I just watched the MSNBC debate, and I think Senator Obama won it. Here's why:

First off, he looked very calm throughout the debate. He looked in control, and Presidential in nature. He seemed comfortable, and really on the ball. I thought he did a lot of good in explaining his healthcare plan, and pushing forward answers with substance on the issues. Including on healthcare, NAFTA, etc.

Senator Clinton, however, looked very uncomfortable. She seemed defensive and testy, and short tempered. In most of the debates, I've always thought Senator Clinton was a phenomenal debator. And especially in the first few debates in 2007, she was very in control and looked Presidential. I think Obama was the one who came out of the debate looking and acting like the frontrunner, and looking and acting Presidential. Not that Hillary did not, it's just she seemed visibly frustrated and well...worn out. I really think her response about getting the first question did more harm than good. And I don't think it helped Tim Russert was one of the questioners, because he threw her every hardball question known to man and tried to smear her by making her look like a liar, a phony, and an idiot. God, I hate Russert.

Senator Clinton really looked like she was backed into a corner. And Tim Russert did everything he could to keep her in the corner. Senator Obama looked in control, calm, and Presidential. That's the difference, and my main concern coming out of last nights debate.

I support Senator Clinton. I just don't think she was at her best last night.

I'm optimistic about March 4th, but that last minute debate certainly didn't help. I think she's got the advantage in most of the states on March 4th. She's got the advantage in all of the delegate rich states left. But if she loses OH, TX, or PA...I'll shift support to Senator Obama.

But I will say despite the debate performance, I'm confident in her abilities. And still hopeful she'll be the Democratic nominee. I'll let history takes it's course...

An inquisition with no respect for anyone by the interrogators.

Debates are about two sides to a question. The questioning by the media pros showed very little expertise in setting a wedge and widing the differences. The result was there was very little if anything to debate.

I could see it in his eyes.

The campaign season is grueling. There have been plenty of times that all of the candidates had bags under their eyes.

That's why when the whole thing about Hillary not remember which states she won in came out that I didn't blame Hillary in the least. After all the cities in every state they hit every single day coupled with lack of sleep and endless meetings, I think most could easily make that mistake.

And I find your honest assessment refreshing.


:toast:

I've only seen snippets, so I especially appreciate the critiques.

I agree with you. I think Barack turned in his best debate performance yet. Back in Iowa and before then, he couldn't hold a candle to her in debates. Now over the last 2 debates he has held serve with Hillary and arguably turned in a better debate performance than her in Ohio. I think Hillary is a very good debater, not quite as good as Kerry, but good nonetheless, and she was a bit off her game last night, although she was still good.

She still has a slight advantage in OH, but I think Obama is ahead now in TX. He is also way ahead in Vermont while she is ahead by a decent ten point margin in RI. I think he actually has a net gain in delegates on March 4th. Also, a new poll came out showing Obama closing a 16 point gap in PA to 6, and there is still a long way to April 22. So, I think if this goes on, PA could be up in the air.

I thought it was pretty much a wash. Anyone who's been paying attention already knows the landscape of healthcare, Iraq and taxes. They've both covered that ground sufficiently. The stupid ass questions the Russert asked would have been better covered in the back of the plane by the traveling press. I'd like to hear positions on presidential powers, signing statements, regulatory restoration etc. I could give a shit about who's sending e-mails to Drudge.

Wow, not about the topic but that's an awesome Edwards picture. It's really sad but one can still see how much they feel for the other...

and it came right at the beginning too. Ouch. It just set such an awkward tone for her.

and HRC looked stressed and worn. At times she seemed petty.

I like watching the body language of the candidate while they "listen" to an answer from the other candidate. Most other times Obama seemed to be comtemplating and listening to HRC's answers, and he also seemed to make his notes. HRC at time would look like #1 frozen smile on her face and/or looking like she was just waiting to be able to talk again.

Obama sometimes would answer a question in a very short succinct way that would amaze me. He didn't seem to have a need to "take up as much time as he could" everytime he could get the mike.

Last night I saw Obama look a little bit more "Presidential", his behavior while HRC answered questions was more like he was just listening to her and not as much note taking, compemplating....he just look more engaged. His answers and responses were pretty much right on target and his demeanor was calm authoritative and thoughtful....

I had just decided on Obama after much thought and observation over the last couple of years. The more I see, the more I feel that I made a correct decision on the best candidate available to us. HRC has too many quirks and while being involved in campaigns all of her life, seemed to really misjudge this one and not run it as "effectively" as you would expect from somebody with this much "experience". Her experience argument is wearing thinner and thinner.

She obviously is a much better choice than any rupub would be a competent POTUS, but we need somebody that can offer more than competence. We need competence and somebody that can bridge some frayed relations internationally and somebody that will breath some fresh air into the WH.

2 cents or maybe 1 but my thoughts.


"WASHINGTON HAS BECOME A PLACE WHERE IDEAS GO TO DIE"

My favorite Obama quote and one of my all time favorite quotes.

Two extraordinarily horrendous interrogators. I would much rather have heard how Obama and Clinton plan to address this recession and our economy ... and could care less about the "gotcha" type stuff that Russert and Williams hit them with. What a waste of time for 2 very talented Presidential candidates.

You are one of the fairest and most civil and open-minded Clinton supporters on this board, and I applaud you for it. Even if you were on the wrong side of the primaries 2 cycles in a row :9 (I was a hardcore Deaniac, in case that hasn't been obvious from other posts. But I like John Kerry now).

thats exactly what I thought after seeing the debate.

"Obama won because he answered stuff and because hillary looked like she was backed in the corner after Tim Russert did everything he could to make sure she was in one".

Yeah. That's some great analysis right there.

Considering the overwhelmingly slanted bias against her last night and what she had to put up with, Hillary held her own amazingly last night. Obama did as well. But they both answered things adequately though each with a few somewhat weak moments, but overall this was as close to a draw as I've seen yet, and a really poor debate to begin with due to MSNBC's shameful running of it.

You said Obama won, but your only reason towards HIM was that he like, ya know, answered stuff.

I said Obama looked in control, calm, and Presidential. And in all the debates, the most important thing Obama can do is answer and answer with clear substance. All these charges he's all hat and no cattle seemed to be answered last night with clear and consistent answers against a tough opponent in the former first lady, Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton in contrast came off as testy, short tempered, defensive, and backed into the corner. It seemed like she was Bush in 2004 debating Kerry, with Obama playing the Kerry role.

It wasn't her night. Simply put.

I support her, but I'm not biased enough to say otherwise.

"Obama won because he like, ya know, answered stuff and sat there, whereas Hillary seemed a bit more defensive after Tim Russert shamefully went for her throat a gazillion times and tried backing her into a corner relentlessly".

Sorry, but you should be able to do far better than that if you want to start a thread declaring why one was a victor and the other wasn't.

Hillary answered the same questions Obama did, and did so calmly and with the same level of expertise. In fact, some of them she even answered better. But if you're going to declare Obama victory, you should be able to say more than just that he answered stuff and sat there, which is basically what you said. HOW were his answers better than hillary's? How were his positions stronger? How were hers weaker? etc.

relaxed and comfortable. When you're behind its hard to look relaxed and comfortable. Simple as that!

And she did by looking like Barack did last night: comfortable!

The reviews are in: Obama scores higher, "Won," "Quick on his feet," "Well prepared and focused," "Excellent command"



Who do you think won the debate?

Hillary Clinton 10% 1431 votes
Barack Obama 89% 12059 votes