The Blue State Pick: Hillary Clinton Wins Democratic Debate

Let's get right to it.  I was not happy at all after watching this debate.  Maybe I just expected too much out of these candidates.  I expected more out of Barack Obama and Bill Richardson.  Both of them needed to challenge Hillary on the war.  Edwards was the only one that really did.  But overall here, for being in the home stretch, the non-Hillary candidates were too cautious.  She simply laid back and coasted through.  She won.

1. Hillary Clinton - Escaped criticism about her vote in support of the Lieberman-Kyl amendment, which allows the Administration to take action in Iran against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.  But the line of the night came when she was called by Tim Russert on a disagreement she had with her husband on the issue of torture.  She replied, "Well, he's not here," and added that they will have a talk when she gets home.
2. John Edwards - Split decision between him and Richardson.  His best answer of the night was at the end, when responding to the hedge fund issue.  Lastly, Edwards definitely took on Hillary better than Obama.
3. Bill Richardson - Not too good.  He did, however, elaborate more than anyone about how he would get troops out of Iraq.  He was clearly the most rhetorically forceful when it came to foreign policy issues.
4. Barack Obama - Really did not accomplish what he needed to tonight.  He was sick with a cold, though.  But still, this is the home stretch.  He did not help himself.  Also, he shocked me and everyone else when he said all troops would be out of Iraq by 2013 (yes, you read that right!).  That is unacceptable!
5. Dennis Kucinich - Funny.  Entertaining.  Other than that, he did an effective job defending his tenure as Mayor of Cleveland, when confronted about it by Richardson.
6. Joe Biden - Bragged about a resolution he sponsored that passed today that called for Iraq to be partitioned.  But of course, as you might have guessed, it was a non-binding resolution -- so it does nothing.
7. Mike Gravel - Other than his advice to Congress on how to challenge the President on the war, tonight he did not appear fit to occupy the Oval Office.

Remember, I wrote this just minutes after the debate ended.  Feel free to give your own take on the debate in the comment section.

Comments

[Ted K.]

Ok. I know I am on the complete right (pun intended) side of the isle here, but let me ask you Libs this:

What is your reaction to every candidate not committing to withdrawing troops if they win the presidency?
Even Obama wouldn't commit to it.

If your party does win the Presidency in 08, I will bet you that the troops stay and all these "bring home the troops" bills brought by your democrats in congress cease completley by some strange coincidence.

[Jon]

Ted K.
Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich both made their positions of full withdrawal crystal clear.

As for your prediction on "bring the troops home" bills stopping. I think that would happen only if Hillary or Biden were elected. Even Obama's 2013 remark doesn't amount to how long Hillary seems willing to wait.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Ted, yes, I was OUTRAGED that Barack Obama said 2013. That is why Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich and, yes, Mike Gravel, are the only three candidates that want ALL forces out.

[Ted K.]

Yes, I realize those were the candidates that said withdraw, and I am sorry I erred by not saying that "not one of the front runners claimed that they would pull out."
My bad, that was what I had meant, for I don't see Richardson and Kucinich really having a snowball's chance for the nomination.

Thought it was odd that they are so anti-war, but non of the top dogs would commit to pulling out.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

It was incredibly frustrating, Ted. And quite frankly, I was shocked that neither Obama nor Edwards would commit. What shocked me even more was Edwards was talking about a permanent embassy there no matter what. I know you might agree with that. But it's just frustrating, as someone who trusted some of these candidates, to have this happen. It's betrayal.

I'm kind of leaning towards Richardson now. Although, I still do like the fact that both Obama and Edwards don't accept lobbyist money. When it comes to the war though, Obama and Edwards support Hillary's idea of continuing the occupation. That is unacceptable.

[aravella]

I've been leaning towards Richardson myself. One thing that really chaps my ass is when I see most of the candidates just saying what politicians say to get elected. I would love to know their feelings way down deep inside...truly caring about making things right vs elected.

It's amazing how quickly they go from kissing babies to kicking them.

[aravella]

DUPLICATE POST. Original needed a tweak (added "getting" in front of "elected")

I've been leaning towards Richardson myself. One thing that really chaps my ass is when I see most of the candidates just saying what politicians say to get elected. I would love to know their feelings way down deep inside...truly caring about making things right vs getting elected.

It's amazing how quickly they go from kissing babies to kicking them.