Worst. Debate. Ever.

Read more reactions from Huffington Post bloggers to ABC's Pennsylvania Democratic debate

Going into tonight's debate in Philadelphia, the two millionth one we've had so far this primary season, I had one significant worry: that the bulk of the time would be taken up with process questions and media obsessions, and that issues of import would end up getting sidelined. As it turns out, I was depressingly, distressingly correct. In fact, there were times when tonight's debate ventured into territory so utterly asinine that I could scarcely believe what I was witnessing.

Twas not until the nine-o'clock hour drew nigh that a single issue-oriented question was asked. The entire first hour was dedicated to silly campaign queries and scandals both du jour and d'antan. Before a single question was posed about the War in Iraq or the economy was asked, the viewing audience had to wade through the following:

Any chance at a "Dream Ticket?"

"Bitter, much?"

"Do you think your opponent stands a chance against McCain?"

"What about Reverend Wright?"

"Wait. I have an even stupider question about Reverend Wright."

"Seriously. Who were you fooling with that Bosnia shizz?"

Story continues below

advertisement

"Hey, Hussein! Why no American flag lapel pin?"

"Hey, Sean Hannity wanted me to ask you something, Barack! I got a question on the Weather Underground! Maybe later we'll talk about the Symbionese Liberation Army!"

All of these questions have been beaten to a pulp, grim death. And neither candidate really had anything new to add to the responses they've already offered time and time again. It was as if ABC News, left out of the twenty-four hour news cycle that spawned these zombo-droid queries, needed to get in their licks on the same matters, too, just so they could feel like they'd played a part in every last one of the primary season's glittering inanities.

Why in the world George Stephanopoulos felt compelled to ask Barack Obama if Reverend Wright "loved America" after he had already been made to give another recitation of his repudiation of Wright's remarks is a question that simply defies the imagination. What sort of sensible answer can be given to that question? It would require astral projection to properly gauge another man's emotional state. And if you want to ask Hillary Clinton to account for the odd contortions she advanced on the matter of her Bosnia recollections, just sack up and ask. Don't hide behind the additional, pointless cruelty of a random voter's scoldings that Clinton lost their vote. What a wholly superfluous pile on!

And the flag lapel pin question came with this admonishment from Charles Gibson: "It keeps coming up, again and again." Well, no shit, Charlie! It keeps "coming up, again and again" because the media resolutely refuses to obtain the necessary courage to stop doing so.

Gibson and Stephanopoulos did deign to squeeze in a few questions of substance, on the Iraq War, taxes, Iran's nuclear ambitions, gun control, and energy independence. But it was quite clear that the moderators could have cared less about the content of the candidate's responses. Instead, they concerned themselves with pinning Obama and Clinton down on a series of absurd "pledges," for the purpose, no doubt, of providing the "gotcha" questions of tomorrow.

To their credit, Clinton and Obama were thoughtful enough to broach the topic of the housing market. Good thing! It didn't occur to the moderators to ask!

The string of issue-oriented questions didn't last long. The debate concluded with a question on how the candidates would "use" George W. Bush in the future. (As a hat-rack, maybe?) And the invitation to make a closing statement required each candidate to imagine how they would win the support of a superdelegate. Process nonsense to the end.

Throughout the night, ABC returned from commercials with bumpers that featured random quotes from the Constitution, because something, apparently, needed to substitute for gravitas.

Like I said, there have been several thousand of these debates. Most, I've watched. Many, I've covered or liveblogged. A few, I have sat very still, and hoped for the sweet release that only the icy hand of death can provide. Tonight was the first time I would have dearly loved to see Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama team up and turn the tables on their interrogators.

Before ABC signed off for the evening, Gibson heard a reaction from the audience and observed, "The crowd is turning on me."

If only they'd done so sooner.

Read more reactions from Huffington Post bloggers to ABC's Pennsylvania Democratic debate

Comments

[nickthegreek27]

I thought ABC did a great job.They asked the questions Barry doesn't like and the country needs to know.Howev­er,missing from the list were his sweet deal with Rezko and when Barry Dunham became Barrack Obama and why.I'm sure we will hear a prepared speech shortly on how we should feel and why only he knows what is right for us.I see nothing but total arrogance from both Barry and his wife.All three candidtes are flawed,but a one year senator who served on his neighborhood watch program and tries to pass himself as someone who has honesty and integrity?It is a great act,but an act is all it is
PS
I bet Chris Mathews legs were not thrilled last night

[treadway123]

We have seriouse problems in America! I don't need to know why clinton or obama did not wear a damned pin of the flag! I don't wear one, and it don'lt make me unpatriotic! ABC news are putting creeps on the post, to try to deflect the damage they did the face of the american people and their news media! Some day, you will understand americans are not stupid! Stay of the post! we have a right to be BITTER toward what you did last night in the abc debate. It was a political rape of the Demacratic party! For you who thought Hillary Won--------no one won this thing! It hurt the party, and it hurt the face whe want the world to see of Americans! I think clinton said one thing right months ago just at the wrong person "SHAME ON YOU ABC"! Mccain also said one good thing! We don't need gutter politics in America! where's his voice about change now? Do you hear it? I don't! I hope America Understand just how this makes us look around the world!

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

You've been watching too much American Idol.

[ronito6]

non sequitur

I found out about this link from member Helloworld2008

Must see!

Especially for Obama supporters! It is great!! Everyone who has seen it so far loves it.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?videoId=1fd1c0cf-5c80-4d75-996f-bd53b2461ae0&sMPlaylistID

(I live in Japan and it is way past my bed time here, I won't be able to bump this vid any more today. If someone in the USA could take it on and keep posting the link it would be very much appreciate­d.)

[ExpatinCanada]

Excellent!! I wish that everyone could see this interview.

[shrimptonmcclams]

I love that so much. I've watched it twice. That FAUX News clown got so SCHOOL'D.

[TuppenceWorth]

Brilliant! What a soul-saving antidote to the pope father Pfleger is. Thanks a million for posting this link, ronito6. (The interview ended up on O'Reilly's killing, I mean cutting room floor no doubt.)

[Cyndee1113]

lol TuppenceWorth I love it.. killing room.

Awesome Ronito6, I love it!

[AnneOlivia]

Glad I skipped the whole thing. I knew that NPR would let me know if anything important actually happened, plus I have a hard time listening to Hillary anymore.

Books are great, people!!!! And free at your local library.

[SteveClements]

Media bias? You bet. I still don't get it. They jump all over Obama because of the bitter word, Rev Wright, flag pins, and what someone he may loosely be associated with has said or done years ago. Has anybody noticed that her nuclear umbrella over the whole Mid-East has made her more of a hawk than even McCain and the neo-cons? That she has staked the ground of fighting for those "average" Americans making over $100,000 a year, or has anyone even commented on her praising "the great American Drug companies" at the so-called compassion forum? Those are real issues, real gaffes, and real examples of eltism, but not one pundit has yet commented on them. The media establishment sure seems to be in cahoots in taking Obama and his people's campaign down.

[treadway123]

Obama says were "Bitter" and they call it a dirty word! Mccain calls his wife a "Cunt" and other gov Leader the "F" word when he loses his temper and they say that is ok! Clinton lie's about Nafta and The Bosnia thing and she can say sorry I was tired and thats Ok! What is wrong with the people in America! Have we sunk so Low? What is wrong with us? Are we as far in the gutter as abc news, that we can't see good, honest and truethfulness people in our society any more! Must we tear down the good and moral-----­--------an­d leave the liers and abusers standing!

[tbmmoe]

I am tired of all this non-issue sleeze, propagated by republican tools, and being fed to a compliant media, which has sold out to the highest bidder. If this continues, I fear we will be stuck with a McCain presidency that merely continues the disaster of the last eight years. McCain's economic agenda will lead straight to a multi-system collapse. His insistance on maintaining the illegal war in Iraq will only compound the situation. Why can't we have real questions??
Besides, I really do not think Obama needs to apologize for anything. Our society IS awash in a culture of ignorance, fear, and violence. If that is 'elitist', so be it. If intelligence, eloquence, and honesty are elitist, may we all aspire to be so. At least Obama has the guts to say it , knowing full well that neocon idealogues, NRA thugs, and right-wing religious nuts will pounce on everything he says.

[RogerHWerner]

Linkins opined that, "...it was quite clear that the moderators could have cared less about the content of the candidate's responses. Instead, they concerned themselves with pinning Obama and Clinton down on a series of absurd "pledges," for the purpose, no doubt, of providing the "gotcha" questions of tomorrow..­.." I haven't the slightest doubt that Linkins' assessment is correct, which begs the question why candidates don't step in to demand a format change. Eschew the present moderator format and conduct a traditional debate where the moderator's only purpose is to ensure debate format and time allotments are maintained.

We can blame the media but does anyone honestly believe Clinton, Obama, and McCain don't know the basic pattern of questioning of these silly exercises before hand. All candidates would have to do is tell the media debate must focus only on substantive issues and questions not so focused will not be answered. Make this point public from the debate's beginning. Of course, as soon as one candidate saw "opportunity" they would seek to embarrass an opponent regardless of an agreed question pattern. So, it isn't just the media. Can anyone today imagine Lincoln and Douglas answering many of the questions asked in last night's debate? My guess is they would have taken turns questioning the questioner sanity or intelligence. The media would then likely accuse Lincoln of being "elitist." Can anyone imagine Lincoln as an elitist...

[englishprof]

I've always felt Charlie Gibson is an airhead. ABC should replace him with Elizabeth Vargas, who had the anchor position before she left due to pregnancy. Gibson and Stephanopoulos are two of the many reasons I no longer pay any attention to the talking heads, with the sole occasional exception of Keith Olbermann.

[alberich]

Thank You for your comment with which I wholeheartedly agree. I never ever thought that I would
have to say such a thing but I am actually glad that Peter (Jennings) was not around to see what
has become of his beloved news division. He would have died all over again, this time, of a broken heart.

[Cyndee1113]

I watch only Keith Olbermann, he is fair with both candidates.

[blubastian]

What about Chris (tingle up my leg) Matthews? You watch him don't you?

[MichaelBoh]

I have lost all remaining respect for ABC News. I knew that infotainment had taken hold in most of America's newsrooms, but I thought ABC News was still news. I now know that to be false. Not only were the questions outdated, inane, and pointless, but they seemed to favor Clinton - something I think George should have steered clear of for fear of looking biased. Shame on the network and shame on George and Charles - much lesser journalists after last night. The whole thing was a farce. ABC News has lost a great deal of its shine after that reality-tv-like debacle. I felt bad for Obama. it was an insult to the man's intelligence and position.

[independentrepublicrat]

Anyway, while we are all distracted with this and future exaggerations about weather underground links, the Canadians are reporting all over their airwaves about the "official" letters from Clinton about NAFTA in which she wrote that things have been said during the debates and will get said during the campaign that are "not binding". She did the nod and the wink but American media sold it to you as Obama because the American psyche has a predilection of fear and loathing for Black people so innate that logic, truth, and facts won't get in the way of playing on racial inequities to ruin the assent of Barack Obama.

American media and dead-brained bloggers quickly pounded on NAFTA-gate when it was a bunch of lies against Obama, so why are they not reporting the truth? These are questions that the asshat duo from ABC should have brought to light last night but that wouldn't fit in with the 52-minute torture session of Barack Obama for the sole purpose of assist the flailing Clintons.

[Marrob]

"Worst ever" because Obama's perfomance was horse s***!!!

[nevergiveup]

The Clintonista speaks!

This debate was bad for viewers, bad for the candidates and bad for the American voter.

Corporate media is destroying democracy one program--er, debate--at a time.

Anyone who gets their information from TV will most definitely vote against their own best interests as citizens of this country.

TV makes you dumber than a bag of hammers.

[Orikinla]

American journalists are not getting better, but worse.
Blogs and YouTube are even more trustworthy and spot on than the MSM.

There is nothing new to know about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Most of the reports on them are from the recycle bin.

The American news media had the chance to promote the anti-war protests to end the war in Iraq, but the chance was abandoned to sensationalize the American presidential campaign.

If only you can publish the cover story of every American soldier killed in Iraq and propel the motion to impeach President George W. Bush, Americans will be happier and merrier.

If Bill Clinton was impeached for his private sex life, then George W. Bush should have been impeached for misleading America into a suicidal war in Iraq.

It is not too late for the American news media to launch the "IMPEACH PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH!" campaign before the presidential election, except you want the GOP to remain in power in 2009.

The number one priority of the MSM should be forcing the American government to withdraw the American troops from Iraq and not masturbating over Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The fact is, the Democrats cannot end the war in Iraq in 2009., but the American news media can actually force the US Congress to impeach President George W. Bush before 2009 and end the war in Iraq.

[Cyndee1113]

and Hillary should not get POTUS for voting to go to war.

[LRM216]

Glad I watched American Idol. It was obviously more entertaining and informative than the debate.

[tomsemioli]

Was anyone really expecting a bona-fide debate?

[JerryTheAngel]

No. When are we going to get a Lincoln/Douglas like debate in this country where ISSUES are discussed? After terrorism, the biggest problem our country faces is the media. They are bringing this country down big time. All of these talking heads who make 6 figures or more are so out of touch with what the American people need and it's sickens me.

I turned the debate off after it was on for an hour I was so disgusted. The first hour was spent on "controversies" that have been commented on by both candidates over the weeks ad nauseum. I will never watch This Week on ABC again and I would encourage anyone who supports either candidate to never turn on George "The Tabloid King" Stepawhatc­hamacallit again. He and Charlie Gibson will go down as moderating the most shameful debate in history. They are scum.

[Obama08]

Great post. Just have to mention a couple of errors that are pet peeves of mine and are certainly unworthy of an author who uses the phrase "both du jour and d'antan":

"media resolutely refuses to obtain"

Please, for the love of god, "media" is a plural word, folks! That should be "media resolutely REFUSE to obtain"

"moderators could have cared less about the content"

No, the moderators COULDN'T have cared less about the content. If they could have cared less, that means they did care some. Ugh!

However, kudos for this line:

"how the candidates would "use" George W. Bush in the future. (As a hat-rack, maybe?)"

Funniest line I've read here in a while.

[JJaye]

This debate was a waste of air space. Nothing new was talked about. When are politicians and MSM going to wake up and listen to the average American. Most of the things discussed last night don't help find solutions to the poor education, housing crisis, economy, gas prices, food prices that plague us right now. Obama had the perfect opportunity to call Hillary on her "mis-steps". He could have called her a straight up liar, which she is. She had the nerve to blame it on lack of sleep, but she puts an Ad out stating that she is qualified to answer the phone at 3am. Barack took the high road, because party in-fighting doesn't do anybody any good. Hillary can't seem to understand that. Superdelegates, it is time to get off the fence. The Democratic Party is looking foolish now and wasting precious time that could be spent taking advantage of the fact that people are tired of 7+ years of Republican Rule!! Meanwhile, while the "SuperHeroes" sit on the fence, John McCain is getting stronger. End this already.