CNN/YouTube Debate Live Blog! Part 4

A question in the form of a rap song about No Child Left Behind. Kind of cringe-inducing, but kind of neat. Richardson and Biden, who have differences on Iraq, as documented below, both agree on scrapping it. This is Bush's single greatest domestic accomplishment! What an awful legacy!

Wait, Biden's wife and daughter were killed? Did he just say that? How can everyone talk about John Edwards' dead son without ever mentioning the fact that Biden has lost his wife and daughter? I'm hitting Wikipedia.

Okay, here's what Wikipedia says (authoritative source, I know): "In 1966, while in law school, Biden married Neilia Hunter. They had three children, Joseph R. III (Beau), Robert Hunter, and Amy. His wife and infant daughter died in an automobile accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate [in 1973]. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. Biden was sworn into office from their bedside." Biden remarried in 1977.

We just had a question from two fake hillbillies and a question from a snowman. CNN's producers are punchy tonight. (Boy, awkward transition.)

The candidates on stage are trying to illustrate how their environmental positions can be distinguished from one another. Gonna be tough — they're all just about the same, which is to say, equally excellent.

Clara Jeffery, MoJo's Editor-in-Chief, writes in, "Dennis Kucinich just asked us to text peace! Arrrgh I want my computer." Yes, Kucinich did ask us to text peace, but I'm not exactly sure what that means — maybe DK's website has more? Also, two girls with incredibly bright smiles just spoke on behalf of raising the minimum wage and then asked everyone on stage if they would work for the MW. Pretty much everyone said yes. And now there's a question about taxes in the form of a song, with a joke about a parking ticket pardon at the end. This is shaping up to be the most entertaining and yet substantive debate ever. I am fully, completely on board with YouTube politics. This is awesome.

Other notes: Everyone loves God. Seriously, everyone on stage looooves God.

Richardson is surprisingly inarticulate for a man who has spent a lifetime in public service. It's so disappointing that he's less than the sum of his parts. Biden, who looked sad and defeated frequently tonight, is the source of fantastic one-liners. Barack Obama can't reach rhetorical heights in this clipped format.

And we're going to go out on a lovefest. The final question — the 36th, I believe — asks the candidates to look to their left and say something positive and negative about the person standing there. Everyone is thanking each other for their courage and lives of service. Everyone loves everyone, Joe Biden especially loves Dennis Kucinich's wife!

Fun night; maybe the best debate I've ever seen. Honest.

Postscript: John Edwards is answering additional questions in a live webcast right now, which is pretty neat. You can vote on the questions he should answer. Also, Chris Dodd is in the spin room answering questions from reporters; that's being fed live here.

More live blog: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Comments

All he is saying...

Posted by: John L on 07/23/07 at 5:48 PM Respond

"I've got the scars to prove it."

Ooh, show me your scars, Hillary!

Posted by: Clinton on Healthcare on 07/23/07 at 5:51 PM Respond

Gravel: "please wake up!"

so sincere and yet so sad

Posted by: Reasoned Voices on 07/23/07 at 5:55 PM Respond

You may be on board with YouTube politics, but apparently you missed the cell phone bandwagon.
So, you write a nifty little text message like, "i h8 war. quit warring," text it to "peace" (73223), and ostensibly someone will deliver your message to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue--whence a staffer will promptly email all of his friends, ruthlessly mocking you, delete the email, and send you a form letter.

Posted by: Kucinich on 07/23/07 at 6:14 PM Respond

inventive,
earnest,
funny,
spontaneous,
occasionally jarring,
but most of all
refreshingly personal

Posted by: Summing Up on 07/23/07 at 6:43 PM Respond

Any of these candidates would truly be better than the monkey were suffer with in the White House. Hilary shines through with her experience, her intelligence and her strong presence that presents nothing less than Presidential. Look deep into the reason you may not like Hilari.

Posted by: Gail Medeiros on 07/23/07 at 10:08 PM Respond

thank you

Posted by: sohbet on 09/27/08 at 2:10 AM Respond