Dem Debate Blog

I can't watch the debate without banter of some form....so I will blog my comments (of course from my living room on a big screen):

8:35 - This has been a bunch of he said she said so far. Obama reiterates the same punch line, Clinton touts years of experience. I think George Stephanopoulos (wasn't he a big elephant on Sesame Street?) was a Clinton cabinet member or speech writer or something, and keeps softballing Hillary.
Then again, the moderators both seem to be on an attack mode of questions instead of asking questions about platform items.

8:40 - Oooo....a PA resident video asked Obama if he loves the American flag. Why do they do this. I don't care about a flag, it is just a flag. How about asking the candidates their stance on something important like the environment?!?!

8:45 - Another Clinton comment about her doing better vs. McCain...and Obama counters with the same....so thrilling...

8:50 - commercials...they sound relaxing compared to this crap. So far, Obama is rhetoric only. Clinton is mostly rhetoric, but seems more poignant in her comments. Still no decision on my part. I have a feeling that at the end of this, I will be even more sure I am too liberal for democrats. (Deer Park Eco-Shape water bottle???? WTF? How about not using plastic to bottle WATER!)

8:55 - Finally, an Iraq question...even if it too was phrased in a way to put Clinton on a defensive posture.
"Will you remove troops even though Patreaus said blah blah"....uh...yeah, since he is a Bush-tard.

9:00 - "If Iran attacked Israel, would that be ok?" I would love to see one candidate just blow off an obvious question like that. Answer humorously like "Eh, depends on what part of Israel." I mean really...is either person going to say we won't support Israel.

9:05 - Oh my...showing McCain saying that Dems will raise taxes. Is there a more tried and true Republican attack than that? Clinton says no new taxes. Obama says he will cut them. I guess McCain will have to say that we can tax him to beat them now.

9:10 - Capital gains tax question to Obama. First really good response I've seen from him tonight. Had data, made an argument, tied it into McCain and Bush policies.

9:12 - Nice...Clinton states she wants to invest into the green economy to aid growth in general economy. Didn't run with it, but at least she mentioned it.

9:18 - Finally a bit of heat...about taxes and social security. The back and forth, yet no clear winner. Clinton still sounds much more well defined in her arguments. Obama still seems minorly flustered.

9:25 - Gun control topic. Finally I can hear their takes on it.
Clinton's take - Cops program. Assault weapons ban. Give police access to federal tracking info. Balance, lawful use. And she used "bridge the divide" quote from Obama!
Obama's take - Asked slightly different question...about handguns. Then asked about DC handgun ban. He doesn't really have good basis.
Clinton asked about DC ban. She supports the ability to regulate on a local level. No firm answer from Obama.

9:35 - Affirmative action to Obama....ugh...ask something good already. Environment, gay rights/marriage, something!!!

9:40 - Energy independence....wait...almost glossing over...wait...
Obama says raise fuel efficiency on cars...good start...and?
$150B to new project to find alternative energy. Good...but still no hard facts.
aaaannnd we are already past it....

Damn...commercial than ending question, and I still have no good policy differences. WHY!?!?!?!?

9:45 - And the final question...pledged delegates...no...how they will approach the nomination if the delegate thing doesn't make a deciision. Greeaat. I just wasted 2 hours of my life on this.

And neither closing comment was powerful...so I spent 2 hours without being able to sway my decision...now what?

See...I'm not the only one that thought ABC sucked:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/17/the-reviews-are-in/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/16/attention-abc-youre-hurting-america/