Charlie Rose

IntExec  12/06/2008 02:20 PM Report

Tabs -- So far, you are turning out to be very wrong: he is not from the left wing, and his comment on why people reach for what they can count on -- like social issues -- when their economic concerns are not addressed was on the money. (I will grant you that the word "cling" was not a good choice,)

His cabinet choices are proving me right. For two years, I have been telling all my Republican friends that Obama is a pragmatist -- neither left, nor right. That is why the left and the right all think that he agrees with them.

I love listening to Brooks -- the first columnist to encourage Obama to run (Oct, 2007).

FSK405K  11/06/2008 12:35 PM Report

Wow. That's all I can say. So rarely does an analyst so candidly break down the current politics into such straightforward social and historical perspective. It seems painfully, depressingly obvious how correct Brooks is about politics now being a team sport instead of a results-sport.

TABS  11/04/2008 01:05 PM Report

Dear Jacquie: I have very clearly and at some length articulated why I am not predisposed to Mr Obama on this Board. My opinion is based on 2 facts. 1. Mr Obama's voting record is a left turn at every turn and never a right turn. 2. His "bitter and clinging" statement indicates intellectual arrogance.

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I do not base my analysis on Freudian ideas, but the fact that we are all products of our own history (whether that be genetics or environment.) For everything we do there is a reason why, I merely try and ascribe what that reason is. For example it has been found that if a person is abused as a child that person will more then likely will be an abuser themselves.

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If you do not subscribe to my analysis of why some people get absolutely livid when they hear the name GW Bush or conversely Obama then come up with an alternate cause?

Mark  11/04/2008 03:33 AM Report

Watch the Likudniks and others on Shelly Adelson's payroll attack Brooks. One can already hear Norm Podhoretz, Midge Decter, Slick Willy Kristol, John P. Normanson, Mark Levin, Michael Ledeen, Lucianne Goldberg's Obese Offspring, Mark Steyn, and the rest of the Settler Movement sharpening their butter knives to slice Brooks's throat.

Jacques Lacan  11/03/2008 11:38 PM Report

Dear TABS: "I know what I am talking about" was a joke about Freud talking. Of course, your delusion of grandeur (the shark image! And the third person address? gimme a break!) forbade you from getting it. In case you didn't notice, your simplified theory about past events (in childhood I suppose as your "emotional need from their past" suggests), which is a popularized/vulgarized version of cheap Freudism, has been debunked by almost everybody in the psychology/psychiatry profession. There are countless studies/books on this, and almost nobody in that profession uses those Freudian principles--certainly not in the way you do, since I assume you haven't talked once a week for six years with Obama (the usual psychoanalytic schedule). How the hell do you have any idea of what motivates anyone? This is political claptrap! just say you don't like the guy, or that you are suspicious of his motives. But, please great white shark, spare us this nonsense! And, yes, I'll get out of your tank--this board--the water is too fetid. I need a bit more oxygen.

Scott Bennett  11/03/2008 11:32 PM Report

Isn't "Corporate Progressivism" really fascism? The policies of the Bush 43 administration are and have been fascist. Mussolini said, "Fascism should be more properly called 'corporatism,' since it is the marriage of government and corporate power." FDR said, "The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism—ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power."

Isn't this what Brooks was calling "Corporate Progressivism?"

Barry O'Connell  11/03/2008 08:27 PM Report

Mr. Brooks seems to suggest that populists, like Ms. Palin, simply drop their g's and attack the urban educated; that they offer an ideology more suited to the past era of Reagan. If so, he is wrong. American distrust of government and electoral college strategy of energizing the rural voter will offer Ms. Palin the opportunity to be the Republican nominee in 2012 should Mr. McCain lose. Look for her to choose Lou Dobbs as her running mate and win in a landslide.

TABS  11/03/2008 07:46 PM Report

Dear Sigie: Can you tell us more about how you feel about Tabs's statement. You might also want to focus on the fact that anyone who has to say, "That they know what they are talking about" is a little insecure about their authority and knowledge of a subject. Further can you tell us what book and page number you read the information that "disproves" Tabs's statement and makes it "pop psychology claptrap?". Well SIGIE our time is up, when would you like to make another appointment.

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BTW Son even a Tiger Shark knows enough not to get in the tank with a Great White.

irish  11/03/2008 05:14 PM Report

always reassuring to see David brooks is as big a babbling oxygen thief as ever. Talk about a low bar for punditry. Nice guy to have over for a bar be que with the kids though - bet he is a good father - but as a commenter, good lord he is a dopey as it gets.

Larry Arsenault  11/03/2008 04:37 PM Report

With this election, I hope the NeoConservative view that has been so divisive and damaging to our country is replaced with a more "Brooksonian" conservatism. That is: intelligence with a long view is again respected and tempered with an ability to see the humor of a situation where it exists, as well as the seriousness in our lives. David Brooks ability to share a little laugh at ourselves makes discussing different views not just easier, but enjoyable and I dare say, at times even inspirational.

IT Consultant  11/03/2008 01:48 PM Report

I just love arugula. What's so elitist about delicious, salty greens?

Joe Shmoe  11/03/2008 01:25 PM Report

Hey! I like arugula! Tastes lot better than iceberg. Unfortunately, I haven't eaten any in a long time.(sob)--------------- Why is it said, that not voting is not voting?. When in fact, it's not just a vote, it's 2 votes in 1. And you're saving gas and time.

Joe Shmoe  11/03/2008 01:23 PM Report

Hey! I like arugula! Tastes lot better than iceberg. Unfortunately, I haven't eaten any in a long time.(sob)--------------- Why is it said, that not voting is not voting?. When in fact, it's not just a vote, it's 2 votes in 1. And you're saving gas and time.

Preston  11/03/2008 01:17 PM Report

Interesting insights.

Hugh H.  11/03/2008 12:47 PM Report

Would that be "Projection" or "Denial", or just sophisticated perversion.

Sigmund Freud  11/03/2008 11:28 AM Report

Another jewel from TABS: "People tend to suscribe to ideology out of some emotional need from their past." What kind of pop psychology claptrap is that? This sort of inference has been discunted a long time ago. I know what I am talking about. Besides, I have the clear feeling that you are generalizing the perception of your own situation.

Marty Feldman  11/03/2008 10:57 AM Report

So in other words - Dementia Lurks in the Loom!

TABS  11/02/2008 05:01 PM Report

A Little Sunday Deconstruction Music:

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People are held prisoner of their ideology by their emotions. People tend to suscribe to ideology out of some emotional need from their past. The more that emotional need the greater the holding tight of their ideology. That is why some people go to the extreme ends of the political spectrum and one finds that there really is no reasoning with them as their emotional need always steps in.

Roy Fassel  11/01/2008 09:28 PM Report

David Brooks has no equal today in pundit columns and political discussions. He is an intellectual conservative and therefore he has enemies on both the liberal (or progressive) side and the conservative side. David Brooks always brings knowledge and thoughtfulness with his discussion. David Brooks is what journalism should be. It no longer is that. Stir the pot and scum rises to the top. There is much scum. David Brooks is a breath of fresh air of serious thinking. The rest is mostly rubbish of the highest order. David Brooks is an equal to Daniel Patrick Moynihan and George Shultz. These people are rare indeed.

TABS  11/01/2008 06:51 PM Report

Dear Sock: How could you have missed it, Schumer said they are going to after the $300B in income that is offshore and not being taxed.

Snazel  11/01/2008 06:37 PM Report

I like the themes in Brooks' writing lately. They suggest strongly that moderate conservatives need to reclaim their party from the wingnuts, to win back the soul of the Republican party.

Also, he seems genuinely able to assess both parties with some clarity. We're all biased, but compared to Markos, Huffington, Malkin and Limbaugh (and a gaggle of others) Brooks comes across as making a genuine effort at honesty. We need less cheerleaders in our punditry.

Then again, Brooks also seems like the kind of guy who'd see my lack of education, and my poor state of dress, and would immediately ignore me, or worse, ask for another table. :)

Preston  11/01/2008 06:24 PM Report

That's right, At least McCain does not approve of partial birth abortions as does Obama. In all seriousness, that is an abomination. And that is why Obama will not get the "real Christian" Black vote... This time you were right sock muppet.

sock puppet  11/01/2008 05:11 PM Report

Annie Onymous(sic) - Need help with this sentence: "[That is why the US is going to have a secular Round Head revolution, where austerity is going to be the order of the day, as in redistribution of the wealth." If the rich keep their trappings without sharing (redistributed), the rest of us will be in austerity; OR if they share (redistributed) then we will still be in austerity but maybe have an all day sucker as well? If austerity will prevail in either case I guess we can feel good that we let the king makers keep themselves in post toasties (and offshore tax havens). Worker wanna-be's unite! Revolt on the 5th!

Annie Onymous  11/01/2008 02:58 PM Report

"[That is why the US is going to have a secular Round Head revolution, where austerity is going to be the order of the day, as in redistribution of the wealth. So Charles be prepared to having dinner at Applebees with Joe the Plumber from now on end.\

Will William Ayers be there too? You know, Obama's ghostwriter and 20 year bud? I hope so! I want to ask him why he dedicated his book, Prairie Fire, to Sirhan, Sirhan, you know the the guy that shot Bobbie Kennedy?

Preston antifreeze  11/01/2008 02:12 PM Report

Yes, you've been "promoted".

hrc  11/01/2008 01:53 PM Report

I am loathe to criticize, but what's with all the lamenting, oh cruel electorate. Horrid segment. One may look at the current state of affairs and come to the conclusion that...McCain is the solution..Please! My sympathies to the befuddled, to the entrenched no quarter.

Ted Nugent  11/01/2008 01:39 PM Report

Mr. R.E. Mant, thank you for your insightful comment, now I'm not so depressed and am looking forward to the Depression... Kind of like that guy who heard god tell him to jump in the water and swim in?, through?, down? Niagara Falls, not to kill himself, but to do it and live. Which he did. The power of the mind?, God?, Faith?, intense concentration?, righteous revenge?, can defeat any enemy or threat... And eat it.

TABS  11/01/2008 01:30 PM Report

There have been wild claims here that Mr Brooks is a intellectual Republican commentator. Nothing could be farther from the truth, to some he is a Gdmed Communist Liberal and to others he is well, a Centrist. Whatever the case, he is far to intelligent to be a Conservative Republican. That said sometimes it is best to sleep on ones pillow overnight before making ones comments. In essence turning nightmares into dreams.

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Exactly what is one to say about Mr Brooks. He certainly does have a grasp for abstract ideas and analysis. Which makes for a far more satisfying Charlie Rose experience. Mr Brooks does think on a level that is deeper than the standard cookie sheet fare we are usually served up. However Mr Brooks does have the quality at times of a man who is reciting what he has heard, has a grasp of it, but does not quiet know how all the linkages work. For that Mr Brooks one has to look into themselves to understand why they think and do the things that they do. Then one has to use imagination, intuition and instinct to see beyond ones self.

steven  11/01/2008 12:19 PM Report

David Brooks should have his own show....the man is brilliant.

RE Mant  11/01/2008 11:10 AM Report

I am reminded of a clever bumpersticker: "The Democrats think the glass is half-empty; the Republicans think the glass is theirs." Our politics is like a union negotiation, largely neglecting the conditions necessary for production in the first place, not only health and training, but the liberal and/or religious education needed for cooperation and the development of science and technology. When you concentrate on that tho' the point becomes no longer how to build and sell stuff, but how to build a really prosperous community. I think it should be possible to find a consensus on this, but it is the original grassroots effort, and may require a large jolt to our system to get moving on it. The last time there was significant movement in this direction was, of course, in the Depression.

Susie C  11/01/2008 04:50 AM Report

Dear Sock Puppet:

You are running the OBama machine and use the party line 'erratic'. Jealous of other's actions, they watched in awe and so came up with attack word. Genuine Obama would get on with issues, democrats twisters engage in attacks with 'words'. Don't know life, don't know 'Passion'? Senator McCain was from the military, he had to holler. By your description, McCain is a patriot who really really cares about the issues of the country with passion. Did your parent not scream at you and then hug you in tears?

Mary H.  11/01/2008 04:35 AM Report

Superb arrangement of Guests tonight, Charlie!!!it's a good dose of a speech from David Brook so we don't have nightmare on this halloween night. Whatever historical anecdotes about FDR and Lincoln are fair enough before election. Someone just mentioned the 'honest to goodness' ..that is David Brooks!! A rare find of a clear thinker and political analyst. We are entitled to our ideology. Agree or not, i really really appreciate his conclusive remarks on this weekend. In most situations, we cannot say for sure until we're out of the woods. Charlie, your shows are like taking a step at a time. How interesting!!

Doris Kearns Goodwins made wonderful statements and references to historical anecdotes. She tends to go back to the lines, and her comments are losing touch because she enjoys so much, and smiles so much.

Thank You for Charlie's conversation with David Brooks on this absurd presidential campaign run by more students than grown up Americans.

Amilius  11/01/2008 03:37 AM Report

Charlie, When did 'acumen' become code for 'willful ignorance'? Clearly that is all that David Brooks has, as demonstrated by his contorted 'analysis', which apparently now means 'willfully ignorant narrative'. Few men are so full of 'merde', though I am sure you will find and interview them in the next week.

rich dimmock  11/01/2008 03:02 AM Report

I too want to thank charlie for once again having David on tonight.

His insightful comments about the realties of politics are always so refreshing. His willingness to interject his own introspection during an interview is what it makes him unique,even endearing.

Alas, what David shares is not I suspect what the faithful base want to hear. Their world has been shaped into the forces of Jesus vs Lucifer. Grey is not a color in their black and white box. David is becoming an anachronism in the Republican Party.

I see him as discouraged and dismayed by these realities(not in the tortured intellectual sense),but rather of having now experienced such an array of that which is better that it is hard to accept poor substitutes.

In a media populated with show-biz Republican writers/commentators like Rush,Hannity,O'Reilly,Will, etc., David in many ways has emerged as so much more.He has become an intellectual Republican in search of a Party. The others

are like those who once sold indulgences to the faithful because it was easy and profitable to dupe them.

David isn't Luther,nor Moore.but maybe Erasmus.

(okay,maybe I did get a little carried away there)

I do disgree with David in his answer to Charlie's question FDR over Lincoln in this current situation. The correct answer was FDR as I yelled before he gave the incorrect answer.David's Republican loyalty is still there.

FDR faces an economic crisis still unmatched

and a World War still unmatched in its brutality and threat to Western civilization.

David recalled the Lincoln bouts of depression,one can only imagine if Lincoln had had to deal with a massive financial meltdown AND face a life and death struggle to save Western Civilization.

I noticed doris always makes reference to FDR when she is on the panel about the current financial meltdown. She is the recognized

Historian.

Maybe if David finds a home in the now more intellectually friendly Democratic Party,he might get the answer right next time.

ps I wish Charlie had had Gore Vidal on during this political season. It would have been hilarious.

jaleh  11/01/2008 02:26 AM Report

David Brooks seems to be depressed because of what is happening to the Republican Party...He is not going to have fun if Obama wins...which I hope he does. Sorry, David!

sock puppet  11/01/2008 01:43 AM Report

David's story about McCain shouting down fellow senators and then apologizing moments later with tears in his eyes was devastating. That's too erratic and broaches instability. Scary how someone of that temperament wasn't vetted out of the process before getting that far.

sock puppet  11/01/2008 01:22 AM Report

Sandy nailed it. David is one refreshing analyst. He discussed the polarization issues in government. Talked of its reducing congress to team players rather than individually thinking statespersons. This affect and that of lobbyists would be greatly reduced if we had one-term limits. Maybe consider eight year staggered terms. As it is they spend their entire terms concentrating on reelection. Real governance is incidental.

Sandy Fiegen  11/01/2008 12:47 AM Report

I HOPE THIS WORKS, CAUSE NEITHER link worked for me to send an e-mail...so, first that's my "website" feedback i couldn't send.

THANKS more than i can express for having David Brooks on tonite, and always. Such a wonderful pure cup of water, that man is. Unpretentious, unapologetic...

didn't know humans like him existed, least of all, at the NY Times...

(Minnesotan here, farmer's daughter and the like...)

please forward my appreciation onto him and to your network for continuing to provide what might be becoming the only real "balanced" reporting, without pandering.

TABS  10/31/2008 10:59 PM Report

Here is what happened to the good Reverend Wright. Obama stood up and made a speech defending his old Pastor. However the good reverend wanted a voice in the campaign. He did not get that voice, so the good reverend stood up and made a speech of his own. Mr Obama was then forced to disavow the good Reverend effectivily sending him back to the tules of Chicago.

TABS  10/31/2008 10:50 PM Report

Charlie asked Brokaw, "What do we know about Obama and his world view?" What! Charles you don't know at this late date, for the past 2 years journalists have had an opportunity to find out? If I were invited to make a response this is what it would be and no one is forcing anyone to lend any credence to this either.

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You ain't seen nothin like him in a very long time if ever. Obama is a true ascetic, a virtual revolutionary in service of the people. Obama is calculating as he is driven by intellect. Just listen to Obama, everything he says is weighed and measured before he opens his mouth. The pros and cons are assessed mentality. Take a look at the facts, Obama beat the best political gamers in America today, the Clinton's. Obama made them drink the Kool Aid on national television..........................................................People who subscribe to the "conventional wisdom" of the politics of the last 50 years don't have a clue as to what they are about to get. Obama can not be bought off as there is nothing he wants other then to be effective at what he does. Back in the 30's the German industrialists thought they could control Hitler to, it just didn't work out that way for them. Hitler wound up controlling them. That is what is going to happen with Obama. Take a look at the tight chain he keeps on Joe Biden and the throttling of his rhetoric................When Obama uses the word "change" he means it. Those Democratic Party operatives and even Republicans who are self serving are going to wake up one day and find that they have been maneuvered out the door...........Obama is also a practitioner of the practical, he knows what can be achieved today and what has to be deferred till tomorrow. It is not so much that he has a world view, it is more that he deals with the circumstances as they present themselves.....................Obama's one weakness is that he doesn't appear to have integrated his intellect with his emotions. He tends to stay in the realm of intellect avoiding messy emotions. That can appear to make him absentminded, have difficulty connecting with people one on one. And does make his leftist ideology more rigid or brittle then it needs to be. Not as subject to revision..listening to reason? He has a set of preconceived beliefs that are unmovable, per Jamie Dimon conversations. Mr Obama has a vision and is going to imprint it on America hell or high water. That is why the US is going to have a secular Round Head revolution, where austerity is going to be the order of the day, as in redistribution of the wealth. So Charles be prepared to having dinner at Applebees with Joe the Plumber from now on end.