Unprecedented Number Of Americans Witness Debate Atrocity

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

Faced with sharp criticism from all quarters not named David Brooks over last night's attempt at a debate, diminutive, non-flag lapel pin wearing terrorist George Stephanopoulos defended all of ABC's asinine questions, saying, "We asked tough but appropriate questions...When people make that choice, they take into account how candidates stand on the issues," but that they also are concerned with "experience, character [and] credibility."

And in the clearest sign yet that we are about to experience an unprecedented spike in the number of Xanax prescriptions given to the American people, the New York Times' Brian Stetler is reporting that last night's mistreatment of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the American electorate fetched the highest ratings yet for any debate this primary season:

The debate, the first to air on a weeknight on a broadcast network, attracted an average of 10.7 million viewers between 8 and 10 p.m., according to Nielsen Media Research.

Viewership of the debate peaked between 8:30 and 9 p.m. with 11.8 million viewers, topping the "reality" fare of "Deal or No Deal" on NBC and "Big Brother" on CBS. The broadcast faced stiffer competition at 9 p.m. when "American Idol" appeared on Fox and netted 22.7 million viewers. Still, ABC averaged over 10 million viewers in the second hour of the debate.

Elsewhere, Stephanopoulos stood by the decision to wait an hour before asking any questions pertaining to issues that voters might actually be concerned with:

"We decided to focus at the top on the issues that had been at the center of the debate since the last debate. Everything we brought up in that front section had not come up since the last debate. And they all focused on the same theme -- which candidate would be a stronger Democratic candidate in November....This is the core question for the campaigns, and a lot of Democratic voters right now. That's why we decided to lead with it."

And now, for the rebuttal, please welcome "Soulja Boy" (aka Jay Smooth of Ill Doctrine):

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

Comments

[LollieDotCom]

BOYCOTT ABC. No one is more educated in how bad things have gotten in our country over the last eight years that Charlie and George. They KNEW we needed a debate about the important issues facing us in the years to come. I'm 55 and don't have health insurance, My grandson is 15. Do the math. He can die in Iraq or Iran before the next presidential term is over. And they wasted our time asking Obama if he is patriotic, does he wear a flag pen. I'm gonna miss the view. Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, but you know, they're about as important as flag pins compared to my grandson... and, my life.

Really, at least consider boycotting the news, if you can't do that, then at least until this election is over only buy from their sponsor's competitors.

[CTmom13]

Be sure to sign the moveon.org petition………..It was also mentioned on ABC’s Good Morning America

Maybe if there is enough backlash the news networks will think twice about the distractions issues in the GE

http://www.moveon.org/

[amorando]

The reason, I assert, why the rumour type questions instead of basic issue questions in the latest debate is that the big media, big corporation, moguls have the set of candidates they want and don't want any issues addressed. They, controlling the media of course, are basically wanting the status quo maintained. End the war, you think, yet Obama says he's send the army back into Iraq if El Qauda is there and that he won't jump to war with Iran but of course they are getting nuclear weapons. That's status quo not change.
Who was proposing change, Gravel, cut out of the debate early on, Paul, cut out of the debate without the excuse of having much money and Kuchinch, all cut out of the debates early. If the issues weren't addressed by questioners these people would raise them anyway, and away they go.
ABC was just acting it's big corporate dominance role. Read Truthout and don't watch TV at all.

[Dartanion]

Jason Linkins, thank you for exposing Davis Brooks! Brooks parades around as a professional
journalist; then how could he possible see what ABC and dumb and dumber called a debate, as anthing but tabloid, slezy, cheap-shot, gotcha questioning. The ABC debate was a disgrace!

[thinking08]

I'm amused at how much press the debate is getting for all the wrong reasons. Even more amusing is when the debate did finally move to substantial topics, neither Clinton or Obama performed that well. They were both baited into the "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge.....only to be cornered into incoherent answers to a follow-up on capital gains which will also affect the middle class.

Troop withdrawl from Iraq even if it's against military leaders' advise???? "it's the civilian leader's role to set the strategy" , says Obama. He was a state rep. of a 20 square mile district in Illinois until 4 years ago. Clinton may have a little more experience but no where near the on-the-ground experience Patreus has. BTW, Gen. Patreus is a Princeton PhD in international affairs...not exactly a gun toting jarhead. Iraq hasn't been about al Qaeda for a few years now. It is about stability in the Middle East and containing Iran's influence. For anyone to say bin Laden isn't in Iraq, so we should pull out is over simplifying the current problem. As Colin Powell advised Dubya before we went in to Iraq, " you break it, you own it".....we own it now.

[Bibbo]

Give me a break..George Stephenopolis as an impartial debate moderator. He an ex?-Clintinista operative in the mold of Begala and Carville. He's a Hillary confident yet we're supposed to think he's become an impartial journalist since leaving the employment of the Clintons. He left the Clintons at the end of thier 1st term because he knew his best career move was to bail since Clinton could only serve 4 more yrs. He does everything he can to advance the Clinton cause while playing the role of a fair journalist.

[Indoboy7]

This time - on national TV no less, George Stephanopoulos showed the whole nation what an emptyhead he really is.The only thing missing was a wagging tail...Together with Charlie the two had to be the two most overpaid, over-exposed (pun intended) BOOBS......

[Mojane]

This pretty much exposes her truly flawed character.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=311245

[mesuki]

I wish Obama could use this footage in PA..it would make a great ad.

[Tariqahmed]

ABC CBS CNN are dead

[desmirl]

Are the majority of Americans really so shallow?

[chronic]

No, only the ones counted as "right wing".

[JoePomp]

The most ironic moment of the debate was when (after spending 46 straight minutes attacking Barack Obama) Charlie apologizes to Hillary for not giving her equal time. Fantastic. "Sen Clinton, would you like to use that time now or save it for later."

Personally, I wish she would have used it then to rebutt Obama's rebuttal to her attack on him for his connection to the Weather Underground. Turns out Obama knew that her husband had pardoned two of the members of the Weather Underground. Didn't she and her alley-oop parther (Steph) think he would know that?

A couple of things truly amaze me. First, I am amazed at Obama's restraint in attacking her. He lets her totally get away with admitting that she lied about the Bosnia trip. He totally let it go. And secondly, that somehow Obama is the less perfect of the two candidates. That somehow the right wing 527 Groups will have an easier time with him than her.

What parallel universe is she living in? Theatre of the Absurd.

Joe P.

[mesuki]

ABC and those two idiots really made a fool of themselves last night. In the quest for ratings they ran the debate like tabloid television. For a while I thought I was watching Fox News. That was no debate last night that was the cruxifiction of Obama,and Hillary drove the nails in.But I have faith that he will survive all this ,and Hillary will lose.



Fox News

[Lisette]

Yes, what a debacle!

[FDRbyGodDemocrat]

You folks seem to think the business of TV News is "news." It ain't. It's entertainment. And ratings. Who gives a shit about the economy or the war--we want to know about your lapel pin, goddammit! I'm just disappointed they didn't include a dance number. Or an 800 number to vote for your favorite candidate.

Ol' Paddy is laughing his ass off somewhere. He didn't realize when he wrote "Network" that it would all come true.

[tenilla]

Tough questions, George? (Trusted Clinton family retainer and hit man.)

About freaking flag pins?

And how very sad that neither you or Charlie Gibson seemed to even know that Barack Obama
gave a speech on March 18 addressing his relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

You must be so proud, being Sean Hannity's water boy.

[Shantee]

Love this video---great spirit and creative energy....the real elitists are the main stream media....they don't have a dog in this fight....whoever wins they'll have their cushy jobs and cushy lifestyles..

Stephanapoulos is such a snob, a tightass...I know his father who is a Greek priest in NYC. The whole family is like that: snobs

[janeb]

Obama all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!