Thursday
Apr172008
Clinton, Obama Duke it Out
The much awaited debate between Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA. Enormous crowds of supporters lined the street in anticipation of the event, holding signs, chanting slogans, and trying to out-shout each other. The debate was referred to almost as if it were a boxing match, with Moderator Charlie Gibson saying it was like the fifteenth round in a scheduled ten rounder.
In his brief opening statement, Obama said everywhere he goes, he is struck by the frustration that he sees. It’s typical for people to be frustrated and not feel as if they are being heard. In her opening statement, Clinton said the “promise” is alive and well, but the people feel as if the government is not solving problems. Make our education the true passport to opportunity. “We the people, can have the kind of future” that our children and grandchildren so richly deserve, she said.
ABC moderator Charlie Gibson asked both candidates why they would not choose each other as a running mate, and both of them grinned at the camera but didn’t say a word, causing the audience to burst into laughter.
During the lengthy question and answer period, it seemed that the rules were not being followed. The rules were ninety seconds for an answer, and sixty seconds for a rebuttal. However, Senator Obama ended up speaking quite a bit more than Senator Clinton, but whether or not it was to his advantage will not be known until April 22. When asked about this air time difference, Clinton Campaign Communications Director Howard Wolfson said, “That, I did not notice.”
In response to a question about making a comment about bitter small town Pennsylvanians, Obama said, “It's not the first time that I've made a statement that was mangled up. It's not going to be the last.” He pointed out that when people feel that Washington is not listening, and their situation doesn’t change, they focus on things that are constant.
In her sparring move response, Clinton said that she didn’t think people cling to religion when Washington isn’t listening to them. What’s important, she said, is that we all listen to each other and we respect one another, and we understand the different decisions that people make in life, because we're a stronger country because of that. People want to be summoned to something greater than themselves.
Each of the candidates agreed that the other could win against McCain, but they each said that they, themselves, were the better candidate. We’re going to have a Democratic president, either him or me, Clinton said, and we’re going to make that happen.
In his brief opening statement, Obama said everywhere he goes, he is struck by the frustration that he sees. It’s typical for people to be frustrated and not feel as if they are being heard. In her opening statement, Clinton said the “promise” is alive and well, but the people feel as if the government is not solving problems. Make our education the true passport to opportunity. “We the people, can have the kind of future” that our children and grandchildren so richly deserve, she said.
ABC moderator Charlie Gibson asked both candidates why they would not choose each other as a running mate, and both of them grinned at the camera but didn’t say a word, causing the audience to burst into laughter.
During the lengthy question and answer period, it seemed that the rules were not being followed. The rules were ninety seconds for an answer, and sixty seconds for a rebuttal. However, Senator Obama ended up speaking quite a bit more than Senator Clinton, but whether or not it was to his advantage will not be known until April 22. When asked about this air time difference, Clinton Campaign Communications Director Howard Wolfson said, “That, I did not notice.”
In response to a question about making a comment about bitter small town Pennsylvanians, Obama said, “It's not the first time that I've made a statement that was mangled up. It's not going to be the last.” He pointed out that when people feel that Washington is not listening, and their situation doesn’t change, they focus on things that are constant.
In her sparring move response, Clinton said that she didn’t think people cling to religion when Washington isn’t listening to them. What’s important, she said, is that we all listen to each other and we respect one another, and we understand the different decisions that people make in life, because we're a stronger country because of that. People want to be summoned to something greater than themselves.
Each of the candidates agreed that the other could win against McCain, but they each said that they, themselves, were the better candidate. We’re going to have a Democratic president, either him or me, Clinton said, and we’re going to make that happen.
tagged 
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, debate in News/Commentary
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, debate in News/Commentary
Reader Comments (13)
This debate was the most fair one yet. I liked that the responses were timed, and each were given an equal amount of time. I liked that the questions were staggered, and that they "flipped a coin" to see who would go first on opening and closings. I was impressed that both were challenged with tough questions and not allowed to wiggle out of fully answering.
ABC handled this debate in a very admirable way, and I think both candidates' supporters should have been satisfied with the fairness of the debate, for a change. This is how journalists should handle debates. Both got tough questions.
My main observation is that Clinton was ASKED questions about her positions on Wright and Obama's bitter comments, and she responded, owning her position, while Obama hedged on the Bosnia question, admitting his "campaign" was hammering on it, "of course," yet somehow dodging personal responsibility for what his campaign is doing? That just seemed dishonest to me. If his campaign is doing it - HE is. I'd much rather see the candidates own their positions and actions, than try and appear above the fray, when their actions don't match the perception they're trying to falsely portray.
I can not remember ever seeing SUCH outright BIAS by the media , MSNBC is at the top of the list, so much so they are becoming FOX. NOISE....
I am going on seventy one, old enough to remember when news commentators were not just interruptors of commercials. I remember the stand up reporting that trusted the American voter to make up his own mind, not tell him what to think.. I remember when they told it as it was without their personal bias. Unlike today when it seems they think they know better or are covering for where their pay checks come from. Shame on them. I believe in freedom of speech, and defend the right to speak, even if I have to hold my nose....
A VERY SADDEN , VET, AND ARTIST, FATHER, HUSBAND.. WHO LOVES MY COUNTRY NO MATTER WHAT THE MEDIAS DOSE. OBAMA IS DOING WELL NOT BECAUSE HE EVER REALLY DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN SALESMANSHIP, THERE IS NO THERE, THERE... THE MIDIAS SPENDS SO MUCH TIME ATTACKING HILLARY. I BELIEVE THIS PROVES SHE HAS GUTS TO TAKE ON THE MEDIA AND WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH....WE NEED HILLARY ....anthony michael autorino
After this debate, we finally feel the media may be starting to actually 'look at' Obama. He is starting to become a bit unsavory for us. He really is quite the politician and we don't mean that in a good way. She won this debate, and clearly has poise/common sense and an already vetted background. Whether you like her or not, one thing we guarantee-- Obama will get eaten alive by the Republican machine.
This was by fair the best of journalisms ethics and standards. ABC will now be my news source. It was the most professionally handled debate with the most journalistic integrity. I watched the Debate with in a room with Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans would get enraged at Obama's "cluelessness" about Obama's views on social security, capital gains tax, etc. The Democrats would sporadically cheer one or another forward. We had a long discussion afterwards. Ultimately, the Clinton supporters brought the Obama supporters to bear on issues such as whether or not he keeps talking the talk but not walking the walk. His actions not matching his words. After a debate that began heated and became calmly intellectual, they agree that his tactics have been on no "higher ground" than Clinton's, except he talks of taking the moral high road, so it is easier to paint a prettier picture on his tactics. Clinton's supporters also made some concessions, particularly that her campaign has not been run as well as it should have been. And that she has a lot of preconceived ideas about her along with a lot of baggage that is weighing her down. The most outspoken Repubican of the bunch said that the Democratic Party leaders were to blame because they didn't see what they had in Hillary, and they should have helped Obama get ready to run in 4 or 8 years. They felt the Democratic Party could have had the White House for 16 years running if handled well. Now they say the Democrats have yet again yanked defeat from the jaws of victory. By the end of the night, the consensus was that Hillary Clinton was the best choice for president. Some "liked" Obama better, some "respected" McCain's war record more. But all agreed that she was by far the most well versed and most intelligent of the bunch, but intelligence mixed with good sense and experience to be able to get the job done, and done well.
The debate finally showed us that the media can be unbiased. The way the debate was handle showed the way Hillary can answer questions honestly, ethically and truthfully. However, it did show Obama was again unprepared and could not answer for his campaign and his rhetoric that is motivating our country.
It is only rhetoric and finally someone has been able to show that rhetoric is not the answers we need, we need substance and a fighter. Which he is neither.
We still do not know the man. And that scares the H out of me. Why would you continue to attend a church like that of Rev Wright for twenty minutes much less twenty years unless you believe in the Rev and his teachings.
As Floridan that the Democratic Party has continued to not listen to us about our votes. We asked that they count the votes and delegates but they Democratic Party still refuses to seat our delegates. My question is why? We did nothing wrong and need to know that they are listening to us.
Hillary won the debate, she won our state and will win Pennsylvania. She should be our nominee, end the momentum of Obama because we need someone we can know what he is about and what he really stands for, we can not have someone who is unknown and came out of nowhere 15 months ago.
This Democrat is looking to becoming an independent if the Democratic Party fails us.
I guess by now many believe that Mr. Obama is made of theflon. Nothing seems to stick.
Well, if the mainstream media did its job and report on Mr. Obama's background, the situation will be different.
Frankly, Obama's friendship with the self-proclaimed Pentagon terrorist, William C. Ayers is enough to make me heave!
Shari Wolson: God Bless!
I agree with you. Very few people know Obama well. The more I hear about him, the more I question the sanity of those who are supporting him. Here, please take a look:
http://www.obamaunveiled.com
Thank you for seeing what many Americans and Pennsylvanians are seeing. While I do not think Sen. Clinton is Mother Theresa, her tenacity alone is enough to get my vote here in Honesdale, PA (a small town).
I am gratified to see that our fellow Pennsylvanians are beginning to see thru Mr. Obama who. We keep learning about his misdeeds that I only with the mainstream media would not ignore.
Obama's friendship with the self-proclaimed Pentagon terrorist, William C. Ayers is enough to get me upset.
My fellow Pennsylvanians: Please vote for Clinton and send a message that we will not tolerate anyone who is "friendly" with a terrorist.
God Bless,
Jim
Served 2 tours in Iraq
ABC had a great debate last night. It was fair to all regardless of how much Obama supporters might want to whine. Her questions were tough as were his and they were made to answer them. I think Hillary did a much better job of comprehensively and directly answering the questions. She apologized for her bosnia story. He has never said he was sorry for bitter clinging words. I doubt he ever will. Hillary has obvious command of the facts, numbers and information that a commander and chief needs. Without his teleprompter he is not so good with words, "mentally deranged"? I am suprised no one caught him on that one!
Pennsylvania this is your chance to so america and the world that we know how to pick presidents. A vote for HIllary is a vote for a better America!
I too think that this was the best debate so far, and I have see them all. Sen. Clinton knows where she wants to take this country, and exactly how she plans on getting us there. I really don't think Obama is ready for prime time yet.
talk radio...
That's not what he meant. He meant what he it the way he said it. He said it slowly and thoughtfully. The people who where at the meeting said he meant what he said when he said it. Now he's just trying to clear it up like he always does. He plays to who ever he's with. There's nothing consistent. And that's what is scary about him
This was by far the best debate. It was the first time Obama did not get a free pass. Enough is enough. WHO is Barack Obama?
Investigative journalists....HELLO!!!!
Where are they? Obama's shady connections to certain groups and shady associates are all over the internet.
Are we not allowed to ask a potential American President any personal questions? Barack Obama should have been vetted by the mainstream media over a year ago, at least.
Senator Obama seems to be talking out both sides of his mouth lately. He calls the people of PA "Bitter", and then says he didn't mean that. He says he never heard Rev Wright deliver hateful speeches, and then he says he did hear some. He says he doesn't take money from lobbyist, then it is reported he has taken millions from people who work for lobbyist (splitting hairs??), he says the President Clinton left Americans out during his administration, but he has hired many people that worked in the Clinton administration, as top advisors for his campaign. If we believe he will beat John McCain in Sept., we are fooling ourselves!!! Wake up Democrats!!!!