CNN

I just want to say that I think Barack did great last night! He put Hiliary in her spot! A spot that she has needed to be put in for quite some time! She is the one that has started all of this back and forth bickering... All Barack did last night was SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!

If not the Clintons then no one!

Hillary and Bill are only in this for them selves. They don’t care about us, the Democrat Party or respect the office of the Presidency. They will do anything to regain the office, even circumventing the laws of our land which limits a Presidency to two full terms. Think about it, they will be back in the White House for four or eight more years.. Do we really want that? Also, Bill disrespected the office while president and is doing so now by his personal attacks on Obama. His comments on Obama has been child like and unbecoming a former President. Hillary nor the Democratic Party has any control over him. So, what makes everyone think he will respect the office once back in the White House again. Basically, he will try to regain the White House from Hillary unless she can control him which she has been unable or unwilling to do thus far.

Obama needs to get out of the mud fight with them and return to the issues and his vision for our great nation.

Arturo Gomez....I am black and agree 100%. Although I respect Obama I don't believe he is ready to be our President. I am sorry, but it's my belief. I am also offended that the media have indicated that black women only have two choices....Obama or Clinton. Also, it has been set that if as a black woman I vote for Clinton then I am some how "selling out". If I vote for Obama, I am choosing my race over my gender? I am confused! Since we do make serious decisions such as selecting the next potential president on race and gender? Obama has delivered a lot of "feel good" speeches, but where does he stand on issues? I have read both of his books and still don't know. I have patiently listen to his respones to questoins and end up with a headache, because I feel like I have went a mile around the bush for nothing. I know Clinton has her faults as we all do, but this woman intelligence and experience say a lot to me. The fact she is a woman is irrelavant. However, I am realistic and know that it does mean a lot to some. Same as Obama's skin color. In regards to Edwards, he didnt win last night. Instead he was able to stay out of the crossfire and use it to his advantage. Personally I believe he should step out.

I, too, do not understand why the media minimizes John Edwards. His performance last night solidified my support for him. I believe most Americans do not understand how corrupt our nation is, and how the corporations (and rich owners of same) control our government; and how this has contributed to our current situation (economic and foreign policy). John seems to be the only one willing to discuss this openly. And the only one refusing to take PAC money. I am surprised that this is not more highly valued by voters. This time I'm going to vote for who I believe is the best candidate, not who the media tells me can win.

It's always interesting to watch the debates and watch who winds up slinging mud first. Obama clearly is trying to find an edge over Hillary and resorting to tactics he claims he won't participate in and has said "are not him". Hillary is left in the position to clarify or reply to false or distorted claims Obama is making. I agree with Edwards, it's down right despicable! Hillary is the only one who has outlined a comprehensive Economic Stimulus plan, Health care package (Edwards is o.k.), Energy and Environment plan with a motivational program similar to "sputnik", and Foreign policy. I would be ecstatic if Edwards were to run as Hillary's V.P. The Hillary Clinton/Edwards ticket would be a win/win for the American People.
If that doesn't happen, Hillary I believe is our best choice to win the Democratic ticket and win the Presidency. She is the only candidate who can win against the Republicans as well. Republicans actually want Obama to win. He would be so easy to pick apart.
Go Hillary!

What in the Hell is a Uniter or a Divider, but a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. I am for Edwards, but I am leaning HRC if he drops. Obama sounds to the right of Atilla the Hun.

It is unbelievable how some people are biased. It was clear from the debates that Barack Obama throw the first punch in that debate and I am seeing how he was so gracious and how he terrible Hilliary was when he was the one who did the attacking. It is clear. I am no Hilliary fan and thought of going for Obama but he looked week last night. He was mumbling around and not answering the question. Obama has to step it up. Hilliary looked really good in that debate. Obama looked angry and fraustrated and it appears he cant keep his cool when angry and fraustrated (Good thing he had time to compose himself in the break). I dont know who I am voting for in the election as yet but One thing I know regardless who I vote for I want Hilliary in my camp..........I am a black man who is just trying to be real here. Dont just listen to the media. They have their agenda (learn for yourself) OH and on a last note. The Black community does not vote wholesale for THE BLACK CANDIDATE. We are not stupid We look at issues too. Thanks..........

2008 Election prediction: For the 3rd time, the dems lose a presidential election 50 to 49%.

The fact is Clinton needs Obama's ability to bring independants and some repuiblicans. Without it, she is toast. With a likable rating sitting at 50% nationally and an agenda of nothing more than slaying republicans for 4 years. That would be perpetuating the partisan staus quo, you know, the opposite of change.

The GOP is waiting for something to wake them up and get them energized and get them to vote. Nominate Hillary and we are back toa 50-50 split and 4 years of GOP payback instead of moving forward. Keep attacking Obama, and you divide the dems even more and you lose votes to McCain and the other moderate Republicans. Good luck with that.
It is naive to think that once Hillary gets the nomination that we will all fall in line behind her. Think again. The more she attacks, the more she burns her bridges. More and more I am hearing dems and independants stay they will stay home or reluctantly vote for a moderate republican.
The 90's are over and we couldnt go back even if the countryt wanted to. Get over it.

I will vote for John McCain before I vote for Obama. Obama speaks eloquently–no doubt– by borrowing from every famous speech ever given by greats like MLK. But, he lacks the experience and the substance to understand the true meaning of his borrowed words, and much less does he know how to take an idea and make it a reality.

He is passionate and eloquent and his coy and defensive. He relies on his oratory gift to obfuscate the issues, hide his record, and attack others in the snidest of ways, with condescension. He has become so predictable. His mode of operanda is to start with a compliment or in agreement, only to turn immediately and attack. This reminds of the "smart asses" we all deal with on daily basis who will tell us "you know something, but I know it all".

I just wish Senators Clinton and Edwards had pushed a little harder, he was ready to break. His ire was apparent; he was one inch away from blowing his wolf disguise.

Lastly, as a Latino, I can not support him yet. He has remained silent on issues of relevance to Latinos. It is safest for him because the ethnocentric Black vote will likely turn on him. To most Blacks it is okay for Whites and Latinos to speak to the issues of interest to Latinos, for a Black politician is usually not. If he is going to claim his mantra of “unifier”, then he needs to needs to bridge the racial divide that exists between Blacks and Latinos. McCain has done more on this regard than he has.

Hillary Clinton most definitely won the debate last night. She is the most intelligent, strong, and compassionate presidential candidate this country has produced since her husband was in office. Why are the American people so afraid of a strong and smart woman? Hillary is the most qualified person to get this country out of the "funk" of the last seven and a half years. She gets her points across well, and she knows what it takes to get this ailing country back on the right track. I firmly believe that she has the best interests of the American people at heart, and I believe she truly cares about the lower and middle income people of our nation. At the debate last night she answered all questions with the air of leadership, and when challenged she held her ground and was not about to be "dogpiled" like she was in a previous debate. She responded like a PRESIDENT-–and I am PRAYING that the American people will "wise up" and elect the best woman for the job. YOU GO, HILLARY!!!!! I'm with you all the way!!

Great job John Edwards...You have my vote

the problem obama has is his inexperience in politics is showing in these debates he needs to remember what he says but most important he might want to pay closer attention to the fact bill clinton is a very intelligent man and this country was in the best economic situation it had been in in in over 50 years when he was president and the american people by majority would still vote for bill clinton if they could however hillary unlike any other candidate in the past has the opportunity to bring this country back to where it was economically during the clinton years and the truth be known barak would give anything to have the opportunity to call bill clinton for advice so let them continue to argue in front of the american people from watching obama attempt to discredit hillary you would think jerry springer had endorsed him not oprah im sure she is rethinking that one

curiosityhasme,

Wow did you see the same debate as me and all the analysts watching? Because I'm pretty sure Billary's slash campaign was shown for what it was and Hillary blew up when the pressure was on. This was Obama's strongest debate yet, Edwards I would say also had a strong debate but only because he stayed out of the crossfire between Hillary and Barack.

Barack HAS my vote hands down, there is no question at all, becuz he is a UNITER not a DIVIDER, which is what this nation NEEDS right now.. not like the last couple of Presidents who demonstrated and divided this nation almost back the the era of the civil war, and guess what? I'm a republican and african american and will stay a republican..but I also as a voter, I vote for the BEST person according to their RECORD. I research as much information as possible to determined who is best to hold the office of President. Especially in these trying times for america right now. Hillary and this socialized health care is for the birds, if you have read up on countries that have a socialized health care system, you will learn that there will be a increased taxes to pay for it... and also the health system compared and noted as such, is less than desired for the patient, for instance, with a socialized health care system, you will have to WAIT for your doctor's appointments, which could takes weeks to MONTHS to get a actual date confirmed, and there is no such thing as specialty-DOCTORS...and if you need immediate medical procedures? Will not hold presidence toward a ailing patient...they TOO will have to wait weeks to months to be seen by a doctor. You lose your primarily doctor relationship, you will be seen by any doctor in what ever field of ailment you have. Edwards, is to passive for me, he talks a good game of politics, but he is not solid on his record and he seems to flip and flop at times to accommodate the moment. People do your home- work and research before your vote on either side of the aisle come Nov. 2nd'08

It was great to finally witness an opportunity for the candidates to at least try and answer , at length, a question put to them! I, too, am upset with the attacks, mostly on Sen. Obama. I think he did an admirable job in trying to rectify the misleading statements being made about his voting record in Illinois, among other items. I say...go Obama, all the way to the White House, possibly with John Edwards as his running mate. I just hope that Edwards is not forming some kind of an alliance with H. Clinton.

Most importantly, though, let us hope that the so-called mudslinging can stop and true debate on the issues can begin!

My Vote goes to JOHN EDWARDS.

I'm tired of all of the press ignoring him. I think he could be winning if he got half the press the others have received.

GO J O H N!!!

I watched the entire debate and i have mix opinions. to my personal opinion John Edwards won the debate by staying calm and weightin in when he disagree or have something really important to say, he was accurate and really talk to america not just the people present in the debate. Hillary Clinton was smart, ask some tough questions that the media refuse to ask about Obama's records, it wasnt an attack, simply telling the truth about his voting records in the Illinos senate, overall, Hillary was talking to the general americans watching the debate all over and she knew exactly what she was doing, she is ready to be president now. Obama on the other hand was aggressive and denied everything was thrown at him, he always makes excuses and uses his favorita phrase a lot, " what i said was" , to me this is an excuse to not face the facts, he has not a good record, he is a very new person to politics and so therefore we cannot expect much from him, unfortunately the change he is offering is not adequate at this time, the country is facing hard times, economin crisis, a war and we need someone capable, i dont think he is at this moment, maybe in 4 or 8 years but now Hillary Clinton seem to be the most capable to be in the White House.

I remember a time when CNN was a source of news that America could depend on to be non-bias. During the debate last night, Wolff constantly interrupted Edwards while he let Clinton and Obama ramble on. It seemed to me that he thinks that Obama and Clinton are the only Democratic runners for President. Has CNN become yet another News station that we cannot depend on to give us the whole truth and allow us to decide for ourselves?

Ever since I read Obama's second book, I have been saying that he is basically a conservative–with the exception that he will always do the bidding of his favorite union, UNITE HERE. Over the last two weeks, and last night when he had to admit the facts about his voting record and had to admit that he is NOT supporting universal health care for ALL Americans, his actual positions are becoming quite clear. He is as right wing as we have seen in recent memory in the Democratic party. What seems worse, though, is that he seems to be all rhetoric and no real substance. I am particulary concerned about his reactions to criticism–he seems to believe that other candidates, and people in general, don't have the right to question or criticize him...America does not need another president who cannot tolerate scrutiny, nor admit when he has made a mistake. I have decided to support Hillary!

I am so sick of Obama taking jabs at Hillary and Edwards then trying to wiggle out of it and change the subject so he won't get a response out of them. I was so tickled to see Hillary and Edwards come back at him and not let him get away with it. Also if Obama doesn't want Bill talking then he needs to tell his wife Michelle to stay away from the microphone too! She has put her foot in her mouth more than once already. I used to like Obama, but the more I see him and after last nights battle, I'm voting for Clinton. She is ready to run this country. Obama still has alot of growing up to do. He might be a good president, but that's aways down the road, not this election! HILLARY YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hillary and John were the winners! Obama could not answer tough questions, and continually got flustered, and was full of "run on" sentences that didn't make any sense at all! Edwards was very strong, and definitely let people know that he is a real contender in this race.

This should have been renamed as the South Carolina Slugfest…The more I see and hear Obama the more I am convinced that though he is well intentioned, he is politically naive (perhaps inexperienced?) and his solutions to problems seem simplistic or at least not as complex as they ought to be given the complexity of the problems themselves.

When his record or his statements are criticized, he simply retorts "It's not true," but never substantially or fully gives evidence of how they are not true. If he were writing a research paper where he was trying to argue a point, I'd send him back for a re-write or two.

And I guess I just don't agree with his managerial method of the bottom up rather than the top down. He sounds like my boss and what happens with that style is that we (the little people) do all the work and he (the boss, the manager, the president) gets all the glory. No thank you.

So until someone else proves his mettle, my vote is still for Hillary because she's got the feistiness and the tenacity to slug her way through the political mire that is Washington in order to make her policies a reality. This isn't a contest between good and evil, the street smart, savy Hillary as Evil against the naive, innocent and hence good Obama. This is about sending the most capable person to this most difficult of jobs and I'd rather have someone who can fight tactically and tenaciously to get something like healthcare reform passed, than someone who speaks in generalities of hope and change and doesn't even see a punch coming.

I felt Mr. Edward was a strong debator, but I also saw the race issue taking center stage, not the enourmous problems this great counrty is going though. I've not heard what I feel this counrty needs to hear for are better welfare. A strong America is needed not a divided one. Our enemies are enjoying this and laughing. I've serve our counrty, I have a nephew that has been in the war zone four times, and currently there, I have cousins who have serve this great nation, yet I hear little about this war in these debates, 'LITTLE", its so sad. Yet I feel a new face is needed for our great counrty. Not because he is a African American, but because he can't do no worst than the last three commander-in-chiefs. He may be able to turn this great nation around, God I don't know, but I will be given Mr. Obama my vote. Am a indepenent, who believe we do need this " CHANGE" he is promising. I speak for myself as a Puerto Rican American and not for Latino America, but if in fact the Latino America is thinking there our to much African American repersentation, we need to stand up and be accounted for and not let the polls to do our talking, am not. Thank You.

Get a clue CNN. You all pamper to so-called undeciders so anyone who thinks they can get to participate in your "tests" or get to ask a question, or get a better seat in a debate will tell you they are undecided.

Last evening was a perfect example. Apparently, your testers all thought John Edwards won the debate, but they all came away saying they would vote for Obama. If they were truly undecided they would say they are going to give John Edwards a closer look.

By the way, I am undecided so can I sit in the front row during the California debate and ask a question to the candidates. I'd like to ask Obama what make of toothpaste he uses because he has such a lovely smile.

Interesting how CNN posted v.cifaldi&paul's comment, but takes forever to moderate posts that actually make sense.

i agree with curiosityhasme clinton an edwards need to team up an get obamaout of there he skips around questions an wont give a straight yes or no do we need that in the white house no we already have one in there like that now clinton an edwards will do our country more good than any of the candiates runnin

Barack Obama did an EXCELLENT job of hitting back on the Clintons who have been bullying him for weeks. He was sharp and authoriative, allowed Hillary to be the shrill shrew that is her nature and he was able to demonstrate some remarkable wit. John Edwards made himself relevant in the election again and this will be an important moment for him.

To all of the Obama supporters who were worried Obama might not be able to stand up to attacks, Obama showed he can. Plus he demonstrated one thing Hillary is not: a willing to truly and honestly reach across the aisle to his Republican colleagues and get things done. Hillary will just continue to fight the same old battles of the 1990s. It's time to move on and Barack Obama showed he is the man to do the job.

I welcome an Obama/Edwards ticket... Hillary will make a great LBJ as Senate Majority Leader.

Think about the general election not the primaries no President can win without the south and Independents .Most Dem win the urban and big states only to lose the delegates to smaller states. Right now the Dem are their on worst enemy.

I found Hillary Clinton shrill, caustic, abrasive, whiny and not worth my vote and her behaviour was not becoming someone seeking the most powerful office on earth. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and she sure comes across as a scorned woman in these debates.

Roger Conway...since you are a supporter of Hilary...I would say that you answer is childesh given the Clinton machine twist puts spin on everthing......People vote for who you think is best...and Clinton is not one of them.

Edwards was silly, snaky and very forceful …Even so he was saying good stuff but his foundation is weak something is clearly missing under the heels of Edwards. I can not put it in words but it's obvious. Either Hillary or Edwards can overcome the Republican in November. Hillary needs to be broken and learn true wisdom that make one a true leader. Obama appears to be more honest. I am not White American or African American . This is my opinion. As a citizen of the United States and as a NPA …I will not ever vote for Edwards or Clinton. America is very emotional!

Hilary was in command. Obama, as usual did not handle the tough questions... his health care plan is inadequate, he skirted the question about his "present votes" in Illinois, and like it or not he is running against both Hilary and Bill. President Clinton will be an enormous rersource for Hilary and the American people, when she is in the White House.

She can always get her Chinese Walmart job back.

Get a Grip!

It's about time Barack Obama showed some backbone. After being pinned in the corner by the double team match-up of Hillary and Bill Clinton over the last two weeks, he came out swinging. I was once a Hillary fan, but now I'm voting for Obama. I didn't think he would be able to stand up to the Republican candidate. I say, Keep fighting back Obama, do not let the Clinton's define who you are, strike back fast and fierce.

Obama did a great job of deconstructing the completely false accusations made by Billary.

All the Clintons have left at this point is to distort the facts, but Barack did a great job at countering those false accusations.

They should have a "people-meter" for people like me who used to have a boatload of respect for Bill Clinton. You'd see it going down, down, down every time he opens his mouth to spread lies and distortions about Obama.

Roger .

Obama isnt ready to be president. However, as we have seen with George Bush, it doesnt necessarily mean he will LOSE .

What was the purpose of declining Dennis Kucinich the
opportunity to participate in this debate?
Does anyone have an answer?
Why can't this man get heard ?

thank you.

I honestly feel that people who said that Obama won this debate did not watch it. I am an educated Black male and was laughing the whole time b/c of the fight that Obama started and got bodyslammed in. TO ALL OF YOU WHO DID NOT WATCH, OBAMA (YES OBAMA) started the fireworks and it backfired in the worst way. Obama clearly does not have the weight to yet. The fact that he voted PRESENT on setting a cap for all credit card companies troubles me. Now b/c of that vote there is no limit as to where they can raise them. My prayer is that America will wake up and do her research or we are in for 4-8 more years of Bush-like reign.

A point for all the Obama supporters – he has been just as nasty as the Clintons in some of his campaigning either through surrogates or others means – just witness the TV ad (sponsored by Obama's stooges in the Culinary Workers Union) aired in Nevada that targeted Latinos.

The ironic thing is that Obama has had a relatively easy ride not only from the press but from the Clintons themselves. If he thinks it is bad now then it is nothing compared to the barrage of mud-slinging that the Republicans will indulge in if he is the candidate. It is also why the Republican press are deliberately playing up his chances as they feel that Obama will wilt under a relentless onslaught by their gutter operators such Limbaugh.

As the old saying says – if you can't stand the heart get out of the kitchen.

As to the VP nominee – I believe that a Clinton/Obama ticket would trounce any Republican ticket. But unless there is a swift change of tack by both candidates I can't see that happening – going by last night's debate that possibility seems even more remote.

It seems clear to me that Edwards is now running for VP and almost certainly as part of a Clinton ticket. He knows he is unlikely to be selected by Obama as it would mean the democratic slate only had 10 years senatorial experience between them. That possibility has been somewhat confirmed by recent events with Edwards supporters in Nevada transferring to Clinton and Edwards himself attacking Obama for the first time in the campaign.

If Obama wins he has to go for an experienced VP nominee – Bill Richardson being the prime candidate – he ticks all the right boxes when it comes to experience, personality and background – a vote-winner when it comes to the Latino vote. The ironic thing is if Clinton wins and cannot stand the thought of Obama as VP then Richardson should be her choice too!!

After watching the debate I can see clearly that Obama is NOT ready to become president. He acted like a spoiled kid when Hillary stood upto to him, his record does need to be questioned and if the media won't do it the Clintons should, I liked how he whined like a puppy when Hillary held her ground with him. Edwards also put Obama to the test & if you noticed Obama became defensive when this happened. I'll bet as soon as it was over he was on the phone to Jim Clyburn crying about how he was treated. His answers are not complete and his statements about unity & change are empty and have no substance....If Obama could not handle the heat from the Dems he will freak out if the GOP gets a hold of him. If Obama is elected president or is the nominee we will be dealing with the race card forever.I hope the black people of SC were not blind to Obama but from the applause he received after his attacks etc they seemed to like what is stands for if so & he is the nominee they will have to suffer with the rest of us ...Black or white I would not vote for him. I was very impressed with John Edwards I think this debate gave him a real opportunity to show his intelligence & knowledge of what is going on with our country.

Hillary "won" 3 out of 4 states, yet Obama still has more delegates. And so far, out of the Clinton camp, we've had allegations of voting machine fraud in one state, allegations of voter intimidation in another, and a lawsuit over previously agreed to caucus sites in a third. And this is only 4 states into the primary.

Now tonight she says she wants to force everybody to buy healthcare even if they can't afford it.

Hillary is so divisive. She cannot win a general election.

HIllary was as knowledgeable and confident as a true leader. I think that more and more we see that OBAMA IS NOT READY to be president. He refuses to take tough stances on key issues, and when called on it, he tries to find convoluted explanations for his "present" and other skewered votes in the senate (IL & US).

Guys, it takes more than talk to be President of the United States. HILLARY is way ahead of this field. John Edwards comes in second, Obama needs more training. I can almost envisage a preachy, woozy-wobble Obama trying to get America to "change" when he himself is unsure what "change" it is that he is asking of us!

GO HILLARY !

GRET Job Hillary. I know it had to be hard for you to debate in SC where most of the audience was black and thanks to Obama is against you now and thinks your a racist. He thought he would put you in place, but it was you who put him back in the corner where he belongs.

GO HILLARY 08!!

please you crack me up. you were never on hillary side to begin with. YOu are Obama supporter. Obama did nothing spectacular last night other than looked weathered, tired, stuttered most of the time. He started the he said she said garbage.
_____________________________________________________
Jen January 22, 2008 12:29 am ET

Until tonight I was a huge supporter of Hillary but Obama handle most of the questions with grace and dignity, and I have now switched sides. I was quite impressed.

John Edwards did much better than I expected, I have a new found respect for him although his plans to withdraw all combat troops within the first year seems naive. One thing is certain if any of these candidates becomes president, our country would be in a much better state.

Hillary "won" 3 out of 4 states, yet Obama still has more delegates. And so far, out of the Clinton camp, we've had allegations of voting machine fraud in one state, allegations of voter intimidation in another, and a lawsuit over previously agreed to caucus sites in a third. And this is only 4 states into the primary.

Hillary is so divisive. She cannot win a general election.

What was this – the 27th debate already? zzzzz - look the point is Edwards has no shot and every repub in DC and the country for that matter HATE Hill and will oppose anything and everything she tries to put thru if she is our next prez. If you want 4 more yrs of partisian gridlock shes your candidate. Obama does not have the past/excess baggage and the repubs tho they may disagree with some of his views will have to take a fresh look at him. Use your head folks if you want a change.

Still independent, but John Edwards has me leaning his way after last night. It's a 3 person race but the media seems to portray it as a Clinton/Obama matchup. Give the man equal headlines and equal time!

I don't understand people basing their vote on who the media thinks will win...

Vote for the candidate who best represents your values and will fight for you.

In my case, after his outstanding debate last night, that's Senator John Edwards.

Let's all remember that Obama and Clinton agreed to stop the mud slinging but Obama was the first in the debate to to sling the mud!!!!!!!!
And Edwards did good!

I'm independent, after last night I'm leaning more towards Edwards. God, can't believe I said that. maybe I'll just vote Republican again.

Well, I guess I would prefer to get things back on track, It's the ECONOMY STUPID, and if you can not handle that, then it's the WAR DUMMY.

Start attacking 8 years of incompetent helmsman ship that has steered the nation to brink, and stop this petty in house fighting. If Obama and Hillary can not learn to play nice, I will be throughing in behind Edwards.

And Amy the reason that we were saddled with Bush for 8 years has nothing to do with President CXlinton administration, it does have to do with right wing fanatics and a Superme Court that decided to hand the election to a loser.

As a Republican I can say right wing fanatics, because Bush does not and never has spoken for true Republicans.

My take on the debate.

1. John Edwards - but it's like a 'NOT PRESENT' vote since he's really not a viable candidate. Maybe VP?

2. Hillary – She'll eat you alive Obama. Don't even bother to attack her. Too smart.

3. Obama – Frustrated and stammered too much on questions like: How will you pay for this plan and why are you leaving so many out of that plan?

Senator Clinton was just pandering. She keeps using MLK reference like she knows the struggle. I was waiting for her to use her southern twang. This is one plastic woman who can not answer a straight question. I think Obama used words to the effect towards her that she goes after the “uneducated voters”. He right but what the Clinton war machine did not factor in was that * years when Mr. Clinton left office not everybody has computers and internet and was only force to watch CNN. Today is different and the Clinton’s can’t combat that so they smear the other candidates. Obama look good and said nothing at the end and Edwards will soon be out of money. No Winners not even Wolfe

Base Man
Go t o Fact Check and watch what happened at the Harkin barbecue. Maybe you
didn't notice but every one on stage had their backs to the flag. Cannot believe
this pledge allegiance thing has not been put to rest. Guess you just received the
email.

Edwards presents the issues well, with solutions, first. Then they are picked up by Hilary and Obama, as if they were their own. He also wins debates without getting votes. I am losing confidence in the electorate. If Clinton and Obama have to take their ideas from Edwards, they cannot be as smart as they keep getting credit for by the media–how are they going to lead the country?

watched a bit of debate last night and was pleased to see the Democrats for the first time really get to the issues and try and show their differences.

I think Hilary & Obama both have something going for them and could easily form a double team to win the White House...

Hilary Pres & Obama as VP to beat the republicans.

But the focus should be on who can best beat a rep candidate and reclaim the White House.

i just think the average American is not ready to ready to have the first African American president. But with 8 years experience as VP he could build up the experience and people can get to know him.
Go Hilary Go Obama

HILLARY PROVED SHE IS READY AN WILL BE ON DAY ONE THE OTHER TWO TELL ME AGAIN WHY THEY ARE EVEN RUNING ....OH THEY NEED JOBS... GOT HILLAR? WE DO . FEEL THE DOLLAR GETTING STRONG ALREADY LOL LOVEIN IT GO HILLARY WE LOVE YOU CANT WAIT TO VOTE IN TN.........WE KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS HERE FIRST LADY ..... WE WILL NEVER FORGET AS THE SC PEEPS ARE DOING JUST WHAT YOU AN BILL MEAN TO US .. AND THE REST OF THIS NATION GOD BLESS YOU .......

I love how analysts are talking about how Edwards is still in the race and making a comeback, but still end their articles by asking who the reader thinks will win; Clinton or Obama. I think the only thing that will force the media to give Edwards much needed attention is for some controversy. Media outlets are the real reason why this is turning in to a woman vs. African American campaign; Edwards is the best candidate by far.

To all you Obama supporters, HE WILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT.

Also, it seems there are more Obama supporters who are dividing the Democratic party than there are Clinton. Most Obama supporters (who are Democrat) say they will either not vote or will vote Republican if Hillary Clinton wins the nomination. That is just ridiculous to say! This is exactly why there will be another Republican in the White House in 2009!

As a true Democrat, I am supporting Hillary Clinton right now because I think she is the best choice. However, if Obama somehow should win the nomination, I'd get over Hillary's loss and support him so the Democrats don't lose the White House again.

I guess maybe the Republican's are right, the Democrats are dividers! Though I agree on very little with the Republican's... at least they stay united, no matter what. Perhaps this is why they always win.

My scoring of the debates is:

Obama, because he withstood his ground with the questions asked to him from CNN analyst.
Clinton, because she always brings out her views in depth ness.
Edwards, I feel like he is lacking in all areas. I definitely don't think that Edwards has what it takes to lead this nation.

Who ever host the next Democratic debate, please ask questions of the candidates that matters to the America people. It is the media who is fueling this anger among Obama and Clinton. And certainly Mr. Bill Clinton is not helping the issue to die out. If there happen to be (he said, & she said) comments made during the course of the campaign please leave it at the campaign level and not bring those issues to the debates. We can read about them everyday, no need to waste precious air time slandering each other. We need a Democrat in the White House, and with all the bickering about nothing, something will go lacking and that I might say will be the America people.

Clearly....we see how quickly Miss Congeniality can become vicious-and Mr. Obama showed he isn't above "slime throwing".

All in all...the only candidate who actually presented the stature we've come to expect from a President–was John Edwards. Even when the others attempted to attack him–he remained calm and exerted logical responses–without getting overly emotional or attacking.

He really shined.

I was particularly proud of his stance on the current plan to "put rapid injection of money into the economy"....creating "tax incentives" for energy savings, injecting start up money into the communities to fund creation, technology, research, and sustainment of environmnental business opporunities–may not be as quick–but will show more return on the investment–than a one time windfall spent in the retail market.

this sounds like the most fiscally irresponsible thing our government could do. Borrowing money (or in the case of the government-printing) money to stimulate the economy by giving it to citizens so they can spend it at Wal-Mart–is insane. Thats like budgeting so poorly you have to use your credit card to pay your house payment!!! If this would be an unwise thing to do in the household budget–why does anyone believe it will be a good thing for the government budget?

After watching the debates and reading these blogs. I'm convinced. Nothing can be said to change some peoples positions. The issues were overshadowed by personal differences. Obama was first on the attack. My answer to that is something I've taught my children, "do not write a check your ass can't cash". which is what Obama did. Edwards just looked dumbfounded, I like Edwards, however, he tends to get too personal. He likes to bring one particular persons name into each issue. Hillary is ready for anything that is thrown at her, Obama seem to hum-ha. His present vote was not answered. How will he drive down cost for health care? Is he going to ask them pretty please, lower your rates. I'm a really nice guy and would really like to help people. Life has shown me nice guys finish last. How much will he be willing to concede to unite. Politics is a give and take, an experienced politician takes more then they give. Will he pocket veto rather veto? He could always say he misplaced the bill. Maybe he jumped into this race now because he knows he won't get re-elected to another term as Senator in Illinois. Tried and true, that is Hillary Clinton. Stand up and be counted, that is Hillary Clinton. Take it on the chin, that is Hillary Clinton. Obama sidesteps or diverts the topic at hand and preaches to us. Join hands and love one another is a feel good notion. I wish we could do that but, I live in the real world

baseman,
not only are you a liar, but you probably work for one of theses campaigns, I bet you never had the honor to wear the uniform, I'm a combat wounded veteran and I did fight for this flag.....so please stop spreading these untruths, it's a waste of time anyhow, because no matter what people say everyone who is going to vote knows who they are voting for already and no one on these blogs are going to change anyones mind, and if you think you are you're kidding yourself.

The only person really that has had sense enough to be in the White House has been Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

Well, I tuned into the debate for about 5 minutes folks. I saw the bitter bickering, and immediately tuned OUT. I am sick to death of this sort of political debate. I do not want to hear he said/she said..........or what wasn't said. If you ask me, it's the same-o, same-o politics that have gotten our country in the predicament that it is in today. I hope people see through the facade and pandering that these politicians seem to think we as Americans want. This is not the sort of Government I want to see............if any of these Democrats are elected into office, I fear bigger government. That is not what the country needs. We have way too much Governmental interference in our lives as it is.

Jen which debate were you watching.

Obama – "er . .um . .er. .um . ."

not just once or twice but throughout the debate.

It looks to me as Mr Style Over Substance has been found out big time.

I watched the SC debate with great interest–best one I've seen so far for a realistic insight into candidates' personalities and potential directions of their term as president. A registered Republican, I was reluctantly considering voting for a Democrat–not now. It appears I am not black, poor, homeless, or uninsured enough to have any of these candidates be my choice. They need to consider the "whole" country, not just the disadvantaged. This country is in serious trouble and band-aid fixes just won't work.

Obama must be the only visionary who does not actually tell you:

(a) what that vision is

and

(b) how that vision is to be achieved.

One thing the debate showed is that if it comes to a fight then Clinton is a pitbull – something that is increasingly necessary in light of US foreign policy.

In Clinton I see someone who would stand up for American interests abroad – Obama I seriously have doubts.

Sen Clinton's personal attacks, and dirt smearing on Sen Obama have lost her my vote, i want my party to be about the issues, and she can not seem to have a debate without getting into the gutter and trying to discredit somebody that is having Democrats turn out in record levels all across the country.

I though John Edwards did well tonight, he stayed above the petty bickering, but as he is probably out of the race, my vote will go to Sen Obama, i beleive he can lead our country out of this darkness and unite us for a better future.

I offer my thoughts from across the pond, and in the early hours of this morning I watched the debate.

I am not a betting man, but if I was I would suggest that we saw the next President speaking last night. As to which one of the three, well that is down the American people.

We need to understand that debating sometimes gets heated and personal. i would agree that it is not nice to see, but after the event you realise that a bit of passion will get more done than sticking a knife in slowly.

You do not necessarily like to like someone to respect them, and in Obama and Clinton, that seems to be the case.

As a Brit, i don't have a vote, but if I did I would back Obama totally, as he is the best candidate to unify within your country, and unify your country again within the world.

I find it strange to see a country with rich diversity and culture playing ping pong with the Clinton and Bush families.

Live the dream again and let us once again look up to you – VOTE OBAMA, as you may not get a better chance.

I agree. Edwards did much better than I expected. I'm still leaning towards Obama. Because the bottom line is the country needs real leadership and it isn't going to happen without the results of the Democrats, Independents and Republicans joining behind a single candidate.

As much as I know Senator Clinton wants to be President – she's got the highest negative rating even within her own party. After 8 years of George Bush, the last thing we need is someone divisive to tear what is left of us apart. Perhaps she is well-meaning – but that doesn't mean she's entitled to the job. And her "experience" put our men and women in Iraq but has done nothing to get them out. Does she honestly think the families of those individuals should have to wait another year?

And does she honestly think that having her counterparts vote "yes" to the last funding bill mean they are pro-war? I assumed it meant they didn't want to leave our soldiers – our warriors – over there without adequate funds and equipment to do their job.

If she's going to show leadership – then do it now.

But right now-the country needs to be inspired to put its collective talent together for the common good. We don't need a divisive dictator – we need a charismatic leader who can inspire. That may have been "Bill." But it's not his wife. When Hilary was winning, it was kumbaya all over the map. Now that she's got competition – the real personality comes out.

No thanks. I'm a woman. I want a woman in the White House. But for now – it has to be the right one, or no one, and she doesn't strike me as someone who will share power. She and her husband didn't even support their Vice President's run for office.

A ticket with Obama and Edwards would make me giddy. I'll wait for a woman and we can recruit Claire McCaskill – someone who has already demonstrated her ability to earn respect on both sides of the aisle.

Says our Missouri Senators in trying to decide who to endorse – Hilary is hard to work with. Obama has more respect in the Senate.

To me – that's what important for a leader – someone who can get the parties to start working on the common good. Mrs. Clinton has continuously demonstrated that she doesn't have that skill.

Ugh ugh ugh. I thought that Bush's TV addresses with that moronic smug look on his face was bad; this was worse. Can we just erase the whole field and start over? President Dobbs is beginning to sound good to me.

Clinton first, Edwards 2nd and Obama last.

I don't trust Obama plain and simple. He is not the answer for America right now. And no experience.. do we really want that?

Edwards impressed me very much last night as being most level headed and clear thinking.

Clinton has the guts and the head with Foreign Policy actions.. and experienice too.

I have to say its a pity there can be only one of thes candidates in office. Any of them is so much more in touch with reality than the Republicans whose attempts to re-position after the greatest disaster of presidency are laughable.

America's problesm are really too tough for any one party or person to deal with which is why I'm an Obama supporter. What we need is a transformational presidency who isn't content to squeek by with 50.1% of the vote, but actually wants to pickup independents and moderates, and yes even disaffected Republicans, and there are many who are waking up from the last seven years with the biggest Bush hangover imaginable.
The key is the next Dem candidate needs a mandate, something I don't think Clinton can get on her own. It's no good if another Clinton gets into power for 1 term and causes even more divisions and retrenches the weakened but still powerful and consolidated Murdoch Media. If she over-reaches as she will inevitably do she will alienate many of the voters, and ruin the historic opportunity Dems have now. She will defnitely follow Pelosi's lead in inspiring much and accomplishing little as time goes on. And if she loses to a Repulican we will be in much the same position we are in now. Only Obama can truly change the system and make the Republican attacks dogs spin their wheels and expose themselves for the fear mongering fools they are. Plus the added bonus, in any Debate with McCain, think Nixon-JFK- Game over we win. Hillary's experience and high negatives will turn a gimme into a nail biter, only she can snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Again electibility is key, I appreciate Edwards comments on this but he has been so busy running for president ever since 04' instead of getting back into power, how about Elizabeth Dole's seat? Where he could have worked on the issues he cares about instead of living in Iowa and trying his hand again.
As for the Clinton why not majority leader, its more effective than being a bunkered presidency. Hell put BIll in as Obama's Secretary of State and we have it made, Hillary to bust legislation through in the Senate, Bill to fly around the world doing damage control and at least taking his philandering ways out of washington and into exotic locations!

I thought Hillary was great!! I thought her responses were honest and genuine. She seemed relaxed and for the first time in all of the debates honestly enjoying herself and happy. Obama was serious and intense. barely answered some very important policy questions, but was pushed very hard this evening from both Clinton and Edwards. The differences in the three was VERy apparent tonight. In my opinion, Edwards was the star of the debate!!! I hope he is our next President. He was AWESOME!

Jen, I have serious reservations about Hillary Clinton being a good President but I agree with you that either Obama or Edwards would make a good President. The problem I have with Clinton is her lack of experience and her attempts to connect her record to that of her husband's in an effort to appear as though she would be more prepared to be President on day-one. The one comment I found most amusing is how she claims that Republicans have been coming after her for 16 years. It seems to me that this is a bit narcissistic since her elective experience is recent and I don't think Republicans spend much time concerning themselves with people who have no vote on legislation. I'm sure they went after her husband on more then one occasion because he posed a real threat to their agenda but I don't think it correct for say, Michelle Obama, to say that Hillary Clinton has been coming after her since her husband started to run for office.

There's every indication that Hillary Clinton suffers from a form of narcissism. She seems to think everything revolves around her and seems to not care about how her actions and words affect others or make them feel. She has made very horrible comments about people who are sincere in their beliefs and makes hasty generalizations about them. The one thing I like about Obama is his abilty to work in a bipartisan manner and to recognize that Republicans are good people too and what I dislike most about Clinton is her demonizing men and women who have families, children and loved ones who care deeply about them simply because they don't share her political views.

If elected, the only way Hillary Clinton will be able to get anything accomplished is if Democrats control the majority of the House and Senate and the Republicans don't have the ability to filibuster otherwise they will eat her up and spit her out as a way to get back at her for every mean-spirited thing she has said about them. On the other hand Obama has already formed relationships with Republicans in the Senate and has demonstrated an ability to work in a bipartisan manner and has never denounced all Republicans.

It is true that Clinton is trying to appeal to partisan Democrats in an effort to win the primary but in so doing she is burning the bridges necessary for a good President (and absolutely essential for a great one) and building up for 4 more years of partisanship. If that is what her supporters want then they are free to vote for her but I know that I don't want 4 more years of partisanship and will be voting for Obama because he can work in a bi-partisan manner. John Edwards is able to do more in this area then Clinton was well. He may not be able to work in as bipartisan of a manner as Obama but he at least hasn't burned all bridges between himself and Republicans, Independts and many Democrats. On the other hand not only has Clinton offended a lot of Republicans and lost the votes of lot of Independents she has also lost the support of many Democrats who would whether not vote then to vote for her.

John Edwards was great.

Hillary did EXACTLY what she planned... sink the debate (as well as the whole political stage) into a mudslinging muck designed to twist, spin, turn and confuse. I distrust her immensely. Immensely. And, I am extremely disappointed that she can ONLY make "points" by pulling typical Clinton stunts, rather than on her own merit.

I was impressed with Obama tonight.

Edwards was the clear winner of this debate. It is extremely annoying that the press and tv media deliberately ignore and exclude Edwards in most of their political coverage. He is the only one who realizes that the insurance companies must go so that health care for all will be affordable for the country. He is also the only one who has workable solutions to the other problems we face. He will also get us out of this stupid war faster than the others. There are still too many people in this country who (no matter how important it is that they vote in the actual election) will not vote for a woman (or at least this woman) or a minority candidate (especially one vunerable to Republicans calling him Osama or accusing him of being a Muslim) so Edwards seems to be the only candidate, at this point, who can beat the Republicans. I will work for and vote for the Democractic nominee regardless of who it is. Unfortunately, all Democrats won't. We must win this time around for the sake of our country, its people and the rest of the world. .

Edwards won the debate, hands down...and I'm no big Edwards supporter. It makes me wonder where the candidate I saw in last night's debate has been all this long while.

It was clear from Obama's first repsonse to the first question (regarding the economy) that he was going after Clinton last night. He couldn't resist mentioning her in what should have been HIS answer, needling her, accusing her.

Other things I learned from the debate:

Obama is not the only one who did charitable work right out of college. Hillary worked for the Children's Defense Fund, though she hasn't exploited her service there nearly as much as Obama has. He trots out his past "community organizing" like it's the equivalent of working for the Peace Corps or something,

Obama took a pass on voting for a bill HE WROTE while in the Illinois legislature, because he says it was flawed; he was hoping it would fail or it would be rewritten. SURPRISE – it passed without him and is still on the books in Illinois. (This despite his accusing Clinton of doing the same thing in the past in the Senate, where she voted "yes" on a bill he thinks should have gotten a "no"...a measure that he AGAIN didn't bother to vote at all on.) I'll say it: what a complete fantasy his supposed superiority is on this point!

Edwards has quite a sense of humor.

Clinton can give as good as she gets.

Both Clinton and Obama have that way of holding their palms up (stop-sign-like) to those who wish to contradict them...very pedantic, even arrogant. It's like they're saying, "Hold on. Take a step back while my superior intellect comes into play here." Yuck. A pox on both their houses.

Hillary Clinton keeps talking about being the best candidate to lead the United States on the very first day of becoming elected. What about the other (4 x 365) – 1 days? dont they also have to be considered. Would we vote Hilary because of a one-day-stand?

I would be happy with any of these candidates tonight as commander and chief.

Toinight just goes to show you how important it is to show up at the polls and vote a democrat back into office and bring this country back from the hole the Republicans put us in. Let's make this a true democracy once again!!!

Victoria, "I am a Hillary supporter but I do agree John Edwards did a really good job tonight. He called Obama out on his NO vote to cap credit cards because Obama did not like the rate and John said well if you voted NO than there is no cap..Hello meaning the rate could be higher."

Obama's explanation of his vote was accurate and John Edwards was trying to twist it. He made a valid point in saying that there wasn't any discussion of the issue and that no discussion had been had about it in committee. The difference between Obama, Edwards and Clinton often comes down to how they legislate and how they lead. Obama wants to deal with real issues, focus on positive legislation and work in a bi-partisan manner to get things done. 30% is to high and to have it passed in the manner that Clinton and Edwards supported sets a precedent that legislation shouldn't be discussed, reviewed and refined.

You are wrong when you say that "Hillary showed that Obama voted PRESENT on many important issuesand John drove home the point that you vote present because you don't want to make hard choices that may come back to haunt you. But as President there is no voting Present…."

But there is a "present" vote in Illinois and Obama was correct when he said there is a major difference between the Illinois system and how Congress does things. Voting presence in Illinois means that you support the bill but have issues with a portion of the bill and wish for it to be worked out in committee. That Edwards and Clinton do not understand this indicates their general lack of experience in how state legislatures work. It is a misrepresentation to say that you vote "present" because you don't want to make hard choices. In Illinois you vote "present" because you do want to make hard choices and don't want the bill defeated and instead want to see it pass in modified form. John and Hillary's basic argument was "you should either vote in favor of passing a bill that needs to be modified and improved or vote against a good bill that should be passed with a few minor modifications." Obama's argument was just the opposite. Of course, you feel the other way and believe "vote yes even though it could be better" or "vote no on a good bill." That is simply outrageous and doesn't make sense. It shows that both Clinton and Edwards lack the experience to lead and legislate.

Furthermore, "As for the heated exchange Obama is the one who attack Hillary first by saying she was no the board at Walmart. She defended herself. Obama sugar coated his friendship with Reko.. He did not just do five hours of work for him. He also made 650,000 on a real estate deal to buy his house which was shady…. Clinton/Edwards"

Clinton has been attacking Obama from the start as has her husband Bill Clinton and her supporters including you. I could easily respond in as nasty a manner as you have but I don't want to scoop to your level but I will say that I am fed up with it. Also, Obama was responding to an attack on his record when he pointed out that he was working in neighborhoods helping people while Clinton was serving on the board of Wal-Mart. This is a valid point. All I can say is that "if this is how Democratic supporters of Clinton behave then she has lost this Democrats vote even if she wins the nomination because I would whether not vote if it means choosing the lessor of two evils." Now, my advice to you, Victoria, is stop being a mean-spirited person and stop insutling good people and supporting a candidate who is rude, arrogant and as mean-spirited as you. I am offened by all of your comments and by Clinton and I am sick and tired of this nonsense from her and her campaign including the average Americans who support her. It is people like you who elect people like her.

I am a NP CA voter and I am delighted to finally see a better list of candidates to face the republicans in the next election as I find no TRUST so far in any of the republican candidates except for McCain. I admire the ability of making the best of any debate as John Edwards did in the NC debate. I believe we are heading for some real fun in this election and the first time we get to see a diversed participation. Obama, is really great in speaking, I am concerned he can actually convince and perform once in WA but; so far, he is causing a stir for which most of us the voters are delighted to see and admire. Clinton, comes too selfish but with vast knowledge… Edwards, probably the best VP for the two front runners; I would also give Edwards #1 in this debate; I agree the squabbling DOES NOT help!

Honestly, I am getting sick of the bickering between the candidates. There is not very much difference between the candidates, so I understand they have to highlight issues such as character, consistency, and experience. But when you go on stage and and sling mud for 2 hours you are not doing anything but dividing individuals.

For that reason, and that reason alone, I believe JOHN EDWARDS won that debate. He did not get caught in the arguing.

However, I need to say something. Since the last 2 days of New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton has been playing the sensitive woman, while Bill Clinton has been on an almost constant assault of Barack Obama. Instead of focusing solely on his campaign, Obama has had to clarify "half-truths" set out by Bill Clinton and other Clinton supporters over the past weeks. At least if the media scrutinized Obama, the attacks would be fair.

Finally, I am sick of this whole idea of "race". Obama has avoided it and never used it to bolster votes. Even if he tried, it would just make people hate him more. Race was avoided until HILLARY CLINTON brought it up in reference to Martin Luther King. However, Hillary uses women to save her time and time again. What kind of crap is "No women should be illegal?" (Yes, she actually said in Nevada.)

Hillary Clinton operates on the assumption that exposure equates experience. It does not. This is not to deny that she doesn't have some White House experience, but certainly not to the point of lauding it over Mr. Obama, Mr. Edwards, or any of the other main candidates. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards are all experienced leaders; all three have definitive plans for our country. But tonight's discourse raises the issue of perspective.

It is often said that one cannot see the forest for the trees. The campaign strategies used by the Clintons over the last two weeks are reflective of those living in the forest of the political past. It reflects a candidacy that sees the glass as half empty. Sniping at the opposition and labeling the opposition by race, gender, or ethnicity is old style politics.

Obama stands on the edge of the forest with a fresh perspective that promotes change through citizen evolvement, unification, and hope. Although he had to defend himself, he continued in tonight's debate to make a sincere effort to make his argument for his candidacy, while refraining from personal attacks.

Clinton represents past; Obama represents the future. and the future is now!

i LIKETHE CLINTONS BUT hILLARY HAS THIS AIR, THAT SHE HAS THE ONLY RIGHT TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN THIS MUCH EXCITMENT SINCE the1960 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. I LIVED THROUGH THE DAYS OF SEGREGATION AND ACTIVELY MARCHED AND PROTESTED IN CHARLESTON, SC.. IT'S SAD THAT WE HAVE REGRESSED AND SO MANY STILL DOUBT OBAMAS'S QUALIFICATIONS.

I DID NOT GET CAUGHT UP WITH THE RANTINGS OF THE PRIMARIES RECENTLY BUT SINCE 2004 I'VE READ, WATCHED MANY NEWS ACCOUNTS AND READ CURRENT EVENTS BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

THE ATTEMPT TO USE AN ATTACK ON AMERICA TO SCARE UP VOTES, OR HILLARY IS READY TO START OFF DAY ONE IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH. BILL MAYBE, HUH?

I AM NOT VOTING MY RACE, BUT OBAMA IS JUST AS QUALIFIED AND MORE CAN UNITE THIS COUNTRY AND CONVERSE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

A PROUD AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN & OVER 60

I've never "blogged" before, but after viewing tonight's debate, I felt compelled to do so. It's a sort of "average American" observation and commentary on the events. I'm a white female, registered Democrat, and an LDS. My long-term partner is a black male, registered Republican, and Baptist, so one can imagine the political debates we have. Both of us are leaning toward Barack Obama, for his positions on the issues, his ability to clearly state his positions, and for the attitude of positive, progressive change for our country that Obama represents. Both of us are weary of the recent squabbles that border on personal. It would be preferable to hear true debate – a candidate stating his or her position or plan regarding an issue, a defense of the position or plan, supported by facts, and a clear, viable strategy for implementing the position or plan. We need to be able to judge the merits of one position versus the merits of another, and how it will realistically benefit the citizens of our country, both individually and as a whole. The issues need to be relevant – health care, the economy, both nationally and globally, education, achieving socio-economic equality for all, the environment, strengthening our infrastructure, domestic crime and international terrorism – all quality of life issues that boil down to the questions of what and how are you going to make my life better, how are you going to ensure I have the tools necessary to feed, clothe, shelter, educate, care for, and protect myself, my family, and my community? These are the fundamental questions I believe most citizens ask, and want answered by the candidates. If there is going to be criticism, let it be on the merits, or lack thereof, of the relevant issues.

Imagine my surprise and delight to see John Edwards not participate in tonight's squabbles, instead taking the opportunity to voice his positions and concerns in a straightforward and sincere manner. I agree with tds1273, in that Obama and Edwards appear to share similar views on the issues, and that both express those views passionately and sincerely. At this point, even though I believe Barack Obama is the best candidate for the Democratic nominee, I would have to agree with Gil from California in his scoring of tonight's debate regarding John Edwards.

Gee, why would the media focus on John Edwards equally with Clinton and Obama? When CNN and other media giants are the ones that control the playing fields from which our canadaites pitch to us from, so they can sell more products and air time for the huge corporate conglomerates that Edwards vows to take on.....Such as the ones that OWN CNN and the other major media networks.

It's about time! I am so glad to FINALLY see them (Hillary & John) hold Barack accountable for his record. Although I think John won the debate, I think Hillary and John came on hard on Obama which shed some light on his views and records that has never been questioned. The frustration was showing on Obama when he couldn't answer some of Hillary's questions on his record or John's attack of him too. He completely went around the "slum lord" remark from Hillary.

Way to go Hillary! Way to go John! American's finally get to see what he's all about!You just can't run America on hopes and dreams, but on experience, hopes and dreams!

I say Edwards won tonight and he won my vote too.

While I think all three of the candidates are attactive in some capacity – I think John is the most attractive on the issues I believe in and seems the most sincere.

The fact he has pledged no lobbyist in his White House and that he does not take lobbyist money – speaks volumes. For a candidate that clearly needs money to keep up with these two powerhouse fundraisers – he is sticking to his beliefs before bowing before the all might dollar.

I feel he is the most trustworthy and consistent too.

Good luck John it will be a uphill battle.

Wow! Hillary is a strong woman. I found Obama to be hesitant, but more worrying than that, he seemed to misunderstand–several times–what had just been actually said by the other candidates when they were challenging him. This says to me that perhaps he doesn't deal well with confrontation, which may be part of why his platform is "unity." I would've preferred a debate a little less confrontational, myself, but I sure do want to see candidates who maintain their sense of reality under pressure. I hope Obama runs again in 8 years.

Edwards did wonderfully tonight.

Clinton/Edwards 2008 Head/Heart

Hillary did a great job. She was absolutely right to call out Obama on all the issues he's so vague on, and as John Edwards correctly pointed out, too, quite a few of the things Obama attacks Hillary for are things he constantly does himself. Obama may be a good candidate in about eight years when he gets a little more experience to back up his message. In the meantime, Hillary's my girl and I'll be proud to vote for her. Maybe she will pick Edwards for VP.

I am a 46 yr old 2nd generation Democrat,..a native of Phoenix. I have never missed an election from time I was eligible to vote in 1980 when Ronald Reagan ran for President.

I have absolutely no problem electing a deserving and forthright woman to become our President. Someone like Diane Feinstein or Condelezza Rice.

I have a huge problem with Hillary Clinton. It began in 1999 when she went to Palestine and sided with Yassar Arafat and ends with Hillary shamelessly using Bhuott’s death as cheap opportunity to soapbox herself as to what she would do with Afghanistan as President.

We United States are sensitive to both sides and I believe both sides need to be heard to be fair including Palestine. But we support Israel. But in November of 1999 while on a purported State visit to the Middle East ,..she listened to Yasser Arafat's wife Suha.

Suha Arafat made the deliberately false allegation that "Our [Palestinian] people have been submitted to the daily and intensive use of poisonous gas by the Israeli forces, which has led to an increase in cancer cases among women and children."

When Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Hillary was asked how she might respond to the situation in Afghanistan as President. She wasted no time denouncing President Pervez Musharraf's administration as a way to draw attention to herself.

The appropriate and courageous response would have been to completely refrain from that type of question and use her presence as a way of calling on our Country to offer sympathy and condolences to Benazir Bhutto’s 3 children: Bilawal, Bakhtwar, and Asifa.

But what bothers me the most isn’t that she told people that “We Are The President” when the FBI was searching for documents when her husband was President. (Referring to herself as President).

Rather than say what bothers me most about Hillary,..let me tell you what I like about Mitt Romney. I like the fact that Mitt Romney married his wife because he loved her. Not because she was a Rhodes Scholar and he felt she could help him get to the White House.

This does not mean I am voting for Mitt Romney. But I admire something that he has instilled in his heart and serves as an example to shine the light on something that Hillary does not and never will not ever have. Integrity.

Character. The clear fact of the matter is that Hillary would sell out her own mother to become President of the United States and that is character we don’t need in this country.

Sincerely,

T.J. Stulir
Mesa, Arizona

I just want to ask this question:
Who thought it ironic that the screen flashed DEMOCRATIC BLACK CAUCUS and then the leading sponsor is BURN CLEAN COAL?? Did anyone else find that unforunately humorous? I DID!!! VOTE REPUBLICAN, WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE!!

This is not about race or gender, but ability. Hillary has the ability to lead, she cares and would reach all Americans. We are not electing a president for the blacks only, but AMERICANS. The media is to blame for asking questions leading to race andgender all the time so as to blame Clinton. Stop doing that Wolf and the rest. Can't you learn from the past?
Hillary '08

I am still wondering why people don;t listen and watch when these candidates are asked questions. Hillary is always attacked for nothing and when she hit back then she is the bad one. I watched the whole debate, and the first person always to attack is OBAMA, come on now be fair to all people. Clinton knows her content Obama beats the bush all the time and never answers any question directly, why? because he has no substance. Hillary knows what she is talking about and ready to be our president on day one.
Clinton/Edwards '08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gerry,

What a wonderful analysis of what actually happened. Establishment Democrats have been wondering if Senator Obama could take a serious punch. He took them all and answering them with his classic counter punches.

I'm not a fan of the bickering either, but if Senator Obama would have just stood there like a deer in headlights, O'bamai...I would question his ability to take on the Republican nominee and his ability to take on our enemies.

He was getting hit from both sides tonight and he did well.

Smooth talking intelligent (I am going to be President Obama) stuck his big fat foot in is mouth tonight by throwing the first arrow directly between Hillary Clinton's eyes. That Walmart dig was uncalled for and just lowers Obama in the food chain to insignificant. It was a free for all after that, and I don't believe Clinton should have just stood there in a room full of African American's cheering Obama on, to take garbage like that. Second arrow through the skull was about Bill Clinton and his powerful image in the Black communities all over the USA–hey Michele Obama is one big old scarey spouse who speaks her mind also, so their even. My hope as a black woman living in the USA is that we keep the Republicans away from the White House–Obama and Clinton and Edwards play nice, and
Clinton/Edwards team for the P and VP. I don't trust Obama one bit, he is not experienced, and he acts so very young. He may have big hopes and big dreams for the USA, but it just isn't his time for what needs to be down in the White House.

I hope Obama suppters think about the General Election. Ma Caine will tear him apart with all the years and knowledge he has and Indepents will go to Ma Caine. Hillary can take him word for word and Ma Caine will be the one studdering.

My scoring of the debate:

1. Edwards
2. Edwards
3. Edwards

Edwards is by far the best person for president and deserves a lot more respect in this election than he's been getting. Are you serious about changing America? Then how can you not vote for Edwards?

Neither of these candidates have a clue. If ANY of these children get elected, we will be in for a long four years.

I think Edwards won the first half and Obama the second. Clinton just sounded petty and catty.

Obama really needed to show he can stand the heat and he did so royally tonight. For those of us who have been following every step of all candidates, he needed to respond to the Clintons who started the mudslinging when Hilliary lost Iowa. Obama was still contained after Iowa and rightfully so, but when Bill Clinton joined in the mudfight in Nevada, Obama really had to respond, and I am glad he did.

Unfortunately, a lot of comments here earlier tonight show that most have not followed the sequence of mudslinging and who started and who perpetuates it.
The same old politics, with the same old game, with the same old players must stop. The biggest decision for us as Americans is to stop the old guard and move this country forward. That's what Obama stands for. For those of you in doubt, please go to the websites of the 3 candidates way before Feb 5th and not just look at the debates. The issues of all 3 candidates are about 95% the same. We want the Democrats to win this time, so let's not lose sight of our priorities.

Obama is the only one of the 3 that will get enough Independents and Republicans to form a majority with Democrats to get anything substantial passed like Energy, Healtcare, and affordable College.

I have discounted Hilliary too because she's "agnostic" about nuclear energy as well as Edwards who is totally against it. Nuclear energy is critical to our energy equation, and what Obama has said is he'll form an Apollo/Manhattan project to study and recommend a mix of solutions including safe Nuclear. McCain is the only other candidate who has said something like that. Energy is Americas biggest issue related to the economy which is the country's main concern now.

I think that Obama's version of Healthcare is the one most realistic for all and most apt for Congressional approval. Hilliary's healthcare method of doing things behind closed doors did not work, and will penalize all those who cannot afford it..so many will end up not paying rent or mortgages to pay for healthcare...is that choice? Bear in mind that Healthcare proposals by all 3 are not free. Obama's focus is to reduce costs to make it affordable by all and not mandate and penalize like Hilliary's and Edwards.

Obama (won)
Edwards
Clinton

Bill Clinton was NOT the first Black President!
Hillary Clinton would not vow to keep lobbyists out of the While House.

Obama/Edwards '08

These debatees are a joke, Cnn ask the same quesions over and over. They didn'T ASK ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. tHEY DID'T ASK ABOUT JOB CREATION. They just wanted to keep the fights begtween Obama and Clinton going. The debates are a waste of time.

Senator Obama confronted the Clinton's with great elegance. This needed to be addressed – I'm glad it is out the way.I do feel the Clinton's willl continue to attack as part of their stategy to make Senator Obama defend himself so she can talk about the issues. Senator Obama can bring unity to the party and to the nation. I support Senator Obama on the economy issue consisting of a tax rebate, particularly the rebate to seniors. I had a lot of respect for the Clinton's in the past; There lowball politics is hurting them, It is time for a change in the White House. I am really surprised at our former President Clinton,;he needs to let his wife, Senator Clinton run her own campaign. I really have had enought of the Clinton's, and have really lost alot of respect for them during the last month.
Senator Edwards made a very good showing,.
It is the media who keeps bringing up race when addressing a question. We are a nation of color, let us all unite.

After watching the debate...Hillary needs to change her name to Shrillery..she was shrill and annoying. It's politics as usual with her. No wonder Obama's message of change has struck a cord with so many Americans. Edwards had grace and style and came across as the most rational. He tried to keep the debate focused. I believe John Edwards knows that Hillary would be a disaster for the country. He definately leaned more with Obama than her. My take on the debate is:

1. Edwards
2. Obama
3. Clinton

I also believe Bill Clinton thinks he is running for president. That is frightening. He has continued the Clinton deception of "say anything and something will stick" to try and defame Obama. I also question why Hillary stays with a serial philander. I don't think she is stable enough to have her hand on weapons of mass destruction....and we have them.

John Edwards is the clear winner.

Very Patient and Good Demeanor.

Everyone, please vote for a candidate who has some real issues and can actually defeat the republicans in the General.

We should not vote for a candidate because they are the first woman, or the first black candidate. What does this mean? What will the candidate do to lead America in the right direction.

The only candidate I think consistently gives me some real information about what he will do is JOHN EDWARDS. I am tired of hearing what you did in the Senate. We know that all three of you have experience.

NOW....What is your plan to help heal the US, and to help heal our relations with the World. It is not about having our troops over in IRAQ forever.

EDWARDS/RICHARDSON.........EDWARDS/RICHARDSON.

Dear nieve listerners/readers; Edwards did well BECAUSE that was the Clinton game plan for this debate– very simple:
Attack Obama, so that he LOOKS MORE and MORE LIKE ME (thinks Hillary); the nation will come to hate him as they hate me (Hillary knows well); and I will later point to the whole WORLD that Obama is not a UNITER, as he has been preaching (thinks Hillary). Yes, another factual attack. Why is it that a man is NEVER allowed to defend himself, after all false rumors are out there about him?

The very fact that most (nieve) people are now saying that Edwards won the debate goes to show HOW HILLARY knows how to manipulate people, like you..

It took my wife to confirm this observation to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt that the debate tonight was quite interesting. I am a Hillary Clinton supporter, but I actually felt that John Edwards performed the best in tonight's debate. I was a bit distracted by the arguing between Clinton and Obama, and I was also a little bit concerned about the fact that Obama seemed to dodge almost every question he was asked. From healthcare to the war in Iraq, when he was asked a question he immediately shot back to his whole stump speech that he can unify the country, and while I feel that is great to have hope and energy, I would like to also get a straight answer. When Edwards asked him about committing to a timetable for getting out of Iraq, he went right back into his bringing the country together speech, and I was a bit thrown off by it. I also felt that it was nice to see Hillary and Obama going after each other, instead of Bill Clinton, only because I would rather see them argue about issues than her husband. I like Bill Clinton a lot, and I think he was a great president, but this is Hillary's race, not Bill's. I did feel, however, that most of the time, Clinton and Edwards were ganging up on Obama, which I suppose can happen in a debate, but I felt that the topic kept leaving the issues too fast for my taste. As a college student, I wanted to hear about how I'm going to be able to afford to finish my degree, and issues that are much more important to myself. I realize that Obama has huge support in the younger generations because he promises hope and is an admittedly great speaker, but I have never been completely satisfied with his stance on education reform or anything of the sort, which I feel is one of the biggest issues facing college students in the coming years. I also feel that he is the one that keeps saying he is going to not be involved in the bickering, but he somehow ends up in the middle of all of it. He keeps saying he's going to unify all of us, but yet he participates in the mudslinging just as much as Clinton does. I hope Clinton performs well in South Carolina. If she does not, however, I would personally not lose hope, because there are still more than 40 states left that need to vote, and I feel that we place too much importance in the first few states. My state doesn't get to vote until April, and it seems to me that I would be quite excited if we could still be having these sorts of conversations 3 months from now.

Hillary Clinton was a big disapppointment. She doesn't get it. She is divisive and is not capable of bringing this country together. She lacks the basic skills necessary to be an effective president. She does not know how to build a team. There are more than one parties in this country and you have to build bridges otherwise you have gridlock. She has been in the combat mode so long she has forgotten you don't have to fight every moment. After watching the debate I am convince mored than ever that she is absolutely the wrong choice for the country. We need someone who can bring us together as one nation..not petty politics. It's the same old mantra with her...fight the republicans..fight this and fight that...that has gotten us no where. Of course Hillary wants Edwards to stay in the campaign. She knows a lot of his support would go to Obama. She is so phoney it was starting to make me sick.

I am also disgusted with her husband. He is a sexual predator and unless he has gotten therapy that hasn't changed. If he's back in the White House he will again be hitting on the help. Plus after watching his actions this past month I believe he wants a third term.

Obama made some excellent points about the war and the distortion of his record. He was smart, articulate and demonstrated the ability to build a consensus. The Clinton campaign has done nothing but try and misrepresent his record, his religion and his family. That is disgraceful. I was impressed with Obama and I feel he has some skills necessary to be an effective president.

John Edwards did very well. I was very impressed with his style and thoughtful answers. I really think if we had an Obama/Edwards ticket we could win this in November. I don't think Edwards has enough support to get the nomination..but he would be great with Obama..

Hillary needs to learn a few lessons from both Obama and Edwards about what it will take to run the country...now is not the time to slash and burn..now is the time to work together. I am still undecided..but I know who I will definately NOT vote for..Hillary.

I thought tonight was a good thing. The candidates need the practice of debating personal issues. I'd rather see them do this in-person, in a debate, rather than to deal with constant back & forth through the media. If people think it was rough tonight – they are wrong – this was nothing. Whoever is the democratic candidate will experience these same arguments at a much deeper level and more frequently when the republicans are the ones making the accusations during election time. So it's good for the voters to see how they handle such situations in-person.

I am an African American woman who supports Hillary because I value years of experience, plus someone with a detailed plan and someone with a long term demonstration of commitment to issues that matter to me.
However even though I have voted as a democrat for years, if Hillary Clinton is not the democratic candidate, then I would not automatically choose Obama. Instead I would give serious consideration of the Independent and Republican candidates in search of an experienced candidate.

I do not see Clinton & Obama as the same despite how similar the media may state they are. I think the media is too often making the assumption that African Americans will accept either candidate. I hope the Democratic Party is aware that it cannot assume that African Americans who support Hillary Clinton would automatically transfer their vote to Obama.

Edwards really impressed me tonight. I wish the media would give him more attention. I felt Obama and Clinton were very disrespectful to each other and tried to talk over the other. When Clinton was talking Barack was constantly waving his hand at wolf, and if Obama was talking Clinton was waving her hand at him. I thought to myself, if one of them was to be elected president, how would they react if a foreign leader put them on the spot. I don't think Obama nor Clinton looked very presidential this evening. My mother taught me when I was very young to respect the other person when they are speaking. I learned this as a child and it became apparent to me this evening that neither of these adults showed much respect when the other was talking. I was leaning toward Clinton, but will reconsider and have another look at Edwards. He looked the most presidential and the least combative.

I am a 47 yr. old black male. Until I watched the debates tonite I was undecided. The mis-representations of Obama's votes and positions by Bill and Hillary Clinton amounts to nothing more than a hatchet job. John Edwards talks a good game, but it is hard for me to vote for someone that pays $400.00 for a haircut! Bill and Hillary are furious, they had not anticipated a strong enough candidate to challenge her shoo-in as the democratic nominee. I am voting for Obama!

Susan, you really think the Republicans or any Independent, for that matter, is going to spread the RED CARPET for Hillary's policy to flow? Any president, elected by the people and for the people will NOT givern, if she/he is very divisive; unfortunately, Hillary foots this bill well. She should leave the scene gracefully!!!

Bill is much stronger and smater than Hillary. If you are old enough to rememeber, by the time the Republicans were done with Bill, the democrats have not been in office since!!! Think again, what you wish for, you just might live to regret it, as some of us have lived with Bill's sins all these years!!!!!

Do we really want either of these people as our next President? Clinton and Obama acted like spoiled children in a playground this evening. Their personal attacks showed they are only interested in themselves - not in the problems facing the American people. They both clearly arrived with prepared attack soundbites - not really wanting to discuss the issues.

What a great night for John Edwards to stay above the fray - and act presidential in his responses.

But overall, what a sad night for the Democrats.........(Too bad Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden had dropped out - they could have all added some class to this mess).

I was happy to support Clinton, Obama, or Edwards whomever won the nomination although all of them were a little too liberal for me. I am more of a new democrat/ centrist democrat that loved the John Glenns, Sam Nunns, Gary Harts, and Chuck Robbs of the party. I was disappointed when Evan Bayh decided not to run. But I leaned towards Hillary early on. I was turned off with Edwards early because of his caustic approach in early debates against Clinton and his poor vs. rich pitch. I don't think his view of economics is valid in the new world high tech economy. Now after watching the Clintons over the past couple weeks I am getting turned off on the Clintons. Now I am leaning towards Obama because I am sick partisan bickering in Washington whether it's the GOP or Dems. The Clintons' behavior just reminds me how much I despise what Washington is today under Bush. And no politics has not always been soo partisan. The Clintons' tactics have put me in a situation that if I don't think Obama is ready that I might consider voting republican. I am sick of the the torch earth strategy of the Clintons and all the controvesry that always seem to follow them. Its like hearing another news story about Paris Hilton or Britney Spears...just sickening and tiring. I want a president that will end the Bush/DeLay/Grinwich era of bitter partisanship. If the Democrats don't present such a choise I might not vote or vote Republican depending on their candidate choice.

I call this one for Obama. Hilary reminded us tonight why eight years of Clinton partisanship left us with Jr. Bush in the White House. They are old-fashioned party insiders for whom no tactic is too low if it gets them elected. Their cheap end-run around term limits makes me mad. It's time to turn the page. Obama showed that he can tussle with the best of them in a national campaign, and he has the charisma and moral authority to unite this country so we can move forward.

As we all know, (and it is the main focus of the media) , that this is a historical time in US history, Black male, female candidate, however, I for one can not and will not just sit back and relish it. Unfortunately this time around, we can not afford to continue to focus on that because, right now we are in the fight of our lives. It will go down in history either way, but we really truly need to look beyond all of that and get very serious! How many times will I hear that someone will vote for BO or HC because of their chances of election!!! that's so over! I personally support John Edwards, not because he is white, not because he is a man, not because his dear wife has cancer, not because I want him to be a spoiler or a king maker. It is because I have been diligent in listening to the candidates intently, exploring the records, consistancies and very importantly, not just what they say but their ideas on how to do things. Please, what ever you do in this election, don't pass up this opportunity to make an informed decison, then vote with conviction, not popularity, not what the media guides you to do but what you have a right to do with pride.

There is no doubt after tonight that Obama is the right person for the job if you want people to work together for the common good of the American people.

He can get things done.

A vote for Clinton is exactly like voting for a third Bush term , she thinks like Bush.

Edwards did do better tonight , but the best he can hope for is a VP slot.

Its sad to watch the Clinton political machinery in action... slingling mud and cherry picking facts to make everyone else look bad. And all this coming from Bill Clinton, didn't he lie to the Supreme Court about his affair?

The Clintons are simply dragging Omaba into a street fight and make him look like a black candidate whereas no one is more American than Barak Hussein Obama.

I came to this country 10 years ago, and my heart feels heavy that even in the most advanced country in the world we are still arguing about race and religion.

Personally, Obama is a leader in the making. He is learning and will grow to be a dynamic leader that can lead America beyond corporate interests, petty politics and jingoism.

Hillary was in command the entire debate. Edwards was in command the entire debate. Both spoke with absolute conviction. They both want the same health care plan, basically. Both are strong on advancing civil rights, ending poverty, and education. Obama, on the other hand, hem-hawed, stuttered and stammered, was sarcastic (his true self) and soft on issues, hedging on answers, and flip-flopping all over the place. He'll win South Carolina, but that's his last bastion. If Clinton and Edwards could form an alliance, they would make a strong team, and complement one another. They both need to go after Obama, and finish him off.

The links do not show the "people meters" but just the regular view. Booooooo!

Has anyone heard of the Senate bill 1959? The homegrown terrorism and violent radicalization act? I am personally opposed to this bill which has now passed congress. I feel the wording in this bill is too vague and opens the door for our government to dictated what we think and speak. My interpretation of this bill allows the governemnt to target anyone who speaks out against our governement, disagrees with the current administration or publishes any thing that could be regarded as "violent", "radical" etc. This should be of grave concern to each and every person that values their right to personal freedom.

I wrote to Senator Obama, who happens to be the senator of my state and asked that he vote against this bill. He replied that he supports this bill and feels that this is what we need to protect our people. Take anyone one that opposes the decisions our administration makes, put hand cuffs on them, detains them indefinately with no actual crime committed except self expression. Way to go Senator/dictator Obama.

This is why I will not vote for Obama. Instead i am voting for Dr. Ron Paul who values each persons right to individual freedom. Liberty is what makes this country strong.

I despise the medias biased exclusion of Ron Paul. CNN is just as guilty of simply leaving out Dr. Ron Paul. He is ahead of Giuliani, yet receives no media coverage.
This is disgusting and shameful. You obviously take you viewers for fools. You think we are not going to notice that you are blantanly leaving out a candidate?

Any woman planning to go up against the Republican establishment will have to show that she is strong and a fighter. I feel that Hillary only did what she had to do. Obama attacked first, and she fought back. John Kerry was heavily criticized in 2004 for not defending himself or fighting back against attacks.

Mr. Obama's connection with Americans, integrity, vision and energy trump Mrs. Clinton's desperation, reliance on negative attacks, issue dodging and tears (real or manufactured). Mr. Obama will need to ensure that he does not get caught up in responding to the comments that are intended to derail him. Instead, he must step over them and back to the issues about which so many Americans are concerned. Mrs. Clinton should realize that most people can see through the tactics she is using – including having her husband make negative comments about Mr. Obama. Surely, the good cop/bad cop game of her campaign is well known and backfiring. The Clintons are losing considerable respect in various communities. I applaud Mr. Edwards for his drive to take care of the nearly forgotten among us.

Billary Clinton, as I prefer to call her/him has showed nothing other than the "old" politics style. It's IS time for change!! Please America, don't let the status quo back in the Oval Office. Have you not seen the disgrace the Clinton name has brought to it in the past? It was all good and play nice till Obama started to get the positive message out and now the REAL Clinton morals and ethics are showing. I vote for Change/Obama!!

I agree with the other comments – the press has been too kind to Obama. It's time to be fair. Tonight he showed he could not take the heat and was very slippery in his answers. Not sure why the moderators did not dig more deeply into the allegations about his slum lord friend and fund raiser who was recently indicted on fraud charges. He has not returned all of the money his friend raised and would have dodged the question completely had Blizter not brought it up. I am part latino and asian – Obama seems false to me. He attends a church that is very divisive where only blacks are welcome. He will be as controversial as Clinton – though she has been attacked so much we know everything about her. We do not know everything about Obama – the present vote explanation was not good enough for me – I would like to know what the 128 other present votes represented – he slipped through that response too. We need the best candidate for president our country deserves it and one who will stand up to the hard choices.

I am a big Hillary fan, and do intend to vote for her, but that being said I believe that Edwards won this debate.

I truly believe that Hillary is the best person for the job. I only wish she would of handled this thing with Obama better.

Obama keeps talking about his Community Organizing skills and experience as a requisite for being the Commander in Chief. Being President doesn;t require you to bring people together, You select your cabinet members and all the appointees to run your gov't, How you manage these people and make them accountable is your job.

He already said he is not the CEO Type. Well he admitted that he is not suited to be President because it requires a CEO Type to manage the diverse nature of our Gov't.

Has anyone noticed that Obama never does well in a debate. He likes to "pontificate" his views and let no one question ordiffer with him. He attacked Hillary several times only to find that Hillary could punch back. Obama should have become a minister of a church, that he is suited for.

Hiliary did what she does best, lie and attack. If the Democrats are dumb enough to nominate her, she will lose to the Republican candidate. She is not a unifyer, she will divide the country more than it is now. If, heaven forbid she wins the presidency, for sure the country will be divided. Come on USA, don't give us another Clinton lying presidency. Enough of the Clintons and Bushes, lets get someone new in the White House. 20 years is enough of the two of them!!!!!!!!

Hillary thinks America owes her, we know her nothing.

Give it up Clintons, Obama is the man for the Democratic ticket.

We need a stong candidate to take on Economy Romney in the end.

America.... You Know what an Republican Administration, will do They think nothing is wrong..... They want more of the same. Give the Democrats a
chance. John McCain wants us over in Iraq for 100 Years. Put a Permanent
Base in Iraq.... People if we invested 1 Trillion or 2 in our own Country. Instead
of Giving it to an Counrty like Iraq..... Foriegn People. Not good people
like we have in our own Country like from Rural America.... AND
all of our Major Cities....We would have a happier an much more prosperious
Nation... Health care coverage for our Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters,
Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Cousins, That's what we need instead of
giving to some Person in Iraq that you and i Don't even know. I don't know how the rest of the Country Feels. But my Family .... And my other Family.... my Fellow American Family... Born an Raised in the U.S.A. Needs overdo Help.......
We as A Very Needy Nation need Help.. Demacracts Please Help us........

As I watched the debate tonight I was very proud that Obama stood up against the continuing slander of his name by the the elite higharchy of our goverment and I was equally uplifted by the words and commitment of John Edwards. In my opinion both Obama and Edwards are prime candidates for the highest office in the land. I do not feel that Mrs. Clinton represents change in this country for her ideas and opinions are always of a past time and they never seem to motivate or encourage equality.

The important issue of NAFTA needs to be addressed and explan how jobs
will cease to be exported and keep America competative in the global market.
Have we forgotten that substainable income provides important economic stability?

hillary and obama should team up they are different but they have the country;s concern at heart,,,on the debate obama was all glossy but hillary is about facts she held her ground well...VOTE HILLARY 2008

Until tonight I was a huge supporter of Hillary but Obama handle most of the questions with grace and dignity, and I have now switched sides. I was quite impressed.

John Edwards did much better than I expected, I have a new found respect for him although his plans to withdraw all combat troops within the first year seems naive. One thing is certain if any of these candidates becomes president, our country would be in a much better state.

All of these candidates are misleading voters. People who are considering voting for the Democrats are under the false impression that they will get our troops out of Iraq. The truth is ,they won't. The only candidate that will bring our troops home immediately is Congressman Ron Paul.

I agree with the comment posted by Margaret that "John Edwards was excellent ..." and also wish the media would acknowledge him more. It seems that the media more that acknowledging him want to ignore him. He's definetely a fighter and he's fight a just cause. I hope people realized that tonight and vote for him and forget about Hillary and Obama. I hope the public realizes that Hillary and Obama are trying to act as if the fight is only between them, it is just a show trying to get the attention away from the most authentic, committed and genuine candidate, JOHN EDWARDS. I think their plan actually backfired, at least among most of the people that watched the debate. While they argued and fighted back and forth, Edwards kept talking about issues.
I agree with Gil – California, Edwards won the debate, AND MY VOTE.

Due to the likely support of Latinos and women on February 5, Hillary Clinton will likely win the Democratic nomination.

If she's able to win in the fall though (a significant question mark), it'll be a very close vote and she will also likely be a drag on Senators and Members of Congress. As a result, we'll get more of the same nasty gridlock we've had. So, we'll have a woman President but we'll have to suffer through 4 more years of no results government.

By the way, think Universal Healthcare will get through a Congress categorically opposed to a Clinton and one that's just lost Democratic seats? If you answered "yes," think again.

I would have liked to have heard more about Sen. Clinton's experience as a Board member of Walmart! It seems as though the Clintons usually get a "pass" from the media and other candidates while they attack others. I am tired of hearing the Clintons' attackss and would like Senator Clinton to be placed on the defense for once...I Have heard very little of what Hillary did in her supposed "35" years of experience in serving the public. It seems to me that ALL she has done was be the wife of a governor or President. As for becoming a Senator from NY, I have yet to hear anything substanitive she has done in her short time as a Senator. Her biggest claim to fame while first lady was the universal health care debacle.

My ranking for the debate:
Edwards
Clinton
..
Obama

Its impossible for me to understand what is inspirational about this Obama guy.. zero at debates, and just declamatory at rehearsed speeches. And he lost his temper tonight. Clinton is so much in control, its incredible for a woman

Once again Obama refuses to pledge allegience to the flag of the United States of America. There are pictures of this with others on stage and he has his back to the flag ,both hands by his side as the others pledge allegience. Think about this............Is this really who you want to lead the greatest nation in the world. Not me. I fought for that flag and Obama denies it. He wont ever get my vote.

John Edwards is the working mans president. Make it official and elect the man who works for the working man.

edwards really had a good showing.he acted like a gentleman,politician,mediator,and baby sitter to the other 2 infantile candidates.obama never gives a clear cut answer he stutters,fumbles for words,and never truly gives evidence of a plan at any level, hilary is tempermental but answers with certainty. check out usa today online and play candidate match game,i bet if people were truly interested in issues crucial to the future of the united states-perhaps none of these candidates are strong and mature enough to run this country.

John Edwards was excellent tonight. The problem was that he wasn't givent he same opportunity to speek as Clinton and Obama. It seems that CNN let Clinton take over the debate.. She was the offense and Obama the defence.

I really don't think that either candidates were given the opportunity to fully explain their issues on Economy, Health Care, Immigration, Homeland Security.

I don't understand why Hillary Clinton keeps making statements that she has had 20- 30 years experience. Tonight she stated that she had been in the White House for 30 years. I don't thinks so. As well as I can remember she didn't become a Senator until Bill Clinton became Ex-President. How does that account for 20-30 years experience. Is she taking credit for the years that her HUSBAND was Governor and President?

The American people really want to hear about the issues the People are concerned about and what they plan to do about them. They don't want to hear name calling or the like.

I don't see what Hillary Clinton has done for the average Middle Class person in this country. If she has had so much experience than why are we still debating over Health Care in this country? This was one of her main interest. Why didn't she have enough bipartican clout to have had the issue of Health Insurance not be a topic of debate this year.

I think John Edwards would be a wonderful President . He truely cares about the working class people.

In the future I would hope that all candidates would have the same allotted time to debate.

Press on Hill. She was a huge success, and continues to hold her stance.
She knows what the responsiblities of the office will be, she has done a great
job of expressing her leadership skills.

Obama couldn't quite move on. And Edwards was much better than Obama,
but when he mentioned it was those pictures of Katrina, I couldn't help but
think, wrong, it was those People, not pictures!

I think Hillary helped Obama a great deal tonight. I'm sure a number of old time democrats wondered whether Obama could weather the storm sure to come from the GOP if he won the nomination. They got their answer tonight.

Hillary threw the kitchen sink at him, and he not only handled the mud, he did it with excellent responses and turned the tables on her. Her attack on his voting record concerning sexual abuse was classic. Hillary threw mud she thought would cause him great difficulty to answer and she fell through the floor when he answered.

Obama proved too major things tonight-first-there's not a lot of mud to be thrown at this guy ( believe me the Clinton's looked), and second be careful when you attack him, cause he'll answer honestly and stick it right back up your nose and make points in the process, while taking the high ground each and every time.

Although, I dislike this kind of bickering, I think it needed to happen to allow Obama the opportunity to respond to a number of lies perpetrated by the Clinton's who seek the power and nothing else.

God help the world if the CLinton's become president. Hillary will seriously lessen the chance of another female becoming president in our lifetime.

Obama brings credibility, honesty and freshness back to the nasty game of politics. He's the right man at the right time to seriously make a difference.

It is too bad that Obama feels so threatened, after losing the Nevada caucuses, that he has to throw the first personal jab at Clinton (referring to lawyer for WalMart comment). It amazes me, after reading some of these postings, that when Clinton defends herself, people refer to it as combat politics.

WAKE UP PEOPLE! THIS WAS A DEBATE, NOT A LOVE IN!!

Obama obviously had a chip on his shoulder and came out swinging in a very personal, dirty way.
I respected him up until tonight.
He is unable to show on his website how he will pay for his plans. It is fair game that this is brought up, we voters need to see these differences between them. He talks a big show but truly has nothing well laid out showing how things will be done or how it will be paid for. Look for yourself, educate yourself. He has based over 100 of his votes in Illinois legislation as "Present". Basically he did not want to take an issue either way for fear of political ramifications. I KNOW I DO NOT WANT A PRESIDENT THAT IS AFRAID TO STAND FOR AN ISSUE AND JUST WANTS TO SIT ON A FENCE! OBAMA IS DISAPPOINTING. I really was hoping that he had more courage than that. I am sadly mistaken.

I sense that people are afraid of an assertive, smart, strong woman. Even other women are afraid of an assertive, smart, strong woman. That is VERY DISAPPOINTING to me.
Hillary proved tonight that she is the better prepared candidate for the USA. If you compare Hillary and Obama and their records, Hillary comes out on top. Hillary has substance, Obama is just talk.
I had been leaning toward Obama but NOT after tonight.
I really believe Hillary is best for America, especially after tonight.
Obama does not want to take a stand on issues. Obama just wants to sit on the political fence.

My scoring of the debates

1 Edwards
2 Obama
3 Clintion

don't like the attack Hillary made.
don't like the Obama when along with it.

I'm so sick of the snarkiness and bickering. Haven't we all had our fill? Tonight John Edwards stood head and shoulders above the rest – probably because he wasn't considered a contender by the other two. Edwards had well thought out and intelligent plans, he seems sincerely passionate about his duty to the underdog, and he's a self-made man. I respect him. Gee, if the media has their way he'll disappear – but I'd sure like to hear more from him. I thought I'd be choosing between Clinton and Obama, now I'm not so sure.

John Edwards rose above the petty and showed he is the real presedential candidate that the American people need. I was there to see first hand and my observation was Edwards was on top of his game, Hillary was a close second, and Senator Obama just couldn't quite get his points across. Thats how it looked from the sidelines tonight.
Bob

The debate, while amusing at best , left me with little information that has not been shared before. The clashes between Clinton and Obama were appropriately characterized by Edwards and unfortunate at best. If that gives him brownie points, then it is of little consequence. I will also add, that folks sharing a passion for Clinton because of their love for Bill need to realize that Hilary is not Bill and to assume/hope, that things will be the way they were during his administration is a huge mis-conception.

3 of us Seattle voters gathered 'round the tube and watched the debate tonight. We all agreed on this: Thank goodness the Dems have some decent candidates this time around, and more than one! We all decided we'd be satisfied to see any one of them as president, as they're all incredibly capable and qualified, and their policies are realistic and achievable. My personal bias is that Hillary is truly ready to be President, right out of the gate on Day One/Moment One. That daunting and immense responsibility is right up her alley. She's amazing. She is the whole package we've been waiting for all these years.

What really surprises me the most is the lack of Hispanic support for a black man such as Obama. One would expect that after years of slavery and the hard work of black people in this nation to fight for the rights of "minorities," Hispanics as stangers also to such a fight, would join company with African Americans to advance the status of minorities.

I guess politics can bring together some strange fellows!!!! It could be that the Clintons have done more for Hispanics than what most of us have observed. Go Bless America.

I am a Hillary supporter but I do agree John Edwards did a really good job tonight. He called Obama out on his NO vote to cap credit cards because Obama did not like the rate and John said well if you voted NO than there is no cap..Hello meaning the rate could be higher. Hillary showed that Obama voted PRESENT on many important issuesand John drove home the point that you vote present because you don't want to make hard choices that may come back to haunt you. But as President there is no voting Present.... As for the heated exchange Obama is the one who attack Hillary first by saying she was no the board at Walmart. She defended herself. Obama sugar coated his friendship with Reko.. He did not just do five hours of work for him. He also made 650,000 on a real estate deal to buy his house which was shady.... Clinton/Edwards

Edwards was clearly the winner tonight and I really think that the other two candidates need to concentrate less on bashing each other and more on the issues. This is too important a race for all this mudslinging. When are we going to hear more about issues and plans and less about race and gender? We have important issues such as the war, the economy and healthcare-why are we watching a boxing match between two contenders while what we really need to know is where they stand on important issues?

This debate was a disgrace. Edwards was the sane one in the political circus. I wish Hillary had stayed above the fray. There was no need to stoop to Obama's level.

Obama was very inappropriate the way he went off topic and brought in the "he said/she said" garbage that he says he wants to avoid. He uses race to incite people because he has no substance. He does not talk about the issues. He's full of dreams, visions and a respect for dead men, i.e., King, Kennedy and Reagan, but no real talk about what HE is going to do and how he is going to pay for it. This is one African-American who is not fooled.

Edwards looked like the agent of "bringing people together" tonight, not Obama.

Without Obama's inspirational tone, he is a candidate lost.

I worry that the attacks by Democrats on each other is leaving the Republicans chortling. Meanwhile, a lot of Democratic voters will feel disenchanted and not go to the polls. We need to make the debates less personal and more about the issues. One bad thing about the Clintons is their apparent belief that winning is everything. I understand the importance of competition, but we need more sportsmanship and less oneupsmanship.

I was disappointed when Hillary brought up Barrack's 5 hours of work for a law firm that did a project that involved a slum landlord. Is this really relevant? More important than talking about healthcare, the deficit, the war, and unification of the country? Hillary just lacks a sense of priority. Who cares about 5 hours of legal hard work. He was young and might have lost his job if he had stood up to his boss and refused to do the work. If Hillary really wants to discuss ethics, she should finally give a truthful explanation to her unethical land dealings in Arkansas.

I think that Edwards won the debate by default. Did he take Courting Black People 101 from Bill Clinton. Not all of us Americans of African Decent will fall for that same kind of End-Run......from Edwards or the Clintons.

I am sooooo sick of the whole Hillery – Obama mudslinging feud.
John Edwards is the only one who seems to want to REALLY talk about the issues, the tough issues instead of slinging mud at his rivals. This is why I'm switching my support to Edwards.

I am so amused by posters who think that in November Democrats and Republicans are going to hold hands and sing hymns. Get real, grow up. Washington is as brutal as any battle ever waged in war. Republicans and Democrats are not going to all the sudden lay down their weapons for the good of the country, folks, this is an age-old battle.

If you want to get actually realize your dreams, you have to carry that big stick and look like you're prepared to use it to get your agenda accomplished. Think LBJ, the last president to really change the direction of this nation. He was ruthless, a bully, profane and a liar when necessary to get his agenda realized. More legislation was passed in his five years in that office than ever in the history of this nation. But it took a man with flawed qualities to get you and yours: The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, Medicare and Medicaid, HUD and Head Start, PBS, the National Endowment for the Arts, and so on. It took a bully to get the job done.

If want results, pick a fighter, if you want dreams of utopia, pick a pansy.

I think Edwards did a wonderful job tonight! Edwards-1, Clinton-2, Obama-3

Here is the problem with Obama, who is he? He has been on the stage for a couple of years but he has been through no where near the vetting Hilary Clinton has been through. What is going to happen come the general election when the Republicans start doing opposition research on Obama. What is going to happen when they don't have to split their focus between Obama and Clinton.
Obama for all his talk about change needs experience. I am not saying their doesn't have to be change but their has to be experience if you are actually going to accomplish something. What we need is Clinton / Obama 08 for 8 years. Then Obama is waiting in the wings, the presumptive nominee in 8 years. He will still be history making, he will still have his ideas of change, but he will have the experience and knowledge to deliver on those promises. The Republicans will have to go through another brutal leadership battle, mean while the Democrats will be ready with a strong nominee. The Democrats have a chance to hold onto the White House for the next 16 years if they play the cards right.
Its time for Obama to start backing off, the party to unite behind Hilary and for the Democrats to have their nominee by Super Tuesday while the Republicans rip each other apart.

I am tired of the Clinton attack from these past few weeks. Hillary and Bill, is this the best they can do to win votes? Obama has to defend and counter attack, so they can come back with more nonsense. Tonight John Edwards brought common sense and real issues to the table. I will vote for Obama or him, no
Clinton vote for me.

Again Obama can not answer the question's, and CNN does not help him in this manner, but any how I think Edwards came off real well, he stood for his beliefs. I fully understand Senator Clinton on her stance. She has been clear on issue's. Senator Obama on the other hand, was frazzled, Tongue tied on occasion, and avoided the question's at hand. He interrupted the other candidates more when they would say something he did not like. I seen real weakness in Senator Obama, tonight more then any other. Senator Clinton was firm on her issues, I will be very proud to give her my vote on February 5th and again in November.

Senator Clinton for President 2008. "She's, THE REAL THING"

Although Hillary didn't have her strongest debate performance I stil think she delivered a strong campaign message. Obama showed his inexperience yet again and without Hillary to push around would have a tough time communicating what he would do as president without mentioning "the people."

Can someone tell me how we would be able to pass a universal health care plan? What office do I go to again? Sorry Barack, the people are dependent on the actions of the president and we need a president that has experience and the real desire for bringing change. That's Hillary!!!!

Tonights Debate Meter

-Edwards
-Clinton
-Obama

Shame on CNN for setting a bogus "debate criteria" 1% above Dennis Kucinich's latest poll results thereby excluding him from tonight's debate as well as the upcoming Los Angeles debate on January 31!!!

Tonight:
1. Edwards
2. Clinton
3. Obama (all those condescending looks/comments toward Edwards – not very becoming of nice, likable candidate Obama, I thought)

On, and an absolute ZERO goes to the moderator... wait... WAS there even a moderator??

Lou Dobbs we the people need you, America needs you!! Please bring common sense back to this country. RUN for President ! ! ! Your Country is calling...

HILLARY CAME OUT ON TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HILLARY CLINTON 2008

I think that John Edwards waited patiently and took the side that would give him the best leverage, and the most attaboy's. Edwards should run on his own merits and not someone else's past history.....or perceived weaknesses. None of them, except Obama, even looks like a leader.

His position does not change with the winds of popularity. He already seems like the President of The United States of America.

If Clinton and Obama are not careful, they will turn everyone off and the Republicans will win the White House by default. Edwards won, simply because he didn't get dirty by slinging mud. Why can't the Democrats drop their individual self interest and truly understand that we need someone left to defeat the Republicans come November?

While the back and forth bickering between Clinton and Obama did tend to stray away from the issues and make Edwards a shining star amongst storm clouds, it was very refreshing to see Obama take a more aggressive approach at campaigning for his message and defending his record. This new found confidence may propel him to2008’s Democrat Presidential Nominee. To some this forum may not be an effective means of debating but it did answer questions such as voting records,troop withdrawal, Regan, and health care plans in a much clearer manner then all of the previous debates combined.

I just want to agree with Linda Feldman. Hillary Clinton does represent combat politics and combat politics has turned this country into the red state vs.blue state mentality. The country is going no where– it is not working and the people who represent us are fighting for their turf and not for the people. Well said Linda. I certainly resonate with that, and this mud-tossing debate tonight was a great example. Several times I thought it more closely resembled the Three Stooges having a pie fight than a Presidential debate.

How is it not obvious that not only is an Edwards/Obama an absolute lock against any other ticket with out the name Gore on it, but giving Obama the executive experience would almost lock him up for the next run?

Edwards/Obama ‘08 equals potentially locked up 16 years of solid, good, and true Democratic leadership.

i will be extremely surprised if Clinton can ever establish a truly universal health care system as she proposes

John Edwards really shined tonight, and kept the debate centered on real issues instead of arguing with the other candidates. After seeing the debate, he has my vote.

I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY. WHAT DO THE CANDIDATES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD LEAD THIS COUNTRY ON KEY ISSUES – ISRAEL, RUSSIAN, NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, IRAN AND HUGE TOPICS THAT AREN'T BEING DISCUSSED. CNN SHOULD BE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE TOPICS RATHER THAN KICKING UP THE PERSONAL SQUABBLES BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES AND FOCUSING ON THE TIRESOME ISSUES OF GENDER AND RACE.

i AGREE with Gil in Califorina

1 Edwards
2 Obama/Clinton (they are one in the same)

I thought Hillary absolutely won the debate in SC tonight. Her responses were intelligent and she shares her plans with the country. The media is way too generous to Obama. Tonight was his worst debate! He was frazzled and did not directly answer questions and argumentative. He wants to criticize the voting records of his opponents when he did not take a stance on the issues in his own state by voting present 100+ times. Why would we want a leader that can not vote for or against an issue? Everytime his record is brought up he goes into attack mode. I thought his comments such as sometimes he forgets if he is running against Hillary or Bill offensive. If Hillary had made these type of inappropriate comments the media would have a field day. Why all the Obama support by CNN analysts?

Sen. Edwards won the debate and my vote.

All the candidates are full of it except Obama...Clinton proposes goals even she knows are impossible to achieve under the American political system

Senator Barack Obama was able to get to the core of the difference between himself and Senator Clinton. She's a professional politician and demonstrated that winning is everything–casually sacrificing truth and facts for falsehood and spin as the means to an end she has long set her ambitions to achieve. Senator Obama has the ability to lead in the most challenging way–to unite and gather our energies together, telling the truth and rejecting the path of spin in order to do so. This is new for all of us–I hope we as Americans can rise to the occasion.

How anyone making less than 97k a year, married or single, can not see that John Edwards is fighting for them is a mystery. Edwards is the only one of the 3 Democratic candidates that has not taken money from the insurance or drug companies. Do people really think that these huge companies would give millions of dollars to candidates without expecting someting in return? If anyone does they really are living in a fairy tale. John Edwards has the integrity, intelligence, and common sense that this country needs at ths time. Does he try to play to the families of the dead and wounded of the Iraq war by saying I know your grief, your anguish because I lost a son in a car accident? Does he tell them he knows what it's like to lose a child? Absolutely not, he would never lower himself to using the death of his son and his memory for this cause. I drive by factories constantly, empty as he talks about the one his father worked in ,that used to be thriving with not only full time employment but overtime. Now ,because of NAFTA ,these plants stand empty of what was once was. I honestly have nothing bad to say about Hillary or Barack, but for voters to vote for someone because they are female or African-American is not using common sense, which is what our country needs at this time. I am a registered Republican and at this time not proud of it, and I did not vote Republican in our last Presidential election, and as of this moment, I will not be voting for a Republican in this Presidential primary. If people will only open their minds and hearts to these debates and see what is really happening, they will see that as Clinton and Obama are bashing each other, John Edwards is talking about helping the middle classand the poor in our country, The United States of America.

John Edwards clearly won this debate. The petty bickering between Clinton and Obama was unseemly and will hurt either candidate if they win the nomination. John Edwards is clearly the best candidate to win the general election. He has specific plans and is adamant in his convictions to help improve the conditions of the middle class, the working poor and the poverty class. He is the epitomy of American values.

Leave your Comment

Democrats need a candidate that has the ability to appeal to independents and republicans!

Otherwise it's more of the same divisive politics and a guaranteed 50-50 election that the Republicans might win.

Only Obama has the ability to appeal to people from all parts of the political spectrum. Just like he said in the debate tonight, Democrats need to strive for a bigger tent.

We've had a Bush or Clinton in the White House since 1980 - isn't it time for a change?

I could not take it, so I turned to the net. If Dennis were there maybe we could get down to the business of the people.
He always keep them honest. I'm very upset that his message has been excluded.
Whenever we get someone that really cares about the little man like Dennis Kuchinich and/or Ron Paul they call them crazy and block them out.
Some Democracy we got! This BITES!!!!

Obama engaged into combat politics, fabrications of others comments and even misquoted himself like there's no transcript. Obama has slammed both Clintons & Bush years so clearly he is not decent by Linda's definition. The hate & anger comes primarily from the spoiled brat Obama supporters who are as big of cry babies as he is. Obama got busted all over the place and instead of responding honestly and directly to the valid charges against him he exploited, for instance, the sexual assaults of his own family members and reverted race-baiting, deflection and personal attacks.

To Obama and his misguided supporters: anger and race-baiting are not leadership traits this country needs.

John Edwards clearly won this debate. The petty bickering between Clinton and Obama was unseemly and will hurt either candidate if they win the nomination. John Edwards is clearly the best candidate to win the general election. He has specific plans and is adamant in his convictions to help improve the conditions of the middle class, the working poor and the poverty class. He is the epitemy of American values.

It's time to stop "politics" as we have known it for years and years. Time to stop and really consider how we can change the debate and elect a person who can lead us together. Unite us in a cause we all can benefit from and make us proud of our country. No more Clinto/Bush politics, you're right Linda. Vote for Obama!

Look at this website. Both the opening page and this page feature photos of Clinton and Obama. Where is Edwards? The media is playing kingmaker by cutting out Edwards. I came here to weigh in on something else, but became outraged and distracted by the images I found here, and how they reflect problems I found with the debate as a whole.

I am SO sick of the media attempting to define what independents think and feel! Come on, anyone with even minor knowledge of proper analysis knows that a focus group can NEVER demonstrate the general electorate! Stop attempting to sway the vote, CNN!

Overall a good debate. I think Edwards came out the winner because he remained the gentleman while sparring. I was turned off by Hillary and Barak getting personal. I especially thought Hillary's comment about Obama working for a slum landlord was below the belt and counterproductive. I hope she gets the message that personal attacks are a turn-off...

Well I have been a supporter of Hillary Clinton, but tonight made me wonder!! She is intent on winning that is she creating slurring remarks against Obama just to get him out the way? He is very threatening to her in the race, but is this the way we handle it? Can someone out there from CNN get the facts straight that the can didates accuse each other of and then deny it?? I think that would be wonderful for voters............come on Lou Dobbs, my favorite, and CNN help us to know the truth in the accusations.

Thanks and keep the good work!!

Who lost this debate? Voters!
Who won? The Media!

When will the pundits wake up? They just want to shove more and more nonsense at the candidates and at us. No wonder the candidates are all frustrated and edgy.

When will the so-called pundits begin an intelligent discussion that will help voters? With every succeeding day we are barraged with more and more blatantly stupid issues.

George Bush is proof positive that the media is obsessed with nonsense and that they as a community of journalists don't have enough sense among all of them together to know the importance of a presidency. I wonder if anyone of the so-called pundits even understands what dogma is or how a sitting president has let his own filtered view of life beleaguer this country.

We know these candidates values and ideals, and for heaven's sake there is barely a hairline of distinction among hem. We want to know real differences when faced with real DECISIONS.

My scoring of the debates:

1. Edwards
2. Obama/Clinton (tie)

John Edwards was excellent tonight! I just wish the news media would acknowledge his expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment to making our nation whole again.

I was very disappointed that Clinton and Obama clashed so heatedly and personally. I appreciate them both: Clinton for her perserverance and persistent message about experience, Obama for the emphasis on change and his ability to pull people together. However, this kind of debate was not really a debate about issues at all, but a roughhouse old-fashioned political mauling.

CNN should slow down their coverage of such events and reporters/interviewers should insist on depth questioning of debaters, giving them the time to respond to the ISSUES.

I admire all three candidates for being willing to endure such harsh tactics and still come up smiling at the end.

This post is deceiving. Edwards, who really shined in this debate, sided far more with Obama than Clinton. Edwards and Obama are much alike than Edwards and Clinton, both are champions of the people, you, me, our friends and family. Hillary is none of the above. You might also notice that she waits for others to answer, gauges the response, and then offers her own, audience appropriate, non-answer.

I truly believe that the media has been too kind to Obama for fear of a fallout from the blacks, and this does not make this election fair. Obama has got to be scrutinize as Hillary and Edwards. He should not be applaud for his speeches but rather of the contends of such. The media is always inflating Obama.Let us research those present votes and his ties to the slump landlord. He should also be given credit for praising Reagan. Comon media do a good service to your viewers.

These three candidates have passion and care about our country. I believe they will represent our country better than any of the GOP candidates! Hillary Clinton is best equipped to lead the first day of reaching the White House!

The questions that were put to each of the candidates were very tough, and each answered with fervor, but I felt that Senator Obama really stood out from the rest with his authoritative and focused stance on the issues at hand. Additionally, he didn't lose his cool or fly off the handle on any particular topic.

There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind, that Senator Obama is the absolute best qualified to lead this great nation of ours. Being unified, lets please stand behind this great and articulate man! Fears, doubts, and cynicism shouldn't even enter the equation when he clearly is working on behalf of "all" of americans. Please give him a chance america. Iowa did!!!!!

Hillary Clinton represents combat politics and combat politics has turned this country into the red state vs.blue state mentality. The country is going no where– it is not working and the people who represent us are fighting for their turf and not for the people. No more Clinton/Bush politics. Obama understands this and he's too decent to slam both the Clinton and Bush years– he doesn't have to. The hate and anger I read on the blogs says it all.

STOP PANDERING AND GIVE US SOMETHING REAL TO CONTEMPLATE
I consider it highly irresponsible to show and graph "viewer response" without any indication of what that means...you're showing graphs but we have no idea – of what: interest, believability, importance, comprehension?...it's not the transparency I have a problem with, but it's the vaguery being placed out there as "news"...my dad used to label this type of pandering as coming from "the feather merchants"...which you appear to be just now...
sign me,
"Give us some credit and while you're at it, some real information"
Linda Casey

I think it would be interesting to know. Throughout the entire debate what was the "viewrs rating" for the the 3 candidates?