American Morning
We Listen – Your Comments 10/2/2009
With the 2016 Olympic decision just hours away, Friday’s American Morning audience was more interested in domestic politics. Carol Costello’s “Just Sayin’” Third Parties segment had some suggesting new parties, such as Federalist; others argued that no third party would ever exist until independents had a “viable” voice in government. Another contingent blamed corporate donations to politicians, believing that “outlawing” this would put an end their influence.
- Molly: A third party that would truly balance the thrust of the Democrats in a positive way would be a Federalist Party; one that champions the idea of States that carve their own image in today's clay, so to speak. In the case of Health Care for instance, States could be challenged in the coming year to create their own in the spirit and image of the current demands: no exclusions, affordability. Like auto insurance. A conference could determine if a national model had been achieved or if the state's could each keep their own, with a massive national fund backing them all, managed by the present industry, which in all fairness supports tons of people who don't make the odious rules that created this debacle. Small is often the way to go; States should determine more of what goes on in their interior, and confer in Washington to improve all of their decisions but maintain their individuality. We all imagine with enlightened leaders at the helm, how great an Ideal Universal Health System; but in some twisted future hands the whole country could have to give up Health when we decide to invade some other trumped up enemy. Think twice, Stay Small; Vote Federalist.
- JD: Third Party? Until this country has a viable independent party, the American people will never have a true, effectual voice. Only a massive third party vote will sway the platform of the Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum two-party system, run by the rich and powerful. "We the People" want our voices back!
- Robert: To Carol Costello, Hi Carol, Just Sayin’ ~ The Republican Party has morphed into George Wallace’s Ultra-Conservative American Party of the 1960s. Eventually, the moderate Republicans and the conservative Democrats will become independent. The Democratic Party will remain Liberal. What we really need is to outlaw ALL CORPORATE DONATIONS to Congress! It is impossible to not be influenced by Millions of dollars in campaign contributions. On a different note, I do not understand why people have such a fear of Big Government, yet welcome the All Encompassing power and abuse of large Corporate America? […]
- SK: Why doesn't the media (CNN) give more airtime to political parties other than the Dems. and Repubs? Stop being lazy!
Commentary: Letterman admission not damaging
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/02/am.intv.oneil.art.jpg caption="Tom O'Neil says Letterman's admission would not be damaging to his audience."]
David Letterman's dramatic admission on television that he had sex with staff members started with an uncomfortable moment when he said he was the victim of an extortion plot. His audience seemed to think he was joking but the case is no laughing matter. What does this mean for his image?
Tom O’Neil, senior editor of In Touch Weekly spoke with Christine Romans on CNN's "American Morning" Friday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
Christine Romans: It was nine minutes of television, there was some laughing from the audience at, what I would say would be, inappropriate parts. Maybe they didn't realize that it was a real confession happening here. What do you make of what happened there on Letterman last night?
Tom O’Neil: It was done in typical Letterman style where we were all put ill at ease while watching this. Was he joking when he talked about the terrible creepy things he did? At first it didn’t seem that way it seemed as if he was really confessing to us, then he built this like a good comic act to crescendo and then you think maybe this is not a big deal. Look, David Letterman just got married in March. For 30 years he was a single man, if this was consensual sex with his co-workers, maybe that’s not so bad. But we also have to wonder, is it that terrible that it gets into areas of sexual harassment?
Letterman reveals affairs with staff, extortion attempt
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/02/art.david.letterman.cbs.art.jpg caption="David Letterman on Thursday revealed an extortion attempt based on his sexual relations with staff members."]
NEW YORK (CNN) - "Late Show" host David Letterman acknowledged on his show Thursday night that he'd had sexual relations with members of his staff and that he revealed those liaisons during grand jury testimony for a case involving an attempted extortion.
"I have a little story that I'd like to tell you," Letterman said as he launched into his revelation.
"This morning, I did something I've never done in my life," Letterman told his audience. "I had to go downtown to testify before the grand jury" and "tell them all of the creepy things that I've done."
The 62-year-old funnyman said he received a package three weeks ago from a person who claimed to have information about Letterman's sexual dalliances, ultimately demanding $2 million to prevent public revelation.
Letterman said he went to the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which conducted an investigation and an arrest was made earlier in the day.
Obama makes 2016 Olympics sales pitch for Chicago
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/02/chicago.obama.olympics.art.jpg caption="President Obama personally appealed to IOC members for the 2016 Summer Olympics Games to be in Chicago."]
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) - President Obama urged the International Olympic Committee on Friday to pick his hometown of Chicago as the host of the 2016 Games, saying the city represents the American dream as well as the Olympic spirit.
Obama's address to the 106 IOC members gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, was the highlight of the Chicago bid committee's final presentation before the vote to choose the host city.
"Chicago is a place where we strive to celebrate what makes us different, just as we celebrate what we have in common," Obama said.
He pointed out that from hosting the World's Fair in 1893 to hosting World Cup events in 1994, the Illinois city has the experience needed to put on an Olympic Games.
"We know how to put on big events and scores of visitors and spectators will tell you we do it well," the president said.
Are Americans ready to elect a third party?
Rick Nagin. Candidate for Cleveland City Council. Registered Democrat. And member of the Communist Party. “I believe in socialism,” Nagin says. “I believe that corporate greed is the source of the problems in this country and we'd all be a lot better off if working people and their organizations were running things instead of big business.” Nagin, long considered a "fringe candidate" in Ohio, is hot this year. He survived the primary, and may win the November election. And while much of the country may be aghast - voters are seriously considering someone who espouses Communist beliefs.
Some say it's a sign of the times. “Voters are getting more and more frustrated with politics as usual,” according to independent political analyst John Avlon. “They want some alternatives.” Former presidential candidate Bob Barr thinks so. “I think the time is really ripe for that.” Barr ran on the Libertarian ticket in 2008. He lost. But, says today interest in the Libertarian party is at an all-time high. “There's a sense of unease among people in this country that the two major parties simply are no longer listening to them and responding to the people of the country.”
According to Politico.com, independent candidates are poised to "run serious campaigns for governor " in half a dozen states.Among them: New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Avlon says they have strong support. “The vast majority of Americans are independent and centrist. So that's where the sweet spot is for an independent candidate.” Back in Cleveland’s Ward 14, council hopeful, Nagin says he's offering voters who are suffering economically something different. And yet, something very much the same. “I consider myself to be a very patriotic American. I love this country.”
Just sayin’ – Are Americans ready to elect a third party?
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