The Debate

[ThomWV]

Just my comments. There was no winner, but that's OK. Sharpton is great. Liberman does too have a sense of humor. The General needs to work on his presentation. Dean needs to get rid of that fog of meanness that hangs around him. All others might as well quit now. Overall it was really well moderated and controled. Compare it to last night's circus in California to see what I mean.

Thom

[Cappurr]

1. I agree somewhat....

I don't think Liberman did so well. Sharpton ALWAYS does well. But he is NEVER gonna win the nomination. But he should stay in because he pulls the others to the left. I thought Clark was great considering he has only been in for nine days and I have great hopes for him. I think Dean was good too. The ONLY one I think should drop out is Gephardt. He doesn't seem to add a damn thing to the debate. And Kerry (who I used to like) just doesn't seem true to me. I can't put my figer on it but it is definitely there.

[RichM]

2. Here's my scorecard. First, I agree on Sharpton. He is terrific -- by far

the one with the most lightning wit. He didn't say a single thing that I'd criticize, & scored many tremendous blows.

Lieberman, I agree, does have a sense of humor, but I can't stand him anyway.

I agree on Dean, too -- "that fog of meanness." I thought he came off particularly badly today.

CMB is a nice affable lady & very poised, but does not offer anything unusual (beyond being a black female) in terms of ideas. There were at least 2 things she said that bothered me; one was her Iraq ideas which were too heavy on "support the troops"; the other, I can't quite remember right this moment.

Edwards - exceptionally decent guy, very good on domestic issues; somewhat confused about the war.

Kerry - Sounded comfortable & fluent today. Really focused on taunting Dean today -- reminded me of Arianna against Arnold last night. He doesn't appeal to me, but I'm sure he'll remain near the top of the pack.

Clark - Very smooth, smart & confident, has had tons of practise dealing with the media, and it shows. However, he was bluffing on some things, & tried to get by with "We'll have a complete package out in 2 weeks" on others. I don't trust this guy at all -- his very smoothness bothers me. I feel that he understands very clearly just how to go out and "sound like a Democrat," -- & suspect he'd be just as skillful at "sounding like a Republican" tomorrow if he wanted to.

DK -- I am 100% for this guy. Every time I hear him he is better than the time before.

Gephardt - good on domestic issues, again showed more fire in the belly than I'd expected. Not too bad of a showing, really.

Graham -- Seemed to hold his own, made some good points, but seems tired and lacking verve.

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The format -- I thought it was insanely demanding. I frankly don't know how any of the 10 could stand it. There was a constant frenetic feeling & omnipresent anxiety about the goddamn buzzer. Why did they have to be so strict with the "60 second rule," for Chrissake? Just making it 90 seconds would have greatly reduced the anxiety level, & probably could have improved the thoughtfulness of the responses.