They Both Played It Safe. But Why? It Seemed Strangely Sincere.

Ok, I am going to be really naive.

Could it possibly be that Hillary and Barack were thinking about the welfare of the Democrats in November? Could it possibly be that -- so close to an honor and burden that only they, of all the people in the room, could understand -- could it be that they were feeling a real kinship with one another?

Either way, remember: whoever wins, it makes history. They both said that and they meant it. Because it's true.

So maybe, besides the fact that they had made a tactical decision ahead of time (I'm not that naive) to go in nice -- besides that, maybe they found, to their surprise, a bit of succor in each other's company as things unfolded and that lent an extra dimension of sincerity and warmth to the occasion. Maybe that feeling just came over them and moved them for those moments and produced that embrace at the end that looked pretty damn real to me.

Could that be? Maybe. It's lonely at the top, after all -- and they are both in sight of the summit.

Comments

[TASTIC]

CaveatMagnusFrater,

Let's just make one thing clear. I don't have to vote for anyone-Democrat or Republican. I don't have to vote. Heck, I don't even have to be affiliated with a party.

My point is that if you want to live in your magical world where politicians look out for the interests of the American people and you believe that your best chance of beating the Republicans is to put forth Mrs. Clinton, then you should think seriously about exactly why you feel she's the best person to "help America" and exactly how she's demonstrated that quality over her 35 years of experience.

My point is that all of her so called "democratic values" are up for sale. She has no commitment or loyalty to you or your party.

My point is that over her 35 years of experience, in her dash for power she's trampled upon the American people (especially the poor and the working class) and members of her own party with no remorse.

My point is that Clinton will sell you and your party down the river faster than you can say George Bush.

All that said, a person of conscience would realize that the best candidate to go up against the Republicans is one who does not have a track record of disloyalty, unethical behavior, and making a personal fortune off of the backs of the American people.

A person of conscience who wants to believe in the "fairy tale" that there can be a candidate who'll actually listen to the American people not to the list of cronies accumulated over 35 years to whom they owe favors will think long and hard before pledging blind loyalty to a candidate who has done nothing to deserve that loyalty.

[LegalWeed]

Anyone who believes that what you saw last night was a genuine kumbaya moment, I feel, is sadly mistaken...I agree with those who state that her handlers told her to play nice, because he had to, given the so called "snub"..whatever happened to critical thinking in the country???

[Agosto]

I loved the debate. I loved their energy. It felt sincere. I think HRC is smarter and more experienced, but Obama has the youth and feel good message. They'd make an excellent team, but I wonder if Obama would take a VP spot for the greater good - or is ego still at play.

At this point I just want a win in November - either would be fine. Who would beat the old guy??? Why doesn't anyone mention that the guy has run like 5 times and never gets the nomination??

[pmorlan]

I thought the debate was awful but then I don't like either of these two candidates. Do you vote for tweedle dee or tweedle dum? It doesn't make much difference because they are both beholden to corporate special interests. So much for historical change.

[TASTIC]

Lovefest aside, the Daily Kos post is at the heart of the problems that Clinton(s) in the White House would bring.

They have a strong pattern/record/experience whatever you want to call it of throwing supporters both inside and outside of the Beltway under the bus to further their own personal ambitions and agendas.

I don't know how you can trust the word of a President who you know will go back on that word as soon as it suits them.

My fear is that all this "Latino Love" she's showing will go to heck in a hand basket if it turns out that it's better for her agenda to start packing people on a bus.

My fear is that all these women she's wooing will be elevated at the expense of poor white women and women of color through double-edged policy.

If her 35 years of experience have shown the voting public anything, it's shown us that everyone is expendable including those who've shown her loyal support.

Furthermore, her ethical record is so poor and so identical to the horrendous unethical record of the Republicans that I honestly don't know how any person of conscience can vote for her.

[nerakami]

Am I the only one that is blown away by the fact that Obama is the only candidate who wants to get the American people more informed therefore, be more involved in the decision making process in Washington?
TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT. His take is, if there is a bill in Congress needing to be passed and there are Senators objecting to the Bill, then let these Senators make their case to the American people as to why they wont vote for the Bill. THIS IS HUGE !!!! This is the only way we can truly see who is really for the people and who is for special interest groups. Lastly, why wouldn't Hillary concur with that proposition?
The PAST VS THE FUTURE. Give America back to the people....

[Overd0g]

They simply decided not to debate.

[Kane]

Obama and Clinton seemed to be enjoying the warm waters of cordial conversation. That is until the subject of the Iraq war vote was thrown into the pool. And then once again Clinton found herself on the deep end of trying to explain and rationalize her vote for the war and her vote against Carl Levin's resolution. The more she spoke, the faster she sank. Her only lifeline was to finally admit that she was wrong and that the war policy was wrong. She refused on both counts. This time, lifeguard Bill would not be there to save her.

[mageduley]

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE MINDSET OF WASHINGTON THAT GOT US INTO WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001.
It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security."
"So it is with conviction that I support this resolution as being in the best interests of our nation. A vote for it is not a vote to rush to war; it is a vote that puts awesome responsibility in the hands of our President.."
- Hillary Clinton 2002, floor speech right before the war authorization.

"I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history.
"I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda."
" Obama 2002

[blueshift]

I guarantee you, Hillary knows she cannot beat John McCain - and the obstacles aren't her, but the baggage that comes with her. There are hordes of people who voted for Bill twice (me included) that simply never want to see this demeaned individual step foot inside the beltway again.

And there's the positively propsect, anathema to our founder's constitutional intent, of cementing an (un)American royalty, a never-ending loop bush-clinton-bush-clinton regimes. So Jeb next? Can Chelsea and Jenna be far behind?

[midwestvoter]

Before you make up your mind- read this:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/31/21045/9822/688/446786

[mageduley]

I personally think that Harry Reid and the democratic majority to Hillary to cut it out. She an Bill have been running the "alls fair in love and politics" game. The rovian tactics might have worked in previous elections, but now the dems have awakened. We have spent 8 years screaming out at the lies and half truths of republicans. We drove Gonzo and Rove out of town. Hillary and Bill had no hard feelings against Barack personally, its just politics. You have to twist and tweak the truth a little to make a contrast right?

They did not count on the internet age where people can see quotes in full color video. Soon it was apparent that Hillary and Bill had to get off the "Half truth express" and quick.

Obama has always wanted to run an ethical campaign. He has no problem getting tough with Republicans, he just never thought these tactics would come from one of our own. Indeed who would have thought us dems could do that to each other?

So again, I think the "make nice" debate last night was prompted the the Senate Dem establishment, warning both hillary and bill to make Dems and America proud and not disrail our party.

[cuthbertallgood]

I am still unsure about voting for either of these two, but less so after the debate. They were both very good, and like others have said here, the sight of them and the words they both spoke made me proud to be a Democrat.
Except the part about health care, the audience and the rest of us want Single Payer, and both of these two are trying to sell us for profit Insurance with premiums and deductables and co-pays and denials of coverage. Both of them wish to cut the Insurance Companies in on a piece of your wallet and mine, and both of them wish to see that profit occur rather than spend that money on sick people. Some of it is for health, some of the money is for beach houses and sports cars for the executives of the Insurance Companies.
Both 'health plans' are posing as 'universal coverage' but they are in fact forced sales of for profit, private products. These plans are not what we want. For that capitulation and agreement that we must not get what the rest of the world has, neither has my willing vote as yet.

[Kane]

This was the final debate before Super Tuesday. Better to have an uplifting message than to leave voters with a lasting negative impression. There will be another time and place for the nastiness. And considering Bill's well-timed pre-election day fits, I would guess that he's about due for another Clinton moment any time now.

[OzDanJoaquin]

Thanks Mr Zengotitia, that was exactly my impression. I think it's been a popular & profitable narrative, here & elsewhere, to stress the personal antipathy between Clinton & Obama. It's certainly seemed true of their impassioned campaign offices, fierce surrogates & rabid supporters.

Similarly, in earlier debates with Edwards & others their protests of mutual regard have seemed more strategic than sincere. But during this first-ever one-on-one, with both of them often in the same camera shot, I couldn't help but notice how often they both smiled, laughed, LISTENED & nodded approvingly during their rival's response. Frankly, it did seem strangely sincere.

Maybe I'm just being hoodwinked by 2 seasoned media performers who realised going negative was doing neither of them, or the party, any good. But, for the 1st time ever, I had the distinct impression they both not only respect, but admire eachother. And I, for one, really, really liked it. Both of them deserve such respect & admiration & either would make a fantastic president.

(PS Either way, I want General Wesley Clarke for Secretary of Defense!)