The Cleveland debate
by M. Stewart
I watched last night's debate between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama and will say that both candidates did well. On style alone, Obama wins. He is a confident, eloquent speaker who handles himself well under pressure. However, he did not gain my support.
His worst moment came with his initial refusal to reject the support of the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan. Hillary essentially forced him to make the distinction between "denounce" and "reject," which he ultimately did, but he seemed to bend reluctantly on the issue. It was difficult to tell whether the audience applauded because Obama rolled over or because Hillary forced him to.
Hillary's weakest moment came with her waffling on why she has not yet released her and Bill's joint tax return for last year. She said she'd be getting it together for release, but her response was anything but smooth.
NBC's Tim Russert and Brian Williams ran the debate well. Clearly the two played "good cop/bad cop" all night long, with Russert playing the bulldog. His questioning was very tough and aggressive, forcing both candidates to explain apparent disparities and contradictions in their previous public statements. Williams questioning was more lightweight but never irrelevant. Overall he was an excellent host.
What did those of you who saw the debate think?
I watched last night's debate between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama and will say that both candidates did well. On style alone, Obama wins. He is a confident, eloquent speaker who handles himself well under pressure. However, he did not gain my support.
His worst moment came with his initial refusal to reject the support of the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan. Hillary essentially forced him to make the distinction between "denounce" and "reject," which he ultimately did, but he seemed to bend reluctantly on the issue. It was difficult to tell whether the audience applauded because Obama rolled over or because Hillary forced him to.
Hillary's weakest moment came with her waffling on why she has not yet released her and Bill's joint tax return for last year. She said she'd be getting it together for release, but her response was anything but smooth.
NBC's Tim Russert and Brian Williams ran the debate well. Clearly the two played "good cop/bad cop" all night long, with Russert playing the bulldog. His questioning was very tough and aggressive, forcing both candidates to explain apparent disparities and contradictions in their previous public statements. Williams questioning was more lightweight but never irrelevant. Overall he was an excellent host.
What did those of you who saw the debate think?
posted by M. | 8:16 AM
23 Comments:
Matt,
No comment on the board of housing giving Smith more time to "repair" his building?
Read the story in MJ about it today.
I'm just now having a look at the story. I won't have time to post a comment until this afternoon.
Matt:
I usually dont agree but you are right on the money.
I watched most of the debate. I couldn't understand Hilary complaining about being asked the first question. Most people like being able to answer first, at least that's how debaters like it. Then she made some comments about watching a skit on Saturday Night Live and accused the press of being 'soft' on Barrack and said perhaps they should get him another pillow! As far as I know, Senator Obama isn't powerful enough to manipulate the press, nor can he dictate to them how he is treated. She made herself look childish in my eyes. If it ends up that she is the Democratic nominee in November, I will reluctantly put my "X" next to her name, but it will leave a bitter taste in my mouth. However, come March 4th, I'll put my "X" next to Senator Obama. I will never forget former Pres. Clinton and VP Al Gore's broken promise to this community to keep WTI out of here. So, she will pay the price of my vote for that. Also, I recall her being a part of a large committee overseeing health care when Bill was president. She had eight years to work on it and got no where. What makes her think now, after all this time, her 'plan' will work and offer us universal health care? I don't believe her. So, I'm willing to take a chance on someone new and refreshing. And for whomever it was who on here who called Senator Obama a 'muslam', he/she can't be further from the truth. The man belongs to the Church of Christ and is probably more Christian than most people, especially the one who made the mistake here. Thanks for the opportunity to let off some steam.
Maddy,
Hillary will become a muslim if she thought it'd get her votes just as Obama will become a Christian. Realize these people will say anything to get in office, anything. What you're seeing now is not what you are going to get. Do you know what Obama's middle name is? If you guessed Muhommud you are right, but he's not a arab. Why wouldn't he wear the American flag pin like everyone else? Let's try to put an American into the presidency not an arab for crying out loud.
Wow! Peace of Action, his middle name is not Mohamed. It's Huessein - one of the most common names in Muslim/Arab cultures. He has been a member of a Christan church for the past 20 years. I'm sure he just faked it every Sunday though, because, you know, most people plan their lives 20 years ahead and he decided that if he wanted to run for president he should probably join a church. Unbelieveable.
So now if you don't wear some dumbass little pin on your lapel your unpatriotic? Jesus, you people amaze me. I bet John McCain just sticks it right into his skin so he can even wear it to bed. Never even has to come off.
Does it really sway your vote if he does or doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel? By the way, obviously you have no idea that there is actually a difference between a Muslim and Arab. They are not one in the same. Look it up you may learn something
DE,
I don't like him.
I could care less about the difference between muzlims and arabs. I don't care for either especally as the president.
Hoosain is even a worse name name than Moohomud--reminds me of a chap we just hung.
P of A,
I'm sure the reason you don't like him is purely politcal. I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that he's black. Or that he's black and more sucessful than you, right? And when you say "I don't care for either," your ignorance really shines through. I'm sure you know plenty of M-u-s-l-i-ms(just trying to help with your poor spelling) and Arabs very well and have actually gotten to judge the content of their character individually. Or we could always just group them all together and call them bad people. I think I've heard of someone who thought exactly like that...as a matter of fact, if I'm not mistaken, I think his name was Hitler.
Since you're so insistent on the fact that Senator Obama is a M-u-s-l-i-m, how about some credible proof. Or would you just rather debate blatenly false information.
DE,
Who are you his mother? Sounds like it.
DE,
I think you are a muslim or an arab. Are you?
de:
I don't juge people by their race, but if I did, I would have to go on the experiences I have had in my job working with Iranians and Arabs. Let me just say, they really had no love for the US, and when it got down to it, they really knifed those of us who worked for them in the back, left us to put the company backed together, then sued us, when they were in the wrong. But want to be friends now, because they might be able to squeeze another dime out of the company and people they screwed over. Now this experience does not make me turn on a whole race of people, but someone else. it may color the whole picture of that culture for them. In fact, others that I work with, now have no use for that culture because of this experience. I guess, what I am trying to say is, if you have a bad experience, in anything, it can color the whole picture for you, and you don't see clearly. I will say, I am more careful because this was a really bad thing for our company. I would never trust these individuals again, but that doesnt go for everyone.
No, I'm a Christian. However, if I was Muslim or Arab I in no way would be ashamed, as you shold probally be for being a bigot. Where's the evidence at by the way? Ain't got nothing but innuendo and rumors, do you? If you did maybe we could move this discourse past a sixth grade level.
No I'm not his mother either, but I'm not going to let you spread your fear-mongering bullshit on here in case any undecided are reading this. You see, I have facts. Facts that you cannot refute, obviously.
To de,
I know plenty of arabs and ... they would rather someone else do everything for them. In Saudi the pilots are unreliable and could care less about defending their country because they know the American's will do it for them. All they have to do is keep pumping that oil and they become richer and lazier.
Obama has many of these traits. He has no administrative skills by his own admission. He said he'd rather hand the job to someone else because he doesn't want to be bothered. He has virtually no accomplishments at all in the senate and otherwise. No, it's not that I don't like him cause he's black. I'm not convinced that he is and there are plenty of blacks I'd vote for as president. In my book it it smells like an arab or a muslim and has a name like one, then he is one and I don't care for him. Narrow minded or not, that's the way most people feel. Besides anyone who is more liberal than Ted Kennedy shouldn't be allowed to run for dog catcher.
No I'm not his mother either, but I'm not going to let you spread your fear-mongering on here in case any undecided are reading this. You see, I have facts. Facts that you cannot refute, obviously.
DE,
Facts? The facts add up to liberal muslim. What else is there.
Opinion - I can respect that, to a certain extent. Well-reasoned and fair-minded observation.
P of A - Once again you make a completely asnine statement that reflects your level of bigotry.
"They would rather someone else do everything for them." Stereotyping an entire group of people as lazy is just plain racist. I think there's a group of people here in America that are subjected to the same ugly streotypes...Beside I'm sure nowhere in the Middle East there are hard-working people just trying to make ends meat and provide a better life for their children.
"Obama has many of these traits." Yes, I'm sure millions of lazy people graduate from Ivy League schools or become the ediotr of the Harvard Law Review or write two New York Times bestsellers or turn down lucrative job offers to move to a run-down neighborhood and work as a community organizer or devote their lives to public service. Yeah, I see your point. It makes perfect sense.
"He has no administrative skills by his own admission." Nor do Hillary Clinton or John McCain. All three are Senators and have never run a state or a business, so lack of executive experience is common to all three.
"He said he'd rather hand the job to someone else because he doesn't want to be bothered." No, what he said was that he would set a vision for the direction he wants to take things and then delegate those responsibilities to those that will get it done. This is the job of a leader. Do you really think every president micro-manages every aspect of government?
"He has virtually no accomplishments at all in the senate and otherwise." - Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act...Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act...Coburn-Obama Transparency Act...Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act...Honest Leadership and Open Government Act...Iraq War De-Escalation Act...Iran Sanctions Enabling Act...sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries...just a small smapling. Once again, it looks like I must concede the point to you. Your totally right.
I won't even bother to dignify the rest of your moronic statement with a reply.
You have absolutely no facts supporting your claims that Senator Obama is a Muslim...because he has a Muslim middle name is not good enough. That means absolutely nothing. I would like some substance.
Opinion - I can respect that, to a certain extent. Well-reasoned and fair-minded observation.
P of A - Once again you make a completely asnine statement that reflects your level of bigotry.
"They would rather someone else do everything for them." Stereotyping an entire group of people as lazy is just plain racist. I think there's a group of people here in America that are subjected to the same ugly streotypes...Beside I'm sure nowhere in the Middle East there are hard-working people just trying to make ends meat and provide a better life for their children.
"Obama has many of these traits." Yes, I'm sure millions of lazy people graduate from Ivy League schools or become the ediotr of the Harvard Law Review or write two New York Times bestsellers or turn down lucrative job offers to move to a run-down neighborhood and work as a community organizer or devote their lives to public service. Yeah, I see your point. It makes perfect sense.
"He has no administrative skills by his own admission." Nor do Hillary Clinton or John McCain. All three are Senators and have never run a state or a business, so lack of executive experience is common to all three.
"He said he'd rather hand the job to someone else because he doesn't want to be bothered." No, what he said was that he would set a vision for the direction he wants to take things and then delegate those responsibilities to those that will get it done. This is the job of a leader. Do you really think every president micro-manages every aspect of government?
"He has virtually no accomplishments at all in the senate and otherwise." - Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act...Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act...Coburn-Obama Transparency Act...Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act...Honest Leadership and Open Government Act...Iraq War De-Escalation Act...Iran Sanctions Enabling Act...sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries...just a small smapling. Once again, it looks like I must concede the point to you. Your totally right.
De,
All liberal socialist acts that take from one American and give to another who didn't earn it. The immigration acts are all unConstitutional and against 85% of Americans wishes that congress close the border to illegal immigration.
I'll give you this much DE, you are one consistant liberal socialist condescending bastard.
DE,
By facts do you mean that Barrack Hussain Obama has almost no experience doing anything. Is that the kind of facts you're talking about? By that he's not qualified to lead anything.
Of course Hillary doesn't either. At least she's got an American name.
Matt,
This DE individual is a condescending bastard though isn't he. I mean if there ever was a textbook definition this is it.
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