Hardblogger : Democratic debates

After the debate

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:06:00 GMT

(By Brooke Brower, Hardball producer)

Friends and family swarmed the stage as soon as the debate ended. Biden moved to center stage for an interview on MSNBC. Richardson stood by as Biden spoke to the camera. No other candidates are visible on the stage at this point -- they're either surrounded by well-wishers or they're already out the door.

Pat Buchanan's take on the debate

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:43:00 GMT

(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.

Is Obama moving towards Clinton on terrorism?

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:41:00 GMT

After the first question, there was some space between them on their answer to a question about how they would respond to a domestic terrorist attack. Obama expressed concern that we carefully deal with international colleagues. Clinton made it clear that retaliation against the enemy would be right in her sights if the blame could be clearly identified.

I thought it was going to stand that way and he would be viewed as more reserved in international aggression.

Yet this didn't stand, Obama needed to come back and use another question to assure people that he thinks that a serious military response is sometimes called for.

Then he gets in a fight with Kucinich and he is the hawk. No, it isn't your imagination. He aligned himself purposely with the views of Hillary Clinton.

Winner: Hillary Clinton

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:39:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton was superb in saying what she would do if the US was the subject of a terrorist attack- Attack back.

Note to Barack Obama: When asked about America’s three most important allies, don’t forget about Israel.

Joe Biden had the best moment of the night when asked if he was verbose and whether he could avoid gaffs he gave a one-word answer: Yes. It was sharp, funny, and the time limits were Biden’s friend.

Winner: Hillary Clinton

Winner among the second tier: Joe Biden- seemed genuinely presidential.

Didn’t seem to be there very much: Barack Obama

No hits, no runs, no errors: John Edwards

Strong endings for Edwards, Obama and Biden

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:36:00 GMT

(By MSNBC's Joe Scarborough)

Damn. John Edwards just gave a fantastic closing argument. It was the most human moment of the debate and is the type of snapshot of a candidate's soul that moves voters. Barack Obama's best moment may have been standing up to Kucinich on Iran. And Joe Biden waving off happy talk was a moment that would even make heartless Republicans smile. A strong ending for these three. Still, no clear winners.

Most repulsive moment

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:34:00 GMT

(By MSNBC's Tucker Carlson)

Most repulsive moment: Watching virtually the entire stage defend partial birth abortion. This is an act so cruel and brutal that few news accounts even describe it. It’s too disgusting. The vast majority of Americans, even those who are generally pro-choice, oppose it. Yet one by one, the Democratic candidates explained how upset they were by the recent Supreme Court ruling banning it.

Chris Dodd said he was “disappointed terribly.” Barack Obama tried to argue that partial birth abortions shouldn’t be prohibited because they account “for less than one percent of abortions that take place.” As if because they’re relatively rare, partial birth abortions somehow aren’t wrong. Obama can’t believe this. None of them can.

Maybe I’m giving them more credit than they deserve, but the Democrats struck me as uncomfortable when the subject came up. They’re in hock to the pro-abortion lobby, so they’ve got to support “a woman’s right to choose” even when it’s obviously killing. But they feel dirty when they do it. At least I hope they do.

Clinton and Obama: Who is stronger on terrorism?

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:32:00 GMT

Yet this didn't stand, Obama needed to come back and use another question to assure people that he thinks that a serious military response is sometimes called for.

Then he gets in a fight with Kucinich and he is the hawk. No, it isn't your imagination. He aligned himself purposely with the views of Hillary Clinton.

Clinton should get the nomination

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:28:00 GMT

(By MSNBC's Joe Scarborough)

John Edwards has had a stronger second half while Hillary Clinton has seemed a bit flat. She said she supported George Bush when he took US troops into Afghanistan but...she...uh...wasn't for attacking a country like Iraq that didn't attack us. But, of course, she did. Still, Clinton, Edwards and Obama have done what is required to get out of the first debate. Hillary Clinton should be the next Democratic nominee for president if she avoids big mistakes. Tonight she did.

The Gay Married Elephant in the Room

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:24:00 GMT

Chris Dodd made the case for same sex marriage so eloquently and then said he was against it. Too bad this issue didn't go down the line with other candidates. I'm sure there will be other chances for them all to finesse this issue.

Bill Richardson is magic

Hardball — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:12:00 GMT

(By MSNBC's Tucker Carlson)

Best question of the night: "How do hedge funds make America a better place?" Brian Williams asked that question of both Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. The correct answer is: They don’t. Yet both candidates dodged it. In other words, John Edwards is running an entire presidential campaign against corporate greed and on behalf of the disenfranchised working man, and he can’t even bring himself to criticize hedge funds, the very symbol of parasitic capitalism run amok. Come on.

Best answer of the night: “Yes.” That was Joe Biden’s monosyllabic response when Brian Williams asked him if, in the event he’s elected president, he’d be able to control his compulsive talking. You could see the strain on Biden’s face as he struggled to keep his tongue under control. But he did it, maybe for the first time, and for that he deserves credit.

Least believable moment: “Why do Republicans seem so eager to run against you?” Williams asked Hillary Clinton. “Because I’ve stood up for what I believe in,” she answered. In other words, I’m so principled, so steadfast in my views, that my intellectual integrity intimidates my opponents. Ha! Even Clinton’s friends concede she’s politically malleable. Can she really believe this? Maybe she does. People’s capacity for self-deception is endless.

Most revealing moment: John Edwards admitted (by not raising his hand) that he has never had a gun of any kind in his house. And he claims to be a Southerner?

Most amusing moment: Bill Richardson pledging to get us out of Iraq “with diplomacy” on his very first day in office. On his second day, Richardson promised to solve the energy crisis. Bill Richardson is magic.