Here are my interpretations of what the candidates may have really meant in their responses to the ABC Debate on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” (debate excerpts from transcript in quotes, with my interpretation of what they may have really meant embedded in italics).

“STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Biden, you stepped into this last week. You told Newsweek magazine that Senator Obama is “not yet ready” to be president.

Senator Clinton, is he right?

(LAUGHTER)

CLINTON: Well, George, I was going to say good morning…
I’m one of you. I also have a sense of humor.

(LAUGHTER)

… and, as soon as I wake up, I’ll answer your question.
Hope I’m not working too hard to sound casual.

(LAUGHTER)

You know, I’m running on my own qualifications and experience. It’s really up to the voters to make these decisions.
Of course he’s not ready. He can’t touch me.

And I’m excited because I have a campaign that is growing in support, because we do need to make big changes.
I know a lot of people don’t like me, but a lot of people do like me too. After all, I am the frontrunner.

And I’ve set big goals for my presidency.
Gotta keep repeating that I’m in it to win.

I want to have universal health care and move toward energy independence and do what we need to do in education and reform our government, and, of course, end the war in Iraq.
I’m really smart.

So I think we have a great group of candidates. You don’t have to be against anybody. This is a great problem to have. You can choose who you’re for.
Lip service. Anyone smart will vote for me.

And I hope people will choose to be for me based on my experience, my qualifications and my plan for the future as to what I will do as president.”
Gotta repeat about the experience. Some people may not have gotten that.

“STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Biden, it seems like your colleagues here don’t want to reach the judgment that you’ve made. Why isn’t Senator Obama ready?

BIDEN: Look, I think he’s a wonderful guy, to start off, number one.
Death by faint praise.

It was about Pakistan we were talking about. The fact of the matter is, Pakistan is the most dangerous, potentially the most dangerous country in the world. A significant minority of jihadists with nuclear weapons. We have — and I disagree with all three of my friends — we have a Pakistan — we have no Pakistan policy; we have a Musharraf policy. That’s a bad policy. The policy should be based upon a long-term relationship with Pakistan and stability.
Reinforce what George said I said by explaining the rationale.

We should be encouraging free elections. There is an overwhelming majority of moderates in that country. They should have their day. Otherwise, they’re going to go underground.”
Reinforce that I have the best grip on foreign policy, given my experience.

“RICHARDSON: You know, I think that Senator Obama does represent change. Senator Clinton has experience. Change and experience: With me, you get both.
I’m trying to break through here

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

And you know, my point — and, here, we’re going to need change to become energy independent.

This issue makes me look good. I can fit it in anywhere.

We’re going to need experience to deal with foreign leaders, as I have.

RICHARDSON: You know, it’s interesting. You talk about the dispute between the two senators over dictators that — should we; should we not meet?

I’ve met them already, most of them. All my life I’ve been a diplomat, trying to bring people together. This campaign is…”
By the way, have you seen my impressive resume?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Is Senator Obama ready?

GRAVEL: Senator Obama represents change and he’s an enormously fresh voice in the political process.
Yes!, I got a word in.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Your answer?
That was an answer???

(LAUGHTER)”

“OBAMA: Well, you know, to prepare for this debate, I rode in the bumper cars at the state fair, and…
A. They’re not getting to me.
B. The other candidates pretend to be funny. I really am.
(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

But, George, I don’t actually see that much difference or people criticizing me on the substance of my positions. I think that there’s been some political maneuvering taking place over the last couple of weeks.
Put it back on them. This is easy.

I do think that there’s a substantive difference between myself and Senator Clinton when it comes to meeting with our adversaries. I think that strong countries and strong presidents meet and talk with our adversaries. We shouldn’t be afraid to do so.
Put it back on her. Nothing sticks to me.

We’ve tried the other way. It didn’t work.
Back on her again.

I think that, if we have Osama bin Laden in our sights and we’ve exhausted all other options, we should take him out before he plans to kill another 3,000 Americans. I think that’s common sense.
Show I’m not weak. They blasted me before.

So there’s one other thing that I believe.
I could talk all day. They love me.

OBAMA: And that is that we should describe for the American people both in presidential debates, as well as president, what our foreign policy is and what we’re going to do. We shouldn’t have strategic ambiguity with the American people when it comes to describing how we’re going to deal with the most serious national security issues that we face.
I have no idea what I just said means, but I said it flawlessly.

And it is my belief that we need a fundamental change if we’re going to dig ourselves out of the hole that George Bush has placed us in. And that’s going to require the kind of aggressive diplomacy — preparation, yes, but aggressive diplomacy, the personal diplomacy of the next president — to transform how the world sees us. That us ultimately going to make us safer.”
I was born to be President. Next.

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Alex Hammer is the owner of Media 2.0, including Politics 2.0