Nightline Debate Wrap

The reality is that Obama came out of the debate victorious. He knows his topics very well and his plans and Hill the Bosnian General was too small during the debate, clinging on very superficial things rather than looking at and discussing real issues in real people’s life. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Thanks for the COOKIES Jake! LOL
And no, there won’t be a lot a likeability crumbs left for her after such bitter personal attacks on the insurmountable front runner who wants to talk the issues.
Poor Hillary. She can’t even bow out gracefully anymore.

What a joke ABC news turned out to be. “Keep the people dumb and uninformed” should be your new slogan

Obama’s associations with Farrahkan, Wright, Ayers and Refko should be fully vetted. Obama served on a board with Mr. Ayers in the 1990’s, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid, underlined PAID directorship position. They worked together, attended fundraisers together, Ayers held fundraisers and was a contributor to Obama’s Chicago’s campaign, plus they are neighbors and visited each other quite often. Enough said. This relationship deserves being vetted. What’s the fear?
DON’T FORGET THESE PEOPLE: Wright, Ayers, Sinclair, Farrakhan, the Black Panthers, Rezko, Meeks, Malley, Auchi, Khalidi, McPeaks, Michelle Obama.
Imagine OBAMA and ALL these friends, associates, endorsers, etc., having a Pres.-Elect party?
After a few — Wright could get up and give another, ‘HATE WHITEY AMERICA!’, speech…while Rezko`s trying to sell the White House to the Russians…before Lewis Ayers gets a chance to full-fill his life-long dream of blowing it up…meanwhile, BO and Sinclair renew some bad habits together…as Michele likes to watch…would be quite a party…anyone for crashing it…and you thought the Clintons were bad in the White House…
I’d much rather have the Clintons there. Maybe – and that’s a HUGE maybe – involved in a scandal which doesn’t affect the American people — this is why the media ignores this garbage for what it is and will continue to ignore it as old news. Without the media, Obama can’t use it effectively enough to beat her…which makes her far more electable.
Meanwhile, Hillary’s policies could have us in prosperous times — compare that to BO and Friends…who, quite frankly, may be dangerous to the American people.
McCain’s going to wipe the floor with Obama!
They’ll rip him apart, along with each and every one of those “PEOPLE/GROUPS MENTIONED ABOVE”!!!

Clinton’s attacks are pretty much backfiring for me.
First of all, it’s hard to believe anything she says.
Second of all, it seems like she is more personally obsessed with destroying her fellow democrat than she is committed to her own policies/agendas.
I wince every time she opens her mouth. Which is basically 24-7.

Hedge fund managers income is all capital gains, that’s the point. They are taxed at lower rate than if they earned same income as salary or hourly employee, etc.

Sounds like every one is mad that thier presumtious candidate was handed kid gloved questions, like in past debates. Again he stumbles and his flock come to defend him. He can’t answer simple moral questions with out trying to run around the questions. First he disowned Wright and then he claimed Wright was a patriot. He does the same on policy issues for the last year or so, never gives substanive stances and tap dances around his plans because they are flimsy. I say Hillary should have just let him keep on talking for he was drowning himself, she did not need to add anything. The media should have taken the kid gloves off Obama a long time ago, the more he talks with out telepromoter the more he sinks.

I hope this got everyones questions answered about Obama and all his dirt…. Answers were basically the same that he has given all year…. Lets see… Oh ya…. Hillary was there also… Did not here anything about her all her trash??? Her dealing and the dealing of Bill, and their lies are way worse then his… What happened here….

Hillary won the debate, in my humble opinion. She was clear and articulated her stance on the issues and did her best not to distract to the obvious regarding Obama–he is too inexpereinced, has too many skeletons and double talks his way out of many situations. He could NEVER win against McCain. Please, people, think. Check the voting records. Do your own homework as I have done. Don’t just read blogs and news stories. Look back at facts, records and watch debates. Even if this is boring. I can promise you that you will regret nominating Obama, as he hasn’t a chance against repubicans. He reminds me of a freshman debate captain. Cute and all, but very novice. I have written two blogs i my entire life…nuf said.

Once upon a time Americans were proud to elect smart leaders. Now they want to elect the beer guzzling idiot next door as evidenced by Bush. So used to lies and innuendo that truth and justice now lie on the ground as ashes.
Last night’s display was indicative of the cancer of idiocy that infects this country. That ABC thinks pieces of metal made in China represent patriotism is appalling. What’s worse is that too many Americans are eager to follow that path. If the goal is to scrutinize and denigrate anyone any candidate ever had even the flimsiest contact with, rather than discuss issues that affect us all, then no one is qualified to lead this country.
It is no wonder we are in the situation we find ourselves.
A nation of sheep begets a government of wolves

Good people in this country have been thrown under the bus by Obama and his campaign. Gerri Ferraro is no racist. Donna Brazile — who is clearly in the tank for Obama — worked for the Mondale campaign and said not one word in defense of Gerri. Mayor Nutter (who Daschle called “Nutty” on a television program just this past Sunday), has had to take his email account down for all of the hate mail he receives from Obama supporters who just can’t tolerate dissent. Tavis Smiley is leaving his radio program for the same reason. People are marginalized at the caucuses by his trained staff. ABC’s comment boards are jammed with rhetoric that I haven’t heard since the last time I was on a school ground.
Hope and change have morphed into such a message of bitter, projected intolerance for anything that the campaign and its fold does not support that the damage to the Democratic party is permanent. The Republican party will be rebuilt on the backs of the members thrown out by Obama. What they will discover in November is that those that are leaving are the “Little Red Hens” of the party and they will be stuck with the “Henny Pennys” as Senator Obama begins to experience some REAL questioning.

Now that the so called Hillary supporters got what they want in this debate, they’re STILL copying and pasting their smear lists from the racist and redneck anti-Obama sites out there. Always the same stuff, we’ve ssen it a 101 times now. Nobody cares, for real and patriotic Americans care about the ISSUES.
You folks must be pretty scared that the black man is REALLY winning this. And yes, he clearly is. He’s the best, you know. He will change this country for the better and make it the world’s most powerful and impressive democracy again.
Of this heated primary season most Americans in the end will remember only these two words:
sniper fire

Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos were out to do a deplorable job. The event was supposed to benefit the Democratic Party; instead, it looked like the RNC had hired the moderators to escalate the trite trivialities and keep the candidates from addressing the real issues.

The questioning at last night’s Democrat primary presidental “debate”
between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama was Mickey Mouse journalism at best and at worst, a setup, hit job, on Sen. Obama, pure and simple!
But, it won’t work. Charlie Gibson has lost my respect as a straight news man and everyone knows or should know that his co-questioner, George S., is a former Clinton lackey!
Corporate media, yack!!
gt

I applaud Barack Obama for repeatedly taking the moderators (and our politics as a whole) to task for this disgusting charade. I wish Hillary Clinton had done the same, but I did not expect her to. She has learned, not only to live with this stuff, but to embrace it.
Barack Obama will not play along, and has made it his mission to move our country beyond this kind of thing. I believe this is one of the best reasons to vote for him.

Let’s say thanks to ABC’s and Hillary’s smear attacks!
They were rewarded with another Oklahoma Superdelegate for Obama today and the endorsement of the Philly Daily News of Barack Obama for President.
One doesn’t fool the people who care that easily!
Four more Superdelegates for Obama in 24 hours…
Thank you all, guys and Madame!

If the new politics is attack from your campaign and then pretend tlike your above it all I’m not having it.
If the new politics is take a position and even have your handwriting to prove it then deny it later forget it.
If the new politics is to have no experience or background and accuse people of attacking when they point it out no way.
If the new politics is to take the frontrunners policies then not be able to express them or to constantly get confused I am doubtful.
I do not believe that most people think Obama is well distanced from Wright. i do not believe that Obama will not have lots of fallout from Rezko going forward.
I do not believe that if Obama somehow gets in office he will be able to build coalitions.
Any poll that says that Obama is not damaged by his poor judgement is totally off base.
Let the voters speak!
I’m not crazy about mcCain’s policies but he does have a longstanding track record of reaching across the aisle and taking a centrist approach,
Will the media continue to give Obama a free ride all the way to the White House or will balance be restored when the Republicans start running.
Obama is a “pretty good politician” with no experience or record of acheivement. Oh I forgot he lived in Indonesia as a toddler and he had a college trip to Pakistan….that makes him more experienced than anyone in the US.

Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos were out to do a deplorable job. The event was supposed to benefit the Democratic Party; instead, it looked like the RNC had hired the moderators to escalate the trite trivialities and keep the candidates from addressing the real issues.

Mark Gommesen – Being Anti-Union is not being Anti-Labor, actually being Anti-Union is Pro-Labor!
All that make money off of unions are the elitists like Obama who by the way has connections to Wal-Mart also!
I also find it funny that employees of Wal mart do not complain but Union people who do not work there complain about the working, thats because the unions leaders can’t buy more stuff!
Why does not Obama explain why he donates to CAIR (An Islamic group in the US)

People:
Don’t be fooled by the Axelrod/Obama technique of “astro-turfing”. You know, trying to convince us that like beach erosion which gets us closer to the ocean that Obama’s failure last evening was his being brilliant.
Don’t be fooled by the spin today and for more on ‘astro-turfing’, see Businessweek “The Secret Side of David Axelrod.

ABC done a great job last night. The more we know negatives side Obama, the more fair and save this country. Google it the hiprocacy of Obama to learn more as The Audacity Of Hypocrisy

After this debaclebate:
The Philadelphia Daily News, the biggest newspaper in the state, ENDORSED BARACK OBAMA today.

OBAMA MUMBLE DURING THE DEBATE, AS ALWAYS NEVER GIVE STRAIGHT ANSWER!

It is so humorous to me that after this debate and all the questions that Obama was forced to answer, and did a poor job doing so, everyone in the media focuses on how Clinton was so negative. Could it be that the Obama campaign emailed out talking points for the press to somehow dismiss the fact that he couldn’t handle the type of scrutiny that Clinton has had to endure this entire campaign? It was briefly addressed in the debate last night how Obama and his campaign have continually pushed negative talking points against Clinton to the press behind the scenes, while in front of the camera pretends to be above that type of politics. Why do you in the media so willingly use his talking points to try and steer this election in his favor? He showed that he couldn’t handle hard questions last night, something that a democratic candidate will have to do. That is the main take-away from this debate; maybe you could try and address that. Don’t be bullied into reporting only positives for Obama because many of his supporters are overly vocal on blogs. You should not let their mob mentality affect your reporting. If they were really a bigger group than Clinton supporters, he would have won already, but the truth is the support for Clinton is as strong as Obama’s, just not as intimidating and nasty.

Let’s recap. According to the cult like responses of Obama supporters.
ABC and their moderators were in the tank for Clinton because they dared asked Obama to explain himself.
Patriotism, racist and America hating pastors and neighbors are “trivial”

ABC, Thank you for an informative debate last evening. I’m a Clinton supporter and thought you were balanced and I thought the questions to both candidates were fair. I especially liked the podiums. I’d grown tired of having them sit so close to each other and felt it had constrained discussion.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE provide us with feedback about what seemed like jeering inside the hall at the conclusion. It seemed that Gibson and Stephanopolis visibly flinched at some remark that was made.
Also, I’d like to see a story about the ‘spin’ being given today. I’m really distressed too by the virulence of some of Obama’s supporters – they seem incredibly aggressive and bullying. Is this a tactic to threaten the DNC into pushing Obama into the general election even even though they’re learning he’s not ready?

Obama is nowhere near qualified to be president. Brian Williams and Tim Russert did the same type of debate a month ago, but instead of asking Obama the hard questions everything was directed at Hillary. Guess what? She actually answered all of the questions and was able to handle the scrutiny and her supporters rallied behind her- not because we were upset that she was asked the hard questions (we are not naive, we expected it) but because she was so excellent at keeping her cool and addressing them.

We need to have debate like the way ABC did last night. Because so far we know about these candidates only from media bias for Obama. I am glad to hear right from Obama’s mouth about Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers… o .. ya ABC forgot ask him about Rezko and Auchi an Iraqi billionaire.
Anyway, I show how mumble Obama explained last night.

Chales and George stunk, and asked a lot stupid questions to Obama, issues were lacking and Hillary looked like a whinner. looked like wed. night Obama bashing night. George S. was not what I would call fair and balanced, he did work for Bill Clinton….

The PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS today:
VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA
THE CHOICE in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primary is not only the one between a white woman and a black man. It’s a choice between the past and the future.
More specifically, the nation must decide how to face the future racing toward us in the form of slumping home sales, unstable financial markets and increased joblessness – and staring at us from the Green Zone in Iraq and the beds at veterans hospitals.
Should Democrats choose someone who will employ hard-won – even bitter – experiences gained in a past Democratic administration, or reach beyond political truisms toward a new (and untried) model of governing?
Neither choice is obvious. Perhaps that’s why the race has gone on for so long.
But the long slog through 44 primaries and caucuses has confirmed for us that Sen. Barack Obama’s vision of change – and the way he plans to pursue it – is what we need right now. Badly.
This is a campaign that really began six years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001. Not only was the U.S. attacked and seriously wounded, it did not bounce back the way “the land of the free and home of the brave” should have. In fact, it still suffers from post-traumatic stress.
That day and its aftermath cried out for a revolution of values: a clear-eyed shared vision, a cooperative effort, a unified purpose. It cried out for a recognition that conventional warfare and conventional responses to domestic challenges in an era of globalization were not enough.
That cry was not answered.
Instead, the Bush administration embarked on an unconscionable plan to exploit the fear we all felt that day for political gain. It lied us into a disastrous war in Iraq, a staggering, record deficit at home, a weakening of the constitutional structure on which the country rests, and poisonous lines of division among Americans. It led us to a place where 81 percent of Americans say we’re on the wrong track.
Contrary to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign slogan, we believe Barack Obama is more likely to be “ready on Day One” to lead us in a new direction. Because of his experience.
Sure, Clinton has more “experience” of a sort. For one thing, she has 14 more years on earth. How much of this experience is directly applicable to the job of president is, at best, debatable.
We are frankly troubled by her assumption that her husband’s administration and accomplishments were her own. And if her equation holds, that the first spouse is an equal partner in the administration, then the reappearance of Bill Clinton in the White House is a prospect we have a hard time reconciling with the work that needs to be done.
THERE IS a way to match Clinton’s and Obama’s performances on a relatively equal playing field: their campaigns.
A candidate’s campaign may be the best indicator of how she or he will govern. If so, an Obama administration would be well-managed, inclusive and astonishingly broad-based. It would make good use of technology and communicate a message of unity and, yes, hope.
It would not be content with eking out slim victories by playing to the narrow interests of the swing voters of the moment while leaving the rest of the country as deeply divided as ever. Instead, an Obama administration would seek to expand the number of Americans who believe that they have a personal stake in our collective future – and that they have the power to change things.
It would motivate them to hold their representatives accountable for making it happen. That is, after all, the only way to get us out of Iraq, to address global warming, to make us energy-independent. It’s the only way to resist the forces arrayed against providing universal health care, rebuilding our infrastructure and returning our schools to world-class status. It’s the only way to give our children the means to compete with children in other parts of the world who are healthier, better-educated and have more opportunities than many of our own.
An Obama administration would be freer of the the corrupting influence of big-money donors and corporate interests. Obama has raised $240 million overall, with half coming in contributions of less than $200. People who contribute to political campaigns can feel they “own” a candidate and so Obama would owe allegiance to the wide swath of America that has financed his campaign.
Based on his experience in running a quarter-billion-dollar enterprise with thousands upon thousands of volunteers, we could expect an Obama administration to be well-managed and cost-effective, with the president choosing forward-thinking advisers committed to his program, demanding that they work as a team and pay attention to details.
He would be steady and calm, given neither to irrational exuberance or outbursts of anger. He would make mistakes, that’s for sure, but he could be expected to recognize them, adjust, and move forward.
He would adjust his views to reality rather than trying to adjust reality to his views.
Obama’s unprecedented appeal to younger voters is significant not only because it expands the electorate, which is vital. It’s also a validation of his promise as a president to be free of the baby-boomer/Vietnam/segregation-era hangups.
Younger people are more egalitarian, more accepting of diversity, and more comfortable with rapid change. They also are less confined by old resentments or regrets.
AND AN OBAMA administration would lower the tone of the rhetoric that separates us.
As New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has said, Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who has the skill and eloquence to help us raise our eyes and our aspirations beyond individual, personal concerns, beyond religion or region or race or gender, beyond our well-founded fears to a shared destiny.
Most candidates claim that they will change the way business is done in Washington. Barack Obama has made us believe that, yes, he can.

Barack lost the debate. He wins the spin. Those of us who understand that will vote for McCain if Barack is nominated.
Sorry, Hillary, but unless you top the ticket, the Republicans get four more years. Dean is out of touch and out of time.

Spectacular!!Charlie and George you did a great job. Finally MSM asking questions that noone has had the courage to ask. Finally Obama scrutinized to be the way Hillary has been for her entire public life. Dems need to understand, and I am one that is going to vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination,that they are about to be noinating a guy for Pres with slim credentials and a whole host of uknowns that will be taken to task by McCain. You did a brillian tjob asking questions that go to our possible nominee’s true judgement, including the company he keeps, and how he withers under the controvery..We need a fighter for sure, and it clearly is not him. Iran is threatening Israel directly and he wants to give carrots and sticks to Ahmadinejad. Thanks George and Charlie, at last!!!

Its funny listening to Obama supporters whine for a change. Obama is finally getting vetted just a tiny vbit – and people are asking themselves: Who the heck is this guy – really!! He becomes more unsavory with each revelation and yes, folks do care about flag pins/hands over hearts/ a nut ball mentor called Wright/affiliations with Ayers/nasty comments about rural folks/ comments about ‘typical white people’ and oh yes, his lack of experience. He has actually sponsored 1, yes 1, bill in the senate – EEEGADS can you imagine having to pick between McCain/Romney OR Obama/Ayers?? IF he is the nominee, the republican machine with feed him through the wood chipper come Nov.

Years from now, will people look at those who associate with Cheney, Bush, et. al in the same way that they look at Obama and his loose at best association with the Weather Underground? Seems to me they have done more damage then this group ever has.

Contradictions in last night’s debate made by Obama…
1. Saying he wouldn’t raise taxes on people making below $250K and then when pushed admitted that he may install a payroll tax that will target those about $97K (THIS TO ME IS THE BIGGEST STORY AND ONE THE REPUBLICANS WILL USE IF HE WERE TO GET THE NOMINATION)
2. Handwriting on the gun questionare that he said wasn’t his – but has been admitted to at one time was
3. Said he disowned Rev. Wright (although backtracked when he was questioned on that statement by George)
4. Said that we shouldn’t overly examine his words (but wait, don’t words matter?)
5. Wants positive politics, yet sends talking points to all media trying to insinuate that Clinton is dishonest.
6. When his back is against the wall, always tries to distract by taking a hit at Clinton or Mccain (isn’t this part of the “typical politics” he has called for an end to?)
But guess what? The press is covering the biggest contradiction as Hillary saying that Barrack could win against Mccain while telling superdelegates that it is unlikely. Pundits keep pushing this as another lie from Hillary. But the fact of the matter is he could win against Mccain if there aren’t any more skeletons in his closet or he doesn’t make any more missteps. But all in all that is highly unlikely that this will happen because what we know about Obama’s past and philosophy, aside from his campaign rhetoric, is less than his very limited resume. What we do know is that on the surface he has a lot of connections to questionable people and that if these questions are investigated further it could lead to a huge loss for the democrats if he were to win the nomination. I don’t think we can take that risk and I hope the superdelegates agree with me, even if the pundits don’t.

I thought this was the best debate and I loved the job that Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos did at the debate with their questions. I feel the Cable Stations should look at these two honest reporters and offer them jobs! (Especially the women reporters, e.g. Campbell Brown- she is so biased against Hillary- I don’t care about her preference- only the facts and bringing out the truth!) This country should have had these two men report to all of us each night! At least they get to the bottom of some of this smoke and mirror from Obama! He never answers a question, and I don’t think he understands all this tax stuff! He has had a free ride for too long and now that the truth is coming out..I guess we are all bitter to him! This is his new excuse when he can’t give a straight answer. We need a leader and that is Hillary Clinton and not someone who keeps making excuses about what he means to say. (Look at his voting record…”I meant to vote, my button didn’t work….I really meant, I made a mistake and hit the wrong button) Wake up America!
Please keep up the good work so we can know the truth about our candidates. Our country is on the line!
GOOOOOOOOO Hillary!!!
P.S. Help Florida and Michigan be counted. They did not choose the date to vote- their leadership should be punished. This is unconstitutional to disclude them. Last I looked we had 50 states. Oh yeah, since Richardson did not back who his voters chose no other superdelegates shoul either, remember he and Obama broke the rules of how Obama feels. No moaning later on!

Barbara Walters just kissed up to the brass on “The View” about last night, as expected.
It’s disturbing that Hillary Clinton said “Screw ‘Em” about southern white men when Bill Clinton was looking for advice on running his 1996 presidency. Or that Hillary worked for known communists in 1971.

I guess you missed a more significant endorsement this week for Hillary Clinton, where 100 (one hundred) mayors of small towns across Pennsylvania simultaneously endorsed Hillary Clinton. Seems like that might make a bit more of an impact than your references.

Hey dude…Obama always has cheap answers. I agree with the post below. People are starting to see who he really is — I think the drawn out battle between the two candidates is a blessing in disguise. We get to see WHO HE REALLY IS, even though it may be sound bites here and there. Remember now.. he is the media darling. I live in Pennsylvania… I am disgusted at his condecending “down to earth oratory” when speaking to the people of PA. He is streamlining his high handed speeches for the working class. He is a sorry excuse for a candidate running for the President of this beloved country. (He does not like the flag.. remember that too). Nor does his stuck up wife, for she is only proud of America now that her rotten husband is running for office. Please.. . Who does he think he is anyway? The people of Pennsylvania are going to BLOW HIM OFF THE MAP ON APRIL 22.

I am so thankful ABC had the courage to ask the tough questions of Obama.
He wants to be president of our country. We deserve to know everything about him. And I believe who he associates with does matter to the security of our country.
Thanks Charlie and George. I know you will be sharply ridiculed by the Obama supporters. But you did the right thing.

We need a president who will immediately take care of the economy, our troops, education, illegals crossing our borders, among other important things.
Last week, Obama said he would “immediately” review potential crimes of the Bush administration. Do you feel better knowing that a President Obama is going to spend his time and energy going after his fellow Americans who have been protecting us from the Islamic terrorists who are intent on killing Americans? Terrorist Muslims killed Americans. Why shouldn’t we should torture these criminals, if necessary? Anything the government does is okay as long as my child is safe!
If Barack Hussein Obama feels that strongly, then he should be investigated for his involvement with Rezko, Ayers, Nadhmi Auchi, Wright, Sinclair, Farrakhan, the Black Panthers, Meeks, Malley, , Khalidi, McPeaks, anti-American Michelle Obama, siad or any of his other friends. Would only be right to find out BEFORE he was ever elected.
Hopefully, someday somebody will tell me something Obama has accomplished. He is a great orator but will be decimated in the Fall election cycle. He is either a Marxist or a guy who doesn’t really understand how Washington works. He has no real policy on anything but Healthcare. He is way too Liberal for the USA! Most of his good stances are duplicates of Hillary’s. And, worse than anything, his entire campaign has been run on lies!
Clinton or McCain! Vote for our Country — not for a Party.

Bush flouted Constitutional law, allowed for torture, and acts more like an emperor than a United States President. Still, he managed a second term to continue his malfeasance; regardless a felon isn’t supposed to attain high public office [forgot the drunk driver arrest squelched by the elder Bush of CIA fame, and his questionable military service]? Now ABC continues helping Republicans by asking all the wrong questions of the Democratic candidates in last night’s debate. Doesn’t anyone care that biased reporting only hurts the Common Good? I guarantee ABC will be much kinder in any questioning of McCain, the hero who broke under torture; who can’t read a cue card, whose wife plagerizes recipes, and who is a rubber stamp of the Bush regime – but ah, he represents Truth, Justice, and the American Way…well, I grew up with Superman, and McCain ain’t no Superman. ABC News can report all they want on anything they want, but count me out as a viewer; I don’t watch politically rigged newscasts!

Great job ABC! You have now joined the tabloid journalism club! The first hour covered nothing of substance to my family. The entire debate lacked any real substantive discussion of important issues; such as, health care, climate change, gas price increases, jobless rate increase. I was shocked to see a moderator that used to work for Clinton grilling Obama. No conflict of interest there. By the way, Stephanopolis never asked a substantive question of Obama at all, reverend Wright, the will airs stuff brought up Fox news, congrats. Now some will say this is fair, however, it is so obviously one sided, that is what will be discussed, not Obamas answers, which werent that bad. I am an undecided but to see Obama attacked over a flag pin, and Hillary chiming in, makes me think perhaps she isnt the choice for me. He didnt jump her, at all, until forced to defend himself, which anyone would do. By the way, he defended himself well, and showed that he can take a punch well, so I am closer to vote for him than her. So your lopsided attempt to replicate Fox networks fair and balanced approach helped me decide. I never watch ABC, and that charade of a debate reinforces that decision. Furthermore, when Obama probably wins, (mathematics folks) I doubt ABC will be getting any White House interviews.

I AGREE WITH CINDY:
I am so thankful ABC had the courage to ask the tough questions of Obama.
He wants to be president of our country. We deserve to know everything about him. And I believe who he associates with does matter to the security of our country.
Thanks Charlie and George. I know you will be sharply ridiculed by the Obama supporters. But you did the right thing.

Kudos A B C! Great debate and Obama has to answer questions. Does he think the republicans are going to put on kid gloves and tip toe around his highness?
He can NOT win the GE. There are millions of us out here who will never vote for him and we are DEMS!
Get a clue people he is not going to beat John McCain, OBAMA is weak and arrogant.
I will never vote for him, Obama is a joke.
Thanks for the having the very first debate that did not pussyfoot around the crap in Obamas sainted life!

WASHINTOP POST WAS ACCURATE: In Pa. Debate, The Clear Loser Is ABC

This debate was a total sham…it was VERY one sided…the whole first half hour was an Obama bash…shame on you ABC…we wanted to hear about issues, we have already seen and heard all about Bosnia, “bitter” and Rev W for the last 6 months…I wanted to hear issues… At least Obama was a gentleman and didn’t bash Hillary on Bosnia…I credit him that. he wanted to talk issues….the war, the economy,gas prices….ZEEeeeezz

Wow – he is getting more and more arrogant. I get put off every time he acts as thought he already is the president, but this is another one of his moments that I just shake my head at…
In a speech to Jewish community leaders in Philadelphia, the Democratic presidential candidate, Obama said: “Let me make one last point about the comparison to McGovern and Dukakis, both excellent men, but I’m a pretty darn good politician. And I can give a pretty good speech and I can connect and inspire the American people in ways that I think will become apparent. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t pretty good at mixing it up.”
Let’s see if the news decides this is worthy to investigate further.

The questions were softballs really, but obama usually gets tee-ball questions.
Obama wants to give speeches where he controls what is said. he cannot handle being asked questions (remember 8 questions got him flustered) He constantly digs himself into a hole trying to spin and re-spin his remarks because he feels he is always right and everyone is simply not getting it.

3 question attacking obama by the moderators (WRIGHT + WILLIW? + BITTER)
“ZERO” question attackig HIllary by moderaor
1 question attacking hillary by viewer (Sniper Fire)
1 question attacking Obama by viewer (flag pin..compare that to sniper fire)
And….who were the adience? just CHELSEA, Ed RENDALL, NUTTER….where did they hide the obama supporters?
GEORGE was scared CARVILLE WILL CALL HIM JUDAS otherwise….after all he was Bill’s CAMPAIGN ADVISOR and PRSS SEC.

“I’m a pretty darn good politician.”
Darn good at “post-partisan” preening, and at being placed in electoral positions by corporate white guys.

cindyct:
Both candidates are quite capable of beating McCain, even with the baggage that either would bring to the General Election.
The key is to get behind that candidate, no matter how strongly we support our chosen candidate, and no matter how disappointed we are that the particular historical moment we supported will not come to fruition this election cycle.
Obama 2008 — Yes, WE CAN!!!

Great work ABC. Finally someone had the audacity to ask some genuine questions to the so called “can do no wrong Obama”. His connections to all these anti-american cults should be investigated. That is exactly what George and Charlie did. GREAT JOB.
American people deserves to know whether they are electing a member of the Black Panther community or Weather Underground.

I always admired Charles Gibson and chose to watch his national news show every evening. After last night’s embarrassing debacle, I’ll rethink that. Both he and Stephanapoulos sounded like gossip columnists, only interested in the superficial and incendiary. How could they sink so low? Did someone tell them to ask those ridiculous questions? The only one who kept his dignity was Obama.

When the Media decide to focus on tabloid issues, the American people lose. We are facing multitude of problems and challenges at home and losing our credibility abroad. We need ethical journalism.
The let down of the public by the media at last night’s debate is obvious by the discussions on this blog. The American citizens deserve better.
The next day’s discussion is about the trivial issues than discussing the real policies and platforms that matters most to the American people.
The media suppose to inform and direct the general public to focus on real political issues and problems facing our country at home and abroad. Instead the public were distracted and deceived. I am very disappointed that Charlie Gibson accepted this role to help Hillary Clinton demean Barack Obama’s character. Barack has integrity and believes in uniting the party, building the coalition, and move our country beyond Hillary Clinton’s tricks and lies.

MOST IMPORTANT OUTCOME OF THIS DEBATE?
FOX News reports thet three Pennsylvania superdelegates are switching from Clinton to Obama because of the negative tone of the debate.
THANK YOU ABC FOR THE GOOD WORK!!!

This was topflight journalism at its worst. This was ABC’s old, flimsy history with threadbare sizzle packaged as news.
It was a tabloid debate with tabloid questions. Matt Drudge come to life on a respectable stage. From what I subsequently discovered, they actually, eventually got around to real issues — after over an hour. But watching it for a mere 45 minutes made me feel almost seedy. I wanted to shower to get the smarm off. I love news, I admire professional journalists, I cherish the Mainstream Media, even when they flounder, because it is the core of democracy. But this was embarrassing. This was pathetic. This was just a cheesy press conference with cheesy questions.
Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos should be ashamed. I’m sure they have all of their reasons wrapped nicely with a bow, explaining why they asked what they asked and why it was proper and good and noble. Sorry, it wasn’t. They put this on in prime time across the nation, and turned it into a slimy, Fox Network reality show. A cross between Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? and Temptation Island. Something like, So, You Want to Be President?!
This was a disservice to America.

What happened to the issues guys? Pins? Church leaders? Sniper fire? George, I bought your book and used to admire you. The more you soft shoe around the conservatives on your show, and the tone of this debate makes me wish I never had. I actually wanted to see a real intelligent debate, instead, I got Rupert Murdoch style tabloid questions that focus on sensationalism. ABC News who once held some prestige, has sullied the reputation of solid journalists like Peter Jennings. Shame, shame. Our country needed to know what they will do about our economy, the war and health care, not gaffes and redundant responses to gaffes!

Hillary had a 20+ lead in PA, remember?
Today’s new Zogby poll in Pennsylvania finds Sen. Hillary Clinton barely edging Sen. Barack Obama, 45% to 44% with 12% undecided.
Key findings: “Clinton leads by a wide margin in western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, while Obama leads by a large percentage in eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. In the central part of the state, including the state capital of Harrisburg, Clinton leads by eight points.”

“Obama does not know what a capital gains tax is. He started babbling about the INCOME of hedgefund managers.”
He doesn’t have to actually KNOW anything, or to take any positions that might dis-endear him to the right. Obama’s meant to be a figure-head for the very same corporate white guys who’ve ALREADY wrecked the economy, the media, etc.

patricia,
calm down, geo and charlie will not lose their jobs.
Is
chris matthews still working
keith olberman still working
anderson cooper
andrea mitchell
jack cafferty
wolf blitzer
have they taken CNN off the air?
is MSNBC still up and running?
if all of these people are still working
charlie and george will be too.

Obama’s campaign has been publicly pushing a flirtation with Jimmy Carter. This is the same Jimmy Carter that just met with Hamas. I had a lot of respect for Carter up until this very moment, he has completely disappointed me. I’m sure Obama’s campaign will still welcome his endorsement, though.

What a couple of ill-informed, bad-tempered buffoons the two interviewers are. Stupid, irrelevent questions. Attack questions for Obama, carefully selected fawning questions for Hillary.
A FLAG PIN??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
And the debate was sponsored by an organization with Bill and Hillary on its board.
I SMELL SOMETHING REALLY BAD IN HERE … must be a very smelly conflict of interest.
Fire those two morons, and bring back the League of Women Voters.
Ugh. ABC, you owe the American people an apology.

OVER WORDS….lol

WOW! Obama is asked a few hard questions and his supporters freak-out. This is just a warm-up for what he will be in for IF he wins the nomination. Remember MSM is owned by large corporations and they favor republicans.

fontapa – Interesting but there is a difference between Bills pardon and Obama stratigizing with the Weather underground founders, the one big one is Bill is not running, and since you Obama followers think associations should not matter then Hilary can not be blamed for that!
The screaming by Obama supporters is sad, about these so called tough questions that Obama could not answer!
Do you know Obama has never had a real campaign – His run for State senate he fought his Democrat opponents in court to get them off the ballot, he won the federal senate because no one ran against him that mattered, the person who did pulled out, and then they brought in an out of stater to run.

The debate pretty much confirms the fact that news coverage of 21st century politics in America is primarily about entertainment. If a candidate stuck to policy he or she would never get a mention in the news media, unless the candidate was the target of the other candidate’s attacks.

BRING BACK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS!!
ALL MSM LED DEBATES ARE LESS THAN USELESS.

The debate last night was insulting to the intelligence of the American voter. I’m really tired of elites, both media and politicians, thinking that the electorate is so stupid that in a time of war and recession, we care about lapel pins.

Last nights debate was a complete joke. Though unlike most other people, I don’t blame the moderators. The people in the production office, the writers, those at the top were dictating the drama. I have watched all of the past 20 plus dem debates, and none were such a mockery of this type of forum. All of the questions were aimed at getting the candidates to pull the type of personal punches that make little difference to our country and serve only to turn everyone off to the voting process. SHAME ON ABC!

ABC wasted 52 minutes of prime time pursuing mundane issues and appeared to be blantantly unfair to one candidate. The debate winners were CNN and MSNBC as ABC finished a distant third.

WOW! Obama is asked a few hard questions and his supporters freak-out. This is just a warm-up for what he will be in for IF he wins the nomination. Remember MSM is owned by large corporations and they favor republicans.

That was no debate. That was “talk show” junk TV. Is ABC News so deparate for ratings that they’ll host a “let’s see them trash one another” show.
If this is what is to be expected for the next debate, yaw can put this on cspan and allow regular viewing.

Hey, I am all for either candidate that can beat McCain, but this kind of crap will ensure neither wins. I realize it will come up later in the presidential debates, but this is just making to worse for Clinton and Obama. I didn’t mind the last 1/2 hour or so…between commercials that is.

From the FOX fact check today:
“Ayers contributed $200 to Obama’s legislative campaign in 2001, but there is no other sign that he has actively aided Obama’s political career.”
Could it be that instead he contributed to Hillary’s campaigns eversince, by way of thanking her for the pardons granted to his comrades?
Let’s find that out, Jake. LOL.

On the sustantive issues, I don’t think there is much difference between the two candidates so on that point I’d have to say it was a tie. I think that the rehashing of old news by Hillary and ABC however pushed Obama across the finish line by a nose therefore, Obama won the debate last night.

hard question: Sen. Obama, although you constantly tell voters that you were against the war from the beginning, why did you say in an interview that you don’t know how you would have voted if you actually had been in the senate? Also, how do you explain your Iraq votes since you joined the Senate?

OBAMA HAS FAKE ENDORSEMENTS !!!!
In The Huffington Post, 04/16/08, Obama received an endorsement from the AHSA, American Hunters and Sportsmen Assoc. It said “eat your heart out Hillary.”
The endorsement is to mislead people in to thinking Obama is actually suppotive of Guns.
Upon further checking ..
“AHSA is actually the latest in a long line of anti-gun groups camouflaging
themselves as pro-hunting and pro-conservation in order to split our community.
Before you give AHSA any creed ” beware the wolf in sheep”s clothing, ”
OBAMA ACTUALLY HAS A PLAN TO DISARM AMERICA

It’s obvious the Obama supporters have a problem with their candidate being asked hard questions. What do you think is going to happen IF he gets the nomination? It is better he is asked now.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, whose pedigree is on the other side of their generation’s cultural divide, defends Bill Ayers in a statement to the Tribune:
There are a lot of reasons that Americans are angry about Washington politics. And one more example is the way Senator Obama’s opponents are playing guilt-by-association, tarring him because he happens to know Bill Ayers.
I also know Bill Ayers. He worked with me in shaping our now nationally-renowned school reform program. He is a nationally-recognized distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois/Chicago and a valued member of the Chicago community.
I don’t condone what he did 40 years ago but I remember that period well. It was a difficult time, but those days are long over. I believe we have too many challenges in Chicago and our country to keep re-fighting 40 year old battles.

“This November, I am voting for the DEMOCRAT no matter what.”
Sue, now THAT’s the attitude!
The rest is senseless bickering.
Let’s make sure we won’t have another Republican tearing this country down!

FINALLY, Senator Obama was made to speak unscripted about Reverend Wright, etc. I wish they had also asked what he meant when he recently spoke about the “typical” white person. Let’s be honest, all we know about Sen. Obama is he is an amazing orator. Absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing speeches. I personally need to know more about who may become our next President, when this is such a critical time for our country. Democrat, Republican, Independent……..it should not matter to any of us right now. We will never completely agree on everything with ANY of the candidates; but, we defintely need to know character.

ABC News Hacks: Now you’re evaluating your own Hack Job? What’s the point? Fold up the tent. Send Stephanopolous and Gibson out on the campaign trail with Hillary and maybe they too will fade into oblivion. Jake, you still got a job? Is ABC even legitimate after that disaster? Get a job at Fox News, it’ll be a step up out of the sewer you’re currently working at…and you have the guts to question the Obama girl interviewing someone? Is that a joke? You’re gonna be put out after Stephanopolous (how is that guy even invited to Bilderberg?) and Gibson (another Clinton shill) “moderated” that fiasco you’re calling a debate. Let me tell you something, Jake…if a “moderator” is booed right after a debate and spends time defending his actions (like Stephanopolous did), it’s a clear sign the “debate” was a total disaster. But, back to the Obama girl. You really did seemed annoyed by her being in the “Spin Room”. It’s funny…YOU…cracking on her!!! You’re a clown.

asian…
I am quite aware that McCain was born in Panama, which was an American territory at the time, and both his parents were Americans. He does NOT have dual citizenship with Panama. Would seem there would be a conflict of interest with dual citizenship and who you pledge you allegiance to. This is the presidency and not an “average” citizen. The supreme court discourages citizens from maintaining other citizenships. Might follow that a presidential candidate may want to only pledge alligiance to one country.