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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Why don't the republican political ideologues just leave? I mean – that's what they'd always ask those who disagreed with them during their criminal administration. They have never done anything but harm this nation. They can take their perverted and twisted pseudo morals with them, and find some other nation to convince that big government is bad, but that government should launch unnecessary wars at huge expense, force women to bear children they don't want because of cult religious beliefs, and interefere with all manner of private decisions. Really – pick up and go. Find another nation to destroy.
TexasR....hey dude...you fit all your paranoia into one post...congrats!
Signed,
Disappointed in my Fellow Texan
I think Bill Bennet is jealous. President Bush messed up so many things that any new President was left with this mountain of mistakes and errors to deal with, that no matter whom was elected, their job is almost impossible. Any success by Obama is greeted by Bennet as something other than that, no matter what happened.
The Bennet Republicans see a Democrat as an enemy. They have no will to give credit when due – it just urts them to much to see a Democrat do well. Their hatred for Democrats is greater than their love for America. Such hatred and contempt by Bennet's small beaten down minority in America is obvious and sickening.
I think Bennet and hi bud's hate Democrats more than they do the Taliban for example. All Bennet wants is for Obama to fail so that another "Bush" moron can get back in the White House.
It's sick hatred politics – that's all Bennet knows and feels.
Bill, just like Dick and Rush....you are dead wrong!!
What most of you don't understand is that Obama is President of the USA and not the world. I want him to speak for me not other that are not American's Who knows, maybe he will eventually get it.
What the Republicans don't get is this: it does not show weakness, but rather strength, to admit when one is wrong. The rest of the world gets it and is grateful that someone is honest enough, big enough, and strong enough to be real. Yeah, this IS a big change over the weakness of the macho Republicans of the past.
It is this right wing thought that makes the GOP and CNN less popular.
Put some objective people on and maybe more will pay attention.
The reason people give Obama the benefit of the doubt is more than "we elected him" and it's his first 100 days. He is articulate, erudite, and especially when compared to Bush many people feel he has a nuanced approach to policy and so he "must know what he's doing". I'm not buying it.
Good luck to him, but there are a lot of people out there who will always hate America no matter who's in office. Apologizing is naive and besides, where do you stop? Do we apologize to Mexico for what we did to her in the Mexican War? Do we apologize to Spain for stealing Florida? Give me a break. Obama better grow some huevos or we're all in trouble...
Re: (Jeff) “President Obama has such great character”
Making business deals with an unapologetic terrorist or sitting for years in the congregation of a flaming racist are certainly actions taken by a person of strong character.
I wonder if Obama had been aborted if Bill Bennett would be happy!
">>>LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS!!! HE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!!!!!!"
RR Florida, you can't make this stuff up. Let's see, a hypocrite screaming about someone else when they have no ground to stand on, a fearmongerer with no actual facts to rely on... yup, it's definitely a Republican. I can only laugh, your country has turned it's back on you and the eight years of unchecked power that has brought the country here. You're only preaching to a small and ignorant choir now.
Forget the apologizing in Europe and the campaigning in Trinidad. Pakistan is going to be the problem, and very soon. Obie can't wait like he did with the Somali pirates. The Taliban's much more than the thieves of Africa. What are you Libs going to say when the Tali's start killing Pakistanis who don't follow Sharia law? This isn't the Episcopalians fighting over gay bishops. Before you slam me as a reactionary nut, which I may be, answer my question.
Evidence that Bush & Co. tortured has been coming out, in dribs and drabs, for a couple of years. Add all the pieces together, and we find that yes, they did torture. The release of the CIA memo's confirms everything we've already known, so, how is the release of said memo's going to embarrass President Obama? How will it be a problem for him? The only embarrassment or problem I can see for Obama is if he DOESN'T allow for the pursuit of justice.
The GOP conveniently forgets that we are a country of LAWS. There is ample evidence that laws have been broken, therefore, those who broke the law are to be held accountable. The GOP can piss, moan, and whine all they want; they can demonize (well, continue to) the President for allowing investigations into the Bush torture program. It does not change the fact that Bush & Co. authorized torture. Complain away, the facts will remain the same.
You people have GOT to be kidding me! I'm SO sick of the blind people of this country that are seeing nothing but stars! WAKE UP AND POP BACK INTO REALITY! See Obama for what he is...a guy that has NO FRIGGIN CLUE WHAT HE'S DOING! Holy crap people!
Yeah, this from the same guy who said McCain won the debates and would win the election.
It's the same old Republican nonsense- stutter, delay and try to mess things up so much that the public will have to turn back to them.
Sorry Mr. Bennett, your are just another bitter, "I want America to fail conservative". The "torture" techniques were alread known and it is laughable to think memo release will weaken my country (the one you want to fail)! Hugo Chavez is a total jerk, who cares what he does or how President Obama reacted to his gestures Should he have, let's see, taken a gun out and shot the man? Bill Bennett reminds me of a little child that just crapped his pants and doesn't know what to do other than cry.
admt: Observe carefully your teleprompter-president and you will notice – truly – how he has no depth, is weak when answering questions without his tool, and how he touches many issues without any profound understanding. The reason the Teflon seems to exist is because most major media are liberal, pro-Democrat. The rumor in Washington: many various committee members are disappointed after he comes to their meeting. Did you notice how many secretaries there were at the CIA office speech? A small room. A small support. A small president.
------------------------------
Do you write your own Right Wing talking points or do you get them from a Lunatic Fringe website ?
Let me say first and foremost that I am NOT a Bush supporter, nor am I a Bush basher.
That being said, all of the "party mindless followers" need to get a grip. Just because a man was voted into office does not make everything he does "RIGHT". I GIVE YOU GEORGE BUSH as evidence, I GIVE YOU BILL CLINTON as evidence.
Look, all Bill Bennett is saying is STOP TOTING THE PARTY LINE and see what is happening with clear eyes, not the rose colored glasses of a "party". Do you really want another "George Bush" president, where everyone just takes what the guys says as gospel?
And BTW, shutup Canada, we don't give a damn what you think.
Bennett is another old Republican war horse who's time came and went.
Go away.
Could it be that Obama is actually trying to do something positive and his ratings support that? Bennett and CNN is all about "sour grapes".
Yes Bill by all means the President should be embarassed, embrassed that the previous administration comimitted attrocities in an illegal war. I love how the republican tries to spin the current President's progress. By the way Bill did you have a hand any of the illegal policies of the last admin, hmmm?
mr obama thank you for connecting to me. you are a fine man with a wonderful family and dog YOU ARE MY HERO im white and voted for you i work hard and you know that every hard working person who isnt a manager, buisnesss owner, or supervisor respects you. keep up the good work signing off . p,s there are more indians in this country dems than chiefs thats why you will win next election the chiefs are bitter there power is gone .
Obama is going to destroy the USA. He is an absolute disgrace.
The end never justifies the means. Some people believe it does, and that is why the rest of the world has hated us. We have had this "my way or the highway" mentality, and it has gotten us nothing but anti-American sentiment from other nations. We now have a smart leader who realizes we have to respect each other, in order to work together toward peace. I think President Obama is the most unique person we have ever had as our leader--he really cares, and not about himself. It will take time, but people like Chaney, Rove, Romney, et. al, will eventually go away because their ilk will no longer be relevant.
Mr. Bennet the problem with the right wing isn't the teflon? It is plain and simple President Obama has such great character. Everyone who tries to attack it or him fail! They are seen for what they are, opurtunist with less then perfect character and no credibility. The only conservative I even listen to or even consider his opinions and views is Republican Ron Paul. All other conservatives seem to just be just angry white men. Or Those who suffer from character flaws,have skeletons in there closets, rascist or down right always siding with the wealthy. Your conservative wing is now the largest true minority group with very limited oppurtunity to grow. I may not always going to agree with President Obama and his views but I feel he is far more trustworthy than any other Politician or Diplomat on this planet!. You conservatives mistake his coolness and charm as a sign of weakness, I see it for what it is. That of a sensible man who knows how to keep his freinds close and his enemies closer. So Mr. Bennet Mr. Obama is far brighter and far more powerful than you and other seem to realize. Keep on complaining and we as people will continue to see you and your conservative cohards for what you are? The party of NO and WHINERS! So Mr. Bennet would you like some cheese with that wine?
William Bennett is the one who is not going to last. Why does he not use his negativities elsewhere? Optimism breeds optimism and may be he gets his ideas from his interpretation of conservatism which they all banter about or their continued crusade of their religion.
Economic cycles are what they are, cycles. We are in the trough. Like reaching the peak that takes years it also takes years for the recession and recovery. Injections including monetary and fiscal policies take time to affect the leading indicators and eventually the economy.
Like watching a train wreck, you can’t keep your eyes off The Chosen One. His last two Democratic predecessors (Clinton/Carter) set a pretty high bar for public humiliation and weakening the state, so the fallout from his impending disaster will undoubtedly be spectacular.
Bowing to fascists, graciously accepting gifts from despots, and watching intently an hour of America-bashing by a maniac (and I sooooo wish these were metaphors of some kind—but they’re not…)—he does it all! At least he’s dusting off the old Marx playbook in the meantime for the home-front!
And now his cronies want to prosecute people from the last administration? Huh—that sounds a lot like a coup. Did we have a coup? Anyone? I thought coups usually involved rifles and tanks and martial law.
Oh Maria NYC, relax! 60 million people voted for McCain.
Observe carefully your teleprompter-president and you will notice – truly – how he has no depth, is weak when answering questions without his tool, and how he touches many issues without any profound understanding. The reason the Teflon seems to exist is because most major media are liberal, pro-Democrat. The rumor in Washington: many various committee members are disappointed after he comes to their meeting. Did you notice how many secretaries there were at the CIA office speech? A small room. A small support. A small president.
Hey Bill... wanna make a bet?...
CNN; should have never allowed John Roberts to interview people like Bennett & Rollins, as they are both still upset because Obama has reduced the GOP to a small regional political party along with 62% of America.
Bennet & Rollins should stick to Fox & Friends, which Fox channel is the offical mouthpiece for the Grand Old Party of "NO"
I like Obama, and I like the way the President is conductiing the business of the United States Goverment and its citizens at home and in the international arena, and if the President shakes hand with Hugo Chavez, so what, 62% of America could care less.
Obama sucks.
Gee Bill it will certainly out live your five minutes of fame and a hypocritical book of family value and morals. How much money did youy lose gambling? I know that to gamble that much is highly immoral...or rather just stupid. From what I have seen and heard of you, I should think both would be appropriate here. You are another republican hypocrit...ala Cheney, go away, we don't need you.
Hey, i personally think Obama's doing great. I mean, no world wars, no major disasters, no big terrorist attacks such as what happened on 9/11 (A moment of Silence, please.).........
Ok, so, yeah: he shook hands with the President of Venezuela. Ooh, scary! Now, I admit i got a little nervous about the North Korea missle scare, but who didn't? And brushing off the bad things people say? way to go! We need more people like him who are slow to anger.
Now, i have something to say to the people who are insulting each other- this is AMERICA! Our COUNTRY! ONE country, as a whole, and should not be attacking each other! Why, George Washington himself said in his farewell adress to not divide the country!
I'm all done now. God bless, and have a good year!
Bill Bennett himself losing touch with life and trends, but instead he claims Obama does. Isn't it a joke?! Bill, wake up!
In 2002 and 2003, anti Iraq-war protesters like me were issuing dire warnings that such a strategic blunder could end years down the road in a nightmare scenario: the fall of the Pakistani government, with nuclear weapons in the hand of jihadists.
And here we are.
It was Dick Cheney and George W. Bush who brought us here – exactly as predicted. Mr. Bennett's as disingenuous about this as he is about everything else.
Take your bitter pill Bill...see you in 8 years.
President Obama is doing what President Bush never had the courage to do. Historical viewpoints I believe will show that Bush was ultimately disengaged with the activities led by power-hungry, morally corrupt indviduals in his administration. Bush's intentions may have been noble in his mind, but he was not a good manager on the execution.
To say that it is OK to torture individuals if we ultimately got news that saved Americans is a cut-off-your-nose-despite-your-face argument. If liberty is not what we ultimately stand for as Americans, then what do we stand for? And sacrificing liberty in the pursuit of safety turns us all into something less. What are our service personnel who give the ultimate sacrifice dying for if not for protecting our liberty. But we will sacrifice our liberty and the liberty of others to protect lives. Either we are willing to die for what we believe, because we believe life without liberty is no life at all, or we have to throw away the idea of liberty and say being kept safe at all costs is our mantra. I for one am not willing to sacrifice my or my family's liberty to feel safer.
The day will come when people will wake up and realize, Obama does not call the shots.....it's kind of like Burger King, you can go and complain and you will see the assistant manager, if you complain enough you will see the manager, but you will never ever see the owner....Obama is the manager, he is just a spokesman for the country, his daddy ( the owner) is always behind closed curtains, and we will never see them. Same applies to every president we had, and the next presidents to come....you people really think your votes count? wake up people....there are 6 Billion people in this world and less than 1,000 of them are running this world we live in....there is absolutely no respect for human life anymore.
The acknowledgment of our mistakes doesn't makes us weak. I have never seen a great leader, especially in this country, who succeeded in his endeavors without recognizing his mistakes, learning from them and applying the changes needed to move forward no matter what party he was from. I believe we should work together to make sure that America succeeds as our President and his administration applies the best policies possible to help our nation.
I am also waiting for America's fantasy glasses to come off concerning Mr. Obama. The first thing I thought after the election was that this guy had better live up to all the hype. People were calling him such a great man while he had yet to do anything substantial. Voters can turn quickly and I'm expecting that will happen with Mr. Obama. In the election America voted emotionally instead of intellectually, they gave in to the hype and I'm afraid they are going to pay the price and eventually turn on their fantasy president. Sure, it's nice to have fantasies, but this is reality, kids.
As a born and bred Orange County, "Born Again" Christian, Republican that now lives in Idaho, I have an insight into the fears and frustrations that belong to the conservative political/religious right. I have followed Bill Bennett for years, and when I was a young mom supported his "Taditional Values" wing of the Republican party. Unfortunately, I am embarassed by the narrow rhetoric I hear around the conservative water cooler. Their fear of change and anger towards the "liberal" agenda is much more ingrained than I realized. I can't believe how these people have hijacked Jesus' message just because they are too stubborn or embarrassed to admit their flawed political postion.
Look at the sheep respond! Baaaamma Baaaaama. CNN's readership could use some brains, some balls, and some diversity of thought.
I'm kind of tired of the right wing, including Mr. Bennett, crying crocodile tears about everything our President does. They aren't just the party of NO, they are also the party of WAAAH! When are they going to start working on the problems in front of us instead of criticizing the people who do?
Obama is just like every other government hack. His solution to our problems is to essentially put everything on a charge card.
Of course the mystique will fade but you know what will take over the same honest, open and respectable human being who is looking out for what's best for the hunan race not just the religious right or the party that elected him.
When the mystique of Bush wore off for his party, he proceeded to over turn decades of laws that were put into place to preserve animals, nature and the planet earth.
Simply so corporations could make more money. Those corporations were already doing fine but the world clearly has suffered as a result.
Not to mention rush intoa war with Iraq based on what we now refer to politically as 'misinformation' but if your son or daughter gave you a line like that you'd tell them it's called lying. Because it is. And the world will need quite awhile to recover from that mess of a war – but boy did Haliburton and several other companies come away from it with truck loads of money...
So, what kind of person would you rather have revealed after the mystique of a President wear's off John? Though, I suppose that's more a question for America – not just one person. . .
He is not my president especially after he "apologized" for the United States for doing the right thing!
I did not vote for him and do not support his socialist agenda. And I do not really care what Robert Russell of our 51st state – canada – thinks either! Nor do I care what any other foreigner thinks of my country.
When the people of Canada or France or Venezuela fix the ills of their country and have a utopian society, then come tell us how to run things. Until, keep your opinions to yourself
If those good old republican feathers weren't ruffled at least twice a week I would then feel I was duped. President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promise of change, just what 75% of us asked for. You can't go in a completely new direction without drawing copious amounts of controversy. Every week I see the new headlines I believe the promise of change more and more. Way to go Mr. President, your doing what you said you were going to do.
I agree about the abortion thing. Rings true in every way.
I am amazed that Bill Bennett's opinion is relevant after he made the comment that if you want to lower the crime rate you could begin by aborting black male babies. What other race of people could he have said that about and still get hired at ANY major network?
Bill Who?
NYC April 23rd, 2009 12:12 pm ET
Of course Bill Bennet is going to say the things he says because he’s a Republican and on the wrong minority.
He has no credibility. I can’t believe that CNN would give him a voice!
why should thay NOT give him a voice?
looks like the dems dont want him to talk?
maybe becouse HEs RIGHT?
Hey Bill, wanna bet?
Does it strike anyone as odd that these guys who never really had any mystique to speak of all of a sudden think themselves qualified to spead to someone else's mystique?
dear mr bennett,
....we wouldn't be worrying about the Taliban moving in on the Pakistan capital if Republicans like you and GW Bush hadn't switched out of Afghanistan to crush saddam hussein and his WMD .
... .in other words...you guys dropped the ball.....Obama now has to clean up your mess!!
john f pappas
Republicans have staked an all or nothing battle against Obama. Country first, my buttcheeks!
In the end they will lose and it signal the demise of their party.
Oh, Bill Bennett. Shame shame. All you republicans can do is pooh-pooh and whine and try to cause chaos. We're on to ya. Keep it up. No one listens anymore. NO ONE. Awwwwww. Keep complainin. Nothing but silence.
The old strategies don't work anymore. What now?
I think Mr. Bennett is absolutely correct. Disliking the way Bush did things does not justify automatically approving of everything that Obama does. Improving our relations with other countries is a great objective, but I worry about what is going to happen when (not if) we're threatened again.
How will our President react? He seems to want to please everyone, to always say the right thing, not to make any enemies. But the fact is that we do have enemies (we're not Canada, after all), and eventually he is going to need to take action that displeases the international community or seriously risk our national security. I wonder if he is capable of making the unpopular decision and whether or not we won't then appear worse for all his kow-towing over the last months.
Have the past eight year taught anything about what is right? Where were all these outstanding people when we went to war in Iraqi or when this housing market were crumbling? These are the same people who said free market is the way and less regulation is the key for growth, where is the growth from Wall Street and the Hedge funds?
Does two right make a wrong or two wrong make a right. If you child come home and tell your a lie what are your reaction? Punishment or praise? We have lost the some common sense in the last few years about of fear. Why? Let the truth hit you in the mouth and it will hurt a little less than a lie to my face.
Remember that Mr. Bennet was a horrible Dept of Education chief and he has a huge gambling addiction. I am always amazed at these individuals who speak out of both sides of the mouth. Look at some of these Republican moralizers...Bennet, the gambler, Gingrich and Guiliano, both adulterers and thrice married, Limbaugh, the drug addict and thrice married....the list goes on and on. None of them have much credibility ... or morals. President Obama is a breath of fresh air, intelligent, articulate and a bit humble. None of the above can claim the same.
OH MY GOSH! Ist we have a canadian, commenting on what americans do in OUR country...HELLO! worry about your own back yard.
NEVER MIND HIS COLOR OR WHETHER HE IS A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT..NONE OF THAT MATTERS>>>LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS!!! HE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!!!!!!
Obama speaks with a FORK TONGUE!!!!!!!!
Bill Bennett is the idiot who wasted millions of dollars as an uninsightful drug czar. He also blew it in the Department of Education. Years later he was caught making some extremely racist statements. Why does anyone listen to this fool?
Comments coming from Bill Bennett the gambling addict!! Please! A disgraced Republican mouthpiece. Why even talk to this person. He should be in jail for his crimes along with his good 'ole boys. Choke on a bone!
Bennett seems to imply that bringing up the torture issue rather than continuing the Bush/Cheney policy shows some kind of weakness. He talks about being an advocate of freedom. As a conservative, he is supposed to believe that human nature does not really change over the centuries, that there is no new evil under the sun. Well, if that is what he believes – in the eternal nature of the human being, and in human freedom, he had definitely been hanging out with the wrong crowd all these years.
I know, to my disappointment, that Obama will not go far enough to end torture by US services. I also know that torture is what governments do when they want to get a preconceived answer from someone who is being either uncooperative or is unwilling to lie. I sense that those nations which use torture are desperate in some way, and that they take some pleasure in their tasks which (like the endless waterboarding of alQaeda suspects) seems to have diminishing returns on the stuff.
Medieval autocrats tortured. Superstitious Puritans tortured. People who were wrong about the facts of the natural world tortured. As peoples' lives improved, as they threw off their shackles, they came to see that witch trials and the Spanish Inquisition were about sheer naked power, not about the security of the state or the guilt of the accused.
And so, those whose power moment has passed must tut-tut at those trying to end torture. They warn of dread consequences. Well, at least we know who to suspect next time.
The old guard elite has the Republicans working overtime to distort what Obama is achieving. For example they would prefer he act like a juvenile teenage rather than a head of state. I guess Republicans want to hold on to their Geo. Bush glory daze. With any luck Obama will roll back TV and Radio deregulation that has allow every "news network" to be snake oil salesmen.
Why is eveyone so negative all the time. The government of the United States has committed worse atrocities then having a President who does well under pressure. He is selling himself to the leaders of the world, perhaps as someone to bargain with rather than someone to compete with. If the Taliban do move on the capital of Pakistan maybe he will handle it in a more reasonable way since he's not always out looking for a fight.
I'm surprised so many think CNN should not give voice to both sides in this sharply divided nation. CNN obviously chose sides in the campaign (Obama over Hillary; Obama over McCain; totally against Palin; etc.). Guess it does seem odd that the network is now allowing a very few conservative thoughts to be aired.
How long will his popularity last? Maybe it will last the entire time he's president. I love how some people are just so angry that Obama is popular – it's just misplaced anger. The real anger should be directed at Bush, who is directly responsible for Obama's success. Of course Obama is popular, he's bright, articulate, good looking, and he falls on the appropriate side of social issues, he's the exact oppostie of Bush.
I don't think people are giving Obama a break I think nobody with a conscience wants the torture hungry GOP back in power. I see the next senate election to drive that point home and the Democrats are going to point their fingers at torture as a reason the GOP should go away for good.
Mr Bennett you Republicans just don't get it.
The President is doing excactly what the majority of the American people voted for him to do. It's call change, intelligent, moral and much needed. To discuss global issues only with your allies is called a conversation, to discuss with your adversaries is called diplomacy. Moderate Republicans from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Nixon understood this issue well, it has only been in the recent right wing nut GOP past that this seemingly modest proposal went out of favor; the results were uniformly disastrous, bravo to President Obama for trying to undo some of the damage.
WOW, Obama's going to lose his mystique! It's nice to know that the Republicans have at least that to hold onto. Christ, these GOP fanatics will say anything. They have no dignity whatsoever. The only alarming thing is that they constantly win the propaganda wars because there are just so many damn dumb Americans. Maybe that's why Bennett was Sec of Edu; to keep growing 'em dumb. Bill Bennett is a horse's ass.
Well, this Pakistan situation will show us what Obama is really made of. What he does in regard to that situation will silence either his supporters or detractors.
What mystique? What an odd term. I find Obama to be quite accessible in how he thinks, what he says, and what he does. I come from an academic environment so his way is quite familiar to me: low-key, thoughtful, researching, listening to arguments before a decision is made.
I don't value the opinion of a bloated slot-jockey whose own government service was more an exercise in self -service than civil service.
Good article.....
As an independent who voted for Obama and believes Bush is one of the worst Presidents we've had, I feel there is cause for concern. Each day this presidency seems increasingly too scripted, too self-absorbed, too smug... and enormously too expensive.
Maria, why give Bennett a voice? Because this is America. All of a sudden, dissent is not patriotic, How hypocritical.
Contrary to Mr. Bennett and other GOP'ers, President Obama's Mystique WILL BE AROUND for a VERY LONG TIME. So y'all, Live with it and Get over it already 😉
Obama is inspiring relative to Mr. Bush. He will survive and then some.
Bennet is right and quite gracious, only the extreme left will continue to support him for lack of any other choice. He has betrayed the left in multiple policy decisions, andgered the centrists who took him at his word that he would lead in bi-partisan fashion and clearly alientated all Americans with the "Apology Tour". Even for a Neophyte, the First 100 Days of this Presidency have been a disaster from any perspective, whether it is the economy, national security or simply the image of the country itself.
Look up pompous ass in the dictionary and there you'll find Bill Bennet's picture. this guy is the self appointed moral watchdog of America. go back to where you came from Bill, we're tired of your drivel.
The definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. At least President Obama is trying different things then the Bush adminstration did.
As the old saying goes "the dberman does not understand whe the jelly beans are gone." When President Appeasment is done with his one-act play of "canpaing mode" and the world finds out that he cannot lead, or govern, we are in serious do-do. The bullies will still (figuratively) kick sand in our face and no anount of apologizing will stop that. God help us all.
It's that the same Nill Bennet who said and I quote:
"You could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."
Thats the kind of person who gets to decide how the first "black" president is doing in the world stage? what a joke
Thank you Mr. Bennett for speaking the truth! You are absolutely right! I can't wait for the day when all of Obama's blind little sheep wake up and realized they've been duped.
way to go Maria! I agree fully
President Obama is so honest and direct; bs criticism cant stick to that kind of person
Yet another conservative article from the Conservative News Network. Yesterday, it was a piece from Rollins and today from Bill Bennett. CNN is becoming more and more of a joke.
Blah,
Blah,
Blah.
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The reason is the outrage is from a bunch of Republican idiots who never liked Obama in the first place, but are taking advantage of Obama's call for bipartisanship to gain cred.
You're the majority, and that can change every voting cycle.
Here in Iowa they just ask the Judges to run things, the elected official are only used to stonewall our right to vote.
Go gamble your money away, you pseudo-intellectual hypocrite. You're just jealous.
I'm not giving Obama any breaks, I'm giving him a chance which is more than more right wing politicians and pundits are willing to do.
What is President Obama supposed to do when meeting the head of a foreign country? Just stand there?!? Nixon and Mao shook hands. Rumsfeld and Sadaam Hussein shook hands. Just because you shake someone's hand when you greet them doesn't mean you're agreeing with them. If this is all conservatives have, they're really grasping at straws.
Another Republican on the wrong side, way wrong, these individuals are dinosaurs and the new world is going to make them extinct. Anyone who has read the Art of War, will recognize some of the moves by Obama. The great General Sun Tzu, explains that a General that conquers without firing a single shot, is indeed Great... it looks as we may witness one of the greatest politicos of all time...
Mr Russel I think that after 8 years of Republican speak Americans got the messages. The Republicans are afraid that they will loose the mid term elections and they are doing everything they can to find something that will stick.
I personally think its shameful. I think the ones that approve of what the President is doing are just quiet. Its the Republicans who are not playing nice. I thought the tea party idea was really stupid . They were railing about more taxes when he was just signing a bill that reduced their taxes. I'm thinking you have to be kidding right?
There are some people who are never going to like him. I think he should just ignore him and do his job.
I just saw where Ed Rollins tried to call him waffling. And I'm thinking ok Ed you get your paycheck from the "Stay the course" Bush people. If after thinking about something you reconsider then explain it to us Mr. President and then lets man the sails and tack.
I personally feel that Mr. Bushes stay the course attitude drove us aground.
Bill Bennet whom I respect needs to step up and out of the rut and hole that the past administration has dug us into. We do not have to rise up in anger because we do not think like them. I am American and I believe in the administration of our working goverment for the good of all people. I want peace, not war that will kill us and our future generations. To think that Barrack Obama is only thinking of himself is very short sighted of Mr. Bennet.
I think Bill Bennet needs to decide who he really is for, people of his way of thinking or all the people of America who overwelmingly elected President Obama
Why Bennett thinks causing more harm around the world is going to help is beyond me lol If what we can tell from Bush, and his 'War on Terror', is that he had no idea what he was doing X) I'm sorry.. Like really, he has caused more problems for the world then do good lol and if you can't see that, you should really get your eyes checked =) I can respect Obama for being a real man, and a real man can APOLOGIZE for mistakes being made.. can Bush say the same? lol! That's a joke (kinda like the name 'Bush' is now [it's a punchline!]) I've thought so deeply that what the world needs, is to finally bring together as one, we are a WORLD united and not countries divided! Why can't people see that, and why must people believe in Bush, and support that we're so hell-bound on killing one another.. and FOR WHAT?! Nothing! Obama is looking in the right directions I say, and bringing some of the world's greatest powers to help uphold our economy is a smart move, how can you think otherwise lol I'm eager to see what else he has up his sleeve, and I believe he is the right man for this job.. he still sees this from a human point of view and not just as a suit X)
I'm going to say this now.. shame on the American's that don't support what Obama's doing! I'm Canadian and have more belief that he'll help us in this time of need then his own people.. that's SO sad lol I'm sorry.. I know he's made a FEW small mistakes (which is only HUMAN people, jeez), but other then that I believe he's taking the steps in the right direction, and doing the right things.. can you say the same about Bush? lol No.. so quit waitin' on the man to blow it and support him in what he's doing.. what he needs to know is that people believe we can make things right, and slowly but surely fix things and get the economy running.. And heck, if America REALLY doesn't like him that much, send him OUR way lol We could use someone that uses their head! Thank you, Obama.. and much love from the North! X)
Of course Bill Bennet is going to say the things he says because he's a Republican and on the wrong minority.
He has no credibility. I can't believe that CNN would give him a voice!
The reason why Obama continues to have our support "despite controversies" it's because he's speaking up for us, the American people, on foreign soil and here. Of course he needs to apologize. The crooks who represented us in the past 8 years left so much damage behind them that it is right to apologize.
Besides, Bill Bennet should stop looking for Obama to "defend" the American people, because what Bill means is defend the Bush administration mistakes.
Bill, get off your high horse. Stop criticizing and watch Obama teach all of you in the right wing a lesson or two on true leadership.
I did not initially support Mr. Obama, but watching him in action has won me over as one of his greatest supporters now.
He speaks for many of us. The majority.
Oftentimes, the best and first thing to do is to make amends for wrongs committed. An 'unprecedented' approach is necessary at this time...why bother walk the same path. Different results demand a different approach.
I saw this report live, very good little piece and very truthful