Live Blog #6: Jackson Day Dinner Wrap Up

Live Blog #1 by sgary. Edwards!

Live Blog #2 by JohnD. Richardson and Biden!

Live Blog #3 by noweasels. Dodd!

Live Blog #4 by citizenx. Clinton!

Live Blog #5 by oysterface. Obama!

STRONG STRONG STRONG speeches by Edwards and Obama. But don't let that influence you.

What were the highlights?

Lowlights?

•  hit me!

  by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:34:59 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for this

    the rush of comments got overwhelming on the last one.  I will just conceed that the Obama folks think he outdid himself tonight.

    by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:37:36 PM PDT

    •  He and Edwards both

      thanks again for getting the ball rolling tonight!

      by casperr on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:38:52 PM PDT

    •  I liked this speech more than his 2004 speech

      I felt like I understood why he's running for president. I could see what he meant about getting passed the partisan battles of the past. Sometimes I worry that's code for triangulation. But tonight he made an abundantly clear message that it's about getting passed Bill Clinton as much as George Bush.

      by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:30 PM PDT

      •  Unfortunate.

        Bill Clinton is loved by the vast, vast majority of Democrats and people all around the world.  I don't know what he was thinking.

        by daria g on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:41:29 PM PDT

        •  Maybe he's thinking he wants to be president

          ..after all. And wouldn't that be novel?

          by Scarce on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:18 PM PDT

        •  here's a lesson for HRC: DO THE RIGHT THING.

          Don't calculate what everyone else wants.

          At the end of the day, we saw the 90s for welfare reform, NAFTA, and increased media consolidation. Everything that ultimately cost us the senate, the house, and eventually the white house in 2000.

          Clinton didn't even get the majority vote.

          I think that people are ready for more than just turning back a few years of Bush. They want more than returning to the 90s. They want to fix the problems that stood still in 90s.

          by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:44:32 PM PDT

          •  Again I have to ask

            Isn't it a good idea to do what most of the people want if you are going to be elected and be an effective president?

            "doing the right thing" means doing the right thing according to a very small number of people's opinions and i've had quite enough of that from the far right in the past eight years.

            by daria g on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:47:01 PM PDT

            •  Its a primary

              You're running against fellow Democrats, not against Republicans...and like it or not their are significant differences in the big-tent Democratic Party.

              by marcvstraianvs on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:48:43 PM PDT

            •  actually, your logic is faulty

              The Republicans don't do the wrong thing because their mandate comes from a small number of people. They do the wrong thing because their mandate... is wrong.

              by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:49:07 PM PDT

            •  the Iraq war was popular

              Following the polls is not always wise.

              And it ought to be clear to you now, following the polls undermines your credibility as a leader in this country.

              Yes, our leader should listen. But they should also be ready to lead. There should be some issues that are above triangulation, parsing, and pandering.

              by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:16:46 PM PDT

          •  She's gonna try to crush Obama.

            No mercy now.

            by Salo on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:45:19 PM PDT

            •  Oh. My. God.-- /nt

              by hhex65 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:53:09 PM PDT

              •  It was a direct challenge tonight.

                every line he delivered was aimed at her.

                by Salo on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:57:58 PM PDT

                •  Not really

                  Plenty was aim and fire at the Republicans and why Indies should look at the Dems closer, especially JRE.

                  by benny05 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:23:01 AM PDT

                  •  Obama I mean

                    Edwards was into soaring stuff.

                    by Salo on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:41:37 PM PDT

            •  Are you afraid, Salo?

              I'm not.

              by nolalily on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:31:40 AM PDT

        •  Barack Obama: "America is ready to turn the

          page.  This is our time.  A new generation is ready to lead".  

          by dotster on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:54:33 PM PDT

          •  But I don't want a damned purple page

            I want a blue page, and that's why I won't be caucusing for him.
            They'll eat all the food.

            by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:56:40 PM PDT

            •  lobbyists aren't purple, red, or blue

              I have confidence that Obama plans on leaving them out.

              by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:58:40 PM PDT

              •  lobbyists are Green!

                by rapcetera on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:11:16 PM PDT

                •  I've seen those BP ads

                  but I'm unconvinced.

                  by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 11:47:56 PM PDT

          •  Kennedy-esque. (John F. I mean, not Teddy)

            by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:02:37 PM PDT

            •  more like Bobby (RFK) - less JFK, to me

              by rapcetera on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:11:58 PM PDT

•  Compromise

  My husband has been Edwards - I am Obama.  Like 98% of marriage, we compromised tonight. If Super Tuesday (Missouri) means anything, we will vote for either.

  I loved Obama's speech, but it's the only one I saw.

  Cheers.

  by aimeeinkc on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:36:40 PM PDT

  •  LoFi version of JRE's speech - haven't checked it

    http://www.vsocial.com/...

    so I don't know if it's any good ... I'll be checking it out soon.

    by danthrax on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:37:40 PM PDT

    •  It's real good. Thanks!!

      n/t

      by Blue Waters Run Deep on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:44:50 PM PDT

    •  Edwards speech on Youtube

      Edwards at JJ dinner

      by pioneer111 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:45:09 PM PDT

      •  I am going to watch it again

        Thanks, pioneer111 -- it was so AWESOME.  John Edwards won the night!

        by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:01:39 PM PDT

    •  Anyone have a link to Obama's?

      Edwards was pretty damn good indeed. What I love about him right now is how much he's betting on a campaign that will really take on the corporations and power brokers... well, that's one thing. There's a lot to like. "It's time Americans were patriotic about something other than going to war." Amen.

      by scardanelli on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:30:06 PM PDT

      •  Obama's speech

        http://www.youtube.com/...

        by bhagamu on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:41:22 PM PDT

        •  thanks!

          wasn't coming up when I searched YouTube for some reason...

          by scardanelli on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:43:02 PM PDT

        •  Wow, thanks

          They got that up real fast.

          Rated & favorited.

          Awesome speech.

          by ChiGirl88 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:57:45 PM PDT

  •  Both were by far the best of the night

    can't go wrong with either one of them as our president.

    by CeeusBeeus on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:37:48 PM PDT

    •  No one came close to Edwards

      if people were honest.  Having enthuiastic supporters with loud, young lungs is not how speeches are measured, imo.

      by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:36 PM PDT

      •  I don't agree, and I haven't

        decided upon who I will vote for yet.  

        by CeeusBeeus on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:41:16 PM PDT

        •  that's okay

          we're all entitled...
          I'm just saying that unless you think crowd response is the way to measure the quality of a speech, most would concede that JRE's was the greatest stemwinder/barnburner.

          by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:35 PM PDT

          •  I would say no one's supporters were

            more Fired Up! than those for Obama.

            by dotster on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:57:22 PM PDT

            •  that doesn't make his speech better

              it just makes his supporters feel better.
              I thought it was his best speech I've heard, and I hope he keeps working on it.

              by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:01:26 PM PDT

              •  We are blessed....

                truly blessed. Understand that I'm a Richardson supporter, but I understand where the numbers are.

                Edwards or Obama lead us to a true change...a true new vision for our country. Who could have a problem with that?

                Our choices are wonderful..but they are clear.

                by Morgan Sandlin on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:09:28 PM PDT

                •  We really are Morgan

                  I feel this time we really will end up with significant change.

                  by LaEscapee on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:11:34 PM PDT

              •  How many

                of those supporters were busseed in? It's what was done at the steak fry.

                by LaEscapee on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:10:16 PM PDT

                •  Same for Hillary.

                  Lotsa staging and hype going on.

                  JRE's speech will be replayed in classes.  Who else can you honestly say that about?

                  by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:12:43 PM PDT

                •  Probably most of them. If you didn't have

                  the bucks to buy the rubber chicken, the campaigns got you in the door. I 'm still curious as to how the cheap seats were divided up between the campaign-offices...

                  by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:21:07 PM PDT

                  •  I;m not sure about that

                    I know here in La. the activists get a certain number, and others are sold. I am sure there is a limit, hopefully some of our Iowa Kossacks will let us know that, it would be interesting to know.

                    by LaEscapee on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:47:37 PM PDT

                •  I was the Steak Fry

                  And I drove myself, stayed with friends still nearly 150 miles away.

                  Obama and Clinton had the most out of staters at the Harkin Fry bused in.  Obama had the best pre-rally; Clinton had the most disrupters.  Iowans were impressed that I came from Illinois to see him and felt I was closer to them since I live in a rural area, as many of them do.  All of us were treated with kindness, but I was never treated with suspect, unlike the HIL whatevers.

                  by benny05 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:28:04 AM PDT

                •  Every supporter was from Iowa

                  I don't have the link right now, but I read this morning that one of his campaign managers was asked that question and he said every one was from Iowa except his dad.

                  by evora on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 09:30:09 AM PDT

              •  haha, you're kidding right.

                They were both great speeches. Leave it at that, and stop nitpicking.

                by rapcetera on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:13:18 PM PDT

                •  okay.

                  We're all just preaching to the choir, anyway.

                  (Is it still alright to use that cliche'?)

                  by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:16:53 PM PDT

•  Go, John, Go!

  Thanks for getting this posted!!

  by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:37:49 PM PDT

  •  hell yes

    What an inspiring freaking speech.

    by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:38:51 PM PDT

•  Obama gave a great speech...

  I wish I had more confidence that the status quo in Washington will be changed with a consensus approach to the powers concentrated therein.

  by citizen53 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:38:43 PM PDT

  •  yup. absolutely! Obama's was the best of the nite

    by concerned on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:42:48 PM PDT

    •  Edwards was the best speech of the night

      Obama close second.

      by pioneer111 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:46:12 PM PDT

      •  not close

        Edwards' speech was about history. Nothing more, nothing less. Unmatched.

        by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:47:40 PM PDT

      •  At least we're not arguing over best sucky speech

        Hey, look at our situation -- we've actually had some major candidates, who really could win, give actually great, inspiring speeches.

        I'm not used to that.

        by el cid on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 06:45:13 AM PDT

    •  It was a new speech...

      and great oratory.  So many of the themes I recognize from Edwards.  The question for me is what type of mandate?

      Edwards will be for the changes he speaks of, and to fight for them.

      Obama's mandate will be to form consensus as an approach to get change.  But I think the other side does not want to change, and those will power will not give it up voluntarily.

      by citizen53 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:55:14 PM PDT

      •  I want to go to the MAT with Edwards,

        but to the LaundryMAT with Obama.

        by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:07:25 PM PDT

•  My ranking:

    1. Edwards

    2. Obama

  .......

    3. Dodd

    4. Hillary

    5. Biden

    6. Richardson

  by Joe B on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:05 PM PDT

  •  Biden did better than HRC.

    by stillrockin on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:55 PM PDT

    •  Biden was pretty inspiring

      You gotta say that he is genuine. After Obama I like Joe.

      Pretty sure he will be in a cabinent position of some kind, whoever wins.

      by missliberties on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:11:45 PM PDT

  •  I was surprised Richardson sounded so

    unrehearsed. Didn't he practice?

    by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:45:35 PM PDT

    •  does he ever sound rehearsed?

      I guess when enumerating his plans.

      by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:46:41 PM PDT

    •  He was awful

      He knows he isn't going to win and he really doesn't try any more.  He is there to cover Hillary's back.

      by pioneer111 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:47:07 PM PDT

    •  Richardson usually gives poor speeches

      The content is often good, but his cadence is poor.  He's best in conversation with voters, not giving speeches.

      by Nuisance Industry on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:06:12 PM PDT

      •  Thanks. That's what I was hearing.

        by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:14:49 PM PDT

      •  My colleagues from NM say...

        Richardson is a great governor; I tell them I sure as hell don't see greatness in his speeches and demeanor.  Peter Principle at work?

        by cas2 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:41:35 PM PDT

        •  Some people just don't give good speeches

          Richardson does okay in interviews about substantive matters, when he's not primarily campaigning.

          by el cid on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 06:46:43 AM PDT

        •  I wonder

          Why do your NM colleagues say that he's a great governor?  Seriously.  Did they not object to Richardson blocking the 2004 Kerry/Bush recount?  

          We've been told by election protection activists that Richardson rebuffed all of their efforts to warn him about the unreliability of electronic voting contraptions prior to purchase by the state.  That was a very expensive mistake on the part of the governor.  Not just a monetary mistake.

          Do your colleagues agree with Richardson blocking a single-payer heath care plan for the State of New Mexico?

          Do your colleagues agree with Richardson granting special access to proponents of coal and nuclear power?

          I'll leave it at that - but I could go on and on.

          I really would like to know why they say he's a great governor.
          
          
          ````
          peace
          
          

          by peace voter on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 09:41:09 AM PDT

          •  I'll ask them...

            The two colleagues to whom I refer are informed political junkies who spent many years living in NM.  I'll check back if I can, peace. Thanks for the response.

            I wanted to like Richardson but in debates and interviews he exhibits more deficits than I can ignore. His supporters point out that he doesn't perform well in public speaking venues...well, hell, who wants a leader who consistently shows he can't craft and deliver a cogent speech? Also, imo, it says something about his cognition and perceptions: He doesn't get it.  He says dumb things.  I did a search on his career; all I could find is that Republicans piled on his performance as Sec Energy during the Los Alamos scandal. Seems like a decent man; his foreign policy positions are impressive but not pres/vp material.

            by cas2 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 10:18:04 AM PDT

            •  thanks

              I look forward to learning about their reasons for the glowing assessment.

              When you searched about info on his career did you come across the his position as Senior Managing Director of Kissinger Associates' affiliate, Kissinger McLarty Associates?

              AFAIK he doesn't talk much about his long history with Henry Kissinger.  I'd love to know more it.

              Richardson's first government job was in the Kissinger state department during Richard Nixon's presidency.

              After leaving the Department of Energy and prior to being elected NM Governor, Richardson again went to work with Mr. Kissinger.

              And it's my understanding that Richardson may still be a director of Kissinger Associates' affiliate, Kissinger McLarty Associates.
              
              
              ````
              peace
              
              

              by peace voter on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:26:21 PM PDT

              •  No. Nothing about Kissinger

                I'm not saying it isn't there; maybe I didn't search deep enuf.  I also didn't pull up a lot about his diplomatic excusions.  I was looking for scandal, frankly, to rebut my friends after a lively discussion in which I called Richardson a "dipshit".  When I hit on the congressional hearings about Richardson's performance as Sec Energy, I jumped at it.  There's a lot on this, btw, but it looked specious to me...same old white guys who dogged Clinton. The main allegation was that Richardson promised to clean up security at nuclear sites nationally and did not and dissed congress by not showing up for one hearing. When that disk went missing at the Labs, they had a concrete issue to pin on him.

                by cas2 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 02:26:33 PM PDT

                •  there's room for legitimate criticism

                  I have no doubt that we can find fault with some of the individuals criticizing Bill Richardson job performance as Secretary of Energy.  The best known criticism stems from hardrives containing sensitive info re nuclear bomb technology, and what was seen as unfair treatment of Wen Ho Lee.

                  Not as widely known is Richardson's role in opening the world's first deep geological dump for plutonium contaminated nuclear weapons waste - the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

                  Here's one of my recent comments on the subject:

                  I believe that the main reason that Richardson was named as Secretary of Energy was to open a dump for plutonium contaminated nuclear weapons waste - the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

                  The radioactive dump situated near the Carlsbad National Caverns in Southern New Mexico could not have been opened if simple tests to determine ground water flow had been administered.

                  There's a highly pressurized brine reservoir below the dump and an aquifer above it which is periodically flushed into the Peco River.  There are myriad pathways for the waste to reach the accessible environment.

                  The permitting process was a long, drawn out, expensive sham - DoE's environmental assessment was based on spurious claims about the geology and hydrology of the site.  

                  When he was in Congress, Richardson was pressured into passing legislation that gave EPA regulatory authority over the dump.  Later - As Secretary of Energy, Richardson opened the dump while environmentalists were in court to give EPA the breathing space that it needed to provide an assessment independent of the DoE.

                  
                  
                  ``````
                  peace
                  
                  

                  by peace voter on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 12:15:34 PM PDT

      •  Correct better one on one

        I like him one on one, but not as someone to address the nation during the hard times.

        by benny05 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:30:04 AM PDT

•  My order of best

  1. Edwards

  2. Obama

  3. Dodd

  4. Biden

  5. Clinton

  6. Richardson

  by Funphil on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:45 PM PDT

•  Incredible Speech by My 8th Cousin Barack!

  He REALLY Did it!

  This was a convention quality speech.  i think this is the turning point of the campaign.  We are going places!

  by teenvote on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:39:57 PM PDT

  •  so if he's your 8th cousin...

       does that mean that you are "Darth" Cheney???
     LOL and apologies to the commenter!

    by Zack from the SFV on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 11:10:24 PM PDT

•  REC THIS DIARY

  unrec previous diaries -- nobody takes offense, this is a liveblog and we need to keep the conversation lively!

  thanks to danthrax, sgary, John DE, citizenx and oysterface for keeping the threads moving tonight -- AWESOME job, livebloggers!!

  by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:40:04 PM PDT

  •  Thanks to you

    you did a great job of cat herding tonight.

    by citizenx on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:41:23 PM PDT

    •  Well, since it's LATE . . .

      I'll violate the rules:

      

      It wasn't hard with all the great kossacks -- including you, dear citizenx -- who stepped in so quickly and with such skill!!

      Thanks so MUCH to our liveblogging team tonight!  WOW!!

      by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:54:14 PM PDT

      •  LOL, love the cat herding pic

        May I use that on my blog and at C and J here? Wonderful pic!

        by benny05 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:31:47 AM PDT

        •  EEK

          It's an old one and it's not mine, but I've never had any complaints!

          by noweasels on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:02:47 PM PDT

•  The first speech and the last

  were hands down the best of the night.

  by citizenx on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:40:36 PM PDT

•  Totally OT but the lighting/stage crew stunk!

  I've been out of the biz for 20 years and I could have  done better.

  by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:42:12 PM PDT

•  Good lord

  I feel like I'm in Bizarro World over here.  I missed Edwards but if it was like Obama you guys are not on point with what plays well in Iowa.

  by daria g on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:42:34 PM PDT

•  This was pretty funny...

  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who brought racing legends Al Unser Sr. and Bobby Unser Sr. to a pre-event rally, declared his differences with his rivals over how quickly U.S. troops could be brought home from Iraq.

  "The leading candidates are talking about keeping troops until 2013," Richardson said as some boos filtered through the crowd. "I will bring troops back within one year."

  Still, Richardson warned that in the remaining days of the Iowa campaign "it is critically important that Democrats not tear each other down." Voters, he said, "want a positive campaign" and "want us to see an America that is optimistic."

  Richardson attacks, then he says everyone should be positive. You can't make this stuff up.

  by Progressive America on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:42:39 PM PDT

  •  article...

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/...

    by Progressive America on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:02 PM PDT

•  replay

  Wonder when it will be shown again. I missed all except Clinton and Obama.

  Norman Mailer and his son are on now to discuss a book they co-authored, The Big Empty.

  by OLinda on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:42:50 PM PDT

  •  obviously

    a rerun of an old show.

    by OLinda on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:26 PM PDT

  •  Edwards is definitely worth seeing

    I'm sure it will be replayed several times.

    by casperr on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:50:13 PM PDT

    •  They will all be replayed

      It's on as I speak.  Night time suffers of cubital tunnel..:-)

      by benny05 on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 01:32:54 AM PDT

•  things that happened tonight

  1. The second tier established itself as a second tier. Almost purposefully.

  2. Edwards led. Campaign themes: history, convictions, inspiration, family.

  3. Obama reacted to post-debate mess. In short: Bill Clinton defended his wife and lumped Obama in with others who attacked her at the debate. Result: Obama goes hardcore on attack and includes ex-President.

  4. Obama closed with a speech that was clearly more successful than Hillary's, which preceded it.

  5. Hillary established campaign strategy. Coding ("I'm comfortable in the kitchen") and familiarity with voters ("I think you know where my position is - it's with you").

  by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:19 PM PDT

  •  oh, one other...

    All non-candidates were abominable, even Harkin.

    by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:44:13 PM PDT

    •  yeah but Representative Leonard Boswell

       could develop a second career as an auctioneer. He sounded like a pro. Maybe that's what he did before getting elected to Congress?...

      by Zack from the SFV on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 11:17:29 PM PDT

•  Edwards, Obama

  and then everybody else..

  I'm not a "Hillary-Hater" but we can do better.

  by SecondComing on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:52 PM PDT

•  A noun, a verb, 9-11 and Amen

  Biden reminds me of my goofy uncle LOL

  by LaEscapee on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:43:52 PM PDT

•  Is it me

  ...or was the association of Hillary with the phrase "turn up the heat" a glaring oxymormon.

  I've always considered her to be a canned, unemotional speaker, but she outdid herself tonight.  I've watched Congressional hearings on pig farming with more high points than that stiff stump of hers.

  Undoubtedly an Edwards and Obama night, but I give Barack the edge on resonance.  

  by PaulD on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:44:15 PM PDT

  •  to be fair Obama had a big edge

    in going last, Edwards gave a great speech too, Obama's was simply off the charts.

    by nevadadem on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:45:39 PM PDT

    •  Was the crowd excited before Edwards speech?

      by Jacques on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:46:59 PM PDT

    •  I really believe that Obama has an

      excellent chance to win Iowa.  He had huge numbers at his festivites there today.  His campaign seems to be where all the excitement is.  

      by dotster on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:03:31 PM PDT

      •  Honest question

        I know Obama had big numbers, but were they like the steak fry, bussed in?

        He gave a great speech, and he is dead on about the younger generation wanting change but there are still the same crowd in Wash. and I'm not sure he has the fight it will take to accomplish things.

        by LaEscapee on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:07:59 PM PDT

        •  I would not doubt Obama's fight for a minute.

          My understanding was that those were truly all Iowa all the time supporters for Obama.  I have only heard that Clinton's campaign did some extracurricular busing.  Obama won't have the same crowd in Washington----that's his whole point.

          by dotster on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:21:26 PM PDT

      •  Not only could he win...

        ...that's always been true.  The race in Iowa has always been close.

        But given both his ability to turn people out tonight and the quality of his message, this is the first time that I've envisioned a scenario where he could win big in Iowa.  Like 10, 12, 15 points big.

        Not saying it's the most likely scenario, but it has entered the realm of possibility, at least as far as I am concerned.

        by poblano on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:11:56 PM PDT

      •  HE is the excitement.

        I've seen videos of him in a variety of settings and am always struck by how magnetic he is. He exudes energy and he gets way more than his share of free publicity.  

        by cas2 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:53:26 PM PDT

    •  He got more camera time, too.

      I'd guess his was the longest speech; the camera loved him, even as he was going to and leaving the platform.  And Pelosi didn't immediately jump on stage and quiet the crowd to keep things moving along.  Obama was extraordinary.

      by cas2 on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:48:10 PM PDT

  •  It was stupid and inappropriate

    clearly an attempt to emulate "Fired up? Ready to go!"

    by CeeusBeeus on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:45:42 PM PDT

  •  "Turn up the heat.."

    Extremely lame.
    I would have loved to see how the instructions were issued to her supporters.
    And those signs that they held up when she said that... It was very high school.

    by steelman on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:51:44 PM PDT

    •  It was a pep rally for 60 yr. olds.

      by dotster on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:04:20 PM PDT

      •  60 yr. olds are more likely to

        take off their shawls, get out of their rockers, and show up at a caucus than some starry-eyed 20 year old on January 3rd, when many might not even have returned to school.

        by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:25:36 PM PDT

•  Edwards and Obama

  Was definitely their night...was nice to see some passion again.  Edwards throws out red meat the best of anyone, and Obama is the best motivator.  Proud to be a Democrat.

  by marcvstraianvs on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:44:58 PM PDT

  •  Thank you!

    That's how I saw it, too.  I can't say one was "better", they were both so un-fing-believable, there are no words.  AND they both did something completely different.

    by CeeusBeeus on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:48:16 PM PDT

  •  In the sandwich of candidates tonight

    The bread at the top and bottom were the tastiest part.

    Gotta watch out in the middle.  Dodd tells me the candidates are on sticks.

    by Nuisance Industry on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:08:28 PM PDT

•  Hats off to the livebloggers tonight

  Thanks so much to sgary, who posted the link and to everyone else who stepped in.  WOW. This community is just incredible!

  To quote my Mom: "If Daily Kos were in charge of this country, we'd all be a lot better off."

  No kiddin'.

  by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:46:05 PM PDT

  •  nice work, noweasel.

    now,  a confession.
    I finally saw your name right.
    I was reading it as "NOW-easels" and assumed you were some kind of contemporary porrait artist or something.   lol

    by sgary on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 10:29:13 PM PDT

    •  LOL!!!

      Please see THIS

      hahahahahahaha!!!!!!

      thanks, sgary!

      by noweasels on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 11:44:25 PM PDT

      •  wow.

        I thought it was all those psychedellics I did in the 60s.  Glad to know otherwise!
        Still up, watching the c-span re-airing, which is bigger and better than the still excellent YouTube version.

        by sgary on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:00:54 AM PDT

        •  I'd turn it on

          but I have finally got the aging German shepherd asleep -- about to do the heating-pad massage . . . TERRIFIC JOB tonight -- bless you.  And this is what I pray for:

          John Edwards for President!

          by noweasels on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:05:32 AM PDT

          •  I have a 17 yr. old Mountain Cur

            (a real breed- Google it) who keeps me up all nite too.
            Nite now.  
            I've decided I can't get rid of the picture of you in my mind as an artist, or don't want to.
            But I'm all for no weasels.

            by sgary on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 12:42:02 AM PDT

•  Worst of the night

  the stupid as hell auctions.

  by citizenx on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:48:32 PM PDT

  •  not worse than Pelosi

    Gotta be honest.

    by olivert on Sat Nov 10, 2007 at 09:49:40 PM PDT

    •  Hey - I'll be hard on Nan