February 21st, 2008
08:53 PM ET
15 years ago
Schneider: This is a competition, not a debate
AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) - You would have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to tell the difference between these two candidates.
Neither has really gone after each other, even though the moderators have given them ample opportunity.
Now it's virtually a matter of who says the same thing better. And if this continues, Obama will likely win - he's always been viewed as the more effective communicator.
Clinton needs to start challenging Obama if she wants to gain the upper hand.
- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider
Clinton throws the first punch....
Clinton's strategy in her negative political ads has been to draw the contrast between her record and Obama's. But all of the polls have shown that this is an ineffective strategy. People are compelled by Obama's aura, his charisma, his chumminess. These are qualities that Hillary simply does not possess, even though she is a policy wonk. Even if she wins the arguments in this debate, he still wins on the basis of his personality.
Now why is it when Clinton speaks Obama then agrees with her and then says what's wrong with her plan but offers nothing for his plan? shouldn't the moderators be pushing for more distinctive answers rather then repeating what Clinton already said with different words? And why does he keep going off the subject?
I don't know, it seems like Clinton has the upper hand. She's led every issue and though Obama normally is the best communicator, she is talking solutions while he is talking ideas.
Give us a Clinton Obama ticket!
Hillary is in a no win situation. She needs to be more aggressive but it has hurt her when she has been more aggressive in the past.
He agree's with everything she says!
Does anyone know why Clinton has to answer the questions first? This seems to be a disadvantage for her, giving Obama more time to plan and rebut.
I think Barack has the upper hand in this debate. All he has to do is not mess up and get caught off guard. Hillary is so frazzled by Barack's momentum that she's choosing her words too carefully.
Go Obama!
TOO MUCH TALK, way to much talk, lets have actions, I'm about to lose my house, kids are nuts, husband depressed, what can you do for me....
Sen. Obama will always stay cool and talk around Sen. Clinton he is better schooled
Here she comes...attack him, down you go Hills.
Why do they both say they want to impose Americas views and policies with cuba, please explain the difference with Iraq?
Xerox I love it, here it comes
Love that she's a Campbell, but isn't Campbell Brown married to a Republican commentator for Fox?
Just wondering how appropriate that is for a key Democratic debate on CNN.
Also Brown keeps interrupting both Hillary and Barack when they are each making a huge point and people are applauding.
She needs to chill a bit more like some of the moderators of the other debates.
DIng Ding lets get it on
When are these two going to distinguish themselves? Stop the innuendos and get to clear statements and positions that draws a clear line of differences between these two candidates in relation to the issues. Not silly things like who said what or did you say something that someone else said.
I disagree...this is exactly what Clinton needs...she needs to remind voters that her and Obama are the same on the issues for hte most part but that she is the only one with the experience to make change happen...she needs to remind DEMS that for all of Obamas energized crowds they are all in the face of a DEMOCRATIC primary and that middle America is not as liberal...
"speeches you can xerox"
HAHAHAHAH
Finally – something other than "Senator Obama and I agree that....."
Finally, some debate. Obama is starting to look alive and Hillary is fighting back.
She just called him out of using his buddie's words for his weak speeches.
Please let Hillary speak. When Obama speaks he mumbles and doesn't answer the question.
She's swinging now, so far he's deflecting pretty good.
Have we been watching the same debate? Senator Clinton has been a far better communicator than Obama. She has a better command of what she wants to say and how she gets her points across to the audience. Obama has not been as articulate or received as much applause for his key points.