Democratic Debate

It looks like ABC's poorly handled debate might have made an impact on the decision:

The North Carolina Democratic Party has dropped plans for an April 27 debate, which would have been moderated by CBS's Katie Couric.

Clinton had agreed to the debate; Obama did not, and the party said in a statement that the clock had run out to organize a debate. The party also cited worries about "party unity," after last week's combative debate in Philadelphia, a focused grilling of Senator Barack Obama on topics he would have preferred to avoid.

The only other debates I would support would be ones handled like the days of old - ones were ratings and profits didn't matter. It's time to let the League of Women Voters handle our debates again and keep the corporate greed out of it.

Man this hits last night's debate spot on.

Last night's debate wasn't about policy, it was about politics. America was the big loser in last night's debate - no matter what party you belong to. I think it also exposed a big gaping hole in another part of our election system that needs repairs - debates.

Debates have become nothing but a ratings game for networks that thrive on reality shows, which work to embarrass people the most. That should not be the case. Debates should be carried as part of the networks agreement to air public service, in return for use of our airwaves. ABC was clear yesterday this was not their view when they said no one could use video clips of the debate for twelve hours after it aired.

What we need is a new law written in that there will be X number of debates during primaries and X number of debates during the general. These debates will be carried on the network station, and can not be used as a ratings game. A commission should be formed to oversee the moderators action and the production of these debates.

Debates are the only chance a majority of Americans get to actually see the candidates in action. What Obama's preacher said years ago won't affect his policy, nor will questions of if Hillary actually landed in Bosnia under sniper fire. Four years ago bringing up Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter was taboo, even when the big issue was gay marriage. Now anything goes?

I know some Republicans are loving what they saw last night. I wonder how they would respond if the same thing happened to McCain. What if ABC holds a debate between Obama and McCain and an exchange like this happened:

Gibson: Senator McCain - there has been reports that you gave information to our enemies, in exchange for better treatment, when you were held captive during the Vietnam war.

McCain: That is absolutely false Charlie.

Gibson: Are you sure Senator? You didn't turn on America to save yourself from discomfort?

McCain: I have the medical records to prove the abuse I endured.

Gibson: But others endured more abuse, Senator. Are those people more patriotic than you? How can we be sure you didn't turn over state secrets to get better care?

That alone would Republicans over the edge, and if it was a general election debate, I wouldn't be shocked to here ABC ask it after last nights autracity.

I also think the candidates should pledge to not do anymore debates on ABC after the joke last night. Show ABC that we hold America's democracy and process more dear than some reality show.  If our founding fathers would have seen what happened last night, they would have surrendered to the British.

Sticking with their National Enquirer style questioning, I can't believe the moderators didn't ask this:

"Recently our own Brian Ross uncovered some disturbing details about your time as First Lady, Senator Clinton. In his investigation he found out that you were in the White House on the day your husband, Former President Bill Clinton, was receiving oral sex from an intern, Monica Lewinsky. How did you not know that was happening? Did you hear a slurping noise and suspect your husband was enjoying a Tootsie-Roll Pop?"

I mean it would have rated right up there with all the other crap they asked.

I been watching this debate on ABC and it is by far the worse ever. First half was no policy questions at all - just made up controversies by the media. ABC, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos should be publicly flogged for it. I think it's also weird that Stephanopoulos is a moderator. He was a big wig in the Clinton administration. That can be construed as biased in either direction.

So they will give us another one:

Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton plan to debate in Philadelphia next month before Pennsylvania's primary, their presidential campaigns said Thursday.

ABC News will host the debate on a date still to be determined. Pennsylvania voters go to the polls April 22 for the primary, a contest with 158 delegates at stake.

Wake me up when the never ending primary season is over.

A lot of people are praising Obama for how he handled the pressure last night from Clinton. I was thinking the same thing at first, but then I got thinking long term. Would Obama's unity message cut it against a Republican contender? I doubt it.

I had bits and pieces gong through my head as I was trying to go to sleep and one really stuck out. Obama got on Clinton and Edwards saying that he picks out one vote out of thousands to pick on. Edwards had the best come back on that when he told Obama that he was doing the same thing - a reference to the Iraq war votes.

If Obama wants to face off against Republicans then he is going to have to learn to go for the jugular, because that is exactly what they will do to him. Also he can't expect to go after the Republican candidate full force and try to sing Kumbaya when they return fire.

If they thought it was bad because a Clinton supporter made an obscure reference to Obama's past drug use, then how are they going to react when a Republican makes it a front issue in the primary?

In case you missed it

This was one of the best debates so far. I think all the candidates did good. It could have gone without the fight between Clinton and Obama, but Edwards became the star out of that. He shined tonight and showed what we need in a President.

One thing I have a problem with is this from Bii Schneider on CNN:

John Edwards just referenced a CNN poll that showed him the most competitive against John McCain in a general election match up, and he also highlights that in an ad running here. But there's a problem — that poll is a month-and-a-half old.

In the most recent CNN poll, Obama and Clinton both tie McCain. Edwards was not matched up in that poll. It's fair for Edwards to bring up the poll, but it's misleading to say he is the only competitive Democrat.

The problem with Bills analysis of Edwards claim lies right in his reasoning - Edwards wasn't included in their last poll. Perhaps the media should start including all the candidates more instead of the ones they want.

8:08 - Opening on the economy.

HRC: Wants to invest in green technologies to create jobs. Bush's rebate plan will leave 50-60 million people out. She did highlight that includes seniors on social security and their expenses have gone up more than their income.

BO: Starts with quoting MLK. GWB has skewed our tax code to the wealthy. Spent billions on a needless war. Wants tax cuts into the pockets of "hard working Americans'. Wants $500 for tax rebates and a supplement to social security payments.

JE: Thanking MLK. Added 5 mil people to the poverty level over last 7 years.Poverty is the "cause of my life". Invest in green infrastructure to create long term jobs. Attacked HRC and BO for supporting Peru trade deal.

BO: Goes after HRC on NAFTA. Attacks JE on voting for trade with China.

WOLF: Wants to get back to immediate economic stimulus

HRC: Doesn't want to open tax codes with GOP in Senate trying to make GWB tax cuts permanent.

8:20 - This is not the Nevada debate. They are going after each other.

JE: Blasts back at BO that Peru trade agreement left GWB enforcing it. BO says in a years time he will be enforcing it.

Suzanne Malveaux - Asked OB about HRC's claim that his package has jobs that can't be guaranteed. OB defends it by going after Bill and saying all the things he said are not true. This is what the media has been waiting for.

HRC - To BO - I think what you say and your record does matter. Going after him on his Reagan comment. Says the Republicans had ideas, but they were bad ideas. Says BO wants to put a lot of money into foreign aide but has not stated how he would pay for it.

Coverage continues here

Yes another debate. Yes it's on CNN, but don't let that drive you away. I have decided we should have a drinking game tonight. Every time someone from CNN says "the best" you got to take a drink! It should be fun (and make it harder for me to live blog).

Rather interesting happenings at tonight's debate:

Columnist and author Eric Alterman was arrested Sunday night inside the debate spin room and charged with criminal trespass after police say he refused repeated orders to leave.

Goffstown, N.H. police say Alterman was in the spin room as a guest of the Creative Coalition and went to an area reserved for a private reception for WMUR-TV. Police say he was asked by an executive at the party if he was invited to the private area and was asked to leave. A police officer was called after a verbal altercation ensued. He was asked by police seven times to leave, and police say he became increasingly loud as he refused. After ignoring a final request, police say he was handcuffed and taken from the building. He is charged with criminal trespass, and a bail commissioner will determine if he will be released.

Alterman writes a column for “The Nation” and writes the “Altercation” blog for Media Matters. He also has authored several books, including “Why Presidents Lie.”

I can't wait to hear the entire story on this one.

UPDATE

Eric has posted his account of what happened over at Atrios. It sounds like CNN has some corrections to do on this story.