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What's trending for Sept. 4th, 2012
Petition calls for Betty White to speak at Democratic National Convention & actor Russell Crowe rescued by Coast Guard.
Can Democrats get the love back? CNN contributor Maria Cardona on building enthusiasm at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention kicks off tonight with party leaders poised to answer the critical question posed by Republicans recently: Are Americans better off now than they were four years ago? CNN Contributor and Democrat Strategist Maria Cardona joins John Berman and CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash on “Early Start” this morning to share her take on DNC.
Given that the latest Gallup poll shows Republicans are more enthusiastic about voting than Democrats at 39% to 51%, Cardona admits that “it’s going to be very challenging” for President Obama to repeat the kind of enthusiasm he had in 2008 for this election, when Democrats were more enthusiastic about voting than Republicans at 61% to 35%.
She says President Obama will use this convention to rebuild that enthusiasm. “He’s going to be talking about the context under which he accepted the role of president four years ago,” she says. “He’s going to be talking about what he’s going to be doing to continue on the path forward for the focus of middle class families.”
Cardona also responds to Bash’s question about disappointment in the president among Democrats.
“As we know, there is disappointment, but the Republicans need to be careful about one word, and that word is ‘context’,” she says. “Voters are more willing than they have been in a long time to look at this election in context, understanding what the president was handed, understanding that he got zero help from the Republicans.”
Best Advice: Arne Duncan
US Secretary of Education gives us the best advice he's ever received.
Isaac's leftovers soak parts of Midwest – George Howell on preps and cleanup efforts in Gulf
The remnants of what was hurricane Isaac is expected to soak parts of the Midwest today. But so far, it has side stepped most of the Midwestern and Plains states hit hardest by drought.
Later today, President Obama will tour flood-damaged parts of Louisiana as initial inspections reportedly show New Orleans levees and pumps held up as advertised.
This morning on "Early Start," George Howell reports on the cleanup and how Midwestern states are preparing for the last gasp of Isaac.
DNC's Brad Woodhouse: America is 'absolutely better off' than it was four years ago, says Obama has kept his promises
With the Democratic National Convention kicking off in Charlotte, NC tomorrow, new polling numbers reveal that President Obama and Mitt Romney are still head-to head at 47% to 46%. Before the Republican National Convention last week, they were tied at 46%.
Democratic National Committee communications director Brad Woodhouse joins John Berman and CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash on “Early Start” this morning to discuss the latest polls and answer the question of the week: Are Americans better off today than they were four years ago?
“Yes, we’re absolutely better off,” he says. “You will see that this week in Charlotte. The President will talk about, and this convention will talk about, where we were, where we’ve come, and where we want to go, which is to move America forward.” “We really have moved the country forward, we have a long way to go,” he says.
Woodhouse also responds to a brand-new video released by the RNC targeting President Obama’s promises over the last four years. “The truth is, is that some of the things they pointed out there, he has done. He has made college more affordable. He’s taken out the middleman. He’s reformed the college loan system. We’ve created four and a half million jobs. He promised he would do something about healthcare, he did it. He promised he’d end the war in Iraq, he did it. He promised that given the opportunity, he’d go after Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, he did it,” Woodhouse says. “He’s kept his promises.”
VIDEO: Are you better off now than 4 years ago? Christine Romans breaks down the numbers
Are you better off now than you were four years ago? With the economy ranking as the top issue among voters, Christine Romans breaks down economic indicators to try to answer the big question in this year's presidential election.
What's trending for Sept. 3rd, 2012
Clint Eastwood's RNC skit inspires "empty chair day" and the ugliest mansion in America now up for sale for $5.8 million.
Are you better off now than you were four years ago? Fmr. White House Advisor Richard Socarides says yes, Tea Party Express's Amy Kremer says no
The Democratic National Convention begins tomorrow and Democrats are coming to Charlotte, NC in a big way for their turn of political events. But Republicans are also descending on Charlotte this week to challenge the opposition. The critical question Democrats will be pressed to answer: Are Americans are better off now than they were four years ago?
Richard Socarides, former Clinton White House Special Assistant and Senior Advisor, says the US is better off than it was four years ago.
"I don't think it's that complicated a question because i think four years we were headed into a great depression," Socarides says on "Early Start." "The country was really struggling and headed in a much worse direction. I think four years into this we've made a lot of progress. We have a lot of work left to do, and I think that's why perhaps people are struggling. They don't want to sound like they're painting a rosy picture. We have a great deal of work to do. But this president has made a lot of progress."
Tea Party Express chairman Amy Kremer tells John Berman “I don’t think things are better.” Even in light of positive numbers in areas like job growth, GDP growth, home prices and consumer spending since 2009, Kremer doesn’t think those numbers are definitive enough.
“I think when people go to the polls in November, they’re going to be voting on one thing, and that’s the economy,” she says. “What we need to do is, we need to get rid of some of those overbearing regulations, simply our tax code, and create some confidence in Washington again so businesses will put money their back in their business and put people back to work.”
“When the median income is down $4000, and when gas is double in price and goods are more,” she says, “that’s what people are going to be voting on. People are not better off, families are hurting right now,” she says.
See more from their interview in the clip below.
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