Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
I interviewed President Obama in the White House yesterday. Here's a partial transcript where Obama talks about George Bush, Mitt Romney and Iran:
Fareed Zakaria: So when we talked when you were campaigning for the presidency, I asked you what Administration’s foreign policy you admired, and you had said that you looked at Bush Sr.’s diplomacy, and I took that to mean the pragmatism, the sense of limits, good diplomacy, as you looked upon it favorably. Now that you are President, how has your thinking evolved? Do you still look at that as a hallmark of good diplomacy?
Barack Obama: It is true that I’ve been complimentary of George H. W. Bush’s foreign policy and I continue to believe that he managed a very difficult period very effectively. Now that I’ve been in office for three years, I think that I’m always cautious about comparing what we’ve done to what others have done, just because each period is unique. Each set of challenges is unique. But what I can say is that I made a commitment to change the trajectory of American foreign policy in a way that would end the war in Iraq, refocus on defeating our primary enemy, al-Qaeda, strengthen our alliances and our leadership in multilateral fora and restore American leadership in the world. And I think we have accomplished those principal goals.
Our alliances with NATO, Japan, South Korea, our close military cooperation with countries like Israel have never been stronger. Our participation in multilateral organizations has been extremely effective. In the United Nations, not only do we have a voice, but we have been able to shape an agenda. And in the fastest growing regions of the world in emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region, just to take one prominent example, countries are once again looking to the United States for leadership.
That’s not the exact same moment as existed post-World War II. It’s an American leadership that recognizes the rise of countries like China and India and Brazil. It’s a U.S. leadership that recognizes our limits in terms of resources, capacity. And yet what I think we’ve been able to establish is a clear belief among other nations that the United States continues to be the one indispensable nation in tackling major international problems.
(MORE: Read TIME’s Cover Story on Obama, Now Available to Subscribers)
And I think that there is a strong belief that we continue to be a superpower, unique perhaps in the annals of history, that is not only self-interested, but is also thinking about how to create a set of international rules and norms that everyone can follow and that everyone can benefit from. So you combine all those changes, the United States is in a much stronger position now to assert leadership over the next century than it was only three years ago.
We still have huge challenges ahead. And one thing I’ve learned over the last three years is that as much as you’d like to guide events, stuff happens and you have to respond. And those responses, no matter how effective your diplomacy or your foreign policy, are sometimes going to produce less than optimal results. But our overall trajectory, our overall strategy, I think has been very successful.
Mitt Romney says that you are “timid, indecisive, and nuanced.”
Ah, yes.
I particularly like the third one. What do you say?
I think Mr. Romney and the rest of the Republican field are going to be playing to their base until the primary season is over. Once it is, we’ll have a serious debate about foreign policy. I will feel very confident about being able to put my record before the American people and saying that America is safer, stronger and better positioned to win the future than it was when I came into office.
And there are going to be some issues where people may have some legitimate differences and there are going to be some serious debates just because they’re hard issues. But overall, I think it’s going to be pretty hard to argue that we have not executed a strategy over the last three years that has put America in a stronger position than it was when we, than when I came into office.
He says that if you get re-elected, Iran will get a nuclear weapon, and if he is elected, it won’t. Will you make a categorical statement like that: If you get re-elected, Iran will not get a nuclear weapon?
I have made myself clear since I began running for the presidency that we will take every step available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. What I’ve also said is that our efforts are going to be… Excuse me. When I came into office, what we had was a situation in which the world was divided, Iran was unified, it was on the move in the region. And because of effective diplomacy, unprecedented pressure with respect to sanctions, our ability to get countries like Russia and China that had previously balked at any serious pressure on Iran to work with us, Iran now faces a unified world community, Iran is isolated, its standing in the region is diminished. It is feeling enormous economic pressure.
(MORE: Read TIME’s Interview with Hillary Clinton on Libya, China, the Middle East and Barack Obama)
And we are in a position where, even as we apply that pressure, we’re also saying to them there is an avenue to resolve this, which is a diplomatic path where they forego nuclear weapons, abide by international rules and can have peaceful nuclear power as other countries do, subject to the restrictions of the NPT, the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
But the way the Iranians might see it is that they have made proposals–the Brazilian-Turkish proposal–and that they never go anywhere. They aren’t the basis of negotiations.
Yes, I think if you take a look at the track record, the Iranians have simply not engaged in serious negotiations on these issues.
We actually put forward a very serious proposal that would have allowed them to display good faith. They need medical isotopes; there was a way to take out some of their low-enriched uranium, their LEUs, so that they could not — so that there was clarity that they were not stockpiling that to try to upgrade to weapons-grade uranium. In exchange, the international community would provide the medical isotopes that they needed for their research facility. And they delayed and they delayed and they hemmed and they hawed, and then when finally the Brazilian-Indian proposal was put forward, it was at a point where they were now declaring that they were about to move forward on 20-percent enriched uranium, which would defeat the whole purpose of showing good faith that they weren’t stockpiling uranium that could be transformed into weapons-grade.
(PHOTOS: Political Pictures of the Week)
So, not to get too bogged down in the details, the point is, is that the Iranians have a very clear path where they say, we’re not going to produce weapons, we won’t stockpile material that can be used for weapons. The international community then says, we will work with you to develop your peaceful nuclear energy capacity, subject to the kinds of inspections that other countries have agreed to in the past. This is not difficult to do. What makes it difficult is Iran’s insistence that it is not subject to the same rules that everybody else is subject to.
Suppose with all this pressure that you have been able to put on Iran and the economic pressure, suppose the consequence is that the price of oil keeps rising but Iran does not make any significant concession, won’t it be fair to say that the policy will have failed?
It is fair to say that this isn’t an easy problem and anybody who claims otherwise doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Obviously, Iran sits in a volatile region during a volatile period of time, and their own internal conflicts makes it that much more difficult I think for them to make big strategic decisions. Having said that, our goal consistently has been to combine pressure with an opportunity for them to make good decisions, and to mobilize the international community to maximize that pressure.
Can we guarantee that Iran takes the smarter path? No. Which is why I have repeatedly said we don’t take any options off the table in preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon. But what I can confidently say, based on discussions that I’ve had across this government and with governments around the world, is that of all the various difficult options available to us we’ve taken the one that is most likely to accomplish our goal and one that is most consistent with America’s security interest.
Read more the rest of my interview with President Obama here.
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This is not a unique dig at Obama, because all politicians do it : Notice that that last question isn't actually answered.
To be fair to Obama, that particular question isn't really a question and is instead an attempt to trap Obama into defining victory or failure in terms that don't necessarily reflect the conflict. The success of Obama's plan should be measured by Iran's political strength in the area and in the world and their ability to acquire a nuclear weapon capable of reaching their neighbors.
The greatest success would be a Persian Spring, the worst failure would be war with it's neighbors.
Obama spoke well. His words reflect his personality – somebody with scruples and values. Romney doesn't have the intellect, let alone Gingrich. Obama's integrity still serves as a role-model for leadership in the emerging economies, which will dominate us in the coming decades.
Obama has been a failure and does not lead. The sooner he leaves the better. Czars to lead important areas of policy? Blame gaming constantly we can do and will do better in 12 months.
Persian Spring was a victory...for Osama, not Obama. The intent of the destruction of the towers in New York was Persian Spring. The economy staggered, not by the war in Iraq but by the government backed housing, student loans, welfare and health care. It is not good or bad it just is, look at the budget pie chart for the US. The housing bubble caused by the perfect storm of the Community Reinvestment Act (signed by Jimmy Carter) and deregulation of banks Gramm Leech Bliley (signed by Bill Clinton). Banks were allowed to grant low income families, with high risk mortgages, with the money printing press Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae (oversight by just retired Barney Frank) backing up the banks making a killing. Sorry Dems it could have just as well be Republicans during the boom years. Bin Laden just needed to be patient and watch Obama do the job for him. We struck Iraq because dictatorships only understand a show of force, if you recall the Middle East fell in line, Libya gave up their WMD program, Saudi Arabia and others cracked down on extremists. Problem solved. Well, after WorldCom and Enron happened I saw the housing bubble coming from miles away and took everything out of the market, my retirement, everything. What I didn't count on were all the bailouts. The difference was the union voting block and the campaign money AIG, Bofa, all banks, etc. GM and the banks got a pass, we still make crappy cars government subsidized cars and the largest banks got away with robbery. What happens when you print money to bail out failed businesses? Inflation. When that happens to the dollar what goes up? Prices, on everything, because we are the world's currency in which oil is traded. This is why we balance the dollar. Well, inflation did happen basic communities went up and the police were stealing from that poor man that set himself on fire both just trying to feed their families. Now Persian Spring, corporate sponsored dictatorships are falling, what happens when you have democracy in an Islamic state? An Islamic State, or copies of Iran. With blocking the pipeline this week and cracking down on fracking guess what more money to our Iranian friends. I almost feel sorry for Israel.
To Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barak Obama and Barney Frank
Congratulations, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The OWS and Tea Party, you are mad about the same thing. You just don't know what it is you are mad about and if you sat down and talked you'd realize it is the same thing.
"There isn't a dimes worth of difference between them" -Ross
hey Free Market Californian, guess what, you sound like an idi0t. You know why? Other idi0ts like yourself always scream "obama is not a leader! he is a failure!" but never seem to provide reasons for this. And the same dumbfcks, also mention czars, like it's something new. Here's an idea: Why don't you, and other idi0ts like yourself, just shut the fck up from now on. You have nothing of value to bring to the table. Just because you're loud and obnoxious doesn't mean you are intelligent. In fact it often times means the exact opposite. Obama was elected president three years ago. Deal with it, loser.
Obama's plan to do what? Turn America into Amerika?
@Free Market Californian: "Obama has been a failure and does not lead. The sooner he leaves the better."
Yet another brainwashed attack parrot. Seriously, I can train a parrot to offer this caliber of criticism attacking the president.
"Czars to lead important areas of policy?"
Do you have a point? God, you people are so intellectually stunted you think the name used to refer to someone is a big deal. The first czar was Ronald Reagan's drug czar, nitwit. The name proves nothing. For God's sake get a brain and try using it to educate yourself about issues so you can do more than sound like a parrot.
"Blame gaming constantly we can do and will do better in 12 months."
No one blames harder than modern day Republicans. Every problem can be blamed on Obama, liberals, Democrats, or the liberal elite media.
@Marcusito: "The housing bubble caused by the perfect storm of the Community Reinvestment Act (signed by Jimmy Carter) and deregulation of banks Gramm Leech Bliley (signed by Bill Clinton)."
Right-wing fairytales. No truth to this at all. The CRA did nothing to contribute to the housing bubble. Contrary to the lies told by people on the right it did not force banks to make risky loans. You can't find one single example of a lender who will tell you he was forced to make loans he didn't want to make. They happily made all those loans because they were profitable. They actively sought out people to take out those loans.
Your ability to be so overtly misleading would amaze me if I weren't used to it from you people. You're always trying to pin all the blame for the repeal of Glass-Steagall on Clinton by pointing out that he signed it. Why don't you ever mention that all of the authors — Gramm, Leech, and Bliley — were Republicans? Why don't ever mention that it had the full support of Republicans in Congress, and that it was passed by margins in both the House and Senate that would easily have overridden a presidential veto? Oh right, because you don't want people to know those facts. Your goal isn't to educate them, it's to manipulate them.
You people are pathologically dishonest. You'll lie as soon as look at someone and when you're telling the truth there's always a bigger truth you *aren't* telling. Anyone who takes anything you people say at face value is a fool.
And for the record, why didn't you point out that Reagan signed the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act in 1982, allowing lenders to offer adjustable rate mortgages and use balloon payments, setting the groundwork for subprime mortgages?
"Banks were allowed to grant low income families, with high risk mortgages, with the money printing press Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae (oversight by just retired Barney Frank) backing up the banks making a killing."
More lies and empty rhetoric. The problem wasn't loans to low income families or even high risk mortgages. The problem was that the risk was concealed by bundling them by the thousands into mortgage-backed securities and then selling those securities to unwary investors as AAA-rated securities. Those securities were bought by foreign and domestic investors, private investors, pension funds, all with no involvement of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae also bought some, but the insinuation that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae caused the subprime mortgage debacle in any way is yet another lie frequently told by the right. The reason AIG needed a bailout is that they had insured private investors against loss on those securities without setting aside any money to pay claims because they thought their AAA-ratings were legitimate.
The subprime mortgage debacle was the product of a private sector mortgage industry that engaged in irresponsible and at times unethical practices motivated entirely by greed. By selling those mortgages as being more secure investments than they really were lenders were able to generate huge profits with them. Anthony Mozilo, CEO of Countrywide Financial, the largest of the subprime lenders, received $57 million in compensation in 2005, and it wasn't because Countrywide was making loans it didn't want to make. Go peddle your lies somewhere else.
Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons, and nobody found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq either. So who has the - the powers of destruction - nuclear, biological (anthrax) and chemical? Israel and the United States of America are the biggest threats in the world. We are powerful. So why send our soldiers overseas, to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran? to bomb hospitals and schools? It doesn't make sense America! The Rothschilds family elite rule over Israel. They do not support Judaism, they support Zionism! And I've recently learned that those guys are not nice. And they lie.
@Skytag.... of all the internet idiots out there, I'm so glad to read a comment from someone who knows the truth of the economic collapse. I hear all the same rhettoric and lies from all different types and I wonder why they don't know the facts in this matter. But that's the truth... glad to see someone else has a brain.
In fact he should never answer a question like this because his answer could signal to Iran what it needs to do to escape the vise it is in now. We need to remain ambiguous about our next steps. This is not political at all, this is serious negotiations.
Exactly, skier99. That and the question of why oil prices would continually rise. Is it due to a true supply issue, or speculation? I'd put my money on the latter, considering the last 4 year history.
Thank you, my thoughts, exactly. It is too easy to say failure or success when the variables are so numerous and the diplomacy is still ongoing. It's easy to tip your hand, so the non-answer was really a good answer. BTW, I am LOVING having an intelligent, thoughtful president. Who knew? BTW, folks like Ed Sr of Dallas... your racism is showing. You add nothing to the conversation other than name-calling. It's a prime example of how the GOP has divided up the nation - and then blamed Pres. Obama for it.
I liked President Obamas response.
People dont understand how things work on the diplomatic world stage.
We throw words around in everyday speak.
But in the diplomacy world, a wrong word or sentence
can have dire results.
My understanding about The Iraq invasion of Kuwait,
was because our embassador talking with Saddam
did not take any side over his claim about Kuwait stealing Iraqi oil,
and that set in motion the idea that Sadam could invade Kuwait.
Words do matter.
Diplomacy is a fragile thing.
It shouldnt be.
Just look at Neville Chamberlain and Adolph Hitler.
Hitler never actually said he was done with his demands.
But that was what Chamberlain went back and reported.
Wars are started over words.
Loose lips, do sink ships.
But.....sometimes, the right words will blind an enemy.
You can't answer the question directly. That would be engaging a war. Romney w/his dumb talking points is playing to his base. Romney knows damnnn well he cannot say he will stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon if he is in office. He will impose sanctions and take ever step necessary to avoid another war if he has any sense...but then again we are talking about Repubs.
" Can we guarantee that Iran takes the smarter path? No. Which is why I have repeatedly said we don’t take any options off the table in preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon. "
I guess some people need it spelled out for them. He did answer it. The answer is no, the policy would not have failed because the policy doesn't only contain diplomacy; it includes the military option. And that option would be chosen if/when the diplomacy part of the policy fails. The question wasn't on the level either, but the POTUS did answer it.
I could not agree more... finally someone making sense! There are no definates in life and if all else fails he will bomb the hell outta Iran. Thats not the first or second option but it is an option – lets hope for our men/woman in uniform like myself it doesn't get to that point. Also, as powerful as Isreal is we must protect them!
Reply to Making Sense. You're right. We must protect the people in Israel. Not from Iran, they are not attacking them. But from the US and the Zionists in Israel, killing the Palestinian people living there. It's horrific isn't it? The good people are being held in the Gaza Concentration camps, and the US/Israel keep bombing them to extinction. It's called racism, and it's also called genocide. It must stop.
Only a fool would paint himself and his country into a corner with a definitive answer to that question. Romney has demonstrated that he is precisely that...a fool. Romney should have just sang "bomb, bomb Iran" like McCain did during his campaign. Honestly, why would any capable country on earth NOT pursue nuclear weapons since it's been proven the only deterrant to attack from embeciles like those two?
Some questions are intentionally unanswerable and are really invitations to talk about an issue in broader terms.
Hopefully this is his final year along with the other democrats and republicans that want to support themselves and their costiguents.
Surely, President Obama, is not solely a politician. He is the President of the United States of America. Regardless of one's party affiliation, it seems that there should be some respect accorded toward this office. I am finding the lack of respect offered toward this office is fairly abhorant. Like it, or not, President Obama is our President. He is not a wannabe. He is not some 'fly-by-the-seat of your pants' performer. He is our President. He deserves respect. And, aside from all this destructive verbiage, isn't it time we offered him the support due the leader of our Country? This is a tough, monumental job. This person was elected to represent America. Questioning direction is one thing. Snide and insidious – thoughtless and unkind- commentaries are useless and detrimental. And, undeserved. I'm not sure if the media is to blame. I am not sure if the invisibility of the internet offers such a hateful venue.
But, let us please offer our President our support. Aren't we Americans? After Alll?
Bravo! Well said.
Yes, very well said, Rand. I could not agree more.
AMEN!!!!!!
Barak Obama is the man. Anybody who doesnt like him abhors good things
Thank you
Fantastic Response! Well done. Yes, the President deserves all the respect for this most difficult job. No Republican deserves any such respect for how they have failed, again and again, to put America first.
Very well said sir! Kudos!
That's true to a certain extent. Criticism of the President is always welcome and encouraged, frankly – that's the American way and that's a reflection on our freedom. Unfortunately, 90% of the criticism I read and hear of the President from conservative citizens is hollow and purely partisan. That can only be destructive. And I'm Republican.
rand-
Please. Are you saying that George W. Bush was respected? After he was called every name under the sun and berated at every turn, suddenly we are supposed to show respect and dignity to Obama? That is the most obvious double standard statement I have ever heard.
I am sure you said the same thing when Bush was called every derogatory name in the world. Right?
Rand, your Hypocracy is showing buddy!
You have to earn respect, even if you are the President.
Typical Democratic response. All elected and prospective leaders deserve respect, not just the POTUS. Independents in this country elect Presidents. As an Independent, I see way more disrespect by Democrats for the Republican candidate field. Agree or disagree, they also deserve respect. It works both ways. Respectful disagreement is fine for all, not just some.
So true. And EVERY POTUS deserves our respect from Obama to Bush Jr.
Rand,
Very good response. I've been trying to say this same thing when ever possible. I did not like that fact that GWB had flaws that made him seem.... well.... less than smart but he was the POTUS and in being so the position deserves respect. The same respect that the flag has and the national anthem, etc... America deserves better from its citizens. The problem as I see it is that lazy, disrespectful, egotistical, and rude – uneducated or educated people that were not raised to respect this country and people in general are allowed to speak. Tolerance and ability to accept anothers point of view based on us all being American is lacking in this country.
I can go on. Kudos to you for saing it and for bringing out a better model for future responses.
Bush publicly make an ass of himself on a regular basis, and it was no secret that he was not the brightest person, but as a PRESIDENT, the respect was still there... With OBAMA it's different as he always shows intellect and does not leave ground to be judged in the same manner, yet he does not get the respect as PRESIDENT from the HOUSE REPUBLI KKKans, evidently because he is a BLACK and "From Nigeria". "Lets take America Back" from Who?
White People are IMMIGRANTS TOO and they didn't migrate here in a legally so please stop the rhetoric.
Obama couldnt have come at a better time to be the "SCAPEGOAT" that REPUBLI KKK-ans have made him.
Every time I hear attack ads against the current President, the only word that always falls short of comming up is "Ni$$er" No respect whatsoever, but thanks again for the motivation for those that see the good he is doing...
interesting Rand that there should be respect for the president when he's from the left....what would people say if a Derogatory movie were made about this president while he were still in office, like the last one had to endure?
you can't even see your own hypocrisy
To me, that question is answered, "one that is most consistent with America’s security interest.' Years of community services and formal education have made him an articulate person.
obamahaterhate,
you sound so smart. You need to be in his administration.
We love our food stamps. Who needs paychecks?
Obama 2012!
Full Disclosure please.....Fareed is a PAID OBAMA consultant.....
If mullah omar the leader of taliban is not killed and the terrorist organization inside pakistan are not ended, our job is not done yet.
This was the answer ".Can we guarantee that Iran takes the smarter path? No. Which is why I have repeatedly said we don’t take any options off the table in preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon "
Acceptance, that the policy failed is out of question , since other options in the policy are not exercised yet and God forbid, we never have to.Individual ego are not resolved easily, this is a Country's ego ( They call it Pride ) .This a very delicate diplomatic dance and the most important way to execute it is by showing that we are not dictating it , even though we are.
I hope he is a one term president ....he is sneaky!!!!....he tells you what you want to hear....no one really knows what a person is thinking.....remember he went to afghanistan to visit the troops,they wanted to speak to him one on one....he refused, afew asked him for his autograph he refused....him and his wife were at a military function and she said to obama " all this for a flag" and they call him an American...I refuse to believe it.......
Ruth! Ruth!! free your mind from hear say, WHERE YOU THERE?
Carlos Carlos, learn English and you might actually gain some credibility!!! OBAMANOS!!! That would be were sir...
I just love all the grammer teachers in here!
Yeah, I mean the guy is lecturing about grammar yet uses way more exclamation marks than he should.
were and where...then and than. Drives me crazy. God bless 'em.
"experiencehe
Carlos Carlos, learn English and you might actually gain some credibility!!! OBAMANOS!!! That would be were sir..."
Experienceh,comments like the one you just made are exactly why Republi KKKans have lost full credibility with THE AMERICAN PEOPLE as well as those looking in from the outside. Since the BLACK man has been in office, they can't contain their hate that once was somewhat manageable. The good thing is that the racism is no longer transparent. Subtle racism and choice of words would only leave an unbiased person to think that your insinuations are hinting that "Carlos" is a Latino Immigrant who can not spell, hence "OBAMANOS", and that is the problem with the RepubliKKKans obstructing progress in the name of the greedy likes of themselves today. As a LATINO US AIRFORCE VETERAN, I am proud to be an AMERICAN but feel embarrassed to know that all my hard work as well as others Veterans, has gone in to defend the right for the likes of you to spit on us who are not WHITE and not offer the same equalities 40 years after the Civil Rights era. Thanks to you and the bank that didn't want to cash my US Treasury check "because it was fake" I am motivated more than ever to go out and vote as many times as it takes to get all these racist Good Ol Boy Republi-KKK-ans out of office.
Where is this going? http://youtu.be/trAHpeIDL18
What comes from your mouth is a bunch of Malarkey. Where did you get your info from?
You refuse ? I hope that some day we all may learn to open our minds, be objective, analyze the information we receive intelligently, and make enlightened decisions – Until That Day !
I hope so...for our country's sake!
Ruth – you don't deserve this good man as your President.
Good! So let him be voted OUT.
When you refer to him as a good man you must also think that Stalin was a good man. They have the same ideology after all...that is, w/ a twist of Islam!!! OBAMANOS!!!
Stalin... that's the most ignorant comment I've read all day. Read a book.
No way jarhead. You are going to be stuck with him till 2012, then its Hillarys turn!
Ruth ... you have right to voice your opinion ... and your responders have the right belittle you for their agenda.
I'd like to know where I can find legitimate articles that report these claims.
Ruth, please stop saying you are from Ohio. Claim Michigan
Hey, Michiganders love Mr. Obama. Michigan owes the automotive comeback to Mr. Obama and hopefully will return the favor come 2012 election.
CitizenJP, Michigan owes the automotive recovery to the American tax payer. The only thing Obama did was prop up two failing companies that will eventually go out of business anyway, give priority to unions over the rightful claimants on any GM monies, and delay Michigan from having to deal with decades of liberal mismanagement. Thank the tax payers; it wasn’t Obama’s money, although he and lots of others seem to think it’s his stash to do with as he pleases.
Paul you couldn't be more wrong. You say he shouldn't be thanked, but I'm guessing when he did it you were there calling him a Socialist who wanted to nationalize the auto industry. I'm in the business and GM and Chrysler will not be going out of business. They are gaining market share every month and are very profitable. It takes a big man to admit this President has done some good things so I don't expect to hear any praise from you.
Ohio and its manufacturing is alive because of the auto industry rescue.
Paul McCord just got told.
Just got told that Obama's attempt to save union jobs has worked? We'll have to wait to see what happens over the long haul, but I suspect GM's success is going to be similar to the Volt–a mess and eventual demise. Obama won't be around much longer but the damage he's done by propping up auto manufacturers and banks that should have died will be haunting us for some time to come. With that said, I have friends in the rust belt who think Obama walks on water–but I also have friends there that see all he's done is allow a few states that have been so grossly mismanaged by Democrats to be able to delay their inevitable reconciliation the must come from decades of buying votes with phantom tax money. The pain will come and the longer it is put off, the bigger it will be. The only thing this generation of Democrats can do is try to delay it until they retire from office and to hell with those who have to pay the price.
lathebiosas, yep, takes a really big man to throw insults when you can do it anonymously doesn't it? Big mouth, not much of a man if you can't operate as yourself but instead have to hide behind a nickname.
@Paul.... when in doubt, just use the old "well... IT WILL PROBABLY FAIL! And when it does, it'll be ALL OBAMA'S FAULT!!!" card. It works flawlessly for the Republican'ts. "We think this economic policy will fail!!" "We think this foreign policy won't pan out!" All they are able to do is use the public's fear of the future (just like Christians do with the idea of heaven) to sidetrack them from the progress that's actually been made.
OK, Steve, what progress has actually been made? Banks and auto manufacturers have been artificially propped up at least for the time being; the unemployment rate has gone down not because of job creation so much as the number of people who just flat give up looking for a job; and even the Democrats big daddy Soros is predicting–and sounding like he hopes–there will be riots with a heavy government crackdown resulting in restricting freedom. That's progress? That’s what we have Obama to thank for? I’ll opt out, thank you.
Of course, "Ruth" got this information from a chain email forwarded by Aunt Millie who knows someone who "was there". Ruth also believes that giant shark was really attacking the helicopter. (also forwarded by Aunt Millie)
Yea & Aunt Millie was involved in some scenario involving her dog, a jar of peanut butter, a dark house & a suprise birthday party..!
Some people will never see truth, honesty and plain speaking for what it it is. Ruth, I'm sorry but your comments iillustrate all too well why some people should never be allowed in a voting booth. You respond to fear, superstician and out and out lies. Research and confirm your sources before you voice an opinion, please.
*like*
iconcclast,
You are correct about Ruth. I feel sorry for people like her who would repeat things that make them seem pitiful
As casual as you are to deny someones voting, I wonder where you stand on voter rights! Actually, you probably think only the educated elite should vote. Such a response from you is disgusting, in the least.
Like too
You know what? Nevermind. I found it myself...well I found where it was debunked. Here's the link.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/afghanistan.htm. Make sure to notice the link at the bottom where the "Obama bashing GI retracts claim".
Could you please back your opinion up with facts from this article? You say you hope him a one term president because he is feeding us all the info that we want to hear and then you go on this unnecessary rant on Obama that doesn't have any relevance to this story. To persuade people, please stay on topic and give us facts as to why not or you will be portrayed as a person who can't use fact to base your argument.
does anyone here in reality can't say that this president didn't step in doodoo when a crook and his partner called a vice president got everything that happen to all of the banks,autos,and wall street and oil companies get us into this problem?does anyone recall how bush cheated to be president again with his daddys' help and oil companies and his brother in florida as governor?please i believe in anyone who can guide the UNITED states in the right directions.i don't believe in republican or democrats.i believe who can do the right thing is the right person.
completely false statement! We know that he talked to the troops, and he has been there more than once.
Do you really expect him to lay out American foreign policy for all to see in a public interview surrounded by the enemy? get real...
Ruth, look it up. You are quoting from one of those chain emails that flood inboxes with rumors and lies. It was researched and confirmed false.
All politicians tell you “what you want to hear.” It doesn’t matter which party or politician you pick. The truth is irrelevant because the either the American people can’t handle the truth or more than likely they can’t comprehend the truth. Is Obama guilty of what you say? Yes. However I would say it has been to a lesser degree than many. In many of Obama's speeches, he has been in “professor” mode trying to educate the electorate. Unfortunately the electorate either is not listening or his discussion is over the average American’s head because it not in comprehensible sound bites. Your politicians are a reflection of you!
I like that. Well put.
Wow! I'm expected to believe an argument from someone who openly states "they refuse to believe" something. I mean – is this the new GOP/Conservative reality or what?
Ruth, please take your meds! Then again don't ,they will only make you delusional…
This is unbelievable hearsay Ruth. Can you be so naive to believe this gossip? Ohio is flat like some of the inhabitants heads.
You know guys this is absolutely off the topic and by her undertones is unequivocally stemming from a racist veiw-point. There are rednecks in Ohio also.....geezz
I was born and raised there and, regardless of some of the viewpoints, the community I grew up in had some of the kindest, warmest people I have ever met. Never met a stranger and always willing to help. Oh, and btw, I am a democrat.
Don't associate one or two people with an entire state.
Ruth- Bush lying to the world & to the people of America about Iraq having wmd's & then going to war over it, was SNEAKY. Did you ever think about that? do you think at all or do you let fox news do your speaking for you?
Ruth, what do you make of your boy Romney paying just 15% tax and having multiple offshore investments in the Cayman's? Is that "sneaky"?
Turn off Fox Noise, Ruth; it's clouded your thought process.
That is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen written here, which is saying a lot.
lmao
Ruth, you are a bold liar, and nothing more. A failure in your own life and bitter toward those who have succeeded in spite of your low perceptions of them.
Ruth,
Wow...I bet you grab your purse when you see a black man on the street, blame all bad driving on Asians, you must thinks pop rocks will explode your stomach if mixed with coke, and of course watch out in New York because people will hide under you car and cut you achilles tendon and rob you. C'mon...Like said before, your comments show the exact reason why some people should not step into a voting booth. HOW BLIND YOU ARE LADY. I hope all pray for your mind because it obviously needs saving.
some comments made by people like Ruth are so crazy & blissfully ignorant you have to wonder if it was said out of sarcasm or as a failed joke. I cant believe some people & these are people who unfortunatley vote. I bet Ruth voted for McCain & a vote for McCain was a vote for Palin so that alone says alot about her mental state.
Ruth, looks like you have been thoroughly brainwashed. if you make more than $250,000 please ignore what I have to say. Otherwise, please listen up:
- you have been told that higher taxes on the rich will kill jobs – WRONG. It is a great way to scare the middle class to keep the taxes on rich low.
- If you are employed that is fantastic. If you are not, and by some stroke of disasterous luck Mr. Obama does not win, then good luck finding a job.
He's sneaky? Or are you slow? ... Think about that, for however many hours it takes to sink in.
You refuse to hear it because Palin, rushfatball, and all the other nutballs have brain washed you!!
Politicians who say what others want to hear. Such a new concept. NOT.
Ruth.....there is no TRANSPARENCY within our government........vital questions will never be answered........why bin laden was murdered and not captured and then thrown quickly into the ocean unlike other Islamic burials.......his birth certificate...his education certificates.....his TRUE religion..........why Gadhafi was assassinated..........and with a name like BARACK HUSSEIN I really am ashamed to be part of this country today. We let the "enemy within" sit in the Oval Room.
You are a true racist! A baby does not provide their own name. A middle name is not a reason to elect or not elect a person to office. How ridiculous.
"with a name like Barack Hussein..."? I am getting so sick of you bigots. Everything else you listed is ignorant tripe that you cling to in order to reenforce your sad, hateful, small-minded preconceptions. You sir, are a shameful blight on America.
Dad!!! I told you no internet use after you take your meds! I'll send a nurse to put you in bed!
Your an uneducated biggot! A person who allows himself to be influenced by right winged media. Move away, like to another planet. Your joke!
The shame is on the other side... It's not you are ashamed to be a part of this country, but the country should be ashamed to have you as part of it.
Like Romney or any of the repub goones aren't smeaky enough. Obama will be reelected and will succeed.
I wonder if Ed Jr and Ruth are brother and sister
Ruth – Open mouth dumb comes out.
Ruth, I just woke up from a 12 year coma, can you explain to me what happened to the economy?
My guess is that you are a Casich supporter.
Ah Ruth – I was going to comment but everyone beat me to it. Say...you're going to vote for Newt now that he's promise Pailin a place on his staff....right? smh Foolishness!
Exactly what function?Hearsay is not fact.Please provide proof to back it up.
Ruth, shamefully, you remind me of my poor, though loved, ignorant mother. She wanders through life having no true clue of reality. Just believes that which she was told in 1928. She is stalwart with these beliefs. One must admire her stubborn thought process – but, truly, she doesn't think – she parrots. I admire your ability to parrot – but, do you truly wish the Country to be run by an automaton such as yourself? USE YOUR BRAIN! This Country was not founded upon brain-dead, thoughtless folk. Innovation, Anger, Possibilities, Kindness and Thoughtful Approaches are what makes this a fine Country. Get with the program, Ruth. Sadly, you seem so very far behind.
Rand, you have such a nice way of crushing people. I agree with you 100%, I think we share the same grandma...maybe it's Ruth!
It's human nature to mistrust people who are incredibly smarter than you............
Ruth, it is human nature to mistrust those who are much, much smarter than you. It's okay honey, he's okay.
unfortunately, she doesn't ponder the ramifications of her actions. hard to believe that one of her generation – fighting for the vote – doesn't value such and think for herself. perhaps, we do share the same relative.
Time to grow up, Ruth. Are you telling me that you would prefer one of the clowns being offered by the GOP?
Oh please, God, say it can't happen.
THAT I do not believe. I call you out to prove that slander!!!
In all the time spent "Ruth Bashing", maybe some of you could have used this as an educational opportunity to provide Ruth with some cold hard facts, backed by references as to their truth. Instead, you find ways to bash and trash everything you think you know about Ruth and her life.
Typical of not just democrats, but all politicians these days. You all are really a class act and do a great job emulating the leadership of your president.
I may have to respect the office of the president, but i surely do not have to respect the man/woman in it if i feel they have not earned it.
Ruth, eats up everything but the truth.
Yes dear. Whatever Rush says, dear.
Ha ha. Thanks for posting Ruth. I agree with you. And your comments have brought forth a slough of conditioned responses from sub-people bent on enforcing what they were told. You tell 'em Ruth! You didn't even say anything inflammatory. It just goes to show how much those people are conditioned. So sad.
As far as the foreign policy is concerned, his policy is a lot smarter and a lot more effective than GOP's. That's for sure!
Regardless of all, thankfully President Obama offered and fulfilled the commitment to get out of Iraq. And, we also must appreciate his desire to focus on America – not on spending funds on more warmongering. What is wrong with this scenario? I'm sure that folks interested in making money off of war would disagree. But, i am sure that those who have lost loved ones in a senseless conflict will agree – this President wants what is best for America.
In spite of his claims to the contrary, Fareed Zakaria is a die-hard Obama-worshiper.
Rumours around Washington are that Zakaria will ghost write Obama's memoirs when the President leaves office (probably after 2 terms!).
Rumors. Isn't that a majority of our news these days?
Brit, are you really serious?? Please get a grip and stop distributing nonsensical flatulence, you are too myopic and at best a simpleton like your other Neo-Cons.
Spell (please)?
My Lord, DC Brit, do you listen to him? Have you gone mad in the noon day sun????
Two great men indeed.
Very much so
I think the president is correct, that his foreign policy accomplishments are what he promised and superior to both Bush w and H. The record will speak for itself for anyone who makes a proper comparison. And remember too that he took over an economy where the markets were in free fall, with the Dow to 6500 from the high of over 12000. Savings and pensions were vertually wiped out. Today the market is up well over 12,600 and jobs are growing steadily.
Your comment is too positive,and truthful.Someone please do something about this immediately!
Oh dear, Baa. That's a HOOT!!!!
Looks like Zakaria got a 100% on reading the prepared questions. Good Job! And not a teleprompter within a 100 yards. Now let someone other than a tool get an opportunity to interview the president.
What is with the conservatives and this teleprompter thing? If it weren't for teleprompter's ole Dubya wouldn't even know his name....you are a joke sir!!! Hilarious!!
LOL....good one
duck and dodge mr. obama, duck and dodge!!!
OBAMANOS!!!
Grow up.
Huh? What does this mean? Am I from another planet? Why would you address the President this way?
When conservatives stop doing interviews on only Fox News, we can talk. Until then, I really don't think you have any ground to stand on.
here is a perfect example of another Obama troll. If you guys had half a brain, or didn't let CNN fill your head full of mush, you would realize that the Republicans have been letting the liberal press ask any question they want for the past month. Even Juan Williams was allowed to make a fool of himself at the last debate. So if you want to continue to walk lock step with your blind brethren in the Democrat Party, feel free to do so.
John, I totally agree with you the one sided Party of NO i.e. (No Objectivity) Repubs should get beyond their Fox-holes. @ Joshua ... Half brain Dems?? Really?? Your dim wit, nin-con-poop 1/8 brain zealots need to read more and listen before the open their mouths or attempt to write... what a joke. Frankly, every time I hear most repubs speak they seem 1/8 baked and extremley shallow minded. That is the reason why ur party ilk is struggling to get a candidate. OBAMA 2012.
I don't think they should use teleprompters because I all their serious discussions should be in writing. Public debates and speeches are for reality-TV loving mental lightweights who need to be entertained and just want to see someone get owned/humiliated.
Can't wait untill President Obama get little Mittens, President Obama Will make him look like the greedy little idiot he is!!
Hey Obama speaks half truths, he is a politician and is incapable of being any other way...but in saying that, he hasnt done a fantastic job or a terrible job...A ho hum of a President. As long as we aint dropping bombs and people start getting work Ill be satisfied with his leadership.
Agree – the more ho hum the politics the healthier the nation
yeah, do let us know when all those jobs start to apparate from thin air...not to mention when he starts dealing w/ our overregulation and debt...man you are easily pleased dude! OBAMANOS!!!
Over-regulation ... HA HA, good one. It was under-regulation that caused all of the financial mishaps to begin with. Wall Street and big business have demonstrated time and again that they cannot be their own moral police.
How come republicans always harp on the government about not taxing the "job creators" so they can "create jobs", but the tax rates for the "job creators" remain extremely low, and somehow it is the president's fault that there are no jobs, but the "job creators" get none of the blame? This is a serious question. It makes no sense to me. Can any of you explain it? Please?
I see someone received their daily memo....fresssssh with their talking points of the day.
President Obama has surpassed my expectations. I could not be happier with his performance. I look forward to 4 more years of his focused leadership. This man has integrity and it shows. Obama/Biden (or Clinton) 2012!
Nice to see another unbiased interview. I'm sure Fareed would loft these soft balls to the one of the Republican candidates. Is it really that hard to be objective? Both sides have flaws, interviews should press those flaws on both sides, not just when they talk to people on the right. It gets old after a while.
Must you rethugs always blurt out what's been said before...without actually knowing what you're talking about. If you had seen his show before...you would know that what you said...is not true.
Next time when you're in Oz....ask him for a brain.
while Obama's foreign policy is better than his last couple predecessor, he still not has done some of things he promissed he was going do such as closing of guantanamo prison and talking with Iran and etc..when he first took office alot of people had high hopes and expectation from him but now people have lost hope in him and feels like he is no different.
sure he's different...he managed to make even FN bush jr. look like a small timer when it came to BIG spending. just another tax and spend liberal. i won't vote for him again. we need someone who will make real cuts. not another guy who spends the treasury on the DO NOTHINGS!!!
You should be reading "My Pet Goat", and stay away from CNN news.
go blow your pet goat pasquale!!! OBAMANOS!!!
What would you cut? Most republicans say "waste" but cannot name specifics. We can cut medicare, schools, safe water, safe food, protection of children, military, etc. We can also cut medical care for all. We can also cut subsidized farming, big oil subsidies, loans for people like Mitt Romney's company, etc. Oh yes, we can also cut out airports, roads, bridges, prisons, etc. We can also cut out medication safety and research. We can stop regulating the meat industry, the liquor industry, and home security. Lots of places to cut. We as a country must decide whether to protect our people or protect our rich.
Experiencehe – Who would have known you had such a intimate love of goats.
Loss of grey matter??
Closing the Guatanamo prison is not the most important thing for us right now, so let it go... A president cannot fulfill all of his promisses. Think of ONE president that actually fulfilled all his promisses.
As far as prommising to talk with Iran, the president has attempted many time to do so.
LOL! Brit in D.C., maybe you haven't noticed, but Obama doesn't *need* a ghostwriter!
@margo ... if someone utilizes a ghostwriter, no one can tell if they "need" or "don't need" a ghostwriter.
(think about margo, think really hard about it)
No harm in Obama utilizing one. Just amused by Zakaria practically drooling to take on the job (if you've read his columns over the past 3-4 years). Just saying ...
This must have been a fascinating conversation. President Obama, who is clearly the most intelligent and thoughtful President we've had in years plus Fareed Zakaria, the best interviewer on international news we have, talking about geopolitical issues. Fantastic! Kudos to both.
Yes, Obama is a very very intelligent man, as is Fakaria. I will read the whole thing in Time.
To think obama is highly intelligent is kind of disconcerting. He scored a 124 on his iq test. This MBA scored a 141 years ago. No big deal. Please, grow your hair out. You need to cover up that point you were trying to make. Our mullah in chief is lots of thing, but until he can even understand and apply the basics of economics 101, he gets no repect from me!!! OBAMANOS!!!
experiencehe, I'm impressed with your MBA & I.Q. of141. Unfortunate that you're out of work. Speaking as an average joe who never went as far as getting a BA, has held a job with the same company for the last 23 years & can honestly state an income well into 6 figures, a comfortable life, with no real struggles. I think you confuse intelligence with common sense, the latter you seriously lack. As for me, I'm satisfied with the job our president is doing & hope he is elected to continue...
Wow, Experiencehe. You are so brilliant. No wait, high IQ obviously does not translate into real intelligence. You seem to be a handy example.
@experiencehe One's IQ, while a measure of cognitive intelligence, means nothing in the context of critical thinking, empathy, and open mindedness. I have been reading the comments from you and they clearly don't display the characteristics of one who actually uses their intelligence. What I read is bigoted, racist drivel spouting from your keyboard. You have variously called our President a Socialist, a Nazi, a Communist, and a Muslim. An INFORMED intelligent person knows that this is an impossibility. Your racism screams loudly, your IQ score irrelevent.
I hope the American people have the good sense to re-elect him. He's undone the damage of the Bush administration and the rest of the world is looking again to the USA for responsible leadership. An essential part of his strategy is the diplomatic and economic isolation of Iran. He can't achieve that while making overt military threats but I don't doubt he has the resolve to take the military option if the Iranians make the mistake of underestimating US resolve.
Of course President Obama and George H. W. Bush have a lot in common. They are both Eisenhower Republicans, after all. This just makes those calling the president a "socialist" or comparing him to Hitler even more bizarre and insane. He is as middle-of-the-road as a Carpenters' record.
I would never compare our handout in chief to Hitler. Stalin would be much more appropriate, maybe Mao!!! OBAMANOS!!!
After seeing all your comments, I just had to inform you of what a tool you are.
Experiencehe – you are a sad sad man. At least I thinky you're a man.
Yes, Obama is a practical centrist. Exactly what we need. As soon as the republicans want to accept Simpson-Bowles, we'll cut SS, medicare, and lower taxes rates but increase taxes massively on the wealthy (remove special tax breaks). Obama has said Simpson-Bowles is the model to follow. Just need to smash democrats and republicans over the head ( keep the moderates and replace the far-left and far-right with pragmatist republicans and blue-dog democrats).
Having Obama as president of the United States is equivalent to having c-3po as Captain of the Millenium Falcon.
Huh!!
GEORGEGRAY THAT SH#@ CRAY!
Build the pipeline and you won't have to worry about the price of Iranian crude. Mr. foodstamp president. It has been under review for 3 years, you can't reveiw that data in a week? There are 400,000 miles of pipeline in the US and we have not had any leaks since 1967.
Obama is a left-wing, socialist ideologue w/ a twist of Islam. We'd better hope he doesn't get another 4 years of this disaster!!! OBAMANOS!!!
all i see from you is whine whine and crazy talk, ya' cute lil' Rush Jr. mini-me
oh I thought it was the refinery at the end of the pipeline that no one wants (otherwise they would have put it in Canada)
I happen to agree with this. I want to see that pipeline built. It makes sense. Are there risks? Yes, but we take those types of risks everyday here in the US. Heck a nuclear plant could suddenly malfunction – ok that's an extreme but I'm trying to make my point. I think the risks are greater if it doesn't get built. Canada is an ally; why would we continue to rely on critical oil supplies from countries who are our enemies? It doesn't make sense to me. I like Obama but I want him to push this thing ahead. I think that democrats in general are a bit too skitish (sp?) when it comes to the oil industry. We are long past the early, dirty industry ways. Yes, there are accidents but not nearly as many or with the frequency that democrats seem to fear.
Why do so many right wingers ignore the EXXONMobile spill in the Yellowstone river last year? 42,000 gallons of crude that flooded 40% of the lands banking the river. After months of trying, 1,100 EXXON crew could not clean the place up and local farmers claim their land is ruined for the forseeable future. And that was a MUCH smaller diameter pipe than the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that will cross the largest freshwater aquafer in the US servicing 8 neighboring states. Whether you are rich or poor, you will still bath, cook, and drink that water. Remember the other case of people being able to light their tap water on fire with a match because of the natural gas that seeped into ground water after the horizontal "fracking" to extract that natural gas from the shale.
Well, I'm not a right-winger, I'm one of those moderates with allegiance to neither party. It's not that I'm ignoring that there have been disasters but I think that we'd be in a world of trouble if we don't solve or attempt to solve the short-term and long-term energy demand. My thought, as wrong-minded as it may sound, is that I prefer taking the risk rather than plunging into another major recession or even worse a war because oil prices are too high or we are called upon to protect supplies that we need. Look at how Iran is posturing these days! And what about China? Their country might be on the rise economically but their government is still the same one that existed in Tianamen Square days. It only take one little skirmish over oil supplies to start a nasty war.
One example from memory:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/27/michigan-oil-spill-among_n_661196.h
Obama is like the driver at the light who will shake your hand, but won't mind pulling the metalic baseball bat in the trunk if you get out of line.
Huh?!? He would have beat most Republicans to within an inch of their lives if your comment had any basis whatsoever.
Such a classy President, always respecting others and even going as far as to give credit to others who don't even deserve any credit at all. We all know GWB failed America, the United Nations and our allies abroad in big time with his pointless foreign and domestic policies and his selfishness, lack of intelliegence and lack of common sense and his arrogance. But now President Obama is left with the task of cleaning up all the mess he inherited, the rightwing conservatives in this country have all behaved as though President Obama created the problems he inherited.
And then you have the re-emergency of the Jim Crow teabags to help the GOP stall progress and divide America and return this country backwards. But let's face it, I feel very good about President Obama's chances of being re-elected. However, if a Republican was to get in office, it won't really bother me much because America would have gotten what it deserved for its bigotry, ignorance, arrogance, stupidity and complacency. You want to see the total destruction of America? Well, pretend you didn't learned anything from the Bush administration and go ahead and vote another Republican in office. However, when the terrorists strike, God forbid, but if they do, I just hope its in your conservatives Republican states.
Er .. they weren't referring to GWB but GHB. Big difference.
BRAVO to you sir.very well put
obama's disgrace of a presidency is over....
I respectfully disagree. I believe his 2nd term has just been locked in.
Agreed.
Also Agreed!!
Hey experiencehe,
If you have a 141 IQ, I would expect you to be far more clever. For someone so smart, name calling should be beneath you. Put a little more effort into your posts and show off that huge brain of yours.
experiencehe took his IQ test here to get 141 http://www.allthetests.com/quiz22/quiz/1178469166/Fake-IQ-Test
Zakaria..............all I can say is.....BOY....what an honor! I would not be able to sleep at night if I had en opportunity to interview this loser most Americans call a President! Why don't you write about something important...like...."Why Obama should not be President".
says a guy who more likely than not voted for Rick Perry....
"Boy"? I suppose you know you're a racist and I'll bet you're proud of it too! Why are you hanging on to such hatred? Can't you let it go? I'd have more respect for your opinion and actually listen to you if it weren't tinged with so much anger and hatred. I just don't understand why there has to be so much hatred. What are you afraid of ... other than Obama?
Oh, I misread your "Boy" comment. That's what I get for skimming through these post. My apologies.
Obama should be President. Why? Because a majority of Americans voted for him and this is a democratic republic.
I think you are mistaking GWB's second term. Your point could have been made there because although he got the most electorate votes, a majority of Americans voted for the other guy.
By the way, if Romney, Gingrich, or most of all Santorum is nominated, expect to be compaining another 4 years.
*complaining
Envy and jealousy is a very sad thing. And that is what has afflicted the rightwing repugtea bags for the past three years. They look at succes and call it failure. Well, continue with that approach and see how far we go as a nation. Just remember as President Obama goes, so does America. I know some of you people were born bigoted and racist and some of you were taught how to be bigoted and racist but you people are the laughing stock of the world. let's face it, you just cannot change or reverse the fact that America has elected a black President so deal with it or go drink some Kool-Aid.
And that is the problem with these Republicans. They are upset that a black man can be so intelligent and well respected around the world compared to there former president who was an embarrassment both at home and abroad. President Obama will be re-elected, it may be a difficult race because of the SCOTUS decision to appoint another president like they did in 2000, by their decision on Citizens United. Look at what is happening in the GOP primary. We can expect more in the General Elections but we the grass roots never fail and we will fight back.
Obama/Biden 2012!!!
All you fast talkers don't know what the H-you're saying. You're all repugs so what else can you say, only bad mouthing our very hard working President. You're a bunch of dumb ignorants that refuse to see all the accomplishments made during this presidency. Admit it, you know that the bushes left our lovely country in such a mess. It's taking our current administration time and money to clean up their trash. You bad mouthers are jealous and ignorant. You don't want to admit that Pres. Obama is more intelligent and insightful than all the GOPers plus the Bushes put together. Just listen to their debates, everything they say makes no sense. Where did they receive their education?? Bunch of slimely, sneaky men. Down with all foul mouthers and all Repugs!!
AMERICA NEEDS OBAMA AND HILARY (Democrats) till the clean-up job is complete.
I agree....just hope we take back the House and regain a good size majority in the Senate. Cannot take another term with the Tbaggers, Cantor and Boehner. Speaker Pelosi speaks with such clarity while Boehner speaks like he has a hot potato in his mouth while Cantor is the sneaky mr.rat, playing this cool guy....he is so narcissistic. I am so sick of these people. Why can't they find intelligible people to speak for them or to be leaders of their party.
DEMOCRATS ALL THE WAY In 2012!!!!
Fareed Zakaria is PRO Obama and pro liberal all of the time. You don't have to believe me, just go back and check out his past articles. So, of course Obama grants an interview to Zakaria, who wouldn't miss a chance to answer (or not answer) some softball questions in an election year.
Don't be fooled, Fareed Zakaria is NOT an independent journalistic voice, he is a White House shill. He is not presenting an alternative view he is presenting the White House's view plain and simple.
ok
Ed. of Dallas TX, what do you say about your dumb governor now? Are you still going to vote for this ignorant fool that talks stupidity. Imagine this fool or any other GOPer running our country, they'd send us to hell. People like you and your Repugs should stay home, lock your doors, never show your ignorant faces again. Our country needs good, decent folks to help our country get ahead in the world. President Obama is the only one capable of seeing our country move forward. Millionaire Mit, Newtie, and all the rest just hang it up, go home and retire, you are not needed nor wanted.
What's your beef Mr. Zakaria? Everybody has interviewed Obama, there isn't anything exclusive about him.
I can't wait until Obama debates the Republican Presidential Nominee. Reading this article assured me that things are going the right way. I want him to debate now!!!! lol but I understand. He has to wait and he is being patient. This is what his supporters and believers need, they and I need reassurance from our President, we need leadership from him and I hope that he can give us that when it is his time to debate. Now is when the American people need their President.
Isn't it great to read a debate where the President of the greatest country can speak consicely, elloquently and effectively....to me that has been one of the greatest change from last few presidencies. He has been able to communicate effectively on the American strategy, to not just the world leaders but people of the world as well....just travel to other parts of the world and see how people view him comparatively to Bush, Clinton etc. To my mind he has been a real trail blazer in world politics and hope that people can give him more time to see some real and lasting change.
The GOP will always come up with talk that is against anything Obama does or says...what frustrates me about the GOP is they talk about the American people every opportunity that they get, yet when they make decisions these same American people is so far removed from their thinking it is contradictory and shameful.
And people like you are exactly what's wrong with this country. You get hoodwinked by a smooth talking charlatan because you're more interested in how your president looks and sounds instead of asking if he has any substance. You bring your red-carpet gazing sensibilities to the voting booth. Shameful.
iHate: so is Obama a smooth talker or does he have to rely on the teleprompter. Because you can't have it both ways.
Well then you must hate yourself.
1) Healthcare reform
2) restored diplomacy and reputation on a global level
3) ended a shameful, costly, pointless war
4) unemployment down
5) Job growth up
6) real estate recovering in the most depressed areas of the US
7) Massive oil spill tragedy managed (unlike Katrina)
8) Killed Osama (finally)
Nah....he's accomplished nothing right? PUH LEASE!!!!
Reading the sophistication of the political arguments here I think it is clear to see that the old tactics of fear-mongering, rumor, and the spread of misinformation is becoming increasingly antiquated. It might take mainstream media a few more years to catch up to the new reality on the ground but still, thank goodness. I can't wait for us to live in a normal society!
How the hell Obama, Bush, Clinton and, actually, Steve Jobs, are able to sit like women – crossing their legs?!
They get a special pass because otherwise some people would most certainly look at and make comments about the size of their junk on articles like these.
Either Romney is an idiot, or he has no desire to be President, or this whole election/campaign concept is one big masquerade/ruse to keep the people compliant with the rule of law of the true powers that be...or all of the above.
Romney never met an issue he couldn't flip-flop on.......
BD
Like Elmo's World, only not as intelligent.
Wonder if Zakaria swallowed or spit after this so-called interview.
Pretty sure muslims can only swallow for other muslims or it's life imprisonment . . . so swallow.
Obama who?
anything that comes out of obama the dictator mouth.is all lies.this man is evil.
(Since CNN keeps deleting my post, I'll try to shorten it and post in segments. This is what CNN has been doing for three years to defend the GOP). I hope CNN realize that this conspiracy of suppressing one's free speech is a violation of the first Amendment. Okay, here we go againfor the sixth time today.
Still think the Stimulus bill is wasteful spending? You be the judge!
For the past three years the GOP and the Tea Party have stressed fiscal responsibility and a need for less government while accusing the Obama administration of wasteful spending and of inflating the national deficit with passage of the $787 billion stimulus package. (To see what domestic programs the stimulus bill has funded, google "The Stimulus Plan: How to Spend $787 Billion – The new York Times)." Decide for yourself if this bill is wasteful spending.
Why is it that the photos ad the white house are often black and white. it gives the impression of aplomb and weight but also brings back memories of the kennedy period. nothing by chance.
I think its worth pointing out as well that the nuanced thoughtful approach President Obama has taken is in fact extremely good. One of the major things that has strengthened Iran in the last 10 yrs is the weakening of Iraq. A strong Iraq, or the perception of a strong Iraq acted as a counter weight to Iran, in 2003 the iraq war although in my opinion a good thing, failed to consider the consequences, to this balance which have had a contributory role in this current iranian problem.
Good! The first segment made it through. Now the second segment.
So what's the GOP's alternative to President Obama's stimulus bill? Well, believe it or not, their alternative is actually a stimulus bill of their own that they say would have cost $713 billion dollars with approximately $430 billion in tax cuts. Well, with all the upheaval over this administration's stimulus bill, you would have thought a GOP alternative would have cost $0.00 dollars. (To see the GOP's stimulus plan, google Senate offers Alternative Stimulus Plan – Political Hotsheet – CBC News or "The GOP's claim about their jobs plan presented by Sen. Rand Paul)."
Sen. Rand Paul said the GOP's plan would reduce individual and corporate tax cuts and boost employment, creating 6.2 million jobs over the next decade. The next decade? Do struggling Americans have that much time to wait for economic relief? Furthermore, when asked if an independent economist had reviewed their stimulus plan, the GOP's answer was no. But don't be pessimistic because the GOP's plan also cited that with access to Canadian oil and energy proposals, they could have generated an additional one million jobs by 2018? By 2018? The GOP must be joking right? I just wonder what Sen. Paul and the GOP have been sniffing on.
Zakaria, your life is an interview with Obama...you suck his schlong every chance you get.
Zakaria is a legend in his own pea sized head.
" I will feel very confident about being able to put my record before the American people and saying that America is safer, stronger and better positioned to win the future than it was when I came into office."
EXACTLY!
But if you scratch the surface you see what is happening to Europe and their model for failure is exactly what our president wants to adopt for the United States. Debt equivalent to the nations GDP? Unemployment at nearly 10%... he had a chance to right the ship but failed
Fareed, after you got down on your knees and gave Obama this "interview,"did you return Monica Lewinsky's blue dress to the cleaners?
Wolfie did after his last "interview" with Obama.
Obama is not as bad as people set the poor guy out to be. The job is not easy especially when you have a Congress that's working against you all the time. I blame him for giving in to the Repubs a lot though.
He had the Congress and the Senate for two years!!! What the heck are you talking about...he is a worthless loser!
You ever heard of the word 'filibuster'?
and he did do a lot of good things in those 2 years if you'll be sincere. Repubs have hijacked it ever since and look where we are. Wake up!
See? CNN keeps deleting the last segment of my message but I'll keep trying.
What an irony! the country where democracy is said to be a model for the world to follow, now wants to destroy the access to free information in internet, that is, to people who are not paying for it, as though the internet were a private hospital, cracking the knowledge into millions of patents, I wonder what the government of US would do if any other country developed a new technology and were refusal to share it with you americans, the output would most likely be the same as any country that opposed to provide you with oil... you bomb societies, destroy the environment, and kill innocent people, including children and women, in freedom's name, CNN is the main promoter of war, they never stop talking about war, I hope american people wake up and act accordingly in order to put pressure on your government toward a rational use of all that power you've got from foreing minds, the world is yours because we have no option, either a massacre or submission
Shut up loser!
We THe People does not waqnt a black dictator, Be Aware obama A Storn Is Coming and We The People are bringing it.
Enough,
What is a storn?
We THe People does not want a black dictator, Be Aware obama A Storn Is Coming and We The People are bringing it
zakaria is a complete tool!!!! Get back on your knees in front of obama and get back to work...we will take you seriously.
Hey CNN...afraid of the truth?
Okay CNN! I'll post this independently obtained information on another page. I have all year to do so. Communist network!
We the people aint the stinking KKK you confederate fleabag!
If we are in a stronger in our foreign policy position than we were three years ago, why is Iran sending toy drones to Obama as a jeering response to his request for the return of a downed US drone?????????????????//
I voted for President Obama but now I'm having doubts! See, everything this President touches turns to gold. Unemployment declining, jobs re-surfacing, our image abroad improving, wars ending, dictators falling, democracy spreading. And the teabags and the KKK turning green with envy. Yea, I'm having doubts about President Obama. Obama/Biden 2012!
Oh wow! Sakaria is the most appalling butt kisser in news reporting. How can a moron like him claim objectivity in journalism. Oh well, I forgot he can not articulate intelligently because his head is all the way up the president's butt. How can CNN keep an individual like this under its employment.
Oops! I forgot most, if not all, CNN's reporters, anchor people, commentators and other wannabe newsmakers don't know what objective reporting is all about.
CNN, I dare you to you to publish my post!!!
@mw1979
Perhaps its because all our toys manufacturers filed for bankruptcy as a result of GWB's failed economic policies.
"all of our toys manufacturers"?
Idiot.
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Of what? Record numbers of people falling into poverty? The unemployment rate is falling not because of job growth, but because people have given up looking for work. And the price of gas is about to spike up to five bucks a gallon.
You can keep the change.
Obama take credit on work started with Bush in regard to Al Qaeda, his campaign promises to fix the unfair practices
China take under the free trade never fulfilled, he talks about his children on every speech he gives instead of addressing the children suffering of the unemployed, he does not see or does not care that we heading with his deficit policies the way of Greece.
The only thing Bush did was fu*ck-up America and the world you confederate sc*umbag.
The poverty rolls have doubled since Obama took office, people have quit looking for work, and the rate of economic growth is less than 2 percent.
You can keep the change. And the next time you post, try not to lace it with obscenities. It makes you look more stupid than I suspect you already are.
Typical attack parrot comment, offering a list of things that sound bad without any analysis to identify the real causes, hoping people will just believe your unsupported insinuation they're all Obama's fault. So lame.
"economic growth is less than 2 percent"
I don't supposed you'd be willing to tell us what it was in the 4th quarter of 2008, right before he took office, would you? Didn't think so.
I am so glad this guy is the POTUS!
There is nobody anywhere more qualified to be POTUS than this guy right now,
and for the next four years.
Nobody.
**like**
"When I came into office, what we had was a situation in which the world was divided, Iran was unified, it was on the move in the region. And because of effective diplomacy, unprecedented pressure with respect to sanctions, our ability to get countries like Russia and China that had previously balked at any serious pressure on Iran to work with us, Iran now faces a unified world community, Iran is isolated, its standing in the region is diminished. It is feeling enormous economic pressure."
This to me is President's fantastic achievement. I salute President Barack Obama as the clear head American hero.
Mitt Romney is an incurable war monger – and he will be acting it out his deep fantasy – if given the opportunity. Any war that he creates for US military to fight in, will fufill Romney's way of getting the world's respect for America, he thinks.
The stark diff between Pres Bush and Pres Obama in Asia is this -
Asian hated President Bush like poison. Especially his typical American boast of being a super power.
President Obama is the darling of the East. He is liked because for he is being practical , far sighted than the myopic Bush Jr, and not so loud as the typical Americans.
And in this new global economic era where the once rich and powerful is now reduced to becoming a bankrupt Government in just 10 years –
Asians are calling the shots as far as the economy is concern. American has a loud voice but it also has very little substance – in the form of money!
In a modern world, the powerful economy is mightier than the gun.
Zacharia is an advisor to the president. Therefore there is a conflict of interest in presenting this as some sort of unbiased news interview.
Congratulations Mr.Zakaria for a fairly well thought out interview!
It's interesting to see how you are trying to reinforce your position as a Muslim moderate by avoiding your favorite topics – Arab Spring, US aid to Muslim world in the garb of winning their hearts & minds, Palestanian homeland with indefensible 1947 borders, and ofcourse embracing Islamic Turkey in the EU (for greater Islamization of Europe), plus the war on terror with Muslims unfairly being blamed while trying to smear Christians and others with the same brush (Remember your articles on the Norwegian atheist terrorist Breivik!). etc.
On the whole...a job well done to reinforce your credentials!
I feel like Obama is a genuinely good person who is trying his best and not getting much credit for his accomplishments... i never felt that G dubya Bush was a good person or trying that hard.
That's because you watch CNN. Get out of the bubble sometimes. Look at things for how they really are instead of how the liberal medial spins them.
This country is in deep trouble because of liberal economic policy. The poverty rolls have doubled since Obama took office. The price of gas is about to spike to $5 dollars. And people are occupying sidewalks and city parks, but they have no idea what they're angry about.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
You haven't offered one intelligent thought yet, nothing but insults, cheap shots, and completely unsupported claims, exactly what I expect from the brainwashed bots on the right. You're truly pathetic. It's you who clearly suffers from a mental disorder. Mentally healthy people don't troll the Internet looking for opportunities to harass and provoke total strangers. Maybe you should turn off your radio and get out of your bunker for a change.
And for the record, arguments containing phrases like "since Obama took office" and "under his watch" are post hoc arguments, a kind of logical fallacy that basically says that because he was president when it happened it's his fault.
By that logic I can say 3,000 Americans died in terrorist attacks on American soil while Bush was president, so 9/11 was Bush's fault. The argument isn't valid for Bush and 9/11, and it isn't valid for Obama and the consequences of the economic mess he inherited.
did you get a chance to ask him about the shovel ready pipeline jobs he's killed?
I have no doubt that President Obama and his family are intelligent and have style, what I find unfortunate is the lack of substance. I admit to voting for the man in 2008, but I found that he fell short on what I thought he could do which is "unite", instead he has chosen a path to divide. My opinion, of course, and only one vote in many. I do think he means well, but I don't believe in his plan. I also find it disconcerting that he takes credit for Iraq and Afghanistan successes not paying any homage to the plan that was in place that allowed for the capture of Osama, i.e advanced interrogation, etc. that gave us the information to be where we are. As much as we hat Bush Jr., this was his policy and credit is due. Simply choosing to kill Osama is an easy decision to make, I am sure that any one of us would be able to do that. I credit the SEALS on doing the hard work on that one. Then there is the economy. Any failure or dip in the economy is automatically blamed on the prior administration, which did have a part in the recession, no doubt, but he owns it now. He had a favorable congress for two years and chose not to address the A number 1 problem. That is what I see as a failure of his presidency. He now chooses to again blame the other party for the lack of cooperation, but cooperation is a two way street and Republicans don't believe you are going to solve it by expanding the government more. I tend to agree.
Simply choosing to kill Osama is an easy decision to make, I am sure that any one of us would be able to do that. I credit the SEALS on doing the hard work on that one.
Do you understand what the president "Commander In Chief" stands for.
Sending Americans into another nation to take out an enemy,
Osama Bin Laden, took GUTS.
If the mission failed, we would have dead Americans,
and an international nightmare.
You just seem determined to bash Obama whatever he does.
But thats what the Republicans do best.
They screw up the country, and the Democrats have to fix it.
History repeats itself, over and over.
You are protecting a dead party.
It has been hijacked by the far right.
Grow up.
And I suppose you've never heard of Jimmy Carter - living in your liberal world of pseudo intellect.
You only know what they want you to know.
Obama has done an amazing job given the real strife that he has had to endure. More so, the bickering and corruption that is not only plaguing us but also the world is fighting him back hard. I think people should pay attention and understand their sources. I'm proud of our President!
Put the hooka pipe down, Shane. You've had way too much.
We should note that that Repubs have been deliberately trying to damage the US economy during the last 4 years to enrich their bankers. Obama is a good man, indeed, but the Repub candidates are not.
Pink Floyd.
Romney, release your taxes. Why do you think you're better than the rest of Americans or the previous presidents. What do you have to hide? Is it because you're the best example of why Americans think income on investments should be taxed at the same rate as people who labor? Do we celebrate labor day truly as a nation anymore? Where is our community? Is MLK taken seriously? Cold calculated business men and policies like those are what perpetuate income and increase the divide between the middle class and the rich. Obama fights for the people! Republicans even don't want that TAX fight to come out against Obama; he will point it out and convey it in terms everyday working Americans will understand. Never forget who you work for. WE THE PEOPLE.
Hello. My name is CNN and I will do anything to keep Obama in office
Hello. My name is Pete, and I'm 12.
Hello. My name is Chonburi Sam. Has anyone seen my head? It's stuck up my ass and I can't get it out.
anyone else notice that in the thumbnail for this article obama has a halo?? haha, CNN you propaganda machine! you guys its starting to be funny, its turning into theonion
How do you insult a Democrat? Get a job and do hard work. Make a living, pay taxes and not have to get handouts from government, like say, Obama . . . the Welfare President. Worse than Carter
Things must really be so bad for you, and you have to live inside a frog's well.
You're the one living in a frog's well, pia...... What the man said is the absolute truth.
If Obama were even 1/10 as bad as you people would have us believe you could articulate legitimate criticisms instead of trolling the Internet to post this kind of childish nonsense. You people look pathetic embracing absurd stereotypes about Democrats and liberals to keep reality at bay.
Do you people remember the ruins that we stood on right before he was elected? Do you!? We were sinking slowly but surely. I'm sorry you all didn't receive a pot of gold on your doorstep. Send me a photo when a Republican with an IQ of 42 takes over the next reign, ok? Hoooooold ouuuun to yeh briiitches Mamah!
ROMNEY 2012,
VOTE THESE TAX AND SPEND LIBERALS OUT!
Just trying to figure out who blew who.
Lewinski blew Clinton. And that's the dog honest truth.
Low IQ anyone? Is that the most intelligent thing you could say? Shocking.
Translation: Obama...I love you...what can I do to help?
Wanna help? Vote Republican in November.
What do you think people see in your comments that would encourage them to vote for the party you support?
You people are all very foolish. Left vs Right means nothing now. From the looks of your comments, it's clear that America will be torn asunder by foolish pride and prejudice. The racist comments from the right are equally matched by the hateful comments of the left. The men who control the levers of Government have long known about this concept of creating infighting among the general populace to camouflage the true nature of internal affairs of a nation. None of you on the right or the left is awake enough to know it. Republicans and Democrats have failed this nation in the past and they both will continue falter in the future, until it's too late. Go study your History – His Story. This is how the story of man always ends. All of you would be foolish to think that our society; our civilization will continue indefinitely, without cataclysmic incident such as WW1, WW2, WW3, a Great Plague, or something not yet known. It is very clear to me that Mans selfish character will play a major role in the events that will unfold; probably in my lifetime. I am a WW2 veteran, and I have seen it all in my lifetime. Whether you believe in God or not, may God have mercy upon your souls.
Comment sections on the internet are by no means a representation of the whole of America. It's internet 101.
I wish I could disagree with you, but I honestly cannot.
Very astute.
Its funny how republics sit there and bash democrats, usually violent or implying violence. There are too many examples including in these posts; while democrats consistently attempt to assign logic and compromise to situations. How do you insult (as in bash, not debate the subject, not being a gentleman) a democrat? Calling Obama a socialist, nicknaming a health care law obamacare and therefore be-littering the President of the United States of America. Setting up scenarios on Fox News that aren't true such as the USDA situation and tying it to the WHITE HOUSE while being affiliating with thieving NEWSCORP. (FOX). CNN is fair they show a valued intelligent republican response not violent nasty deceptive ones. They also keep to the subject and not make the situation personal. Reagen would be insulted by your stubbornness and lack of loyalty to working Americans.
No, History doesn't always repeat itself. First off we are just a flash in the pan in regards to history. Secondly, the human spirit is stronger than are weaknesses and we have always strive to advance and prosper. There is a lot of drama in the world and the world is highly complicated; but be certain it has advanced. There are notions of human rights, clean energy, equality, and freedom; all that are attainable. We fight to keep these rights alive, gentlemen strive to advance in peace and compromise. No doubt we have some serious questions to answer, but the greatest thing about humans is their ability to survive, adapt, and love. Plus, any reference to God loses a little credibility. Regardless of your religious affiliation, no God can save is; only man can save themselves. We need to own up to our issues, not push them off, and accept our differences. People have far too long looked to God or gods to solve their issues. Look, its right in front of you. The most troubling countries in the world are the ones who let religion control their society instead of the rule of law and pace (kind of like the golden rule, people tend to follow it). Look, we want to talk about taxes? Property taxes for churches maybe? They have so much land the mansions are so large, what do they contribute? Tax them and give it to the poor? Give it to the land? Recreation? We need to advance society not advance religion. Honestly property taxes would not kill Christianity people but it could save your job.
He never answers any question completely so that he can never be blamed.
I still remember, right after he sworn in as the President, during his first press conference he was asked a pointed question, what would he do for blacks? That was the moment he answered directly that he wouldn't do anything specifically for blacks. Whatever he will do, it will be for all the people of America.
Now if any of the republican candidates says the same thing, he will be literally murdered by the media. Look at Gingrich, he never uttered the black word for food stamp or poor school going kids should work. Come on. Now they are blaming Romney for giving money to the poor lady. He is labeled a racist person. If he didn't give then he would have been a person with no heart.
Google "who owns Time Magazine and what is their agenda".
I hope their agenda is to keep the Republican/Tparty nut cases from taking over the country. A vote for any of their candidates is like voting for a 3rd term for GWBush. God save us from that.
Yes history does repeat. There has never been a Civilization in history that has not collapsed. The Egyptians, The Babylonians, The Romans, The Greeks, Byzantines, The Mayans, The Incas, The Aztecs, and The 3rd Reich. I will agree that our society has endured much over the last 300 years, but the a fore mentioned society's were around much longer than 300 years and they didn't have nuclear weapons and a population of 7 billion; soon the be 10 billion by 2050. My reference to God was not a religious one, as I don't consider myself religious. I do believe in a creator and do believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe, but I also believe man reaps what he sows. You are a fool to think man will save himself. The creator never saved any of the other civilizations I mentioned either. My point is that all of this stupid fighting amongst ourselves here in America will be a microcosm with regards to what happens outside this country. It is estimated that 3 to 5 more countries will have nuclear weapons in the next 50 years. Do the math. Why are most of the blockbuster movies about the end of the world? Because that is what is in the collective conscience of so many people today. Much of the 1920s science fiction became science fact by the 1960s. I lived it, I know. Go ahead and think what you want. The Government will save us? Ha. I have news for you. They don't care about you or your family. The game is rigged. The large multinational corporations are in bed with big government, and they have the military industrial complex to back them up. They want your vote and they will tell you all of the stuff you want to hear, but in the end, they wont be able to deliver. They never intended to. That is why they have been raiding social security for the last 50 years. They never intended to pay it back and If they meant to, where did all the money go? This shows you how inept government truly is at planning for the future. They can't do anything
right. The space shuttle program wasted trillions – for what? We could have have a permanent base on the moon by now, but they continue to do what they do best. Waste money on a broken future. What are you hoping for; a Logan's Run Future? I'm 90 and tired. I guess you are one of the people who think Obama will save you. He won't, and either will Mitt Romney. Wait, I know, a war with Iran will solve all of our problems. That's the ticket! Have fun with that you ship of fools.
If you observe the cycle of the universe, nothing ever lasts. Civilization crumbling and rising has nothing to do with whether or not we are worth saving. It's the experiences, creation and expansion in between that counts.
You're right, Sam. The problem is this civilization seems to be crumbling a whole lot faster since the 2008 presidential election.
Oh shut up, Zakaria. Don't read your biased articles anymore, all the same.... just clicked on to tell you that you fail at journalism. You're are an Obama ' TOOL.'
* 'YOU ARE'
And you are far from being a tool, because tools are at least useful.
And what's your use, Sammy old boy?
Troll alert .
Time magazine lies firmly in the lib camp. No question.
You're in the brainwashed right-wing drone camp.
Shane, you sound a little psychotic. Did you know your hero Obama didn't release his tax information until March of 2008? Most presidents (ie Reagan, Bush, Clinton) released theirs in April. You're just repeating Dem talking points. We understand.
Humor them. They're preparing for a bigger walloping than the one they got in the 2010 mid terms.
I am a bit confused. Fareed is known to be an advisor to President Obama. Now he interviews him. Would this pass the stink test at "J" school? Possibly, today it would. Of course, it might on another day have been Larry King's interview and we would know nothing, save if the President knew that Larry was a pal of Sinatra. What has happened to CNN?
Now, Mr. Dugan.... surely you aren't accusing CNN of bias?
Or are you?
Hmmmmmm.....
Gingrich said that Obama is the most dangerous president ever.Osama binLaden would probably agree if he was alive to talk about it. Just got another Al queda guy today without sending in 100,000 troops.Yay Obama! Four more years.
You can't afford it, migs.....
Wanna pay 8 dollars for a gallon of gas? I don't.
Wanna make an intelligent comment? Didn't think so. Gas won't be $8 regardless of who is president, and whatever the price, the president isn't the reason for it.
Newt don't have little kids. I guess he can spend more time with congress to be an effective president.
Yeah! Newt don't have no little keeeyuds.
Newt would have more time to spend sneaking around on his present wife.
Rick went back to the ranch to relax and unwind in his best pink frock.
And I'll bet you're choking your little chicken to death just thinking about it.
Go Obama! The GOP is simply out of touch with todays reality. Why do they have gold fish memory? They handed over a country in shambles 3 years ago and have since tried to stop Obama from doing anything!
OLE BARRY Would never run around on his old ladycause she would wrap those knuckle-dragging arms around his bony a ss and break him!
Where are all the jobs? Why are we still mired in low growth? Why is the price of gas so high and why is it expected to jump to five bucks a gallon? Why are people giving up looking for a job? Why are people splayed out on sidewalks protesting things they have no knowledge of? Why have the welfare and poverty rolls doubled since 2008?
Because of Obama. That's why.
I don't care who the Republican nominee is in November or how much taxes he paid or what he said to his ex-wife. I'm voting to get rid of the liberal mistake we made in 2008.
@Where are all the jobs? Why are we still mired in low growth? Why is the price of gas so high and why is it expected to jump to five bucks a gallon? Why are people giving up looking for a job? Why are people splayed out on sidewalks protesting things they have no knowledge of? Why have the welfare and poverty rolls doubled since 2008?
Here's what your comment tells me: You ask a lot of questions, the answers to which you really don't understand, but someone like Rush Limbaugh has told you everything bad in America is Obama's fault, so you happily parrot that every chance you get. I've seen several of your comments, and not one even attempts to offer an intelligent thought about any issue. I'd be embarrassed to troll the Internet making a fool of myself just to harass and annoy total strangers, but then I have the capacity to feel shame.
Well, some of us love America enough to spend time educating ourselves about the challenges we face, so we actually have some understanding of these issues.
Where are the jobs? Were you in a coma for the past four years? 7.5 million of them disappeared as a result of a recession that started more than a year before Obama took office. 600,000 of them the month Obama was inaugurated. The unemployment rate rose 1.7 percentage points in the four months prior and continued to rise for months after. Not his fault. It should be noted that the unemployment rate has now dropped 1.5 percentage points from its peak, and 0.6 percentage points of that in the last four months.
Why haven't they come back faster? A variety of reasons, none having anything to do with Obama. One is that we've been shipping them overseas for decades. Another is that companies found ways to get by with fewer workers during the recession and demand for goods and services and services hasn't grown quickly enough to warrant hiring significant numbers of people.
People are paying down debts and saving more money, which is good, but it diverts money they would have otherwise spent on goods and services. Millions of people are still stuck with underwater mortgages or unexpected debt from selling a house for less than they owed on it. When my son-in-law graduated with his MBA and had to move to take a job, he and my daughter ended up walking away with $40K in debt when they sold their house. They're not buying stuff to generate demand because they're paying that off.
Why are we still mired in low growth? See above.
Why is the price of gas so high? Why do you think it's high? It's exactly the same price as the 2008 yearly average, $3.38/gallon, and that's not accounting for inflation. Taking inflation into account it's cheaper than it was in 2008. In fact, in June and July of 2008 gas was over $4/gallon.
"and why is it expected to jump to five bucks a gallon?"
You might want to spend some time educating yourself about what factors determine the price of gas. Hint: The President isn't one of them.
"Why are people splayed out on sidewalks protesting things they have no knowledge of? "
Why are babbling on the Internet about things *you* have no knowledge of?
"Why have the welfare and poverty rolls doubled since 2008?"
Because we had a major recession that lasted from Dec 2007 to July 2009 that put more people out of work than the previous four recessions combined. The causes were numerous, and some, like outsourcing, had been eating away at the foundations of our economy for decades. This recession was unlike most recessions. It wasn't just a temporary dip in the economy, it was a correction and response to deeply rooted problems.
You and I both know you can't justify believing recovery should be happening any faster than it is using an argument based on facts or data. You *want* it to be faster, just as we all do, but wanting it doesn't make it a reasonable expectation. People who have studied the causes have been saying all along it would take time to dig out of this, and sure enough that's been the case. Once unemployment benefits run out, and sometimes even before, people end up having to rely on other programs to get by and that's why more people are using those programs.
The notion that Obama is to blame for the consequences of a recession that started more than a year before he took office is patently absurd.
Good Job,
Was a good discussion with him,
So Obama, as the president of US, has a main goal to make American the most powerful country in the world !! for What reason this is his goal ? and how much you are ready to pay for this!!?
Bloody Americans, always love to rule the world, Why is it like this, what is in your mind? I don't get it, the power for what ?
the money you spend on war to make the world safer (in your terms of rules) can provide and make thousands of jobs all across the world and still you become the most powerful country, but in the good way, not in the way of killing ppl.
Well, Watch the Movie called Zeitgeist (find it on youtube), you will see what the hell these bloody politicians are up to ...
they don't care about ppl, they don't care about economy, they have everything, they just wanna stay in power and rule the world and they are the most laziest creatures on earth ...
this movie shows everyone how they blow up their own towers to make wars in middle east to make money, they killed their own fellows and they don't care ... they don't care if you have families or lives, they wanna stay in power, all of them are same ...
I love the ignorant "fact" by one of the commentators that there hasn't been a leaking pipeline since 1987. Somehow fox news must not have reported the pipeline leaks into the Yellowstone and Kalamazoo rivers last year.
Assuming the Canadian oil is needed for our consumption, why not build refineries in Montana and pipe the oil there. It would make gasoline transprt to the northern half of the US cheaper and more practical
With Obama in charge its pretty clear where the world will wind up about Iran going nuclear. Sooner or later, probably soon after the November election, we will be told to learn to get used to a nuclear armed Iran. So what if the men in charge of Iran are dispostic, religiously fundamental and extreme, and havr no proboem with the deaths of their own people abd Arabs anywhere. That's what makes the "get used to it" outcome very, very dangerous and unacceptable, and very different from any other nuclear armed nation. .
The current Republican/Tparty candidates are probably the most dishonest group that has run for president in the modern history of the country.
then it looks like they are in good company with Obama, the worst president in the history of the country
Fareed is a PAID OBAMA consultant.....yeah, the media isn't backing him for re-election....pfft....
two bags of garbage in the same place at the same time
Troll alert.
Where are the jobs you ask? Well according to those ads all over T.V. day and night, millions of jobs have been created by those wonderful gas,coal and oil companies.You know the people who bought congress and the supreme court.The same people behind all these Republican liars. They want to keep their tax loopholes and deregulate everything so we all have to breathe poison while they bask in their tax havens in the Cayman Ilands Switzerland and Dubai. I woulld just like to know where all those jobs they claim all this "clean energy" is creating and when this happened since the big question today is"Where are the jobs. Sick of Republican lies!
What a perverted sense of history, must I attribute that to a public education provided by unionized anti-capitalist government employees. Prosperity is the greatest contributor to a clean environment, and an abundant and economic energy supply are the greatest contributor to prosperity. If anyone has too much representation in the current government, it is unions, lawyers and environmental wack jobs. It wasn't oil lobbyists that shut down the Keystone pipeline, which would do a lot more for this country than Obama has.
President Obama is highly intelligent and has re-strengthen America's position in the world... he has accomplished alot in 3yrs then some did in 8yrs...and with a congress that constantly says "no" ...no...no..no.. he has my respect for that....
Obama/Biden 2012
No presdident in history has spent so much with so little to show for it, except never ending debt limit increases, and ever increasing interest payments. Intelligent people don't acknowledge that their policies are unsustainable, and then double down on those unsustainable policies. That's what would be characterized as stupid, crazy or criminal. Take your pick!
No one ever gave a d*mn about the deficit until Obama became president. That is the only real negative thing you can say about him and he inherited most of that debt. And even if we didn't spend another dime, the deficit would still go up because of all the interest and must pay bills! Do you own a credit card? Then you understand.
Pay no attention to these people who try to blame Obama for the mess Republicans madethis country giving tax cuts to the greedy.We know who these people are, either "filthy"rich or too stupid to know their voting against their own interests.
That's what I like about hard hitting liberal yellow journalism, not a single follow up question. Are we really better off after three years of cinderella diplomacy? Are we really building stronger relations with our traditional allies. How does American exceptionalism translate into leading from behind? Are we really thwarting Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons? Is America really safer? Has Obama gotten his gift from A-Jad...the model of our predator drone...that he lost. Did Pakistan turned over the tail section of the Blackhawk that he lost, or did they give it to China. I don't get the impression that Obama is making great strides in protecting this country given the state of current events. It doesn't help that we have a liberal media that glosses over the truly gut wrenching issues of our times, but gloats over Obama at disneyland yesterday, and that Obama does Al Green today. This interview should have been conducted at disneyland, in the magic kingdom. Obama is a caricature of himself.
Worried about Obama at the helm? He's just about wiped out all the AlQueda big boys without putting 100,000 troopson the ground.Helped the world rid Libya of the nitwit running that place without invading and making a big mess like we did in Iraq.Just what is the real problem you doofuses have with the best president we ever had?
Zakaria hates capitalism as much as Obama does, so why would anyone expect him to ask any difficult questions. Zakaria might as well be part of Obama's reelection committee.
wow, what a conversation - lots of emotions, low on facts, but good to relieve some stress, i guess. perhaps if people turned off the "reality" shows or news from that channel that boasts "fair and balanced" and tried other news sources (PBS is pretty good - as is Fareed on Sunday), perhaps they would get real news. i think if you check, that money given to car manufacturers and some others was due to be paid back to the government - remember, Ford didn't take the loan and did okay, but we (the country) could not let GM fail or we would be in a much worse spot than we are (and remember, GM was failing when Obama took office). ignorance is not bliss, no matter what anyone says.
Everytime I think of Sarah Palin, I think of teabaggers. Everytime I think of teabaggers, I think of nascar. Everytime I think of nascar, I think of assault rifles. Everytime I think of assault rifles, I think of trailer trash. Everytime I think of trailer trash, I think of Sarah Palin. Every time I think of Sarah Palin, I think of......
I hope I can remember all that when I retell it!
Not all of us like Sara Palin, teabaggers, NASCAR or Obama for that mater.
Obama should take up acting. He is no good as president, but he does put on a good show.
I can train a parrot to say stuff like that to attack Obama. I can't, however, teach a parrot to articulate reasonable criticisms of policy. That's something else you have in common with parrots.
Parts of this thread (Ruth and Ed Sr) is so funny, it made my morning.
as the general election nears we will see more interviews like this from the msm.i call it project o.a.k. operation ass kiss.hillary clinton knows this is true.during the 08 primaries she was treated like a republican by the media.and her supporters knew it.although the gop has it's nasty little progressives also,so why does the msm suck so hard to the dem.party in general.but i love it,my real name is bill ayers.
What 5 things that we learned from Obama interview? Nothing?
Ah, yes.... Nothing like the scripted fake interview.
How do you interview the guy you work fo for ?
Congratulations Mr.Zakaria for this round-up on your interview with President Obama.
It's interesting to see how you are trying to reinforce your position as a Muslim moderate by carefully avoiding your favorite topics, viz.
a) Whipping up US support for the Arab Spring (knowing fully well that America was betting the wrong horse by trading long time trusted allies with hardline Islamic regimes)
b) Your efforts at delighitamizing the Arab-Israel peace deal (by shamelessly calling the Egypt-Israel peace deal an agreement between two regimes and NOT two peoples)
c) Urging greater US aid to Muslim world by already hard hit Americans (knowing fully well that we have failed at winning the hearts & minds of Muslims anywhere incl. those of who are supposedly our staunch allies -Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan)
d) Wining a Palestinian homeland with indefensible 1947 borders with right of return to Palestinian Muslims into Israel(knowing fully well that is the begining of the destruction of the Jewish state)
e) Embracing Islamic Turkey in the EU (Knowing fully well that is ONLY a prelude for greater Islamization of Europe)
f) War on terror (trying to dilute the focus on Islamic radicals by smearing Christians, Hindus, Jews and others with the same brush and get the FBI off the back of Muslim communities....Remember your articles on the Norwegian atheist terrorist Breivik!
On the whole...a job well done Mr. Zakaria to reinforce your credentials may be with the hopes of being the next US Sec.of State, as it curiously happened in 2003, when a web site appeared out of nowhere urging the US president to appoint you as the next US Sec.of State a fact that you yourself paid credence to in your interview with the New York magazine when you said “My friends all say I'm going to be secretary of state. But I don't see how that would be much different from the job I have now.'!
Those of you know who do not know what I am talking about here’s the link:
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/politics/national/features/n_8621/
Amit-Atlanta-USA
Amit, Fareed is a schill for the left....anybody that can read this drivel and not see right through it is more than likely a gubmint worker.
How can we expect a country to be lead successfully by a trainee. When we voted a social worker with no experience
to become President of USA. OBAMA should not be blamed for his incompetency, we should blame ourselves for
wanting to be politically correct and have a black President instead of an experienced leader. It does not matter how
much Zakaria or any other person in liberal media want to twist the fact.
...Obama integrity? are you serious? His ties in Chicago basically amount to a crime syndicate. I think it's hilarious to come to the CNN bastion of "centrism" where everybody who is not engaged in the leftist groupthink is excoriated. You people may be intelligent, but you're not smart and you suck at logic. The very idea that you can't see how crooked these people are and are actually fawning all over them just blows my mind. The Republican base at least admits their crooks are crooks...the enablers on the left (including Fareed) cannot see past their ideology. What a bunch of sheep, except this flock of sheep thinks it's smarter than everyone! wow
Since he's a known Obama suck-up, was Fareed wearing his knee pads during the interview?
Just because you wear some while listening to Rush Limbaugh doesn't mean everyone has a pair.
The Obama attack bots are doing their usual bang up job of belittling Fareed and parroting the current popular sound bites they've been given to attack our president. Good luck getting any of these trolls to intelligently discuss any issue.
Zakaria the only reason why anybody would read or listen or put a value on your comments, is because they are
also ignorant and not qualified to know anything better. What are your qualifications for all these comments you
distribute throughout the media. From where do you get your expertise??? If you are a reporter then simply report
.
Mitt Romney says that you are “timid, indecisive, and nuanced.”
^ Flip Flop Willard's right. Obama needs to learn from Mitt how to be on *all sides* of any given issue at any time.
What about defeating Al-Qaeda? It doesn't make sense. The CIA created Al-Qaeda. They are a group trained by Americans - foreigners sent back to their own countries after training, to cause disruption and bring about the CIA/Obama/Rothschild nwo agenda. What happened? Did they go rogue? C'mon, Al-Qaeda works for Obama/Rothschild elite. And there are sooo many of them now, causing havoc all over the world. Defeat them? But they're doing your will! It doesn't make sense. If they're running amok, I'm sure Obama could just hit the kill switch. Naw, he doesn't want to defeat them. They are doing his bidding, and are willing to lay down their lives and take the blame, just like Osama. Fareed, please. You're amazing. You can suss-out the truth. Tell me. Who are Al-Qaeda exactly.
If Obama & Democrats in Congress & Senate Vote on reversing Universal Healthcare , over turn Roe V/s Wade, throw every illegal Immigrant, Continues the War in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Privatize Health Care, Education, Shut down EPA, Dept of Energy, goes along with No Taxes for Billionaires because they are Job Creators, if the unemployment was 2% and go along with EVERY Agenda proposed by GOP, Republicans will still find a reason for hating Barack Obama and 51% Democrats who are fellow Americans..... You Know Why ? .. Because the Republicans love hating and they are good at it.
The president did say why he doesn't support simpson-bowl because CEO's, republican presidential candidates and most of GOP would not let capital gain tax gain tax go up to 39%. They want to do simpson-bowl without closing that loophole. Specially many CEO's would not allow it because they use this as a technique to avoid pay tax over 15%. Many people who are slow to comprehend things still don't understand why he doesn't support simpson-bowl.
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