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Fiery Debate Turns Campaign Toward the Personal
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ShareJanuary 21, 2008 10:36 PM
ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: It took voting in three states and a few hundred or so debates for it to happen. But finally, Monday night in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Democratic candidates tossed it all out on the table.
Dropping the niceties and couched language of previous encounters, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama engaged in a series of fierce -- and remarkably personal -- clashes that touched on all of the big issues, and their respective weak points: the Iraq war, healthcare, the economy, and even Clinton's service on the Walmart board and Obama's ties to an indicted real-estate mogul.
The debate was stark evidence of the tight nature of the campaign; the three remaining major candidates have three very different paths to the same nomination, all of which run through South Carolina, in their own way.
Obama made clear from the outset that he's not going to let the Clinton name -- or former President Bill Clinton himself -- intimidate him. He tied his pushback to the message he's long espoused, of a new type of politics he hopes to usher in as the Democratic nominee.
"I think that part of what people are looking right now is someone who is going to solve problems and not resort to the same typical politics that we've seen in Washington," Obama said.
Clinton didn't back down, not just defending her husband's attacks but adding her own. She unloaded a crate's worth of opposition research, citing chapter and verse of multiple storylines her campaign has been trying to tell behind the scenes, until now.
"Senator Obama, it's hard to have a straight-up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote," Clinton said. "It's just very difficult to get a straight answer."
Obama was literally the man in the middle -- at center stage and the focus of the campaign at a forum held on MLK Day. And he took shots not only from Clinton but from former senator John Edwards, who made clear he is still very intent on contending for the presidency.
Edwards again brought passion and a clear message, and he seemed to rise above sparring that seemed petty at times. But -- in a major break from previous debates -- he was ready to back up Clinton's arguments, realizing that he needs to cut into Obama's support in his native South Carolina.
"What we need is a president of the United States who actually believes to their core in equality, who's willing to fight for that equality, who's willing to do things that may not be politically popular," Edwards said in summing up his argument.
Mostly, the debate showed a new campaign dynamic defined by aggression. The candidates are long past the time where they can join forces in blasting Republicans, and need to draw contrasts that resonate with voters -- and take their opponents down a peg or two.
Now that all the issues are in the open -- at last -- there's no putting them back in any bags. As the campaign moves to the South Carolina primary on Saturday -- and the de facto nation-wide primary on Feb. 5 -- the race seems destined to turn on key differences in how the candidates would approach the job they all want.
And now, the race is very much personal.
January 21, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (216)
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Obama is a hood. Don't nominate him, people!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Scott | Jan 21, 2008 11:08:21 PM
About time. I have been so sick and tired with Obama taking the igh road in the face of all the attacks coming from the Clintons. Tonight he showd that he coud give as much back in return. Way to go.
As to who won the debate, Edwards clearly had the day. Hands down. He stayed focussed and was very successful in getting his points across. Kudos to him.
Posted by: Supo | Jan 21, 2008 11:08:49 PM
About time. I have been so sick and tired with Obama taking the igh road in the face of all the attacks coming from the Clintons. Tonight he showd that he coud give as much back in return. Way to go.
As to who won the debate, Edwards clearly had the day. Hands down. He stayed focussed and was very successful in getting his points across. Kudos to him.
Posted by: Supo | Jan 21, 2008 11:08:58 PM
I think the babble they called a debate should actually make Democrat embarrassed they are Democrats. Vote Ron Paul for Honesty, Integrity and a Working Brain.
Posted by: H. Clinton | Jan 21, 2008 11:09:18 PM
Vee--I felt the same about Obama. He wasn't equiped to deal with the hard questions. It was clear that he was packed with pre-canned, spin info that was to be cracked open and used in any required offensive stand against Clinton, but he clumsily mis-fired and brought up Reagan without being forced to. Ooh, what a strategic blunder that was! It was clear that in the heat of the intellectual battle that he was surprisingly impotent. It was also evident that he is miserably uncomfortable when confronted with adversity of comments related directly to his voting record as well as his Rezko affiliation, which is much deeper than he would like the public to know about. He hummed and hawed and all that and never made it seem credible. He does not look presidential when he has to respond without prepping first. Edwards was sharp and has that defense lawyer persona that impresses under fire, but Hillary, is like iron. She is mesmerizing in the heat of the battle and like she told Obama and the crowd, they are "just getting started".
Posted by: swoosie10 | Jan 21, 2008 11:10:39 PM
I do like these democratic debates.They are very articulate,intelligent,and heavy on issues, at least two of them. Quite inspirational. Go democrats. Throw GWB out and clean out his toxic waste. Hillary 08, though Edwards looks good.The trail lawyers bother me, but, all of them are corrupt in the end.Edwards is no worse than the other two in this regard.
Posted by: VPNNathan | Jan 21, 2008 11:11:58 PM
Dang OBAMA! You lost my vote tonight... When you commented that Hillary was on the Board at Walmart, you stated like it was a bad thing!! No no no, this sister is voting Edwards or Hillary. There is nothing wrong with a girl having a successful career!
Posted by: Latisha Johnson | Jan 21, 2008 11:11:58 PM
Well I see the Hillary supporters are out in full force. I'm an Obama supporter but it's pretty clear to me Edwards came out this debate looking the best. He was able to stay out of the fray and focus on his issues. It's interesting because when they focus on policy we see that they agree on almost everything. The one thing that Obama was able to show is that he is willing to seek the support of not only democrats but independents and even disallusioned republicans. He knows the majority of Americans do not swear allegiance to a party but to America.
Posted by: Ken M. | Jan 21, 2008 11:12:34 PM
Obama is too green to be President. He did not vote to cap credit card interest at 30% because he was not happy with the percent. So he vote NO! and I love John Edwards answer well than you have no cap, meaning you are going to let them go higher. hello
Posted by: Victoria | Jan 21, 2008 11:13:50 PM
Hillary definitely won this debate. Obama was dumbfounded and couldn't give straight answers. He should explain more about his dealings with the convicted Tony Rezco and not dodge the question. His voting record in the Illinois legislature is clearly a sign that he doesn't hav a decisive stand on issues. And voting on the side of Credit Card companies not to give a cap on rate increases is totally outrageous. To say that he voted for it because 30% was too high was a bogus answer. What an alibi and this is deceitful.
Posted by: swissdiver | Jan 21, 2008 11:15:03 PM
Vote for Billary? If I don't, is she going to cry again? She is the LAST person I would vote for. And if she is the nominee, I simply won't vote for a president.
Posted by: John | Jan 21, 2008 11:16:15 PM
Edwards won the debate. Obama was a blubbering fool.
It is a joke for him to even attempt to defend his present voting. No defense. I would be particularly interested in knowing what 130+ were for as tonight he claimed none of them were important votes. I'd bet that isn't the case.
Hillary was specific and has again painted a unifying tone to bring democrats together as the leader of the party. This is clear. Clinton-Edwards '08!
Posted by: Chris | Jan 21, 2008 11:16:49 PM
Obama finally fought back against a negative Clinton campaign!
He is absolutely right about questioning who he is running against, Hillary or Bill.
I am a Republican who believes that Obama can bring about real "change."
Posted by: drdeep | Jan 21, 2008 11:17:01 PM
OBAMA- you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You have not even finished your FIRST TERM as a senator yet! Please prove to us your leadership skills first. in order to do that you must at least accomplished your term as a senator. There is NOt time for training on the job!
Posted by: kevin | Jan 21, 2008 11:19:53 PM
"Vote for Ron Paul"???
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Yeah just what we need...another Republican from Texas.
After LBJ and Dubya – the two worst presidents in my life time, I don't want to see anymore texas Presidents.
Posted by: Bill in Mission KS | Jan 21, 2008 11:20:13 PM
I cant take this any more. Obama starts
slinging trash and some of you fault Hilary.Give me a break!
Posted by: desiree | Jan 21, 2008 11:20:30 PM
Democrats need a candidate that has the ability to appeal to independents and republicans!
Otherwise it's more of the same divisive politics and a guaranteed 50-50 election that the Republicans might win.
Only Obama has the ability to appeal to people from all parts of the political spectrum.
We've had a Bush or Clinton in the White House since 1980 -- isn't it time for a change?
Posted by: Oscar | Jan 21, 2008 11:20:57 PM
Also, why would I vote for someone who couldn't tell the truth about her part in her husband's scandals in the 90's? Anyone who can't tell the truth (like Bill and like Hillary) are not fit for public office. Plus, her "buddy-buddy" relationship with the Bush clan makes me think she will continue to sell this country do the river. She is a war-mongering has been who doesn't have the courage to ask her daughter to go and fight a war that she authorized. She and her husband have no respect.
Posted by: John | Jan 21, 2008 11:21:23 PM
Hill is a fraud. She will say or do anything to get elected. Sen Obama is the only one that will actually work towards true change. I voted for Hill's hubby in 92 and 96 but now he is running again and I say to hell with him. Back Obama. I cant wait to super Tuesday when Obama seals the deal. Sign, Sealed and Delivered. If you back Hill you really back the Status Quote. period. Cry about that.
Posted by: USEURHEAD | Jan 21, 2008 11:21:48 PM
The Federal Documents of the investigation have proven that Obama did not know, by the way it was done. Strange that no one has mentioned Hillary's contributor during her campaigning for Senator. The so called Donator was not a citizen, but a global criminal. Are you Republicans trying to put Hillary up front just so you can beat her with her record?
Posted by: Angel | Jan 21, 2008 11:22:49 PM
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