http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspxI am looking for a few simple things in the debate tonight.  Which candidate is giving us more than sound bites and rhetoric?  Which candidate isn’t answering the questions soooo carefully that by the end of their answer we forgot the question?en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169241Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:14:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169241Robert Brown, Brooklyn, N.Y.I agree that all the things you mentioned in your post, but there is one thing that you didn't mention that I would like to hear the candidates discuss. I'd like to know how they feel about the power of the presidency. What powers do they think the constitution gives the president, and what are their thoughts on the seperation of powers? Since Bush came into office, the American People have lost a number of their freedoms in the name of safety. What would each of the candidated do to restore these freedoms, and how would they do it?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169313Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:12:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169313Gregory James, Rochester, NYMr. Brown, what freedoms specifically have been surrendered under President Bush? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169315Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:13:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169315Robert Mann, Oneida, New YorkMike Gravel demonstrated great courage as a United States Senator and -- unlike Hillary Clinton -- played an important role in ending a costly failed war. Here is the link to Mike Gravel's web site, missing from the MSNBC web page at this time: http://www.gravel2008.us In 1971, Senator Mike Gravel waged a successful one-man filibuster for five months that forced the Nixon administration to cut a deal, effectively ending the draft in the United States. He is most prominently known for his release of the Pentagon Papers, the secret official study that revealed the lies and manipulations of successive U.S. administrations that misled the country into the Vietnam War. Senator Gravel seeks an immediate and orderly withdrawal of troops from Itraq followed by aggressive diplomacy Senator Gravel wants to eliminate the income tax and replace it with a progressive national sales tax - Fair Tax. Senator Gravel wants to empower Americans and turn every citizen into a lawmaker by enacting a national initiative. Senator Gravel wants to enact a national, universal, single-payer, not-for-profit U.S. healthcare system. For more information, go to: http://www.gravel2008.us http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169364Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:39:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169364Gary, Franklin, WisconsinI agree with Mr. Brown that we urgently need these candidates to discuss both Presidential power and their views on the separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government. One of my concerns is how quickly we have been willing to give up certain liberties in exchange for alleged "safety". I am also concerned about how little we seem to care about how Mr. Bush has attempted to usurp Congressional powers. When I was in college, the leading book on these issues was Presidental Power (1960) by Richard Neustadt. As I recall that predated the odd notion of "signing statements" . . . What do the eight think about that?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169400Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:52:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169400Cynthia CrouseRight on! Hope we get to hear you this evening!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169424Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:06:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169424jeb, Texas"...and not enough time." How true and how ironic since there really is so much time (before the election). If we can just get away from our limitations and soundbites. Wouldn't a 3 hour or 4 hour debate be great! Not a 30 minutes.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169518Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:50:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169518Jeff Haley, Fort Dodge, IAMike Gravel, former U.S Senator from Alaska, is a very principled and intelligent anti-war candidate who has a very distinct vision for the future of the U.S.A. and I for one am glad he is getting this exposure to the nation. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169552Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:15:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169552Amy B. Portland, MeLet's get real, its not enough time for the candidates to say anything beyond giving a snippet of their stump speech. Thanks for the link to Mike Gravel's website, Robert. I can't believe I never heard of this guy.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#169619Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:46:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:169619Sam E. Brunswick, NJI guess the questions I would like to hear answers to the following questions: would your ideology go so far that it denies science or other research? Do you believe in the unitarian executive? How far should/would loyalty go in your administration? These are questions that arose over the course of the current administration. The current administration has shown what should not be done. The question is do the candidates know what this adminstration has done wrong in most people's eyes. If they can clearly state what the mistakes were (as well as their own) and what they would do not to do them (or correct what was done), that would help me figure out which one is for mehttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170126Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:07:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170126Michael Misovec, Chesapeake, VAEducation is most important to me. Which candidate will has the best ideas to solve rising tuition, student debt, opportunities for those who can't afford tuition. Employers often overlook highly skilled workers that may only have a high school diploma or associates degree. I want to hear about tax credits for employers offering tuition assistance and higher wages for students. Students need to pay off college costs. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170235Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:42:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170235T BirchI like to see each candidate give their opinion on NCLB (No child left behind).http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170366Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:08:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170366C BirchAreas I consider important are lobbying, pork, social security, influence of drug companies, and education.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170401Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:12:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170401C SennaIn order to have a FAIR and UNBIASED debate, all the candidates should be provided the same amount of questions so voters can hear their thoughts and beliefs; however, this doesn't seem to be the case. Specifically, Gravel and Kucinich have received far fewer opportunities to answer questions and give rebuttals. On the other hand Clinton, Edwards and Obama have received many more questions/rebuttals than the other candidates. I'm disappointed MSNBC...I expected more equal and fair coverage from you!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170443Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:21:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170443KrisGravel is crazy. In a good way, but still crazy.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#170539Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:38:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170539Man from San FranWhen are we going to put the businesses that destroy humanity out of business?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#171203Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:23:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171203Andrew, MarylandI believe that Gravel has the best vision and resolve out of all of the candidates, save maybe Obama, if he bothers to give some solid policies to us. He's got the experience and has been removed from the machine long enough to avoid corruption. I'd like to cast a principalled vote for Gravel.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#171401Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:50:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171401albert championas i sit her, i look up at my library. prominent in my collection of histories of the viet-nam war are these volumes....the pentagon papers, the gravel edition. few recall that it was senator gravel that was really responsible for the publication of these studies into the amerikan invasion of indochina. a great patriot. so much of his past has been forgotten. salud, senator. keep after the fascist bastids. as you know well, they reside in both parties. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#171445Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:15:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171445MattI vote Gravel for President in 2008 because he was the only candidate who spoke from his heart at the debate tonight.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#178996Wed, 02 May 2007 16:52:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:178996Deb, Seattle, WASen. Gravel speaks for the people, not the political/media machine. Remember when America stood for hope and human rights? Not secret prisons, torture and spying on it's own citizens for their political beliefs? That is the America Mike talks for. He's my candidate for 2008. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#182198Fri, 04 May 2007 11:42:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182198Cody, Escondido, CaMatt and deb, nicely said !!!!! The reason I like him is because he is not fake You could tell all the other candidates were just saying what everyone wanted to hear FAKE !!!! What shocked me about Sen. Gravel, I have never heard a candidate speak there mind the way he did .... This is the "" that left me in shock “Joe, you have a certain arrogance, you want to tell the Iraqis how to run their country. We should just play ‘get out.’ It’s their country, their asking us to leave, and we insist on staying there, why not get out. You hear the statement, ‘the soldiers will have died in vain.’ The entire deaths of Vietnam died in vain. You know what’s worse than a soldier dying in vain? More soldiers dying in vain.” I have never felt this about a candidate... This is the first person ever to make me want to get involved I feel like America has a chance with this guy I don't understand why some people don't like this guy, He is the best thing to ever hit the white house! Remember people war does not solve anything What are we going to win with the war in Iraq There is nothing to win What do we get a trophy or something??? What we are doing is making people more and more angry I consider the war in Iraq like Columbine High School massacre and our current government: "The Bullies" that picked on the Shooters of Columbine "The Iraq People". Keep picking on people, the people that are getting picked on, soon they will grow tired of people messing with the and the start fighting back. Boom 911 all over again. Leave those people alone !!! They are not Americans.they do do not want Americans in there country it's been said, leave!! why do we have to make it our job to save them. Please Let gravel Win!!!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/169201.aspx#182743Fri, 04 May 2007 18:51:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:182743Jeremy Wyatt, Nashville, TnI will agree with everything said about Mike Gravel, and I believe it is all good, so far. I have only to add that each one of you, as an informational gatekeeper to the knowledge that Gravel is our only true candidate, do one thing. Let that knowledge flow through you to those around you, now. Register as a Democrat and vote in the primary. This is Gravel's true battleground, not the general election. Then obscurity cannot hide him. Now, with the primary, is his chance. Unfortunately, that chance is to lose. I say change that course. I believe through blogging, email chains and person-to-person interaction, we can bypass the media's influence, making it apparent that the American people decide elections, not the "who gets the most airtime." I know Gravel has made it a point about his lack of airtime because it pigeon-holes him into an obscure candidate. But we're Americans! We have the right to choose our media. Go to his website; listen to the man speak on his Youtube channel. Read about the nationalinitiative.com. You have all the airtime you need with Gravel. Then, when you decide that he is the one you want for president because of what he says, don't wimp out out because you don't think he can win. If you vote for him... he will.