State of the Union Live Blog

6:01

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LA Debate View

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:01

6:02

Hi everyone. The debate begins now.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:02

6:03

They aer smiling at each other and seem pretty friendly.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:03

6:04

The debate is 90 minutes and the questions will be substantive.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:04

6:05

Politico.com's readers will be asking some of the questions. There are no rules.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:05

6:05

Opening statements, 90 seconds, Obama first:

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:05

6:06

Starts by acknowledging John Edwards who left the race this week. When we started off there were 8 candidates, and now down to two. Hillary is looking on smiling. They seem to have had a rapproachment.

He will be friends with Hillary after the campaign just like he was before.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:06

6:07

He doesn't think choice is about race, gender, religion or age. It's the past vs. the future.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:07

6:10

Hillary is up. She goes right to the issues. We have to have a discussion about what each of us believes is the best course.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:10

6:10

She was very short. Obama's intro was way better.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:10

6:11

First question to Hillary: What are the most impt policy distinctions between her and Obama?

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:11

6:12

She says diffs between her and Obama pale

Health care: we must have universal health care, it's a moral right and responsibility. I think we approach mortgage crisis with seriousness. She wants a moratorium on foreclosures for 90 days and a 5 year freeze on interest rates.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:12

6:14

Obama is answering same question now. They are seated so close together it will be hard to get sparks I think.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:14

6:15

Obama gets too detailed. He's gained a lot of confidence though.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:15

6:16

He doesn't want a mortgage rate freeze because mortgage rates will go up for new loans.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:16

6:17

Obama goes to special interests. Wants to increase ethics proposals, says he and Edwards are similar on those.

On Iraq, "I was opposed to Iraq from the start."

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:17

6:18

He wants to elevate diplomacy. He has disagreed with Hillary on meeting with Iran. We should offer them carrots and sticks.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:18

6:19

Another question on health care. Question for Obama: What about the 15 million that would not be covered?

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:19

6:19

He says everyone who wants it will get health coverage. He says if we provide enough incentives, everyone will want it.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:19

6:21

On his plan, people under 25 can be insured under their parents plan. (I thought they already can -- that's the age cutoff on my plan.)

He congratules Gov. Schwarzenegger....why?

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:21

6:22

Hillary: Explains her plan. She will open congressional health plan to the uninsured who want it and she will make it affordable to everyone. It will cap premiums (that would be such a huge help.)

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:22

6:23

We can have a single payor system, or we can mandate employers, or we can do my plan which provides coverage for everyone. Single payor is too controversial.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:23

6:24

Hillary's knowledge on health care is very good.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:24

6:25	What do you think of the intensity level so far? too low ( 7% ) not exciitng yet ( 36% ) Bad format, boring ( 4% ) I'm loving it ( 54% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 6:25

6:28

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Thursday January 31, 2008 6:28

6:28

It's getting very bogged down in detail.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:28

6:31	Would Hillary and Obama make good running mates? Yes, if Hillary-Obama ( 47% ) Yes, if Obama-Hillary ( 11% ) Yes, but it will never happen ( 15% ) No ( 27% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 6:31

6:32

New poll up on whether they would be good running mates.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:32

6:33

Ok, they are on tax hikes. I wonder if they will get to crime tonight.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:33

6:34

I think Obama is doing very well tonight. It's his best debate performance so far. Hillary is very low keyed. Almost too low keyed for me.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:34

6:37

Hillary puts forth her ideas. She would move to electronic medical records. We would save $77 million which we could put into prevention.

On health care issues , she's the better of the two.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:37

6:39

Ok! We're onto immigration. They happen to be similar here too but let's see if we can get some sparks going or see which one is more attuned to the issue.

First question has to do with negative impact immigration has on African American community and unemployment rates . Goes to Obama.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:39

6:40

Good for Obama, he says its scapegoating and he doesn't believe in it.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:40

6:40

This was a terrible question. Talk about race-baiting.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:40

6:41

Obama: pathway to citizenship, meke them learn English.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:41

6:42

to Hillary: Drivers' licenses.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:42

6:44

There are job losses, we should be honest about it. We have to bring our country together to have a comprehensive solution. If we can tighten our borders and crack down on employers, and help local communities cope with cost and do more for Mexico to create more jobs for its citizens.

We need to say come out of the shadows, register everyone, and if you committed a crime, you have to go back.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:44

6:45

pay fine, pay back taxes, "try to" learn English, then wait in line. So she and Obama are the same. And, by the way, I disagree. No fine, no back taxes, no going to the back fo the line. Family reunification should come first. And not all crimes should trigger deportation.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:45

6:45

Hillary says only after all that, should we consider drivers licenses.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:45

6:45

Obama is name-dropping now, Ted Kennedy and Dick Durbin.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:45

6:46	Obama vs. Hillary on Immigration There's no difference ( 23% ) Obama is better for immigrants ( 6% ) Hillary is better for immigrants ( 60% ) Neither goes far enough for immigrants ( 10% ) Both go too far for immigrants ( 0% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 6:46

6:49

Whoa, Obama says he was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act. Wolf asks whether Hillary didn't support it. He says "some people" didn't support it and doesn't answer. Hillary says she co-sponsored immigration reform bill in 2004 before Barack came to the Senate.

Good one, Hillary!

She finds her voice.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:49

6:51

First passion of the night. Hillary talks about her support for the good samaritans who help the undocumented when others wanted to criminalize it.

Drivers licenses: She opposes it now. It puts them at risk because it flags them as being here illegally and it's not the answer.

Obama says Hillary has had several different positions on it. Bad: he says he only brings it up because it's such a complex issue. Baloney. That's not the reason.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:51

6:53

Hillary says she needs to correct the record. Obama was also asked a week after the last debate and he couldn't answer either. She says she and he are very similar.

Advantage on immigration: Hillary.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:53

6:54

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Thursday January 31, 2008 6:54

6:54

First break. Who do you think is doing better? Guess it's time for a new poll.

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:54

6:55	Who won Round One? Hillary Clinton ( 64% ) Barack Obama ( 14% ) Tie ( 16% ) I'll take either one ( 6% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 6:55

6:59

question to Obama: Is Hillary better prepered to be President from Day One?

Thursday January 31, 2008 6:59

7:00

Obama lists his liberal credentials. Hillary does the same. She mentions her work for prisoners in Arkansas -- that's one I didn't know about!

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:00

7:02

This debate is a draw for me in the sense that either one of them would be so much better than any Republican. What a shame it will be if the Democrats don't win back the Presidency.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:02

7:04

Very dumb Romney-related question about neither having CEO experience. Hillary: We just had a President with an MBA type experience and look where we got it. Obama: Romney's not doing too well in his campaign so where it did get him?

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:04

7:06

Question to Hillary about Ted Kennedy and Caroline's endorsement and change. Hillary says Bobby Kennedy's kids are supporting her. She thinks electing a woman president would be a big change. She talks about who is ready on day one. But ultimately, it's about what the American people want. She's very good in this answer.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:06

7:06

She asks people to think about what they want and then evaluate the two of them and decide who would be the best president.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:06

7:07

Wolf: What about people remembering 8 years of good things under Clinton presidency. He agrees there would be good things and reaches out his arm to rest it on the back of her chair.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:07

7:09

Obama says we are bringing in a new group of voters. Goes into an inspirational thing here, "the american people should not accept..." Who can work the levers of power more effectively and who can more inspire the American people and reduce the power of lobbyists.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:09

7:09

He says 60 % of new voters in Iowa voted for him.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:09

7:10

Question for Hillary: How would she bring change since we have had the same two families in the White House for the past 30 years..

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:10

7:11

That was a reader question. Bush I wasn't in the White House 30 years ago, btw. Hillary says she wants to be judged on her own merits.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:11

7:12

"It took a Clinton to clean up after the first bush and I think it might take another Clinton to clean up after the second one." The crowd goes wild with sustained applause. Diane Keaton in the audience clapping loudly. Rob Reiner looking disappointed.

Commercial break. New poll coming..

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:12

7:13	Round Two: Who Won? Barack Obama ( 23% ) Hillary Clinton ( 70% ) Tie ( 7% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 7:13

7:15

Hillary's last answer was the line of the night. Let's see if Obama can top it.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:15

7:18

Topic goes to Iraq. Goes to Clinton: She's been very clear. She will begin to withdraw troops within 60 days and most will out within a year. We have to executethe plan right. She will asks joint chiefs to draw up a plan. But, it's not just bringing our troops out, we have to think about the 100k civilians there. We can't walk out on those who are targeted. But we have to tell the Iraqi Government that they are out of time.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:18

7:19

So many movie and tv stars in the audience. Just saw Ugly Betty, the Seinfeld cohort, Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:19

7:22

Obama on Iraq: We have a big problem in Afghanistan. Pakistan is a problem.
We have to have a timetable. He outlines five Iraq positions where he and Hillary agree.

Talks about Iranian influence. He wil be the most effective going up against McCain or another Republican because he opposed war from the beginning. He doesn't want to just end the war, but the mindset that got us into it.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:22

7:23

Wolf says Obama just ook a swipe at Hillary and she responds "Really. We're having such a good time" and they actually look like they are.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:23

7:27

Question from readers: For the U.S. invasion in Iraq, why did you vote against Levin Amendment? The way it was drafted suggested the U.S. would subordinate its judgment to the United Nations. That's a bad idea. She did vote for Byrd Amendment which limited Bush's authority to one year. If she knew then what she learned later, she wouldn't have.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:27

7:28

So much for those who are afraid she won't criticize McCain -- she says they differ on Iraq and she welcomes that debate.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:28

7:29

Wolf asks Obama about surge and whether overly quick withdrawal will hurt that? He says he welcomes the progress.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:29

7:29

[Be Right Back Countdown]

5 minutes

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:29

7:31

Obama says It's better to have a candidate who was opposed from the beginning. We need better judgment before sending our young off to war.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:31

7:31

Says he would be the strongest candidate on national security.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:31

7:32

Wolf asks Hillary why she can't say her vote was a mistake at the time.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:32

7:34

She says putting inspectors back in was a good idea. She believes in "coercive diplomacy." We've used the threat of force before to get countries to change their behavior. She and others who said at the time use inspectors and diplomacy didn't know they were talking to a brick wall.

If she had been President, we never would have been diverted from Afghanistan.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:34

7:35

She talks about why Democrats are better for national security and why we are better going forward. She criticizes Bush here. This is a long answer. Force should be a last resort. Wolf takes a cheap shot and asks her if she's saying she was naive. She says no.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:35

7:36

She appreciates that Obama opposed the war in 2002. Says she and Obama have had the same policy since he came to the Senate. She made a reasoned judgment, the person (Bush) who got to execute the policy did not.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:36

7:37

Obama concedes Hillary has the experience to lead on day one. He says it's important to be right on day one.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:37

7:38

Audience likes Obama's last answer about looking to the future. Commercial, now then will go to questions about character.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:38

7:40	Who Won on Iraq and Foreign Policy Questions Barack Obama ( 24% ) Hillary Clinton ( 60% ) Tie, there's little difference in their positons ( 16% ) Thursday January 31, 2008 7:40

7:43

They are back, on censorship.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:43

7:44

Stevie Wonder in the audience -- likes Obama. It's appropriate to work with industry on the problem -- Hillary nods in agreement.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:44

7:47

Question to Hillary about Bill's critcisms of Obama. If you can't control him now, what about when you're in the white house? She says, I'm the one who is running, it's my campaign and I want to keep it focused on the issues and what I've done. It's my name on the ballot and it will be my decision as President and commander of chief -- we both have strong spouses -- it's a lonely job. More but bottom line: great answer by Hillary.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:47

7:48

Question about them running together. The audience goes wild. Stevie Wonder stands up. Everyone wants this. This audience is like watching the Academy Awards.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:48

7:49

Obama says its premature to speculate about vice-presidents. Who he wants as VP and cabinet -- people with good character, not just yes-men. He will rely on them for advice.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:49

7:49

He's on inspiration and change now.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:49

7:50

Says Hillary would be on any candidate's short list. Hillary says she agrees with everything Obama just said.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:50

7:50

Did they already agree, whichever one gets the nomination will choose the other?

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:50

7:51

They are really chummy tonight.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:51

7:51

Hillary: "log on, turn on"....

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:51

7:52

Most friendly debgate ever. Obama reaches over to help Hillary get out fo her chair. They are chattng and hugging and congratualtions like best friends.

Live blog ending, new thread coming.

Thursday January 31, 2008 7:52

7:52

This Live Blog has now ended.