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Matthews: What I'll be looking for at the debates

Posted: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 4:11 PM by Hardball

This Thursday, my colleague Brian Williams moderates the first Democratic presidential debate for 2008 at South Carolina State University.

I’m looking forward to the event because it will be the first opportunity for everyone, including me, to see a number of things:

How will Hillary Clinton, the only woman on stage, look in this line-up of men?  Will she radiate with charisma?   Will she debate with strength and modulation?  Will she be cool, persuasive and appealing?  Will she clearly stake out her position on the war in Iraq and on Mideast policy generally?  Will she stick her neck out in this first joint appearance or simply give it the minimum, playing not to lose?

Will Barack Obama engage head-to-head with Hillary?  Will he bring the debate to her, challenging her vote to authorize the war, questioning her proposal to keep a residual military force in Iraq, and demanding her position on any military action against Iran?

Will John Edwards, a native of South Carolina, show off the same platform skills he shows before crowds?  Will he demonstrate the maturity to match Hillary?  Will he prove himself the senior national leader to Obama?  Will he prove, as he did for us in the Hardball College Tour last year in North Carolina, that he is far more prepared for the presidency than he was in 2000? 

Will Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, or Bill Richardson (or all three) succeed in opening up the debate, in proving themselves in the same league with the frontrunners?  Will one of them throw a punch which forces one of the three leading candidates to respond?
Will Dennis Kucinich state a position in the war in Iraq that drives the other candidates to either join him or distance themselves from him?

Experience covering these events tells me that the most vital, most telling, most memorable moments come when one candidate responds directly to another.

There is nothing like seeing candidates react when standing on stage with each other.   There’s something different in the chemistry, in the air, and it matters to voters.  Think of Kennedy and Nixon in 1960.  Think of Bush and Gore in 2000.  Just having the two candidates stand together on the same stage changed the direction of both campaigns. 

It could do it again this Thursday.

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Comments

Do the Drms' have a strategy to win in Iraq or just one of leaving. Also, in light of such a robust economy, do they plan to leave the tax cuts in place.

S. Patterson (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:23 PM)

Differences in color, sexual preference, and religion are still dramatically polarizing issues here in the United States. Obviously, efforts to grant special protections to individual classes has failed based on recent events and the public reaction to them. How would you propose creating a true "level playing field" for every resident of this country so that none have any more advantage than any other?

Alan Vervaeke (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:26 PM)

Do you think president Bush should be impeached because of his actions in Iraq

Moe Sawafi Fairfax,VA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:26 PM)

What specific plans do you have to make alternative energy affordable to the average citizen. Solar panels on my roof, and the new Voltz car on way beyond what I can afford. I have replaced all of my light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. I would do more, but I can't afford it. I also recycle trash.

Susan Dinsen, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:26 PM)

My first question relates to the crisis in Darfur. If elected president, what intervention measures will you undertake to restore peace and stability not only in Sudan, but also in neighboring Ethiopia and Somalia? My second question relates to the trade deficit and our relationship with those who hold our debt. How will you leverage the U.S.'s debt with China and Japan, while pressing for the mitigation of China's repressive regime, and what domestic agenda will you institute to reduce the debt burden while increasing national net savings rates?

MH, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:32 PM)

My question is this: Our constitution gives liberty, justice and equality to ALL. Do you think it is fair to deny same-sex marriage or civil unions to tax paying Americans? If elected as President, what actions will you take to give equal rights to ALL?

Kalene Clancy, Portland, OR (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:36 PM)

Do to bad trade deals with foreign countries the middle class that drives America is getting lost in translation? What do each of the caniditates propose to do to eliminate the gap between Rich, Middle Class, And the Poor? If it involves raising taxes so be it, just tell the American people the truth. If it offers a better life for my children then their is no price tag high enough.

Brandon Barnhardt, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:47 PM)

I would like to know if any of them have given thought to the plight of college graduates who have large student loan payments or to the impact that these payments have on the national economy. If so, what proposals do they have?

Elizabeth, Houston Texas (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:53 PM)

At what time are you elected officals going to decide that we are all equal and have the same retirement and health plan as we Americal people. Yeh like this will ever happen

gary gooch Albany Il. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:56 PM)

To John Edwards: As a man who tries to emphasize he's for the "little man", how do you justify $800 for 2 haircuts, and $500 in spa treatments applied to your campaign funds?

Greg Scanlon, San Francisco, CA. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:12 PM)

just one but large question is this.. what about the fair tax! and why hasn't anybody talked about it. I truly feel that is something that has to be discussed and moved towards to making it happen.

Dave windward (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:17 PM)

What I want to know is why no one is addressing the one issue that could turn many things around in this country. Someone please ask the candidates this question... How are you going to undo corporate america's misuse of our constitution to get themselves the legal status as a "person" thus ultimately having no responsibility for the political or financial raping "the corporations" are doing in our country?

Mary Hamlin, Nashville TN (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:18 PM)

Will you be speaking out against the Bush Administration in the same tone as the Senate Majority leader and the Speaker of the House is now doing-- Like Harry S Truman said "Give "em Hell!"

David, Bangkok Thailand (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:19 PM)

What would you do about the constant disrespect of the Office of the President that congress and its followers have been expressing? Has this eroded the office? If not what makes you think this way?

JJ, Houston (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:19 PM)

Will you be speaking out against the Bush Administration in the same tone as the Senate Majority leader and the Speaker of the House is now doing-- Like Harry S Truman said "Give "em Hell!"

David, Bangkok Thailand (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:26 PM)

If we can set a time table for bringing our Troops home, can we set a time table for all U.S. Citizens having affordable health insurance and for securing our borders? Thank you all and may God bless the USA!

Ralph Frawley, Waverly Hall, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:29 PM)

If one of you were elected for the Presidency, are there any of your current Democratic opponents you would want standng beside you as Vice-President? If not VP, any other position? Why or why not?

Deborah Evilsizor (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:37 PM)

My question is to Hillary. As a woman and a very qualified candidate, how will you protect women from their right to choose. Men do not understand why women need special protection when it comes to their own bodies. Bush placed his cronies on the Supreme Court and we see from their actions that they will follow "their cronie's" directive when it comes to womens rights.

Sandra Atencio (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:40 PM)

Question for Senator Clinton: Given the fact that the American electorate system is viewed overwhelming negative by most U.S. Citizens and only a fraction of eligible voters actually vote, why won't you support a change in our campaign finance laws?

John Reynolds, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:41 PM)

It is a tragic loss that individuals like Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd, two of the most competent, knowledgeable and experienced persons in this race have such a fight to get media attention because of money. It's a crime that this race has been reduced to Hillary and Osama so early in an election of such significance. Thank god for the debates........bring them on!

Gretta Collins, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:47 PM)

Lady and Gentlemen, If you are against the war in the Mid-East, how do you propose America help others gain the Freedom and Liberty that we American's enjoy each day of our lives? Or, do you believe that we can just give them money and hope they will leave us along? Was it not John Kennedy that said "other countries should not ask what America can do for them but what together we can do to spread Liberty and Freedom to all mankind".

Parvin Woods (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:47 PM)

Ask Senator Clinton - does anything matter more to you than power?

jim, bloomington, mn (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:51 PM)

What do you admire of your opponents, one by one, and why would your strengths be more desireable to the voter?

gary miner, shelton, wash (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:54 PM)

My question to Hillary would be why was Scooter Libby given such a hard time when no notice was paid to Sandy [Pants] Berger for stealing documents and hiding them in his pants.

Brian O'Toole (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:54 PM)

Iwould like to ask them; what are your plans to defends us from other attacks, they are to busy critizasing President Bush for everthing he does, but I haven't hear from any Democrats what are they going to do if we are attack again. How they are goin to defend this country from other attacks At least we feel safe now.

Martha Scheele, Indianapolis,In. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:58 PM)

What will they do about ending the ridiculous war on drugs?

Phil B, Burbank, Ca (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:59 PM)

As for our troops in Iraq, bring them home put foreigners with criminal back grounds out of our country.Let our troups protect the country they believe in at home and not abroad.Let Iraq fight their on battle's.They are one of the richest nations in the world right.My question would be why are the american people paying for this war when we are in need in our own country.We have numerous homeless,jobless,no health care,but our government gives away billions of dollars each year to foreign countries that needs to be used at home first.My question is why and how do you people justify that.

Nolan Miller DeFuniak Springs,Fl. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:59 PM)

I would ask all the candidates whether we should allow Iran to build nuclear weapons, and if not, would pre-emptive strike be an open option? -- Candidates must say YES OR NO as part of their answer!

Jeff Wilson, Wilmington NC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 1:59 PM)

I would like to know how much money is in the pockets of each candidate from George Soros and if they become president, what will George have them do to this country?

Delmar Fairchild, Barron, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:00 PM)

Previous world powers have declined because of bankruptcy. What leadership priciples can you bring that will help this country get back on a solid financila footing?

Kenneth Heimes, Boone, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:40 PM)

i would like to know if any of the candidates have the backbone to stand up to big business and change our trade policy before we destroy more of our manufacturing?

rusty evans (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:41 PM)

To all candidates: What specifically in your background, training and experience -- other than serving as a politician -- qualifies you to command the armed forces of the United States as Commander-in-Chief?

Dennis Shaw, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:43 PM)

We have heard how stem research violates the sanctity of life yet the “right to life” chorus doesn’t feel the same compulsion to protect the lives of our young soldiers whenever it involves our national interests however that is defined. It seems that this protection afforded to the living diminishes with age. I would appreciate your thoughts on this apparently self-serving inconsistency?

Benjamin Thomas, Wantagh, New York (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:45 PM)

To: Obama, what makes you think you are qualified to become the President of the U.S of America? Just to be the first person of African desent is simply not enough.

Sandra, New York (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:47 PM)

If Congress can fund billions to fight the war, why in peace time can't Congress fund $400 billion for improvements in this country (i.e infrastructure-highways), better education, and health plans, New Orleans

Bob McDonald, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:50 PM)

1. A president should be honest and courageous: How can you convince me that you have these qualities? 2. We can't win the battle of suicides in Iraq: Would you consider spending the war money communicating directly to the people via TV and radioinstead of killing people? 3. A corporation has no soul: how would you convince corporations to cease polluting? to not employ illegal aliens? to permit fair health care for all citizens? to be as honest as sensitive, as forgiving, as responsible as a human being?

Ron Kolb, Erie, Pa. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:53 PM)

To Hillary Clinton, Why do you really want to become President of the US, you have been in the White House, and went though a lot during your husband's 8 eight years, aren't you tired of arguing with the Republicans, and why not wait until the war is over, before trying again.

Willie, NYC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:54 PM)

Which one of you will return christanity to the classroom and government , since this nation was founded on biblical principals

don white, sylvester, ga (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:50 PM)

Environment, environment, environment. Who has a real plan?

Carol W., Springfield, MO (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:17 PM)

I want to know how the candidates intend to work together and bring us back together after such a divisive administration. How can they heal America?

L. Clements (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:27 PM)

My question to every candidate is this, how and when will this war end, we just witnessed the deaths of 9 soldiers this week, and one of my nephews is on his way to the same region in Iraq, I am afraid something terrible will again happen in the same region and hopefully not my nephew would be one of the coffins, Candidates, what can you do to end this madness and when will this happen, I hope soon than sooner, please ask the canddidates what their answers will be if they become elected in office in 2008. I pray for the safety of all our soldiers in that crazy war. Thank you. Elisapeta E. Papalii American Samoa

Elisapeta E. Papalii, Pago Pago, American Samoa (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:40 PM)

Whether it be the Vice President’s fixing of pre-war intelligence, the Justices’ department condoning the use of torture, or the President authorizing military tribunals, enemy combatant classifications, secret prisons and the deprivation of due process and the right to a speedy trial, the list of constitutional abuses is shocking. If elected President would you call for the repeal of the Patriot act and do you support Rep. Kucinich in his call for the impeachment of Cheney?

Mark Diaz Rockwall, Texas (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:46 PM)

I would like to know if the candidates are in favor of giving people illegally in this country social security benifits and if so please explain how you are to justify this to the american worker who has paid in all thier working life

Bill Roush, Joshua Tree California (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:58 PM)

Many Americans feel that politicians who have never held a "real" job in their life don't live in the same reality that most of us do. I would like to ask the candidates what jobs they worked at when they were younger (do not include "lawyer" or "I ran for state representative") and what did they learn from their labor?

Roger Nieman (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:06 PM)

I want to know how the candidates address the lack of biosecurity that exist at large poulty and swine farms. It is this lack of biosecurity, not just in the United States but within other countries as well, that is leading to the emergence of highly pathenogenogenic viruses and bacteria that could become a great risk to the global economy. An example being the H5N1 avian influenza or its cousin, the human to human transmissable H7N7 avain influenza seen in the Netherlands.

Ryan Meyerhoff (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:14 PM)

2 questions:1) senator clinton, how do you feel that leaders of nations world-wide would respect you and thus respect the US? 2)(all candidates) what plans do you have on the issue of medical insurance for older persons?

A. Steele, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:18 PM)

I'm tired of the grandiose generalized statements of Barack Obama, and the convoluted, controlled overly-processed positions of Hillary Clinton. The press has driven this horserace between the black candidate and the first serious woman candidate. And the result has been the incessant spotlight on those two candidates at the expense of the only candidate who has clearly spelled out his positions on the major issues of most concern to Americans, John Edwards. I do not believe Clinton or Obama can win the general election, and if the press continues this overwhelming focus on those two candidates, they will be responsible for engineering not only who the Democratic Nominee will be, but more than likely, assist the Republicans in again taking the White House. Their recent self-recrimination and mea culpas seem to have had no effect on their irresponsible ways. And the American people deserve better.

Johanna Dordick, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:29 PM)

I would like to hear each candidate's views on the place of religion in politics. Would any of them court the votes of conservative "religious" voters by reaching out to them in speeches that might be considered "pandering"? Will they use religious references in their campaigns in general?

Norman Solomon, La Jolla, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:30 PM)

Joe Biden is the only candidate to have articulated a difinitive understanding and plan for how the US involvement in Iraq needs to proceed. Let us all hope he articulates his understanding and plan, and directly challenges each of the other candidates to respond, suscinctly, with THEIR understandings and plans to end this drain of our economic and human resources, let alone the attendant squandering of our future relations with the rest of the world population and governments. End this one challenge well and the rest of our problems will be more likely to have the clear attention of our legislators.

LuAnne Fehrle, Marysville, Wa (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:39 PM)

Does any one of the candidates remember the SS lockbox game they played us on? Independent and bi-partisan reports for over a decade reveal a major financial train wreck is coming on social security and none on this panel have done or proposed a solution. If elected president will you a)re-visit personal savings accounts, b) substantially increase SS taxes or c) reduce benefits? There is no 4th option out there.

Ron B. Stanwood,WA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:40 PM)



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