Can you imagine there are some in media today who are saying the loser in last night's Presidential debate was ABC?

After it was all over a blogger wrote, speaking of Hillary's "yes, yes, yes," that she had "fallen on a sword for the Democratic party last night. Very few observed it.

But that wasn't enough for most news networks; they would have preferred to see her roiled, which would have been par for the course.

Why was last night's debate an outlier, distant from all the other debates?

Because it was Obama who was roiled last night and finally rocked right there in his very own boat. Finally, finally we were not mislead by the misleaders about things they knew, that we didn't.

It couldn't be said about a more deserving entity--major network and cable news.

Today their amazing teflon dream coat, was a little worse for wear; but, it would not be at all suprising to hear that the polls continue to flatline despite last night's revelations, which should have sent his numbers into defib. Revelations about how each candidate handles attacks, how they handle revealing truths and whether they are truly who they say they are...is what we learned last night.

There's been a lot of hype today about not hearing enough policy questions, hearing about too many inconsequential things.

In Nicholas Kristoff's Op Ed in the New York Times, "Divided they Fall, he wrote a piece about how we perceive and take in information, like the debate last night, which has inflamed the media and the supporters of Barack Obama. But these reactions have everything to do with what Kristoff is saying, how the media distorts and how we, yes, you and I, distort information according to what we want to hear. Take a deep breath and read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/opinion/17kristof.html?hp

Most, if not all of the past debates have been about their policies. We haven't had a vetting process and a debate to drill down the soft but critical issues such as judgment and character.

ABC did the right thing by focusing on questions to attempt this vetting process. If candidates can't handle these kind of questions then they are too weak to win in November

"Clinton took a hit -- briefly -- for her exaggerations about coming under fire during a visit to Bosnia. "On a couple of occasions in the last weeks, I just said some things that I knew not to be the case," she said. "I am embarrassed by it, I have apologized for it.""

In other words, "I lied, knowingly...so what? I'm a Clinton, people, get over it...I apologized, didn't I?"

Why do they continue to ask Senator Obama about the lapel flag, but NOT either Senator McCain, or Senator Clinton?
Why is it that Americans have to wear their patriotism on the "sleeve," or I guess now the lapel?
The reason Soldiers wear flags on the uniform is a practical one -- targeting, not patriotism.

"Informed American electorate"--a real oxymoron!

Chris, I'm happy. All the wavering voters who have been hearing the soundbites and the ads got their chance to hear Obama explain what he actually said and what he actually meant. All the potential 'showstoppers' were addressed and defused in the first 45 minutes. Why wouldn't I be happy?

The ooh! ooh! bit most likely to have stuck in their minds is that Bill Clinton PARDONED two Weather Underground members. One of those "Say what?!" moments.

If I ever needed any reminding of why I can't stand so much of the mainstream media political coverage, that first hour of the ABC "debate" between Obama and Clinton was more than enough.

The entire hour was wasted on the stupid crap we're all sick of. It was all Obama could do to try and steer the discourse to the issues that matter to us most: the economy and jobs, the Iraq war and occupation, health care, education, energy alternatives, the environment, corruption, the power of special interests, etc...

Instead, the focus was entirely on the media's obsessive sensationalizing of the horse race tit for tat that has been going on for the past month, with Hillary's disingenuous "I will do everything in my power to ensure Democrats win the White House", while doing everything she could to continue to raise questions about Obama, essentially doing the Republican Party's dirty work for them.

If you're going to waste a hour on covering the horse race, then at least make a point to mention that Clinton is trailing in states won, trailing in popular vote, trailing in delegate count, and hasn't got a hope in hell of winning unless she somehow finds a way to destroy Obama, and as a consequence, the Democratic Party as well.

Just a small issue of note you'd think would be brought up.

Pathetic stuff.

Dennis,

It is your racism that sends those shivers up your spine. I hope to God that you do not represent America.

hahahahaha! you know the candidate had a bad night when you blame the moderators. i reacll hillary being grilled just as hard, if not harder, by tim russert a couple months ago.

Obama lost my support today. Too many questionable people around him. "Birds of a feather flock together." I will vote for Clinton because she had a real grasp of the issues. If Obama is the nominee, I will vote for McCain.

Talk about insulting the intelligence of the American people! WHAT brainiack at ABC decided we were all so stupid that we didn't remember the close ties between George S and the Clintons? That "debate" was a travesty. ABC, the two moderators, and Mrs. Clinton should all be ashamed. It has been interesting to me, as one not decided for Obama, to listen to how Mrs. Clinton "writes" the headlines of the day. He is too much of a gentleman to say, "Hillary is a liar," so there has not been that headline. She however accuses him of a multitude of sins on a daily basis and the headlines run as she calls them: "Clinton calls Obama elitist." She gets the headlines because she is on the attack; his "people" may do so behind the scenes, but I keep waiting for him to show little pictures of her dancing to that old '60s song, "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire." I can not believe that George S. can look himself in the mirror and pretend that he is a journalist after tonight. Talk about a set-up.

THE AUDACITY OF A CRAPPY DEBATE!! The story here is not how the candidates performed, but how poorly the media performed. ABC should be ashamed--total bias in the first hour and non-substantive. What a joke!

Maybe ABC/Disney has a large stake in the manufacture of Chinese made flag pins -- that's the only reason I can surmise for the question.

If ABC had a news division you'd think one of the editors would have thought that it would have been wise to disclose the affiliation. Looks like the real news folks at the show must have fallen under the ax during the last set of budget cuts.

What a shame -- it's at times like this that we can begin to appreciate journalists who have gone through the rigorous discipline of their work -- and who take pride in what can be a very demanding and thankless profession.

No stripes earned by ABC tonight -- perhaps a net gain for NBC and CBS in terms of new viewership as well.

This debate needs some issues. I am so disappointed and ABC should be ashamed. I want to know what these candidates will do if they are elected

I watched this debate and I TOO WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY ABC conducted themselves, It was a set up and HILLARY was in on it , did you see her reading from her notes, she knew what the questionswere, HOW DO I KNOW THIS well the commentator is a friend of her husband,he helped run his campaign, see we still get the same old politics from the old politicians, if I cant win no one is, hillary go home and take care of your family

Did anyone catch Obama's blatant lie when he said he didn't take PAC money? Yes, you did, Obama. Shame on you for lying!

The first 45 minutes of this debate were a disgrace, trotting out every attack from a Fox News playbook against Obama, while Clinton demurely professed to be piling on only as a civic duty to point out what Republicans will do. Actually, I doubt that McCain will run the kind of dirty campaign Clinton has, but ABC cheated all of us of an opportunity for some substantive debate instead of tabloid trash.

"If you are in Obama's campaign, it's hard to see how you can be happy about the first 45 minutes of the debate. He may be getting more speaking time than Clinton but he is being forced to answer for every vaguely hot-button issue raised about him over the last 15 months of the campaign."

You must be watching a different debate, Chris, because Obama won the first 45 minutes decisively. It's only people like you in the press that can't see that, but we know where you have your collective heads.

Actually, Dennis, if you really work at an ad agency --

the absolutely worst thing about this "debate" were the ads! What was ABC thinking?

Of course, the second worst thing was the utterly vapid questions. Did they have their high-school interns write them? No, maybe Dennis wrote them.

Dennis or is it Delusional. The willie horton days are over. The first time they try it, the backlash will be tremendous and McCain goes out like the old fart he is.

It's time to take the elevator down to the China Grill for some martini pondering with fellow scribes.

Lets' see how the story will be spun for tomorrow's morning joe & such.

You know those guys are really in the tank for OB One Don'T Know Be.

And Rupert Murdoch's WSJ will be feeding FOX this fall with some juicy tidbits.

What would the Boss do?

Bruuuuce!!

CBS' Katie Couric has been bringing up the rear in these debates. They're not going to save Katie anymore than they're going to save Obama.

They'll both be history by next year.

Obama's in the news spin room now trying to say how successful he was in the debate.

We'll take care of that nonsense.

We always do.

Where's the Boss when you need him?

Bruuuuce!!

Maybe Mister Bruce Springsteen can get Miami Steve Van Zandt to put on the Silvio Dante toupe from "The Sopranos" to get the vote in New Joizy.

McCain has pulled even with Obama & Clinton there & it's only April. Six months of hell left for the Obamas.

Never fear, The Boss is on the job.

Bruuuce!!

The evening has just begun for us on Sixth. We have to make the morning headlines you lumpen proles out there in the provinces will be talking about.

By the Fall you won't recognize this great Black Hope that's been perpetrated on an unsuspecting public. You have no idea the dirt that's being stored on your precious Barry & Michelle.

McCain spots are going for the war hero appeal. White vs. black, a modern day race war is how the election will be fought this fall. Remember Willie Horton. This will be so much worse.

Here on Sixth Avenue, known as the Avenue of the Americas to you rubes, two blocks from Black Rock, CBS HQ, sits Rockefeller Center, NBC, & Associates Press. Across the street is CNN on the street locale, two blocks down FOX News HQ.

We all meet, have lunch & discuss this joke called an election, deciding which story to spin today.

Wise up, hicks. The fix is already in.

Obama's downfall is now a six month project. And the millions keep rolling in, courtesy of your donations.

Here's a martini to the Boss.

Bruuuuuce!!!

Jack:
I've spent two hours of horror and pain here. But I have hope, I think people will be able to see through this... and you're right, decency is something one should never lose, something that Barack has not, and will not lose. Let's stay strong!!

I tuned on to a debate between the candidates...but I found Geraldo (I mean George)and Charlie consuming the air and the cameras. This was the worst performance by a network I have ever seen.

George S. and Gibson were by far the worst debate moderators so far. Their fixation on all this "gotcha" stuff was so frustrating that I finally switched over to watching the Wizards and Orlando in that meaningless final regular season game.

Marie...I think it backfired. Obama is the only one who came out looking decent and PRESIDENTIAL.

go to bed dennis, maybe you'll dream about trippin' with Cindy.

George Clooney was begged to do some spots for Obama, but he begged off.

His man isn't looking like such a winner anymore.

Maybe the Boss can work his "Magic".

Bruuuuuce!!

A glass of wine has helped made this ridiculousness against Barack easier... I meant Pennsylvania is less than a week away..... I am SO bitter right now (bet your behind I am!!!)

I work & live in Manhattan & never heard of yer' circle jerk store, you hicks.

In the land of the elite, at an ad agency that produces spots for all three candidates, it makes us effete types laugh all the way to the bank as you rubes suck this stuff up.

They're all a pathetic bunch of crooks.

Our bets are on Obama to get blown out of the water when we start running ads this fall with Barack's Michelle contrasted with the pure private white Cindy McCain.

Remember, image is everything.

We're the ones who made up that slogan.

But the Boss could pull this out for Barry.

Bruuuuce!!!

Worst. Debate. Ever. What a joke.

How ridiculous is it that abc with two very questionable "moderators" conducts a debate in which Barack Obama is POUNDED insatiably by both men AND Clinton (no surprise there) for 45 MINUTES? 45 MINUTES ABC! Very. And very, very, very shameful too. 2 minutes of the Bosnia lies by Clinton were thrown in there so as to make this joke of a debate seem "fair and balanced", and then she was left off the hook, even when he insisted on making it seem as though SLEEP HAD MADE HER MAKE UP THOSE STORIES!, again!. I'm disgusted by abc's job tonight, especially when we all know what the obvious intent is, two weeks before the Pennsylvania elections. I hope not to ever have to see such chain of attacks and lack of substance in another debate, ever again. Barack Obama is the answer, he could have fallen ill of this anger rhetoric, but he stood strong. He could have made Clinton answer to his president Clinton pardoning of the same people Hillary claimed Barack should feel ashamed of being involved with, but he didn't (and neither did either "moderator") Bottom line, I hope the American people can see through this smoke screen that was created today, and make a decision based on substance, not on hate attack by ABC and Clinton. Go Barack.

I dont think Cindy McCain can think past stealing recipes from the food network and calling it an old family recipe

jen....I know it's difficult to keep up with a guy who speaks in full paragraphs, especially after George W. Bush, who can't utter 4 consecutive words without screwing up. Try to focus.

Dennis - What are you doing watching the debate. Should'nt you be watching Hannity right now to get your right wing fix!!!!

Obama keeps digging his hole deeper. But it's not big enough to bury all his lies as they pile high.

And Bringing his mama Michelle out of the shadows doesn't help.

Picture Barack, Michelle, Oprah & Rev. Wright in the White House. Keep that vision in your head till November.

As you enter the voting booth.

Cindy McCain will make a First Lady we can be proud of.

Dennis - Perhaps that shiver up your spine is caused by the brain fart you just had or is it the ignorance because obviously you missed the meaning of illiterate. Or maybe you just have some issues.

dennis...I think you're on your last beer, better run up to Circle K for another 12 pack.

wow, i guess i'm watching an entirely different debate. i think obama answered the silly-seasons questions really well - by actually telling the truth. kind of refreshing...

What can the Dems be thinking tonight?

Perhaps, "how did we blow this election. We had Bush to run against & we still can't beat the Republlicans"

Of course Bush beat the Dems, by hook or crook, twice. How pathetic.

Good thing the Boss is back on the job.

Bruuuuce!!!

George Stephanopolous took the weather underground question right out of the Sean Hannity playbook. Why should he have to answer for every assoiciation. He shut him down good and shut up Clinton as well. They are finally talking aboout issues, maybe some balance will be restored

Obama' poor performance tonight has been equaled by his loud mouthed, no class wife's resurfacing on the talk show circuit.

She talkin' jive like some illiterate is not going to endear her or her hubby to the elctorate.

Visions of Michelle & Oprah in the White House is enough to send shivers up our spines.

Maybe the Boss can pull it out.

Bruuuuuce!!

geez, Cillizza,

how hard is it for you to figure out this entire 'debate' is a way for the despicable, thoroughly despised Michael Eisner to beat up on Obama and give the *itch from h*ll all kinds of breaks.

Observe closely as BOTH stephanopolous AND Gibson find every possible way to throw Obama off, while they coddle the *itch from h*ell as much as possible.

That's the cockroach Eisner protecting his tax breaks folks.

Wake up, please.

My favorite moment so far was when they played the clip of McBush making fun of Obama followed instantly by Hillary laughing like a rabid, demented hayena.

Eisner is almost as hated as Hillary.

He's in the Clintons' pockets, they're in his.

aren't you supposed to be like, a real reporter?

Folks, I've never seen anybody attacked from so many angles at the same time as Obama.

he takes it, and keeps on being eloquent, composed, and absolutely sane, and thoroughly 'Presidential' ..

unlike Hillary, who is a disgusting liar and would NOT make a good president.

HEY AMERICA,

WITHOUT a speechwriter OBAMA makes NO sense. Rambling.

Obama's sheen is off this tarnished & fatally flawed candidate.

The funny thing is the Democrats have no choice but to nominate him. It's turning into a nightmare that they can't stop till November.

No worries. The Boss is back on the job. He did wonders for Kerry.

Bruuuuuuce!!!

I think Obama brought A game tonight, answering every Clinton jab with a punch.

Clinton commuting sentence for underground weather group. Hillary didn't even want to respond because that was out of play book that Mark Penn has.

He's also taking cheap shots from the moderators and Ms. Clinton. She's become a disgusting caricature of a Republican. I'm disgusted to be a Democrat if she has any legitimate chance of being the nominee. She's not mine.

I even caught OBAMA in lies. HE really blew it. OBAMANATORS stop calling hillary a liar, it will come back to bite you.

This is the Mickey Mouse Debate from AOL-Time Warner, making a bundle from the Iraqi Invasion, all tax free from the tax break Republicans hid in the Homeland Security Act. Charlie's a little uppity! Isn't a nine trillion dollar Republican debt a tax? When Big Oil isn't killing to privatize the second largest oil reserve on the planet worth trillions to them in oil contracts, they're banking tax free in the Caymans from the good ship Blood For Oil. Big Oil. Now Playing at a War Near You!!

IF someone was undecided, HILLARY GOT IT. OBAMA clearly was lying, look at his body language and stuttering. He made some big blunders. The man can't speak without Axelrod's teleprompter....

NO OBAMA FOR ME.

Obama is going to unite America?

He can't even unite the Democratic Party.

That's OK. The Boss is on the job.

He'll get a hit out of this campaign.

Bruuuuuuce!!!

Its obvious that BARACK is the favorite thats why he is under the "gun" by the ABC news team being questioned about old news, It won't matter Barack will be the president.

Terrible job from ABC. The candidates, especially Obama, were ready to discuss substantive issues and the questioners kept bringing up drivel. What a wasted opportunity for voters. I agree with the poster who said this was a FOX-style hatchet job. And unfair to Obama, since they dredged up every conceivable relationship, while leaving Hilary in the clear.

My question is why is George Stephanapoulos serving as one of the moderators (a misnomer in this case)?

This is a man who was a leading member of President Clinton's 1992 campaign and served as his communications director.

Hillary has accused Barack of being a Elitist yet when pressed she refused to raise the Taxes on the her Tax Bracket, the Millionaires who don't pay their fair share now. She is now saying she will stay the course on the Bush Tax Cuts to the Rich, she sounds just like McBush.

I remember giggling as Russert skewered Sen. Clinton about her campaign promises vis-a-vis Western New York. It felt wonderful to have someone smack her around on her blue-collar street cred.

I guess I know how it feels on the other side now; Gibson and Oompa Loompa are throwing some sweet chin music at my boy, and it's no fun to watch. I guess turnabout is fair play, but this isn't how the campaign should work.

The biggest reason for such disappointment thus far is the inane questions by George Stephanopolous with continued follow-up devoid of important substance. The "media" can be gifted in covering issues of the political realm, but can also be annoying and misguided by focusing on snippets or soundbites that should not hold much influence when making decisions with national consequence. Who agrees with everything that their pastor/minister/rabbi, etc. says over the years in sermons?!

Okay, now they're getting into some substance (watching on Tivo). I need to pay more attention,instead of typing.

Thanks for your attention.

...and who says the press fawns over Obama. The kids gloves are off tonight.

Obama has gone from being the Great Black Hope to a bladdering idiot.

His hems & haws about religion, patriotism, and his attempts to go beyond "old" politics, whatever nonsense that is being foisted on the American people by Obama just ain't jiving anymore.

But at least Obama now has The Boss on the job. God help him.

McCain is looking better every day.

"What I have displayed in the course of this primary is I can take a punch."

Yes, Urkel. You are ready for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

You look like the class wimp. Oy Ve. Please, stop him before he talks again.

The Nerdster throws down.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

i'm first!

where's Clinton's flag pin?

i'm first!

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

Oh please, please comment on the headline at ABC News right now "Democratic debate takes on civil tone after weeks of personal attacks".

Please, please comment. Or have I, truly and finally, entered the Twilight Zone?

And mainstream media wonders why no one is watching and, were it not for certain on-line attributes of TWP or TNYTs . . . no one is reading.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

"On a couple of occasions in the last weeks, I just said some things that I knew not to be the case," she said. "I am embarrassed by it, I have apologized for it."

So she just admitted blatantly lying more than once and she thinks it's OK because she apologized?

I suppose it comes down to what your definition of "it" is. She learned from the best.

Agreed. Has to be the single most boring debate in the history of debates. As if the moderators were sent back in time to a week ago and were unaware of anything which transpired since. They appeared to even bore the candidates.

This ABC Debate ( cough, choke ) is nothing but a Fox Network hit job run thru Disney and and ABC. Rush and Hannity might as well be asking the questions.

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