Live Blogging From Sunday's Democratic Debate

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Live Blogging From Sunday's Democratic Debate

August 18, 2007 3:48 PM

9:17 am CT: That has to be it from me (Rick Klein), gotta run a few minutes early to get to the spin room. Keep reading abcnews.com/politics for the latest analysis, and check out tomorrow's Note for a full post-debate look and all the top political news of the day.

9:13 am CT: Obama has to be careful on the merit pay issue -- huge issue for teachers' unions. Or maybe his new politics means blowing up the model, taking on unions too?

9:11 am CT: Richardson is cooking at this debate -- he is coming across really, really well.

9:05 am CT: Edwards with some revisionist history on the war -- wow, will people buy this? "What I didn't express was the huge conflict I had, because I did not trust George Bush," Edwards said. And Clinton picks up on that -- Clinton said she told the truth "as she saw it." And this: "I never would have pursued this war." Then why'd she vote for it?

9:03 am CT: That action behind the moderators was a tech guy who tripped and fell, just before the broadcast came back from break.

9:01 am CT: ABC's Teddy Davis overheard Gravel on stage: "I got to get that one percent." He was at zero in ABC's latest poll.

8:59 am CT: The break update -- I for one expected more hand-to-hand combat on stage -- but it may be too early in the day (or too early in the cycle) for that. Edwards delivered the messages he wanted -- but he needed to be sharper to make himself more of a factor. So far, Obama's "bumper car" line is probably most memorable. Clinton still rising above the rest of the field -- why not, as long as you're leading in the polls?

8:55 am CT: I don't see anybody breaking through on the agricultural front -- they are all making the right sorts of points, but not much distinctive here.

8:47 am CT: Biden also has an interesting, soft-spoken response that looks inward. And Obama is the only one to connect his answer on religion to a campaign message. "We've got to express those values through our government."

8:44 am CT: Getting the candidates on religion is always interesting -- and Edwards has a moving response citing family tragedies: "There are some things that are beyond our control... I don't think you can prevent bad things from happening through prayer."

8:39 am CT: It's sort of remarkable to me that Obama still gets applause by saying we should have figured out how to get out of the war before we got in. Clearly Democrats still care about who was against the war from the start, but do they care enough for Obama to get traction on this right up until caucus day?

8:38 am CT: Richardson now is getting the debate he wants -- he wants all the troops out, and he wants people to know it. Not sure that message was entirely clean, but he got it out.

8:34 am CT: Edwards gets applause with a line that could have been delivered by Clinton: "Any Democratic president will end this war. That's what we know." And the Republicans are "George Bush on steroids." So far, this is his strongest debate performance.

8:32 am CT: Iraq discussions are not made for debates -- and we're reaching a point where there's nothing more interesting that can be said by Democratic candidates on the war -- except for the bomb-throwers.

8:29 am CT: So the first half hour hits the two big issues -- Clinton's electability, and Obama's experience. They skate through OK, but no question Clinton took the most incoming fire. So far, you've got to think Edwards is happiest with how this debate is going, with Obama a close second.

8:24 am CT: Edwards is getting the fight he wants. This was his main agenda item coming in, and he's getting direct engagement with Clinton on the lobbyists' money issue.

8:21 am CT: Clinton gives a savvy response: "I don't think Karl Rove's going to endorse me ... but I find it interesting that he's so obsessed with me." And her negative ratings, she says, are because she's a fighter. She loves startig sentences like this: "The reason why we're going to win..."

8:18 am CT: Here we go: Obama engages on the question of Clinton's divisiveness: "We're going to need somebody that can break out of the political patterns that we've been in in the last 20 years." And Edwards jumps on by making it about lobbyists: "America wants change in the most serious way." So far, Clinton is fair game to attack, Obama isn't.

8:15 am CT: Gravel makes the argument for winnowing the field. Cheney should be "committed"? Excuse me, senator?

8:13 am CT: Edwards is channeling the Edwards of 2004 -- much, much different than him on the trail. He just defended Obama -- the same candidate he directly criticized all week on the trail in Iowa.

8:10 am CT: The difference on ruling out nukes? "You've got to put it into context," Clinton said. "This was not a hypothetical." That's a better answer than what her campaign said a few weeks back, that she was speaking then as a senator and now as a presidential candidate. Obama's retort: "There was no difference." Then comes the politics of hope -- decrying the "gamesmanship." Interesting exchange, though so far a subdued debate.

8:08 am CT: Obama had this line ready to go, don't you think? "To prepare for this debate, I rode in the bumper cars at the state fair," he said.

8:06 am CT: Sen. Dodd is also not taking the opportunity -- at least not directly -- but isn't that a mistake for a candidate who needs to catch on? He's sounding senatorial. "You're not going to have time in January 09 to get ready for this job," Dodd said, in the closest he came to criticizing Obama. And Sen. Biden is wading through the weeks on Pakistan. Looks like Obama is going to duck direct jabs. How about Gov. Richardson jumping on the silence ntough -- "Change and experience -- with me you get both."

8:02 am CT: Sen. Clinton decided not to take the first opportunity to question Sen. Obama's qualifications to be president. "You don't have to be against anybody," she said. Words that can only be spoken by a front-runner.

7:49 am CT: For what it's worth, the Democrats are a lot looser than the Republicans were before the debate. Two weeks ago, the GOPers stood behind their podiums awkwardly, and the crowd was silent as they twiddled their thumbs. The Democrats are milling around the stage, chatting with each other, and generally appearing to be having a good time.

7:44 am CT: Here comes Hillary -- being last to come to the stage means getting her own ovation.

7:40 am CT: The candidates just walked into the room -- to big applause -- but one is missing: Where's Hillary Clinton? The empty podium at the end of the stage has the crowd buzzing.

7:28 am CT: I'm in the debate hall now -- warming up the crowd are Howard Dean and Gov. Chet Culver -- a couple of popular figures among Iowa Democrats. "We are excited once again about having the first caucus in the nation -- in 2008," Culver said. He's among those who know that a December caucus could be disastrous for Iowa.

7:25 am CT: And Joe Biden's folks are out in force -- they have a huge sign outside the site showing the candidates' "ears of experience" -- and Biden, naturally, has the largest number of ears of corn.

7:22 am CT: John Edwards just made his entrance to the debate site, and I've never seen anything quite like it. While the other candidates were slipping into the building via a secure back entrance, Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, walked up a path and into the front door -- trailed by a contingent of aides, supporters, and reporters. As he walked, supporters chanted, "Two-zero-zero-eight, who we gonna nominate? Edwards! Edwards!" Enough to pump up a candidate who's loaded for bear?

7:18 am CT: A great scene -- dueling flatbed trucks circling the block. Obama's has a huge sign reading "Hope." Clinton's says "Clinton Country."

7:03 am CT: I'm at the debate site, and it's a huge party outside near the Drake campus, even though it's barely light out. ABC's intrepid Teddy Davis reports that Barack Obama has the biggest crowd, followed by Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. By 3:30 am, Obama had more than 100 supporters outside, and he has a drum-and-step troupe dancing around the block. The Clinton folks thought in advance -- they got permission to put a huge Hillary for President sign on the movie-theater marquee right off campus. And while the crowd is far larger than it was for the Republican debate, a single veteran in a wheelchair is rolling up and down the block -- with a huge American flag, and a Tancredo for President sign.

The Note's Rick Klein here -- I have a belly full of food-on-a-stick from the Iowa State Fair (corn dog, chicken on a stick, beef on a stick, cheese on a stick, pork chop on a stick, and yes, fried Snickers on a stick -- what I do in the name of journalism). I'll be live-blogging at 8 am CT (9 am ET) during the Democratic presidential debate on ABC, from inside the debate hall at Drake University. And check out the latest analysis in a special debate preview edition of The Note.

August 18, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (70)

User Comments

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In the information age, why waste time watching televised debates which only result in answers being cut short, reducing complex issues to sound bites, and don't allow anyone to see the comprehensive plans any of the candidates have on any of the issues??? Far better for the American public to take the responsibility of educating themselves on each candidate than relying on TV to give them the scant info they seem to think they need to vote for a presidential candidate. We are short on attention span and memory in this nation. Log on to the candidates websites and READ about what they stand for and how they will make it happen; then compare the candidates' stance on each issue. Americans cry about our kids watching too much TV, but it is perfectly ok for us to decide who to pick as a presidential candidate from half answered questions on a time limited televised event???

Posted by: massdem | Aug 19, 2007 11:01:34 AM

Solutions to the major issues facing America today will only be resolved by a citizenry in which each individual takes responsibility to lead an ethical life, knowing that we are all interdependent on one another, and on the health of our planet.

The only candidate who has the courage, ability and conviction to be a role model for this major task is Dennis Kucinich. He lives the life of statesman for "the people" - one and all.

Irene
NJ

Posted by: Irene Lynch | Aug 19, 2007 11:03:26 AM

This debate is a joke! Not everyone is given equal time to speak. Dennis Kucinich is being shut out entirely. The only fair debate is when all the candidates can have equal time. And then the American people can make an informed choice on who should be president. Dennis Kucinich is the only one who is SPOT ON regarding ALL of the issues.

Posted by: Anita | Aug 19, 2007 11:14:49 AM

To George Stephanopoulos on his moderating the Iowa Debate 8/19/07.
If you don’t know how to moderate a presidential debate, you need to get out of the business, man.
Kucinich called you on your sly political manipulating in today’s debate - “You’re trying to polarize people out of this race”. You spent the first 20 minutes of the debate asking questions that polarize. You exhibited a particular hatred toward Obama -

Edwards had to force you to tackle the first meaningful question in the debate - he forced you to bring up a discussion of health care - the kind of stuff we out here want to know, George, get it?? You media people are SO out of the loop!.

The candidates continuously told you but you refused to hear reality (just like the true coconut head, GWB) -- the matter of “change“. Who can change American politics and government from the same old destructive and hackneyed politics that you persistently fostered in this debate.

Because of your inept moderating, the first 45 minutes of the debate was spent by you stoking conflict among the candidates, rather than eliciting their philosophy for “change“.

You get an “F” as moderator.

Posted by: Delores Jackson | Aug 19, 2007 11:17:46 AM

Maybe its time for a dark horse. Christopher Dodd sparks a kind of interest amongst the candidates...

Posted by: thomas yanul | Aug 19, 2007 11:27:50 AM

Kucinich is the clear winner (not declared) of this debate and it is for sure a Democrat will win as the Republican ticket does not offer anyone against (nor Democrat) abortion, which will cause the Christian not to vote in November - perhaps the Christians are deciding the vote after - all by not voting - that's food for thought.

Posted by: span33 | Aug 19, 2007 11:28:23 AM

I'd like to ask a question to all candidates. What do you plan on doing about the low pay and long hours of our U.S. Military? And also, what plans do you have for dealing with Russia and China in the near future?

Posted by: Russ | Aug 19, 2007 11:31:25 AM

I think all the candidates have raised valid points and provided great insight on ways on end the war, and on their religious beliefs. One thing I would like to hear are ways to strenthen family. I would like to hear their thoughts on infidelity, we should have ways to protect and strengthen family values.

Posted by: Tawanda Nicholson-Robinson | Aug 19, 2007 11:34:54 AM

the last time I looked America

Posted by: winnie luzzi | Aug 19, 2007 11:36:42 AM

I think John Edwards is absolutely right for not accepting money from the lobbyist. I just love how Hillary avoided to answer the question. The government is supposed to be (for we the people) not big corporations. All corporations care about is the bottom line and giving upper management bonuses. There's a reason greed is one of the seven deadly sins. John Edwards has spent his career defending the small guy against corporations and keeping them accountable.

Posted by: Mike Frost | Aug 19, 2007 11:38:17 AM

I have never heard anyone ask the democrats how they stand on immigration.
Everyone I know feels that protecting our borders is as important as the war and health care third. Please ask each candidate what they would do about immigration. Thank you, Carolyn

Posted by: Carolyn | Aug 19, 2007 11:39:08 AM

Just one question: How is the Congress going to pay for a war that they won't put on the budget?

Posted by: philipgeiger | Aug 19, 2007 11:42:24 AM

It looked clear that Gravel won with Kucinich a very close second.

Posted by: blueacheon | Aug 19, 2007 11:45:05 AM

Unfortunately, Dennis gets very short shifted but if folks actually listened up to what he proposes, more in tune with "the very ordinary" people..Unfortunately , ordinary people ACTUALLY have little say in this democracy's administrationing !! At this point, am for CHANGE, and will cast with Obama and take a chance that he COULD actualize some change..DO NOT WANT MORE OF THE SMAE-O's, experienced or not..THEY have NOT held off the "wolves" and been rather inept in actual representing OUR GREATER COMMON GOOD--need more than just verbal platitudes and PR'd gamesmenship..TIME FOR A NEW WAVE !!!!

Posted by: Bozly | Aug 19, 2007 11:45:45 AM

Disaster Preparedness and the political process. We have access to more technical information now than ever before. We knew the consequences of Katrina before it happened. Same for global warming. What is missing is objective evaluation and preventive action. I'd like to ask these candidates how they would propose to make the political process more objective and responsive to information. I believe this is critical to the survival of our way of life and our planet.

Posted by: Gerald Friesen | Aug 19, 2007 11:58:52 AM

Gravel..he is making folks nervous in his plain speaking and comments are rather typical of what "ordinary" people make in private conversations as well. Dennis is appealing and so is Obama..IF ordinary people could influence all that much, think a Dennis and Obama ticket would be found MOST akin to ordinary folks thought patterns..Unfortunately, such would be SLIMED beyod recognition and truth is, ORDINARY people do NOT have the real say in these decisons as to who gets the title spots !!!

Posted by: Bozly | Aug 19, 2007 11:59:56 AM

I feel that the name of each candidate should be scripted at the bottom of the screen each time they speak. This way with so many trying to be the president we will know who is speaking and who we like as the responses are made.

Posted by: nancy | Aug 19, 2007 12:07:23 PM

Dear ABC News,
Will any of Presidential Candidate change the Congressional Retirement program as it currently stands?
THIS CURRENT PROGRAM MUST CHANGE!!!!!
Politicians MUST belong to Social Security like the rest of us, IF we are
to ever get it fixed.

Posted by: Len Samuel | Aug 19, 2007 12:08:46 PM

deniss ia a dove and that is just as bad as being a hawk when it comes to ua fighting a war. i agree we do not belong in Iraq, but being that we are there we need to get out the right way and without alot more lose of live to anyone. manly of you that comment on how to get out where not alive during Vatnam and that was such a mess that many people died that did not have to if we took our time and worked out us leaving. I believe that it has come the time that all the debates should be broke up into smaller groups so everyone could talk or let the people decide by a vote like they do on many of the programs today

Posted by: marc gauze | Aug 19, 2007 12:22:36 PM

you are right, hilary. how could all the monies and efforts spent these many years by the wealthy repubs to defame you Not spin off high negative ratings. they have dedicated so much passion to your demise, and you are still standing and remain strong. you have my admiration and my vote.

Posted by: k tumminia | Aug 19, 2007 12:25:52 PM

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