LIVE BLOG: THE DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

Welcome to The Blue State's coverage of the Halloween week Democratic debate from Philadelphia, which runs two hours.  We are experiencing temporary difficulties with our chat window, and do apologize.  As a last ditch effort, I will live blog it.  Just keep pressing refresh for updates.  Feel free to comment as well:

• And so concludes our live blog.  Sorry again about the chat window not working.  But we made the most out of it.  We will definitely fix those technical difficulties beforehand next time.  SO WHO WON THE DEBATE?
• 11:02: Barack Obama will be Mitt Romney for Halloween.
• 10:58: Why is Russert asking if there is life on other planets?
• 10:57: Kucinich says he saw a UFO (No joke!)
• 10:55: Obama and Edwards are double-teaming Hillary on the former First Lady's answer about drivers licenses for illegal immigrants.
• 10:50: Obama on air travel: "This is a problem that has been building for a long time" ever since deregulation took place.  "Anyone that has been flying commercial has known that service has gone down."
• 10:47: Obama says the reimbursement systemz for Medicaid and Medicare are not working properly.
• 10:40: Pretty much every candidate feels that children need to go to school longer.  Edwards proposed that children's health care should be free.
• 10:33: KUCINICH: It is time for the Democrats to move on the issue of impeachment.
• 10:29: OBAMA: "We've got a tax code" filled "with corporate loopholes."
• 10:22: The moderators are now focusing almost entirely on domestic issues.  Each of the candidates are given 30 seconds.
• 10:18: Edwards explained that America can be patriotic about other things in America besides war.
• 10:17: Edwards says he would use the arm of the Justice Department to investigate price-gouging on the part of oil companies.
• 10:12: They are on their second of two commercial breaks.
• 10:11: Obama says he is not fearful of Mitt Romney's swift boating of Obama's name.
• 10:09: Clinton claims there is little difference between herself and Obama on Social Security.  However, there actually is a difference.  Obama wants to raise the Social Security tax cap from $97,000 to $200,000.
• 10:07: Obama accuses Clinton is giving convoluted answers on Social Security.  OBAMA: "I am not fearful to have a debate about this (social security) with Rudolph Giuliani."
• 10:01: Biden is slamming Giuliani, saying that he is not qualified to be president.  As far as what Giuliani ever talkes about, it's always "a noun, a verb and 9/11."
• 9:59: Edwards again was strong, saying that we are not going to look our children in the eye and hand this mess over to them.
• 9:51: Edwards had a few great lines -- confronting Clinton on her defense industry connections.  Furthermore, Edwards courageously said that the 2008 race isn't about any of them.  It is about the next generation of children being better off than their parents.  Excellent!
• 9:49: I just got back into the room as Obama laid the smack down on Hillary for not releasing records, and prolonging the secrecy of the Bush Administration.  And then now Edwards is laying into her.  Edwards says that if you want the status quo, then vote for Clinton.
• 9:39: Commercial intermission.  I'm taking a quick break.
• 9:38: CLINTON: "I stand for ending the war in Iraq, and bringing our troops home."  (That's spin.)
• 9:36: EDWARDS: "We should be in tell the truth mode."  Edwards is really slamming Clinton!
• 9:34: CLINTON: "We've got to get the Iraqi government to understand its obligations, because there is no military solution."
• 9:31: Kucinich calls for the US to fully participate in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
• 9:30: Richardson wants an international agreement that we use diplomacy first.  RICHARDSON: "I went head-to-head with Saddam Hussein. ...I've done it (diplomacy)."
• 9:28: Chris Dodd says Pakistan more dangerous than Iran, especially if Pakistan falls.
• 9:26: BIDEN: "President's make wise decisions" based on "the situation they find themselves in the world."
• 9:24: CLINTON: "I intend to do everything I can to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb."  She was then challenged by Russert.
• 9:23: KUCINICH: "We need to reject" war against Iran.  "There is no basis for it whatsoever....When you say all options are on the table, you are licensing President Bush." (Excellent, Kucinich!!!)
• 9:21: RICHARDSON: "I am the only one up on this stage that has negotiated with a foreign country."  Kucinich interrupted in response, "That's not true."
• 9:19: Edwards slamming Clinton, asking, "Has anyone read this thing?" -- pertaining to the Iran vote.
• 9:18: Clinton is defending her Iran vote, saying that it gives Bush "carrots and sticks" to confront Iran.
• 9:18: CLINTON: "We will not permit him (Bush) to go take offensive action against Iran."
• 9:16: OBAMA: "This kind of resolution (Iran war resolution) sends the wrong message" to the world.
• 9:15: BIDEN: The Administration's actions have "driven underground every moderate in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Comments

[Chris Hustonq]

I was in a chat and it dissapeared when I reloaded the page, did that close down?

[N.Mason]

SO um,

How much you think these points will be in the headlines for tomorrow:

George Bush's impeachment

The superman Governor putting someone in the audience that he "rescued" in Iraq

or

Senator Obama putting a black eye in Hilary Clinton's case.

[dstrat]

sorry friends looks like clinton has this debate wrapped up. She is like a rock

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Chris, yeah, the chat broke down. I deeply apologize. We will get the matter straightened out next debate, which I think is around the middle of this month.

And Tyler, Gravel was not invited to this debate. Interesting? Yep, I know!

[dstrat]

hey Todd. Thanks for the update re: the chat

[N. Mason]

Senator Bidden is killin it. i wouldn't be surprised if he was Hilary's VP (except for pride or ego-I think he may be able to make a huge difference)

[George]

hillary is fraud. Edwards is the only one really giving it to her. Biden and Dodd and Richardson are scared of her because they want in the cabinet. Therefore none of them deserve my vote.

Obama is just to soft, despite his great point of view on most issues.

I gotta say, I'm an Edwards convert tonight. Although his vote on Iraq was terrible. I will vote for him only so hillary doesnt win.

[Tyler Bezio]

Welcome to the party George, Go Edwards! Stick with it! I agree with him on about 95% of the issues, If he could pick up some of the support Obama or Clinton has he could be the front runner.

[Chris Huston]

I still don't know if anyone is doing enough damage to really phase Hillary though.

Ironically the fact the Republicans have been sliming her for so long is one of her best assets now and during the general election. People are told she's the devil incarnate and when they see her as not that, they suddenly get a more positive image.

Like when Bush was said to have won debates in 2000, simply because expectations for his performance were so low.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Interesting what is being said about Edwards. Remember though, Obama will be in it to the very end because of all the funding. However, is Edwards the only one with the courage to stand up to Hillary? Maybe so.

[Nicole Mason]

I think Edwards has been waisting a little too much time reciting the "tag lines" that his p.r. people made him memorize. He keeps talking about kids, bill of rights, etc. but make a real point. theres not time for repeating "flowery language".

thats from someone P.R. trained

(P.S. I'd like a hi too )

[Chris Huston]

I've got to say as a high school debater, I've always been a little annoyed that Democrats seem to go over time more often than Republicans do in debates.

[Andrew]

Edwards is basically coming across as the candidate I hoped Obama would. He's not scared of Hillary, and he is def connecting with ordinary, frustrated dems on A LOT of issues.

[George]

I feel like if Obama said what Kucinich was saying he'd be in better shape. Kucinich is very solid tonite.

[George]

Clinton: "i agree with everything..."

she just said that.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

LOL Ironic about Hillary. She does agree with everything -- depending on which way the wind is blowing that day.

[Tyler Bezio]

I like this back and forth debate from Dodd and Clinton. We need more debate like that

[Andrew]

...or that minute

[George]

That should be her campaign slogan.

"HILLARY 08: I Agree With Everything"

Watch her hedge on everything!

[N.mason]

Debate finally happens!

Immigration is going to make or break or remain silent for this year's campaign. Because no candidates, politicians, or president have clearly articulated what states are supposed to do.

immigration is going to be the tie breaker.

[Tyler Bezio]

Ahh, Edwards is right on tonight. Go Edwards!

[N. Mason]

who would think UFO's would make it to the democratic debate. OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He said he saw an UFO.

There go all of his all 13 of his votes.
:-(

[George]

Obama handles the UFO question like a pro. Big points.

[N. mason]

The UFO guy should NOT raise his hand on the "Marijuana" question. We already know the answer... lol

[Andrew]

Certainly some strange questions here in the homestretch