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Blogging The Hillary-Obama Debate
The Hillary-Obama debate is set to start in 20 minutes.
As Josh points out, it could very likely be the last debate between Hillary and Obama of this campaign -- possibly the last one we ever witness between these two inarguably formidable figures.
Equally sobering: This campaign, which has dragged on for so long, could conceivably be over in a week. A lot depends on what happens tonight.
The debate is airing on MSNBC at 9 P.M., E.S.T. We'll be blogging it right here.
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Thank god, I'm tired of this shit, 20 debates??! Seriously, what the hell? The last debate was 5 days ago, do we really need another? So stupid, I'll be glad when it is over and we can go on to debating real issues against Republicans.
Later Hillary, its been real.
February 26, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugh, I can't stand Brian Williams - what a pompous ass he is!
February 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uhhhh ohhh we have real moderators, great opening. Much better than the TX debate.
February 26, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're getting "mean Hillary" tonight. Take her down, Barack.
February 26, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugh, it's almost repulsive how she puts out the "Obama's plan will leave out 15 million people" canard while in the context of talking about how they shouldn't be lying about each other's plans.
February 26, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another non-denial from Clinton about the Obama photo - very, very careful response to that question. I still don't buy it!
February 26, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is blowing it!
February 26, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
We don't whine about it.
:P o snap
February 26, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Obama just stomped her on the healthcare issue.
February 26, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is starting early tonight. Whiner/attack mode is not an appealing strategy. Hillary's negatives are too high for her to do that effectively.
February 26, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
And again with the idiotic "Obama has a mandate too". Ugh.
February 26, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see, so you're not allowed to criticize Hillary's plan because it's a core Democratic principle? That's horseshit - he's not attacking her plan, he's pointing out the differences (and what he perceives as the failings) of her plan vs. his. She's amazing; it's very Bush-like.
February 26, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
good opening retort by obama. gonna be pretty aggressive night.
February 26, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is anyone else sick of the health care yammering? I agree it needs to be fixed and both their plans would work - but I don't think we need 20 debates to rehash this AGAIN.
February 26, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh good lord. "There is a mandate, so there is no difference here".
February 26, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
>>A lot depends on what happens tonight.
Yes, we all know that if Hillary gives one good answer to one question, it's lights out for Obama for good. If she appears likable for 30 seconds, it is all over for Obama. All Hillary needs is one more "moment" and everything will magically change. Let's all look for "the moment." It could be a tear or even a witty remark, so don't blink -- everything hinges on it.
February 26, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is attacking him with out giving out saying how she is going to make hers work and how she is going to mandate it and it is not working.
February 26, 2008 9:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boy, she just keeps rambling on and on and on. Her point, if she had one, has been lost.
February 26, 2008 9:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, she's just not giving up on this health care thing is she.
February 26, 2008 9:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
She honestly thinks this is a winner for her.
February 26, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the first time, Obama narrowly wins the Health Care debate.
February 26, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did she really just whine that she gets the first question too often? Seriously?
February 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooh, tried another zinger and failed!! Heard boos!!
February 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Isn't it curious that I always get the first question? Did you see Saturday Night Live? Maybe we should ask Obama if he wants a pillow! Is this what a train wreck looks like from the inside?"
February 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
O dam attacking the media during the debate.
Last question of the debate last time went to Obama first if i recall.
February 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
SHUT UP HILLARY !!!! In the words of Maggie Williams...ENOUGH!!
February 26, 2008 9:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What was that Pillow crap? Geez...she is loosing it.
February 26, 2008 9:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Complete meltdown from Hillary tonight. Do people generally like voting for jerks? I think not.
February 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is mean and angry, she looks like she is losing it. She got the first boo. This performance is indellible, this is going bad.
Angry doesn't cut it.. this is damaging her nationally.
February 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
endless droning is EXCELLENT NEWS FOR HILLARY!!!
February 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Why do I always get the first question???"
Someone, quick: Research the last 19 or so debates and tell me when Hillary was given the first question.
Thank you.
February 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Xerox question worked so well for Hillary, she decided the pillow line would be pure gold. You could hear the groaning from the crowd.
February 26, 2008 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I once thought HRC was presidential material, I just liked Obama better. But this past week and that stupid SNL/pillow line has made me hope she never gets close to the White House again, even as a guest.
February 26, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God for Tim Russert. Word re: NAFTA. I'm sick of her trying to claim she thought it was a mistake.
February 26, 2008 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is going first in a debate really that bad if the candidates end up going back and forth four or five times?
February 26, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, I can't believe that she wined about first questions and actually reference SNL as some authority on politics. I love SNL, but in her words "Get Real"!
February 26, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, Russert smells blood. Russert likes blood. He's kind of hit or miss but Hillary has this coming to her.
February 26, 2008 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is everyone watching this? I'm on MSNBC and having buffering issues.
February 26, 2008 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
me too
February 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too....bufferring
February 26, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is coming in very strong today, much better than previous debates.
Also, guesses how long it takes for YouTubing Clinton saying that "there is no difference in the healthcare plans?"
February 26, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm having buffering issues too, I'm mostly just listening to the audio because it isn't matching up with the video.
February 26, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here.
February 26, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
So because Al Gore didn't become President, Hillary couldn't create jobs in upstate NY.
Interesting.
February 26, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC is working fine for me.
February 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know I am biased, but I think Obama is really strong tonight. I think Clinton's attack has gotten him energized. He is talking much quicker than usual which is good.
February 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm on my laptop in front of my TV, which is tuned to MSNBC.
February 26, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
She should know by now that Iraq is an issue he'll light her up on any time. Nicely done, Barack.
February 26, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
hillary really oughta lay off the pakistan stuff. it doesn't do her any good
February 26, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think I need to watch the rest of this.
It's clear who our nominee is.
But...WTF. It is fun.
February 26, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Russert is pissing me off with all of his interuptions, even though he's mostly doing it to Hillary. I still dont think he should be doing it so much.
February 26, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh - A McCainism! He would bomb Pakistan.
She looks like she is ready to cry. I don't mean that is a snotty way, seriously. When she is watching him - she looks like she knows she is losing and that has to hurt.
My Hillary sympathy is coming back - Which means that she will do something shortly to ruin it.
February 26, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's fudging on withdrawing troops, sounding like a Republican.
"You have to LOOK at the entire SITUATION...."
Shame on YOU, Hillary Clinton!
February 26, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama *did* suggest an idea for stabilizing Afghanistan - don't put all of your troops in Iraq.
February 26, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't tune me out girl...
I got some zingers yet to hurl...
February 26, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm no expert but I just don't think this performance is going to produce the 20 point bounce in the polls she needs to get back in this.
February 26, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
On a totally unrelated note - Obama needs 7,566 new donors to reach a Million for his campaign. Wow.
February 26, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bet he tops a million before the end of the debate.
February 26, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL at BraveNewWorld's comment...
Zing on, Hillary! Cling on, Hillary!
February 26, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here comes another loser for Clinton. Clip of her mocking Obama; Obama gets a chance to come off above it, and get his "hope is not naivete" meme off again.
February 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, God.
The cackle is back.
February 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Man, her guffaw is just horrible!!! Yet another reason not to vote for her (as if we needed more...)
February 26, 2008 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meh- he should have just stuck to the I know it is hard work schtick.
This isn't a bad way to go, but I think the other stuff has more punch.
February 26, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
She explains that her mocking of Obama was "just having fun."
Even better is she brings up her experience with health care reform from 15 years ago as evidence of her ability to stand up to special interest groups? Huh?
February 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
To newfapalooza: He'll get it tonight.
February 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh- the fighting members of her own party was a really good line. Way to highlight her divisive personality. This is a really good rebuttal by him - maybe one of the best of the night so far I think. He touched on several themes that he has been making and now he is connecting them.
February 26, 2008 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, 29 minutes still left, and he has so owned this debate.
I'm sorry if you think I'm jinxing him, Obama supporters, and I'm sorry if you think I'm dissing Hillary, Clinton supporters, but....he's won it.
He just has.
He's won tonight's debate.
February 26, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Russert: Tax return?
Hillary: HillaryClinton.com!
February 26, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I need some change for the bus. cmon just fifty cents. go to www.hillaryclinton.com. cmon man i gotta catch a bus.
February 26, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it me or it's boring as hell
February 26, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
So for the record, Hillary is saying she wouldn't accept Farrakhan's support either.
February 26, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary interrupts at 10:12 PM: "Jewish people love me too, dammit!"
Reject, or denounce? Oy vey.
February 26, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary: Sorry to interupt. I know you didnt direct that question to me and you wanted to move on to more important things, but I just have to say: I am more not antisemetic than Barack Obama.
February 26, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the heck is she doing with this? This is a really bizarre turn for her. Is she feeling ignored?
The anti-semetic stuff is not the best line of questioning by NBC.
(not that it isn't important, just doesn't lend itself to a good debate...although Hillary has done her best to fix that)
February 26, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant response by Barack going to the break. Simply brilliant!!
February 26, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I not only reject and denounce antisemitism - I also categorically refuse antisemitism!
I think it's curious that Senator Obama is not willing to categorically refuse antisemitism!
February 26, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is one of the debates that Obama won.
Hillary got exactly what she asked for-a light on the issues. This light has revealed very clearly that she is very two faced, even multi faced and flip flops to what is popular opinion instead of a real position. All Obama has to do to debate Hillary is be himself.
This is a glaring weakness for her-character. The voter is having a hard time with Hillary because they cannot anchor to her in a way because they do not know who this person is????
With Hillary you simply do not know what you have!
February 26, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary got exactly what she asked for-a light on the issues. This light has revealed very clearly that she is very two faced, even multi faced and flip flops to what is popular opinion instead of a real position.
This is a glaring weakness for her-character. The voter is having a hard time with Hillary because they cannot anchor to her in a way because they do not know who this person is????
With Hillary you simply do not know what you have!
February 26, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink