Blogging from the Citadel, CNN/YouTube Debate
by Morra Aarons Mele

For now, links to campaign liveblogs/pages:

Watch each question as a separate video:

http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=3243

My "benchmate" at the debate: Jerome Armstrong http://mydd.com/

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/blog/view/?id=10486

http://johnedwards.com/watch/debate-webcast/

Also, the debate streams live on http://www.cnn.com/

I will write thoughts and reactions, and post the transcript later, with better commentary and links.

The cadets are walking off stage, the candidates are at podiums, and Anderson Cooper just said, "We'll see what happens..."

And before everything went on air, after the audience warm up, there was a nervous silence...

Someone in the audience shouted: "Anderson, will you marry me?"

But the first video set the tone well. The submitter asked candidates if they would "actually answer the questions posed to you." Nice.

this set it off on an exciting foot. And then look how the suites of questions set out:

Suite 1: Change. It's about change. Reparations for slavery. Trust in Washington. Which Republican running mate would you pick if you had to...

Suite 2: Questions about race.
African Americans pay more for mortgages that whites (Edwards)
Obama: reparations start in our schools.
Kucinich is for reparations from slavery- not a lot of clapping for that...hmm
Morgan asked, if Katrina happened in a majority white city, would it have been as bad?

And this question, the one we've been waiting for: Senator Obama, how do you address questions that you're not authentically black?

Hillary next: is she woman enough?

Her campaign-submitted video answered that question: Sometimes the best man for the job IS a woman!

Iraq: Barry Mitchell's question "How do we pull out now?

And Obama ducked it: "we can be as careful getting out as were careless getting in." Lame talking point alert! I give Biden credit for answering in a less b.s fashion.

And now Hillary: we need to set a timeline now to start bringing our troops home. There is no military solution in Iraq. Aha, she brings up the Pentagon flack! She was a hero on that...but she attacks the Republicans.

Readers, do you find yourself agreeing with Kucinich when it comes to Iraq, or is it just me? And Gravel. Very moving.

Now Obama is giving Hillary a dig- he never would have even voted for the war.

Jeez, this discussion is evasive. Obama and Edwards especially.

Skip to debate's end: I'm in the "spin" room, watching spin. Elizabeth Edwards looks fantastic. Obama girl is somehow press-worthy.
And apparently, New Hampshire voters found Obama most favorable? Hmm.

More later. Laurie is watching the web's reaction here

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele (view blog) on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:45

Comments

 

amused

amused by the video overview

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 16:52
 

Anderson Cooper just called the governor of
California a cyborg.

Funny.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 16:57
 

I like Rob's question for Hillary

And I rather like her answer. Progressive vs liberal.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:01
 

Question...criticism not black enough or not
feminine enough.

Obama -- Says he's black enough when trying to catch a cab in NY.

Clinton -- Only able to run as a women, wants to break glass ceiling.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:13
 

Edwards' accent is super thick tonight!

But he won't address the issue of his wife's defending his record on women's rights as superior to Hillary. He needs to say yes or no: I am a better advocate for women than Senator Clinton. He kind of just did.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:16
 

Edwards accent

Totally agree. It's just like mine when I go home to Charleston, if I'm there for 3 days - I'm a southern girl again. lol

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:19
 

And Edwards trying to explain Mrs Edwards

I was annoyed by Mrs Edwards and her statement about Hillary not being a good advocate for women because she's too busy acting like the men.

I didn't find his answer made me feel any better about where Mrs Edwards went.

I am, however, happy with Hillary's response to Edwards.

"We're arguing about who would be better for women and isn't that a nice change..." HELL YEA it is. I would agree with that.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:17
 

Hell yea

I LOVED when Hillary said that. She was strong and true.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:21
 

gay gay gay gay

sigh, this is not my issue and I rarely like the answers given by candidates when these questions are asked.

I do believe we need to move beyond don't ask don't tell, and make orientation a non-issue in the military.

I do not support gay marriage and this is the only issue that I can stand next to Edwards on. I think again his wife is doing a fab job of playing the political game by being pro gay marriage and letting her husband take the safe road and be NOT in support of gay marriage.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:22
 

Absolutely.

I do believe we need to move beyond don't ask don't tell, and make orientation a non-issue in the military.

I'm with you on this one!

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:27
 

I agree.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:28
 

Question about Darfur

Biden - Says he's tired of this. We must send troops now.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:31
 

Hillary says...

Wants no fly zone. No American ground troops.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:33
 

Hillary's Ad

Did everyone see Hillary's ad? It ended with: "sometimes the best man for the job is a woman." Love it. Great music. Simple presentation. It was a little difficuult to see on TV through the screen there, but still effective. I think it will go over better on YouTube.

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:31
 

That was good.

So far...best debate I've ever seen.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:34
 

agree

liked the video but hard to see on TV.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:41
 

Question..."Are we watching the same
'blanking' war?"

No real answer given. Not surprised.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:37
 

Evading questions

With all of the very direct questions in tonight's debate, there is more direct evasion I think than the previous debates. That question for former Senator Edwards, for example, about his using his Southern Baptist background to excuse his position on gay marriage was a whopper and he completely avoided it. He did a good job, considering, but he could've just apologized and cleared the context first.

I like the presented video format, and I like the curve balls they are sending the candidates.

.....
Sarah Granger ran Gary Hart's presidential exploratory blog during the 2004 election.

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:37
 

Sarah you're right

and the pastor was in the audience, and he admitted he couldn't hear Edwards' answer, because of "noise." I think it's more because Edwards mumbled his words, because he doesn't stand by them.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:42
 

Clinton on the war...

When we send a soldier to Iraq, we are really sending a family. There is no military solution, and Iraq not showing a political solution. Republicans need to stand-up to President and get out of Iraq.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:40
 

Does Gravel scare you?

He makes me nervous.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:43
 

Edwards...

Is Bush on vacation? Bush need to change course on the war. Applause.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:45
 

He does, a little.

I met him at the Howard debate...he was yelling about the war on drugs! It's intense, and I'll guiltily admit, slightly amusing.

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:46
 

Gravel is scary but he is off-book

intense, exciting. A welcome presence, I think.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:47
 

He is, completely.

What I kept thinking at the other debate was, "at least he's genuine."

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:50
 

Should women need to register for the draft
(at 18) like men?

Clinton -- Yes, but does not support draft.

Obama -- no direct answer

Edwards -- no direct answer

Gravel -- End the draft in USA.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:49
 

Ditto

Agreed. Where would we be without candidates like Gravel and Sharpton participating in the debate, spicing things up a bit?

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:50
 

We'd have more time with candidates who
aren't scary

I don't really find them all that helpful or interesting as presidential candidates.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:52
 

Valid point

Kidding aside, you're right. It is difficult with all of these candidates on stage. We haven't heard much from Richardson yet tonight yet...

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:54
 

ouch

How many family members do you have serving... I hate that question. But I understand it.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:54
 

Gary Berry- who lost his son and asked when
we'd be out of Iraq

By January 21, 2009, will US troops be out?

How many family members do you have serving?

If someone gets a video of his powerful question, can you put it up?

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:56
 

Gary Berry's video

how many family members do you have serving?

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 17:57
 

That one made me tear up.

Agh.

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:00
 

Gravel...

For universal health care vouchers.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:01
 

text 4 peace

text the word "peace" to the number 73223

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:03
 

Richardson

is so impressive as a speaker. He answers questions directly. Minimum wage for teachers of $40k. Let's tell the truth on Iraq already. No Child Left Behind: I'd scrap it.

He always gets me when I watch him.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:09
 

Bill Richardson said "Scrap it",

and I applauded, all alone, in my house.

I think I care about this topic a little bit.

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:08
 

NCLB, oh boy

What a mistake. What always surprises me is finding people in Florida, home of the other Bush, who think NCLB was a good idea.

crazy

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:09
 

I could go on and on...

I could go on and on all day about how much I hate "No Child Left Behind". It's more like "Leaving Children Behind". Hate it, hate it.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:11
 

Question on No Child Left Behind...

Richardson - Scrap it. Need to help schools that aren't doing well. Need minimum wage $40,000 for teachers.

Biden - It was a mistake.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:09
 

Wow

I didn't know about Biden's wife and child... very sad. Interesting answers from all of the candidates about public vs. private schools, as someone who's exploring that issue myself for my daughter.

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:12
 

That is sad...I hadn't realized either.

Very sad.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:15
 

yea a planned parenthood videooooo

wooohooo! And i love the question they chose. LOVE IT.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:12
 

YES!

Here are some links from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund to candidates' remarks on women's health.

I 'm looking for links to transcripts from last week's Planned Parenthood roundtable with Clinton, Obama and Elizabeth Edwards.

Submitted by lauriewrites on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:19
 

We're so excited!

We don't have transcripts up, but here is a link to the videos of their speeches.

Submitted by emmykendrick on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:43
 

Loving the questions

I'm enjoying the questions which get to what people really want to know and don't lend themselves well to the candidates' spin.

I also appreciated how Biden's answer to the public/private school question showed that there are no easy, sound bite, black or white answers to complex questions.

Kleenex® Let It Out™ Blog
Beyond Help

Submitted by Maria Niles on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:16
 

I agree

I don't think it's really a valid good question for these presidential candidates. As Obama said, any senator can get their kid in a great public school and as Clinton and Biden explained, sometimes private is your only real alternative.

And then again, homeschool is the best alternative.

It's a tough question and I don't think any candidate should be penalized for sending their children to any school, or not sending their children to any school.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:20
 

Global Warming Question...

Funny video but serious issue.

So far no real answer given.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:20
 

Hillary - take away tax breaks from oil
companies.

Great start.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:23
 

This is so awesome

Wow. Citizen journalism at its best. I am really blown away by this debate. Morra and everyone you are doing such an awesome job, and Anderson Cooper ROCKS. I am finding this so moving and inspiring.

Great job Morra!

Cooper

Submitted by cooper and emily on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 18:21
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