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Pat Buchanan's take on the debate

Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:43 PM by Hardball

(By MSNBC's Pat Buchanan)

Hillary Rodham Clinton entered this debate as the front-runner and leaves this debate as a stronger front-runner. She won going away.

Responding in what she would do in an event of an attack, Hillary was an almost echo of Ronald Reagan.

Clinton’s chief opponent, Barack Obama, seemed programmed and unspontaneous. 

The others:

  • Joe Biden seemed crisp and short.
  • Richardson was engaging
  • Kucinich was a man of conviction. He believes was he says.
  • Edwards was lacking in energy, passion, and fire.

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Comments

Sadly, she sounds too conformist...too programmed...it is nearly nine months until a primary and everyone seems to have chosen a winner. She makes me uncomfortable. I don't think she can win against any repub. either.

Donna Thurn-Nelson Suisun City, CA (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:50 PM)

wow biden did well, clinton did well,edwards did well. i am judging on body language for the most part.

anita k. pennington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:51 PM)

love ya pat!.........you are right on about barack.... and joe won't win...but it most presidential.&..experienced in domestic and global affairs...

daunn turner, lockport, illinois (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:52 PM)

wow biden did well, clinton did well,edwards did well. i am judging on body language for the most part.

anita k. pennington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:53 PM)

pat right on all critiques..except poor richardson has got to quit numbering his changes..and ides...especially since he himself can't keep track..1..2...3...another 1..2..then 1..etc..

daunn turner, lockport, illinois (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:54 PM)

I agree with Pat and I'm happy about it. I'm a Obama supporter and I really didn't want him to "win" the debate tonight. If he wins, he becomes the front runner, which is an enormous burdern. My strategy would be tell Obama: just keep pace. Being a frontrunner is exhausting and everything that you do wrong is magnified. Second place is safe. First place is dangerous nine months away from the first primary. My advice for Obama is to break out some time around August and start moving on all cylinders. In the meantime, let Hillary achieve what was expected. There's no real gain for her if everyone thought she would win the debate in the first place. The important thing for Obama is not to do poorly and remain as one of teh three best performers at each any debate.

Richard Tabuteau, Nashville, TN (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:55 PM)

I understand the hope you are holding out for Barack, but what I saw tonight was his inexperience, no matter how well it was delivered. He did not inspire me. As far as him holding back to avoid becoming the frontrunner, okay, but in August "that dog just won't hunt". Hopefully by August he will have refined his message and scope on "The Presidency".

Darlene, Cleveland (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:01 PM)

hillary went in the front runner and left this evening with that status solidly in tact, probably putting some distance between her and obama. biden, dodd, edwards were all solid and impressive, and kucinich was the passionate man of conviction that he always is -- won't be nominated but always a valuable voice of conscience. obama was the one participant who seemed to underperform tonight. not a death knell by any means, but to the extent he's vulnerable on the "substance and experience" dynamic, he didn't seem to do much to dissuade detractors of that weakness. a lot of stammering...repeating of points already made...failing to really directly answer the question posed.

byron, new york, NY (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:02 PM)

She sure is sticking to her lie about the war vote. At least Edwards stood up and took blame, we sure know the Clintons and the truth often get seperated and when they do they will stick to the lie until the end. I thought Obama was the clear winner.

Mark, Hot Springs, AR (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:04 PM)

Please tell Chris to quit critiquing the "modulation" of Hillary's voice. How is that any different than judging Obama to be "articulate"?

DLA, Orland Park, IL (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:04 PM)

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that if Clinton wins, it means two families will have alternated the Presidency since 1988?

Dan, Providence, RI (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:05 PM)

hillery is serious, she wants to win. i just don't want her going against a rep. i don't think a woman can do it,nor barak

anita k. pennington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:05 PM)

I liked Biden a lot tonight and not just because of his one liner. Gavel was awesome and made the debate watchable. The other person I liked a lot was Richardson. I don't think he got the correct amount of airtime but him and Biden were my two big winners.

Brett, Columbia, MO (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:05 PM)

So far I have seen many the Repubs give the win to Hillary. I can tell who they want to run against in the final race. Clinton will be an easy target for them and they want her to win the Democratic nod. "Beware of Republicans bearing gifts"

Bill Ponders, Nashua, NH (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:05 PM)

I am hesitant to argue with Pat Buchanan, but I think the frontrunners disappointed while the middle performed well. Edwards was not passionate but he was calm and composed and very confident. Clinton was flat, Obama stiff until the very end.

Mike, Washington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:08 PM)

Thank you for giving Kucinich the credit he deserves. It's pretty unfortunate others (cough cough... JOE) don't see him as credible as he is. And you're right about Hillary too. She's just too good for this. She can win these in her sleep.

Aaron Wilkerson (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:08 PM)

Hillary seemed programmed and static to me; Obama did well and handled Kucinich admirably, very polished. Biden acquitted himself for the "clean and articulate" remark; Edwards remained solid on his key issues. Losers: Richardson, Dodd, Kucinich and Gravel. Overall winner: Obama.

J. Edwards (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:14 PM)

hey there pat, biden was funny and charming. barack, yes i agree. his anxiety showed.and they jumped on it

anita k. pennington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:16 PM)

obama? overall winner? no way

anita k. pennington hickory,nc (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:24 PM)

Hillary was way too rehearsed; she's beginning to wear thin; Obama was fair but faltered when Gravel went after him. Biden was a surprise and I think came off and informed and presidentialbut not too stiff. Kucinich's ideas are always good but too bad nobody gives him a consideration because of his peace stands. And Edwards failed to ignite.

Roberta Smith, Corpus Christi Tx (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:25 PM)

Well said Pat. She is the voice of reason among the group. Biden was entertaining and Richardson wanted to be taken seriously but the shining light in the hall was Hillary. She was strong and Presidential.

Ken, Albany (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:27 PM)

Although I was impressed with Richardson, I liked Clinton's response on Health Care and Immigration. But, the real winners were the man and woman who could be heard long after the video finished on the MSNBC website. It was obvious they did not know a mic has been left on.

Kay Villa (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:35 PM)

Gee, I agree with you on everything Pat, except for Richardson who I thought was the big loser, tonight. We Illinoisans must think alike as the poster from Lockport was so correct -- I thought I would barf if Richardson started counting on his fingers again. He also went over time every time -- that's just rude as you steal time from others -- watch the lights; they turn yellow when time is about to run out.

michala, sterling, il (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:38 PM)

I agree with Obama that every person should have catastrophic health insurance. The gov. should provide it at a low monthly premium for those who don't have it. It prevents bankcruptcies. The most serious problem that we are facing is medicare and nobody wants to face it. The boomers will be retiring soon.

Margie, Santa Barbara, Ca (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:44 PM)

I'm going to have to disagree with Pat. Later in the debate another question was presented to Hillary concerning Iraq where she commented on the mistakes that were made, while conveniently leaving out her own vote of approval - no matter how many times she mentioned it before, this knocks points off of her credibility. I'll give the win to Obama, mainly for his eloquent position on abortion - by sidestepping the fruitless battles of pro-choice vs. pro-life, Obama proved that he stands for what his campaign has been saying all along - that he will bring about the change of pace that everyone has been looking for in a candidate.

Nick, Mays Landing, NJ (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:45 PM)

#1 - Clinton came across as the most experienced and eloquent about her position; she is the clear winner. #2- Biden seemed experienced, no major mistakes; he is worth watching on where he stands. #3- Obama seemed to get lost and not as quick to respond and very general in responses. #4- Edwards was flustered and not very confident almost caught off guard all evening. #5-Kucinich was passionate and honest as ususal; he needs to remain in the race for checks and balances #6 -Richards seemed out of place and could not communicate precisely on his position. #7 Dodd was forgetable #8 Gravel - what can I say.

Washington DC (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:51 PM)

May I suggest something? It seems possible that Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are leading by virtue of the most media converage and conversation. I was genuinely disappointed in the post-debate conversation that easily blows off 70% of the candidates. They are labeled "second-tier", and we wonder why they never gain a foothold. Dennis Kucinich seemed like the only candidate to avoid parsing his words (in the political manner that these candidates usually do) and delivered conviction-backed messages. Furthermore, he delivered messages of morality and thoughtfullness without being unrealistic; he is not the "radical" he is framed to be by political pundits. If MSNBC wishes to truly inform the political process, then stop horse-racing the elections process. Give candidates equal and objective consideration. I can understand an argument for Grevel being untactful and too emotional, but Kucinich, Richardson, Biden, and Dodd deserve fair and blanced consideration. The media is essentially picking the winners regardless of substantive issues.

Kevin- Columbus, Ohio (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:53 PM)

I find it difficult to not like Kucinich, even though I think he missed a perfect opportunity for a one-liner when everyone else refused to support his bill to impeach Cheney -- he should have started his rebuttal with the fact that none of them supported him in voting against the war in Iraq, either.

Jeff, Wauwatosa, WI (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:14 PM)

I liked John Edwards, because I think he was being himself. He is lower key and laid back. And he is so good looking that it is hard not to like him. Also I think that he has learned a lot from the last presidential race and is trying to learn more about foreign policy.

Sue O. (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:22 AM)

Pat, seems they are not looking at the illegal problem with a correct thinking. Just what are we going to have in America in 10 years, people who really do not like us, but just what they can get from us. What about all the crimes that are happening every day from illegals. This has to be talked about a whole lot more. the H_1 Bill for getting in more foreigns workers in for Bill Gates was really awful, do you know that 50% are low skilled workers? Why? So many things to talk about and not much said tonight of interest.

judy codd, nuevo, ca (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:37 AM)

I was pleased to see Obama keep his word. He didnt lose his cool or lob shots as they ganged up on him. he respectfully asked to finish and did a decent job on his positions

Gabe, Las Vegas (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:38 AM)

Based on what I saw, the loser will be the American people if any of these folks are elected.

Steve, Kansas (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:43 AM)

Missus clinton’s banality and war-vote double talk were on display tonight. As Frank Rich had put it recently: “John Kerry could not have said it worse himself.” In a forced effort to counteract 8 years of clinton terrorism failure, a 30-year record that is anti-military, a history of playing the victim, and her sex, hillary clinton reflexively said she would ‘retaliate’ if terrorists attacked two of our cities. As the very definition of terrorist is non-state actor, who, exactly is missus clinton planning to bomb, anyway? Can you say ’simplistic’??

Mia T, New York, NY (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:44 AM)

To Dan of Providence...That is exactly my worry. Having two families as the leader of our country for twenty years and for 4 to 8 more is almost more than a body can stand. There isn't a dime's worth of difference in them. Hillary's statement that if attacked we would retaliate and when we found out what countries supported it, we would retaliate against them too. Isn't this exactly what Pres. Bush said? How would we be better off with her. I hate to think of a year and a half of MSNBC campaigning for Hillary.

Rosemary, Metropolis, Ill (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:51 AM)

Biden impressed me the most. He was very confident and informed on foreign policy issues. And he and Obama had it right regarding Iran. Kucinich and Grevel may believe that the world is peaceful and that the US doesn't need nuclear weapons, but I think that most people will agree that the President cannot afford to announce that force is never an option when it comes to American security. Clinton was solid but she did not impress me. I think Obama was lacking on details but that he will come out as one of the winners anyway. Edwards could have done a lot better but was probably not hurt. Dodd was nearly a non-entity. Richardson may have been the biggest loser among serious candidates. He was perhaps the best on foreign policy but his too-large hand gestures, weak domestic answers (despite the bullet points), and his response to the what his biggest mistake in politics question that he was too aggressive really hurt him. Clinton and Obama will remain the front-runners, but I think Biden gained the most from his standing coming in.

Aaron Bernhardt, Denver, Colorado (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:58 AM)

I liked the way Hilary answered her questions. I felt she knows what she is doing and has a plan. I think the other candidate who did well was Kucinich because he was for peace and i think thats what the country needs. If Hilary doesn't win I would like to see him win because he presented himself as a compassionate and confident person with leadership skills.

Sonia Walker, San jose Ca (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:58 AM)

I don't like how Obama points the finger at Bush all the time. I think Iraq needs to be flattened a little, figuratevely speaking. If we don't bring peace to the mess we've created we will have another Vietman, devoured by what we so hard have fought against since the very beginning of this country. I don't know how, but we must find a way to right things we cannot just leave the Iraquis in the mess we put them into right now. Can't wake up a monster and expect it to go back to sleep just because we are tired of battling it. I have friends and family that have gone to war. It's hard but they feel they are protecting you and me out there.

Estefani Negrete, Miami, Fl (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:01 AM)

I really wish republican pundits weren't commenting on the Democratic candidates, their comments are usually not fair and mostly they are divisive. Are you going to have Democratic pundits commenting on the that strange group of republicans that are going to run, I think the Democrats are in trouble, because it seems the country really prefers imperfection, GW Bush is a good example.

Sandra, NY (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:03 AM)

Hillary was the same "old" Hillary. She doesn't seem to havea fresh answer to old questions. Obama seemed comfortable with his answers. I felt he was truthful. I am not sure Hillary was truthful or was she saying what she thought we all wanted to hear. She never answered the question but went off on what appeared to be her programed answer to a similar questin. I am looking for a canidate I feel means what he says. Hillary is not my "man". She seems to be "pat" in what she says.It was the same way I felt about President Clinton at the end of his term. I just couldn't trust him.

Arlene Szynaka, Daytona Beach, Florida (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:05 AM)

I didnt like any of them. I didnt watch it either. Im a Republican. I deal in reallity not perception.

Mike Hall (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:06 AM)

LOL, Jeff in WI! Yes, he should have. I agree, this was far from John Edwards's best performance. Admittedly, neither his speaking style nor his policies are suited to 90 second sound bites, but even so the passion that he's displayed over and over again in his campaigning was almost nowhere to be seen tonight.

Daphne Charette (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:12 AM)

I thought that all of the candidates did well besides Richardson and Gravel. I do think that the overall winner would have to be Biden though he still has a uphill fight of his hands.

Michael Winegardner (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:22 AM)

Bill Richardson was the big winner tonight in my book. I like Hilary Clinton and she did a good job. Her answers were to the point, concise, and responsible. Joe Biden is a great guy, but just not "presidential" in my mind. Perhaps that perception will change as the campaign goes along. I was disappointed in John Edwards performance, but still like him as a candidate. Barak Obama showed his inexperience. While he is a great speaker while giving a speach, I thought he did poorly during this debate. In my opinion, Bill Richardson is a statesman. He is aware of the problems facing America both here and abroad. I think we could use his experience as we move forward from Iraq and re-engage the rest of the world.

Lisa, Ft Worth, TX (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:26 AM)

Clintons answer was best on security an overall winner. Kucinich-yes he believes in his beleifs but is very naive to think they could be ever reality. Obama--programmed and just too young and inexperienced. Biden, smart but..just shut up. Gravel...give him credit for honesty and hootpsa...Edwards-Richardson...I forget what they said--yawn.

Billy DiPanni (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:28 AM)

Unfortunately, I did not get to see the debate. I will add this though. Everyone keeps talking about how young and inexperienced Obama is. I think that part of the problem with our candidates is that they have to much experience - AT PLAYING GAMES with the American people. He certainly can't do any worse than the yo-yo's who have been making decisions the past few years. Anyway we know the Senate and House always keep President's in line. We better start concentrating on who we are putting in those positions. They are the ones who are not doing a good job. They are too busy jockeying for power and not standing on morals and principles. They are the ones voting what they want and not voting as the people who elected them want. Oh well just my -I would say two cents worth but then I would have had to stop after the first letter - so I will say 5 dollars worth.

Chattanooga, TN (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 10:17 AM)

Hillary Clinton, offers hope to single women like myself. I have a disabled son and I believe her views are more toward the health needs of the american people than any other canidate.

nancy Sergent corbin ky 40701 (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 10:52 AM)

The Repub's are using backward psycology on you Bill. This is their trick. They know that they can't win against Clinton, so they say "bring her on". They want people to think like you so you wont vote for her. Remember, whatever the Repub's say, think the other way!!!

Dan Loop, Reedsport, Or. (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:11 AM)

Democrats are weak on defense -America knows this. We won't allow libearl cowards to run our country Check out Pelosi for one expamle What an idiot As for the black vote, who cares they don't vote in big numbers

J Morris Orange Ca (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:38 AM)

It all comes down who in the press wants to see as President. I'm sick and tired of all the bull---- I read called news. I will never trust any of the present politicians we have(just wait to see who gets hit by the DC madame)because they aren't there for us...its what they think they feel is best for us. As for Hilary, I haven't been able to stand even looking at her because everything that comes out of her mouth is preprogramed and calculated. She is just a plan liar. I'm on board with Fred Thompson and hope he continues to be what seems to be an honest and down to earth individual.

James, Maumee, Ohio (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:48 AM)

I think Hiliary does the best in debating but I think it is better to take Biden -- I believe he can take the Rebulican candidate compared to Hiliary and Obama. I always like Edwards but he is too passive now -- liked his attitued better when he ran the last time, he was somewhat of a bulldog.

Patricia Staley, Alexandria, Ohio (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:14 PM)



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