Who won the Galloway/Hitchens debate?

[Taxloss]

Poll question: Who won the Galloway/Hitchens debate?

[LincolnMcGrath]

1. Drunken Wanker Hitchens had to resort to slamming Cindy Sheehan

[Taxloss]

2. Yes, that was really pathetic.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's back in his hotel by now reading these posts with his "gentleman's appendage" in his hand. If he isn't now, he will later.

[LincolnMcGrath]

3. Well, to be fair, I am sure he has to sign at least 3 or 4 autographs

before going his on his way.

[ConsAreLiars]

4. We watched Hitchens self-destruct by

echoing RW talking points even on subjects like Hurricane relief. Plus his rambling smear monologues and the usual whiny righty claims of being mistreated.

The most revealing was his defense of his loyalty to his current backers near the end, where he alluded to "party discipline" in the left parties of the Third and Fourth Internationals (not in such words) as a way for Galloway to understand his wholesale support. Words to the effect that when making such a commitment, you continue full support through good and bad times.

[JAbuchan08]

5. Well I can't wait for someone to post the transcript since I don't have

cable.

[Taxloss]

6. No one prepared to even troll in favour of the Hitch?

Wow. It really was as bad as I thought.

[chaska]

7. I didn't see it, but tell me, it couldn't have been a blow out, right?

Hitchins is pretty damned formidable

[myrmenki]

8. Hitchens wasn't at his best, and Galloway either

Galloway committed the mistake of ... well, amongst other things, he started lecturing too often about historical backgrounds, which made the audience switch off their attention. And the way he dudged some of the attacks by Hitchens didn't make him look too good either. Rather guilty, I'd say.

He stumbled when he saw himself confronted with disagreement by the audience, and seemed to be in a rather defensive position at this point.

Hitchens, on the other hand, fended off a number of attacks by Galloway; he repeated some well-known talking points, and used some additional, admirable logical fallacies in his arguments. I think he did rather well, and didn't even seem to be very drunk at first.

But he lost it when he started insulting the audience, and at some point didn't seem to have the necessary concentration anymore to use coherent argumentation. When he finally used a rhetorical trick at the cost of New Orleans victims, he had lost the debate. He was reduced to incoherent rumbling against the audience.

I had the impression that he got increasingly drunk during the debate. It was as if his water bottle contained more than just water.

Perhaps Hitchens could be one of the very few to actually beat Galloway in a debate. Galloway might be one of the greatest rhetoricians of our times (I really think he is), but he doesn't appear to be much of a debater.

Maybe you are right and Hitchens really is formidable. But yesterday, he was too drunk to be.

(Btw, I'm the one who voted that it was only a close win for Galloway)

[chknltl]

9. Gruss Gott myrmenki

Welcome to the Democratic Underground. I like the fact that you admitted to bucking the trend in our poll. I listened to the debate with frequent interruptions. I missed about a third of it. From what I heard Galloway remained strong throughout. Hitchens started off strong but ended rather weekly. I was waiting for Galloway to soften and just ask Hitchens to admit that he was on a sinking ship here. Hitchens appears to be a smart person, one would think he could see the lunacy of supporting the bush admin. debacle over in Iraq. Pity to see such a brilliant mind wasted like that. Maybe it really is the alcohol. (Hope I got "Gruss Gott" right, I know it needs an umlaut, I do not have one on my keyboard)

[myrmenki]

10. I'm glad most think it was a clear win for Galloway

because I actually wanted him to win. On almost all debate points I disagree with Hitchens as much as I agree with Galloway. But you know, for me to say Galloway won outright would be nothing but wishful thinking. I'm glad many think otherwise.

Rant: I got up at one o'clock in the morning to see the live stream. Why do those damn planets have to be round, with different time zones everywhere? It's so impractical!

On Grüß Gott: If you don't have an Umlaut, -u- or -ue- are fine. Servus!

[chknltl]

12. Do you know what I miss most about Germany?

the castles?... the people?... the beer?... those bike rides in Bavaria?... the Churches?... Nachtwanderung(sp?) with my friends?...
...well actually I DO miss all that stuff but right now the thing I miss the most is those bakeries! A second welcome to DU myrmenki, I for one appreciate the opinions of those who are outside of the U.S.
posting here. I believe it can add a view of us which we may not be able to see, perhaps a glimpse into the way the outside world sees America. I will watch for your future posts here, now I am off to the local 7-11 for fresh donuts. (Big sigh....7-11 donuts are a VERY poor substitute for the fresh bakery products as served up over in Germany)

[myrmenki]

13. You are in line with my American relatives there

they still complain about American bread, and it's a third generation problem by now.

And thanks for your welcome :)

[0007]

11. Hitchens was exposed as the high price drunken shill that he is

for the crime family.

Anyone that sez CH has creditability certainly has brain trouble.

[Terran1212]

14. Don't mean to be judgemental, but...

I think Hitchens is an arrogant and stuck-up "western intellectual" who is trying to be imperial with cultures and lives, but he honestly seemed much better fit for the debate.

[K-W]

17. Bullshitters always look better in debates.

When you arent tied down by silly things like reason and facts its easy to score rhetorical points.

[StellaBlue]

15. Where can I see it online?!??!!??!!

[Viking12]

16. Second the request for link

I tried to watch the live webcast last night but had difficulty maintaining a connection.

Would like to download and watch this pm.

[Viking12]

18. Found an audio link....

http://kpftx.org/#galloway