Clinton Comes Back on the Offensive

Clinton Comes Back on the Offensive updated

from the Clinton campaign

Hillary Clinton was on fire tonight and she came out with the energy and intent
to prove to her opponents that she wants the job of president and she’s
going to fight for it. Fight she did tonight. (Others are in agreement: TIME, Mark Ambinder, Josh Marshall, Tapped, Hotline blog, to name a few top sites.)

The first part of the debate contained the money moments. When Clinton was
attacked this time she retaliated with a direct hit on Edwards that threw him
on his heels. Then Edwards was roundly booed. Obama had a horrible time with
the driver’s license question, dodging it, which he knew the minute he answered
was trouble, but it was completely convoluted and he couldn’t get out of it.
Clinton was emphatic on the subject this time, answering a simple no, which made Obama’s meandering answer look even worse. Biden
was sharp tonight, very sharp, too.

But when it’s all said and done, tonight was Hillary Clinton’s night. She was
gracious, on point, on the offensive, direct and fearless, even charming at times even as she attacked. She took her opponents
out.

From the CNN transcript:

CLINTON: Well, Wolf, I’ve just been personally attacked again, and I… BLITZER: Senator Clinton, I’ll let you respond because there was a direct charge made against you. CLINTON: Thank you. BLITZER: Then we’re going to bring in everybody. Everyone’s going to get time tonight; don’t worry, we got a lot of time. Go ahead. And the most important issue is she says she will bring change to Washington, while she continues to defend a system that does not work, that is broken, that is rigged and is corrupt; corrupted against the interest of most Americans and corrupted… (APPLAUSE) BLITZER: All right… EDWARDS: … and corrupted for a very small, very powerful, very well-financed group. (PROTESTOR SHOUTS OFF-MIKE) CLINTON: Well, you know, I respect all of my colleagues on this stage. AUDIENCE MEMBER: Clinton! CLINTON: And, you know, we’re Democrats and we’re trying to nominate the very best person we can to win. And I don’t mind taking hits on my record on issues, but when somebody starts throwing mud, at least we can hope that it’s both accurate and right out of the Republican playbook. (APPLAUSE) Because what I believe is important is that we put forth what we stand for. I have been active for 35 years. The American people know where I stand. You know, Senator Edwards raised health care again — when Senator Edwards ran in 2004, he wasn’t for universal health care. I’m glad he is now. CLINTON: But for him to be throwing this mud and making these charges I think really detracts from what we’re trying to do here tonight. We need to put forth a positive agenda for America…

UPDATE: Clinton’s fact check site is up and on the offensive over the debate. You might find it interesting.