Friday, November 03, 2006
The Cafferty File: Most dangerous leaders?

What does it mean when our closest allies think President Bush is a greater threat to world peace than either North Korea or Iran?

It means that the world is already hip to what the mid-term polls are telling us today is the attitude right here at home. President Bush is a dangerous man, with attitudes and abilities unfit for the times and certainly for the job.
Tom, Bellevue, Washington

And can you really blame them. The world has come to distrust us and hate President Bush and for good reason. Bush's exercise in nation-building through invasion is bearing its bitter fruit although he has no plan to disengage our troops. The Founders created a system of checks and balances designed to prevent any branch of government from seizing control over the other two. On November 7th, we can begin the process of rebuilding our international status.
Robert, Tavares, Florida

It means that the world thinks Bush is as nuts as that whacko from North Korea.
Bob, Fall River, Massachusetts

It means that they are more astute than we are.
Judy, Coppell, Texas

Why would Congress shut down the office that's reporting on fraud and waste in Iraq?

Jack, You act surprised. I'm not surprised at all. Congress does what it wants, we all know that.
Mary, Story City, Iowa

I think what offends me the most is that these dangerous fools in Washington think that the average American is so damn stupid that we would believe this reasoning. We see through everything they say and do! Now we have to get out there and prove how really smart we are by voting them out!
Judi, Purlear, North Carolina

Congress, fraud and waste all in the same sentence. Gotta be a first.
Tom, Toronto

Jack, It's simple really. There's so much waste in Iraq that the paperwork must be overwhelming. And we all know that this Congress doesn't like to do anything. They barely even showed up to work this year.
Matt, Mesa, Arizona
Posted By Jack Cafferty, CNN Commentator: 11/03/2006 05:45:00 PM ET | Permalink
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The Cafferty File: Election burnout?

What are the signs of election burnout?

You show up to vote a week early, desperate to have it over with.
Michelle, Minneapolis, Minnesota

My wife starts barking like a Schnauzer whenever Bush's image comes on the TV. I have to throw her some Cheezy Puffs to calm her down.
WB, Las Vegas, Nevada

The real sign of election burnout is when you find yourself more cynical than Jack Cafferty. Boy, am I fried!
BD, New York

When you are motivated to vote early like I did today. I don't have to listen to it anymore until Wednesday. I have done my duty.
Vickie, Macon, Georgia

Who's responsible for the problems in Iraq: the generals or Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld?

Come on, Jack. That's not even a fair question. Of course Rumsfeld's to blame, but then again, the fearless generals who want to protect their retirement are as well. Take it from a former Marine.
LaDell, Liverpool, Nebraska

House Republican John Boehner now owes our military an apology, and his statement was no botched joke. The top generals tried to tell Mr. Rumsfeld more troops would be needed for a successful outcome in the invasion of Iraq. Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld listened to only themselves.
Jeff, New York

The responsibility lies squarely at Rumsfeld's feet. After all, the generals can't do anything without his authorization.
Denise, Eureka, California

It's a sad day when the GOP blames the generals for their own failed policies. Why is this not a bigger story than Kerry's stupid comments? I mean, which is more insulting to the military: a guy who misspoke or a guy who is blaming the military for the failures in Iraq?
Conner, Russellville, Arkansas

If the Republicans lose the election Tuesday, what should happen to President Bush?

Having always been against the war, I'd love to see him impeached, but I think it would be bad for our country. There's all the soldiers to help once they come home, families to help and heal. There's an economy to build that will benefit the working stiff. Then, there's all that celebrating to do, once the war is over.
Carol, Boynton Beach, Florida

Use the same standards that were used to impeach Clinton. If that is done given the overwhelming evidence of lies, the outcome for Bush is a no-brainer.
L., Thaxton, Virginia

Clinton's lie was wrong. Bush's lie was wrong. Bush's lie caused the American people to support a war that we wouldn't have supported had Bush told the truth. That was the point of the lie. 30,000 or 300,000 or 600,000 people (most of them innocent people just going through life and supporting their families) have died because of a war paid with our dollars in an effort that we would never have supported had we known the truth.
Mike, Lake Worth, Florida

With all of our problems we don't need the distraction of an impeachment. We do however need the truth about this administration to become public knowledge. Let the court of public opinion rule in 2008 and let history take care of the appeal for the worst administration on our history.
Vicki, Roanoke, Virginia

Bush will be left to explain his actions without the support of his henchmen in Congress. That will be more uncomfortable than Kerry trying to explain a joke!
Jamie, Spotsylvania, Virginia

What do you think Iraq will be like if and when the war ever ends?

George W. Bush has made sure that Iraq is going to be a thorn in our side for many generations to come. Not only that but if you thought 9/11 was bad, wait and see, I can't even think what these people are going to do to us.
Tim, Vero Beach, Florida

It will be virtually uninhabitable due to all the depleted uranium and damaged infrastructure, not too dissimilar from the Gaza strip. Interestingly, the Iraqi people were actually better educated than U.S. citizens per capita before the war - but they will have moved away. The war will end with us having 5 major military bases to protect the oil, and road warriors ruling the land outside those 30 foot high walls
Bruce, Delaware

Nothing will change. The infighting will continue and the group that flexes their muscles will take power and overthrow the elected government.
Chad, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posted By Jack Cafferty, CNN Commentator: 11/02/2006 05:36:00 PM ET | Permalink
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Cafferty File: P.R. at the Pentagon


How would you advise the Pentagon's new "rapid response" PR team?

I am outraged that they are spending taxpayers' dollars on this!
Nathaniel, Hampton, Virginia

Did I understand you correctly? My advice? Get a weapon and report to Iraq. Maybe then some of the troops on their 3rd rotation can come home!
Jim, White Cross, North Carolina

If "rapid response" means getting our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, I'm all for it.
Marco, Redondo Beach, California

Tell them to stay away from Rumsfeld because there is no level of PR that will help that man.
Steve, Atlanta, Georgia

Did Senator John Kerry's comments hurt the Democrats' chances?

Jack, I think John Kerry should just shut up and take a cue from Dick Cheney's playbook and go into an undisclosed location. He has already dug the hole, now he can put in the cement and have his bunker to hide in. All he had to do is apologize after he said it, and it would've been over. However, Kerry being Kerry tried to hold onto the spotlight for too long.
Kenneth, Durham, North Carolina

Unfortunately yes. But only because the Democrats ran and hid. They should have turned it around immediately on Bush and jumped to Kerry's defense and repeated ad nauseam that only a disingenuous liar who evaded his own military obligations could possibly twist an obvious case of misspeaking by a triple decorated war hero.
Dave, Lindenwold, New Jersey

No, Jack. I believe the American public can see this for what it is, which is just a smear campaign by the GOP spin machine. They are so desperate heading into the upcoming election they will bite on anything to deflect voters from their atrocious track record.
Dave, Anita, Iowa

What is wrong with you guys? Everyone is talking about what Kerry said. Who cares? He is not the President, how about getting back to the issues that matter: job loss, corrupt government, no medical insurance for majority of Americans, the war in Iraq, Osama bin Laden, and on and on. Hey, I am not even American and this bugs me.
Nadira, Toronto

Are 7,000 lawyers the answer to the integrity of our elections?

It's unfortunate, Jack, but right now all this is necessary. It's sad for America, but it's the only way to be at least somewhat certain these machines count correctly and if not, that it be known and somehow dealt with.

All we need is a paper trail. How hard can that be?
Joyce, Marine City, Michigan

We had lawyers here in Florida in 2004 and while it did allay any voter disenfranchisement, it did not and could not prevent the hacking of the electronic voting machines.
Ed, Florida

Lawyers are not the answer to anything. Look at Congress, it's full of them.
John, Monona, Wisconsin

Everyone wants to take jabs at lawyers but then they don't hesitate to call one when in trouble! This country's voting process is in trouble and if takes 7,000 lawyers to help prevent fraud at the voting sites, I welcome them.
Christine, Columbia, South Carolina

Jack, When were any number of lawyers the answer to keeping integrity in any system, anywhere, ever?

Who is calling the shots in Iraq: the U.S., the Iraqi government or the militias?

The abandonment of a U.S. soldier is a disgrace. The fact that the U.S. deferred to Iraqi demands to remove the checkpoints only reinforces the obvious fact that there are insufficient American troops to do anything but fight an almost hopeless struggle.

What does it mean when Muqtada al-Sadr gives the marching orders and the U.S. troops leave? The war is over and we lost! So much for stay the course!
Tony, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Clearly, shutting down the checkpoints in Sadr City and abandoning an American soldier who was kidnapped is an outrage! If that's what we are asking of our troops, it's time to give the whole damned place to the Prime Minister and get the hell out.
Jim, Charlotte, North Carolina

Jack, when are the American people going to wake up to the fact that we are stuck in a civil war with absolutely no exit strategy. If our elected officials cared more about Iraq than getting re-elected we might have a chance.
Alan, New York
Posted By Jack Cafferty, CNN Commentator: 11/01/2006 05:43:00 PM ET | Permalink
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The Cafferty File: Dead man voting?

What does it mean if 77,000 dead people are registered to vote in New York State?

It means 77,000 people voted Republican by absentee ballot.
R.M., Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Jack, It's not important that 77,000 dead people are registered to vote. What's important is who they voted for!
Jerry, Austin, Texas

Since I am from Chicago, and I am used to dead people voting and often, we will have less to worry about when it comes to the electronic voting machines. The dead Democratic vote will balance off the Republican pregnant chad and both New York and Chicago will finally have an accurate count!
Margie, Carey, Illinois

It means there's life after death only if you register to vote. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they find out their vote may not count.
Chad, Burke, Virginia

It means it will take a while to catch up with Ohio and Florida.
John, Marlton, New Jersey

What does it mean that border patrol agents arrested 8% fewer illegal immigrants trying to enter the U.S. last year?

If I were on the border patrol, I would not be so fast to arrest illegals either. After they have two of their agents facing 11 and 12 year jail terms for doing their jobs... Is it any wonder that less are being caught?
Joan, Red Bud, Illinois

Jack, It means they're already here. There's no one left to come here. We've finally done it. We've depopulated Central America! Yee ha!
Pam, Huntington, Maryland

Despite the rhetoric, it appears that either the illegal aliens are getting smarter or the Border Patrol is getting more lax about enforcement. Frankly, I think it’s a little of both.
Frank, Chesapeake, Virginia

It means the border patrol agents are just plain worn out. It means you can only hold back a human tidal wave for so long before your work performance starts to slacken.

With a week to go, what can the Republicans and Democrats do to win over the undecided voter?

Quit slinging mud, and perhaps tell the truth? What a new concept for this campaign season. Let's just toss everyone who's "in" out, and initiate a real change in Washington.
Michelle, Roanoke, Virginia

I think the Democrats need to convince the undecideds that we need two party government again. One party rule has brought us to where we are now. No oversight, no accountability.
Eric, Baltimore, Maryland

If either one of these parties promised to outlaw e-voting, that party would win this election. Although there is a lot at stake, don't look for a record turnout.
Mike, Conway, Arkansas

Start telling the truth for once and stop all the stupid spin. What do they take us for, idiots?
Joe, Polson, Montana

Cafferty, do nothing. Let the e-voting and dead voters decide. Why change horses in the middle of the stream?
Greta, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Posted By Jack Cafferty, CNN Commentator: 10/31/2006 05:47:00 PM ET | Permalink
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Cafferty File: Whose voting machines?

How concerned are you that some of our electronic voting machines are owned by a foreign company?

Very concerned, but not surprised. Our ports, banks, politicians and maybe our very lives belong to entities outside of our borders. Our country is in big trouble!
Charles, Saint Ann, Missouri

Though I'm not surprised, it still hurts my head just to think about it. I plan to go and get an absentee ballot and vote by paper ballot... you know, the old fashioned way. At least my vote will count.
Bonnie, New York

I was frightened enough with Diebold voting machines and their ties to the Republican Party... Now we have to worry about Venezuela and Chavez. Bring back the hanging chad!

How can you be surprised a foreign company controls our voting machines? Foreigners make everything we buy these days. China lends us back our money so we can run a national debt. We have gone to hell in an imported hand basket!
Robert, Rapid City, South Dakota

How will the escalating death toll of American troops affect the elections?

It will energize the democratic voters, and bring a few independents to vote Dem. But overall from what I see, Republicans still will vote conservative because they don't like abortion and gay marriage.
Joe, Minnesota

Sadly, these deaths never had to happen, nor those of the thousands of Iraqis as well. This disaster began on lies and went downhill from there. We have destroyed a nation, weakened our own, lost respect from the rest of the world and are not safer.
Mike, Omaha, Nebraska

One can only hope the body count will add up to a GOP defeat. It's time this administration answered for something.
Leroy, Nashville, Tennessee

Who do you suppose has the thousands of missing U.S. weapons in Iraq?

Maybe the guns are still in storage and never used since "mission is accomplished" and the "insurgency is nearing its end."
Jeff, Skillman, New Jersey

I can't decide if the weapons have made their way into Iran or if they're resting in the hands of Osama bin Laden. Either way, our own weapons will probably be used against us, and that disgusts me.
Jack, Farmington, Connecticut

My theory is that the missing weapons are lying next to the big pile of wasted money that must be somewhere in Iraq, or maybe the weapons are hiding with the WMDs. Who knows?
Josh, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Is Donald Rumsfeld "the best thing that's happened to the Pentagon in 25 years"?

If Donald Rumsfeld is the best thing to happen to the Pentagon in 25 years, he must have done some serious interior decorating. From out here in the real world, everything that Rummy has done has been a disaster
Danny, Oakland, California

If you define best as consistent incompetence and complete failure, sure. The Speaker of the House seems to be suffering from the same affliction that caused George Bush to utter the words "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie" when New Orleans was descending into chaos.
Gregg, Delray Beach, Florida

Donald Rumsfeld is the best thing to happen to Pentagon in 25 years, and Milli Vanilli belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jeff, Reston, Virginia
Posted By Jack Cafferty, CNN Commentator: 10/30/2006 05:41:00 PM ET | Permalink

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