Hillary did fine, but MSNBC panel is going overboard for her ... its a long way to go

[Blackhatjack]

This is just the beginning, and I think Hillary did fine.

However, if I were her I would not put a lot of stock in this bunch's prognosticating prowess.

IMHO Edwards/Hillary/Obama all did well and any one would be a cut above any Republican candidate.

However, Hillary has to reach the independents/undecideds and unaffiliated voters to win in the general election, and to do that she must bring her 'undesireable poll numbers' down.

[Connie_Corleone]

1. I was about to post something similar.

It looks like the pundits think she won because she used the word "retaliation" in her answer about if two attacks happened or something.

They don't think Obama and Edwards answered the question well because they didn't come right out and say that they would bomb the hell out of some faceless enemy.

I actually thought Obama and Edwards' answers were better.

[GreenArrow]

2. but the likelihood is that Obama and Edwards WOULD

come out and bomb the hell out of some faceless enemy. Hillary is simply more upfront about admitting it.

[Connie_Corleone]

4. Obama and Edwards said FIRST they would find out who actually was responsible.

The pundits didn't like that.

[GreenArrow]

39. one might assume that Hillary's answer included that as a given

I simply don't see many appreciable differences between any of them on foreign policy issues of that sort.

[angee_is_mad]

3. CNN's is doing it to

I'm going back and forth between the two stations and both are saying that Hilary won or was more impressive. I happen to disagree and thought everyone did fine except for Richardson and Gravel stood out the most.

Also, I didn't think Obama did as bad as they are stating. Heck, I thought he did a fine job, just like everyone else. Except Richardson.

[MadBadger]

6. quick note, its Richardson

[angee_is_mad]

13. There you go

see how much of an impression he made on me. Thanks for the correction.

[Connie_Corleone]

7. They wanted Obama to come out and WOW the audience like with a speech.

Obama was answering questions. It's a different format so he's not going to sound like he's giving a speech. These pundits act like they can't understand that.

[frankenforpres]

5. she is best for ratings -nt

[MadBadger]

8. I'm not a supporter of her, but out of the top three, I think she did the best

not by much, but the best.

[angee_is_mad]

18. Better than Edwards?

I thought Edwards was just as good. I'm an Obama supporter by the way, so I'm not showing an Edwards bias.

[MadBadger]

22. I'm an Obama Supporter

I didnt think Edwards was anything special really. He didnt say anything that stands out to me.

If I had to rate all of them, it would be:

1. Biden
2. Clinton
3. Obama
4. Edwards
5. Dodd
6. Gravel
7. Kucinich
8. Richardson

[AlCzervik]

9. she is who the media wants and i hate, hate, hate when they use the term

"Subway series" for Her Vs. Rudy.

[MazeRat7]

10. Sure she did fine.. but she also polarizes the right...

Nominate Hillary for '08 and we will not win the WH.

Mark my words on that.

MZr7

[still_one]

15. I agree, I will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is

but I don't think she can win. Too much propaganda hate that has been perpetrated throughout the years against her by the wonderful MSM, puts her at a disadvantage right there

[Captain Hilts]

21. Our candidates aren't getting "the right"'s vote. It's independents they will get.

Suburban women, in particular.

[Honeycombe8]

11. Since she's the frontrunner...it's her race to lose, is I think what they...

may be focusing on. Unless she made a clear mistake, she is still #1 in the polls. And she didn't make one, is what I'm hearing.

I didn't see the debate. Just got home, and I'm trying to figure out who "won." But so far, I can't get a clear handle on that. Seems from what I am seeing on TV and reading that Clinton and Obama did fairly well. Edwards did fairly well...but that's not good enough for a third runner. Biden did well...but he's a lost cause, so ..... And Richardson doesn't seem to have done well. Kucinich did well, but he hasn't got a chance, so....

So it's still Clinton and Obama, with Edwards pulling up the rear, like before the debate. Right?

[Connie_Corleone]

12. Yep. I think Biden went up a notch. Richardson went down a couple.

Dodd was just...there.

[mmonk]

14. I haven't said it yet because so many were impressed with her here

but I didn't think she did very well.

[illinoisprogressive]

26. she was better than I expected.

[ElizabethDC]

16. I thought she gave a strong performance and was the best among the "top 3"

I mean, I am biased because I'm a Hillary supporter, but most of the people I've talked to (many of whom are undecideds) seem to agree that she gave a solid, strong performance and that Obama and Edwards were underwhelming. FWIW, I think Biden gave the best performance of the night.

[papau]

36. I agree as to Hillary winning the night, then Biden-Edwards and Obama were less than expected - n/t

n/t

[WinkyDink]

17. Hillary brings some ready-made media stories, that's why.

[KharmaTrain]

19. They Need To Create "Drama"

Outside the chattering class, few...even here on DU...are taking the primaries too seriously. We're still 10 months from the first vote being cast and in politics that's an eternity. Our priorities are in other places right now...like holding this regime accountable for its bloodlust and corruption. The '08 race is a curiosity...a popularity contest...nothing more.

The corporate media, they see this as an opportunity. It's playing long running memes and plot lines to create some kind of viewer interest. These candidates, who we see on several levels, are portrayed in one-dimensional form and a script is set for them...then the corporate media creates "narratives" and controversies out of the littlest things...if the candidates don't provide the "sizzle", they'll just make it up.

Truth be known...had the White Sox game not been rained out tonight, I'd have passed on this TV show. I kept looking for the 800 number to call in and vote to make sure my "favorite candidate" makes it to the next debate...and isn't voted off the island.

:rofl:

[Honeycombe8]

20. Here I am....an Independent.......

Okay, I'm an Independent with left leanings, whereas most Independents I think are dead center or lean right.

Still....I'll tell you what THIS Independent thinks.

Hey, guys....Independents weren't watching this debate at all! This debate is for the Dems to decide on their nominee.

I wanted to watch...but a meeting I had to go to interfered.

As for "undesirable" ratings...I know I'm not looking at that at all. But it's true, I have a natural DISinclination to vote for Hillary. But that doesn't mean I won't, if that's who the Dem. nominee is. As long as I don't feel she'll be a big screwup like you know who. I mean, she's just not likeable, now is she? I don't even like to listen to her. But I'm not exactly bowled over by any of the others, either (Dem. OR Republican).

I did like Obama the best, but since the Imus thing, I'm dropping anyone that Jackson and/or Sharpton endorse...and that's Obama. So, goodby Obama. I'm not taking any chance of having Sharpton sitting in the Oval office helping to set an agenda.

I like Biden, but he doesn't have a chance, so that's that.

So...could be I'll HAVE to vote for Hillary. I mean ...it'll be Hillary or Fred Thompson? Shiver me timbers. It'd HAVE to be Hillary!

[Colobo]

23. So, if Sharpton endorses Hillary, then you will vote for...?

[Honeycombe8]

29. If Sharpton endorses Hillary, and Hillary is the Dem. candidate....

you mean?

That would be a problem for me. I'll have to think about that one.

Frankly, I don't think that'll happen. But if it does, I'll have to deal with that.

[Colobo]

31. And what if Obama is the candidate?

[Honeycombe8]

34. Ditto my prior response. If Sharpton endorses a candidate...

that gets the Dem. nomination, I'll have to think about what to do at that time.

I don't know. I hope that doesn't happen. I don't think it will.

[Connie_Corleone]

24. Well, this is DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND.

You never really were for Obama if it only takes someone's endorsement to sway your opinion.

[illinoisprogressive]

25. I was going to write the same post! Are they owned by the Clintons??

The polling shows the people far and away thought Obama won. These guys say he was bad.
Hillary was fine but, not worth gushing over.
whats up with them???
Wait. Buchanan just hit it. she is the establishment one. That is why. she's the acceptable establishment candidate.

[threadkillaz]

27. I'm waiting for the transcript, but I swear I heard her say..

...that she made more mistakes that she has time to discuss, when asked to discuss mistakes made.

Very stupid thing to say imho.

Maybe I missed it. Waiting on transcript.

[Gloria]

28. Keith noted rather sardonically that it was going on and hour and 45 minutes

before an Edwards spokesman was finally going to appear.

I agree. It seems to me that it was all about Hillary doing SO WELL....meanwhile, I found her pretty grating. Fineman and crews mentioned her "rising voice" and "shrillness" briefly, well into the panel discussion...but only in the context that she was so Presidential, modulated, etc. But I found her very hard to listen to the whole time....harsh tone, clipped....

Edwards did fine on that "two attack" bullshit....but Fineman said he and Obama were too "soft" in tone and Clinton was better because she used the word "retaliated." However, I thought Edwards was especially good because in addition to "bomb" he said that we had to prevent FUTURE terrorists from being created......Excellent.

Fineman just "corrected" himself on Edwards, saying that Edwards did say "identify and go after" (sic) whereas Hillary used the military word "retaliate. To his credit, Chris Matthews wondered about the use of the word "retaliate"--what it really meant? Without knowing who attacked?? etc.

[LeahD]

30. The powerful are telling us who we want as our candidate................

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070416/von_hoffman

Under the modern system we are allowed to cast our own vote, which is worth about 1/440th of a rich person's vote, since money is political power in America.

If you doubt that, consider the competition we have been watching as to which candidate can collect the most campaign money. The candidates who cannot get the big money lose. The selection of the two major parties' nominees is primarily in the hands of the Golden 300,000. They more or less decide who gets on the ballot: Remember the old political apothegm to the effect he (or she) who controls ballot access controls all.

[illinoisprogressive]

32. Though Hillary did fine I feel like taking it back because the msm is shoving her

at us like she was the greatest thing. She was pretty good. not great.
As far as the polling and other reviews it seems like Obama came out the best.

[LeahD]

37. They have been force feeding us Hillary since Nov. 3, 2004.

And,when the big name Dems did not come out swinging for Kerry after "the botched joke," and he dropped out so quickly, I became very disenchanted with the system. The powers that be left him to twist in the wind. They took him down.

[Blackhatjack]

33. I hate to stick a fork in Biden, but his past history prevents him from being a viable nominee

The question he answered 'yes' referred to an entire file folder full of past errors that the RNC has at the ready. I do recall that one of the problems was a matter involving plagarism related to a speech Biden gave. He has misspoken many times.

IMHO Biden has good ideas at times, but his history of missteps will prevent him from being the nominee.

[LSK]

35. and ignoring Edwards too much

[Marr]

38. Anyone supporting Hillary should stop and note that the corporate media also supports her.

They support her because they know she's a Republican in every way that matters.

[BenDavid]

40. All the MSNBC folks are

saying is exactly what was seen and heard last night. Many folks just look at the screen and listen, but fail to do one thing and that is hear what someone says...The pundits have it right HRC had command of the stage and came across as knowledable and most of all she came across as likable as well....The one that did not do well was Edwards....Obama did not fare well either as I have been writing for months now that in a setting like this Obama has a problem. The evidence of this was his last appearance on the Larry King show where he struggled with his answers and thus the same occured last evening....
I do thank you,
BD