Sunday: Fehrnstrom, Cutter, Gingrich & more

The latest on Campaign 2012 with Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter and Romney senior adviser Eric Fehrnstrom. 

 Plus, former Speaker of the House and former Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich with his take on the election, Mitt Romney's possible vice president picks and the week's discussion of welfare reform. 

 Then, analysis from The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus, Newsweek's David Frum, The Washington Post's Michael Gerson, POLITICO's Roger Simon and The Week's Bob Shrum.

[macdivot]

CBS News Face the Nation

My wife and I watch Face the Nation every Sunday morning to inform and educate ourselves on the political events of the week. I am appalled that CBS would permit a screaming match between two representatives of opposing campaigns. Nancy Cordes was an absolute "rookie looking for a spot on the roster" . . . as she lost all command and control of her basic journalistic skills (I'm presuming she had) in the very first three minutes of today's Face the Nation show, between Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's campaign manager and Stephanie Cutter, Pres. Obamas junior campaign manager. I didn't learn a damn thing from either of them, and it's about time we had some substantive information. I saw no respect for waiting till someone completed their statement.

However, this was the least of the issues with CBS's reporting (If this is any indication of "the rookies that you have on the bench)" . . . then . . . Journalism in the U.S. today is in serious trouble! I am just so sick and tired of this childish sniping, squabbling, backbiting and bickering, failing to answer questions (particularly on the part of Cutter) having so little sense of common courtesy, consideration, politeness and good manners that she couldn't hesitate to talk over Fehrnstrom AND the host.

As a commentator or a network facilitator why not throw up a flag and stop such an out of control argument. I don't know about you but I cannot listen to several people talking at the same time. Shameful behavior was exhibited by both participants and the moderator.

By the way, can't CBS supply better pens? A clear/blue bic stick flicking around just looks tacky.

[mike60min]

Yes, the spokesperson for the President did talk rather emotionally but the "Lies" that were coming out of the Republican spokesperson could not be allowed to "fill the Air" unchallenged. The Republican Talked over her also.

The interview could have been more moderated (without both talking at the same time), but I am happy to see, the Presidents spokesperson did Not allow the Lies of the Republican Spokesperson to go un-challenged.

Nice to Not see a "Wimp" Polite Presidential Spokesperson.

Go "Get em" Tiger. Don't let the Lies and Spin go unchallenged.

We need more of the Presidents Spokesperson "Tiger" types like the gal today.

[mike60min]

When I hear "Entitlements", the 50 years of contributing to Social Security and 30 years to Medicare, and this guy says "Entitlement"? Let me remind him "I paid for my "Entitlement". The SuperRich, who are in charge of the Republican Party. I, who volunteered for the Republican Party for 15 years, have figured them out. The only thing "Conservative" about the Republicans are "Conserving the Wealth of the "Wealth Extractors" the "Thieves of Defined Benefit Pensions of Millions of Babyboomers like Bain Capital and others" leaving the Middle Class struggling, especially babyboomers.
These guys want to repeal Obamacare, to continue the "Wealth Extraction" of One Million famiies who are forced into bankruptcy because of Medical Bills Every Year.
Sure Ryan and his "Road to Prosperity for the Rich" wants to change Medicare, put government in a "bathtub", and keep on the road, started 30 years ago, pushing our country in a Plutocracy.
Medicare for 55 year olds? One fact remains, for the future 65 year olds, 25% of the people you are born with will be dead, of the 75% left, 50% will have healt issues that prevent them from working full time. Think you are gonna work till you die at 78? Think again.
The Seniors, future and present, better wise up. This Republican Party is NOT for the 99% of us, it is NOT your Fathers Republican Party, it is NOT for the Middle Class, Seniors, or Poor.
They are only for the 1%, the point 1% - the 150,000 families who are 49% Corporate Executives and 19% Banksters.
Wise up. And remember, the last 3 and half years, the mission of the Republican party "Make this President a One Term President" and to hell with the nation. The Filibusting of 45 US Senators killing every jobs bill, removing the Tax Incentives of Corporations to Offshore jobs and close manufacturing in the USA, the Tea Party Republican House who is doing everything to kill Financial reform to prevent Scams like the Subprime fraud.
I think this President has done an Outstanding job considering what a Congress he has had to deal with.
I, as a former Republican Volunteer of 15 years, plan to work hard to help this President, with a Democratic Congress he can work with and that will work to get our country going again verses trashing the country to "take over the White House".
We have had 30 plus years of these guys, we have been "snookered into voting Republican like me" but Not anymore.
I finally "Woke Up" and realized the control of the Republican Party is in the hands of a very few Rich guys, while me, my kids, and grandkids have seen our wealth extracted for the benefit of the Rich.
I wish the Rich would get a "Real Job" instead of figuring our "creative Financial Schemes" to take my money.

[carlida]

I tuned in fully expecting Ms. Cutter to be asked about her documented lying about not knowing about
the ad that accused Romnney of causing the death of the man's wife. Instead, Ms. Cutter used the old dodge of trying to use up the time available with a constant stream of talking points to avoid the question (while somehow managing to keep her hair off her face). Ms. Cordes, obviously not ready for prime time,
showed no interest in confronting her. The sisterhood in action.

[Statement63]

Let me say first of all I am a registered DEMOCRAT. Secondly, I recognize that Mr. Obama (who I did not vote for the first time) has made a complete shambles of his presidency, the economy, individual's and the United States' future. Poor, poor Stephanie! If she was to help No-Mo-Bama's position and option to be reelected she was a MISERABLE failure on Face The Nation today. Stephanie should learn that the "MO" of trying to constantly talk over someone, and yet having nothing concrete to say only made her look ill-equiped (as No-Mo-Bama) to handle the situation. Her constant response when asked to be specfic, of "go to the website", was sooooo riduculous, it was pity-fool. Stephanie next time either stay off the television or learn some "believable" responses,or just shut up! Just plain Pity-fool! (I will AGAIN not be voting for No-Mo-Bama)

[IT_mngt]

Nancy Cordes lost all control of the first segment of today's show, but this was the least of the issues with CBS's reporting. Journalism in the U.S. today is disgraceful! Reporters and newsreaders do not know or want to honest, unbiased reporting. It seems that Fox News and National Enquirer has set the bar for journalistic integer and every other news agency has raced them to the bottom. Dogma and rhetoric has replaced reasoned, thoughtful analysis of the facts and events. The fixation on celebrity worship has resulted in news agencies putting two extremely opinionated, diametrically opposed, flamboyant personalities on TV to "debate" the issues. This is reality TV, not news and fails to provide the information necessary to make informed decisions. It is like we have off-shored our news reporting industry to India, told them we were more interested in "rating" to maximize advertising profits then actually expect to have real news reporting instead of entertainment programs. It seems like this industry, and our political parties, are proud of their ignorance and want to embrace it with religious vigor.

[learn_from_history]

Hear, hear! Very well said.

[Statement63]

Let me say first of all I am a registered DEMOCRAT. Secondly, I recognize that Mr. Obama (who I did not vote for the first time) has made a complete shambles of his presidency, the economy, individual's and the United States' future. Poor, poor Stephanie! If she was to help No-Mo-Bama's position and option to be reelected she was a MISERABLE failure on Face The Nation today. Stephanie should learn that the "MO" of trying to constantly talk over someone, and yet having nothing concrete to say only made her look ill-equiped (as No-Mo-Bama) to handle the situation. Her constant response when asked to be specfic, of "go to the website", was sooooo riduculous, it was pity-fool. Stephanie next time either stay off the television or learn some "believable" responses,or just shut up! Just plain Pity-fool! (I will AGAIN not be voting for No-Mo-Bama)

[mike60min]

I disagree with "has made a complete shambles of his Presidentcy". Are you Not aware of Mitch McConnell in 2008, announcing the main mission of the Repubican Party is to make sure Obama is a One term President? Are you Not aware of the Obstruction of the US Senate by the Republicans who have Filibustered, taken control of the US Senate with a minority 45 US Senators who forced 60 votes to pass anything that would move the country forward with jobs, the "Tea Party Koch Party" who have done everything, including having the Credit Rating of the USA lowered for being Obstructionist, or the Ryans Plan to the Rich mans Prosperity, where Seniors will pay $6000 more for Medicare and reach into their retirement savings to pay for health care or go without? Try reading some books, watch PBS Bill Moyers, Frontline, MSNBC, the cause of the financial meltdown Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report to the American People among other programs, Oh yes, I also listen to Limbaugh and Fox, until I hear the first lie or half truth usually in 90 seconds compared to what I READ from over 25 different Investigative reports on what got us in this mess.
Wise Up like I did. I worked for the Republican Party for 15 years as a volunteer, until I realized I was being lied to and given a line that had only one objective, to make the Rich Man, Richer at the expense of the Middle Class and Poor.
As Warren Buffet put it "There has been a Class Warfare going on for over 30 years, and my side is winning".

[NCBell]

This morning, my husband and I watched Face the Nation and was eager to watch a debate between Romney and Obama's representatives, to learn more about their standing on topics. We didn't hear a debate at all and only heard Ms. Cutter that couldn't be controlled by the moderator and who didn't know how to shut her mouth during the other side's response. We have never and would not expect in the future, that Face the Nation would not show both sides of a topic/discussion. We are intelligent enough to make up our own minds on a issue. The substitute moderator even went as to offering her own opinion once during this morning show. This is unacceptable! Bring back our beloved Bob.

[learn_from_history]

Agreed. Very poor behavior and very poorly moderated. Both representatives were behaving very childishly. I think I remember Fehrnstrom jumping in and talking over Cutter at least as often. When did this kind of behavior from supposed "professionals" become acceptable?

Note to moderator: This is one place where intolerance is perfectly acceptable. When you see this kind of behavior, cut them off. Think of it as a time out.

[learn_from_history]

Sitting here listening to Fehrnstrom and Cutter.

I am just so sick and tired of this childish sniping and bickering, failing to answer questions (particularly on the part of Fehrnstrom) so that they can refute the contentions of the other, and having so little sense of common courtesy that they don't hesitate to talk over each other AND the host. I didn't learn a damn thing from either of them, and it's about time we had some substantive information. "Go to whitehouse.gov" and "his record speaks for itself" just won't cut it. But campaign spokespeople are masters of puking out information-free streams of utterance, so at least they're working their strengths.

Disgusting. Our political system has become a facade for self-interest and special interests. We no longer have true representative government (unless you include corporations, who seem to be having no trouble at all finding representation). But we do have the best Congress money can buy.

[bflysy]

Ridiculous! Who is this guy that says "idears"? The english word is "ideas". I saw no respect for waiting till someone completed their statement. As a commentator or a network why not throw up a flag and stop such a conversation. I don't know about you but I cannot listen to 2 and 3 people talking at the same time. If the commentator does not intervene or want to then as a newwork cut off the microphone of the interrupter to clean this up. Thank You.

[learn_from_history]

Yep; felt way too much like some kind of bizarre political reality show ("The Real Campaign Spokespeople of DC"?) No civility, no courtesy, no intent to respond to any questions asked. So sick of this childish behavior.

[135255le]

There was no control by the moderator - agreed. This allowed no ability to determine what was actually being said but his constant use of "idears" was so incredibly distracting. How could someone with such a poor command of the English language be the one chosen to best represent his candidates political platform at such an important stage. Instead of listening to the content in between the back and forth sniping...all I could hear was the repeated misuse of "ideas" over and over again. Certainly, someone has noticed this flaw and addressed the problem in the past.