FINALLY

A debate where Barack Obama acted Presidential and didn't spend the entire time taking pot shots at Hillary Clinton.

Good job by both candidates tonight.  Can Obama keep up this positive tone when he doesn't have to say it to Hillary's face?

I doubt it.  But I hope he does.

Comments

[t]

No... he can't

[Dan]

It was exactly what one would have expected tonight.

She has a lead right now and took no chances. She is sitting on a lead. Or attempting to.

He is clearly gaining on her and took no chances. He doesn't want to interupt the trend that is taking place in his direction.

So surprises here.

[Dan]

If even Ben feels Obama looked Presidential, then Obama did very well indeed.

[Tokatakiya]

I'm not going to disagree with what you are saying, but I do think you could reverse the names and it would be as legitimate.

[Sam]

For the first time in a while, Ben, I agree with you.... But not just there, I think both were superb tonight, and as much as I dislike Hillary, her performance reassured me that if she does get the nomination, I can be comfortable voting for her in November.

[Idiot]

They both well represented the Democratic Party, and all Democrats should be proud.

Republicans, on the other hand, can only look at last night's McMitt fight and wonder which of those two could possibly win the GE?

BTW, if you look at the youtube clips coming online, focus on the two candidate's respective answers and decide which answers could be used on media commercials. To me, IMHO, all but one of Hillary's answers on policy could be used as a TV advertisement. Not so good for Barack, who weaved through answers using too much time. In other words, Hillary stayed on message to keep the listener's attention and to play it safe.

Both did really good tonight, and they should be proud. Could you have imagined this in 1988? We were having terrible trouble electing women, AA, and latinos into statewide offices in the midwest and west.

Remember this moment.

"Can he stay positive?" asks the guy who called Obama "Pothead Hussein"

[Jon]

Hey, he's trying to reconcile. Give him a chance.

This was a good night for the Democratic Party.

They both showed that they will be able to take on the Rs.

Of course I’m for Obama, and I think he wins on a couple points, first and foremost because he completely exceeded expectations (of course helped along the way by the Clinton team bragging about taking him on one on one)

But regardless, imagine a debate about the issues . . . you know compared to the Republicans and their ridiculous caricature of, of, of, oh I don’t know, its time for bed.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

The other night, the Republicans got smaller and smaller in stature.

Tonight, both Democrats grew larger.

Eww Barak's veins were like falling out of his head and his mole looked more gross than usual tonight!!!

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Well if Ward Armstrong is terribly gaining seats in the House, but only because he is supporting Obama (good call!), he's obviously more in tune with the grassroots activist Democrats in Virginia than Dick Saslaw is.

HUNDREDS of people showed up at Neighbors in Vienna tonight just to watch the debate and share names and organize our GOTV for the next week. Similar gatherings in Loudoun, Arlington, and Alexandria, and house parties on both ends of Prince William.

There's no question this is Obama Country! Great call Ward!

And I heard tonight that my Senator, Toddy Puller, has decided to endorse Obama.

FANTASTIC!!

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

I have to agree with the people commenting that tonight was an excellent display for the Democrats against last night's embarassingly juvenile Republican display.

Things sure do look good for us in November. Let's not screw it up. Be noble, respectful, and focus on issues. We always win when it's about the issues, anyway.

[I.Publius]

FINALLY! A debate where Hillary Clinton acted Presidential and didn't spend the entire time taking pot shots at Barack Obama.

Good job by both candidates tonight. Can Billary keep up this positive tone when they don't have to say it to Obama's face?

I doubt it. But I hope they do.

[Tammy]

Maybe you can learn something from their example, Ben, and stop acting like such a child about Obama.

[Interested Observer]

Am I the only one who caught the link between Obama and pot in this posting?

Nice to see Ben stepping back from the brink. I think, like Bill Clinton, he got a little excited there for a moment...

[phriendlyjaime]

Last night's debate, I personally think, was a "who's who on the ticket" debate. The debate certainly made me proud to be a Democrat.

[TDH]

New Rasmussen out of NJ, Clinton up by 12. Prior RCP average was I believe 18. So it's getting a bit closer there.

The Democratic Party has two very good candidates. And though I have problems with him, McCain is a very good candidate also. I mean, I'd take him over "W" in a heartbeat.

[Jon]

Now this is what I'm talking about.

It will be interesting when the winner emerges. . . there will be an amazing amount of pressure for the winner to pick the loser as VP.

This is an easy choice for Clinton, but a more difficult choice for Obama.

Clinton as his VP would be another (or two)Centers of Gravity in his administration . . . but I am sure there are worse problems.

[Demo]

Well you know how it is in the eyes of the media: Hillary attacks, obama draws sharp contrasts

[Tatum]

We've done the "I just want change" thing before. It was called the Carter administration. The Obama administration would turn out to be an even bigger failure.

[Jon]

Well, I dont want to get into an argument. But I say its about time that we have a national candidate that the press actually likes.

I do not think I can handle another presidential campaign where the press never gives our candidate the benefit of doubt.!!!

Those two races gave me so much heart burn I never want to live through that again.

The press were awful and completely unfair to Kerry and Gore, but remember these press guys see these candidates every single day.

So their personal reaction to the candidates is natural.

Regardless, we all know that the press has a crush on McCain, do we dare go against him with a candidate the press obviously does not like?

I know that sounds awful, and Clinton is certainly an impressive person, but as you
know I am an Obama fan, and think that he is more impressive . . . my thoughts
a President Obama is going to need some bad cops for his good cop.

What the hell was the hag thinking with wearing that turquoise necklace? It only served to draw attention to her sagging neck fat.

NLS is not trying to "reconcile"...he is backed into a corner with the thought of having openly staked so much against Obama. Supporting Clinton is one thing, but NLS went WWWWWAAAAYYYY beyond that and all but announced that Obama could not (and should not) win the general election. So, where does that leave him? The real question is why would NLS back Obama (especially given all he has said about him) over McCain.

[LAS]

Anon at 9:23 a.m.: Apparently, you are God's gift to the human race-- a drop-dead gorgeous ageless beauty.

Let's put you in front of the camera after a gruelling campaign schedule and endless scrutiny and see what you look like, shall we?

Hillary Clinton is sixty years old, and, trust me on this, she is holding up extremely well. Half the women in this country wish they could look so good.

And why do guys always have to be so fixated on looks, anyhow? Why isn't it enough for a woman to be smart, hard-working, and accomplished? She also has to be a hot number, I suppose?

I'm thinking you spent way too much time watching adolescent teen movies and tv shows were the fat schlubby guy has a thin, gorgeous wife.

In short, it's time for you to grow up. If you can't find a real and legitimate complaint about Hillary, then be quiet before you expose yourself to further ridiucle.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Give it to 'em, LAS!!