Senators and rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama met at the University of Texas in Austin tonight for the CNN/Univision debate. The debate was less a showdown than an "agree to disagree" type affair. You can read a transcript here and clips will start to appear, but, per Austinist, here are some of best lines of the night:
“Senator Clinton of late has said: Let's get real. The implication is that the people who've been voting for me or involved in my campaign are somehow delusional. (Laughter) And that, you know, the 20 million people who've been paying attention to 19 debates and the editorial boards all across the country at newspapers who have given me endorsements, including every major newspaper here in the state of Texas.” -- Obama
“We need to end George Bush's war on science.” -- Clinton
“I do not want two classes of citizens in this country.” -- Obama
Clinton attacked Obama's "plagiarism," saying, "Lifting whole passages from someone else's speeches is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox," but Obama's response was "The notion that I had plagiarized from somebody who was one of my national co-chairs who gave me the line and suggested that I use it, I think, is silly, and, you know, this is where we start getting into silly season, in politics, and I think people start getting discouraged about it.”
As for who won, it could be argued Obama won because Clinton failed to knock him out. In closing, Clinton's remarks, as Newsweek's Richard Wolffe put it, "seemed to acknowledge her opponent's strengths and the possibility that she might not win." Of course, her campaign felt it was a strong finish (it did include her pretty great response about being tested and her saying she's "honored" to be in campaign against Obama), what with the standing ovation and all and put the video online:
I compiled a list of links on my blog regarding Obama's legislation accomplishments both in Illinois and the US Senate, in case anybody wants to educate themselves on Obama's accomplishments.
My favorites: mandatory videotaping of police suspects in Illinois and cleaning up loose nukes around the world.
JacqueMehoff
that's the smartest thing to do.
life's too short, my friend.
S.D.
eyekantspel, Thanks, but my blood pressure is fine.
This conversation is really about Obama and Hillary? Well, tell that to jerrychui. As for nik13, he mentioned "Obamessiah" and "two Socialists" so I contrasted it against the apparent GOP candidate. He also mentioned that he thinks they "try to out-pander" each other, so I thought I'd show him an expert at pandering.
Me, I'm not sure who I prefer. Both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton have a lot to offer, while all the GOP candidate, IMO, do not.
As for the GOP, there are some members that I do like, but tragically, they are in the NY State Senate, not the national arena.
Re: JacqueMehoff, I just ignore comments like his latest one.
Michelle Malkin is the most hateful person going. Even O'Reilly stopped bringing her on his joint.
Mrs. Obama's comment was a mistake because there really is a lot about America to be proud of during her lifetime. But, I don't really think she meant what she said.
The whole controversy is just another political distraction that HELPS the GOP by creating an issue to take time away from something important. It feeds into a big lie that liberals hate America. Oh, and, worst of all, it might lead to 15 more minutes for Lee Greenwood.
I am glad that Gothamist included this quote from Clinton: “We need to end George Bush's war on science.” This is a huge issue that sometimes goes below the radar.
cucarachita
What's up with Hillary's Dracular collar? Pretty funny outfit!
I thought the debate was just more of the same old bla bla bla. But Hillary's getting a little frayed around the edges. That plagiarism accusation was already old. In particular, the reference to "xerox" really dates her. At lease she didn't say "mimeograph!"
JacqueMehoff
I'm also, Oliver Klosehoff
and Wood U. bendover.
but it's horizontal.
eyekantspel
JacqueMehoff, I don't think a reprint of the Maklin essay belongs in the comments section, however, the Berlin Wall falling was important for the US, a sign of the end of the cold war.
Your comments about Malkin as a filipino say a lot about you. I see that your self-description says:
"Yep, Jack MeHoff. and, you can't stop me cause I speak the truth, C You in Hellie I'm also known by my asian name, suc mie off"
so I guess your attitude towards asians is something you particularly identify with.
eyekantspel
wow, SD, that's some anti GOP rant, you might want to check your blood pressure.
This conversation is really about Obama and Hillary, although Hillary is becoming less and less relevant as she continues to lose primaries, money and support.
JacqueMehoff
malkin iz filipino, no?
nuff sed. I mean horizontal.
for me, I couldn't give a rats ass about the Berlin wall falling, I'm American.
holyfrijole
jerrychui, thanks for posting the Malkin piece. It makes a lot more sense than the mindless Obamabots on Gothamist ever do.
likesrudylikesbooty
The Estrich video is hilarious as well, but I think the look on that Texas Senator's face is priceless.
At least he was a good sport about it. His statement:
It just goes to show that if you want to be a vocal supporter for your candidate on national TV, at least be prepared to answer some basic criticism. Especially on circus acts like the O'Reilly Factor and Hardball.
S.D.
"Obamessiah"? "two Socialists"?
(sigh)
1. The "Cult of Obama" is just GOP Propaganda, nothing more.
2. There not socialists, despite the other GOP propaganda. And, Yeah, the "Capitalist" GOP has been doing such a Fine job since 1995 when they won the house.... As if.
3. Unrelated: Does your family make over 200K a year? If not the "Tax Cuts" don't affect you.
I don't hold out any hope for an Obama/Clinton ticket. While some voters might like that, there's nothing in it for the candidates. Obama would always have to watch his back with Hillary, and also have to worry about Bill's ability to get the spotlight. Hillary, meanwhile, would be reminded daily of her loss, when she could just return to the Senate and maybe accomplish something. Plus god forbid anything happen to Obama ... I have no doubt where suspicion would lay.
Gregoire
Um, isn't almost everybody who's still running for president presently an elected office holder? Even Huckabee was still governor for the first YEAR of his presidental bid.
JRod5417
It was a very civil debate and the hand grab at the end was heartwearming. I think Hill knows her time is up. Perhaps there is hope for an Obama/Clinton ticket.
eyekantspel
Did anyone watch this debate? I usually try to watch these (and I realize it's available on youtube and elsewhere) but at this point I think I'm suffering from debate fatigue, and I'm probably not alone. I doubt they said anything we haven't heard before -- from the gothamist highlights, it looks like outside of a couple of new "gotcha" lines, it was more of the same.
eyekantspel
To counter the Obama supporter video, here is a clip of Clinton supporter Susan Estrich, who wrote a book "The Case for Hillary Clinton" (so presumably would know something about Hillary), but can't provide any specifics about Hillary's policy positions on Iraq or Illegal immigrants.
Granted, the interviewer is Bill O'Reilly, but the tenor of the interview is no different than the Chris Matthews questioning of some random Obama supporter.
babyhitler
I've noticed the NY post and fox are starting to attack obama recently after they were attacking clinton for so long. Classic republican strategy where they want both sides to be evenly matched so they keep dragging this battle out and destroying the democrats in the process.
nik13
She may be finished now, but nothing prevents Hillary running simultaneously for the Senate & the Presidency in 2012. Another perk of being in politics.
I expect Clinton machine to try to damage
Obamessiah thus preventing him from winning in November. Mccain would be too old to run again in '12, but with powers of incumbency, Barack would have a good chance for a second term. Hillary cannot wait until 2016. She too will be old by then.
It was depressing to see those two Socialists from Illinois try to out-pander each other. Something for everybody as long as "rich" would pay for it.
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