It was really nice to watch the debate as an "uncommitted"

I am not emotionally invested in a candidate. Some things that I responded positively to were regarded poorly by others - but often by others supporting other candidates. Made me think that those of us not yet vested could see this more like folks just tuning in who don't follow experienced it.

Why was it nice? Because there were moments that I was persuasively swayed by each of the big three. While each has flaws - I can for the first time honestly say that I find reasons - not just intellectual ones - that I could get behind any of them. ESPECIALLY after watching the republican debate. Not just that I could vote for -but that I could work for.

Cheers to supporters of all candidates - they did well - especially on a national stage that displayed the GOP folks compared to the Democrats.

I'm serious.

It's hard to rise above all the intentionally ignorant rhetoric at DU during the primary season. I love that folks like you approach politics like an informed adult who doesn't have a chip on her/his shoulder. You represent everything that DU should be.

and I would say an off handed "smooches" - but will instead say "go give your wife that I think is the greatest, a big hug" - one from me to both of you! I appreciate your sentiment.

I honestly am torn - and in sincerity due to reservations for each rather than for some pull for all. But I am a policy person - and somewhat analytical and found myself working through the debate in a similar way that I listened to the repub debate (what were tehy saying, did they answer the question, policy wise what did the answer suggest, how vague was it) - and frankly by being a bit dispassionate - I really did find some positives all around the big three. Some caveats - but I KNEW those - in the end to work FOR someone I am going to have to believe a little bit more than "well x is less stinky than the y/repub candidate".

My approach to the most antagonistic of the taunters (one camp taunting another camp) is either to pay no attention - or to point out the ridiculousness of whatever taunt. That way I am not even invested in the comment. Last time around it was so easy to get sucked in and I wasn't even a BIG supporter of a specific candidate. This time, not so much - and seriously I get to actually enjoy nights like tonight (and like the Iowa Caucus - by not being overly excited or disappointed, I could really get caught up into the drama that was shown by watching a single caucus site in Iowa on CSPAN.

If folks are early state voters - than they NEED to get more particular early. But for those of us who don't vote for awhile - we should not get over invested (as one front runner will likely only be our choice when we voite) - but in keeping a little more dispassionate one can really experience the season in a very different way.

She won't mind that at all, as they are from both of us.

I (too often) get sucked into the mindset that our elections are some sort of us vs them football game (GO BUCKEYES!) instead of the serious business of deciding the direction of our future. I appreciate people like you in keeping me sane and focused.

and cyber smooches to you both!!

Always nice to feel appreciated (and I am not around much - so these days I feel pretty anonymous - appreciated is a nice change!)

I'll be happy to support any of them. :toast:

that got locked before I could respond. You said you felt fortunate that you were unaligned (my words - but it was the sentiment I picked up from the post) - and I thought about that sentiment - and how I seemed to be experiencing watching the debate some to those who are heavily, emotionally invested in a candidate. very different apparent experiences. I do not detract from their passion - each candidate needs very passionate supporters at this point in the game to keep moving forward. Kudos for those who have picked. Just pointing out that there is a different experience to those of us not decided and sometimes it isn't frustrating, but instead actually pleasant. :cheers:

them. It was cool!

sw

:hi:

candidates and ours so close together.

:hi: back atcha!

which is so easy to fall into, BECAUSE I watched the republican debate first. The comparison between the candidates was STARK. Heck just watching the repubs I briefly was concerned that Huckabee sounded so sane and safe compared to their main candidates (and Paul on foreign issues made the others look like cooks - not the other way around which is how they treated him - and the public saw that as well.. but then he briefly got onto domestic issues that made me think wtf?!?!) - but Huckabee suddenly looked like a threat if he made it through the guantlet (the others - not so much... at all).

Then there was this much more substantive, detail specific and complex rather than platitudes discussion that came from ALL of the democratic candidates - all I could think is that I hope a lot of the oountry - not just NH hung out long enough to see the contrast. It is stark. And made me hopeful for the first time in a long time. (Not hopeful that we will win, I have a good sense that we will - but that who wins will actually bring about some change.)

I don't give a darn what Pundits may say. I thought Hilary was
very good. I am sure it was not easy-first debate after Iowa.
Obama did well. I love it when Hilary gets animated. Our snooty
Media will find something to pick at. Ignore them.

Yes, I am biased but I thought Edwards did especially well.
I surely hope everyone knows, that "mill" family is a real
live family . He made me North Carolina Proud.

I liked some of Hillary's fiestiness especially when defending her record with specific initiatives. Ya - go! (and yes! those are the types of things I want to see much more ofin the future) is what I thought. Seein Obama after his new front runner status (and with my personal concerns about "experience") I thought - he has a lot of stature - he appears very Presidential... alright! And hearing Edwards take some not so politically expedient positions that are very important to trying to right the direction of our country I felt deeply that he has found the independence (that Gore found after 2000) that is very needed to moving us back in the direction. I am very psyched after watching these debates.

I like all three and I think they all did well. Tonight, though, I think the edge goes to Edwards.