I listened to most of the NPR debate this afternoon. Although I am usually more interested in hearing the candidates debate domestic policy, I thought it was good for NPR to go in depth on a few foreign-policy issues. The questions were solid and substantive, and the candidates had to go beyond their usual sound-bite answers on Iran, China and immigration policy.
It’s too bad Richardson couldn’t make it because of a funeral he was attending, because the format probably would have suited him. I have heard him answer questions on immigration, and he makes a strong case on that issue.
I thought Edwards, Obama, Clinton, Biden and Dodd all did pretty well.
If you listened to the debate, what did you think?
Mark Halperin’s post-debate scorecard is here:
http://thepage.time.com/excerp…
7 Comments
Biden Won
I agree with Mark Halperin that Joe Biden “once again was a dominant figure – maybe THE dominant figure – on the stage.”
Further thoughts here:
http://ipol-2008.blogspot.com/…
ipol Tue 4 Dec 5:59 PM
best debate yet
The star was NPR — good format, enough time, allowed all candidates to give real answers without grandstanding. Halpern didn’t give Dodd enough credit. His Iowa toy comment showed, again, that he has a sense of humor that arises from the moment and doesn’t need to be scripted. Dodd and Biden showed their international experience and Dodd also showed a glimpse of his dominance in domestic issues.
anasazima Tue 4 Dec 6:13 PM
I agree, and the AARP forum
which was broadcast on Iowa Public TV, was by far the best of the televised debates. The questions were direct and substantive, and appropriate follow-up questions were asked, just like in today’s NPR debate.
The Russerts, Blitzers and Matthews of the world should be embarrassed by how they have moderated other debates so far.
desmoinesdem Tue 4 Dec 6:52 PM
Off topic
but this partial meltdown (think kindergarten, “fun” personal attacks) and new aggressive tactics by Hillary are really changing the dynamics of the race. And I don’t think it’s looking good for her. If this continues, there is no way she can finish better than third in Iowa. Being an ABH, it’s hard not to be giddy. But I know, one whole month to go and anything can happen…
rf Tue 4 Dec 9:52 PM
well, I've long felt
that Edwards and Obama would pull away from Hillary once undecided voters started making up their minds.
Her big trump card is her slim lead among over-60 voters. If that holds, and her campaign and EMILY’s list can turn out a reasonable number of new caucus-goers, she might be able to salvage things here.
desmoinesdem Wed 5 Dec 8:27 AM
It was too bad they spent so much time on immigration
It was too bad they spent so much time on immigration, which is a right-wing wedge issue. (It was also the only part of the debate that I heard.) But I was relieved that all the candidates condemned the trend towards vigilanteism. Obama had a good comment about not deputizing the American people, and Dodd was right about the cause of immigration, and how this issue ties into trade policy.
corncam Wed 5 Dec 10:35 AM
I agree with you on that
I would have preferred an in-depth discussion of tax policy or health care.
desmoinesdem Thu 6 Dec 12:57 PM