"It was Gladys Knight and the Pips"
...to quote CNN analyst Jeffery Toobin about the YouTube presidential debate .. and he said Hillary looked like someone who could become president.
"LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The first question in presidential debate history to not come from a moderator came courtesy of Chris, a thin white man sitting at a small table at his home in Portland, Ore.
In his video, he wore a goatee, baseball cap, two small earrings and tattoos were visible on his arms. Using what could possibly be the first ironic air quotes in presidential debate history, he asked the candidates to please do something "revolutionary" and answer questions directly instead of "beating around the bush." Then he leaned toward the screen and cut his Webcam off.
Cut to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, brow handsomely furrowed, who offered, "We have no idea if this is going to work."[..]
I napped off and on through a repeat of the You-Tube debate, but from what I saw I think it was a success. I wondered if the quality of the questions would be up to snuff and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the questions were mostly thoughtful .. and inspired some nice moments in the debate.
First impression? Edwards was doing pretty good -- though I didn't agree with some of his answers -- until he included Hillary's dress in his 'critique' of her. I mean how telling is that .. about his view of women, I mean. It was silly .. would be like Hillary commenting on his tie in her assessment of him.
Hillary was strong and made a good showing .. but certainly didn't run away with the thing. I still don't know if she can win, but she impresses me. She is so damn smart, acts reasonable, tough as hell, has freaking nerves of steel. She would be a good president IF she would do what she thinks is right, and not do the bidding of her corporate donors. That's what worries me.
OTOH, when I listen to Biden discuss how we get out of Iraq -- he has the best solution of all the people on that stage.
I guess Barrack is my favorite so far .. but I don't know if his lack of experience will matter. We might end up with a Clinton/Obama ticket. Anyway, he more than held his own .. but boy is he ever going to be sorry he said that young school kids should be taught about sex enough to know if they are being abused. The Righties are jumping on that like ducks on June bugs.
Those two good ol' boys from Tennesse nearly stole the show with their Gore question. “This here question is for all you candidates: Mainstream media seems awful interested in Al Gore these days. Is he losing weight, what’s he say in his book, is he still worrying about ‘ol lies. They interpret all these as signs…if he may or may not run…they really want to know if Al Gore is gonna run again. What we wanna know is, does that hurt ya’ll’s feelings?”
Maybe I slept though it, but I didn't hear a single question addressing the immigration issue, and surely there were questions submitted about it!
The scariest moment was that guy brandishing an automatic weapon, calling it his baby, asking the candidates' position on gun control. Biden responded "...that guy needs help. I hope he doesn't come looking for me!"
A big shout out to Anderson Cooper for making the candidates answer the questions asked .. and kudos to the candidates for answering as well.
But, I'm sorry Dodd, Gravel and Kucinich -- because I really agree with a lot you say -- but at some stage you have to leave these formats. Nice guys or not --you have ZERO chance.
Bottom line, I would approve of every person on that stage for POTUS before any one of the GOP candidates .. even Newt Gingrich calls them "pathetic pygmies."
Anyway .. the next President will probably be a Modern Progressive .. unless Dick invites GW to the next quail hunt. Then all bets are off.
