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Democratic Debate: We Watch So You Don't Have To (and There Was Nothing To See)
This afternoon, the Democratic presidential candidates gathered in Des Moines for their final debate prior to the Iowa cacuses on January 3. For undecided voters, there was no new material
Here's a brief recap of an utterly uneventful affair. From the horse race perspective, no one flopped, fumbled or drooled. And no one attacked anyone. There were no moments you will see replayed and dissected excessively on cable news shows. There were, essentially no highlights--except perhaps for a moment when Barack Obama was asked how his foreign policy as president would be a break from the past given that he has several ex-Clintonites advising him. Before he could answer, Hillary Clinton said, "I want to hear that." As the crowd laughed, Obama shot back, "I'm looking forward to you advising me as well." That was as spicy as it got.
And for anyone obsessed with policy matters, there was not much there either. (Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were not invited to attend because the host, the Des Moines Register, determined that neither have a functioning campaign office in Iowa.) Bill Richardson called for a constitutional amendment for a balanced budget and for awarding line-item veto authority to the president--positions most of the other candidates do not back. He also called for scrapping the no Child Left Behind law; the other candidates talked of fixing it. Each declared their intention to end the war in Iraq; there was no detailed discussion about that. But Richardson declared he would leave no residual troops in Iraq. (Iran did not come up.) After Richardson called China a "strategic competitor," Chris Dodd maintained the United States has an "adversarial relationship" with China.
There were no clashes of policy or proposals. Clinton, Obama and Edwards did not revive their past disagreements over Social Security and health care. And while Obama decried "special interests" in Washington, John Edwards repeatedly--and I do mean repeatedly--cited the necessity of crushing "corporate power" and "corporate greed" in Washington, claiming he was the only candidate with the guts and spine to do so.
As soon as the debate ended, it was as if it had never occurred.
And yet, I thought there was something to the debate--the same things that have been in every Democratic debate--the amazing competence, seriousness and leadership of Joe Biden. Throughout this campaign, he has answered questions, refused to pander and always stood for what is right. He has been one of the top performers in every debate. He is constantly rated as the candidate who knows the most and who has smart, workable plans as opposed to untenable sound bites. He answers questions not just dances around them.
The idea, I guess, is that he is unelectable because he is up against the Clinton machine or the fiery and uplifting rhetoric of the new guy. Electability is such a crock. Iowa went for the electable guy last time and the nation followed suit. Shall we ask President Kerry how that's working out for him? The truth is, in American politics anyone is electable?just look at who currently occupies the White House.
The sad truth is that the media and political elite of the Democratic Party have decided that they would rather make history, by electing a woman or a black man, rather than make the right choice. They are down right loopy with the prospect of victory on their own terms. I hope Biden beats expectations and comes out of Iowa a contender. I hope it helps demonstrate that money isn't everything. I hope we get smarter and realize what exactly is at stake in this election?did you ever think that we would have to even discuss passing a law outlawing torture? Anyone else worried about Pakistan?at all?
However, I have a friend who often tells me that hope is not a method and I know from years of experience that one will never go broke underestimating the wisdom of the Democratic Party. So, maybe it's time we all begin the long walk down the road to "taking America back for Christ." As I said before, anyone is electable.
And yet, I thought there was something to the debate--the same things that have been in every Democratic debate--the amazing competence, seriousness and leadership of Joe Biden. Throughout this campaign, he has answered questions, refused to pander and always stood for what is right. He has been one of the top performers in every debate. He is constantly rated as the candidate who knows the most and who has smart, workable plans as opposed to untenable sound bites. He answers questions not just dances around them.
The idea, I guess, is that he is unelectable because he is up against the Clinton machine or the fiery and uplifting rhetoric of the new guy. Electability is such a crock. Iowa went for the electable guy last time and the nation followed suit. Shall we ask President Kerry how that's working out for him? The truth is, in American politics anyone is electable?just look at who currently occupies the White House.
The sad truth is that the media and political elite of the Democratic Party have decided that they would rather make history, by electing a woman or a black man, rather than make the right choice. They are down right loopy with the prospect of victory on their own terms. I hope Biden beats expectations and comes out of Iowa a contender. I hope it helps demonstrate that money isn't everything. I hope we get smarter and realize what exactly is at stake in this election?did you ever think that we would have to even discuss passing a law outlawing torture? Anyone else worried about Pakistan?at all?
However, I have a friend who often tells me that hope is not a method and I know from years of experience that one will never go broke underestimating the wisdom of the Democratic Party. So, maybe it's time we all begin the long walk down the road to "taking America back for Christ." As I said before, anyone is electable.
Carolyn Washburn, sadly, is the worst moderator I have ever seen. The questions were frequently awful and her dowdy delivery didn't help enliven the stifling pace. It was only just barely better than yesterday's Republican yawner.
Without Kucinich & Gravel, it's just Republican Lite. Same old, same old. Dennis is obviously beginning to scare the corporate media since they didn't invite him. The internet is stealing their audience. It will be interesting to see how much longer they can ignore the grassroots by broadcasting such boring debates.
Kucinich is the only capable one of the bunch. Clinton sold out to corporate interests and is just a Republican in disguise, the rest range from incompetent to insignificant.
And yet, I thought there was something to the debate--the same things that have been in every Democratic debate--the amazing competence, seriousness and leadership of Joe Biden. Throughout this campaign, he has answered questions, refused to pander and always stood for what is right. He has been one of the top performers in every debate. He is constantly rated as the candidate who knows the most and who has smart, workable plans as opposed to untenable sound bites. He answers questions not just dances around them.
The idea, I guess, is that he is unelectable because he is up against the Clinton machine or the fiery and uplifting rhetoric of the new guy. Electability is such a crock. Iowa went for the electable guy last time and the nation followed suit. Shall we ask President Kerry how that's working out for him? The truth is, in American politics anyone is electablejust look at who currently occupies the White House.
The sad truth is that the media and political elite of the Democratic Party have decided that they would rather make history, by electing a woman or a black man, rather than make the right choice. They are down right loopy with the prospect of victory on their own terms. I hope Biden beats expectations and comes out of Iowa a contender. I hope it helps demonstrate that money isn't everything. I hope we get smarter and realize what exactly is at stake in this electiondid you ever think that we would have to even discuss passing a law outlawing torture? Anyone else worried about Pakistan at all?
However, I have a friend who often tells me that hope is not a method and I know from years of experience that one will never go broke underestimating the wisdom of the Democratic Party. So, maybe it's time we all begin the long walk down the road to "taking America back for Christ." As I said before, anyone is electable.
Yawn...did I miss something while I was asleep?
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