Edwards Excels in Ferocious Democratic Debate

Maybe Nevada was a turning point in the Democratic presidential race, because Monday's CNN debate started tough and got unusually ugly in a hurry.

Barack Obama continued to challenge both Clintons for pushing a series of assertions that were "not factually accurate," teeing off controversial comments that the former President made about the Nevada Caucus. Accused of inaccuracy, Sen. Clinton hit back with inaccuracy, claiming that Obama said he "really liked" President Reagan's ideas. In fact, Obama actually said Reagan helped establish the GOP as "the party of ideas," which Obama was quick to stress in a rebuttal. Then he applied the
Stoller Maxim -- use your rivals' lies to reveal their character -- to argue that Clinton's conduct raises questions about whether she can earn the public trust and be an effective advocate for change. "Truthfulness during campaigns matters," he thundered for emphasis.

Clinton was more Rovian in her attacks, as she tried to pin Obama with her own foibles. Assailing his "present" votes in the Illinois Senate, Clinton chided Obama: "It is very difficult having a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility!" The accusation drew boos from the crowd. (The Times reported that Clinton's line caused "huge boos from the audience for the first time.") Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night.

Edwards tweaked both his opponents for making the debate about political squabbling instead of public policy. Returning to his populist economic platform -- especially salient as Americans ponder a recession -- he reminded voters that he was the only candidate to outline a comprehensive plan to end poverty, and the first to introduce a national economic stimulus proposal. His plan came out weeks before Clinton and Obama. The program drove the "party's policy agenda," as Paul Krugman explained, by advocating "aid to unemployed workers, aid to cash-strapped state and local governments," and alternative energy, (most of which Clinton later adopted in her plan). And while the debate moderators kept pushing trite racial questions, even asking Obama if Bill Clinton was the "first black president," Edwards outlined a vision of racial and economic equality, where "every American is of equal value."

This post first appeared at The Nation.

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Comments

[jeanruss]

as usual, Edwards thinking and acting like a real President.

[zeldamae]

Thanks. I'm really glad to have Edwards in these debates. Hope he hangs in. Can you imagine how small it would get with only the two of them? He was the one who took the issue of race and merged it with class and poverty. The real democrat.

[williams1898]

Right on. I have been for Edwards from the beginning, and I can't fathom listening to Hillary for 8 more years. When all agree that it is time to unite the country after 8 years of visceral division, it should be clear that she cannot do that. Edwards has had the clearest ideas of all, and has the capacity to not only lead but bring the country together and regain our stature in the world. I think we saw Hillary at her worst tonight. Want to see Republicans flock to the polls - nominate her and we will lose our best chance to regain the White House. Edwards-Obama 08!

[fvscvte]

Edwards showed class and what he believes in and for once got to say a few words. The platform and ideas that the two squabblers have now,John Edwards has been saying for months and much more but the media seems to have picked out their favorite and no matter what, focus on them. Very unfair coverage from the corporate run media who doesn't want a man like anti-coprporate Edwards stepping on their toes. He is the only candidate who is looking out for the middle class and will end this Iraq war. Don't count him out just yet.

[eladora]

has to be Edwards-Obama. has to be. She cannot win in November & dems cant afford to lose this time.

Al --were you watching? Can you help?

[JacktheBlogger]

"Sen. Clinton hit back with inaccuracy, claiming that Obama said he "really liked" President Reagan's ideas."

We obviously were not watching the same debate because Hillary never mentioned Reagan. In fact, she quite clearly pointed that out to Obama - not once, but twice - in her rebuttal. I watched the post-debate coverage on CNN where they played back that piece - she never mentioned Reagan!

[Ides]

While Edwards had the luxury of taking the high ground for most of the night, it had less to do with his moral superiority than it did with the Clintons' constant assault on the junior Senator and his attempts to counter them.

While Kerry ignored the Swift Boat ads to his detriment, he nonetheless managed to look reasonably noble even as they ate him alive. This time Obama fought back against the lies and got dragged down into the mud while Edwards was forced to observe from the side.

Also note that, the one time Edwards seriously disagreed with Hillary in the debate on policy it turned into an extended squabble as well. He is in no way immune to the tension of the night. He even squabbled over the Illinois voting records, again, proving that he's not above the fray.

This is how it will go for future debates, so I suggest we get used to it. As long as people misinterpret or lie about each others' positions, interrupt them as they try to explain where the mistake was made, and generally "fight," this is going to continue regardless of who is in the debate.

[jwarrener]

Edwards looked very Presidential. I was very impressed. A media analysis that I saw showed that Edwards only gets 7% coverage compared to almost 5 times for Obama and Hillary. If the media started treating everyone equally Edwards might be the top candidate and the others way behind.
Got to give this guy credit for hanging in there.

[happytrails]

This is the time in the campaign for voters to listen carefully to ALL the candidates and to remember that this is not a TWO-WAY race. Now is the time to vote for the ideas which make the most sense, will bring about real change, and reflect the true values of Dems. Let's not, in the upcoming primaries, close down those who want to talk about real issues. Much of the Clinton/Obama rhetoric seems to be insubstantial and personal mudslinging. This should not be a popularity contest but a debate about the future of our country. Who has the BEST IDEAS and the will to see them through?

[Mariel]

I long for Edwards to get the nomination of the Democrats. But no one I have supported in primaries has been nominated as the standard bearer of the party. Anyway, I liked Jerry Brown and Pat Buchanan. I always have gone for the populists, even if they were polar opposites in some regards. I liked Independent John Anderson, and he actually won the general election in my district, with some help from me and a lot of others.

The debate tonight in South Carolina showed three candidates of merit, but to me Edwards is the It-guy.

[aznurse]

PLEASE DON'T DROP OUT PLEASE. JOHN EDWARDS IS THE ONLY HOPE TO GET US OUT OF THE MESS BUSH HAS GOTTEN US INTO AND HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!!

[Ani]

Thank you, Mr. Melber for your concise and correct analysis of tonight's debate. I concur that John Edwards has the most well thought out policies and programs of the three candidates.

I've watched Mr. Edwards from the beginning, and it saddens me that the MSM has denigrated him as a person and disenfranchised him as a candidate. His policies on health care, poverty, foreign relations, and how to restore America after Bush's ruinous rule are the best of the three candidates in my opinion.

It's good to see agreement from you and other bloggers here.

Thank you,
Ani

[philistine]

BRILLIANT!

[Lis]

Quote: Clinton chided Obama: "It is very difficult having a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility!"

I just about fell out of my chair when she said that.

But, getting back to your point, Ari, I agree. Edwards was great tonight, and he deserves credit for it.

[fvscvte]

I agree! Edwards was far the best and showed class and for once he let them know he was the first in many of the ideas Clinton and Obama now claim as theirs. And pointed ou how they take lobbyists ans special interest money!
Despite the media's bias toward the celebrity canddiates Obama and Clinton, Edwards keeps hanging in there and hopefuly people will realize he is the candidate fighting for middle class folks and will end this Iraq war .