I think John Edwards should be given a second look. He really got back in the debate after the "squabbling". The other two should just sit down and let John Edwards lead. Thank you.

McCain is an idea man….yet he lets the ideas he has get watered down so they are virtually unusable…and calls it a "win" - the only way he will win is if the Dems are dumb enough to run Clinton….(polarize 70% of the country)

Democrats,you wish its McCain.Read my lips.Its ROMNEY. You lose again.

As a viet nam vet too, I'll give McCain due respect. At least he has never attacked our military with contrived atrocities like Kerry did.. That being said, he and Kennedy must enjoy wearing the same suit, because not much distinguishes them apart. John McAmnesty. Calderon and the mexican congress love this man cause he implies everything that they wanna hear. Can you imagine the governor of sonora mexico not accepting his own people coming home because he just might have to create some jobs for once. If McAmnesty and his cronny Calderon can't create jobs in sonora for illegals, what makes anyone think he could do that here for his own constituents. Would you wanna stay in Iraq for 20 plus years?

Mitt for responsible economics and immigration

Even though the war may look better for us, you can not get around the fact that it is costing us dearly. I do not think 100 more years of a trillion-dollar-a-year-war is going to put us in the black, financially, in this country. You can not separate the war from the economy. Bush's tax cuts and then funding the war through massive deficit spending can not be sustained. McCain may think that he can continue the war by cutting spending across the board on everything else including Social Security and Medicare but that won't work either. McCain keeps talking about victory in Iraq. What victory? Over what? They do not want us there and the only reason that the terrorists are there is because we are. And, forget about Iran, we can't afford war with that country either. Do you think the Chinese, who hold a lot of our debts, are going to allow that?

No matter what it is the economy but it is also the war. We need to get out of Iraq and direct some of those resources in going after the terrorists where they are and fight it like they fight; guerrilla style. It is time to stop being the world's army and start asking our allies to start picking up some of the responsibility in this area. We can no longer afford it! I suppose that once we are broke that our allies will have to because it will be the only way that they will be able to fend off the terrorists from attacking them.

Also, progressive independents out there, if McCain is elected he will be under a lot of polictical payback pressure to nominate a 'strict constructionist' for the supreme court when a vacancy comes up on the supreme court. There is a real possibility that this will arise under the next adminstration. He has done a lot of pandering and groveling before the christian right in order to win their support they will want payback. Think.

McCain has more experience in his little finger than Hillary, Obama and Edwards combined. He will be the next US President. Get use to it..

I am voting for MITT ROMNEY!!!!!

Mitt has not been in Washington for years like John McLaim, Clinton and Obama.

Mitt has held executive positions as a Govenor and in private business, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim have only worked in Washington they do not have a clue about private business or the American economy.

Mitt is a conservative that’s why the media hates him; John McLaim is a liberal just look who he associates with Kennedy, Feingold, the gang of 14, ect. and that’s why the media loves John McLaim.

Mitt is against amnesty for illegal aliens; Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are for amnesty for illegal aliens.

Mitt is for tax cuts, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are against tax cuts and want to raise our taxes.

Mitt is for conservative judges, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are for liberal judges.

Mitt wants to free Americans and American business from the federal government Obama, Clinton and John McLaim want big government and are responsible for big government we have.

Mitt will fight to protect this country and build a strong military; Obama, Clinton and John McLaim stood by when al-Qaeda attacked our interests in the 1990 and the 1980s.

Mitt Romney is the right change for America

Vote for Mitt!!!

Mitt Romney is now leading in Florida polls

It's interesting Angela that you consider a blog a credible source of information. Credulity?

McCain should be shopping "Shady Pines" or some other adult retirement community. His ideas are old. He's anchored to ted kennedy and the dems on Amnesty. Has absoultely no economic understanding of jobs plain and simple.
Dont care for his bomb Iran looney tune either. He looks old, acts defiant to his base and has more skeletons from his checkerd past than all other candidates combined. No Thanks.. Not someone this viet vet will support although i do respect his military service. Other than that…Where's the beef.

John McCain WILL NOT be the Republican nominee. Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee. Mitt will win in Florida and boost himself as the front runner going into Super Tuesday.

How can there be any doubt that McCain will win the Repub nom?

Look at the clowns running against him -
silver-spoon-in-his-mouth Romney who can't see past his checkbook;

Huckabee who hides behind his "religion" and brings his kid up to be an
animal torturer/killer;

slick Guiliani who will expect the taxpayers to support his next mistress, too.

I'll never vote for warmonger McAmnesty.
I don't think this man is mentally sound…POW aftermath.
He's so angry and trigger happy.
And what's with always trotting his mommy out?

What a spin. Romney is leading in Florida. Real Republicans don't want McCain, that isn't who Republicans are voting for.

People are starting to realize they can't stomach the Clintons, and Obama, for all his smooth talk and rhetoric, is not ready for this office. Did you watch the debate? They just keep denying their past, giving lame excuses, and slinging mud back at the other. Sadly, Edwards is starting to look better. Can you actually imagine either one of them as president?? McCain is at least honest, and understands the brutal reality of war, so quit portraying him as a "war monger". Joe Biden was the only other worthy candidate, so vote for McCain now. We can't let those current Dem bozos into the White House!!

I won't write off McCain. If he could come back from a political relegation to where he is now.

I am voting for MITT ROMNEY!!!!!

Mitt has not been in Washington for years like John McLaim, Clinton and Obama.

Mitt has held executive positions as a Govenor and in private business, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim have only worked in Washington they do not have a clue about private business or the American economy.

Mitt is a conservative that’s why the media hates him; John McLaim is a liberal just look who he associates with Kennedy, Feingold, the gang of 14, ect. and that’s why the media loves John McLaim.

Mitt is against amnesty for illegal aliens; Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are for amnesty for illegal aliens.

Mitt is for tax cuts, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are against tax cuts and want to raise our taxes.

Mitt is for conservative judges, Obama, Clinton and John McLaim are for liberal judges.

Mitt wants to free Americans and American business from the federal government Obama, Clinton and John McLaim want big government and are responsible for big government we have.

Mitt will fight to protect this country and build a strong military; Obama, Clinton and John McLaim stood by when al-Qaeda attacked our interests in the 1990 and the 1980s.

Mitt Romney is the right change for America

Vote for Mitt!!!

LATEST POLLS IN FLORIDA SHOW ROMNEY LEADING

HA Ha. The democrats would love McCain to win the nomination. The reason why is because John is a Democrat. DUH!

Mr. Mc amesty and 100 yrs in iraq no thanks

"Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb in Florida". SORRY, ALL YOU NEWS MEDIA HYPSTERS, BUT MITT ROMNEY IS CLEARLY THE FRONTRUNNER.

ROMNEY
ROMNEY
ROMNEY
ROMNEY

Chris from Toledo:

Why don't you go spend a couple of years in a prison camp with little to eat and constant torture. Then you can come back and talk about being un-American. I am not Sen. McCain's biggest fan, but to describe him as un-American is about the most insensitive and ungrateful comment I have ever heard. You are able to express your opinion in "your" America because Americans like him were willing to sacrifice their comfortable lives here so you can do so.

Thank you Sen. McCain and all others who serve and have served our country.

McCain is a old Rambo just give him the button to lauch those Nuclear Weapons.

War is Hell, and Hell is McCain.

McCain has no brain but he has the guts to start using Nuclear weapons now.

He can lead mass distruction like no other.

He knows nothing except I was tortued and I have a score tro settle.

Senator McCain deserves the respect of this land called America whe he has stood up to defend its ideology of Freedom. Anyone who looks down on the men and women in the uniform who are ready for their ultimate sacrifice may want to think again.

I think Senator McCain is the most honest and most respectable candidate.

The national polls claim McCain is the Republicans best chance to beat a Democratic challenger. WRONG !!!

Those polls count support for McCain among Democrats as well as everybody else. The truth is that the Democrats will vote for the Democrat, not the Republican in November.

McCain is the Democrats favorite Republican. He is to the Republican Party what Joe Lieberman is to the Democrats.

A McCain nomination would negate the largest issue that separates the two parties. It’s the Amnesty Bill of course. That issue will rally the Republican base, and divide the Democrats. The Democrats desperately want that issue silenced this election. It is their Achilles heel. John McCain marches in lockstep with the Democrats pushing for illegal alien amnesty.

The media will pump up McCain at every turn for one reason, and only one reason, to get a Democrat into the White House in 09.

The Democrats would love to face McCain in November. Why do you think they are telling everyone just the opposite? Do you really think they would tell us the truth so they could help their opponents? Get real!!

MCCain is in this Presidential race for the good of the country and not for the some inner desire of thrill/glamour of becoming a President. He is a true leader and someone that can work both sides of the aisle to get things done. The country needs a leader and one that is respected. We cannot afford otherwise.

100 years in Iraq????????????????????????????
Did he really suggest that?????
Was he completely unhinged when he said that, if he did.????????????
Does he know that most of Americans oppose the war and occupation of Iraq??????

Does he really think people will vote for him now???

Sorry for all questions, but,
…….. some one needs to take him hunting with Cheney.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hillary is strongest on the most important two fronts: the economy, stupid…and international affairs, terrorism, and international relations. So, of course she needs to be the one to face McCain, a war hero, also strong on defense. He's even called a democrat by his own party. Good matchup, if you ask me. She is the only one ready to assume the office tomorrow. CNN needs to realize this, and adjust accordingly. Unless you all want a Republican in the White House, that is.

MCCAIN IS BUILDING HIS ALLIANCES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN BASE, AND IF FLORIDA GOES HIS WAY I CAN'T SEE WHY HE WOULDN'T BE THE NOMINEE. HE DOES WELL WITH INDEPENDENT VOTERS, MODERATE DEMS AND NOW THE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS ARE STARTING TO BACK HIM, WITH THIS BEING SAID LET ME ASK YOU THIS. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE WITH THE POPULARITY OF A JOHN MCCAIN TO LOSE TO SOMEONE THAT COULDN'T MUSTER UP REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT VOTES IF SHE PAID FOR IT (HILLARY CLINTON)? IS THE GOAL OF ALL DEMS TO HAVE THE CANDIDATE WITH THE BEST CHANCE OF WINNING THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEM AGENDA HAS BEEN LOST WITH ALL THE RHETORIC, AND SMEAR TACTICS FROM THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN WHICH IS DIVIDING THE BASE AND GIVING REPUBLICANS AMMO TO USE AGAINST THEM IN NOV. HILLARY WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET THE NOMINATION AS SHE'S SHOWN THUS FAR, BUT IT WILL BACK FIRE. I HOPE IT JUST DOESN'T BACK FIRE ON ALL OF US WHO CAN'T IMAGINE HAVING ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LED WHITE HOUSE…..

Chris from Toledo:

No other candidate has given as much for America as Senator McCain, and the only reason that you can call him un-American and a national security threat so freely is because patriots like John McCain throughout American history have stood up, fought our wars, and defended our freedoms for us. Try showing some respect to those who have earned it.

Romney has WAY more delegates than McCain. Let's wait and see what happens in Florida.

McCain is too eager to ally himself with the Dems to get the Republican vote as the record clearly shows. The Democrats would love McCain as the nominee. That way they get a Democrat in the Whitehouse either way.

I'll take ANY Democrat over John "100 years in Iraq" McCain.

1/3 of the Republican votes, 2/3rds of the independants and half of her own party base will vote for this man.I think John will win by a broad margin. John McCain for President!!

I agree that if Clinton wins, some independents may choose McCain because they decide to vote anti-Hillary. But I think McCain will have troubles for a while getting his own party behind him since he is not perceived as conservative enough by many republicans on the right. He has to address those issues first. Speaking as an independent or moderate voter, I still have not made up my mind on which of the Dem candidates I like — I was reluctantly impressed with Edwards for the first time tonight.

The most that I can say about a Mcain-Clinton fight at the finish is that there would be plenty of fireworks in those debates for those who enjoy them; I certainly would find such a debate entertaining. Both Clinton and McCain can hold their own and would go at each other like two fierce tigers. A McCain-Obama fight? Well Obama has proved he can defend himself, and he could draw some independents away from McCain. Will that be enough if McCain plays the experience card? Depending on what happens in Iraq between now and November could help decide things….

What did McCain tell the enemy in the five years he was inprisoned?

McCain is likely to win a debate on National Security in a GOP debate but Hillary will win this debate in the general election. McCain is nothing more than an extension of the Bush/Cheney policy .

"Clinton/Obama" will beat Bush/McCain in 2008, no one wants to go to war with Iran except the neocons. I am sure the Clintons will point this out to the people, just wait and see. TIME FOR A CHANGE!!

The national polls claim McCain is the Republicans best chance to beat a Democratic challenger. WRONG !!!

Those polls count support for McCain among Democrats as well as everybody else. The truth is that the Democrats will vote for the Democrat, not the Republican in November.

McCain is the Democrats favorite Republican. He is to the Republican Party what Joe Lieberman is to the Democrats.

A McCain nomination would negate the largest issue that separates the two parties. It’s the Amnesty Bill of course. That issue will rally the Republican base, and divide the Democrats. The Democrats desperately want that issue silenced this election. It is their Achilles heel. John McCain marches in lockstep with the Democrats pushing for illegal alien amnesty.

The media will pump up McCain at every turn for one reason, and only one reason, to get a Democrat into the White House in 09.

The Democrats would love to face McCain in November. Why do you think they are telling everyone just the opposite? Do you really think they would tell us the truth so they could help their opponents? Get real.

A vote for John McCain is a vote for WWIII. Period.

I think the "real" Democratic candidate has not yet taken the stage. Yes I agree that McCain is the most likely Republican Presidential candidate and that ultimately he will team up with an economic strongman like Mitt Romney as a VP candidate.
That combo will give the republicans a big edge over either of the Democratic
candidates.

Hillary suffers from an integrity and trust issues be they real or percieved. She represents the past, with Bill at her side. But she is running for president and not
Bill - the real issue for her is what role Bill will play if she were to win. These
two issues are going to create confusion and diminish her appeal and they are easy fror the Republicans to pick off. Furthermore, Hillary will unify the Republican Right Wing coalition - if for no other reason than to crush Hillary.

Obama suffers from a experience issue and has difficulty articulating his
positions. Obama is emotionally impressive but not persuasive
when disussing the issues in any depth. He'll be blown out on national security and economics .

Neither Democratic candidate no matter who they choose as a VP running mate seems to me to present a KO to a Republican McCain/Romney ticket.

If the Democratic calculus results in doubt about either Hillary or Obama beating
the McCain / Romney combo, I think you will see a floor fight at the convention and they will draft the only candidate who could KO the Republicans - Al Gore.

Gore could easily team up with Obama - never Hillary - possibly Edwards but more likely Bill Richardson (to bring in the Hispanic vote). Consider a Gore/Richardson or Gore/Obama ticket vs ticket vs McCain/Romney. That would be a real race.

We can only hope the opponent is McCain….bring him on!

This wouldn't post on another forum topic, but is applicable here after what you said Chris, Toledo, OH:

I lost a lot of respect for McCain when he came out and openly said "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran." He isn't even President yet and already wants to start another war in the middle east. His age doesn't bother me one bit and I generally have a greater respect for people as they age, but his arrogance and hostility towards other nations does worry me tremendously. I can't vote for him. I can't in good conscience hope for America's safety under John McCain. The best person in time of war is someone who knows how to achieve peace with the least amount of lives lost. When I think of great military leaders becoming our President I think of George Washington. I just can't imagine those words coming out of Washington's mouth. Are there no good, honest people in Iran that are worthy to have their lives destroyed by the hostility of one man? Could John McCain answer with a clear conscience on judgment day to their suffering?

Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. You have been warned.

I think Sen. Clinton may be the least able to beat McCain, as the entire republican party has been stockpiling their armories with anti-Clinton ammunition, so to speak.

The democratic candidates can hope to gain to groups; the rabid democratic base that would follow the party to an eternal stint in hades if need be, and the in-betweens/independents

The rabids will vote for any democrat, and Edwards or Obama would be better suited to reach the independents, so the choice is clear.

John McCain is pro war which will cost the American people lives and trillions of dollars. I don't think Americans want this war to go on any longer. John McCain will not win any debate on National Security. Part of the reason America's National Security is worse now is because of the war. Explain the ideology behind pro war and better on National Security. George W. Bush spoke on the Iraq war with authority and look where that has gotten us. Gun totting is not the way to help our National Security , it is about getting it right and going it right.

THE LIBERALS ARE GOING TO BE IN SHOCK WHEN THE ONE THEY ARE MOST SCARED OF BECOMES THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE..MITT ROMNEY!THIS MAN HAS TEN TIMES THE BRAINS OF THESE TWO CLOWNS..HILLARY AND OBAMA!

John McCain is no soldier of mine. He is un-American, and I reject any portrayal of him as anything otherwise. His strongest issue is national security only when you understand he is a national security threat. Endless war and militaristic bravado reigns in hell, not in my America.

There has been a lot of talk about race and gender issues coming out of the Democrat's trio, but nothing concerning the greatest discrimiation facing all Americans. AGE DISCRIMINATION!

What is missing on the Democrat's stage, is a face who can speak about the concerns of seniors, and soon to be senior citizens.

The politician with the most over-all experience, is John McCain. which is main reason why this senior ex-IBEW member, who was oppressed by organized labor, is voting for the senator from Arizona.

Hillary is the one candidate Republicans would hope to win. Her petty criticisms are divisive.

John McCain the true ambassador of illegal immigration. As a Senator from Arizona for 22 years he has let the illegals pour through the open door of his state. And has done this so employers are able to use them as cheap labor. He in-turn has not raised a finger to stop this onslought or cooperate with this Governor Napolitano. Ask him where in Phoenix and from whom he has been receiving monies for his campaign. These are the folks that hire the illegals that McCain has helped by looking the other way. Do you know this-probably not ,because you don't live here in Arizona. If he once was a favorite son he is no longer. Ask if his wife's beer distributing business hires illegals in Phoenix. The Mafia may not have the ties here in Arizona thet they once enjoyed ; we have instead John McCain. He is far from being warm and fuzzy but instead is deeply entrenched in providing cheap labor to his cronies. Another words it will be business as usual if he is elected and he will continue to pander to the illegals. After all as he says, " they are all God's Children ". Children who are bleeding our social,health and law enforcement communities dry and affecting all the rest of us. Vote well.

Why is the media afraid of Mitt Romney? He has the most delegates. He has won the most states with very strong second place finishes in two others. He definitly has most of Americas popular vote behind him. If Fred Thompson bails out, Mitt would probably gain those votes as well. How is McCain(someone that has been sitting in the government mess for years) show change. I actually have not made a solid decision yet, but what really bothers me is the media's bias on the election. Let America decide. So far the vote is going to Romney- no matter how bad you want to ignore him.

I have to agree with Clinton that she has shown she can come out of many a fight and is still be standing. She stayed focused and looked comfortable for the most part. Obama has not proven that yet and is not proving it in these debates. For someone who is constantly praised for his eloquence and ability to speak Obama sure says uh a lot when it is not scripted. Edwards came across much better than he has in a long time.
That being said, I am happy about the choses we have for our democratic candidate.

McCain is just another Sr Senator war veteran who has no winning ideas like Bob Dole was a sr senator war vet in 1996. Obama/Oprah or the Clintons would have a very big victory against McCain just like Slick did against Dole back in 96.

If the people of Florida do not wake up and give Mitt a win that would make the dems and the media very happy indeed. A vote for McCain or the Huckster is a vote for the Democrats and economic & international failure.

Romney is winning the Republican base. If anyone undecided will listen with an open mind to Mitt speak, it will only take a few minutes to see that he is brilliant. The dems and media know that Mitt would crush any liberal socialist on the dem side in a one on one debate. Thus the dems and media are still talking up McCain.

I was waiting for her to mention the "vast right wing conspiracy"

John Edwards made realistic case for the national election. Dems should take note. John McCain is going to be alot tougher than Bob Dole. SC voters need to make a careful decision becasue it will have national election consequences.

Here's one of the reasons I respect Bill Schneider as an analyst. Listen to this:

"John McCain is likely to win any debate on national security — it's his strongest issue, and he speaks on it with a degree of authority that virtually no other politician has"

Bill Schneider is ABSOLUTELY right. Which is why Hillary must be stupid to think she can win a national security debate with John McCain.

When Mitt Romney is leading the delegate count and has seemingly unlimited funds at his disposal, why are they so sure John McCain is going to be the Republican nominee? I see Romney poised to buy this election.

Why don't we let ALL of America vote and see who will really stack up on top!! A lot of us have not gotten to vote yet, and too few are carrying too much weight right now. Stay tuned… and see what happens!

"Hillary lacks conviction of anything." - Prof. Robert Reich, Bill's former adviser.

An attack dog tactic against the Rep is the only thing Hillary can think of.
But it won't work this year.

Yes it surprised me to that they felt they would be running against Mccain. I have not decided who I will vote for it depends who gets to the top as to whether I vote dem or rep.

JOHN MCCAIN??!! Are you kidding me?!!! They should have asked the democrats "who do you NOT want to run against from the republican party?"…….. All of these politicians are so scared Ron Paul is going to get the Republican nomination. America is never going to elect a president who is going to keep us in Iraq, let alone a guy who said we could be there for another 100 years! The only chance the republicans have against ANY of the democrat candidates is Ron Paul, and they are more frightened than the democrats are!
How do the people who write these articles even become journalists? It baffles me. This Bill Schnieder probably hasn't spoken to an actual U.S citizen outside of the CNN newsroom in years!

Edwards introduced McCain into the debate thereby setting himself apart from the other two candidates. Clinton and Obama are competing with Bush's record, Edwarrds is competiting with his new challenger -John McCain. Brillant!

Black American shouldn't vote for Sen. Obama because he's black but vote on the pocket book issues that affect their daily lives. On the issues of health care, he'll not provide universal health care for everyone. I need more specific on his healthcare proposals.

Tony,

While I don't think McCain has the most likely chance for office, other Reps still have a chance.

A major problem is the media and pundits trying to call the race FIRST, and crowning political kings and queens. They are NOT representing the majority of America.

John is definitve about his position on Iraq. Barack has a plan with open-ended timelines, which is not enough for me, with my family serving overseas, heck any American serving in the Middle East.
I need someone who is very intent on combat ending.

I do feel McCain is the strongest example of a Rep who wants to "stick it out" in Iraq, costing us trillions more, trillions none of us have.

I think Edwards is the best contrast to McCain, to any candidate who wants to use fear of 'terror' tactics to win the Presidential seat.

Please my fellow Americans, hear the truth, we have to do some many things differently. To fix our country, to repair our relations internally and internationally! And John will make it happen.

Don't let the headlines make your vote choice for you.

Hoping for the best for all of us! -Jen

I'm a democrat, but after that pathetic debate, I know I'll vote for McCain in November.

John McCain is potentially dangerous to this upcoming election. He is very shifty in his views, not a true conservative and not a liberal.

His claim for 100 years of Iraq is utterly absurd and we need to make sure that we back our Democratic candidate to the fullest.

We need someone younger like our 3 other candidates who have a more open outlook for the future rather then a 70 year old man who has tried most of his political life to be president but NEVER accomplish it. He has a constricted outlook on Iraq that will keep us there for the rest of all of our lives. Scary.

I have been watching some of these debates overthe last weeks and don't understand where some find these people so impressive. They are all studderling and slamming and not very respectful. Maybe you thnk that this one or that one has won. But I don't feel as a Dem. for 30 years any one of them could make a President on tonights debate. I do believe that Edwards gave more direct and solid answers. The arguments at the beginning were uncalled for. They need to waste time on their daily run not on a night where they need to give direct and honest answers. Politics has runied this debate just llke it has the past 7 years. Democrats be aware that this childish, immature, and stupid actions do not do anything to help our party and get rid of this double step canidates that they had on tonight. Race has nothing to do with the campaign but they always want to bring this in to play on the american people. Democrats rise again and win with dignity and honor.

You're right about McCain…he knows about American National Security. He lived its development. Obama is soul-stirring, yes, but only Hillary can provide a winning counter-balance to Republican fear-mongering. Yes, the world is a dangerous place, but that needs to be taken in perspective. Obama's confusion about who he is running against only demonstrates his lack of tenure. Give him a few years under the instruction of White House politics and he will make a fine President. Until then, only Hillary can effectively take on the Repubs. Their candidate may not be John McCain, but it doesn't matter.

There is no far right conspiracy to destroy Clinton- she's not a survivor. McCain is a true hero, he's the real survivor.

John McCain at last count is not the delegate leader.

I think Obama is right that he can draw the greatest distinction with McCain on the issue of Iraq. Considering that the vast majority of Americans are now against the war, Obama's principled stance on the war since 2002 will gain him far more votes in the general election.

You know you're good when they go out of their way to say your not!

Speaking as someone who worked for the Democratic Party as a strict partisan for three of the past four years, I can say with 100% certainty, I am SICK OF the partisanship. I am so eager to have a nominee who can transcend it, who can build a strong coalition for change that involves Democrats, Independents, and moderate Republicans. I want this more than anything.

BTW, if McCain is the Republican nominee (a man with whom I agree on some critical things but disagree on many critical things), the ONLY Democrat who can compete with him on the all-important Independent vote is Barack Obama.

If it's Clinton vs. McCain, Republicans retain the White House, win back a majority in the Senate, and possibly even take seats from Dems in the House. And none of these bold initiatives for change that we've heard throughout this campaign see the light of day.

THAT'S WHY I'm voting for Obama on Feb 5th.

I think that it is far to early to declare that Senator John McCain will be the Republican nominee. There is too much time left in the nominating process, and there are still far too many viable candidates for the Republican nomination, in order to declare this election one way or the other just yet.

All of that aside, I think that it is important that whoever the Republican nomination turns out to be, it is important that, as Sen Edwards said, that "the Democratic candidate be competitive across the nation." I think that Sen Obama and Sen Edwards have a much better chance of beating a nominee like Sen McCain because of their appeal to a larger electorate, rather than Sen Clinton's appeal to no one outside of the core of the Democratic party (and not even some of those).

CNN for president ! ! !
After all, we're all just a bunch of spoiled children right.
Who better to care for us ? ? ? ?

CNN polls are useless.

The last thing our country needs is another war monger president. Geez, we may as well move to Iraq. They will have more of our resources than we will. McCain is the same candidate that openly sung "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran as well" We don't need another trigger happy person in the white house. Our country's resources are being depleted with nothing left to show here at home. Democrats need to come together and get rid of the war mongers in Washington.

Thanks for a chance to have a voice on this debate. These debates are so much more refreshing than the 2004 cookie cutter debates. McCain is a soldier so in times of war he would be the decisive national security POTUS.

None of them could win against and McCain/Liebermen ticket…..

Sen Clinton will be an extremely vulnerable candidate, particularly against Sen McCain. The Republicans will blame the Clinton administration for not acting against Bin Laden and for decreasing the size of the military. Sen Clinton will not be able to defend herself because of her support for the war. On the other hand,Sen. Obama would be able to distinguish himself as someone who was right from the start, and run on good judgment and a new start in foreign relations.

Make no mistake about today. The Americans are not voting according to your personal sights but according to ther own reasons. so am happy that the Abcnews analysis are quite different from cnn Bill schneider,

Abcnews remain free minded and very imformed unlike Bill Schneider who came out to attract voters fot Clinton.

ButS:C shall vote with degree of minds and knowledge of whom they are.

I think Obama and Clinton need to stop arguing with each other, and start talking about the issues. Talk about what they specifically are going to do, and not talk constantly about what the other one is or isn't doing. Frankly, if they keep acting like this I'm not voting for either one of them. Obama shouldn't be given this gentle pass that the media has given him, and drill him on the issues, as they do Clinton and Edwards.

The Democrats fear the Grand Old Man of the Grand Old Party. Go McCain!

I am saddened that the Democrats feel the need to give air time to a person who is not representative of the majority opinion. I would rather they raise the noble spectre of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., than reference John McCain. There are still many underachieved values from Dr. King that we in 2008 need to fulfill in order to birth a nation that All Americans can feel proud of today. I visited Dr. King's home this past year and it was a face to face encounter with spirituality, conscience, the need for change, and family values. I attended a religious service this past Friday centered around the message of non-violence delivered by Dr. King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. I exhort all Americans to visit our nation's national heritage sites, and come away with more profound understanding of where past, but still relevant, leaders wished to take us. Senator Clinton has the greatest comprehension of these unfulfilled ideals and the pragmatic executive experience to achieve them.

Agreed! I wish they would reduce the number of references to John McCain. It's beginning to sound like a carpet commercial for McCain paif for by the Democratic Party. Paleeese!

Cliff in Cincinnati

Democrats and the media need to stop thinking about which one of the three can win the nomination. Edwards is right, it is about who can beat the republicans. Edwards is the only one who can fight the fight and stand up to whatever the gop can dish out!

Obama is right he can draw a powerful contrast with McCain on Iraq, but what about all the other issues? If this debate was only on Iraq the yeah Obama would be front runner against McCain but its not, its about other issues as well. Clinton on the other hand can take care of herself on ALL issues against McCain not just Iraq!!

I think Clinton opened herself terribly when she mentioned the 130 present votes of Obama. What his response showed was he is a thinking man and wanted people to know he was there but was not pleased with the current bills that were proposed. I think the Clinton's are getting desparate and it shows.

Funny enough- she is changing her policys to align with Obama's what does this say.

From what I have seen of this debate and every other debate, the issue of China and how they manipulate their currency never comes up.

true, McCann can talk about the war. But, when the people realize that John would take us to war again under the same circumstances, I think he will lose. I live in Arizona and he doesn't done much for the state…his record will stand scrunity.

John McCain will destroy any democratic opponent in November. He is the only one who will be able to start day one. He also has something no candidate has- great wisdom.

I think that Hillary will do better against John Mccain. She is the strongest of the three on the issues, and I believe that america will see that as well once the general election begins.

Hilary remains calm throughout the debate she speak clearly, and answers questions hammer on.
Obama stutters, looks around, talks in circles, and plays the race card.
Edwards is sharp, convincing, dedicated, and not so completely truthful.

Hillary for President

McCain's authority is diminished in a drastic way when he says he'll keep us in Iraq for a hundred years. McCain's prolonged continuance of Bush's catastrophy will be our undoing. How can he be an authority now?

I think they hope it is McCain. McCain would run a respectable campaign and not be attacking and using dirty tricks the way Romney or Giuliani most surely would.

It probably will be McCain but the real opponents will be the republican hate machine, run by Rove and Gingrich and daily broadcast by Limbaugh et al.
Neither Edwards nor Obama have the teeth or skills to face the republican sharks

Hillary is the one. We need to nominate her as our next President. She will get the job done!

Bill, their handlers may have also told them to incorporate McCain as the leading representative because I think the democratic party thinks McCain is most beatable, whether its his age or his views on the war. Have the democratic candidates push the most beatable republican candidate plays in their favor.

John McCain stated he will have us in Iraq for another 50 to 100 years…and many more American soldiers will die. This is the Bush policy. Clearly, this is not the policy the American people want.

I watched the entire debate tonight and noted that when Obama was asked a question, he always raised an attack on Hilary. Hilary responded pointedly and they both then left John Edwards behind. But it was Barack Obama who started the nasties when he made the comment about Hilary serving on that coporate board. A cheap shot that she responded with using one against him. Bummer. I think they will both lose ground tonight against Edwards.

I don't know - I think this was a strategic seed Edwards was trying to sow.

Bottom line is if any of these candidates went against John McCain it would be a tough fight and they would probably loose. In terms of Hillary claiming she has the most experience to fight against McCain, she better rethink that statement. In terms of the Republican attack machine, she has the most dirt (taking into consideration her husband's presidential term) that the Republicans with draw upon to show how ineffective a presidential leader she will be.

Obama won the debate tonight…Enough said.

yeah, yeah, yeah obama can talk about iraq

what about the economy…"it's the economy stupid"
what about health care?
what about education?

If you look at the totals, Mitt has the most delegates by far. The dem's do not want to run against him. the are trying to pick the opposition. Americand are not that dumb.

I have to agree, McCain is really strong on national security. I am not sure Edwards or Obama can even hold a candle to him on national security or really any other issue outside of race or poverty. I do believe Clinton can challenge him on national security and has enough history in the senate, and from her husband's administration, that could help her in a debate with McCain.

Well if McCain wins the Republican nomination, and Bloomberg runs, that could be disastrous for democrats. If the perfect storm works out, and Bloomberg wins say: California, and the rest of the states break out like 2000, then the Democrats would win the White House losing the popular vote and the electoral college, by nature of their House majority. Wouldn't that be ironic.

According to Obama, thanks to MLK women can vote… even though the vote was given to women 40 years earlier. Ignoramus.

Go Democrats, the candidates should be reminded that we are all for the same party. We do need to keep in mind that we want to beat the republicans. Why can't they join forces and push a joined democratic platform?

YES I DO HOPE McCAIN WINS THE NOMINATION -
IF HE DOES AND GOES AGAINTS CLINTON OR OBAMA - McCAIN WILL WIN BY GETTING INDEPENDNETS VOTES –LIKE MINE

Where were the immigration questions? Why was that hot topic not even mentioned?

If it's Hillary, McCain gets my vote. If it's OBAMA, I'm voting for him.

McCain ain't Dumb…!!! he was checking out his rival OBAMA

If it is Clinton vs. McCain, I will vote for McCain. If it is Obama vs. McCain, I will vote Obama. If it is Edwards vs. McCain, I will vote Edwards. Wake up people, Hillary Clinton will not win if she is the Democratic nominee. Vote for a winner and don't waste your vote on Hillary Clinton. She has too much baggage to bring to the Oval Office.

I dont think McCain will win.. Maybe this is all a ploy by them make the Republican base think they want him to win.. which then will cause the Republicans to not vote for him.. thus giving them someone else to go against who they think they have a better chance of winning against.

Let us all hope that either he doesn't win the Republican nomination or that there is another issue that willl arise that will hurt him. Iraq war is unpopular and that will help the democrats more than any other thing right now. A WIN FOR HILARY.

Obama won this debate hands down!

I guess it's "Official" that McCain will win the GOP race.

Hillary didn't answer the last question!