Arianna On AC360 Discussing Bill Clinton, Obama And More

Arianna appeared on Anderson Cooper's show, AC360, to discuss Bill Clinton's declaration of support for Obama, the news that Obama has asked his donors to help pay off Hillary's campaign debt and whether the 2008 election will hinge on national security or the economy.

[WATCH]

Comments

[bigeking]

This is really the first year that I have paid much attention to the political talk on any of the various web pages, so I am really at a loss. The right blames the left for everything that has ever happened bad, and the left blames the right! The news is slanted tto the left, no it is slanted to the right, I am beginning to realize why this country is really going to the dogs. Our Constitution has been shredded by a court of nine people who for some reason tjink they are supposed to make laws not interpret them. Please do not say that voting for a president is voting for the court, because if we have gone that far to the extreme that those nine judges can insert something in the Constitution that is not there, then we will go down even farther. The way to change the Constitution is through the Congress and the States. I have voted on both sides of the aisle, but this year is between two Democrats as I see it, one right wing Democrat and one extreme left wing Democrat, and I do not think that either one can bring us the real change that we need. A question please, out of curiosity, what are we suppose to call the war we are in?

[jonthebru]

To everyone's credit, this was a very civil discussion. Arianna is a great guest, she listens to others, allowing them to speak, and in exchange, here at least, the others allowed her to get her very cognizant opinions out. She speaks for me well, better than I would in that arena anyway.

We just cannot allow another Republican into the White house that's for certain. Any Democrat is better than any Right wing borderline fascist.

I don't watch Cable News of any kind also, but The Daily show and Colbert when I manage to remember to turn it on.
As an aside we've have had a classified ad in our local paper for a month, where years ago a good response could be expected, we got no response at all. Print newspapers are dead from my view.

[goofy2]

I do not think Obama has addressed this issue sufficiently. I am in favor of diminishing the effects of big money, however raised. I'm disappointed in his change on the issue. I think he should opt out of public financing, but limit his campaign's spending to the 85 million limit for the general election. He should turn over the excess to the DNC or a separate fund specifically to sniff out and combat stealth and 527 attacks. I agree with his pressuring Move-On to close their 527 operations, and it is apparent (as in North Carolina, Tenn, etc.) McCain either can't or won't control the right-wing attack groups. A whole bunch of business trade groups (oil, tobacco, drugs, medical insurance, and the chamber of commerce) run "issue ads" supporting Republicans every election cycle. I'm an Obama supporter, and I get bogus emails every week making false claims against him. He should follow the spirit of campaign finance law, but separately fund a defense against being blind-sided. Not taking the federal money would shield him against the non-collaboration aspects of the law.

[jsinclair]

When 527s go, then public financing can become a reality. Until then....

[druiD]

Thank you Arianna for once again for your adept articulation of the big picture. I believe that Senator Obama will stand out as the one candidate who will protect our security as well as our freedom at home. Obama is no Dukakis. He will take this election by 20% or more and his coattails will bring the Democratic Party another 10 seats in Congress.

A return to sanity in our government will be a breath of liberty air.

Long Live The Republic

[schicklett3]

Nice job, Ms. Huffington!
I enjoyed the show.

[edgraham]

Just two things.

First, Arianna is HOT.

Second, I had the feeling early on that Bill Clinton did things to hurt Hillary's chances on purpose. It was almost like he didn't want her to win. There could be many reasons. I have never understood the hate that people seem to have for Ms. Clinton (Remember the "Impeach Hillary" bumper stickers that were out BEFORE Bill was sworn in the first time. Never in my lifetime have I seen such a massive political attack on a president, or a first lady.

Third, Arianna is still HOT.

Ed Graham

[PandeiroMan]

My Lord I agree with points 1 and 3. She is absolutely gorgeous, plus she´s pretty bright, too.

[RamonBackwards]

I can proudly proclaim that I no longer waste a second of my day watching cable news. It's basic cable only for me.

I'm also proud of the fact that I've never watched a single episode of AC360. My goodness, I can't imagine why people care what someone like Anderson Cooper says.

Cable news is an entirely useless echo chamber of talking heads and Worshington propagandists.

[AdamNauseam]

Like all the other anchors on TV news, they're basically just emcees.

[lisakaz2]

I was thinking game show hosts.

[americanalien]

Arianna I enjoy watching the interview. I agree with all the points you made but I just have to differ on one thing. While I acknowledge that national security will likely be a major issue this fall, I honestly don't think it will be the deciding factor. Change is the key word this time around and I think at the end of the day it will trump everything else. I understand that the issue of terrorism plays to McCain's favor at present and Obama needs to do more to counter this. However I don't think there is anything that McCain will be able to do or any October surprise to be disclosed out there, that will be powerful enough to squelch this country's hunger for change this time around. One should not underestimate the eagerness of this country to turn the pages completely on these 8 disastrous years. The American people have learned a lot since 2004. We have a smarter electorate; things that the GOP used to use to scare people to the polls simply wont sell this time around. This was evident in 2006 and will be more so this year. I believe that even if national security become the defining issue in November, the candidate who represents change will win because that's what the country is demanding and anyone in its way will be crushed. America get what America wants. This country wants Obama.

[naschkatze]

Did you notice how Rollins used the word "change" as a issue rather than the economy? Obama needs to pin McCain's ears back on the economy. It will be one of the major issues if not the primary issue, and McCain is a fool on the economy. I'd like to see Obama play offense on the economy and not get maneuvered into playing defense on national security. I hope Crowley is right and Obama picks someone like W. Clarke for vp who is much more truly experienced in the military and national security than McCain.

[RasAlula]

The whole thing is weird. I wish Obama could take the high road and tell the Clinton's to take a hike. But then the media would hype it up and create even deeper divisions in the party. What is most pathetic is that the Clinton's made some $100,000,000 since Bill left office and they have an earning potential that will let them lead the life that few on Earth get to lead. Yet, the so-called fighter for middle Americans, the one in touch with them, the one who understands the pains of the middle class, is asking ordinary Americans to replenish her coffers. It is extreme in its audacity. And I wish Obama took no part in it.

[nomobull]

the more support we show him and the less we support the media just maybe he will increasingly take the high road.so keep calling the media on its bs.

[Highwind]

John McCain keeps talking about Energy and the Economy, so I don't think this election will be the war on terror. He's going to keep talking about that because that he's behind Barack on every issue in the polls except the war on terror.

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

Highwind, "he's behind Barack on every issue in the polls except the war on terror."? That is so NOT the case! They are polar opposites on MANY issues! Read up!

[eXcommunicate]

Arianna, from this 29 year old red blooded male - you're hawt. ;)

I think you are right on just about everything here. But you must keep in kind the trends. Obama was consistently behind McCain on the Iraq War for months, and now they're even. The gap on the "War on Terror" (stupid name) has been shrinking (and rightly so).

[NTO08]

Big news: BBC reports Obama is offering to pay Hillary's debts. Those who had said this would happen get brownie points. I think it is a smart gesture by Obama; it shows he is magnanimous, and I commend him for it...it seems that this comes with the added proviso that Bill would campaign for Obama if he helped pay off Hillary's debt...this will piss off some Obama people, but it is a very smart strategy on Obama's part, to help bring still angry Clinton people aboard...impressive move.

I have been critical of Obama in the past; this is a sign the man is truly thinking on his feet and making smart moves...he gets props for being a clever tactician.

[CubanPete]

Oh, please...if he wants Hillary to release her delegates - he better pay off her debts ....for starters! Go Hillary!

[readyfornewleadership]

He doesn't need her delegates. He already won the delegate race. He is just being the bigger person.

[soundfury]

She's never been magnanimous. As a gesture of good faith, she should have already released them. She's being her usual self, while he has offered to help her with her debt from the moment she was in over her head, even though she had not conceded yet. So lose the exclamation points please. Why do all H supporters have to write with exclamation points? You people always seem to be angry or on a emotional rollercoaster. It would help if you would just start to listen to reason for a change.

[Highwind]

Barack Obama has always been magnanimous. He doesn't have to do anything, but he's always been the gracious one in this thing since the beginning. He needs to be focusing on McCain, not how he can appease Hillary. I mean, really!

[MNmommy]

Um, I'm pretty sure that this is standard operating procedure.

[nellie]

It is.

[ylpatriot]

Oh yes very smart !!!! I think the adjective you seek is Pandering or Faux...... He is buying the Clintons and shameful ... the Clintons selling their support for $$$$ ....

I voted for Hillary ... so maybe its shamey on me ... But now who the hell do i vote for ... ???? There is no candidate worth the gas money to go vote. They are all liars panderers and inept candidates.

[Gebby]

who do u vote for? 2 words supreme court

[mshazen]

I voted for Hillary and it is a very nice gesture if you don't know who to vote for then by all means don't. Its cut and dry do you want your children or friends children in Iran do you want to continure to lose all the rest of your civil liberties you decide.

[Oldtimer]

Of course Arianna looks good but that is not the point. She makes good points, the kind that
are too often lacking in the corporate media. I hope she keeps making them whenever she can.
Bill Kristol made the point about Bush bombing Iran to help McCain. I think the Bush Junta
will be desperate enough to stop Obama if he is winning by scaring the crap out of America
again. If they succeed then Obama must be prepared to call them on it and call them on
it with the force, clarity and rightousness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR knew how to handle
the likes of Bush and Cheney. You have to explain to America in clear forceful terms just why
Bush is full of shit and why he is fear-mongering. If Obama does this he can win big.
Arianna is right. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. it's time to get ready because it
is coming. I would bet on it.

[functor]

So by the end of the day; fear mongering may sway the election..., sad!!

[DHC]

Arianna looks good but I don't agree with her. I think Obama is consistent and strong regarding "the war on terror", oh how I hate that term. Pundits want everything to happen Right Now because they have so much air time to use and so many books to promote and even future jobs. Obama's got the right pace, he's driving his Chevy around the track, warming up, and he will win the race.

[heal57]

DHC; I see it your way too. I think Obama is fine on the so-called 'war on terror', especially if he picks a military VP. I think Obama should vote against FISA or at least go with Dodd and Feingold on the filibuster; I'm very disappointed with him on this.