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The Philly Showdown: Barocky vs. Hillarocky; Update: Hillary spanks Obama: People “don’t cling to religion when Washington isn’t listening to them;” Update: Obama grilled on Wright (”I’ve disowned him”), Hillary grilled on Tuzla (”I’ll try and get more sleep”); Update: Obama: “I revere the American flag;” Update: Obama grilled on William Ayers connection, counters Hillary with Bill Clinton pardon of Weather Underground terrorists

By Michelle Malkin  •  April 16, 2008 07:32 PM

Scroll down for updates/liveblogging…It’s Gaffe-a-paloooza: All lies, botches, and loons on the table–from Jeremiah Wright to the Tuzla lies to William Ayers to Bill Clinton’s terrorist pardons to Hillary’s baking cookies snipe…Vid: The Ayers attack…Vid:The Jeremiah Wright attack

***
It starts at 8pm tonight. Hillary Clinton’s message: I am not a pathological liar! Barack Obama’s message: I am not a pathological snob!

Your referees: Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulous.

I know: Graooooaan.

The ABC News pre-fight hype:

With the last primaries six weeks behind them and the Pennsylvania contest only six days ahead, Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia gives Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., a last chance to settle old and new scores heading into a week that could make or break their presidential aspirations.

Watch the Democratic Presidential Debate tonight from 8-10 p.m. ET on the ABC television network.

For the first time since February 26, Clinton and Obama will take the stage at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, in the debate co-hosted by ABCNews, WPVI and the Center, and moderated by ABC’s Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos.

Each candidate will try to seize the upper hand and move past the campaign controversies that have directed a negative course in the race to the Democratic nomination in recent days.

Through surrogates and spin, the two Democratic challengers have highlighted each other’s misstatements and missteps this week, each trying to seize the momentum in these final contests, and place doubts in the minds of voters and superdelegates about their opponent’s potential strength against Republican presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Appearing Wednesday on ABC NewsNow Politics Live, Republican strategist Matthew Dowd warned that the candidates’ tone on the debate stage matters more than any specific remark or exchange.

And though it’s difficult to predict what tone the candidates will strike this evening, for both candidates, the debate stakes are high: Clinton will look to build on her five point lead in the Keystone State while Obama will try to match his debate performance with the poll numbers that show him surging past Clinton in the areas of trustworthiness and electability.

Stay tuned for the liveblog here.

Allah’s dubbed it the “There will be blood” debate. Hot Air will also have live coverage and vid highlights and lowlights.

***

8:10pm Eastern. Gibson’s first question. You have each disproportionately appealed to different factions in the party. Cites Mario Cuomo’s call for the loser to be the VP. Why not join each other on a ticket? (Laughter.)

Obama: This has been an extraordinary journey. It’s premature to talk about VP ticket. In Denver, the Democrat party will come together. We have no choice.

Gibson cites Article II, Section I of the Constitution. “If it was good enough for Colonial times, why not now?” ABC has discovered the Constitution!

Hillary: I will go anywhere in the country to make the case [for whomever wins.] I’ve seen the damage of the Bush years. I’ve seen the pain.

Has she FELT their pain? Say it! Say it!

8:14pm Eastern. Gibson brings up BitterClingGate. “Do you understand that some people in this state find that patronizing?”

Obama: No doubt that I can see how people have been offended. Not the first or last time I say something that’s been mangled up. Let me be clear: People are going through very difficult times, even before the housing crisis.

People run to religion when government doesn’t function.

8:17pm Eastern. Hillary goes in for the anti-Cling kill: I am the granddaughter of a man who was a factory worker in Scranton. Went to church. They don’t “cling to religion when Washington isn’t listening to them….I can see how people would be offended at taken aback.”

8:19pm Eastern. Stephanopoulous brings up Hillary’s spat with Bill Richardson: Do you think Obama can beat John McCain? Hillary dodges.

Stephy presses here. Can Obama win?

Hillary: “Yes, yes, yes. But I think I can do better.”

Stephy: Can Hillary win?

Obama: Absolutely and I’ve said it before. Segues back to BitterClingGate. It would be hard for me to be condescending to people of faith since I am a person of faith. I’ve reached out more than any other campaign. The problem with politics is typical…take something and twist it and beat it to death…Obama refers to Hillary baking cookies/Tammy Wynette soundbite…and people attacked her as “elitist” and I remember watching it and thinking, “that’s not who she is.”

Hillary ain’t having it. She goes after him again on the remarks. Blathers about her “passion for empowering people” and her respect for voters.

8:25pm Eastern. Gibson moves to race and Jeremiah Wright. You say you never heard him say the things he said from the pulpit, but you rescinded his invite for his invocation a year ago. Why did it take you more than a year to disassociate yourself?

Obama: Understand. I’m talking about the comments that ended up on YouTube. These comments were objectionable, they’re not comments I believe in…the church and the body of Wright’s work and ministries were not represented by the comments that ended up on TV. And so, what I think I tried to do in the speech here was speak to a broader context…there is anger in the African-American community…true in other communities as well…my candidacy represents the opportunity to move beyond it…we have to connect people…that’s what I’ve done with our campaign…

8:29pm Eastern. Hillary gleefully gets to claim again that she would have walked out of Wright’s church. Obama can barely contain himself from rolling his eyes. Hillary: “You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your pastor.” Hey, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Stephy: Do you think Rev. Wright loves America as much as you do? And what will you do when those sermons are played again and again and again?

Obama: Doesn’t answer the first question. Re. second question: “If it isn’t this, it’ll be something else.”

8:33pm Eastern.

Obama: I’ve disowned him. Stephy: You’ve disowned him? Obama: Awkward pause. “Disowned the comments he’s made.”

Botch! Botch!

Stephy: But do you think he’s as patriotic as you?

Obama: Well, this is someone who was a former Marine.

Hillary: On the attack again. Mentions Farrakhan, the church bulletin to the leader of Hamas, these are problems. This is a legitimate area for people to be exploring.

8:34pm Eastern. Now it’s time for Hillary to be in the hot seat.

Stephy plays a citizen question about the Tuzla fable.

Hillary: I may be a lot of things, but I’m not dumb. I wrote about Bosnia in my book in 2004. I just said some things that I knew not to be true. I’m embarrassed. I hope it’s something that you can look over. Sticks by her story that it was a danger zone…I’ll try and get more sleep…I’ve said things that were not accurate…I’m very sorry that I said it…That happens…

8:38pm Eastern. Obama: “Both of us are working as hard as we can to make sure that we are delivering message that we are [best qualified] to be president…deserves the right to make some errors every once in a while…make sure we don’t lose sight that this is a historic moment….blahblah…for us to be obsessed with these errors is a mistake…

Obama doesn’t want to draw blood.

8:40pm Eastern. Citizen Nash McCabe asks why Obama doesn’t support the American flag. Major vulnerability. How do you convince Dems that it won’t be a vulnerability.

Obama: I revere the American flag. I wouldn’t be running for president if I didn’t revere this country. No other country in which my story is even possibility. Says he’s never said he would never not wear a flagpin. This is a distraction. Obsession with these things distracts from the issues. (Applause)

Stephy brings up Obama’s connection to terrorist William Ayers.

Obama’s irritated. This is someone in my neighborhood. I was eight years old when he committed his acts.

I’m also friendly with Tom Coburn. Do I need to apologize for Coburn’s statements (re abortionists and death penalty)?

The American people are smarter than that.

Hillary goes on the attack: Obama served on a board with Ayers. And that relationship continued after 9/11. It is an issue people will be asking about. She’s really going in for the kill on Obama’s electability in the general. Mwwwrrowr.

Obama notes that Bill Clinton pardoned members of the Weather Underground. Much worse than sitting on some board.

Zing!

(Applause).

Obama finally wakes up and defends himself on electability.

8:56pm Eastern. Back from a commercial break. Hillary trying to out-Left Barack on Iraq. Talking like Cindy Sheehan on withdrawing troops within 60 days of taking the White House. She states adamantly that “no one can predict what will happen,” yet she is adamant that we must pull out the troops.

9:04pm Eastern. Hillary’s talking “diplomatic engagement” with Iran. Refers to Mahmoud’s Trutherism.

9:07pm Eastern. Stephy asks Hillary if she’ll pledge no new taxes for those making under $200k. I’m committed to not raising taxes. She promises billions in tax cuts for middle class. Plugs her website. She’ll pay for everything!

9:11pm Eastern. Gibson asks about the capital gains tax. He cites data that revenues increased when rates were slashed and revenues decreased when rates were raised. Mirabile dictu!

9:16pm Eastern. Know-it-all Hillary. If she had been president, we wouldn’t have had the subprime crisis!

10:10pm Eastern. Sorry, got distracted. Did I fall asleep? Might as well have. Obama was lamb to the slaughter.

Will it matter? Well, he is The Obamessiah.

See what others have said

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Trackbacks

  1. No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The “Brotherly Love” Dem debate - Live drunk blog
  2. Dave Lucas' Notes » Viewer's Choice
  3. Michelle Malkin » Nutroots ballistic: We demand a stultifyingly dull debate! Or else!
  4. Gosh, Who Knew that a Couple Debate Moderators Doing Their Jobs Would Cause So Much Trouble! : The Sundries Shack
  5. politicalpartypoop.com » Blog Archive » Nutroots go ballistic over ABC and the Debate
  6. Michelle Malkin » Know-it-all Hillary “didn’t know anything about” Bill’s Weather Underground pardons

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Comments

  1. #1
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Someone will emerge bitter…

  2. #2
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm, JeffC... said:

    I’m going to guess that the food for tonight’s debate won’t be provided by Pat’s, Geno’s or Tony Luke’s.

  3. #3
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I’m going to guess that the food for tonight’s debate won’t be provided by Pat’s, Geno’s or Tony Luke’s.

    Arugula and ham sandwiches, with an occasional shot of Crown Royal.

  4. #4
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:41 pm, rooster said:

    Don’t know if I can watch these morons, ABS included.

    Guaranteed softball questions on Barry, with Charlie and Georgie going for the Hildabeast’s jugular.

  5. #5
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm, JHSII said:

    Arugula and ham sandwiches, with an occasional shot of Crown Royal.

    Or Absolut.

  6. #6
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, corkie said:

    …Pat’s, Geno’s…

    Crap. How am I going to satisfy this craving you just created? :(

  7. #7
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:45 pm, TuskAmerica said:

    This should turn out to be as irritating as the Poison Oak I had last summer.

  8. #8
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:45 pm, localmalcontent said:

    With the exception of the pleasure of watching Hillary twisting in the wind, why else spoil a perfectly good Wednesday evening?
    No, I’ll just wait for the renderings, later on.

  9. #9
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:45 pm, JeffC... said:

    …Pat’s, Geno’s…
    Crap. How am I going to satisfy this craving you just created?

    It’s not like I have any options here in San Jose.

  10. #10
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:47 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    It’s not like I have any options here in San Jose.

    Try Calvin’s.

  11. #11
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:50 pm, Amglo said:

    I think I will skip it, I am going to watch Paula & Randy drool over some talentless wannabe. Come to think of it that will be the same as watching Charlie & George, same drool different fools.
    Our elections should not last longer than a season of American Idol.

  12. #12
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:56 pm, ajmontana said:

    If they go into the same old tired talking points like every single other debate the two of them have had I’m going to puke.. over and over with the same ole same ole…blah, blah, yawn, blah.

  13. #13
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm, JeffC... said:
    It’s not like I have any options here in San Jose.

    Try Calvin’s.

    Maybe on the weekend when there’s no traffic. Cheesesteak or barbecue?

  14. #14
    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm, undrseige247 said:

    Ugh… Lord, Just get me to November with at least half a brain left.

  15. #15
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:02 pm, John Ansell said:

    I didn’t just hear a Rocky reference did I?

  16. #16
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:04 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On April 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm, JeffC… said:
    Cheesesteak or barbecue?

    Cheesesteak (with arugula of course)

  17. #17
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, ajmontana said:

    interesting, they’re not even televising it here in Palm Desert, Ca … what up with that?

  18. #18
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    Hillary looked furious as she stood on stage prior to her opening remarks (at which time she pasted on the usual smile of a professional pol).

  19. #19
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:08 pm, TexasTiger said:

    Each candidate will try to seize the upper hand…

    …and reeeeeeeeeach across the aisle to find bipartisan agreement on ways to…blah blah blah :(

  20. #20
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:10 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I just wish they had “warm-up” videos, with Hillary in a meat locker, sweatsuit and stocking hat on, bare-knuckle, “tenderizing” some poor carcass - Bill maybe… [cue theme]

  21. #21
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:10 pm, cjean said:

    He’s heading into the bitter American field…

  22. #22
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:11 pm, gopftw said:

    Obama is such a moron.
    Question: Why don’t you guys run together?
    Answer: Well McCain wants to continue Bush policy.

    Excuse me, way to fail answering the questions.

  23. #23
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:11 pm, John Ansell said:

    Listening on the Radio. Can somebody help me with the visual? Does Obama have a Parrot on his shoulder repeating his answers?

  24. #24
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:12 pm, gopftw said:

    How many times does SnOb-ama say “uhh”?

  25. #25
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:12 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    Opening VP question was asinine. Of course, I don’t mind seeing Dems on the spot, but it is ridiculous. Candidates do not make big, major commitments off the cuff. They’d be stupid to do so. And ABC knows that. ABC is just showing off.

  26. #26
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:14 pm, John Ansell said:

    Now that parrot sounds like Edwards

  27. #27
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:15 pm, gopftw said:

    Still defending Bittergate… what an idiot. A “skilled” politician would go out and say I was wrong, forgive me: like McCain and his vote against MLK Jr. Day. That was a great move and the media moved on. With Bittergate, Obama sees the need to act all elitist and pretend like he knows all. Typical liberal snobs.

  28. #28
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:15 pm, gayle said:

    Already bored.

    Hillary with her clown face.
    Bama with his snob face.

    Same ole crap, blah, blah, blah.

    I wanna see a fight by golly!

  29. #29
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:17 pm, gayle said:

    Red? Bloodshed? We wish.

  30. #30
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:18 pm, DirkBelig said:

    As much as I fear the prospect that either of these clowns could become President, I have to say that Gibson’s lame gotcha question - “Mario the Pious sez that the loser of you two should commit to being Veep. How about it, kids?” - right off the top was childish and of little use other than to reveal the sheer terror the Treason Media has that Operation Chaos will leave both Hill and Barry unelectable.

    Then Charlie serves up opportunity for Obama to lie about his inadvertent speaking of the truth of his Marxist elitism. Did Hillary’s grandpa work with John Edwards’ dad?

    Why is George Snufflufagus, former water carrier for the Clinton Regime, still allowed to pretend that he’s an objective journalist?

  31. #31
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:18 pm, TuskAmerica said:

    “It’s not my first “Mangled Up” statement and won’t be my last.”

    Keep ‘em coming Glowbama!

  32. #32
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:18 pm, gayle said:

    Odd, the font color was red for a few seconds.

    WHO did this?!?!?!

  33. #33
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pm, gayle said:

    Bama does not sound sure of himself tonight.

    Difficult to lie to cover lies.

  34. #34
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm, ajmontana said:

    anyone know if streaming video is available? for some reason the buttheads in the desert arent airing this debate…. unreal.

  35. #35
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm, DirkBelig said:

    Wow. Obama is lucky he doesn’t have Pinocchio’s nose cuz the string of lies he just told about his faith and belief in gun rights would’ve poked right thru my TV screen!

  36. #36
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm, localmalcontent said:

    I’m wagering that the fur begins flying at just past the halfway point– 47 mins or so.

  37. #37
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm, gayle said:

    aj, you’re not missing much, believe me.

    Kissing each other butts and smiling.

  38. #38
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm, gopftw said:

    They bore me to death. I can’t stand listening to their Marxist rhetoric.

    I loved how Hilldabeast said “Yes, yes, yes I think John can win..” - made me feel great!

  39. #39
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm, ArmoredCAV said:

    I’ll pass on watching the debate. Got some good classic rock going (80s), which is infinitely preferable to anything either of those clowns could possibly say. What I really need is a link. While I was deployed, I read over and over about Hillary cackles, and couldn’t open any of the links provided. Could someone provide one?
    Thanks,

  40. #40
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:22 pm, John Ansell said:

    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm, DirkBelig said:
    Wow. Obama is lucky he doesn’t have Pinocchio’s nose cuz the string of lies he just told about his faith and belief in gun rights would’ve poked right thru my TV screen!

    His Ears Grow everytime he lies. Look at them.

  41. #41
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pm, gayle said:

    We need LESS of you both to feel better about ourselves.

    Do they think that THOSE TWO can make us happier?

    Ask my bank.

  42. #42
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pm, TexasTiger said:

    8:17pm Eastern. Hillary goes in for the anti-Cling kill: I am the granddaughter of a man who was a factory worker in Scranton. Went to church.


    Worked six days a week, twelve hours a day at the Dunder-Mifflin plant.

    Speaking of plants…

  43. #43
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pm, gayle said:

    John, there pointed.

    In the 2nd stage before horns.

  44. #44
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm, gayle said:

    They’re…..dang.

  45. #45
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm, ajmontana said:

    gayle said:
    aj, you’re not missing much, believe me.

    Kissing each other butts and smiling.

    That figures I just dont get why it isnt on here? typical of time warner here though, I shouldnt be so surprised.

  46. #46
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm, John Ansell said:

    LOL Gayle #42

  47. #47
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm, TuskAmerica said:

    Watch it here…
    http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/livemedia?section=news/politics&id=6083174

    Doesn’t work with FireFox, only IE.

  48. #48
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm, undrseige247 said:

    Listening to these two reminds me of that scene from Aliens… Any scene from Aliens.

  49. #49
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:27 pm, gayle said:

    Hillary is milking this!

  50. #50
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:27 pm, gayle said:

    No, you were at the mosque.

  51. #51
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:30 pm, ajmontana said:

    thank you tusk…

  52. #52
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:31 pm, gayle said:

    Can Bama finish a complete sentence without pausing so much???

  53. #53
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm, floridaobserver said:

    I was watching the wonderful White House ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI this morning and then the newschannel reminded the viewers about the debate tonight in Philly. I almost gagged.
    I’m going to watch reruns of the ceremony instead.

  54. #54
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm, TuskAmerica said:

    LOL..Hilldog’s getting nailed!

  55. #55
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:35 pm, ajmontana said:

    tonights menu:
    crow and arugula.

  56. #56
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm, Snooper said:

    These two make me ILL!!

  57. #57
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm, TexasTiger said:

    Stephy: But do you think he’s as patriotic as you?

    Obama: Well, this is someone who was a former Marine.

    So he’s equally as patriotic as Lee Harvey Oswald?

  58. #58
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:39 pm, ajmontana said:

    you need a snooper scooper. :)

  59. #59
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:42 pm, gayle said:

    ramble, ramble, ramble.

    Just answer the question Brock.

  60. #60
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:43 pm, gayle said:

    Hill just BUSTED Bama. LOL!

  61. #61
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, ajmontana said:

    make that crow, arugula and toast for Oblama.

  62. #62
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, josetheguerilla said:

    MM,

    Thanks for the live blogging!!!!!!!!

  63. #63
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    Hillary wishes the GOP would run nobody. LOL. That was her plan. Too bad it didn’t work out for her. So close to President Hillary Clinton. And yet so far.

  64. #64
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm, Jeddite said:

    Really now, does anybody believe Obama reveres the flag when he isnt directly being called to task on it?

  65. #65
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm, TuskAmerica said:

    The sickening stench of self-ritcheousness
    is filling the auditorium.

    Please don your BS gas mask.

  66. #66
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pm, nonblondqt said:

    SLAP SLAP HUG - by both candidates tonite…like always!

    C’mon Hill, keep jabbing!! Something is bound to stick!

  67. #67
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    They each have such deficits in honesty and experience they really can’t go after each other in those areas. It’s humorous to watch.

  68. #68
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:48 pm, Russ N said:

    #46 TuskAmerica

    Sure seems that when Hillary speaks the green line drops….

  69. #69
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:49 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    I don’t understand what I am seeing. Obama is twice as feisty as Hillary. She gets her licks in, but they are very measured. Obama is edgy and combative. This is like the guy at the poker table near the end of the evening with all of the chips in front of him yelling, “Deal! Deal!” It seems to me that an uneventful debate would come close to sealing this nomination for Obama. Yet he is the one trying to heat it up.

  70. #70
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm, ajmontana said:

    Never in a million years did I think someone could be worse than Hillary, then BAM! up pops Obama Bozo.

  71. #71
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:53 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “People run to religion when government doesn’t function”

    if that indeed is a verbatim statement, it is perhaps the most concise summation of the statist, collectivist garbage that is the modern left.

  72. #72
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    It is almost one hour into the debate and we have the first question on policy and substance. All before has been nothing but an effort to prod the candidates into a scrap or put them on the spot (which is not to say that I don’t think questions about Rev. Wright, etc., are legitimate).

  73. #73
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “No other country in which my story is even [a]{sic} possibility”

    then pls. do us a favor and stop hating said institutions that enabled it, k?!

    /that goes double for your wife!

  74. #74
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:56 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    Funny, she’ll listen to military leaders re Afghanistan but ignore them on Iraq.

  75. #75
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm, DirkBelig said:

    Hillary just assured the Islamofascists that she is firmly committed to overruling the Pentagon warmongers and surrendering and fleeing from Iraq in order to reassert our moral authority. (WTF?) So has Obama.

    Didn’t they used to put people up against a wall and shoot them for these sorts of treasons?

  76. #76
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm, ajmontana said:

    paul, exactly.

  77. #77
    On April 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm, BayStateRepublican said:

    Promises a specific withdrawl within 60 days? Mc Cain will eat her lunch on this. Let’s go ahead and telegraph our moves. Some alleged Commander in Chief…

  78. #78
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm, gayle said:

    Exactly.

    Bet Iran just marked the calendar.

  79. #79
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:03 pm, ajmontana said:

    el skanky doesnt have a clue.

  80. #80
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:03 pm, Charles said:

    They just can’t say it can they? An attack on Israel is an attack on the United States.

  81. #81
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:05 pm, zorro said:

    Sorry I’m late in the discussion, I see that pot head George Stupidnopolis trying to act normal…

  82. #82
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:07 pm, gayle said:

    Here’s an idea.

    Why don’t you get rid of illegals?

    Then you wouldn’t have to worry about taxes.

  83. #83
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    Obama says soc sec tax is our “most regressive tax”. Jeez. It’s supposed to be a supplemental retirement plan. You pay in, you take out when you retire. When did it become the job of the higher income earners to pay for the retirement of the middle income earners?

  84. #84
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm, ajmontana said:

    MM said,
    Plugs her website. She’ll pay for everything!

    Even the Arugula?

  85. #85
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm, zorro said:

    She’ll pay for everything!

    Right. I believe her. /sacr off

  86. #86
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm, Charles said:

    Gibson must has been surfing some conservative websites to come up with that stat that Republicans already knew.

  87. #87
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm, gayle said:

    Showing his ignorance now.

    Bush’s fault though.

  88. #88
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm, zorro said:

    Where did Charlie steal those glasses? off the set of John Adams?

  89. #89
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:12 pm, Boomer said:

    Just caught up with you all! Mrs. Boomer won’t let me watch the debate she says the veins on my temples start to stick out when I have had enough of the lies from either one of these pandering lying crapweasels. So I thank Michelle for live blogging what I can’t bear to watch.

  90. #90
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:12 pm, gayle said:

    Wonder what RUSH is doing with his cigar?

  91. #91
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:15 pm, Boomer said:

    If she cuts our taxes how does she expect to pay for everything? How about by deporting the illegal invaders that suck our public services dry or better yet doing away with some of the useless branches of the Federal Government for a start.

  92. #92
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 pm, zorro said:

    …the veins on my temples start to stick out when I have had enough of the lies from either one of these pandering lying crapweasels…

    Same boat!

  93. #93
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 pm, ajmontana said:

    and all the lame grants… sheesh,

  94. #94
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:18 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    Obama…there he goes again. An unprovoked attack on Hillary for saying something when she thought she was outside camera range that was different than what she said in front of the cameras. He has repeatedly hit her but she declines to take the bait.

  95. #95
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, Boomer said:

    Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! Aren’t the strong arm tactics of the last Clinton Administration responsible for forcing the lending industry to give loans to unqualified people part of the reason we have a subprime crisis?

  96. #96
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, LFinTN said:

    “We’re gonna have to capture some revenue in order to stabilize the social security system”.

    So we’re gonna ubertax the heck out of those who already pay 90 something percent of all the taxes already. And create jobs for the rest of the folks.

    I can already hear the funds circling the drain for much needed defense spending.

    Change - it’s what’s for lunch, because there sure won’t be anything else in the mess hall for the troops.

  97. #97
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, ajmontana said:

    Dumb and Dumber.

  98. #98
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, a crapweasel said:

    Somebody needs to tell Obama that Bill isn’t running re-election for president. It was President Bill Clinton who done the pardons not Hillary.

  99. #99
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, DirkBelig said:

    Jonah Goldberg over at The Corner just said, “I don’t cry “class warfare!” very often. But the beginning of Obama’s capital gains tax question was amazing stuff. He conceded the premise that revenues go up when you cut capital gains taxes. But he said it would be worthwhile to raise them nonetheless as an issue of “fairness” because some people are making too much money. In other words, even if the government loses money to pay for all of the wonderful things Obama wants to do, it’d be worth it because sticking it to rich people is a good in and of itself.”

    Will John McCain be willing to stop being such a milquetoast and take on this blatant Marxist agitprop or does he plan on being a nice guy straight into defeat?

  100. #100
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, gayle said:

    Still no mention of illegals.

  101. #101
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “If she had been president, we wouldn’t have had the subprime crisis!”

    well, in a sense that could be true — in that when there is virtually no economic activity due to government smothering the private sector, people aren’t running out and getting subprime mortgages!
    :-) :-)

  102. #102
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, Chief RZ said:

    Bill Clinton Pardoned the Weather Underground !!!! What? I had not heard that!
    What a communist!

  103. #103
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:22 pm, ajmontana said:

    Know-it-all Hillary. If she had been president, we wouldn’t have had the subprime crisis!

    now shes doing the “skys will open” routine.

  104. #104
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:23 pm, The_Livewire said:

    I feel your pain Boomer, stuck watching American Idol, feel my Intelligence score dropping.

  105. #105
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:23 pm, LFinTN said:

    Why didn’t Charlie press Obama for an answer on how he would replace the lost revenue his capital gains tax hike would cost?

    I know - silly me.

  106. #106
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:24 pm, ajmontana said:

    gayle said:
    Still no mention of illegals.

    I know your not surprised gayle….

  107. #107
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:25 pm, LFinTN said:

    Oh goody - guns. Maybe Hillary will tell us exactly what firearm she was taught to shoot at her grandpa’s cabin.

  108. #108
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:25 pm, ajmontana said:

    The_Livewire said:
    I feel your pain Boomer, stuck watching American Idol, feel my Intelligence score dropping.

    Yikes, dudes. you’re missing one heck of a red sox, yankee’s game. idol? lol

  109. #109
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm, undrseige247 said:

    Bill Clinton Pardoned the Weather Underground !!!!

    Yeah. I wonder how much they contributed to Hillary’s campaign afterwards!

  110. #110
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm, mbviews said:

    how far we have come… today its:

    ask not what you can do for your country, ask what the presidential candidate will do for you.

    that is the debate we have in this country thanks to a woefully imbalanced press full of woe-is-us liberals.

  111. #111
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “Will John McCain be willing to stop being such a milquetoast and take on this blatant Marxist agitprop or does he plan on being a nice guy straight into defeat”

    hold up — JSM has one job from now all the way until august — “don’t f’ up” — and he is doing just fine in fulfilling said task. let them hammer away at each other and keep two nice, thick folders of all these type of quotes. post-denver, throw away the uneeded folder. organize the remainig folder in ascending order of various criteria, including but not limited to: condesceding, rank idiocy, anti-americanism, etc. beginning, say, 9/15 or so, let 1 quote every, say, 3rd day onto the web. collect 400+ electoral votes in nov.

    /easy as 1-2-3 …
    :-)

  112. #112
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    Hillary and Obama are trying to confiscate the gun I am clinging to.

  113. #113
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, Charles said:

    So we have or had an illegal gun database? Why wasn’t I told?

  114. #114
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:28 pm, zorro said:

    Here we go, gun control. How about lock up the criminals? How about tracking illegal aliens?

    More double talk.

  115. #115
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:28 pm, ajmontana said:

    look at snobo….lol….he really really hates her….

  116. #116
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:29 pm, zorro said:

    aj, that makes two of us!

  117. #117
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:30 pm, LFinTN said:

    WHAT? “Just because you have the individual right to bear arms, does not mean the local or state government cannot put certain restrictions on those rights.”

  118. #118
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm, ajmontana said:

    and he says he’s in touch…. c’mon oblahma… get real. wake up and get lost.

  119. #119
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    Why are they trying so hard to remove the guns from the homes of responsible, registered owners?

    How about we focus on the criminals.

    Now Glacier’s BDS is kicking in.

  120. #120
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm, The_Livewire said:

    In Ohio, aj, that game would be as painful as Big Brother

  121. #121
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pm, ajmontana said:

    these two are idiots!

  122. #122
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pm, zorro said:

    Snobama is a blithering idiot. And that’s his strong suit.

    Machine guns? What the heck is she talking about?

  123. #123
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pm, DirkBelig said:

    re: Guns - Barry just gave us some more of his Marxism when he basically said that our right to bear arms can be abridged if government deems fit. Um, if a right can be limited by the government, it isn’t a right anymore.

    Hillary is punting and pointing at Team Dubya and bashing Darth Cheney.

    Is it me or are Gibson and Dondi actually pressing these mooks? I’m sure the Kos Kidz are going bat guano right now at how ABC has become “Fixed News”.

  124. #124
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pm, ajmontana said:

    The_Livewire said:
    In Ohio, aj, that game would be as painful as Big Brother

    lol, hear ya, i root for em both to lose.

  125. #125
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:33 pm, Boomer said:

    The_Livewire so sorry to hear you are stuck watching American Idol (that would also cause the veins to stick out). LOL! I am watching Futurama on Comedy Central. At least I can stand the reruns of this adult cartoon. :D

  126. #126
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:33 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    They won’t let Booooosh abridge rights.

  127. #127
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:34 pm, ajmontana said:

    gun control issue…. they both toasted themselves.

  128. #128
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, LFinTN said:

    Is it just me, or is Obama simply “all rhetoric, all the time” with no substance?

    I get that for yay-yay/rah-rah speeches, but he hasn’t given anything in the way of policy answers, only evasion.

    Not that Hillary is over flowing with policy, but at least she is answering with specifics.

    Not a fan of either, but she’s at least got some particulars.

  129. #129
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, Boomer said:

    Sorry ajmontana not much of a baseball fan since the strike in the 90s turned me off on the game for good unfortunately.

  130. #130
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:36 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    Now they are pushing Affirmative Action.

  131. #131
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “gun control issue…. they both toasted themselves”

    yep — one of the few areas where conservatives and JSM actually agree, and in contrast you have her farther to the left than bill and him not even on the spectrum …

    /and howie dean shakes his head — “why did i take this job?!”

  132. #132
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, zorro said:

    Damn the energy traders. Damn the strategic oil reserve!

  133. #133
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, LFinTN said:

    Wind-fall profits tax….now where have I heard of that before?

    YIKES!

  134. #134
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, Boomer said:

    From all my reading none of the three stooges get a passing grade from the NRA. They all tend to think I need a gun for hunting instead of self-defense from criminals and/or an irresponsible government.

  135. #135
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, Charles said:

    I think that is the first time I heard one of them say “comprehensive” tonight. I won that bet.

  136. #136
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm, zorro said:

    Michelle: 9:16pm Eastern. Know-it-all Hillary. If she had been president…

    and if her grandmother had wheels she’d be a red wagon…

  137. #137
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm, JeffC... said:

    At his next campaign appearance, McCain should just debate a video of this thing. The bit about how lowering capital gains taxes increases tax revenue, but Obama will raise those taxes anyway should be part of every McCain commercial. (Even if Hillary wins the nomination, because Obama will still be in the senate to vote on that bill.)

  138. #138
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm, zorro said:

    Well, I’ve had enough. Thanks for the coverage Michelle. See y’all in the morning. Ciao.

  139. #139
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:43 pm, The_Livewire said:

    if she thought it would get her votes in PA, she’d go out and put the wheels on herself.

  140. #140
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:44 pm, ajmontana said:

    I wonder how many other markets ABC is not showing this debate in , it’s a shame because they’re really hanging themselves tonight. both of them.

  141. #141
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:44 pm, Speakup said:

    Hillary: I may be a lot of things, but I’m not dumb. I wrote about Bosnia in my book in 2004. I just said some things that I knew not to be true. I’m embarrassed. I hope it’s something that you can look over.

    Jeeezuss! Twenty pound brass ones.
    What ten times worse thing(s) is she hiding?

  142. #142
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:45 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    We’re watching it in TN.

    It hurts, but we’re watching it.

  143. #143
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm, Chief RZ said:

    AA? still? How many years to achieve equivalency?
    Get an education. Get a job. Welcome to the real world! Thanks, , undrseige247.

  144. #144
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm, LFinTN said:

    Here comes religion.

  145. #145
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:48 pm, Speakup said:

    I just said some things that I knew not to be true. I’m embarrassed.

    Also: Taking the embarrassment bar to a whole. new, Tibetan, level.

  146. #146
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm, Chief RZ said:
    AA? still? How many years to achieve equivalency?

    In their minds, we’ll never get there. It is too profitable for them not to.

  147. #147
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm, ajmontana said:

    yawn.

  148. #148
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm, LFinTN said:

    Oops, maybe not. It’s a “Why should you be pres?” question.

    Hillary: Because I’m honest.
    Barack: Because I’m someone to cling to for all you hick clinger folk.

    This debate has probably driven most, if not all, independents to John McCain.

  149. #149
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm, ajmontana said:

    did they kiss at the end?

  150. #150
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:53 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    no

  151. #151
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:54 pm, PBoilermaker said:

    If this country elects either Obama or Glacier, it will be the first time in my adult life that I will be ashamed of it.

  152. #152
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm, LFinTN said:

    My staunchly democrat late father is turning over in his grave.

  153. #153
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm, LFinTN said:

    Hee - even sitting, Charlie is taller than George Stephy. Poor lil’ guy.

  154. #154
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm, jsr said:

    Is it me or are Gibson and Dondi actually pressing these mooks?

    They are being unusually tough, especially with the capital gains tax issue. Not the softballs we are all used to hearing. I feel like I am in an alternate universe. The problem is they keep giving the same lame answers and evasions. This makes them look even more foolish than usual since it makes them apear oblivious to reality. Will anybody in our Amrican Idol culture even notice?

  155. #155
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:57 pm, ajmontana said:

    ditto, pb.

  156. #156
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:57 pm, Boomer said:

    Thanks for covering this none event Michelle. It is time to shut down for the night and get ready for work tomorrow. Boomer’s checking off for the night!

  157. #157
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:57 pm, katablog said:

    Wow! Barack Baby still doesn’t get it! “things get mangled” now just how did that happen? Could it have anything to do with the words the great orator used himself? Just who is he blaming?

    “People run to religion when government doesn’t function”. And then he repeats the same offensive statement (well one of them, at least we ain’t clinging to our guns anymore).

  158. #158
    On April 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm, ajmontana said:

    Night all, thank you MM. :)

  159. #159
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm, LFinTN said:

    They are being unusually tough, especially with the capital gains tax issue. Not the softballs we are all used to hearing. I feel like I am in an alternate universe. The problem is they keep giving the same lame answers and evasions. This makes them look even more foolish than usual since it makes them apear oblivious to reality. Will anybody in our Amrican Idol culture even notice?

    Sadly, I don’t think so. I wonder how many know what the “Capital Gains Tax” even is, and what liability they will have if they aspire to succeed.

  160. #160
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:07 pm, Seabee40 said:

    Has anyone asked Hillary about the way she treated the military staff at the White House?

  161. #161
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, rooster said:

    Was there any mention of our illegal friends taking over our country?

  162. #162
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, Seabee40 said:

    how about the civilian staff?

  163. #163
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm, everett_mansfield said:

    NO mention of illegals from these crapweasels? Why are democrats do retarded?

  164. #164
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm, Jim M. said:

    “Just because you have the individual right to bear arms, does not mean the local or state government cannot put certain restrictions on those rights.”

    I see. So, he acknowledges that the right to bear arms is an individual right under the Constitution, just like freedom of speech and religion. It would therefore follow that he must also believe that “local and state” governments can also impose reasonable restrictions on an individual’s right to practice religion and free speech. No wait, I thought the Constitution actually restricted the government and not individuals, and that it prohibited even local and state governments from interfering with individual rights? Of course, I am not a Constitutional Law professor, so I must be missing something. Maybe if I ate more arugula…

  165. #165
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:31 pm, Trollman said:

    Trollman’s rundown of the debate:

    Obama: Being a man of faith myself, of course I wouldn’t insult people of faith.

    Trollman: Given that you share the faith of Jeremiah Wright and Trinity, perhaps it isn’t wise to reference your own religious faith…

    Hillary: Republicans are very shrewd about doing what it takes to win!

    Trollman: Did you just say that with a straight face?!

    Hillary: I said some things that weren’t in keeping with what I knew to be correct.

    Trollman: So you, uh, lied?

    Hillary: No, I just said some things that didn’t jive with what I knew to be the truth.

    Trollman: Uh huh.

    Obama: Much like I once compared my white grandma to Jeremiah Wright, I now have the audacity to compare Coburn to Ayers!

    Trollman: Obama is the candidate for hope, change, and moral equivalence, gotcha.

    Hillary: I wish Republicans would apologize for 8 years of Bush/Cheney by not running anyone this election.

    Trollman: Democracy = bad, got it.

    Hillary: We don’t know what will happen if we withdraw from Iraq, perhaps lots of good things. But we do know what will happen if we stay in Iraq - only bad stuff.

    Trollman: Even the willing suspension of disbelief isn’t helping me swallow this!

    Obama: I don’t care if lowering the capital gains tax will increase overall revenues, I demand fairness! Besides, just because it has worked in the past, why think it could ever work again?!

    Trollman: I may not have gone to Harvard, but…

    Hillary: We’ll improve the economy by having the government create lots of jobs!

    Trollman: (falls to the floor in the fetal position)

    Summary: Obama looked tired. It is clear these last few days have taken a toll on him. Much of his time was spent having to clarify statements that were all too clear to begin with.

    Hillary seemed to realize that she has lost. She tried to go after Obama without looking like she was going after him.

    On the issue of Gun Control, just once, just once I would like them to acknowledge that some people own guns not just for hunting, not just for collecting, but (say it with me now) for personal security and self-defense.

    I have to admit, ABC asked a lot of good questions tonight. This was the best Democratic debate this year (admittedly not saying much).

  166. #166
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:52 pm, DirkBelig said:

    Excellent recap, Trollman! Huzzah!

  167. #167
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm, Trunk Monkey said:

    RNC talking points abound!

    We should stop hunting terrorist abroad and get the ones we have here first.

    We had 2 of them right there on stage! What did Bush outsource their capture also?

    Two enter, only one comes out….Gotta love when Dems eat their own.

  168. #168
    On April 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm, jtpurpleland said:

    Trollman nail = head

  169. #169
    On April 16th, 2008 at 11:31 pm, lonewolf said:

    I did not subject myself to tonight’s debate. Instead, I had dinner with a business associate friend, who, despite being a minor league limosine liberal, is a pretty good guy. Unfortunately, he descended from a long line of “yellow dog” Democrats, defined as one who would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican.
    My friend even defended Bill Clinton but, as a decorated WWII veteran, he agonized and wavered over John Kerry.
    I am pleased to report that Hillary and Hussein tipped the scales and he is now a Republican.

  170. #170
    On April 16th, 2008 at 11:32 pm, mistressjustice said:

    Obama missed a huge opportunity to nail Hillary on her veracity. Giving a pass on Bosnia was stupid considering the new poll numbers indicating that most democratic voters have a negative opinion of her.(likely due to her aversions to truth) This was Obama’s flatest debate performance in quite a while, but he’s just trying to run out the clock at this point without turning the ball over.

  171. #171
    On April 17th, 2008 at 12:13 am, chief said:

    The DNC should adopt one of my favorite Paul Simon songs for the theme of their quest to regain the White House. “Slip Sliding Away”. Hey ChiefRZ is this blog big enough for two chief’s? I would say I will be “little” chief, but I am not sure how that will sound to the ladies. Very enjoyable debate. Tommorow’s spin should be fun.

  172. #172
    On April 17th, 2008 at 12:47 am, Branden-in-escalon said:

    My wife noticed during the debate that Hillary seemed to be “shifty”, that she looked everywhere and anywhere. It was like without an audience to pander to, so had a hard time focusing.

    And before the troll brigade starts having a hissy, this was onl