Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Accountability, motherfuckers.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Jesus watching the most hateful people claiming to be his followers

Quote tweet friends, screenshot enemies.

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

DeSantis transforming Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

He really is that stupid.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

The lights are all blinking red.

Conservatism: there are people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Human rights are not a matter of opinion!

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2008 / Debate Open Thread

Debate Open Thread

by | 145 Comments

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I won’t be watching, because I don’t really care anymore. This primary has sucked the will to live out of me, and unless Obama unveils a comprehensive plan to bugger every child in the country, he is still my choice over Hillary.

I should probably also point out that the election really isn’t at stake. Hillary has already lost, she just doesn’t realize it yet. But you know the press, they want their little race, so the show must go on.

At any rate, consider this an open thread.

Reader Interactions

145Comments

  1. 1.

    myiq2xu

    Hmmm. If Obama already won, why hasn’t he won yet?

    From TalkLeft:

    18. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) The Democratic nomination may be decided by so-called “super delegates” who can pick any candidate they choose. Do you think the super delegates should support the candidate who won the most (delegates) in primaries and caucuses; the candidate who won the most (overall votes); or the candidate they think is best, regardless of either delegate or vote totals?

    Delegates 13

    Overall votes 46

    Candidate they think best 37

    It’s not the delegates that matter, it’s the voters.

  3. 3.

    John S.

    Hmmm. If Obama already won, why hasn’t he won yet?

    Because…he…ZZZzzz

    Hillary is so awesome!

  4. 4.

    Toolshed

    It’s not the delegates that matter, it’s the voters.

    Clinton is losing by that count too. Wanna try again?

  5. 5.

    Krista

    This primary has sucked the will to live out of me, and unless Obama unveils a comprehensive plan to bugger every child in the country,

    No Child’s Behind Left

  6. 6.

    Pb

    Hmmm. If Obama already won, why hasn’t he won yet?

    For the same reason that Mike Gravel hasn’t yet… however…

    or the candidate they think is best, regardless of either delegate or vote totals?
    […]
    Candidate they think best 37

    You can do it, Gravel! Gravel ’08, first win the supers, then win it on the second ballot, yeah baby!

  8. 8.

    calipygian

    unless Obama unveils a comprehensive plan to bugger every child in the country

    He wont. He isn’t a Florida Republican.

  9. 9.

    wvng

    Some people say that Obama has a comprehensive plan to bugger every child in the country. He denies this, but the questions remain. Even Senator Clinton has heard the rumor, and it makes her really bitter.

    How’s that John?

  10. 10.

    w vincentz

    Is Hillary going to debate topless?
    If she shows up again wearing anything yellow, she WON’T get my vote (oh yeah, she lost it quite a while ago).
    Sure hope her make-up is good. Lot’s to cover up.
    Do I seem shallow?
    Does Hillary?
    Let’s shoot some ducks!
    They like shallow.

  11. 11.

    Ted

    Holy crap. Did John really write this post? There are contractions all over the place! Does it take a beer or two?

    ;)

  12. 12.

    w vincentz

    Ted,
    It takes at least a six pack.
    Check the code words…”sucked”, “bugger”, “little race”, “show”. It’s subliminal unless you dig in.
    JC is into it, and quite truthful. You’ll see after the last of the sixer. Bottoms up!
    Ooops, excuse me to any that have anal tendancies.

  15. 15.

    myiq2xu

    From riverdaughter:

    Post Debate Script

    _______! Was that ________ or what? Obama just _________ the _________. He was _____ and fresh. Hillary just looked ______ today and off her ________, wouldn’t you say Howard? I just felt a ______________ in my __________. What a historic _________. His response to George’s question on _______ was __________, ________, and _________. And she just couldn’t deliver the knock out blow that she desperately needed. What an amazing response on __________. Do the voters of PA see what they have in this guy? His supporters are all so ________ and _________. I think he’s finally put their fears of _____ to rest once and for all. Andrea, you’ve been on the Clinton campaign bus. Have her _____ and _______ supporters come to accept that she’s proabably ________?

    Give Tweety a hand writing his post-debate script.

  16. 16.

    Martin

    It’s not the delegates that matter, it’s the voters.

    Except most of the people in the survey don’t know that the question is a hypothetical. We don’t know the popular vote unless we exclude around a dozen states.

    Wanna explain why FL/MI must be counted and the caucus states completely rejected?

    Oh, and Obama gets 0 votes in MI in popular vote, so work that into your answer – or are you willing to give him the 45% that voted uncommitted?

  17. 17.

    daryljhusseinfontaine

    Give Tweety a hand writing his post-debate script.

    Frankly, that’d be awesome as a straight-up Mad Lib.

    D

  19. 19.

    PeterJ

    Clinton is losing by that count too. Wanna try again?

    Well. That depends on how you count. I think the latest idea from the Clinton Campaign is that you should only count old people since they are wise. Young people on the other hand are dumb because they are inexperienced.

    I thought the idea was to get the young ones to vote? Since they will vote for democrats. But I guess 50%+1 is the right way to do it…

    Also, does this new revelation mean that McCain is wiser than Clinton and Obama?

  20. 20.

    w vincentz

    See Ted,
    Even MYIQX0 is speaking code. “Supporter”, “knock out blow”, “amazing response”, “this guy”, “rest once”, “Tweety”, “a hand”.

    Sounds like a magnificent jerk off to me and others that understand the code.

  21. 21.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Clinton is viewed as “honest and trustworthy” by just 39 percent of Americans, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, compared with 52 percent in May 2006.

    This is good news for her electability.

  22. 22.

    NR

    And her favorability ratings are at 44% favorable, 54% unfavorable.

    I might feel bad for her, but all those wounds are self-inflicted.

  23. 23.

    Xenos

    Debate?

    Yankees-Sox on NESN. The rest of the world can bugger off for a couple hours. I am watching Bucholz get schooled!

  25. 25.

    DougJ

    God, I fucking hate Hillary. Hate her. That shit about “it wasn’t just me calling Obama elitist, it was people who felt their values were being insulted.”

    I’m sorry people, but that is the most Rovian bullshit I’ve ever heard in my life. I pray to God that I don’t have to vote for her in the general. I will, don’t get me wrong, if she’s the nominee.

    But Jesus Fucking Christ, how much of this bullshit do we have to put up with?

    Is that what it felt like when other great civilizations fell?

  26. 26.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Clinton is losing by that count too. Wanna try again?

    The McCain campaign would have some wonderful ad fodder should Clinton convince the supers to hand her the nom:

    Hillary Clinton: her own party wouldn’t give her their votes. Why should you?

  27. 27.

    Ted

    ? My legs finally fucking dropped for my mage in Mt. Hyjal.

    Is that like testicles dropping?

    Sorry. I play TES IV, which follows a lot of the same rules, but I haven’t heard the term “legs dropped” for a mage before.

  29. 29.

    TR

    Hillary in response to a voter’s question about the Tuzla Tiger incident: “I may be a lot of things, but I’m not dumb.”

    Way to hammer home the regular-gal persona.

  30. 30.

    Phoenix Woman

    But you know the press, they want their little race, so the show must go on.

    That rule only applies to Democratic primaries. The Republican ones they want to be over with immediately. Notice how they were trying to shove Mitt and Huck off the stage in mid-January?

  31. 31.

    The Commander Guy

    HRC just worked “bitter” into one of her responses to a Wright question.

    She hesitated just a split second before she said it, but damn if I didn’t notice a sparkle or gleam in her eyes when she said it.

  32. 32.

    TR

    Watching her, I cannot fucking believe she had the gall to call someone else condescending.

  35. 35.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Hillary in response to a voter’s question about the Tuzla Tiger incident: “I may be a lot of things, but I’m not dumb.”

    Just phony, as evidenced by this:

    After a weekend spent making direct appeals to gun owners and church goers, Hillary Clinton said Sunday a query about the last time she fired a gun or attended church services “is not a relevant question in this debate” over Barack Obama’s recent comments on small town Americans.

    “We can answer that some other time,” Clinton said at a press conference held in a working class neighborhood here. “This is about what people feel is being said about them. I went to church on Easter. I mean, so?”

  36. 36.

    Dug Jay

    Another group makes their endorsement of Obama official.

    During an interview on WABC radio Sunday, top Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef said the terrorist group supports Obama’s foreign policy vision.

    “We don’t mind–actually we like Mr. Obama. We hope he will (win) the election and I do believe he is like John Kennedy, great man with great principle, and he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community but not with domination and arrogance,” Yousef said in response to a question about the group’s willingness to meet with either of the Democratic presidential candidates.

  37. 37.

    w vincentz

    Ted,
    Looks like you’re catchin’ on to the code. It’s all subliminal to those that can’t read under it.
    See: “warcrack”, “item”, “no bigee”.
    The agencies that monitor this site must be tearing their armpit hairs out trying to figure the code out.
    Hang in there, Ted. You’ll catch on.
    Think of what the Nazis went through trying to figure out the French underground.

  38. 38.

    TR

    Obama just ripped off George Stephanopolus’s testicles and stomped on them repeatedly. (Regarding Ayers: “The idea that I need to apologize for something that he did when I was eight years old …?”)

    Wait, now Hillary’s going back to the issue? What a fucking idiot.

  39. 39.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Another group makes their endorsement of Obama official.

    Well. with over 755,000 names on your buddy Bush’s Terrorist Watch List it sounds as though Obama will win effortlessly.

  40. 40.

    chopper

    Another group makes their endorsement of Obama official.

    ah, and so it starts. soon kim jong-il will say something flattering about mccain and ahmedinijad will say he likes hillary and we all cry a little inside.

  41. 41.

    The Other Steve

    That shit about “it wasn’t just me calling Obama elitist, it was people who felt their values were being insulted.”

    Obama should respond, “Look, these types of character accusations are petty and stupid. A lot of people out on the campaign trail keep calling Hillary a Bitch, but I don’t go around repeating it.”

    Now that’s Rovian. :-)

  42. 42.

    firebrand

    Un-fucking-believable. This debate has gone on for nearly 45 minutes, and the moderators haven’t asked a SINGLE POLICY QUESTION. NOT ONE. Nothing about health care, nothing about the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, or about how the Bush adminstration TORTURES PEOPLE. Noo, we want to ask questions about Bittergate, and flag pins! Oh, and then there’s Reverend Wright – that’s obviously more important than the country going down the shitter! I can’t fucking believe this! No wonder Bush got re-elected – he had simpletons like Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos helping to keep the American electorate in the fucking dark.

  43. 43.

    The Other Steve

    Obama just ripped off George Stephanopolus’s testicles and stomped on them repeatedly. (Regarding Ayers: “The idea that I need to apologize for something that he did when I was eight years old …?”)

    You’re shitting me? Snuffalupagus asked that? I was reading over at dKos earlier today that he’d been fed that line by Hannity. I thought it was a bunch of bullshit.

  44. 44.

    TR

    Un-fucking-believable. This debate has gone on for nearly 45 minutes, and the moderators haven’t asked a SINGLE POLICY QUESTION. NOT ONE.

    Seriously. Bittergate to Wright to Tuzla to Ayers… ?

    It’s actually helping Obama make his point though, as they keep on bringing out one issue that’s even more pathetic than the last.

  45. 45.

    yet another jeff

    I feel bad for Obama…he has to hold back from saying “look, all three of you motherfuckers are part of the problem! Flag pins, 9-11, fucking fuckety fuck, people. Goddamn!”

    I know I couldn’t maintain the composure in the face of hardcore idiocity that Obama is showing us.

  46. 46.

    The Other Steve

    During an interview on WABC radio Sunday, top Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef said the terrorist group supports Obama’s foreign policy vision.

    Is this like how Osama bin Laden came out in support of GW Bush in 2004?

  47. 47.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Un-fucking-believable. This debate has gone on for nearly 45 minutes, and the moderators haven’t asked a SINGLE POLICY QUESTION. NOT ONE.

    The press has clearly learned its lesson from the Bush years.

  49. 49.

    Pb

    This debate is actually deviously unfair, as well as, yeah, pathetically horrible. You know why? Because former Clinton official George Stephanopolous got some “questions” from right-wing cesspools like Fox News and fucking NewsMax.

  50. 50.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    Yay, a policy question.

    Hillary on how to get us out of Iraq: “I’ll punt it to the Pentagon.”

    Oh snap, Charlie. HILLARY IS ELITIST TO OUR GENERALS.

  52. 52.

    w vincentz

    Hillary just said something about Bush “moving the goal posts”.
    Hmmm…she should know about moving goal posts.

  53. 53.

    Conservatively Liberal

    Why ask policy questions? Our country is running perfectly, and we are driving on streets paved in gold. There is no need for policy questions because WrightandObamaaremuslimswhohateAmerikaandthinkpeoplearebitter, and people only want to hear about that. Wow, you act as if policy questions are important.

    What a dunce.

    /snark

    I am with John, I can’t bear to watch the monster in action any more. Obama has my vote unless he is found to be eating infants for breakfast.

  54. 54.

    TR

    I know I couldn’t maintain the composure in the face of hardcore idiocity that Obama is showing us.

    Agreed. I would’ve gone full-on Howard Beale within ten minutes.

    Just once, I’d like to see a candidate ask one of those questioners, “Hey, I’ll tell you what, let’s drive out to a random American’s house and see if they give a shit. Would they like to hear answers on Iraq, gas prices, home foreclosures, and the recession? Or do they want to know if I renounce this forty-year-old comment from someone they’ve never heard of?”

  55. 55.

    shera

    I was all set to watch this. I made it through Obama’s opening statement, then muted Clinton, then closed the window altogether. Glad to know I made the right decision.

    /preening

  56. 56.

    Dug Jay

    Well, as TOS suggests, with every terrorist-loving soul, as well as every whack job posting here, all supporting Obama, he may well win….against Hillary.

  57. 57.

    The Commander Guy

    Dug Jay. Too bad ol Hills didn’t get mo votes than the other guy.

    Now in da debate, ol Hills is blaming Bush completely for the war without batting an eye. And failing to mention that she has enabled every bad decision that GWB made by her silence, acquiescence, boosterism or her calculation.

  58. 58.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    Stephanopolos: NUKES. IRAN. ISRAEL. Looks like a NewsMax one.

    Obama: “No options off the table.” Oioioi…

  59. 59.

    TR

    You’re shitting me? Snuffalupagus asked that?

    Yep. “He hosted a fundraiser for you!” And after Obama smacked him down by showing how ridiculous it was, Hillary blindly piled on with “You were on a charity board with him!”

    I’m reminded of the Simpsons episode where Lisa becomes a vegetarian:

    Sheri/Terri: Look at Missus Potato Head! She has a head made out of lettuce. [Giggles.]
    Janie: Are you going to marry a carrot, Lisa?
    Lisa: [Rolling her eyes] Yes. I’m going to marry a carrot.
    Sherri/Terri: Ohh! She admitted it. She’s going to marry a carrot!

    Your modern media, folks.

  60. 60.

    Krista

    I feel bad for Obama…he has to hold back from saying “look, all three of you motherfuckers are part of the problem! Flag pins, 9-11, fucking fuckety fuck, people. Goddamn!”

    “And the part of Barack Obama tonight will be played by Samuel L. Jackson. Please refer to your Playbill for more information.”

    It almost seems like a Chappelle Show skit, doesn’t it?

  61. 61.

    firebrand

    John Cole Says:

    I have no sympathy. It is your fault for watching.

    You know, I actually honestly thought there was a chance the debate would be substantive. The soft bigotry of low expectations, I guess. You’re right, though: I have no one else to blame but myself for going through this ridiculous, nonsensical debate. But seriously, is it too much to ask that a debate be about the issues? Christ, the Bush years have really done a number on this country, haven’t they?

  62. 62.

    TR

    From Daily Kos:

    Bad debate, or worst debate ever?

    Sounds like it’s a National Enquirer-sponsored debate so far. “Barack Obama, would you consider Bat Boy as Secretary of the Interior? Why or why not?”

  65. 65.

    Jill

    What a joke of a debate. I am speechless at how inane and stupid every question has been in the 1st hour.

  66. 66.

    Zifnab

    Stephanopolos: NUKES. IRAN. ISRAEL. Looks like a NewsMax one.

    Obama: “No options off the table.” Oioioi…

    The only difference is that when Obama talks like that, he actually intends to include “diplomacy” and “listening to the UN weapons inspectors” as options.

  67. 67.

    TR

    I forgot the best part of Obama’s Ayers answer — he said, “I’m friendly with Tom Coburn too, and he’s a far-right conservative who thinks we ought to use the death penalty on abortion providers. Do you want me to apologize for what he said too?” Fucking brilliant.

    And then Hillary pressed the issue like an idiot.

  68. 68.

    Dug Jay

    From the NYT:

    “…Again, the crowd applauded and laughed. One line that landed a little flat, though, was when Mr. Obama sympathetically noted that farmers have not seen an increase in prices for their crops, despite a rise in prices at the supermarket.

    “Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula?” the senator said. “I mean, they’re charging a lot of money for this stuff.”

    The state of Iowa, for all of its vast food production, does not have a Whole Foods, a leading natural and organic foods market. The closest? Omaha, Minneapolis or Kansas City.

    Mr. Obama, perhaps sensing a lack of reaction from the crowd, moved along to the next topic. After all, he never claimed to be a farming expert.

    Arugula? Arugula and Whole Foods….in Iowa, for fucking sake? And which of you morons said Obama was a “man of the people, and note an elitist?”

  70. 70.

    L. Ron Obama

    Obama: We will respond to an attack on Israel with appropriate measures.

    Clinton: We will respond to an attack on Israel with MASSIVE RETALIATION.

    Holy shit, people. Looks like she took Krauthammer to heart.

  71. 71.

    Jen

    No Child’s Behind Left

    The wit is quick with this one. It must be thawing out up there.

    It’s tivoed, going to watch it in nonreal time. Unreal time. Probably unfuckingbelievable time.

  72. 72.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    The only difference is that when Obama talks like that, he actually intends to include “diplomacy” and “listening to the UN weapons inspectors” as options.

    True, I’ve just become personally sick of “all options on the table”.

  75. 75.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    This is the debate FOX news wanted to hold. Everything has been framed in the Republican spin.

  76. 76.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    Ed Rendell looks really happy to be there, even with Hillary puffing him up from the stage.

  77. 77.

    AkaDad

    John McCain is associated with all those Republicans serving time in jail for corruption. This clearly means that he supports their actions.

  79. 79.

    Krista

    “I’m friendly with Tom Coburn too, and he’s a far-right conservative who thinks we ought to use the death penalty on abortion providers. Do you want me to apologize for what he said too?”

    He said that? Awesome.

  82. 82.

    Krista

    The wit is quick with this one. It must be thawing out up there.

    I have my moments. And yes, it was lovely out today. 15 degrees (59 degrees Fahrenheit for my dear neighbours.)

  83. 83.

    Dug Jay

    Given the tenor of the comments here about how the debate is going, as well as the apparent frustration at Hillary’s performance, I gather that Obama has pretty much had his ass handed to him.

  84. 84.

    w vincentz

    Kinky, yes. But if your knee high socks stay up, you’re good to go. (code for those that have the handbook).

  85. 85.

    Slide

    Is anyone else as pissed as I am by the ridiculous questions that the candidates are being asked?

  86. 86.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    Oh goodies, they’re starting this segment with the Second Amendment. I wonder where they’re headed with this round of questions.

  88. 88.

    daryljhusseinfontaine

    “The clear loser in tonight’s debate: the voting public, who hoped to learn something substantial about the candidates and were led down a path of bitter disappointment by the mendacity of the moderators.”

    D

  90. 90.

    Desmond

    So like the only policy question has been on the capital gains tax? That sure is a pressing problem for middle America, isn’t it? These moderators are REALLY in touch, aren’t they?

  91. 91.

    yet another jeff

    Shit, i forgot to pray for people that died, but I’ll play some Jim Carroll later.

  93. 93.

    ntr Fausto Carmona

    Duck huntin’ Hillary wants to re-instate the assault weapons ban. ROTFLMAO

  95. 95.

    Bob In Pacifica

    Bruce Springsteen has endorsed Obama. Fountains of Wayne and Bon Jovi is rumored to be leaning towards Obama while Leslie Gore is said to be ready to come out for Clinton. Is it over? It hasn’t started out here on the West Coast.

  97. 97.

    CBD

    We will do everything we can to protect Constitutional Rights, but….

    But, What? There is no “but” allowed in that.

  98. 98.

    TR

    I bet they don’t ever mention the Fourth one.

    My thoughts exactly. We’re not going to hear the words “cruel and unusual” either.

  99. 99.

    Martin

    Uh, you don’t need a Whole Foods in Iowa. The whole fucking state is a Whole Foods. It’s NJ that needs them.

    And arugula is extremely common in salads. Go to a restaurant and get a salad and the green stuff you can’t put a name to is arugula.

  100. 100.

    Pooh

    Dug Jay Says:

    Given the tenor of the comments here about how the debate is going, as well as the apparent frustration at Hillary’s performance, I gather that Obama has pretty much had his ass handed to him.

    Maybe you could watch the fucking thing and form your own goddamn opinion before someone from NRO tells you what you think.

  101. 101.

    Conservatively Liberal

    p.lukasiak Says:
    Pie! I want pie! Preferably cow pie! I just luv to slam my face into one of those fresh steaming hot cow pies!

    No doubt.

  102. 102.

    JGabriel

    Dug Jay:

    Arugula? Arugula and Whole Foods….in Iowa, for fucking sake?

    He was talking to arugula farmers, you moron. They happen to grow arugula in Iowa.

    .

  104. 104.

    JGabriel

    Dug Jay, I’m sorry, the ‘you moron’ crack was uncalled for. Possibly funny, but uncalled for.

    .

  105. 105.

    TR

    Charlie Gibson: “We’re running out of time here, so let me ask you a few questions really quickly. In a minute, tell me what you would do about high gas prices?”

    A minute for gas prices. An hour for Denounce-a-Palooza.

    Fuck you, Charlie Gibson. Fuck you.

  107. 107.

    DougJ

    He was talking to arugula farmers, you moron. They happen to grow arugula in Iowa.

    Until they distill it and make hard liquor out of it, they shit’s still elitist, no matter how many dirt poor Iowa farmers grow it.

  108. 108.

    Martin

    Now, these are smart people – and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize what is going on here – that Obama’s “success” is based primarily on two things
    1) Overwhelming support from the African American community that no white candidate with Obama’s “message” would come close to getting

    Among black registered Democrats overall, Clinton had a 57 percent to 33 percent lead over Obama.

    That’s up from 53 percent for Clinton and 36 percent for Obama in a poll carried out in April.

    The 26-point difference between black women and men underscores the fact that the nation’s vote is divided not only by race, but also by gender, said CNN political analyst Bill Schneider. “Black women don’t just vote their black identity,” he said. “They also vote their identity as women.”

    Wow, what, 3 minutes to determine that p.lucs cherished article was full of shit. And I guess it does take a rocket scientist because the author is totally wrong.

  109. 109.

    Desmond

    Hillary made some comment about people dying as a result of the attacks of the Weathermen. That’s somewhat true, but the only people who were killed were Weathermen themselves when one of their bombs exploded prematurely. They would generally call ahead and warn people before their bombs went off.

    And Bill Ayers’ is part of a philanthropic organization in Chicago, so it’s no surprise that Obama knows him.

  110. 110.

    nightjar

    Stephonidiot- Senator Obama, do you prefer fried chicken over watermelon and if so why did you say chicken eaters were bitter people when we all know who they are.

    Senator Clinton breaks in– I want to go on record that I like fried chicken AND watermelon and people don’t turn to greasy and watery food cause the government let them down. Oh, and I specially love teh chicken eaters– (snears at Obama)

    Man, our media has quite obviously gone insane.

  111. 111.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Charlie Gibson: “We’re running out of time here, so let me ask you a few questions really quickly.

    Next up: “In twenty seconds or less, what will you do to curb the increasing influence of Russia on the nations surrounding the Caspian Sea?”

  113. 113.

    Lyssophobe

    Every time Clinton starts talking, I feel the urge to yell: “Swiper, no swiping! Swiper, no swiping! Swiper, no swiping!”

    (Really only funny if you have kids.)

  116. 116.

    Dennis - SGMM

    “In the form of a limerick, tell us how you would deal with the issue of loose nukes.”

  117. 117.

    El Cid

    Why is Barack Obama bombing buildings in the 1960’s and 1970’s? That doesn’t seem right.

  119. 119.

    nightjar

    Tactics Uber Alles [Jonah Goldberg]

    I’m no leftwing blogger, but I can only imagine how furious they must be with the debate so far. Nothing on any issues. Just a lot of box-checking on how the candidates will respond to various Republican talking points come the fall. Now I think a lot of those Republican talking points are valid and legitimate. But if I were a “fighting Dem” who thinks all of these topics are despicable distractions from the “real issues,” I would find this debate to be nothing but Republican water-carrying.

  120. 120.

    TR

    Christ, I agree with Jonah Goldberg.

    This has got to be one of the Biblical signs of Armageddon.

  124. 124.

    Dennis - SGMM

    Is there any reason for me to watch it in 2 hours?

    Only if you want to raise your blood pressure.

  125. 125.

    daryljhusseinfontaine

    Is there any reason for me to watch it in 2 hours?

    If you like enduring stupidity-induced aneurysms, I say go for it. Sweet monkey Jebus, what a crock of feces that was.

  126. 126.

    Andrew

    I’ve known a few arugula farmers in my day, and let me tell you what, they are way more elitist than radicchio farmers.

  127. 127.

    cbear

    JFC, why not just drop the pretense and have Newt Gingrich and Tom Delay moderating the debates.

  129. 129.

    reid

    Holy shit, I threw up on my TV…. Do you think ABC will reimburse me? I know there are lawyers here, do we have enough for a class action suit?

  131. 131.

    Jules

    How comprehensive does the plan need to be? Federal mandates or block grants to the states? Opt in, or opt out?

  132. 132.

    Jess

    Hillary made some comment about people dying as a result of the attacks of the Weathermen. That’s somewhat true, but the only people who were killed were Weathermen themselves when one of their bombs exploded prematurely.

    I believe one other person was killed, a grad student in Madison WI, but maybe that was from some other group’s bomb. But you’re correct in that they never intentionally targeted people–only property.

    But I am continually amazed by the media limbo these days–they always confound my lowest expectations.

  133. 133.

    JGabriel

    They should both refuse to do any more debates on ABC. They needn’t make a big issue or talking point of it, just a pact between them to say, “No can do, I’m busy,” next time ABC comes a-knocking.

    .

  134. 134.

    Conservatively Liberal

    Judging from what I have read elsewhere, Stephanopoulos pulled off his inside job for Hillary. That right wing questions were solicited says it all for me. Pretty much as I expected, so no surprise there. I do not think it is going to be more than a bump in the road though. I don’t think it will matter much in the whole scheme of things though. Her supporters are going to stay with her, and his with him, and they are going to fight over the scraps.

    In other words, it is just another day in this mess. No big deal other than ABC is coming off as a Fox News contender. I think intelligent people will see it for what it was, a joke. Nothing of substance, just the fluff that Hillary wants to push.

    Or more aptly put, ‘Where’s the beef?’. This was a no meat debate.

  135. 135.

    D-Chance.

    Pooh Says:

    Dug Jay Says:

    Given the tenor of the comments here about how the debate is going, as well as the apparent frustration at Hillary’s performance, I gather that Obama has pretty much had his ass handed to him.

    Maybe you could watch the fucking thing and form your own goddamn opinion before someone from NRO tells you what you think.

    Toss a stick in amongst a pack of dogs, and the one that yelps…

  136. 136.

    Pooh

    Pooh Says:

    Dug Jay Says:

    Given the tenor of the comments here about how the debate is going, as well as the apparent frustration at Hillary’s performance, I gather that Obama has pretty much had his ass handed to him.

    Maybe you could watch the fucking thing and form your own goddamn opinion before someone from NRO tells you what you think.

    Toss a stick in amongst a pack of dogs, and the one that yelps…

    Look I’m not saying that he did or did not do poorly. I am saying that people should maybe try to inform themselves instead of resorting to this “people say” bullshit.

    People say you blow goats. I don’t believe it for a moment. Would you care to comment?

    (You see what I did there?)

  137. 137.

    Kenneth Almquist

    It took Gibson and Stephanopolis 45 minutes to get around to asking a substantive question. Please, never let those guys moderated a debate ever again.

  138. 138.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    firebrand Says:

    Un-fucking-believable. This debate has gone on for nearly 45 minutes, and the moderators haven’t asked a SINGLE POLICY QUESTION. NOT ONE. Nothing about health care, nothing about the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, or about how the Bush adminstration TORTURES PEOPLE. Noo, we want to ask questions about Bittergate, and flag pins! Oh, and then there’s Reverend Wright – that’s obviously more important than the country going down the shitter! I can’t fucking believe this! No wonder Bush got re-elected – he had simpletons like Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos helping to keep the American electorate in the fucking dark.

    OK, who else wants in on the class action lawsuit against ABC for the pain and suffering inflicted on us by this insanely stupid, Fox news scripted piece of attack “journalism” which was fraudelently marketed as a debate?

    Extra bonus points to ABC for the absolute ban on audience applause (which made both candidates seem stiff and out of touch) and the weird blue lighting which made every audience pan shot look like it was in filmed in an aquarium or some dreary nightclub.

    This was the GOP “make Democrats look bad in every way” wet dream step up.

  139. 139.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    If this debate had been hosted by Cartoon Network, and moderated by Ben 10 and Johnny Bravo, it would have been 1000% better.

  140. 140.

    Andrew

    I have to say I did like when they panned to a bunch of fat old white males bathed in the spooky blue light when they mentioned hedge fund managers.

  141. 141.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    Andrew Says:

    I have to say I did like when they panned to a bunch of fat old white males bathed in the spooky blue light when they mentioned hedge fund managers.

    Andrew – I laughed at that too, for about 2 seconds, until I realized that ABC had just managed to drive home a subliminal point that greedy blood sucking hedge fund managers are Democrats.

    Nice.

  143. 143.

    Pb

    OK, who else wants in on the class action lawsuit against ABC for the pain and suffering inflicted on us by this insanely stupid, Fox news scripted piece of attack “journalism” which was fraudelently marketed as a debate?

    I’m in. Hey, as a network, don’t they have some responsibility to… what was it… oh yeah:

    America lets radio and TV broadcasters use public airwaves worth more than half a trillion dollars for free. In return, we require that broadcasters serve the public interest: devoting at least some airtime for worthy programs that inform voters […]

    Using the public airwaves is a privilege — a lucrative one — not a right […]

    The F.C.C. already has powerful leverage to hold broadcasters to their end of the bargain. Every eight years, broadcasters must prove that they have served the public interest in order to get license renewal. If they can’t, the license goes to someone else who will.

    Sounds good to me.

    Up next: how obviously biased does your coverage have to be before it starts counting as an illegal in-kind campaign contribution?

Comments are closed.

Trackbacks

  1. […] Debate Fiasco Buck   04/16/2008 – 10:25 pm I didn’t watch tonight’s debate between Clinton and Obama. But according to Balloon-Juice commenters, it was an utter failure. A failure in that tonight’s moderators, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, waited until the final minutes to pose “real” questions to the candidates: Un-fucking-believable. This debate has gone on for nearly 45 minutes, and the moderators haven’t asked a SINGLE POLICY QUESTION. NOT ONE. Nothing about health care, nothing about the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, or about how the Bush adminstration TORTURES PEOPLE. Noo, we want to ask questions about Bittergate, and flag pins! Oh, and then there’s Reverend Wright – that’s obviously more important than the country going down the shitter! I can’t fucking believe this! No wonder Bush got re-elected – he had simpletons like Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos helping to keep the American electorate in the fucking dark. -firebrand This debate is actually deviously unfair, as well as, yeah, pathetically horrible. You know why? Because former Clinton official George Stephanopolous got some “questions” from right-wing cesspools like Fox News and fucking NewsMax. -Pb Stephonidiot- Senator Obama, do you prefer fried chicken over watermelon and if so why did you say chicken eaters were bitter people when we all know who they are. […]