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
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Hilary Clinton is intelligent beyond belief. If the US ever wanted to have the smartest person available in the office of the presidency they should probably choose Hilary Clinton. That woman has brains to burn.
Obama is intimidated by her brains tonight, and while he's game he's losing. She is too smart. She may not win the election but she is definitely the smartest person to run for the office since her husband, and before that, gee whiz, nobody.
WHY DOES CAMPBELL BROWN KEEP CUTTING OFF SENATOR CLINTON WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO EXPLAIN HER SIDE OF AN ISSUE, AND SHE LETS OBAMA TALK, TALK, TALK, FOREVERY?
I WONDER WHO SHE IS VOTING FOR??????? ALONG WITH CNN
They need to let Sen Clinton speak. She has been cut off several times while Sen. Obama is allowed to go on and on.
Maybe Barrack will sneeze and get a standing ovation. Dear God, this man is not the Savior. Are this many Americans that naive. Promise the world, but they will not get it done. No way, no how.
It's outrageous that Campbell Brown does not give Sentator Clinton an opportunity to defend herself. She apparently has more problems cutting off a man than a woman!
This is very interesting that after the commercial break it seems to have gotten "heated" Or is it just me ?
Clinton is doing the right thing by getting back to the Healthcare point. Why are the moderators trying to stop that????
This debate is a joke! As a 36 year old white male I am appalled and sadden to hear these 2 candidates sit hear and suck up to the ILLEGAL immigrants in order to win Latino votes in Texas!
#1 CLOSE the borders and build the fences! I don't care if this offends the Mexicans! THIS IS AMERICA NOT Mexico! It would also make it harder for the terrorists enter this country who want to harm us!
#2 ENGLISH is the only language of this country! Learn it or get out! WHY do we need to accommodate others?
#3 This is our country. Why should we reward illegals who get a free ride in our school system, our hospitals, depress our wages, who collect social security? They are not entitled to our benefits that we as tax payers should get! Cry me a river illegals.
Sad that one of these 2 will be our next president! WE need a 3rd party!!!
This debate is less about who will win the nomination and more about pushing the party foward for November maybe that is why they are so nice to each other.
Clinton was forced into drawing first blood it was promted.
Why is Obama allowed to rant on and on and as soon as Clinton starts talking the moderator can't wait to stop her and turn the floor back over to Obama.......
Obama and Cliton should be debating on marriage tax credit to help families get more in their pocket and help the economy.
It's not a hockey fight, its a debate. I believe Hillary's statements are true, honest and thought out. Maybe she's too smart for the general public to understand that experience is needed.
middle america isn't liberal you say???
Who did they vote for Obama or Clinton? Without Oklahoma and Arkansas- Obama took them all!!!
Hillary rocks!!! She is my hero... yes, healthcare is a substantive difference and not a philosphical difference.
Campbell Brown should ask questions that are relevant to the issues, instead of trying to instigate a fight.
Hillary has experience and substance. Obama has arrogance and political ambition. I can't believe how the media including CNN gives the response advance to Obama just by how they word a question to him or avoid response by Clinton.
Hillary, is doing a much better job defining and clarfying the issues that are important to Americans.
Hillary is the only one explaining what she is going to do when she gets into office. Obama is just agreeing with her and saying absolutely nothing new. Unfortunately, the moderator Campbell Brown, is being extremely rude to Hillary .. is it obivious to everyone else who she is voting for?
Campbell Brown is out of control. Does she believe she needs to prove that she can be hard on another woman.
I agree this is NOT a debate and I am tired of Obama repeating everything that senator Clinton says. She gives the ideas and plans and he repeats her words. She answers the questions, he repeats her words. I guess other peoples words are worth something since he has no words of his own!
Speeches you can XEROX!! THIS IS HILARIOUS!!!
Obama is getting hammered on this point. Hillary has to pound away on this issue, and she is getting good points here.
They need to let them argue healthcare.
Finally! They've found a topic to dig into! Perhaps now they can draw some distinctions between one another.