Jan. 21 CNN Dem. debate in South Carolina *live commentary thread*

[angus]

This is horrible.  I just tuned in about ten minutes ago and I was so embarrassed for everybody.  My wife looking on incredulously while two grown-ups, presumably the best your party can come up with, are arguing over who can walk over Ronald Reagan's memory with sharper heels.  Bitches.  both of them.

At least now I understand why so many want edwards to drop out.  It's kind of entertaining without him.  (I must admit, I was enjoying the spat.)  With him, there's a voice of sobriety saying intelligent things about domestic policy, reminding me of how embarrassing this whole spectacle is.  So it sort of oscillates between catfight and policy forum. 

At least that's my take on the time I've watched.

What's with Wolf Blitzer?  this is, like, the fourth debate they let that jackass host.  He can't seem to control anything.  They need that woman from PBS that hosted the PBS debates.  She was great.  She was like a female concentration camp guard.  She even wore black, as I recall.  She wouldn't put up with this. 

Fire wolf blitzer.

[angus]

Clinton's being booed.

YAYAYA!

roundly.

Actually, the more I watch, the more I think he's starting the fights, but she's losing control faster.

And the other guy--what's his name?--is being ignored.

entertaining.  so long as you suspend memory of the fact that it's a relatively serious matter.  One of these two is very likely to be your next president.

[angus]

ah, now obama is talking about healthcare.  That's really the only major disagreement I have with that guy.  He starts playing the Edwards game, impugning "the drug companies, the major corporations, ..."   Check again, hoss.  Big corporations have consistently higher approval ratings than any politician and any political party.  And, frankly, my drug stocks have done pretty well for me and for my family over the past several years.  (Last two weeks being an exception.  all my stocks are down just now.)  We need less government, not more, in healthcare.  But other than that his jumping on the national healthcare bandwagon, I really like his general positions and his general demeanor.  And even on that issue, he's at least pragmatic about it.

[angus]

Now Hillarycare is up.  She is the scariest.  We're paying 16% of our GDP for healthcare as it is, and I can't help but think her complicated plan will raise that.  At least with Edwards, who is further left on this issue and others, it's more of a straight-up socialized plan, so you know what you get.  Quality will decline for most of us, but costs won't go up.  But Hillarycare is such a boondoggle.  Worst of all words.

jfern, I appreciate your response.  Especially the Reagan one.  I know we mostly skim each other's comments in these "live debates" threads, but you're reading along.  I owe you a rebuttal, but you'll have to wait.  I'm going to watch a bit more debate first.

[angus]

I get lots of do-it-yourself plumbing supply commercials and pre-fab building commercials.  On the GOP debates I get lots of Levitra commercials.  And others for products like Levitra.

[angus]

I agree, if you're saying that "are you running a campaign for HNIC dressed as a symbolic presidential campaign?" is a stupid question, but it has come up so much on this forum that I can't help but think that latent racism, black against white as well as white against black, is rampant.  But, yeah, he ain't Jesse Jackson, and even those who barely pay attention would have noticed that.  I think he's a serious candidate and puts up with that sort of nonsense more than we can even imagine.  I also imagine he must hold back much frustration as he answers, yet he comes off cool as a cucumber.  I'm liking him better and better.

[angus]

obama = idiot

but I would have to see his dancing abilities before I could judge whether he is a brother.

Actually, I like him.  Seriously, you gotta do better than McCain if you want to beat him.  I did my part.  I caucused for Ron Paul.  But as I said almost a year ago, after Paul, Obama is my second choice. 

I really don't mind.  I'll never wear red, mind you, but I can go blue or naked.  And shedding my avatar for Obama would not bother me.  He's good.  Anyone who take this onslaught and not lose his cool is okay in my book.  I really think he's ready, despite what Hillary's henchmen say.

[angus]

Martin Luther King? 

The constant references to MLK reminded me of the episode of "The Boondocks" featuring the ghost of MLK.  I kept waiting for someone to quote from, or at reference, that episode.  Obama came closest.  He did at least say, "He wouldn't endorse any of us."  Well, as the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. himself might say, "Amen."