Jun 28, 2009 10:34am
Roundtable: Sanford’s Strange Saga
EmailOur Roundtable this week broke down the strange politics of the Gov. Mark Sanford saga, Republican Party woes, and what the passing of Michael Jackson says about American culture.
Joining me this week: Peggy Noonan, cultural historian Michael Eric Dyson, Paul Krugman, and Kathleen Parker:
–George Stephanopoulos
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Pentagon to Open Additional Jobs to Women
I enjoy Peggy Noonan’s comments but please aske her to lose the drama and give it to us a little faster. The panel is about ideas, not delivery. Listening to her is like watching the ubiquitous news crawlers that deliver language at the blazing speed of snot. I find myself looking for the fast forward button.
Posted by: JohnB | June 28, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
On health care.
Why are the conservatives more concerned with insurance industry profits than providing access for everyone? What medical services do they provide?
Why shouldn’t the non-profit government be the single payer? That in itself would lower the overall cost about 30%.
In the words of John Kenneth Galbraith
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.”
Posted by: cheap labor capitalism | June 28, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Please get rid of Michael Eric Dyson. We voted Obama in as President. Race relations have never been better. This guy acts like the “Clan” is still behind the scenes running social sensibilities. Michael…Get over it!!! It’s time to put the “angry black american” act into the memory box. A thing of the past, when it was relevant and necessary. It’s a new day! Time to contribute. Time to stop the rant. We now have change.
Posted by: Jim King | June 28, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Ah, He’s a Hypocrite.
He Loves that Argentine A!!
He will go back to that [Argentine A!!]
Trust Me.
The Man will go back to that Argentine A!!
He went to this Extreme just to be in the Arms of the Argentine A!!
His intent was to be in her Arms for 14 Days and not Simply 5 Days, the Mass Media Outted Him…
And he had to Leave his Argentine A!!
Posted by: Omaar | June 28, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Based on what I’m hearing in the news:
* Didn’t show up for work for several days
* Didn’t tell anyone where he went
* Couldn’t be reached
* Used “company” money for a trip
Could any of us keep our job?
Posted by: Kathy | June 28, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
I can’t Stand Michael Eric Dyson, he’s an Oppourtunist.
If Ever there was one.
Where’s Donna Brazil ?
Posted by: Omaar | June 28, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
I don’t see a right and left view. I see one confused and the other intelligent. Paul Krugman, Micheal Eric Dyson, and Robert Reich are the smart guys. How can anyone think that Obama is moving too fast when we’ve had 100 years of polluting the environment. It is urgent! These changes are necessary and anyone who doesn’t think so is confused. How could anyone have missed the numerous incidents of citizen’s being poisoned by industry. The government’s primary job is to protect it’s citizens. There were no big debates about how much Iraq and Afghanistan were going to cost us. That was a secret. Yet there’s a big debate about how much it’s going to cost to deliver health care? I’m insulted! The cherry on the cake it that the people who are arguing against provided public health care to us are on such a plan themselves. That’s insulting. We don’t need two sides, we just need the smart side explaining to the confused.
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 28, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
Please keep Michael Eric Dyson, finally someone firmly in the 21st C – unlike Peggy and Kathleen whose fawning over Sanford’s malfeasance pointed to the true GOP problem – lack of Accountability forever for anyone they believe in – they’ve never acknowledged nor given a remedy for blowing up the world and ruining the economy – every poll continues to show that the speed w/which Obama is moving resonates quite well with a public infinitely exhausted by the entropy of DC – we have real crises now and every cent in remedy of climate change will assist w/our increasing disasters caused by 30 years of denial by the GOP – and Krugman could use a lesson in how to articulate brilliance in a politically useful manner – just whining from the Ivory Tower is pretty useless. FYI – 2012 is not even close to being on our radar.
Posted by: abql | June 28, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
Hypocrisy is an equal opportunity employer. Republicans tripping on their “family values” is a consequence that applies to Democrats as well. Witness a party and president who championed work place rights for women and the new “work place values” of Democrats with regard to political correctness and sexual harassment(a valid position and proper value by the way), who then turn a blind eye to the obvious poster child for this bad behavior, Bill Clinton. What appalled me about this issue, was not the infidelity, or even the “lie”, but the silence from the liberal and feminist organizations, who for political expediency abandoned their own “values” in remaining virtually silent. A second hypocrisy of Democratic Values is of course the preponderance of nominees, candidates, etc. of their party that seem to have trouble paying their taxes – something that “we should do with joy and purpose” according to our Vice-President. Despite the joy by conservatives AND liberals who use the inadequacies of their opponent to support their political motives and polices and trash the opposition’s, the bottom line is that the philosophical and economic arguments of each party is not enhanced or obscured by the failings of its members. The arguments should stand on their own merit and rise and fall with legitimacy in a forum of debate, and not in the conversations of the media which support this opportunism. One would expect that a Nobel Laureate would champion this position.
Posted by: Theo | June 28, 2009, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Obama epitomizes the optimistic, larger than life approach that is the American persona. If American citizens truly believe that America is the greatest country on earth, then why should America/Obama proceed at a crawling pace when America has the ability to sprint? Is it possible that Obama is the coach to America that Phil Jackson was to Michael Jordan? That he wants to maximize America’s potential? Listening to Ms. Noonan and George Wills whose opinions I respect very much, I get the sense that Obama’s pace is more of a concern to older boomers whose need for speed and sense of urgency has declined in proportion to the aging process. And that the fear and cost of his pace is highly co-related to the aging process?. Cost implies purchase, so it is not like he is throwing money into the Hudson, he is purchasing something substantive with the money – cleaner air, preventitive health care, new 21st century industries… If his past performance is an indicator of his aility to deliver, what it shows about him is that his actions follow a well thought out plan. I know this is kind of unusual as far as presidents go, but every time we have doubted him, he has shown us the money so to speak. We can start comfortably believing. Obama’s pace seem to be appreciated by those 48 years and under. Those still audacious young, optimistic,futuristic, still visionary Americans! Give him and the pace he is travelling at a chance. I gaurantee that America will be better for it.
Posted by: Sunny Soleil | June 28, 2009, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
I don’t see a right and left view. I see confused vs. intelligent. Robert Reich, Paul Krugman, and Micheal Dyson are the intelligent view. I don’t see why we need confused people arguing points with smart people. The smart people should be explaining things to the confused. We’ve had 100 years of industrial pollution. The government’s primary job is to protect its citizens. No one could have missed the abundance of incidents in the past and current where citizens have been and are being poisoned by industry. As far as I’m concerned there’s no defense. If this were being done by Arabs or Afghans they’d be called terrorists. Obama is moving too fast? As far as I’m concern it’s not fast enough.
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 28, 2009, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
When we got into Iran and Afghanistan there was not debate about how much it was going to cost the citizens of the United States. That was a secret. But there is a debate about how much it will cost to offer a public health care plan to citizens. That’s an insult! The people who are arguing against a plan to cover health care for all citizens are on such a plan themselves. That’s an insult!
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 28, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
On “This Week”
When George Will comes back…
Keep Noonan.
Can Krugman.
Krugman is the weak link in this broadcast.
Posted by: BambiB | June 28, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
When discussing health care the idea of “choice” was briefly touched on.
As a high school counselor it occurred to me that if choice is an option don’t you think that most school districts in the U.S. will make the government’s option the only option. Would the school districts look at Public health care as the only option and something they would not have to pay for any longer?
Posted by: Greg | June 28, 2009, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
The contrast between the lucid, wonderful insight of Michael Eric Dyson and the created world of Peggy Noonan was striking. Every time I hear Peggy Noonan speak, I think, “She couldn’t be more wrong about the world.” Bring back George Will. I don’t always agree with him but his views reflect knowledge of the world more than the views of Peggy Noonan.
Posted by: Lori | June 28, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
Sanford is a Republican, typical of people like Noonan to call him a Libertarian. We are a government of Crooks and we need to put them in general population in prison. He used, i.e.,stole money from the taxpayers, and paying it back does not excuse criminal activity.
Noonan’s condensending smarty pants attitude is not worthy of portraying her as a news person.
Let’s stop the gossip and concentrate on our border with Mexico and the disgrace caused by your not reporting the horror worse than all of the Iraq mess.
My Goodness Noonan go away.
Posted by: bill | June 28, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
To Sunny,
I’m 60 and totally agree with you about Obama. But not about older boomers. I have many friends my age and older that would like to see Obama go faster.
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 28, 2009, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
Krugman’s the smartest person on the panel. If you don’t realize that you’re in denial.
Posted by: Michelle Elliott | June 28, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
The audacity of Sanford to compare himself to King David. It shows that he has a very high opinion of himself.
he should do the state of SC and the GOP a service by resigning.
Posted by: scott jeffries | June 28, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Peggy Noonan keeps talking about cap and trade being a tax.
Well,
Insurance rates being hiked to unaffordable rates in Florida because of increased hurricane risk is a tax. Not to mention the massive foreclosure rates in Florida at least partly caused by unaffordable home insurance is a tax.
Devaluing all of the property along the coast line because of flooding would be a tax.
Mass migration inward of everyone living along the coast would be a hug tax for everyone in this country.
Cost of food going up because of widespread drought and flooding of the country’s farmland would be a tax.
Decreased quality of life because of higher worldwide temps would be a tax because we would have to pay higher air conditioning costs.
More mass evacuations in hurricane areas would be a tax.
Maybe the country should focus its efforts on actually solving global warming the best way possible instead of engaging in arguments that have no meaning, other than to misinform.
Posted by: Andy | June 28, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
The republican party will fail in its comeback efforts because it has hung out a sign on its door that says:
Wisemen are not welcome in this party. If you try to join, you will be ignored. However, if you are short-sighted, morally hypocritical, and foolish, we will welcome you with open arms.
Posted by: Andy | June 28, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
peggy noonan is the worst. she speaks in slow motion and is so condescending. you are not a poet peggy! you are making political commentary, get over yourself.
Posted by: tony tux | June 28, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
Ms. Elliot, point taken and my apologies to you and all older boomers.
Posted by: Sunny Soleil | June 28, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
Bill Clinton,Eliot Spitzer,Ted Kennedy,all Democrats have one thing in common with Sanford,infidelity.Only Spitzer did the right thing and resigned,Sanford should resign also.Why can’t ABC News get after a story like they did on this one?They have many targets in the Democratic party that need to be investigated for instance,Chris Dodd,Barney Frank,Nancy Pelosi,Maxine Waters,Charlie Rangel,Murtha and who could forget Roland Burris.ABC do your job and quit playing favorites,report on both Republican and Democrat and let the people decide for themselves which crook needs to be kicked out.
Posted by: Johnny L | June 28, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
This is unbelievable. We shouldn’t lower the bar for our public officials and just accept this kind of behavior. There are those out that that don’t do this. The panel acted like everyone commits adultery and we should just get used to it. Just throw Sanford away and get someone in there who isn’t an adulterer and is trustworthy. There are millions of people who would never do what this guy did.
Posted by: Mike | June 28, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Look, the Republicans are trying to get back to that same dumb thing, that Jamie Foxx sings about. When THEY say and do dumb things “BLAME IT ON THE ALCOHOL”. The Republicans are saying blame it in the Democrats. All the crap that’s happening with the Republican Organization, and how miss-aligned things are right now. They need someone or something to pass the faults on. It seems not even Rush can truly help them. The biggest blow to the Republicans family was the Governor of SC, abandoning his country so he could get a piece of pudding in another country. He was the head of the Republican Party? This really told folks just how serious he felt amongst his party and the people who supported him. Strangely, he is responsible for running a State of this fine country called The United States Of America. But, he left it wide open to attack, a clear violation of his Oath. TO PROTECT AND SERVED THE CONTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Opp’s! What a joke! If any State Employee had abandon his or her job or walked off it! THEY WOULD BE FIRED AND RELIEVED OF DUTY WITHOUT QUESTION. Not walk back in to resume their duties like nothing happened. I think the Democrat memberships will be increasing even more. A person wants true and serious leadership for responsibility to our country. People in general are tired of the bull crap. And all those political leader who are not taking they’re elected duties serious. OUR GODS, PLEASE BLESS OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND LEADERS.
Posted by: Pedro Dixon | June 28, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Americans voted for Obama for President, but that doesn’t mean that groups with the “Clan” mentality are not still operating in these United States. I think the recent incident in our Capitol proves that. Thank God, change has begun. Let’s continue.
Posted by: Beverly | June 28, 2009, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
I am not a Peggy Noonan fan by any stretch. In fact, I don’t like her communication style nor do I agree with her views, but “Puritans without faith” is a great phrase — almost profound — very Nathaniel Hawthorne.
I agree that it was appalling that Sanford’s private emails were published but Sanford should resign.
Ladies: Americans want nonprofit public health care and a functioning government. Please spare us the melodrama about doing too much. Enough can’t be done.
Tax the top 1/100 of 1% of wealth owners, enact nonprofit public health insurance that doesn’t pay dividends, and invest in the long term social and economic health of Americans so this country can compete.
Americans have been neglected, misinformed, and human potential has been left to wither to fund the life styles of an indulgent and hedonistic mega rich class. Conservative economic policies motivated by greed have almost completely destroyed this country.
Posted by: Deborah | June 28, 2009, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
I agree that the Republicans consider themselves fallable, while they consider the rest of us to be failures and morally corrupt. As far as health care and the environment are concerned, when are the American People going to grow up and realize they have to pay for what they want? The insurance industry and the polluting corporations can’t be trusted to protect your interests.
Posted by: LiberalDemocrat | June 28, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Mr. Dyson said that he had sympathy and a positive view of Gov. Sanford’s affair because he loved the woman, and that this was unlike other politicians who had affairs and discarded the woman. Mr. Dyson, Gov. Sanford did discard a woman–his wife!
Posted by: Nona | June 28, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Very interesting and thought provoking comments made by Mr. Dyson about Michael Jackson, the post civil rights era, and the black community in large.
Posted by: Beverly | June 28, 2009, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
Peggy needs to shut up, when health care came up she didn’t talk about health care.
Posted by: Guy#1 | June 28, 2009, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Peggy Noonan always makes weak arguments. You should lose her, she just gets in the way of a good debate.
Posted by: Nick | June 28, 2009, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm
Please please tell Peggy Noonan to stop clutching her pearls everytime someone makes a comment she disagrees with. Next you know, she’ll be needing a fainting couch in case she gets the vapors
Posted by: MaryJo | June 29, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Peggy Noonan is dreadful. She is condescending and takes an eternity to make even her most simple comments. She just can’t keep up with the rest of the roundtable and it is unbearable. Please bring back George Will or anyone else from the Wall Street Journal for a thought-provoking conservative viewpoint.
Posted by: C | June 29, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Where was the outrage? Where was Cokie Roberts speaking to Gov. Sanford’s despicable arrogance and lousy treatment of his wife and sons? I don’t know anything about Kathleen but she sounded for all the world like a trophy wife herself — all gooey about how cute seeing the first blush of a man in love. Nauseating!
And Peggy Noonan is a wonderful writer but cannot speak off-the-cuff in a roundtable setting. George Will is the master of “nuance on the fly”. Peggy Noonan is no George Will.
All in all, a very boring and disappointing roundtable.
Posted by: Paula K | June 29, 2009, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm