Debate Open Thread #1

Plans, real plans, not just soaring rhetoric. I am also looking for weasel words, like "access to health care" and "helping working families" that have no plans attached. Beyond that, I am looking to see who the second-string candidates attack - I think that will say a lot about what deals have been cut.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

short story about Dole and the flu.

Can she last through an 18 month campaign where she is hit with a ton of bricks every day?

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Do you agree with Harry Reid saying we have lost the war?

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Nothing about Bush, puts in on the Iraqis, they need to show blah blah blah

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

is a Senator. He is going after the president pretty hard, but he isnt going to score many voters talking like he is.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

I thought it would lead to disaster. After we had sent them I couldn't not support them. Tries to tell a story. Plan from January.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Trust has been devastated. It is impossible for the US to provide hte stabiilzation unless everyone trusts us.
totally my words.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

becomes the first to say what he wants the next President to act like. Reinforced honesty about his policy decisions.

Obama reiterated his opposition, and said the senate passed a bill very close to what he put forward a few months ago.

Hillary is the first to say "When Im President..."

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Direct shot at everyone who voted for the bill today. Shot at Hillary. He is shooting at everyone.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

are annoying as hell. But he knows what to say. Good ideas. "Donor Conference" to get other countries to help pay. He was the first to directly mention talking to Iran and Syria and being tough with them. Edwards alluded to but only generally.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Dodd, Richardson, Clinton....I'll leave it there. Kucinich is just wacky.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Gravel is annoying honestly. Dodd is never gonna get anywhere. He talks like a Senator more so even than Biden and he has no new ideas.

Gravel has a lot of passion, but he seems angry and insane frankly.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

good way of speaking about the troops and their sacrifice.

Mentioned 1 signature, but placed the burden on 16 senators to override not the president.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

I have no idea what Richardson or just now Obama were saying. It is a little loud in here.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

I havne't taken money from "federally-registered lobbyists".

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Obama appeals to bipartisanship. Ugh. I expect him to say Angry Liberal any day now.

Edwards just told a great story about his life as a poor kid. Surprised by the Hedge Fund question as a follow up. Used the question to talk about poverty. "Financial Markets play a significant role" "People in those markets in New York know what to do to fix these problems"

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Points out where he came from in response to question about the haircut and having lost touch. Good story. Only someone who has had to walk out of somewhere because they just couldn't afford it would understand. I have. I do.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

keeps hitting the "damage of Republicans" keeps getting rebuttals for no reason.

She talked a lot about Regulation. not sure if that is a good thing. she said "equal rules" which was good, but otherwise bad framing.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

should drop out.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Why? It's a good question, he has really shot himself in the foot by trying to ..... oooooh, an American Idol shot at the "Rock Star" candidates?

And, a shot at hte apology.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

n/t

leading to, can you assure voters you will not misspeak in diplomacy. Brian called him a "gaffe machine"

His response: Yeah

Biden looked like an idiot right there. Thankfully for him Gravel just saved his ass by looking even more insane.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Gravel attacking almost everyone.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

51% of the country don't like you. It isn't just part of the population, it's all Republicans and about another 10%.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Edwards said, "This is why its important. Because whoever wins appoints"

Supports woman's right to choose. Says government shouldnt be making decisions for people. we must respect everyone's views.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

perfect example of what is at stake int hei election, the kind of people wh will be appoitned will control whether a woman can have the fredom to choose, or by the supremem court. Make a very hard decision by who is most likely to win this election. I believe in a woman's right to chooe, but I htink this a ext. difficult decision for the USA. Teh gocv't should not make these decision, I think we should respect the people.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

He expects women to make this decision in discussion with their families, doctors, and clergy. Clergy?
"Can we start talking about the things we do agree on" as an answer to abortion. I would remind everyone that he voted "Present" on partial birth abortion and parental notificaiton.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

He's hilarious. The rest are so scripted it's a bore.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

Really great response on the question. only 1% of cases were banned. He trusts women to talk to their doctors, families clergy and make a decision.

Biden called the decision "dangerous" and " irrational"

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Still supports Roberts. He is right on the issue otherwise, but obviously doesnt get it. This isnt something to be dissapointed in the guy about.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Richardson: White, but dead then Ginsburg
Dodd Ginsburg
Edwards Ginsburg or Breyer

Richardson scored a big point for me there.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

but his answers are good.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

according to the rankings Richardson has the best rating from the NRA of any declared candidate from either party.

He loves talking about everything in threes. Hit mental health parity.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Not a great deal of discussion about details. I ahve a veryh speific health care plan. I think they have the responsibility to tell people what you want to do "high falutin" language is not enough. Covers crack, mental health care parity...give them a government choice, no preexiisting conditions. Every single American must be covered.

As a single-payer guy.....BOOOOOO!!!!!

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

"John and Barack" really. Really!
Decrease costs.
Cover everybody
Improve current system.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

weak platitudes and limp wristed response. avoided saying how he would pay for it.

Hillary hit the "must control costs. not just about uninsured, its about everyone"

Hillary doesnt want to put new money into a new system till we have fixed what we have. Once again, she might have supported UHC in the 90s but she doesnt now.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Hit really hard on the "Im an executive no one else is."

Dont look to raise taxes, streamline government. He talks for a long time.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

with words and gestures makes me want to hear DeamonDeac's analysis, even though this isn't a real debate.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

when he said . . . " -- I thought Hilary was going to talk about Monica! I did! LOL
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

biggest mistake. Gravel is a giant asshole.
Dennis: mayor of cleveland he fired the police chief on live tv
Clinton: not enough time to tell you all the mistakes i have made over the years. believing the president in saying he would go to the un
obama: wife would have a longer list. when he was first in the senate he should have done more to fight against the schiavo bill
biden: overestimating confidence in bush and underestimating the arrogance. thought he could influence president
edwards: wrong to vote for war. put more faith in "my own judgment"
dodd: war in iraq
richardson: im impatient. im too aggressive with change. too rapid to make changes. tried to ram through minimum wage too quickly.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

they were all just okay. Obama was intersting, edwards was good. Richardson is just really stinking the place up, he's shot himself in the foot.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

"Patriotic about something other than war" just showed up on a gas price question.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Richardson: get out of iraq. second day energy efficient third day climate change take off fourth day

took everyone's time with that response

damnit. i wanted edwards and obama on that one.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Gravel is the most impressive by far. His way of speaking is MUCH more energizing than ANYONE else.

who are our three biggest allies?
long rant about foreign policy. no real substance.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

very well. He's looking quite presidential if that's what counts in these stupid events.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

But, when I did Where are the candidates - his campaign emailed me every day.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

I'm getting as superficial as people who criticize the clothes of the female politicians.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

I wouldn't be surprised if he walked away from the podium a' la Bill.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

"Being stubborn isnt a foreign policy"

nukes, terrorism, darfur "why dont we care about africa? about genocide?"

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

The very institutions we need to build to deal with stateless terrorism, this administration is walking away from . . .
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

were just give a huge softball to talk about Republican failures on terrorism. I think I fell asleep during both responses. Damnit.

I think Edwards didnt raise his hand for "is there a global war on terror" i couldnt see though. wierd camera angle.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

I think the questions about Terrorism are all starting from the Rep frame?

Did all the candidates just allow the question to be dictated by Guiliani's

"the Repugs are defenders against terrorism..."?

Why do people have the impression that Repugs are stronger on terror? kind of implies that we all have to accept Guiliani's words.

Do all people have this impression? where did that "Truth" come from?

ports, ports, ports, ports, ports, ports. Nice Senator Edwards. Jesus, we will be hit through our ports.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

talked about Katrina, but the analogy was forced. It was a good response to a question of what should our response be to another Al Qaida attack on an american city, but he didnt really answer the question very directly.

same question for edwards. "find who was responsible, react swiftly and strongly. second figure out how it happened." attacked Bush's homeland security.

"We have more tools than bombs" Push people on the fence to our side instead of to the side of the terrorists.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

when directed at Bush. Finally.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

dodd is up first. "what would you do with your own children?"

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

war in iraq created more terrorists, our invasion must have thrilled usama.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Now, that's an image I could have done without.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

HI
I dont understand Clinton's position on Health Care: "No money on health care until we fix what we have" ? hmm
Does she mean:
1. No money until the current broken system is working again?
2. No more money for health care until we reform the system?
3. No more money for health care?

Is her answer vague and likely to sound tough on health care ?

This is one of the impt issues to me. I do not know what anyone else wants to do except John Edwards. Too bad this debate did not focus more attention on it.

maintained his cool while Kucinich interrupted.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

who is your moral leader.

"My lord." wife dad

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Hillary gets Wal-Mart.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

of corporations." So, where's the campaign finance reform?
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

Middle Class is invisible to Washington. Great statement.

Biden just complimented everyone. Said any Republican that wanted to face Hillary is making a big mistake.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

kiss on the cheek to all the candidates except Edwards. he got a small quick handshake.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Obama was sophisticated.

Now, his analysis that Gravel stole the "bite" from Kucinich. That's for sure.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

I can't watch....will have to watch the recording. Please though, will somebody please tell me what Hillary was wearing.....and what about her hair and makeup. Did her nails look fake or real? I mean...I need to know the important stuff.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

just lied.

"No one brought up Darfur." It was brought up almost 5 times by people other than him. Either he was lying or he wasnt listening. Very dishonest answer to a question.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

I kid you not. Just like Hillary, he's speaking to his people after the debate and it's amazing.

"Travelin',"

"bankruptin'"

You should hear it. He's lardin' in on. I expect him to sound like Mad Miss Mattie any minute.

"Univehsitay"

 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

I was really disappointed in Edwards performance, but then my expectations are pretty high for him. His responses on the priviledge (he can give the 'son of a mill worker' speech so much better) and moral leader (how long of a pause was that?) questions were weak, and on the Hedge Fund question I thought it was a golden oppurtunity to say "because ultimately capitalism is good" or somesuch to just stop any characterization of him as a socialist.

I thought HRC was fine, not great, not terrible, just fine. I think Hillary's response on the VT shooting question encasulated why I can't support her...was that supposed to be an emotional response? Her response to the "mistake" question was probably the best.

I was impressed with Obama, I've been skeptical but I thought he showed a lot more depth to his answers than I expected, I was not converted to drooling fanboy status like so many people seem to be though.

I'm confused as to why Bill Richardson is a Democrat if all he wants to talk about is Guns and why he's so willing to use the military. Also I haven't seen someone shoehorn in their talking points so obviously since Sen. Dole on Meet the Press right before the last election. "I deal with all of this as Governor, because Governor's do stuff like this, they're Executives Governors, which is what I am, a Governor"

Somebody tell Gravel to STFU never mind this grin and put up with it BS.

I thought Biden's one word answer was hilarous, this is the guy everyone says can't shut up. Doesn't matter what the question is I would think that will get so much play. Overall I thought he did well, but he showed he doesnt know when to shut up a few times.

The chief justice question would have been good if implemented better (all candidates got a semi-long response).

Chris Dodd should have left this race yesterday.

I'm going and getting a pocket constitution tomorrow.

He needed to shave. Looks too much like a blogger :-p

sounded so much smarter on C-Span radio.

Listening instead of watching was interesting. After looking at some clips, I'm already sick of bunting.
Thought Obama did well. Richardson seemed to be running at a higher RPM than in the past, but that may have hurt him.
Gravel was a lot more interesting without the visual.
Biden had a good line. Now would be a good time for an exit.

I got my pocket constitution from Daniel Pollitt, when I was doing a story on the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. He insisted. "I have hundreds." It was signed by Bill Clinton in 1992, after a rally in Columbia on the eve of the South Carolina primary.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

I had to be at a fundraising event tonight and couldn't catch the rebate. Feel like I was actually there!

My conclusion? No winners.