Who won/is winning tonight's debate...

[rndmprsn]

let me start things off by giving my vote to edwards...

[journalist3072]

1. Sen. Clinton, by far...

[Windy]

4. Oh please.... you aren't watching apparently

[journalist3072]

21. No, I'm not watching. I'm LISTENING, on C-span Radio. And how silly of you to assume that

just because I believe Sen. Clinton is winning, I'm not tuned in to the debate.

I believe she is winning, because she's clearly showing a command of the issues. She knows the issues, and she's extremely Presidential. She is ready to be POTUS on day one.

[ShortnFiery]

41. Yeah, but there's a TRUE difference between "A Commander" and "A Leader."

HRC has the self-righteous confidence to be "the former" but IMO, NOT "the latter."

In other words, any intelligent human being can exude self-confidence and make hard decisions, but can they BUILD A TEAM of people who would "give of themselves" because of the motivational qualities and genuine respect for "the person" who is their trusted leader?

[trueblue2007]

58. I voted for Edwards...BUT WHY ISN'T RICHARDSON in the poll??

I thought he was GOOD

[Cameron27]

12. She's survived the assault IMO

[saltpoint]

2. The Carolinian.

[Renew Deal]

3. Won? It's not over.

[saltpoint]

6. If it's not a Deesh, it's just not a ceiling fan.

[waiting for hope]

5. I concur - Did you hear?

Edwards got the NH SEIU endorsement!

[saltpoint]

8. Yes! Pretty darn good news it was, too.

Howdy, there.:hi:

[waiting for hope]

25. I think it's fantastic!

It's about what is going to happen "on the ground" this time around - I think most are sickened and hardened by the MSM. Howdy back! :hi:

[mondo joe]

7. Poor John Edwards just seems deflated.

I like him. He was my favorite going into the primary season. But he seems to know it's over.

[Renew Deal]

11. Are you kidding?

He's been terrific and confident. What debate were you watching?

[mondo joe]

16. I think I was watching the one that's currently being aired.

But impressions are subjective.

:shrug:

[saltpoint]

18. mondo joe, I know you're just out of spirits because the Gilmore campaign

faded so early.

But life is full of setbacks.

The trick is to keep the sauce spicy, even when the Republican relatives drop over.

[mondo joe]

20. Um,

I don't even know what the Gilmore campaign is.

[saltpoint]

22. Thank god you're over it! Welcome back!

Glad to have ya here at the top of your game once again.

[Tactical Progressive]

32. Yes, he does

But he's sticking it out and doing well. I've gained some new respect for him tonight.

[mondo joe]

35. I dunno - everyone else seems to think I'm off base so maybe I'm not getting something.

[Frustratedlady]

9. Biden sure came off with a great zinger on Rudy...

His sentences consist of one noun, one verb and 9-11!

That may not be verbatim, but close.

[spooky3]

and "G's the most unqualified candidate for Pres. since GW Bush"

[saltpoint]

23. Agree. It was a terrific jab in the elbows at "America's mayor."

[rndmprsn]

10. although...

i have to say biden had the best one so far at ghouliani's expense...subject, verb, 9/11. fantastic

[spooky3]

13. Could I give an honorable mention to Biden for the best lines of the night?

His calling out of Giuliani was long overdue and right on target.

[mondo joe]

19. Seconded. Biden certainly has some sparks. NT

[saltpoint]

28. I'll third that.

[liberalmuse]

14. Sadly, Clinton is winning.

She is practically in the oval office, the way she's talking. I loved Biden's Guiliani remarks--that was the highlight of the debate so far, and my heart and primary vote is with Kucinich. I don't deny that Barack Obama is a very good speaker, especially for someone so young. I also think Edwards has made some good points, but Clinton is clearly winning, or so says my pragmatic side. Fuck my pragmatic side.

[mvd]

15. Edwards, Clinton, and Biden have been all great

Kucinich as been his usual quality self with the time he has had. My problem with Biden is his bankruptcy bill vote; that showed to me that he can't separate himself from special interests, even on important votes. He's also slick. But he is smart, knowledgeable, and a good debater.

[Froward69]

60. would this Help?

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=234426&&

[rndmprsn]

17. "tell the truth mode"...is a close second to biden's response

[Tactical Progressive]

Hillary is the clear winner

And that's a normalized assessment.
When in fact she had to lose clearly to lose, ie even a tie would be a Hillary win.

Instead, she has been clearly and consistently winning this debate, and attacking Republicans mostly, between defending herself, to do it.
Extra points for that.



Edwards is doing well too.
Biden came out of his subdued performance to give the best lines of the night - attacking Rudy Guliani.

[LakeSamish706]

30. Hillary is a clear loser in my opinion by the simple fact that she represents...

more war for this country... She will continue a very similar platform to what Bush has begun..... She is a major war monger and no one can dispute that if they have been paying attention.

[Tactical Progressive]

24. dupe

[hlthe2b]

26. I think Biden and Edwards are the stars, with Dodd close behind

It would be a three-way, and should be, but I don't think they are giving Dodd equal time.

Clinton is holding her own, but under fierce attack, can't help but suffer some slings and arrows. Obama hasn't lost ground, but seems not to be gaining tonight in terms of his performance. Dennis is doing fine, but it is so obvious that he is being isolated, that it does impact him. I think that Richardson has gotten a few very good points across, especially re: his experience and diplomatic abilities.

[lyonn]

55. That was my opinion at the end of the debate.

The top 3 got the most time with Hillary getting the most, or so it seemed. She was being questioned about her views, votes and campaign financing so probably needed more time to respond.

Biden got 6 minutes total, don't know about the others in the "second tier".

[Nutmegger]

27. Edwards is KICKING ass and TAKING names!

He's making me a proud supporter! Edwards 2008! :bounce:

[tuckessee]

29. I voted Gravel.

His exclusion indicates he might not be a shameless corporate shill.

[Indi Guy]

47. Now that's funny

Do you think the other two people who voted for Gravel did so for the same reason? ;)

[Bitwit1234]

31. I AM SO SICK OF THESE STUPID DEBATES

What do they tell us. What we know and all you see is the three top people trying to get in talking and talking. It would be better if they would just let each candidate give a speech. Outlining all their views, what they would do and how. Then maybe a reputable commentator could ask several good questions and the person answer them. Better than this type of thing.

And I said a reputable commentator not some piece of shit like Chris Matthews.

[LunaSea]

33. Yep...

The lobbyists won (again)

[bigdarryl]

36. I agree the debate is BORING as hell they need to have just one more debate and thats it

[TahitiNut]

34. (cough) Richardson is doing well enough to deserve inclusion

:eyes: And, while Mike Gravel isn't there, I don't mind that he's included.

[Indi Guy]

45. He did much better than Gravel, who wasn't there

:eyes:

[Krashkopf]

51. Richardson Should Run for Senate in N.M.

Richardson should get out of the race, now, and release both of his supporters to back someone else (sorry, I couldn't resist!) and, he should immediately announce that he is running to fill Pete Dominici's vacant seat in the Senate. I think he'd win that, hands down.

[KoKo]

37. Hillary and Obama want to set up a 'Commission' to review SS...sounds like Bush to me...

Bush is the Master of setting up Commissions to fund with our tax dollars while he appoints his cronies.

I wasn't surprised to see Hillary claim she's not for Privatizing SS but to see her pass it off on a Commission that would give her 'cover' to Privatize it (and what's a President to do) when their own Commission has spoken (probably with Steve Forbes, Lee Hamilton, Grover Norquist as the Heads of the Commission have spoken). But, for Obama to defer to setting up a Commission to "advise him" also was too much!

Seemed like Obama deferred to Hillary...but I noticed that every word Joe Biden spoke Hillary nodded in Agreement! I guess it's HIllary/Biden for '08!

[lyonn]

56. She must believe that Biden isn't a threat as a candidate

She is pretty sure Biden won't use verbal bashes and knows he knows what he is talking about. She wants to get on the Biden coat tail of good/smart ideas. Well, it's a thought. Doubt Biden wants VP. Maybe a cabinet position, maybe...Truly think he is shooting for the big one.

[Froward69]

61. I Disagree

Biden/Clinton maybe. possibly, I doubt it. Biden/Edwards seems less decisive.

[TheUniverse]

38. John Edwards

I not gonna vote for him in the primaries as anyone who voted for the IWR is automatically disqualified. But he seemed to be the best speaker this time.

[Quantess]

39. Kicking for more votes

[cuke]

40. After thinking about it, I have to say Biden

I was going to say Edwards, who did do well, but I think Biden did more for himself. He had several memorable responses. Some were witty, some serious, but all of them demonstrated his intelligence and his ability to think outside the box. He was something you don't always see in a politician; interesting

[suston96]

42. The gang bang didn't work.....

Hillary stood them off - by them I include Tim Russert and Brian Williams. Kudos to Bill Richardson for showing some class.

Chris Matthews nervously tried to turn the post-debate into a Hillary bash with little success. You think maybe he hated his mother?

[Think82]

43. ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME? Is anyone really watching these debates? Biden anihilates everyone in the

least amount of time. Seriously, people. Get real.

Biden 08

[Think82]

44. EVERY DEBATE

[jillan]

46. It's always the same - he kicks ass and the msm doesn't even mention it.

Except David Schuster - he did the usual Hillary stuff and then went into Biden's comments about Pakistan v Iran, and how Biden has the most foreign relations experience. I love David Schuster - he always manages to bring Biden into the conversation. I wonder if he is a Bidenite ;)

[Renew Deal]

54. He got less time than any other candidate.

It was bullshit.

[Think82]

57. It's absolutely maddening. Maybe his answers are so brilliant that they are over people's heads?

If you watched him talking with Andrea Mitchell or howard Fineman, they almost seemed afraid asking him a question. I think this is the problem...

[Froward69]

48. Acording to msnbc

Biden Won!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/

[Czolgosz]

49. Not even close - Edwards by a mile!

[Krashkopf]

50. Did Dodd REALLY mean to compare "the Trial Lawyers" to Corporate Lobbyists?!!

To me, one of the most troubling issues about Hillary is the fact that she has taken SO MUCH campaign money from corporate America. It certainly raises the question of whether she will be able to stand up to those same corporate interests if she is elected President. (Sen. Jay Rockefeller, with his telecom immunity bill, is a perfect example of how a politician who receives large corporate contributions can end up proposing legislation that favors those corporations). I am thankful that John Edwards is raising the very legitimate issue.

I was quite surprised, last night, to hear Chris Dodd (a man who I greatly respect, and a candidate who I am considering supporting), resort to "Republican talking points" by comparing Hillary's support from "big business" with Edwards' support from "the trial lawyers."

Does Dodd REALLY not see the difference?

In his principled opposition to the Rockefeller/Cheney telecom immunity bill, Dodd (who is, himself, a lawyer) seems to recognize that "trial lawyers" are our "last line of defense" against Bush's undeclared war on the Constitution (who does Dodd think would bring the law suits against AT&T, Verison, and others, if immunity is not given to them?) Trial lawyers (like labor unions) stand up, and fight for, the rights of the "common man" against the economic power of the Corporate and monied interests. That is why Republicans HATE trial lawyers (and unions) so much.

It was very disheartening to hear Dodd resort to such an anti-democratic (small "d" and large "D") retort. I didn't expect that type of "pandering" from him.

Krash

[gateley]

52. I can't tell you how exciting it is for me to see Biden in the double digits! Thanks! nt

[AmBlue]

53. k+r

[bigwillq]

59. I think Biden

showed the most leadership qualities and proved he is probably the most qualified and experienced person running for president among the Democrats. Dodd is second, imo, on those issues.

[Blaze Diem]

62. Al Gore is winning and he's not even running.

or debating.

[rndmprsn]

63. i guess its official...on DU at least Edwards won this debate.

[NewHampster]

64. Russert

No longer a journalist. IMO

Probably interviewing for a job at FAUX News.