The Debate
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- Iggyboo0
Oh and that question on iran is irrelevent too, why? Because you're pre emptively planning a war with iran when you're asking how your going to deal with an attack on isreal. You're giving the american people too much credit for deciding things if you think american people decide whether or not we're going to go to war with iran. If its in our national security's interest I am sure we will. If it isn't we wont. But that's pretty much not a reason to hire the next president. I also really question the motives of hillary why is she always trying to smile on stage. it's one thing to have stage presence but why is it so important to smile and be cheery. We're in a messed up time, atleast some of the cynicism from Barrack is in line with most people's cynicism. I really think Mccain has it in the bag after last night though, the american public won't have a chance to vote for either of these candidates due to an implosion of the democratic party.
- utopian0
I personally want 100 to 1000 more years in Iraq, so do the Iraqi's.
Thank you America!!!
- that's right "Leave the troops there!!!" I don't want them coming home anyway and becoming local cops.robotron3k
- mg330
I started yelling when i saw the flag pin question. The woman who asked the question, it was obvious that the flag pin issue alone would be what she voted on.
"Obama doesn't wear the pin, so I'm not voting for him" is probably spot-on for her mentality.
I wish Obama would have just stated the obvious: where was Clinton's flag pin? where was it?
Absolutely retarded that the questions was allowed to be asked.
- capsize0
Obama should not waste any more time on "debates" a shop-worn format days of early TV that have devolved into recycling fake news and fake controversy based on celebritrannymetrics.
- TheBlueOne0
Just watching some of the (non) highlights of this fiasco on the interwebs and how our great "liberal media" is...
I am reminded of that moment in the the Muhammed Ali pic "When We Were Kings" when George Plimpton leans over to Norman Mailer and says "The fix is in..."
- He shoulda punched Mailer to prove it.capsize
- Mailer woulda bit his ear off...TheBlueOne
- acescence0
very satisfying that there are now over 15,000 mostly very negative comments on ABC's site aimed at chuck and george. what a joke that was.
- ukit0
Isn't it interesting that
(a) If the campaign was fought over the issues, the Dems would win every time
(b) The press won't let it be about the issues, they are WAAAY too interested in whether Obama ever lived in the same neighborhood as a hippie anarchist from the 70s, or whether he hates America because he doesn't wear a flag pin (even though Clinton and McCain don't).
Also shouldn't there be some kind of rule against a former campaign operative setting up and moderating a debate - ie Stephanapolous who was the go to guy for the Clintons throughout the 90s. The whole thing had the feel of a staged, joyless Clinton informercial/ Obama passion play.
- mrdobolina0
it is all about selling ads for the networks.
- Dr_Rand0
*vomits
*washes hands of whole affair
- Dr_Rand0
"You may now officially stop worrying about last night's debate. Obama has stopped worrying about it, and has started using it as a weapon:
"I will tell you, it does not get much more fun than these debates. They are inspiring events," Mr. Obama quipped. "Last night, I think we set a new record because it took us 45 minutes before we even started talking about a single issue that matters to the American people. It took us 45 minutes!"
"Forty-five minutes before we heard about health care. Forty-five minutes before we heard about Iraq," he continued. "Forty-five — 45 — minutes before we heard about jobs. Forty-five minutes before we heard about gas prices."If he keeps this up, the powers that be won't know what hit them.
In sales, there's a technique known as the pivot. In involves using the customer's own language -- often negative -- and turning it into an advantage. I understand why you are concerned about the low gas mileage, ma'am; that relatively low number is a direct result of the power this baby has, power to get you out of trouble on the road. That's the classic example, of course; real pivoting is done so subtly that the recipient isn't aware that it's happening.
Obama just executed a perfect pivot. It involves: a recognition of what's just been done; a profession of unconcern about it, and a turn toward what's really important. Like this:
"That was the roll-out of the Republican campaign against me in November. That is what they will do," Mr. Obama said. "They will try to focus on all these issues that don’t have anything to do with how you pay your bills at the end of the month."
"Look, I understand that because that’s the text book Washington game. That’s how our politics has been taught to be played," Mr. Obama said. "That’s the lesson that she learned when the Republicans were doing that same thing to her back in the 1990s. So I understand it and when you’re running or the presidency than you’ve got to expect it."
He told the audience that he intended to let the criticism roll off of him. As he spoke, he made a dramatic gesture of wiping off his sleeves and dusting off his dark suit.
"That’s what you got to do," he said, drawing loud applause from the audience. "That’s what you’ve got to do. But understand this, that is also precisely why I’m running for president – to change that kind of politics."
Speaking as a sales person, it was masterful. If he keeps doing this, you can fuggedabout ABC, and Clinton, and McCain. Obama's got game, and if he keeps this up, there's no one who can stop him."
- monkeyshine0
Mary Mapes: Okay, Now I'm Bitter
Mary Mapes, Apr 17, 2008 19:41:35 GMT
I sat down last night with a big fat glass of wine, all excited about watching the first Democratic debate in weeks, absolutely certain that I would get the chance to hear what Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama had to say about the latest headlines.
After all, it has been a quite a week for news.
In Iraq, we've seen a rebound in suicide bombings and gotten the disquieting information that Iraqi soldiers have been fleeing the battlefield in frightening numbers.
Americans learned that detailed discussions of torture techniques had been held in the White House -- our White House -- and President Bush revealed that he knew this and approved.
Foreclosure rates have spiked to frightening levels.
U.S. shoppers were told that food prices in this country are rising at a higher pace than at any time in the past 17 years.
The airline industry floundered through dreadful days of groundings, amidst safety concerns, economic ailments and passenger anger.
Oil prices are setting new records almost every day and $4 a gallon gas is coming soon to a service station near you.
The anguish over China's human rights record and its handling of Tibet turned the Olympic torch relay into a cross between Spain's Running of the Bulls and
3rd grade keep-away.
John McCain, acting like a mean old man trying to chase those pesky voters off his lawn, refused to endorse a new GI bill that would help those currently serving our country get a college education.
The Supreme Court issued a fractured opinion on the death penalty that for the first time in years raises the real possibility of a national debate on the value and morality of the ultimate punishment.
And we are in the middle of what is clearly the most important, most consequential election of my lifetime -- and I'm no spring chicken.
Instead, I sat in front of my TV open-mouthed, listening to a hodgepodge of juvenile questions about flag jewelry, the possibility of a "dream" ticket, elderly radicals, Charlie Gibson's personal tax concerns and ministers who emote too much. What, no time for a question about Cindy McCain's purloined pork chop recipe?
Excuse me, but why are we spending this much time on topics that amount to little more than political lint?
Regarding Obama's longtime pastor, since when does making a personal choice to remain close to someone who has let you down become a permanent liability? Hmm, Hillary?
As for Clinton's refusal to be a good girl and give up, since when did continuing to fight for your political life become some kind of profound character flaw? That is simply what politicians do.
And ABC - God love you for breaking the torture debate in the White House story -- but why on earth didn't you ask the candidates about it -- or about much else that mattered?
What the heck has happened?
Just a few weeks ago, Democrats were all beaming with the belief that this election was really going to be different. Turnout was spectacular, the candidates were talking about issues that mattered and Americans were upbeat and believing in politics again.
Now it seems the unending Democratic campaign has descended into a nightmarish rolling rant about bitterness, beer, bowling and who is or isn't a bitch.
In fact, this whole thing has made me a little bitchy.
I want a rebate on the debate. I want to see someone ask a question of consequence. I want Pennsylvania to vote now. I want to turn on the TV and not see Pat Buchanan's head in a little box.
I want my life back.
This political junkie has just about had her fill of political junk food. I'll come back when there is something more substantial on the table. Until then, I guess I'll just cling to my guns, my religion and my long-ignored need to improve my bowling scores.
Because this whole presidential campaign thing has gone into the gutter.
- capsize0
Take the high road back Obama
- ukit0