Live from Cleveland - It's the Democratic Debate!

Check out this article by Bill's Spirit for more info on Ohio.

By this point haven't they said everything they're going to say? Not much of it of substance. Maybe you could pass along some fashion advice though for Mrs. Clinton: don't you think the way she brushes the hair on the sides of her head back makes her face look really big? This keeps bothering me. Something needs done about it.

Grab your popcorn and soda tonight! The sparks are going to fly! ARE YOU READY TO RRRRRRRRUUUUMMMMBBBLEEEEE!!!! With the Clinton backed into a corner and Obama winning round after round, this could be Hillary's last stand. She's already thrown a low punch with the Obama in a turban picture for the media to feast on, so what's next? I expect her to bite and scratch her way out of the corner. She could go down in a blaze of glory tonight.

Will Obama keep his cool and take the high road and let Hillary make an ass of herself? Or will he catch one of here jabs and return the knockout punch?

This could be Hillary's last stand.

Thanks for reminding me of the debate, Diana. It will be on at 3 AM in the morning here in Spain, so I am going to try to stay up and watch it.

I am expecting this debate to be not as civil as the last couple. Hilary´s campaign isn´t just in trouble, she´s drowning, and if she doesn´t paint Obama quickly as the great Emperor Jones to the chattering class then she´s officially still the senator from New York, as long as she wants to be, but never President. I doubt Barack will be civil either, since the Clintons in their desperation are using Rove like tactics at this late hour to save the day (does anyone doubt it was a member of the Clinton campaign staff that managed to get that photo of Obama in African headdress posted everywhere except the radio?!

I think everybody should read Frank Rich´s scathing column on Hilary´s disastrous campaign from the New York Times two days ago. I would have voted for her two months ago, but not now. She´s damaged herself too much, and she chose the wrong tack for this pivotal year--people want ¨change¨, not ´experience´!

It should be good. NAFTA destroyed the business economy here. Many, many manufacturing businesses packed up shop and opened plants outside of the country because of NAFTA. Obama seems to be the leading favorite because he is really addressing the problems and that's opening the eyes of the people who have been screwed over by these corporations who left.

Thanks for the warm-up, Diana.

I will certainly be looking forward to reading your coverage of tonight's debate.

In addition to the Ohio endorsements you have already mentioned:

Hillary also has the endorsement of Columbus and Akron Ohio's major metro daily newspaper; the endorsement of popular Ohio State Senator Teresa Fedor; and the backing of Ohio's infamous astronaut Senator. John Glenn, whose smiling face has been appearing in pro-Hillary advertisements on our televisions.

Hillary is appearing at various campaign rallies around Ohio. She seems to be visiting mostly economically disadvantaged areas, where she is drawing crowds in the one to three thousand range.

Obama drew a crowd of 11,000 in Dayton, Ohio; 12,000 in Cincinnati; and is expected to pack Ohio State University's St. John Arena in Columbus, with a similar sized rally tomorrow.

Barack has drawn the support of former Cleveland Mayor, Michael R. White away from Hillary. ( * link * to an essay published by The Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday, February 25, 2008 which had been submitted by said former mayor) and Barack has the support of Cincinnati's only Democratic "super-delegate" Mayor Mark Mallory.

As for tonight's debate in Cleveland, I expect Barack will continue his staid and inspirational messaging; while I'm unsure what tactics Hillary will take.

Personally, I think it is in Hillary's best interests to back-off from the attacking and condemning tone, and stick with the "It's an honor to run against such an intelligent candidate." Building on Barack's honor builds herself up. Resorting to attack and smear will only hurt her.

Thanks for linking to my article.

I hope you enjoy the snow and the show.

Stay warm.

I will probably not be able to watch-- but I'd be curious to see the infamous "Shame on You" Flyer, that supposedly misrepresent's Clinton's positions.

"Club the baby seal, Hillary," as Monica Crowley suggested. But neither one has spoken to the issues.

Obama better check the brake fluid in his limo before he drives to the debate.

It should be entertaining!!

There are no opening statements, closing statements or time limits for tonight.

Is THIS the flyer?

Diana said; "There are no opening statements, closing statements or time limits for tonight."


That is Fascinating !!

A one-on-one, head-to-head competition; with pundits throwing out topics and candidates batting them around.

A good sport's metaphor might be... handball?

I'm sure Williams and Russert will have to play referee now and then.

Donna and I will be watching. It will be strawberry shortcake and mugs of hot mocha for our snowy night, TV glow munching.

Wish we could be there.

Hope you have fun.

I'll keep checking in.

Everyone is watching to see if one of them will screw the pooch some how. Barack has the momentum to take it to the finish and there is nothing Hillary can DO to change that. So basically the only thing that could turn it around for Clinton would be for Obama to do something so profoundly stupid, he'd have to resign the race. For some reason, I don't see that happening.

No, Diana-- I don't think that is the flyer. I remember seeing some sort of blurb where she said, "Shame on you, Barrack Obama!" and asked since when do Democrats criticize Universal Health care. Supposedly, the flyer calls her on her "Universal Health Care" which forces people to buy insurance, even if they can't afford it. There may be other issues presented, but I don't remember. She then said, "Meet me in Ohio!" which of course, they are.

Gretchen - You can kind of see one side of the flyer in this picture. I'll root around on the net some more and see if I can find a full-on pic of it.

I WILL BE WATCHING THE DEBATE AND ALSO AWAIT THE COMMENTS FROM ALL YOU "Gather" people. This could be crucial for the candidates----certainly the most interesting and suspenseful meeting thus far. Thanks for being there Diana!!!

It has been an interesting day on the campaign trail. I'm looking forward to tonight's debate.

I expect to see Clinton continue her negative attacks, a tactic that will lead to her defeat.

I have my pot on the stove and the popcorn ready to go in. I expect more of the same but hope I am pleasantly surprised.

No way more of the same. With Hillary slipping, she needs to shake it up and is too seasoned not to do so.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

Music rolls and Brian Williams starts talking.

Here we go....

Working on the transcript...

checking in.... :-)

I'm glad they got "the flyer" and "the photo" out of the way right up front.

They do seem to be saying the same stuff.

I think Hillary is coming across as too pushy.

everybody awake?

Hillary just keeps digging a hole... she pushed Obama into saying, okay, "I will reject and denounce" ... referring to Farrakhan

I thought at first she realized Obama was making a good statement and wanted to get into the act about how she, too, denounced anti-semitism but then she acted like her "rejecting" of it was stronger than Obama's "denouncing" of it.

Right Bruce . . . word play. It failed. No biggie and no changes from this one!

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

Diana,

I thought Senator Obama did very well tonight, particularly when his response to Senator Clinton's accusation about bombing Pakistan. All of Mr. Obama's critics are portraying him as naive about foreign affairs and military management. Tonight he showed clear thinking and strength.

Clinton wanted to debate more but I think these things are usually ending up fairly even. I think this helps Obama because of name recognition for one thing. Amazing to me to think he needs "name recognition".

I don't really see how Obama moves himself ahead very well. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like the methods he would use to change America are still too nebulous.

To me, the debate seemed to be made up mostly of Hillary painting herself pushy. I just don't think that condescension serves her that well.

Chris Dodd's announcement must've been a real blow to Hillary and Bill...they had been wooing him for months...

Cynthia, I think Chris Dodd's endorsement not only confirms Obama's credibility in foreign relations, it could also generate support within the Jewish community. Dodd's father was a respected prosecutor of Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg, working under Justice Robert H. Jackson. Dodd's book, Letters from Nuremberg: My Father's Narrative of a Quest for Justice, came out last fall.

To me, Hillary is holding herself back in her words. Since she supported Bush on this war. I feel she as did candidates in 2004 " missi the mark" in the eye of the public. Meaning when Cheney debated Lieberman in 2000. Nobody wants to jump on the fact from transcripts. And zero in on where Cheney said in the debate as a canidate.( If I were my his first objective would be to go to Iraq. ) Plus the 911 commission found no link to Iraq & 911! As we get closer to november. A Democrat, and/ or the main-stream media must zero in on such issues as if Cheney were running for office.

Daryl T . Feb. 28, 2008 4:24 EST

Hello,
I Daryl, above must "make a correction' in the perenthises. I left out a word on Cheney. His words were more like. ( if I were elected, my fisrt to office. My first objective would be to go to Iraq.) The mark being missed by the media & canidates.

Lisa, I agree. I got a chance to listen to Chris Dodd at a house party here in Iowa. There were about 75 people there and I also got to talk to one of his sister's. I got the sense that he was very worried about saving our democracy and the abuse to our constitution over the Bush presidency. I think he was worried about Obama's relative inexperience in some aspects of national government. Personally, I much welcome this endorsement. If Senator Dodd can see that he would make a good president, then it helps assure me that I have made a good choice.