2008Central.net Presidential Election Podcast (10/07/08)

This podcast provides analysis of the second presidential debate between Obama and McCain, which was held at Belmont University in Tennessee.

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2008Central.net Presidential Election Podcast (09/26/08)

This podcast offers commentary and analysis about the first presidential debate about the economy and foreign policy between Barack Obama and John McCain at the University of Mississippi.

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Feel free to email us questions/suggestions for our next podcast (you can also email an audio file of your question and we’ll include it in the podcast).

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First Presidential Election Debate Liveblog: From The University of Mississippi in Oxford

5:15: All times are Central. Deal with it, you coastal elites!

More on the University of Mississippi here. Fun fact: It was used as a hospital during the Civil War for both Union and Confederate soldiers. So there’s some bipartisanship. There’s no truth to the rumor that John McCain was there at that time, however. A must read about the civil rights history of the college is here. There’s no truth to the rumor that Barack Obama was the … uhm, named person in the headline there. Seriously, John McCain’s grandfather is one of the famous alumni of the college.

The moderator tonight is PBS’ Jim Lehrer. This is Lehrer’s record 11th time moderating a presidential debate, and his wiki page describes him as a bus enthusiast. So he’s got that going for him.

The format: two podiums. Sections of the debate will include introductory statements of two minutes, followed by five minutes of debate between the candidates. It’s a really nice format.

5:36: Mississippi is the state where Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear, enraging Stephen Colbert but capturing the heart of a nation. Nowadays, killing a moose is a qualification for national office. How times change!

5:53: Mississippi soda/pop fact: Mississippi is the birthplace of the Barq’s Root Beer. And also apparently the home of some very, very crazy ad wizards.

6:04: Ole Miss is in Oxford, in Lafayette County. In the county, Obama beat Clinton 2,849 to 2,171. John McCain won a virtually uncontested primary in the county with 1,953 votes (Huckabee received about 300 votes and Ron Paul less than 100 votes).

6:48: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is so concerned about the financial crisis that she’s talking on the House floor about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his denunciations of Israel. I understand that Presidents have to have multiple things in their crossfire, but you would think that wouldn’t apply to the House. Especially in the middle of a crisis.

7:04: In the audience: a lot of students and the Washington elite.

7:11: Nate Silver has a good debate preview up.

7:14: Matt Yglesias asks if the debate itself will be in HD. It’s a good question. Angelo believes it will be. Confirmation: here.

7:17: A C-Span history of debates.

7:18: C-Span’s debate hub is awesome.

7:19: The largest airport in Mississippi, in Jackson, was renamed the Jackson-Evers International Airport to honor assassinated NAACP leader Medgar Evers.

7:23: Marc Ambinder’s preview is also worth reading.

7:27:This week in 1963: JFK becomes the first president to sleep overnight in Duluth. Thanks, PBS.

7:29: Listening to C-Span calls before a debate is excruciating. Supporters of either side are just grating.

7:31: Janet Brown, Executive Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates, starts off the speeches that are very unimportant, and meant only to stoke the egos of those who give them.

7:37: Frank Fahrenkopf chastises the crowd to not applaud or make any noise.

7:42: Should I be concerned that there’s been multiple listings of corporate sponsors? Or is that too 3rd party-sh of me?

7:43: THe University lost power because of an accident with an immigration line earlier today.

7:50: Michelle Obama is in the house.

7:51: Jim Lehrer is on the stage. He talks down to people who “volunteered or participated” in the primary debates. Let’s hope Hillary isn’t watching. He talks about needing “absolute concentration” and asks Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama to take names of whoever makes sound.

8:00: And away we go! Tom Brokaw says the “Reagan Democrat” is the voter both are courting. Jim Lehrer says he has not cleared his questions with anyone. Both candidates arive to the only applause of the night.

8:03: First question: Eisenhower talks about economic strength being the basis for military strength. Where do you stand on the economic recovery plan? Obama goes first. Talks about Main Street, and how his proposals protect the taxpayer. His four point plan: oversight, the possibility of getting the money back (equity), executive pay, and help to homeowners. Segues into a criticism of Republican financial policy, including deregulation, and including the phrase “trickle down.” McCain references Kennedy (who has since been released from the hospital, per Politico). McCain is talking to Lehrer, while Obama was addressing the American people. Odd distinction. He talks at length about the bipartisanship in Congress, and mentions accountability, options for loans, and “a number of other essential elements.” He then seems to try to side with House Republicans, who want something wholly different. He ends up with a reference to foreign oil. Obama mentions that “we haven’t seen the language yet” which is head scratching. Of course, Lehrer is referring to a plan that is being negotiated as we speak. I think he’s pressing a bit in the wrong direction. The key is what they think should be done, not really what they think about some abstract plan that no longer exists. Obama addressed that answer to Lehrer. McCain tells a story about Eisenhower and Normandy, and his willingness to resign if D-Day failed. He implies that Chris Cox should resign because he failed - but doesn’t say why. Obama says there must responsibility not just when there is a crisis, and talks about the problems before the crisis erupted last week. Funny moment: Obama refers to McCain saying the fundamentals of the economy are strong, and Lehrer makes him say it directly to McCain, who jokes that he could hear Obama the first time. McCain’s response: “We have fundamental problems in the system.” It’s pretty ridiculous, given his comments about the fundamentals of the economy. He finishes with an ode to the American worker that Lenin could have written. Time spent talking on this: directly even. To the second.

8:14: Second question: what differences to you have on the economy: McCain wants spending under control. Talks about earmarking as a gateway drug. The joke about bear DNA doesn’t get any laugh. He holds up a pen to veto and says “this one is kinda old.” He’s making the old person jokes himself. Yeesh. McCain criticizes Obama for making earmarks. Obama agrees that earmarks are abused, and often by lobbyists. Obama says earmarks cost 18 billion, but McCain is proposing 300 billion dollars worth of tax cuts to the rich. Obama is working overload to relate to the common man. McCain goes on again about the earmarks and the 18 billion dollars, and criticizes them for corrupting people. He mentions Obama’s 800 billion of new spending. Obama talks about his plans: closing corporate “loopholes,” health care spending, etc. Obama again says earmarks alone will not get the middle class “back on track.” McCain talks about the business tax being the second highest in the world, to get more businesses in America. He goes back to earmarks AGAIN, and he’s getting a little silly on the point. He talks about the tax cuts he wants to give everyone. Fact check: earmarks are only 0.63% of the federal budget. Obama talks about his tax cuts, and criticizes McCain for making health care benefits taxable. McCain jumps in, and criticizes Obama for … his vote on the Energy Bill. McCain only wants to talk about earmarks. I’m at a bit of a loss. Obama mentions the tax breaks, and criticizes mcCain for opposing the Energy Bill right now for the position on eliminating tax breaks for oil company.

8:26: Third question: what would you give up to pay for this recovery plan: Obama says it’s hard to say, but some things will have to be delayed. Talks about needing to get energy indepdence in ten years. That’s very, very optimistic. Also mentions health care, and deductibles going up 30%. Also mentions competing globally, specifically in education. Also mentions infrastructure, including roads and the energy grid. A certain viewer near Albany, NY likes the road shout out. McCain talks about needing to cut spending, criticizing Obama for having the most liberal record. McCain wants to end ethanol spending, and better bids for contracts for the military. McCain talks about knowing how to get defense spending under control. Lehrer wants to know what will delayed specifically. Obama talks about postponing parts of his energy plan, and 15 billion lost through Medicare. Mentions working with Tom Coburn setting up “Google for Government.” McCain wants a spending freeze on everything but Defense, Veterans, and “other important” areas. Obama says you need a scalpel, not a hatchet, mentioning the 79 billion dollar surplus of the Iraqi government. McCain wants 45 nuclear power plants, and gives an awkward climate change shout out to Sen. Clinton. Lehrer doesn’t like these answers, and tries again. Obama segues into a discussion about values, and talks about corporate tax cuts versus health care. McCain does not want health care handed to the federal government, and gives a variation on the Harry and Louise schtick. McCain goes back to spending, and talks about owing China $500 billion. That’s true, but not really the root of the problem as he implies. Obama refers to the “orgy of spending” under Bush and criticizes McCain for voting for Bush’s budgets.

8:38: What are the lessons of Iraq? McCain: You caannot have a failed strategy that causes you to lose. A little broad to me. Bad strategy is as old as warfare itself. McCain hugs the surge as much as he possibly could. Talks about “winning” in Iraq and “coming home with victory and honor.” This is about 100 degrees difference away from what Petraeus describes. HD update: Apparently they both look weird in HD. Obama talks about opposing the war from the start, and tells the same story about taking an unpopular position as McCain. Obama talks about being distracted from Afghanistan and Al Qaeda being resurgent. McCain talks about Obama saying that the surge failed, not going to Iraq, and not holding hearings on his subcommittee. Obama looks amused, and restates Biden saying that those things are held at full committee. Obama gives his own McCain quotes, including greeted as liberators and history between Shia and Sunni, leading it into a question of judgment. McCain says Obama does not understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy. McCain says Obama refuses to believe we are winning. He describes a strategy that sounds a whole lot like a tactic. It’s a strange distinction. McCain talks about Obama not funding the troops. Obama knocks it down quite easily, actually, saying that McCain and him both voted against bills for other reasons, and talks about at length about Afghanistan. McCain talks more about the surge and Petraeus, and says he knew the surge would succeed this much.

8:50: Should more troops be sent to Afghanistan? Obama: Send more troops ASAP, as per the commanders in the ground. Obama goes back to Afghanistan and says it cannot be separated. No mention of Pakistan thus far, except implicitly mentioning Al Qaeda “crossing the border.” Finally mentions Pakistan. Three points: More troops, deal with the poppy trade, and dealing with Pakistan. McCain talks about the Russians leaving and the rise of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. McCain says he is not prepared to cut off aid to Pakistan, and criticizes Obama for launching strikes, or rather, for saying it out loud - effectively admitting he would do the same thing but not say it out loud. He talks about Waziristan. McCain wants the Iraq strategy. But Iraq is urban warfare; Waziristan is remotte tribes. Building walls is pointless when there’s already mountains in between people. a WSJ article a long while ago made this point. (A GOP one I linked to before). Obama says it’s about having intelligence regarding Al Qaeda, and taking them out, and that McCain has made comments regarding extinghuishing AL Qaeda and singing songs about bombing Iran. Obama says that Musharraf was coddled and the policy was anti-democratic. McCain says there was a failed state when Musharraf came to power. McCain tries to defend his temperament, and defends himself by voting against troops going to Lebanon; supporting the Gulf War and going into Bosnia and Kosovo; he wanted the troops in Somalia to apparently do more “peace making force.” But the criticism was regarding his words, both originally from McCain and rebuttal from Obama. This is just a tangent regarding his record. He says if Iraq does not succeed, then lives are wasted; the logical implication is that the deaths in Vietnam and Somalia were in vain. Obama says no soldiers die in vain, and all service should be honored, but the question is regarding how to keep America safe. He criticizes McCain for saying America could “muddle through” Afghanistan. McCain criticizes Obama for not going to Afghanistan and not holding hearings again.

Discipline: McCain has oddly times smiles, as usual, but is otherwise OK. Obama seems pretty OK. No sighs so far. Lehrer says time is even.

8:50: What is the threat from Iran? McCain says there they propose an existential threat to Israel, and that there can never again be a Holocaust. McCain says a League of Democracies could take effective sanctions, mentioning the Germans, French, and British. He also mentions Iran infiltrating Iraq. Obama says the Republican Guard is a terrorist organization (and says he always said that) and said that the war in Iraq has strengthened Iran’s hand. Agrees that a nuclear Iran cannot be tolerated, both for Israel and to prevent an arms race in the Middle East. Obama says cooperation from states like Russia and China will be needed for sanctions to be effective. He talks about diplomacy. He says that efforts at isolation only accelerate efforts to get nuclear weapons. McCain talks about Ahmadinejad wanting to wipe Israel out, and not wanting to give him a propaganda platform. McCain talks about needing preconditions being necessary, citing Reagan and Nixon. Obama says even Kissinger wants America to meet with Iran. He cites Bush sending Bill Burns to talks with Iran, and admitting it may not work. Obama says that after cutting off talks with North Korea, nuclear work was quadrupled, and nuclear secrets were sent to Syria, and through talks progress was made, even if it is on shaky ground. He even mentions McCain not wanting to meet with the President of Spain. McCain says he will not set a visitor’s schedule. McCain says that without precondition, meeting with Ahmadinejad legitimizes comments about Israel. Obama pushes back on Israel, but McCain interrupts, and makes a joke about Obama not denying the words of Ahmadinejad.

9:16: Russia! What do you do, what -DO- you do? Obama says the relationship needs to be reevaluated, but that the actions in Georgia were unwarrented, and that the six point peace plan needs to be implemented. Talks abot needing to be supportive of fledging democracies, and expanding NATO to countries like Georgia. Also talks about expanding cooperation, specifically with loose nukes. McCain tries to hammer home that Obama doesn’t understand foreign relations, saying Obama’s first statement only called for restraint on both sides. McCain says he looked into Putin’s eyes and saw KGB. Not sure about that one. Talks about concern over resurgence of the Russian Empire. Says that Russia is in violation of the cease fire agreement. Obama tries to give a better framing of his position on Georgia, but widely agrees with McCain. Mentions the Georgian economy. He talks about how he warned about Russian peacekeepers in Georgia in April, but nothing was done. Obama says that an energy strategy is necessary to deal with not only Russia but also Venezuela and Iran. Mentions energy, including nuclear, wind, and clean coal. Talks about McCain voting against renewable energy. McCain also talks about Nunn-Lugar. Obama says that he’s just for storing nuclear waste carefully. He wants to make another point, but McCain talks over him and I can’t tell what either said.

9:25: What is the likelihood of another 9/11? McCain says it is much less than it was on 9/12. He mentions that he and Lieberman wanted to start the 9/11 Commission. He seems to be making the Richardson approach: that he personally knows a lot of things and can get things done because he knows how to do it. It’s not what he did in the primary. Obama says America is safer in some ways. He talks about chemical sites, ports, and transit. He circle back to nuclear proliferation and says it is the biggest threat to the United States. Says missile defense is necessary, but it is not more important than nuclear waste. Says Al Qaeda is operating in 60 countries, and the root cause is in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Says America’s standing in the world has been damaged, and work is needed to restore the standing as a city on a hill. McCain cites Reagan and missile defense, for some reason. He goes back to Obama “not understanding” and says if there is failure in Iraq, Al Qaeda will have a base there. Obama goes back to McCain and Bush focusing on Iraq, while Bin Laden is still out there, while seguing to Chin being involved around the world everywhere where America is not, and the ability to project power of America is hurt. Segues into a discussion of veterans, and that a broader strategic vision is necessary. McCain says that Obama does not have the experience of knowledge necessary to be president. He compares Obama’s stubbornness to that of Bush, and says Obama not admitting the surge succeeded is really bad. Obama mentions his father coming from Kenya, and wanting to come to America because of the standing of America in the world, and that this idea is important, and investing ni how ordinary people live out their dreams is important. McCain one ups that by talking about coming home from prison and normalizing relations with Vietnam.

That ends the debate. I’m going to ponder grades, but Lehrer gets an easy A. Well done.

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VIDEO: Presidential Debate Between Barack Obama and John McCain at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Tonight’s debate between John McCain and Barack Obama will begin at 9pm ET. The moderator will be PBS’ Jim Leher. The topic will be foreign policy (although, they will likely spend some time discussing the economy as well). Be sure to check out our blog on the debate or listen to our podcast as well…

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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A Western Wall Wailing

The Western Wall or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Judaism.  The wall dates back to the construction of the Second Temple in 19 BCE and remains the only standing remains of the holy site.

During Barack Obama’s trip to Israel on July 24th, he made a surprise stop at the Western Wall and according to Jewish tradition inserted a personal prayer into the wall.

News later broke that some Yeshiva student (who should know better) - removed Obama’s prayer from the wall and passed it off to the press. As the Rabbi in charge of the Western Wall noted; “The notes placed between the stones of the Western Wall are between a person and his maker. It is forbidden to read them or make any use of them.”

Regardless of the sin attached to this action, Obama’s prayer read as follows: 

Lord -Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.

Today, it was reported in the Jerusalem Post that the Yeshiva student who removed the prayer apologized.  The article notes: 

I’m sorry. It was a kind of prank,” Aleph said, his hands shaking as he fingered the tightly wadded-up sheet of King David Hotel letterhead. “I hope he wasn’t hurt. We all believe he will take the presidency.”

Channel 2’s religious affairs correspondent said she had passed the note from the yeshiva student to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which reinserted it - deeply - between the ancient slabs of stone.

As the story gets more complex.  Jpost reports that there is a movement to open a criminal investigation into Ma’ariv, the newspaper that published Obama’s note.  In addition, others have called for a boycott for the paper.  Following up; 

In response, a Ma’ariv spokesman said that “Barack Obama’s note was approved for publication in the international media even before he put in the Kotel, a short time after he wrote it at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. In any case, since Obama is not a Jew, publishing the note does not constitute an infringement on his right to privacy.”

The paper added that is was “pleased” with its “journalistic accomplishment.”

So the story gets more complex….

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John McCain Running Ads On JPOST

I noticed this little nugget yesterday: John McCain has a significant web ads buy on The Jerusalem Post.  Below is an image of the ad:

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Live Blog Of CNN Democratic Debate In Las Vegas, Nevada (November 15, 2007)

7:55: We’re here and ready to go. Campaign news of the day: John Edwards launches this site, aimed at taking down Hillary Clinton (at any cost?). General news of the day: Barry Bonds was indicted.

8:00: Mike Gravel is again not here. I have to think that hurts Clinton the most, as all the other attacks on Clinton sting less when Gravel is sitting on the sideline attacking everyone.

8:01: Candidates are being introduced one at a time, and CNN decided to “bring to you” the photo opp. What a shocker, CNN bringing something of little to no substance and touting it as some innovation. Clinton definitely got the loudest ovation when entering the stage. From left to right: Biden, Richardson, Kucinich, Clinton, Obama, Dodd, and Edwards.

8:04: CNN tries to bring in its political team, and says Clinton has to engage. I disagree with them: Clinton has the audience on her side, so anyone who attacks too hard risks getting hard boos they probably do not want. This goes for Edwards more than Obama. The CNN political analysts keep talking about mixing it up. How about previewing particular issues? 7 minutes in, not a single mention of anything beyond the horserace.

8:08: Campbell Brown and John Roberts are asking the introductory question, and Blitzer will ask follow ups at his discretion.

8:09: Clinton is asked about her immigration position and Edwards’ attack of the ‘politics of parsing.’ Clinton says people know where she’s stood, and talks of the importance of a tested candidate and leading from day 1. Obama is brought in regard ‘triangulating … whatever that means.’ He says that straight answers to tough questions are needed, and cites her answers the past two weeks, and also cites Social Security. Gives his stump speech of Washington changing. Clinton responds that Obama’s health care plan is a failure, as it leaves 15 million people out (coincidentally the population of Nevada, SC, Iowa, and New Hampshire). Obama says the problem is nto mandating health care plans, but making it available and affordable. Clinton jumps in, saying the Obama’s plan “does not cover everyone” and “does not mandate the kind of change mine does” as Obama says “that’s not true.” Blitzer tries to move on, but Obama forces an answer as someone in the audience starts yelling, distracting Obama. Now John Edwards finally gets a chance, saying it is about ‘trust,’ and there are fair questions. He goes over Iraq, Iran, Social Security, and change in general. Much more concise and focused of an answer than Obama’s repetitive answers. People in the audience are getting restless and yelling randomly. Clinton indicates that Edwards’ attacks are out of the Republican attack book, and that Edwards was not for universal health care when he ran in 04 but is now. Hillary bringing out the big guns. Biden says that this is ridiculous, and it’s not what people care about. Says it’s about action, not experience and change. Cites Georgia, Russia, and Pakistan. Starts a laundry list of things he’s done, but cuts himself out.

8:20: Second question, Edwards is asked about changing his positions, on Yucca and health care. Says he thinks its about learning and maturing and everyone ought be willing to do that. Says that is different from saying two things at the same time. Edwards cites Clinton saying two things on trade in the past week, as the audience noticably groans. Says the question is about America. This is just a nightmare; the issues are not getting talked about, the only thing getting talked about is vague generalities. Now Dodd gets asked about saying Edwards has changed. Dodd says there is a shrillness to the debate, and truer words have never been spoken. Richardson starts off 24 minutes in by introducing himself, and says that Edwards wants to start a class war, Obama wants to start a generational war, and Clinton wants to keep the Iraq war going, and that he wants to give peace a chance. Light laughter for a line that must have seemed a lot better on paper. Finishes with a call to be positive … after slamming the top three. What a nightmare.

8:25: Everyone gets asked if they would support the nominee. Edwards asks if the question was planted, I roll my eyes. Everyone of consequence says yes, Bidenjokingly says “Hell no!”

8:26: Obama gets asked about immigration. Says people should be frustrated. Step one of his is border security, step two is holding employers accountable, and that would get them out of the shadows, and after they pay a fine and go to the back of the line, then there can be peace on the issue. Specifically on licenses, he says they come to work, not to go get food, and that he voted for it in Illinois. Blitzer presses for a yes or no, and Obama hedges a bit (oddly, given what he just said: it’s a bad moment. From five stars to zero in terms of clarity) and says it is a distraction. His first two answers were great, the last one was mediocre at best. Edwards says no, Dodd says no, Obama says yes, Clinton no, Kucinich argues about language, Richardson says he did it, and Biden says no. Richardson and Edwards elaborate at length.

8:34: Dodd is asked what is wrong with merit pay if teachers make a difference. Dodd talks about the standards being crucial, and education is the most important issue. He gets a loud cheer for attacking No Child Left Behind, and then gives a -yawn- laundry list of bills he was involved in. He calls for a single debate on education. Blitzer says that “they’re talking about education now” before changing the subject to unions. Kucinich is asked if there are any unions with which he disagrees. Kucinich says unions are key to human rights, and workers should be included in trade deals. Richardson says he wants to be the education President and teachers are underpaid, and NCLB should be abolished. Clinton says that merit pay should be by school, and that teachers who are bad should be weeded out. This debate is slightly better now that it’s not meta, but just about issues. Biden says that the judgment should be improving themselves outside of the classroom. Talks about his plan to spend more money on education.

8:42: Biden is asked about Pakistan, and the balance between democracy and a key allies. Biden says he’s talked personally to Musharaff and Bhutto, even before Bush did. Says he would take action on military aid and increasing economic aid to help the middle class. Richardson is asked about his proposal to cut off military aid helping the terrorists there. Richardson says that human rights should be more important than security (Carter-esque) and gives his own laundry list of conditions for aid. Says that Islamists get 15% if the vote in Iran, so moderates should win in free elections. When asked if human rights are more important than security, he says yes, and talks about Halliburton for some reason. Edwards talks about reasonable goals for Iran, including elections and nuclear weapons. He says that the ad hoc approach of dealing with nuclear weapons will not work, and instead there should be a long term international effort to rid the world of nuclear weapon. Obama says that the concepts of human rights and national security are not contradictory. Dodd starts out with criticizing Bush, and says obviously national security is more important, and that balance is necessary to prevent Islamists winning across the Mideast. He does not want to condition aid, and terminating the relationship leaves the country more dangerous. Clinton agrees with Dodd, and criticizes Bush on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Clinton cites calling for a Pakistani envoy earlier in the year. Kucinich complains about not getting to answer as Blitzer ignores him.

8:53: Richardson is asked about the surge if it is working. He says body counts are pointless, and no benchmarks are being met. Says troops need to get out and a political agreement negotiated. He’s not clear how he would do that. Kucinich is asked the same, and talks about his record on Iraq. Then criticizes the Democrats for funding. Kucinich says on Pakistan that aggression on Iraq and Iran helped cause these problems. Obama talks about regional diplomacy and working towards a political solution. Saying that going from horrible to intolerable is not a justification for the surge.

8:58: Do people who voted to open trade from China bear responsibility for faulty toys? Kucinich says yes, and says China has massive problems. Kucinich attacks Edwards for opening trade from China, and that it hurt workers. Also attacks him for being a trial lawyer. Edwards says that America’s trade policy has been a disaster. Edwards tries to deflect the attack on the Clintons for passing NAFTA but not universal health care. Edwards says the mistake is not holding China responsible, but bringing them into the WTO is not the problem. Clinton is asked if Perot (???) was right on NAFTA. Says that investigations should be done to make sure things are safe, and if not, nothing should be brought in. Says NAFTA was a mistake to the extent it did not do what they thought it would. Reminder about time outs on trade are needed. Dodd jumps in and reminds about Obama and Clinton supporting the Peruvian trade deal. Dodd adds that he calls for action on China. Obama clarifies that he did not flip-flop on Peru, and distinguishes it from Korea or CAFTA. Compares America to Japan on China, and failure on that. Biden says that action can be done under the WTO, and action can simply be taken. Candidates are all wanting more time.

9:06: Yucca question, what to do with the waste. Obama says that there’s no reason for Nevada to be the reason to repository for waste, and science is working on other options. He then talks about his energy plan broadly. Blitzer follows up where the waste should go, and Obama says that Blitzer needs to stop making assumptions. Richardson says he was in charge of the labs Obama mentioned. Richardson says he opposed it all his life (despite voting for it at one point) and that he would turn Yucca into a research facility, and nuclear is not an option. Calls for an energy revolution.

9:12: Is Clinton playing the gender card? Clinton says she’s playing the winning card, not the gender card. And adds that it’s because she is winning, to applause. Follow up about what she meant about the ‘boys club’ she mentioned. She says there have been ‘impediments’ to women and a glass ceiling for women. Everyone is asked about if Clinton is playing the gender card. Edwards says differences should be brought up. Edwards mentions Clinton taking money from lobbyists, and the crowd boos.

That wraps up part 1 of the worst debate so far this year. Except for Clinton, probably, who’s attacking others and then riding high on incredible support inside the auditorium.

Part 2, questions from voters.

9:27: First question from a mother of someone who did three tours of duty in Iraq who wants the troops to come home now. How would people show leadership on Iran. Biden says that it’s important to take a stand, referencing Kyl-Lieberman and it was a mistake that convinced the rest of the Muslim world that America is against them. Blitzer asks Clinton about voting for the resolution. Says the fear about the resolution is baseless but does not elaborate at all, and says aggressive diplomacy with Iran is needed, to just get them to the table. Says that Iranian Nation Guard has killed soldiers in Iraq and sanctioning them is part of diplomacy. Edwards is asked about Clinton’s comments, and says that stopping Bush and Cheney is the crucial element. Obama says the problem with the vote was not just about declaring the group a terrorist, but that it also said that forces should remain in Iraq to blunt diplomacy. Obama is asked about missing the vote and says it was a mistake. Everyone thanked the soldier and his mother. Kucinich tries to get in and Blitzer ignores him.

9:32: Another question from a mother of someone serving in Iraq, about troops making significantly less than private contractors, and also wishing Richardson a happy birthday. Richardson says he pull out private contractors and enlarge the military. Also talks about health care cards for veterans and mental health care.

9:34: Racial profiling question from an Arab-American (he may not be Arab-American, which would be horribly ironic). Edwards asmits he voted for the Patriot Act, but it needs to be changed, and illegal spying needs to stop, and Guantanamo needs to be closed and torture ended. Kucinich says he voted against the Patriot Act because he read it. Kucinich says people who are profiled are owed an apology. Says that people are changing their position far too often, and impeachment needs to be done now. Biden says that nothing in the Patriot Act allows profiling, it’s just a convenient excuse. Biden says that the two leading candidates voted to fund Guantanamo, but the standard should be a plan now.

9:39: Question about Lou Dobbs linking terrorism and illegal immigration despite no terrorist coming from the southern border. Richardson first says he was not in Washington for many of these votes, and Congress’ approval rating is lower than Cheney’s. Talks about declaring a border emergency in New Mexico, but it’s time to stop demonizing immigrants. Talks about tougher diplomacy with Mexico and no fence among otherwise a very conventional comprehensive plan. Dodd responds in Spanish at first. Says that a fence in some places would make sense. Says that upholding rights and security is important.

9:42: Question from a grandmother who works in a casino, about what happens when the Baby Boomers retire en masse and what happens with Social Security and Medicare. Obama thanks the Culinary workers. Talks about fiscal discipline will help but not cure everything. Says adjusting the payroll tax cap will help with Social Security. On Medicare, says it is tougher because of health care inflation. Says a universal health care plan with prevention will save money and save Medicare. Clinton is asked by Blitzer about criticisms from Obama but ignores it and talks about fiscal discipline of the 1990s. Says a bipartisan commission will help. Says Obama’s plan is a one billion tax increase on the middle class. Compares the attack to Romney and Giuliani, playing with numbers, and just involves the top 6%. Clinton says that there are some in the middle class who are in that. Says Obama called for a bipartisan solution on MTP. Clinton is maintaining her composure far more than Obama tonight.

9:54: Dodd is asked about SCOTUS nominees. Dodd talks about a clear judicial record, not an academic, but not believing in litmus tests, although he feels strongly about Roe v. Wade. Biden refuses to just answer Blitzer’s question, and says he has taken on justices. Biden says he will nominate a woman next, and a right to privacy exists under the 14th Amendment. Richardson gives four questions he would ask, if that is a litmus test, so be it. Kucinich said he would have a litmus test on abortion, and he will lower the need for abortions. Clinton says any nominee would have to share her belief about privacy. Credits Biden on the issue. Obama says he would not appoint anyone who did not believe in a right to privacy, and that the Court is meant to protect the vulnerable in the political process. Edwards essentially agrees with Richardson, and cites Brown v. Board and the courage needed on the SCOTUS.

10:01: Obama is asked about uniting the country regarding the Middle East, but says he did not say that Clinton could not unite the country. Says that he would hold regular foreign policy meetings with Republicans and Democrats. Clinton is asked about being too polarizing, says she heard the same thing in New York. Says she will enlist the best of the best. Biden answers the question by talking about being respected in the Congress. Richardson talks about his record and his approach to Israel, including an envoy.

10:08: For Clinton: Diamonds or pearls? She says she wants both. Biden says he likes diamonds.

That’s all.

My quick rankings:

1. Clinton

2. Edwards

3. Biden

4. Obama
5. Dodd
6. Kucinich
7. Richardson

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Giuliani Calls for School Vouchers; also for no Palestinian state

Giuliani today discussed education while campaigning in New Hampshire, specifically supporting school vouchers, which seems to be on its way to becoming a political issue in the general election:

“How is it that we have the best higher education in the world and a weaker K-through-12 system?” Giuliani said. “What’s the difference? Why does one operate so well and the other not nearly as well? American higher education is based on a quintessential American principle - choice.”

As mayor of New York, Giuliani backed vouchers for private and parochial schools in the face of opposition from his own schools chancellor.

“I’d give parents control over their children’s education,” Giuliani told the audience of about 150 people at a solar power products plant. “We’ve got to have competition operating. If we don’t do that, our education system is going to deteriorate.”

This site has a nice history of Giuliani’s history on education, including trying in vain to take over the city school system (Bloomberg succeeded in that effort) and saying that the city system ought be ‘blown up.’

Earlier in the week, Giuliani published an essay in Foreign Affairs magazine. The reviews in general have not been kind, suffice to say. The most sanguine criticism I have read is that the essay seems to be a stump speech, not a serious academic effort. On the stump in Iowa, I would not think twice about some of the things Giuliani says. But in a foreign affairs essay it raises serious practical issues, even among Republicans.

But, in terms of election year politics, perhaps the most intriguing part of the essay is this section where Giuliani makes the case against developing a Palestinian state right now:

America has a clear interest in helping to establish good governance throughout the world. Democracy is a noble ideal, and promoting it abroad is the right long-term goal of U.S. policy. But democracy cannot be achieved rapidly or sustained unless it is built on sound legal, institutional, and cultural foundations. It can only work if people have a reasonable degree of safety and security. Elections are necessary but not sufficient to establish genuine democracy. Aspiring dictators sometimes win elections, and elected leaders sometimes govern badly and threaten their neighbors. History demonstrates that democracy usually follows good governance, not the reverse. U.S. assistance can do much to set nations on the road to democracy, but we must be realistic about how much we can accomplish alone and how long it will take to achieve lasting progress.

The election of Hamas in the Palestinian-controlled territories is a case in point. The problem there is not the lack of statehood but corrupt and unaccountable governance. The Palestinian people need decent governance first, as a prerequisite for statehood. Too much emphasis has been placed on brokering negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians — negotiations that bring up the same issues again and again. It is not in the interest of the United States, at a time when it is being threatened by Islamist terrorists, to assist the creation of another state that will support terrorism. Palestinian statehood will have to be earned through sustained good governance, a clear commitment to fighting terrorism, and a willingness to live in peace with Israel. America’s commitment to Israel’s security is a permanent feature of our foreign policy.

This would seem to be an issue that could become a platform perhaps for his party in the next election. There are favorable reviews already up of it, including at the National Review. I can’t imagine that Democrats would look forward to defending Palestinian statehood in a national election, although Bush’s acceptance of that policy might make it slightly easier, though more risk politically.

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Obama-Clinton Fracas Expands: Now Joe Biden and Chris Dodd Are Involved

Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd each issued sharp rebukes to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama regarding their continuing disagreement over Obama’s statement that he would consider meeting with any and all world leaders.  Before getting to Biden and Dodd’s remarks, some background info on the Clinton-Obama fracas…

At the CNN/YouTube Democratic Debate on July 23, 2007, Senator Obama response to a question about meeting with foreign leaders:

QUESTION: …In the spirit of that type of bold leadership, would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?

OBAMA: I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them — which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration — is ridiculous….

Hillary Clinton’s follow up to this question foreshadowed the friction that was to come later in the week:

CLINTON: Well, I will not promise to meet with the leaders of these countries during my first year. I will promise a very vigorous diplomatic effort because I think it is not that you promise a meeting at that high a level before you know what the intentions are…

In the days after the debate, the Obama and Clinton campaigns continued the exchange with a series of critical memos and statements.

Enter Joe Biden and Chris Dodd.  The Biden campaign took the first jab yesterday evening when Luis Navarro, Biden’s Campaign Manager, issued the following statement:

“This squabble is a distraction from the main event: defeating the Republicans and ending the war responsibly. Petty arguments about foreign policy credentials will not get mine resistant vehicles in the field any faster and will not get our troops home any sooner. Already Republicans are seeking to divide Democrats on the one issue that they have no credibility on after four and a half years of President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq. During the CNN/YouTube debate on Monday night, Joe Biden told the truth about how long it would take to withdraw our troops from Iraq. And Sen. Clinton said, ‘Joe is right.’ Sen. Biden is the only Democratic candidate to put forth a detailed political plan for how we end this war without leaving chaos behind.”

It’s definitely politically smart for someone with the foreign policy credentials of Joe Biden to enter a foreign policy disagreement between some frontrunners, who simply do not have his expertise in this area.  That being said, the Biden campaign missed an important political opportunity.  I understand why Biden’s campaign focused on the Iraq dimension to Obama and Clinton’s disagreement.  After all, Biden is the “Plan For Iraq” Democratic candidate.  There’s certainly nothing wrong about his response, however, it falls short of the kind of response that’s really going to get Biden engaged in a widely publicized disagreement between Clinton and Obama.  Talking about Iraq is fine, but he should have either picked a side or offered a new answer to the question of whether or not it’s a good idea to consider high level talks with any foreign leader.  A response that also covered the heart of Clinton and Obama’s disagreement would have made bigger waves.

I also understand why Sen. Biden did not go so far as to attack either Clinton or Obama or disagree with either of them.  It’s no secret that if this presidential campaign doesn’t work out for Biden, he’ll be a strong contender for Secretary of State.  Thus, sniping the frontrunners and thus possibly hurting their chances of success or simply making them mad are likely to reduce his chances of running the State Department.  This consideration also likely explains why Biden did not make the comments himself, but instead let his campaign manager respond.

Chris Dodd entered the fray today saying that both Clinton and Obama were wrong.  In a statement, Dodd said:

“With all due respect to both Senators Clinton and Obama, their responses to the question posed at the debate on Monday night about diplomacy were either overly-simplistic or overly-rigid.

“I have helped resolve conflict from Latin America to Northern Ireland, and with experience you learn that neither of those approaches serves the interests of the United States.

“Diplomacy is essential both to repair our nation’s fractured world relationships and move forward with a more global perspective to our foreign policy. However, there are some leaders - like Iran’s Ahmadinejad, who denies the Holocaust ever took place - which cannot and should not be diplomatically rewarded with visits from the American president.

“Unfortunately, this false debate, which has now lingered for days, has become just another personal argument among politicians and that’s lamentable given the stakes in this election. There is nothing new about this kind of politics and it certainly doesn’t demonstrate a readiness to lead the nation when our reputation around the world is in tatters.”

This was the political opportunity that Dodd needed (and still needs) to break out of the pack a little.  In order for Dodd’s campaign to heat up, voters need to become concerned that the frontrunners lack the experience and political stability necessary to win a general election and be a successful leader.  Needless to say, Dodd’s not in the greatest position.  If he were to attack Obama and Clinton in the fashion necessary to erode their support, he’d essentially be torpedoing the party and that will definitely not play with Democratic voters come primary day.  On the other hand, if Obama and Clinton fall by their own actions, then Dodd is poised to strike by reminding voters that he’s around.  Dodd’s response successfully walked the political tightrope that he’s on.  He was able to issue a strong rebuke to both Clinton and Obama without seriously hurting their viability as general election candidates, while at the same time scoring some points by coming off as the reasonable, experienced person capable of responding to the complexities of foreign policy. (I’m not necessarily saying that Dodd is, I’m simply saying that from a political perspective that’s the way he came off).

For months, I’ve been criticizing the Dodd campaign for not sharpening the rhetoric and for not taking enough political chances to get some attention.  In this case, Dodd finally did what he needs to be doing consistently if he hopes to get the nomination: That is, to subtly portray Clinton and Obama as candidates who refuse to appreciate the complexity of issues both foreign and domestic, while simultaneously squeezing into the policy wedge that this criticisms create.  For a candidate who has completely ruled out the possibility of running on the ticket as the Vice President, it’s a bit easier for him to do what needs to be done if he hopes to get the nomination.

[Photo Credit: Newsweek]

Related at 2008Central.net:

• Clinton’s Political Machine Wins Another Battle (7/25/07)
• Do Democratic Primary Voters Care About Iraq? (7/18/07)
• Chris Dodd Joins Criticism of Edwards and Clinton; Also, Dodd on Iraq (7/14/07)

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Bill Richardson, The (Self Described) Loose Cannon

A Salon feature on Bill Richardson explores in part his free speaking ways:

Part of the Richardson difference is that he will say things — human things — that would never emerge from the lips of a programmed candidate. He lost his train of thought when discussing immigration in Ossipee and asked his audience helplessly whether he had promised that he had four points or five points. After a woman in the front row shouted, “Five,” Richardson said ruefully, “My mind is mush. My five-point plans become four-point plans.” It is quite possible that in the annals of presidential campaigns no serious candidate has — ever, ever — uttered those four words: “My mind is mush.” Although Richardson has yet to achieve enough liftoff to be shadowed everywhere on the campaign trail (I was the only reporter in Ossipee), it is so easy to imagine how that self-deprecatory moment would look — taken out of context — on YouTube.

Dave Contarino, Richardson’s campaign manager, acknowledged that his candidate is not a message-machine candidate ordered up from Central Casting. As Contarino put it, “The secret to the governor’s success — and as his chief of staff I was watching how things got done — is that he’s prepared, but he isn’t terribly cautious in what he says. He’s not talking off a set of talking points. But a cautious guy couldn’t walk into the Sudan, Iraq or North Korea and come back with hostages.”

Richardson was asked in the accompanying Salon interview about the “my mind is mush” line:

As a reporter, this is something I’m wrestling with. I saw Hillary and Bill Clinton before a crowd of maybe 1,300 people in Manchester last Friday. Because you’re more accessible and unscripted, you say things that might not look good taken out of context. Earlier today at this event, you said in response to a question, “My mind is mush.”

At the present time.

At the present time. But not on Inauguration Day January 2009.

I was tired out there.

I understand that. But should reporters like me cut you more of a break for what might be called “verbal missteps” than we would, say, Hillary Clinton who is only available in very controlled settings?

No, you shouldn’t give me any breaks. That’s who I am. I want you to report what I am. I’m open and accessible and I’m learning. I admit that I don’t have my shtick down. I admit that my policies are evolving. I have fundamental principles that I don’t change. But I said that I’m open on the subject of single-payer [national health insurance]. I want to be persuaded. Right now, I’m not.

But you should cover what you see, what you get. And I believe that there is a real thirst in the electorate for authenticity. For access. That’s my point. I think I’m more effective having 10 meetings of 100 people than other candidates who have 1,000 in one hour. You connect more with those voters. And I think those voters appreciate the access. New Hampshire expects that. Which is why I’m undertaking this intensive grass-roots campaign.

Bill Richardson is moving up in polls, actually ahead of John Edwards in New Hampshire according to a recent poll. With that extra attention will come significantly extra scrutiny, and candor can quickly become verbal recklessness, as the writer referred to in the above excerpt.

Richardson was undisciplined in his debate performances, often going over time and giving rambling answers. The Salon article revealed he was often thinking off the top of his head, and he mentioned the possible boycott of the Chinese Olympics as a way to leverage action on Sudan off the top of his head. Now, it’s good that candidates are willing to speak their mind - I certainly encourage that - but a reckless style like this eventually catches up to anybody, whether it be George Allen or Howard Dean or someone else.

Richardson also in the interview talked about diplomacy; I think his answer here is interesting given how much he is basing his campaign on his diplomatic experience:

Given your experiences negotiating with Saddam Hussein and North Korea, is there anybody in the world that the U.S. shouldn’t be talking to?

We shouldn’t be talking to Osama bin Laden. We shouldn’t be talking to the most extreme leadership of al-Qaida. We shouldn’t be talking to the most extreme leadership of Hamas. But short of that, I don’t mind using mediation and other techniques to deal with the world’s worst [leaders]. But I am talking about using traditional diplomacy to talk to Iran, to talk to Syria.

I think the proof in the pudding is to talk to North Korea as we did. I think I had a little bit to do with them recently announcing that they’re going to let inspectors in a little bit. I give credit to the administration. But I’ll take credit for getting the remains of our soldiers back. [During the 1990s, Richardson negotiated with North Korea several times and secured its agreement to search for the bodies of U.S. MIAs from the Korean War.]

But there are parameters. You can’t negotiate with someone who wants to kill you.

You just said that you wouldn’t negotiate with “the most extreme leadership of Hamas.” Are there parts of Hamas that we might think about talking to?

There are parts of Hamas that might be able to work with [Palestinian leader Mahmoud] Abbas. I still would fundamentally have a precondition: They have to renounce the destruction of Israel. Yes, I have seen some things that suggest that there are a few openings there.

Richardson talked in some detail about his plan for Iraq:

You talk about Darfur, our failure to intervene in Rwanda, the lessons of Bosnia. If we pull back our troops to Kuwait, as you advocate, and there was a level of near genocide between the Shiites and the Sunnis, could we just watch this unfold on Al-Jazeera television? Could we just sit in Kuwait and watch this happen?

You never preclude any option. Those troops in Kuwait would be for protection against international terrorist threats against this country. And if you have a real conflagration [in Iraq], you never limit the options. But the option mainly for shifting those troops to Kuwait and to Afghanistan is terrorism, al-Qaida.

My plan is that there be an all-Muslim peacekeeping force that would involve Iran and Syria, who wouldn’t want a genocide because there would be thousands of refugees in their territory. But also a diplomatic plan that allows and permits a coalition government. And possible partition. A sharing of oil revenues. A political deal that sets up a framework for a future Iraq. Iraq is not exactly helpless.

All these people say it’s going to go into civil war. They have 330,000 security forces and 150 billion reserves of oil. They’ve had three elections. They have some democratic institutions. It’s not exactly like they’re helpless. They should tend to their own security. We have done our job. Our troops have done a magnificent job.

Iraq is not just a question of a genocide or a civil war in Iraq. We’re talking about American foreign policy shifting so many resources into Iraq that we’re neglecting other priorities. Like terrorism, like North Korea, like Iran, like nuclear proliferation — the need to secure fissionable materials — like global climate change, like so many other issues. We’re virtually out of NATO. We don’t participate. We’re not part of the international community because of this obsession.

He also talked about being a “pro-growth Democrat” something that really distinguishes him from a candidate like John Edwards, and is something that really has not been flushed out yet in the debates, and it was in the context of his work as Secretary of Energy:

I sort of see a contradiction in your domestic policy. You talk about your support for a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. This would have been approved during the era of the Gingrich Congress if Bill Clinton had not been opposed to it. If it went through in a Richardson administration with you supporting it, wouldn’t that rule out the funds for any expansion of healthcare or education or other major domestic initiatives?

If you recall, the Clinton deficit-reduction plan, which passed by one vote [in 1993], caused the resurgence in the economy. We grew 20 million more jobs, a [budget] surplus. When we pass a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, first of all I would never pass it if a recession or a war was going on. But you stage it, [over] several years. You commit yourself to certain steps.

No, I believe it would immediately send a signal to grow the economy, make more budget funds available. And I still believe that you could reshift priorities and spend more on healthcare and education. I think you could do it.

I was able to do it. I cut taxes in New Mexico. I increased spending for healthcare and education and had a surplus because the economy grew. I am a believer in growing the economy and being a pro-growth Democrat. I’m not somebody for whom every solution is a tax increase or more spending.

But isn’t there a difference between talking about a balanced budget, which Bill Clinton achieved, and putting into play a constitutional mechanism that the Republicans could use against any new spending programs?

No, I think you also have to take other steps that involve tough medicine like a line-item veto. Clinton tried to do it and he almost got it done. Pay-as-you-go policies. Corporate welfare. I’d have a national commission like the base-closure commission that would list all the $73 billion in fat in corporate welfare in one vote and not allow it to be picked up. It would be tough to get rid of earmarks, you know that. But we’ve got to significantly reduce them or make them open.

Were you against earmarks when you were in Congress?

No, I did some myself. Not that many. But when I was the secretary of energy, I got into trouble by saying that some of these Department of Energy earmarks [were wasteful]. [Robert] Novak wrote a column about it. [The Novak column about Richardson's fight with the Senate over pork-barrel spending appeared on Sept. 11, 2000.] Check Novak, though he doesn’t like me anymore.

It’s a really interesting interview about Richardson’s policies, and highlights the policies that make him different from the frontrunning Democrats.

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Press Released: July 9 - 15

Press Released will cover press releases over the past week that may have gotten overlooked in the media cycle. It’s not meant to be complete, but should be comprehensive including any release relating to national politics. Any release that is calendar related, not of national concern, or previously blogged about will not be covered here.

John McCain

McCain issued a statement regarding his speech on the Defense Authorization Act, which funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCain announced support in Plymouth County, Iowa.

New campaign manager Rick Davis issued a short statement regarding the campaign turnover of the past week.

Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee launched a new website, which is as good as any Republican web site.

Huckabee apologized for missing the NAACP convention.

Huckabee reiterated his criticism of Michael Moore and Sicko.

Huckabee also saluted Jim Gilmore as he left the race.

Mitt Romney

Romney received endorsements in Colorado and New Hampshire.

Romney launched a new radio ad with his wife talking about him. The Romney campaign also posted audio of the ad:

Ron Paul

Paul’s campaign touted having 20,000 youtube subscribers and meetup members.

Paul said that signing statements are something that needs to be addressed.

Rudy Giuliani

Giuliani announced endorsements in Florida (1, 2) and Iowa, and announced staff additions in Florida, California, New Hampshire, and Illinois.

Giuliani announced his foreign policy advisors.

Giuliani criticized Michael Moore and Hillary Clinton on health care (slightly ironic since Moore himself criticizes Clinton on health care in the movie).

Giuliani issued a very broad press release about economics and America, including saying he would work to strengthen America’s reputation, and also to ‘aggressively’ advance free trade.

Sam Brownback

Brownback added to his staff and leadership teams in Iowa (1, 2) and Oregon.

Brownback issued a press release about the word “Mitt-amorphasis,” which harshly criticizes Romney (in a very backhanded way) for his (alleged) flip-flops, without ever even mentioning the name ‘Romney.’

Brownback and a bipartisan group of Senators have urged Sec. Rice to take action to stop the scheduled execution of a North Korean prisoner who is a Christian.

Tom Tancredo

Tancredo introduced his bill on immigration.

Tommy Thompson

Thompson pledged to end breat cancer if elected.

Barack Obama

Obama issued a statement regarding children’s health insurance, criticizing Bush’s stance.

Obama joined a bipartisan group of supporters in introducing a bill that would temprarily stop the military from discharging soldiers for personality disorders until a full review was performed.

Obama called on Bush to address the growing strength of Al Qaeda.

Obama announced more staff in Nevada.

Bill Richardson

Richardson renewed his call to end the Iraq war and get the troops out by the end of the year.

Richardson praised the ONE campaign and touted his record fighting poverty globally, while calling for a Marshall plan to eradicate poverty.

Richardson issued a press release regarding his remarks to the NAACP convention.

Richardson issued a press release harshly criticizing Bush’s approach in Iraq.

Christopher Dodd

Dodd joined a bipartisan group of Senators in working to increase pool safety.

Dodd applauded stricter review procedures on foreign investment in America.

Dodd announced Nevada campaign staff.

Dodd issued a statement criticizing Bush’s position on the Iraq war, using the phras ‘rose colored glass’ as Richardson also did.

Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich touted out polling Obama and Clinton on a global warming in a moveon.org poll.

Kucinich cited the interim progress report as reason to bring the troops home immediately, and said no other bills will suffice either - withdrawlal must bgin immediately. He also said that the Adminstration played the ‘fear card,’ and criticized Bush’s speech in Cleveland earlier in the week.

Hillary Clinton

Clinton called for her supporters to make youtube videos to be made so that one may air during the upcoming debate.

Clinton received endorsements in New York, Iowa, and Rhode Island.

Clinton called for the country of origin to be put on all food sold in the US.

Clinton criticized Sec. Chertoff’s remarks about a ‘gut feeling.’

Clinton issued a statement on the one year anniversary of the Israeli soldiers getting kidnapped.

Clinton announced her intention to block the appointment the Bush appointment for ambassador to Libya.

Clinton issued a statement on the new surgeon general appointment.

Clinton criticized Bush’s reaction to the interim assessment of progress in Iraq.

Joe Biden

Biden also issued a statement on Bush’s reaction to the interim assessment of progress in Iraq.

Biden issued a statement regarding his approach to the upcoming Defense Appropriations bills and how Bush will be forced to change his policies when Republicans abandon him.

Biden is on the panel to negotiate the details of 9/11 bills passed by the House and Senate.

John Edwards

Edwards criticized the Bush Administration for not filling 25% of the top posts in the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Edwards called for Americans to pressure their representatives to end the Iraq war.

Edwards announced his argicultural plan, which would include labelling country of origin on food.

Edwards touted his win in the Moveon.org global warming poll.

Edwards said the reconstitution of Al Qaeda proves the failure of the ‘War on Terror’ doctrine of Bush.

Edwards said Bush’s remarks on Iraqi progress “border on delusional.”

Edwards said that his energy plan would create 150,000 ‘green collar jobs.’

Edwards announced a three-point plan to rebuild New Orleans as he started his ‘Road to One America’ Tour.

Technical note: all language I use to describe a release is what the candidate uses or what I judge to be the most accurate way of describing the candidate’s position; e.g., if a candidate calls global warming the ‘climate crisis’ I will use that; if they call it ‘alleged global warming’ I will do the same.

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Democrats Discuss Faith on CNN

Yesterday in Washington and on CNN, Democratic candidates discussed their faith.

The responses are quite lengthy, so they’ll be after the jump. Well worth talking about, though.

Topics include: povery, abortion, evolution, executive pay, gay marriage, Israel and Palestine, Hillary Clinton on faith in regards to her marital problems, and many more topics.

In order, Edwards, Obama, Clinton, Biden, Richardson, Dodd, and Kucinich all spoke.

Obviously all transcripts are thanks to CNN.
Read more

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Live Blog Of CNN Democratic Debate In New Hampshire (6/3/07)

12:25 pm: Bill Richardson has plastered signs on all roads leading to the debate. No signs up on campus as of yet.

2:15: Security sweep of media room begins.

3:15: Security sweep of media room ends.

4:40: We’re in the media room getting ready to go. Reporters are milling about, not really doing anything.

5:07: We’ve just been handed a press release indicating where candidates will be on stage. From left to right, it’s Gravel, Dodd, Edwards, Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Biden, and Kucinich.

More interestingly, the release uses office titles for everyone except Gravel. Of course, everyone but Edwards and Gravel are named by the office they currently hold (Sen. Clinton, Gov. Richardson). But surprisingly, Edwards is called “Senator John Edwards” whereas Gravel is simply “Mike Gravel.”

5:50: Green Mountain Politics links to the Boston Globe’s James Pindell (who was sitting about 15 feet from us) who obtained what is being billed Barack Obama’s talking points for the night. Interesting.

6:15ish: Lou Dobbs shows candidates entering the building. In order, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and … Dennis Kucinich. Strange that he got the video entrance and Dodd, Biden, Richardson, and Gravel all did not. Maybe just a quirk. Also, Elizabeth Kucinich looked very strange standing next to him … but that seems par for the course. (We even overheard some reporters mentioning this very thing.)

6:50: Wolf Blitzer takes the stage as Lou Dobbs wraps up his pre-debate show that focused a lot on his two issues: trade and immigration.

6:53: The candidates take the stage to applause. Gov. Lynch comes out to greet the candidates. The President of the College (a priest, fwiw) comes out as well. Candidates retreat to their podiums.

7:00: Debate Starts. Candidates get intros; Gravel, Richardson, and Kucinich are somewhat over the top. Kucinich especially with a garish comment about Cleveland being the ‘city of champions.’ As a Cleveland native myself, I’d like to point out how absurd the comment was: very. ‘Undecided’ voters will ask questions in the second half.

7:01: Obama gets a question on terrorism regarding the arrests yesterday. He says the Bush Administration has done some things well (including tracking finances) but that the world is more dangerous not less. Says the war in Iraq is problematic, and regional stability is needed, and that Al Qaeda needs to be fought across the Middle East. Also says that more alliances are needed.

7:03: Edwards is asked about his bumper sticker comment after the arrests yesterday. He says he rejects the Bush Administration using the War on Terror as a catch all excuse, not the political reality. Says that the war in Iraq, Guantanamo, etc. are not American. Does mention he will find terrorists and attack them, but focus was clearly on the other side of that coin.

7:05: Clinton is asked if she agrees with the bumper sticker comment. She does not. She says we are more safe in America than on 9/11, but not yet safe enough. Interesting contrast to both Edwards and Obama.

7:06: Kucinich is asked about the Patriot Act. He quotes Ben Franklin* that those who give essential liberties to secure security deserve neither. (*was actually Jefferson who said that). Kucinich says he wants to create a “9/10 forum” (boy will that play into the hands of Rudy Giuliani)…

7:08: Biden is asked about Iraq. Says he cannot say why others were wrong to vote against the funding, just why he was right. He talks specifically about the need to pass funding to give troops SUVs that are IED-resistant to save lives. Says thats more important than a good political vote to help win an election. When pushed, specifically says he does not want to judge candidates, as they are his friends, and he respects their votes.

7:10: Clinton is asked about that, she states that it was time to send a message to the Bush Administration that the course had to be changed on Iraq. She juxtaposes the candidates there with the Republican candidates who all support the war. Subtle way of touting her electability. (It seems more forced when Giuliani makes the same argument, perhaps because he often mentions Clinton by name).

7:11: Edwards says it was an important moment for Congress to stand up to the President, and they failed to do so (despite acknowledging Hillary and Dodd as having done well). He says it should be obvious who he is talking about. When pressed, he says that Obama and Clinton failed to speak up about their vote, that they voted late and were quiet.

7:12: Obama, again responding harshly when pushed directly, confronts Edwards about being four and a half years late on leadership on the issue. But he acknowledges that Biden’s position has legitimacy.

7:14: Clinton says the differences between Democrats are minor, not major. Criticizes Bush Admin, says that the war is George Bush’s war, and all Democrats have plans to end it.

7:15: Edwards says other candidates are finally on the right line on Iraq, but chides Clinton and Obama again for voting quietly.

7:15: Dodd comments on how bad the war has been, and how important it is to end the war as soon as possible.

7:16: Richardson is asked about withdrawing by the end of the year. Richardson again starts with his experience. He says its already a civil war. Richardson says genocide needs to be stopped, even in Darfur, but says our troops have become a target in Iraq.

7:18: Gravel is finally brought into the debate. Says the war was facilitated by the Democrats.

7:19: Kucinich is asked if Iraq was worth it. He says he honors those who served, but says the war was based on lies. But that it was not a waste (snipe at Obama). Kucinich says that the war belongs to the Democratic Party. Comments like this essentially torpedo the party at their own expense.

7:21: Biden says that truth telling is where Bush has failed us. Biden says that you need 67 votes to stop the war; funding the war simply funds the safety of the troops. Big shot at Gravel and Kucinich.

7:22: Clinton is asked about her vote; she says she talked to tons of experts. Clinton said she did not count on that the President had no intention of letting inspectors finish. Says the troops did what they were expected to do.

7:24: Edwards says he had information he needed, but was wrong. Says Obama deserves credit for being right from the beginning. Says getting trust between the people and President is key.

7:25: Obama is asked if someone who voted for the war can be President. He says it should not rule anyone out by itself. Cites Bob Graham. Thanks ‘John’ for the complement. Says need to finish the war against Al Qaeda. This feels like a discussion amongst friends, save for Gravel and Kucinich.

7:26: Gravel predictably says that anyone who voted for the war ought not be President. Says more Americans died in Iraq than on September 11. That’s going to draw some harsh criticism, I think.

7:27: Clinton responds, but leaves the 9/11 comment alone, saying that the Bush Administration lied.

7:27: Richardson is asked about immigration. He starts by saying he is a border governor. Compares wall on border with Mexico to Berlin Wall. Saying border patrols need to be doubled. Supports earned citizenship program. Blitzer asks why its not amnesty. Says because it sets standards for citizenship, a process that takes 13 years. Amnesty, apparently, is immediate. Mentions families and not creating an underclass.

7:31: Biden is asked about a fence. Says its easier to get criminals out with earned citizenship. Says being practical is something people need to do, and that a fence can stop a kilo of cocaine, but not people. Talks about how this bill is superior to the one last year.

7:32: Obama says that border protection with Canada is important too, citing the recent TB case. Mentions that the US is a country of immigrants and a country of laws. Says ‘Joe’ is right, that a pathway to legalization is OK if the border is actually secured.

7:33: Raise hand question! Mike Gravel is the only candidate who thinks English should be the official language of the country. Obama responds that English is the language, but that this question is a distraction to the Americn people, getting an applause. Clinton jumps on, saying that it’s fine as a national language, not an official language, citing specific details of legal consequences.

7:35: Dodd agrees with ‘Barack Obama.’ Dodd says its important to encourage more languages and diversity, not just English.

7:36: Health care for Edwards. Asks if he thinks Clinton and Obama are being honest about not raising taxes for health care. Says he was the first, and talks a bit about health care, but says that you can’t do it for free.

7:38: Obama says Edwards has good elements in his plan, but that the main disagreement is whether mandatory insurance is necessary. Obama says he wants to decrease costs first and foremost, and make health care more efficient.

7:39: Clinton is asked about Obama’s plan. Clinton gives the scars comment regarding 94. She says the important part of health care is not the plan, but securing the political will to get something done. Blitzer asks about taxes. Clinton says she can save $120 billion, and we need to realize the savings.

7:41: Richardson talks about health care in New Mexico. Blitzer cuts him off, and Richardson talks about his plan, which is mandatory for everyone, and focus on prevention.

7:42: Dodd mentions that the US ranks low in infant mortality and life expectancy. Dodd talks about bringing people together to get the job done.

7:43: Edwards says that a law is required to get everyone covered, not leaving some uncovered like Obama’s. Obama partly agrees, that more efficiency is needed, but disagrees on mandatory insurance. Obama talks about starting a process, but says there will be people uninsured. They nearly start bickering (Obama retains his cool; Edwards sort of does not); but Blitzer goes to Kucinich.

7:45: Kucinich talks about needing to get a single-payer system. Gets applause for challenging the insurance company.

7:46: Clinton is asked about ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Says it was a transition policy, as a means of integrating the reality that gays have served in the past. Says that Arabic linguists discharged under DADT shows that the policy is outdated. Quotes Barry Goldwater that you don’t have to be straight ot shoot straight. Clinton reiterates that it was a transition policy. Clinton cites Biden who remembers the fight over DADT.

7:49: Biden says Peter Pace is ‘flat wrong.’ Says no one asks anyone in foxholes who is gay. Says allies let gay soldiers serve.

7:49: All candidates raise their hand on the issue when asked if DADT is outdated.

7:50: Richardson says he wants non-discriminatory policies. Does not want anyone who is serving to be lectured on orientation.

7:51: Edwards is asked about gay marriage. Edwards says that the federal government has no role on the issue, either in regards to the state or Churches. Says the job of the President is to lead, not to legislate.

7:52: Gravel is asked how he would use former Pres. Clinton, and says he would be a roving ambassador. Cites Truman as a better integrator than former Pres. Clinton.

7:53: Says that the ideal job for Pres. Clinton is Secretary General, but that Pres. Clinton is needed in the Middle East. Says Israel is less safe when Bush was elected.

7:54: Blitzer continues this line of questioning on Obama. Obama talks about the good that Clinton ‘with Hillary’ did. Contrasts that with Bush Administration, saying that the US can’t simply lead with the military, citing specific examples.

7:55: Hillary Clinton says that using former Presidents is important to fix damage from the Bush Administration’s negative legacy.

7:57: Dodd says that using alternative sources of energy to reduce reliance of gasoline will help lower prices, and help solve global warming. Talks up his idea of a carbon tax. Says a rebate to consumers on gas will help, but that in the long run, only eliminating the dependency on oil is the only way.

7:58: Gravel says he endorses the carbon tax, but that it would raise the price of gas. He says there’s no way right now to lower gas prices.

7:59: Edwards says its necessary to investigate gas companies to find out if there is price gouging, maybe changing anti-trust laws; also wants states to enforce clean air laws on refineries.

8:00: Richardson is asked about energy, and starts his answer, like every answer, by talking about is resume. He wants a price gouging investigation, but wants an Apollo program asking everyone to conserve. He says his plan on energy is the most ambitious; Blitzer cuts him off.

8:01: Biden wants to get rid of subsidies to oil companies, an investigation into price gouging, and wants better mileage standards.

And…. there’s a break while the stage is rebuilt. Break time!

8:02: Candidates mill about, shaking hands with voters while podiums are removes and seats brought in. Candidates sit down, save Clinton, who was off stage and just before CNN comes back, walks back from offstage and takes a seat.

8:09: We’re back. CNN apparently assured that the voters are undecided.

8:10: First question from an army wife who is a teacher, who asked about rebuilding the military. Kucinich answers the question first, saying the ‘Democratic Congress’ should not even offer a bill to fund the war. Kucinich says peace is key, that he wants a force built around peacekeeping. Blitzer asks about rebuilding the military. Kucinich says that military funding needs to be cut 25%, and does not want war as a instrument of policy.

8:12: Obama says that while he may cut a part of the budget, but that troops deserve support on the ground, and wants better treatment at home.

8:13: Dodd is asked if there are Cold War policies he would cut. He thanks everyone for their service. Says there should be a priority of defenses, and that everyone wants to keep people safe and secure. Says it should not be the “first arrow in the quiver.” When pushed, says there are plenty of things that need to be cut.

8:14: Next question is from a social worker with a son serving in Iraq. Wants to know why veterans cannot receive treatment at the hospital of their choice. Obama talks about the good job the VA has done to lower costs. Says that VA hospitals should be the standard unless they are too far away.

8:16: Richardson says that he would give veterans whatever treatment they wanted anywhere. Richardson says ‘husband’ when it’s the woman’s son. Says VA health system is crucial.

8:17: Gravel is asked about his experiences with the VA from the Korean War. Gravel attacks Obama about not knowing about Walter Reed despite being on the VA committee. Gravel chides Gravel for not letting him finish, and talks about the Bush Administration not paying for the VA. A good example of Obama getting angry when pressed. Obama says he did not know about the outpatient facility before it was in the papers.

8:20: Question about Iran. Force or diplomacy. Clinton answers first, says she is concerned, that we should have been using diplomacy for a long time. Says talks with Iran started far too late, that a process of engagement is crucial. Says in the Cold War we talked with the Soviet Union. Specifically cites diplomacy done ‘by Bill Richardson for my husband.’ Refuses to get into hypothetical about diplomacy failing; chides Rice and Cheney for not being committed to the matter.

8:22: Edwards points out that a lot of Iranians like America, that Ahminedejad is unpopular. Wants to put a carrot of controlled nuclear fuel with economic incentives; also wants a stick of economic sanctions if they do not agree. Does not want to pull anything off the table.

8:24: Biden is asked about Iran. Says that he would give up idea of regime change, since it is only encouraging Iran, that it is decades away form a weaponized nuke. Says he would take out any missile on a pad.

8:25: Question about Pakistan, it being a country that is not really Democratic, but is needed for security reasons. Clinton says that it’s important to keep pushing, perhaps having a high-level Presidential envoy.

8:27: Kucinich is asked if he found out where UBL was, if innocents would also be killed, would authorize a strike. Kucinich says UBL should be held to account in an international court of law. Wants to stand for peace, he does not believe in assassination politics.

8:28: Obama says he considers Bin Laden a military target, and that the order would have to be given. Says presence in Iraq hurts efforts, and flames anti-Americanism, which hurts efforts of Musharraf.

8:29: Raise hands on the UBL question. Everyone but Kucinich raises there hands. Clinton and Biden say that it depends on how many civilians, Clinton specifically cites that her husband tried to do that.

8:30: Edwards says that the replacement for Musharraf would undoubtedly be more of a problem and less liberal (classically, that is). Blitzer points out that Pakistan is a nuclear power.

8:31: Question about Sudan. Says that Sudan that the US ought imply a no-fly zone, and that Sudan surrendered its sovereignty by committing genocide. On a raise of hands of agreeing, no one is clear on what they are agreeing with.

8:32: Clinton refuses to get into hypothetical questions on Darfur.

8:33: Richardson mentions the ceasefire he negotiated. He wants more UN peacekeepers, more sanctions, and to force China to take action (with an Olympic boycott as the stick).

8:34: Dodd is asked about an Olympic boycott, Dodd says that it goes too far. Says that tools to lean on people is important.

8:35: Edwards says that anything is on the table, and thanks Biden and Richardson. Says that America has lost moral authority to lead in the world. Calls for HIV/Aids and education initiatives.

8:36: Obama says its important to preventing genocides. Says also that Guantanamo and suspending Habeas Corpus is important.

8:36: Dodd wants everyone to raise hands on Olympics; Kucinich is cut off, but only Richardson and Edwards raise their hands.

8:37: Biden takes it to another level, says action now is key, not talks about actions far away.

8:37: Richardson talks again about China needing to put pressure. Says he agrees with Biden on the no-fly zone, that he wants sanctions, and wants to rebuild moral authority; he’d close Guantanamo his first day.

8:38: Question about forced military conscription. Gravel wants a voluntary program to give service, that one year served will pay for school. Kucinich wants to inspire people to serve in various ways.

8:40: Dodd does not want the draft to be brought back, Dodd cites his Peace Corps service. He says that its important to improve access to a higher education.

8:41: Question asked of candidates what tax cuts they would roll back. Obama says ‘rich’ is over $250k per year, going back to what was in place for while Bill Clinton was in office. Says the benefits of economy are not being spread evenly throughout people, and that he ‘wants to institute fairness.’ Obama wants more efficiency as well.

8:44: Edwards says he uses $200k per year as a benchmark. He also says that a program for high school graduates to get money for college is important.

8:45: A weird reach around comment from the CNN person on the floor, and a question about balancing budgets. Richardson talks about his experience balancing the budget in New Mexico. Talks about subsidies and handouts that he would eliminate. Wants to grow the economy as a ‘pro-growth Democrat.’ Says that a slightly larger growth pattern would solve social security.

8:47: Kucinich is asked about a spending problem, he says he would not borrow money from China to have a war in Iraq (stolen from Bill Clinton’s speech in support of the John Kerry campaign in Philadelphia four years ago). Talks about needing more bilateral trade agreements, not NAFTA or the WTO.

8:49: Question whether candidates would veto all bill containing earmarks. Dodd would not want to vow, but would want more discipline, saying he always supported pay as you go spending. He also says the deficit is a problem, specifically in currency manipulation.

8:51: Gravel says it ‘totally’ time to get rid of earmarks. Says the entire tax system needs to be changed. Says the comptroller general told him there’s no way for other candidates to break this cycle.

8:52: Clinton says there was a balanced budget and a surplus 6 years ago. Says tax cuts went disproportionately to rich Americans, that the “burden on the middle class” needs to be fixed. Applause.

8:53: Gravel says everyone is involved in raiding Social Security to balance the budget.

8:53: Kucinich says the troops are securing oil, that the interest groups are still in power.

8:54: Biden says that public financing of election will get rid of earmarks.

8:55: Top priority for first 100 days: Edwards says that he wants to reestablish America’s moral authority in the world. Also mentions other issues, including the poor, but says reestablishing moral authority is the most important.

8:56: Clinton says she would bring the troops home. Obama agrees, assuming nothing has changed. Says health care can get done quickly. Richardson says better education should be a priority, specifying different subjects. Biden would end war in Iraq, defuse war in Iran, and defuse situation in North Korea. Kucinich says he wants to reshape the world for peace and get rid of ‘all nuclear weapons.’ He continues on other subjects. Gravel says he wants others to end the war. Dodd says he would restore Constitutional rights.

And that’s a wrap.

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Notes on Edwards’ Foreign Policy Speech

As we noted yesterday, John Edwards gave a speech in New York to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The footnotes (I’m not citing rhetorical flourishes, or hallmarks to times past; just what he wants to do as President):

US needs to work on big problems in the word, and the ‘Global War on Terror’ prevents that. Cites fixing Russia.

Reviews his plan for Iraq (Immediate beginning of troop withdrawals, followed by more later).

America needs to stay in the region after it gets out, to prevent genocide and any spillover effects. Also wants to retain a prescence in the Green Zone to protect the embassy.

Cites Afghanistan, Darfur, northern Uganda, North Korea, and Iran at hotspots that need to be dealt with, and require flexibility. Also cites global poverty.

He says the ‘war on terror’ is a bumper sticker, not a plan, that ‘By framing this as a “war,” we have walked right into the trap that terrorists have set—that we are engaged in some kind of clash of civilizations and a war against Islam.’

Top leaders in the military are abandoning the ‘long war’ language.

What replaces the war on terror? Talks about educating children, improving intelligence, supporting human rights and the rule of law, closing Guantanamo Bay, and rebuilding the military.

5 steps to rebuiling the military:

Ensuring that our military policy is planned and executed to fulfill essential national security missions, not some ideological fancy;

Repairing the tremendous damage done to civil-military relations;

Rooting out cronyism and waste and increasing efficiency in the Pentagon;

Rebalancing our force structure for the challenges of the new century, including improving our capabilities to help weak or failing states;

And taking a broader view of security throughout our government.

On using force: ‘As president, I will only use offensive force after all other options including diplomacy have been exhausted, and after we have made efforts to bring as many countries as possible to our side. However, there are times when force is justified: to protect our vital national interests… to respond to acts of aggression by other nations and non-state actors… to protect treaty allies and alliance commitments… to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear weapons… and to prevent or stop genocide.‘

Use diplomacy; diplomacy requires having a strong military, not using a strong military.

“Our military has three important missions: deterring and responding to aggressors, making sure that weak and failing states do not threaten our interests, and maintaining our strategic advantage against major competitors.”

Mentions maintaining relationships with Great Britain, Israel, and Japan as crucial.

Edwards cites civilian leadership of the military, not civilian control of the military. Does not want anyone initiating ‘pet projects.’ Wants military leadership to speak their minds and be heard directly by the President.

Cites the stress under which the troops have to serve; having families and long tours of duty. Also cites Walter Reed. Calls for better treatment of troops.

Says that playing a numbers game with adding troops to the military is not the solution. More troops might be needed, he adds, but it should not be subject ot throwing numbers around in an election.

Edwards calls for more money being spent to replace damaged and lost equipment.

Calls for a more efficient security budget, with less monetary overlap between departments.

Says the Pentagon is ‘on steroids’ monetarily, and that he will spread money to other agencies.

Calls for a new Truman Committee to find and eliminate inefficiencies in government spending.

Calls for more military modernization.

Full speech is after the jump. Worth reading if foreign policy is something you like to follow, or if Edwards’ vision intrigues you.
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Live Blog of Republican Debate

7:07 pm: MSNBC shows a procession (I kid you not) of the candidates through some hallways. Awkward small talk abounds as the candidates walk off into the distance.

 7:18 pm: The candidates are herded down another hallway. Hunter and Giuliani wave awkwardly at the camera. More awkward small talk; Gilmore chats up McCain and I worry that McCain will snap and go Chuck Norris on him.

7:21 pm: All the candidates line up in the replica Oval Office to have a picture taken with Reagan and Chris Matthews. Brownback smiles like I did when I was five: teeth clenched and mouth open, while he looks around the room awkwardly.

7:25 pm: MSNBC comes back from commercial and reruns the Brownback awkward smile. And then goes right back to commercial.

 7:34 pm: The Governator escorts a fragile-looking Nancy Reagan to her seat to a standing ovation. If Schwarzenegger storms the stage, ratings would probably go up 5000%. Sadly, I don’t think that will be happening.

7:39 pm: MSNBC keeps pushing Chuck Hagel as a potential candidate in the way that Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich are, but I don’t see it. His disaster of apress conference pretty much killed that for the time being; at least Biden’s gaffe about Obama was something innocent. Hagel’s disastrous press conference seems to reflect some kind of deeper inadequacies.

7:43 pm: I should comment on the ostentatious settings. The debate is being held in the hanger that holds Reagan’s Air Force One, and the wing of the plane literally hangs over them.

7:46 pm: The candidates take the stage and wave at the audience. They stand shoulder to shoulder and then walk to the podiums. If you happen to care about how they are dressed, it’s all completely the same sans tie color.

7:48 pm: Chris Matthews takes the stage. There’s going to be an unfathomable amount of reaction shots of Nancy Reagan tonight with Schwarzenegger at her side.

7:56 pm: Candidates walk away from the podiums and chat each other up as Howard Fineman admits that nothing significant will happen because everyone will be cautious in the presence of Nancy Reagan.

7:58 pm: There’s an actual two minute warning, and candidates start to return to the podiums.

7:59 pm: The side camera shows that candidates have a bottle of water and a glass of water, in case you want to know.

8:00 pm: A sweeping intro narrated by Chris Matthews. And awayyyyyy we go.

8:02 pm: We have yellow and red lights today to indicate when time is up. Bill Richardson is grateful no one thought about this last week.

8:03 pm: Giuliani gets the first question about Reagan’s morning in America. Giuliani talks Reagan and his record in mayor, going back and forth between the two. A very subtle linking of his record with Giuliani. Giuliani attacks socialized medicine and passivism on terrorism.

8:04 pm: McCain is asked what he needs to win in Iraq. McCain needs a chance to show America it is working. Stump response about the new strategy. McCain smartly looks right into the camera; McCain strongly condemns Reid and House Democrats for saying America lost. Follow up, McCain says the war was terribly mismanaged.

8:06 pm: Tommy Thompson is asked what it takes to win, Thompson says support the troops. Thompson says the Maliki government must be asked if they want America there; he also wants local governments (like states). Thompson also wants oil revenues split to give citizens a “chance to invest.”

8:07 pm: Hunter says standing up the Iraqi military is critical in Iraq.

8:08 pm: Romney is asked about negative polls about Iraq. Romney says leadership is key and leaving the wrong way is the risk, citing Iran, Turkey, and Syria (undermining comments about him as governor not knowing foreign policy).

8:09 pm: Matthews asks Brownback how we win the war if terrorists are replaced, and says America wins by standing up for values and working with modern Muslim regimes. Brownback calls for “aggressive” policy on Iran but working with moderate countries. Matthews points out that even in the moderate countries there is low level of American support. Brownback concedes, but says that engagement should be multi-faceted.

8:11 pm: Huckabee is asked about firing Rumsfeld, and says he would certainly have done it before the election, and says that Generals were not listened to (citing 300,000+ troops being called for. Shinseki-light). But he says that finishing the job in Iraq is important.

8:12 pm: Gilmore is asked about intelligence and foreign policy, and says engagement in the Middle East is a long term issue.

8:14 pm: Paul is asked about his position on Iraq. Paul talks about his position on foreign policy. He talks about the Republicans traditionally staying out of nation building. He also talks about the Constitution.

8:15 pm: McCain is asked about Iran, and sending IEDs into Iran (what, no IED joke?). Says Iran is “one of the greatest threats” to the world right now. McCain still is looking into the camera - and it’s effective. Matthews asked what the trip wire is: McCain says that war is a final option and its not close, but that if they acquire the weapon, it would be certain.

8:17 pm: Tancredo is asked about helping Israel attack Iran, hypothetically. He says working to stop a madman with a nuclear weapon is obviously important. Choppy speaking.

8:18 pm: Giuliani says the hypothetical would depend on our intelligence, but that a nuclear weapon for Iran is off the table.

8:19 pm: Gilmore is asked whether Romney or Gilmore is right about the comments last week on UBL. Great question. Gilmore says that more work to change the Middle East is key. When asked if Bush is to blame, Gilmore dodges the question.

8:20 pm: Romney says on UBL that getting him is obviously important, but it’s also bigger than Bin Laden. On Bin Laden: “He is going to pay and he will die.”

8:21 pm: McCain is asked if he would be comfortable with Tancredo as head of the immigration services. “In a word, no.” He then talks about firing

8:22 pm: When asked if amending the constitution to allow Arnold to run, there’s a lot of nos. Huckabee seizes the moment and jokes he would definitely do it after he has serves 2 terms.

8:24 pm: Giuliani is asked about being a mayor and touts his record. I missed most the question.

8:25 pm: Romney is asked about what he likes least about America and gives a fluff answer and cites Reagan. Total softball question.

8:25 pm: Huckabee is asked about climate change. He says that whatever is happening, basic human responsibility says you have to leave the Earth better.

8:26 pm: Tancredo is asked about plans to solve the shortage of organs. Tancredo says it’s not a government problem. He says that using cloning for this is ridiculous.

8:27 pm: Hunter says he is a compassionate conservative, and uses the rest of his time to talk about IEDs being brought into Iraq from Iran.

8:28 pm: Paul is asked if he would phase out the IRS, he says he would do it immediately, and talks about changing the role of government.

8:29 pm: When asked if Roe being overturned would be a good day, everyone but Giuliani says it would be a good day. Giuliani says it is up to judges to decide. Gilmore says that he would be OK with abortions in the first 8-12 weeks. Thompson says that the issue ought be left to the states if Roe is overturned.

8:30 pm: Romney is asked about his record on abortion. He says he was always personally pro-life, and cites Reagan. When asked if its a politically convenient statement, he says it is not. …. And he repeats that two years ago he changed his mind. He’s not really effective at all when he’s pushed. He just repeats his talking points.

8:32 pm: Brownback says he could support a pro-choice candidate. and the camera shot of Romney looking at him is … interesting. Brownback talks then about the importance of life.

8:33 pm: Giuliani is asked about funding abortions. Giuliani says its a state issue. Matthews presses him and Giuliani admits he supported funding abortion in New York State.

8:34 pm: McCain asked about unifying the country, and says he’s prepared to lead, and goes into a stump speech, speaking not to Matthews but directly to voters. Good stuff from him.

8:35 pm: Hunter talks about his record on defense in the House (but not about Walter Reed). He mentions China and North Korea.

8:36 pm: Huckabee says that America is great, and cites how much America values life as a core value.

8:36 pm: Paul is asked about freedom, and talks again about the role of government, and that unnecessary war minimizes freedom.

8:37 pm: When asked if firing for homosexuality is wrong, Thompson says it is up to the business, and when pressed, he says that’s a yes answer.

8:38 pm: Romney is asked about Roman Catholic bishops, and says that they are private and we should celebrate that independence.

8:39 pm: Huckabee is asked about his faith comments on Romney. And he says that faith should explain decision making process, using biblical language. Matthews presses hard on Huckabee chaning his position, and Huckabee denies that, repeating his comments. Romney gets a follow up and talks about America’s faith again.

8:41 pm: Brownback says that faith needs to be brought into the public square “As my friend Mr. Leiberman, a Jew, says.”

8:42 pm: Hunter is asked about Arnold’s record of governing. Hunter talks about how he got the border fence built by San Diego. Non-answer.

8:43 pm: Gilmore is asked if Karl Rove is his friend. Gilmore says that a President can emplyo who he wants and that Rove is not important. The candidates are running away from anything Bush tonight.

8:44 pm: Tancredo says Rove would not be in his White House, and cites differences on immigration.

8:44 pm: When asked if Christian conservatives are good for the party, Giuliani briefly says yes because large groups of people are good for people, and cites George Will touting him with aplomb. Uncomfortably self-promoting, to me at least.

8:45 pm: Thompson cites his record in a Blue State and how he would appeal to voters of both sides.

8:46 pm: Brownback is asked about the GOP scandals. Brownback says it’s a Democratic problem too and that anyone who did these things should go to jail. And talks about society pushing standards upon the leaders, and says that the family structure is at its root, and links it to Imus.

8:47 pm: Tancredo says the ethics problems are personal issues, not party issues. And he then talks about Reagan not being a centrist and that a centrist is not necessary.

8:48 pm: McCain is asked about his comments about first responders, and McCain says it is not about NYC, but about special interests. Tough question well handled; McCain says that spending problems have caused the GOP problem. McCain is asked what he would do, and says a line item veto would help, but stopping pork barrel spending is crucial.

8:50 pm: Huckabee says its too early to give the Bush administration a grade, and jokes about never getting a good grade in Arkansas.

8:51 pm: Romney is asked about what he would do for abortion beyond appointing judges, and Romney cites partial birth abortion and other issues, including McCain-Feingold as time expires.

8:52 pm: Giuliani is asked about abortion. Giuliani says he hates abortion, but would respect a woman’s right to choose otherwise.

8:53 pm: Thompson is asked about racism. He says a President can set the tone and cites Reagan.

8:53 pm: Tancredo is asked about who else besides him should be President. Tancredo says if he supported anyone else, he would not be here, and cites …. immigration reform!

8:54 pm: McCain follows up by talking about the work towards a comprehensive reform and needing a temporary worker program.

8:55 pm: Hunter is asked about An Inconvenient Truth. Says no, but moves past it to talk about a serious undertaking to become energy independence. An answer a Democrat could easily give.

8:56 pm: Paul is asked about making a decision in a crisis, and talks about his decision making as a Doctor. He says he did urge against the war in Iraq.

8:57 pm: Gilmore is asked about mothers in prison. He says that its important to follow the rule of law.

8:58 pm: Matthews asks about empryonic stem cell research. Romney says that he will use alternate nuclear transfer. Brownback says he will not kill human life. Gilmore says no, Huckabee says no, Hunter says no, Thompson says its beyond yes or no, citing research in Wisconsin, McCain says he would fund it, but admits its tough. Paul says programs like this are not permitted under the Constitution. Giuliani says yes if there are limitation, Tancredo says no taxpayer funds are needed.

9:01 pm: Romney says he loves the health care plan in Massachusetts and jokes about Ted Kennedy and says it is not “Hillarycare.” Says its using the market to solve health care, not using taxes. Also says he helped to write it … that might be a mistake.

9:02 pm: McCain is asked about his tax cuts. He says he proposed his own tax cuts and the Bush tax cuts had no provision to stop spending. McCain again says he would veto any pork laden bills.

9:03 pm: Romney says middle income Americans should not pay taxes on capital gains. Brownback talks about an alternative flat tax. Gilmore talks about eliminating the car tax in Virginia. Huckabee talks about the fair tax (VAT tax esque). Hunter talks about eliminating manufacturing taxes. Thompson says he vetoed 1900 items and talks about the alternative minimum tax, and touts the fair tax. McCain talks about the alternate minimum tax and line item veto; also a tax credit for the lower class for health care. Paul would get rid of the IRS and the inflation tax, since inflation of printing more money hurts the poor and middle class. Giuliani agrees on the alternateminimum tax, and the death tax. Tancredo says he supports the fair tax.

9:08 pm: McCain is asked about appointing a Democrat to his cabinet, someone other than Joe Lieberman. He talks about great monetary talent or people in Silicon Valley, not their party.

9:09 pm: Hunter says the government targets Zarqawi well, but does not secure the border well.

9:10 pm: Does McCain believe in Evolution? “Yes.” On a show of hands, Tancredo, Brownback, and Huckabee appear to not believe in evolution, although I may be mis-identifying the last two.l

9:11 pm: Romney is asked about the family and talks about the importance of marriage.

9:12 pm: Giuliani correctly identifies the difference between Sunnis and Shi’ites.

9:12 pm: Gilmore says he never said he was the only conservative in the race, just a consistent conservative.

9:13 pm: Paul says he trusts some of the MSM, and says he trusts the internet more.

9:13 pm: Brownback says personal beliefs of everyone shape everyone. His personal beliefs influence his thoughts on foreign policy.

9:14 pm: Giuliani is asked about his weakness. Giuliani says he has weaknesses, but is an optimist, citing turning around New York City.

9:15 pm: Brownback says the candidates are a good group.

9:15 pm: Huckabee is asked about corruption: he says that jobs cannot be overseas while CEOs get $100 million bonus while losing a pension.

9:16 pm: Tancredo says he would support womens rights, but not abortion.

9:16 pm: Thompson is asked how many troops have been killed and injured; he cites the number 3,00 killed, and then talks about the importance of protecting soldiers.

9:17 pm: Giuliani talks about national ID cards as a means to have a tamper-proof system. Romney is asked about security, he agrees about the card. Brownback says he disagrees, and says he would secure the border and use the Social Security card. McCain supports it and cites the 9/11 Commission. Paul says its an afront to a free society. Tancredo agrees with Paul, but says a SOcial Security card should be verifiable.

9:20 pm: Pardon Scooter Libby. Romney demurs, but says the prosecutor was wrong. Says a national ID card for foreigners only; Giuliani agrees. Brownback demurs totally. Gilmore says anyone should go to the people to make his case. Tancredo alone would pardon Libby, but he would also pardon Ramos and compean. Paul says he would not pardon because Libby promoted misinformation.

9:23 pm: Romney says Congress should not have been involved in the Schiavo case. Brownback says Congress should have gotten involved. McCain says Congress would too hasty. Giuliani says the issue is for the courts.

9:24 pm: Would it be good for Bill Clinton to be back in the White House? Romney takes the lead and says it would be awful. Brownback goes after Clinton’s policies. Gilmore attacks socialized medicine. Huckabee jokes about knowing Clinton and says no. Hunter says Clinton cut the military, and on chiavo, err on the side of life. Thompson recites recent answers. McCain talks about the appointment of Supreme Court justices, citing Alito and Roberts. Paul talks about voting to impeach Clinton. Giuliani says it means being on defense on terrorism. Tancredo jokes.

9:28 pm: How are candidates different from Bush? Romney talks about generalities and the war on terror and spending more on the military. McCain talks about mismanaging the war and how he would veto spending bills. Gilmore talks about drawing people to America. Huckabee talks about stronger states. Hunter talks about a stronger industrial base and fighting China economically. Brownback talks about a federated state in Iraq - the Biden plan, more or less. Tancredo cites No Child Left Behind and the Medicare reform, and Matthews cuts him off. Thompson again talks about his Iraq plan, finishing on his medical diplomacy. Giuliani talks about going on “offense” against terrorists. Paul talks about changing foreign polic yto be more Taft-like (holy crap) and that he would never abuse habeas corpus.

Matthews wraps it up.

Good performance by Matthews; a less aggressive moderator would never have gotten some of the answers from the candidates.

I hope the future debates have him or someone like him moderating. Pushing on follow up questions is crucial.

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YouTubed: Tuesday - May 1, 2007

Dennis Kucinich’s appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher (4/27/07)…

Joe Biden on the campaign trail responding to a question about Bush’s anticipated veto of the Iraq War spending bill saying that he’ll “shove it down his [Bush's] throat”…

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Live Blog of Democratic Debate

6:45 pm: MSNBC shows candidates milling around onstage in a group.

6:58 pm: Candidates are at their podiums, from left to right: Richardson, Dodd, Edwards, Biden, Obama, Clinton, Kucinich, Gravel.

7:00 pm: Intro by Brian Williams looking at South Carolina State University, introducing candidates, and going over rules. Brian Williams has total discretion as to what questions to ask.

7:04 pm: First question to Clinton about whether the war is lost, whether she agrees with Reid. Clinton talks policy and about the bill passed today, skirting the question. She says the Iraqis can win or lose, not America. Joe Biden immediately shifts to talk about what is passed today, and then goes into his Iraq plan, focusing on decentralization.

7:06 pm: Obama asked how he reconciles calling the war dumb with his votes. Cites opposing the war from the start and says troops need equipment. Obama goes into a personal story of people opposing the war. Edwards asked if his apology was a shot at Clinton: he denies the obvious, and talks about building trust with the President. Clinton gets a response, and says she regrets it, but wants to focus on the present, and segues into an attack on Bush.

7:10 pm: Kucinich gets a softball, and says that Democrats can’t oppose the war and vote to fund it; he also says international troops should replace American ones. Kucinich says that the information available now was available then.

7:11 pm: Richardson says he would not vote to fund the troops if in Congress. Richardson says if he were President, he would withdraw; he cites three religious entities - there’s only two. Kurds are an ethnic group, not a religion. He talks about having regional talks that include Syria and Iran.

7:13 pm: Dodd talks about Iraq, and the Feingold-Reid legislation. Dodd talks about Iraqis assuming responsibility.

7:14 pm: Gravel says the war was lost the day it started. Gravel says that another way out must be found, since Bush will not leave. He literally lectures the other candidates on how to get rid of funding.

7:15 pm: A question to Iraq about the military. Obama talks about increasing the size of the military. Obama talks about what it will take to override the veto.

7:17 pm: Hillary Clinton “I think what Barack said is right.” That’s the first mention by name of one candidate by another.

7:18 pm: Obama asked about the donor who received kickbacks. Obama says he denounced the donor in question, and cites positive examples.

7:19 pm: Edwards asked about haircuts being paid for out of campaign funds. Edwards says it was a mistake. He points out that while he and others live privileged lives, his father was a mill worker and he was from South Carolina. I think everyone saw this anecdote coming. Edwards is asked about his counsel to hedge funds and if they make America better. Edwards says they help money move and that financial people understand what needs to be done.

7:22 pm: Clinton is asked about hedge funds and says America is a great place, and connects investing to regulation. It’s compares well to Edwards’ more fluffy answer on the same topic. She says a Democratic President is key to the regulation.

7:24 pm: Richardson is asked why he supported Alberto Gonzalez because he was Hispanic. Richardson says he wanted to give him a chance to explain himself; he follows up by saying that Americans want candor. It came off as a weak answer.

7:25 pm: Dodd is asked about public service. He talks up his support of campaign finance reform and serving on economic committees.

7:26 pm: Kucinich gets another softball, asked why he doesn’t have traction. Kucinich says he opposes war ipso facto and that the debate will change things. He then quips about American Idol before immediately listing death figures.

7:28 pm: Biden asked about whether he has the discipline not to make gaffes and make mistakes. He answers, “Yes.”

7:29 pm: Gravel goes on the offensive against other candidates about being worried by other candidates, specifically saying that Biden wants to stay. He says all soldiers are dying in vain - awkward and out of tone with the rest of the debate.

7:30 pm: Clinton asked about her negative numbers. Clinton says she stood up for what she believed in, mentioning her battle for health care in the early 90s. She goes into a stump speech about change.

7:32 pm: Edwards asked about partial birth abortion ruling, where a majority of Americans in a poll support the decision. Edwards talks about how abortion itself is on the line in this election. Obama says that it’s a difficult decision and that he trusts women to make decisions with their doctors, family, and clergy. Obama talks about needing to talk about issues everyone agrees on - preventing the need for abortions. Biden asked about having a litmus test, and says that he made sure people nominated to the court would share his values, and mentions battling Bork, and more recent nominees. He criticizes the decision for inserting a “trojan horse” that would eliminate abortion. Kucinich says that a culture of life with prenatal and health care is key. Dodd asked if he regrets his decision to approve Roberts; Dodd said he’s disappointed in Roberts not upholding precedent in the decision. Dodd cites “Dennis” when he says abortion should be rare, safe, and legal. Democrats may be talking up against the abortion ruling, but they’re definitely talking up alternatives.

7:39 pm: Richardson says Whizzer White would be his preferred justice for the SCOTUS; when pressed for someone alive, he says Ginsberg; Dodd and Edwards agree.

7:40 pm: On Virginia Tech, we have our first (and ultimately only) mention of the Clinton Administration, when Sen. Clinton mentions accompanying “Bill” to Columbine. Clinton says the background check failed and ought be fixed. Richardson says that, even though he is the NRA’s preferred candidate in either party, that mentally ill should not get guns, that background checks should be more thorough, and that mental health care ought be better overall in the country.

7:42 pm: Dodd, Richardson, Biden, and Gravel have had guns in their household.

7:44 pm: Biden says the gun show loophole should be closed, and the assault weapons ban renewed. He also says that mental health care needs to be fixed in the country.

7:44 pm: When asked what taxes he would raise to pay for health care, Edwards mentioned bush’s tax cuts and then immediately segues into the details of his plan; a reaction shot show Clinton paying attention and Obama writing some notes. Obama is asked about health care, and talks up the Congressional plan, and that controlling cost is crucial; he specifically cites black infant mortality as an issue that needs to be fixed. He also talks about reducing premiums on bankruptcies. Clinton talks about her plan that people were enthusiastic about, and then eventually failed. Says reducing the cost for everyone is crucial and that spending more effectively is important. Richardson is asked about his refusal to raise taxes. Richardson mentions that raising taxes isn’t a cure all (came off well). He mentions being a governor and his experience; also reducing bureaucracy and inefficiency; focusing on prevention.

7:50 pm: Biden is asked about not boycotting the NAACP; he cites Rep. Clyburn and a historically black college that ought be showed off. Obama says the Confederate flag belongs in a museum, and that the debate is a worthy event.

7:52 pm: Gravel is asked about his career, and jokes about the other candidates’ youth. Kucinich says a mistake he made was firing a police chief on the news live. Clinton says her list of mistakes was too long. Obama talks about not fighting hard enough on Schiavo when he first came to the Senate. Biden says he was mistaken on trusting the Bush administration. Edwards says he was wrong to vote on the war. Dodd agrees. Richardson said he tried to pus through minimum wage through his legislature too quickly.

7:55 pm: Illegal immigration. Clinton goes first, and talks about her position, which is similar to that of John McCain.

7:56 pm: Biden asked about immigration, says teachers need to be paid more. Dodd says that drug tests for welfare recipients is something people are not comfortable with; though question to answer in this format. Edwards is asked about gas prices, and talks about demand, the first mention of energy policy and climate change.

7:57 pm: Kucinich asked about health care premiums. Kucinich says he lives in a house built in 1971. Kucinich then says he wants to legislate away health care insurance companies with universal health care.

7:58 pm: First thing to accomplish on the first day. Richardson: Get out of Iraq, then get energy independent, then an imitative on climate change.

8:00 pm: Obama asked about three most important allies; First he mentions the European Union citing help in Afghanistan. He then mentions Japan. Williams notices he did not mention Israel; Obama said the Palestinian people have been hurt by the Palestinian leaders, and says that Israel is an important ally.

8:02 pm: Biden says that North Korea, Iran, and Russia with Putin’s totalitarian moves are the three biggest threats. He says conduct change should be the goal not regime change. Gravel is asked the same question and says that America has no enemies.

8:04 pm: Edwards says Russia now is an “autocracy.” Edwards wants to change the underlying dynamic in the world - says primary school education in Africa and the Middle East could change things.

8:05 pm: Richardson is asked about Russia. Richardson talks about control of the nuclear weapons, humanity in Russia, a source of energy, and promoting democracy. Richardson mentions terrorism, and cites his experience in North Korea. Richardson then talks about Darfur.

8:07 pm: Clinton is asked about Giuliani’s comments. She says she worked on being safe since 9/11, and says there is a disconnect between rhetoric and reality, citing multiple failures of security of the Bush Administration, and says America is not safe. Politically effective answer. Dodd asked the same question, and cites lack of funds to the first responders and the failures in Afghanistan (after Obama said the Europeans were there - curious). Dodd then says stateless terrorism is the threat, not states like North Korea or Iran.

8:10 pm: Candidates asked if they think a global war on terror exists. Kucinich demurs and says that war ought not be an instrument of policy. Clausewitz rolls in his grave and he talks about his ideas of peace.

8:11 pm: When asked what he would do if Al Qaeda attacked, Obama first mentioned first responders, and then talked about maintaining good intelligence to dismantling networks. Obama then says talking to the international community is critical, and making sure mutual security issues are understood. Edwards says he would act “swiftly and strongly” against whoever was responsible and then he would rectify whatever mistakes led to the intelligence failure. Edwards says that using other tools other than war to recruit people on the fence is a crucial long-term issue. Clinton says she was a senator on 9/11 and that a quick response is crucial, mentioning she supported Afghanistan, but would not have gone into Iraq.

8:16 pm: When asked if his idea to impeach Cheney is a waste of time, and after other candidates refused to join him, Kucinich pulled a Byrd and pulled out a pocket Constitution. Red Herring.

8:17 pm: Dodd is asked about civil unions. Dodd says that his daughters may turn out to be lesbians, and that the relationships need to be respected. He does not support gay marriage.

8:18 pm: Biden is asked about climate change. Biden says a fundamental change is needed, citing a bill he and Obama are co-sponsoring. He goes through a litany of other policies, and ultimately says critical change is necessary.

8:19 pm: Richardson is asked about Cuba and takes over, saying that if America is attacked, he would respond militarily. On Cuba, planning for post-Cuba is key, including taking a second look at the embargo.

8:21 pm: Gravel answers a question about nuclear power by saying he fought nuclear power and then says terrorism is inevitable. Rambling answer.

8:23 pm: Obama is asked about the environment, and says innovation is important. Obama then goes back to terrorism, realizing he overlooked it in his answer about threats, saying response is important. Kucinich responds that war is a problem. Obama responds that initiating a war would be a problem, and that its undisputed that Iran is developing nuclear weapons and that it would be a security threat. Kucinich starts talking over him, and Gravel responds angrily. Obama comes off like an incredible moderate and presidential while arguing with the fringe candidates. On the other hand, getting dragged down to their level will not help him.

8:26 pm: Edwards is asked who his moral leader is; he cites his lord, his wife, and his family.

8:27 pm: Clinton is asked about Wal-Mart, saying it is a mixed blessing, that they provide people goods, but that they should stop discriminating and provide health care. She segues into a stump speech.

8:29 pm: Biden is asked whether his party can win, specifically saying that Hillary will be a tough battle should she win. He then says that the ‘happy talk’ of no force being used needs to end. A brilliant response to end it.

I think Biden had the best performance; Clinton was solid, Obama and Richardson a little less so. Dodd had some tough questions but dealt with them the best he could. Edwards was himself - I find it impossible to grade him. I’m not a fan of what Kucinich and especially Gravel did.

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Romney Punts on Iraq, Richardson Chided for Citing Baker

At a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney was asked by state Rep. Bob Elliott to talk about Iraq specifically and what he would do - stay the course, have a timeline, or withdraw immediately. The Boston Globe writes of his response:

Romney conceded that the administration “did not do a terrific job” in planning how to rebuild Iraq after capturing Saddam Hussein but said it’s too soon to say anti-war sentiment will dominate the presidential election as it did in the 2006 midterm elections. In New Hampshire, Democrats now control the governor’s office, both bodies of the Legislature and both Congressional seats.

Romney said it should become clear in a matter of months whether or not Iraq is stable enough to begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

“We will know if it’s working in a matter of months,” he said. “Well before ‘08, we’ll be on track to giving certainty to the American people.”

Whereas John McCain is tying his campaign to the troop surge, Mitt Romney is taking a more wait and see approach that may open him to criticism from fellow Republicans in the debate coming up next week at the Reagan Library. The Globe article cites how Elliot himself was disappointed in the response, and it’s not the type of response that will engender a lot of support at the moment. Romney is clearly waiting for his moment later. The problem is, whatever he says then - supporting the war, a timetable, etc. - could be played as a flip-flop given his lack of commitment right now. Romney has put himself into a tough spot. He can get himself out of it fairly easily, though, if he starts talking up giving the surge a chance to work, and that’s what I expect him to do.

Bill Richardson has a problem that may be harder for him to get out of. During a speech to the National Jewish Democratic Council, Richardson stated that he would consider appointing James Baker as his special envoy to the Middle East. Shmuel Rosner writes about the serious problems that this indicates in the Richardson campaign:

Thus, right after the speech, Richardson entered a room full of reporters. He didn’t have much time, so the number of questions was limited. I knew what question will produce the headline we wanted: Who’s the envoy Richardson has in mind. They always fall for this question if they come unprepared, and Richardson proved just that. Israel, he said, should be a bi-partisan issue he said charitably. And with this sense of bi-partisanship in mind pulled out of his hat the first name he could think of: Former Secretary of State James Baker.

Baker, as I mentioned in the article published in Haaretz today, was a member of an administration “widely viewed as the most hostile ever to Israel.” Saying you might appoint him as your envoy (John McCain also did it in the past) is like telling people a “more balanced policy” is needed. It seems just fine to the untrained eye, but is actually a code-word which has only one meaning: I’m prepared to pressure Israel.

Howard Dean, running in 2004, didn’t quite understand this - and now it appears that Richardson suffers from the same problem. However, there is a big difference between the two. Dean was a novice to these foreign policy issue and sensibilities, while Richardson builds his whole case on the argument that he is the experienced, knowledgeable, sophisticated candidate.

That makes this Baker gaffe a lose-lose situation for him. Either he admits it was a gaffe - which makes all this bragging about experience seem quite silly. Or he can stick to the Baker proposal - which makes the pro-Israel bragging quite questionable.

“This is what happened when a candidate doesn’t have a professional campaign, and professional staff making sure that he is well prepared to such events,” a knowledgeable professional told me after hearing about Richardson’s remarks. This, he said, will never happen to Hillary Clinton. And judging by her performance this morning at the NJDC I tend to agree.

This type of gaffe will significantly hurt Richardson on the foreign policy front for many of the reasons indicated above. Whereas Romney can afford to punt, silence from Richardson on the issue will only make potential supporters look past him and to the front runners. Apologizing will similarly undermine his foreign policy credentials.

His only chance to salvage this is to ‘clarify’ his position somehow in a manner that is straightforward and yet does not make him appear weak. Perhaps saying that Baker is a person that has credibility in the area, but that he as President would determine policy. But it would take a herculean effort to get out of the double bind in that article. It’d behoove Richardson to talk up his pro-Israel history in the debate tonight.

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