Should S.C. Governor Sanford be removed from office?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admits he's been having an affair with a woman from Argentina - which is where he's been for the past week. This comes after days of speculation on the whereabouts of the Republican governor, ever since he went AWOL last Thursday.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford - and father of 4 - has admitted to cheating on his wife.
Sanford's staff said Monday that he was hiking along the Appalachian Trail, where Sunday was nude hikers day. That's where he told his staff he might be going. I wonder if he knew it was nude hikers day. Probably not.
As late as yesterday, Sanford's wife told CNN she still hadn't heard from her husband. Sanford has four sons - and was away from his family over Father's Day weekend... Charming man.
Sanford announced he's resigning as head of the Republican Governors Association. He was also once thought to be a contender for the 2012 presidential nomination. Governor Sanford is not what the Republican Party needs at this moment - or ever.
It's one thing to have an affair; but when you're the chief executive officer of the state, you can' t just disappear without telling anyone where you're going - let alone leave the country for almost a week.
Here’s my question to you: Should South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford be removed from office?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
When it comes to Iran, can women make the difference?
Supporters of defeated reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi demonstrate in Tehran. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Ordinary women have been playing an extraordinary role in the events following Iran's disputed election.
The most powerful example - the 26-year-old woman named Neda, who seemed to be only observing a demonstration when she was gunned down in the streets of Tehran with a single bullet to the chest. A crudely shot video of her final moments has been all over the web... instantly making her a martyr.
Neda is a symbol for all women who have become involved in this movement - an image of both the brutality of the regime and the significant role women are playing in fighting it. And there are many more like Neda.
As the protests and clashes with military forces continue, we continue to see images of women on the streets; they wear their scarves and traditional clothing. Some chant, some march, some collect rocks for ammunition against security forces. Riot police have even been seen clubbing women dressed in black robes. Real macho stuff - beating women with clubs.
One 19-year-old woman tells CNN that she's not scared of the security forces - no matter how many times she gets beaten: "When they want to hit me, I say hit. I have been hit so many times and this time it doesn't matter. I just want to help my brothers and sisters." She says women have been out in the streets in larger numbers than men.
One analyst says in the 1979 revolution, the iconic images were those of "bearded men." This time it's young women who are "the vanguards of Iran."
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to Iran, can women ultimately make the difference?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Should gov't have more power to regulate tobacco?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
A majority of Americans disapprove of the new law that expands the government's power to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco. A Gallup Poll shows 52-percent of those surveyed - including most smokers - are opposed to the measure, while 46-percent support it.
Cigarette ads are visible at a Manhattan newsstand. Yesterday, Pres. Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
College graduates and Democrats are more likely to support it... while Republicans and those with a high school education or less are more likely to be against it.
President Obama signed the law yesterday, giving the Food and Drug Administration power to ban candy-flavored and fruit-flavored cigarettes - which are targeted at young people.
It also prohibits the tobacco companies from using terms like "low tar," "light" or "mild," requires larger warning labels on packages, restricts advertising, and requires companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes.
It's estimated than more than 400,000 people still die every year from tobacco-related illnesses. Health care costs related to tobacco top $100 billion annually.
Meanwhile... on a personal note, the president admitted in today's press conference that sometimes he's "fallen off the wagon" in his effort to quit smoking. Mr. Obama says he's "95-percent cured," but it's something he continually struggles with, like alcoholics do - which is why he believes the anti-smoking legislation is so important.
Here’s my question to you: Should the government have additional powers to regulate tobacco?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What message would Palin send if she does not run for reelection?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There's growing speculation in Alaska that Governor Sarah Palin won't run for reelection in 2010. Politico reports that top Republicans and Democrats are quietly lining up to run for the office - should Palin decide not to.
No one has filed the official paperwork yet; but many are taking the governor's silence as a sign that she'll opt out of a second term in order to get more involved in national politics.
One politician who is weighing a run put it this way: "If you're Palin, once you've flown first class, you don't go back to coach. She's been to the show and certainly seemed to like it there."
He suggests that barring some "unforeseen collapse on the national stage," Palin won't run again for governor.
Some experts expect the governor to wait as long as possible before announcing her plans - that way she can keep her options open and minimize her lame duck status as governor if she decides not to run again.
Although Palin's approval ratings have taken a hit since she ran with John McCain, she's still strong enough to scare off most challengers in her own party. One former staffer says if Palin files for reelection, the race is over.
A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 21-percent of Republicans would back Palin as the 2012 presidential nominee - putting her at the top of the pack.
Here’s my question to you: What message would Alaska Governor Sarah Palin send if she chooses not to run for reelection?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Is President Obama's 'honeymoon' over?
(PHOTO CREDIT: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Barack Obama's honeymoon with the American public might be over.
Princeton professor Julian Zelizer writes in a piece on CNN.com that the president who once seemed invincible is now seen as potentially vulnerable, stating "This is when the sharks start to circle in American politics."
Zelizer points to the tensions between the left and center of the Democratic Party. For example, gay rights activists are disappointed with President Obama for not living up to promises they thought he made. Cracks in party unity will likely make it more difficult to get legislation like health care through Congress.
Then there's the deficit... Republicans have gained some political traction by seizing on the record spending and linking the president's policies to the government's red ink. There's also the wider question of the economy - now that things have stabilized, voters aren't as panicked; and Republicans are asking why the U.S. needs to spend stimulus money if the recession is almost over.
On the international front, the president is facing criticism over his response to crises like Iran and North Korea.
Nonetheless, even though some are taking issue with the president's policies, polls show the president himself remains very popular among Americans.
A CNN poll of polls shows Mr. Obama with a 60-percent approval rating. His average rating has held steady for the last two months and is higher than those of Presidents Bush or Clinton at a comparable time in office.
Here’s my question to you: Is President Barack Obama's "honeymoon" over?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Goldman Sachs may make its largest bonus payouts ever
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Goldman Sachs is on track to make the biggest bonus payouts in the company's 140-year history - according to a report in the British newspaper 'The Guardian'. Goldman staff in London were reportedly told that they could expect record bonuses if the company - as predicted - has its most profitable year ever.
Goldman Sachs' headquarters building in New York City.
The investment bank's earnings are up for several reasons - including a lack of competition, along with increased revenue from trading foreign currency, bonds and fixed income products.
Just last week Goldman Sachs repaid the government the $10 billion in TARP money it had received - which would leave it free to do whatever it wants. Yet the company is denying these reports about record bonuses, calling them "pure speculation." They say they won't know what bonuses will be until the end of December.
But the company's CEO told lawmakers recently that the firm is obligated to "ensure that compensation reflects the true performance of the firm and motivates proper behavior."
Critics say the culture of excessive risk and excessive bonuses is what brought down the financial system in the first place. Also, in light of the ongoing recession, record unemployment, foreclosures and a whole range of economic woes... some might wonder if this would be the best time for Goldman to pay out record bonuses.
It's believed the firm paid $1 million or more to nearly 1,000 bankers last year.
Here’s my question to you: What message would it send if Goldman Sachs makes the biggest bonus payouts in its 140-year history?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Why is health care reform in danger of not happening?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama's plan to push through health care reform this year is very much in danger of being dead. Top Democratic advisers are urging the president to get even more involved in the debate before it's too late.
The Congressional Budget office last week put the price tag at more than $1 trillion over the next decade; and said it would still leave millions of Americans uninsured.
Republicans have seized on this, insisting that health care reform may be too expensive at a time when we're already facing huge deficits. Senator Lindsey Graham called the CBO estimates a "death blow" to a government-run health care plan.
Some in the GOP suggest an overhaul of the nation's health care system just might have to wait for a while. They're also accusing the White House and Democrats of trying to rush through what they see as flawed legislation this year, before the mid-term elections in 2010.
The White House acknowledges there are legitimate concerns about the proposed legislation, but says the president is confident that setbacks are a normal part of what happens in Congress and that this legislation will get though Congress by the end of this year.
One senior official tells CNN, "We're not hysterical. We've seen this movie before."
But some people are not convinced, including some members of the president's own party. Senator Dianne Feinstein says she's not sure there are enough votes among Democrats to get this thing through. And she's probably right.
Here’s my question to you: Why is health care reform suddenly in danger of not happening?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Can protesters ever prevail in a country like Iran?
An Iranian protester stands next to a burning bus during clashes with Iranian police at a demonstration in Tehran. (PHOTO CREDIT: ALI SAFARI/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Iranian protesters aren't packing up and going home - despite warnings from the government that they should do just that.
Earlier today, the elite Revolutionary Guard warned that people who "disturb the peace and stand up to security forces" would be met with a strong response.
And they meant it... as riot police attacked hundreds of demonstrators with tear gas and fired live bullets into the air to break up one rally in Tehran today. Witnesses also said that helicopters hovered overhead; and they noted heavy police presence in other parts of the city.
The country's highest electoral authority - which has supposedly been investigating allegations of voter fraud - acknowledged that there were voting irregularities in 50-electoral districts. Nonetheless, the council insists the problems don't affect the election results.
But opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi is vowing to keep up the protests - defying the country's supreme leader.
It's impossible to know for sure how many people have been killed and injured in these protests since the Iranian government is severely restricting international media coverage. Reporters Without Borders says 20 journalists have been arrested in the past week, while many others have been kicked out of the country.
Nonetheless, violent amateur videos and pictures continue to make their way out of Iran though social networking websites.
Here’s my question to you: Can the protesters ever prevail in a country like Iran?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How can Obama impact fathers and families?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Sunday is Father's Day... and President Obama won't let it go by unnoticed.
He's devoting a large part of today to promoting the importance of being a good father as a national goal. The president is attending a series of events around Washington - including a town hall on personal responsibility and inviting boys from local schools to the White House. He's joined by high-profile athletes, actors and celebrities.
The president also wrote an essay that will appear in Parade magazine on Sunday. In it, he talks about growing up without a father around; and how that helped him understand the importance of fatherhood. Mr. Obama states:
"We need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one."
The president admits that he's an imperfect father - making mistakes, and sometimes allowing work to interfere with his responsibilities as a dad.
On the campaign trail last year, Mr. Obama often talked about the importance of fathers being present and active - especially within the African-American community.
There are about 24-million children growing up with absent fathers in this country; a disproportionate number of them are black. These children are more likely to fall into poverty and crime, and become parents themselves as teens.
Here’s my question to you: What kind of impact can President Obama have on fathers and families?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Global impact if Iran protests are successful
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
After a week of mostly peaceful protests in Iran - it seems like the demonstrators may now be headed for a showdown with the government. Iran's supreme leader is warning of a crackdown on protesters if they continue their massive street rallies.
Iranian supporters of defeated reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi demonstrate in Tehran.
The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says opposition leaders will be held accountable for "all the violence, bloodshed and rioting" if they don't stop. He also says the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wasn't rigged, and pretty much ruled out any chance for a new vote.
This leaves supporters of the opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi with two options: either pack up and go home or continue to protest... knowing that things could get ugly.
Khamenei insists Iran won't see another revolution, and that the street protests won't have any impact. But, what if he's wrong?
What if the 70-year-old supreme leader isn't in tune with the majority of Iranians - 70-percent of whom are under 30-yearsold and tech savvy? Already - these protests represent the greatest challenge to Iran's Islamic rulers since the 1979 revolution.
The hundreds of thousands of protesters could end up influencing Iran's relations with nations around the globe - from the U-S to Europe to Israel; not to mention what a revolution in Iran could mean for citizens of neighboring countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Here’s my question to you: What would it mean to the rest of the world if the protesters in Iran are successful?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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