Vegas showdown: Clinton 'on the hot seat' Story Highlights

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Seven Democratic presidential candidates are debating tonight at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The biggest pressure is on the front-runner, Sen. Hillary Clinton. The debate, hosted by CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party, is the first showdown between Democratic candidates since Clinton's stumble at a debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

That's where the senator from New York was accused of inconsistency on her answer to a question about driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Criticism of Clinton's response was discussed in the media for days afterward.

Clinton has to do better this time, CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider said Thursday.

"She has to reassure Democrats that she speaks from conviction, that she's being honest with the people, that she doesn't talk like a typical politician -- which is what she sounded like at the last Democratic debate and took a lot of heat for that," Schneider said.

Gloria Borger, CNN's other senior political analyst, agreed: "Clinton's on the hot seat. She has to get rid of the notion that she can't answer a question directly or that as a front-runner she is just playing out the clock and wants to be cautious above all else."

entire article @ following link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/15/debate.main/index.html

If people really have come to doubt Hillary's credibility/honesty, not much she can say can make any difference. She says the right things and they will think she is just sweet talking them.

I don't really know if it has reached this point. I think Hillary has time to work on this before it gets to this point. But the pressure is on her this time. If she has another goof like last time, she could be in REAL trouble.

I don't expect this will happen. Hillary will probably be playing it real safe this time, although playing it safe is what led to the triangulation in the first place. I don't think CNN is going to be as hard on her as Russert.

End result, the pundits will be saying there was no knockout blow, hillary breathes, so therefore she won. Or something like that.

Heck, Hillary could get so flustered that she said I quit. And the analysis would be....Hillary still breathes, there is still blood in her veins, she won....

DSB

probably be at one of her finest hours. She is not my choice but she knows she is backed into a corner and that is when she as well as her husband are at their best. They don't mind a fight, highly intelligent, she is smart herself but with him there as a coach in the background on campaigning, money no object, bet you anything that she is well prepared for tonight & whoever takes her on better be ready and at their best. I think it will be interesting to watch.