In the run-up to the 2004 Presidential Election, I watched every Democratic candidates debate. So far, I've managed to watch or Tivo all of the Democratic debates as well as the last Republican debate and I've gotta say, "We've come a long way baby!" The debates this year (tonight's specifically) have been so much more pleasant to watch. I feel more hope about this field of Democratic candidates than I ever remember feeling in my lifetime. (For reference only, I'm 43, but don't tell anyone, lol.)
Regarding the debate specifically, the only complaint I have is that too much time was taken up at the beginning with welcomes and assorted speeches. Instead of eliminating candidates from future debates, I hope we'll see the introductory and administrative aspects reduced in future debates. I DVRd this, so I could watch the counter and it was nearly 15 minutes into the schedule when the candidates were introduced.
I liked the issues that were presented for discussion in this All-American debate. It's true that issues for the African-American community are issues for all Americans. I enjoyed seeing familiar African-American heroes in the audience as well. Jump over the fold for more...
It's not like the Democrats REALLY have to compete for the African-American vote, but our candidates did a great job of talking to these complex issues. If they do as good of a job at backing up their talk with action, we could conceivably elect a President who will have received 100% of the black vote. In 2008, we won't see the sham of "moral" issues on the November ballot that misdirected a lot of people, African-American churchgoers included.
With my own introductory comments out of the way now (lol,) below are my comments about each of the candidates and his or her performance this evening. In my attempt to be fair and balanced, I give my impression of each candidate prior to the debates before launching into what happened tonight and how it impacted my present opinion. Gotta type fast; I'm forgetting important stuff with each moment that passes.
Hillary Clinton – I'm neither a lover nor a hater, but I though she did a fine job tonight. Based largely on her performance tonight, if she ends up being the Democratic Candidate, I'll be proud to vote for her.
Some have stated that it seemed like she was shouting – to me it just seemed fired up and passionate, and I was delighted to see it. Of course, I grew up in an Assembly of God church, so I'm a little impervious to shouting. I expect that a lot of the audience responded the same way I did. It's like a preacher voice, and when someone puts it on, ya gotta listen. Her excellent framing of the AIDS issue generated the only standing O of the night. That being said, I didn't see her as a female candidate, but as a candidate, and that made me feel good.
For those who have watched multiple debates, she clarified her position on Darfur and cleared up any questions left behind from the show of hands mess in the previous debate.
Joe Biden – I see Biden as a wise elder statesman. Unfortunately, sometimes he's also a wiseass (imho) and to his own detriment. Not so much tonight. He was perfectly articulate (and "clean" too!) He, as much if not more so than the other candidates, always impresses me with his grasp of such a wide range of issues. I don't know if he won over anyone tonight, and he didn't get the chance to shine on Darfur as much as he did last time since time was short. Anyone who didn't see the previous debate got a glimpse of his strength on this issue tonight.
Bill Richardson – I think of Bill Richardson as a second tier candidate, although his knowledge and experience are admirable. I thought that he was unusually inarticulate tonight and that's an area where he needed to make up ground if he had any hope of making it to the top tier. The ability to articulate is an area of strong personal bias for me, so Richardson fans, please feel free to correct me on his high points that I may have overlooked.
John Edwards – I had hoped to see Edwards at the top of the ticket in '04, and am an avid supporter for him for '08. I thought that tonight, he was, as always, articulate and on target, with a message that resounds with all Americans. In this debate, I thought I felt the candidates tiptoeing a little bit...trying to be sensitive when issues of unfairness and issues of poverty became entangled. It's difficult to acknowledge that poverty and other disadvantages strike the African-American community disproportionately without making the shortcut that black=poor. I felt several of the candidates faced this problem, especially with such short response times, but for me, it seemed to take away some of Edwards's usual confidence and star quality. That being said, I think he connected with the audience several times and this was by no means a poor showing. I'm still behind him 100% as I'm sure are his many, many kossack supporters.
Barack Obama – I have been mostly impressed with Barack Obama as a candidate and his performance tonight was spot on. I didn't see him as an African-American candidate, but simply as a candidate, and if he wins the Democratic nomination, I'll be proud to cast my vote for him. I thought his performance was exceptional tonight. Not to take away from his ability, but his performance tonight was aided by the fact that he followed John Edwards. With such short timeframes, he was able to tag team off of Edwards's sound bytes and then add a little more dimension. He may have been able to do this no matter who preceded him, but I gotta say, having Edwards in that position helped him look even better. I doubt that I'm the only one who noticed a sort of affinity between them tonight. An Edwards/Obama ticket or an Obama/Edwards ticket will probably not surprise many people, and could lead to the finest 16 years of Presidential history on record.
Dennis Kucinich – I supported Dennis Kucinich all the way through Iowa in '04, even though I knew he was a long shot. This guy is downright courageous. He's also a master of a sound byte with meaning. He never fails to impress me, and it seems that nothing intimidates him...not short response times, not unpopular positions, not the lack of widespread popular support. I think he absolutely raises the level of discourse, and I look forward to seeing him in future debates. He may have won a few votes tonight, especially on single payer, but not enough to take him into the top tier.
Mike Gravel – What can I say? I consider Gravel a fringe candidate, but I do think some of the things he says should be heard. Until his final comment about none of the other candidates being fit morally to be President, I kind of thought of him as a goofy uncle that you can't disclaim. After that comment, not so much. He's right about the War on Drugs being ridiculous, but otherwise, he might need to just shut up. Seriously.
Christopher Dodd – This guy is as sharp as a tack and seems very sincere to boot. I don't think he has a hope of breaking into the top tier, but he definitely raises the level of discourse. Even in the short timeframe for answers, he made it a point to say a couple of times that the great things we're talking about will happen with a Democratic President. He gets "luv ya" mojo from me for that alone. His performance tonight was excellent; I'm not sure if he was helped our hindered by following Gravel. Maybe a little of both. You can't help but look intelligent by following that, but it seems he may have had to swallow a chuckle a time or two before answering. In any case, kudos to Dodd. He may also have gained a few followers tonight, but not enough, I fear, to make it into the top tier.
If I've erred in making this a diary, forgive me, but three text pages of comments seemed too much, even individually, and maybe some folks will want to see this tomorrow and chip in their two cents worth.
For a million reasons, I'm very proud to be a Democrat tonight. America is on its way back to what it should have been all along. I hope many, if not all of you kossacks are basking in the glow tonight as well.
Cheers,
Kristina