I’m liking the format of the YouTube debate. Scarecrow’s right:
One thing that seems to be happening is that the video questions, with enforcement from the moderator, are forcing the candidates to answer the question and do less soundbites — or at least when they do, they look like their dodging. Straight talk looks good.
The Edwards video was interesting. I’ve always liked the song so maybe that’s a lot of it. It’s a sad irony that Barry Cowsill died in Hurricaine Katrina (though I believe this is the original cast version).
Update:
Big winners of the night:
1) The format (very entertaining)
2) Anderson Cooper — knew how to stay out of the way, best moderator so far
3) The questioners — didn’t have so much invested in cocktail weenie perpetuation that they couldn’t ask difficult questions
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Repeat mostly men asking the you tube questions.
Edwards!
Also, Gravel’s kinda right — via the Dodd Clock, he is getting screwed.
Out of Iraq, Now!!!
What would it take to get the same video questions put to the Repig candidates?
I think we need to push for that. Every question.
Unless I missed it, still no Israeli Palestinian conflict questions.
This is a pretty good debate, though; it isn’t causing me any cringing embarrassment like some recent presidential debates I can think of.
RevDeb @ 5
That’s a great idea.
We’re gonna have to fight our way out, leave vehicles and equipment behind, and bomb facilities we built to keep the technology from transferring.
The Hair video shows the strong creativity behind the Edwards campaign.
How about a “Let The Sunshine In” spot?
Kathleen @ 6
You’re right! De nada on Israel-Palestine relations!!!
I’m not watching…was this question asked? IKE was right. LINK
Did Gravel hire Jason Robards to play him in that ad?
Go Kucinich!
OT – I’ve lost ALL respect for John Conyers, what little I had before anyway.
I’m Jason Robards and I approved this message.
ewww … creeeepy video from Mike
@ 15
What? No Inherent Contempt charges?
@ 15
His committee is like one of those clown cars at the circus.
Ed*ard Teller @ 240
I like RevDeb’s idea too – same questions for the goopers…
Kathleen @ 6
Did you submit one to youtube/CNN?
DrenchedOtter @ 17
He reminds me of Stockwell who wanted to know why he was there.
Is it just me or is there something seriously wrong with Coors talking about personal responsibility?
Yea Jane!!!!!
I thought his committee would vote Wednesday, no?
AP – Democratic presidential hopefuls struggled Monday night to answer questions posed by young, Internet-savvy voters who challenged the candidates’ own place in a broken political system and posed questions about traditional political labels such as “liberal.”
Anderson is a much better moderator than Wolf Blitzer. When Blitzer kept asking them to raise their hands, I thought Hillary was going to flip her lid!
I wonder if the Regional Peace Conference that was recommended by Zbigniew Brezinski almost three years ago and picked up by the Iraqi Study Group will be discussed
Pachacutec @ 19
Or the Shriners drive in the parades out here.
(((( Jane ))))
Internet-savvy?
Oh, favorite teacher question. A real softball.
Maybe I’m a stooge.. but I love this format. CNN is obviously taking a risk here, and not doing a perfect job, but good god, this is the most frankly I’ve heard any of these candidates speak in any of the debate.
This is a bullshit way for the tough questions to be asked, just not by a journalist…gee.. CNN, saving their asses
CENTRAL TEXAS FIREPUPS, WEATHER ALERT!! POSSIBLE TORNADO IN JARRELL (NORTH OF AUSTIN). TORNADO WARNING IN EFFECT FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY UNTIL 7:45 CST. CHECK YOUR DOPPLER.
Sorry for yelling.
So who’s the leading VP candidate?
Kathleen @ 27
Cooper is doing extremely well. He’s largely keeping himself out of it. High marks.
Obama’s teacher story is compelling but his delivery seemed surprisingly flat.
I missed the first bit. Has anyone ask if impeachment is good medicine?
CTuttle @ 18
Has to do with Sheehan and, according to Cindy, Conyers says the American people will have to use the election process. I knew that his bullsh*t about “get 3 more reps” was just that – BULLSH*T.
Joe B – “you have sinned, my man…”
My question would be… “Do you think that the main stream media is a bunch of shills for the right?”
@ 15
Conyers is an ineffectual, blase (without the little thing over the “s”) unorganized upstager. I know he has seniority in the House, but remember he was the Congressperson whose quote was often repeated for the ads for Farenhiet 9/11: “Son, we don’t read bills”. I don’t have the figures/people in front of me, but I would bet the family farm that Rove, Newt and Company used every opportunity they could without causing too much of a hub-bub to install young, go-getter, and/or competent people in important positions while the Repubs ran things in Congress. If seniority trumps everything else when it comes to chairing certain committees, then it is a procedure that the Dems need to fix.
If kids took the time to put up a YouTube for this debate, they’ll vote. Clever.
Why isn’t CNN showing videos full screen?
Kathleen @ 27
Anderson isn’t making it all about himself like Wolf did.
twolf1 @ 20
Not a video to You tube just a question to CNN.
Biden’s honest about NCLB. I appreciate that.
Richardson’s spot on on NCLB. Shows he’s paying attention as a governor. As for the arts, anyone visitng Santa Fe should see the local artists hanging in the State House, including antechamber to gov’s office. All open to the public.
So, if you had to cobble together a ticket out of the people up there, who would you pick? P/VP?
Boy, oh boy, Paul Wellstone, what a sad story, but, he was the first to oppose this war…and then he died. Big time bummer.
I always feel that these debates make the Democrats look smart, articulate, ready — good for the party. Everyone gets to shine, sooner or later, and they don’t sound crazy — angry, yes; passionate, yes, but not crazy.
We are into education in this house. We like Richardson’s and Biden’s response to that question.
Good answers on NCLB from both Richardson and Biden.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 26
Democrats struggle with online questions
I hope you tube measures the male to female ratio of who got there questions through. At this point I would say 80% male
I do like Obama’s answer on public schools.
Barrack is a good man, no matter what you think.
I like it that the crowd can cheer and jeer spontaneously. I learned an awful lot from the audience reaction during the debate hosted by Tavis Smiley, and now tonight.
Julie Waters @ 56
“Did I send my kids to public school in Chicago? Hell no! Are you kidding?”
Get Tough @ 42
Because he is absolutely ineffectual…
Where’s that damned Howard Dean today? I need to talk to him, pronto.
I did not know this about Biden. My oldest daughter got a teaching job at that Wilmington Friends school. (oldest in the country)
Tap Duncan @ 57
Don’t think anyone would argue about that. But we’re not choosing good men here, we’re choosing POTUS.
eCAHNomics @ 44
They’re on dial-up…
Did they just go black on Dodd or was that my cable?
You know, they all seem pretty good. The candidates, I mean.
wangdangdoodle @ 34
Tell me about it! Fort Worth here. It’s a MONSOON!
And my satellite (TV) has been out for about an hour : (
Re Conyers: from Raw Story
Tap Duncan @ 57
I know the process is longer than ever before, but it is the middle of the year, and Obama (using the most apt sports metaphor) has to come out swinging to get some points with the public. He is starting to take a stand on some issues, and was in the paper quite a bit in the last week or so, but to make up ground on Clinton, he must take some shots at her. I am not watching it on tv, but Edwards and Obama seem to be posturing themselves for VP.
I’m thinking Elizabeth and Michele are the ones who have the “all about sex” talk with their kids :)
Scarecrow @ 51
I agree. I try to listen and think critically but when I step back I know you’re right.
cleter @ 65
except they believe the world is a whole lot older than it really is….
You know, I like these YouTube questioners.
Shit. Biden just insulted Tennessee.
The man’s a walking Imus malaprop machine.
That looked like a SNL skit
A sex question. That’s funny. I’m writing an exam on human sexuality right now. Actually, I’m watching CNN. I should be writing a exam.
Great. Now they get to fight over the snowman vote.
Pachacutec @ 72
I don’t think Biden will still be around by the Tennessee primary.
cleter @ 74
Who are you examining?
@ 60
And Conyers, among Congresspersons, probably has the least to worry about when getting re-elected. He will be voted in until he retires. His actions at times reflects this, but some of his staffers have to come together and get him organized, or have someone hire some new blood for him.
I’m clinging tight to my pathetic countdown clock.
Scarecrow @ 51
I don’t know, I kind of like the snowman.
It looks like each candidate has a video monitor on their podium.
How can you NOT enjoy this format? Yes, young people would be attracted to the format. And – YES – Republican candidates’ heads would be exploding by now in a format like this. Are they in for the same treatment?
I still think it is a bit too much “American Idolesque”
RevDeb @ 77
College students. I’m not a perv. It’s bona fide!
Tap Duncan @ 57
I like him too. I’m impressed with the way he takes a problem apart and fashions an appropriate and proportional solution.
Actually, he reminds me of Fitz. They both went to Harvard Law.
Gravel is pushing a consumption tax over the income tax?
That’s beyond stupid. It’s a regressive policy that falls most on the backs of the poor.
I live 80 miles out side of chi-town, but he does care about the least among us, even Jesus would tell us, it’s a long row to hoe, but it’s worth it. We never wanted to be rich, we just wanted to be secure, and the shrub don’t give a shit about us, so I say anyone who is willing to help the farmers/ranchers is ok with me.
I’m enjoying the format.
Pachacutec @ 72
Funny Pach!
I like the format, too, I think it has been the best of the debates so far.
Kucinich knows that it is acceptable to protect American lives but protecting our lifestyles by using our military to protect our national interest is insane and immoral
Tithonia @ 87
Me too.
If they’re going to ask them for a show of hands, they ought to have the camera positioned so we can see who’s raising them.
Ed*ard Teller @ 82
That being said, I like how that Dean set this up preciously because it looks like American Idol, and not some college town-hall meeting. It appeals to the Mid-Red states sensibilities, and again, I am not watching it on television, but I took a peak at the AP story and it seems the candidates are getting in some great comedic one-liners (Obama’s remark about being black enough and getting a cab in NY–He is quick).
Edwards uses his courtroom skills to answer Q. Very effective.
“And my satellite (TV) has been out for about an hour” From living in hurricane country the solution is to get a larger dish…helps a lot.
I like this debate…Cooper is far better…the canidates seem pretty well prepped. HRC too eager….Obama gets flustered…again Edwards stays on message…..Biden is running for VP as is Dodd.
Loo Hoo. @ 92
To their defense, the cameras are roving all over the place and the pace is very fast. Control room must be going nuts.
I just think You tube needs to mix up the age, ethnic and gender diversity of the questioners. Mostly men between the age of 25-50
Get Tough @ 93
He’s used that line before. It’s not new and he’s not quick—at least not with that one.
I’m pretty sure the snow person was female.
We’ve had a long time to figure out what to do with nuclear waste and made no progress whatsoever. It’s time to cut it loose and go with forms of energy which we’re willing to actually store in our own houses.
Last few days Mitt Romney has been running against Clinton, with the basic message that she’s “not ready to lead” and would be a socialist. If he had to face her head to head in a debate, it’s pretty clear she’d bury him, based on her performance.
Lea-no uh @ 99
Did you see whether it had snow balls?
Good vote/ballot answer from Richardson.
Biden is so before you-tube.
Neil @ 84
The new Democratic Blood. I am aware that Fitz was appointed by a Republican, and is often mistakenly labled one, but those two would make a great starting point to erase all of the crap that the Bushies left for their successor.
Hour and a half and no question about the I/P conflict.
yep. i liked the way he jammed Bush and Fredo’s DOJ for voter suppression.
HEY ISN’T VOTER SUPPRESSION AND IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE?
oh, sorry for yelling.
Richardson – 50% of Americans voting is an unacceptable figure.
My suggestion: Move elections to July 1,2, and 3rd. No exit polling allowed to be released. $2,000 tax credit to all who vote. Announce new president on Fourth of July.
The Biden video:
“I’m Joe Biden and I’m a goddamned adult.”
Kathleen @ 105
What’s the IP conflict? Are you sure your subnet connection is properly routed?
If you can’t watch it, you miss some of the really creative Youtube questions people have submitted. They add an appealing element of humanity and humor.
I do like Senator Clinton’s observation that a lot of jobs would be created if we really tackled global warming.
Ed*ard Teller @ 104
There is a very large before you-tube constituency.
Yucko … Biden emerging from the light to save everyone from “the hole”? No ego problems there …
Missed the first 15 minutes of the debate, did the immigration issue come up?
I do like Biden’s remarks about public financing of elections.
Julie Waters @ 109
Israeli Palestinian conflict
Oklahoma kiddo @ 111
NY’s junior senator is scared shitless of Al Gore jumping in the race. She has the most to lose if he does.
Can I just say again how much you commenters rock?
So how do you think the foreign press will weigh in on the format? U.S. creativity? Or U.S. sound-bitiness?
Kathleen @ 97
Don’t blame You Tube, it’s a panel set up by CNN that previewed the submissions and approved what questions would be asked!!!
Re format — the American you-tubers are proving to be smarter than Brian Williams and Wolf and Matthews. These people are bloggers, and they’re looking good.
The 21st Century Jerry Brown.
You know, the earlier debates, going back the last 30 years frankly, showcase the candidates’ ability to be photogenic and quick on the trigger.
erm.. Have any of you worked in a big company? Sure charisma is important, but most successful executives that I’ve known are fairly low-key, but have a keen mind that can only be viewed in their long-term strategies and alliances.
Bill Richardson, a governor, is rising hugely in my respect tonight, even though he’s not the most clever on the stage.
Kathleen @ 116
I know. Sorry. I have a very dry, geeky, sense of humor.
I’m not impressed at all. All their answers are still the same on every topic as they were when moderators were asking. What are we learning about them?
Get Tough @ 104
Fitz is not registered with a political party. He is ‘independent’ as opposed to Independent. I think he’s a pretty conservative guy but he’s too smart and too disciplined to allow his personal values affect his judgment as a prosecutor.
All the candidates have had some excellent answers…gonna’ e mail cnn to compliment Anderson Cooper. Edwards’ answer about diplomacy with Castro and Chavez was inexcusable. Both of them do more for their people than our govt. ever has. In a survey Cubans were in the top ten (for happiest people). We were like 150th. Looks like Edwards is an oil man and is just ticked Chavez won’t give his oil away to the oil companies.
Get Tough @ 104
I would bet that Patrick knows better now than to proclaim a political party. I mean we all have to keep our jobs, except he has integrity.
CTuttle @ 120
Not blaming making an observation and suggestion
Pachacutec @ 118
I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks.
Kathleen @ 114
no.
Minimum wage question: you go, gurll!!
Scarecrow @ 121
Did Dean dream this format up?
What expenses does the president have while living in the white house? Clothing?
This format IS pushing them away from the right on almost all of their substantive answers. Wingnuts will crucify them tomorrow. Hip hip hooray!
Loo Hoo. @ 134
Pretzels.
Where is everyone watching the debate?
Neil @ 127
Yup, that is why I think he would be great in any new Democratic administration. If Slick Willy could have guys like Rubin and Cohen in his cabinet, any Democrat worth his/her salt would INSIST on Fitz be named AG.
Loo Hoo. @ 134
What expenses does the president have while living in the white house? Clothing?
Liquor cabinet constantly needing restocking.
Pachacutec @ 118
I’m sorry I didn’t catch that Pach, can you say it again? (Just kidding. You’re so nice to say so. I feel the same way about you.)
Loo Hoo. @ 135
How much do his haircuts cost?
Ugh. The next person who waxes rhapsodic about bipartisan solutions can felch me.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 115
Me too.
Richardson not good on SocSec. “Bipartison” in first sentence when the other side wants to privatize it doesn’t pass the laugh test.
Barak sure doesn’t want to raise that payroll cap on the rich. Biggest thing my well to do friends cry about is-surprise-taxes! That is the big issue that drives them to vote Republican. Single issue voters.
wangdangdoodle @ 34
Tell me about it! Fort Worth here. It’s a MONSOON!
And my satellite (TV) has been out for about an hour : (Kathleen @ 116
I got a web site hit (business) about a week ago and it said “Palestinian Terrority, Occupied” on my site meter for the location. Freaked me out ; )
I would like to hear my submission, short version: Grover Norquist and the PNAC group preach defunding the government till it could be drowned in a bathtub; how wet are we?
ccmask @ 137
CNN
Pachacutec @ 119
You can’t mean me. Whatever the hell I wrote must have been worded so badly that it had the opposite effect on some.
Hmmm…Still suffering from poor sentence structure.
ccmask @ 137
On TV.
I like the guy who sang his question!
Richardson is right to bring up Medicare. I just wish he looked better in this kind of debate format. I think he’d do a lot better if they gave everyone 10 minutes per question.
In Ron Susskinds book “The Price of Loyalty” Former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neil stated that he and Greenspan had plans to take some of the surplus left over after the Clinton administration and feed it into the Social Security shortfalls that were coming up for the boomers.
The Bush administration took care of that surplus
The audience has been applauding the questions. Me, too.
Not every issue is covered, but the questions are better than those groaners the networks come up with.
ccmask @ 138
CNN via Internet Explorer
cleter @ 118
I think that’s correct. My presidential preference is not on that stage. ;0)
Thanks.
Mayfly @ 155
Yep, nobody afraid of losing their weenie supply.
As usual, the Democratic candidates danced all around the question of sane, medically accurate sex education. The two candidates, Edwards and Obama, danced around the question posed by the Planned Parenthood employee regarding medically accurate sexual health education by relating it to “inappropriate touching.”
Goddamnit people, the question is not about sexual abuse. It’s about medically accurate, fully accessible sexual education in the schools. It’s about letting young girls and women know they CAN control their sexuality, when and how they give birth, and their access to birth control, emergency contraception and abortion, whether anyone else likes it or not!!!
Pachacutec @ 85
It doesn’t have to be. Vermont’s state sales tax is set up so that their is only a tax once necessary items such as clothes reach a certain price.
Kathleen @ 154
By giving it all to his have-more base and doubled our national debt!!!
Interesting that CNN chose tax (and anti-tax) questions to precede health care questions.
janda @ 161
But it excludes capital gains taxes, and other taxes on non-comsumption items.
As your wealth increases, consumption forms a proportionally smaller percentage of your income or expenditures.
It’s regressive.
Kathleen @ 154
That’s how I thought the Clinton surplus should be used. The last report I wrote on Wall St. (Feb ‘00)was titled “Surpluses Are Worse Than Deficits.” Theory was that surpluses removed any semblance of budgetary discipline on the federall govt. I had no idea how right that forecast would be.
Get Tough @ 138
He gets to try cases as the US Attorney in Chicago. He likes prosecuting. I think he supervises 135 attorneys who also prosecute cases and they have of staff of 300.
I wonder if he’d give that up for a desk job. His collegue James Comey did. He was Ashcroft’s Deupty.
Loo Hoo. @ 134
Jim Beam. Maybe hookers, though sometimes those work pro bono.
Scarecrow @ 162
Perceptive observation. Thanks.
Obama’s response on universal health coverage brings us back to public election financing.
ccmask @ 137
CNN via MediaCenter (in AZ)
Scarecrow @ 162
I noticed that, too – wouldn’t necessarily think it was intentional, but…
smallg @ 147
Ohhh, I really like that one! I want to hear the answers, too.
I meant to add (sorry if I sound like the doddering idiot in the corner popping off extemporaneously)
I like Edwards video. Nice contrast between what’s important and what’s stupid. Helps that I really really love that song. Also funny that it’s a “hippie” song and he’s so clean cut. love it.
I like edwards best, of those who are there.
Any hooker in her/his right mind would visit the WH for free. Think about the cocktail party conversation s/he would have.
Pachacutec @ 9
Indeed. Someone with a high profile (Wes Clark?) said his greatest fear was our guys would have to fight their way out. That should be the meme – and an appropriate response to Edelman.
Hillary-universal health care is an American value!
Hillary wants to bring the insurance companies into the health care solution.
Bad.
Fucking.
Idea.
HRC, the pharma whore, castigating special interests. She just lost the votes of anyone who saw Sicko, on the basis of that moonumental hypocrisy.
speaking of popping off…dodd on fire now about health insurance.
cleter @ 173
I’ve been a fan too — voted for him in the 2004 primary.
Moonumental, monumental, what’s the diff?
Pachacutec @ 177
Yeah, that was real subtle how that slipped in. It was univesal “coverage,” not “care.”
Dodd is really good.
Solidly behind Senator Clinton on Health care, she really understands the problems.
I don’t believe for an instant that Hillary Clintopn doesn’t know the insurance companies are part of the problem, not the solution. What can she be thinking?
HRC had great answer to 28 years of same families in WH!
Not a Hillary fan, but she sure cracked me up with her comments on the 2000 election…
Hillary on the dynasty question is very good.
Gravel taking on the DLC.
Heh.
Scarecrow @ 181
subtle but HUGE
Hill is too beholden to the corpos.
Gravel making sense again.
Kathleen @ 183
Have you seen Sicko?
Senator Clinton statement of the night. I think Clinton knows the Pharms will not go down.
I’m no hillary fan but I believe she just hit one out of the park about bush/clinton/bush/clinton issue, i mean how she handled the question.
“Democratic party used to stand for the working man”
Well. True enough.
I will vote Democrat in 2008.
Before it’s too late, I wanted to thank FDL for giving us all a chance to mouth off!
I can’t say any of the candidates stood out tonight. For me, the big winner was the new format, much more interesting to watch, I hope they keep it up.
Ugh. More kumbayah from Kumbaybama.
[censored by site host].
Obama is delusional. He thinks that being nice is going to overcome the corpo interests in D.C.
Give. Me. A. Break.
Mr. Gravel will need an armed guard after that little outburst.
Oh goody. A stupid religion question.
Pachacutec @ 176
What percentage of health care premium gets spent on health care? how much on health insurance profit? how much on health insurance busines cost?
eCAHNomics @ 192
Yes. I think she was beaten back and realizes that you can not beat the Pharms and Insurance companies down and will use them when and if her time comes.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 195
Me too. So, who are you for if President Gore doesn’t run for re-election?
Pachacutec @ 177
It has taken me from December 27 to today to clear up all the insurance company questionaires and get the fucking money flowing to my providers for what used to be simple surgery. ACCKKK!
Bill Ridhardson for V.P.
I’m enjoying the audience shots. Most particularly, the looks of intelligent, interested people. Not a zombified, Stepford-authoritarian-junkie in the house.
eCAHNomics @ 165
I argued that deficits removed any semblance of budgetary discipline here. Since you are more knowledgable than I am about this, please inform me about why I am wrong.
BigMitch @ 205
I’d be cool with Edwards/Richardson.
Or Edwards/Dodd.
It seems like they’ve been on TV for a couple hundred years.
jayt @ 206
They are not repugs.
His “baby” is a fucking assault rifle?
That guy needs therapy.
Right on Joe Biden! “If that’s his baby, then he needs help.”
[censored by site host]
I’d be cool with Edwards/anyone Pachacutec @ 211
Biden just agreed with you. I’m not sure that speaks well to either of you :)
Anybody else creeped out by that last questioner?
BigMitch @ 207
Can I check it out later?
Really like the format, really like Cooper Anderson as a moderator. Still not one question about one of the most critical issues in the middle east…How would any one of these candidates deal any differently with the Israeli Palestinian conflict than previous Presidents?
My bodyguard – whose brother used to be head of the Alaska Hell’s Angels, just showed up. He likes Edwards best, and says he should get Obama to be his running mate so nobody will shoot Edwards. We’ve been off arguing 2nd amendment stuff for 20 minutes and just got back here now.
Heh.
Y’all know that when the site host censors my stuff. . . that’s me censoring myself, right?
eCAHNomics @ 217
of course.
eCAHNomics @ 217
I couldn’t see him very well. Did he have all of his teeth?
cleter @ 216
Absolutely
FYI, PW has a new post upstairs
new thread.
You know, the Obama video conveyed no information whatsoever. It was like a Mountain Dew ad with a senator in it.
cleter @ 204
That’s a tough one. Because we have some very good possibilities (should Gore not run). And a couple of them are on that stage at CNN right now. ;0)
Eureka Springs @ 224
it isn’t about the debate.
cleter @ 226
Diet Dew. Lots of fizz and caffeine. Not much more.
cleter @ 226
Hear! Hear!!
What a phenomenal question — that questioner should be running the Dem’s campaign.
Good one – Bill Richardson!!
Why is Hillary wearing Major Kira from Deep Space Nine’s jacket?
I really like Richardson
eCAHNomics @ 48
Little known fact: Santa Fe has (or had) the third largest art sales in the nation. Very artsy town. It’s also worth noting that recent brain research suggests cognitive benefits of art (dance, visual arts, music) translate to other kinds of problem solving.
But as a die-hard Mac user, I’m seriously bummed this debate streaming works far better on WinIE than on Safari 8(((((
My first confirmation that the Internet might actually reinvigorate {Presidential} politics was when I landed on candidates@google.com. and viewed an hour-long conversation between Bill Richardson and Google employees. (The Googlers failed to ask a single ‘horse race’ question about Candidate Hair and Winnability, and Richardson took more than 2 minutes to give a response to many of the (complex) questions. I was shocked, shocked, I tell you! )
I don’t expect CNN to get the debate format right the first time out, but at least it’s an attempt to create a conversation.
I personally believe that Jane, CHS, TRex, Pach, and others here have pushed political conversation to once again become passionate, witty, informative, hilarious, thoughtful, messy, and democratic.
As when I saw the Ned Lamont ads, and the Rubber Stamp Act, I feel that I witnessing a miracle. Long overdue, but I’m glad to see it.
Good debate.
Yes.
Good debate.
Okay, that last question turned out a lot better than I expected :)
The Dems won the debate.
Pachacutec @ 220
Are you being bad?
Scarecrow @ 238
yes
These people don’t secretly want to eat each other’s livers like the GOP candidates.
Scarecrow @ 238
But the pundits haven’t had their say.
Scarecrow @ 238
Encouraging. Let’s hope that means the country wins too.
cleter @ 241
I bet Guiliani’s liver is a bit gamey.
Marion in Savannah @ 230
Yes
Pachacutec @ 212
You’re…uh…chanelling Joe Biden.
I’m scared now.
After tonite, W’s polls dropped another 3 points.
Ed*ard Teller @ 242
We just showed we don’t need the pundits.
Did these people watch the same thing I did? Gladys Knight and the Pips??? WTF???
Ed*ard Teller @ 242
Let the spin begin…
I’ve said it before….our candidates are all very good.
The repubs are all very bad.
All we need is an honest election.
Who the frick is Jeffrey Toobin, CNNs and Wolf Blitzer’s expert?
And why the bloody hell should I give a cr*p about what some focus group has to say???
That debate made me feel good about being a Democrat. Not that I don’t always feel good about it……
cleter @ 226
Yes, “I’d like to teach the world to sing” kind of ad.
Anderson Cooper a great moderator except for his not so subtle Kucinich put down. Did Anderson do this to anyone else?
Neil @ 252
CNN legal expert.
I just realized that this debate took place at the Citadel — interesting. It’s the moral equivalent of the Repugs debating at Oberlin.
Kathleen @ 256
I didn’t quite catch what he said…just that he said it. What’d he say, please?
Richardson is definitely getting shortchanged on time, but his answers have been thoughtful and….OMG, intelligent!
now to watch Keith on TiVo.
New thread upstairs
Julie Waters @ 244
Eeewwwwww! Brain bleach stat.
Kathleen @ 256
The ‘left’ and I count myself proudly as a progressive on the ‘left’ has become a put down. I’m not so sure AC meant to slam him, just make the obvious joke… who is to the left of Kucinich….
CNN left all the “inherent contempt” questions on the cutting room floor.
Thank you firepups for making my debate watching so enjoyable! Off to fix dinner…..
Marion in Savannah @ 258
My oldest daughter went to Oberlin great school. Great education, diverse and they are committed to helping people financially. Would like to see the Republicans debate at Oberlin. That is a great idea
truth or dare @ 260
Richardson is always impressive. What would folks say his down side is?
This was fun. It did, however, interrupt more important matters so I’m off to read more Harry Potter. See y’all for the next one :)
Jane Hamsher @ 246
Joe envies me for my hair.
When is the next debate? Will try to submit my You Tube question having to do with the I/P conflict
truth or dare @ 260
Gravel was openly griping about unequal air-time, but I thot it revealing and important to hear how each candidate used his/her time. A lot can be said in a very short time. Some short-timers made the most of it and came out well.
Neg: did not like what I heard from Obama about plans to push nuclear power(!)
Pos: EVERY Dem on stage appeared more capable of assuming the top job than ANY of the pugs, and certainly moreso than the current occupant of the bigwhitehouse.
The biggest absence felt: Gore. I want him to run. Can’t help myself. He’s the BEST!
Pachacutec @ 270
as do we all… ;->
ccmask @ 138
That’d be an interesting survey for Jane and Pach, I suspect.
in my case, online. It’d be interesting to know what technologies people used to view it, though.
OMG. I have never willingly, happily, watched a presidential candidate debate EVER before.
I have a good feeling about this. Just had to watch, because my “gut” feeling was that we had it all over the pugs on depth of the bench.
YUP! ;->
Pachacutec @ 220
do you have issues you’d like to discuss with the group? ;->
oh heck, Pach, I can tell – you’re buoyed by this stage full of good candidates too. Admit it.
What I most want to see is the pug version of what just happened. heh. They’ll never in a million years be able to pull it off smoothly.
do-si-do @ 259
see #264.
Basically, I like them all. I know a lot of people don’t like Biden, but I do. He has a certain strength, combined with schmooze, and I feel that is needed in the international diplomatic environment where that is needed. I grew up as the daughter of a diplomat, and to get anything done internationally, you need charisma, diplomacy, schmooze, and strength. JMHO
Oops, I put this on the wrong comments section before…but where is Don King’s hair?
Boy I can really tell that CNN doesn’t want Edwards to be the nominee.
Patty Morlan @ 281
Wolf is one of the three reasons I loathe CNN. The other two being…
Rick Sanchez
Tom Foreman
Patty, they’ve all got a few warts, but FWIW, I think Edwards is the scariest, to the coalition-of-the-shitheads who got us into “Operation Ongoing Charnal House”.
Kathleen @ 267
Not exactly. The actual equivalent would be for the Dems to debate at Bob Jones University.
Pachacutec @ 85
Taxed on income, taxed on consumption, those who spend everything they make are being taxed more regressively either way.
Gotta think more creatively as a progressive!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 112
Al Gore gives that line more convincingly.
Pachacutec @ 164
Why don’t they tax capital gains? Letting wealthier people off the hook that way is crazy.
Of course, you are talking about state taxation and not federal. I suppose there is a difference.
Marion in Savannah @ 258
or maybe Kent State ?
There are more than two people running for president. This is more than a contest of firsts — first woman and first black man. I like Edwards, who seems to get overlooked by the ‘firsts’ contest. Loved his video submission.
The debate format was great, Anderson Cooper stayed out of the way except when he took the opportunity to paint Kucinich on the far left. which is what the MSM often does to Kucinich) Cooper did not do this to any other candidate.
Next time I hope CNN mixes up the age, gender and ethnic diversity of the questioners. I would say that 70% of those who were aired as questioners were male and between the age of 25-50.
One of the elephants in the room at the debates has been the Israeli Palestinian conflict. How many times will this critical issue not be discussed, debated. The Israeli Lobby is happy with that. I am sure the candidates are perfectly happy too.
Kucinich has recently challenged the I-Lobby and he was slammed by the lobby.
deandra @ 289
When it comes to the Clintons we need to understand the past so we do not repeat it. It will not be enough, for sure, to criticize the Clintons in yet a third term for getting nothing done and setting up the Republicans to win again, just as in the past.
Edwards is best for me. Actually promises to do things other will not, and to deliver more for Democrats.
Now its all just talk perhaps – but hell the others are not even talking about things I want.
I did not like Obama’s talk on Health Care, I think Edwards is right and handled it correctly (one that he is not attacking Obama as the media likes to set thing up as, and that Obamas plan could possibly a compromise that ends up working for most people) – but his heartfelt story about the poor man who could not speak for over 50 years waiting for surgery…unbelievalbe in America. The part I did not like about Obama’s talk is that it was all about giving lobby people a seat at the table (no… not every seat) – but what the hell I don’t get a seat at the table and did not think his answer had to center on making his compromise sound uplifting. I found it a bit false in that people started to eat it up and clap and he got into it to try and preach (the crowd lifting him rather than the other way around). I guess it was his supporters, but what made it odd to me was that his answer was not all that good or uplifting – but people were treating it that way. I missed the first 35 minutes, so one this point I watched Clinton, Edwards, and Obama very closely as this is an example of the things I am interested in and will likely make my choice on three items: War, Env, & Health (and someone who upholds their oath of office).
I used to be going for Obama, but started to go more toward Edwards or Hillary. I think last night put Obama as a distant third to me. I imagine some of this is bias as I started to go that way already. I am going to look in each of the threads and search on the candidates names to see what kind of impression supporters of the different candidates went.
One more point – I agree that both Fox & CNN were boosting Hillary, and setting up Obama as the only possible 2nd place person (activly putting down Edwards). I do not like this and think it fairly transparent – and what a big supris, the one currently viable candidate that would do something for the 90% of us gets spit on repeatadly.
I will also say that I feel a bit like I am missing out in that I want to support a woman or minority for President since I know they are capble and know it is long overdue…but I find myself boosting the wite male… I guess one has to look beyond that and just go with who you trust, and who’s puts out a platform that you can stand on.
Last point – the debates (at least early on) would not be as good without the DK and Gravel.