Charlie Rose

Nancy_MI  02/25/2009 08:28 PM Report

I signed in with great anticipation. I wanted to hear what people had to say. Personally, I felt good after Obama's talk. When I tuned in to Charlie Rose I felt as though everyone was in my living room, and that I was in good company. I loved the panel and I found a lot of good and interesting experienced perspective. I didn’t evaluate how much I agreed or disagreed with what others had to say. I simply watched and listened. No one seemed extreme, some strong opinion but nothing overboard. I listened to Bobby Jindal after Obama’s talk and felt oddly uncomfortable listening to him. He was not comfortable in front of the camera. I felt like he wrote his rebuttal two months ago and never updated what he wanted to say. It was like a very long awkward moment. Sadly, after reading several of the comments posted I see that the nut cases signed in and there's very little constructive discussion. Apparently the crazies have found this site. Oh well. Charlie I loved tonight’s show. "Thank you", you’re the best.

To Lou from me  08/30/2008 10:43 AM Report

Lou, I feel your pain. The coverage of the primary season has been simply dreadful to watch, though I have come to respect Mark Halperin's fairness to a point. Charlie has had his show sponsored by publishers for at least the last few years I have watched - he has had Newsweek do it and Time do it and I think there is a link to The NY Times as well. I think it gives him access to information prior to publication so he can time his guests to articles that come out. He has a small team so this is smart. The drawback for us, the viewer, is that it tends to cause an echo effect and we are hearing twice about the same thing rather than learn about two different things. But all considered, that is a minor complaint.

charlize courriers  08/30/2008 10:42 AM Report

What was it like to have Pravda tell you the truth when the Communist Party had its convention? We are getting a good idea of what it was like with Charlie's laughing liberals. Oh, yeah...PBS, the Propaganda Broadcast System.

Todd  08/30/2008 10:40 AM Report

Oh my gawd Charlie. Randell just told you what Obama needs to do - that Hillary did and he did not - and you did NOT get it. Your response was - well that's why he won.

LET'S BE CLEAR. OBAMA WON BECAUSE THE BOYS CLUB RAPED HILLARY ON SUPER TUESDAY, CHANGED THE RULES THIS YEAR, AND OBAMA LIED TO EVERYONE LEFT RIGHT AND UPSIDE DOWN - CHANGING HIS VOTE ON FISA, CHANGING HIS STORIES ON NAFTA AND LIED TIL THE MEMO SHOWED HE WAS LYING, CHANGED HIS PLEDGE ON OFF SHORE, ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND HASN'T HELD ONE SINGLE MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN THOUGH HE CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE ON NATO (AND BOYS CLUB HANDOUT).

WHAT KIND OF FOOL ARE YOU? GET THAT HEAD CHECKED. YOU HAVE BECOME SENILE.

THE BOYS CLUB CHANGED EVERY RULE THEY COULD, AND GAVE OBAMA CREDENTIALS HE DOES NOT HAVE. HE IS SURROUNDED BY GERIATRIC DC ROVIAN DEMOCRATS AND WENT ON VACATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS JOB INTERVIEW. HE THINKS IT'S IN THE BAG HANDED TO HIM LIKE GW IN FLORIDA.

YOU ARE SO STROKED OUT OR SOMETHING.

HILLARY WAS THE WINNER. OBAMA STOLE, LIED AND CHEATED HIS WAY WITH THE BOYS CLUB RAPISTS.

GET A LIFE. YOU HAVE LOST YOUR INTELLIGENCE.

Sharon  08/30/2008 10:39 AM Report

The commentary last night was ludicrous. You have exposed the absurdity of the media, whether unwittingly or not. Diebold has selected the next President, the killer/psychopath McCain, and his 100 year war. The illusion of democracy is wearing thin. I saw no coverage of the protests, which is the only story that interests me, because democracy will be returned on the streets, not on TV or through staged elections.

Jeff  08/30/2008 10:38 AM Report

For those of you saying that PBS has been financially drained by "privatizing politicians", for the record, VERY LITTLE of PBS's money comes from government sources (Al Hunt's own wife Judy Woodruff confirmed this at a Google roundtable discussion). It has been 20 plus years since PBS has received to majority of its operating budget from the public till. Do your research before you begin bleating "Animal Farm" style.

Lou Thomas  08/30/2008 07:06 AM Report

What a shock to see Bloomberg as a show sponsor and then find that a member of Bloomberg news, Al Hunt, is virtually co-anchoring your coverage of the Democratic National Convention! Did Bloomberg buy a seat on your show from which to add their distinct perspective, or is this simply a "coincidence?" In general I like your program, and I understand that PBS has been drained almost bloodless by the privatizing politicians (who have actually been privatized themselves) cutting funds for public media, but PBS, and you, should draw the line somewhere on the extent of corporate influence, and this is one place where you seem to have either failed to draw it, or else have actually stepped over it onto the other side. PBS in this situation contributes more to the problem than it does to its solution.

CJ  08/29/2008 09:13 AM Report

I stand corrected. Obama just asked Pelosi to cut him one check (of many) for 150 billion over 10 years (if he lasts that long... is he running for a 3rd term already?) to revamp the energy systems in the U.S. and then only after cutting taxes for "95% of all working families". What a JOKE. Oh, I know. Maybe he plans to cut our national security budget back to the bone, like Clinton did, in order to rob from the military to pay for the government owned and operated enegery system HE and Pelosi are going to create out of thin air. What a JOKE. Who is smoking what now?

TABS  08/29/2008 04:11 AM Report

Dear Mr Sock:..............It is the unabashed adulation, the vertible idealization of Obama by the Democrats and journalists alike that gives me pause. It is amounting to a cult of personality............... Cults of personality have proven to be dangerous to democracys. Cults of personality are not grounded in reality because they overlook the human limitations that all of us have. Cults of personality are short on humility and long on arrogance.

CJ  08/29/2008 04:07 AM Report

Did you catch Obama's acceptance speech? I about fell asleep mid way. I wonder if his speeches are beginning to sound like reruns, except with more B.S. than the last run?

My mom is a die hard Clinton Democrat. When he got done I asked her what she thought?

She said, "About what?"

I asked her, "How many promises did he just make for crying out loud... 50 maybe?"

She said, "So what? They all do that?"

I said, "Exactly. What is the big change there?"

Then I asked her if she taped it? Yes? She tapes everything her heros say. No surprise.

So, I suggested, "Well, when you play your tape back hit pause every time he makes a promise and write it down. Then, let's see how many Nancy Pelosi actually keeps for him. OK?"

She looks at me like, "I don't understand what you mean?"

I said, "Well, Obama ... as a President of this country... can't keep a hand full of those promises himself. First the congress will have to pass a bill and they are going to have to tax the hell out of someone or they are going to have to hide something in a budget somewhere in order to make 90% of his promises even happen. I sure hope Pelosi can come through for him because he just borrowed about $20 billion from her. She better have a really fat check book to help him keep all those promises..."

"Well, I do not care. He is still the best choice...", She says.

What a joke!

Preston  08/28/2008 11:39 PM Report

So let them call you a racist, it takes one to know one; and what "really" is a racist anyway, and what does it "really" matter. Now on to the subject, Obama doesn't need no stinkin' Clintons. Did you see the speech.?. By far, the best the Democrats have ever offered in my lifetime.

Christopher  08/28/2008 09:49 PM Report

Marc Halprin, the scorekeeper, correctly assessed that Bill is an even better speaker then Barack, and Barack is good.

Neil MacCallister  08/28/2008 08:56 PM Report

Thank you, panelists, ..there was much less "Vote Obama, or you are a racist" this evening.

The greatest thing about that 2005 Iraqi election, was the courage of those Iraqi voters. They lined up to vote their freewill, despite snipers on rooftops and bombers in the squares who threatened anyone voting their own choice, instead of the terrorists' choice.

Americans who now choose to vote on the issues, or the character of the candidate, is also being threatened with that tossed "bomb": "You are now a racist!"

I am less concerned with which candidate survives, ..than I am with the survival of an honest and free election. Put your bombs away, vote your brains, and respect your neighbor.

--Joanna, S.P., I too appreciate CR (..and I now mean more than CharlieRose!) Let's hope she finally gets her due!

Mike  08/28/2008 06:51 PM Report

Just want to agree with Ron Walters that the Clintons as a couple really delivered for Obama. But I really feel the president provided 95 to 99 percent of that. I thought the senator did just barely what was needed of her. As Peggy Noonan said (paraphrasing): she was exactly as gracious toward Barack Obama as she is capable of being. Which was barely enough.

But Bill was truly, truly masterful.

MotherLodeBeth  08/28/2008 06:43 PM Report

In 2008 I wonder why we waste so much money on these make believe gatherings where everyone knows who the candidates are before they even arrive in town. And one would think the 'green' progressives would have demanded they not have them since they use way to much bottled water, gas for planes and cars. And all that food that doesn't get eaten but is tossed out. Talk is cheap. They need to start walking the talk. And while we are at it, lets be honest. It's the lobbyists and other special interests and not 'we the people', 'one person one vote' that runs this country. And running us into the damn griound doing it. And had the media done their job someone like Ron Paul who follows the constitution, would have gotten more coverage. As would have Dennis Kucinich.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 06:20 PM Report

TABS - Perhaps the Republicans will redeem your faith in unbiased, well balanced conventioneering. McCain, McCain surely will not be a tiresome refrain for your not-too-partisan soul. Jump up and yell 'Barack' to counter-balance your overweaned sense of fair-play and equity. I'm sure your sense of revulsion will not be tweaked. Beauty / Beasts are in individual eye sockets. Yours should've been averted until McCain fills your screen. To avoid apoplexy probably should avoid tonight altogether. On the other hand perhaps you would rather expound grandly about how offensive it all is (with a certain recognizable vehemence). You owe Obama for several spleen-cleaning episodes. Make your checks payable to the DNC, Pepsi center.

Preston  08/28/2008 05:01 PM Report

sound check, testing 1 2 3, testing 1... Will somebody please fix this damn mike?. Oh I'm on?. Oops...

TABS  08/28/2008 04:50 PM Report

This post which is reprinted below, is poor in conception. It is merely reflective of a repulsion of the the Obama, Obama, Obama hypnotic chant that we have been subjected to for 3 straight nights. While not a word of critical commentary was offered in challenge by both CNN and PBS. They have sat passively by and let the party continue to spout its propaganda as the gospel truth. This post was left to be posted as written as a catharsis for its author.................Comment by TABS on Thursday, Aug 28 at 12:13 AM..............

This whole Democratic convention has turned out to be a non event. Nothing even remotely new or interestingly unpredictable. It sounds like it is a badly written TV melodrama with the parts played by bad actors. Veritable stiffs walking through their parts with little real pathos to engage us. The chant and refrain Obama this, Obama that has gotten so tiresome. Could they have reigned in the creative people and not let them get so indulgent. They could have gotten through this whole Convention in one or two nights, with far more excitement generated with the use of pacing. To let it drag on for 4 nights is just unbearable. Maybe they let the Democratic Convention drag on because it was good for the Denver economy of, whores, booze and blow.

TABS  08/28/2008 04:33 PM Report

Something extraordinary happened on Tuesday and Wednesday night, the Clinton's bent their knees and prostrated themselves before Barrack Obama in fealty. They then drank the Kool Aid and uttered the words. This is truly the end of an era in American history......Does this once again show that the Clinton's are calculating politicians and are going along to get along. In the hope that a defeated Obama opens the door wide for another Hillary try at the big job. Or is it that the Clinton's are defeated never to rise again to their former heights, and are now relegated to history?

TABS  08/28/2008 04:01 PM Report

The one thing that made Lincoln the Greatest President the USA ever had was that he allowed the Presidential Election of 1864 to proceed, when he felt in his heart that he would lose that election. Losing would have meant that everything he had fought for and all the blood spilt would have been for naught. For his oponent in that elction was George McCllean, whose platform was to make peace with the South..........................GW Bush and the Republicans have never claimed to be agents of change to fix a broken system. Nor have they tried as Nancy Pelosi has to force Broadcasters of Conservative content to give equal time to Liberal content or vice versa. That is a violation of the 1st Amendment. VP Dick Cheney does believe in returning executive power to the pre Watergate era. That said GW and his admin are going to vacate their offices come January 2009.....Further to claim that the Republicans represent special interests and play rougher anymore than the Democrats is like the pot calling the kettle black. Both sides of the political spectrum play with equal ferocity.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 03:28 PM Report

TABS said in part - "The great danger is that when the Democrat get in office are going to change the rules of the political process so that the incumbent party will be virtually impossible to remove. That means the Dems are in for life. They will accomplish this by using the cover that they are merely fixing a broken system by limiting special interests...in this case Republican interests."

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Your fear come from experience? Or Karl Rove?Or Cheney? Or Tom Delay? Republican interests are indeed special and specific and self-serving. Thanks, reminders are needed from time-to-time.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 03:10 PM Report

charlize courriers - bring on Fox news for some real journalism, right?

TABS  08/28/2008 03:10 PM Report

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time"........................................................

To listen to the Democrats during this convention of theirs one comes away with the feeling that they had what amounts to a religious experience. It seems that they think that Obama is the one who can lead America to the promised land. Even the Clinton's have now partaken of the Kool Aid..........................................................

This is either madness or desperation on the part of the Democrats. Four months ago Hillary and Bill Clinton were trashing the ability of Obama to lead the nation and now they to claim that Obama can lead America to the promised land. Which version of the story is the truth and which the lie or should we conclude that the mere fact that there are 2 versions is by definition, madness itself............................................................................................... ..........

Rahm Emanuel is wrong, a person must trust a candidate before pulling the lever to vote for him. A person when voting for a candidate is entrusting that person with their future and the future of a nation. Trust is built over time and the observance of how a person behaves under different circumstances. Obama has no basis of trust with the American people, he is an unknown character because he has never been tested. His limited history indicates that he represents far left principles by his own admission. His voting record is a rubber stamp of the Democratic Party platform. All we have to trust in are a number of speeches that are a sirens song............................................................................................

There are 3 questions that arise about Obama. The first is exactly what are his views and beliefs, and can he put his own personal ideology aside for the benefit of nation. That has not been answered, and can not be answered till that bridge gets crossed in one way or another. The second is, does Obama have the will and courage to go against the interests of his own party for the benefit of the nation. Or will he merely be a tool of the party to achieve the narrow ends of partisan politics. To date Obama has done neither, his history indicates at this late date that he is not predisposed to do either of those things that could make him a Great Leader. The third question is does Obama have the savvy that experience brings in being able to avoid being manipulated by not only the citizens of the belt way, foreign nations but also by members of his own party. So the conclusion a rational person has to make is that the Democrats in their belief that Obama can lead America to the promised land are either fooling themselves. Or are the Democrats that cynical in their desire to once again be the majority party.......................................................................................

Perhaps the only change the Democrats want to make is putting the Democrats back in power in Washington at the expense of everybody else. If that is what it is let us cut the hogwash and call it for what it is.................................................................................................

In the final analysis Obama was extremely lucky or is a pawn in a greater struggle for power in the US. Obama ran a campaign that avoided the pitfalls that men and women of much greater experience than he subcumbed to. Since Obama's experience at this level of competition is virtually nil, and no one is that lucky the conclusion has to be that Obama is merely a pawn of the people who back him.......................................................................................

The great danger is that when the Democrat get in office are going to change the rules of the political process so that the incumbent party will be virtually impossible to remove. That means the Dems are in for life. They will accomplish this by using the cover that they are merely fixing a broken system by limiting special interests...in this case Republican interests.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 03:05 PM Report

Nit pickin here. It was a tactical error for Obama to show up Weds night. He came off too much as a rock-star as McCain charges. He did have an aura of "be gratified peasants, as I your saviour am gracing you with my presence. So you may rejoice!" He needs to tread lightly in this area. Too uppity, too self aggrandizing may be more than many lunch-bucket whites have enough self-esteem to (want to) handle. Ohio and PA may default to McCain on such small nearly imperceptible twists.

Linda Thomas  08/28/2008 02:03 PM Report

please bring back Connie

Shultz!!

Golbanou  08/28/2008 12:33 PM Report

Did someone say every one will vote for Obama except David Brooks? In fact I will include David Brooks.

I am concerned about Charlie Rose. He didn't look very healthy last night. I hope all is well with him, otherwise he should stop the grueling regimen.

Ron  08/28/2008 11:58 AM Report

I'll echo what some have said: It is blatantly obvious that everyone on the show, with the possible exception of David Brooks, is going to vote for Obama. They're practically gushing whenever they talk about him. They seem to all share the same weltanschauung, which leads to no questioning of their basic assumptions, which leads to giving Obama a pass on just about everything. His utopian vision is just that, utopian. It fails to recognize the limitations of human nature, which history has shown us again and again can not be transcended and elevated into some kind of benevolent, altruistic mass movement. If it could, communism would have been successful. Communism, in theory, is a noble philosophy. We've seen what it is in practice. I have concerns about McCain, as well as Obama. My guess is that McCain will largely be given a pass on the show, too. One thing that I suspect will change is the enthusiasm in speaker's voices. They will not be gushing. And that, in itself, reveals the bias that is ubiquitous in the newsrooms these days.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 01:11 AM Report

Joanna - agree. Or maybe Lieberman. A distaff member would capture a lot of disaffected Hillaryites.

sock puppet  08/28/2008 01:05 AM Report

Joe Biden blew the most important area of change that's supposedly his area of expertise. He sounded like McCain re Russia-Georgia. Arrogant impotent tough talk is so puerile Bush-Cheney blather the so-called 'change' motto is mocked beyond credibility. And on the very foreign policy pugilistic issues that kicked-off Obama's candidacy. Neither candidate's worth the candle. Except for jingos amongst us and the M-I complex.

Ed  08/28/2008 12:50 AM Report

My comment is in regards to Mr. Halperin's statement that the DNC has not sold the message that McCain would be more of the Bush administration (paraphrasing). In my humble opinion, that seems to be the biggest part of the Democratic approach. As an independent, I don't feel that this plan tells me what the Democratic platfrom is, only what it is not. I would rather hear more about what they plan to do.

Joanna  08/28/2008 12:48 AM Report

Oh, I forgot to mention (and it's Way off the subject!) but I think John McCain should pick Condi Rice for VP.

Joanna  08/28/2008 12:42 AM Report

Charlie and Co., Since you have all Obama adoring journalists on, except for David Brooks (and something has happened to him; he used to come across as one of the few NYTimes moderately leaning right journalists but seems to be veering left...hmmm...) I presume you plan to have conservative journalists (even moderately conservative would be most refreshing) discussing with you each night of the Republican Convention, such as the lovely and brilliant black journalist, Michelle Malkin, Peter Brooks (Heritage Foundation), Bill Bennett, perhaps Mr. Crystal (it's late and I can't remember his name, but he filled in for you when you were in hospital in France), Peggy Noonan, etc..---these off the top of my head. Any others out there, from you other addicted tv audience members who also would like to hear and see people who might actually become your new friends, Charlie. What say?

TABS  08/28/2008 12:41 AM Report

Bill Clinton made a speech tonight? Was it any good as I fell asleep while waiting for it to start. I only woke up for the last few minutes. It does seem that the Clinton's speeches were bookends. What one didn't say the other did.

RE Mant  08/28/2008 12:17 AM Report

Perhaps the Clintons meant only to protest their loyalty, but they protested way too much, and I had the feeling they also did it for the sake of Hilary's further career. None of these ppl is even a good speaker, much less a great orator. Be serious! I'd like to add too, that Bill Clinton had his 3 a.m. moment to get bin Laden and failed, so how would he know who is ready to do what? Agree with Halperin that the Demos have been on the defensive for at least a month now. If McCain picks another foreign policy guy, the electorate will have to conclude that economics is not an issue. In my view Mike Huckabee has always been the best choice, and remains so. Last, I have to say that I think for their own sake the politicos might want to consider cancelling all future conventions.

judithod  08/28/2008 12:15 AM Report

What are Obama's credentials for the presidency? I haven't heard anyone on your program define them nor have I heard any of the convention keynote speakers define them. Everyone talks in platitudes about Obama. He's intelligent, good-looking, and can read a teleprompter well. Are those qualifications for the presidency or for "American Idol"? Obama has had any number of opportunities, but what notable accomplishments have come from those opportunities? Bill Clinton was our 3rd youngest president, but he had served 3 terms as governor of Arkansas, 1 term as Arkansas attorney general, 1 term as chair of the National Governors' Association. He had a record, a history of governing. Obama doesn't.

TABS  08/28/2008 12:13 AM Report

This whole Democratic convention has turned out to be a non event. Nothing even remotely new or interestingly unpredictable. It sounds like it is a badly written TV melodrama with the parts played by bad actors. Veritable stiffs walking through their parts with little real pathos to engage us. The chant and refrain Obama this, Obama that has gotten so tiresome. Could they have reigned in the creative people and not let them get so indulgent. They could have gotten through this whole Convention in one or two nights, with far more excitement generated with the use of pacing. To let it drag on for 4 nights is just unbearable. Maybe they let the Democratic Convention drag on because it was good for the Denver economy of, whores, booze and blow.

Nick in CT  08/28/2008 12:11 AM Report

Have been watching for the last three nights. What a logistic nightmare. Is is too hard for Charlie to stage manage remotes. People are talking over each other. Not ready to speak or haven't got much too say when they get the cue. It's almost like let's get so many people on, so we can show how many friends Charlie has. Not a conservative or moderate voice among them. Ron Walters' points are coming from outside the consensus when last night he made the argument that Obama was not the focus of the election, it was more about the Democrats. I love the show, especially when you're talking politics, but this week's been a train wreck. Maybe you can salvage Thursday and next week. Less people and better communications amongst the contributors. Not the finest hour of the show.

Bob G  08/27/2008 01:27 PM Report

As usual, your program was very good. But no one discussed what seems to me the obvious reason for McCain's surge at the poll which has been his jingoistic, tough guy, militaristic and nationalistic rhetoric about Iraq and now even more effectively about Georgia. In contrast, Obama's cool, rational, and restrained comments is seen by some (the lass educated) as a sign of weak and inexperienced leadership. Obviously I disagree.. Most important, however: journalist and commentators should not shy away from this substantitive issue under the protective mantle of "objectivity", talking about convincing voters of qualifications for commander in chief. This is a life and death issue and everyone knows hostile, tough talk to the Russians has nothing to do with the issues of Presidential leadership.

Wally  08/27/2008 01:11 AM Report

Last night Michelle Norris nailed the unspoken issue of this presidential campaign - race, which dominated the last half of the program - bravo! As always, wonderful television. Tonight was also very good. I loved adding Doris Kearns Godwin, but missed Michelle Norris.

sock puppet  08/26/2008 04:48 PM Report

Sharon - damn you for being so prescient. I don't want to agree with your diatribe but would be dishonest and dishonorable not to. We're in a helluva near irretrievable mess. The oligarchs behind the K-street lobbyists that have purchased our government from its venal whores, have putrefied the system from within. Neither party will redeem it - or themselves.

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Reelection trumps statesmanship. Only say eight-year terms without reelection will save us from lobbyists power - and that aint gonna happen. Earmarks and signing statements don't help democracy either. The scumbags like the status quo, drumbeat for 'change' notwithstanding. We're toast regardless of the winner.

brian  08/26/2008 01:28 PM Report

i missed the show last night. i was falling asleep during the texas monthly talks with john edwards that was shown before charlie on my local station so went up to bed. would love to watch the show though so get the video up!