Charlie Rose

mia  02/24/2008 05:42 AM Report

Shelby Steele must feel like an idiot now.

Martina Kunnecke  01/08/2008 11:52 PM Report

Hats off to Mark Halperin for stating the obvious. The press' bias FOR Obama is almost as palatable as was their obvious disappointment tonight over Hillary's. Some of them seemed close to weeping. The press (especially Ms. Huffington) have made a religion out of Clinton bashing and they interpret everything through the filter of their utter contempt for the Clintons. The public realizes that. As for the messianic mantle the press is bestowing on Obama for increased voter turn-out, don't forget how disgusted Americans are with the war, the economy, the healthcare vacuum, etc.

Suraj Saksena  01/07/2008 12:19 PM Report

Mr Rose is not the right man to analyse or comment on Democratic candidates running for the nomination. He is 'too Republican' to present a fair and balanced view. I think he should just stick with candidates of his party.

Kartikay "Sony" Sonrexa  01/06/2008 09:55 AM Report

Just a minor observation. Mr Rose, as articulate and erudite as you obviously are ( and I am a huge fan), I suspect you meant to refer to Mr Obama's "oratorical skills" and not his "rhetorical skills" toward the end of your conversation the other night with Mr. Adam Nagourney.

No disrepsect is meant to you. As so many have already gushed: hats off to you for stewarding one of the best shows on TV anywhere.

Bilal  01/06/2008 03:19 AM Report

Mark Halperin, Jon Meacham and Al Hunt are three "pundits" that I highly respect. What I find totally astonishing in this interview though was their unanimous consensus that Obama needs to be "vetted".

This presidential campaign has been going on forever. Mark himself used to do the "It's Never Too Early" segment about the campaign back when he was at ABC almost 15 months ago. There have been almost a dozen debates/forums, infinite 1-to-1 interviews, and at thousands of questions from the voters during all this time.

After ALL of this, if these prestigious journalist still feel that they don't know "enough" about Obama, one has to wonder whose fault is it? Why is it a "negative" about Obama when it should really be a negative about the press corp?

Charlie did the right thing by asking each of the panelist what they would like to ask Obama and it was quite funny that every time one of them posed the questions, the following individual shot down those questions as either unimportant or questions that have already been asked. Quite frankly, I think Al Hunt got it right. The most important question is the commander-in-chief question, the one about use of force. It isn't too hard to get to the bottom of a candidate's view on that question. Just take some examples from the past and ask what would the candidate have done. For instance, take the 1998 Embassy bombings and the US response, and ask a candidate if that was the right response?

To me, this whole issue of "Obama needs to be vetted" really showcases the confusion (perhaps about how to say something negative about Obama) in the press corp now that Obama has actually won an election consent. Yes, Obama has gotten good press but it's probably because, as John pointed out, there was so much new and positive to write about him.

The truth of the matter is the national political reporters who cover these elections do not have the depth of knowledge to ask really probing questions about "substance", especially on foreign policy. They, instead, are focused on "issues" and response to news items of the day (and utter useless stuff like what's on your iPod!?). What's worse, candidates are almost NEVER followed-up with based on their response to news. I, for one, would like to hear someone pull out what teh candidates said about Pakistan 6 months ago and follow-up on how what they anticipated unfolded.

In the idea world, what I would like to see would be a forum dedicated to foreign policy issues moderating by Fareed Zakaria involving, say, the front runners from each party and foreign policy giants like Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski. The role of Kissinger and Brzezinski would be to offer opinions on everything from Africa to China to India. The candidates would then be asked about their views on those opinions. Now, THAT would be truly enlightening as when in Oval office these candidates will be surrounded by foreign policy experts with differing opinions.

Fellow PhD  01/05/2008 01:49 PM Report

It seems odd that Dr. Steele should be vilified for simply stating the obvious: Mr. Obama, despite his manifold charms and abilities is the most acceptable (in terms of what the white community is willing to look at, listen to and vote for) to ever run for the U.S. Presidency. You needn't be a race baiter or a "joke" as one of the above comments calls him, to realize this. Mr. Steele did not once state that Mr. Obama is enjoying the success he has enjoyed because he is black. Dr. Steele does recognize as any reasonably intelligent person must that Mr. Obama's background: private primary/secondary school education in Hawaii, Columbia college and Harvard law combined with his mixed race heritage makes him more palatable to white Americans. This is far from rocket science. The template of past black politician election has been one of segregated education, civil rights advocacy, and election to political office via segregated communities and constituencies. Past black politicians have not had much success with white communities. Mr. Shelby's hypothesis is that Mr. Obama's success is based AMONG OTHER THINGS on his palatability to white America based on his past experiences. Is this arguable? Perhaps it is, but disparaging Mr. Shelby does not prove contradiction but ignorance. If one believes that Mr. Obama's success is based on nothing more than merit, then one should argue that point. I would caution you that Mr. Obama has himself acknowledged that he stands on the backs of past civil rights leaders and that much of his success is based on opportunities they fought to provide. This would include, I believe, the extensive formal education that has allowed him the abilities to nuance race and focus on class. As Dr. Steele says, this is more palatable and acceptable to white America.

Gopal Sundaresh  01/05/2008 09:26 AM Report

Mr Rose,

I must first compliment you for the outstanding work that still makes TV an interesting medium for expanding knowledge and insight. In the very least, your shows are stimulating and thought-provoking. Hats off to you.

Now to the topics and the comments- A majority of the comments have been centered about issues that classify ( bluntly "seggregate" or "divide") candidates. Rather, we ought to be looking for issues that affect us and confront us as a nation and how each of the candidates has captured the imagination of the people who they would eventually lead as the President of this country. We are in a new era and belong to a new generation of Y-sters and techno savvy thinkers who are unaffected by social, geographical, political and cultural demarcations. The very tenets that brought these broad classifications are being forgotten- these classifications were made to socialize humankind- as we know in the past our base nature is nomadic- hunter/ gatherer psyche. It is almost that animal in us that is coming out in these comments as we seek to focus on issues of race rather than issues of importance from a national perspective.

The reason why Mr Obama is resounding with the voters is because he has captured the insight behind the issues and the growing frustration that the old approach to governance and solving our problems is perhaps anachronistic. We need a different approach, or even several different individual approaches to solving our problems. Mr Obama represents that insight and someone who recognizes this need. His oratory, intelligence and optimism are what each one of us is "hoping" for. No other candidate in the fray has been able to present a refreshing breath of fresh air and so by contrast, Mr Obama has become the voice for the new generation. It is no surprise that he appealed to this generation who really made the difference for him- after all, we are the generation who inherit this country with its problems and have to see these solved, if we wish to continue our founders legacy of the US being the greatest "One Nation under God"

sonya  01/05/2008 04:26 AM Report

Mr. Steele is what we call in the black community a self defeating negro tied to a past generation. Everything is about race to people of that generation. He said he would ask Obama why does he speak different in a black community vs white community. Every black person knows that their is professional voice and a voice one speaks among friends and family. I was born and raised in the north but when I speak to my family who were born in the South, I naturally slip back in that familial pattern and start sounding like a southerner. Maybe, there are some NY intelligensa people like Rose who think people voted for Obama is some sort of absolution for slavery is stupid. Obama is clearly possess the intelligence, character, substance, practical know how, ability to galvinze support and unite a country of all the canididates in either party. It's the totality of Obama and his talent that appeals to voters.

DC  01/05/2008 02:00 AM Report

Mr. Steele came off as a joke. To sit there and say that Obama is where he is because of race was offensive in the extreme. If Steele really believes this, then what is to stop us from saying that the only reason Steele is a PhD, a Stanford researcher, and an author is because "he" is black. Obama has worked hard to accomplish "many" things as a man "before" Iowa, and for Steele to vilify him by saying his success is only because he is black is not only ridiculous, but finally reveals Steele to be more conflicted about his own race than probably most white people are regarding blacks. I should mention I'm an accomplished 40 year old black man.

If viewers have a moment, go back to the beginning of this video...when Rose intros Steele by quoting the title of his book ["A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win"\, Steele's face contorts uncomfortably and his eyes start shifting around nervously. Further, when finally called upon to comment, Steele actually admonishes Rose for quoting the subtitle of his own book [!?\ that belittles Obama. Is this guy serious? I don't trust anything Steele has to say about anyone black, because he clearly has some personal race issues to work out about black people.

Finally, for the sensationalists and TV lovers among us... Let's not forget that the most recent person willing to gamble his television career and his right wing Republican cred on casting a black man as president was none other than Joel Surnow the producer of "24", buddy of Rush Limbaugh and Fox News friend. Even Surnow knows (albeit, through fictional means) that a black politician "can" win the white house. Steele lacks mettle. :)

Bob Tourville  01/04/2008 05:25 PM Report

It is tragic, that so much money was spent, and time in Iowa. And that the media only covered the top three Democrats, based on polls. Now we have lost some very good candidates, Biden and Dodd. <P> Now we do not have a National Security Democrat. The next election will be about National Security, just like the last ones were. The Republicans will make it so. It is so easy to do. Even just rumored press releases, of Ossama, can pop up. </P> <P> Obama has to be the worst of three on National Security. What, he will bring a change to Osamma? What has Obama done? What has he accomplished? What crisis faced besides an identity crisis? How can the people in Iowa think he can "inspire" Republicans to change, never mind very real enemies the country faces? Things better change in NH or Democrats will be left with a real "fluff a nutter".</P> <P> Btw, I felt it was just as racist to say that whites should vote for him to assuage guilt, and blacks because he could be the first black man, as it would be to say vote against him because he is black. It is the quality of his abilities, and experience, and his character that should be judged, not the

color of his skin. </P> <P> Our country is facing some real hard times, and it is going to get worse. We need a lot more than Polyanna to right what is wrong. We need a fighter not a preacher. Greedy capitalists that have corrupted our govt., foreign enemies, and terrorists, are not going to rise up singing, that they have seen the error of their ways, because we elected the preacher. </P> <P> What were they thinking in Iowa? Self indulgent, feel good voting, was not what we needed to get a Democratic candidate, that can get elected and get the job done.</P>

michael archer  01/04/2008 05:01 PM Report

Dear Charlie,

Barack Obama possesses the decency, intelligence, passion and good sense to know that the whole is better than the sum of its severed parts auctioned off in the marketplace of American politics. quite frankly, a lot of Americans hold forth on this view; hence, his resounding appeal at home and abroad. best wishes Charlie.

Lynn   01/04/2008 02:30 PM Report

Well, Mr. Rose, I am not surprised at the responses.

Only money was the hot topic answering your questions. Win and get more money.

What is even more disgusting is this...

If you have a black racist on your show as Mr. Steele appears to be to me, then why not a white racist, a yellow racist, or religious racist?

I wasn't around during the enslavement of the Jews by the Egyptians, and not during the Civil War...why am I voting to relieve my guilt? Mr. Steele, and the other racists need to go to the Sudan and see where guilt lies! Maybe even get into a time machine, whether for 2000 B.C. or yesterday. People like you Mr. Steele are, and have been everywhere.

I am not voting for a racist. If Mr. Obama speaks to blacks differently as Mr. Steele stated on your show then how will he treat the Americans of Irish, Polish, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Israeli, Spanish, and the rest of the US cultural decedents; all Americans if Mr. Obama is elected to office.

What an eye opener. Thanks Mr. Steele. Are you an internal terrorist want to be. Hatred everywhere. Why would I vote for Obama? I want a President for the peoples.

Do you really want him in Mr. Steele, or are you pulling a fast one and betraying YOUR black people?

And Last but not least!

Vote for what this time around? No real issues have been discussed concerning the American people..repetitive rhetoric only.

So as your other guests implied more money...Millions to the caucus winners, but from what pockets?

No good rotten l_ _ _s all of them, along with their soon to be lobbyist supporters of corporate America. American, no, I say CEO companies producing all our (not our) goods in foreign countries. Exploiting all other nations. e.g. Reebook not paying Thailand workers for making shoes. See PBS.org

Global market I would think means us producing and exporting goods. Not just receiving goods from China.

So as your other guests implied more money...Millions to the caucus winners, but from what pockets?

Democrats VS. Republicans, Right!

You get in as a Democrat then vote as a Republican in office then switch sides again.

Democracy!

The US is going to end up like Kenya, the Sudan, and other Democracies if we aren't diligent and informed.

Scary!

Where are our rights to decide.

We all can read and right not like A. Hamilton's times in the 1700's.

Where is the news? Not the "Spears again"!

Intelligent news, no opinions, just the facts.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely, A Disgusted Voter! Hanging on by threads.

Ricardo Amaral  01/04/2008 05:07 AM Report

The US election system it is PATHETIC system when we consider that such a system still being used in the 21st century in a country with 300 million people.

If the United States did not have this archaic system then it would be much harder for the gatekeepers to control the election system and who becomes president of the United States.

Why in this day and age the entire country canâ??t have all its primaries on the same day for both parties?

Why Iowa has the right to eliminate potential candidates for the rest of the country as such candidates who dropped out of the presidential race just because the caucus was done in Iowa instead of the home turf of Chris Dodd, Joseph Biden or even New Mexico?

I know Americans think that the people from the other states are not as smart as the people from European background from Iowa, but even then...

I wonder when the United States is going no adopt an election system for the 21st Century.

.

Marjorie Sunderman  01/04/2008 03:40 AM Report

After all you good ole boys finish with your fancy rationalizations you should take note of the fact that the all male political machine would do anything to prevent a woman from getting a toe hold in the biggest job in the world. Hillary is 10 times more qualified than any of the other candidates, but other women are so full of self contempt that they would never vote for another woman, men would be more likely. I have listened to the blatant attempt of the commercial TV to bring Hillary down but I can only say that "It ain't over til it's over.

Stephen Gregory  01/04/2008 02:11 AM Report

Mr Steele could only frame his ideas in terms of race. He stated Obama is where he is in the American psyche because of his race. Mr Steele doesn't understand America because he has racial tunnelvision. I am a 61 year old white male and do not feel any compunction whatsoever to relieve myself of any guilt by vote. I do however respond to charisma, oratory, intelligence and the promise of deliverance from inept, old boy governance. Obama could be from India or Indiana, male or female, white, black, yellow, even green and he would capture my imagination. And being of color just helps me find him easier on the dias.

robert  01/04/2008 02:00 AM Report

Too bad there was no mention of Ron Paul's impressive performance. He beat everyoneâ??s expectations as well as all the polling data that I found. Is he irrelevant? I hope not. He might just pull in some of those independents in NH everyone is salivating over. When is he going to get his interview?

Rachel  01/04/2008 12:04 AM Report

Why did Mr. Steele just get asked questions about the Barak Obama? When he tried to comment on Hilary Charlie skipped over him. Just because he's black doesn't mean doesn't have opinions about non blacks.