Live Debate Blogging by Rick Klein

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Live Debate Blogging by Rick Klein

February 21, 2008 8:00 PM

9:47 pm ET: They end with a handshake, but it may as well have been a hug. (And how did Chelsea get on stage so fast?)

If all you're doing as a voter is making a judgment based on this debate, it's easy to come away supporting Clinton. But that's not how the election works -- the fact is Sen. Clinton was looking for ways to recast the debate tonight, and we didn't get that. A few new lines on a few old arguments do not result in any changed dynamics, not by my judgment. If you're an Obama fan, you're generally pleased with the night.

That's it for tonight -- check back tomorrow, as always, for a full analysis and look ahead in The Note.

9:41 pm ET: ABC's Sunlen Miller: Obama does not mention his drug use as a teenager in the last question…but scratches the surface "rocky periods during my youth – made mistake and was off course."

Good sentiment to close with for Clinton: "Well I think everyone here knows I've lived through some crises."

9:36 pm ET: Sort of a passive response from Clinton on superdelegates: "These are the rules that are followed, and this will sort itself out." Bottom line is Obama has a stronger argument -- and surely one that's more appealing to voters.

9:32 pm ET: The pork question -- good general-election preview. Either Democrat is going to be on the defensive on this against Sen. McCain.

And Obama glossed over his record -- he released his earmarks for 2007, but not the other two years he's been in the Senate.

9:28 pm ET: ABC's Sunlen Miller: "Obama first to mention McCain - and make the electiability argument."

9:21 pm: As they retreat to their corners -- does anyone feel like Sen. Clinton did Sen. Obama significant damage tonight -- enough, say, to slow his rise? I'm not sure I see that anywhere tonight.

9:14 pm ET: Is Obama slamming the Massachusetts healthcare plan? The one Ted Kennedy so heartily embraced?

9:12 pm ET: That's two John Edwards mentions from Clinton...

9:11 pm ET: The Clinton campaign passes this around:

Tonight, Sen. Obama said: “In Youngstown, Ohio, I talked to workers who have seen their plants shipped overseas due to consequences of poor deals it's like NAFTA that have literally seen equipment unbolted from the floors of factories and shipped to China.” [CNN Univision Debate, 2/21/08]

John Kerry in 2004: “What does it mean in America today when Dave McCune, a steel worker I met in Canton, Ohio, saw his job sent overseas and the equipment in his factory literally unbolted, crated up, and shipped thousands of miles away along with that job?” [Kerry Remarks, Democratic Convention, 7/29/04 <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5552784/> ]

9:06 pm ET: At the break here -- finally some engagement. But we haven't heard a single new argument, from either candidate, all night. The Xerox line was about the only memborable new line from either candidate. But it's still not going to be a game-changer of an issue, the shock that Obama would borrow some phrases from one of his national campaign co-chairmen.

9:05 pm ET: And -- with few big endorsements left out there -- ABC's Sunlen Miller picks up on the fact that Clinton is the first to mention John Edwards.

9 pm ET: "Change you can Xerox," -- Clinton says. WOW. Now we're into the meat... I'm still not convinced that this is an issue that will vault Clinton back into this game, but it's an opening, and she's going for it. These last 10 minutes have had just about all of the zingers of the night.

8:58 pm ET: Big laughter and applause for Obama as he parries the plagiarism charge. "This is when we start getting into the silly season in politics," Obama says -- a good counter.

8:55 pm ET: Obama's counter: "People understand that it is not just a matter of putting forward policy positions." (Love Clinton's smile when Obama said she's suggesting his supporters are "delusional.")

8:52 pm ET: Clinton: "Our next president needs to be a lot less hat, and a lot more cattle." But she makes clear she's talking about President Bush, not Obama. This is her contrast: "I do offer solutions -- that's what I believe in, and what I've done." Then comes the dig: that MSNBC clip where an Obama surrogate couldn't name an Obama accomplishment. "Words are important, and words matter, but actions speak louder than words." So far - quote of the night.

ABC's Eloise Harper points out that it should be Clinton thanking John King for the opening.

8:51 pm ET: THANK YOU, John King, for calling them out on what they say on the stump vs. what they have the nerve to say on debate stages.

8:46 pm ET: Man, this is docile, low-key stuff for a debate with stakes this high...

8:44 pm ET: Clinton calls for English to be "our common, unifying language." Carefully chosen words for her Latino supporters. And ABC's Eloise Harper asks -- what is keeping Clinton from taking her own advice in learning another language?

8:41 pm ET: Forty minutes in -- a whole lot of agreeing going on tonight. Clearly, at this point, the Clinton gameplan of conpetence and confidence has not changed. Perhaps she's waiting for the right question to unfurl the right answer. But so far, both candidates are running against the Bush administration.

8:37 pm ET: "There is a smart way to protect our borders, and there is a dumb way to protect our borders," Clinton says. A decent Texas-themed line punctuating a debate that's not breaking much new ground.

8:34 pm ET: Sunlen Miller: "Obama wont admit that he agrees with what Clinton says on immigration. . . he says instead he'll add to it."

And Ray -- yes, the Univision moderator does have an Anderson Cooper quality to him.

8:31 pm ET: ABC's Sunlen Miller notices Clinton using the word "hoodwink" -- something Obama says all the time... Politicians don't borrow words from each other, do they?

8:28 pm ET: Clinton me-toos Obama on the economy, but also brings urgency and immediacy into her answer -- these moratoriums and interest-rate freezes. And she's bringing that Obama quality -- hope.

8:25 pm ET: Asked about differences on the economy, Obama covers the entire map without naming any differences. It's all about how they're going to get it done, he says. There was a time that Sen. Clinton would have given an answer like that.

8:22 pm ET: As the exchange over meeting with foreign leaders ended, ABC's Eloise Harper notices: "Big smile from Clinton after that zing. She looked very pleased."

8:16 pm ET: First distinction of the night was the first big distinction of the campaign -- meeting with the president of Cuba. But I'm not sure I understand how Obama can say he's not for preconditions before meeting with Raul Castro but is for preparation that includes preconditions like releasing political prisoners.

8:14 pm ET: I'm struck initially by Clinton's measured tone. No sense of panic in her voice. She sounds calm, in charge, deliberate.

8:12 pm ET: You can hear the cold in Obama's voice. And his opening statement has a quick reference to his opposition to the war. And this: "What's lacking right now is not good ideas." Also -- this applause is annoying. I know it's hard to contain these Texans' enthusiasm, but it feels more rally-ish and less debate-ish with the audience participation.

8:08 pm ET: "I offer a lifetime of experience and proven results," Clinton says. In for a dime...

8:06 pm ET: Now it's nearly 36 years of Clinton experience -- and about one full year of that message. And she lays claim to Texas roots approximately immediately -- with a Barbara Jordan reference, and an Ann Richards one to boot. That's some tasty BBQ for veteran Texas Democrats, who are enjoying the love tonight.

7:58 pm ET: And in case you need a reminder of the stakes -- the new ABC/Washington Post poll shows just how close this race is in Ohio and Texas. This is troubling news for Sen. Clinton -- her must-wins. But she still has an edge...

7:52 pm ET: Also -- this debate will get lots of coverage, sure. But who on that stage do you think is happy that all of the political oxygen today was consumed by a (maybe) sex scandal on the Republican side?

7:45 pm ET: So, 15 minutes away -- expectations? I should quit that part of the gig since I've been off so wildly before virtually all of these debates. BUT -- pressure is always on the candidate with the most at stake, and that, of course, is Hillary Clinton. I don't, though, think she'll come out on the all-out attack -- my guess would be tries to bait Barack Obama into a spat. Then she can sit back and see how he handles it.

If that doesn't work -- well, anything goes.

Hi everyone, Rick Klein from ABC's The Note. I'll be live-blogging during tonight's Democratic debate in Austin, Texas -- watch on CNN, and follow along with running commentary here, starting at 8 pm ET.

February 21, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (261)

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Where is obama going to get the money to do all the things he says he is going to do and what is he going to do about Social Security, is he going to see that it will be there for all of us. Does he believe all illegal immigrants should learn english,

Posted by: joy Galbraith | Feb 21, 2008 4:45:57 PM

If Hillary goes on the attack I think it will backfire. She will only look more desperate.

Posted by: Rob Grookett | Feb 21, 2008 4:52:02 PM

I hope that Hillary will not be agressive, it will only show how desperate she is to get to the White House. She must accept the will of the American people.

Posted by: Denis van Dam | Feb 21, 2008 4:56:50 PM

Do you need inspiration from next president after election?
-- Yes, so I will study harder to get good grades.
-- Yes, so I will work harder to get a raise.
-- No.
-- Not sore.
-- What for?

Posted by: Mike | Feb 21, 2008 5:01:12 PM

The rookie car salesman has been copying somebody's speech. No wonder, he can not give a specific and substance.

Posted by: greg limes | Feb 21, 2008 5:04:28 PM

Please let Hillary explain to America how she was able to bankrupt her own campaign... and what position she therefore is in to tell us she's offering the best solutions for our country's economy.

Posted by: PenMark | Feb 21, 2008 5:13:08 PM

Obama uses words because he lacks action...I hope Houston realizes he plans on delaying NASA funding for a few years to pay for Science education..that is action but what
about the jobs...he refuses to vote Yea or Nay on issues that make a difference Sexual establishments within X distance from Schools...whether Youth should be trial as an adult...among others he was politicking back then did not want to alienate people..but he is the candidate of choice for some people...he back the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 while most democratics did not but he is not for corporations ..limits lawsuits against corporations...Obama says one thing but his action speak a different tune...if you look at history he has always support big corp. just talks the big talk but does not follow his own advise...back peddling about the Federal funding that he agreed to ..Mccain is calling him on that issue...People smeel the BS that OB is giving you...

Posted by: dellee | Feb 21, 2008 5:17:23 PM

I hope she comes out swinging! He has had a free ride in the press the whole time and she is the only one who is man enough to call him on it. Enough of these rah rah rallies - this is serious business.

Posted by: jackie | Feb 21, 2008 5:26:44 PM

I'm actually surprised that Obama the Great Uniter's services aren't needed in other parts of the world tonight. Maybe he could hold a "rally" to solve their issues. No, you say. If you don't think it would work for them why do you think it will work for us?

Posted by: jim | Feb 21, 2008 5:30:29 PM

February 18, 2008 will always be a significant day to me. It is the first day of Michelle's entire adult life that she has been proud. I wonder if we should make it a holiday and send out cards.

Posted by: ruth | Feb 21, 2008 5:36:32 PM

Both candidates are campaigning on only words at this point. To say that Hillary has more experience is a joke. Being a first lady does not count.

Posted by: Rob Grookett | Feb 21, 2008 5:38:54 PM

JustMe, you're quoting the wrong person. I suggested Hillary would be asked to focus on her economic insights since she has not been able to financially manage her own campaign.

How did that campaign go bankrupt and why can't she manage even her own political affairs?

Posted by: PenMark | Feb 21, 2008 5:39:56 PM

pec, I think a lot of the Obama supporters watched that and said "Man, that was really a tough question. That Chris M. really threw a curve ball at him. I wonder why he would have asked that?". I'm really surprised that he didn't give the standard answer that the cult members use - look at his website.

Posted by: jim | Feb 21, 2008 5:46:31 PM

For those of you stuck on the experience issue ... read this!

The president who came to office with the most glittering array of experiences had served 10 years in the House of Representatives, then became minister to Russia, then served 10 years in the Senate, then four years as secretary of state (during a war that enlarged the nation by 33 percent), then was minister to Britain. Then, in 1856, James Buchanan was elected president and in just one term secured a strong claim to the rank as America's worst president. Abraham Lincoln, the inexperienced former one-term congressman, had an easy act to follow.

Obama should have no problem following George Bush.

Posted by: parrismr | Feb 21, 2008 5:50:25 PM

By the way, the above information comes from George Will, in case anybody was thinking about lighting me up for plagiarism.

Posted by: parrismr | Feb 21, 2008 5:52:06 PM

There's no doubt it'll be interesting. Ratings should rise just on the curiosity factor!!!

I drank the Kool-Aid, too!!! Yes, WE CAN!!! !

Posted by: Jackt51 | Feb 21, 2008 5:59:07 PM

What station is it on? I hope that mean Chris Matthews doesn't pick on Obama and ask him some of his accomplishments.

Posted by: jeff | Feb 21, 2008 6:07:29 PM

Obama gonna pull out troops from Iraq immediately. Boy are you folks gonna make us rich up here in Alberta, Canada. As we are your largest oil and gas suppliers. Can't wait. Obama's gonna cut and run leaving one heck of a mess for the Arab state and they are NOT gonna be happy campers for years and years to come. Your next largest supplier is Chevez and he's already sided with Iran. Trust me on this one as this is what I do for a living, oil.

Posted by: Will | Feb 21, 2008 6:17:57 PM

Move massive people is always disaster for a nation.

in late 1960 China, chiarman Mao use his speech move millions young "red guard" for change. it destoryed china's 5000 year history, it destoryed the whole economy, it killed more than 10 million people. No one understand why all the people gone crazy. But Mao acted as messiah!

History always repeat. this time, looks like American is still undeveloped land, where is "hopeless" "washington is evil" " I am new, so I clean" "I an new, so I am change"

the compain start as messiah, not start as how to manage the country. Start by againest country, call for change, every fault is "bush's fault" all fault is "washington's fault", only Obama will save American.

He claim as uniter and change at same time, How? How you unit all the "old forks" and "change" them at same time?

It is no one's fault for war or economy, don't blame. let us face and correct them. at same time, no matter what happened, every American should be proud of be american.

If Luck is still on American's side, we can avoid this "obama", othrewise, time is running out. Looks like American will have " red culture revolution"

No matter what we should avoid this kind "obama" hype at any cost.

Posted by: larratta | Feb 21, 2008 6:21:08 PM

if obama was such the united , why then are we still split? If he was soo good, why do people in his own district want him removed? only thing he is going to unite is the taxpayer's dollars and his wallet!

Posted by: Obamaslaba | Feb 21, 2008 6:25:06 PM

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