Nevada Democratic Presidential Debate

Expect Hillary to be attacked. Over and over again. Obama and Edwards will be gunning to kill at tonight’s debate. Hillary has a solid 20+ lead, and those numbers are not going anywhere. After not so successfully attacking Clinton at the last debate, they will be trying even harder to expose her flaws. Especially since illegal immigration is a huge issue in Nevada, Clinton will be attacked on her position on driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. This will be the primary source of ammo for Clinton’s opponents. Most likely, Clinton will also be assaulted for planting questions at a campaign stop. I think it will be interesting to see if Hillary will respond with the whole boys-are-attacking-me thing.

CNN is not doing anyone a service with this format. CNN has the opportunity to provide a format to discuss serius issues affecting this country. Presidential level issues. Instead it falls into a National Enquirer trap and attempts to perpetuate personal attacks, and topics that are hardly of national consequence—-drivers licenses for Illegal Immegrants—lets get serious please!!!! CNN is letting the modierators play favorites —focusing on the frontrunners and not allowing canidates an equal chance to present views. This election is too important —lets get in the game. Bring the issues out. This in not entertainment. It is news. It is information the Americn peple despiritely need. Fix thisthing please.

I agree Pete this was turned into a circus debate what was CNN thinking they better have the same type of qustion for the republicans because this was an ET debate not an presidential debate it doesn't matter what each candidate think about each others plan this is not the primary

I was so pleased and impressed with this debate because it seemed obvious that the CANDIDATES AND NOT THE PUNDITS were attempting to bring it BACK TO THE ISSUES RATHER THAN A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BATTLE OF THE “TOP THREE CANDIDATES” ONLY AS ALLOCATED BY THE PRESS!!!!!! I am so tired of the press taking a debate that actually covered an incredible amount of issues, the press then MINIMIZES the discussion of any of the issues to “personalities” or “being a bully or not”. This is exactly what Lowers the level of any debate in this country by “playing to the least common denominator” of the smallest minds with “slogan” and “headline” statements. I am grateful to these candidates tonight for working TOGETHER to actually be respectful to one another and to continue to bring the conversation back to the issues rather than the personality critiques. They were up there actually attempting to create more of a common ground as a party, with a much more unified message to the COUNTRY in reaction to the current administration. What I really want to know is WHY DOES OUR PRESS CORP DO THIS? WHY IS THERE NOT A MORE INTELLIGENT EVALUATION OF THE DEBATE AS A WHOLE. There were 7 candidates on that stage and all of them had things to say. Why does all of that fall away from the discussion when the PRESS begins their discusssion?????? Please stop assuming that we, the public that you are talking to, are idiots!!!!!!!!! I don’t watch you anymore BECAUSE of this fact!

I had the opportunity to attend the Debate on thursday and I have to say that (aftre watching a replay of it on tv) it is incredible how much power the media has simply by making small decisions, for example: camera angles to use and how much crowd noise to mute or allow audible. I think thta the main candidates are either so polished in sticking to the their talking points or so afraid of saying something wrong that they don't really engage on the issues. My sense is that Obama pulls punches and Clinton is intentionally evasive so she can mainatin the ability to go various ways on issues. That may be an obvious comment but that it is obvious shoudl not make it less upsetting. They want to be president and they shoudl say exactly what their positions are. "we're going to appoint a blue ribbon commission on social security"? Everyone knows what the optins are: system is short $ and gov't incurrs more debt to pay it, gov't raises tazes to pay , benefits cut. THis is not rocket science and if you are running for president, isn't it upsetting that you can't or won't say that.