Charlie and George were awful. They should be banned from ever moderating debates in the future.

Chris:

You focus on the initial statements and seem to ignore the descriptions. Whereas Mrs. Clinton stated that she would firmly stick to her policy, Mr. Obama stated that while he would set the policy, he would listen to the generals regarding its implementation. This is a fundamental difference that highlights the difference between the candidates. You seemed to skip this analysis and that is disappointing.

from my viewpoint Barack Obama 'WINS' this final round Hillary looked like she had the wind knocked out of her but, Obama

got hit by her and ABC Barack is on a mission to the nomination HRC is old and tired please no more debates

Neither candidate will reject generals' advice on HOW to conduct the mission.

Neither will allow generals' to dictate WHAT mission to conduct. The Congress decides which wars we fight. The President sets the core direction. Generals carry that direction out.

That's what civilian authority over the military means.

And notice that the generals respect that line. Petreaus only answers questions about how to do what Bush has told him to accomplish. He doesn't answer questions about whether it's the right mission or whether it damages other missions that deserve greater investment.

The administration is playing a shell game, where anyone who asks the President about global security is told to ask the general, and anyone who asks the general is told to ask the president.

Mr Cillizza, you have space and time to point that out. Doing so would provide accurate information to a hungry public. I wish you'd add that much context, rather than help the administration by leaving it out.

Very poor choice of questions from ABC. The flow was chaotic and the majority of the moderators were clearly pulling for Clinton. George S should not have even been a moderator- he is Bill Clinton's former communication director for crying out loud! The Clinton's know his style and I believe Hillary had an idea of what some of the questions would be.

yoWzA BAby!!! geez the Obamaniacs are out in full force tonight!!

Looks like their plan is to dominate by sheer repetition. May work, may not. Fact is, Hil just took Obama to school and back.

(fret not, my friends, should Obama take the nomination, I will fully support him. We must take over and start the years-long process of undoing what Yoo, Cheney, Wolfowitz, and Dubya have wrought upon our once-proud nation)

ABC's Post debate comment was outrageous and biased. What a hit job on Obama. Gibson is so biased that its clear he doesnt even pretend to moderate a fair discussion of the issues. I was repulsed by Charlie Gibson and the idiot commentator who made one comment at the end of the debate.

Why is ABC showing the investment banker Chlesea as her mother finishes speaking? Is the debate a political add for Clinton? I really dont see what Chelsea has to do with anything or how she knows a whit about what matters to young people anywhere? She never has said anything of consequence except that she supports her mom.

What tax bomb? Clinton just said she is going to raise taxes in a whole host of areas while supposedly lowering taxes for the middle class. This is the same concept of "fairness" Are you kidding me? MR you are an idiot.

Blah, blah, blah, blah....

Blah, bla blah. blah blah blah. Oh, and blah, blah blab, bbbblah blah blah bla... I'm the best, blah, blah, blippity, blah, blah.

Why is American media so anti-change? Is there any hope that America can ever change without some nit wit expecting that we all stay as stupid as possible or accusing someone of being an elitist because they want to use their head to improve our life. I find the media to be the greatest instrument not for freedom but to oppress us politically.

Chris,

Not directly on topic for this but please post about the tax bomb that Obama just dropped -- I think it's big news. "I don't care how much revenue it raises, tax policy is about fairness!"

I wonder how Marine Corps Corporal McCain feels?

The ABC debate is extremely offensive. Whether the candidates wear flag pins doesnt help me in my life. I also dont believe that whether or not they register guns matters a whit to the common person, not to mention the DC gun law. Also why the attack on removing social security "cap" when nobody wants the system to fail. I came away from the debate believing that Charlie Gibson is so out of touch with America and that he was spending almost all his time on hot button divisive issues that dont benefit the common person. This demans our democracy.

I am surprised that Gibson and Stephy didn't just bring a rope with them tonight. That was the most disgusting display of blatant bias I have ever seen in a supposed neutral debate setting.

Did he just say winfall profit sex?

God Chris is slow at updating this thing. This isn't live blogging - this is tape delayed blogging.

No, the Obamas have kids. Michelle is worrying about which prep school to enroll them in. They can barely afford "the right school" to get into Harvard. Only 4 and a half million last year!

I wish they would go back to the shallow, insipid questions about Tuzla and flag pins. Issues make my head hurt! They should ask who will win Dancing with the Stars!

Why not ask whether their children being in Iraq would affect their strategy, like McCain and his father before him? Oh, wait. Chelsea's at a hedge fund and the Obamas are Yuppie childless trust fund types. Never mind.

Who cares about Rev. Wright? I care a great deal that Hilary Clinton is a liar (Bosnia, Travelgate, Whitewater). Did everyone see how she shook off her lie about Bosnia? She is a disgrace! Either Obama or John McCain gets my vote.

Why is Charlie Gibson asking Obama about DC's gun law? Is this some further ploy to associate Obama with DC because he is black? Why didnt he ask Clinton first?

yo should at least be accurate if you are covering this. you said clinton echoed obamas opening remarks and then you should say that obama echoed clintons remarks about the President setting the mission

Whats wrong with these reporters asking stupid questions about flag pin patriotism and not even understanding that the President runs the country not the generals. Charlie Gibson is appalling, particularly on issues like taxes. No wonder our country is unable to improve with such conservative press.

Here's a good summary of some reasons to consider supporting Barack Obama: http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html

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