Round Two focused on Iran & Iraq, The Economy, The Second Amendment (because of Virginia Tech & the D.C. Case), Affirmative Action, Gas Prices, The Use of Ex Presidents, & Making Your Case to Super Delegates. Iran and Iraq: Senator Obama did well on Iraq and Iran. As to when to withdraw, Senator Clinton attempted invoked the “Civilian Control” of the military but has little knowledge in this area (as most civilians do), meaning how can she ask the generals to leave when then present her with conflicting information. Senator Obama’s message was more direct (for the first time in this debate) “The Commander in Chief sets the mission,” which allows for input from the Generals. Senator Clinton comes across as the tougher, hawkish candidate, who will exceed constitutional authority; Senator Obama, better judgment. The question remains, who do you trust to get us in and out of war?
The Economy: Tax cuts for you, not for the rich. Obama ups the ante with a payroll tax cut. Capital Gain Taxes will increase. Can’t take out a credit card from the Bank of China (good metaphor.) The right will attack Obama endlessly on the Capital Gains Tax though Hillary will raise them as well but only to a certain point. Do the middle class voters of Pennsylvania actually care about the Capital Gains Tax?
The Second Amendment: They have the same position: Clinton wants “sensible” legislation; Obama, “Common sense,” though, because of word choice, Obama basis his argument on traditional standards. Overall, draw, though I hear, from my apartment, Justices Scalia, Alito, Roberts, Thomas, and Kennedy laughing to themselves. The GOP wins this question.
Affirmative-Action: Both candidates need to make this a class issue and then end it. Say “Even the poor deserves an education.” Clinton wins this question.
Gas Prices: Not much can be done on this issue. Sorry, $4.00/ gallon sucks. However, $5.00 is worse. Any alternatives? Nope.
How would you use ex-President? On a SNL skit…. End of story. No points awarded.
Final Question: how will you make your case to the Super Delegates? Disregard their answers as they will make their case however they choose, right Bill Richardson? No points awarded.
Their answers: Senator Clinton is a fighter and, if you believe that the Democrats need a fighter, Senator Clinton is you choice. If you desire the red/ blue game, choose her. Senator Obama argued that politics is about empowerment and building from the ground up; if desire a post-partisan country, even for a few years, Senator Obama is your candidate.
Score:
GOP: 5 (2nd Amendment, No Super Delegates, Iran)
Senator Clinton: 7 (Minus 1 for Iraq)
Senator Obama: 6 (Minus 1 for AA, Economy)
The GOP wins, as even though they tied Senator Clinton in points, they did not debate. Anytime you win while sitting on the sidelines, you win. Senator Clinton takes second place.
As for Senator Obama, good luck in North Carolina. Unless you hope for a Clinton/ New Hampshire backlash, you'll fare better in another venue. Also, I would avoid ABC in the future.
One A Side Note:
There were no questions on Global Warming/ Environment, Torture, Interrogation Techniques, Supreme Court Justices, Health Care, Education, Executive Authority, Israel/ Palestine, Spreading Democracy, Darfur, Alternative Energy, Michigan and Florida… etc. Oh well, Flag Pins are important.
3 comments:
Thanks for the updates on this one, as Harrogate didn't want to watch, but strangely wanted to know what was going on anyway.
By the way, 100% kudos to this.
" Affirmative-Action: Both candidates need to make this a class issue and then end it. Say “Even the poor deserves an education.” "
Other than the news outlets and the people in the audience, you may have been the only one watching this debate, Solon, so thanks for the recap. I am so ready for this to be over. . .
It was quite painful to watch. Not for how it treated the candidates as I do not think that fairness applies in a debate. While you can work the refs, you do not win by calling out the refs. In fact, the refs turn on you when you do.
From a civics standpoint, this country is in terrible shape. ABC may have chosen those questions to pander to what they thought the viewers wanted-- a fist fight between the candidates. If that's the case, the both the media and the viewers are not capable of sustaining a government, just an economy.
It would have been better if both candidates attacked the questions last night by saying there were more important issues that needed to be discussed. On a general level, there is not much difference between the candidates. Under the surface, which rarely is discussed, there are many differences. But, personality trumps those differences.
It will be over in due time.
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