Live Blog Of ABC News Clinton-Obama “Debate” In Pennsylvania
April 16, 2008 | Permalink
Tonight, ABC News will be hosting a debate in Pennsylvania between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. We’ll be liveblogging the debate, as usual, so stay tuned…
8:00: Introductory statements. Obama talks about hope, Clinton talks about the founding fathers and concern. Also that government is not standing up for people across America; almost that they’re bitter or something. Also plugs detailed plans on her website.
And … a commercial break already? Umm, ok.
8:08: Gibson talks about each of them appealing to different constituencies. Asks about the Cuomo plan to take the other as the Vice President and the other should agree. Obama demurs first, and says that the party will come together by the convention. Gibson is not happy with that answer, and presses Clinton, who says that she will do everything possible to make sure one of them is elected. What a silly question. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad that they got the stupid question out of the way early.
8:12: Obama is asked about the bitter/cling comments. Obama says it’s not the first time or last he “mangled up what he meant.” He’s talking in a really apologetic tone. Says promises have been broken, and wedge issues take precedence over real issues that can be fixed. Doesn’t really talk about the anti-trade or immigrant comments.
8:15: Clinton talks about her grandfather from Pennsylvania. Says she does not agree that people cling to religion when Washington is ignoring them, and says the same about guns. But she agrees that people are frustrated with the government. Talks about understanding and listening to one another.
8:16: Stephanopoulos asks if Obama can beat McCain. Clinton says it’s important to win, and will be either her or Obama. Talks up McCain as a formidable opponent. Says it is important to go after every single vote. On a follow up, Clinton says Obama can win directly, but she is better prepared with a better coalition.
8:18: Obama says Clinton can win, but thinks he’s better able. Obama talks about Clinton’s comments on him being elitist. Talks about himself as a person of faith, and gun owners who support him in Illinois. Says that this is politics, but isn’t helping the common person at home. References and then defends Clinton’s cookie comment from 1992 as an ill-advised attack, saying Clinton learned the wrong lesson from the attacks against her. Bold move. Bold in that I can’t believe he did that.
8:22: Clinton says what is important is what they have stood for over their lives, and cites years of experience, somewhere between 34 and 36.
8:23: Obama is asked about Wright. Gibson asks why Obama did not invite Wright to his campaign kick off, saying he knew Wright could get “rough.” Obama says he made controversial statements of a different sort than what was on Youtube. Cites the work of the Church on HIV and other ministries. Talks about an opportunity to move beyond the anger and connect with people.
8:25: Gibson asks about Clinton’s comments about Wright not being her pastor, and . Clinton defends her answer as a “personal choice.” That sounds like a copout to me. Clinton cites Wright’s sermon after 9/11 blaming America and says she could not take that. Obama says the comments are definitely objectionable, but that Clinton’s own pastor praised the work of Wright after the comments broke. This is silly. Pastor v. pastor? Come on.
8:29: What would Obama do if these comments were played over and over? Obama says if not this, it will be something else. Says it is up to people to look at his positions and his track record. Obama says he’s disowned the comments. And when asked about Wright’s comments, he says Wright is a former Marine. Clinton says there were too many different explanations and there should be further exploration. References Farrakhan and a Hamas article in the newsletter. Talk about throwing everything in the kitchen sink.
There has literally been NOTHING substantive yet tonight. It’s like a whole debate based on Wolf Blitzer’s last question.
8:32: Clinton is asked about a lack of honesty. And the comments regarding the sniper fire. MORE silly questions. Clinton says she is not dumb. Well, gee, thanks. Sounds like she told the truth in her book, but the book is wrong too. Says she is proud to have gone to Bosnia and it was a war zone. Comically refers to talking about it with Clark before she came out. I mean, really? She just HAPPENED to be talking about Bosnia 45 minutes ago? Says her experience representing America gives her an advantage on the issue.
8:35: Obama is asked about Clinton being fully truthful. Says he has not commented on it, but his campaign has commented because they are asked about it. Riiiight. Says they each have make errors or gaffes once in a while. Talks up the importance of the election.
8:38: Does Obama believe in the American flag? I mean, what the hell? After months, this is what ABC wants to talk about? Obama says he reveres the flag and this country, etc. Talks about his goals and helping veterans, etc. You’ve heard this before. Mentions getting given a flag pin by a veteran yesterday, and says this is a manufactured issue. Some one a-hole in the audience keeps trying to clap for Obama.
8:41: Obama is asked about William Ayers, a member of Weather Underground. Obama says he is a professor and does not exchange ideas with Ayers, and the events happened when Obama was 8. Mentions being friendly with Tom Coburn and disagreeing with his comments on abortion.
8:43: Clinton says that is a “fair general statement” but that Obama served on the board of the Woods Foundation with Ayers after 9/11. Says the comments were deeply hurtful. Then says Obama is a good man but Republicans will raise this issue. Says that the Republicans should apologize for Bush and not run anybody. Funny, but this is the type of muck that actually decides nothing. Says people know her negatives.
8:45: Obama says President Clinton issued two pardons to Weather Underground which is more serious than serving on a board. Talks about being ready to debate McCain and polls showing him doing fine.
This is an all-meta no-issue debate.
Off to the commercials. Maybe they’ll have substance.
Note: Obama has spoken for merely six more minutes than Clinton. Of course, it’s all been defending himself. But still. That’s outside the normal margin of error.
8:52: Does Clinton have a concrete plan for Iraq? Gibson quotes Wolfson saying yes no matter what. Clinton says yes. Cites civilian control of the military, and says it will make it better for Iraq and the US. Says that it is only beginning to withdraw that Iraqis will come together, while simultaneously beginning a diplomatic initiative. Cites mythical other times when Presidents went against commanders. You mean like Nixon? Clinton is pressed, and says no one can predict what will happen. So that justifies not paying attention to it? Gosh, this would be an amazing McCain campaign commercial. Wow. Talks about Afghanistan being neglected. She’s debating this in terms of staying there indefinitely v. withdrawing immediately, but that was not the question asked of her.
8:57: Obama is asked about Plouffe’s comment that said the same thing. Obama says the President sets the mission, and a bad mission has been set. Obama says he will provide the mission but that he will listen to tactical concerns. Cites Al Qaeda and Afghanistan as well. No mention of Samantha Powers by anyone. Umm, ok.
8:59: Obama is asked if an attack on Israel by Iran should be considered an attack on the US. Obama says the first thing is to prevent nuclear weapons from getting in the hands of Iran. Talks about carrots and sticks, but that he will take nothing off the table. Says that an attack on Israel is an attack that would prompt appropriate action.
9:01: Clinton talks about an umbrella of deterrence beyond Israel. Mentions massive retaliation in a wink to Ike. Says that with skillful diplomacy, the US could engage the region in a security agreement vis-a-vis Iran. She’s mentioning 9/11 almost as much as Giuliani tonight.
9:03: Does anyone want to mention that ISRAEL would probably nuke Iran if they attacked? Anyone? I guess not.
Over an hour in, they turn to the number one issue, the economy.
9:04: Clip of McCain saying the Democrats will raise taxes. Clinton says she will let the Bush tax cuts expire for those paying $250k or more expire. She pledges not to raise any tax for the middle class, and talks up tax cuts, but that she can’t do it all at once. For the second time, she plugs her website. She’s part Giuliani, part Huckabee with all the plugs.
9:06: Obama says he pledged to cut taxes for the middle class before anyone else. Talks up offsetting the payroll tax and other tax cuts. Says that wages are flat while costs go up. Now Obama goes all Huckabee saying “Pain trickles up.” This is just bizarro debate world. I don’t know what to make of it.
9:08: Obama is asked about increasing the capital gains tax. Gibson says that cuts in the tax that revenues went down. Obama talks about fairness and hedge fund managers that pay a lower amount in terms of percentage than their secretaries. Says McCain is taking out a credit card from the Bank of China in the name of children and grandchildren. Says tax cuts with deficits is untenable and not a plan. Gibson presses, Obama says that the revenues depend on Wall Street, and segues into a discussion of the housing crisis.
9:12: Clinton wants an economy that lifts everyone up. Maybe she should put the economy on the Wonkavator. Talks about investing in clean energy and investing in infrastructure. Talks up union jobs. Clinton talks about being against raising the cap on the payroll tax. She said she might do this in Iowa in a private conversation.
9:16: Obama defends his idea to raise the cap on the payroll tax, possibly exempting some things. Gibson is angry about possibly imposing more taxes, Obama talks about some exemptions if necessary.
9:18: Clinton cites the 1983 commission.
9:19: Obama mentions that the commission raged the retirement age and the payroll tax.
9:20: Clinton says there’s a better way, and a last commercial.
Obama has spoken for almost 4 more minutes than Clinton. Now we’re almost back to within the margin of error,particularly considering that there were two things Obama had to defend against in the first segment and only one for Clinton.
9:24: Back, for talk about guns. Gibson mentions this being the one year anniversary of Virginia Tech, just to make me feel bad when I make fun of this debate later on tonight. Gibson mentions them both being advocates of stronger gun control earlier on in their careers, and emphasizing that less now. Clinton talks up Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia, and the COPS program. (Joe Biden gives a shout out to himself somewhere). Talks about the assault weapons ban and the need to bring it back. Also wants to track illegal guns. This is all great, but every candidate says this and Congress stonewalls on it. It doesn’t matter what they say. But for the record, Clinton talks about bridging the polarizing divide and striking the balance on a good amount of control.
9:28: Obama is asked about D.C. v. Heller. Obama says that there is an individual right to bear arms, but that state or local government can constrain the right, comparing it to zoning ordinances of all things. Will anyone understand that? Gibson asks if he still favors a ban or registration on handguns. Obama says he favors a reasonable approach. Talks about tracing, etc. Panders to Bloomberg’s constituency just as well as Clinton.
9:30: Clinton is asked if she favors the ban on handguns in DC. Clinton says that she supports local action, and makes fun of the Bush Administration being divided on the issue, and eventually says that people should not have machine guns. Having read the briefs, her position is almost completely the same as the Justice Departments. Clinton talks about the New York rules on guns, after grudgingly saying the D.C. ban might go too far.
9:33: Obama is asked about affirmative action, and what he would do to make sure poor white people could have better access. Obama says the question is about ladders of opportunity for everyone. Has anyone read the SCOTUS opinions on this? Says it should not be a quota system, nor applied in a vacuum.
9:35: Clinton says that there should be more affirmative action for people from poor vacuums, and talks about pre-K education. How does that relate to college admissions? She wants to help more people, but it doesn’t answer the question of what she would do for admissions under her watch. 10, 20 years down the line, sure, it could conceivably have an impact. But it’s not really an answer.
9:36: Gas prices? What to do. Gibson cites higher gas prices for everyone else on Earth. Clinton says that she will investigate market manipulation, saying it is just like Enron. Mentions lowering the gas tax. This is after talking up the infrastructure building earlier in the debate. This does not make much sense. Obama says the only way we’re going to be able reduce fuel prices is if we reduce demand. Adds that, there are two things that need to happen to do this, 1) a manhattan like project to come up with new alternative fuel technologies and 2) increasing the efficiency of current equipment. He doesn’t admit but it’s relatively obvious those are not short term solutions.
See what I’ve written on the topic here. It’s still relevant.
9:39: How would Clinton use George W. Bush? She makes a joke about not being sure and dodges. That’s really the only answer. Obama says that George H.W. Bush is someone he would counsel, looking at his foreign policy.
One last commercial before one last question.
A Grey’s Anatomy Commercial! Let’s hope the Clintons still have their Tivo set.
9:46: What if it comes down to superdelegates? What if you’re talking to a group of superdelegates? What do you say? Clinton goes first.
Clinton says she is a fighter against the special interests to give money back to the middle class. This is not how she would actually frame her argument at all. Not even close. Says she is ready to Commander in Chief and is ready to turn the economy around.
Obama talks about the country being at a defining moment with Americans lost trust in government, and that he bet on the American people wanting an honest conversation not spin. This, also, is not how he would frame his argument, but is at least a bit closer than Clinton’s. Talks up expanding the base of normal people who vote, and forming a new political coalition.
That’s over, what a monumental waste of time.
Sphere: Related Content
C - to Obama’s first response about bitter gate
Does Hillary remember Bill refering to everyone as Joe Sixpack, That was real elitist and remember that everything that Bill did that she is now against made them money, so she can run for president she will do anything say anything put down anybody, count the votes she wants counted on and on and on, The only thing that is important to Hillary is being president. Its an endless circle with the clintons. Now as far as Barak well I don’t think he’s any better but Hillary scares me. I think we should voe in Huckabee as a write in and put our faith back in God.
Hillary just clarified that she is an elitist, the more she talks the more she proves it.
This is all fluff! How about letting them talk about the issues and not the myriad innocuous gaffes they make every day. This is what ABC News thinks of American’s intelligence? Also, why is Stephanopolous there? Is that not a conflict of interest given his ties to the Clintons? What is going on with ABC News?
This debate is a disgrace so far. Let’s talk about real issues instead of this ridiculous nonsense.
I want to know concretely and explicitly about the foremost domestic issues such as healthcare and the economy. How are we going to create national or universal healthcare with the large deficit that we have? How can we accomplish this without raising debt especially at a time when the inflationary stressors from the over-introduction of artificial capital in the money system are ravaging the middle class? How can these domestic reforms which have seemingly dissipated in the major news outlets be achieved when the country is in such a critical time?
I am ashamed of ABC News and Charlie Gibson in particular for the low level of this debate. ABC News is going for flash and bringing up meaningless non-issues trying to get a good sound bite to use.
Please, please move on. I feel like I’m watching the Soap Opera Channel. How can either of the moderators call themselves serious journalists when they have spent the first 50 minutes of America’s time dredging up stories that don’t make a “hill of beans” difference about how someone will run this country as president. Please give us the benefit of the doubt that we are brighter and want to be more engaged than you are giving us credit for so far. If not, please let the candidates speak while you listen like the rest of us.
remember our military has been stretched thin by the clintons first run at the whitehouse
Would someone please inform Charlie Gibson that for the first hour they questioned Obama only about mispoken comments, other peoples inflammatory statements or connections to people from 40 years ago.
I would ask Charlie “where’s the beef”…this debate should be just that. A debate on the issues of importance. The Economy , The war, healthcare. We Americans are not stupid. It is not about those incidental mispoken comments that the media runs over and ove rand over.
We want a real debate with real questions and with real answers….
Does Charlie and the media ever wonder why they have lost viewership or that only a small majority of the country votes in our pesidential elections….
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out>
Hillary understands politics - she’s got staying power and 50 percent of American democrats are behind her. Women have and will continue to have to fight to break the glass ceiling. If she can handle this, she can handle anything. Go Hillary!
what an embarassment for ABC news. a ful hour before any substance, and then an apology to Senator Clinton because Senator Obama took too much time to defend the myriad of charges made against him?!! Who would believe that wearing a flag pin was an indication of ability to run this country? THIS should be shown on Saturday Night Live!
Is this a lynching or a fair debate? Why is an ex employee of the Clintons allowed to be a moderator?
Stephonopolis more so than Gibson are clearly media hags! Wasting so much time on stupid crap that shouldn’t matter nearly as much as real issues is an insult to our intelligence!
On the issues, Obama rocks! He makes more realisitc sense.
I am very disappointed in the questions George and Charlie asked for the first 45 minutes of this debate. They wasted time and came across as talking heads at best. Finally they have got to some of the issues.
Just an update on the time allotment, so far….
Hillary Clinton–> ~ 24 minutes, 42 seconds
Barack Obama –> ~ 28 minutes, 12 seconds
You are both GREAT and either would be Excellent in leading our country as the next President. But if you were both as wise, as you seem- it should be clear to you both that regardless of who would represent us now, in holding to your promises (which are so close in views) our country would be better off in having you together in knowing we can secure a time in history of 16 YEARS rather than 4 or 8 -
This is a moment which if wise should be secured, for this is a time which we may never encounter again.
If you are both as smart as you appear, you would both simple agree that whoever it is WE elect the other would join the ticket as VP -
Wisely doing so would put us on the road to 16 YEARS - if you both cared for the party and a new America, you both would simply agree - in doing so we all WIN.
SHOW US THAT YOU CARE FOR THE PARTY & THE PEOPLE - FOR THERE IS STRENGTH IN UNITY
which is what we want and need - not later - but - NOW !!
please don’t look back only to say then - we should of - be smart, be wise and DO IT.
too bad Dick chenney doesn’t go hunting on the set of this debate,
50% of American Democrats are NOT behind Hillary Clinton! and certainly not all women either! if that were the case, she would not be so behind in the number of states won, votes, delegates, individual donors, or campaign funds. Do the math, Barack Obama has more support by Americans because he understands what America needs to get on track and out of the quagmire our current President has created.
Hillary Clinton has done nothing but lie and deceive the American voters (Northern Ireland, Kosovo, SCHIP, FMLA, NAFTA, Bosnia, etc.), and sling mud at her Democratic colleague. She has shown no poor judgment or leadeship abilities, and certainly no ability to unify not even the Democratic party let alone bring a concensus between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
In the real world nobody would get hired if they lied on their experiences in their resume, and if they got caught after being hired they would be fired immediately. Hillary Clinton has been lying to the American voters on her resume! Why should she be rewarded by the American voters?
Its time to teach our politicians that deceiving and lying to the American people is not acceptable by voting against those who chose to lie and deceive us in their quest for their own agenda.
oh yeah don;t forget about VINCE FOSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Surely there is another “wise” and worthy candidate for Obama’s VP who has the power to heal and extend a vision 16 years into the future. Probably one that is more universally acceptable / electable to boot. I hope so.
Senator Obama is no total truth teller either (there are plenty of examples of that being replayed in the media). We’re human, we make mistakes. Our founding fathers certainly had their baggage. What matters most is the candidates’ experience and heart. Senator Clinton has proudly fought for Americans many more years than Senator Obama. She is dedicated and committed and has always been a proud American. Many, many people I know are supporting HIllary - diverse races and genders. She has proven she can win the most diverse states with the largest populations. She is a winner.
hILARY COULD STOP FLYING EMPTY PLANES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SAVE OIL
Re- current question-
How about windfall profit tax for the oil companies?
Ask some REAL questions about REAL issues. Rev. Wright is NOT running for president. Hillary is NOT baking cookies. This is an historic time for our country. Give these candidates some substantive questions NOT based on the latest sniping sound bite. Are there any REAL journalists left in this country?
Whitewater Monica vince foster lies joe sixpack bjs under the desk while handling foreign policy, definition of is is, kids thinking that bjs are not sex gettting stds at fourteen, we could go on and on but if yas want another clinton hey why not america has already lost all its morals why not another 8 years of twisted reality
Is he debate over already… no updates since 9:20. I am at work and can’t see the debate. Or maybe the blogger fell asleep with the lack of substance. Maybe Dick Cheney could make it more interesting as long as we don’t lose one of these candidates!
Listening to the candidates tonight - it is clear they want to get past the sensational rhetoric and focus on their policy plans. Senator Clinton’s experience and heart serves her best as she puts forth strong policy plans. That’s what I want to hear most about.
This is garbage! I finally turned it off. Why are they asking questions about flag pins, the old Wright issue, and his “elitism.” When finally they got to some “issues,” they were about “raising taxes,” as though never raising taxes is the be-all and end-all of government. Capital gains taxes (Charley Gibson shut up about your claim that lowering it brings in more money; let the CANDIDATES talk–unless you’re running for office). And then raising the payroll tax–the simplest and fairest way of saving Social Security; other options are cutting benefits, raising retirement ages, a bunch of really hurtful things.
Why are the questioners taking sides–trying to provoke the candidates into saying something they shouldn’t, especially around taxes. (Come to MN and see what “no new taxes” has done to our state. Used to be a national leader in prosperity, growing economy, a well-educated citizenry. No more. How come these people never ask, what is the purpose and result of this tax?
Why can’t the stations or whoever find intelligent questioners who know the issues and don’t provoke Hillary, for example, into restating all her dumb charges? (Notice that Barack Obama doesn’t do that?)
Back to public television and the BBC.
John,
Refresh the page. The liveblog is current to the last commercial, which was at 9:39.
with the way this debate is going, i’m putting money on the last question being “boxers or briefs?” i cannot make my vote until i know!
I’m pleased to see that so many other people agreed that this debate is crap, thanks to George (I used to think pretty highly of him) and Charley Gibson.
Bye bye ABC.
Thanks I was refreshing, but nothing happened and then I got caught up again… federal and state funding for the museum I work at was cut and my computer is quite old and slow. I guess I’m bitter about those Washington people ignoring us even though I don’t shoot a gun like Hillary does.
I am very disappointed by the questions asked and the way they were asked by the moderators: Senator Obama was frequently interrupted by the moderators. 45 minutes was spent on questioning Mr obama about people he knows. No questions were asked about job creation. No questions were asked about Mrs Clinton’s connections with corporations. The moderators were severely biased toward Mrs Clinton
John get back to work we don’t pay you to watch the crummy debate on your work computer the tax payers payed for that crap and pay your wage and one reason our taxes are high, cause you are screwing around on the job. Now get back to work you cost me enough
Sorry MicAEL….. I am only a minimum wage retiree waiting to get social security and worked quite hard re-setting up a room for a talk on Gaza by residents of Gaza, helping a college astronomy class and rearranging a room for an oil painting class. Also answered the phone and sold about $100 of used books and rprepared a mailing for interplanetary bike ride. Too bad Hillary and Barack can’t come… it would be more beneficial than this debate.
just kidding john
What scares me most is the thought that Obama gets the nomination and allows Clinton to be his running mate. There is an old saying that goes “never fight a man whose willing to die rather than lose.” If Obama becomes president with her on the ticket as VP, I wonder how long he would live to bring about the change we all wanna see with such a venomous and conniving person wanting his position and ready to take it if something can be made to happen to him.
I agree with the general sense in the thread that this debate was awful, if you couldn’t tell from the liveblog.
It was the worst I’ve seen, which says a LOT this cycle. I hope the NC debate doesn’t happen if it will be like this.
Mistakes and even true “misstatements” are very different things from LIES and Deceptions which are hallmarks to the Hillary Clinton strategy. It matters not all the years Hillary has “dedicated” to her career of “serving Americans”, if she can’t be honest about her own merits, then clearly she even believes that her true experiences are not worthy of emphasizing. Given her claim of “vast experience” why then does she see it necessary to lie about her support and involvment with different domestic and international issues? One can forget what one wore a week ago, but I don’t think there is anybody who would “forget” to having been in the middle of sniper fire with their daughter! c’mon, she clearly thought she should lie and deceive the American people and that is not acceptable. For her to claim that she was instrumental in reaching the peace treaty in Northern Ireland is not only an insult to those who actually worked towards and negotiated the peace treaty there, but an insult to the American people. That is not a “mistake”, Hillary Clinton lied, and those directly involved in the actual peace process stated that if anything she was there as a cheerleader with the women’s groups.
Obama, surely, exhibited class by passing the Hillary Tuzla controversy.
On the other hand Hillary hamers Obama about his controersies that have been answered in the past debates such as Wright and Farakan. This shows how negative she is and most of all wasting time from dicsussing issues that mean dear to the voters.
What a phony “wrap up!” In fact, it was a set-up wrap-up for Hillary Clinton!!!
ABC is really disgusting in the way they played obvious favoritism.
[...] are the time allotments for tonight’s ABC News Democratic debate in Pennsylvania between Hillary Clinton and Barack [...]
Would someone explain to me Hillary’s 35 years of political experience. She continually refers to the Clinton presidency policies with WE did she have a role in govt that we didn’t know about
You missed the big points: Obama will raise taxes on those making $97K or more, Clinton on those making $250K or more. Obama will raise capital gains taxes, possibly up to 28%. “If at all, Clinton will raise them no more than 20%.”
Clinton was focused and detailed on policy points. Obama was lethargic and spent much more time talking (at least 5 min) defending himself against his many examples of poor judgment–Rev Wright, Rezko, Ayers, lapel pin.etc.
To: Mary on April 16th, 2008 8:08 pm
It is fairly easy to break a glass ceiling… just don’t complain about the rain or snow later on…
That was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever watched. To have the creepy little constitution intro’s then not even address the issue half the time?
D- : To Hillary for plugging her website EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. she’s on a debate.
A+ : For (please God) this being the final debate.
I have been watching this debate now for 45 minutes and I am completely disgusted that not one question has been asked regarding the candidates’ proposed foreign, economic, or health care policies. Why do they have to focus upon completely irrelevant and stupid issues of misstatements the candidates have made and associations that they have? Dare I have the audacity to hope that at some point tonight there will be a real policy question asked?
George, kick Charlie and tell him to stop being so rude by interrupting !
What was so dispiriting about this debate was the moderation by the faux journalists George and Charlie. Not only did they focus on pretend issues like flag lapel pins and the words of a minister that do not reflect the candidates views, but they stayed on these idiotic, meaningless tangents for far too long. And it was obvious to me that George still has a soft place in his heart for Hill which showed in the lil’ terrier (not pit bull) way he kept hammering Barak on flag pins and ministers. Then take charlie, the second part of this silly duo of pretenders to the throne of Cronkite. Sounds like Charlie is worried about future taxes on his stock playing, the way he kept interrupting Barak by trying to put taxation works into his mouth. In the end the questions of the pretenders show us why our country has failed to move forward…the focus is on all the wrong things.
I was very disgusted with the manner in which the “Charlie and George” duo from ABC News moderated this “so-called debate.” It was a real insult to the American people.
When 100 government jobs were cut in our county today, while many businesses have closed, children have no health insurance, funerals are posted for young men and women who died in Iraq, and you ask the Presidential candicate about wearing a flag or what his friend said. Don’t you know we will know true Americas by their deeds and not what they wear, and Christians by their love, not by who they know. What kind of questioning was that? How often do Charles and George go to Church? Are they working for another country because they don’t wear a flay? .
And, I’m a Hillary supporter. Where do you come up with such meaningless questions?
C and N 40
I completely agree with comments made about ABC and the questioning from Stephanopolous (sp?) and Gibson. How unbelievably embarrassing for a station that once had decent news coverage. Where have the true journalists gone? Gone from television apparently. This, in my view, is what has evolved into the biggest threat to our democratic form of government; the fact that people who think of themselves as journalists now ask cheap, degrading, simple-minded questions of serious candidates for the highest office and self-righteously think they’re doing the journalistically rigorous thing by doing so. Stephanopolous should have been disqualified from this debate. His former relationship with the Clintons was all too obvious in the manner in which his questioning evolved, in the content and timing of the questions themselves from him and from the selected videotaped inquiries. ABC should be asking him some serious questions tonight. He no longer can be considered an impartial commentator, interviewer, or reporter. He has lost all credibility. What was he thinking when he persisted in questioning Obama’s patriotism! … when he persisted with followup questions and sinister insinuations. He brought to mind the McCarthy hearings of the 50s; guilt by association. It’s absolutely unbelievable that he so clearly and overtly assisted Clinton in smearing Obama’s name with innuendo and implication. Wow. In 50 years of watching debates and television coverage of a national political campaign, I don’t recall anything this pathetic coming from what has in the past been a major ‘news’ entity. I’m done with ABC.
I thought cnn= Clinton News Network, now Abc is being paid of the $109million clinton made. This is the last time I will watch Charles Gibson ,he lost my support..Did they pay the rent for the studio in Newyork too?
Barak Obama walked into a mugging last night, courtesy of Gibson and Stephanopoulos, eagerly aided by Sen Clinton. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised at the “tabloid news” flavor of the questioning aimed at Obama, given Gibson’s “Good Morning America” pedigree and Stephanopoulos’ time as the Clinton’s attack poodle. However, Stephanopolous’ tossing of the Ayers grenade, provided to him by none other than Sean Hannity, was over the line. Obama is being criticized by some this morning for not counter attacking Clinton more last night. Although appearing irritated at times, however, it seemed to me he held the high road. Let’s see where Clinton’s negatives go in the polls now.
MARY- we GET it. you love Hillary - are you working for her too? How many times you gonna say how great she is? get a life already. This “debate” was a joke. and now little “hillary” trolls come in and talk her up. sneaky and desperate as always. nice!
Congratulations to Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolus for running a FAIR DEBATE - finally.
The other Debates were very unfair to Hillary -
Obama is nothing more than a MEDIA FABRICATION by the Cable Networks.
Keep up the good job.
Do people know that when Obama served on the Committee with Ayers, they alloted money to someone associated with the PLO???
Not long before another of Obama’s secrets hit the fan.
I can’t believe that ABC News and the decisions they make are not better scrutinized and dissected. How can ABC run a fair debate when George Stephanopoulos is one of the moderators? How can he be impartial? If he enjoyed his time in the Clinton White House then he no doubt will feel some loyalty to Hillary. If he had an unpleasant time there, he would likely have negative feelings about Hillary. His job as press secretary under Bill Clinton MADE George S. what he is today. Arguably, without that experience, he wouldn’t HAVE a job with ABC News. I’ll feel that ABC is doing a proper job when they can find a second moderator who isn’t beholden to the Clintons.
If Obama can’t be objective about the Weather Underground after serving on a board with a fellow, how can George S. be objective after being HIRED and PAID by Bill Clinton
Really a bad decision on the part of ABC News to have him as one of the moderators.
I heard some of the debate on my way home on the local NPR station. The questions put forth by your hosts reminded me of the Jerry Springer show. Future such debates could be run daytime, thus giving ABC far more time for advertising avails. That and some fisticuff action between the candidates should be good for ratings.
At least Springer does not take himself seriously.
ABC “news” should make a public apology…Charlie Gibson and George S should be suspended for a month and sent to Journalism 101. I”ve lost all trust in ABC, George AND Charlie.