New Hampshire debate prep

We are entering the home stretch before the first primary contests.  Third quarter fundraising totals will come out after Friday at a time of each campaign's choosing.  John Edwards and Barack Obama are competing to pick up the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) endorsement.  Three days ago, Hillary Clinton turned it up a notch and appeared on all five Sunday talk shows.  This is the real deal, folks.

Tonight's debate is by far the most critical of any others thus far.  Not only do we have about 100 days until the first vote, but this debate happens to be in New Hampshire, which is likely to leapfrog Nevada and vote second.  Analysts are expecting a large viewing audience tonight in the Granite State.  With a lot on the line, here is what each of the major candidates must do:

• Hillary Clinton: Don't mess up.  You coasted through the five news shows on Sunday unscathed.  Good job.  Now here comes a harder test.  This is a field of candidates know you are the front-runner, and will do anything to pick you apart as a Washington insider.  So take the hits, but don't take any rhetorical risks.  This debate is yours to lose.
• Barack Obama: Think aggressive and think big.  This is the one downside of branding yourself as above the typical political discourse.  Sometimes you have to get your feet muddy and play hardball.  Tonight is one of those nights.  In a new CNN poll, Obama trails Clinton by 20 points.  The deficit was only 9 points in July.  Obama must be aggressive.  So how do you do that against the Clintons?  Think big -- which is everything the Clintons are.  Think in terms of big ideas.  Play to your strengths by wowing people with your charisma.  Remind New Hampshire voters what they liked about you in 2004 and earlier this year during your Chicago announcement.  It's time to step it up, or get out of the way and let someone else take on Hillary.
• John Edwards: Be the anti-Hillary candidate.  For Edwards, this debate should not be about Hillary Clinton -- it should be about Barack Obama.  The SEIU stopped short of endorsing Edwards because they were worried about whether he was better suited than Obama to beat Hillary.  With that endorsement hanging in the balance, Edwards will need to make the case that he, not Obama, is the most viable alternative to the former First Lady.
• Bill Richardson: Think big and loosen up.  People know about his resume and his position on Iraq.  What people don't know is what kind of person he is, and what kind of political philosophy he would implement.  Richardson also needs to show some passion, and not come across as too polished.  He is a western Senator, and he should look like it.  Loosen up a bit too while you are at it.  Tell some jokes, and at least try to mean them this time.
• Joe Biden: Don't yell.  People know you are passionate about foreign policy.  But show that same passion on other issues too.  And while you are at it, stop yelling -- it's not very presidential.  Voters have been waiting for him to show a softer side.  Like Richardson, show voters what kind of person you are.

The debate starts at 9 PM ET.  Don't forget to join us for the live chat.  Yap away with fellow progressives as you watch the debate on television.

Comments

[matt]

Hillary needs to make a big gaffe to lose the race, and she's not going to do that. Cruise control...

NH Debate podcast preview and liveblog!
http://www.political-buzz.com/

[Jon]

Great advice for all of them. Biden's "Don't yell" made me laugh. Hmm is Gravel not in this one or you didn't bother with him? His would be "Don't Spaz out. Finish one sentence before you start another."

And for Kucinich. Move to a country that excepts visionary progressives.The present day US would never appreciate ideas such as a Department of Peace. :(

P.S. Obama, Edwards, Han Solo, anyone please take down Hillary tonight! ;D

[granny]

Good thoughts, all.

I'm looking forward to live chat, and debate ... if I can get my east coast/west coast time confusion sorted out.

I do laugh at Obama, get your shoes muddy. Makes me think of the wrestling with pigs advice. I think he's going to have to get more than his shoes scuffed up.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Granny, remember for us on the west coast it's 6 PM. The live chat will start about 15 min earlier.

Jon, darnit I should have put Gravel in there just for the hell of it. lol He definitely does start a sentence without finishing the other.

There will be fireworks tonight. I'm not just trying to hype this thing. I know for sure there will be -- because no candidate except Hillary is gaining traction in the polls. Obama, Edwards and Richardson need to make their moves.

Sorry to say this, but I actually wish Gravel, Kucinich and Dodd sat this one out. When there are so many candidates, it hurts people like Edwards, Obama and Richardson, and helps Hillary.

Can someone remind me why Dodd is even in the race?

[Alx]

I AM FURIOUS!! No wonder our congress has a lower approval than the president. I mean what don't they understand about the American people? WE WANT TROOPS HOME YESTERDAY! Not now, not by 2008 not by 2013. I don't care how we leave Iraq. We went in there based on lies anyway. I think I am going to vote republican this time and go with Dr. Ron Paul. He seems to be the only one that understands that we are not the world's police men. (all the while making America a police state and theocracy).

[Jon]

Alx. If you are a traditionally a democrat, independant or an affiliation other than a Republican, I invite you to look at Ron Paul's total platform. Hes great as far as Iraq is concerned but alot of his other views don't look so good to most progressives. Trust me though I am not telling you to remain loyal to a party that no longer represents you, over time parties lose their way and must be abandoned, The democratic party is now looking like one of those parties. I myself wont vote for Hillary in a general election if she wins the nomination. My point is to look at the total platform before you vote, even if your protest vote doesn't have a chance. If you are a Dem Take a look at Richardson, you may like him. If not explore the other parties such as reform or green or any others. Don't listen to Dems who tell you that republicans will be worse. NOTHING is worse than a liar who takes your vote in exchange for screwing you with no lube. Thats betrayal and you shouldn't support it. In a two party system when one or both parties stop representing the people who vote for them its time to stop supporting both of the parties. It will be hell but if enough people realize that they are just jumping from one team to the other eventually they'll have to support a party that will work for them. I'm so fucking tired of hearing pansy ass dems bitch and moan about being screwed over but continuing the cycle of insider dem and insider republican. If you truly want change you have to vote for it when NO ONE ELSE IS WILLING TO. YOU CANT CALL THE DEM POLITICIANS SPINELESS IF YOU AREN'T WILLING TO VOTE THEM OUT BECAUSE YOU"RE SCARED OF REPUBLICANS!!!

Democrats must earn votes not terrorize us into voting for them because they aren't republicans and then vote WITH those same republicans or refuse to use all tools at their disposal to win the battles that must be won. Alx im not coming down on you so much as I am this loser's limp mentality that DLC dems have. Anyway the point is research your protest votes and take as many people as you can with you. Let Hillary and her ilk know they have you EARN your vote not hit you over the head and take it from you in the middle of the night.