Comments on: Campaign Gaffes Become Thorny Issues for Dems at Pa. Debate

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:25:13 +0000

I am resident in the UK and i have been watching the political nominations very closely.

My opinion is as follows:

McCain - Decent candidate but doesn’t jump of the page in regards to being worthy of the President tag. Is he doing better than he should because Republicans didn’t have a great pool to choose from - i think this is the case and it looks to me that the media is glossing over his contradictions to make him better than what he is.

Clinton - I warmed to her in the beginning not so much for what she said, but for having Bill on her side. Although Bill shot his own presidency in the foot, i thought he was a very good at international relations and America needs this now. However, i have been very dissapointed wth Hilary’s attempts to play smear politics - you only do this if you are scared of defeat and she is clearly worried by her opponents appeal.

Obama - Finally, a politician i have faith in. He jumps of the page higher than any other candidate and i hope he makes it to the Whitehouse - why? MERIT. America needs Obama and i sincerely hope the voting public can see past their differences and embrace this change. It doesn’t happen very often that you get the chance to vote for such a worthwhile candidate.

Who will America vote for?

My head and my heart say Obama but i wonder if white middle America will vote with their head or with their prejudice.

As for McCain - sorry chap but there is a better runner in this race.

As for Clinton - Go back to being a lawyer, it’s what you are good at. America doesn’t need a “he said that politician” it needs a President.

By: E. Bertin

E. Bertin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:09:22 +0000

Please learn about Marc Rich and his links with the Clintons:

Marc Rich (born Marc David Reich on December 18, 1934) is an international commodities trader. He fled the United States in 1983 to live in Switzerland while being prosecuted on charges of tax evasion and illegally making oil deals with Iran during the hostage crisis.

He received a presidential pardon from United States President Bill Clinton in 2001.

Works about Marc Rich:

Copetas, A Craig (1985). Metal Men: Marc Rich and the 10-billion-dollar Scam. New York: Putnam. ISBN 0-399-13078-0.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:59:44 +0000

Hillary was forced to say that Obama could win in November but as we all know anything that is obtained by force cannot be used against you in a court of law. I mean, they both also said that the democratic party will come together also - and it won’t. I couldn’t look in the mirror in the morning if I’d voted for Obama. We don’t know a lot about this guy but what we’ve learned to this point is not pretty and the first hour of the debate was just a part of it. Just because farther left democrats are willing to excuse anything this guy does, doesn’t mean the rest of us can or will. His closet is filthy and it’s got a terrible odor. If Hillary is not the nominee, I will not only vote for but will join the campaign of Mr. McCain.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:51:04 +0000

ABC was just out of line in this debate, I heard very little about questions that matter to us
and way to much emphasis on Gaffs. Nothing but Gaffs.. thats it.
Then Gibson had the audacity to force them to join up talk about
being full of himself. They need to publicly apologize for their behavior
they were like children.

By: mendel

mendel — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:48:30 +0000

So far, I haven’t seen either Hillary or Obama answer a single question directly.

By: Diane Czapla

Diane Czapla — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:22:27 +0000

“The U.S. would take appropriate action,” Obama said.
What Sen. Obama thinks is an appropriate action might be different then what most American ’s think. He needs to start telling us what he truly thinks and stop ducking ALL the questions! It makes us think that he is hiding something BIG. What more is he hiding???

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:11:39 +0000

Obama wants to continue downing Clinton on the Bosnia gaffe, but in his book “The Audacity of Hope” he mentions that when he went to Iraq for assessment while on the plane he recalled watching all the people who were asleep thier heads bob up and down, and others playing games. How can one be thinking of stuff like that when they are about to land in a war zone??? Thats worse than Hillary’s gaffe on Bosnia!!!! People need to know the real Obama and read his book “The Audacity of Hope” they will become bitter, angry and frustrated!!!!

By: M. L. Freeman

M. L. Freeman — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:25:36 +0000

I saw a picture of Obama on a platform along side another Senator as well as Hillary Clinton, and some office worker. They were facing the American Flag, Everyone except Obama placed their hand over their heart while repeating the pledge to the flag and America. Obama stood there with arms & hands down at his side and his mouth shut. As far as I am concerned That Picture said it all for me. I would vote for Hillary in a heartbeat before I would vote or support a man that clearly disrespects the United States as well as it’s citizens. That picture was wittness to his true feelings about this Nation. Americans better wake up. How can a man that clearly has issues with America & its citizens even begin to think he can run the Nation. Furthermore Birds of a Feather Flock together. You’ll never see a flock of Blue Jays flying with a flock of Robins. The Rev. Wright expressed how he feels, Obama has been tutored by him for 20 plus years. Duh!!!

By: John_Lai

John_Lai — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:05:10 +0000

This country is in serious trouble. While candidates all admit their faith, they have been using terms such as inspiration to play God. The next president is very likely a big flop.

By: Gale Whitbeck

Gale Whitbeck — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:04:39 +0000

Thank God for Hillary that Obama has more class and decency than her or he would have turned the tables on her and brought up all the dishonest situations she has been involved in; real estate fraud, travelgate, lying to Senate Committees, tolerating her husband lying to the American people about his “noctural job” in the Oval Office, or should we say Monica?
Who but a fool would want a shrew for the President ? Not this 65 year old white woman who is embarassed to be a woman, when Hillary is held up as an example of strength…shiver shiver
Omaba has set the mark to measure up to in his honesty and goodness, have you ever heard anyone refer to the Clinton’s in that context ? No I didn’t think so.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:55:37 +0000

You forget the end where the crowd was booing Charles Gibson because this debate was so biased against Obama. Most of the first hour was about Reverand Wright, Bill Ayers and flag pins. Gibson rushed through the issue of reducing gas prices and the issue of superdelegates so there would be time left for Jake Tapper to say there were things we didn’t about Obama that we should be concerned about. Huh?? Who paid off ABC!? Gibson also failed to ask Hillary about the consequences of her intent to pull out of Iraq quickly no matter what advisors say. See-ya, good luck with the civil war! Her intent to attack Iran massively, no mention of Congress or the American people. How she intends to pay for tax relief, universal healthcare and stabilizing social secuirty. Oh and there was one part where Clinton said raising the $97,000 payroll tax limit would hurt police and firefighters. Obama noted most police and firefighter don’t make $97,000 only to have Charles Gibson chime in there were a lot of people in the $97,000 to $250,000 wage bracket. I hope someone noticed that little attempt to mislead voters and how qucik Charlie Gibson jumped in.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:51:27 +0000

So basically their views on the war were get out of Iraq, but if Israel is attacked then, it is ok to go to war? give me a break

By: The Dead Guy

The Dead Guy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:39:39 +0000

ABC Debate Analysis shows results - http://thedeadguy.com/2008/abc-debate-analysis
A complete digestion of tonight’s debate on ABC featuring Obama and Clinton yields results.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:28:03 +0000

Well, we watched another debate and it was no different from any of the umpteen other debates these two have had. Barack has to explain himself and Hillary says the same old lies. It just about crushed her to say he was electable to the presidency, though, and it showed!

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:13:10 +0000

WOW! What a war. It looks like they are going to self destruct and McCain can just walk right in. He’s a very sensible and mature candidate so our great country will in excellent hands.

By: DAINE

DAINE — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:10:59 +0000

WHY WOULD SEN. OBAMA LET SOME ONE ELSE FILL OUT HIS QUESTIONNAIRS. HES NOT FAIR GAME.

By: LEANZA

LEANZA — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:44:32 +0000

The press has all the right in the world to question Obama in the BitterGate and now that Obama worked for terrorist William Ayers. He said he was 8 when Ayers bombed New York. Nice try Obama. You were 30something when you worked with him at the Woods Project. You served on a board with Mr. Ayers in the 1990’s, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid, underlined PAID directorship position. You as an adult made the decision to work for a terrorist. This is a legitimate issue, the judgment and associations of the possible nominee. Its goes straight to the reason why democrats have lost the last two elections. It is fair to argue Obama’s condescension to the small town folk because it goes directly to issues like religion, xenophobia, gun ownership and culture. And his associations with Farrahkan, Wright, Ayers and Refko should be fully vetted.

By: Maxine

Maxine — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:35:02 +0000

I do not think with the remarks on people holding to there guns is a good sign for not out lawing the guns. what kind of actions after Iran hits the Jews talk to them and tell them not to do that any more or we will not talk to you any more? How child like they are both actting no we ask Bush to do nothing we ask his Daddy frist. But you guys have Mr Carter out there runing nuts and Clinton blowing up over the dvd pathway to 9/11 and why can we not buy that again? Lets not even go to Gore he is so hollywood now. your right a man that was not a coward and took the frist step to backing crasy people off right he isnt a good person to talk to. Plus the question about knowing Mr Ayers was not only not answer again but yes it does matter who you know and deal with if your going to be head of our country !legitimate area … for people to be exploring no kidding this is still a prolbem People don’t cling to their traditions on hunting and guns” out of frustration with their government, Clinton said. She added that Obama had a fundamental misunderstanding on the role of religion and faith.
now how can that be with some so am not sure Rev Wright is hateful but this was said to a state that is not for guns or faith are they ? So like Kerry he tells people what they want to hear at the time and places he is. This is the Dem’s biggest prolbem and they need to understand if this had not been a prolbem 9/11 would not have happen but careing to much what the world think of us cause 3000 to die a death we should be up set over. so Bush did what he feel may not be making him some kind of good guy but he was what the USA needed a leader that would fight. The prolbem is we should have hit them with ever thing we had and that I mean both places even the one where the Bin Ladden is hiding at. I hope it never happens again but what will it take more than 3000 before we get it that we need to stop actting like cowards or is this what we are becoming?

By: ed

ed — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:32:51 +0000

Somehow I was not able to pinpoint why I do not like Obama. He has a way of raising his
chin and his head when he makes a point. He thinks high of himself. He has a streak of
arrogance in his bone. His caricature reminds me of the late Pres. Richard Nixon. But
Nixon is more at ease than Obama. I am leery about Obama. He is very intelligent
and articulate and that his appeal to many Democrats, unfortunately, I do not trust him.
Consider the fact the he attended a fundraising event with a Pakistani billionaire in the
San Francisco Bay Area and there was a news blackout. That is dangerous. What is
he hiding? Sorry, I am a long time Democrat but I will not vote for him.

By: Dem

Dem — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:25:37 +0000

Those debate moderators knew in exactly what order they were going to ask the questions…and they set up a debate that allowed Hillary Clinton extra time during the substantive questions in the second half while making Obama defend himself against the tabloid questions in the first half.

The premise of make-up time “later on in the debate” was patently unfair and the moderators set it up that way purposely…they knew what questions they were going to ask when.

ABC has lost all credibility. Whoever designed the above hit job should be fired from his own. There’s a fine future for him in the tabloid blogosphere.