything they want to buy but they makes everything we want to buy means we have a stronger economy than they do. Warren Buffet In a now famous article in fortune magazine entitled " America's Growing Trade Deficit is selling the Nation Out from Under US" explains why transferring our net worth over seas which is what happens when you continuously run a trade deficit is a really really bad Idea in the long run You can get this article with the terrifying graphs at Summit Global Management's website which show not only the current account deficit but how the accumulated deficit has recently begun to grow at an exponential rate. Exponential means its out of control Fred.

We also learned from this interview that FRED is a proponent of Supply Side economic theory a theory that no major economist believes in. There is no school of Supply Side Economics like there was in Monetary Theory in Chicago led by the late great Economist Milton Friedman who by the way thought Supply Theory was crap. Fred Why is it better to spend and borrow than tax and spend? Don't we lose our ability to control our future in both cases.

Well Michael Bloomberg ,if you don't run for president, I am going to have to get very drunk and vote for Hilary Clinton and if you force me to do this , I am personally holding you responsible for my hangover and the nation's

John Dunn, Charlotte NC  12/05/2007 10:42 PM Report

NOW that is the forum in which Senator Thompson shines. Not alongside a bunch of loud mouths who use catch phrses to get all the attention. His dialogue, demeanor, appearance, and approach to all topics was presidential and I was very proud of Fred. I think America got a chance to see the real fred thompson and one we want sitting at the table with international leaders. Watch out pundits, this primary is a long marathon and not a sprint and i fully expect Fred to begin peaking around primary time. i would offer up: A third place or higher victory in Iowa and a win in South Carolina and the former Senator will be off and running. Let's not forget Fred jumped in this race three months ago!!! Huckabee (remeber Howard Dean) and the parole mishap and the to be mentioned skeletons of Rudy will doom those two. Rommney is a Republican version on John Kerry- all hat and no cattle... The primaries are full of one hit wonders that the media annoited favorites but failed to deliver...Go to www.fred08.com to learn more about this man...

Oink  12/05/2007 10:32 PM Report

Fred "seems aloof in the debates (Scott McGee)." During the debates I suspect he feels like I do after reading this sophomoric banter that quickly turns away from the issues and becomes a game of one-upsmanship.

Did you actually WATCH the interview? Fred is in perfect command of the issues.

Fred is a solid conservative with core principles and believes in a smaller government, secure borders, crack-down on illegal immigration, strong national defense and many important issues.

He IS the one true conservative!

Dan Pie  12/05/2007 08:44 PM Report

Charlie:

I had the feeling Fred Thompson's generalizations about several issues were off-base when he appeared on your show (I saw the program 12/5/07).

In regard to which nation has the highest corporate tax rate, he said the U.S. was second only to Japan. The following report by the CATO Institute says the U.S. rate is fourth-highest in the world.

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3436

Thompson said Ireland's corporate tax rate was 10 percent. This Ireland-based Web site says 12.5 percent.

http://www.idaireland.com/home/index.aspx?id=659

I realize his good-old-boy demeanor is a favorite with a lot of people, but I don't think someone running for president should so boldly recite "facts" that are not true.

Thanks for your time.

Mike Logan  12/05/2007 08:24 PM Report

Thank you W.G its real nice to be labled by an Informed Voter, if it was jsut a random voter i wouldnt have bothered responding but isnce your an infomred voter who can judge what is and what is not rational I feel much more deserved of my label :) thanks all mighty one

It is nice to notice however that none of you libs said anything about the main guy calling Fred and our president mentally ill equipiped but I get all the attention for calling him the moron he is but that wouldnt resinate with underlying bias towards liberal loud mouths as oppsed to those that you disagree with does it? maybe I'm just from the 2nd america who cant dicpher those kidna things what do you think W.G?

W.G.  12/05/2007 08:01 PM Report

As an informed voter I must say that the angry comments from Mike Logan do nothing to assist rational debate. Speaking in generalizations is a sure sign that your ideas have very little substance behind them. I lump you and Forestral in the same category, ignorant and loud.

Mike Logan  12/05/2007 07:28 PM Report

Gee Mr. Mcgee for somone whos not in the same catergory of the libreal you sure do care a lot about what I said to him huh? how very typical of libreals to look for the first sign of something to complain about my comments were to that lib not to you or anyone else as i prefeced it with his name at the start, yet here you are clammering on about how its unfair to group you all together when I did nothign of the sort. I jsut charctized him as a donothing libreal because thats what most of you are aside from complaning bout 2 americas and the rich getting richer and lack of health care and global warming and vietnam and iraq and abu gharab and terriosim and racisim and sexisim and genderism and agesim and so on and so forth. but as proven by your comment the best thing that comes to lib almost as an instant reflex is the victim card how dare I lump you all in the same boat! *gasp* im such a meanie! im so unfair! boohoo grow up and speak only when spoken to or come with something better

Charles Rollings  12/05/2007 06:35 PM Report

Fred talks sense in a low-key, confident voice.

He says what he believes and does not spout a lot of buzzwords. In former times he would have been recognized as the superior candidate. In today's world it is not surprising that so many negative comments about him are heard, competence is seldom recognized by the incompetent and narcissistic.

People who are impressed by the likes of Bill Clinton will naturally not be impressed by Fred Thompson but the problem is with the voters, not with Mr. Thompson.

Scott McGee  12/05/2007 05:44 PM Report

Mike Logan, your comment is really uncalled for, quite honestly. The interview was an interesting one. I am not a supporter of Fred, but I have nothing horrible to say about him. See, not all liberal Democrats think the way Mike Forestral does. I do not think Fred is going to get the Republican nomination. He does often appear aloof in the Republican debates. There are more impressive candidates. Still, if he did secure the nomination or if a Republican did get elected to office, I would never leave my country. So, not all liberals share the sentiment of folks like Mike Forestral, and shame on you for insinuating remarks. Rather, I plan to remain in my country fighting for the causes I advocate at the top of my lungs while respecting your right to do the same at the top of your lungs. People can disagree, you know. It does not make someone any less of an American because of the party they support, i.e. Republican, Democratic, Reform, Green, Libertarian, etc. Please, do not group all liberal Democrats in Mike Forestral's category. Because I am a patriotic American, I will have respect for the President regardless - Rep or Dem. That does not mean I have to support his or her positions or policies.

Michael McGrath  12/05/2007 05:41 PM Report

Fred Thompson certainly showed that he had a basic command of the facts. He has a certain hestiancy - however - like he's on a job interview and only wants to impress the interviewer rather than have any core passion or belief system. You get the sense that he's not even sure why he wants to be president.

Mike Logan  12/05/2007 05:10 PM Report

Mike Forestal, Im gonna vote for fred just to see if people like you actually stand by your statments and move out or just turn around and lick your wounds like good little do nothing libreals

Mike Forestral  12/05/2007 03:01 PM Report

The tough questions Charlie asked revealed Fred Thompson to be the least mentally equipped candidate since George W. Bush, and in the same good ol' boy vein. If this man were ever president, I'd have to seriously consider heading for Canada or Mexico.

Joel Harris  12/05/2007 10:01 AM Report

One of the best interviews I have seen of a Presidential candidate.

I would like to see a bit better lighting. I know you are going after a casual, intimate environment, but the result are a lot of shadows on your interviewee's face.

MaxMax  12/05/2007 01:26 AM Report

I want to mention that Charlie Rose did a fantastic job

with this interview. He asked all the right questions and

was as â??professionalâ?? as a journalist should be.

Thank you Charlie Rose. /Salute and God Bless

Almir Grahovic  12/05/2007 01:03 AM Report

Charlie Rose is the best show on tv, just wanted to let you know. I never miss it, but now I'm forced to miss it since it just disapeared from all regular programming in Metro Detroit area. Charlie help!

MaxMax  12/05/2007 12:57 AM Report

Sen. Fred Thompson is everything confused Democrats are looking for. Step off the fence and watch the interview.

Dan  12/05/2007 12:42 AM Report

I agree with Marlene. I watched your interview with Senator Thompson and you are great interviewer. It's wonderful to see something that allows for substantiative responses instead of 30-second soundbites, especially after watching that sophomoric CNN/youtube debate.

Marlene Kalman  12/04/2007 08:34 PM Report

I have been an avid viewer of your show for many months now. It's wonderful, intelligent and interesting program. As far as i am concerned, it is the best show on tv. I wish you

would be the moderator of one of the debates. I think you know more than the other moderators and certainly you are more intelligent. I have gotten to know the candidates personally on your show far better than on any debate so far.

Would you consider moderating a debate if you were asked?

Most sincerely,

Marlene Kalman