American Morning
Bill Bennett: Obama mystique will not last
President Obama hasn't shied away from controversy during his first hundred days, but a keen ability to rebound from criticism has some critics wondering why the outrage doesn't stick. CNN Political Contributor Bill Bennett is the author of "The American Patriot’s Almanac." He spoke with John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Thursday.
John Roberts: The president attracted a fair amount of controversy at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago last week when he shook hands and was all smiles with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It prompted Jonathan Martin in Politico to write, “Several times a month in his young presidency, Barack Obama has done things that cause conservatives to bray, using the phrase once invoked by Bob Dole, ‘Where’s the outrage?!’” The president seems pretty Teflon in his first hundred days. A lot of stuff just kind of bounces off of him.
Bill Bennett: Yeah. The American people are giving him a lot of breaks. It is the first hundred days. They like him. They voted for him. They elected him. They want him to succeed. All of that is understandable. The second hundred days is going to be different. These are no longer matters of photo-ops with Hugo Chavez. What he has unleashed with the CIA interrogation memo is the furies. This is going to be a major issue and I think an embarrassment and problem for him. Maybe more important, you know, CNN has been great on this, covering the situation in Pakistan. This is the real world. This isn't the warm-up now. This isn’t rehearsal. This is the real game now. If the Taliban moves in on the capital of Pakistan, we are talking about serious international crisis, and then we'll find out about our Commander in Chief.
Roberts: Mitt Romney wrote about foreign policy in the National Review online taking on President Obama saying, “The leader of the free world has been a timid advocate of freedom at best. And bold action to blunt the advances of tyrants has been wholly lacking.” He slammed him for a number of different things: acquiescing to a fifty minute rant from Daniel Ortega at the Summit of the Americas, and not doing anything in response to North Korea’s missile test, not holding Iran’s feet to the fire, trying to open dialogue with them. But a lot of people might say after eight years of Bush Administration policy, this country needs to go in a different direction.
Bennett: Well, you know, that's the argument and that was the argument in the election. I think we were safe. I think we were doing pretty well, actually. The problem with Obama, as far as I'm concerned, and I really try to give him the benefit of the doubt, I didn't just jump on him right away, is when he goes to Trinidad and Tobago it seems to be himself that he wants to talk about; not the United States of America. It’s like he is in campaign mode. It's about him. He preens for himself but he doesn't seem to instinctively want to talk about and defend the government of the United States, the people of the United States. He is America. He is not the candidate anymore. And he better be very careful. It is unprecedented what he did in Europe, to go to Europe and be on foreign soil and apologize for all of the errors and faults of the United States. Again, he's getting a break. It's the first hundred days but four years is a long time.
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It Will Stick and when it does, Obama will feel the wrath of the American People. Its going to hit rock bottom soon and it all Obamas fault and he doesnt have anyone else to blame but himself. No Bush, No REpublicans, only Obama, Pelosi and the rest of the Democrates will be blamed because people lost savings, retirements, jobs, homes and all their possesions.
When the Obama smoke clears I can say is I TOLD YOU SO,haha
Bill Bennett is really one of the classier folks in the GOP. But like all politicians, he's an opportunist. He senses now (correctly imho) a power vacuum within the mainstream GOP (there is only Mitt to beat – not too tough given the fundamentalists aversion to Mormons) and with this statement he seeks to build some cred with the GOP hard-cores. But he's just not charismatic enough to make it nationally.
It is really too bad that people like Bill Bennett won't give President Obama the same chance they'd give any man. If all these critics have such great ideas and are so certain about how every single facet of this mess should be handled, then why is it that none of the worst critics ran for office. You are so anxious for President Obama to fail, that you project on to him all you own prejudices, phobias, and biases. My money (as well as 64% of the American people) is on President Obama, and we're smart enough to know that no one can fix an eight-year castrophe in 100 days. We'll give him enough time to get the job done and done well. We have a network that is focused on 2012, and an even greater victory. This is "No Longer A Country Of Old Biggoted White Men AND RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS". Miniorities united are now the MAJORITY......African-Americans, Hispanics, Native-Americans, Asians.
All of you sheeple need to wake up and realize that the rest of the world doesn’t want to hug and make up with America. They will always hate us for what we have, and what they have not. The poorest Americans in this country still make multiples in comparison to the vast majority of the world. Let us not even begin to mention that we are also loathed by the majority of the Middle East for the fact that women in this country can vote, work, and get an education. Even those ideologies that are constant on either side of the partisan divide make us a target. Our new president is portraying us as a weak and subservient nation to our enemies at a time when we need to stand strong. I hope I am wrong, yet fearful that I am very right.
You Obama supporters are ridiculous. You sound like teenagers who stamp your feet and scream at people when they dare to point out that your new BFF isn't perfect.
You Democrats criticized Bush very harshly for eight years because he had a heavy-handed attitude. But listen to yourselves. Your attitude of "we won, now you all shut up" is worse than anything Republicans ever said.
You juveniles didn't care about Bush or his policies. Nor do most of you have any idea what Obama stands for. You simply care that he's from your social tribe and you think you're on the winning team. It's like junior high and you think you're all part of the cool group. Pathetic.
You juveniles are going to learn some hard, hard lessons over the next couple of years. Much like parents begin to seem a lot smarter as the kids grow up, Republicans are going to start seeming a lot smarter to most Democrats as they start to get a clue about how the world works.
America can't afford to act like the school yard bully anymore.
It worked after the cold war ended, because no one could challenge them. However in the modern world America cannot win a war against everyone else.
The peace and prosperity of the future is going to be maintained not by one country acting as the police of the world, but by a cooperative of countries. Mr Obama see's this future, and he is preparing for it.
Bill Bennett epitomizes the kind of thinking of a violent neanderthal. He romantisizes the past, the "glory days" when America could do as it pleased, and apologize to no one, because their military spending was so swollen that "peace" didn't need to be part of the vocabulary.
It is incredibly gratifying to see a President begin to act like a mature man. When insulted, Obama turns the other cheek, and continues to prove he has a strong, dignified character; a commitment to peace.
This is a vast improvement over the previous president, who acted out like a child. Indeed: most Amercan's behave like spoiled children, so it is no wonder the rest of the world hates them.
It is no wonder that when American's travel abroad, they wear a Canadian flag, except when they are carrying rifles.
This is an investment in the future, not a burden to it. Do not put a $ figure on this, because $ money doesn't have a value. World peace has a value, human health has a value, cooperation has a value. Money can't buy you Love.
Vitriol. Caustic. Hatred. Anger. Disrespect. Anti-patriotic. Hostile. Self-serving. Antagonistic.
Libs, do any of these words serve you? Your lack of love for your fellow man is the very reason FNC and the informed broadcasters on that network are killing BSNBC and the Clinton News Network. Come on over...you know your parents raised you better!
If you really hate America as much as you profess, please join our NAFTA friends down south or your friends in Afghanistan. Either way, I'm tired of protecting your rights while losing my troops around the world. I really can't wait until the all volunteer military is no longer voluntary. You see, our patriotic sons and daughters are getting fed up as well. Fed up with YOU! Once we leave the military, who will defend the nation that you have created? Good luck with that and God Bless You!
I've nothing left for this network.
Don't bet on it Bill....
Bill Bennet? Are you serious? Truly a waste of an interview. What would anyone expect but the usual and obvious attempts at salvaging the failed Republican theories on life, liberty and the pursuit of disinformation
A bunch of leftists here, the only ones that watch CNN any more.
Thank you, Mike C.
The Republicans including Mr. Bennett can not stomach someone in power like President Obama trying to address real problems that effect the majority of American citizens. After 8 years of the debacle of the Bush administration, finally we have a President that "gets it". You have Dick Cheney assuming the role of attack dog, which underminds the success of this administration and national security. President Obama is trying to keep our friends close, and our enemies closer. The divisive policies of the past are now giving way to engagement rather than alienation. Anything would be better than what we had.
Isn't this the same guy who sat at Las Vegas slot machines and piddled away millions of the moral majority's dollars?
have you seen the little piggies, living piggie lives-they're all whining and complaining now that they've lost power
I am proud to say that I did not vote for President Obama! Seriously people, take your blinders off. Do not let Obama fool you any longer. Yes, he is a great public speaker, but that is where it ends. He is certainly not qualified to run this country. He doesn't even appear to proud of being an American a majority of the time. How is a person who doesn't even love this country supposed to have our best interest in mind? Everyone is just so blinded by their anger towards Bush and the current state of our economy that they think because Obama is "different" he is going to be the hero and saviour of our great country. I think not. I await the day when I can say "I told you so" to all of those who bought his promise of change...oh, change is a'coming for sure, but you will not like what is in store. I am not saying that change can't be good, but remember, not all change is for the better either.
For all those angry that we struck back after 9/11, please explain to me what you wanted Bush to do. Did you want him to sit back and let it be repeated over and over again? As member of a family of veterans who knows the meaning of sacrafice, I am grateful to all of those who answered the call of our country's military and went to the Middle East to rage war against terrorists who hate us simply because we are American. Based on the choices presented, I think that Bush did the best that he could at the time. Not to mention, Bush did not make these decisions alone. Let's not forget the other political figures that had a part in the decision.
That said, I only hope that my fears are proven wrong; however, I do not believe that that will be the case. God bless America and keep us safe from a man more interested in fame and being the first black president than he is in being a real leader who is truly concerned about our nation and it's people and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep us safe from harm and to alleviate our economic crisis.
Its really unfortunate to read some of the comments that are coming in from the Obama camp. We do need to give Obama a chance, but at the same time Obama is doing a lot of things that previous democratic presidents would never dream of doing. At this point we need leadership, and we are not entirely seeing this from our president. One man Bush is not responsible for all our problems we have here, you must look at all the helpers he had, senators, representatives, greedy AMERICAN people who think they are entitled to homes, everything... That is the problem. Alot of the people who elected Obama think they are entitled to things, and therein lies the problem. I hope that Obama does not lead us into bigger problems.
i have to give the rights credit... they never give up finding new and inventive ways to bash obama.... get a grip people... where was all this fight when junior was in the white house ?
Is anybody interested in the opinions of the fat hypocrite Bennett? I will gladly accept his opinions when it comes to gambling, something he knows about. For the rest, he is a hot-air generator and has nothing for anybody, just billows of hot, opinionated air. Go away, hypocrite!
Going to be very funny to see how many people's opinion of Obama go thru some change over the next 4 years, you voted him in.... just remember that as time goes on and it's seen that he's no less corrupt than the rest.
There is no Obama mystique. It's just common sense that rational human beings can understand without being spinned upon. I wonder if Bennett might want to revise his book of virtue to include torture, lies, and deception.
"Pretty well"? Really? Two wars. Huge deficit. World wide recriminations? Wow. Hate to think what he believes is "bad".
The American people are backing President Obama because they recognize the disaster he was left in every way by the village idiot who proceeded him. They also recognize that unlike Bush he is intelligent, open minded, and has integrity. The problems of this country will not be solved in 100 days, four or even eight years but we now have a president who is willing to face them.
Lots of name calling about Bennett and Obie, but nothing about the news today from Pakistan! That's the only subject he may be right about. I know that ideology is so "yesterday," but just ask the Russians about the Taliban. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get me! We're fighting the raggies, boys, and they're not afraid to die. Is anybody out there who can tell me that Islamabad doesn't need to worry? Oh, wait...the U.N. will help. A couple of resolutions and some "peacekeepers" with those Robin egg helmets should do the trick. I think you libs have become isolationists. As long as bombs aren't going off at Border's and Starbucks while you read your NYT, no problem. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is burning. If the only answer you can come up with is that it's W's fault, then tell me what you'll be doing when the TV starts showing the Tali's killing people. Is it enough to just say, "It's W's fault," and change the channel? How about a sneer, Rachel? Hey, since when does it take a middle-aged, white heterosexual redneck from Texas to sound the alarm about human rights? I know I'm a member of an oppressed minority here, and I wish you would stop discriminating against me. But, those folks are going to ask Obie for help. Will he answer the call? What will the teleprompter say?
Bennett is an apologist for arrogance masquerading as world leadership. Obama understands what world leadership is about. It involves listening and thinking, not telling others what to do to obtain our approval. We and the rest of the world have had enough of that. Bennett is a very poor excuse for a rational onserver and has no vision for the future.
Hey Bill, how's your bookie doing?
Funny how the batteries in all these self-righteous, fatally-flawed moral beacons like "Snake-eyes" Bennet, "let me hit on the choir woman while I'm still married to #2" Gingrich, "hey buddy , ya got any illegal narcotic pain killers" LImbaugh, and "let Scooter go to jail for me" Rove just won't die!
President Obama's mystique will expire when it is finally discovered that he gambles away the grocery money in Vegas.
Beware of the great deceiver - Satan in sheep's clothing.
Who cares what Bill Bennet says.
O.B.A.M.A.
One Big Ass Mistake America.
Bill Bennett is a Joke....stop being so negative....any hole that's been dugg takes time to be filled....Obama is doing a good job....Bill sit back and watch your leader..like it or not......lead. By the way, you might learn something if you are quick to listen,slow to speak and slow to get angry
Bill Bennett's mystique never existed.
Divide and conquer. It's an ancient principle, and one that the conservatives are well-adept at invoking. Bill Bennett is doing nothing other than trying to divide the American people against themselves, and that is wrong. The republicans are spending too much time positioning themselves for their own political careers and not enough time supporting a unified approach to domestic and international problems. It's very sad.
Bill Bennet is a hypcrit and a pathological liar. He talks family values and puts down vice, but he was busted for owing a casino $500,000 he lost. Another dirt bag Republican. No credibility, total desperation, clueless, irrelevent. Jealous of Obama.
The conservatards posting here continually demonstrate why they are more and more irrelavant. They cling tightly to the status quo and honestly think that they and they alone know what's best for this country.
It's funny to that these republican koolaid drinkers have their panties in a wad because...horror of horrors...Obama intends to follow through on his promises, they can't stop it, a significant majority of Americans support him, and it just drives these wingnuts crazy
Who is William Bennet?
I find it great that both this and the other article asking if "obamas popularity, will it last" is on the front page of cnn.com
i swear i only keep comming here out of habit, a habit i would love to break. What shoddy news reporting, find some real news.
Please go away.. I am sick of Rethuglians.. I was a Republican and I am ashamed of them. No ideas, more hate, and simply idiotic.
Re: (étranger):
Wow. That's a lot of adjectives. Can I expect to see you outside the Marine recruiters' office in Berkley in your pink shirt this coming Wednesday?
Mr. Bill Bennett, paragon of pseudomorality, compulsive gambler who lost 8 million dollars that would be better given to charity.
How clever of you to pronounce tired old worn-out phrases about someone who has accomplished more in the first 3 months of his presidency than President Bush did in eight years. Al of a sudden their is a sense of optimism that we can face the mess "W" left us and get through this and come out the other side with a better, more moral, compassionate, hope-filled country.
Go jump in a lake Bill Bennett – except for polluting the lake it is where you belong because you are all wet already – an artifact from the past and a hopeless right wing idiot!
People get so angry when Obama is criticized. At some point, everyone needs to start being objective and face facts, even if that means the information is damaging to the person or party you support. This country will not do well if its populace cannot break its pathetic allegiance to political parties and start making unbiased, informed decisions...
I like Obama but in the last 30 days he seems to be loosing touch with outside of Washington. The economy stinks. He needs to focus on that and leave all the human rights issues alone for now.
As I see it, apologizing for the "errors" of our countries leadership is a sign if you ask me. My biggest problem with the administration is that the honest man and woman in America is scared to death of what he may do with firearms. If anyone cares to take a look at the availabilities of ammunition for even sporting use (i.e. hunting, competition, and recreational) would be amazed to find that there isn't anything available. Every conservative firearm owner in America should be worried about a lot that is going on in our leadership right now... Some things even our Military can't save us from. I would be worried about the main criminal element in our country, take our defense away to protect our family and what will happen... Look at what Germany went through back in the 30's and 40's. Their "leadership" took the firearms and the right to defend themselves and look at what happened. England has dealt with the same thing. Crime went up over 50%.
Talk about teflon. Mr. Bennett who wrote a book on morality, then confessed to having a huge gambling problem and is now getting a respectible forum on CNN. I believe in redepmption, but, I'm sorry, he just doesn't have much credibility with me in terms of the courage of his convictions.
Pleeeasse.... Bill Bennett is wrong.... Obama is the guy for the job, and will prove to be a commander-in-chief. Bill Bennett wants a Republican in office plain and simple.....Obama has kept the good things from bush's war on terror...and wil implement new policies as well. He already proved Bennett's ilk wrong w/ the piracy standoff....Right now, as we speak, Obama is allowing drnes(computer piloted aircraft), to drop bombs on the Pakistan/Afghan border..... If the Taliban begin attacking a nuclear armed Pakistan, first and foremost, this is a Pakistani problem, and will have to be first answered by them.....If this battle ensues, then America can finally do what they have been wanted to do, put American feet on Pakistani soil............
Lastly, I do like Bennett b/c he is an educated man....he used to have a show on CNN that I liked that had very smart thinkers from the left & right discussing issues......but when he let's his ideology take over he's a hack......
Bill Bennett is a washed up crusty old fart! Who cares what that moral zealot has to say. He's irrelevant, a pinhead!
Mr. Bennett is talking, for the most part, about style only.
It is instructive to note, however, that the only two real issues he raises – releasing the CIA torture memos and the Taliban in Pakistan – are big, "real world issues" that Obama wouldn't even have to deal with had George Bush not hosed things up so irrevocably.
Bennett's thinking usually has a little more intellectual rigor.
If you are a true American you would never disgrace this country as Obama has.
Texas R,
Amazing how Pakistan is now the problem. On September 10th,2001, Pakistan was considered a terrorist state by the US. By September 12 they were our bestest buddies in the war on terrorism. Boy they sure have been working real hard in the last eight years to catch Bin Laden. Face it, Bush, Cheney, Rice got duped.
I still can't believe all you dimwitted people who elected Barry O still can't see how bad this guy is for America!!! With his immoral agenda, his taxing, his spending, it's more than I want my children and grandchildren to endure. Further, he seems hell-bent on only creating legislation, overturning policies, and the like simply to try and embarass the former adminstration. What class!! Mark my word...Oblabla will go down in history as the worst President ever (yes, worse that Jimmy Carter)
Why is Bill Bennett employed by CNN? He's a known hypocrite and racist. Surely the Republicans have someone who is intelligent, rational, and substantive to present their ideas (Ms. McCain?)?
Bye, Bill!
I've voted for Adalai Stevenson, Hubert Humphrey, Lyndon Johnson, JFK, Carter, Clinton, Reagan and McCain most recently.
Obama has said it best himself. If things work as he hopes then he gets credit for doing a good job. . .if not then he's too blame.
He is very likable. . . but I question if he is being the campainger too much and not the Leader enough. . .
Iran, N. Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, are very serious problems. Mexico, S. America , Darfur . . .
Health Care, Immigration policy,
The list is endless. . .I think that it is possible these problems will overwhelm him . . and we will all be the worse for it happening.
That's because most Americans are blind to the realities of politics. Obama may be more eloquent than Bush, but I'm having a hard time believing that he and his advisors are more educated – and believe me, I think that's sad.
Like RL, BB is a fat mouth flipping flop!
Texas R, Seriously, JRC, and the entire lot of Conservative whiners:
How hypocritical you all are. It suited you perfectly well when Bush, Jr. eviscerated the record surpluses, blew out the deficits, started wars on a pack of lies, broke state, federal, and international law with respect to torture, abandoned an American city to a hurricane before the entire world, and the while lied, prevaricated, demagogued, and distorted with the élan of Goebbels.
Therefore, none of you Conservatives, not the least of which includes the insufferable, terminally idiotic, and endlessly bloviating hypocrite Bill Bennett, ought to say one peep until (a) you go to a decent university and get a proper education and (b) acknowledge the catastrophic failures the Republican Party in general has brought upon the nation, and the miserably racist, homophobic, and xenophobic ideology of Conservatism in particular that undergirds the aforementioned "Grand Party of fools, savages, and the criminally inane.
OB is so honest, where are his promises of change? each bill will be posted five days? no lobbying from former members, hang with fellow leftist dictators, bow to anyone? My America projects strength and God, not bowing to anyones will. The government needs to be reduced as well as thier power, we the people should rule, not some knuckleheads in DC
Bill is hopeful!!
Would Bill Bennett be willing to bet, say....$5 million an that?
Dear America: when you people don't pay attention and therfore go and elect disastrous governments who destroy your economy, bring terrorism down on all all our heads, and increase the threat to us by pimping an unending Al Qaeda recruiting drive in Iraq, you drag all of us down with you.
So yeah, it IS everybody's business. You don't like it; we don't care if you do or not.
Well said Maria in NY!
I was so-so about Obama but the more of him I see the better I like him! He has been keeping his campaign promises in a steady fashion. Even if i don't agree with all of them I respect him. If Obama had not released the torture memo's then he would be at fault for the cover up. Smart, smart call by Obama to release the torture memo's in the first 100 days. So smart.
bill, i have been listening to your republican rhetoric and obama bashing the last few monyhs, and i think you should get your ass over to FOX and hang out with hannity,oreilly, and that gang. you republicans forget how the bush administration totally screwed up this country, and for that reason alone, i am glad obama is doing things diofferently. maybe you should learn from keith and rachel.
Obama is showing the world what true diplomacy is.
Just as well bennet is a loser and the gopigs are still licking their wounds (GO OBAMA)
Obama is a two bit politician, all show and no go... Remeber his "greatness" when you are applying for goverment assistance because he has destroyed the economy.. Think about it.. How can our Millionare President and representatives be against the rich??? think about it...
As long as America is made up entirely of has been conservative Republicans, Bill Bennett is so right. And I bet his comments go over quite well with the yacht club set. But he's a dying breed and most Americans are NOT upset with Obama over the things that matter to Mr. Bennett. That's not to say that Obama is going to ever have it easy, but Bennett has no insight that has any meaning for most Americans.
Where do I start. We are the sole superpower left in the world. It's not by accident that Canada is not. People don't leave their homes and families in the numbers they do to America to go to Canada. That being said, all of the American politicians are selling all of us down the river. We the people need to take back what belongs to us, State and Federal. They work for us. Despite what some think, the president does not speak for me by apologizing around the world. I don't care what they think about us. As soon as one of these dictators or militant groups go after a neighbor, who do you think they're going to call? France, Canada? Yeah right. So while everyone hates America we'll be saving their bacon just like we did before. Take off you politically biased goggles and look at the real world as it is. Not how you wish it would be. Reality isn't alway's pretty.
Bill Bennet and everyone else pointing out the flaws of Obama have got it right.
-Obama goes on the apology tour for the U.S.,
-Obama sits through a seething put down on America by Ortega
-He buddies up with Chavez
-He has now idea what to do with N. Korea
-He runs up the deficits than all Presidents combined, and mortgages our childrens future
–And then he and Homeland Security write a memo saying watch out for returning servicemen and woman, people with NRA/Ron Paul bumper stickers
So let me get this straight. He's more worried about Americans returning from over seas, and Americans with bumper stickers but yet buddies up with dictators who for years have called for the end of the U.S. and buddies up with Bill Ayers/Reverand Wright.
Yes this is the guy who made that comment about aborting black babies. I guess he'd like to abort Obama.
Bil Bill Bill, now you sound like Boehner. Sorry but you lost and your ill party is losing more every day. Keep the negatives flowing because you are helping Obama and we democrats immensley. Thanks Bill
"Obama will destroy the USA"
Only if he doesn't succeed in repairing the damage Bush has done. He's off to a good start.
Nobody rides high forever, however, Bush was the lowest rated president ever. I "love" the way Republicans are criticizing Obama for not continuing Bush's policies.
DUH
Bill is nothing but a real sore loser. He, even if not saying it, is hoping for the President to fail so his neocons can be there. I hope that after the last 8 years of a failed in all asects of the presidency, the American people will never let it happen again. I for one am grateful to have my country back. The one that we used to have, one that is respected not feared, and a President that is respected not made fun of. Bill needs to get on with his life after the great failed experiment, and yes he needs to admit his part in it and that it was a dismal failure.
MariaNTC... you are a true idiot.
Too bad Bennett didn't put George W. Bush away early in his presidency like he wants to do Obama... Had he done so, then would not have the memory of an American President torturing prisoners nor would we have to watch a discredited and irrelevant Bill Bennett on CNN...
BS. Obama may just turn out to be the greatest American president ever. Even opponents can imagine that being not a remote possibility .To the guy from TX – The blind sheep have already been duped for the last 8 years by THE COWBOY GANG. Can you honestly not see that Bill.
I think the president is doing a wonderful job. He is taking steps in the right direction. Would Mr. Bennet care if countries started going to war? The first 100 days have shown me exactly which direction we are pointed in. Bush gave $700 billion dollars to the banks on a bail out. All they had to do is give each American a million dollars each. That would have boosted the economy. People would have been spending money. The housing industry would have went thru the roof. All of the car dealerships would have been in solid business. Every store in America would have been shopped at. Im not bashing Bush, because he did do a few things that I think was right in his first 4 years. But, come on honestly think to yourself. A million dollars to each legal American.And they would have still had billions of dollars to help some of those failing companies. ( The Ones That Really Deserved it. ) I dont think as Americans we get a chance to really speak our minds, or give some of or ideas. I mean I know we have elections and everything. But some of these old politicions need to give it up and retire with a little dignity. We need some young politicions with the fresh ideas. Not the same old politics that has been practice for ages. We will never progress and move forward into the future if we don't make change. Becuase, to br honest; we were really moving forward when Bill Clinton was president. I know he did his thing and had his little scandel. But, we excelled into the future on a $80 Trillion dollars surplus with Bill. All im saying is give the man a chance because he is making all the moves he said he would during the election.
Bennett is a fool. The only "criticism" that isn't sticking to Obama is the hot air coming from the right wing loons who are out of power and angry. Obama is making all the right moves.
It's about time someone started calling our new President out. Eloquence does not equal substance. He's unqualified; people need to stop sporting these trendy Obama t-shirts and realize this isn't a popularity contest. This man seems content on even less fiscal responsibility than his predecessor; it will be interesting to see how he plans on getting us back to economic prosperity.
I hope we don't turn into Sweden.
Nobody pays attention to this grandiose windbag. He needs to go back to Las Vegas and continue to engage in his Gambling addiction.
I love all of you libs who have nothing to say but that republicans are dumb. Last I checked, the republican base are the top 1% of wage earners that are paying more than 50% of your tax dollars. You don't get to be that successful by being "dumb". Dumb is thinking you can continue to tax those top earners to death and expect them to keep shouldering the burden.
Obama is a typical tax and spend liberal who is weak on the military and foreign policy. His first 100 days have been akin to a precocious 2 year old at a dance recital–no substance, but isn't he cute? None of his policies have yet taken affect. None. Yet you give him credit for the good, and blame bush for the bad. The Obama internet machine is a joke.
It's really simple...
With the failure of the President we've had for the previous 8 years, any missteps by this one will seem minor in comparison. Even after the first 100 days, I'm sure people will give him a chance... well, most people. The right-wingers have hated him since day one. I don't expect that to change, but luckily after 8 years of Bush, don't think a good majority of people want to go back to the misguided ideology of the Right.
Someone inform Mr. Bennett that we as a nation do owe the world an apology for allowing the 8 years of the Bush presidency to happen.
how come liberals keep talking about making amends for wrongs .... the liberals don't believe that anybody's truth is better than anybody else's truth ... they don't believe in concrete definitions of right and wrong .... and they don't believe in imposing morals on others ....
so how do they keep coming to the conclusion that the Bush administration was wrong? by what definition or set of standards do they come to that conclusion?
or are they simply hypocrits at heart?
President Obama will continue to get a pass because the liberals won't hold another liberal to a set of standards .....
Bill Bennett is both arrogant and self-righteous. Like all other conservative Republicans, they have nothing valuable to contribute
to the dialogue. Bennett is always speaking for the base. I often watch MSNBC because of the over-exposure CNN gives Bennett and his one-sided lens on world and political affairs. CNN...you should be able to provide better balanced and intelligent discourse and that does NOT include Bill Bennett. Enough already!!
P. Tanaka
Every day we have some bottom of the barrel, discredited republican trying to attack Obama. Looking forward to see whom they pull out the barrel tomorrow. Bob Barr perhaps?
Hey Jon,
Is calling unwanted children a burden looking out for the human race?
Republicans are a bunch of hairy womens genitals
The criticism by Bennett, Romney, and others in the RW is unwarranted from what I can tell. ".. timid advocate of freedom at best. And bold action to blunt the advances of tyrants has been wholly lacking..." All that in the 1st 100 days? He would have little-to-no credibility among foreign leaders if he were to display the bold, stereo-typical tough American behavior and rhetoric characteristic of say, Cowboy W? Not surprisingly, the RW underestimates the value and potential of a more diplomatic and I say respectful, approach. ONLY time will tell.
I have never heard Bill Bennett say anything positive or unbiased about Obama. I Dont see why he would change now or in the future " You cant teach an old dog new tricks ". These politicians repeat the same politicals line time and time again. They actually start believing what they say..... Attack ...Attack...Attack. The Republican party needs to change to a constructive approach instead of their destructive nature. Only then will they gain the respect of the American People,