Who won the debate? I don't know, but I can tell you who didn't win

[Freddie Stubbs]

Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, and Bill Richardson did not win the debate. None of them did what was necessary to raise themselves to the level of the three major candidates.

[maddezmom]

1. I loved Biden's line about Rudy

There are only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb and September 11.

:D

[DemReadingDU]

5. That was great!

:)

[insanad]

12. Glaring Mistakes

I said MAYBE, and that's my final answer!!!

I think I have a good picture of what Bill Clinton faces daily when he's being a typical naughty boy. Hilary's face was absolutely reflective of her bristling anger and resentful bitterness as she glared at Obama with daggers that would pierce through a steel and concrete bomb shelter. Imagine if she wins the nomination and then faces the onslaught of the Republicans and other people who don't want her there. We'll have that face, that edgy bitch tone, that harsh rebuke and glaring resentment facing us every day on the news. It's hard enough to have the shit flinging chimpanzee of George Bush gesticulating and goofing daily but at least he's easy to dismiss as the buffoon he is. Having Hilary nag and rant and chide would make me cancel my cable.

When I watch these debates I'm in awe of the stamina and grace that any of these candidates must muster. The questions can set one up for a disaster and a cool head, thoughtful but quick and focused answer must be given. Every nuance of a facial gesture or tick is noted and analyzed for signs of honesty or emotional reaction. Then there's the time limits that force the one answering to give in essence, a committed yes or no, even if there's qualifiers.

From a debate standpoint, from a perspective of who can take charge even when they're not in charge, from a measure of one's grace and quick decisiveness, a sense of humor, an ability to stay on message and turn trick questions in their favor BARACK ROCKS!!!! I loved his response to the UFO thing, his response to the Social Security mess, his Halloween response, and the absolute dignified and intelligent demeanor he exudes when he's on stage. God I hope he can win. Not because I'm caught up in his electrifying charisma, but because his ideas, his leadership, his ability to reflect strength and diplomatic reason are all the kinds of things our nation needs to help us heal from the years of George Bush and his disastrous presidency. If anyone can take this bag of broken glass that is our nations economy, military, and reputation and make a virtual stained glass window to illuminate the goodness that is inherent in America, then I believe Barack Obama can.

[napi21]

13. And just how would YOU react if everyone was verbally attacking YOU,

including the moderators??????

I understand the others are opponents and each one wants to be the frontrunner, but last night, the attacks got ridiculous! Considering all the rapidfire shots at her, I think Hillary displayed a heck of a lot more control than any other candidate would have in that same spot!

[Zavulon]

14. I don't think they were ridiculous at all.

Her sidestepping on direct questions about illegals and drivers' licenses opened the door. I actualy thought she got off a lot lighter than she deserved. When you're the frontrunner, you should have the stones to answer direct questions instead of blaming Bush for not passing "comprehensive" immigration "reform." We don't need any help finding fault with Bush, the bill sucked anyway, and that was the way that the Democratic frontrunner chose to answer a direct question.

Worse than pathetic. If that's the best she can do, Republicans are going to make her look even worse than she did last night - which would be difficult.

Even I would have been tougher on Hillary than Russert, and unlike him I make no effort to hide which side I'm on.

[napi21]

15. The ONLY candidates who actually answer the questions directly

are Kucinich and Biden! Your argument fails because dodging questions is the way almost all candidates answer. The only time I thought Hillary answered poorly last night was on the drivers license question. Other than that, she did just fine, and it really did look like everyone else, including the moderators were ganging up on her!

[Zavulon]

18. Because she's the frontrunner.

That driver's license question was handled so badly that she deserved to get pounded for it. The other candidates didn't look nearly that bad on ANY question. In fact, although I haven't seen all of the debates I've certainly seen a few, and Hillary's driver's license answer was the worst response I've seen from a Democrat so far in this campaign.

I honestly thought she deserved worse than she got. She opened the door with a massive gaffe and an unbelievably poor answer.

Now as for candidates, if you were in second or third in the polls and had just been handed a hole you could drive a truck through, are you saying you'd just be nice to the frintrunner?

As for the press: you're a journalist who has been putting up with years and years of accusations of "liberal bias," and then all of a sudden a poll-leading Democrat puts her foot in her mouth so badly it comes out her ass, would you just throw her softballs and put up with more bullshit accusations from the Repugs?

Of course the candidates ganged up on her - that's their job if they want the presidency. And if a journalist let her get away with that inexcusable answer, I'd have a tough time denying accusations from the fundie a-holes in my office.

I don't see how my argument "fails" at all. I said I don't think the attacks were "ridiculous," and I meant it. I saw it as politics as usual. A frontrunner opens the door, and the sharks attack. None of this is new, and nothing last night was (to me, anyway) "ridiculous," shocking or anything out of the ordinary - nothing, that is, except for how bad Hillary's license answers were.

I guess we can agree to disagree on this, but you can have the last word if you like.

[Vickers]

2. Apparently, there were several different versions of the debate aired.

I'm series!!!111!111!!!!!

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. I actually thought Biden did a great job--I thought Edwards was the looser

Which is a shame, cause I liked Edwards. But, last night he was caught in putting down Clinton for something he does (money from Pac). He looked desparate in constant attacks while smiling. I thought it was icky.

I thought Biden did a great job.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Indeed, Biden did do a great job

But he needed a grand slam, and all that he got was a double. He will still be stuck in single digits in the polls.

[DemReadingDU]

4. They didn't get enough time to talk!

When Clinton, Obama, Edwards do all the talking, it's difficult for anyone else to get their points discussed.

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/30/we-watch-debates/

[KittyWampus]

6. That's why on at least 2 occassions after Biden made an original, significant point every other

candidate said "I agree with Joe".

Funny how you don't mention the little time given to Biden or Dodd etc.

[flvegan]

8. Wonder why.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Yes, if only Dodd had been given more time he would be the frontrunner

Hillary was the frontrunner even before she announced her candidacy and there were any debates.

[AlCzervik]

10. i thought Dodd did well last night, he surprised me.

[annabanana]

11. none of them got sufficient airtime and none of them were "showcased"

by the bobbleheads afterwards...

[Clintonista2]

16. I think Gravel won

After not being invited to the MSNBC debate, he actually held a debate with himself across the street. I'm not joking.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

17. Biden helped himself. I think he may pull 3rd and knock out Edwards in Iowa

[Basileus Basileon]

19. I agree on Dodd, Kucinich, and especially Richardson.

I disagree on Biden; I thought he did very well.

[mmonk]

20. How can they?

The time and questions are given to the top three. Real debate on the issues is forceably muted. They would have to grab the microphone and turn the "moderator's" off.

[penguin7]

21. Kucinich did very well

Dennis got completely screwed on the UFO question.

They cut him off before he could defuse it.

He clearly won the rest of the debate.