Hotline got it wrong. Edwards did not raise his hand when asked if there is a global war on terror. That's probably because Edwards understands that it's not a war and it's more complex than that simplistic language. Certainly his detailed, thoughtful plans would indicate that he's smart enough not to buy into that silly rhetoric.

If the Democrats want to guarantee the next President will be Republican, nominate Hillary.

so pres. g.w. bush prays to tahran, Iran?

Neither of these candidates have a clue as to how to preserve our freedom or protect the Safety and Soveriegnty of our Nation! And sometime, I don't feel that the really care!

Over at the blogs there are alot of people complaining about the over gushing of Hillary. It's agreed she did okay. pretty good. But, not great. obama was clearly the winner by the polling and reviews. yet the MSNBC is acting like he was terrible and Hillary the greatest thing in the world. What's up. Are they being paid off by Wolfson or the Clintons???

BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!! BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!! BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!! BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!! That's the winning ticket! Everyone one REMEMBER... BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!! BIDEN/OBAMA!!!!!

Any and all of these candidates are head and shoulders above the crowd currently occupying the White House. It's obvious they actually care about their country, unlike Bush and Cheney, who have made a mockery of the Constitution and have sullied the offices they currently hold. Republicans in Congress have been enablers to the likes of Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice, Rumsfield, Gonzales et al and it's very obvious we can do so much better with any one of these Democrats than the train wreck we, as a nation, have had to endure over the past 7 years.

It is rather hard to take a posting serious when the blog page graphics have the stars on the GOP Elephant upside down. The candidates look well versed in comparison.

Tonight's forum was a true blessing to actually be able to hear from all of the candidates in their own voices rather than the televised snippets on the evening news and cable news programs who's intent is to so desperately choose a candidate based on the number of people at their campaign stops rather than their beliefs and stands on the issues. Tonight I believe exposed the spine of the contenders and it was nice and it was GREAT to see Senator Edwards back in the courageous posture that he showed during the early parts of the '04 campaign. To have shaken off the mushy mouth attempts to appeal to everyone by saying nothing that he was forced into by the blundering Kerry campaign. I feel that the twin scares of his wife’s battle with cancer have further brought out his courage to stand up firmly and explain with great detail his take on the issues facing America both domestically and internationally. There was a tremendous difference between Senator Edwards, with his detailed, specific and concrete answers to the questions, and Barack Obama's pretending to be the heir of the Kennedy mystique while acting as the "Morning in America" Reagan of 1980 and Hillary Clinton's attempt to walk in her husband's shoes as the great charmer. Senator Edwards, with his thoughtful plans based on what is an obvious combination of a voracious studying and thoughtful deliberative thinking about the issues facing this nation showed the desperate need America has for a President that not only understands these issues with great depth but the courage to spell out his plans in detail without fear of alienating voters. This is in stark contrast to the rest of the typical candidates who while gaining strong points for their oratory skills still in the end say absolutely nothing. Senator Edwards, whom the media has only presented as the candidate dealing with his wife's cancer and his moral decision to run or not showed me tonight why he should be the leader of the United States during what could be our most difficult and troubling attempt to remain relevant in this world and I was once again angered that the flawed campaign of Senator Kerry and the obvious voter scandals in Ohio kept his wise council out of the White House these last four very important years. But thankfully he showed us tonight that he has the moral courage, character, and most importantly specific ideas to bring the ideals of America back in '08!

Oh please people. Snow white and the seven dwarfs showed up tonight and made sure nobody had their "A" game going. It is way to early to even think about this group of wannabes. It's a good thing taxes were not part of the questioning or Obama would have taken some heat, he knows to get his health care plan to work, he will have to raise taxes. I found it interesting that several of the canidates flew in private jets, costing $9000 each from Washington to South Caralina. Once again, no one here has anything to do with common folks. It is sad that when you run for political office, you seem to forget that you were once as common as many americans are and you lose that piece of your soul. These 8 wannabe's are spending money like nobody's business to get a job that is totally thankless, living in a fishbowl for 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year and the only reason you want to be president is to get those fat checks from all the speeches you make after you leave the white house. When it comes right down to it, running for president is like playing poker. Who will have the better hand? From what I saw tonight, they need some more aces.

Yes, you nailed it. Oama and Clinton dodge and weave, never answering an question directly, for fear of jeapardizing their "front runner" status. It's lame and dangerous. All of the cheerleaders out there for these two and no one really knows what they stand for. Edwards and Biden came across as clear thinkers, honest, looked "presidential". The surpise of the night was Richardson. He flopped badly, essentially ending his campaign before it began.

Am I the only one who doesn't understand MSNBC's interactive voting graphic? Are the three lines supposed to convey if people think a candidate did better or worse then expected? I don't get it.

I don't understand how anyone can think Biden looked "presidential". To me, he looked like he was Hillary's cheerleading squad angling for a VP nod.

Amy, that thing baffled me, too. It wasn't working on my machine. On the debate, Obama won, hands down. Yes he stayed away from specifics and perhaps wouldn't have won if this was a collegiate debate team event. But in a political debate, the only criteria is coming across more presidential than opponents, and he did. Edwards, Biden and Clinton also did okay. I'm disappointed with Richardson, because I like him, but I'm starting to think he's in over his head - got that deer in the headlights look. The others need campaign staffs to break the news to them - it was over before it started.

None of the Democratic candidates demonstrated the intellectual capacity to withstand Rudy Guiliani, if Rudy manages to win the Republican nomination. Rudy will be able to clean any one of these candidates clocks in a debate.

Joanne D, I have some land out in the Atlantic that I would like to sell you. Give me a break Rudy and his mantra of Oh Dear the Sky is Falling crap. The only ones that can protect America is a Republican please don't insult most of us who are tired of this Sh*t. Rudy is just as corrupt as the rest, do I have to reimnd of Kerik his honest police chief? The only real problem we have with our political scene today is this is going to be the most expensive election to date and that really speaks loudly about who we are as a people in general (rich and spoiled). I will vote for anyone who does not spout this mantra of the sky is falling and my party is the only one who can protect. I took an oath to defend this country and maybe just maybe it is time people really look and read what that oath means.

Rudy Guiliani can't clean up his own act. Clean any one of these candidates clocks in a debate? Give me a break!!

Just a bunch of politions trying to get elected. The Republicans will be more of the same. (crap)

I have to agree with the others here Joanne. What debate did YOU watch last night?....and what in God's name does Rudy have going for him that you'd make such a ridiculous comment? The team of Edwards/Obama would DESTROY any republican ticket.

Joanne - I know someone who thinks Bush is the greatest president since Lincoln. You all keep singing yourselves to sleep with nonsense like Rudy Tutti being the towering intellect, and we'll see you in about 2016.

Jerry from Corpus Christi Texas, every one of your negative statement comments about the 8 democratic candidates applies equally (if not more so), to all the Republican candidates. So you'll have to come up with something better if you want to convince others that your views have merit and the democratic party should look for better candidates.

Guess what Rudy is a democrat posing as a Bush Republican. He's got a charm to him but he's only in his position b/c he was the mayor of NY during 911 of which most of that credit goes to the emergency units who saved many lives. Take of your partisan hats...

If that's the best the Democratic party has to offer then a Republican will be in the White House in '08.

Hi Matthew - please refer to my comment to Joanne. Thanks.

You're right Lee. How could anyone actually have negative things to say about the Democratic field after living through 6 years of a moron at the helm. Good Lord!

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