PA Primary Team reports:
There's much commentary this morning (including among our commenters) about the quality of questions in last night's Philadelphia debate. Does bringing up the Weather Undgerground really add to the discussion as we face a critical vote?
Will Bunch, one of our bloggers, takes this on in an impassioned way on his blog, Attytood, with an open letter to ABC:
You implied throughout the broadcast that you wanted to reflect the concerns of voters in Pennsylvania. Well, I'm a Pennsylvanian voter, and so are my neighbors and most of my friends and co-workers. You asked virtually nothing that reflected our everyday issues -- trying to fill our gas tanks and save for college at the same time, our crumbling bridges and inadequate mass transit, or the root causes of crime here in Philadelphia...
Instead, you wasted more than half of the debate -- a full hour -- on tabloid trivia that for the most part wasn't even that interesting, because most of it was infertile ground that has already been covered again and again and again.
What did you think?
Well said -- ABC should be ashamed.
In the Chicago "Black Sox" scandal of 1912 a litle boy said to "Shoeless Joe Jackson (a star of the team) "Say it ain't so Joe" As a long time admirerer of Charlie Gibson, I have to say this to him today...."Say it aint so, charlie. You are either doing the bidding of your corporate "elite" owners, or you are in the tank for the Clintons...either one or both!
Say it aint so, Charlie.
Clearly, in no way can that type of behavior in journalism be tolerated by the public. That was a shot fired across the bow of the people - it's people vs. media if that becomes a normal "debate". It was an intentional failure for providing the voters of PA with real information.
I won't even comment on who won or lost. There was no winner of that -- the public was the loser.
its a shame that a former clinton staff george was allowed to moderate a debate,the people of pa deserve better,America deserve better,i am undecided but my vote now goes to obama,my family previously for clinton will be voting for obama.this was clearly a hack job to smear obama,the media lied to us and gave us bush now they want to force john mccain down our throats so we will be at war for 100 years.ABC news should be ashamed.shame on ABC and FOX.daily news and philly enquirer rocks
TERRIBLE QUESTIONS, IT DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF AMERICANS. JUST A WITCH HUNT FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.
Tammie I agree with you wholeheartedly, no winners in that debacle last night, just a bunch of losers.
It wasn't a debate, it was an ambush.
Hillary did well - which isn't too tough when the moderators beat your opponent for you. Did anyone notice the continued closeups of Chelsea, Rendell and Nutter? The entire thing was biased and Hillary responded like a shark in the bloody water. Her type of politics, to be sure.
I was an Obama supporter before the "debate", but am more now steadfast than ever. We need change and we need it now.
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The real issues concerning the voters eliminated and only totally unrelated issues where put to the candidates.
Clintongate, lost as she is just a political lobbyists candidate. Obama has more of the common sense answer, when all issues unrelated issues address to him. The voters wanted answer to their, stressful lives along with the bitter taste in their mouths as to what happen to their American Dream!?
As a relocated Pennsylvanian, who lived in Philadelphia and the Pocono Hills, and saw both sides of the coin in how/why people think/say
along with the situation that is stressing all races and faiths!
Senator Obama (White and Black American) has/is living the reality of what it is truly the America Scenario and Voice! And, so far has reached out to UNITE NOT DIVIDE because this is a part of his heritage! Voices of Americans have join this truly Historic Movement with Pride being put back with Honesty in the Values of Americans, which only has been stemmed by Senator Barak Obama!
God Bless America and the Next President Barak Obama 2008!
ABC is licensed to use the public airwaves. After last night's performance by George Stephanopoulos and Charles Gibson, I wonder why ABC deserves to keep that privilege. It is clear from their shallow, right wing biased, uninformative questions that Charles Gibson, George Stephanopoulos and their producers are clueless about their responsibilities to inform the public.
From beginning of the debate, with the whole annoying distraction of asking these candidates to run on the ticket with the other. We are to presume these are compatible democrats. They are not. I am one of many who would never vote with a Hillary Clinton on the ticket.
As an American, I am offended by my candidate being asked more than once to profess his patriotism. Where is his flag pin? I don't wear one, I don't see Hillary wearing one? Did Bill have one? Is that the pin you get that marks your patriotism or your memebership in the great one world government? Barack Obama is being American Politicked. His truths are scrutinized, and Hillary's lies are washed down.
Every week we get a "good old boy announcement from Bill Clinton, old Slick Willey". Hillary is not very presidential as she stands up there and sheepishly says, well, I just think the American People ,.blah blah blah.
Then in the next statement, Hillary says well, I misspoke and I apologized.
I am tired of all of this, and I hope that this primary ends soon.
Great Job. I am so afraid that if Obama really does get elected, many people who vote for him are going to regret it. So many people who voted for Bush are so ashamed they won't admit it. People don't do this again. Really look at him You say "Slick Willey" Wait. You will be just as ashamed if you vote for Obama. He is nothing but a pretty boy. If he got upset over last nights questions. Just wait. He will never make it.
If I ever for one second harbored the thought of voting for Hillary it's now gone. She was practically salivating during that lynching last night. She was let off easy. No mention of Penn, no metion of the $800,000 her family received from the Columbians, and Obama made public his 2007 tax returns. Where are her's and still no mention of the Clinton Library donor list that she promised to make public. I'm surprised she didn't bring a bag of marshmallows to that roast. What a disgusting woman.
Worst debate so far. I agree with the first comment. Since when does a network have the temerity to ask the candidate to "pledge" that they will take the troops out of Iraq within a certain time frame. Outrageous. Both candidates should be annoyed, and neither was helped.
I finally watched the debate on the internet and what a mess. It was in fact a direct stragetic set up. Hillary stood there like a stuffed hen and affirmed the insults hailed @ Obama and chimmed in when it was convient. I must say, that I respect Senator Obama even more now as he tried to redirect the mess to REAL issues. He delivered thoughtful, and truthful responses to the retoric. He really SLAMMED her when she tried to expand on the Ayers comment when he told her that her husband PARDONED two of the people associated with Ayers. I am making a donation and will be in PA today for a canvassing.
While reading a blog site I came across an interview someone conducted with G.S. this morning and he's highly insulted that his and Gibson's performance was described as "shoddy". I can think of a better word than that!
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I enjoyed it. Maybe is wasn't the question you wanted to hear but they are questions that working people are wondering about. I mean don't we deserve to know if Obama associates with known terrorist or criminals? Shouldn't we know if they want to raise taxes on Capital Gains? I'm retiring soon, won't that affect the money I plan on living on? Will the taxes affect the money I put away for my son's college?
great debate clearly sen obama was clueless, nobody complained when Tim Russert went after Hillary or when CNN goes on the attack everyday, this shows clearly who is the better pick who would you hire not sen obama really showed his immayurity and lack of time in the business.
Thank you, Will -- not just for saying it, but for how well you said it. I too am a journalist, and I too cringed with shame -- though my professional pride was far less wounded than my sense of wellbeing as a citizen of America.
No wonder that, apart from one local affiliate, ABC did not run a live stream. Imagine the fun the Europeans might have with this!
But what is up with your editors, that they didn't flag this entry to run on the homepage of Philly.com, and splashed across the front pages of the News and Inquirer -- it merits far wider distribution than it has received thus far.
I live in New York City and Connecticut and and I'm so sorry it's taken me till now to find your blog.
But you are stellar, my friend -- I am permanently hooked. God bless you and thank you.
All best, Amy Pagnozzi.
ps: if you can cc this to letters to the editor, that would be great -- I'm new to this website and don't know my way around yet.
It was nothing but an Obama bashing. I hope voters in PENN will send the right message. Fool me once ( with Bush) shame on You. Fool me twice (with Hillary) shame On me. That is why great People of PENN should vote for Obama. This is the defining moment. Everything that was discussed yesterday by ABC stank of Obama bashing; and it was a real disservice to the great people of PA who were looking for real solutions to real problems and hardships they face today. Hillary is a liar; and she lied again and she will continue to lie. She proved yesterday with her buddy Mr. Stephanopolis that this campaign is not for the good of the DNC and Americans at large. But it is all about her "WINNING at ANY COST!". Even if that means that the American People have to continue to bare another 8 years of termoil(Both Economically and Politically). Yesterday this debate was not about solving problems; it was all about Betty Boob "Mrs. Hillary Clinton" and how prestine she can look in front of the camera. It is my hope and my sincere wish that the Great People of PA from the Great Cities of Pittsburgh to Philadelphia (the first Capital of this Great Nation) finally "Shut up end" to the pundits, the critics, and bashers once and for all. It is time to move forward in the right direction with the right vision for this country help to really solve our GeoPolitical and Economic Issues. And, Barack Obama is that "Vision" and he is the "REAL DEAL" that will get it done with our support! So let's be Steadfast, and let's make the Moment come to Pass. We owe it to our Nation as true Patriots and to our children as Parents.
Will Bunch, proud of you. Ron Howell here. That performance by ABC "journalists" was shameful.
By the way, I have a blog also at http://brooklynron.com
Hope you check it out. Keep up the good work.
Ron
Those were exactly the questions that needed to be addressed to Obama. It makes me laugh to see how the the Kool-Aid drinking media and jellyfish like Will Bunch squeal like stuck pigs when the the same treatment they dish out is directed toward their beloved Obama. At least Charley and George put forth the real questions to which voters want to know the answers - the questions Obama continually tries to duck. It's good to see Obama squirm a little not having the opportunity to give his prefabricated, scripted answers he knows his suckers love to hear. Vision? Ha, he's nothing more than a better than average motivational speaker.
Obama should have been asked more about this obscene gesture!!
http://hillbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-gave-clinton-finger-at-campaign.html#links
Thank you ABC for having the courage to ask questions that the other media has been too cowardly to ask Obama!
Abc Asked the Questions voters wanted answers for. The whole campaign the Candidates have been giving their platforms and issue speeches. This was a time to get the candidates to answer direct questions in a public forum. To get their answers, See their character. Show how they would stand up to diverse issues and questions, and see honesty and truth.
Hillary did well, straight to the point answers Honest, open, Sincere.
Obama looked puzzled, got flusters, did not stand up to well. Some of those questions he was asked before. Which he eluded, evaded or changed the subject.
I was Happy that abc handled this the way they did. It probably should of been done a long time ago.
I would prefer to put someone as nominee who can handle themselves in every situation. Definitely would want a President who has integrity, Dedicated to this country only, Honest, Honorable and sincere.
I was more disappointed in Obama today by complaining about the debate.
That made him look like a upset 10 year old stomping his foot in the dirt.
the media love affair with BO is dying...they had been been so Pro-BO and anti-Clinton, it`s ridiculous...these questions should`ve been asked a long time ago...if they had, Hillary may`ve won this thing by now...consequently, we know very little about this guy...it`s about time someone started asking about his ties to terrorists, etc., and other undesirables he`s associates with...KUDOS to ABC for being the 1st to do so...but, if you think ABC was tough, just wait to the PUBS get going...everything brought up in the 1st part of the debate will be brought up by the PUBS repeatedly during the summer and fall...and they will tear BO apart on these things.
It is the responsibility of reporters and the media to provide Americans answers to questions and the facts. As far as solutions on the issues, Obama and Hillary are basically on the same page, little difference. For many , many years the media has shown the good, bad and ugly of the Clinton. Why does Obama feel he is above approach? There are many questions about his character, personal strengths and relationships , we don't know and need to know. An informed American, can make a good educated vote on their candidate , only if they have all the facts. Not just the ones the candidates chooses to show us. There are sill more questions for Obama to answer, before he is nominated. One thing you can bet on the Republicans will have all the info to use against him. Some Obama can't cry foul over!
After hearing Clinton's camp complain for months now about getting the short end of media's stick, I found it terrifically amusing to hear Obama et al whine on ..and on about a few hours of similar treatment. Apparently, hypocrisy isn't mentioned in his platform,
HATED THE DEBATE? VOTE MCCAIN '08!
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About Inquirer political writers
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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