Biden and Clinton Shine at Debate
Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton shined in the presidential debate on Thursday night, as the leading Democratic candidates traded their sharpest barbs to date.
Biden outlined the most specific foreign policy agenda, advocating a reduction of Pakistan's military funding to force fair elections, and a new focus on eliciting support of the Pakistani middle class to counter militant extremism. He declared that he was the only candidate "on stage" to offer a regional plan since President Musharraf declared martial law, referring to a New Hampshire address last week, and stressed that unlike Obama and Clinton, he had actually voted to cut funding for the controversial Guantanamo prison. Then Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, showed voters his commitment to confront the Bush Doctrine, recounting how he "personally" warned the President that an attack on Iran without congressional authorization would lead to impeachment.
Clinton, who had struggled to counter some attacks in the last debate, held strong the entire evening. She assailed Obama for failing to "step up" on universal health care and challenged Edwards' record on the issue from the 2004 Campaign. Then, casting herself as the true Democratic fighter in the ring, Clinton chided Edwards for adopting mud-slinging tactics "right out of the Republican playbook." It worked. Obama was overshadowed for much of the debate, only finding his voice near the end while discussing Iran and habeas corpus. Edwards' arguments showed some strain under pressure. He questioned Clinton's honesty and record as a "Corporate Democrat," but then assured the audience that his criticisms were not "personal."
Given Obama's sluggish performance, it's striking to see that he actually spoke more than any other candidate (18 minutes). This was the kind of performance that might give a campaign manager heartburn: a speaker who sounds worse in a small field, when the audience hears extended remarks. Yet CNN was still touting an "Obama-Clinton Slugfest" when the debate ended, and the emerging conventional wisdom, as Chuck Todd explains, is that Thursday night "will be known as the debate that seemed to sharpen the contrast between Clinton and Obama and create a gap between the big two and everyone else."
The gap for the "big two" is nothing new, of course, and it has little to do with debate performances. It's based on celebrity, fundraising and media attention, which reinforce each other in an autocatalytic political process that has left serious and more seasoned candidates in the dust. The media may be so beholden to this story about "the big two" -- remember when it was three? -- that what candidates actually do at debates will not be allowed to get in the way. But for voters who actually listened on Thursday, Joe Biden offered a bold and specific alternative foreign policy for the United States.
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Biden usually wins with limited time, but the media never mentions it. He only failed to win one debate, The AFL debate in Chicago. Pay attention America, the media will not help! You have to make your own choice!
I fully agree! They both were impressive and they brought up some interesting points of view. Both also know the issues inside and out. I found it interesting that Obama got caught on the same issue he has tarred Hillary with previously. His point was that Hillary had aproved drivers' licenses for illegals, although he embroidered on inconsistency. As was made clear this evening, Obama was in favor of drivers' licenses in his own state, Illinois, previously. He wavered on that issue, while Hillary had a one word answer tonight. Much more important than the two stars of the evening was the fact that all the important issues, a.o. healthcare, were covered. And Wolf was in his element, doing a great job!
"Then Biden, ... recounting how he "personally" warned the President that an attack on Iran without congressional authorization would lead to impeachmen
Joe by far has the most qualified of all the Dems, but on this issue I really have to question his logic. It would take a third war for him to draw the line and get these madmen out. I would hope for someone who could pull the trigger a little faster.
Ohmigosh! A positive blog abut Biden on the Huffpost! I must be dreaming.
FINALLY!
Biden 08
In these troubled and dire time we live in, Joe Biden, to me, encompasses all that we desperately need for our nation:
1) Intelligence
2) Experience in ALL phases of government
3) Strength
4) Respect from world leaders
5) Diplomacy
6) Command of issues
7) Solutions to problems that face our nation
8) Honesty
9) Integrity
10) Respect and trust from his peers
11) Respect and trust from the people who follow him
12) an EXPERT in foreign policy
Joe Biden certainly meets ALL of the criteria above.
I pray and hope every day that Mr. & Mrs. America, the people of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina know in their hearts, that if we lose Joe Biden, we'll have lost one of the best Presidents our nation will ever have.
Please watch a video I produced to show my support for Senator Biden. If you support him, please send the link below to family and friends, and ask them to do the same.
http://you
Hillary:
It helped Hillary that she got all those people to Boo over the other candidates.
I like how the only times they booed were when it was Hillary being talked about by someone else. Never Obama/Edwards, or Biden/Dodd. Nope. Just Anyone/Clinton.
Nor was it ever just a candidate talking about themselves when they booed. Nope. Just when they questioned Hillary!
Pretty impressive! I'm surprised she'd risk the plants, given.
Biden:
He was incredible. Simply incredible. If he doesn't make it to president, I sure as hell hope he's Vice President or Secretary of State.
I just listened to the debate. The ruckus in the beginning - the attempts by some to disrupt the leader - distracted from the entire debate.
Ohg.
http://the
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