Comments on: Intellect Schmintellect

By: GreenDreams

GreenDreams — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:16:49 +0000

This was probably Hillary's last chance to stop Obama's momentum, short of some fatal gaffe, which seems ever less likely. She didn't draw blood and I think failed to land any solid punches (damn, sports analogy). May as well follow that with another. One of the commentators said "there were some field goals, but no touchdowns." I agree.

I loved it when Obama cracked up both Hillary and Williams. Williams played the wrong clip apparently, but no matter. It was Hillary mocking Obama's lofty speeches, to which he replied, simply, "sounds good." Great one-line dismissal of her dismissiveness.

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:20:52 +0000

Wow – this is blowing my mind. Well, I certainly owe it to myself if no one else to go read the transcript – but I still must say, when I saw them…sigh – I did not feel this love. lol

By: Polimom

Polimom — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:13:39 +0000

I'm with Pete here. In fact, Dear Husband and I both thought this was the best debate they've had.

By: PaulSilver

PaulSilver — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:42:41 +0000

I thought the Debate was a high watermark for the USA and the best kind of diplomacy for bringing alignment to the world. We have an international audience who are on the edge of their seats to see what kind of people are competing for the leadership of the planets most influential society.
Either Obama or Clinton would be an inspiration to the world.

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:19:56 +0000

Nothing big and dramatic happened in this debate, but it was still interesting anyways. This is especially true in comparison to the CNN debate from last week.

And while I thought the quality of moderation was horrible, it did mesh well with the snippy exchanges between Obama and Clinton. There was a lot of interesting subtext in this debate, sort of like a Chekov play.

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:09:19 +0000

I am going to try to find time time time today to write more about this – I cannot believe how much material I have to sift through from being there for 10 hours!!

But what is so fascinating is the very, very different sense of what's going on you get between being in the audience, live, and even just being in the media room watching it on a large screen or tv. The tv presentation is DRAMATICALLY different in effect.

I know at least one other blogger who said that she would be in the audience and would write about it – I look forward to seeing what she thought and I'll link to her post when it goes up – we can compare notes.

By: shaun

shaun — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:55:15 +0000

I hate to admit this, but Pete and his bride are right.

Even though Russert is a chucklehead of the first water, I thought the questions were sharp and the responses often engaging.

However . . . Thank goodness this probably will be the last primary-season debate.

By: cosmoetica

cosmoetica — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:46:26 +0000

They really need to have these debates on free tv. Not all of us have cable.

By: pabel

pabel — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:44:56 +0000

No worries, Jill. I am feeling a little guilty for finding it so interesting — when I know well and good that it was a lot of “been-there-done that.” At least you have a sound, logical, adult rationale for your reaction. I have nothing more than the acknowledgement that I was suckered in like an adolescent by the promise of fake explosions and Jason-Bourne style fighting in close quarters.

By: Jillmz

Jillmz — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:36:18 +0000

Grinning one of those fake-looking Gloria Vanderbilt grins – er, um – I called it boring and I was in the audience. I'll write more about that later but for me, the problem was the focus on “is this accurate” “how is not accurate” accurate inaccurate – that was driving me nuts.

Also, being in Ohio, NAFTA has been HAMMERED TO DEATH. Being in Cleveland and Jewish and in a synagogue run by a rabbi who attended the meeting with Obama, I've heard enough on all that. The health care conversation – NOTHING NEW.

I am sorry Pete – I really like your writing and I LIKE reading that you had a different feeling and affinity for the debate. But from the audience, during the portion before the first break? I was very, bored. But you are making me feel badly that I was! lol