On Demand
Monday Morning Political Roundup
Monday, December 08, 2008
Anthony Weiner, Democratic Congressman from New York's 9th District and Leonard Lance, freshman congressman from New Jersey's 7th district, review Barack Obama's appearance on Meet The Press.
- About the Brian Lehrer Show »
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Tapes and Transcripts »
- Latest Episode »
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
YOU PRODUCE The Brian Lehrer Show
Be a listener-producer with facts, questions and people you'd like to hear on the air.
More
The Brian Lehrer Show Scrapbook
Visit the scrapbook for daily photos and miscellany from The Brian Lehrer Show.
More
Shop at Amazon!
The Brian Lehrer Show picks
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.
More
Comments
Refresh
Caroline Kennedy as a senator what a joke.
Thanks to Obama we'll see the most inexperienced people running and winning seats in governement.
Come on what does this woman have other than a name????
Caroline Kennedy?
Has Yankee Nation -- with its championship drought -- gotten so jealous of Red Sox Nation that they are trying to copy them in any way they can, in this case with a Kennedy in in the Senate?
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich has said that we need to consider whether we are entering a recession. Likewise, University of Maryland Professor Peter Morici has said that we may be entering a depression. Yet this remains forbidden language in Washington and Wall Street discourse. We still have no idea where the bailout funds are going.
If we can face facts, how are we going to solve the problem?
Can't please all of the people all of the time. First you all had a problem with him picking experienced washington people, now you all are griping (Michael in Inwood) about him choosing inexperienced people. You can't have it both ways. Just say what it is, you don't care for him and you will never agree with any decision he makes, but you also have not choice he IS your president for the next 4 years.
Why is only one CEO of auto company is being asked to step down? If one, why not all 3?
brian,
please ask congressman wiener about his position on police comissioner kelly's announcement regarding the training of police cadets in the use of M4 machine guns, and the planned transformation of the NYPD into a paramilitary force, supposedly in response to the mumbai terrorist attacks
Why are calls being made for changes in leadership among automakers when no such calls were made for changes on Wall Street?
Moreover, most of companies receiving funds are receiving _more_ than the market cap of the firm, so why don't we now own those companies (like Citigroup or AIG) outright?
“Thinking about the diversity of our culture and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that once again we appreciate this incredible tapestry that's America.”
How refreshing it was to hear these words.
How will writers and artists figure into Obama's massive plan to put people back to work?
This is a farce, and from what the guests are saying, both sides of the isle are in on it. This is not about fuel efficient cars. If Americans wanted efficient cars, the big three would have died the death they should have years ago and we’d all be buying Japanese. Americans buy the cars they want, not fuel efficient cars. Men buy sports cars and SUVs because they think that makes them a man and will get them some. Women buy certain smaller cars because they’re “cute” and vans because they think that means they are protecting their children.
Why don’t both of these men just admit that American style capitalism is a failure. They’re proposing corporate welfare and near socialism but pretending to be for the market. If they really believe in the market, let the big three fail.
Caroline Kennedy as New York's senator? I must say, I'm at a loss for a good reason, though I can think of a bunch of poor reasons.
1) A Obama reminds a certain generation of Robert and and John Kennedy, and their nostalgia for them has confused enough to forgot what they should look for in a senator.
2) More generally, the Kennedy family is so important, and there are folks who can't handle the idea of a senate without a single Kennedy. (This makes her a legacy admission.)
3) We should choose our senators primarily by gender. (This makes it the worst form of affirmative action.)
4) We have all been so impressed by how the Office of Strategic Partnerships and The Fund for Public Schools have helped out children and their schools. (Haven't heard of them or remember what they were supposed to do?You're not alone.)
Seriously, most of her professional life has been serving the public representative of her family and their causes. Given the good work that her family has done, this is not an entirely insignificant job. But it doesn't qualify her for the US Senate, and she clearly hasn't done nearly enough to merit an electionless appointment to represent the people of New York.
As for Spitzer, on the other hand...had he done anything that Vitter (R-LA) did not do? Not only has Vitter continued to serve, but word is that he running again. Clinton had an affair and rightly kept his job. Private consensual sex between adults -- even if extra-marital -- should not disqualify someone from public service. And this man has already shows that the people of New York approve his agenda and qualifications. He's got experience and an understanding of the fraud that that permeates/ed Wall St.
Please inform the congressman that Toyota, Honda, Ford and GM with their new hybrids are really not making money today.
These green machines are very costly and it is not certian the the consumer can afford the extra $4000 or $5000 the hybrid technology adds to a vehicle.
rich
Leonard Lance? the guy whose campaign consisted of the EXACT same placards saying "Linda Stender the Spender" flooded his district the last month before the election?
Rich area, not much affected, except for the urban areas.
Lance won by less then 1,000 votes.
go figure
Jane Hamsher said it well:
The new Senate is going to face incredible challenges in the upcoming session, and we’re lucky this year that it will be infused with some much-needed new blood. It’s not a place for anyone to be wearing political training wheels. If Caroline Kennedy aspires to that lofty perch, let her run for something first — her name recognition, political connections and ability to fund raise should make it a cake walk. It could be a tough year for Democrats in 2010. It would be good to have her in the game.
A Senate seat isn't an entitlement.
I find talk about the auto market interesting and I notice certain things. A couple of weeks ago while CNN was carrying the auto execs testifying before Congress looking for money, there was a commercial break for Hummer. Hmmm.
I also marvel at the short-term memory of many Americans. Two months ago when gas was $4 a gallon the typical American was ready to sell his SUV. Now gas is about $2 a gallon and the typical American is ready to buy back that SUV. In a couple of months when gas goes up again, he'll want to sell it again.
And many people say that SUVs were demanded by consumers, that this was the kind of car the market wanted. Then can someone explain how there is a 6 month or more wait to buy a Prius and that a used Prius goes for above sticker?
#8 Todd
IF (and I pray) Pres Elect Obama's program is SIMILAR to the WPA of FDR,
it would include opportunities for photographers, writers, and artists, as that program did.
What I am hoping for is this becomes a HUGE job training program for the underprivileged so that
they can be given a new chance.
Ceolaf from Brookly - #10
Last I checked Prostitution is not legal.
We can't have the governor running around committing crimes.
Prostitution is the oldest profession but not one of the best.
Generally when the governor brakes the law he has to resign.
Putting C. Kennedy as a NY senator would only piss off Senator Schumer. Once again he would be standing in the shadow of a junior Senator. If he has it his way or has any clout with Governor Patterson, it will never happen.
I really don't like all the political pressure to appoint Caroline Kennedy. She has done a lot for NY schools but other than that, she has never run for office and if she is appointed she'll have to run in '10 and again in '12. I don't see any evidence that she is up to that and during the primaries she stuck her finger in the eye of the sitting senator who is there now.
Appoint a person holding public office now.
My husband and I would like to see the Obama stimulus package assist NYC and NYS in sponsoring training programs for contractors who would like to perform photovoltaic -- solar energy -- installations. Our research has led us to conlcude that no reasonably priced, publicly-sponsor program that takes applicants through to licensing is available in NYS.
My husband, who has been a contractor for over 30 years, took the one CUNY course offered -- students came from as far as PA to take that course -- and has passed a state exam for a level 1 -- apprentice -- permit. Yet he has been unable to find SUNY courses south of Albany to take him to the next step.
We are concerned that only large and affluent contractors will obtain the necessary licenses and that the small business-men will be shut out once again. We have been interested in solar energy since the 1970s -- we wrote to the University of Delaware, the institution doing such research at that time, for information about the early systems -- and are very frustrated that, now that alternate energy has finally become a government priority, we small business people may be shut out due to lack of training opportunities.
Ted Kennedy wants Caroline to carry his torch re health care. No one else is left to do that; Clinton will be at the State Department. I think that this is the reason why he has apparently encouraged Caroline to take the job. I don't think that she wants it; she hates publicity and is not a schmoozer.
No question that CK is unqualified. But:
"...and during the primaries she stuck her finger in the eye of the sitting senator who is there now."
How? By supporting Obama? In that sense, so did half of the country.
Let's let go all the petty memories of who said what during the primaries, or insistence that supporting someone else is somehow sticking a finger in the eye of the other candidate.
The primaries are over (blessed be the power higher than ourselves who allows primaries to end). The election is over (praise that same higher power.) The country has bigger problems to deal with than cataloguing perceived slights during the (are we finished? are we over it?) primaries.
Karen: The fact that Ted Kennedy basically shut HRC down in terms of health care initiatives in the Senate probably has a lot to do with her moving to State when offered.
I-STYLE:
I think if the show were on the other foot and prominent member of the Illinois elite had done the reverse, more people might see it that way. It is not about what I think. It is just the height of irony to me that C.K. would be stuck in there because her uncle (who lives in MA) wants it that way, and after she broke a rather long silence to loudly come out for Obama. It may happen anyway -- I just think it is dreadfully ironic, and possibly counter-productive.
I believe the feds should bail out Ford but let GM and Chrysler fail. Ford is relatively solvent, has competent leadership in Alan Mullaly and some good products in the Ford pipleine. Why must people lump all three American automakers into one pile?
Caroline Kennedy would be a perfect choice. She has dignity, class and gets along well with the President Elect. Talk about access! We have Chuck Schumer and he is brash enough for both of them.
As for her inexperience, what experience did Hillary have besides being married to Bill? Caroline has worked, written books, graduated from law school and she has the BEST teacher in the Senate, Uncle Teddy, the Master.
Merele:
What experience? Hmm. For starters HRC won the seat in twice. The second time in a landslide.
i never voted for her, so i could care less. once caoline runs again, she will win. maybe you'd rather have andrew cuomo or someone who supported hillary, the loser not barack the winner.
I want someone whom I think will stand for the interests of New Yorkers, which HRC did. Maybe that person is Caroline Kennedy, but I doubt it. She does not seem committed in any way to public life. Most of the New York delegation supported HRC as most of the Illinois delegation supported BHO, so no one is a loser there.
I do not back Cuomo, or anyone else. I hope that Paterson consults with Schumer because the person will have to work closely with him. Ted K. has no authority whatsoever in this area.
"Hillary the loser" sounds like you have not let the primaries go. Glad that Barack is a more positive personality than many of his supporters.
Caroline probably won't win if Peter King runs against her in '10.
Leave a Comment
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Back to EpisodeEmail addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. WNYC reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the WNYC.org Comment Guidelines before posting.