Let the Debate Games Begin

Let the Debate Games Begin updated

Who won? Vote!

Starring Gravel, Biden,
Richardson, Dodd,
Kucinich, Obama,
Clinton, Edwards.

Oh and George W. Bush too, because these candidates are smart and the Senate
and House just passed the legislation that could begin our exit out of Iraq. The other reality is we’re all one step closer to getting Mr. Bush and his attack dog Dick out of office.

Bill
Scher is liveblogging the debate.

I’ll be checking in occasionally and chiming in if the spirit moves me. Let me know what you think.

UPDATE IV: Biden was the first one asked why Dems were in S.C. if the NAACP wanted them
to boycott until the Confederate flag was removed. Biden mentioned Clyburn invited
them and it was more important to show off this great school and community than
anything else. Obama said the flag belongs in a museum.

UPDATE III: On the Virginia Tech. shooting incident, Williams asked for a show of hands on who had ever owned or had a gun in the home. Edwards, Obama and Clinton have never had a gun in the house, all other candidates did. Biden said to close the gun show loop hole and go after the assault weapons ban. Clinton, Richardson and Biden all talked about mental health issues and guns. Clinton also mentioned Columbine and how she went with Bill there after the tragedy, making sure to mention that the Clinton administration worked to keep guns away from the mentally ill.

UPDATE II: Biden had the best moment so far. Williams confronted him about his verbosity then asked if he had the discipline to assure the voters he had the discipline required to be president. Do you? Biden said, “yes.” Then there was silence, with Williams looking at Biden. More. Silence. Williams smiled. Biden didn’t budge. Beautiful.

UPDATE I: Some thoughts from the candidates on the first topic. Iraq:

Right out of the gate I have to ask: Why did Clinton dress in the same color
as her male opponents. This seems like a missed opportunity to me. Not a biggie,
however, obviously.

Clinton was up first. Brian Williams asked if she agreed with Harry Reid, whose
comments have been called “treasonous.” Patton would have wiped his
boots on Reid, said Williams. Clinton responded that the people have spoken
and she’s proud

Biden, do you agree with Harry Reid. This is not a game show; not a game. The
president should start off by not vetoing the legislation and move toward a
political solution. You’ve got to decentralize Iraq. The president better get
on the game plan here.

Obama, if the war is “dumb” why did you vote for appropriations.
Obama said he’s proud of being against the war from the beginning, but if we’re
sending troops they need to have the humvees and safety goggles to fight it.
He then recalled a story of a soldier’s mother.

Edwards, you made a “high profile” apology, so wasn’t that a shot
at Senator Clinton? No, anyone who voted for the war has to ask themselves that
question. The next president must restore the “trust bond” between
the president and the American people, but also between the president and the
rest of the world.

Williams let Clinton respond. “I take responsibility of my vote. It was
a sincere vote.” If she knew then what she knows now she wouldn’t have
voted that way. Then Clinton turned to attack Bush, focusing on his veto pledge.
“If the president doesn’t get us out of Iraq, I will.”

Kucinich, can you fund the war and still be against the war? “No.”
There was no obligation to give Bush any money at all. My friends here did.
We need to end the occupation by stopping the money. Then he went after Clinton.
It’s not enough to say that if you had the information you have now you wouldn’t
have voted for the war. The information was out there.

Richardson wouldn’t have funded the war. We must end the war. I would withdraw
all troops, including residual troops by the end of this year. He talked about
the steps, including dealing with Iran and Syria.

Dodd was next asked about his co-sponsoring of Feingold-Reid. Is it possible
to get the troops out, according to FR. Yes. It’s very important that “the
Iraqi people assume the responsibility of their own future.” We need to
engage in a robust diplomacy. That is a sign of strength.

Gravel was last up in the first sweep. The war was lost the day George Bush
invaded Iraq. He wants to sit down with Pelosi and Reid and offer legislation
to make it a felony to stay in Iraq.

Obama took the first question from a South Carolinian: What would you consider
a mission accomplished status? We are one signature away from ending this war.
If he won’t sign the bill we need to gather 16 votes to override the veto. We
can’t impose a military solution on what’s a political problem.

Clinton got a rebuttal: What Barack said is right. The problem is that the
president won’t change course. We are in the middle of a muti sided sectarian
war.