Tuesday, October 30, 2007

MSNBC debate--comments

I thought Hillary really explained herself well tonight in discussing her vote for the non-binding Iran resolution. There has been a lot of confusion on that vote as well as a lot of misleading done by opponents.

One problem I had with this debate was MSNBC and especially Tim Russert, someone I actually have quite respect for. I feel like he is so exasperated with Clinton, and I'm going to throw this out there, an idea-that he may have an issue with her gender. This is merely an observation. But it seems that the debates he is involved in are often Russert vs. Clinton. Like he feels the need to engage her, and sometimes he looks visibly upset with her. That's just an observation.

MSNBC basically made this an anti-Hillary debate. Exactly what Edwards and Obama wanted. They never once questioned Obama on shady happenings in his campaign, like him trotting out a gospel singer who claims he was "cured" of the evils of homosexuality. I felt like MSNBC used this as a forum to encourage them to engage Clinton. Kind of sad really.

However I won't complain too much. Clinton was fierce when battled by the guys, she stood her ground. It's obvious Obama and Edwards have abandoned their original campaign promises of "hope" and "positive" campaigning. They are getting desperate, and have found their only option now is to personally attack Clinton. It's quite sad for them that they have resorted to this. And MSNBC was right there beside them, nudging them along.

Chris McLeod

12 comments:

A said...

I agree with you. I respect Tim Russert but I also came to the conclusion in the last debate that he just doesn't like Hillary.

Hillary did great tonight and everyone else just looked so desperate.

Anonymous said...

I felt that Hillary did a great job explaining herself, and what she stands for in this race. I do believe that everyone, both Democrats and Republicans are out to bash her because she is a woman. It looked as though the others had nothing to say, and were trying to point out the slightest mistake if she ever made one. I give her a lot of respect and she definately has my vote.

Anonymous said...

she is on the wrong side,the american people dont want amnesty for illegals...... enforce the laws,secure the borders,penalize the employers... Thats what the american people want....wake up before its too late.....love ya hillary

OPechanga said...

A pretty effective performance overall. Senator Clinton shouldn't waffle like she did last night, it makes it easier for juveniles to, well, act juvenile and accuse her.

I'm interested in the Senator's view of tribal disenrollments in California?

http://originalpechanga.blogspot.com has some details. Casino tribes are destroying more Indians than the white man.

Unknown said...

Come on guys, we can't have it both ways. We can't use the fact that Hillary will be the first woman president and woman this and woman that and then say, anytime she is criticized, that she is being criticized cause she is a woman. I don't look at Hillary as a woman or the other candidates men, they're all candidates period, I don't care about gender. If Hillary was a man and she faced the exact same BS as last night, would you say it's cause Russert hates men? Don't give us a bad name by playing the victim card for women, like somehow women are not strong enough to withstand such criticism. She is being attacked cause she is the frontrunner. It'd be the same if it was Obama or Edwards in the lead. Just chill out and all will be fine.

Anonymous said...

Illegal immigration is a "touchy" issue. It seems to me if we would pay as much attention to illegal aliens as we do those going five miles over the speed limit we would be able to send them to their rightful home. How hard can it actually be to devote enough troops to secure our borders? There are no consequences to being in this country illegally. I sure hope this issue doesn't eclipse the fact that Mrs. Clinton has the experience and mental clarity to pull us out of this hellhole President Bush and his cronies have created in our country.

Anonymous said...

I think Hillary was much stronger in the first half of the debate. To be honest, I'm not fond of this immigration issue. I am a true liberal but feel like I am supposed to go with the party on carte blanche for illegals. My mother was an immigrant and worked hard to get her legal citizenship. I know many other liberals who have legal immigrant parents and aren't necessarily accepting the democratic party line on this one. So I understand how Hillary might waffle a bit on the license issue. However, immigration may become a bigger pandora's box throughout the campaign and I think it's important for her to have a clear strategy for reform that isn't too harsh but at the same time isn't a "slap in the face" for legal immigrants and the premise of a legal system. A lot of work ahead but Hillary's the one to do it ;)

Chris McLeod said...

I agree on the illegal immigration issue. In principle I don't believe they should have drivers licenses. It's a privelage, for US citizens.

However what Hillary was saying, and may not have stated clearly enough was that what other choice are state officials given? The US Government won't pass immigration reform, and the states need to somehow keep track of who's in their states. Drivers licenses do that. So what she was saying IMO was she doesn't agree with it, but she understands that the states are really left with no other choice at the time.

Anonymous said...

I think she has to make her White House files public.

Anonymous said...

I strongly believe that Mrs. Hillary Clinton handled herself as always in a well educated and thought out manner. She's right on the money and her lack of bashing the other candidates adds to her character of being a good presidential candidate. GOOD LUCK! YOU'VE GOT MY VOTE!

Chris McLeod said...

She doesn't run the office that controls the records. They are making their records public over time. There's millions of records to sort through.

Anonymous said...

How is a question on her stance with the Driver's Licences a "gotcha" question. A simple "I agree with it because ..." or "I disagree with it because ..." will suffice. She needs to stop being vague, and trying to maintain she agrees with both sides.

I want to know why she felt it wouldn't be her place to rescind the request of her husbands lockdown on her documents and correspondence during his presidency. If she was the freakin' president, or the strong presidential candidate she claims to be, then she should be unabashed and bold in stepping out from behind the cover her husband continues to try to give her.