Okay — I watched the Democratic debate tonight, so I’m gonna pop off a couple of quick thoughts (read: no research behind this, just reaction), and then I’m off to bed.
1. Barack Obama has sooooo had it with Bill and Hillary making free and easy with him. I was impressed that he came out of the corner early (like… immediately), and he didn’t back down. On the other hand, I thought he looked awkward doing it.
2. Hillary’s attitude throughout the war of words with Obama was incredibly belligerent, and the smirk was annoying as all get out. I gave her points, though, for being willing to repeat a couple of lies to his face, even though she had to eat them.
3. Edwards made them look like bickering children at the end of that first, ugly, and clearly overdue confrontation. Unfortunately, he repeated the “fighting to end poverty is my life’s cause” so many times that I was able to say it with him by the end of the debate.
4. Hillary’s reputation for “knowing her stuff” is justified. She absolutely does.
5. There are a number of profound differences between how Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would approach issues. The most telling of these tonight was Health Care, and although Obama got double-teamed on this one (he isn’t proposing mandatory coverage), it’s good that the distinctions were made. (FWIW — I prefer the Obama approach here)
6. This battle isn’t done by a long shot, and although they made nicey-nice in the last segment of the debate, there’s bad blood here.
7. John Edwards stood out like a sore thumb… for many reasons.
All in all, very interesting. CNN has video of various exchanges, and memeorandum will doubtless provide a wide range of reactions. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out elsewhere.
Tomorrow.
Added: Oops — I lied. Not done jabbering / reading, I guess. Since I found this funny enough to LOL, thought I’d share. Don’t go all partisan when you read it, though.