Last night's debate, er, forum
Posted: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:25 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Democrats
The Washington Post: “The debate, which was sponsored by the AFL-CIO, turned into the most animated encounter of the Democratic campaign, suggesting that the battle for the party's nomination may be entering a new phase, one that is likely to grow increasingly contentious after Labor Day. The candidates appeared far more willing to challenge one another directly, and in more pointed language, than in previous debates. Elbows flew throughout the night, and the challengers appeared more eager to mix it up, stoked perhaps by the enthusiasm of a large and boisterous audience.”
The Boston Globe says Democrats “clashed frequently last night on trade, terrorism, and Washington lobbyists, turning a forum meant to address labor union issues into a session filled with attacks and counterattacks on foreign policy and campaign finance.”
USA Today has the dust-up over Pakistan: Clinton criticized Obama “for saying in an Aug. 1 speech that he would consider taking military action against Pakistan if intelligence identified al-Qaeda targets there and President Pervez Musharraf would not act. ‘You shouldn't always say everything you think if you're running for president, because it has consequences across the world,’ she said… Dodd also criticized Obama. ‘Gen. Musharraf is no Thomas Jefferson,’ but he is a U.S. ally, he said. Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden joined the fray. If al-Qaeda set up a base in Iraq after a U.S. withdrawal, he said, ‘All these people who are talking about going into Pakistan are going to have to send your kids back to Iraq.’”
Obama responded, “I find it amusing that those who helped to authorize and engineer the biggest foreign policy disaster in our generation are now criticizing me.”
The Chicago Sun-Times Lynn Sweet notes that like the Bears, Obama had to focus more on defense rather than offense, despite having the homefield advantage. Also Sweet notes that Clinton’s “You shouldn’t always say everything you think” response drew boos.
It's the second time in four days where Clinton has made a statement at a debate or forum that struck us as destined to make its way into attack ads. The Obama folks took particular issue with the "think before you speak" reference because they think Clinton was being very establishment with that line. It's what the Edwards folks think they got Clinton to admit by defending lobbyists. Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats should expect to get versions of Clinton's "think" line and her lobbyist defense line via TV ads and direct mail throughout the fall.
"Again and again, whether the question concerned bridge safety or free trade, Clinton's main rivals tried to drive home a message that she is part of a Washington culture that is delivering results only for the most influential Americans.”
The Politico: “Though the debate was staged in Obama's home state, it was also in a sense Edwards' turf. The 2004 vice presidential nominee has made the strongest pitch to labor leaders, having walking — he said — 200 picket lines in recent years… But he came under sharp attacks from Biden and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who tried to paint Edwards as a latecomer to the labor cause.”
The New York Daily News writes that Obama “appeared to win over the hometown crowd with his call to be straightforward with the American people on what he would do militarily as President. However, he flubbed one line when he referred to the Canadian prime minister as ‘President,’ underscoring what Clinton partisans call his inexperience on the world stage.”
The Politico’s Simon writes about the pander-fest. “If you were wondering if there is ever going to be a ‘Sister Souljah’ moment in this presidential race, in which a Democrat actually stands up to a major special interest group, I think you can forget it.”
