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Live Blogging from Democratic Debate
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ShareJune 28, 2007 4:46 PM
10:26 pm: And that's the ballgame. Takeaways? Probably the least interesting debate in terms of meaningful distinctions. Clinton and Edwards were very good, Obama more spotty but better as time went on. Again, Gravel shoots from the hip. And we saw an emerging argument from Biden, building on the Supreme Court shifts. See you next time, and tune in for more in tomorrow's Note.
10:25 pm: Gravel ends with another bomb: Most of the other candidates lack "moral judgment." Dodd's everybody's friend, so he offers a pat on the shoulder.
10:23 pm: Richardson not backing down from his Olympic boycott threat: "I believe that fighting genocide is more important than sports." Strong line.
10:20 pm: What's with Clinton and her lists? Is that how her mind works, or do you coach that? And that's some tough answre on Darfur, about a no-fly zone: "If they fly into it, we will shoot down their planes. That's the only way to get their attention."
10:19 pm: Kucinich gets big applause for saying he wants to end NAFTA. That can't be comfortable for Clinton, whose husband championed the trade agreement.
10:14 pm: Maybe Obama's getting better as the night goes on - he's finally offering a few specifics. And Gravel is making it interesting again - "these people." Derision is good television.
10:11 pm: Welcome Handy - you're becoming a regular. My call for a winner right now is Clinton - she's crisp, concise, and specific. Edwards also is having a good night -- and these are his wheelhouse issues.
10:02 pm: Good answer by Obama: "The criminal justice system is not colorblind." But his answer is "to send a signal"?
9:59 pm: Nothing provokes verbal tap-dancing like asking a Democrat about taxes. The goal: sound progressive without providing the RNC with talking points.
9:56 pm: I'm with you, dawgler -- Clinton is having another good night, even though the format and the questions aren't making for winners and losers.
9:51 pm: Biden perked up some ears: "I got tested for AIDS. I know Barack got tested for AIDS." Obama prompted laughter: "I just want to make clear - I got tested with Michele."
9:48 pm: Leave it to Clinton to summarize the first half of the debate: "It is hard to disagree with anything that has been said." But then she hits another one out of the park by pointing out how differently HIV/AIDS would be addressed if white women were afflicted in equal numbers as black women. Outstanding.
9:46 pm: I don't know if it's good or bad, but offering up the same questions to all the candidates gives plenty of room to them to sound off on their messages. Already, Edwards has found a chance to say "two Americas," and Clinton was able to say, "It takes a village" -- the title of her book.
9:41 pm: John Edwards did read up on his statistics. And we get it: He wants us to know that he's always talking about poverty. Still, he's crisp and on his game tonight.
9:39 pm: That's a legit question about Obama -- two times through and not much being offered.
9:35 pm: Three times now a candidate has suggested that we should cut military spending to pay for education. Good applause line in liberal crowds, but it's sort of a play to the cheap seats, isn't it?
9:31 pm: Bill Richardson doesn't want to talk about how to pay for any of his plans - he's the guy who has the universal healthcare plan that won't cost a dime.
9:30 pm: Talking to your kids helps them? Bet Joe Biden's kids are smart and well-adjusted.
9:27 pm: I'm beginning to wonder about the format here - we're now nearly a third of the way through the debate, and we've gotten through precisely one question, and have had precisely zero interesting exchanging. It's nice to include everyone, but c'mon...
9:22 pm: Biden wants to push the Supreme Court issue - this follows a statement earlier in the day touting the fact that he voted against Roberts and Alito. Then Obama's first chance -- it was almost like the crowd didn't know he was finished -- maybe because he had said so little?
9:16: Clinton gets the first question -- and the first mention of today's court ruling and Katrina. "The march is not finished" -- good imagery. About as good an answer as you could hope for.
9:13 pm: Sounds like something of a home-field advantage for Obama. . . .
9:00 pm: Quick thought on the man making the introductions tonight -- Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass. This won't be the last we see of him in the campaign. Mitt Romney's successor is the nation's only black governor, and one of the most sought-after endorsements of the campaign. He's close to Sen. Barack Obama but was a high-ranking member of the Clinton Justice Department, so he has ties to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as well. My money's on Patrick eventually going with Obama.
8:45 pm: Thanks everyone for logging on. Some interesting comments already -- and on the immigration issue, I'm certain it will come up tonight. Every Democratic senator in the 2008 race voted in favor of the bill today, for the record.
Rick Klein from ABC's The Note here -- I'll be blogging live during tonight's PBS debate, starting at 9 pm ET. Let's start the discussion early: What questions do you want to see answered tonight at Howard University in Washington? Leave you comments below, and tune in starting at 9.
June 28, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (20)
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I want to know how the candidates think a third-party ticket, Blooberg-Hagel for instance, will appeal to voters dissatisfied with the pandering to the center that usually happens as the general election date grows closer.
Posted by: Stephen | Jun 28, 2007 5:53:16 PM
What does Mrs. Clinton think about Former President Clinton actions regarding previous acts of terrorism on America and on America's interests aboard?
Posted by: Rick Silver | Jun 28, 2007 5:53:56 PM
I would like to know if anyone is keeping an eye on the number of children currently in the welfare system who are being given psychological medications not on or meant for children, at the tax payers expense?
Since there are no long term studies on this practice, it concerns me as a parent and tax payer that these children could end up with worse chemical/mental imbalances than they already have. They need help indeed, but is taking them out of a bad situation and drugging them up helping them or just keeping a contract between big pharmacudicals and the federal funding the doctors collect healthy?
I know multiple people on medicade/medicare and all of them are on more than one strong and very new psychological medication prescribed to them by doctors at the federally funded clinics they visit. I doubt its just here?
I would also like to know if any of these canidates intends to address the practice of insurance coporations charging 'fines' for civil rights choices on behalf of their clients such as Clarion health just has?
Posted by: Jennifer | Jun 28, 2007 6:34:37 PM
I want to know why none of the Democrats in Congress have drafted up articles of impeachment for Dick Cheney yet, and why the entire Democratic party is a bunch of mealy-mouthed cowards who refuse to stand up to the GOP in any meaningful way.
Posted by: Tom Pryor | Jun 28, 2007 7:21:36 PM
I'd like to know where the candidates stand in regards to two members of the "Axis of Evil," namely Iran and North Korea. Thank you.
Posted by: jim condon | Jun 28, 2007 7:31:40 PM
I how these candidates stand on immigration and how they voted today.
Are they going to pursue the same line of thinking if they win the presidency? Iraq is now academic, every american wants out. the next big issue after the election would be immigration. the public wants to know how they stand.
Posted by: marc | Jun 28, 2007 8:28:33 PM
This for Hillary Clinton
Why African American should vote for you?
If you are elected as president of USA, will you name secretary of State a black person ?
Posted by: Abdirazak Ali | Jun 28, 2007 8:50:18 PM
When is Obama going to actually offer a real idea?
Posted by: Joel | Jun 28, 2007 9:36:43 PM
Hillary is on.
Posted by: dawgler | Jun 28, 2007 9:53:26 PM
I actually think Obama is doing pretty well and being pretty specific. Kudos.
Posted by: P. Singer | Jun 28, 2007 10:01:23 PM
Who is winning?
Posted by: HandyAndy | Jun 28, 2007 10:09:23 PM
what was up with that cheesy grin from Kucinich after the NAFTA remarks?
Posted by: amdar4 | Jun 28, 2007 10:23:36 PM
Edwards and the LiveStrong bracelet? So 2004
Posted by: amdar4 | Jun 28, 2007 10:24:20 PM
Wow! Clinton has gotten a hit every time at the plate.
Posted by: dawgler | Jun 28, 2007 10:24:58 PM
Hillary will bring out hordes of republicans who would otherwise stay home. An Edwards/Obama ticket is a guaranteed winner.
Posted by: sc_dem | Jun 28, 2007 10:43:07 PM
Hillary is leader of change. she is the one who can beat every republican candidate. I like Obama; but, lets send Hillary there to beat Rudy, who does not have any clue about WMDand Iraq war
Posted by: Abdirazak Ali | Jun 28, 2007 11:02:07 PM
she certainly is good at debates and forums... rarely makes mistakes or backtracks.
Posted by: amdar4 | Jun 29, 2007 12:03:38 AM
I want to know about ins for people that are in a catch 22 pre conditions and can not get help on ss disability no medicare for 30 months all of us and as for kids with ins who will take care of their children if they get sick go edwards.
Posted by: Michaela Mcnier | Jan 5, 2008 10:31:46 PM
It appears that the media (news tv) interprets every other thing related to Senator Obama as controversial: the minister of his church, comments about Pennsylvania residents, and flag lapel pins. When it comes to Senator Clinton everything is great: even the lie about landing under sniper fire, how could one have misspoke about such an occurance. The experience issue: In my opinion Senator Obama has more since he served in the Illinois Senate and the US Senate. Senator Clinton has only served in the US Senate, what other experience does she have? Being a First Lady of the USA? My question, Could the Senator from New York expound on her great deal of experience.
Posted by: edwina | Apr 16, 2008 8:48:11 PM
Final remarks - Clinton still coming across as robotic script-reader, remarks kept in generalities. Obama avoiding traps from Clinton, and pro-Clinton moderators - some sort of deal between the two camps maintains presidential appearance. So many opportunities to rip her apart, though, he let slip away - oh well, I suppose that's what real change means. Anyway, Clinton still looks like a liar and a loser (except to her dedicates fans, of course), so tonight was just another opportunity for Obama to get his message across.
Posted by: Emmanuel Winner | Apr 16, 2008 10:04:48 PM
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