Terry Cowgill

Live Blogging Tonight’s Debate

February 21, 2008 on 4:15 pm | In Race for Prez |

Pre-debate chatter on MSNBC has focused on today’s NYT story on John McCain’s relationship with a female lobbyist. The consensus among Matthews, Barnicle et al is that, if true, it’s a deal-breaker.

But the story is thinly sourced and just not a solid piece of journalism.

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All I can say is it’s a CNN debate but thank goodness Wolf Blitzer is not going to be involved. He is the single most irritating person on television. Clearly, the most irritating slogan on TV is CNN’s insistence (repeated often by its shameless anchors and reporters) that it is “the best political team on television.” No authority is cited for the accolade. I guess they just think if they repeat it often enough, then viewers will be dumb enough to believe it.

• The crowd is responding well to Obama’s message. Now the Univision guy is asking Senatore Cleentun about Castro. Hill says she is ready to reach out to a new Cuban government but only if they are serious. She would not meet with them until they demonstrate they are serious about “change.” That word again …
• So far the tone has been cordial. Now John King is asking how an O presidency would be different from Hill’s. Not much, but I like his emphasis on alternative energy. But Hill can’t really differentiate much either. They are both going after Bush instead. This is not what I expected so far.
• Maybe the friendly tone is a result of the two candidates sitting next to each other. There’s something about lecturns that brings out the worst in people. Remember Revko?
• The strong applause Obama got for slamming No Child Left Behind suggests there are a lot of teachers in the audience. Could also explain why Hill’s welcome was as hearty as O’s. Teachers seem to love Hill.
• Now CNN’s John King has had enough. He’s trying to get them to take off the gloves. Hill’s reax: “Actions speak louder than words.” But O didn’t really take the bait. He handled Hill’s “action” charge with great aplomb, as he did the plagiarism deal.
• Hill says lifting Deval Patrick’s words is “change you can Xerox.” Good line but a cheap shot.
• Hill bullied Campbell Brown into letting her not answer their question and changing the subject back to healthcare. “I want a universal healthcare plan now!” she insisted.
• The debate is about 2/3 over and I don’t think Hill has put a dent in O’s armor. Her point, though, that most people can’t name a single accomplishment of O’s is precisely to the point. People are for O; they just don’t know precisely why.
• My God, a standing ovation for Hill after saying she was honored to be next to O. You think it was a Democratic audience? I’d say Austin is the only place in Texas where you could get that many Dems to assemble in one place.
• I’d say the debate was a draw, which is not what Hillary needed. But with her closing remarks, she seemed prepared to lose.