June 3, 2007
Posted: June 3rd, 2007 08:56 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - After Sen. Joe Biden said the United States should use military force to stop the genocide in Darfur, the rest of the Democratic candidates grumbled when asked to raise their hands if they agreed with him.

"Well we're not going to engage in these hypotheticals," Sen. Hillary Clinton said. "I mean one of the jobs of a president is being very reasoned in approaching these issues. And I don't think it's useful to be talking in these kinds of abstract hypothetical terms."

Sen. Barack Obama leaned over to Clinton to say he agreed with her. "I don’t want to raise my hand anymore," he said.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Joe Biden


Bob, Cleveland TN   June 4th, 2007 12:36 am ET

Who gave the candidates the right to refuse answering questions by using the technique of "you are just trying to divide us" ?? ?? ??

OF COURSE the question was designed to divide you .. .. .. how else could we possibly tell you all apart ?? ?? ??

Oh yeah .. .. Hillary has a skirt !! !! !!

kp, kailua-kona, hawaii   June 3rd, 2007 10:41 pm ET

It is about learning how the candidates think! Really the question was a simple yes or no question. Obviously those of you who did not like it are defending your candidate. I am an independent and was hoping to learn while being open minded. Well clinton blew it by typically giving little real information. Richardson won he was honest.

Ken Blystone, El Paso TX   June 3rd, 2007 10:41 pm ET

Okay, raise your hand if you've had sex in the last 24 hours. 48. 72. Last week. Last month. Since you left the White House.

Pleeeze, get real with your questions and stop asking the candidates questions designed solely for sound bites, web photos, and meaningless headlines. Brit Hume reached and all time low with his diatribe of a hypothetical on a supposed terrorist attack. Wolfe Blitzer...please don't go there...you are better than that! Stop asking for black & white answers on color TV! Clinton and Obama were correct to not answer a question that is the new yellow journalism...get them to respond visually and simplistically so maybe we get something to talk about and fill the time between commercials.

Ralph Sato Honolulu, HI   June 3rd, 2007 10:35 pm ET

Darfur is full of hypotheticals in my opinion. In a country as large and underpopulated as Sudan with poor communications and an ethnic situation as complicated as Iraq, it is uncertain what is really happening despite the charges of genocide by many groups. The threat of nuclear weapons in Iraq are also not easily determined. The CIA estimates Iran is ten years from any weapons as did Joe Biden in the debate. Lets be careful about WMD in Iran as we were not in Iraq.

Carl, Dallas, Texas   June 3rd, 2007 10:24 pm ET

She was shaken because Wolf was asking stupid hypothetical questions that start debates on screen that lead to nowhere. The candidates would have wanted more information because saying something that would hurt their voting potential (or simply just cause embarassment for a mis-understanding).

Scott   June 3rd, 2007 9:50 pm ET

This is not an episode of 24. There are no ticking time bomb situations in real life. Stop asking the hypothetical situations and get to what really matters.

Dan Wayment, Manchester, NH   June 3rd, 2007 9:45 pm ET

I think Edwards tossed his hat in the center ring tonight. He is a very smart man!

Hillary did not hurt herself though perhaps she should remind those that criticize her initial war vote, she and the Congress was mislead by Bush as well! They should also be reminded how many Republicans voted for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that put combat troops in Vietnam!

I am more impresssed with the calibre of the people running that I was prior to tonight!

I liked the format somewhat, however the questions went willy-nilly leaving many with no response at all, which I did not like!

I can not believe that the population that suffered the most, besides the military,the poor, were not addressed at all. Shameful in my view as they are the real victims in America!

Neville Gabriel Appanna,South Africa   June 3rd, 2007 9:21 pm ET

I think maybe the US candidacy should consider being less politically correct,and more pro-active on 'reason'.Its aid supports countries that by 'silent diplomacy' condones situations like that of Zimbabwe and Darfur,yet actively vocally and financially supports dictators.The AU cannot carry out successful missions within its own territories simply because the conflicts and wrongdoers are also within such forces,supplying weapons and cash to the very perpetrators of such conflicts.When does it become noticeable to 1st world countries, that a great % of aid NEVER reaches the ground? 'AID'..continues??

Andria, Streetsboro, Ohio   June 3rd, 2007 9:17 pm ET

Does adding an import tax sound interesting? And what about discontinuing tax break incentives for U.S companies who out source jobs. I find it terrible that incentives are given to US companies who outsource jobs because the labor is cheaper. This contributes to our dilapidating contributions to the workforce. Yes, we may help the other countries economy but should we jeopardize our own economy? Perhaps such a policy will encourage more U.S jobs for U.S citizen. With more jobs the more money our citizens would have to spend and to contribute.

Charles River   June 3rd, 2007 9:12 pm ET

Where were these great candidates last election? We needed them then....Oh well, at least both parties are offering GREAT options this election time.
Perhaps, the media should focus more on issues over getting out the vote and integrity of the voting process.

Anthony Kegode, Newfields NH   June 3rd, 2007 9:08 pm ET

There are so many more people in Africa who die for a lot less than US foriegn policy...many just out of hunger....bad government....poverty....the US government can develop a US Africa Corps, a US military army in Africa made up of well trained, equiped and paid recruits from African countires under US army command, and supported by US naval and air power...to peace keep, stop genocide, and resolve conflicts...many would be glad for the job, and the opportunity to be part of a force that will bring about the beginings of positive change.

Dennis, Alexandria, VA   June 3rd, 2007 9:06 pm ET

It is very grade-schoolish of CNN to ask candidates to raise their hands in response to very shallow questions.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@KuhnCNN: Great meeting @JackGrayCNN today and seeing @sinderbrandrcnn in NYC! AC Rock Stars! :-)
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:10 -0800
@KuhnCNN: Posted today: Clinton foreign trip first on Twitter. http://bit.ly/9Axuh9 /via @PoliticalTicker
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:36:14 -0800
@KuhnCNN: RT @octavianasrCNN: MUST-READ// Coaching tomorrow's world leaders, through social networking -- http://bit.ly/9tmW6x
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:32:51 -0800
@AWMooneyCNN: Metro finally comes and then stops at station for 20 minutes #snoverkill
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:46:27 -0800
@psteinhauserCNN: I just shoveled two feet of snow off the roof. That was fun!
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:14:34 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP