Friday, March 30, 2007
The Situation Online: Romney, Fred Thompson, next 'macaca' moment?
College kids & campaign cash
It's March Madness and presidential candidate Mitt Romney is hoping college students will help him raise some campaign cash. Romney's son and daughter-in-law are spearheading "Students for Mitt," a new fundraising campaign that offers a 10% commission for students who raise more than $1000. Whoever raises the most money within three months wins a video iPod.
Drafting Fred ThompsonOver the last month, Web sites have popped up across the Internet to rally support for a Fred Thompson presidential run. One site,
DraftFredThompson.com, was so swamped today it crashed. Another site,
Fred08.com is co-chaired by two
Tennessee congressmen. The "Law and Order" star and former Tennessee Senator also has the
support of former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Thompson has
expressed interest in a presidential run but has not officially entered the race.
2008 caught on tape?The Democratic Party is hoping for another "
macaca moment" in the 2008 election cycle. In addition to
digging into the backgrounds of Republican candidates, the DNC hopes to set up video crews to follow them around in early primary states. Can the Democrats harness the power of online video to help win back the White House? (
Watch the video here)
Watch "The Situation Room" at 4 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM ET for these stories and more from our Internet reporters.
Cafferty: Bush in '08?
WATCH "The Cafferty File"
here.
Would you vote for a 2008 presidential ticket that had the name "Bush" on it?
Yes, I would vote for a ticket with a Bush on it. Jeb Bush is not George Bush, and thank God, not a Hillary Clinton. Besides, there isn't a politician in this country running today that I trust.
-Virginia, Trophy Club, Texas
You sure know how to get my attention. This sounds like the backdoor approach for getting in another Bush as president. Have him as a running mate and then ascend into the presidency. I think Romney knew exactly what he was saying and we have to take him seriously. -
Bonnie, New York
Jack, The only thing any Bush is good for would be a front line dog food taster, and even then I'd demand a second opinion before I let my dog try the stuff.
-Mark, Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaNow that I'm off the floor from laughing so hard, I would have to say that would be as bad as voting for a ticket with the name Clinton on it.
-Larry, Biloxi, Mississippi
"Bramble," "Briar," "Creeper," "Hedge," "Plant," "Scrub," "Shrub," "Thicket," "Vine," "Wild," "Woodland," or even "Brush" (maybe), but "Bush"? NEVER!
-Jeffrey, Buffalo, New YorkDoes Hollywood support help or hurt a presidential candidate?The answer here is really simple. Financially they are helpful; supporting the candidate openly is a big negative. Quite frankly, none of the elite in Hollywood know what it means to work for a living.
-Bill, Taconite, MinnesotaI don't think a Hollywood endorsement has any impact on candidates' success or failure. Endorsements are a relic of a bygone age, before cable news and the Internet allowed people to find out everything they need to know about a given candidate.
-Roman, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I have to be honest Jack, I am so sick of hearing about "Hollywood values" as if it were truly important. Are the people who live in Hollywood not Americans too? Are they not also entitled to support who they want politically and exercise their 1st Amendment rights?
-Kristen, Syracuse, New York
Frankly, when a Hollywood personality endorses a candidate, I'm inclined to run the other way. Just as any American, they (the "stars") have a right to whatever candidate they choose, but considering the choices most "stars" make in their personal lives, I would not base anything on their recommendations.
-Maureen, Lexington, KentuckyWhat warning label would you put on a country you've visited?
When stopped by a police officer in lesser traveled tourist cities of China do not be surprised if you are accused of an imaginary infraction and asked to pay your "fine" on the spot. While this may appear to be a case of public corruption, you should treat it as a "gratuity" for the officer's keen sense of perception that you are a foreigner.
-Fabian, Miami Beach, Florida
I would put "Good Teeth Beware" on England. Even if you've never seen an orthodontist, they automatically assume anyone with good teeth is a "bloody" American.
-Renee, Cincinnati, OhioUnited States: The land of opportunity, if you're an illegal immigrant, rapper, politician, or sports star.
-Stuart, Tybee Island, GeorgiaIf I were going to Mexico, I would put a warning that you will probably get Montezuma's revenge even if you do not drink the water (that happened to my sister) and/or get mugged (that happened to a friend). If you are going to Europe, I would warn that probably everyone hates you, so pretend you are Canadian (that happened to my cousin) and don't get into any political conversations.
-Carol, California
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Cafferty File: Split with Saudis?
READ your responses below, then
WATCH "The Cafferty File"
here.
What message does it send when Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah calls the U.S. presence in Iraq an "illegitimate foreign occupation"?The King of Saudi Arabia has hammered one more nail in the coffin of Bush foreign policy. When your good friends turn on you, there's nowhere to hide. Impeach Bush and Cheney.
-Mike, San Francisco, California
The message is "Get out now!" The diverse Arab nations of the region know that genocide is taking place. They will produce relative calm after a short shake-out period. Back off and let them have a try. Things couldn't be any worse.
-Roderick, N. Attleboro, Massachusetts
I think it means he doesn't want to hold hands with George Bush anymore.
-BobThe U.S. should welcome the steps taken by the Saudis, no matter what Abdullah calls the occupation. And don't kid yourself, it is an occupation. On the surface, it would appear that the Saudis are willing to lead the Arab nations in an effort to police themselves, hopefully ending the occurrence of such things as the Iraq war. Just imagine how many lives and how much money would have been saved if these steps were taken some time ago to rein in Saddam Hussein?
-Julio, Sydney, Nova Scotia
Should illegal immigrants be able to drive legally in the U.S.? Jack, What part of illegal don't you understand? No, they should not be allowed to drive. They should not enjoy any privileges in America that citizens do. Period!
-Mike, Sebring, FloridaNot even a bicycle! Twice we have been t-boned by our little friends from south of the border: one carload fled the scene, the other just cost us a $35,000 vehicle and left us with injuries. And that's just me. How often does this occur to others in the U.S.?
-Cliff, Tampa, FloridaI am from the state of Illinois and do not agree with the passing of the bill in the House that is allowing illegal aliens to have driving privileges. If they are not legal in the country, then they should not have these privileges... Where do we draw the line? It seems that this opens the door even wider for terrorists to enter and do their terrorizing.
-RosalieIs it a waste of time to expect the United Nations to gain the release of Britain's captives from Iran?I don't think it's a waste of time to expect the United Nations to actually succeed once in a while. I think actually that if they could gain the release of the British troops it could help out the image of the organization. I'll keep my fingers crossed on this one. -
Gene, Appleton, WisconsinWhat whines constantly, talks a lot but says nothing meaningful, burns money, doesn't pay parking tickets, has a large military that isn't allowed to do anything and is the cause of several hundred thousand deaths a year? No, it isn't Congress but close. The United Nations in action! Don't worry hostages, the U.N. will get right on your situation.
-Jake, Lantana, TexasIt's a big waste of time. The lack of the West's understanding of the Middle East shows through every time something like this happens. The only way to take care of this is for the U.K. to engage the Iranians directly. They don't have to admit to anything but they do need to engage them face to face.
-Glen, Haymarket, VirginiaGoing to the U.N. is like asking convicted murderers to sit on the parole board in hopes of reducing the number of parolees. You know it won't work just by looking at the characters involved.
-Jesse, Nebraska
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Cafferty File: President Bush vs. Congress
READ your responses below, then
WATCH "The Cafferty File"
here.
Will President Bush eventually have to accept a troop timetable in exchange for war funding?If Bush doesn't accept a timetable soon, he'll probably have more to worry about than funding.
-Clay, Russellville, Arkansas
Jack, It appears that President Bush finally found his veto pen. Unfortunately, it will be used on the wrong bill.
-Steven, Jacksonville, Florida President Bush agreeing to a timetable is letting the terrorists inside Iraq win the war and eventually dethroning the Iraqi government. You're giving your enemy inside information. As soon as the American troops leave they will step up their attacks... It's plain dumb to let your enemy know when you intend to quit. So no, President Bush will not compromise and justifiably so.
-Richard, Montreal, CanadaJack, The Congress did not send President Bush a Bill including a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. The American people did. The sooner President Bush realizes this, the sooner he will have to accept it.
-Marion, Hickman, KentuckyWhat's the appropriate punishment for ITT for sending night-vision technology to potential enemies?Hi Jack, What's to stop other companies that sell sensitive information to the U.S. armed forces from selling it to any of our enemies? A slap on the wrist? $100 million... come on. What's that to corporate America? They compromised the ability of our troops to operate on the battlefield. The punishment? How about a firing squad?
-Nick, Toms River, New JerseyThe answer to your question, give the corporate heads, all of them, hard time (many years) in prison where they can learn the difference between good and bad business decisions.
-Gene, Dallas, Texas
The fine is just the cost of doing business. These treasonous "American" companies should have those executives in charge of sending our best jobs and technologies to foreign powers charged criminally and sent to prison.
-John, Gilbert, ArizonaHow much will candidates' private lives matter to you when voting for president?I would never even consider a candidate's personal affairs in judging whether or not he can govern. The only time a candidate's private life ever gets examined in the first place is when his opponents try to bring him down. They obviously have nothing to offer the American people themselves, so their only hope is to try to make the other guy look worse than they do.
-Bill, Ohio
I think it is important since when times are bad, your integrity is all you can depend on.
-Mary, Staten Island, New York
I believe Hillary Clinton, of all the candidates, has shown her ability to be a "lady of steel" in standing by Bill Clinton during and following his problems with that blue dress! Anyone who could put up with that exhibition of lies can put up with any world leader and deserves to be president.
-Jim, Huntsville, AlabamaAs someone who has divorced three wives, I look to the Republican candidates as my heroes and role models.
-Leroy, San Jose, California
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Cafferty File: Why Take the Fifth?
READ your responses below, then
WATCH "The Cafferty File"
here.
What does it mean when a top aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales decides to take the Fifth Amendment and refuses to testify in the federal prosecutor case?What a sorry state we're in when the liaison between the Justice Department and the White House, who is also a top aide to the Attorney General, pleads the 5th Amendment in an investigation of the Justice Department. Why would she be so concerned about incriminating herself if, as Gonzales keeps saying, nothing was done wrong?
-Mary, Blauvelt, New YorkWhat it means Jack is that Bush administration officials are finally getting bored with merely lying to Congress and the American people all of the time. Purely as a change of pace, they have decided not to answer at all.
-A
It means that no matter what happens in government the American people will never know the truth. If a person has nothing to hide why won't they swear to tell the truth and do just that?
-Latreetha, Spring Hill, Florida
I have always believed that when someone takes the 5th they are either guilty of something, trying to hide something or both.
-Jackie, Lakeview, North CarolinaHow should Britain go about trying to win the release of its captured sailors and marines from Iran?
The British need to strongly advise the Iranians to release their sailors and marines within a few hours or the next conversation will be about the nuclear facilities they used to be building. -
MikeBritain should institute a sea blockade of all Iranian-bound oil tankers until Iran releases their personnel. This would shut off the flow of money to Iran and would also definitely slow their nuclear program.
-Robert, British ColumbiaJack, Real diplomacy will take place. Something the U.S. lacks any ability to do The British marines will be released because Britain like most European powers has learned that fine art of diplomatic trade-offs.
-Michael, Brick, New JerseyBritain should bomb Iran. When they run out of bombs, then the U.S. should bomb Iran until we run out of bombs.
-Aaron, Flint, Michigan
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Cafferty File: Impeachment talk
READ your responses below, then
WATCH "The Cafferty File"
here.
What does it mean if Republican Senator Chuck Hagel is using the word "impeachment" when it comes to President Bush?What it means Jack, is that Hagel is distancing himself from the Republican party, will become an Independent in the fall and run for president, will win the election, nabbing voters dissatisfied with their own party's nominee, and many Republicans and moderate Democrats against the war. I think Hagel just realized all this potential while standing at the podium on the day of his non-announcement.
-Jim, Meriden, ConnecticutMe thinks it means that Chuck has a spine, and he needs some momentum for his campaign.
-Barbara, Davisburg, Michigan
It means that I am a Democrat that might vote for Hagel, a Republican, for president.
-Mark, Austin, Texas
Jack, It means Hagel will soon be asked to join the vice president on a hunting trip.
-John, Jacksonville, Florida
Alberto Gonzales is scheduled to testify before Congress April 17. Will he last that long as Attorney General?No, I don't think he will, because he is involved in this up to his eyeballs. He has no credibility left and it is time for him to fall on his sword. Reading some of the e-mail and hearing him contradict himself in statements that he made. He doesn't stand a chance of keeping his position. –
Bill, Quarryville, PennsylvaniaAre you kidding, Jack? This administration and this Congress are so delusional that they will probably promote Gonzales to some higher-paying position and give him the presidential medal. I have never witnessed such idiocy in my life!
-Alan, Buxton, MaineAlberto knows where all the bodies are buried, but just like Brownie, Rummy and Harriet Miers, George Bush will hand him his hat and guarantee him another high-paying job for keeping his mouth shut. This administration has used 9/11 to give itself enough power to justify anything they want to do.
-Gary, New YorkSure hope not! The Attorney General has been extremely partisan and is NOT representing the American people as he should.
-Craig, Melbourne, FloridaWhy does a U.S. Senator need to carry a loaded gun?
Jim Webb needs a loaded gun to protect himself against all the bitter partisan politics going on in Washington. It’s a shame isn’t it?
–Chris, Safford, ArizonaWhy does a U.S. senator need to carry a loaded gun? The question itself should be the issue. Why does any American citizen need to justify his constitutional right to bear arms? Next you'll be asking why someone feels the need to peaceably assemble or freely speak his mind. Please, Jack.
–Frank, New YorkJack. Are you kidding? If I were a U.S. Senator, I'd be armed as well as wearing body armor to protect me from the knives that they're sticking in each other's backs.
–Dorothy, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
Considering how much corporate money our politicians are carrying around with them, perhaps he feels the need to protect himself from would-be robbers.
–Alex, Alexandria, Virginia
The Situation Online: Showdown at sea, another "macaca moment"?
2008: Caught on tape?The Democratic Party is hoping for another "
macaca moment" in the 2008 election cycle. In addition to
digging into the backgrounds of Republican candidates, the DNC hopes to set up video crews to follow them around in early primary states. Can the Democrats harness the power of online video to help win back the White House?
Royal Navy's Iraq mission
Britain is
demanding access to the seized sailors and marines accused of entering Iranian waters. But what were Royal Navy ships doing in the Persian Gulf in the first place? The British Royal Navy's Web site
explains the mission of the HMS Cornwall, which is there to protect offshore Iraqi oil assets. The Royal Navy has also posted up a
map of Iraqi waters, where they claim the personnel were when they were captured.
Watch "The Situation Room" at 4 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM ET for these stories and more from our Internet reporters.