Obama And Hillary Square Off During Dem Debate

Obama:

I think this has been the most hyped fight since Rocky fought Apollo Creed, although the amazing thing is that I'm Rocky in this situation. But, look, we have big challenges -- we're at war, the country is struggling with issues like rising health care, we've got major global challenges like climate change, and that's gonna require big meaningful change.

And I'm running for president because I think that the way to bring about that change is to offer some sharp contrasts with the other party. I think it means we bring people together to get things done. I think it means we push against the special interests that are holding us back. And most importantly, I think it requires us to be honest about the challenges we face. It does not mean changing our positions whenever it's politically convenient...

Clinton responds:

I don't think the Republicans got the message that I'm voting and sounding like them. If you watch their debate last week, I seem to be the topic of great conversation and consternation, and that's for a reason, because I have stood against George Bush and his failed policies. They want to continue the war in Iraq, I want to end it. The Republicans are waving their sabers and going after Iran, I want to prevent a rush to war.

On every issue from health care for children to an energy policy that puts us on the right track to deal with climate change and make us more secure, I have been standing against the Republicans, George Bush and Dick Cheney, and I think Democrats know that.

Watch the face-off:

Comments

[Marlyn]

Dennis Kucinich was hardly given a chance to speak, but when he did, it was wonderful. He is the best leader in the bunch.

[MBryant]

Democratic candidates who want to prove they can lead have a perfect opportunity that is not proving who can get more TV time or trash each other. They can prove they can lead by leading us out of this war. Apparently Pelosi and Reid are not going to.

Sen Clinton can be the uniter and use her skills and credentials to find a handful of more votes in the congress on the Republican side to over-ride the President's veto.

Former Senator Edwards can use his charisma and platform to convince more Americans to speak out and get church groups and unions to call for a quicker end.

Senator Obama can use his statesmanlike image to prevail on his "cousin" in the White House that it is in the Bush Admin's best interest to pull out.

I know all three would say that "I don't have time to do that and run for President -and that's Pelosi's job"... but...

More than a year ago Democrats got a mandate from the American people to get us out of this war and now we have more troops there than ever. The Democrat who can deliver on this will have both distinguished themselves from the others and even if they lose - they will have proven themselves a great public servant.

[kfdan]

Hillary did not get trounced in this affair. Obama still has an uphill fight and has not ignited his campaign yet!

[5oclockshadow]

I've been hoping for an Obama transformation. I'm so disappointed.

All week the press has been going on and on about how Obama is about to unleash scathing attacks on Hillary.

His attack is "I'm Rocky"?

Where's the rising star from the 2004 Convention? This isn't a surging upstart for change, this is Charlie Rose. Every time he talks, he sounds like he's back at Harvard going over the finer points of an argument for Law Review.

There's a lot more John Kerry there than JFK.

This was not a winning showing by the Jr. Senator from Illinois, and Hillary just keeps a clear head winning point after point, voter after voter.

There's nothing here that will even marginally change the dynamics of this race, and I find that only moderately disheartening.

I can see Hillary as President, some things will be very disappointing and she won't do a thing to expand or popularize the party, but she'll appoint good judges, enact universal health care, manage the war with diplomacy and possibly address our oil dependence and global warming.

Maybe she'll appoint Obama to the Supreme Court. He'd do a great job.

[Lisette]

Chris Matthews said Barack Obama won the debate. I think so too. He has a good style and could definately restore America's image in the world. Hillary is too smug and clod like. The others were just ok.

[Rove]

Obama's a jerk. Show some solidarity. This election is bigger than you, and America can't afford to throw another election to the GOP the same way Harold Ford threw it in Tennessee because his skin was the wrong color. Remember the "call me ad"? That's where we are headed.

[Talcott]

Name calling nice mature way to direct behavior...

Solidarity with what Hillary?

Bah....Hogwash!

[Rove]

I want to see the DRC win this election. Hillary is definitely taking the high road with him and not debasing us all by making personal attacks. Obama is being cradled like a giant immature man-child, which is appropriate for his level of experience. He needs to get over this crab barrel mentality he's picked up. It seems he thinks he can crawl over the rest of us to get to the top.

A black man running the democratic ticket for president is a wet dream for the GOP. Although I would certainly vote for him ahead of Giuliani or that mormon guy.

[imperfectfilms]

Ford lost because he ran republican lite. Webb and Tester, unapologetic populists, didn't and they are why we have a Democratic majority in the Senate.

If the Republicans end up being more excited by their nominee then Democrats, they'll win.

(Obama'08!)

[laxman]

Let me get this straight. You're suggesting America can't afford an Obama nomination because he's black, so he should just give up now?

Sounds like a great idea.

Harold Ford, Jr. threw it in Tennessee because he made that commercial possible by showing up at Playboy parties. Obama's not that stupid.

Showing solidarity with an opponent who's 20 points up in the polls is not exactly the best way to win an election.

[infideltexan]

She will get blown out in a real debate. She bumbled and stumbled....GOP is a lock. For illegals getting ids...now she's against it. That is her nail in her coffin with the American people. We have her Howard Dean scream....and it's over. You better hope BO steps up his game. Between clinton and 11% San Fran nan....you guys are headed for a blowout of Reagan/carter proportion­s....sorry­.

[Clueless1]

Getting rid of Gravel and keeping Richardson really demonstrates the machine at work.

As does watching HRC.

I get a subtle vibe. I think a lot of people had second thoughts tonight.

Bush-Clinton-Bush ... enough already.

Me, I'm voting for the Gandhi cousin.

[Marlyn]

I enjoy watching Mike Gravel commenting on the debate on his internet channel. There were only about 1000 viewers though.

[AdamWykle]

Well it's no secret Hilary emulates all of Obama's decisions and stances. She can't make up her mind.

[phansen]

Hillary emulates whatever stance seems popular at the moment. She has made up her mind - to play it as safe as possible, because she thinks that Americans fear change, and despite the fact that old-fashioned politicians like herself are constantly screwing the rest of us, we continue to vote for them. Hence, her "front runner" status, which the media cooked up and the voters are buying, and the system will never change. At least Obama can say he's for change with a straight face.

[Terror Cheese]

So, Obama is positioning himself as the older, weaker white guy while portraying Hillary as the strong, scary Black man? Interesting choice of metaphor there.

[zull2]

And that's why he said "although the amazing thing is". That was the joke that you missed.

[lilphucker]

And this is the same Obama that had his tongue up Lieberman's ass last year, not supporting the Democratic nominee for Connecticut Senator, Ned Lamont? Thus helping to bring a true Mid-East war-monger, Lieberman, to his current position of bending over weak-kneed "Democrats"?, for fear of offending Rethuglicans? Thanks a lot, girl! (P.S. I'll never vote for Hillary) Third Party, please!

[zull2]

And whom did the Clintons support? Could have been...Lieberman? They jumped on Lieberman's bandwagon vigorously and proudly.

Obama mainly got on, even though he stands right next to Lamont on virtually all the same issues, primarily because Lieberman had been a long standing Senator and the Dems essentially borrowed a page from the Republican playbook and go along with the crowd to make the Democratic Party appear "united". However, at the same time, Obama took a shot at Lieberman as well by bringing up the "giant elephant in the room"...which he essentially meant, the Iraq occupation. Which Lieberman has supported from the start. By the way, Obama then went on to restate, for the 50th time, his opposition to the occupation.

[JAG]

Health Care For Children? What about the rest of us 55 MILLION Tax Payers!????

Shit! That's all I needed to hear! I'll vote for WHOEVER gives US ALL HEALTH CARE!

Hillary.......you have your health insurance....What about the REST of US!

[Dooey]

She's talking about the failed expansion of SCHIP that just received so much attention in the news.

Agree with her proposal or not, she's been pretty outspoken about her own health care plan, American Health Choices. You should probably make it a point to check out her site for that before you go on an all caps rampage. This is especially true since your concluding remark (that she has health care as a Senator) is the key point in what she's suggesting.

From her September 17, 2007 speech unveiling her plans: "Now here's how this plan would work. If you have private insurance you like, nothing changes -- you can keep that insurance. If you like the doctor you have, you can keep seeing that doctor. If you like the hospital where you receive care, you can keep receiving care at that hospital. If, however, you don't have health insurance or you don't like the insurance you have, you can choose from the same wide variety of private plans that members of Congress choose from. I'm calling it a Health Choices Menu. So essentially the Congressional health care plan becomes the American health care plan. The idea here is simple. The American people should have access to the same array of health care choices and benefits as the Senators and Representatives they elect."

[hippybaby1970]

for what it is worth, i also think nancy pelosi and harry reid should be replaced when we completely take over in '09. recently code pink staged a protest in front of nancy's home and her comments available on pink's site tell me everything i need to know about her. hillary is such an obvious phony. i watch clips of her greeting "important people" and invariably you see the same phony sincerity; it is interesting how automatic it is. sorry for the diatribe but i think most of you understand.

[zull2]

Harry Reid maybe. Rep. Pelosi has gotten quite a bit done in the House, but the Senate and the President have been the primary wall keeping the Iraq occupation going.

I'm all for seeing Chris Dodd replace Reid. Then maybe something would finally get done.

[rixhex56]

LOL! Hillary says, ""I don't think the Republicans got the message that I'm voting and sounding like them."

No kidding, they all blindly hater her so much that, if they had gotten that message, they would have all changed political party affiliation.

These question-and-answer sessions are not DEBATES, and really serve no purpose that I can see.

[antimatt]

Wondering Where is Mike Gravel?

Youtube.co­m/antimatt

[Marlyn]

Why didn't any candidate ask where Mike Gravel was?

[hippybaby1970]

let me understand this. the powers that be get rid of gravel, but they keep richardson. ??????????­??????????­??????????­??????????­??????????­??????????­??????????­????