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Radical Ties an Issue as Dems Debate

April 17, 2008 10:37 AM

The Democratic candidates' ties to violent domestic radicals came up in last night's presidential debate, as ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman reported, highlighting a Clinton pardon I had omitted while first reporting on this story in February.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., hit Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for having served on the board of a Chicago nonprofit with Bill Ayers, a former member of the 1960s-era left-wing radical group the Weather Underground. "What they did was set bombs, and in some cases people died. I know Sen Obama is a good man and I respect him greatly but this is certainly something the Republicans will be raising."

Obama hit back, pointing out -- as I did in February -- that Clinton had her own ties to the group.

"President Clinton pardoned two members of the Weather Underground," Obama said, "which is a bigger deal than serving on a board with someone."

As I reported in February when the Clinton camp first raised the issue, in 2001 then-president Bill Clinton pardoned Susan Rosenberg, a Weather Underground member arrested in 1984 while unloading 740 pounds of dynamite from the back of her car.

But Clinton indeed pardoned a second -- Linda Evans, who had been convicted of several charges stemming from a series of bombings in the 1980s.

April 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (116)

User Comments

So, Hillary supporters. You'll loose and your party will be taken over by leftists. Who will you vote for then?
McCain, Nader or Obama? Be honest now.


Posted by: S | Apr 17, 2008 10:46:42 AM

why would stepanopolis ask a righ wing talking point question given by sean hannity of fox news

Posted by: emer akins | Apr 17, 2008 10:47:51 AM

This wasn't an issue until George pushed it for FOX News. Peter Mansbridge must have turned over in his grave.

ABC News should be ashamed, why not just put the sign "Fox News Subsidiary".

Shameful!

Posted by: Susan, Cary, NC | Apr 17, 2008 10:48:53 AM

One of the most biased forums I have ever witnessed. Fox news could have done better. Shame on ABC for airing this facade and calling it 'debate!'

Posted by: Joe E | Apr 17, 2008 10:54:22 AM

You have got to be kidding me.

Posted by: js | Apr 17, 2008 11:01:16 AM

More nonsense taken from the worst 'debate' I've ever seen. The moderators should be ashamed of themselves. I would remind ABC that we are in the middle of a catastrophic invasion and economy. And this is the best they can do? Gossip Girls?

And now you treat it as if it's 'news'?

For shame.

Posted by: Stephen | Apr 17, 2008 11:04:12 AM

Have you people even read a newspaper lately? This is the kind of bull****, trivial politics you want in this country?

How about the disaster of a war going on? How about the economy tanking? How about torture sanctioned by the white house?

THIS is all you care about?

You know what, forget it. Go back to watching american idol with drool running down the side of your face. I'll take my country back, thanks.

Posted by: Daniel Hayes | Apr 17, 2008 11:04:41 AM

You call this news? Geez Louise, you are out of touch. The Weather Underground????? I mean, I'm 52 years old, and the Weather Underground was before my time. What the HECK are you doing? There is a president who thinks torture is cool. A century-old investment bank collapsed literally overnight. Four airlines disappeared last week. And you think we need to worry about the Weather Underground? Are you crazy?

You must have an assistant who fills your gas tank for you, and you haven't noticed the signs at gas stations, you know, $3.50 a gallon? At least that would partly excuse you for wasting valuable air time and internet space dwelling on the Weather Underground.

Next up! Breaking news about Sacco-Vanzetti! Tune in!

Posted by: Aral | Apr 17, 2008 11:12:39 AM

Hillary has a mind and a mouth of her own. Anything Bill Clinton did as president was his decision. If nothing else, we have learned these two each think and speak for themselves and are not afraid to disagree with one another even publicly.

If she is elected President, I doubt they will even remain married.

Posted by: Jill Mitchell | Apr 17, 2008 11:14:51 AM

Both of these losers are associated with leftwing radicals who sought to destroy this country. Just mention FALN, the Black Panthers, and the Weather Underground. HRC has enough baggage that she should be ashamed of herself based on her idolyzing Saul Alinsky.

Posted by: Frustrated Voter | Apr 17, 2008 11:15:01 AM

I am just sick an tired of the way mainstream media attempts to pose as OBJECTIVE and instead play on the TEAR DOWN mantra of dis-unity and hate to forward someones' agenda... never for the up-liftment of people or the common good... we must stand up to this and show that the NEW generation are not stupid or ignorant of the deep ingrained bias that is purported as NEWS...

PS- I am ###### off with ABC and the SHAM of a debate they had... they asked Hillary ONE question on Bosnia then went on to hammer Obama on everything for 53 minutes... I can't afford GASOLINE to drive to work and these so called journalists are pressing Obama on Ayers and Flag Pins and Rev Wright like if these issues have not been pounded over and over and over... They attempted to FOOL people into believeing that Hillary did not have the heads up... I am willing to bet that this whole thing was set-up for Hillary... she knew what was coming, they had to put in the sniper story to hide the CHESS MOVE except that they checkmated themselves... because all it showed no matter who you support, is just how BIASED the media can be... I am indeed BITTER and saddened by the lack of respect ABC has shown everyone... they have taken the entire presidential process down into the gutter and we as a people MUST not be satisfied with this... LOOK at what is going on around us domestically and in the world!!! Are they really serious... you tell me?

Posted by: John | Apr 17, 2008 11:15:10 AM

shame on you, ABC, shame on you

Posted by: Mark Bergseid | Apr 17, 2008 11:15:30 AM

Why was Hillary not asked the questions about her court case in Calif. and her dealing with a convict, her religious cult, her comments in Alabama when her husband was running for president and she said screw the little man. The attach on Obama was outrageous.
I know you read the Huffington Post and you already knew the above things. However, you choose to do a hatchet job on Obama and let Hillary off the hook.

Posted by: Alice Martin | Apr 17, 2008 11:17:01 AM

This is true she has more dirty laundry then he does.If she get the nod they will tear her to shreads.No stone unturned.If they go deep enought they will ruin the Clinton's both of them....

Posted by: honest | Apr 17, 2008 11:17:41 AM

Are you kidding. The connection is so twisted and small to be ridiculous. Shame on you.

Posted by: tyler | Apr 17, 2008 11:17:51 AM

It does't make sense,even when you knew
he (OBAMA)is lying the AMERICA people
loves him.

Posted by: vinnie | Apr 17, 2008 11:18:33 AM

Guess it was to close to the truth that is why it was not posted....

Posted by: honest | Apr 17, 2008 11:18:43 AM

I am sick and tired of this inquisition on Barack Obama. The Clintons have been associated with Peter F. Paul and many other crooks. Bill Clinton sat on a board with Farrakhan to organize the Million March in DC.
For God's sake, there are REAL issues to be discussed in this campaign. Give us GOOD journalists, not the Clinton's lackeys (Stephanopoulos and others).

Posted by: Pepou | Apr 17, 2008 11:20:40 AM

What a poor use of American's time. There where no questions to Clinton regarding Mark Penn, NAFATA and The Clinton Library donors Also Mr. Obama was constantly interrupted while Mrs. Clinton was allowed to speak freely. ABC should be ashamed.

Posted by: joel peebles | Apr 17, 2008 11:21:22 AM

There were no such pardons. Obama got it wrong, and so have you by following him.

Their sentences were commuted.

Posted by: commonsensenj | Apr 17, 2008 11:22:29 AM

This report is erroneous. No pardons were ever issued. Obama got it wrong last night, and so have you by following him without basic fact-checking first.

The sentences were commuted; a vast difference.

Posted by: commonsensenj | Apr 17, 2008 11:26:15 AM

45" on Bosnia, weatherman, Wright, and 'bitter'! What a shame. Just because these 'seeds' have been planted in people's minds, doesn't mean that ABC should have nourished them in the debate. I expected better from George and Charlie...and ABC. In the final debate the
ISSUES should have been at the forefront.

Posted by: herb-les | Apr 17, 2008 11:26:33 AM

Former President Bill Clinton is not running for President.

So that has no bearing on Hillary.

I don't know about your guys, but many times I do not see eye to eye with my husband.

That would be like saying Michelle Obama did not want Obama running for president, so he should not be elected, for that reason.

Posted by: seah | Apr 17, 2008 11:32:46 AM

i told my wife that abc already took a story from sean hannity of fix news to use after the debate about ayres. are you kidding me the only question you did not ask was obama a muslim---ABC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!!! GEORGE WAS IN THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE HE SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE DEBATE!! 50 MINUTES OF INTERNET GOSSIP IN A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE--ONLY ONE QUESTION ON FOREIGN POLICY AND A BUNCH OF GOTCHA QUESTIONS--WHEN IS THE MEDIA GOING TO COVER THE ISSUES AND STOP TRYING TO GET RATINGS FOR THE CORPORATION WHO OWNS THEM? TO ASK ABOUT A FLAG PIN? WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK CLINTON WHERE HER PIN WAS--OR WHY DIDN'T YOU BOTH HAVE ONE ON--I MEAN COME ON--WHY DON'T YOU DO A STORY ABOUT HOW OBAMA HAS BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR 20 YEARS? ALSO TO ASK IF REV WRIGHT IS PATRIOT AFTER REV WRIGHT GAVE UP A COLLEGE DEFERMENT AND JOINED THE MARINES AND LATER RECEIVE 3 PRESIDENTIAL ACCOMIDATIONS!! WHY DON'T YOU DO A STORY ABOUT REV WRIGHT AND BE FAIR ABOUT THE GOOD AND BAD? YOU TWO SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES HOPEFULLY THE VOTERS ARE SMARTER THAN YOU TWO ELITISTS!!!!!!

Posted by: william | Apr 17, 2008 11:36:02 AM

I can't tell you how disappointed I was in last nights debate. Since when is ABC News (my news outlet of choice) a mouthpiece for FOX?
I tuned in to hear about the ISSUES this country is facing. I am smart enough to know that neither candidate is always going to be on their game and they will make gaffes. I do not think that bringing up someone from the 1960's and blaming Obama for his actions (when Obama was a kid) was thought provoking. I have never been disappointed in Charlie Gibson or George Stephanopolis until last night.

Posted by: L. Kopriva | Apr 17, 2008 11:37:19 AM

Stupid issue. Stupid question. I paid over $60.00 to fill up my car today. They spent 1 minute on that problem, but over 5 on this non-issue. Do you think people losing their homes care about Obama serving on a board with someone or who Bill pardoned? The banality of some of the questions was amazing.

Posted by: Ginger | Apr 17, 2008 11:39:18 AM

Weather Underground was a COINTELPRO operation to discredit anti-war activists with false-flag acts of violence. So of course some were "pardoned".

Posted by: JEdgar | Apr 17, 2008 11:41:00 AM

The debate: a shameful display, embarrassing really, by the moderators. I wanted to see a substantive debate and the moderators turned it into a superficial, meaningless charade.

Posted by: John W. Willison | Apr 17, 2008 11:51:51 AM

ABC is simply trying to clean up their mess from last night. Too late. I'm switching to NBC.

Posted by: Que | Apr 17, 2008 11:53:29 AM

Thumbs way down on the way ABC handled this debate. Your organization continues the perpetuation of finger pointing and avoids the real issues this country needs to hear and talk about. This kind of broadcasting won't be winning you any ratings. Next time you host a debate ABC, I for one, won't be watching.

Posted by: S. Lewis | Apr 17, 2008 11:55:15 AM

MAYBE OBAMA IS CORRECT:

1. Maybe words DON'T matter.
2. Maybe friends DON'T matter.
3. Maybe past actions DON'T matter.
4. Maybe past associations DON'T matter.
5. Maybe experience DOESN'T matter.

I guess that leaves us with the question . . . just what DOES matter according to Obama?
Slick stump speeches? Psychotically-obsessed fans? Cult-like followers?

Posted by: TJ | Apr 17, 2008 11:57:10 AM

Don't the democrats get it - they will get pegged as hippie, tax-and-spend, liberal, tree-hugging radicals no matter what? Even if they aren't this is how the game works. So why play into it - it is silly for them to let Republicans define who is a patriot and who is an American.

The 'Rovian' strategy (I think it is a bit much to give him complete credit for this) is to attack the opponent at what the opponent perceives as their strength. The democrats, I think, get this and plan on doing the same to Senator McCain.

Posted by: MIguy | Apr 17, 2008 11:57:22 AM

Dear ABC,

What a stupid, shallow debate. With the problems afflicting the world today, the best you can come up with are questions regard flag pins and whether somebody's former pastor loves America.

You should all feel a deep sense of shame.

Posted by: Glenn | Apr 17, 2008 12:00:06 PM

Both these women were convicted, and served time. Neither Ayers or Dohrn served time. I have not researched this, but I think I remember that there was talk in Chicago newspapers at the time that Ayers and Dohrn parents had somehow paid off somebody (Chicago politics). Both Ayers and Dohrn are from well-off families.

Posted by: svsolis | Apr 17, 2008 12:00:24 PM

Hillary neither served on a board with people from that radical group (Obama has) nor did she pardon them(President Clinton did). Just where is SHE involved with them? Nowhere. You are reaching to try to make her on par with Obama's ties to them.

Posted by: SM | Apr 17, 2008 12:04:22 PM

ABC NEWS: I'M A HUGE CHARLIE GIBSON FAN BUT THAT DEBATE WAS NOT A DEBATE. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY HOSTILE TOWARDS OBAMA AND MOST OF THE TIME WAS SPENT ON STUPID ISSUES WITH NO DEBATING, JUST ATTACKS ON OBAMA. IT'S THE ABSOLUTE WORST DEBATE OF THE 21! SHAME ON YOU!

Posted by: Judy Mulloy | Apr 17, 2008 12:04:43 PM

Hillary Clinton also has ties to Communists. She worked for Treuhaft, Walker, and Bernstein in Oakland. They represented radicals such as the Black Panthers. Treuhaft was a member of the Communist Party.

Posted by: JB | Apr 17, 2008 12:08:18 PM

Thanks for mentioning Willam C. Ayers - finally! It only took 2 years for ABCNews to wake up!

Thank you.

Posted by: Mohsen | Apr 17, 2008 12:09:29 PM

George S. used to work for Clintons!!!!

Posted by: Matt | Apr 17, 2008 12:11:06 PM

We need a new loyalty oath question: "Do you now know, or have you ever known a member of the Weather Underground?"

Posted by: Chuck | Apr 17, 2008 12:11:32 PM

The debate was a travesty. No questions on NAFTA or CAFTA? No real questions on the economy except for the tax question? This was a hit job on Obama which is understandable but how does it convince voters which candidate has the best platform? ABC should be ashamed of itself. No surprise they are the being panned by everybody for their utter lack of proffesional behavior.

Posted by: Dann | Apr 17, 2008 12:11:40 PM

Oh how the obama followers melt down when their Golden Boy Messiah true self is exposed. He lost the debate because he is ineffective as a leader. His only decision capabilities are to further divide the Democratic party and this nation. What you saw last night is what you will get.
Now go out and vote for this weakling who will sell out American to the highest bidder - most likely Iran when the chips are really down. He couldn't even stand up to Israel and as arrogant and condescending as he is, he expects everyone to believe everything he says even if he never says it.
What a pitiful excuse for a presidential candidate. Never, never, never - If anyone should drop out, it must be obama because with him come the Anti-American cabinet he will build.

Posted by: Lou | Apr 17, 2008 12:13:35 PM

my my my, so you left wingers don't like to answer tough questionshuh? how typical of liberals.

Posted by: Malcom | Apr 17, 2008 12:14:36 PM

This is something I just found:

Much of what Ayers self-interestedly leaves out of his book is more personally embarrassing than illegal. Ayers takes care not to dwell on his own Establishment credentials. (His father was chairman of the energy company Commonwealth Edison, a fact Ayers conveys only by writing, "My dad worked for Edison.")

Posted by: svsolis | Apr 17, 2008 12:15:14 PM

Hillary never pardoned them. Bill and Hillary are different persons. Hillary is the one running presidential campaign.

You Obama don't try to make excuse. If someone else makes mistake, so you can make mistake too? Is that your logic? You are not a leader.

I vote for Hillary what so ever!!

Posted by: golfgirlusa | Apr 17, 2008 12:20:05 PM

TO say ABC,is a dissiapointment would be a undrestatment " News " not hardly!!

Posted by: Joe | Apr 17, 2008 12:20:29 PM

Thanks ABC, I think you are the first of the broadcast media to treat Obama as if he was a candidate for President instead of giving him a free ride.

Wish you could have had time to make him actually answer the questions though, he skillfully avoided them all.

...but if you look at all the things he avoided...it's rather apparent that he is far left of the far left...which causes a problem this late in the race.

If Hillary doesn't figure a way to pull this off this late, we will have a radical as the democratic choice against a slightly moderate republican.

If only the press hadn't given him a free ride for so long, perhaps we could have had a good look at both instead of the pep rallies on one side and the serious issues on the other.

Pep rallies are more fun.

Posted by: LarryB | Apr 17, 2008 12:26:23 PM

I used to enjoy George Stephanopolous' commentary and his show This Week. No more. I see Mr. Stephanopolous in a very different light after his performance last night, I am left extremely disappointed. Exactly what was he trying to do? He lost my respect, as did ABC news, which had up to now been an important source of news for me. I hope it was worth pandering to the Fox News crowd ABC, in the process you have lost some of your most faithful viewers.

Posted by: Dem | Apr 17, 2008 12:26:23 PM

In all my years as a Police Officer this is the worst mugging I have ever seen. The moderators clearly could have taken this event to establish policy content from the two candidates. Instead they spent the evening trying to get the two of them involved in a cat fight. People are tired of all the in-fighting and the re-hashing of old news. We care about issues like the economy, the war, crime, etc. Slinging around old mud won't help me deal with the rising cost of fuel, or the rising crime that affects the poor neighborhoods that I once patrolled. Shame on you ABC...

Posted by: Jack | Apr 17, 2008 12:28:59 PM

Well you are right, the democratic party has gone waaaaaay to far left, Obama is close to radical.

So if Obama wins the nomination, looks like folks with a little maturity and good sense will have no choice other than McCain.

Good grief I never thought a scenario like this would come up so the Republicans win the Presidentcy again, I mean the economy is bad and there is an unpopular war and if Obama wins it means McCain wins.

Posted by: LarryB | Apr 17, 2008 12:32:19 PM

The only sad thing is I lost my respect for Charles Gibson. As for George, who does not have a mind of his own, can go work for Fox.

A sad day for ABC news if this is the only kind of debate event they can come up with.

Posted by: Sue T. | Apr 17, 2008 12:33:51 PM

Wow! ABC was on top of their game last night. Charlie and George, you guys rock! Finally, two moderators willing to ask the tough unanswered questions.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 17, 2008 12:34:30 PM

Charley and George I really thought this was going to be an informative debate based on the two of you moderating it. I can only hope ABC picked the questions you asked last night because it was obviously done for ratings and not as a service to the American voting public.

Posted by: Disappointed | Apr 17, 2008 12:41:24 PM

I want to live in Charlie Gibson's America where we all make $200K a year..

Posted by: DS | Apr 17, 2008 12:42:36 PM

It is a ligit question. It seems some people just want to put blnders on and vote. We have the right to know who Obama thru the company he keeps.

Posted by: David | Apr 17, 2008 12:43:22 PM

I am so disappointed in ABC for hosting a debate that was not issue related. I wanted to hear more questions about what they plan to do about our nation's economy, our energy crisis, unemployment, global warming, health care, ending this occupation of Iraq and differences between Republican's eight years of governing vs. plans for a new Democratic administration.

I don't want to see another debate between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama ever again, while Mr. McCain gets to pick and choose how he wants to be portrayed by his friendly media again, day after day. ABC you are certainly no CNN or CNBC! Now I know why I shouldn't bother watching you for news!

Posted by: Harold Walker | Apr 17, 2008 12:44:20 PM

LMAO So whats new? Most of the educated people already knew the Democrats were Terrorist/socalist/ wingnuts

Posted by: airmanc5 | Apr 17, 2008 12:44:49 PM

Hillary Clinton DID NOT pardon anyone, her husband did. Hillary Clinton did not serve on the board of directors with radicals, Obama did. Hillary Clinton did not attend a fundraiser at Ayers house, Obama did. Obama's questionable associations and the judgement he uses are fair game to be asked about when running for the highest office in the country. These questions are legitimate, and the American people expect journalists to ask them and demand answers of our candidates. If the Democratic party is so far out on the left wing now, that these kinds of associations are okay, then I'll join Lou Dobbs and his independents and give up being a Democrat. Obama needs to answer about Rezko, Auchi, Khalidi, Said, Wright, Farrakhan, Hamas and more. These questions aren't going to stop just because Obama and his Nations demand it.

Posted by: rs | Apr 17, 2008 12:45:31 PM

It is not against the law to be communists, it is reprehensible to be a terrorist. You Obama supporters are going off the deep end. Yes your man did poorly, accept this. It is so obvious that this is the job of the day, malign ABC for asking Obama difficult questions. His judgement is what is being questioned, as it should be.

Posted by: svsolis | Apr 17, 2008 12:45:34 PM

How dare ABC ask some tough topical questions for Obama?

Don't they know he has no practice answering tough questions and will likely embarrass himself?

Shame. lol.

Posted by: Jo | Apr 17, 2008 12:50:17 PM

Wow! Command performance by Charlie and George. Finally, two moderators willing to ask the tough questions.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 17, 2008 12:51:42 PM

Poor poor Obama. That's what happens when the media has been in the tank for you until now. You get lazy and you can't answer the first tough questions posed to you since the election season started.

Posted by: Jo | Apr 17, 2008 12:52:02 PM

The American People deserved so much better than what we received last night from ABC News.
Torture, 2 Wars, the rise of autism, education,
global warming, gas prices, I could go on.....
but your network chose to ignore these issues,
you should be very embarrassed and ashamed of your obvious disservice....

Posted by: Elizabeth Bell-Haynes | Apr 17, 2008 12:55:21 PM

ABC's own "vote who won' shows Obama 60% vs. Clinton 25%. Pollitico shows Obama 71% vs Clinton 29%. ABC has done Obama a favor , now voters believe the media is biased against Obama, so he is getting more support.

The real loser is ABC.

Posted by: JT. | Apr 17, 2008 12:57:32 PM

Why are you Obama supporters so miffed? All of these issues i.e who he associates with, 20 yr churh affiliation etc speak to his character and every time it's mentioned you go spastic -- except when it's bad for Hilary. In last night's debate whenever Obama was aked a straight question he immediately attacked Hilary -- very immature -- I almost felt sorry for him. Hilary DID discuss issues in a very concrete way and answered each question great. All Obama did was look sheepish and as I mentioned attacked her. Even when the VP question came up, she was quite gracious but he in turn turned it into s bitter strike at her; the look on her face showed just how naive she knows he is; he doesn't even know when he's being complimented -- Edwards, by the way, had the same problem. NOW Time has his mother on the cover! What the media won't do. I was actually proud of ABC; I expected less; you Obama types know it's true that your boy got the heat and it bugs the heck out of you.

Posted by: druggstohr | Apr 17, 2008 12:57:36 PM

Shame on ABC News. Yesterday was a sad say for American Journalism. This is what happens when a political operative like George Stephanopoulous is allowed to masquerade as a respected journalist. They pay all these TV execs big bucks and this is the best they could come up with. Unbelievable.. George S and Charles G. have tarnished their images irreparably. George S. needs to be reminded he no longer works for the Clintons. That job has ended.

Posted by: Jim | Apr 17, 2008 12:57:40 PM

Monday, March 10, 2008 - Follow the Money: Obama's Alsammarae "fairy tale".

RezkoWatch has written a number of articles about Aiham Alsammarae, indicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko's former classmate in the late 1970s at the Illinois Institute of Technology and former business partner.

Writing in the March 17, 2008, issue of Newsweek, Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff reported that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)'s campaign "released e-mails" from October 2006 between his U.S. Senate office and U.S. officials "on behalf" of Alsammarae, who was still "imprisoned in Iraq."

Although "the Obama camp initially declined to release the e-mails", during the first week of March 2008 they did. The "e-mail exchange ‘appears routine’," they wrote.

How much is Obama really hiding from us? He has too many ties with terrorists. Will we find out before it’s too late?

Posted by: VERYCONCERNED | Apr 17, 2008 12:59:38 PM

SM- 'fraid ya can't have it both ways- she was the Co=President along with slick, that's where her 35 years of experience comes from- as such she is part of the pardongate issue- in addition to the weather underground, Slick pardoned members of FALN, the Puerto Rican Terrorist organization (based in NY). Many think that this pardon was issued to gain her support among Latinos during her senate campaign, since it occurred during her 2000 campaign. Slick wouldn't do that though, would he?

Posted by: david | Apr 17, 2008 1:02:04 PM

Fascinating turn of events at DailyKos today, commentary about last night's debate. There is a strong sentiment that Obama performed terribly at the dlast night, and the chatter shows increasing worry. The Daily Kossacks typically wear blinders towards anything that is not positive about Obama, and yet open discussion of concerns is present today, with some confessed Obama supporters publicly posting that Obama really worried them last night.

I usually trash Daily Kos, because of their extreme leftist and elitist ways, but today, well I'm still going to trash them, but Obama has obviously done something to cause some of the effects of the koolaid to wear off, at least momentarily.
========================================
Bottom line: Obama Bittergate seems to be starting to choke.
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 17, 2008 1:04:26 PM

The moderators in last nights debate were disgusting. Can we ever get to the issues. We don't need you to decide who we are going to vote for. Just give the candidates a chance to talk and let us decide who we support. inputting your own personal bias into the debate is unprofessional. You guys should stick to doing news about Brittany and Paris because that is all you are good at.

Posted by: Former viewer | Apr 17, 2008 1:11:34 PM

Hillary can dish it out but can't take it. And why was everybody asking about Obama's missing American flag lapel pin when it was quite obvious that Hillary doesn't wear one. So does that mean she is unpatriotic?

Posted by: vicki | Apr 17, 2008 1:12:21 PM

Well you are right, the democratic party has gone waaaaaay to far left, Obama is close to radical.

So if Obama wins the nomination, looks like folks with a little maturity and good sense will have no choice other than McCain.

Good grief I never thought a scenario like this would come up so the Republicans win the Presidentcy again, I mean the economy is bad and there is an unpopular war and if Obama wins it means McCain wins.

Posted by: LarryB | Apr 17, 2008 1:15:26 PM

How in God's name can we take our country back if we don't focus on the real problems. But some americans seem to thrive on the slim they can blog on. This nation has been taken away from its people,mainly due to the past 8 years of the republican disastrous administration, I being an american want my country back. I will cast my vote for the candidate with the integrity and desire to help make that happen.

Obama 08!
Yes we Can!

Posted by: merle7 | Apr 17, 2008 1:18:42 PM

My grandmother use to say, "show me your friends and I'll show you your future". I think the questions to Obama and Hillary were completely appropriate. As an Independent, I am steering far, far away from both of these radicals.

Posted by: JB | Apr 17, 2008 1:19:20 PM

Last night's debate was an absolute fraud. It seemed clear to me that the Clinton camp had been tipped off by Stephanopolous regarding questions he would ask, particularly the Ayres set-up. Stephanopolous proved once again that he's just a political hack, doing Clinton's bidding. I thought he was above all this tabloid stuff that consumed the first 45 minutes of the attempted Obama lynching. And Charlie, you made an fool of yourself, which, of course, everyone knew anyway. You're a much better news READER, Charlie, then you are as a "spontaneous" questioner. Oh yeah, you're also a fraud!

Posted by: SamMoore10 | Apr 17, 2008 1:34:14 PM

I'm glad that ABC brought up the association of Obama to William Ayers of the Weather Underground.

Just like Rezko, he supposedly only knew him for 3 hours of legal work he did for Rezko when he was with a law firm....then we find out Obama knew Rezko for over 12 years prior to buying his home in Hyde Park via Rezko; now William Ayers supposedly is just someone he sat on a Board with, when in reality his children go to the same school as Ayers, and they are very friendly. In fact, Ayers gave money to Obama's campaign. Also, Ayers and Obama and Farrahkan are all neighbors.

Posted by: mary | Apr 17, 2008 1:38:01 PM

I agree with the host of bloggers who think that ABC tuned this debate into a cheap "gotcha" circus directed mainly at Obama. Matters of substance for Americans were given secondary importance by the moderators. Both candidates did not perform well and acted tentative or were forcing "safe" answers, such as on guns.

Some key points which did not make the cheap, gossipy talking points headlines:

1. Obama's plan to raise payroll caps is about the only hope of keeping Social Security viable. He answered Clinton's reference to a special commission formed in the past, which recommended raising the payroll tax rate, which ended up hurting lower wage earners.

2. Obama emphasized that we need to use a pay-as-you-go approach to spending. And spending there will be to offer universal health care, education, infrastructure, alternative energy and global warming, etc. Clinton has not shown how her programs can be paid for if she is not willing to increase the payroll tax and rolling back tax cuts starting way up at $250,000 will provide funding for programs.

In short, the candidates need to do a better job of demonstrating how we will pay promises for their new muti-trillion spending programs. So far, Obama offers some sensible solutions that have received the backing of a number of economists.

Posted by: Chicago Andrew | Apr 17, 2008 1:49:10 PM

JT, That is a silly statment. So Obama supporters went on line and voted in these polls. Do you really believe that working class people are dumb enough to believe you??? Oh, I forgot, of course you do. LOL

Posted by: svsolis | Apr 17, 2008 1:56:04 PM

The whiners are at it again, saying poor Obama was being picked on. If he didn't have anything to hide, he would have answered the questions! ABC did a great job, and brought out some important facts. I say if Obama can't stand the heat, he should get out of the fire. Clinton's life is an open book. Someone get this man out of the presidential race, please!

Posted by: thastar | Apr 17, 2008 1:59:47 PM

I usually enjoy Charlie Gibson, but last nights questioning from both himself and George S left a lot to be desired. After 30 minutes watching I tuned out. It seemed like TABLOID politics and hosted by the National Enquirer.

Our country is in bad shape economically and militarily and I would have thought the questions would be related to more important issues like taxes, social security funding, health care etc etc. But it seems the media is preoccupied with Jeremiah Wright and sniper fire in Bosnia. Believe it or not Charlie, George et al, the American public knows about it and do not need to hear about a zillion times.

If this circus is what we have to look forward to going forward I am done with watching debates

Thanks for reading and hopefully ABC will get the point

Posted by: Bill | Apr 17, 2008 2:20:24 PM

Just a small sampling of what they will get for the general election.

Posted by: democraticprocess | Apr 17, 2008 2:43:35 PM

ABC gets an F for Frivolous and Failure. Is it any wonder why more and more people are turning to cable and public tv/radio news and the internet?

George, Hillary and ABC, this has backfired on you. Most people I hear from are very disappointed with your poor representations. The message now out on the internet is down with ABC and mainstream media and go to public tv/radio and the INTERNET because you all cannot be trusted!!

Barack was obviously taken aback, but not knocked down as he continues to hope for the best in us and was hoping that just maybe you "get it". His/our disappointment didn't last very long as we have moved on.

You have insulted and offended us.

Posted by: Maiysha | Apr 17, 2008 2:52:27 PM

The debate was a pretty sleazy affair, where was the hard hitting questions. I know George used to work for the Clinton's, but does that give him the right to be so biased?? Shouldn't he have been EXCLUDED from moderating if he was a former employee of one of the parties in the debate, just on it's face appearance it seems wrong let alone in reality!!

If they are going to keep asking about Rev. Wright, why don't they ask Clinton about the trouble she got into when she worked on the Nixon Impeachment case? It seems to me if she was willing to lie (about prepping the argument that was going to be used to denie Nixon an attorney) and steal (the documents that showed proof of her lying) and then storing the stolen property in her then office, she should be questioned quite hard about that! If she is willing to break the law then, why would she not be willing to break it now? We all know what the last Clinton administration looked like and I'm sure hers wouldn't be any different judging by her previous law breaking habits.

If anyone here thinks that knowing someone who says something stupid is worse than lying about your past experience (she finally admitted it last night) or breaking the law you need your head examined. You will also deserve anything that she is capable of puling off on you, because you had enough pre-warning!!

Posted by: mike g | Apr 17, 2008 2:53:19 PM

Of course this so called DEBATE has destroyed OBAMA.
Maybe McCain and Hillay should run in each other party as VP- McCain-Hillary
and Hillay-McCain


This is a PLUS PLUS for both of them.

Posted by: GHM | Apr 17, 2008 3:03:17 PM