The best moment? Corn blogs at MoJo!

It's a shame that the candidates who make sense and have some apparent intelligence (and the sense to use it) are not the ones considered most likely to be the major candidates in the actual race, after the whole primary nonsense. Right now it looks like the money race is what will decide the candidates. Remember the Golden Rule (as told by the King of Id): "He who has the gold makes the rules."

National security is not always an either/or proposition. Yet Russert, with his gotcha query, was trying to force the complicated Iran issue into such a box. This sort of framing does pervert the national debate, for it precludes serious discussion of the matter at hand and careful consideration of consequences.

This is not an anomaly for Russert, it is his method of operation as a journalist. And Russert was trained as a lawyer, yet formulating good questions is not a tool in his bag of tricks. Russert is a folksy journalistic hack and I wish GE loved America more than to give us him every Sunday and at the odd political debate. The Blowhard from Buffalo is a bad as Judy Miller, less craven less competent.

Good assessment. I really hope people start listening to Biden. We need a restoration of some kind of sensible foreign policy in this country, and our leaders and other candidates are over-simplifying the issue with a nuclear Iran. The complexity of internal Iran (pro-western, anti-revolution) as well as other troubled countries in that region demands more thought and experience on the topic. Hats off to Biden.

If the Dems win the Oval Office next November,you think they'll pass campaign financing reform to fix this? I hope so, our democracy depends on it.

I saw that part of the "debate" and fully agree with your analysis. Isn't it appalling that the one adult in the group is considered a marginal candidate? It's becoming increasingly rare to find a qualified person willing to put up with what it takes to get elected, and we, the electorate, have only ourselves to blame for having turned the presidential campaign into a beauty contest. The sort of finance reform that might put a dent in the problem would be thrown out by the Supreme Court even if it somehow got enacted (not bloody likely). If there's a solution to this mess, I wish someone would come up with it already.

Howie Klein has a good answer to the "isn't it a shame" complaint. http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-media-warped-primaries.html
If all the media coverage goes to three, primarily two, candidates, and the two are the ones with the least chance of winning a general election, what does that say about what our media mandarins really want?

Biden is gaining more support in Iowa than they realize. Iowa is a ground game. You need at least 15% of the voters who show up in each precinct on caucus night before you get even one delegate. To paraphrase a certain Rethug strategist: "It's the math." Biden has been converting people in small venues across Iowa for months. On caucus night, he will have a core of support in many small precincts in small counties. Because of the math, they will have a disproportionate impact. In a lot of those small rural counties, Clinton and Obama are not favored, and we don't care what Russert thinks.

Edwards has support from 2004, and will probably retain a lot of it. Kucinich isn't campaigning here and will get nothing, outside of maybe the university precincts. Dodd is wowing the blogs, but not very visible here, although his strong debate performance and the firefighters are going to be helpful. Richardson does not turn people around on the stump as much as he needs to. He attracted a lot of interest on his initial campaign swings, but is not hanging on to it.

If you want to have any impact on who the nominee is, pick a candidate in Iowa and send them some money. (Unless your preference is Obama or Clinton, in which case don't bother. They have money.) But don't talk about what a shame it is, and do nothing. Just saying.

I was completely impressed with Biden on several authentic statements that he was able to reinforce with his past experiences. He said that opposing parties need to find common ground in order to make great things happen for our country. I was impressed with him because he wasn't taking as many shots at other candidates as some on the panel did. He didn't feel the need to try to make others look bad in order to make himself look good. He looked good and was impressive purely on his passed accomplishments and not lip service as to hopes and dreams of what "I will do when I am president", like our other contenders... Clinton and Obama. I hope he continues to have the financial resources to continue and I look forward to having President Biden help turn our country around. I have three young boys and am deeply troubled by the state Bush has our country in. God Bless and Good luck Sen.Biden

Sherry

Biden for SecState? SecDef?

I was very impressed with Biden and Dodd last night. Biden's answer to Russett's confining question was right on the mark. It was the kind of answer that should have stopped people in their tracks and made them really think. Clinton and Obama? Its impossible for her to give a straight answer on anything. Obama is nothing but puff. Its sad, tragic really, that candidates with the experience and the vision are virtually ignored by the media. This is a beauty pagent between Clinton and Obama. the others aren't even being given a chance.

" I would pledge to keep us safe."

Complete poppycock.

Keep us safe? That might address those that live in a constant state of fear but he cannot be serious.

I am still rooting for Dennis Kucinich

Nukes Pakistan has
Maybe about 20
Nukes Pakistan has used
None
Countries Pakistan is or has been at war with
1

Nukes Us has
Thousands?
Nukes Us has used
2
Countries Us is or has been at war with
you do the math!

Now guess wich country worries me most!

Damn right. Biden is the best choice for president. Wake up, Liberals--Hillary is not our best choice. Triangulation wins elections--sometimes--but it sells out our principles.

Look if these candidates can't out think Russert, it's all over. The fact that Biden saw his trap and was able to concisely get his point across is what's necessary. Bush's with his Iran WW3 rant wasn't even ranting about Iran having nuclear weapons what Bush said he was against Iran having a NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM, or Iran just thinking about Nuclear weapons was justification for Bush to start WW3. This is the Orwellian thought police Bush is ready to go to war over and it mimics the Iraq reasons. After no WMD'S were found the rhetoric changed from WMD'S to WMD programs being sufficient enough to warrant the invasion of Iraq.If none of the Democrats could call Russert on his trap, well screw them they won't get my vote or money. Just as well get the slide to fascism over right away.

Second best Biden line of the night? (Paraphrased from memory): "Every sentence out of Giuliani's mouth contains a noun, a verb, and 9/11". Ok, so it was more of a zinger than a substantive statement, but still...

Joe not only put Russert in his place by answering the "Gotcha" question but showed how he will be an asset in the Hillary Administration.

I actually believe Biden has introduced a campaign financing bill, so I know he would address the problem. It's not fair to the citizens to only showcase a few of the very qualified candidates running for this office.

Actually, the "top" moment of the night belonged to Dennis Kucinich, who when asked if he believes in UFO's replied that more Americans believe in UFO's than believe in George Bush. Now, that's an answer worth getting up out of your seat and applauding over.

Senator Joe Biden did the American people who viewed the debate more of favor than they may realize in the response that he gave to Mr. Russert's question concerning Iran and its nuclear program. Compare this to the "insane" position staked out by Rudy Guiliani as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination and others who think like him like the international relations "experts" from the American Enterprize Institute, the Bush administration and Christians United For Israel who portray the world in such stark black and white terms of good and evil when it is really gray. Senator Biden's response demonstrated just how "gray" i.e., complex the world of foreign relations is no matter what the issue that is being dealt with. If Pakistan falls into chaos, which it has a good chance of doing, I hate to think who would and could gain access to its nuclear arsenal and the beat goes on.

Scythian: You have hit on something many folks have not even thought about. The amount of "Fuel" needed to make a weapon is something like a drop in the bucket compared to what other countries have and Iran does not have. This is a false arguement to justify attacking Iran.

I personally thought it was the highlight of the debate. I thought it sad that Russert kept,through his closed in questions kept trying his best to keyhole Clinton with questions about her papers as first Lady. It seemed like he was trying to get her to agree to release these papers because he knew they could embarrass her in regard to her relationship with her husband during that trying time.

when is the administration releasing papers and e-mails congress has been asking for? no one should give anything til then;that includes hillary.

when is the administration releasing papers and e-mails congress has been asking for? no one should give anything til then;that includes hillary.

when is the administration releasing papers and e-mails congress has been asking for? no one should give anything til then;that includes hillary.

I used to like Tim Russert alot.
His moderation of the debates is bringing him down.
This is also having a negative effect on Meet the Press. Most of his guest are boring and of little consequence.
He has started to believe in his own headlines.
I just wish he had the guts to stand up for Imus!

Joe Biden for Secretary of State,
2008

They call themselves leaders, but not one of them dare speak of Israel's nuke program and speak of a nuke-free ME.

Absolutely spot on. I am not a fan of democrats or republicans, think even the best of them have sold most of us down the river for many decades, however, credit should be given when due, and my respect level for Biden went way up with this report.

Plain language, go for it...real time, not "shrub" la-la land. I still like Kucinich the best so far of dems...and I am tired of hearing things like "you can't waste your vote on someone who can't win"...Well I went along with that perspective several times, and each time, there I was, floating down the river again. I would rather vote for someone whose values, politics are close to mine, and not win, than throw my vote away for the "frontrunner" - projected King or Queen with whom I have agreement on just about nothing important.

Biden blew me away with this answer. All everyone is talking about today is his comment about Rudy. Forget that! THIS was the moment in the whole debate...from anyone.
Biden has won my vote!

I think Biden did very well in his answer, but unfortunately, it will make no difference. The Bush Admin. has decided to wage war on Iran (in order to steal their resources, just as they are doing with Iraq) and nothing is going to stop it. In fact, if opposition becomes too strong, I wouldn't put another 'fale flag' operation beyond them. If they exploded a small dirty bomb, and blamed Iran, all debate would end, and we'd be off to war again. Of course, there WILL BE another DRAFT. That is inevitable; there simply aren't enough troops for their plans of world domination. And when people who are protesting, and using their first amendment rights, are jailed in a toxic concentration camp in New York( as we recently witnessed during the Rep. Nat. Convention) our country is no longer free. It's sad,sad times. As much as I despise most of the Republicans, I've joined their party temporarily in order to vote for Dr. Ron Paul (who voted against the war, against the "Patriot" Act, and aginst any legislation that is un-Constitutional)in the Republican primary. If Dr. Ron Paul doesn't win the Rep nomination, then I will vote for whomever wins the Democratic nomination, unless it's front-runner Hilary Clinton, who should be running as a Republican, given her voting record--for the war, for the Patriot Act, for legalizing Bush's wiretapping (after it was declared un-Constitutional in Federal Court). I think Obama would be my next prefered choice...I like Kuccinich, too ...but he doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell, with his very anti-war stance. We have spent too much money on weapons not to keep killing, is the gov't's view on this issue, it seems. Rather than seriously invest in alternative energy, we are going to continue our present course, destroying our enviroment, making America a police state, and waging war with other countries over the remaining oil reserves, all located in the M.E. in an area not much bigger than Kansas...It's sad how limited their vision is...that they can't see that, no matter how much wealth or power they consolidate, they are bound to lose...They may dupe the American people, or imprision them, but they can't avoid the response of mother nature to her endless raping...For she will soon show how petty and insignificant we humans are, when instead of working with the earth, we work to rape it without thought or care of the consequences...I suppose they care not that their offspring will be living in a kind of hell, if they survive at all...Even the best scientists can only guess at how bad the reprecussions of continued Global Warming will be..It's also puzzling to me where the gov't/military plan to get their soldiers, when they continue to put our troops into toxic enviroments, and when they get sick refuse to treat them...The military continue to use depleted uranium in their munitions, which is not only going to result in the sickness and death of present soldiers, but ehir offspring, should they risk having children, will most likely be severely deformed, as we have seen the Iraqi children have been since the start of the war...horrible mutations, offenses to the heart and eye that are impossible to describe.

Finally America got to see Joe Biden outshine the rest of the democratic candidates - and he did it in the mere six minutes alloted to him!

Joe Biden stands completely head and shoulders over the rest of them. He has the knowledge and experience this country needs to not only get us back on our feet but also to regain respect in the world.

We've had 6.5 years of a dummy president who, as Joe rightly said, operates in a vacuum insofar as foreign affairs. Everyone knows where this has gotten us.

Look, I don't believe in polls, but in every one I've seen where voters are asked what their number one issue is, hands-down they say the Iraq war. If that is true, how can anyone possibly consider any other candidate besides Joe Biden?

This man understands world affairs better than the whole lot of them. He commands a masterful understanding of foreign relations unmatched by anyone and is a true statesman. His plans are sound, reasoned and based on fact, not fear. Joe Biden could tell you down to the minutest detail about any country in the world and the best way to deal with them.
And he would talk TO you, not AT you.

Apart from that, however (because the war is the only topic the media gives him coverage on), Joe Biden also has a sound domestic policy and is a champion of the environment as well.

Joe Biden is a man who believes global warming to be the greatest threat to the world right now. He has a healthy respect for science and used scientific evidence rather than paid political consultants' skewed logic to make that determination.

Quite frankly, this man has it all. Biden for President.

Yeah, Mr. Potato Head doin' his part to whip up a new war and some ratings. Who told Russert he's even relevant? I'm a little disappointed in Brian Williams, trying to goad the other into a Hillary Slap-Fest. Not that she doesn't deserve it. If someone doesn't slow down her freight train we're in for four more years of Bush-Lite. Good job, Joe.

If you want to help derail the Hillary Freight, if you want to make a real difference in this election, don't wait. Give now.

If Biden wins Iowa, Russert and his ilk will have a lot of rewriting the CW to do. He needs money, and now is when money makes a difference.

For all you Kucinich fans, I say: he isn't campaigning in Iowa, he has zero chance of winning any delegates here, if he doesn't get anything out of Iowa, he is toast. Kucinich makes sense on a lot of issues, despite the ridicule he is subjected to through dumbass questions about UFOs. But he is not a viable candidate. If you want to stop Clinton, pick someone else who is fighting hard in Iowa, and give money.

I believe that Biden is prepared to be President. But as he says, do you want a President who is not prepared to be Secretary of State? Now? With what we face when Bush leaves?

What "experience" does Hillary Clinton have that qualifies her to be Secretary of State, besides social occasions in foreign countries and a few trips as a Senator?

I have read all of the comments posted here, and I am very thankfull to all of you who find Biden the man to be our President. I have followed him for 4 years and what you have recently discovered about him is true and has been consistent for as long as I've been watching him. I have donated $25 a month since he announced. I am donating another $25 tonight, please join me in doing so. He is not a rich man and desperately needs your support. Thanks,

Sorry! Forgot to post his website so that you can contribute to his campain: http://www.JoeBiden.com
http://www.UniteourStates.com

"...Joe Biden is now the third best bet for the nomination. I'm hearing a lot of buzz about him from people who pay attention."
- Chris Matthews, MSNBC (12/10/07)
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