First Online-Only Candidate Mashup

The Associated Press reports on the online mashup sponsored by Yahoo!, Slate Magazine and the Huffington Post....

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday dismissed criticism from her chief rivals over her acceptance of campaign contributions from lobbyists, calling their concerns "a little inauthentic" since they accept money from lobbyists' employers and relatives.

In an interview for an online candidates' forum sponsored by Yahoo!, Slate Magazine and the Huffington Post, Clinton also announced she would release her plan to offer universal health coverage next Monday.

"I hope the headline will read, 'Hillary is back and we're going to get it done this time,'" she said.

All eight Democratic contenders participated in the so-called online "mashup," including Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, and Mike Gravel.

They took questions from moderator Charlie Rose on education, health care and the Iraq War, many of which were submitted from readers online. Comedian Bill Maher also made a surprise appearance, offering "wild card" questions on issues such as whether marijuana should be legalized.

Read more about the Yahoo!, Slate Magazine and Huffington Post online "mashup."


Watch three of the videos below...

Bill Maher To Senator Clinton: "Why Should Americans Vote For Someone Who Can Be Fooled By George Bush?"

Rose Asks Edwards About Health Care

Bill Maher To Senator Dodd: "Give Me A Good Reason Why...Marijuana Should Be Illegal?"





Rose Asks Obama If He Accepts Petraeus's Judgment

Comments

[714Day]

Lord!
Still no emergency.
All of them make me ill.
We, as citizens of this nation and the world, are at the mercy of all of these people who politely put forward their restrained drivel.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies issued it's report today indicating that the bloody distraction in Iraq has allowed al Qaeda to regroup in greater numbers with greater capability, global warming will visit us with the effects of nuclear disaster if unchecked, Iran might have nuclear warheads in three or four years, etc.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/alqaida/story/0,,2167923,00.html
We'll never have these chances again, folks. Chances to hold the cornucopia we have with care and attention; as though we have dominion over the earth that sustains us, and we know how to garden and shepherd. The chance to love one another as though we each were made equally worthy, and are all in it together.
It's all getting ripped up by the insanely corrupt and greedy and clueless.
Even Obama and Edwards who really seem to get it sometimes, just can't seem to sound the alarm to action, immediate action.
They appear to be voyeurs, just like the rest of us.

[BlueGeneralist]

Wild Card questions by Bill Mahr. Really, your kidding right? Really funny, as I dropped my coffee on the keyboard. With outstanding questions like these, who needs journalists anymore? Bill, your at the top of your game, and I was pleased to no end to witness such brilliance of mind, and a comic genius, that surpasses all expectations. My only pet peeve is that Hillary got the short end of the stick and not given a better chance to offer her opinions on the crucial issues of today, rather than if she was fooled by Bush.
In the same vein, Jon Stewart appeared quite shy in his first appearance as Oscar host , I hope he will won't be so accomodating to the elite in his up and coming second appearance.

[keyman]

People need to parse the words of all of the candidates closely. They're giving some pretty good answers. If you listen to Hillary Clinton, she didn't side with Bush in going to war. She decided as did a lot of people, Dems and Repubs alike, that a united voice would be necessary to go back to the United Nations to demand disarming Saddam.

What Hillary Clinton was fooled by (along with all of the others) was George Bush's assertion that force was only a last resort. Bush never meant that and that's where Hillary was fooled. But then again, so was everybody else -except those who never trusted Bush to begin with. Hillary voted to give him the AUTHORITY -- not to actually wage a preemptive war.

I'm not a Hillary fan or supporter, but I'm pretty g*ddamn tired of twisted meanings and media deception. You should listen to her words again.

[MAX1]

.

Foe not being a (s)Hillary supporter, you seem to talk about her a lot.

I'm not a fan of hers either, this is why I keep asking...

WHY DOESN'T THE MEDIA PAY ATTENTION TO THE ONE CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN RIGHT SINCE THE 2000 ELECTIONS...

DENISE KUCINICH !

Even this AP story cares only enough to list seven of the eight candidates. Such discriminatory behavior should be considered OBSCENE to our senses. It's a common theme the ALL media is contributing to, even here at HuffPo.

W H E R E'S

K U C I N I C H ?

.

[amazedandoutraged]

Exactly! Where is Kucinich? I also found it outrageous that he be left out.

[research]

Kucinich IS the best of the bunch by a long shot. However, even though I sent his campaign money, I no longer believe he can win. His wife is too tall. Americans can accpet: backs, women, divorce, but not a couple where the wife is taller. Sad but true. a movie "she's too tall" was made in the USA, but only released outside the USA.

[viflyer]

"What Hillary Clinton was fooled by (along with all of the others) was George Bush's assertion that force was only a last resort. Bush never meant that and that's where Hillary was fooled."

Give me a break! There wasn't one politition brave enough to go against a President and a country whipped into a war frenzy. Heck, I KNEW this guy was going to war with Iraq. The build-up was well underway. YOU REALLY THINK THAT HILLARY didn't know where this was heading???

I am sick and tired of people defending the actions of ALL the Democrats that signed off on that bill. " Oh, we trusted the President to use force as a last resort" Yeh, and I have some prime real estate on Mars I can sell you CHEAP. Any takers?

[Ipanema]

This is clearly a cop out answer. The lady erred big time and, until recently, was a big supporter of Bushit!

[ProfessorVP]

Listen, Hillary Clinton was neither "fooled" by Bill's philandering ways- she always knew what he was doing- nor was she "fooled" by the neocons about Iraq.

Wake up and smell the frappucino. Madame Curie voted for the war because she agreed with Rummy- we'd be greeted as liberators, and we'd quickly win, mission accomplished. In her pea-brain, she thought if she had voted no, it would look bad for her when she runs for president. That's all there is to it.

I loved her witch's cackle at the beginning. Quite amusing. How many American kids dead now, three thousand seven hundred plus?

[GhostintheMachine]

Looks like some of Hufftards work.

Over the weekend, something happened here at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Something destructive. Something dishonorable. Along the foot of the wall, covering a stretch almost two-thirds of the entire monument, an oily substance was spilled on the panels and paving stones that were built to pay tribute to those who gave their lives on the battlefield.

The National Park Service is investigating. Whatever the substance was, it was potent and corrosive. Huge swaths of the wall have been defaced. This is despicable desecration.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Founder and President Jan C. Scruggs said “While it is unclear what transpired, we are heartened by the response of the veterans’ community and the general public. After 25 years, their connection to The Wall remains as strong as ever, and we appreciate that.”

This vandalism comes on the eve of a massive anti-war protest by radicals who have threatened our national monuments before

[JamesR.]

STFU fish breath.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/willemvelthoven/381608678/

[dadw5boys]

ANTI-WAR PROTESTER ARE MAINLY VETERANS AND THEY WOULD NEVER DAMAGE THE VEITNAM VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL!
GO SELL THAT JUNK SOMEWHERE ELSE.

[kirotahoe]

also even though some of his comments are not thought out as well as they could be, bill maher is one of the only entertainer/pundits who is not afraid to ask the hard questions. i wish his real time show was on more often even though last friday's show sucked. it was the worst i've seen. his producer should be questioned about booking.

[churchlady]

I agree with you, totally, Brother kirotahoe! Just about the worst show he's every done.

[ConnieInCleveland]

Have to admit, I subscribe to HBO to see Bill Maher and last week wasn't one of the best. My guess is many people are afraid to go on and give an opinion on real issues. You-tube would be all over it. You can't spin if you leave a footprint on you-tube.

[loki]

I think that is a damn good reason for NOT voting for Hillary. If she was conned, even though she admits to seeking advice from many others inside and out side of politics, and she still sided with Bush, then what says she isnt going to do it again?

Speaking of being fooled.
What happened to the newest bin laden tape? You would think it would still be being used as the GOPs 'scares for fear' propaganda campaign that has served them so well over the last 6 years, they would use this tape like they did all the others and flood the media with photos, quotes, so called expert opinions on how our lives are in mortal danger unless we seek the GOP as our lord and savior?

I guess to many people were made aware of the fact it was another totally bogus production for Bush and the GOP from Rita Katz and the Sites Institute and they want it to quietly go away while they start production on the next 'scare and fear' campaign.

[kirotahoe]

another stupid practice of government is the electoral college. i hope someone asks about this in the mashup.

[kirotahoe]

more public funds have probably been wasted hunting and incarcerating those horrible hippy smokers, than the money we've spent in iraq. legalization is just ONE example of what needs to be done to straighten out some of the inane practices of our government.

[shockmagog]

Hillary Clinton was still "fooled" by President Bush. "Had I known then what I know now..." Many of us "ordinary folk" knew at the time what the corrupt and closeted fascists in the Bush Administration were up to--that they were cherry-picking intelligence and using 9/11 propaganda to position themselves to order an invasion of Iraq. Their motives and intentions were obvious. We were not "fooled."

[Darwinita]

I remember saying in 1998, "They're not REALLY going to elect this asshole, now are they? ARE THEY???"

golly he's a failure at the humanity thing, ain't he?

[JaneC]

At the risk of overdoing H.L. Mencken, he was more prophetic than he realized when he said:
**********
As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.- H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

[traveler501]

I agree...I remember saying that too...over and over, with more and more chagrin as the media mangled the truth more and more; turning that misguided election into an American Idol where Sanjaya (sp?) won!

Remember when Gore invented the internet, and Bush did "better than expected"? The media should have to repent eternally for electioneering that campaign.

[GOPiousness]

Of course she was fooled.

Didn't Jesus fool them all by rising from the dead, casting off his burial shroud and donning a sensible suit bought right off the rack, complete with an American Flag Lapel Pin?

The GOP became America's Party when our Lord and Saviour became a card carrying member and our most trusted policy adviser.

Why, even Karl Rove showed deference when The Father God chose a Lay-About Son of an Ex-President to lead this great and Godly nation.

Jesus knew what he was doing.....­..........­paving the road for his eventual return.

And a free market, of course.

[JaneC]

I sure hope that's satire. ;)

[Libsrule]

I'd love to see a real debate. One where the candidates are given a question and go toe to toe with each other. AND they have to stay on topic or their mics are turned off.

I would have asked why the feds are allowed to keep making medical pot illegal?

I would have asked why K-Street lobbyists can walk in the door of any senator or representative at will and why they are allowed to write bills that senators and representatives don't bother reading?

Anyone remember sometime ago when during a vote a lobbyist was walking in the Senate voting room and talking to senators about their vote. It was all over the place several years ago.

AND why the constantly cave into Bush all the time?

AND more importantly can they point to one vote in the last 7 years that actually benefitted the working and middle class of America and didn't give a significant advantage to corporate America.

But no one ever asks those questions and let them duke it out on stage in front of the entire world.

[MI6troll]

The debates went down hill when the League of Women Voters was replaced as the sponsor.

Republicans didn't like the League debates.

[shockmagog]

They were too "even handed." When there is a level playing field, the Republicans, and their ideas, always end up losing.

[JaneC]

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."-H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

:)

[MI6troll]

Wonder if casper is now going to start spamming using her NoNoNanette sock?

[matt is right]

maher forgot his red nose and fuzzy red hair.

[JaneC]

Funny shit doormatt

[MI6troll]

I think all the Republicans have those specific costumes rented.

Playing Big Top with their whores.

[ResidentChimp]

The perfect format for the Democrats. Clowns asking clowns questions. Should Maher be illegal?

[MI6troll]

Face it, chimp. Your party is going down.

At the polls this time--not just in the restrooms at the airports.

[PAFirefighter]

That was CRUEL!

That's why I loved it SO much!

Edwards/Obama '08

PA Firefighter
"Cogito, ergo Liberal!"

[Darwinita]

'snot our fault that repukes are still using their fingers to count, and can't use the Internets.

[JaneC]

Apparently you have no problem whit effective treatment being withheld from people with cancer, MS, or other debilitating diseases. Why doesn't that surprise me.

[paige]

Chimp, your name fits you I see. Maybe add the word clown inbetween Resident and Chimp and you would have the perfect name for you. *S*

All along I have been leaning toward Edwards but I see he's honest to God no different than most of the Democrats that are for this war. They all have the same sound bites. They aren't fooling many anymore. All of the lies and half assed truths are naked right now. Give it up and tell the truth and we can vote on a President. What's wrong with the truth?

[whoknows]

As much I do not like to speak ill of my fellow Democrat, I must admit you are right. Hillary giggle Clinton needs to be stopped, she is a warmonger and a Neo-con. She advocates peace just to get elected but trust me! She is no better than our screwed up in chief.

[MI6troll]

Leave it to Bill Maher to ask the important question. Why SHOULD marijuana be illegal?

[Darwinita]

Dodd gives a reasonalble answer, too. It opens the door for non-legalization becoming ridiculous.

[rektruax]

I don't see that. None of them ever give a reasonable answer without a fucking song and dance. Not that I can't handle full explanations, but just look at the amount of time they take. 20-25 second responses are stretched out to 2 minutes, and they still never address things dead on. I think they feel they can float on "face time", like young actors laboring a tiny role just to get optimum exposure... It's fucking pathetic.

Frank Zappa '08!

[JaneC]

My husband, who has been diagnosed with MS would sure like to see that happen and it SHOULD.

[Darwinita]

amen sister.

[hip dibler]

my doctor says i need marijuana to get me high.