Today’s Democratic Debate
December 13th, 2007 by HOLLY IN CINCINNATI
It’s on - watch it HERE or on C-SPAN3. The debate is moderated by the Des Moines Register’s editor, Carolyn Washburn, and sponsored by the DMR and Iowa Public Television.
PREVIEW
The Fix: Debate Preview
CNN Political Ticker
LIVE-BLOGGING
Ed Morrissey of Captain’s Quarters at Heading Right
Michelle Malkin
AMERICAblog
NY Times - ‘The Caucus’
It was kind of a jolt when CNN played “news alert” music and flashed news about the players implicated in the steroids controversy during the debate. Do you think the news channels that are carrying the steroids report live are breaking in with updates from the debate?
MSNBC First Read
ABC Political Radar
3:25 pm ET: Closing thoughts — Obama had the best line, bringing Clinton onto his team as an adviser. A “wow” moment that halted the laughter. Clinton seemed to get back into her groove for much of the afternoon — good, strong close for her. Edwards though wins on my scorecards — he was relentlessly on message, sounding strong, and making a very good case to keep this a three-person race.
Fox News: Democrats Tackle Budget Problems at Final Debate Before Iowa Caucuses
OK, it’s over. I missed most of it because I was on the phone. See ‘Highlights’ of Yesterday’s GOP Debate and Look Out for ‘Highlights’ of Today’s Debate at Iowa Public Television’s YouTube Channel.
POST-DEBATE ANALYSIS
I have to admit, I can’t sit here and say, “this person won” or “this person lost.” It was very similar to yesterday where the format basically prevented any back-n-forths; The mood was chipper on that stage and that kept everyone comfortable. Perhaps no one benefitted more from this subdued format than Obama since he’s the guy with the momentum. Clinton, oddly, didn’t get as much time in this debate (or forum) than she has in previous ones which may lead some to believe she was not at her best. But she had plenty of good moments, just not enough air time. (Can’t believe I’m saying this about a Clinton that they didn’t get airtime at a debate!) Obama did get the YouTube moment with the shot back at Hillary on Clinton advisers….Dodd and Richardson clearly were the favorites of the moderator and that may help them if plenty of Iowans watch this debate today and tonight.
‘The Fix’ - Democratic Debate: Winners and Losers
At the start of the debate, Clinton seemed content to offer a series of talking points…Starting with her “free statement” about halfway through the debate, however, Clinton kicked it into a higher gear. In 30 seconds or so, she summed up her campaign’s message for the final 21 days before Iowa: “Everybody on this stage has an idea about how to get change. Some believe you get change by demanding it, some believe you get it by hoping for it. I believe you get it by working hard for change.”
That’s as concise a message about why Hillary (and why not Obama and Edwards) as we have heard from the Clinton campaign.
This debate started out in dullsville, but Mr. Obama created a transcendent moment. If you missed it, it’s worth going back and finding the clip.
Mr. Biden had been asked if some of his past comments about minorities reflected a discomfort with the subject of race. He answered slowly and sadly, saying that no one who knows him doubts his commitment to civil rights.
When he finished, his fellow candidates applauded. “Hear, hear,” they said, in the courtly manner of the Senate.
As they all started to speak, the moderator called on Mr. Obama.
He vouched for his rival in a way that worthy competitors sometimes do, but rarely in the heat of battle.
“I’ve worked with Joe Biden, I’ve seen his leadership,” Mr. Obama said. “I have absolutely no doubt about what is in his heart and the commitment that he has made with respect to racial equality in this country. So I will provide some testimony, as they say in church, that Joe is on the right side of the issues and is fighting every day for a better America.”
Mr. Obama, apart from providing what is likely to be a valedictory for Mr. Biden’s campaign, turned the moment into a presidential one. He was the healer and uniter that he says his candidacy has promised. This and his strong closing easily made this debate Mr. Obama’s best of the long season. Whether it will help undecided voters or Clinton skeptics move his way remains to be seen.
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 12:14 pm and is filed under Democratic Party, PBS, Chris Dodd, Newsweek Blogitics, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, 2008 Elections, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Politics. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
