Hillary-Obama Texas Debate

(02/21/2008)

5:57

Hi everyone, we're live. The debate is about to begin. You can probably find it on cnn.com. If you don't have tv.

Thursday February 21, 2008 5:57

6:02

TL: Hillary looks good and confident. Black is a good choice.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:02

6:04

TL: She's getting good applause from Austin, a location that favors Obama.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:04

6:06

TL: Hillary's giving an opening statement. She mentions Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:06

6:07

BTD -

Barbara Jordan's birthday today. Nice touch. One thing Hillary is noting here, not that it helps necessarily, is that she has been fighting for progressive values for a long time. A lot longer than most of Obama's new supporters who revile her daily. -BTD

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:07

6:08

TL: She hits health care and veteran's benefits. She offers a lifetime of experience and proven results. Good line.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:08

6:08

BTD - Hillary refuses to back off her lifetime of experience. Nor should she. It is shameful that the progressive blogs have not credited her with that. To them bizarrely it is a badge oif dishonor. -BTD

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:08

6:09

TL: Obama sounds like he still has a cold.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:09

6:10

TL: Obama's in academic and professorial mode right now, not speech mode

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:10

6:10	Who's opening statement was better? Hillary ( 79% ) Obama ( 18% ) Tie ( 3% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 6:10

6:10

BTD - He clearly is not at his best physically tonight. That is a shame.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:10

6:12

TL: Note to commenters. Use the regular comments thread. Only Big Tent and I can see what you post in this box.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:12

6:12

BTD - Obama - The problem is not the lack of ideas, it is the stranglehold of Washington. Obama will change that. How is not clear to this day.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:12

6:13

BTD - I will not be posting your comments in the live thread. Please post your comments in the regular thread.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:13

6:13

TL: First question to Hillary. It's about Cuba.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:13

6:15

BTD - Jorge Ramos asks a Cuba question. Asks whether there wil be a change of policy. This matter to some of Ramos' viewers, and obviously it is a big issue fo me personally. But frankly, I am not a fan of these questions because they mean so little.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:15

6:15

BTD - Hillary will not meeet with Raul Castro. Honestly, I think this is a sily question.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:15

6:15

TL: She won't meet with Raul Castro until there's a signal they are willing to change. She didn't say she wouldn't meet with him at all.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:15

6:16

BTD - Obama will meet with Raul Castro. But starting point is liberty for Cuban people which has not existed under Fidel Castro. Obama will meet without pre-conditions but then states a lot of preconditions.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:16

6:17

TL: Not exactly. Obama says he will meet with Castro, if "preparations" are made. The preparations are the same as Hillary's requirements. No difference.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:17

6:18

BTD - J is right but the first answer is no. At this point, there answers are the same.

That is rather a backslide for Obama. A play for Florida?

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:18

6:18

TL: That's why he's so slippery. He starts with an absolute and then modifies it.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:18

6:19

TL: He's trying not to appear inconsistent with his previous negotiation answers. Hillary's about to blast him on it. She's for diplomacy too.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:19

6:20

TL: Obama gets a JFK quote in during the first 15 minutes. Hillary hits him back with another JFK quote on negotiating.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:20

6:20

BTD - I think Hillary always looks better in these types of questions, surer of herself. Obama starting off slowly, to put it charitably.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:20

6:20

BTD - A shot at Bush never hurts.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:20

6:21

TL: She's a better debater because she's got a bigger knowledge base to draw on. Great camera switch to a proud Chelsea smiling and clapping.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:21

6:22

TL: Obama's first good answer on why the President should negotiate. He sounded real.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:22

6:23

TL: Next question: to Obama, how would his presidency be different than Hillary's on the economy?

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:23

6:23	Who answered better on Cuba and diplomacy? Hillary ( 57% ) Obama ( 31% ) Tie ( 11% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 6:23

6:24

BTD - Obama on the economy. A sort of he feels your pain answer. What he wants to do is restore fairness. Gets the applause line for outsourcing jobs. Will reverse the Bush tax cuts. Close loopholes. Etc. Nothing wrong with any of these policies.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:24

6:26

BTD - Green economy. Yadda yadda. Obama acknowledges (blunts?) that Clinton agrees with him. How do we get it done? He believes that we can only do this by forming a "coalition" with . . . Republicans? He does not say. The central issue of this campaign, or rather the central problem from my way of thinking.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:26

6:26

TL: He's not answering the question, how will his presidency be different than Hillary. He just recites his plan and then says in one place they may have a slight difference.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:26

6:28

TL: Same question to Hillary: She agrees with much of what Obama said because that's the Democratic agenda. Talks about her trade policy. She will have a trade prosecutor to enforce trade agreements. There will be more vigorous enforcements. She's going into her specific plans.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:28

6:28

BTD - Hillary on Day 1. Hillary says yes there is a lot in common with their plans. Hillary, unlike Obama makes this a partisan issue. The rich and wealthy have had a President protecting their interests in the White House, she will protect the working and middle class.

In a nutshell, this answer is the difference. These are the two theories of change. One believe we must fight. One believe we must conciliate.

I believe these two answers are what I would focus on if Iran the Clinton campaign. She is much more vigorous in her fight.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:28

6:29

TL: Hillary is really specific here. The crowd is really with her.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:29

6:30

TL: Immigration is up.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:30

6:30	Who was better on the economy? Hillary ( 75% ) Obama ( 20% ) Tie ( 5% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 6:30

6:31

TL: Good for her, she starts with family reunification. Loud applause.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:31

6:32

BTD - Hillary is being very forceful and very partisan and very DEMOCRATIC in this debate. I would say up to now - she is projecting herself as the Fighting Democrat. Obama is under the weather and playing the Unity Card. Obviously I like Hillary's approach better. She is winning the debate tonight. FWIW.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:32

6:32

TL: A path to legalization. Trying to pay back taxes over time. Criminals get deported. She will introduce immigration reform legislation within first 100 days of her administration.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:32

6:33

TL: Obama on immigration: Tone down the rehetoric in the debate. We need comprehensive reform, border security, employer crackdown, etc. At least he calls them undocumented workers tonight, not illegal immigrants.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:33

6:33

BTD - Obama is inspiring in a speech, he is utterly uninspiring in a debate.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:33

6:34

BTD - as you can see, J is following the substance, I am following the partisanship. I want it.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:34

6:35

BTD - It is pretty obvious now why Obama wants the fewest debates possible.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:35

6:35

TL: Obama: They have to go to the back of the line. What about families. Sen. Obama? I don't like this. It sounds like he will make them go back to their home countries.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:35

6:35

TL: The border fence. They both voted for it, why ask them about it?

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:35

6:36

BTD I think it is agreat question. They both pandered. Let them explain themselves.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:36

6:37

BTD - When all else fails, criticize Bush., Good tactic.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:37

6:38

[Image]

border-fence.jpg View

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:38

6:38

TL: Hillary: Will she finish the border fence? She points out they both voted for it. She says there is a smart way and a dumb way to protect our borders. Listen to the people who live along the border.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:38

6:38

BTD - John King's followup is fair. I think he is having a good debate too.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:38

6:39

TL: John King is good on election results, he gets really into the numbers and demographics.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:39

6:39

TL: Technology and personnel will work better than a fence and interfere less with families. Good for her!

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:39

6:40

Obama: Says its another area he and Hillary agree on.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:40

6:41

[Image]

immig-battle.jpg View

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:41

6:42

TL: What kind of leadership has Obama shown on immigration in the past? One good point: He's for higher ed for kids of the undocumented.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:42

6:43

BTD - English is our common language and ALWAYS will be. Hillary is against making English the Official Language. Yay!

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:43

6:43

TL: Asks Hillary if there's a limit to America being bi-lingual. English should be our common unifying language. She hopes people can do what she hasn't been able to do, learn another language. She is against making English the official language.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:43

6:44

TL: Go Hilliary -- no discrimination against people who don't speak English at hospitals.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:44

6:44

BTD - Obama's answer is ok, but he simply is not dare I say it - inspiring in debates.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:44

6:45

TL: Obama: He wan'ts kids to learn another language.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:45

6:45	Who did better on immigration? Hillary ( 66% ) Obama ( 23% ) Tie ( 11% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 6:45

6:46

TL: First commercial. My impressions: Hillary comes across as a fighter and leader. Obama comes across as a well meaning but somewhat ploddng professor.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:46

6:51

TL: Part 2. John King asks Hillary about her criticisms of Obama, particularly talk vs. acton. Is she saying Obama is all hat and no cattle.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:51

6:51

TL: Obama isn't listening, he's writing on a pad.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:51

6:53

TL: Hillary: There are differences between them. They try to let voters know how they see the world differently. She is about solutions because that's been her life the past 35 years. There are differences between their records and accomplishments. She brings up the supporter on msnbc who couldn't name one legislative accomplishment for Obama. Actions speak louder than words.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:53

6:54

TL: Obama: He has acted a lot over the past 20 years. He names his accomplishments in Illinois as a state senator. And campaign finance.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:54

6:54

TL: Did he just lose his train of thought?

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:54

6:56

TL: Obama touts his newspaper endorsements. We have to bring country together, end bickering, reduce special interests. It's not all about policy. We need to inspire people to get involved in policy.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:56

6:57

TL: His youthful supporters love that answer. Of course, he doesn't say how he'll get that done. Just because you want to change Washington doesn't mean you can.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:57

6:58

TL: Obama now is talking about how words matter. He defends himself on the plagiarism hcarge regarding Deval Patrick. Hillary looks like she has an answer ready.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:58

6:59

BTD - I missed everything since the break. What did I miss? Heh.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:59

6:59

TL: First signs of life from Obama. It's like a pep pill just kicked in. What a difference. One hour later.

Thursday February 21, 2008 6:59

7:00

BTD - Someone is tearing someone down? When did that happen?

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:00

7:01

TL: Hillary: If your candidacy is about words, they should be your own words. It's not change you can believe in, it's change you can xerox. Zinger of the night so far.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:01

7:01

BTD - Hillary is talking about the copying stuff? Absurd. Nowe this part about needing to fight the Right, especially on health care. Fair shot.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:01

7:01

TL: You missed the whole buildup to this, don't be so quick to criicize. They were asked about their criticisms of each other.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:01

7:02

TL: From the comments, why does Obama's paper keep blowing? Maybe an air conditioning duct above him. He does seem obsessed with his pad and pencil.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:02

7:03

BTD - Hillary steals John Edwards line of attack. We have to fight the entrenched interests. This is actually very important stuff, the most important aspect of the debate. This is about the theories of change and it is the most critical distinction between them. I happen to believe it is the ONLY truly critical difference - as I have no strong opinion on health care mandates.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:03

7:03

TL: Another commenter here: "He wants to take shots at her and after he's done gutting her, he wants to come together."

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:03

7:04

BTD - Indeed I did miss the buildup buuut I can't imagine any buildup where I want to hear the copying line of attack. I find it silly.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:04

7:04

TL: Obama brought it up. She didn't. She responded.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:04

7:05

BTD - I am going down into the comments. Not because Jeralyn is scolding me, but because I am changing computers. See you down there

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:05

7:06

TL: Sorry, didn't mean to sound like I was scolding you. To readers: I'm reading the comments you are submitting through the live blog but if you want others to see them, put them in the comments thread.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:06

7:06

Commerical. New poll coming.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:06

7:07	Who did better on the round about their criticism of each other? Hillary ( 57% ) Obama ( 35% ) Neither ( 5% ) Tie ( 2% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 7:07

7:08

TL: Reader asks why Campbell Brown keeps cutting Hillary off?

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:08

7:09

TL: Correction: Readers are pointing out the moderator asked Obama about the plagiarism charge. Could be.. I only know Hillary didn't bring it up first.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:09

7:10

TL: We're back. Big Tent Democrat changed computers and will be in comments.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:10

7:12

TL: Question to Hillary: Is she saying Obama isn't ready to be commander in chief. She says that's for voters to decide. She just knows she is. She goes back to health care. They try to stop her. She won't be stopped. She brings up Edwards. She's angry about this. It's over the 15 million he doesn't want to cover.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:12

7:15

TL: Hillary and Obama are running over the moderators. They want to argue health care. Hillary: We need universal health care. We wouldn't have medicare and social security if it was voluntary.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:15

7:15	Whio was better on health care? Hillary ( 72% ) Obama ( 25% ) Tie ( 3% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 7:15

7:17

TL: They are back to the question of whether Hillary thinks Obama is qualified to be commander in chief.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:17

7:20

TL: Obama says Hillary had bad judgment on Iraq.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:20

7:26

TL: Looks like the site crashed. We'll get it fixed asap

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:26

7:27

TL: We're back up. Who won Iraq?

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:27

7:28	Who was better on Iraq? Hillary ( 43% ) Obama ( 28% ) Tie ( 3% ) Nothing New Here ( 25% ) Thursday February 21, 2008 7:28

7:30

TL: Commercial again. I'm getting a little bored. How are you all holding up?

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:30

7:33

TL: Now on spending and secrecy. Earmarks.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:33

7:36

TL: The moderating and questions are really going south here. I haven't been this bored at a debate in a long time.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:36

7:36

Hillary Opening Statement

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:36

7:38

TL: Obama is not inspiring confidence in me. One final question.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:38

7:39

TL: Obama was raised by a single mom, his dad left when he was 2.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:39

7:39

TL: Obama was a community organizer on the streets of Chicago. He was a civil rights attorney.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:39

7:40

TL: That makes him qualified to be President?

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:40

7:41

TL: Hilary: answers, Obama writes on his pad again.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:41

7:43

TL: The hits she's taken are nothing compared to what others have suffered. She's been called to give others the same opportunities she has had. It's what gets her up in the morning. She is honored to be here with Obama. He leans over and shakes her hand. A warm glance between them. She says whatever happens in the election, the two of them will be fine.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:43

7:43

TL: It's over. I can't wait for the video of her final response. It was terrific. There's a standing ovation. I think it's for her.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:43

7:44

TL: Comment from reader: She is one classy lady. Too bad men are not big enough to give her a fair shot.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:44

7:45

TL: We're ending here. John King announces the race is now in a statistical dead heat. I'll be starting a post debate thread now.

Thursday February 21, 2008 7:45

7:45

TL: Thanks to all of you for your comments, both in the thread and through the live blog (which only BTD and I could see.)