DEBATE TONIGHT.
The Democratic Debate will be on CNN at 8:00 p.m. (ET). The debate may also be seen on the internet HERE.
Last debate before Super Tuesday primaries.
The debate — sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico — starts at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on CNN and CNN.com. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer is the moderator.
CNN “speculates” on what they will push to discuss:
The economy is likely to dominate Thursday’s debate, as both candidates look to appeal to supporters of Edwards and his brand of economic populism.
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Wolf introduces Hillary and BO.
Here we go.
Doyle McManus and Jeanne Cummings of L.A. Times and Politico will also ask questions. Wolf says there are no rules.
Obama opening statement: I want to acknowledge John Edwards who left this week. I also want to note when we started off there there 8 candidates. It is a testimony to the Democratic Party and this country that we are the two remaining. Hillary Clinton and I were friends before this campaign and we will be friends after. A defining moment in our history. Health care costs backbreaking. How do we take the country across the divisions. What is at stake is whether we are looking forward or backward.
Hillary opening statement: On January 20, 2009 the next president will be sworn in. I hope it is one of us. After the celebration there will be a stack of problems from Bush. Iraq, Economy, Health insurance, energy prices, global warming we must lead in and all the problems we know and the ones we can’t yet predict. We need a president ready on day 1. John and Elizabeth Edwards have led with personally. This discussion should be about priorities for America. We need a problem solver. Americans are ready for change and know there is nothing we can’t do if we put our minds to it.
Doyle: Most voters don’t see many differences on policy, what are they?
Clinton: The differences between us pale as between us and the Republicans. But we have big differences on healthcare. My plan like Edwards’ plan is universal. We need a moratorium on foreclosures and freeze interest rates. On foreign affairs we have to be realistic. There are threats. We should also be hopeful. But the president should not put the prestige of the U.S. by meeting with dictators in the first year.
Obama: Hillary mentioned some policy differences. On healthcare we are 95% similar. We have a policy difference. I think people don’t have health insurance because they can’t afford it. Senator Clinton has a different approach. She thinks we need to force people to buy it. She might have fines. On mortgage crisis I have not signed on to an interest rate moratorium.
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We also have to reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington. On Iraq I was opposed to Iraq from the start. The next president has to have judgment. I want to elevate diplomacy. I want to meet with Iran.
Wolf: Those are 3 important issues. We discuss them all.
Cummings: Most Democrats want full coverage. Obama your plan is voluntary. 15 million left out. Why is your plan superior.
Obama: Every expert says anyone who wants healthcare can get it under my plan. I dispute 15 million won’t get it. I mandate coverage for all children. Young people up to 25 years old can be covered by their parents. Massachusetts mandated coverage but some people still cannot afford it. What are you going to do about it?
Clinton: This is the passionate cause of my public service. I have designed a plan that lets those satisfied with their plan to keep it. Those that don’t have insurance we will allow you the same plan as congress. My plan covers everyone. It provides subsidies and caps premiums. It will be affordable. It has been designed to be affordable. There are people who do not have health care because they don’t want it. I have shared responsibility. Obama mandates insurance for children. He thinks politically we can’t get a mandate for adults. But if you don’t start by demanding universal health care, you’ll never get there. John Edwards and I have plans that get us to universal coverage.
Wolf: On mandates, we pay for the uninsured who go to emergency rooms?
Obama: Hillary’s plan does not provide sufficient subsidies. I want to lower premiums not just cap them. How do we get this plan done? Ted Kennedy agrees I can get the plan passed. I want to broadcast the negotiations on c-span. I passed a plan in Illinois.
Wolf: Broadcast on c-span, is that a swipe at Senator Clinton?
Obama: I want they to make the argument in public.
Wolf: Your plan was done in secret?
Clinton: I’m proud that my efforts resulted in the children’s health insurance program. But I want to underscore 3 different points. We need to regulate the insurance companies to make them cover everyone; make it clear they should be part of the solution but we pay for the research so Medicare must be able to negotiate prices; and finally we Democrats have to carry the banner of Universal Health care. $300 million dollars attacked my plan in the 90s. I have learned a lot about hot to get it done. We need a coalition to pass healthcare, business, labor, doctors/nurses. We can withstand the insurance company attacks.
Doyle: Both of your plans cost a lot. You’ll be called ‘tax and spend’.
Obama: Republicans can’t argue fiscal responsibility. McCain wants to extend the Bush tax cuts. We emphasize savings.
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We cut taxes for people who don’t need them.
Wolf: Your plan costs $110 Billion.
Clinton: I pay for my health care tax credits ($55 billion) with repeal of Bush tax cuts. The other $55 billion is from savings. Bush has given billions to HMOs. I would rein those in. I have worked with Newt Gingrich on electronic health records which would save us $77 billion a year. This can be put into chonic care management.
Wolf: When the Bush tax cuts expire it will be a big tax increase?
Obama: The rich can pay more.
Clinton: We will go back to the pre-Bush tax rates. People did very well in those years.
Cummings: Immigration? Immigration hurts the African-American community?
Obama: I was a community organizer with all races. All are feeling economically insecure. This was true before immigration shot up. This is scapegoating. We have to get control of our borders and crack down on employers. We need a pathway to citizenship. Immigration should not be a tactic to divide.
Doyle: Obama will give drivers licenses?
Clinton: Let’s be honest that there have been job losses. I meet those that have lost jobs. We need to bring our country together for a comprehensive solution. This is in the interest of all. Tight borders, crackdown on employers, help with community costs, jobs to the south. The other side is living in another universe thinking they can get rid of immigrants. We need to get people out of the shadows. A path to citizenship. That way they will not be in a labor market that competes with people like Kim, only then should we consider drivers licenses.
Wolf: You said you are the only one with a humane policy?
Obama: I worked with Ted Kennedy and McCain to move this issue forward. We need to show leadership on the issue. The problems of workers are not caused by immigration.
Wolf: but Clinton is inhumane?
Obama: Wolf you keep on asking? There were those who were opposed, those who flipped. We need comprehensive reform.
Wolf: Clinton, were you missing in action?
Clinton: I co-sponsored immigration reform before Barack came to the Senate. When the House of Representatives passed tough legislation I said this would criminalize Jesus Christ himself. I got the United Farm Workers endorsement because I have been working on this issue. It is a broken system. Let’s fix it by bringing people together. People are nervous about immigration. People do ask the questions on immigration.
Wolf: Why not then drivers licenses?
Clinton: I do not think it is appropriate. It is also a diversion.
Obama: Senator Clinton gave several answers on this issue. This is a tough issue.
Clinton: I have to correct the record. We agree on comprehensive reform. But a week after I gave my answer you had a tough time explaining yourself. We need a united Democratic Party.
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Doyle: Americans think Hillary is experienced?
Obama: Others think I have enough experience. I was a community organizer, lawyer, etc. I have the ability to get people together and talking straight to solve these problems. I respect Senator Clinton’s record. But the skills I have are the ones the president needs.
Wolf: What experience do you have?
Clinton: I have 35 years of experience. After school I did not work for a law firm but for the Children’s Defense Fund. I have worked on this all my life. I ran projects in prisons, rural health care and experience in the profit, not-for-profit and public sector. For 8 years I worked in the White House. I took on the drug companies. Foster care here in California. When health care failed I went to work on child health care. I worked across party lines. I traveled to 82 countries like Macedonia and spoke for women’s rights in Beiging.
Cummings: Is the country a large business and neither of you have business experience?
Clinton: The United States is much more than a business. We have a president who ran as a business manager and that has not turned out well.
Obama: Romney has not done so well in management.
Doyle: The Kennedys say the country needs a new generation of leadership.
Clinton: I respect Ted and I have Bobby, Kerry and Townsend Kennedy supporting me. We are going to get change. Despite our supporters this is about the two of us. Voters will determine who will be ready on day 1. Who can withstand the other side of the aisle. This is about the American people. Interest rates, education, health care, be proud of our country again. In the 22 states voting on Tuesday, what are the criteria you are looking for? Evaluate the 2 of us. No one else will be on the ballot. Who will be the best president?
Wolf: Many Americans remember the Clinton years fondly, should they?
Obama: We’re all Democrats. I don’t want to diminish those 8 years. Ultimately we have to be judged by ourselves. We are bringing in a whole generation of new voters. A new generation. We shouldn’t settle. Who can work the levels of power more effectively? This is good news for Democrats. This changes the electoral map.
Cummings: Obama mentioned the generational issue. Clinton, you claim you will bring change but there is always a Bush or Clinton on the ballot?
Clinton: I regret deeply there is a Bush in the White House. We are judged on our own merits. It is a grueling process. No one has an advantage. I want to be judged on my merits. I am proud of my husbands accomplishments. It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and I think it will take another Clinton to clean up after a second Bush.
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Doyle: You’ve called for all troops out of Iraq. Could this turn to an open ended engagement?
Clinton: I think all of them should be out in a year. But we have to be careful. Last fall I got into a back and forth with the Pentagon over plans. On my first day I will ask for a plan for withdrawal. It is not only taking our troops out. There are over 100,000 other Americans working in Iraq. Also, what about the Iraqis who helped us and worked for us. We have to tell the Iraqi government they are out of time. We know this president wants to leave over 130,000 troops when he is out of office. I will get as many troops out as quickly as I can. I hope to have nearly all of them out within a year.
Obama: I will end this war. No permanent bases. McCain suggests we might be in Iraq a hundred years. We are serious about his process. Both of us will protect our embassies and protect Iraqis who worked for us and to have a strike force. We have to be careful about mission creep. I will offer a clear contrast against republicans on the war.
Wolf: a clear swipe at you Senator Clinton?
Clinton: I am proud to have the support of Maxine Waters who is an original conventor of the “Out of Iraq” caucus. This is treacherous terrain. We need to send several messages. The Iraqi government has to get serious; same message to the region such as Iran and Syria because they will be drawn in as we withdraw to sectarian violence. The other point is that we need to prevent Bush from committing our country to a permanent presence in Iraq. We will do every thing we can.
Cummings: Judgment on Iraq? You could have voted for the Levin Amendment?
Clinton: I believed we needed to put inspectors in. And I have great respect for Senator Levin. But that Amendment would subordinate our judgment to the U.N. Security Council. I did vote with Senator Byrd to try to restrict the authority to one year. Now we have to decide how to go forward. McCain has accused me of “surrendering”. We have to press our case. But our nominee has to present a reasoned argument and cross the threashold of gravitas.
Wolf: Petraus says there has been progress.
Obama: I welcome the progress. But we have set the bar low. This has undermined our security. It is much easier for the Democrat to argue I was against it from the beginning.
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Wolf: Why can’t you say it was a mistake?
Clinton: I did a lot of research. I believe in coersive diplomacy. I thought the inspectors going in was a good idea. What no one could have fully appreciated was how obsessed this president was about this mission. But if I had been president we would not have been diverted from Afghanistan. I visited there and it will take everyone and a lot of effort. We have to go into this campaign with the idea that we are strong as they are against terrorism and war. What are we going to do going forward. Force should be a last result.
Wolf: So you were naive and trusting of Bush?
Boos
Clinton: that is a good try Wolf. I respect Senator Obama giving his speech against the war. But then we voted the same. There was a credible case for sending inspectors in. Some people think this was a simple case. There were legitimate concerns over what Hussein would do.
Obama: I don’t want to belabor this. The legislation had the title to use military force in Iraq. People understood this was a potential vote for war. Senator Clinton makes the case that she is ready on day 1 and I think we have to be right on day 1. It’s not a function of looking backwards but looking forward.
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Doyle: Too much sex and violence from entertainment?
Obama: Parents are ultimately responsible but it is important to those in the industry to think about who they are marketing these things to.
Cummings: Clinton, your husband has set off firestorms in the way he has dealt with Obama. If your campaign can’t control Bill now what about in the White House?
Clinton: This is my campaign. I want the focus on the issues, the work I have done. I am thrilled to have my husband and daughter helping me but at the end of the day I am the one on the ballot. As we go forward it is a choice between the 2 of us. It is a lonely job in the White House. The President makes the decisions.
Last Question:
Wolf: A Dream Ticket, the 2 of you? Would you consider that?
Obama: There is a difference in (top billing). It is too premature. Part of what I want to do is restore a sense of what government can do. People of independence, no more yes men or women. People need a sense that government is on their side. We are working for the American people.
Wolf: Is the answer yes?
Obama: Hillary would be on everyone’s short list.
Clinton: This has been an extradordinary campaign. There is a lot of intensity. We will have a unified Democratic Party. We will go into November prepared to win. On Monday night I will have a town hall on Hallmark Channel. For those who did not get there question answered watch the townhall.
IT’S Over.
tons of celebrities!
nerves, nerves, nerves for me folks.
I wonder if my niece got tickets…she has connections. I heard they were selling for over $1000 each
Thanks admin for a new thread!
Did Dicaprio endorse anyone?
here we go
Hillary will win this debate.
So excited!!
donno about dicaprio
Please have a running commentary coz I am not able to watch from where I am. Thanks everyone!!!
does anyone besidees me find it disheartening that cnn now is featuring two AA people going right into this debate…..screw them.
Spielberg endorsed Clinton, right?
Woops, here we are!
rickya, will do.
Yes to Spielberg, rickya.
OK rickya, will do our best,
those big pictures of Obama are going to turn A LOT of people off…..again, no substance.
thanks, hillguy!
Pulchritude Hillary always win the debates the media just spins it the other way.
Boring predebate prep talk….
Yay
Here we go Team Clinton! Positive, positive, positive. Our girl will carry the day!
The Game Has Started!!!!!!!!!!!!
T minus 1 minute
yay!!! here we go!!!
History folks!!!
looking at a speed video of how they put together the stage, looked like they had prepared 3 chairs behind a table, not counting edwards would drop out. So it’s interesting to see now what they have done
Oh God! I’m just as nervous as if I was going to be on that stage. This must be nerve wrecking for Clinton and Obama. I hope Obama f*cks up big time!
Do we have a livefeed on the internet?
looks like they are going to be seated….not my idea of a debate…of course wolf trying to give wayyy too much credence to this
sitting down favored hillary over bo last time, i’ll take it.
Um I wished they was standing up instead of sitting down.She is better when he stands up to me
rickya, click the link at the top of this thread for the stream.
crap, no color!
Ms. Slow fingers on board-
Our girl looking sharp in brown pant suit with turquoise earnings and necklace.
thanks again, hillguy!
is that suit plum or brown?
GO Hillary GO! Im soo nervous..:P
brown — the turquoise and brown is a winning combo.
hillary finding chelsea in the crowd…very good. shut up wolf…we know this is history dude
Wow I did not ever notice how much Chelsea look like her mother
Go, HILL! She looks great! I’m a basketcase.
Chelsea sitting next to Maxine Waters.
BO is waiting to pul the chair for Hillary to sit. He did it.
live stream, CNN.com live
Good HRC, says hello to wolf, BO says nothing
Villaraigosa in the audience.
Chelsea w/ Maxine…perfect!
oh well, hillary in the middle. look at obama trying to be nice, to make up bad coverage for a few days, holding back hillarys chair for her when sitting down, lol
damn, they are right on top of each other!!
Traditional debate format…Perfect for our girl!
Opening statements, BO goes first, mild applause, is recognizing JE.
Seriously, Gorto. Making up for the snub. How transparent.
Asskissin 4 Edwards.
no rules…wtf?
obama already pandering and stuttering….just tell edwards to bend over so you can kiss his ass
Trying to gain the John Edwards vote.
They look like they are running mates sitting so close together, Hillary obviously at the top of the ticket.
Applause and cheering is allowed?
Saying he was friends with Hillary before and will be after and running competitive race because they both love this country.
B.O goes first..BARF
obama very, very nervous…..he is now asskissin hillary. now he starts on his regular stump speech….
Asskissin Hillary.
yes hawk, no rules
Past v Future, pleeeaaassseee.
Trying to make up ground from handshakegate lol
Past versus the future BO says . . .
lets see the difference now, when hillary speaks, whether obama will smile and clap as hillary is doing now when obama is speaking, she is graceful and classy!
BO talking like he’s won the nom, will still be friends with HRC, lol.
Hillary to slightly louder applause . . .
I knew he would do this.But he will attack
trust me
your 90 sec are up dude
blah blha blah when is he going to stop talking?
Leaning in toward the audience as she is speaking, great move! Looks like she is talking to you, not at you like BO.
Here goes Hillary.
getting cut off by wolf…stuterring….oh god he is out of his league. Hillary looks calm and she knows she is going to kick his ass. he cannot get past his stump speech……he is in deep doodoo from the start
Hillary Clinton looking straight into the voters eye, calm…like she is sitting behind the big desk already
Go, girl. It is about FIXING THE PROBLEmS, not feel good!
she looks very relaxed…like a leader. she is carrying on a conversation with America. Good Girl
Imperative that we have a president starting on day one who can begin to tackle our problems and seize the opportunities that await. Grateful for service that John and Elizabeth have made, reminder that 37 millions Americans living below poverty line. What we have to do tonight is have discussion about what each beleives goal for America.
She should have mentioned JE. Sad she didn’t.
She did.
Nevermind!!
1st Q: Not much daylight between you two on policy, what is most important policy distinction.
suit color is called cocoa.
she is setting the debate rules–great for her
Health Care! YES!
Economy
I’m not quite liking the earrings…
If they play nice (which is okay) then she needs to be presidental!!!!(which she is and will do)
1) Healthcare, moral right to have universal healthcare similar to what JE put on before he exited; 2) Moratorium on foreclosures/freeze interest rates; 3) Approach to foreign affairs, be realistic and optimistic and start with realism.
Hillary sounding very presidential
No audience tracking, darn.
she mentioned john edwards but she did not do it in an asskissing way. je will appreciate that if he is a real man.
What really is important here, Republicans are more of the same. Neither of us, by looking at us, are more of the same. [to laughter]
ha ha ….meeting with dictators around the world. Work it!
BO is doodling, not really writing anything, lol.
Healthcare is a good debate for her to have
I think he is doodling.
BO: Healthcare: stumbling on healthcare, emphasizes reducing costs, make it affordable and they will buy it, Clinton different approach, force people to buy it.
He is already having problem getting his thought out….
He doesn’t see the “folks” without health care?
he is meandering…..who can follow what he is talking about.
They are being remarkably cordial thus far.
Here goes the stutter.
His supporters will mindlessly applaud anything he utters.
Stuttering John has a new competitor and his name is Barack
He has no idea what he is talking about on economics.
Nice opening by hillary, as mentioned she seemd like a president sitting at the oval office!
I think she looks nice, I think it looks ridiculous watching obama “writing” something down everything hillary speaks, distracting and makes him look like a rookie.
On mortgage crisis: Not signed on for interest rate freeze because says mortgage rates will go up and hurt those trying to get mortgages.
He claims her plan protects the banks?
Wow he said “bush”. He never would attack his fellow republicans.
they are letting spend too much time….
I’m going to quit posting his replies because they make me angry.
our girl does not need to write notes to remember what BO says or how to respond to him
crap, the stream from cnn went out, cant watch the opinion tracking, people who see it please post what it says!
Looks like a pro obama crowd so far.
He’s bringing up Iraq as a policy difference, thinks its fair because Senator Clinton brought it up! Ugh.
He seems nervous.
He now cites ethics and Iraq. And judgment is the trope he reiterates again and again.
he is seriously asskissin edwards….hillary needs to hit back immediately on this….now he wants diplomacy
judgement???? Like on what to vote on and what to skip?
Wow does he ever stop talking..
i just love when hillary sip on her water
lol
She needs to address Iraq. He’s going to keep getting her on that.
That person in the crowd is annoying as fuck.
2Q: Cummings: Most Ds really do want full coverage, everyone covered, Obama under your plan which is volunatary, 15 million would not be covered. Why is yours superior to hers?
15 million left out.
Yes, hawk. Obama has an overzealous supporter in the audience. Perhaps they adapted him from the Ron Paul brigade.
Crap how much time are they going to give B.O??
he is getting lot more time
More time to Obama.. Jesus let Hillary speak!!
Oh god, can you imagine him as our nominee we are screwed.
It is amazing… He stands up and give a pre-written speech, but can not talk off the cuff in a debate.
Hillary picked up her pen to obama when he stated the Iraq thing an the health care plan..I see a attack coming soon……..haha
He has been talking for the past 10 minutes. No Hillary.
Hill’s takin notes
he cannot get past the 15 million left out. she needs to hit him hard on this in rebuttal
That B.O supporter in the audience needs to Shut her Trap!
15 million don’t WANT it ??
what planet has he been living on for 8 years?
Obama’s numbers dropping on realtime tracking about healthcare
What the fuck is he talking about in terms of his health care plan. Does he know what he’s talking about????
Clinton response: Passionate cause of her public service, started trying to expand h/c first to children, tackled during husband’s administration.
He is just talking alot to try to appear like he has substance
SHe is soo wonky I love it
Hillary shot up on Healthcare
yes, the tracker is back up!
Yes! Obama can’t beat her on health care policy specifics.
it’s healthcare smackdown time. hollow plan vs. real plan
he was in the mid 50’s to 60’s she is in the mid 60’s to low 70’s
Been there done that
I am glad she is allegorizing health care as a Democratic value.
Said she doesn’t think his plan is universal because it isn’t politically wise, he makes an ugly face and raises his index finger indicating a rebuttal and shaking his head.
she is laying this out quite welll….very understanding of this issue…bite the bullet….bambi is dying to jump in
Good, she needs to keep mentioning Edwards
I love it he has no idea what he is talking about. He is sooooo redicuous. He speaks in generalities.
Still raisong his finger, what does he need a bathroom break?
Tour de force health care response from Hillary.
Huh? Make people pay back premiums if they go to the ER? Huh?
Hillary needs to force BO to be specific on the issues.
Trying to pander for audience applause in saying he wants to lower health care premiums, strikes out.
she sipped that water and her looked was jesus shi8 what a nimphead,i lol
His structure of penalties is a de facto mandate.
Ted Kennedy………………..yuck.
he cannot win this debate on healthcare
she did well on the tracker on that one, reach almost 80 at one point
BO invokes Kennedy in health care debate.
He hasn’t a clue as to this issue.
WOW, obama down on 40
Hillary is so great on the issues.
uh, uh, uh…. You can’t beat her Obama. Just move on and talk about something else like you plan for hope and change. Hah!
I work in the Health Insurance industry…if you don’t mandate it…the cost won’t come down. Because of the pool…Obama’s plan benefit the Insurance companies.
I still don’t understand what he’s talking about regarding healthcare. Now talking about Ted Kennedy and healthcare. WTF?
Special interests is his only talking point now that JE is not there.
haha, obama is steadily below 40,
now he invokes transparency and bipartisanship in a vain attempt to disparage her proposal.
who is the one person that is clapping for him in the audience.I know i seen singer brandy clapping for him with that bad wig on her head
2500/year? Give me a printout of that!
He is dying to get off healthcare, maybe if he shuts up they will change the subject. Hope Wolf satys on it for a while
What in the living hell is Obama talking about? lol
Gawh, how long is he going to go on for . . .
uh i love Hillary smirks she is just waiting for him to attack
obama trying to lead ted kennedy into this….this will not help him at alll………got to have experts explain now
But Teddy says my plan is good! Waaaaahhhhhhhh!
SCHIP
She gets loud applause for CHIP in CA.
what the fuck is he talking about ?
Uniting the party
Underscores 3 critical points: Regulate health insurance industry, no long deny coverage to anyone and compete in cost and quality; Make clear to drug companies, deserve to be a part of the solution, but give medicare right to negotiate drug prices; finally, important that as Democrats we carry the banner for universal healthcare. Industry is clever and well funded.
where is the tracker?
i cant follow him many times now on these debates no sense..see she explains it..i follow..
her leaning into her chair lends a real conversation….he is too stiff and smirking…she is winning on healthcare no doubt about it. watch him smirk….
hillary above 80
She discusses this so clearly. He’s unintelligible on this issue.
Ya know there is a parallel site like us right now saying great things about BO, lol.
It seems that Hill is doing quite well. Way to go!!! I can’t access the CNN link. Oh well, the folks here are giving me enough information anyway. Thanks a lot for you who give a running commentary. THANKS!!!
Hillary tracker is good arse hell
she is simply genious….if people do not see this they are nutso
Wow Hillary is kicking booty on Health care!
here is the tracker edition.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream1
should be several windows at the right hand side, click on tracker
hillary is knocking this out of the park! obama barely got over 50…hillary avg 70 with 80 spikes!
3Q: Both have proposed raising taxes for proposals. Rs will call you tax and spend Ds. How will you counter. First to BO.
to carbynew…i agree…and that is one reason why you see so many of us who do….support her. I would think that most parents would be sick of paying for their 25 year old “kids”. That is just pandering to the students who dont want to carry their own weight.
He’s scared of healthcare. Synapses in his brain are firing at random, trying to find a way out of looking like an idiot.
I can understand Paul more at times than I can understand O when he is rambling
He is trying to be funny.
he cannot give any cohesive answers on this subject…sorry loser
He failed to address the problem of fiscal responsibility.
I have not heard one uh… or ahh… out of her lips-
just full sentences and cogent arguments
Thanks for the tracker results, guys. Keep it up please.
he is geeting a lot of time compared to Hillary.
And now he is recounting the example Hillary always discusses: the disparity of the tax rate between Buffett and his secretary.
Wait, he’ll get tired and near the end look even more less qualified, HRC just gets better with time.
trying to push tax cuts….hillary got to crush him with her answer on this
I see Obama is using alot of Hillary’s speeches
is he answering the question??
Hillary looks like she’s having fun while Obama sputters lol
wolf really not giving hillary the questions first…he lets obama ramble on and on
LOL, he’s looking more wonkish than HRC, hillarious!
oh gawd watch that condescening looks he gives her. he is not helping himself with those glaring looks
Her answer could not be more comprehensive.
Wolf has GOT TO BE KIDDING me with interrupting Hillary after a few minutes while allowing Obama to stutter for hours.
wow, hillary is getting more comfortable as she goes….he is getting more nervous
Can he get anymore time??? Geez.
Stutter stutter stammer.
And now he is deploying the Republican rhetoric of the destructive mandate.
note he says that it “should” be available…she says it “will” be available. big difference
why is he doing all the talking? I want Hillary to be more aggressive.
hillary got her good line in here. really great
ohh here it comes.
Obama: blah blah blah for what seems like hours UGH!
Obama first again………..are you f’in kidding me?
4Q: Address AA low wages and jobs because of the influx of immigration.
Did anyone here submit questions?
A relative submitted a question about Rezko.
He has NO IDEA.
why do they let him answer EVERY frickin question FIRST…..they are totally biased. however, this gives hillary a time to think and digest his answer
He is trying to get in to our Latino vote.
Can Hillary SPEAK! UGH!
He’s trying really hard for the Hispanic vote, lol. He won’t get it.
VOTE FOR HILLARY
Who won the CNN Democratic Debate in California?
http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1669
Seriously guys, he has no specifics. This is a great debate for Hillary because he is talking about NOTHING. She has details.
Am I the only one that feels that he is getting too much time?
LOL Obama sucking up to Latinos! LOL!
This is the dumbest question in a debate since the halloween costume question.
dot48. agreed. She gets to think about her response.
But he stills blames Latinos for the decrease in wages.
obama below 50 again, interesting to see that when hillary is speaking and haven’t reached her point yet, she is hovering around 60, and when obama is just speaking he is flat on 50.
is this test group really independents? seems a bit weird, but we are just starting so… we’ll see
prattling on but no real answer to this question….there he goes again
Stutter stutter snore!
“tax cuts that went up instead of down” .. wtf does that mean ?!!
look at it positivelly: she needs half the time to cogently cover twice as much ground…because he is so vaporous.
if you go to the CNN website and watch the debate, you can also view the debate in “instant voter reaction” mode. You can watch focus group members’ tracking poll results, superimposed over the screen, as the candidates speak. Every time Hillary speaks, the “approval” meter climbs up, and when Obama speaks, it dips slightly.
she is hitting it out of the park on this one….words like “realities”…speak to real issues
Barack has been practicing. He’s stuttering but he’s reaching the crowd…not really answering some of the questions but sounding okay and reaching the crowd. Yuck. He sounds good….empty but they don’t see that.
We’ve listen to Bush for years and it’s been like scratching on a chalkboard….can’t stand to listen to 4 years of more scratching with BO!
OH NOOOOOOOO…
workers taking away jobs, oh nooooooooooooo
I am a teacher and I can tell you Hillary is 100% better than Obama in educating and getting across her points effectively when she speaks.
hrc steady at 70 on immigration
yes Emmy, I submitted 2.
She smacked him on wages and immigration
How many times has he name dropped…Ted Kennedy
Spectacular answer from Hillary!
He is low on that tracker.
this is the drivers license question all over again, like in the other debate…
dont talk to much, hillary…
STUTTERING.
wow. I’m looking at the tracker on CNN and it just dipped substantially when Obama started speaking.
For the love of God,,, speak man.
But he wasn’t in the Senate to actually vote for the DREAM act, he missed the vote!
He gotta better applause regarding the immigration question, BUT she was much more specific and focused. Loftiness and empty rhetoric always gets applause.
bring up ted kennedy…makes you look weak and like you got to hand it off to kennedy and durbin and others. he has no ideas, no real answers.
Oooo….. go out on the trail Obambi and say ONLY YOU are humane, and deny it now?
Al-right…now old BO is stuttering and stammering!!!!
the tracker resets on every question…and it resets at 50…he rarely gets above it for any long period…hrc seems to be steady at 70 with 80 spikes!
notice he is vacillating on drivers’ licenses. In fact, he used her answer.
Heee, Wolf’s got him rattled
trying to run away from the drivers license issue….lol he is stealing hillary talking point…he looks so phoney
Don’t worry guys, she’s a trooper, long range planning, she’s building up, letting him making mistakes, she’ll come with a strong finish.
he stole her line on “comprehensive immigration reform!” !!
so is he for or against driver’s license for illegals? it seems like he’s backtracking.
I love it
2004 before Barack came to the senate
I sponsored comprehensive immigration reform in 2004 before Barack was in the senate, to applause.
OKLABUBBA thanks!
Whoa, he got caught on this one — did you mean Hillary’s was inhumane? He really foubbed that one.
He has a nervous twich under is eye.
OOOOHHHH, slap down!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before obama came to the senate!!! go girl
damn he is hideous…stutter stutter
woot, woot, hit him on the inexperience and the fact that she co sponsored the real immigration bill
Hillary whooped him on that lie! LOL!
That line 2004 before Barack came to Senate peacked at 70 on the register.
UFW endorsement
She is constantly higher in the tracker
Go Hillary! She’s getting passionate. Way to go pointing out the fact that Obama wasn’t even the senate when she was already passing legislation and working for immigrants! The tracker skyrocketed.
i’ve been at this for some time
HA! go hillary!
Jesus Christ himself ! woot woot
Now I am feeling better about today… I just had to see her in action.
omg ..get him stuerring hillary knock himout gawd ,i never understood a word yet from him..thats sad…terrible…for me..and the Country to elect this idiot
Is that tracker on the internet stream guys, I don’t see it on CNN.com live.
Hush Wolfie…you let BO go on and on and keep timing Hillary
u guys must go to politico and vote for the questions for obama! there is a wuestion on rezko on there-please vote for it
Obama going negative now….she’s smiling…look out Barack…
he just mischaracterized her position.
He is attacking her and kissing Bill Richardson’s ass.
Name dropping BILL Richardson
Barack attacking Hillary, invoking Richardson.
I smell desperation from Obama on this issue.. look out for that stutter stutter..lol
bad ass obama, got bitch slapped back by hillary, countering him not being able to answer the driver lisence q either, good one hill
great, Obama stealing Hillary’s answer that she’d just given. Saying he agrees with her plan.
you got hit the tracker the window on the right of cnn sight hit democr debate real time..
Counter-punch.
When Barack attacked Hillary the tracker dropped. People are tired of this shit. Lets get to the issues. Glad they aren’t repeating the South Carolina debacle.
Great smacked BO downn on driver’s lis.
man o man , how she handed him his ass !!
I want to know the make up of these views on the tracker, she is peaking every time she speaks. I am amazed!
There he goes again stuttering.
Obama is pandering on the Driver License issue…did he forget about Gov. Grey Davis defeat in California over this issue…many Dems voted Republican over this.
Break.
Wow Hillary is getting better and better as the time goes by!
she won this hour no doubt about it!
Wolf tracks just as good as BO does, LOL (seriously).
Do I hear both of them comming together….. smooth over the differences so he can take the VP postion??
Her rejoinder was tactful and precise. In fact, she won the immigration section of the debate.
potty and bourbon break
Experience/character coming up. Look for Barack to attack.
Wolf might be interrupting Hillary more than Barack, but don’t be fooled. Wolf is giving Barack a pretty hard time pushing back on him.
Thanks CJ, great! Oh, now to commercial, lol.
interesting, when obama attacked hillary not answering the driver lisence thing, he stayed even on the tracker, when hillary responded the tracker went up, face it obama, when it comes to having balls and standing up, and or attack, she is much bigger and better!
That last hit on Obama was perfect – she slapped him down on the license debate thing (he had a hard time answering, too), but did it with softness and grace, not nasty. Pivoted immediately to unity.
PERFECT!
make sure and vote for questions on politico-rezko is on there about barack.
how many asses did obama kiss in that hour….Hillary showed respect for them but that she will accept their nod but won’t kiss ass to get it. she is her own candidate and she shines.
Hi all…checking in…she conveys such competence and confidence…she is so centered….could you be more proud!
…and let’s be honest….he rambles on and on…and the ego is on full display
“I wanted to support my Guv though I didnt agree with him ”
The class and grace of a true DEM !
Psymac Says:
January 31st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Is that tracker on the internet stream guys, I don’t see it on CNN.com live.
did u get it..the regular cnn site..go to the right see the windows it says video its the 3rd window d deate real time there ya go
Interesting, you can hear the audio feed on the real-time reaction when CNN goes to commercial. Just announced for everyone to take their seats, coming back from commercial.
hillary is doing well, but obama is gogging more action time.
Hopefully this makes up edwards’ mind for Hillary because he is thinking about which will be up to fighting the ripublicans, and he won’t.
can you provide a link to go to politico…please I want to get that question on rezko
you welcome..Psymac ..get him Hillary smack him down…
Obama again…..ugh!
hillary is getting better with time! she is so good, get passionate hillary, it is good.
I’m glad Obama is controlling his ego because they really need to learn how to work together. I agree that I have a feeling he might be VP now. They dislike each other but they have to admit that they are a winning ticket and we need to get the Democrats back in the White House.
Forget if you like someone more, vote who is best on the issues… Give’em Hill
His entire adult life……..6 years….
BO just said he’s spent his entire life trying to bring change to this country . . . isn’t this another one of HIllary’s lines that he has stolen?
He wants to be president when he grows up.
He is not answering the question
Oh boy, my “entire life”
The audience really likes him. These are liberal LA latte-drinking people. I live there.
he;s flatlinning yall
He could have just said read my book instead of this rambling
I DON’T want obama as vp, and I can list a 100 reasons why hillary’s camp don’t want him either, but I won’t get to that now,
But in the past she has cut his knees off, would look strange to choose him later as vp.
And obama would never be able to restrict himselvf to second place, he would try to outshine her.
What skills is he talking about?
Keep descrbing the people meter, since I can’t get it.
Tracking 50-55 for BO, 70-75 for HRC, probably because this is a Calif crowd. 45 for Wolf, lol.
Y’all, this tracker on CNN and those undecided voters love our girl!!!
Well, Kennedy took LBJ and they hated each other… oops sorry Teddy I mentioned LBJ
rjk1957, lol. I agree with you about not having to like your VP, BTW.
The question on Rezko was asked by a relative.
she is really highliting her entire career….this is good stuff…
REAL CHANGE. Go Hillary. She did great on that answer.
she also was part of the most powerful investigative impeachment team ever, during Watergate
Hillary: United States is much more than a business, it is a trust!!!!
honestly…it is like watching the president of the united states debate my county commissioner.
Does Obama ever stop scrolling?
scowling
non answer by obama
Great answer by Hillary!
Good one, OKLABUBBA!
Kennedy Question.
Bradley Whitford from the West Wing applauding Hillary fervently. Good sign
wow, the attacking bush line hillary had, reach 85!!!
Looks smug when she says being the first woman president would be real big change.
The meter liked it.
She is solid gold, and so is her resume.
He talks so much about his experience as a community organizer. How long? What did he accomplish?
she is knocking this out of the park….god, I had no clue she was THIS good,.
she is telling the voters this is about them….they can choose who they want…regardless of endorsements
he’s talkin about ass-kissing, empty rhetorics skillz. He’d awesome on those skillz
Yeah, whatever did he accomplish as a community organizer?
I love this woman.
She did awesome on that.
Wolf is an ass….how rude is his question on the Clinton presidency.
Thats right Hillary its not about the Kennedys its about the VOTERS! WOOT!
Love the Clinton years question…he’s been belittling those years for some time now.
BO don’t be playing handsy with Hillary She is not Edwards
Mitt also sold off many of the companies he bought at fire sale prices, for the immediate ROE
the result was hundreds of people thrown out of jobs, with little, or no notice.
Hillary should note how women are voting for her in droves.
that was a wonderful, shall we say speech?! by hillary!!!
She was even through out it on 70 the whole time!
He’s rambling again. God. He acts like he’s giving a fucking sermon on Sunday morning.
“Who can work the levers of power more effectively” HA, not you Barack..
BO never answers the questions…He has been trashing Clinton Administration…but NOW…
Here he goes with his ego and arrogance. STFU.
Wow B.O is stuck at 60 lol that line doesn’t move much
Barack is a stump speech–endless, everlasting and eternal. Where’s the beef?
I’ll take that back, Wolf set up a trap and Obama fell into it. Clinton got more done then this no going to meeting, voting neophyte every did.
What was the Clinton question? I lost the signal right then.
And what did BO say?
this format did not allow him to use his game plan of going on the attack and being more forceful. Harder to attack forcefully while sitting next to the person who is smiling at you.
SHE NAILED THAT ONE!!!!
GO HILLARY! That was a great answer to why another Clinton should be in office again!!!!
oh i loved that anser she just gave
that was flawless
She ignited audience with the peroration of her answer.
The audience went wild!!!!
hahaha, wonderful, takes a clinton to clean up after a bush!!! biggest laugh of the evening!!!
it went on for ever!! obama looked pissed, lol
Oh SNAP GO HILLARY!
she tole em by gawd a clinton to clean up a bush good for you Hillary,i would never debate her now way…id be done in less than a sec
ROUSING APPLAUSE FOR HILLARY!! Lasted 30 seconds at least.
yes,yes,yes…it takes a clinton to clean up after a bush!!!! perfect, perfect and toned just right….biggest applause of the night. said she wants to be judged on her own merits and cited the great things in the clinton administration
When did his numbers go past 50 in that last segment?
Hill smiles and shows her class when he gets an applause but he looks down, miffed.
u should have seen Obams fACE WHEN SHE STATED THAT AND HOW THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDED MY GIRL.
Great answer Hillary…I LOVE her…it took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and it will take another CLinton to clean up after the second Bush!!!!!!!!!!! The crowd loved it too…loudest cheers
I am obsessed with the tracker . . . but she nailed that “dynasty” question. She also should have poured BO more water, it looks like he was already out . . . must be really sweating it!
He will really be stuttering after the break…..
It was so unusual that i noticed
and the applause was sustained for over two minutes.
ohhhhhhhhh SNAP………..
THAT WAS JUST RIGHTEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO CLINTONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is rock solid tonight. No cracks in that girl
Wow, what an answer!! How was the people meter?
(I’m really glad there have been no bad attacks. That’s my opinion, anyway.)
Hillary- our cleain-up crew. gotta love her, like the carol burnett character
lol, clinton cleaning after a bush. left obama cold beore the break. he is always frowning while hillary speaks.
OMFG what an awesome answer!
Anyone see Pierce Brosnan is the audience? He is one hot-looking bitch…more grizzled but still hot.
She is perfection personified tonight.
LOL
SHe’s doin’ great. Diane Keaton was smilin’
ı love you hillaryyyyyyyyy
obama did the classic thing when uncomfortable, drinking from his glass!! lol
that was wonderful by hillary, and she was in no way arrogant or gloating as obama would have done, she even smiled shyly when the laugh ignited itself a second time, great
okay which network do we watch after the debate. I can not afford to buy a new TV if some asshole says Hillary did not win and I throw something at it.
I saw diane too, love her
One of my tenants just stopped by – a young African American woman I would adopt if she’d let me. She said she loves Hillary, furrowed her brow and said she’s just not sure about Obama.
Now, I really want to adopt. Too bad she already has a mom.
The meter shot up to 95% on that answer! WOOT!
total domination…i just can’t imagine pundits not saying that she has dominated…of course…i could be wrong…i have a good feeling about the spin from tonight.
The war…she looks presidental on this issue
rjk, I love it. I will throw something too.
She comes back to this portion of the debate with a much softer delivery.
lol. rjk1957, funny!
I love hillarys voice now, she sounds like a mother concerned for her country and her people! very sweet.
HAHA…she is forcing him to nod in agreement on pullout question!
I, too, love her voice tonight.
love America Ferrera wearing that Hillary button. She’s letting her support show.
Damn she was around 80 for her whole answer on Iraq
stuttering big time on iraq….he is clearly lacking in this department.
Yeah America is such a great supporter of Hillary
Love her..
How could ANYONE think he wuld be more competent than Hillary!!
Stutter stutter blah blaz
Look at Hillary whip that red pen out and write on her note pad . . . so authoritative.
Obama never answers the questions. He just digresses to rhetoric that sounds good but are just that…rhetoric!
I have a feeling he might be her VP. Damn.
where is his answer on iraq going exactly? i dont’ get it..
Goes back to attack on Iraq vote…now saying he’s best to go against McCain..
I love Hillary looking bored during his answer
He never supported the war?? Funding??
He really rambles.
hahaha, so sweet reaction from hillary there, a swipe at you hillary, “really??” haha
Maxine Waters! Yeah.
Maxine
he sounds so rehearsed on Iraq….blah blah I opposed it from the start, he’s trying to score some points here.
Ugh…Fisher Stevens, another hack actor in the audience. Is this like their Oscars now that it may be cancelled? Why aren’t there more non-celebs in there?
wow…maxine waters looked STUNNING.
Obama has been much more negative tonight….subtly attacking Hillary!
This is HOLLYWOOD. Thos celebs want to be SEEN!
Wowee. Barack, join with me. Get it public.
we both have said, we both have said we both have said
who is Edgar Bergen and who is ? McCarthy
it’s like…obama” i want to change stuff”…hrc”well here is how to split an atom…i’ve done it before…you take the proton and…” she is just so specific and soooooo comfortable talking and making points..so clear.
Oklabubba:
it’s like…obama” i want to change stuff”…hrc”well here is how to split an atom…i’ve done it before…you take the proton and…” she is just so specific and soooooo comfortable talking and making points..so clear.
LOL!
Get off Iraq.
Get to voting on the questions being asked, if you are not:
democrat.politico.com/
I want to hear about Pakistan.
God, she looks presidential. And she speaks, as they say, in complete, coherent paragraphs.
I believe she earned everyone’s respect with her answer to that question.
obama is sooooooo sputtery.
Thats right Hillary you have much more gravitas than O
uhhhh uhhhhhh uhhhhhh…………….
yes, that was a good answer by her, not in any way cocky, but honest and humble, good answer.
look at hill sha eher ehad lill shut the helll she once someone who is intelligent…i wonder if she is thinking blah blah blah..lol
BO always tells the problems not the solutions
kind of off topic here…but…does anyone else HATE to hear obama use words that end in s? HE HISSES! I’M SICK OF IT. haha…ok..i feel better.
he ‘welcomes the progress’ in iraq. what does that mean?
way to think about what you’re saying and the implications, there
i think he’s just pandering on the iraq issue
a few sentences later he’s saying it’s back up to intolerable levels of violence.
so which is it, barack?
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
talk about how the casualties have been RISING for the last 8 weeks!
When it matters…Hillary delivers. Everytime!!!
BO, you weren’t there to vote.
I just voted for the Rezko question too, was bummed it only let you vote once.
can we go to the next topic already!
We need to get off Iraq.
all – where’s the rezko question on politico? I just looked at social issues, leadership and had already highlighted Obama…
They really want to FORCE her to use the word ‘mistake’. They get so pissed she won’t give in.
No rezko question, I looked.
Obama will continue to hit her on the Iraq War. I don’t know how she should approach this issue. Should she say she made a mistake?
one has to tick on obama’s image in order to locate the rezko question.
how is she tracking on this iraq situation
HEHS, no
Obama looks really cocky again.
This is such a difficult issue for Hillary to discuss. She can’t say that it’s a mistake because it would seem like a flip-flop. She is doing as good a job as possible…
She answered the question very well
HighlyEducatedHillarySupporter: “Obama will continue to hit her on the Iraq War. I don’t know how she should approach this issue. Should she say she made a mistake?”
She should say that she decided based on the best available information at that time.
Ok, toddler bath and bed done, what did I miss, lol. Just have to check out this site or youtube later.
She needs to counter-punch on Iraq. He has invoked this attack twice in this debate. She needs to say that he wasn’t against the war from the beginning, that he voted for $300 billion in funding for the war.
No, she should not. So is that a good reason not to vote for her? Because she refuses to use that word?
Look at the biggest smile on BO’s face when Wolfie tried to smack down Hillary…YUCK
STFU WOLF!
Bad boy there, Wolf
Admin, can you do the smackdown video snips later?
HEHS
no she should just reread the last part of her floor speech before the vote
we all should.
What did wolf say?
It’s hard for me to watch this. Hillary is on the defensive now…
Hah! I love that she won’t back down.
obama looking like frat boy sitting there smiling when the audience booed wolf,
He is so sanctimonious.
Audience booed wolf? why?
LOl The audience boooo wolfy
Okay he took the first punch.
He is soooo boring.
she should counter with rummy now…
Character questions?
The decision back then was not a mistake, everybody was thinking the same way with what we knew. Like Admin said a long time ago, to say its a mistake says most of America was a mistake. Don’t go there, and I love HRC for not doing so, stick to your principles.
There goes his high soaring rhetoric again. Iraq is such a weak issue for Hillary….
Wolf, what a jackass! hillary is doing AMAZING!
This is bad. She needs to COUNTER-PUNCH. NOW she looks like she didn’t have good judgement.
yeah – i voted for the rezko question. Please please ask the Rezko question – YES, Wolf says character…let’s hope and hope that it’s about rezko.
What punch?
wolf asked if he heard hillary right, saying she was naive to believe bush, what an ass, as she said none of that kind
she should ask him where his courage was when he voted present on all votes in IL
Knew Obama was waiting to pounce on that line about being right from Day 1.
The role of Tim Russert played by Wolf Blitzer tonight;
“Would you say you were naive?”
Incredible Lowlife.
Hillary won the first 3/4 of this debate. A strong finish here and she’s got it, relatively easy.
Did BO win that one on Judgement? I can hardly look or listen to him at times
Perhaps Wolf has a Rezko question for Obama in the “character” section of the debate
Maybe he asked the war one of Hillary but now he will ask one that will be difficult for Obama
She missed a MAJOR opportunity here to reiterate that he voted for $300 billion in funding for the war.
Well, the ticker didn’t go up for either Obama or Hillary during the discussion on Iraq. I don’t think independent voters loved his answer or his subtle attacks at Hillary either.
Hillary is playing to much like assault now.What is she thinking?She could have easily stated that this man was not in the senate during the vote?If she do get this he will so be her vice president. and that is disgusting since he will try to take credit for every single thing
She should have brought up about bad judgment on his buying his house.
Yes she needs to handle this smack down carefully The audience is filled with kool aid drinkers.
how did the tracking go on iraq questions
She should have brought up how Obama said he didn’t know how he would have voted on Iraq
yeah like he was right about Rumsfeld being a good choice..
we;re in commercial; it ain’t over
That was a difficult exchange. The press tomorrow is have a field day on that one!
I think she did great on the Iraq issue. Bush is the one who screwed up.
on politico…you click on the candidate picture to get the possible questions to be asked…click on barack and you get his questions…click on hillary and you get different questions.
hillary doesnt seem to be quick on the ball tonight…
its always a mistake to start rambling on, thats one of those things you look at to see whos lost and whos not…
she should have just said: SENATOR, IS THAT YOUR ONE FAME TO CLAIM , THAT YOU SAID NO TO THE WAR BACK IN WHENEVER, WHEN YOU DIDNT HAVE THE WAIT OF THE NATION ON YOUR SHOULDERS…
EASY TO SAY NOW YOU DID THE RIGHT THING, BUT YOU WERENT PRIVY TO ANYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES…
I think that it’s wise not to attack now. Attack in the spin room!!!
counter with the “voting Present ” issue.
HillGuy
Please go read Senator Clinton’s floor speech before the vote was taken.
Thank you.
Iraq is a huge issue for SoCal voters. The fact that she let him get away with saying she has NO judgement TWICE, makes me concerned.
Wolfe didn’t win him any friends with this argument…Hillary did! Obama look like an ass because he had the benefit of being a Monday morning quarterback and he still voted the same way Hillary did once he was in the Senate.
The problem with this question is that the MSM push us into war too and a lot of voters wanted this too…so when Obama and MSM try to force a “that vote was a mistake” from Hillary, they also don’t see that Hillary position is more relatable with the general public. Only the far left and want to see Hillary strung up on that vote.
SOFTBALL QUESTION!
Nah, HRC. Most of America is frustrated with the endless harping on how we got in and blaming Congress. Only the far left is obsessed with that. Most people are more interested in getting out.
She’s won more than 3/4 of the debate so far. The Iraq War vote will always be her weakest point and I’m sure Obama will continue to criticize her Iraq vote on the campaign trail. But on everything else she has him beat.
I think she did great, too. It’s really easy to say you’re against the war when you don’t have to really VOTE. (which is not his strong suit!)
Emjay, I have read that speech many times, thank you. The fact is that most Americans have not.
WTF kind of softball question is this for O?
hawk: there is a rezko question
Crawford on MSNBC defending Hillary’s iraq answer saying it was great.
What is the softball question?
Ok this is a good topic for Hillary.
Exactly, carbynew. If you try to paint Hillary as evil for giving the president the benefit of the doubt at that time, you are telling 80% of the public that they were evil too.
Why are they letting Politico readers ask questions? That entire website is pro-Obama.
look at these fuckin’ questions..
the VRWC lives!!!!!
I can’t believe these questions.
I know for a fact that one question was not asked by an Obama supporter. And that question is from Charlotte, NC.
She answered that very good.
What kind of BS question is that?
Are all tough questions for Hillary???
NO REZKO question!?!
good deflect on that. she made her case for herself.
Re: Dream Ticket: look how annoyed and smug Obama looks at the assertion.
Wow, tracking 70-75, to 85 at times, great.
But Hillary did great!
Oh goodness, dream ticket, give me a break.
It’s really sad. Obama keeps getting softball questions, and just reciting from his stump speech. I have deja vu every time he opens his mouth. CNN is a joke.
question was for Obama’s opinion about sex/violence in Hollywood basically
Obama is getting soft balls
Watch the spin rooms take this as a draw, I hope not, but I’m getting that feeling.
spattering on zzzzzzzzz
I dare Wolfe to throw Obama a economic question that really test his knowledge.
His body language is terrible too. He just looks down whenever she speaks. I find it so disrespectful.
That was another slap by Obama, i am sure Hillary would be on everyone’s short list.
quite nodding yes to his answers. go into the details like he did about cabinet members etc….close this out hillary.
[This is the LAST question]
-Great close!!!!!!!! HRC
85, track, go HRC!
Hillary won hands down, no questions asked…………………………….
I think she did well.
Look at that fool sucking up by pulling out chairs and all.I wish Hillary would have said “i can pull out my own chair”.He is such a big fake i swear
Who can read lips? What did they say to each other?
Wow, GREAT FINISH!!!!!
I think she had a command of the issues and won over a lot of undecided voters.
I’m just really glad that the debate ended on a light note
Well, it was a standing ovation. People like to see them together on good terms. Hmm.
good audience too, were enthusiastic for clinton’s answers.
HillGuy
Then please don’t bring up the criticism that those who have not read it always do.
Now the …I can’t thino of words..is even holding her chair when he would not even acknowledge her on Monday night.
BO is a real…..!!! EEE WWW
well what did you all think?
What channel are we watching?
I think she just nailed down Super Tuesday. PLEASE IGNORE the media spin after, as they will try to spin it for Obama.
The voters know what they saw and heard.
guys I am not near TV whats the spin? who won?
fox has a focus group of undecided voters discussing the debate
hillary won the debate.
UGh Obama holding the chair what a hypocrite!
Hillary won!
Emjay, it is not fair to assume that every voter in America is as informed as you.
I’m glad they weren’t at each other’s throats.
She did very well…even with the Iraq issue. He sounds like a broken record on that. I think most get tired of his spouting the same issue over and over again. That seems to be the only thing he has….or tries to use against her. I think most of the public have moved beyong that…due to so many other issues that need to be addressed.
Nothing glows like real turquoise
Maybe I’m old-fashoined, but I’m glad he pulled out her chair. (He’s being careful to be nice! The SNUB went around the world.
Strong finish for our girl. Impeccable answers.
why does he always look so pissed at having to sign autographs…this is one mean man.
Go vote on the CNN poll.
Me, too, Emmy.
What was the view of the Fox focus group?
HillGuy
You are the one I was talking to…you said you’d read it.
Candy Crowley should quit slobbering over Obama, it’s a little sad and pathetic this unrequited love she has for him.
Where is the CNN poll?
Yeah, dot48, you’d think he’d love to do that, lol.
Hillary had the line of the night: It takes a Clinton to clean after a Bush
Was the set staged so that Obama can show that he is gallant? i.e. seated. So he can show Hillary her seat and pull the chair for her?
Craig Crawford saying Obama is took more risks in this debate, a sign that he is worried about Super Tuesday.
Hillary fetting hard questions…. that is okay….. just makes her look stonger.
She did very well. She speaks with such authority. Most of the people in American want somebody for CIC who demonstrates that they will take difficult action if they have to. Antiwar candidates don’t win
MSNBC is SOOOO bias. I went to their website and their First Read section says Hillary didn’t do well with the Iraq question. Well, she can do as best as she can do.
politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
CNN is prepared to interpret this debate as a victory for Obama.
Why do they bring on that has been “Please buy my failed book trashing Hilary” Carl Berstein on. He hates Hillary. Where is the pundit that is rabidly Hillary…never see that. Shame on the media
while they were hugging at the end, hillary said (twice) “i’m so p….p..”
any lip readers out there? what did she say???
as final numbers from CNN feed or elsewhere?
Emjay…turquoise plays very well to a western audience.
I love Craig Crawford.
I am watching Dan Abrams…. asking the question who edwards will endorse??? Okay everyone does Edwards edorsement mean anything??
Politico audience report: My colleague Jonathan Martin, in the theater, hears Obama apologize to an autograph seeker.
“I’m not going to be able to personalize it, because I’ve got to get out of here,” he says.
carl bernstein is such an ass
she is weak on the iraq and that is something that undecided will most likely ponder. her health care plan is genious. I really don’t think this debate was the knockout that media touted it to be.
Obama showed he was willing to seriously kiss ass to edwards and to richardson. I admire Clinton for not stooping to that level. she laid out her plans and I think she won.
Switch of CNN.
Keith O is starting his post-debate special.
Basically they are calling it a draw on CNN
Mark Halperin’s grades:
Clinton: A-
Obama: A-
Pat Buchanan on messnbc.
I know for a fact that Obama’s people would love be Hillary’s VP if they don’t win the nomination….think Kennedy/Johnson in the 1960 brokered convention.
Obama is hoping his delegates count would force the VP issue should he not win but I don’t think he would every give Hillary the VP position if the opposite was true…he just not that secure to have her in his cabinet or VP.
By the way, I don’t think Obama should be VP, I don’t trust him. JMHO. Obama need to go back and learn his job because he might not have one after this is over…the repugs want his senate seat badly.
I don’t know if Iraq is as big a deal to voters anymore. We’ll see.
Halperin calls it a tie, so you KNOW that he felt Hillary kicked butt!
I do not think the Iraq vote issue is the main thing on voters minds. It gets attention mostly from bloggers
He’s not qualified to be VP. either.
OBama campaign claims they won.
I’ll take a draw in the media spin. The voters will make up their own minds.
Good night, everybody.
I’m gonna try to watch a few minutes of the post-debate stuff, I don’t think I’ll be able to stomach it, though.
I actually really liked what Hillary had to say about her Iraq vote. What struck me was that she was willing to really flesh out her position. I mean, in the end, wouldn’t it be nice if you could always be right in every decision that you make. I think how you handle yourself when, in hindsight, something you did didn’t result in what you expect.
I guess when it comes down to it, I don’t like that Barack describes his huge blunders as “bone-headed” and expects the issue to go away. Hillary owns her decisions and accepts the responsibility for whatever outcome occurs even when that outcome is unexpected (like George Bush’s psychosis which no one could seriously entertain as a possibility).
if media call it a tie then Hillary wil win TT.
Did I just hear correctly, did Bernstein just condescendingly described Hillary as being the best secretary of health/human svs? What an asshole!
Wow. Wow. Wow. I saw an amazing thing. I saw someone who was Presidential. Someone who was knowledgeable, competent, organized, and amazingly eloquent. I also saw someone stumbling, stuttering, mumbling, and bumbling. Can you guess who was who?
Fantastic job Hillary. I am so very very very proud of you. I am in awe of your abilities and know that I can trust the United States of America in your hands.
Congratulations.
OK I missed this part but my friend whose dad is a federal employee is pissed that Obama talked degradingly at federal servicemen. he was almost condescending according to my friend. any thoughts?
I agree totally about Carl Bernstein. He is simply trying to sell his anti-Hillary book.
I was happy with the debate (discussion) except for the one where he was able to get by with hammering her with the judgment question regarding the war. I don’t know how she could answer that one any better without getting off topic.
I regret that she didn’t get to question his judgment in many situations that would really knock him out of the box. Maybe that will come up next Monday night. I don’t believe the audience will be nearly as large though.
I am going to watch a movie. We all know who won tonight screw the networks and their talking heads
yes, he did imply that federal employees require more supervision. in fact, he claims we do not trust government employees as a result of the work ethic he seemingly disparaged.
I personally don’t think Obama should be VP either. He is not qualified and I dislike him but it’s a good way to unite the party. A lot of Obama people hate Hillary. If he is the VP pick it will appease a lot of people and stop them from voting for McCain.
What a great debate
Cillizza from the Washington Post: Give Clinton credit. She has faced the tougher questions tonight and has generally handled them with aplomb . . .
edwards or richardson can swing some votes…keeps finger crossed…
Do they actually pay “Please buy my book” Berstein…any one on Hillary is 44 could do WAY better
The voters will decide
It was certainly not a draw! Hillary won it hands down! But the media is so biased that they would call it an Obama win even if the fool was drooling and mute on stage.
CNN is selecting sequences of the debate that are favorable to Obama.
Obama was nice! Still dont want him as nominee or believe in his rhetoric, but he was nice… hillary still outdid him debate wise tho
I think Hillary did great! She was smiling trough the entire thing, haha.
But it seems cnn at least so far are basically saying it’s a tie.
But I’m amazed that that dude on the left, don’t remember his name, says that on likability he come out slightly ahead, why he felt the need to throw that in there is beyond me, and why he seems to think that is really puzzling me. As all I can see is an angry grumpy man. I don’t find that boy one bit likable.
she is right on iraq and made solid, serious points about what to do next. and that is what most care about i believe. that is nice obama made a speech. where do we go from here? that is important.
i am also very, very surprised that obama is running in cali on support of drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. that is a killer, killer issue in the general. unbelievable.
way to go, hillary! five more days to victory!!
g’night all.
I don’t think Obama should be Hillary’s VP either! I dislike him and I don’t believe that he has the experience to VP either.
MSNBC has Wolff on saying Obama won it …some shit about Hollywood audience. Keith saying how Obama conveyed funny tonight, by far his best debate. I can’t watch this anymore, I’m turning to Fox.
can’t wait till super tuesday when Hillary kicks booty and Obama goes back to Ill
The fact they are calling it draw mean Hillary won. I very much enjoyed this debate.
yeah, “liberal” keith olbermann is great – there were 20 minutes on health care, he says, but look, who was funny?
If the virulently anti-Hillary BM is calling it a tie…
I’m sure more people than us are befuddled that the pundits think Obama did well; a TIE? c’mon! …she is so much better at being clear about every answer; she is more substantive.
fashionista, That’s not Wolf Blitzer on MSNBC?
Paula: Richard Wolfe, Newsweek
Obama just looks like he’s performing. I don’t know who the real Obama is behind the performance. Hillary seemed more real — like what you see is what you get with Hillary.
OK, thanks.
Reaction from both camps next on Countdown.
I’m not going to listen to the media. I really don’t care what they think. I feel I am an intelligent person very capable of seeing them objectively. If I thought Obama did better, I would say so, but it so clearly obvious that Hillary does everything better than him.
What a big surprise, CNN and MSNBC showing more Obama clips, then having “experts” come one to spin for Obama the uniter. I swear, the election coverage has turned me into an unwilling bulimic.
Fi8nally someone being honest here, haha, Bill Benett says Hillary won!!
Bill Bennet says Hillary won!!
CNN… Bib Bennett said HRC won. But Gloria dd not think so
Obama campaign is ecstatic. he DID deliver. those sessions of watchign Hillary Debate performances paid off.
Oh No Not Roland “unbiased” Martin
I can’t stand the guy – BUT (and this is a big but) if Hillary, who I have no doubt knows exactly what she is doing and knows the details of everything in Obama’s life, decided that it is her best move to make him VP, then I will bow to her judgement.
I won’t like it, and I doubt it will happen, but I always trust Hillary to do the smartest thing.
Obama campaign ecstatic? WTF? I saw a stumbling, stuttering, pretender on stage.
Cillizza said that – but will the Washington Post print it?
Olberman’s douchebaggery is right out there in the open, isn’t it?
Bill Bennet was emphatic Hillary won!
Talk about things you never thought you’d see!
MJS, Even though he never gave any specifics about anything? WTF?
Gloria gave Obama’s argument better than Obama did tonight lol.
MJS, he needed to do more than hold his own. He didn’t. Trust me on this. I know the way Joe sixpack thinks, and she was a president. He was a nice guy, but she was a president tonight in the eyes of the average voter.
My take: It was a more civil, warm and friendly (at least on camera) debate.
Going into this debate there was only one major questions.
Which of these candidates passes the threshold question of “Who is ready to be president?”
This question is particularly relevant for Obama: “Is Obama ready to be president?”
Hillary clearly passed that threshold today (as she has in the past).
Obama did not pass that threshold test today.
A neutral voter (not partisans like us) sitting at home looking at this debate is likely to conclude that she likes Obama, that he is an attractive candidate, but not ready to be president.
A Democratic voter is more likely to look at the stage and conclude (whether we here like it or not) that Obama would be a good vice-presidential pick and that he might be ready in eight years.
That is my honest, unbiased take.
i think if Hillary does become Barack’s mentor in a way, she could help him out a lot as he would for her. Barack bringing in a lot more of the youth vote and securing the African American voters while Hillary can shape him up for debating the repubs. it could be win win..but who knows. I hate Obama’s history of rezko and present votes and by then, rezko will have exploded.
His campaign must’ve had really low expectations then, lol.
They’re going to review that tracker thing, all I read here was Hill dominated the tracker. I hope that proves to be the case.
MSNBC… Axelrod…. Where is Wolfson.?
H4T, that was Bill Bennetts arguement. That he needed to do more than just hold his own and he did not. That’s why he thinks Hillary won.
Sorry, Wolfe from Newsweek who’s supposed to be impartial. I don’t know which is worse, him or Blitzer.
There was a President and a Pretender on stage. Hillary is the President without any doubt in my mind at all.
Favorite Line?
“It took a Clinton to clean up after Bush, it will take another Clinton to clean up after another Bush”.
HillaryforTexas, I didn’t see your post before I posted. I see that we agree.
Speaking to Gloria’s argument, I’m wondering aloud here, but does the average Democratic voter really think that in the argument against the Republican Machine, in general, and McCain in particular…does the average Democratic voter believe that “I was right not to want to go to war in the first place” is going to resonate on the Right?
I don’t think it will. I think that the Republicans will go to their greatest hits that “Democrats are soft on National Security and they can’t protect us.” I think Hillary’s position is stronger in the GE, the question is will the people on the Left recognize this?
you know…just thinking…but sometimes when i listen to the war thing….i see Hillary is the one….that if North Korea sent a bomb to Japan…she would stand up for an allie. Obama would want to negotiate. Frankly…i would prefer Hillary’s response. To protect and defend the US…and part of that is honoring our allies in this world.
At the time of the Iraq vote…most of this nation was behind that vote…even Ted Kennedy. I have lots of trouble with Obama hanging on to that issue. I certainly agree with her…to not let the United Nation overshadow the duty of the President of the USA. How was she to know that the real problem here…is how the war was handled. Complete incompetency…and that was done by George Bush
Wolfson goes 2nd, don’t you know?
Bet my life he gets less airtime too.
Wolfe is a latent homosexual.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
guys, I know I’m thinking so far ahead into the future…but when Hillary becomes president/nominee, will this site be deemed useless? will we all jsut regard our time here as history?
let’s be sober and honest – who wins the debate?
60-40 for Hillary among CNN’s undecided….
60% of undecided voters on CNN said Clinton performed better on the debate!
Clinton won, but they threw him the Iraq bone…
OMG Bill Bennett the voice of reason? lol well on this one ocassion he is right! Obama needed to convince voters why they should choose him over Hillary and he failed to do so.
60-40 hillary over obama from the undecided focus group that used the dials during the debate!
good to hear Erica Hill says the undecided voters at the end of the debate broke for Clinton 60-40. At least the people thought Clinton did better even if the pundits can’t admit it.
The undecided voters think Hillary won by 60 to 40
this was by far, Obama’s best debate…though hillary still lapped him in all the substantive answers.
WOOT 60-40! WOOOT!
# johnflint1985 Says:
January 31st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
let’s be sober and honest – who wins the debate?
What do you mean?
NJS,
I theoretically could have something (related) for everyone to continue doing. Can’t really get into it right now though….
Hillary won. Showed far better grasp of issues. Acknowledged Maxine Waters. United Farm Workers. Hospital closure. Health care. Immigration. Yea, she won. Not meet with foreign dictators in 1st year without pre-con.
On Iraq, she explained the intent of the Iraq Resolution, and how it is no different from other cases where we have had to use force when diplomacy fails. She explained it was not a vote for preemptive war. She received White House assurances it would not be used preemptively, Bush violated it and screwed up execution. Good answer on Levin Amendment.
That is my take. What did Buchanan say?