January 15th, 2008 10:13 PM Eastern
Nevada Debate Impressions, Volume 3
by Major Garrett
Edwards admits he should not have voted for a 2001 “bankruptcy reform” bill. Clinton agrees but, unlike, Edwards points out the bill never became law — softening the blow of Russert’s question quoting a top consumer group describing Clinton’s vote as the “death knell” for pro-consumer bankruptcy reform. Clinton tries to push the debate to Nevada, saying blacks and latinos here are stressed by the mortgage meltdown. Obama rises above both by being the only one to say he opposed the 2001 bankruptcy bill in concept and voted against the 2005 bill while in the Senate. Obama said both were pushed “by the credit card companies” and his opposition grew out of skepticism of their motives and general unease with special interest power in D.C.
On mortgage crisis, Clinton deftly and confidently describes the components of her economic stimulus plan. She comes close as I can ever recall to reaching the heights of intellectual synergy her husband often achieved by combining policy specifics with real-world examples the average person can comprehend. This was by far Clinton’s best moment in the debate and, I imagine, swayed the minds of some undecided voters and probably came as reassuring music to the ears of slightly wavering Clinton supporters hungry to be reminded of why they were drawn to her in the first place.
On the ask-your-opponent segment, Clinton makes a transparent attempt to erase any distance between her and Obama on Iraq by asking him to embrace her legislation to challenge President Bush on Iraq benchmarks, troop deployments and permanent bases.
Obama agrees immediately, but underscores his long-standing opposition to the Iraq war, defying Clinton’s desire to minimize the distance between the two. On troop withdrawals, Clinton leans more aggressively toward withdrawing U.S. troops within a year, offering the caveat she always does that she will move “carefully and responsibly” but can move almost all out within a year. Edwards says he’s the only one to eliminate combat missions and eliminate any prospect of permanent military bases, calling the differences between himself and Obama and Clinton important and telling. Edwards said combat forces and military bases “continue the occupation” in Iraq. Obama says it’s important to keep the option of combat forces on the table to deal with potential Al Qaeda uprisings, but concedes Edwards point that a strike team might also be stationed in Kuwait to handle such operations. Since this issue has been so thoroughly vetted and appears to be falling behind the economy in the minds of most Democratic voters, this exchange will probably not move many votes.
Tags: bankruptcy, Clinton, economic stimulus, Edwards, Iraq, mortgage, Obama
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after the past week, why would Hillary use the phrase “Black/Brown issues”? If actually made me feel very uncomfortable. Who is Brown… Latinos?
The Nevada debate may be the margin of victory in the primary, given how close Hillary Clinton and Obama are in the polls.
Without Dennis Kucinich it wasn’t a debate. All three of these candidates are just different flavers of the same candy. They’ll all rot your teeth. At least Dennis offered some real meat.
All three candidates did well tonight, and no major blows or gaffes were made. I wish I could say that the best candidate, Edwards, won, but Clinton, Obama and Edwards all had strong moments.
I thought Hillary Clinton actually projected gravitas in the debate, along with agile thinking. This came through for me on her response to Obama on “fear.” She made the distinction between using fear as a political tool and a common-sense awareness that face enemies that must be countered.
PH Chicago
As I watched the debate I got the feeling that with Clinton as president we as a nation would be getting the status quo! Obama comes across as a change our country is needing! He is knowledgeable, astute and appears to be able avoid the political pitfalls of current and past political leaders. I get a sense of bravery, asurety and honesty from Obama. Clinton seems like she will do and say anything to get the job, attack her opponent (status quo) or whatever…
Major G………..
You are funny. My friends enjoy watching you as they find your reporting to be total camp.
Why do you always get the names screwed up? You are really funny.
I believe Senator Clinton did a good job on the Debate she always makes sure that you can understand her. She explain it so well especially when it comes to her Economic Stimulus that she is planning. When she talk – Its always with substance. I just hope she will be the next President of United States of America. She has brain and you could sense that she is Really Ready To Lead The Country in Day One. You feel confident and assured that the right and qualified candidate is Running Our Country and you can have a good sleep at night. Go Hillary! God Bless America!
I felt that all candidates were similar on the issues; Obama seems clearest to understand though. The real distinction is in their character. Edwards is commited, almost to the point of obsession. Clinton would rule from day 1 from the oval office. Obama is natural leader that will lead the Citizens as a force to overcome any special interests in Congress. Also seemed Obama’s campaign contributions are the cleanest. I think we need a President like him to lead us forward.
The writing in this article is some of the worst I’ve ever seen in journalism – missing verbs, wild changes in tense, choppy sentences with few conjunctions. It’s actually pretty hard to read.
I feel that Senator Clinton did a good job in the Debate. She always make it a point she come across clearly when she answer things especially when she explain her Economic Stimulus that she is planning. I just hope and pray that she will be Our Next President of the United State of America. When she talks its always with substance. She has brain and very qualified to be the President and you could sense that she is READY TO LEAD A COUNTRY IN DAY ONE. You could feel her Passion to Serve the Country. When she will become a President you could feel confident and secure that the right person is running Our Country and can go to sleep peacefully. Go Hillary ! God Bless You! God Bless America!
An almost interesting read but the grammar was dreadful. A bit of editing is encouraged.
“music to the hears of slightly wavering Clinton”
“underscores his long-standing opposition to the Iraq, ” — the Iraq war? occupation?
“Clinton agrees but, unlike, Edwards points out the bill never became law” — So Edwards unlike Clinton points out ….?
“Edwards says he’s the only one to eliminate combat missions and eliminate any prospect of permanent military bases, calling the differences between himself and Obama and Clinton.” — calling the differences between himself, Obama and Clinton what?
Kids writing blogs disappoint me on a regular basis. My assumption here is that you are a professional writer, please endeavor to write professionally.
Here is my Economic Stimulus Plan:
Have the Credit Card companies analyze every one of their open accounts.
All accounts that have taken in more money than the consumer/account holder has spent using the credit card should be designated PAID-IN-FULL and closed.
Some portion (let’s say 50%) of all excessive interest, finance and service charges would also be credited toward outstanding account balances, to compensate the consumer for the gouging that they have endured.
Everyone will be better off without this debt burden, and our country will be much better off if the Government would put a stop to the plundering of the Credit Card “industry”.
What about the point on Obama voting for the energy bill that would result in the building of several new nuclear power plants. Obama said that when he is president, he’ll put together a study group to figure out the best way to deal with all the nuclear waste. Why would he vote for a bill approving the construction of nuclear power plants when he doesn’t have a clear idea of what to even do with the waste? That seems to me one of the most glaring judgment issues one could raise.
Hillary’s pandering “begging” for the black vote during the debate was “pathetic”….
I thought all the candidates did a great job.
My favorite line was Clinton’s:
“Bush is over in the Arab world right now begging them to lower gas prices. Pathetic!”
My entire living room gave her a standing ovation (and we all support different candidates).
rd, just fyi, before you get your panties in a twist —
It was an official “Black/Brown Debate” meaning it was hosted by a coalition of various groups who deal with issues that impact people of color.
The “Black/Brown Debates” are the ones that the Republican candidates infamously refuse to participate in.
Senator Clinton is trying to come across as a candidate for change, however, her character shows through her fake smile. Obama is genuine and believes in people rights and concerns for this nation come first. He gives a sense that he will work WITH and FOR the American people, whereas Hillary will work FOR whats best and work WITH Washington to protect what SHE feels are our best interests. She has forgoten that she is not entitled to anything. It is up to the people to elect her, but she will lie cheat and steal as much as she can to get to the top. I dont hate her, Im scared of her.
I f Obama does not want to be labeled the black candidate then why does he persist in speaking to his black voters using black vernacular and cadence and referring to being ‘ bamboozled, hoodwinked and okey doke’ but never uses these phrases speking to his white voters as if the aforemnetioned phrases can only be understood by black voters…..he chose to use two different languages while Hillary uses the same way of speaking regardless who her audience is….also he can never be pinned down by owning anything he says…he is constantly whining that he did not say that ..or that is not what I meant….well…what the heck did he say and what the heck did he mean??? He is really turning into a big crybaby….maybe he will just run and hide behind oprah so she can go out and beat up the ‘Girl” that is picking on him….grow up…the republicans are going to say a lot worse things and Momma Oprah won’t be there to defend you