Slog - Comments on Watching the Dem Debate http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate If you want to watch it with me, it's on MSNBC and streaming live at msnbc.com. I'll have a few thoughts during the debate, I'm sure, and then more tomorrow morning. I'm guessing you might have a few thoughts during the debate, too—put em in the comments, I'd love to see them. Here we go... On getting troops out of Iraq: Tim Russert asked all the candidates whether they would commit to having all American troops out of Iraq by the end of their first terms. Nothing new: No one except Kucinich (and, I think, Gravel) would unequivocally commit to... Copyright 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:02:36 -0800 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:03:11 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Julie This question about would you get all troops out of Iraq by 2013 is irritating. Of course they can't commit to that, given the fact that we have no idea what events might happen until then. Also, as Edwards pointed out, what about protecting the embassy and humanitarian workers? A better question might have been something about getting combat troops out by then (or, even, the secondary question he asks about what would you do about Iraq the day after you're inaugurated).

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812764 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812764 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:18:03 -0800 Comment by Julie Gravel is awesome, if only for purely entertainment reasons.

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812765 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812765 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:19:20 -0800 Comment by Blaire Holy crap. Gravel's comment on Iran and stopping the war was awesome.

]]> Blaire http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812766 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812766 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:21:40 -0800 Comment by Clint I like Mike Gravel

]]> Clint http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812773 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812773 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:42:13 -0800 Comment by Julie Hmm. I wonder if HRC came out looking tough on the hypothetical exchange or condescending ("I know what the question is")? Maybe just because I like Russert so much that I didn't like that she talked over him.

And I am so glad Gravel is in the race. Seriously. It's awesome.

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812776 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812776 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:43:25 -0800 Comment by Julie Ooh, good question. Russert asks Dodd about his cryptic comment on Bush saying he thought HRC would win. Not the best answer, but what a good question.

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812777 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812777 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:44:58 -0800 Comment by Big Sven Gravel is coming across as a lunatic. If you want an angry dude, Dodd is filling that role just fine.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812783 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812783 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:46:58 -0800 Comment by wf is anyone inspired by this?

]]> wf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812786 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812786 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:48:52 -0800 Comment by Big Sven Great Russert q to Edwards and Obama on why they opposed universal health care in 2004. Edwards fucked up his answer, Obama just ignored it.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812788 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812788 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:52:40 -0800 Comment by Big Sven wf, yes I'm insprired. I like Dodd and Biden more than I did before tonight.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812789 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812789 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:53:42 -0800 Comment by Blaire Did Hillary just say homosexuality was a choice?

]]> Blaire http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812794 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812794 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:05:22 -0800 Comment by mjg More proof that Obama is nothing more than fluff. Well, at least he's got Oprah fooled.

]]> mjg http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812801 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812801 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:15:11 -0800 Comment by vooodooo84 Gravel seems great, its too bad the sociopaths don't turn out for democratic candidates

]]> vooodooo84 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812810 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812810 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:36:07 -0800 Comment by Big Sven Denny just blew off Russert's question about a $3 gas tax and gave his standard Iraq speech. Bummer.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812811 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812811 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:36:17 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage The ticking time bomb -- the imminent terrorist attack -- is so freakin' tired. The only correct answer is, "Of course." It's violence in self defense. But please note that it was police work, and not torture, that lead to the arrests in Germany of scumbags plotting to blow up planes.

Are there any examples out there of actual terrorist plots foiled by torture? Don't you think that we would have heard about plots foiled by torture -- endlessl -- if there were any to hear about?

It's a bullshit question that response.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812820 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812820 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:58:08 -0800 Comment by Big Sven I haven't watched any of the previous debates- just getting my news from Slog/New Yorker/The Economist. Here's what I got:

(1) Hillary has become very polished. All that talk of "she's too stiff" seems like a long time ago.

(2) Biden is a smart grownup. Shame he's polling so poorly.

(3) Edwards looked better then Obama as the anti-Hills.

(4) Richardson and Gravel should quit as soon as possible to save their families and loved ones ridicule and shame.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812823 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812823 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:10:52 -0800 Comment by Poster girl I think Hill is unstopable. The only person in that crew that could do it is Obama and he's not a fighter. If you ain't a fighter, you ain't going to win. Kerry wasn't a fighter he just liked to hear himself speak. Obama is starting to look like a Kerry.
If none of the candidates is going to get tuff with Hill she'll go after the moderator. She's ready to go.
She'll shread Rudy.

]]> Poster girl http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812838 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812838 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:58:04 -0800 Comment by Andy Niable I agree, Obama doesnt seem to be in Fightin' mode yet... probably so he can set up a VP slot (which, if he shredded HRC during the primary season, would create anti-VP bad blood and hand commercial-ready tape to the GOP). So, maybe once it's settled who's in what slot... then both come out fighting--the GOP, not each other.

]]> Andy Niable http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812844 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812844 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:25:45 -0800 Comment by M Lower the drinking age to 18? I'd rather raise the military age to 21. Said as a person whose nephew was just recruited at age 18. Too young to kill or be killed.

]]> M http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812845 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812845 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:26:21 -0800 Comment by vooodooo84 @18 those types of comments can usually be walked back or ignored, like Bush I on Reagan's voodoo economics

]]> vooodooo84 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812881 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812881 2008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:51:16 -0800 Comment by Kim once again, noone came close to hillary. personally i loved her talking over russert. it was a stupidly worded question. i also appreciated her snap that bill's not on the stage running for president right now. i'm sure she's been dying for the opportunity to remind people that she is smart, capable and savvy, with or without her husband. i'll echo the obama fluff factor. edwards sounded better than obama, unfortunately. i can't wait to see rudy try to debate hillary on anything at all.

]]> Kim http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812882 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812882 2008 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:09:09 -0800 Comment by artistdogboy I think John Edwards did very well tonight. Especially pointing out Clinton's vote today in the Senate to support a Lieberman'sponsored bill that would authorize war with Iran. Many say the bill is a cover for Bush to start a war with Iran and quite dangerous. Biden and Dodd voted no on the same bill. So that should tell you something. What the hell is she up to joining forces with the likes of Lieberman?

She said her biggest misjudgment was authorizing the war with Iraq. Today it seems her judgement seems to be in question again given similar circumstances.

Hillary is sneaky and plays both ends against the middle. I just think she represents the status quo and a continuation of the dynasty that represents the worse kind of mealymouthed centrist politics that is not capable of bring about the type of change we need so badly at this time in America.

We need fresh ideas in Washington not more of the same smoke and mirrors and tell them what they want to hear BS.

]]> artistdogboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812896 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812896 2008 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:47:11 -0800 Comment by Touring Smoking? Come on and give it up Stranger. Smoking bans are successful and I think most people, even many smokers like them. While I think 25 feet is a bit far how good is it not to smell like smoke and spend the whole morning hacking after a night at the clubs/concert. But I suppose there are a few Stranger readers who want to smoke where ever they go and you are pandering to them.

]]> Touring http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812946 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c812946 2008 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:51:43 -0800 Comment by DOUG. Eli, you make no mention of John Edwards (except in the inane baseball question). Your coverage stinks. Figured out who Greg Palast is yet?

]]> DOUG. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c813008 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/09/watching_the_dem_debate#c813008 2008 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:03:11 -0800