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Gates says Obama more ‘analytical’ than Bush

Posted: March 1, 2009 1114 GMT
President Obama is more analytical than his predecessor, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.
President Obama is more analytical than his predecessor, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.

(CNN) — President Obama is more analytical than his predecessor, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.

Gates, the only Cabinet holdover from the Bush administration, initially paused when asked what the difference is between working with President Obama and President Bush.

“President Obama is somewhat more analytical, and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don’t speak up, he calls on them,” Gates said on NBC’s Meet the Press.

“President Bush was interested in hearing different points of view but didn’t go out of his way to make sure everybody spoke if they hadn’t spoken up before,” he added.

Gates also said with a chuckle that the difference between working for the two presidents sounded like the subject of a good book.

460 Comments

  1. David
    March 1st, 2009 11:16 am ET

    It doesn’t sound like Obama is capable of making his own decisions if he has to gather a ton of opinions.

  2. TCM
    March 1st, 2009 11:17 am ET

    He’s inexperienced, thus asking more questions…GATES!
    Bush had a grasp on the war situation; therefore we didn’t get attacked again, by the clowns Clinton let go…..OBama only digs to find out information that will keep his teflon coating in place….however, like with all teflon…it’s starting to peel! Thank GOD!

  3. mary,florida
    March 1st, 2009 11:19 am ET

    Obama is articulate and the other just has a tic.

  4. Moving Forward!
    March 1st, 2009 11:19 am ET

    Refreshing!! A president who can really think!!! Yes we will! Finally get this country back on it’s feet!

    Thank you Mr. President!!

  5. DJ
    March 1st, 2009 11:20 am ET

    I’m sure there will be a book someday, former administration officials love to write books.

    I’m just glad to hear our president is interested in being well informed and using his resources to arrive at decisions.

  6. Bob
    March 1st, 2009 11:21 am ET

    Glad BO kept Gates and glad Gates likes his new boss. Even more glad that the new boss listens.

  7. garry albrecht
    March 1st, 2009 11:21 am ET

    “And if they don’t speak up, he calls on them,”

    Keeping to his professor roots, I see.

  8. Randy, San Francisco
    March 1st, 2009 11:21 am ET

    What Gates left out diplomatcally was: Obama was more analytical and SMARTER.

  9. Eileen
    March 1st, 2009 11:22 am ET

    “Gates says Obama more ‘analytical’ than Bush” - that much was obvious to the majority of Americans - the election results proved that.

    Then again, it also became obvious during the course of the last 8 years that a trained monkey is more analytical than GW Bush. He relied on his “gut” and didn’t actively consult others for differing opinions where as Gates said Obama actively solicits opinions from all ranges on the spectrum.

  10. bill
    March 1st, 2009 11:23 am ET

    No surprise here, as George Bush thought that he was always right and that everyone else was wrong. Also if you disagreed with the “master”, you either would be fired or there would be “hell to pay” for your saying anything contrary to what he said or thought.

    Sounds kind of like a dictatorship ……. huh? And that is a democracy?

  11. Had It
    March 1st, 2009 11:23 am ET

    More analytical? Of course, that requires a brain, which the right-wing puppet of the last 8 years did not have.

  12. Ronnie D
    March 1st, 2009 11:24 am ET

    Of course Obama is more analytical than Bush! Bush is a moron! Even a third grader has more intellectual curiosity than Bush.

  13. Latigo
    March 1st, 2009 11:24 am ET

    Yeah, right, Secretary Gates. Obama listens to everyone just like he did during the White House meeting on the stimululs package. The Republican leadership spoke up and offered tax cut ideas for debate and mentioned other policies that Obama had actually supported during the campaign, and were cut off abruptly. What was Obama’s reply? I won the election, so I’m going to do it my way. Please! Gates is just bellying up to his boss and the media is lapping it all up.

  14. Teddy City
    March 1st, 2009 11:25 am ET

    It’s about time we got someone in the white house who can do this kind of thinking stuff. I certainly don’t want to do it.

  15. Walter
    March 1st, 2009 11:25 am ET

    Obama is more analytical than Bush? No big surprise there. My chubby grey cat is more analytical that George Bush.

  16. duddley been dun wrong
    March 1st, 2009 11:26 am ET

    that’s the difference. wasting time and energy. hear from everybody whether they’re relevant or not. those with something important to say will make themselves known. obama’s just being a feel good guy but that’ll change when he realizes he doesn’t have the time to listen to all these jokers. rookie mistake in a new job. lol.

  17. Fan of Common Sense
    March 1st, 2009 11:26 am ET

    ANOTHER OBAMA PUPPET DOING AND SAYING EXACTLY WHAT HE IS TOLD BY WHITE HOUSE CHIEF-OF-STAFF RAHM “STEAK KNIFE” EMANUEL.

  18. Madmore
    March 1st, 2009 11:27 am ET

    Obama more analytical than Bush….’duh”

  19. america first
    March 1st, 2009 11:27 am ET

    the difference being President Obama is for ALL America, bush was for the RICH only.

  20. philip
    March 1st, 2009 11:27 am ET

    Smarter is the word that he may have been searching for?

  21. chelo
    March 1st, 2009 11:28 am ET

    very smart thing to say from sec. gates, obama is a lot more analytical than bush, we all knew that. dont get me wrong or anything gates has done a marvelous job as defense sec., but i think obama should look else where and replace gates. someone like sen. chuck haggel. that guy has credibility and integrity, but most importantly he has always been a critic of the war in the middle east and the bush admn.

  22. Central Scruitinizer
    March 1st, 2009 11:29 am ET

    Not a great compliment , concidering a fruitbasket is also more analytical than bush

  23. A Historian
    March 1st, 2009 11:30 am ET

    no crap

  24. ruty
    March 1st, 2009 11:36 am ET

    My dog is more analytical than Bush.

  25. VAIndpdt
    March 1st, 2009 11:37 am ET

    This headline is misleading because it makes the reader immediately feel that in comparison; President Bush didn’t analyze much or at all when making decisions. While I do respect Sec. Gates for giving his candid opinion in comparison. CNN covering only this story from the angle that it did framed the entire situation in Obama’s favor. Tsk. Tsk. Oh well, on the other hand…..I can actually see this happening. lol!

  26. Obamacide
    March 1st, 2009 11:37 am ET

    Perhaps the reason Obama does this is because he is so over his head on things that he wants to make sure he hears from everybody, even those that obviously have nothing to add to the discussion. He obviously is very insecure about things. A confident person would not feel the need to do this. They would hear what the advisors had to offer, and then they make a decision. They feel no need to turn over every stone on every issue. More analytical equals more insecure, and he should be given he has no experience in anything that matters.

  27. IMan
    March 1st, 2009 11:41 am ET

    Not surprised. Obama was a college professor.

  28. Jane
    March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    Way to go Gates. Why don’t you throw Preisdent Bush under the bus. But better yet, why don’t you not go back to A&M - you wer enot good there either. Bush made you, now you are really, really unloyal. Obama better watch out - you might just think you can say whatever you want to about him too.

  29. katiec
    March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    With Bush and his administration it was my way or the highway.
    How refreshing to have a President that listens, hears and
    considers all opinions and ideas.

  30. Emily
    March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    Now thats change we can believe in, and that is the change that the America people voted for

  31. Rick Roberts
    March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    I think that is a good thing. We actually have a President who wants all the advice he can get before making a stab at something.
    Imagine if Bush would have done that. We might not have ever gone into Iraq. Would that have been a bad thing? I don’t think so.

  32. Bruce
    March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    I think Gates was a good choice.

  33. DP
    March 1st, 2009 11:44 am ET

    Obama needs to listen to the people who pay the bills, not those who feel they need a free ride on the tax payers dollar. 40% of Americans have a zero net tax burden. This needs to change. Want to talk about fair share. A family making $200,300 pays 33 cents for every dollar they earn to the government. A person making less than $16,050 pays 10 cents for every dollar they earn. According to Obama, the person paying $66,099 in taxes is not paying their fair share over someone paying only $1,605 in taxes. He needs to wake up and listen to those actually contributing to the government, unless he does not care that we all might decide to quit working and live off his new unemployment and healthcare system.

  34. Louis
    March 1st, 2009 11:45 am ET

    So Gates chuckled at the idea of writing a book. I’m sure the families of all the dead soldiers and civilians from this unnecessary war can’t wait to read it.

  35. The Voice
    March 1st, 2009 11:47 am ET

    Obama is also way smarter and can speak and handle himselft like and intelligent person.

  36. Maggie
    March 1st, 2009 11:47 am ET

    Obama has never struck me as a guy to develope an idea on his own so he has to listen to everyone so he cna make a decision or form an opinion. He talks a lot but never really says anything.

  37. JSU-TIGER99
    March 1st, 2009 11:47 am ET

    I am glad he want to hear from everyone to see what they can bring to the table on the issue that this country is having at this time. To make the matter great he go out his way and make the people say something even if they dont want to. Just like a school teacher that really care about his/her students he want to hear them instead of seeing them in every meeting doing nothing but writting notes

  38. George
    March 1st, 2009 11:49 am ET

    Very good news to me!

  39. Matt
    March 1st, 2009 11:53 am ET

    my pet dog is more analytical than bush

  40. SHEEMA
    March 1st, 2009 11:54 am ET

    Im so proud of our country,and our new president!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. Independent Dave
    March 1st, 2009 11:54 am ET

    Translation: Doesn’t ’shoot from the hip’.

  42. elsee
    March 1st, 2009 11:54 am ET

    Kinda a compliment, I guess. But then, a sheep would be more analytical than Bush.

  43. Diane
    March 1st, 2009 11:55 am ET

    “Somewhat” more analytical? That’s an understatement.

  44. Gabe
    March 1st, 2009 11:56 am ET

    An analytical president? This may take some getting used to.

  45. Jack
    March 1st, 2009 11:56 am ET

    Of course he is…………….he has one thing George Bush doesn’t………………………………A BRAIN!!!!

  46. No Vaseline
    March 1st, 2009 11:58 am ET

    Finally, a President who listens to everybody. Suck on that, Rethuglicans!

  47. TjayeInLA
    March 1st, 2009 11:59 am ET

    LOL Sounds like a diplomatic way of saying President Obama is ’smarter’.

  48. REG in AZ
    March 1st, 2009 11:59 am ET

    And, as with Iraq, Bush goes ahead and does whatever he wants no matter what everyone else thinks;in fact, he expects everyone to support his predetermined decisions. Nothing but trouble there. Glad Obama is different!

  49. Ha Ha!
    March 1st, 2009 12:00 pm ET

    My pet bird Luther is more analytical than Bush!

  50. John G
    March 1st, 2009 12:03 pm ET

    Cue nasty libs in 3…2…1….

  51. maf
    March 1st, 2009 12:03 pm ET

    The intellectual difference between 44 and 43 is thoroughly welcomed by this Canadian!

  52. Vic
    March 1st, 2009 12:03 pm ET

    The fact that President Obama is more analytical than Bush is no great surprise. But it is surprising that Gates shared this fact on MTP. .Bravo,Gates!

  53. Abdul Sallaj
    March 1st, 2009 12:05 pm ET

    “Somewhat” more analytic? I think he’s just being nice.

  54. Eric
    March 1st, 2009 12:05 pm ET

    Wow it sounds like we went back to having a smart guy in the whitehouse.

  55. Alan
    March 1st, 2009 12:06 pm ET

    typical Scowcroft RINO - Republican in Name Only, just like Bill Cohen…what’s good for him, not for the party, and definitely NOT for the nation, especially serving under THIS guy.

  56. Linda in MS
    March 1st, 2009 12:07 pm ET

    Aha…I knew I was right all along!

  57. Hat
    March 1st, 2009 12:07 pm ET

    One thought makes him more analytical then George W. Bush. I doubt GW every had an original thought of his own, Cheney or Daddy had to implant it. Thank God that corrupt administration is history, Obama sure can’t do any worse.

  58. Robert
    March 1st, 2009 12:09 pm ET

    Makes sense Bush certainly did not analyze the intelligent data before attacking, YEA ATTACKING, a country that did NOTHING to the United States. Shock and Disgrace.

  59. Smirking in Texas
    March 1st, 2009 12:09 pm ET

    Sounds to me like someone is trying to keep their job…….. typical case of brown nosing

  60. Amy
    March 1st, 2009 12:09 pm ET

    Ya think?

  61. Jon in Ca
    March 1st, 2009 12:09 pm ET

    In essence - Obama doesn’t know what he is doing and wants to get everyone to help him make a decision… even if it means calling President Bush.

    Geooorgie pleaseeee help meeee! I’m sorry I blasted your Iraq Strategy… since I’m now following it.

  62. Craig Simpson
    March 1st, 2009 12:09 pm ET

    Bush didn’t know the definition of analysis. Cheney made all the decisions.

  63. ztx
    March 1st, 2009 12:10 pm ET

    Duh!

  64. Sean Deason
    March 1st, 2009 12:12 pm ET

    How nice to have a leader who doesn’t make decisions based on his “gut” or his interpretation of “what would Jesus do?” In life it’s best to make choices after pausing a moment or two to think rather than what your immediate emotional state is at that moment. It’s sounds simple, but it’s a very difficult thing to remember.

  65. Darryl
    March 1st, 2009 12:12 pm ET

    So…Obama uses his brain more than Dubya…

    I wonder if this is coming as a surprise to anyone?

  66. Shirley
    March 1st, 2009 12:12 pm ET

    Of course, Obama is more analytical ~ ~ Obama listens to others and puts his mind in gear before he speaks ~ ~ something the GOP has never learned to do, including their former leader ~ ~

  67. lkinopfl
    March 1st, 2009 12:13 pm ET

    Thank you Mr. Gates for being honest. We appreciate your honesty and makes us feel even more confident about our newly elected President.

  68. Sanity has returned
    March 1st, 2009 12:13 pm ET

    This is why I voted for Obama. I’m not disappointed.

  69. Analytical means both sides
    March 1st, 2009 12:14 pm ET

    This administration is got to stop comparing themselves to the predecessor. They are not any better. What are you going to say about your current boss. If the president was so analytical, then lets listen to both sides. We have gone down hill with Congress in the last 2 years. Lets stop blaming Bush and lets see what the president can do with the leaders in Congress and the Senate. History will show but people have to stop making excuses and blaming one man. We do have a House of Congress and House of Senate, dont we? Lets get a little more productive and start looking at the details of the Stimulus package. Lets not hide from the American public. Lets not go into a camera and lie to the American people. Media, lets wake up and write stories that have integrity.

  70. Patriot
    March 1st, 2009 12:14 pm ET

    Really? Then the country has to be in better shape, prospectively, than being led by someone who makes up their mind regardless of the facts. Now if he coud just get Pelosi and that gang under control, yes, there is hope.

  71. Paul
    March 1st, 2009 12:14 pm ET

    I wonder how the unfair and imbalanced FoxNews and Rush Lim-bore will spin this. I am sure they’ll say “Gates slams Bush, commits treason against the GOP” or something like that.

  72. Schatboy
    March 1st, 2009 12:15 pm ET

    Same old CNN. Any time they can “bash” Bush or make him appear to be stupid they jump at the chance. PATHETIC little boys and girls.

  73. Johnny V
    March 1st, 2009 12:15 pm ET

    Well, can’t say that this story suprises me at all. When you compare the arrogance of Bush vs. the intellect of Obama, the difference in style is bound to be very dramatic.

  74. Art Carmen
    March 1st, 2009 12:16 pm ET

    Gates states the obvious. Too bad. Cerebral fortitude count. Too lack of intelligence , ability to reason , and analytical ability, comprehension, are not grounds for impeachment. Firmly believe Bush was dyslexic, just like Reagan had Ahlzeimers Disease while in office. The signs were all convincingly there- inability to read more than summary sheerts on Bush’s part, and unable in last years to answer thoughtfully on Reagan’s part.

    obama has grasped more and done more with just one month n office. Bush admitted that it took him a year to really grasp foreign policy. No problem , though, as long as you are keeping the CEOs happy.

  75. Hope
    March 1st, 2009 12:16 pm ET

    Obama as Chris Mathews on MSNBC puts it is the first Luo President, my understanding is that Luos are a brainy tribe in Kenya, Obamas dad came from grazing cattle to a havard graduate, we need to import more Luo brains to this country, it will uplift our leadership standards.

  76. Andy
    March 1st, 2009 12:16 pm ET

    I don’t believe that it should be much of a surprise to any intelligent human being that President Obama is more analytical then former President Bush. President Bush showed us for 8 years that he wasn’t very smart….. just look at where we are today after 8 years of his “smart” ideas about running our country and trying to run the world. Can someone please spell IRAQ?” It is also interesting that Secretary Gates mentioned that in meetings President Obama listens to everyone whereas President Bush called on a few and then made his decision. Heh, there’s nothing like calling on “company men” who will always agree with whatever comes out your mouth, NOT!

  77. Former Republican for Obama, Columbia, TN
    March 1st, 2009 12:17 pm ET

    Thank God we have a President that likes to think and use his brain to make crucial decisions.

  78. hilary
    March 1st, 2009 12:17 pm ET

    the is rader very clear and that is a good example of how a world leader should act. thanks from nigeria.

  79. Josh B
    March 1st, 2009 12:17 pm ET

    he may jokingly say its sounds like a subject of a good book. But it could very well end up being an excellent book for politicians. On what to do vs what not to do. Or how to get the most out of the people you are delegating to.

  80. harry
    March 1st, 2009 12:17 pm ET

    I read once that the Sioux Indians pierced the ears of some of the 7th Cavalry dead. Piercing the ears of the dead enabled them to hear better in their next life when they wouldn’t listen in this life.

  81. Vikram
    March 1st, 2009 12:17 pm ET

    See? SEE?

    BUSH IS STUPID LOLOLOL z0mg

    I LOVE TEH OBAMAZOR!

    Go for it fanboys, you know you want to.

  82. keith in NC
    March 1st, 2009 12:18 pm ET

    Obama wants everyone’s view so he can more easily spread the blame after he makes a bad decision.

  83. Drew
    March 1st, 2009 12:19 pm ET

    Nahhhh, you don’t say!

  84. Truth Teller
    March 1st, 2009 12:19 pm ET

    Is anyone surprised? No one on the left is.

  85. greg allen
    March 1st, 2009 12:20 pm ET

    give gates credit, he’s honest

  86. rob
    March 1st, 2009 12:20 pm ET

    Analytical? Well, OK. I guess that’s a polite way of putting it.

  87. Adrian Veidt
    March 1st, 2009 12:20 pm ET

    …is *anyone* surprised that Bush was less analytical?

  88. AJ
    March 1st, 2009 12:21 pm ET

    This is how Leader should work bet the view point from everyone in the room. Gates and Obama are both very good leaders

  89. Frank form Gilroy
    March 1st, 2009 12:21 pm ET

    That’s because Bush and his neocon fascists had already made up there minds and were going through the motions to say they did before they “broke the world” with their flawed policies, horrible governance and retarded execution. They were knee jerk reactionaries at best. Thank God the American public figured out they had SUCKER tattooed on their foreheads this time around.

  90. Truth
    March 1st, 2009 12:21 pm ET

    Of course Obama is “more analytical” - he has an unpickled brain in his head….. unlike his predecessor.

  91. Nightingirl
    March 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

    I’m sorry - is this a revelation to anyone?

  92. Juan Jimenez
    March 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

    Really? You think?

    (This “D-Oh!” moment brought to you by the Movement for the Constitutional Prohibition on Single-Digit-IQ Candidates for Political Office)

  93. Jerry
    March 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

    Bush was an intellectual IDIOT!! Obama is an intellectual genius compared to Bush…think Howdy Dowdy versus Einstein…

  94. Jorge Rey
    March 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

    What a shock! President Bush wasn’t a critical thinker???

  95. Swiftlearner
    March 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

    In simple English, Obama think and actively listen.He want to serve the country.

    Bush, the MBA dont analysis and dont understand social cost to the country. he wanted the country to serve him.

  96. S.E. Weinstein
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    Of course he’s more analytical. He might be more intelligent.

  97. seabee
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    U-BET!!!!! A perfect match for the best two minds to aid us in our defense needs. CB

  98. Karen
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    Sounds like a book I would like to read! :-)

  99. 30m-Democrat-voted Clinton then McCain
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    Do you really think Gates will criticize his boss? Let’s see what Gates says once he is no longer on the White House payroll.

  100. PK California
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    Makes sense! Bush was the DECIDER and didn’t care what other opinions were. Obama is wise enough to realize and admit the he doesn’t have all the answers. He wouldn’t need a cabinet or advisors if he did. I truly believe that Bush was just going through the motions.

  101. jhon wilson
    March 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

    This is obama said during his compaign. He listen before he decide. We apreciate that keep it up Obama!

  102. David
    March 1st, 2009 12:24 pm ET

    Why DUH!

    You could tell from day one Bush had little gray matter.

  103. Kathy S. Cloughn
    March 1st, 2009 12:25 pm ET

    He’s being kind! Obama is intellectually superior to George Bush in a million ways. Bush was lazy, disinterested and didn’t have an analytical bone in his body. Don’t insult Obama…just be glad he’s president now in this crisis.

  104. markens
    March 1st, 2009 12:25 pm ET

    we need a smarter government. the obama is the best of the best presidents. if you don’t like him, deal with it.

  105. Joe
    March 1st, 2009 12:25 pm ET

    Well in contrast to our previous president, 149 visits to Camp David presidential retreat (Total 487 days) and 77 visits to (Total of 490 days). So much vacation it stopped being news worthy. I guess a pickup game here and there isn’t so bad. I’m personally glad that this is news rather than the alternative.

  106. Bobby G. -ATL
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    Analytical? Is that a polite way of saying George was big on thinking?

  107. BJ in NC
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    Analytical=serious, responsible thinking and not shoot from the hip without taking the weapon out of the hoster then ask questions about the results.

  108. Joe
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    Well in contrast to our previous president, 149 visits to Camp David presidential retreat (Total 487 days) and 77 visits to Crawford, TX ranch (Total of 490 days). So much vacation it stopped being news worthy. I guess a pickup game here and there isn’t so bad. I’m personally glad that this is news rather than the alternative.

  109. Joshua
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    If thought patterns are based on language skills, then he probably thinks a lot clearer than President Bush also.

  110. Hannah Stevens
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    That’s an under statement. We now have a president who reads. Bush didn’t even read, cheney told everyone to keep the memos short so that bush could understand them. We have possibly the smartest president ever in the white house and I am so glad.

  111. prestoncoleman
    March 1st, 2009 12:26 pm ET

    Analysis? Who needs analysis? We need a president who governs from the gut. Education and reflection are the enemies of Deciderers.

  112. james
    March 1st, 2009 12:27 pm ET

    Gates is stating the obvious.

  113. allen
    March 1st, 2009 12:28 pm ET

    DUH!

  114. rob
    March 1st, 2009 12:28 pm ET

    wow mr President i said you the man .

  115. Bryan P Scully
    March 1st, 2009 12:28 pm ET

    Obama is “somewhat more analytical” than Bush??? George Bush doesn’t know how to spell it , no less practice it…………

  116. AnIndependent
    March 1st, 2009 12:29 pm ET

    Probably the big difference is that Obama is smart and that’s why he is so analytical?

  117. Farrell, Houston, Tx
    March 1st, 2009 12:29 pm ET

    WHAT GATES IS REALLY SAYING IS THAT OBAMA’S INTELLIGENCE ALLOWS HIM TO BE ANALYTICAL. BUSH SUFFERED FROM LACK OF BOTH.

  118. John in AZ
    March 1st, 2009 12:29 pm ET

    Well, there’s a completely expected difference. It’s great that Gates was so candid.

  119. Ah Duhhhhhh
    March 1st, 2009 12:29 pm ET

    Hello:
    Tell America something that most Americans have knew for quite some time about King George Bush. One might go as far as stating that most eight graders have had higher IQ and strategy development skills.
    Then again most eight graders did not have the opportunity to abuse cocaine at Camp David while daddy was president and later overcome being an alcoholic. These little bad habits brain killers along with George JR ability to bankrupt his first oil company after college. Hmmm how did that work out and apply to running the biggest management project called the US?

    Signed DUHHHHH (Quite possibly Sarah I don’t have a clue Palin was sharper too….)

  120. Jim Stuart
    March 1st, 2009 12:30 pm ET

    After 8 years a President that listens and wants to hear from everyone? WOW. Though that is a known difference between conservatives and thinkers.

  121. Emily
    March 1st, 2009 12:30 pm ET

    You go Gates with that diplomatic answer. “What I am trying to say is that Obama likes to think. He thinks frequently. He uses his brain, and not just Monday through Saturday but on Sunday also. It’s quite a change.”

  122. WeAreAGreatNation
    March 1st, 2009 12:30 pm ET

    What a coward! Trait of a traitor. He should keep this opinion to himself. No more respect for this guy.

  123. thank goodness
    March 1st, 2009 12:31 pm ET

    you mean he likes to think things through??…why does he hate America so…

  124. Not news
    March 1st, 2009 12:31 pm ET

    So is my Australian Shepherd.

  125. chuck tulsa
    March 1st, 2009 12:32 pm ET

    What a shock. A turnip is more analytical than Dubya.

  126. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 12:33 pm ET

    One more difference…Obama has a brain!

  127. Sunil
    March 1st, 2009 12:33 pm ET

    A (sort of) diplomatic way of suggesting that Bush was ignorant, inflexible and stubborn.

    Not that we didn’t know already.

  128. pudge
    March 1st, 2009 12:33 pm ET

    Remember, Gates was not there at the beginning of Bush’s presidency. This is not a difference between Obama and Bush. This is a difference between a veteran President and a rookie President.

  129. Geoff Castro
    March 1st, 2009 12:34 pm ET

    Thanks Sec. Gates for the understatement of the century. It is frightening how bad of a president Bush was. Even if someone is not a fan of Obama and thinks he is too liberal or whatever, you have to admit that it is refreshing to have an intelligent man in office again. Frankly, it is just nice to have someone that can speak english!

    I hope Obama accomplishes great things worth remembering during his presidency.

    Bush on the other hand, will be remembered for being “someone you want to have a beer with”. What a legacy!

  130. darby
    March 1st, 2009 12:34 pm ET

    I like Gates. He has an honest, polite manner to him. He is too polite to say that Bush was brain-dead and Obama is bright and focused, but that is between the lines.

  131. odysseus14
    March 1st, 2009 12:34 pm ET

    I find it funny when people write things like “This is news?” and “Who cares?” when obviously they clicked on the story all by themselves and read it; obviously interested.

    Sounds like a man crush to me.

    Come out and say it: you ARE interested. Obama is a cool guy. Not really anything to bash about.

    Oh and to the person that called him a chimp - don’t you know, as Professor Leaky stated “We are apes.” You, that person, happens to be an ape that can write without actually thinking about what he is writing.

    Time to use your brains people! I know that has been discouraged over the past 50 years, but come on. All you can do is automatically bash someone?

    Really, picture ANY republican shooting hoops. Really.

  132. Tripp
    March 1st, 2009 12:35 pm ET

    MAN I would love to hear what he says behind closed doors. I would really love to pick his brain on this topic.

  133. Nick
    March 1st, 2009 12:35 pm ET

    shocker

  134. Sue
    March 1st, 2009 12:35 pm ET

    Is that a big wonder?

  135. Charles
    March 1st, 2009 12:36 pm ET

    It’s amazing Obama is much more analytical than Bush, yet he still makes the same bonehead decisions when it comes to the economy (SPEND SPEND SPEND!!!)

  136. Linda K.
    March 1st, 2009 12:36 pm ET

    Really??? Are you sure about that?

    Why do you think we elected him?

  137. Alex
    March 1st, 2009 12:36 pm ET

    An inquisitive mind in the White House? Good Lord, surely this cannot be?

  138. Lynn
    March 1st, 2009 12:37 pm ET

    This should be no surprise to anyone, considering that Mr. Bush spent the last eight years answering to NO ONE, least of all the American people.

  139. Lynn
    March 1st, 2009 12:37 pm ET

    This should be no surprise to anyone, considering that Mr. Bush spent the last eight years answering to NO ONE, least of all the American people.

  140. Lynn
    March 1st, 2009 12:37 pm ET

    This should be no surprise to anyone, considering that Mr. Bush spent the last eight years answering to NO ONE, least of all the American people.

  141. Meka
    March 1st, 2009 12:37 pm ET

    ROBERT GATES KNOWS TOO WELL, THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS A MUCH HIGHER IQ, THAN BUSH!

  142. KBeat
    March 1st, 2009 12:39 pm ET

    Obama more analytical than Bush? Shocking! In other news Rush Limbaugh is more conservative than Michael Moore, Charles Barkley likes to party more than Kurt Warner, and Barry Bonds is more juiced up than carton of Tropicana.

  143. Ken
    March 1st, 2009 12:39 pm ET

    You didn’t really need to be a member of Bush’s or Obama’s cabinet to figure THAT out.

  144. Kurt
    March 1st, 2009 12:39 pm ET

    Obama more analytical than Bush? NAAAAHH! Really? Must be liberal bias from Gates….

  145. Tired of the old way of life
    March 1st, 2009 12:40 pm ET

    Sounds like Gates is enjoying working with the new President.

  146. Steven
    March 1st, 2009 12:40 pm ET

    And that is all you need to know. Build a team of rivals + listen to them all = a process out of which all can accept the outcome.

  147. BostoniaNTexas
    March 1st, 2009 12:40 pm ET

    No surprise here. President Obama ACTUALLY uses that god-given melon between his ears.

    It seems with Bush he probably listened,but also probably had his mind made up before any intelligence meetings started. No one or I myself can ever know that,but it seems like that. It was always “Either you’re with us or against us.”

    I think for a president to preside in that manner ( as Bush did with that attitrude ) it produces alot of YES men. And in terms of national security that is SCARY.

    If a president rules with an iron fist and people are scared to either speak up or tell it how it is; for fear of what may happen,then you’re going down a slippery slope.

  148. Sammy
    March 1st, 2009 12:40 pm ET

    I LOVE it! An “analytical” president — instead of the guy who thinks from his abdome– ah, gut…

    GO-BAMA!!!

    :)

  149. Jim
    March 1st, 2009 12:41 pm ET

    So, basically Gates is saying the current president is more interested in getting it right than the last.

    How refreshing. A change we can believe in.

  150. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 12:43 pm ET

    Hahaha, already banking on the book deal Mr. Gates.

  151. bworley
    March 1st, 2009 12:44 pm ET

    so what he doesn’t listen to them he’s no different than bush my way or no way

  152. Walter Wego
    March 1st, 2009 12:44 pm ET

    Without being politically correct, that means, “He’s smarter, more considerate, and knows how to run a meeting”.

  153. zach
    March 1st, 2009 12:44 pm ET

    No surprise there.

  154. Jeff Jansen
    March 1st, 2009 12:45 pm ET

    Most 4th graders are more analytical than Bush.

  155. Jeff
    March 1st, 2009 12:45 pm ET

    You don’t have to be on the Cabinet to see this!

  156. Mike Dallas
    March 1st, 2009 12:45 pm ET

    I did hear that remark and I think President Obama is brilliant and I am glad he does not just listen to those “yes men” but he actively solicits opposing views to incoporate into the final decision, as now verified by someone in the Republican party. Analytical thinking has been missing from our leadership over the last 8 years and was replaced with “shoot from the hip” and “never change your core values once a decision is made” even when it comes to light the shoot from the hip approach was wrong. However, I would not consider it an admirable milestong, of the fact that President Obama is more analytical than Bush.

    A No.2 pencil has more intellectual curiosity than Bush!

  157. Steven
    March 1st, 2009 12:45 pm ET

    Duh! Why would that be surprising considering given the intelligence of the two men: the new president, a Harvard PHD university professor and the other a brainless moron!

  158. ex-rev
    March 1st, 2009 12:45 pm ET

    Well that was a no brainer comment… I mean what Mr Gates said, we no that Bush was a no brainer.

  159. Dorothy M. Oliver, Greensboro, NC
    March 1st, 2009 12:46 pm ET

    Why do you think we voted for him! He has a level head on his shoulders– an oddity in D.C. for many years.

  160. John
    March 1st, 2009 12:46 pm ET

    Retaining Defense Secretary Gates is one of the smartest and wisest decisions by President Obama. Gates was Bush’s best pick for a cabinet post.

  161. Tony
    March 1st, 2009 12:46 pm ET

    Dah….Barney is more analytic then Bush.
    That is what you get from a person that is smart, confident, good listener, and who actually cares about the American and is not idiological like Bush.

    That is what you get when the right person wins elections.

  162. Not Buying It
    March 1st, 2009 12:47 pm ET

    Perhaps because he can’t make a decision without thinking about what it will do to his miniscule chance of being reelected.

  163. Mandy
    March 1st, 2009 12:47 pm ET

    It is so revealing when someone from Bush’s Administration, a Republican, is not only chosen by President Obama, but also clearly states the major issues Bush had by not caring to listen to other people’s ideas.

    I have been a lifelong and proud Democrat, but Secretary Gates, you are one incredible man.

  164. Mark S.
    March 1st, 2009 12:47 pm ET

    You needed to publish an article telling us this? Seriously?

  165. Bryan
    March 1st, 2009 12:48 pm ET

    I’m really impressed by the way President Obama has been handling himself and the administration. Although maybe people are expecting big things out of him, I’m more than satisfied just to hear that he is direct and ‘analytical’. I expect the best out of him. But i don’t expect the world.

  166. Bob G
    March 1st, 2009 12:49 pm ET

    It’s also an obvious difference between a smart, thoughful man and a complete idiot that Bush was and is.

  167. Craig in Flagstaff AZ
    March 1st, 2009 12:49 pm ET

    Yeah,

    See George run. Run George, RUN!

  168. Merritt
    March 1st, 2009 12:49 pm ET

    Sounds like a nicer way of saying he’s ’smarter.’

  169. George
    March 1st, 2009 12:50 pm ET

    President Obama is great but, just about anyone would be more analytical than Bush.

  170. Libertarian
    March 1st, 2009 12:51 pm ET

    That’s cause Bush just asked Cheney what he thought was best for HAliburton…..decision made.

  171. Thomas raju
    March 1st, 2009 12:51 pm ET

    A leader should be a good listener & a good follower. Every body can talk big but rarely people are pragmatic .Doing right thing in right time is that matters. Money is not God but it is equal to god up to certain extent.If no money no capitalism.We should think that whatever we do to overcome the crisis should not bring more debt to the system.What ever we do without increasing the production to bring extra money will only make negative effect and result in a bad tommorrow.Let us stop money drain from the country - No more wars. Let us transform all the enemies as friends through Positive relationships ,well thought out diplomacy and high thinking. Let us make fireworks instead of wars.Let us look for the real friends who could advise us in the right way how to come out of the turmoil and take country ahead.I think we lost the TRUST AND GOODWILL IN THE WORLD.

  172. jennifer lawrence
    March 1st, 2009 12:51 pm ET

    i love our presidents not becsuse he is black or white because he is broth . and every one should know that . he is for every one of us .

  173. Jackie Mills
    March 1st, 2009 12:51 pm ET

    Very pleased to hear these two leaders are working together so well for the benefit of our great country. I admire both of them.

  174. Pete Collins
    March 1st, 2009 12:52 pm ET

    Bush wanted to hear different versions of the same opinion — the one he already shared with Rumsfeld and Cheney. No other views were welcome nor tolerated.

  175. cboo44
    March 1st, 2009 12:52 pm ET

    “Gates also said with a chuckle that the difference between working for the two presidents sounded like the subject of a good book.”

    NOW THAT is one I would buy and read with interest!

  176. Jay
    March 1st, 2009 12:52 pm ET

    Of course there is lots of difference if your grandfather is a founder of a university where you get a degree from (Bush family owns stake in Yale Univ from where he graduated)
    OR
    you get a Doctorate in Law thru a merit/scholarship from a Ivy League school (Obama is a Juris Doctor fro Harvard Law school.
    No wonder one of them is more SMART, call it analytical mind or whatever its going to come down to this.

  177. Lori, Houston Texas
    March 1st, 2009 12:53 pm ET

    As my husband said this morning after reading this, “a paper clip is more analytical than Bush”.

  178. Mike
    March 1st, 2009 12:53 pm ET

    My canary is more analytical than Bush.

  179. Brian
    March 1st, 2009 12:54 pm ET

    People with actual brains tend to be more analytical.

  180. M. Raymond Sheppard
    March 1st, 2009 12:56 pm ET

    I really do not think it would take much to be more analytical than Mr. Bush…

  181. Fernando
    March 1st, 2009 12:56 pm ET

    There is another difference that I can clearly see: the new president is capable of articulate a complete sentence and in a way, is getting the dignity and beauty of the English language back to the front pages. The way you talk is a clear reflexion of your inner mind configuration. President Obama reflects a sofistacated thinking process by the way he articulates his thoughts and turns them into words while the previous president demostrated a very simplistic almost primitive thinking process.

  182. Survivor
    March 1st, 2009 12:57 pm ET

    thats a “no brainer”, however, I might like to read “that book”!

  183. Alexander
    March 1st, 2009 12:58 pm ET

    Yeah… well, coming from Gates, this is a compliment for Obama but not that great of a compliment considering that 99.9% of Americans are more analytical than Bush. But I do like the nodge to Obama’s all-inclusive decision-making process.

  184. Hoosier
    March 1st, 2009 1:00 pm ET

    Big surprise…my cat is more analytical than President Bush.

  185. joe magaratz
    March 1st, 2009 1:00 pm ET

    President Obama is analytical.

    His precedessor–the appointed one–was ANAL-yitical

  186. Sam Jones
    March 1st, 2009 1:01 pm ET

    Exactly - I hope this is crammed down the throats of every opposing GOP voice whose aims are purely partisan. Obama is clearly a better leader than Bush and that’s only made more obvious when his former defense chief has to tippy toe around saying it.

  187. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 1:02 pm ET

  188. Ryan
    March 1st, 2009 1:02 pm ET

    Obama is incredibly smart. Not to mention forward thinking regarding technology which is a first for any president we’ve seen.

    But really? A ball of lint is smarter than Bush so you’re comparing apples to oranges.

  189. Rhonda Hoffman
    March 1st, 2009 1:02 pm ET

    Like being in school again;)

  190. Richard L
    March 1st, 2009 1:04 pm ET

    “somewhat more analytical” = “a lot smarter”

  191. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia in CA
    March 1st, 2009 1:04 pm ET

    Gates should of said what he was really thinking: Obama has a brain Bush did not.

  192. Dele Oyefuga
    March 1st, 2009 1:07 pm ET

    ..in just a little over a month working for Obama……..

  193. ken
    March 1st, 2009 1:11 pm ET

    Yes, he is very analytical on issues such as Iran. When he’s thinking and listening, they’re building an atomic bomb. He needs to hurry up his analysis, the rest of the world is already done.

  194. Jason
    March 1st, 2009 1:13 pm ET

    Well duh, Obama’s IQ is much more higher then a common house plant. He actually listens.

  195. Reggie
    March 1st, 2009 1:13 pm ET

    very smart man, possibly the most intelligent president in history.

  196. Achai Kamau
    March 1st, 2009 1:15 pm ET

    Gates: “President Obama is somewhat more analytical, and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don’t speak up, he calls on them.”

    Exactly what we need in a president - someone willing to listen to people who will challenge his perceptions. Bush’s arrogant, ignorant, “go-it-alone” attitude ruined this country, and we all now are suffering the consequences.

    It is nice to finally have a leader knowledgeable enough and wise enough to understand that the world isn’t so simple that every group and every action can be broken down into “good” and “evil.” Nor will Obama wield his personal religion as a weapon to tear down others.

  197. Mark Ferbet
    March 1st, 2009 1:15 pm ET

    I have great respect for Secretary Gates, and I hope he hangs around for at least a few years…. he has proven that politics doesn’t run his office, and he has one of the best seats in the house for what has to be one of the most unique, and interesting transitions in the History of American Politics.

    I’m sure he’ll be writing a book when this is all over… and I can’t wait to read it.

  198. Mark
    March 1st, 2009 1:15 pm ET

    Filed under: NO DUH!!!!!!!!

  199. trying to be reasonable in WV
    March 1st, 2009 1:17 pm ET

    Image that, a president who’s analytical! Sounds like the kind of president I want when it comes to national defense (which should be largely a non-partisan business) . . . Regardless of what side of the political fence you’re on, aren’t we in better hands if our president listens to all arguments before deciding?

    A president who’s analytical!!!! How refreshing!

  200. Griff............... on The Truth...
    March 1st, 2009 1:17 pm ET

    Micro-Scope. But what is he looking for? He know nothing a War-Zone.

  201. Spuddy In New Orleans
    March 1st, 2009 1:17 pm ET

    That’s because President Obama has a brain.

  202. SA in OO
    March 1st, 2009 1:18 pm ET

    “President Obama is somewhat more analytical, and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue”

    FIRST - Saying that Obama is “somewhat” more analytical than Bush, isn’t saying a whole lot. Bush was a beiiver, not a thinker.

    SECOND - It didn’t much matter whether Bush heard from “everyone in the room.” His advisors were picked because the agreed with him and the neo-con agenda of his gang of three or four. If they didn’t they didn’t last long.

  203. Herb Nasty
    March 1st, 2009 1:18 pm ET

    I’m interested into politics but really Bush was a Lame duck and every thing that he said somewhat made sense. He was a comedian therefore he often made me laugh threw his speeches. Obama, whats more to say about a prisident that gets they job done who sways an audience into a better tomarrow.

  204. Tino
    March 1st, 2009 1:20 pm ET

    WOW, how observant!! I mean really, did we need Robert Gates to tell us that! And even worse, was he actually surprised that ANYBODY would be more analytical than Bush! I think it’s an insult to compare Obama to Bush in any way.
    Tino, NYC

  205. Terry Martin
    March 1st, 2009 1:20 pm ET

    And Obama knows how to speak good English, too. It’s nice to have a President who knows how to speak correctly.

  206. Camereon Data2
    March 1st, 2009 1:22 pm ET

    Yes. He is also far more intelligent

  207. thomas
    March 1st, 2009 1:22 pm ET

    Surely Mr. Gates is perceptive enough to see major differences between the two presidents, but is too diplomatic to be more specific, so let me help. Now appearing: Barack Obama as Mr. Wizard and George W. Bush as the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz.

  208. scott
    March 1st, 2009 1:22 pm ET

    Now thats a president. Who cares for the people and every opinion in the house counts

  209. catmom
    March 1st, 2009 1:25 pm ET

    Translation: President Obama has a brain and uses it. President Obama actually listens to what people are saying to him.
    George Bush had an agenda and no plans to deviate from it no matter what. George Bush only heard what he wanted to hear, when he wanted to hear it.

  210. Matt
    March 1st, 2009 1:25 pm ET

    Just good to hear reports that Obama is governing the way he promised to, being inclusive and open-minded.

  211. wanda
    March 1st, 2009 1:29 pm ET

    Obama picks everyones brain before he decides what to own for his next speech…….He has many people fooled, that he thinks up the content of these speeches…He has never had an original thought…Everything is read and changed to make it look like he originaly thought of it and snows the public………..His final stone should say “Here lays the truth, for it never came out ”

  212. Alfred E Neumann
    March 1st, 2009 1:29 pm ET

    I guess that this would now define Gates as a true suck up.

  213. Greg Hodges
    March 1st, 2009 1:30 pm ET

    That is like comparing a university student on the Dean`s List to a junior high school dropout. DUH !!!

  214. j-in-NC
    March 1st, 2009 1:31 pm ET

    I might read that book

  215. John
    March 1st, 2009 1:32 pm ET

    What Gates really is saying is that Bush lacked the “intellectual” skills to lead our nation. It’s true…look at the state of our nation. Thanks for nothing GW Bush, you’ve left Americans with sh_t in our mouths.

  216. CJ
    March 1st, 2009 1:33 pm ET

    Well, thank God! You need to be analytical as President. You need to be sure you have as many opinions as possible before you make a decision.

  217. Granforchange
    March 1st, 2009 1:35 pm ET

    WHO REALLY CARES WHAT YOU THINK?? YOU ARE A WARMONGER, AND AS LONG AS YOU PULL THE STRINGS OBAMA WILL BE YOUR LACKEY… ENOUGH OF YOUR CRAP.. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE US LOST THE WAR IN IRAQ AND WILL LOSE THE WAR IN AFGANISTAN..! UNFORTUNATELY OUR YOUNG WOMEN AND YOUNG MEN ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR US BUTTING INTO OTHER COUNTRIES AFFAIRS.. YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOUR SELF, YOU OLD WINDBAG!! YOU INSULT ALL OF US…..

  218. Lilly Rose
    March 1st, 2009 1:36 pm ET

    Well, duh. Of course he’s more analytical. He’s smarter. Before you conservative hacks start with the ‘hating on Bush’ whine, nobody hates the man. He was the worst president in modern history and no amount of dressing up the fact will change it. I repeat, NOBODY HATES BUSH AND LIBERALS ARE NOT HATERS. We are dismayed at the state of America - and yes, many soldiers are liberals too. I, for one, am glad to have a president who is able to think on his feet.

  219. Corey W
    March 1st, 2009 1:40 pm ET

    You think? Well said Mr. Gates…..

  220. dave
    March 1st, 2009 1:45 pm ET

    a.k.a. the man actually has a brain

  221. Bud in NC
    March 1st, 2009 1:47 pm ET

    Well, slowly bit by bit the truth will come out about Bush. I believe my cat is more analytical than our thankfully now x-president.

  222. Hopeful American
    March 1st, 2009 1:48 pm ET

    Why is media going out of it’s way to bash our president?

  223. Arron
    March 1st, 2009 1:48 pm ET

    So Gates say Obama is more “analytical” than Bush. Heck, my Cocker Spaniel is more analytical than Bush. Stupid people are dangerous and 9-11, Operation Iraqi blunder, Katrina, and this Bushanmics depression are not a random coincidence.

  224. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 1:48 pm ET

    Das Hate!

  225. Bonny Melita
    March 1st, 2009 1:49 pm ET

    Gates is as sharp as Obama - I trust the two of them and VERY
    ashamed of the likes of Limbaugh…his fat has gone to his head.

    God bless our country and the leaders who truly serve us and not
    themselves…

    Bonny

  226. Kim
    March 1st, 2009 1:49 pm ET

    More analytical? Goes out of his way to hear from everyone? That’s the change we voted for. A president who thinks and listens.

    Thank God for that!

  227. About to throw up
    March 1st, 2009 1:50 pm ET

    Will the American people have an opportunity to speak up as well?

  228. Ferdee
    March 1st, 2009 1:50 pm ET

    Obama more “analytical” than Bush = Bush was an idiot, Obama is brilliant.

  229. JD
    March 1st, 2009 1:52 pm ET

    More “analytical” must be codespeak for indecisive, flip-flopping, and unprincipled. Keep on being analytical B.O….as Iran creates a nuclear weapon. What a “bright” and “intellectual” man we have as prez. Is it 2012 yet so I can vote for Mickey Mouse?

  230. Angie in Pa
    March 1st, 2009 1:54 pm ET

    PRESIDENT OBAMA IS A GREAT PRESIDENT SO FAR! Not a My way or Highway President WHAT A GREAT CHANGE!

  231. End Of An Error
    March 1st, 2009 1:54 pm ET

    It’s hard not to be more analytical than George W. Bush. The “decider” wasn’t analytical at all. He would make some decision based on whim, ego, or whatever would help his rich buddies, and then stick by it even when it was totally wrong.

  232. Murietta
    March 1st, 2009 1:55 pm ET

    this is not news. we knew this long time ago

  233. Impressed with Pres. Obama
    March 1st, 2009 1:58 pm ET

    You know its interesting. Not everyone is going to be completely agreed with on any one subject, and I feel this way about Pres. Obama, but I believe to my core that he is the right man for the job. Again, I don’t agree with all of his decisions, but I like his lead from the Front and Center stance. You can say what you want, but at the end of the day, he’s the right person for the job. So to all of the so called Far Left Liberals and Staunch Right Conservatives, get over it. There was no better choice than Obama.

  234. buzzwordz
    March 1st, 2009 1:58 pm ET

    No Way!

  235. Mack
    March 1st, 2009 2:00 pm ET

    Interesting point of view. It seems to fit with everything we know of each man.

  236. SC
    March 1st, 2009 2:01 pm ET

    That’s good. Thanks God that we don’t have an airhead like Bush, who believed everything he was told.

  237. William Wirt
    March 1st, 2009 2:02 pm ET

    Well Bush was the GOP’s top idiot - now they have Pain & Limbaugh !

  238. Shell Hari
    March 1st, 2009 2:02 pm ET

    Even the most uneducated in this country and around the world knew this all along! Indeed, “Change Is Come To America!” when the best and brightest who have a penchant to learn studiously about the issues facing the American people and rest of the world will not stick only to what he believes but is open to what others believe as long they can convincingly show why their belief and or judgement is the better way for America and the rest of the world. What a dramatic turn of events from the last eight years under the Republican party with the Rich folks!

  239. Cynthia
    March 1st, 2009 2:03 pm ET

    This is proof that President Obama is willing to talk to anyone if they really have something to say, so I hope this will stop the republicans from continuing to whine that the President won’t listen to their ideas.

  240. Lilly Rose
    March 1st, 2009 2:03 pm ET

    Well, of course he is. President Obama is a highly intelligent, highly educated man. Bush was, well, just down home, folksy Bush. And no, I do not hate Mr. Bush. Despite what most conservative hacks think, we liberals do not hate the man or his followers. We are scared and dismayed by the callous treatment ordinary Americans suffered at the hands of the Republican party. Even some of your own conservatives fled to the Democratic ticket when it was apparent that the Republicans were not taking this whole mess as seriously as they should have been.

  241. Fabian
    March 1st, 2009 2:08 pm ET

    I don’t think Gates’ answer should suprise anyone. Even those of us ,who judge these two presidents from sidelines, know that G.W Bush was analyitically impaired. WMDs, aluminium import from Niger by Iraq, and many more can give you clues that the guy never bothered analyzing information he received from the intelligence community and other sources.. So I am not surprised that the Defence Secretary feels that way about his former boss.

  242. kafe
    March 1st, 2009 2:08 pm ET

    I think thats what a great leader needs to avoid failure, getting different perspectives.
    Smart politics! Smart power!

  243. Art Michaelson
    March 1st, 2009 2:11 pm ET

    Is that a surprise.?

  244. LABTCL22@yahoo.com
    March 1st, 2009 2:13 pm ET

    Looks like people are going elsewhere to get informed. With all that’s going on is this the best CNN can do? Where is the story about the Tea Parties?

  245. Danny in Chicago
    March 1st, 2009 2:13 pm ET

    Really?!?! Obama is more ANALYTICAL than Bush?!?! That’s such a surprise!!

    I’m surprised he didn’t say that Obama is more CONSCIOUS than Bush, because that would have worked too!

    Let’s face it - Obama is a President, Bush was a DONK

    And I’m PROUD to say that as an American because we were NOT America in the past 8 years - we were a Fascist country controlled by a bunch of neo-cons. We are now a country again….. and Bush and Cheney need to go to jail to set an example for the future of America.

  246. Captain Obvious
    March 1st, 2009 2:13 pm ET

    ha ha, no kidding!

  247. Celestin
    March 1st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

    What an inappropriate question. Both men couldn,t be more different. Smart on one hand, and d-llllllllllllll on the other.

  248. barenakedinvestor
    March 1st, 2009 2:17 pm ET

    Gates shouldn’t confuse a newbie asking a lot of questions with a seasoned pro analyzing his options.

  249. Eddie
    March 1st, 2009 2:18 pm ET

    I’m very happy that Obama is going the same route as Bush on the war on Islamic terrorism. I believe in order to get elected, he essentially had to cowtail to the far left on the war. Now that he has their vote and got elected, he can do the right thing and stay on the offensive and keep us safe. I don’t agree with him at all on most issues, but at least he got one issue correct.
    We can all thank God that President Bush and Obama kept us safe.

  250. Gerry
    March 1st, 2009 2:20 pm ET

    Good answer to a very tough question.

  251. keith cummings
    March 1st, 2009 2:20 pm ET

    I was surprised that Gates didn’t mention Bush’s constant wearing of a Mickey Mouse cap when in the Oval office.

  252. rich
    March 1st, 2009 2:21 pm ET

    Now that’s an understatement. Gates know Bush was and is an idiot, but of course he could not say this before or else the idiot would have fired him.

  253. Peter (CA)
    March 1st, 2009 2:21 pm ET

    C’mon Mr. Gates, the difference is between working for a thinking adult and a frat boy with ADHD.

  254. Zoe Crusher
    March 1st, 2009 2:22 pm ET

    “…also in the news, the sun rises in the east…”

  255. Sue
    March 1st, 2009 2:23 pm ET

    DUH!!!!! More analytical! My dog is more analytical than Bush. It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out.

  256. Michael
    March 1st, 2009 2:24 pm ET

    How is this a story?

  257. Benny
    March 1st, 2009 2:25 pm ET

    We now know why Bush led us to this catastrophy — lack of analysis of situations. This stupidity (not been analytical) is continued by the republican party and ltheir leaders Rush Limbaugh and Cantor. They just say ‘no’ without any reasoning. These dummies will destroy our beloved country.

  258. Stu-Florida
    March 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

    Do you mean we finally elected a President that has a thought process? That has an intellectual curiosity? That can package thoughts and ideas and come up with the best solution? That can actually form complete sentances using the English language?

    What have we done… what have we done?

  259. d in fl
    March 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

    I wouldve never guessed.

  260. meh
    March 1st, 2009 2:36 pm ET

    Shocking!

    haha

  261. Niques
    March 1st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

    Good Book indeed Gates, write us one-or u may need help?

  262. moosehuntin girl
    March 1st, 2009 2:39 pm ET

    Boy that what hard to see.Cheney called all the shots,he was the President,we just didnt know it.

  263. T. Mckinley
    March 1st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

    President Obama is not just more analytical than Bush, he is also a lot smarter, better educated, and much more intelligent that Bush.

  264. S Callahan
    March 1st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

    The skill of critical thinking at work……we could use more of this in our world!

  265. trent
    March 1st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

    More analytical.

    Ya think?

    It’s funny how GOP is concerned with deficits. Wasn’t it Dick Cheney who stated that, another genius Republican, Ronald Reagan proved that ‘budget deficits don’t matter.” ?

    Reagan ran deficits up so high that we were approaching the point where interest was growing faster than revenue from taxes.

    That’s called bankruptcy. Clinton raised taxes — and at that time Robert Dole said that he realized this was the correct thing to do, but he nor any of the GOP would support Clinton because that would just help him get re-elected.

    So, with NO GOP support, Clinton restored a BALANCE between taxes and expenditures — that allowed the bond market to recover confidence AND the economy to soar.

    GOD help us … I hope the GOP hasn’t screwed things up so bad that there is no way to repair the situation.

    GOP should disappear — but I guess that is what the CPAC talks demonstrate is happening — so we can take a breath while Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney [who is smart enough to know better] … drive themselves into the abyss.

  266. ABDUR R AZAD
    March 1st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

    Thank you Mr. Gates for pointing out the difference between the two presidents correctly. Bush heard what he liked to hear or you may say, what Dick cheny asked him to hear. Analyzing things or events? Dick did it and he followed dick stubbornly. Obama listens to everyone, analyses those and makes his own decision. That is what is called LEADERSHIP.
    ABDUR
    New York.

  267. Obama - NOPE
    March 1st, 2009 2:43 pm ET

    What a “kiss up” to Obama. Gates better be careful - he might make Chris “Man Crush” Matthews jealous.

  268. windfall
    March 1st, 2009 2:43 pm ET

    well duh. my cat is more analytical than george bush.

  269. Thomas
    March 1st, 2009 2:44 pm ET

    So Obama listens and Bush didn’t? That’s not news, that’s the reason we’re in this hell hole now.

  270. BOB IN VIRGINIA
    March 1st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

    AND OBAMA CAN ALSO READ AND WRITE ,UNLIKE THE LAST IDIOIT! WHAT A WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE.

  271. bob
    March 1st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

    MOST PEOPLE are more analytical than Bush. This is not
    a compliment nor is it rocket science. The fact that Bush did
    and does not have an analytical mind is one fundamental reason why he was such a poor leader.

  272. Jen
    March 1st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

    Not surprised at all. We surely need a President who weighs the cons and the pros on all issues before taking a decision that will have an impact on so many lives. Political impact versus Social impact. Something I think Pres. Bush obviously didn’t analyze enough.

  273. HEIDI
    March 1st, 2009 2:46 pm ET

    Well what did you exspect? Obama is there to take care of business you need to hear all points of view, get the shy guys out of their comfort zone.

  274. Dwight Sullivan, Downey, CA
    March 1st, 2009 2:46 pm ET

    Okay, now tell us something that we don’t know!

  275. Gordon Shumway
    March 1st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

    Ah, must be true analytical thinking going on in Mr Gates’ prophetic dome. In case you forgot, Mr Gates, being highly intelligent does not mean you are necessarily correct or right. It might even mean you are too far left.

  276. Jack Jodell, Minneapolis, MN
    March 1st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

    I would certainly hope Obama would be more analytical than Bush! Of course, Obama has far more brains to be analytical with than Bush could have ever hoped for. Thank God we finally have a sane President in the White House!

  277. John
    March 1st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

    I wonder what he’d really say if he wasn’t obligated to not speak ill of his former boss.

  278. Change I can believe in
    March 1st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

    I’m sure this story will prompt positive remarks about our former president.

  279. Bill
    March 1st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

    The messiah has to get everyone’s opinion because he has no idea what he is doing (other than dragging this country into socialism).

  280. seg from houston
    March 1st, 2009 2:48 pm ET

    Why aren’t you mentioning his comment about “it would be a challenge” to stay in the Obama administration? What did he really mean by that? Troubling.

  281. shevot
    March 1st, 2009 2:49 pm ET

    And that is one book I would surely read.

  282. Maj. Chris Carlshire USMC
    March 1st, 2009 2:50 pm ET

    “President Bush was interested in hearing different points of view but didn’t go out of his way to make sure everybody spoke if they hadn’t spoken up before,”

    And when he didn’t like what he heard from those different points of views he quickly had them escorted out of the meetings and those who hadn’t spoke up never did!

  283. Alaskan Eskimo
    March 1st, 2009 2:50 pm ET

    Thank God!

  284. charles
    March 1st, 2009 2:51 pm ET

    Bush was not able to put together a coherent sentence; much less do any kind of analytical look at anything. He let other people influence his every action, and then he tried to cowboy his way through every issue; much like a schoolyard bully who gets his way with intimidation, fear, or whining until people with differing views just plain give up in desperation.

    Obama at least gives the impression of wanting to know details of subjects he faces. We’ve lost absolutely nothing with Bush’s departure. We might have gained respect and root-cause analysis in Obama. Obama might not be right, but he’s from being what Bush always was — WRONG!!

  285. k
    March 1st, 2009 2:51 pm ET

    That’s not saying much!

  286. Venap
    March 1st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

    That would be the understatement of the day (or this millenium).

  287. Mike O'Brien
    March 1st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

    Well.., a ‘thinking’ president. We haven’t had one for eight years, forgot what it was like. Mike in Montana

  288. vlaw
    March 1st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

    Right-on Mr Gates,thats a leader with good ol common sense.
    Now, you’ve got a REAL BOSS that’ll make you truly work for your money.

  289. Sterling
    March 1st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

    “…But then again, a hamster is more analytical than President Bush,” continued the Defense Secretary…

  290. Bill
    March 1st, 2009 2:53 pm ET

    The lint in my bellybutton is more analytical than Bush.

  291. VY
    March 1st, 2009 2:53 pm ET

    Thank God we finally elected a president with a brain!! Good going America!!

  292. ed
    March 1st, 2009 2:54 pm ET

    I guess Bush did not want people to say much so he could be in time to watch the baseball game…either that, or it was past his bedtime.

  293. Matt S
    March 1st, 2009 2:54 pm ET

    Was there ever any doubt?

  294. Simon
    March 1st, 2009 2:56 pm ET

    “Gates also said with a chuckle that the difference between working for the two presidents sounded like the subject of a good book.”

    Bahahaha! I’m sure.

  295. Scytherius
    March 1st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

    Oh like THAT’S news.

  296. jerry
    March 1st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

    Obama equals a breath of fresh air. Bush equals standing in a toxic dump.

  297. R in Maine
    March 1st, 2009 2:58 pm ET

    And his first question is not “what will fat boy think about it?”

  298. trickyguy
    March 1st, 2009 3:00 pm ET

    Congratulations to CNN for publishing this brief piece that outlines a difference between Bush and Obama that must be notable to even the most casual observer.

    I daresay it is likely the subject of numerous eight grade current events studies around the nation.

    Again, bravo CNN.

  299. Robert
    March 1st, 2009 3:00 pm ET

    Robert Gates didn’t mean it as a compliment. Obama’s need to hear everyones opinion demonstrates his indeciveness and lack of confidense and experience. “Indecision is often worse than wrong action.”

  300. del
    March 1st, 2009 3:00 pm ET

    This story says volumes about the entire Bush administration.

    Obama is the 13th President in my life time and he has an excellent chance to be the greatest.

    Del B.

  301. Joyce Becker
    March 1st, 2009 3:01 pm ET

    Seems like Mr. Gates couldn’t say all he would have wanted to about the differences of the two presidents, I guess I will have to wait for his book, if and when it ever comes out.

  302. phyllis weber-samsky
    March 1st, 2009 3:01 pm ET

    Pres.Obama is a very intelligent caring man who is a dealing with serious issues. I feel Mr.Obama is going to be fair, and make a difference in this world. Mr. Gates knows that this new president is popular and will be careful answering questions. I voted for Pres. Obama and proud he is my leader!!

  303. Thom
    March 1st, 2009 3:02 pm ET

    I think that this is high praise coming from Secretary Gates and I think he believes that Obama’s approach is the right one given the complex challenges we face. These challenges do not lend themselves to easy solutions and it is very important to consider different viewpoints and to create an environment where people with differing viewpoints feel that they can offer those views without being dismissed or seen as disloyal.

  304. SurRy
    March 1st, 2009 3:03 pm ET

    Stop the press!

  305. Jessica
    March 1st, 2009 3:04 pm ET

    WOW

  306. JJ, Illinois
    March 1st, 2009 3:04 pm ET

    It’s nice to know our former president wasn’t an analytical thinker…

  307. BV
    March 1st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

    He’s everything better than Bush. Sorry Repubs, but it’s the truth.

  308. grady jarrett
    March 1st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

    Obama is truly the best thing the world has seen in over 100 years and if every one work with him we will all see what the Lord has in store for us all in using Obama as a World Leader, People stop fighting him because you are not hurting him you are hurting millions of others. Peace to this great country in a time of need, Grady Jarrett.

  309. The Lady
    March 1st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

    What a compliment for President Obama, Thank you Mr. Gates.

  310. Jubcah
    March 1st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

    Aaaaaah, the libuuurals are destroying America!!!! Pffffft. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m finally glad to have an intellectual back in the Whitehouse. Heck, I don’t think the annual Obamaism calendar will be very thick. “”So I analyzed that and decided I didn’t want to be the president during a depression greater than the Great Depression, or the beginning of a depression greater than the Great Depression.”

    LOL!!!!

  311. Joan
    March 1st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

    Comparing Bush to Obama is like comparing Howdy Doody to Abe Lincoln.

  312. Felines for Freedom
    March 1st, 2009 3:08 pm ET

    Really? Obama more analytical than Bush is news? I appreciate Gates’s insight, but tell us something any average American can’t discern just by watching them speak and respond to questions.

  313. Wordygirl
    March 1st, 2009 3:09 pm ET

    Sounds to me like Obama is simply more afraid to make a decision on his own and feels as though he absolutely has to have every person in the room commit to a position.

  314. Becky, Midwest
    March 1st, 2009 3:10 pm ET

    Good. We don’t need anymore cowboys from Texas who shoot from the hip, I mean their mouth, speaking before thinking.

  315. Jubcah
    March 1st, 2009 3:11 pm ET

    Jane: Hey, sometimes the truth hurts. Just like the tromping that UT put on TAMU last year. Ikes!

  316. Brad
    March 1st, 2009 3:11 pm ET

    “Obama More Analytical Than Bush”….Gee, what a scoop that is. What’s the next headline going to be, “Temperatures Dip During Winter”?

  317. Brennan
    March 1st, 2009 3:11 pm ET

    Bush is less intelligent than a Gorilla with down syndrome.

    True story.

  318. ron
    March 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

    maybe he has to think longer about how to spin things.

  319. Eric
    March 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

    Bush is dumber than a rock.

  320. Andrzej from Poland
    March 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

    I only hope, Obama really wants peace.

  321. JK Wilson
    March 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

    Correction- Obama was NOT a college professor. He was a part-time Lecturer. “Professor” can be used as a common label for anyone on a college faculty, but the actual title of “Professor” is a couple rungs up the ladder from “Lecturer.”

    To refer to Obama as an actual “College Professor” is title inflation.

  322. Jubcah
    March 1st, 2009 3:13 pm ET

    DB says “40% of Americans have a zero net tax burden” THIS IS NOT TRUE:

    - gasoline tax
    - sales tax
    - property tax (even if you do rent)
    - car registration tax
    - some have state taxes
    - federal taxes on your phone bill
    - SS tax

    So I’m confused when you say that 40% of people “have zero tax burden”.

    Care to explain this to us?

  323. No Hillary = No Obama
    March 1st, 2009 3:14 pm ET

    My cat is more analytical than Bush.

  324. American
    March 1st, 2009 3:14 pm ET

    For all those who seem to equate gathering knowledge and opinions from advisors as a “weakness”, turn to Socrates:

    the wisest man alive knows one thing- he knows nothing.

  325. Proud American
    March 1st, 2009 3:14 pm ET

    TCM March 1st, 2009 11:17 am ET

    He’s inexperienced, thus asking more questions…GATES!
    Bush had a grasp on the war situation; therefore we didn’t get attacked again, by the clowns Clinton let go…..OBama only digs to find out information that will keep his teflon coating in place….however, like with all teflon…it’s starting to peel! Thank GOD!
    ____________________________________________________
    Wow, still a moron.

  326. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

    Funny, lack of the ability to rely on oneself and needing actualy soliciting thge opinion of everyone sounds exactly like Obama. A true follower not a leader. What will be his answer for a

  327. mac
    March 1st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

    The president asks eveyone because he has too…He has never done anything like ths ever and has no experience..

  328. cory
    March 1st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

    DP did you even read the article? oh wait you must be republican the only thing you read is the birthday cards you get from uncle-dad and cousin joe jack

  329. John
    March 1st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

    I believe that my dogs are more analytical than Bush.

    Still Gates was a very good choice, and yet another indication of how much better off we are with Obama, than we were with Bush.

    We finally have a smart President.

  330. Ali
    March 1st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

    Thanks Sec Gate, it is obvious you can see it from listening to Obama that he is more analytycal than Bush and even more smarter I would add.

  331. Matt
    March 1st, 2009 3:17 pm ET

    Can’t wait till Obama-mania ends and he gets tossed out in ‘12!

  332. lloyd
    March 1st, 2009 3:17 pm ET

    Well David look like your uncle Bush knew it all got us in this mess. Two ideas is better then one.

  333. Chris
    March 1st, 2009 3:17 pm ET

    Obamacide March 1st, 2009 11:37 am ET

    Perhaps the reason Obama does this is because he is so over his head on things that he wants to make sure he hears from everybody, even those that obviously have nothing to add to the discussion. He obviously is very insecure about things. A confident person would not feel the need to do this. They would hear what the advisors had to offer, and then they make a decision. They feel no need to turn over every stone on every issue. More analytical equals more insecure, and he should be given he has no experience in anything that matters.
    ________________________________

    Thanks for the response from Bizarro world. You should just sit back and relax while the grown ups clean up the mess your ’secure’ guy made.

  334. LUIS AGUILAR
    March 1st, 2009 3:17 pm ET

    Really, I think a monkey could have called that one……Is Obama more analytical…

  335. Mark
    March 1st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

    Thats a polite way of saying it I guess.

    I wonder how long it will be before there are a bunch of books about how ” I worked for Bush, the dumbest man in the room”

  336. Daniel, Atlanta, GA, ex-republican
    March 1st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

    Thank the gods! We actually have a “thinking man” in the W.H. Eight years of mindless policies that benefit the rich and the powerful has ruined the USA! I’m glad Obama is a new breed of politician that isn’t afraid to give serious thought to our problems and actually listen to both sides of the political aisle.

  337. Rick
    March 1st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

    Jane March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    Way to go Gates. Why don’t you throw Preisdent Bush under the bus. But better yet, why don’t you not go back to A&M - you wer enot good there either. Bush made you, now you are really, really unloyal. Obama better watch out - you might just think you can say whatever you want to about him too.

    Jane, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I’ve ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response was there anything that could even be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

    Jane I did not vote for President Obama I am a republican and also in the military , I will say this at least he listens to his advisors and seeks the best advice before making his decision !!!!
    President Obama does not want to be known as “THE DECIDER”

  338. Ken Robinson
    March 1st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

    The difference between these two Presidents is as wide as the Grand Canyon. One of them has a global view, a knowledge of history, reads books, and demonstrates respect for different cultures, and religions. He has displayed a lifetime of “intellectual curiosity.”

    The “other” President was in his 50’s, without ever leaving the continental United States, except for a trip to Mexico, before becoming President of the United States of America. His mantra since self-recovery from alcoholism has been “god said it, I believe it, that settles it.”

    Enough said!

    Ken Robinson
    Beverly Hills, California

  339. Richard Gozinya
    March 1st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

    To obamacide: you are the worst kind of republican, the kind that thinks Bush was a good president. Just be honest, you don’t like Obama because he is black. All the citizenship conspiracy and lack of experience claims are likely disguised racism. This guy has gotten more done in 5 weeks than Bush did in 8 years.

  340. MFS
    March 1st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

    YEA, Obama more “anaylitical”, coming from a person who was only “present” in congress because he can’t take a stand, or but pick all of the old Clinton cronies cause they already know how washington works.

  341. Richard L
    March 1st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

    Anyone pretending that one person like Bush could know all he needed to know about running the country without asking anyone only has to look at the mess he has left us to see how ridiculous that idea is.

  342. TigerEyez
    March 1st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

    DP, actually to get unemployment you have to be laid off (a few states used — and maybe still do — have something in place if you are fired without cause). If you quit, you don’t get unemployment.

    Now let’s talk FAIR — how about having the RICH pay their FAIR share and closing the loop holes they use so that they end up paying a lower percentage than the majority of Americans that are working their duffs off to make below “poverty level” wages?

    Hey another good idea — how about REWARDING companies that employ Americans IN America rather than moving to other countries in order to “lower costs”. This is nothing more than a euphemism for “I am an executive and I deserve to get my bonus no matter how bad the company is doing. As an executive I think we should lay people off so I can make an extra 10 million in my bonus!”

    It is sick and sad that the rich believe that people who are not wealthy should be left behind.

    And those that say there is a redistribution of wealth.. well the truth of the matter is that for decades the rich have been getting tax breaks at the expense of the average worker. SO it is time to stop redistributing the wealth to the rich and GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE THAT EARNED IT!!!!!!

    Tammy in GA

  343. Bob
    March 1st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

    Gates came into the Oval office and told Bush two Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq. Bush throws his head on his desk crying…”oh no…that’s terrible.” Then he looks up at Gates and says…”how many is a brazillion?”

    That’s the difference between Bush and Obama.

  344. John
    March 1st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

    Someone above said “I think Gates was a good choice.” It was Bush who chose him; Obama just decided to keep Bush’s good choice.

  345. Dendes
    March 1st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

    Let’s wait for Gate’s book “the art of serving two presidents”.
    It should be on the market a year after Gates is out of office.

  346. george
    March 1st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

    i’m confident bush could not even say the word “analytical” without stumbling. gates is a fine man whose poised and shows grace under pressure!

  347. BC in NC
    March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

    I admire Mr. Gates for not letting politics from either side get in his way of using his knowledge for the betterment of our country. Too bad more people should follow his example. I also admire President Obama for listening to everyones veiwpoint, even Ms. Polosi who, in my opinion, don’t listen and is overbearing.

  348. Darth Vadik, CA
    March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

    More analytical, naaaaaaaa, we’re Texas, we shoot first and then try to ask questions later, after they are dead and can’t talk.

    I’m being sarcastic and making fun of a certain group of people for you that don’t get it.

  349. kaz
    March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

    Thats because he doesn’t know what to do and he needs all the help he can get from people who do know. He even called goerge Bush yesterday.

  350. Scott
    March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

    Jane, you should go back to Tarzan. Gates did an excellent job while at A&M, and he didn’t throw Bush under the bus. Seriously, you should read more than just the headline before forming an opinion.

  351. Dennis
    March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

    To DP who seems to be concerned about the apparent inequity in the percentage of taxes paid between the person making $200,000 and the person making $16,000, I can make you an offer for that $16,000 a year job if it is that desirable.

  352. Dubem Anumba
    March 1st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

    Obama is just fortunate to learn from past mistakes just as i learn from my father’s mistakes…..And giving ur followers a mindset that they are needed for the success of this country shows a able leadership skill……let’s support the President and not drag back to bush….his regin was different and is different from Obama’s…..

  353. Atlanta from the center
    March 1st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

    Interesting to read the 2 sides of the comments. We really ( no, really) need to listen to each other and find common ground. If we don’t we will continue to decline … wake up folks !!!

  354. Ron L
    March 1st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

    I really don’t think this is a SURPRISE to anyone…NUFF SAID!!

  355. flybyshoeing
    March 1st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

    DP..Meow…want some cheese with that whine. I am sure that $16,050. person would trade places in a heartbeat, even after the tax debt.

  356. SC
    March 1st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

    Rick Roberts March 1st, 2009 11:42 am ET

    I think that is a good thing. We actually have a President who wants all the advice he can get before making a stab at something.
    Imagine if Bush would have done that. We might not have ever gone into Iraq. Would that have been a bad thing? I don’t think so.

    Rick, I agree with you on what you said. Let Iraq run wild in that neighborhood as long as it has no WMD. That way, it can keep Iran under control . Now that Iraq is in shambles and we are very much tied up both in Iraq & Afghanistan, we don’t have much room to maneuver if Iran runs wild with nukes and let alone N. Korea also with nukes.

  357. Jack Epperly
    March 1st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

    So many out there with Bush derangement syndrome.

    Obama does as he pleases as well and only pretends to listen.

    Unfortunately his views are ones of a big spending socialist who is soft on defense…typical of his party.

  358. Jeff - Sacramento
    March 1st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

    Obama, sounds like what we really have is a man with an eye solely on the polls. Poll advisers, when they won’t stand up for themselves - poll the country, when most of us have no confidence in the government - poll whoever before a decision is made. I’m interested to see his first tough decision, will he poll everyone? Or will he act like a President an maybe make the tough call. (as witnessed in the spending package and it’s 9000 earmarks, he’ll attack that next year - too political to fight that fight now) I expect the prior - he’ll see what his pollsters say and make the decision based on that, as always. He is already blaming Bush for everything I wonder how much longer he can play that tired card. It would be nice if he got out of campain mode and into President mode, because we need a President right now not someone pandering to get elected.

  359. Alan
    March 1st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

    And don’t forget another major difference is that Obama’s wife has much tonier arms that Laura B. That ought to scare the terrorists (oops, sorry not PC these days).

  360. Joe
    March 1st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

    Sounds to me like Obama=Putin. We will soon see US=USSR.
    Spread the wealth boys.

  361. Daryl in Seattle
    March 1st, 2009 3:26 pm ET

    Ummm….my dog is more analytical than Bush.

  362. pamie
    March 1st, 2009 3:26 pm ET

    Of course Obama thinks and understand from an attorney view that questions has an arrang of answers especially complicated one’s. Bush was so stupid that to him everything was simpe- yes or no or maybe true or false, then that’s it!

  363. Raj
    March 1st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

    How can someone (president) make decision about people’s lives without analyzing everything and listening to everyone in the room? Scarry……And some (few) of the comments are from people saying because the current president can not make a decision so he calls on just anyone in the room. Do they realize if you are in that room, you have to have a role and knowledge. Not ANYONE is in the room by the way.

    Glas to hear president listens and analyzes, this is countries future in his hands. and I am glad finally after 8 years it is in the right hands…….

  364. Jimmyz
    March 1st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

    Seriously, a good leader ALWAYS seeks the opinions of his advisors. Bust, I mean, Bush, wanted ‘yes men’. Rather he wanted to be a yes man himself to Cheney primarily. And reality is, he wanted no part of the job. There has been a severe lack of leadership. Bush had no grasp on the War at all. He had no grasp on the economy and was hoping it wouldn’t implode until after his term. Had no grasp on internal matters such as handling Hurricane Katrina. And this AFTER 9/11. Not sure the country has been safer when an entire city basically sunk on his watch.

    President Obama has thought. He has intelligence. He has an open mind to very serious and difficult situations that the Bust Administration left behind.

  365. flybyshoeing
    March 1st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

    Keith in NC..Obama wants everyone’s view so he can more easily spread the blame after he makes a bad decision.

    Sounds more like something you may be more familiar with.

  366. Jon
    March 1st, 2009 3:28 pm ET

    Ahhhh. Feel that hatred. So nice to know we are so together and this country is doing so well. Now blame each other for who’s responsible and let’s see where it takes us.

  367. Jim
    March 1st, 2009 3:28 pm ET

    Obama is listening to everyone and incorporating their views into what he’s doing. He is not doing 100% what either side wants, which is good. However, the liberal side is being heard for the first time in 8 years and yes, is resounding with the loudest voice its had since JFK. Yes, the budget is radical compared to the last 8 years and yes, those who profit most from the American economy will pay for the government that protects this economy and the dreams contained within. To date, whether the tax percent has been set at 39.5 or 35% for the top earners, they have not been paying that full percentage due to generous deductions and creative ways of moving their income into investments and getting taxed at the capital gains tax rate of 15%.

    With regard to the 40% who have a net 0 tax burden, those individuals must be lifted up first and then over time will have a tax burden and begin the pay the govenment back for the services received and the benefits to come form a government that is truly for the people, by the people.

  368. LVPaco
    March 1st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

    Bacteria is more intelligent that GWBUSH…

  369. Vietnam Vet71
    March 1st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

    Bush Yeah had a grasp for the situation alright! Retired U.S. Army General Eric K. Shinseki (sp) advised him that it would take more troops going in–NO, he and his then Secretary of Defense chose not to and then we got the surge………. need I say more. CNN this is the third post sent in but no posting.

  370. Todd
    March 1st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

    A President that can think for himself…No wonder the repurblicans are soooo scared!

  371. Josh Doyle
    March 1st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

    duhhhh!!!!!!!

  372. Melissa
    March 1st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

    Whether I am a Republican or a Democrat is irrelevant. What bothers me is the number of people that think that gathering all the information you can and THEN making a decision is a bad thing. Informed decision making should be what we look for in our elected officials.
    No president (or person) knows everything about everything, to not collect as much information as possible before making an important decision (oh, like, military decisions) is short sighted, foolish, and in some cases downright dangerous. Lives are at stake. I wouldn’t make an uninformed decision on what movie to go to, why would it be a good thing for my president to make an uninformed decision on where he sends American soldiers?

  373. Kim
    March 1st, 2009 3:31 pm ET

    Moving Forward, That doesn’t mean he’s a president that can really think. Quite the contrary. It means he’s a president that gets (needs) everyone else to think for him.

  374. Ken
    March 1st, 2009 3:32 pm ET

    Thank God we have Obama in office now and not busch.

  375. Goran bekhtyar
    March 1st, 2009 3:32 pm ET

    WHY CAN WE JUST LOOK AHEAD!!
    AND HOPE FOR THE BEST…………….

  376. KenneyP
    March 1st, 2009 3:33 pm ET

    I’m in ‘Shock and AHH’ that anyone could think that CNN is out to simply BASH BUSH oppose to just reporting on the goof up W Bush did himself. Isn’t that what reporting is suppose to mean?

    It is interesting that Pres. Obama makes sure that everyone in the room is participating while W. Bush’s leadership style was to intimidate his subordinates into only telling him different aspects of what he wanted to hear.

    Considering that W. Bush was able to skirt his own military service you would think he would want to hear from the people who actually had a grasp on war situations through ACTUAL EXPERIENCE. At least Obama is not as arrogant to think he knows what is best for everyone.

  377. markens
    March 1st, 2009 3:34 pm ET

    Bush is just………..stupid.

  378. Dan Miller
    March 1st, 2009 3:34 pm ET

    I’m no Bush fan, but I’m amazed by the ignorant comments on here. I’m sure everyone disagrees with certain decisions Bush made. But the man wasn’t an idiot. He’s well educated, and has a lot of experience. You don’t become the president by being stupid.

    Again, I’m not a Bush supporter. But let’s be realistic here.

  379. Wayne
    March 1st, 2009 3:35 pm ET

    Well, I wouldn’t expect anything less than Bush Bashing on CNN. More analytical? Just because he asks someone who hasn’t spoken up, that means he’s analytical? Analying a signal on a ULQ-16 means you’re analytical.

  380. Goran
    March 1st, 2009 3:36 pm ET

    WHY CAN’T WE JUST LOOK AHEAD!!
    AND HOPE FOR THE BEST…………

  381. J. Milton
    March 1st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

    So I guess that part of the liberal democratic process of “Change” for America includes the inability to move on from the past/Bush.

  382. Tim
    March 1st, 2009 3:39 pm ET

    This is nothing amazing. It’s just expected. Collecting other’s points of view and information, considering them, thinking critically about them, and then making a judgment based on all available information are qualities we should expect from an intelligent person charged with such important decisions.

    How come nobody expected this from Bush?

  383. Anna, Missouri
    March 1st, 2009 3:39 pm ET

    He had to hold back a laugh, and think of a polite way of saying it. Can’t wait for the book!

  384. EL, MA
    March 1st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

    For the uneducated person who said that the Bush family owns a piece of Yale, help us understand how that could possibly be true. Yale is a non-profit institution with no “ownership” by individuals.

    And analytical also can mean someone who can’t make up his mind. Being a leader means more than being analytical and asking a million people their opinions. Imagine a thousand “analytical” scientist and lawyers running this country…we would never make a decision EVER. Sounds kinda familiar with how things are going now…

  385. gl, Pittsburgh
    March 1st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

    TCM - Shout you pie up. Bush wars were illegal. Sorry you far right wing nut, but Bush was the CLOWN! Get it right becasue commented on this board. Bush better knew as the greatest CLOWN!

  386. left MIDDLE right
    March 1st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

    The only thing Gates offered is that Obama asks more opinions… that does NOT make him more analytical… that means he has a bigger pool of ideas… Analysis is researching historical events and drawing conclusions. He is asking more OPINIONS, nothing more.

    This publication is another excuse for people to trash the Bush Presidency. It’s a fad, just like iPods. Face it, everyone is excited because Obama is not Bush. It has nothing to do with Obama himself, because he saw an opportunity to succeed (by agreeably trashing someone unpopular) and took it. That’s basic politics. Not special, not analytical.

  387. Cori
    March 1st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

    “Somewhat” more analytical - you rabid Bush-haters want to stretch that into more than Secretary Gates meant or actually said.

    Sounds to me like Obama doesn’t have the confidence that his advisers will speak up if they have something to say, or confidence that he has the necessary skills/knowledge to make the right decision. Funny how you can flip that around huh?

  388. Gogetter
    March 1st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

    Veri Intereresting ………….

  389. vtrah
    March 1st, 2009 3:41 pm ET

    In fairness to George, Obama is also smarter and more analytical than any President in the last 50 years or more. So, it is not just G.W. who has to take a backseat.

  390. Dan
    March 1st, 2009 3:41 pm ET

    Obama wants to hear from eveyone in the room, but he only agrees with left-wing liberals like Pelosi, Barney and Chucky Schumer. Lets hope this guy only lasts four years.

  391. Jack Ryan
    March 1st, 2009 3:42 pm ET

    Great, that is just what we need. A President who has to ask for everyone’s opinion before he makes a decision. Does he keep count so he can tally which way to go? I mean, what’s next, a public poll to determine how to react to Iran’s nuclear program.

    Bush may have not always made the best choices, but in 8 years we were never attacked again.

    And for the idiot who said that we have a president that can finally think? Seriously? A President should not make decisions by committee, the people elected Obama, not his cabinet.

  392. SICK OF THE BASHERS
    March 1st, 2009 3:42 pm ET

    All of you people who have such negative opinions about G.W. Bush, please get over yourselves. There are some who are sick and tired of all of your nonsensical blather and Bush bashing. What happened to… CHANGE? Follow in the footsteps of the leader you voted into office, make a change, grow up, and stop spouting off such nasty rhetoric.
    Ask yourselves and for once be honest….. do you think, if you were in the presence of our former President, G. W. Bush…. that you speak in such a nasty tone? Would you utter even one single, solitary despicable and disrepectful thing to the man’s face? I doubt that you would have the guts to do so. Those of you who spout off and say such negative things about the former President of the United States are cowards.
    If you can’t at least show some respect for the man, then please at least show some respect for the the office he held.

  393. Blaine
    March 1st, 2009 3:43 pm ET

    Well of course he wants to hear from everybody in the room, but when it comes down to it “he won” so what he says goes. He wants to hear from them but that is to let hem know he is the chosen one. He really has no interest in what the Republicans have to say.

  394. conserve 56
    March 1st, 2009 3:44 pm ET

    I don’t care how analytical and polished Obama is, his far left policies will destroy this country. I do not want to be another European quasi-socialist country with no growth and low productivity. I am not interested in living in cramped apartments, recycling everything and riding bikes.

  395. simmy
    March 1st, 2009 3:44 pm ET

    Amen.

  396. Rusty
    March 1st, 2009 3:45 pm ET

    Finally, real news filters thru the rePIGlican noise machine.

    Not Only is Obama more analytical than the former commander-in -chimp, but hes also better looking, a faster runner, can do WAY more jumping jacks, knows all the finishing moves in EVERY mortal kombat game, can ride AWESOME wheelies on his bike, totally always colors INSIDE the lines, SMELLS what the Rock is cooking and does that thing I like with his tounge.

    I wonder why market share is moving away from “old” media and towards blogs, with such hard hitting news coverage as this. Bravo, CNN.

  397. Grace
    March 1st, 2009 3:45 pm ET

    I had oatmeal for breakfast. It was more analytical than Bush.

  398. Brian
    March 1st, 2009 3:46 pm ET

    I have enjoyed reading most of these comments. My reason for enjoyment lies in the fact that a large portion of those leaving comments rave about Obama’s articulation and Bush’s so-called stupidity while showing their own inability to articulate through writing. I suggest that if you are going to make a comment in which you compare one individual’s ability to think to that of another, you make sure that you spell everything correctly.

  399. Dubya
    March 1st, 2009 3:46 pm ET

    Obviously David, and TCM would rather have dogmatic individuals, bone-heads for a president.

  400. marcus tullius c
    March 1st, 2009 3:46 pm ET

    Camereon Data2 March 1st, 2009 1:22 pm ET

    Yes. He is also far more intelligent
    =====================
    Yep, President Bush is.

  401. Gary
    March 1st, 2009 3:47 pm ET

    Although it sounds nice that the current administration listens to all points of view, this could be a cover for a lack of leadership ability and the administration is paralyzed by indecision.

    I too am looking for “CHANGE”, but the change I am looking for will come in 2012!

  402. Obama 2.0
    March 1st, 2009 3:48 pm ET

    That is why we voted him in, he is brilliant and the most qualified for the situation we are in. We did not vote for him because of party. And if you follow him back to his college days you will find that he has never put party ahead of being pragmatic.

  403. angryeditor
    March 1st, 2009 3:48 pm ET

    Of course TCM!
    He’s inexperienced thats why he asks questions.
    Einstein was inexperienced to the end - as were other great minds.
    Know why?

    Intelligence comes with respect for intelligence which may reside in other brains apart from ours!!!

    The converse unfortunately is so very very true…

  404. Geoff
    March 1st, 2009 3:48 pm ET

    To those who criticize the notion of asking everyone present at a meeting for their opinion. Obviously you’ve never been in a position of responsibility, so you don’t understand staff dynamics. Obama is using this technique to gauge preparedness and philosophy of those in attendance. Separate the people who work from those who don’t. I call it - identifying the ‘tenders and the pretenders”.

    This is the perfect time to do it, while there is no crisis. Later on, he will know who the go-to people are based on previous meetings! The worst thing he could do is rely on the opinion of someone who stretches the truth in a time of crisis. better to know now, than later!

  405. Frank
    March 1st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

    I’ll have to second Hoosier’s comment. My cat is more analytical than Bush.
    However, I’ll have to argue with Alexander’s statement that 99.9% of Americans are more analytical than Bush. Did you actually watch the election? People said and did the most infantile and ignorant things imaginable during the election, and I’d have to suggest that at least half of the voting populace are less analytical than my neighbor’s dog (and before you get pro-democrat and anti-GOP on me, that “at least half” is not exclusive to your less-favored party). I might add that the dog has been on pain medication ever since he was hit by a car and his leg didn’t heal correctly, so the dog really has all the analytical faculties of a teenage male at a bikini competition.

  406. Hopeful Greeny
    March 1st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

    Listening to other people’s views rather than announcing yourself “the decider” sounds bipartisan enough for me! Why would the Repugs want to further destroy our country by refusing to work with such an intelligent, analytical source? Are they just as dumb as Turnip Bush?

  407. anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

    The only change we can count on is a tripling of the inflation rate.

  408. John
    March 1st, 2009 3:50 pm ET

    I put on underwear this morning. They were more analytical than Bush.

  409. Mike Fenton
    March 1st, 2009 3:50 pm ET

    Terry, I think it’s “He knows how to speak English well.”

  410. Omari - Phx
    March 1st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

    What does he mean MORE analytical? That would imply that Bush had the ability to analyze anything in the first place. This is truly a shocking development… Apparently the President that Operated on his Gut was actually able to think. Cnn should interrupt their normal programming and post this!!!

  411. ahmad
    March 1st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

    WOW. Any Joe in a remote village in a third world country can provide that feedback. Tell us more….may be that book will be interesting to read epsecially if he will be honest enough and tell details…hee hee.

  412. airtech
    March 1st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

    Who cares about past academic credentials, for both Barry O. or W.
    Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar and we all know the fuel of his brain power and “analysis” (don’t we, Miss L).

    I’ll reserve judgement on the President until at least giving his plans a chance the first year. Any other rush to praise or criticism — from either political side — is bulljunk.

  413. CelticKath
    March 1st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

    DUH…………..

  414. Pat
    March 1st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

    Does Obama use a TelePrompTer during his meetings (like he does during press conferences) to remind him to call on people? It will be another four years of Carter - paralysis by analysis. Can someone actually tell me what decisions he’s made regarding defense? We’re leaving Iraq - kinda sorta but not really. We closing Gitmo - kinda sorta but not really. We’re going after Al Queda in Afghanistan but not being drawn into a similar war which the Soviets lost in the 1980 - but haven’t heard a plan for it. The liberal media loves remarks like this because they know many of the people who voted for BHO now feel like they’ve been hoodwinked!

  415. Richard
    March 1st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

    Obama is just another empty suit.

  416. TJDG
    March 1st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

    You clowns on the Communist News Network make me wanna puke. Give it a little time….Obama will disappoint you. Trust me.

  417. Knucklehead
    March 1st, 2009 3:53 pm ET

    And he can pronounce “nuclear.”

    David & TCM: You are morons. If you think any one man has all the answers to all the questions a President must face then you are living in a dream world.

    “Bush had a grasp on the war situation…” Sure he did…hence the “Mission Accomplished” fiasco….hence the statements about the Iraqis welcoming us with open arms….hence our new reputation as perpetrators of torture…this entire war has been one mistake after another. Wake up!! Are you guys Oxycontin addicts like your leader?

  418. Jeff
    March 1st, 2009 3:53 pm ET

    Terry Martin said:
    And Obama knows how to speak good English, too. It’s nice to have a President who knows how to speak correctly.

    Too bad you can’t say the same. I believe you meant to say …knows how to speak English well. Although, I can understand your ignorance. You probably voted for him.

  419. Mike
    March 1st, 2009 3:54 pm ET

    “President Obama is somewhat more analytical…”

    Gee, ya think??

  420. Jubie
    March 1st, 2009 3:54 pm ET

    I’m out, I cannot share space with people stupid enough to still believe in Bush. Or those who think they are smart enough to form an opinion against Obama. Stupid breeds stupid… and we are surrounded. Good luck to all the smart people in the US most of the fly by states are breeding dangerous dumbness. I’m totally out of here very, very soon.

  421. Joe Brown
    March 1st, 2009 3:54 pm ET

    That’s why Obama will be a much better President… as if he could possibly be worse.

  422. ken
    March 1st, 2009 3:55 pm ET

    It seems that most people believe that everything Bush did was absolutely idiotic. If that’s the case, why did Obama keep Gates, who was chosen by Bush? How can Gates, Bush’s choice, be trusted? His comment that insinuates Obama is smarter than Bush can’t be trusted either, right?
    Obama has all of you duped. He attempts to act smart and really ponder things, but most statements he makes is filled with indecision and at least 4 -5 “uhs”. He’s all talk, and not much wisdom. All of his radical decisions and choices since inauguration don’t seem too brilliant. Just more of the same corrupt Washington ( & Illinois) politicking.

  423. Dave_Clark
    March 1st, 2009 3:55 pm ET

    The differnce is Bush is Anti- Moslem Terrorists and OBama reaches out to them.
    We never had an attack after 9/11.
    The Democrats under clinton did not believe in pursuing Osama.
    Bush’s people paid their taxes and Obamas people do what they want.
    Bush went after the Bad people while President Hussien has them as friends ( wright and Farakhan)

  424. Patricia Tharp
    March 1st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

    Thank God we have a smart man as our leader. He CARES! And, I might add, did hot have an affluent parent “buy” his life for him, from paying his way into ivy league schools, to bailing him our of bankrupcy. I am so thankful we are rid of this whole group of people who only thought of their own legacies, and let our country down.
    I wonder if we can recend the Constitutional law that limits a president to two terms????

  425. joe from canada
    March 1st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

    You folks amaze me. You put Bush in, TWICE. You have the mess you deserve, unfortunately, the rest of the world is being drug down with you, for now.
    Your faith in Obama is laudable, however, just because he got in this time, doesn’t give you the right to ignore the fact that YOU put Bush in, again, TWICE.
    You are responsible for what he did, not him. Once, shame on you, twice, shame on me.
    Your the me folks. Learn from history, and perhaps, all is not lost.

    Then again, the majority of you figure you voted for Obama, so Bush is no longer your fault.

    How sad. Hopefully, Canada has the intelligence to step away from you.

  426. Dylan from MN
    March 1st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

    I think to any intelligent, level-headed person, there’s really no comparrison. The denying and disreguarding of Obama’s intelligence on this board is laughable, just like your disagreement with everything science is laughable, Republicans. There once was a time when your party was able to fool the majority of this country, but those days are over.

  427. Mike
    March 1st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

    Seems to be the interesting point is that most of the comments are clearly not analytical. What a bunch of chumps. Where has it every been shown that being analytical is corrolated with being a good leader. I’m sure former Persident Carter was very analytical but can anyone say honestly he overall was a good leader?

    So what I get from this is that President Obama surrounds himself with people who have to be called on since they can’t be counted to speak up when the time is right for them to speak up. Sounds just like an elementary grade schoolroom - how sad an pathetic we have people like this running the government. This clearly worries me if, god forbid, we were to have an unpredictiable crisis. One were Persident Obama and those around him don’t have days to figure out based on polls what course of action will split the voting public just barely in their favor.

    How and where President Obama is ‘leading’ this country is sad. The focus is to take from those who work hard and generate benefit and give to those who don’t. This is not a principle this country was founded on. My hope is that the small percentage of the population which tipped this last election in this direction will soon see the result of their vote and reverse course in future elections.

  428. Ohio Woman
    March 1st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

    Former First Lady Laura Bush “forgot” to listen to Obama’s address to our nation - her husband, former President George W. Bush “forgot” he was supposed to be the leader of our nation! And, David, it is nice that a president listens to all sides; that way we don’t just go into unjust wars!

  429. Pat F
    March 1st, 2009 3:57 pm ET

    Gates is a political prostitute. Pay him, and he’ll say whatever you want.

  430. Geoff
    March 1st, 2009 3:57 pm ET

    “To Ken”

    To blame Obama for Iran having a nuke means you believe Iran built their nuclear weapon between January 20th and today.

    Are you also going to blame him for Russia expanding it’s influence in the former soviet states too? It’s becoming painfully obvious to the world, that the Bush administrations “tunnel vision” has contributed to the increase in soviet & radical Islamic influence throughout the world. The setbacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the implosion of our economy all occurred during Bush’s term.

  431. ronan
    March 1st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

    You think. Doesn’t take a PHD to figure out that one.

  432. C W
    March 1st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

    Not much of a compliment, given Bush’s intellect was on par with, well, you know, a shrub.

  433. johnnycanuck
    March 1st, 2009 3:59 pm ET

    All you neocon blow hards who criticize President Obama for asking for everyones opinion as well as every other move he has made deserve to loose your job, your home and your 401k and your guns. You cant seem to get together and work together when your country most needs unity, since “your” leaders failed badly and lost the election and the faith and respect of the majority. You will destroy your own country because you have gotten too fat, lazy, and crooked under a greedy administration the past eight years to get off your butt and help do the heavy lifting needed to put your country back on track. So long . It will be pain full watching Rome burn AGAIN!

  434. Nicole-Independent
    March 1st, 2009 3:59 pm ET

    A good leader listens to all points of views, even if they disagree with them. I work for a local government agency and one of thing I’ve learned is that government programs often don’t work the way they should because their leaders refuse to hear all points of views. We don’t need less government, we need an efficient government. A leader can have a vision but it is the people who do the work every day, who know how to make the vision come true. So it’s important to hear what the people below have to say. I’m glad to see Obama is valuing their opinions.

  435. Bored
    March 1st, 2009 4:00 pm ET

    No one left to bash.

  436. collin
    March 1st, 2009 4:00 pm ET

    Why Amerivans elected Bush and push Bush into White House again.Does everyony deeply think about ?We all stupid!

  437. Jimmy in CO
    March 1st, 2009 4:01 pm ET

    Honestly I can’t tell you enough how happy I am this man got elected, truly.

  438. Farhad
    March 1st, 2009 4:02 pm ET

    Hum , How the hell that happened ?????????????

  439. Jesse
    March 1st, 2009 4:03 pm ET

    Situation for Obama is very complicated. He has to find the ways to get rid of expencive dead wood in the Government and take care of his programs which are necessary. We have many Goverment employees and subcontractors who produce anything worthwhile.

  440. Anonymous
    March 1st, 2009 4:04 pm ET

    Obama, more analytical than his predecessor? Any suprise? We’re lucky to have Obama as president. Let’s give a former college professor a chance to flex his analytical skills and lead this nation back up the mountain of greatness!

  441. Granforchange
    March 1st, 2009 4:04 pm ET

    I AGREE WITH DAVID .. OBAMA IS NOT CAPABLE OF MAKING ANY OF HIS OWN DECISIONS , THAT IS A DISAPOINTED TO A LOT OF US WHO VOTED HIM IN, BAD CHOICES FOR MOST OF HIS CABINET CHOICES, BUT WHEN HE CHOSE TO STICK WITH GATES, HE LOST ALL CREDIBILITY WITH ME… HE HAS BROKEN HIS PROMISES TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I DO NOT CARE HOW SMART HE IS, THAT IS NOT GOING TO GO OVER BIG WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN VOTER WHO TOLD HIM NO MORE WAR IN IRAG OR AGAHANISTAN, ! HE AND GATES ARE GOING TO BE IN FOR A BIG SCHOCK WHEN WE GO OUT TO THE STREETS AND PROTEST COME MARCH 19…AT THE PENTAGON…. SHAME ON OBAMA FOR BEING SUCH A LACKEY…..

  442. Indepedent
    March 1st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

    I can’t believe you liberals like the comment done by Aaron are so dull-brained and fact-ignoring to say President Bush created a natural disaster and was behind 9-11.

    I’m sure he had a voodoo model of the Earth in the White House, and he swirled his fingers around and around the Earth’s atmosphere. Then he slowly poked in a needle in New Orleans…

    How much more stupid could you get?

    By the way, who’s noticed how whenever President Obama speaks the Dow drops? Every time he says “crisis…catastrophe…” he’s ruining our economy even more.

    Please, let us have a new president in four years! Someone who believes European socialism isn’t the only answer!

  443. Josh
    March 1st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

    “…he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don’t speak up, he calls on them.”

    They should be talking! Why wouldn’t they speak up before? I’m glad he’s making them do their jobs! =P They make too much money not to cooperate with each other.

  444. Jake
    March 1st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

    Obama was smarter than Bush when he was 2 years old . Of course my dog was smarter than Bush when he was 2 years old. In other words Bush is a idiot ! And any one who thinks he was a good president is a itiot too .

  445. Remy
    March 1st, 2009 4:07 pm ET

    Obama is acceptable for many than Bush because Obama listen problems and comments. I hope Obama will be a great President of USA.

  446. Brad W.
    March 1st, 2009 4:07 pm ET

    You morons think because someone is eloquent and intelligent they are going to run the country better… Obama is the SAME as Bush. Until you figure that out, instead of putting Obama on a pedestal, you ignorant sheep will continue to worship at the altar of Obama. You same people thought Jimmy Carter was the second coming… absolute imbeciles.

  447. Byron Gordon
    March 1st, 2009 4:07 pm ET

    Obama, more analytical than his predecessor? Tell us something we don’t already know! Let’s give this former college professor all the support we can give him! As for George W. Bush, the sorriest excuse for a president this country could ever elect. May he be forgotten and left to the dustbins of history. Obama, as Americans, we welcome your analytical mind and expect you will never grow tired in using it. Lead us on with your analytical abilities and perspicacious mind. This country sorely needs it!!

  448. therealmarie
    March 1st, 2009 4:10 pm ET

    Corporate News Network you think this is news?

  449. keekers
    March 1st, 2009 4:10 pm ET

    Analytical, smart, interested, humble, educated, decent, articulate….the list goes on. There is NO comparison.

  450. Mary M
    March 1st, 2009 4:14 pm ET

    Analytical is not always good. Case and point. Jimmy Carter.

  451. Dave
    March 1st, 2009 4:15 pm ET

    It doesn’t sound like Obama is capable of making his own decisions if he has to gather a ton of opinions.
    Posted by David
    ===================================================

    You’re right! Bush only needed Cheney’s opinion to make HIS decision!

  452. JS
    March 1st, 2009 4:15 pm ET

    Calling on everyone in the room does not make you “analytical”.

  453. Larry Houston TX
    March 1st, 2009 4:15 pm ET

    To : @Lilly Rose March 1st, 2009 2:03 pm ET

    You have a very intelligent / interesting comment, and I agree wholeheartedly !

  454. qwambo
    March 1st, 2009 4:17 pm ET

    To Wanda. Are you some sort of mind reader?? It just crackes me up reading comments from idiots who think they know what others are thinking. Stupid woman!!!

  455. Dick
    March 1st, 2009 4:17 pm ET

    Bush did his best for America, whether he is less analytical or not than Obama. They should not be compared.

  456. A 15-year old Boy Scout
    March 1st, 2009 4:18 pm ET

    We were all given one mouth and two ears for a purpose; we should be listening twice as much as we speak. It doesn’t matter what opinion one had before the election, now that Barack Obama is president, he deserves the respect and the trust of the people. The only way that his administration will succeed is if we are behind him on his decisions, so we have to step back and think to ourselves once in a while, “How many times have I been in control of a country?”, “Maybe he’s there for a reason”. We elected him and now we need to back him up.

  457. MGinSC
    March 1st, 2009 4:18 pm ET

    Hot stock tip, Buy Koolaide stock, so many socialists love it!!

  458. Nancy
    March 1st, 2009 4:27 pm ET

    For all of you who say he is stating the obvious–unfortunately there are many out there for whom “this is surprising news.” They of course will now trash Gates, but that is there only strategy. The man is brilliant and understands the meaning of “learning from others” and making a decision based on information not his “gut feeling” or Cheney. For those of you who say stop blaming it on Bush–it is a little hard to forget 8 years in only 40 days, let alone repair the damage. And for those of you crying about getting more information, you have access to more information (if you would look) than in the secretative Bush White House.

  459. TRYING TO BE OBJECTIVE AND FARE
    March 1st, 2009 4:31 pm ET

    Pres. Obama has always said he will listen to everyone who has an idea or solution. He is intelligent enough to know his short comings, when it comes from lack of knowledge on a particular subject, example military strategy (GATES), economy, etc.. He looks for the best and brightest in each field. This is a good sign of a GREAT LEADER.

    Bank stocks are brought and sold more than any other stock. Now that the banking industry is in trouble could that be why the STOCK MARKET is so low? Why are some people blaming Pres. Obama for the LOWS? What group of people trade most? My opinion is the wealth, now all they have to do to make our Pres. look bad is to not trade at all, just sell.

    I’ m retired have had ATT stock for years. Not a high yield but constant. Stock price went down, dividend increase. Came out with NEW products other than phones, long distance,large communication systems. The message is companies have to change with the times, reinvent the wheel,be innovative, get rid of old THINKERS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSIGHT NOT SO FEARFUL.

    I’m older myself and I try to stay away from negative, unhappy people.

    We in this country are ALL BLESSED. At least we have food pantries, clothing ministries, churches that help. Oh yes we have WELFARE for those less fortunate AND THE LARGER % of those on WELFARE would rather have a decent paying job with benefits and HEALTHCARE.

    REMEMBER HE KNOWS WHEN TO SEEK AN EXPERT IN A PARTICULAR FIELD. HE IS SMART ENOUGH TO SURROUND HIMSELF WITH THE VERY BEST MINDS.

    WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, STRENGTH COMES FROM A HIGHER POWER.

    Those who want to destroy and hate read Psalm 27. Some thing about when my enemies come to destroy me………………

  460. daniel
    March 1st, 2009 6:19 pm ET

    This administration is got to stop comparing themselves to the predecessor. They are not any better. What are you going to say about your current boss? If the president was so analytical, then lets listen to both sides. We have gone down hill with Congress in the last 2 years. Lets stop blaming Bush and lets see what the president Obama can do with the leaders in Congress and the Senate. History will show but people have to stop making excuses and blaming one man. We do have a House of Congress and House of Senate, dont we? Lets get a little more productive and start looking at the details of the Stimulus package. Lets not hide from the American public. Lets not go into a camera and lie to the American people. Media, lets wake up and write stories that have integrity. People of Americans should better watch very well, i see serious attack coming against the US people.
    In essence - Obama doesn’t know what he is doing and wants to get everyone to help him make a decision… even if it means calling all the past Presidents including Mr. Bush. it’s not in doubt that people of Americans are not safe from terrorist based on the state of things.
    I will advise Mr. Obama to re-examine his strategies purported to use to end the two dangerous wars. He must use harsh manner, if he really wants to end the wars and protect the Americans. My candid advice to ALL Americans is not to rejoice yet until Mr. Obama is fully tested.

460 Comments



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