Obama Has a Nice Moment, Too
Speaking of nice moments, Obama showed his ease in the debate a few minutes ago. After Sen. Joe Biden (Del.) said that both he and Obama had been tested for AIDS, Obama jumped in to note that he had been tested with his wife, Michelle -- jokingly adding that he didn't want anyone to think anything "funny" was going on. The crowd laughed as PBS showed Michelle on screen. The moment showed how Obama has grown in the first three debates; he appears relaxed and comfortable tonight.
-- Chris Cillizza
By Eric Pianin |
June 28, 2007; 10:08 PM ET
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Posted by: elgnpiusx crzwqb | July 8, 2007 1:44 PM
I dare Senator Clinton to patroninze blacks regarding the HIV/AIDS question. Stating that if this disease would be attacking white women that something would have been done about the disease.I believe that HIV/AIDS was affecting the black community when her husband was President. I did not hear Senator Clinton speaking out during his tenure.
Posted by: Mary Seymore | June 30, 2007 11:21 PM
I dare Senator Clinton to patroninze blacks regarding the HIV/AIDS question. Stating that if this disease would be attacking white women that something would have been done about the diease.I believe that HIV/AIDS was affecting the black community when her husband was President. I did not hear Senator Clinton speaking out during his tenure.
Posted by: Mary Seymore | June 30, 2007 11:19 PM
Greetings,
I'm suprised so many people don't get the funny here.
Some people need to get out more.
Biden's comment that he and Obama and gotten tested was funny because thats the kind of thing a couple would say about each other.
Obama's joke was that he wa happlily married hetrosexal and gotten tested with his wife in Kenya. (Promoting HIV testing in Africa in case you're curious)
Go Obama!
mjf.
Posted by: Mark Flanders | June 30, 2007 5:30 PM
I don't think the Barack made a joke out of the Aids question. I think Joe Biden should have spoken for himself and not made a comment that he did not clarify. I understand Obama not wanting the implication that he had an aids test (without his wife) because people could have all kind of asumptions about his personal life questioned wether or not he was faitful to his wife. If my husband goes out to get an Aids test without telling me that would be a red flag that he was not faithful.
Posted by: VC | June 30, 2007 2:26 PM
I thought the absolute best line of the night was Obama's pointed remark that the problem with Hurricane Katrina was that we need a president who is in touch with needs of the people BEFORE the hurricane and that part of the reason we had such a tragedy is the assumption by Bush that "everyone could jump into their SUV's and load up with some sparkling water and check into the nearest hotel."
Obama has - by far - the most life experience to put him in touch with the problems and everyday struggles of the vast majority of Americans. He got to be editor of Havard's law review not because he was born rich, but because he is brilliant and works incredibly hard. Although many of the Democratic candidates would be an improvement over Bush, Obama alone can truly relate to us real Americans. He's got my vote.
Posted by: Laurie | June 30, 2007 11:36 AM
From what I saw, I believe it was a joke aimed at the idea that he and Biden did not get tested together, but he and Michelle. He was not turning AIDs into a joke, he was just bringing humor into a badly worded answer by Biden. Jeesh guys, calm down...
Posted by: Bob | June 30, 2007 12:20 AM
With the exception of Obama they ALL gave the usual-same ol' responses. Exactly the stuff that has gotten us where we are today. Obama seemed to sense the bigger picture, he cut through the sound bytes and headline grabbing one liners and brought many questions to the next level. He seems to intuitively see the fundamental causes of many problems, while the others, especially Hillary seem well prepared to apply band aids.
Posted by: Tom | June 29, 2007 7:06 PM
Did anyone else notice the audience reaction to Biden on the AIDS question? A lot of scowls. Biden was going for some kind of "Sister Souljah" moment, I guess, telling an audience of very elite black people (lots of Congress members) that black men should be told to wear condoms.
How long can they all stay in? I hope it gets thinned down soon or I'll stop watching; I only a little of this one.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2007 6:27 PM
Did anyone else notice the audience reaction to Biden on the AIDS question? A lot of scowls. Biden was going for some kind of "Sister Souljah" moment, I guess, telling an audience of very elite black people (lots of Congress members) that black men should be told to wear condoms.
How long can they all stay in? I hope it gets thinned down soon or I'll stop watching; I only a little of this one.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2007 6:27 PM
Did anyone else notice the audience reaction to Biden on the AIDS question? A lot of scowls. Biden was going for some kind of "Sister Souljah" moment, I guess, telling an audience of very elite black people (lots of Congress members) that black men should be told to wear condoms.
How long can they all stay in? I hope it gets thinned down soon or I'll stop watching; I only a little of this one.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2007 6:27 PM
Did anyone else notice the audience reaction to Biden on the AIDS question? A lot of scowls. Biden was going for some kind of "Sister Souljah" moment, I guess, telling an audience of very elite black people (lots of Congress members) that black men should be told to wear condoms.
How long can they all stay in? I hope it gets thinned down soon or I'll stop watching; I only a little of this one.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2007 6:26 PM
Did anyone else notice the audience reaction to Biden on the AIDS question? A lot of scowls. Biden was going for some kind of "Sister Souljah" moment, I guess, telling an audience of very elite black people (lots of Congress members) that black men should be told to wear condoms.
How long can they all stay in? I hope it gets thinned down soon or I'll stop watching; I only a little of this one.
Posted by: Karen | June 29, 2007 6:26 PM
I am a nursing home patient. I intently watch the debates. Richardson's comment about who is or is not tested for AIDS was uncalled for. I respect Obama for his reaction.
Seeing candidates try to embarrass each other upsets me and disgraces them.
Posted by: A. Graf | June 29, 2007 4:30 PM
I couldn't agree more that Obama's turning the AIDS test into a joke was ultimately awkward and showed him to be completely uncomfortable with taking the test -- as if he had to justify it and that it somehow would not have been acceptable without the participation of Michelle. This debate was his chance to show that he was Clinton's worthy rival and he failed.
Posted by: kelly garrett | June 29, 2007 2:15 PM
As a Barack Obama supporter and one who has seen the Senator speak in person at the Philadelphia kickoff, I agree that this 30 second sound bite format is not something that the Senator has yet mastered. The question should be, however, do we want candidates to give thoughtful responses, which will obviously take longer than 30 seconds, or be squeezed into a format which values quips and joke answers over intelligent comments?
Go to the candidates web sites, but also try to see the "stump speeches," which, even though prepared, can give you a better understanding of their positions.
This debate format is getting old, and will only marginally improve when some candidates drop out and leave more time for serious and necessarily lengthy discussions.
Jim Lyons
East Stroudsburg, PA
Posted by: Jim Lyons | June 29, 2007 1:40 PM
As a Barack Obama supporter and one who has seen the Senator speak in person at the Philadelphia kickoff, I agree that this 30 second sound bite format is not something that the Senator has yet mastered. The question should be, however, do we want candidates to give thoughtful responses, which will obviously take longer than 30 seconds, or be squeezed into a format which values quips and joke answers over intelligent comments?
Go to the candidates web sites, but also try to see the "stump speeches," which, even though prepared, can give you a better understanding of their positions.
This debate format is getting old, and will only marginally improve when some candidates drop out and leave more time for serious and necessarily lengthy discussions.
Jim Lyons
http://eburgobama08.org
Posted by: Jim Lyons | June 29, 2007 1:37 PM
I was very disappointed when (upon Biden's remark on being tested, as part of his efforts in teaching prevention and testing of HIV to his urban black population) Obama felt the need to defend himself being tested as if it were something disgraceful. What a freaking wuss! There was no need for that, stand up and be a man. It was as if he were embarrassed by it. His fear is regrettable. Clinton's response to that and other questions were equally as wussy. Be a man, as it were, and be the strong leader we need.
Posted by: Scott, PA | June 29, 2007 11:09 AM
I was trying to say that when you have a canned format, you get a canned response.
Posted by: sarafina | June 28, 2007 10:53 PM
I was actually intriqued by the format. It was an attempt to have the candidates step out of their comfort zones and be a little more "real." When you can a canned format, you get canned responses. If some of the candidates stumbled over their answers, that's good! We, the voters, need to see those first thoughts before they are polished and regurgitated.
Posted by: sarafina | June 28, 2007 10:50 PM
i agree, richardson didn't seem prepared.
Posted by: | June 28, 2007 10:42 PM
They're going to have to add at least another half-hour to these debates so that the candidates can complete their thoughts. This one didn't even get started for almost fifteen minutes, while three people, none of whom are running for president, talked and talked. Nice that Smiley's book is a best seller, but he can plug it someplace else. Towards the end, each candidate only had 30 seconds to respond to these weighty issues that demand much more time.
Posted by: Patricia Barry | June 28, 2007 10:33 PM
Actually, Chris, I think Obama has, for the most part, seemed a bit stiff and uncomfortable. He's a great orator, sure, but he definitely lacks some poise in a debate setting. Many of the other candidates have given far more articule answers. Don't simply report the lazy narrative you predicted: Obama will improve with each debate. I'm not seeing it.
Posted by: Watching Closely | June 28, 2007 10:22 PM
I thought the debate would never start until finally Ankleless Annie duckwalked out and the hoi polloi left the stage. Not quite Paris Hilton's vamp. Had to scurry back to US v. Argentina in Maracaibo on Telefutura. Any of you guys paying attention?
Posted by: Philip V. Riggio | June 28, 2007 10:16 PM
Richardson gave an absolutely dreadful answer on the AIDS question. Candidacy-ending, really, if the media paid any attention to it.
Posted by: dry_fish | June 28, 2007 10:15 PM
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