LIVEBLOGGING: Dems in New Hampshire

Any time "Leslie" Wolf Blitzer gets confused and says "You are in the situation room, do two shots"

Biden's hair plugs and teeth caps are distracting me.

Edwards is absolutely right about it being a bumper sticker. Hillary sucks--she's way too hawkish as usual and playing the 9/11 card is absolutely unacceptable, and Obama was weak in the first question--he sounds like he's not sure.

Blitzer stinks. He wants them to fight so he can endlessly have CNN replay it for weeks.

(Edwards face and neck don't match on my tv)

Look at how it's always a shot of all 3 of them together!

Dodd is wrong--the first priority is to defend the Constitution, not to keep us safe--we're not infants and Presidents are not parents. It's to protect our rights and freedoms and laws and system. He sounds like the GOP too.

My white, Midwestern, middle-class 64 year-old Mother said something after watching Obama's town hall in New Hampshire on C-span this weekend that I've never before heard her say about anyone - she said "I don't normally talk this way, but I couldn't help but notice that he has a really cute butt".

So I'll add to your "GIANT EARS OF JUSTICE!"

FREEDOM CHEEKS

"Biden's hair plugs and teeth caps are distracting me."

That reminds me--Thompson's weird surgery scars on his cheeks--what is that?

Biden needs to stop screaming, i think.

We would have invaded Iraq no matter what--Hillary's wrong. They wanted to do it for ages.

Hillary still isn't apologizing--another mistake. Edwards is exactly right about honesty.

Kucinich is totally standing on a block!!

Gravel!

Blitzer is only trying to pick fights between them.

I like Edwards, but what good does his apologizing do? It just makes him look irresolute, dishonest, and overly tactical. What would be accomplished by Hilary apologizing? Nada. I take each of them at their word that they made an honest judgment to protect American citizens and interests. Being wrong about George Bush's character and complicity in deceit is not disqualifying.

I can not get over that freaking block! Its so obvious.

Also, I kind of like it when Biden screams.
I think its cool.

Now Obama's waking up -- to beat on Blitzer.

Way to go Barak!!!

Way to brag about your bilingual ... ness (?),
DODD

"I like Edwards, but what good does his apologizing do? It just makes him look irresolute, dishonest, and overly tactical. What would be accomplished by Hilary apologizing? Nada."

I think it's Hillary who looks irresolute, dishonest and overly tactical--she's running as a hawk for the general election alone. She's stealing Giuliani's lines, for God's sake. Edwards is actually a more honest person who admits when he's wrong--we need that, don't you think?

Obama doesn't believe in universal health at all.

I think Edwards and Obama have mancrushes on each other

I don't think Hillary is on a block.

Is she the only person here who has said that gays and lesbians should be allowed to server in the military?

CNN Bottom Line: "Should Democrats who don't support the President be charged with treason?"

It's just amazing how the corporate media backs Republicans. First question right out of the blocks, tell me Karl Rove wouldn't have written it exactly the same way?

Larry Flynt is offering up a new bounty for mistresses adulterous congress critters and administration officials. $1,000,000 with proof. He put up a full page add in the Post today with the new

Speaker Bob Livingston thinks he is bluffing again.

nothing is a mistake to Hillary--it's always the implementation of everything, whether it's DADT or Iraq--sad.

"Is she the only person here who has said that gays and lesbians should be allowed to server in the military?"

I know Edwards has said the same--i think they all agree.

This is a really interesting conversation. I don't think I remember this issue coming up in any other debates.

Hil and the GOLDwater quote "you don't have to be straight to shoot straight" bull's eye

Biden may be yelling but he did hit Pace and the don't ask don't tell.

But my gosh, I really don't want to be like NM, Richardson. Thank you very much.

Edwards: So we should stand up for intolerance and discrimination as long as the states agree with us.

ah Gay Marriage now--Edwards needs to wake up on this.

Blitzer cuts Richardson off every time he speaks.

Richardson is weird--dull and teddybearish, but off somehow.

Obama is greenish on my tv.

Chris Dodd has set up a Talk Clock to prove that he is being ignored.

http://chrisdodd.com/node/1377

It's true. Wolf and Hillary have had the most talk time so far. Gravel has got 1:26 seconds so far.

Dodd got ahold of some of Biden's Mexican coke ; >

Will someone please drive Gravel back to the home, he's starting to drool excessively. And yes, Hilary will have to run as Maggie Thatcher in the general election to get elected, so why not start now.

whoa!

Gravel is the first person to admit that getting off of oil is going to be expensive.

Is that a livestrong bracelet on Edwards?

So who is winning so far?

The AG of New York continually goes after price gougers. Spitzer did. Cuomo is going after the college lenders now. Maybe Richardson needs better laws in New Mexico or something.

"And yes, Hilary will have to run as Maggie Thatcher in the general election to get elected, so why not start now."

I think she thinks she has to do that, but she really doesn't. Anyone who gets the nomination will be painted as weak on security no matter what, and you can't out-tough the party that thinks torture is dandy, and endless war and fearmongering and spying on us is just fine too--they have no limits when it comes to appearing tough and will win because they don't care about laws or the Constitution. It's a mistake to try to compete that way--people don't want that--they want smart and competent and honest and responsive and not bloodthirsty.

even Candy Crowley (no friend of any Democrat, btw) noticed Hillary acting tough.

Candy Crowley is the most right wing biased reporter not working on Fox News.

I don't mind reporters being conservative, or liberal, or communist, or whatever they feel they should be, but Crowley does a really poor job of hiding the fact that she is a stalwart GOP fan.

I am thinking straight news reporters, not commentators.

"Heroes Health Card" -- so stupid

Go Gravel: the government has always waged war against the veterans!!!!!!!!!

Obama's taking charge, but not answering questions. None of them would dare cut off Hillary the way he cut Gravel off.

Hillary jumps to nukes right away--dumb. The Cheney crack was good.

Blitzer is totally changing that woman's question into scary nuke stuff. He's in "terror!" mode.

Iran actually has a problem right now where they need nuclear power.

Their domestic consumption of oil has mushroomed. They actually had to import heating oil this past winter because they couldn't keep up with demand. All of their swaggering aside, they need another source of energy. Oil isn't cutting it for them. We could try a deal like with India, help them build civilian plants, funnel them money in exchange for an inspection regime.

Dick Cheney has a better answer though.

But, subtle examination of issues aren't what's called for in these debates.

Why can't we have intelligent conversation just occasionally instead of mindless rhetoric that appeals to 15 year olds?

Ana, it's not secret at all, unless you work at Time, i guess. Iran also has a large and unscared Jewish population who refuses to leave--Iranians are not at all the anti-American boogiemen we're told they are. -- http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-28-iran-pink_x.htm

I really hate these hypothetical, world-is-about-to-explode, kinds of questions.

"We could try a deal like with India, help them build civilian plants, funnel them money in exchange for an inspection regime."

yup, and that's what Edwards said.

Ok, here it is, Kucinich won't kill bin Laden lest his super model wanna be wife gets her hair mussed by an incoming missile. Good come back, Obama.

Wolf isn't even reaching the very low standards Matthews set in that debate -- sad. He seizes on the most sensational and stupid things...Olympics???

Go, Hil... take out Wolf and the raise your hand hypotheticals.

Obama's repeating what Edwards just said.

I can't picture Kucinich, Giuliani, or Fred Thompson's wives as first lady.

It would be interesting though.

What is this? the 20 minutes of nonsense section? where are the questions from the audience?

trifecta, i'm looking forward to First Lady Elizabeth Edwards.

Wolf, try using Simon Says to make candidates raise their hands.

Edwards: I don't know if I know what a rich person is.

Uhm ... how about John Edwards.

I'm trying to picture Kucinich's wife as First Boinkable Lady.

Did I just hear the audience news babe promise a reach around?

PS - about 10 minutes to the second to the last episode of "The Sopranos." Bye CNN and Time.

Rumor: Eric Alterman arrested in NH...

Anonymous must be Joe Klein.

LOL

Ana, most young Iranians live like us in private. They're apathetic, are more interested in music and clothes and stuff than voting or religion, and are led by unresponsive and horrible people like we are. We shouldn't be threatening them all, but helping them change their leadership, or to undermine it.

Really interesting thing on street life, love, music, and Valentine's Day there: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/blog/2006/02/valentines_day.html

Richardson talks to much

ahh! look at the top of Biden's head! hysterical!

Elizabeth Edwards: My grandmother used to say, "the intention to deceive, is the same as a lie." If nothing else, we are getting some down home definitions of what the US vocabulary-discourse should be. :) :) :)

PS. Me thinks Richardson has up graded HIS hair cuts.

I like everyone but Richardson up there. The guy grates me for some reason.

Why was Ana taking apart Edwards with every comment above?

Why was Ana taking apart Edwards with every comment above?

Dodd did well with AC on the way to the spin room.

Who did the Candidates' make-up? Bela Lagosi?

Actually, the candidates did the best when they took it away from Wolf and played their own game.

THIS IS GEORGE BUSH'S WAR. Hil probably had the quote for the night.

Is Wolf too little for the Big Tie-Major Collar?

Oh, my JC liked Biden the best. Must be that he's used to coaches yelling from the side lines.

I'm with amberglow: John and First Lady Elizabeth.

Ana, and you score again! I believe that, so far, you are the clear winner of all the presidential debates, and I attribute it all to your brave imbibing of the staff of life, a la WC Fields. To bring these fights up to your level, don't you think the presidential debates should be like a bring your own martini thing? Every flop answer, perhaps, the candidates would all have to chug a lug. After all, in vino veritas. If Gore and Bush had only downed a few in 2000, Gore wouldn't have seemed like such a school teaching git, and Bush would have seemed - like the president we see every day - and we would have avoided the Bush presidency all together.

JC is a tool. Edwards is not "far left" on the war--he's with the majority of Americans.

That Murphy guy was good just now--these debates aren't for voters but for donors.

"Why was Ana taking apart Edwards with every comment above?"

Because the media is giving Edwards the Gore treatment--haircuts, tans, houses, etc...it's also some problem for them that he's rich yet cares about the poor--they don't get that at all.

Note to All Candidates: Ana does NOT go for the SHOUTING. Stop it now, or you will never win the all-important AMC primary. ;-)

What's the real story behind the Alterman arrest?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/03/columnistauthor-arrested-in-spin-room/

Monday Night we can watch the Reactionary War Mongering Manifest Destiny Robber Barons.

And tell me why The Big Dred is getting away with missing the debate? Doesn't he have his script memorized yet?

Wolf and the JC, Brazile panel seemed surprised that the 'vet' in the small group response wanted troops out NOW and wanted a plan to 'bring all my brothers and sisters home now'. I know that these folks live in a bubble, but I didn't realize that they just don't get it.

At least CNN is recognizing the 'independent' vote. Do ya' suppose they actually checked what a small audience that the MSM is playing to?

Media Matters on double standards -- http://mediamatters.org/items/200706020001?f=h_top

"And tell me why The Big Dred is getting away with missing the debate? Doesn't he have his script memorized yet?"

Lazy Fred hasn't announced yet, has he? He's out being folksy or authentic or something, i bet--maybe renting a new pickup to use as a prop? ; >

Well, one thing about the Democrats. At least you didn't have a bunch of cretins cheering for torture. That's something, isn't it?

"I can't picture Kucinich, Giuliani, or Fred Thompson's wives as first lady."

Yeah, don't you love it when the corporate media shills portray Fred Thompson as a regular guy, like the average 65 year old American male is married to a woman young enough to be his grandaughter?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706020001

"And it's how a life-long Beltway lobbyist and lawyer who avoided Vietnam, standing next to his twenty-five-years-younger second wife, is held up by our media stars as a Regular-Guy-Baptist symbol of piety and a no-nonsense, tough-guy, super-masculine warrior who will protect us all."

"I can't picture Kucinich, Giuliani, or Fred Thompson's wives as first lady."

Yeah, don't you love it when the corporate media shills portray Fred Thompson as a regular guy, like the average 65 year old American male is married to a woman young enough to be his grandaughter?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706020001

"And it's how a life-long Beltway lobbyist and lawyer who avoided Vietnam, standing next to his twenty-five-years-younger second wife, is held up by our media stars as a Regular-Guy-Baptist symbol of piety and a no-nonsense, tough-guy, super-masculine warrior who will protect us all."

Totally, Don--and the media eats it up like candy. The GOP really needs him tho--it's too hard to sell their horrible policies without an actor to do it.

hah! "This is great. Kudos for including fringe candidate Wolf Blitzer." -- from the comments at Dodd's Clock -- http://chrisdodd.com/node/1377

"Totally, Don--and the media eats it up like candy."

Yeah, they are also going to eat it up when serial adulterers Rudy and Newt run "restoring family values" campaigns, with their trophy wives on full display.

That's what the MSM shills are paid to do; portray GOP candidates as family values super heros running against Godless, treasonous, girly Democrats.

I'd like to thank Ana for her lifeblogging, which allowed me to watch the MTV Movie Awards and yet know everything of significance that happened during this debate.

The CNNers in there accessment noted that Hil seemed so 'Presidential' because she took charge on a couple of 'toss ups'. I relistened and it appeared that while many were answering, Hil's mike seemed to be the one mike that was working. Noting this the others quit talking. Not that CNN doesn't have the best political team, or anything.

The CNN folk seemed to have missed the strong positive reaction to Dodd restoring Constitutional Rights.

Also, I remember Giuliani's SF278 was posted on Salon.com with all of his 'speaking fees' but I couldn't 'link' it. As I recall his fee was generally $100,000 with a lot of 'pre-conditions'. Maybe Wolf could find it and ask Rudeee about those fees and also how he intends to handle what appears to me to be 'conflict of interest' businesses if elected.

To the rest on CNN, go to your left, your left, your left cause that covers most of right center to the DFHs. They need a new vocabulary on CNN, big time in real time.

I think I snarked earlier about CNN doing a big religious thing with Beck, Kyra and Wolf. Well, it seems they are going to do it with Soledad.

joe klein
earlier this year i wrote to you regarding seeing if you can get me in to TIME as a columnist
that post or email to you ended up on google.com for jamestowncalif.com under one of your Iraq News Headlines that was not affliliated on why I wrote in. Can You remove that post for me because one link then the other , I disagree with being part of that title. Thank You as a continued reader of your columns here and their and a TIME magazine subscriber.
james from Irvine, calif
all links on jamestowncalif.com
myspace.com/jamestowncalifornia
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Indepandant Radio Producer
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The State Of the Union and Our Democracy?: How the Two Parties Have Failed Us

James Ameen Joher

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Let's see. All of the Democratic candidates are on their first marriage, I think, except Biden who was a widower, I think. None of them have been photographed publicly in drag, that I have seen. None of them called for wholesale bombing or nuking countries as a viable foreign policy. None of them called for torture, even for an applause line. Each of them have religion as an important part of their life, though none of them have called for the establishment of a theocracy. Each of them have a career in public service.

Quite a contrast to the Republicans, yes?

"7:07 PM Hillary swats at Edwards' "bumper sticker" attack on the "War on Terror," and talks forcefully ... , reminding people that she is actually the most butch person on stage."

Bonus Kewl-Kidz points for saying Hillary is butch!

looks like it was all butt-sex for ana marie last night...

James: I had the impression Biden is married and he takes a train home every day. But you make an excellent point.

Ana,
Thanks for the liveblogging.

***Karen writes in from home (get well, soon, KT!): "Did they NOT do a mike check before this started? Soooooo cnn."***

Jay told us Karen was on vacation, but he did NOT tell us that Karen was NOT well. I sent her good wishes for a great vacation when it appears I should have sent "Get Well" wishes. Karen, I correct that error: GET WELL SOON, KAREN!!

OK, I watched the debate until the chairs were brought out.

Some comments for CNN:
1. Fire the person who approved the backdrop for the debate.
2. Fire the cameramen/women or the producer who SELECTS which shots get on teevee. When Edwards was talking, the "Live" in the upper-left portion of my screen was covering the top of Edwards' head. The attempt to include Edwards, Clinton, and Obama in the shot when Edwards talked was pitiful, especially when half of Edwards' was missing from the screen. Also, we aren't interested in seeing Wolf's back and legs or in having him block the screen entirely.
3. What is with giving the top-tier candidates two chances to respond to questions before giving the other candidates their first chance? As best I recall, Matthews did this too. Everyone knows the top-tier candidates are gathering more dough and percentages, but it would seem to me that giving equal time or nearly so would be the time to show Americans (and people in other countries who may be watching) that EVERYMAN/WOMAN has a chance at becoming president--you know, Democracy in action.
4. I thought Wolf's performance was superior to Matthews' performance. Note: I didn't watch the Faux "debate" for comparison purposes. But Wolf didn't have as many "but, but, buts" or as many "uh, uh, uhs" as he does when he does the "Situation Room." So, he gets some kudos for improvement in the blabber department; however, he let the candidates take over when he started with his hypotheticals.

My short-term memory cells aren't working so great this morning, but I thought the candidates did reasonably well during the stand-up period. The one time I got PO'ed was when Hillary started sounding like G. W. Bush. I can't remember if it happened during her response to the "Bumper Sticker" question or in response to the question about giving Bush credit for no more attacks in America since 9/11.

Tentative conclusions until I can find the transcript to see how the candidates did during the sit-down portion:

Gravel, Kucinich, and Richardson should spend more time with their families.

I thought Dodd and Biden both performed better than last time.

While Obama got the most talk time, per the DODD talkometer (thanks trifecta!), he seemed more scatterd/diffuse in his responses, NOT nearly as sharp and focused as Hillary. Edwards also seemed a wee bit off to me. I'm NO Hillary fan, but she seemed especially well prepared to me and NOT as stilted sounding as she usually does.

David N Fox: "I had the impression Biden is married and he takes a train home every day. But you make an excellent point. "

According to wikipedia, Joe Biden's first wife and youngest child died in a car accident in 1966. His two other kids were seriously injured. He started taking the commutes home everyday so he could be by their bed as they recovered (again, according to wikipedia, he was sworn into office by their bedside).

He remarried in the 70's.

THIS DEBATE PROVES ONCE AGAIN TAHT THE LIBERASLS JUST AREN'T CAPABLE OF DEFENDING AMERICA. WHERE WERE TEH CALLS TO TRIPPLE GITMO? WHERE WERE TEH CALLS TO NUKE IRAN AND NORTH KOREA AND CHINA AND MEXICO? YOU LIBERALS WON'T BE READY TO LEAD UNTIL YOU TORTURE A PERSON LIVE ON STAGE. OR PERHAPS MAKE THEM LISTEN TO GRAVEL SPEEK SOME MORE.

PLUS, NONE OF YOUR CANDIDATES ARE MARRIED TO THEIR COUSINS. HOW CAN YOU REACH OUT TO VOTERS LIKE ME WITHOUT BEING MARRIED TO A COUSIN?

THANK GOD FOR RUDY. HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ME GO THROUGH. THE LOVE OF A COUSIN. THE DESIRE TO PROTECT AMERICA FFROM TERRORISTRS. THE FEEL OF A PARE OF PANTYHOSE OVER YOUR MANLY LEGS. EVERYTHING A TRUE AMERICAN UNDERSTANDS.

ONCE AGAIN YOU LIBERASLS PLOW IT.

Terry Jefferies on CNN Mon. AM has labelled the DEM candidates 'health plans' as part of their wrong-headed ideas and 'socialized medicine'.

Some questions that I thought could have been answered better involved questions from the audience.

The soldier's wife that asked how they would 'rebuild the military'. Personally, I would have liked to have heard that they were working on 'readiness issues' right now to address the short falls of Bush defense budget. Why wait two years to change the 'on the cheap'?

The social worker mom with a son in the military that asked about VA health care. Obama sounded stupid and he's on that Committee. Should a 'vet' who is told he's on a waiting list for PSTD or other treatment be allowed to seek private 'emergency' or 'stop gap' care with coverage?

The 18 year old that asked about 'mandatory service' should have gotten a better answer. How about 'student loan forgiveness' for teaching or nursing or other critical shortages? I remember a 10% forgiveness per year for 5 years of teaching. Maybe they could add another 5 years for math-science or teaching in 'bad schools'. Incentives for 'Peace Corps', etc. Come on folks, you have three candidates on the Sen. education comm.

Too bad Karen Tumulty wasn't commenting. She would have added some substance to the comments. Cox harped far too much on appearances. All those cheap shots at Blitzer and Edwards - and who was standing on a block? Is she another Maureen Dowd wannabe? Blame it on the booze cravings - if that's her problem. I thought it was a fairly good debate - the best yet. The format was much more effective for getting to know the differences between the candidates. Looking forward to seeing the Republicans go at it - but following the Dems is a definite advantage. Who determined the order?

Ana Marie Cox! Isn't she a riot? She's got a million of 'em! Ha, ha , ha!

GROAN