Katie Couric's Notebook: Undecided?

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Undecided Voters

The pundits are spinning like whirling dervishes today to declare their candidate the winner of last night's debate. But no matter who won, the clear losers are the undecided voters.

A CBS News poll found that 72 percent of them still feel the same way today – unsure. Part of the reason may be found in another poll number. Fifty-seven percent said neither candidate did a good job of answering the questions.

Based on the thousands of e-mails to our Webcast last night, the economy is Topic A at the kitchen table. Ellen from Mississippi wrote, "Without the slinging of mud and this one said this and did that, what are you going to do for Americans who work hard for a future that is not too promising?"

401Ks have lost $2 trillion in the past 15 months. The financial mess is already a Main Street problem, but Americans are still just hearing a lot of K Street spin. To the uncommitted voters, here's hoping the third time's a charm – that you'll hear real solutions at the next debate next Wednesday.

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by jorjalex October 10, 2008 7:58 PM EDT: Dear Americans,

I am appalled and dismayed with our current Government for the Government and by the Government policy.

I ask you what is being done with all of issues occuring and reoccuring in our Nation and the policy makers are not working to safeguard our futures, nor the futures of our children?

Anwwer: Nothing!

Everything from energy to economics to edcuation and security to enviroment to social security to taxes, nothing is being done to help US, the American, the worker, the taxpayer, the Family.

Does anyone remember from American History class what happened to the
British Tax Collectors????

It''s time for tea my fellow American.

God bless you all. God save us and our Country!!!!; Reply to this comment


by nicole093 October 10, 2008 12:33 AM EDT: IS IT TRUE THAT SARAH AND TODD ARE RACIST WHO DECIDED TO MOVE TO ALASKA BECAUSE OF THEIR DISDAIN FOR AMERICA AND TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE GROWING MINORITY POPULATIONS? -- TO ME THAT IS UNAMERICAN AND SICKENING.; Reply to this comment


by nicole093 October 10, 2008 12:30 AM EDT: I am so upset! I use to think that John McCain was an honorable man, but the clips that I am seeing from his and Sarah Palins rallies remind me of a modern day pre-lynching! HE IS STIRRING UP RACIAL TENSION- because most people associate TERRORISTS as outsiders and non-white. He is so desperate as to stoop to divisiveness and instead of political banter it has turned into "can''t let ''em take over" anger and rage in his rallies. I''m disgusted and saddened that he has used this platform as a platform of hatred for another AMERICAN!!!!; Reply to this comment


by nicole093 October 10, 2008 12:27 AM EDT: I am so upset! I use to think that John McCain was an honorable man, but the clips that I am seeing from his and Sarah Palins rallies remind me of a modern day pre-lynching! HE IS STIRRING UP RACIAL TENSION- because most people associate TERRORISTS as outsiders and non-white. He is so desperate as to stoop to divisiveness and instead of political banter it has turned into "can''t let ''em take over" anger and rage in his rallies. I''m disgusted and saddened that he has used this platform as a platform of hatred for another AMERICAN!!!!; Reply to this comment


by seattlesteph October 9, 2008 8:24 PM EDT: Katie,

Please go to this video titled "Palling Around with Secessionists''

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eniG9l_7its

and read this article by David Talbot titled ''The Palins'' un-American activities''

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/print.html

Thank you.; Reply to this comment


by conradblack-2009 October 9, 2008 8:23 PM EDT: The IGNORANT Republicans that post here make me ashamed. I''m a registered Republican, I''ve decided NOT TO VOTE this time, I''m DISGUSTED. Wholesale change of the Republican party is needed before they''ll ever get my vote again.

Get rid of the uneducated lowlifes that pander to the religious extremists in the GOP.

Get rid of the lowlifes that can''t accept that the war in Iraq has been a debacle.

Get rid of the jerks that think we should try imposing democracy all over the world when in reality we haven''t had it here since SHRUB and CHENEY got in.

I want a real Republican party that stands for something besides enriching the boys in Washington and their "friends".

Someone needs to be accountable, now is the time to force the Republican party to get back to it''s core values, not this crazy pandering to the myopic extremists.

If my one son breaks a window and his brother covers it up or remains silent I punish both. I don''t reward loyalty, I reward honesty, integrity and a committment to doing the best for the good of my family. My family are Americans, wish my party could say the same.; Reply to this comment


by randywood3 October 9, 2008 8:19 PM EDT: Katie,

We (I think I can speak for the average American) are as mad as hell and I don''t think we should take it anymore!

Let''s face it the real problem is a crisis of confidence. I made the mistake of voting for George Bush twice. I apologize to America for my bad judgement. It is time he actually took some responsibility for running this great country of ours into the ground. He needs to do something good for this country in our time of need. George Bush needs to resign and he needs to do so now! He isn''t capable of leading us out of this crisis.

You are in a unique position to help us (the American people) survive this crisis and get things back on track. Use your power and get this message out there. Start the ball rolling in the right direction.

Best Regards,

Randy Wood; Reply to this comment


by bebesvin October 9, 2008 6:42 PM EDT: The mud is indeed being slung, by Palin.. associating Obama with a terrorist (because that is the accepted proxy ad hominem rather than calling him the obvious word they really want to say, is "foreigner, *****, guy with Hussein in his last name" or any other racist remark... Are Undecided fighting the conflict within, wanting to go beyond racism, but having a hard time due to fear of the terrorists? Sounds like McCarthism all over again. McCainPalin McCarthism. Is Obama a terrorist? Hardly. Obama who helped with a food program in his early days in Chicago worked with some guy who helped the poor.. the guy happened to be an ex-activist in the 60s trying to get out the war in Vietnam, protesting by bombing. Obama was 8 years old when this guy was an activist.. when the guy was aquitted due to a technicality, he changed his ways and started helping the poor, teaching like his dad... Calling Obama a terrorist is like saying Reagan is a terrorist for funding Saddam Hussein''s military before Saddam went crazy. Can you not help the poor is anyone contributing to the food fund was an ex-con? Are you considered a criminal if you work with people who used to be jailed and are repenting by working with the hungry poor? Obama is a good guy for helping the Chicago poor and hungry.; Reply to this comment


by cbs300 October 9, 2008 6:42 PM EDT: What about Obama using US tax dollars to campaign for Obama''s cousin Odinga
http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/2008/10/06/barack-obama-raila-odinga/; Reply to this comment


by notsocialism October 9, 2008 5:26 PM EDT: CBS should report why there''s resistance from Obama to disclose/verify Obama''s transcript of records in Columbia & Harvard?

Why aren''t any of Obama''s classmates or professors come forward to vouch for Obama''s intellectual prowess as a student in Columbia & Harvard?

Is there risk of revelation that solidify Obama''s ties with radical extremists in columbia?

Where is the quest for truth?

How could anyone believe that Obama will deliver transparency during his presidency when he cannot even show transparency on his academic achievement in Columbia and in Harvard.

Common sense dictates that such person''s political doctrines will help shape his decision-making in governing the most powerful nation across the globe.

Could CBS cite who among the past U.S. presidents have had entrenched radical associations. Is Obama exempted for scrutiny? SCARY!!!!

Let our conscience guide us for the future of America!

One with questionable character and integrity or one with proven honorable track record?; Reply to this comment