These alleged debates are just infomercials. HRC needs them more than Obama does and if I were him, I wouldn't take the bait. He has little to gain and a misstep is what his opposition is praying for. No way HRC can take the delegate count outright. She's running out of time and contests. And as a political independent with no axe to grind, I am left to conclude that the Clinton/Nixon playbook still lives: "If you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em." If simplistic and unsophisticated voters are actually that gullible as to fall for this crap, they deserve what they get. I don't know who I'll vote for in the general election just yet, but I'd rather write-in a candidate I can trust than allow myself to be manipulated by the likes of the Clintonistas. Look alive America--it's coming your way and blind sheep cannot be led, only herded, if that's what you want, so be it. But forgive me for wearing shock-proof shorts so as to resist the political cattle prodding. Whatever you do, please think for yourself and do not let others manipulate you. America needs independent thinkers more than ever. Enjoy your freedom of thought and expression while you still have it. We still live in a great republic, if we can keep it.

Wow, this is great. Let me predict the process. 1. The host will ask Obama softball questions and Hillary harder questions, 2. Hillary will whine, waffle and say bad things about Bush, 3. Obama will say "hope" numerous times but will not say anything to give a hint of his real positions on issues, 4. the MSM will declare Obama the winner and 5. more dummys will vote for Obama because the MSN says they should. I don't think I will tune in.

More material for Saturday Night Live, Hillary's primary consultants.

Let's see the ltest survey shows most people dont read the blogs and the ones that do are a very low percentage. Gee Todd you give us so much credit and power. LOL

I have never made any personal attacks on any of the candidates. Posting facts and drawing contrasts are not attacks. If you care to debate the issues based on facts with supporting evidence I am happy to indulge. As far as dividing the dem party, I was one of the first posters to advocate a joint ticket for that very reason if Obama vets ok which I am still not convinced of. I have also stated clearly that without a unity ticket of some sort and some common ground for the voters to unite on, that McCain will win in Nov. Interesting item today was the polls showing Clinton still has the majority of voter confidence on the issues while perception is on Obama's side but he is fast losing ground. The race is tighter than ever as it should be. Voters deserve to see the contrasts between the candidates in an unbiased forum. The debates are the closest we can get to that even though the moderators are sometimes biased in how they conduct the debates. I personally would prefer a debate where all candidates answer all the same questions in a specified time limit without campaigning in their answers. This will give voters the best information on which to base their decisions.

The more we see of these two the less excited we are about either. Bring them on!

Todd, sorry but could you clarify your post. You said that some democrats will sit out the vote, am I understanding you correctly? Thanks

I agree. . . the debates are the only helpful thing that cuts through all the spin. As widely as they've been watched, they should do one a week and then the media takes a vow of silence so we don't have to listen to all the talking points the Clintons try and throw out to distract potential voters.

Better yet, why don't the superdelegates who are supposed to exercise judgment step in and put Hillary out of the race? She's destroying the party and resorting to the lowest common denominator.

All it would take is John Edwards or Al Gore or Nancy Pelosi or Bill Richardson or one of them to say "enough is enough. . . I'm going with Obama. Hillary has absolutely no chance of winning the pledged delegates, so lets unite the party now instead of waiting until she's bludgeoned him to death with her nasty and divisive campaign staff/surrogates."

Oh, I got it: Hilary's gonna keep after Obama until she drive him absolutely nuts.

By the way, the other thing that a good debate will provide is they'll actually get to ask her point blank on all of the crap her campaign is throwing out and she'll have to give an answer. Like how Obama isn't ready to be Commander in Chief, but could be her VP nominee.

If they keep up the negative campaigning at this rate there's a whole lot she's going to have to give account for.

Todd, I find that hard to believe. Why do you say that?

JW it seems rather unAmerican to want to disenfranchise the voters who have not yet had a chance to participate. The DNC designed this mess so let the voters have their say and stop trying to fix the election. LOL

If we were in the Caribbean, Hillary who has so poorly managed her campaign and cannot make public her tax information will not have the confidence to run a Rhumshop in Castries, St Lucia.

Oh God! No!!!! I am a political junkie and I am SICK of these two. Please wake me up on June 7th when Hillary is done.

What Debate? Who wants to listen to two people discuss health care for 17mins. It's more or less like listening to Bush's speech, all talk, no substance and a lot of cheers from supporters.

The last real debate I saw was a college debate that followed the rules. But at least the debates reduce the media's spin and that is why I like to watch debates. I hate to see any candidate campaign while debating and I admit Clinton has done some but Obama does it with every answer just about from what I see. Remember, I read the closed captions and the transcripts and look at body language. This is why I see so much more substance in Clinton's answers. She doesnt need to rely on charisma and catch phrases to get my attention... her command of the issues and track record is much more substantial in debate performance IMHO.

I hope the NEW debate will focus on issues that hit home. Please no more controversial topic. No more "Reject and denounce" stuff. No more about the dream ticket...been there, done that. There are some IMPORTANT issues to cover.

For those who dont like debates... you dont have to tune in LOL. But I encourage all voters to do so because we want to be informed voters as a country and not just press the button for a candidate based on looks or charisma. When you are hiring someone for the highest office in the land, the most qualified candidate should be selected... not the one who is the smoothest talker or that you want to dance with.

If we are really talking Obama versus Clinton, let's employ honesty to put that skewed sideshow in perspective.

Obama's supposed lead in convention delegates and polular vote is nothing more than the smoke and mirrors created by the failure of caucuses to represent the will of a majority of Democratic voters who will be part of the Presidential selection process in November.

A huge majority of Obama's support comes from electorally small, traditionally Republican(or red), states that have not historically supported Democrats in past electoral college results. No factual information exists to suggest that history will do anything less than repeat itself regarding this behavior.

Senator Clinton's support comes primarily from primaries (that's right, primaries!) held in traditionally Democratic states that will provide electoral support in November. As basic knowledge of political history confirms, electoral votes put Presidents in the White House. Popular vote and caucus delegates do not. Since World War II, Republicans have capitalized on the proper use of that knowledge. Democrats have not.

So, if Democrats want to lose in November, they will, once again, nominate a left-wing, liberal candidate who could not win the electoral college vote if his life depended on it.

How 'Bout Them Democrats!

Due respect to Senator Obama - he's a first rate candidate.

However, he does not do well in debates against Senator Clinton. She is very impressive in these formats.

Democrats are lucky - we have two superstars, I happen to prefer Hillay.

Sure, I never get tired of it. Hope it doesn't run on too late. I know that McCain would like to join in but probably won't be able too if its past his bedtime.

I know, he's only as old as the women he feels!