Debate: Las Vegas, November 15, 2007

So there was another Democratic Debate last night, and, in case you missed it because of midterms, I think general consensus is that you didn't miss much. General conclusions are that no one gained any ground, but no one really lost any. Hillary probably redeemed herself in the eyes of her supporters, but Obama and Edwards were aggressive enough to probably prevent her from gaining any ground. I think, I general, people were expecting more from Obama and a little less from Edwards than what ended up happening. Further more, some of the best performances were by Biden and Dodd. Too bad the race isn't about them any more. And finally, there was Blitzer. Hmm...It's suddenly becoming clear that there were several motivations for CNN to hold the YouTube debates.

Here are a few blog articles worth reading if you're still curious:
http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2402
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/disclosure-by-digby-cnn-roundtable.html
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/11/the-debate.html

Otherwise, here are a few of the highlights:

OBAMA: The only difference between Senator Clinton's health care plan and mine is that she thinks the problem for people without health care is that nobody has mandated, forced them to get health care. What I see are people who would love to have health care. They desperately want it. But the problem is they can't afford it.

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CLINTON: And this pantsuit, it's asbestos tonight.

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BIDEN: Oh no, no, no, no.

BLITZER: Senator Biden, I want you to weigh in.

BIDEN: Don't do it, no! Don't make me speak!

***

BIDEN: But look, folks, let's get straight to it here. This is not about experience. It's not about change. It's about action. Who among us is going to be able to, on day one, step in and end the war? Who among us understands what to do about Pakistan? Who among us is going to pick up the phone and immediately interface with Putin and lay off Georgia because Saakashvili is in real trouble?

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EDWARDS: When is our party going to show a little backbone and strength and courage and speak up for those people who have been left behind?

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RICHARDSON: Well, by the way, I'm Bill Richardson. I'm Governor of New Mexico. And nice to meet you all.

***

BLITZER: Are you ready to commit, absolutely, positively that you will support the Democratic nominee, no matter who that nominee is? No ifs, ands or buts. Senator Edwards?

EDWARDS: Is that a planted question?

BLITZER: Yes, I planted it.

EDWARDS: Yes, I absolutely will support the Democratic nominee for president.

DODD: Absolutely.

CLINTON: Absolutely, yes.

KUCINICH: Only if they oppose war as an instrument of policy.

RICHARDSON: Yes, I will support the nominee.

BIDEN: Hell, no, I wouldn't support any of these guys. No, I'm joking. Of course, I'm for them all.