On Wednesday night we had the latest in what seems the continuing plethora of Democratic Nominee debates between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Pennsylvania.
While nothing new or ground breaking was discussed, other than spending the first half of the debate having Obama asked to respond to every innocuous innuendo, rumor, past association, and phrasing of words. The first half of the debate had to seem to Senator Obama as a planned and executed ambush, with set up questions allowing Senator Clinton ample time to dig into each one with what seemed like a Rovian relish. What was an interesting development was the question to Clinton regarding the “Bosnian Sniper Fire” mis-speak, and Obama’s high road take of not shooting back at Clinton over it, as she had been more than willing to do to the same type of questions to Obama.
Both candidates promised to not raise taxes on the middle class (what ever income that level means anymore). And both gave assurances that they would quickly move to remove combat troops from Iraq.
Both candidates responded to the questioning with articulate and measured tones, and both took their opportunities to take pot shots at the GOP presumptive nominee Senator John McCain.
With this being the 21st debate in this continuing, and seemingly never ending series of debates, there was little new substance, and little more separation between the two on core issues. Whether this has an impact on the upcoming Pennsylvania primary next Tuesday, we’ll have to wait and see. But if Senator Clinton was hoping to use the forum to reverse the rapidly closing Obama in Pennsylvania polls and his increasing lead in national polls, a knockout was required, and it failed to materialize.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Still no knockout by Clinton in the latest debate
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2 comments:
Although I didn't see the debate, it seems that these media sponsored and moderated debates are nothing more than a ploy to boost ratings, never really focusing on the issues, and relying on "soundbyte" inducing questions. It's a shame, because I think that Obama would be a formidable debater, if given the chance, much like I think Dr. Paul would be a formidable debater, if he was just given a chance...Oh, BTW, posting a link to your blog on mine...
While any media sponsored debate has a tendency to fall into the "sound byte" gutter questioning, wasting the first 45 minutes of this one was really disheartening. They could have easily juggled the questions around so that there was some of the substanative questions up front instead after they drove most intelligent voters to turn it to a baseball game :)
I liked your little soap box as well :)
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