Legal Commentary

Las Vegas Democrats Debate: Live Thread One

By Jeralyn

I'll be live-blogging the Nevada debate which begins in 30 minutes. Hope you will join me in comments. If Big Tent Democrat is around, he'll be joining in.

No cable? Watch online here.

7:04 pm (MT): Race question is up first. She and Obama both look concerned. "How did we get here?" Goes to Hillary. Says she and Obama agree neither race nor gender should be part of this race. She praises Edwards as son of a mill worker. She appreciates that she and Obama, both have exuberance and sometimes uncontrolled supporters, and they have committed to having campaign be about individuals.

Obama: Hillary said it well.Our supporters get overzealous and say things I would not say. We want to focus on issues. Everyone here is committed to racial equality.

The candidates are seated around a conference type table. It’s the three top candidates and Russert and Brian Williams. [More...] No fangs here. They are playing nice and pointing out differences between Republicans and Democrats.

Russert is now asking Hillary about Robert Johnson's comment about Obama doing something in the neighborhood. She accepts Johnson at his word as put out in his statement but this campaign is too important to be diverted by statements that are not part of who I am or who Obama or John is. The stakes are really high. We need leadership on a range of issues...jobs, homes, etc.

Question for Edwards from viewer. Policy difference between them is so slight. Why shouldn't she vote for an African-American or a woman? (What a horrible question.) Edwards is strong and seems much more relaxed than the other two. He's so passionate.

Follow-up: Even worse question, to Edwards again: What's a white male to do running against an AA and woman?

Asks Obama about what Frank Rich called his most inhuman comment, when he said to Hillary, “You’re likeable enough.”.

He absolutely regrets it because it didn’t come out the way it was supposed to.

Hillary says she has highest regard for Obama and Edwards. When we have a nominee we will have a unified party. The issue is who is ready on day one to go into oval office and deal with war, economy, etc. She discusses specifics of those policies. She criticizes Republcians. Each of us believes we are the person who should walk into oval office in January. I’m presenting my voices that I’ve heard for 35 years.

Will she acknowledge the other two are also prepared? I’ll leave that up to the voters. They need to imagine us in that situation.

Russert asks Obama and Edwards the same questions. Obama talks about his vision for change. He will use good judgment in the people he brings on board. Edwards says he’s been fighting his whole life.

Hillary: I’m passionately committed. I want to make change, particularly for children. It’s been my life work – she mentions her family and her church.

She can deliver change. Her minuses: She gets impatient. She gets concerned about pushing further and faster than people are willing to go. Respects what Obama said about bringing people together. But, you have to be able to be an executive officer and manage the bureaucracy.

So far, they are all doing really well.

New question for Obama: False information about him circulating on the internet. One alleges he is trying to hide he is muslim. (I cant’ believe they are wasting time on this.)

Obama says he’s a Christian and was sworn in on the Bible. He trusts the American people to separate lies from truth. Break. Economy up next.

100 comments here, time for a new thread so the site doesn't slow down. Come join us.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 15, 2008 (boomark / email).