Well look at that.  I guess I'm not the only one to question the wisdom of Obama's decision to not participate in the forum.  Yes, I know - he's not participating in any non-DNC forums or debates.  I understand his reasons for doing so, and they are valid reasons.  However, that does not change the fact that he did miss out on a chance to showcase his differences with the other candidates, and to get the press that comes with attending these events.  Personally, it's a risk I wouldn't have taken.

Did Steve and jane just come from the corner bar?

Hillary just sat back and let the others come after each other, very smart move.  It also shows her debating skills are really going to have to improve in the general election.  Joe Biden may not be the nominee, but he proves he can bring the game, while Hillary sells popcorn in the stands.  

If Obama had showed up, he would have still been declared the loser.  Isn't it after every debate, no matter how well he does, that Clinton is declared the winner? What would have changed.  Nothing!  So who won the debate last night anyway?  Let me guess,  Hiliary!

The seniors will still have an opportunity to hear from him and ask their questions directly.  A face to face is better.

Joe Biden  was the winner in ths forum,without a doubt.  Way to go Joe.

Let me count....three (3) times you've mentioned Obama wasn't there..let's try one more time today for good measure !!!

let's see if you report after his town hall today how many say they like him.

Early you had the question for him why didn't he if he could hold meetings today?  I don't speak for him but I suspect he didn't because he could.

I don't remember you being so obssessed when Biden didn't attend a forum.  For a person you seem to write off has inexperienced and niave unable to win blah, blah blah...whatevere he does or doesn't do seems to draw a lot of attention.

Accept the fact he will run his campaign his way.  Win lose or draw...not the way you talking heads want.

BTW since you love to point out similarities..who first used the phrase "change' that now everyone uses. I don't see you pointing that out everyday.

Carrie...good for you, now when you run for President ( or anything) you can deploy that strategy...until then

Why should Obama go to the debates when everytime he does the media would tell us that Hillary won.  I don't like the debates because it is setup to make Hillary look good and everyone else look bad.

I'm an Obama supporter, but every debate I have watched I have thought Biden was the most well-spoken. He never has to think about what he is about to say, and he is usually right.

Also, along with some other people on this thread, I am finding it a little tiresome how Clinton is always declared the winner as long as she doesn't say something like "I was having an affair with Saddam while Bill was in office". I don't understand how there can be a "winner" at all. Is someone keeping points? It seems to be a rather subjective and arbitrary means of the MSM pushing a candidate. But a lot of people buy it, so why not?

I know they try. But nobody or thing can make Hillary look good. She is the worst of all the rotton dems.

If I knew Saddam had an affair with Hillary, I'd have to question his taste in women

I couldn't find the forum on my TV (I don't have cable.) Is it available on the Internet?

Can't republicans use a spell-check?

Not appearing at the AARP gig and not voting on the Move-on thing were both mistakes by a campaign that can't afford to make any. While Obama's true-believers can find no fault with anything he does (or doesn't do)the rest of us recognize bad press when we see it.

Everyone was great last night (EDWARDS! EDWARDS!), with ideas and proposals that showed that democrats actually think about these issues, and not just how tough they'll be on the terrorists.

Actually, last night, I was so angry after reading about the votes in Congress and the postings on First Read from right wingers, I went to YouTube and watched Obama give the '04 keynote speech. I consider myself an Edwards supporter, but the angrier I get, the more I want Obama to win. I just want to be proud, really proud, of my country again.

It is not that Biden is the most "well-spoken", he just happens to be the loudest and most entertaining. His shameless attacks on the rest of field put a bad taste in my mouth. It made me thankful that I switched my support from him months ago.
Others do have a point that HRC would be named the winner no matter how well the other candidates have done. It's the media. Until the media starts to pay attention to the rest of the candidates more often, they will be the ones to annoint the nominees of both parties.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa- I agree Obama missed a great forum, which was really a debate, last night. My disagreement hasn't been with whether it is wise of Obama to skip forums (where the format is usually one candidate on the stage at a time, before a special interest group), but in your criticism that Obama didn't care to engage (I'm paraphrasing) with Iowans.

Amy B Portland, ME I'm sure it will be posted on youtube, it was on Iowa Public Television. Unfortunately my DVD recorder malfunctioned, so I don't have a copy. You might be able to view it at Iowa Public televisions website.

Biden was fantastic last night.
The exchange he had with Richardson, Clinton and Edwards was the most important point of the whole evening.  
And to those of you that are critical - Do you really expect Biden to use his nicest manners while he is fighting to break into the top tier??  Lighten up!

George, I'm a "true believer" of Obama's and even I can see that this wasn't his smartest move. Hillary is still ahead in the (still pretty much meaningless) polls and so he needs every chance he gets to show people why he is SO much better.
.

Actually, last night, I was so angry after reading about the votes in Congress and the postings on First Read from right wingers, I went to YouTube and watched Obama give the '04 keynote speech.


Ahhh, the kool-aide drinkers need their kool-aide.

You Dim-e-crats think you are disappointed now, just wait.  The best is yet to come.

My question is, "Why should insignificant states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina be
so important regarding national elections?"

Lyn - Until then, what?  Until then I don't have the right to offer my opinion on it?  Sorry, I disagree.  

Sara - I questioned the implication of his decision, namely that it may appear that he would rather attend a rally with famous people than discuss the issues with the other candidates at the forum.  I don't believe that Obama doesn't want to engage with people, and I regret that I was not clear about that.  By all accounts, Obama is genuinely interested in meeting with real people and really wants to make a difference for this country.  I don't doubt that at all.  I just have doubts that he is the right person for the job at this particular point in time.  

Folks, the MSM is owned by corporations whose CEO's and rank and file generally vote Republican and support public policies which are advantageous to themselves and other corporations.  In the 2008 election, it is clear the Republicans are up a creek with only their hands to paddle.  The corporations are hedging their bets and supporting the Democratic candidate who they feel will give them a sympathetic ear and continue policies which are advantageous to them.  Thus, they have annointed Hillary as their 'front-running' candidate of choice.  I will vote for Hillary if she is the Democrat's choice over any Republican who runs but I don't have to like it.  The only thing Hillary will change in Washington if she doesn't snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory for the Democrats is her address to 1600 Pennsylvania.

Carrie...Until then...that and $1 might buy a cup of coffee.

Sure doll you have every right to give YOUR opinion...that's my point. Just like he has every right to run HIS campaign the way HE wants.

Obama has tremendous street credibility.  He needs to engage voters one-on-one rather than waste his time with these choreographed debates.  Case in point, viewers have declared him the winner in all the debates, yet the MSM sides with Hillary.  And for those Hillary supporters to say that Obama should have been at the forum instead of hobnobbing with celebrities, are hypocritical.  It is the Clintons who fawn over celebrities and big $$ events.

No wonder why the US legislative branch has an approval of 11% from American people when the elected Senators spend time on taxpayers money to discuss a newspaper ad. Why not talk about how we can get of the mess in US? Why not talk about the web of lies of President, both to the country and to the world, that led us to Iraq. We are worried about a General's feelings that might be hurt from a newspaper ad of a political organization? How about feelings of 4000 plus parents of US soldiers who sacrificed their lives and tens of thousands who lost their limbs? Do their feelings count in Senate? Seems no. Obama did the right thing. Did not participate in a circus. He expressed his view in an interview with Brian Williams on NBC news.

Those who are blaming him not to participate in AARP. Well he is participating and did participate in quite a few debates. People watching the debates think he won, pundits spins like crazy to declare Hillary a winner. After each debate, MSM twist his words or message to create a fabricated controversy that the campaign has to spend another 2 days to deal with. Also MSM spend 1 full hr to talk about Paris Hilton's experience in jail and ask a presidential candidate to solve country and world's problem in 2 minutes sound bite. So what's the use of this media circus.
Obama is better served by talking to people one-on-one. He can connect with people unlike anyone else. If Yepsen is interested, he can find where Obama stands on healthcare on his website.

If media are doing their job, they should look at major policies of each candidate, compare them side by side without spin, publish them to educate voters so that voters can make the decision on their own, not MSM want them to make.

On experience, Ted Sorensen said the right thing. "Experience is like stern light of ship. It tells you where it has been, not where it's going. Wisdom and Judgment gives you indication of where someone is heading." Look for wisdom and judgment in Obama. Mr. Yespen, trust me, you will be utterly impressed!

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR- I don't think corporate ownership is why the mainstream media has anointed Hillary for any reason other than they believe the polls, and they assume she's the nominee. If she comes in a very distant 2nd, or 3rd or lower in Iowa they will not be able to claim, as they did in January of 04 that Iowans turned away from Clinton, because of negative ads between Hillary and another candidate. Which was the BS excuse given in January 04 as to why Gephardt and Dean came in distant 3rd and 4th place finishers despite months of trading first place.

Ashe - With all due respect, does the name "Oprah" mean anything to you?  Obama has had his share of celeb endorsements and fundraisers.  And I don't see anything wrong with that.  Just be real about it.

You know, next there will likely be NO stories on how Obama skipped this forum. And 3 months from now, when he is participating in the crucial - although still rather meaningless - "debates", no one will remember this or anyone else who skipped a "debate" or two.

Having said that, I do understand that it is Friday and a slow news day, so woo-hoo for missing forums.

CitizenJ I used to say she'd have to vomit on stage to not be declared the winner. Hillary has done well in the debates, but often it has appeared that talking heads have declared her the winner, but focus groups often had other views. I think the ABC debate in DM was the first debate that the MSM didn't think she performed as well. Frankly I don't understand how they make their determination.

Sara,

I don't think vomiting would do it. It would inevitably be blamed on...well, [insert name/food here].

I am convinced that if Obama had changed his mind and appeared at the forum, he would then be called a flip-flopper? Why is it that Obama just can't seem to get it right all of a sudden? Could it be that the word is "let's get him" no matter what?

Trevor Ten Brink, Zephyrhills, FL states: "His shameless attacks on the rest of field put a bad taste in my mouth."

What shameless attacks did Sen. Biden make? He brought up Edwards failure to get the patients bill of rights  passed. (If you've seen Sicko, you know why the laws needed) Edwards responded it passed the Senate (true) and implied Bush vetoed it.(false) The Bill had bi-partisan support in the House while Clinton was President, but unfortunately Greg Ganske (an MD who was a GOP congressman from D.M., IA before losing to Harkin in 2002) a prior co-sponsor dropped his support, and it died in the house. (Biden was right Edward's wasn't able to get the bill passed, Senator's routinely help get legislation through the other body)

Biden could have attacked Edwards for being a flip flopper on federal campaign financing. Edward's voted against it in the Senate (Kerry amend. 148 on S.27 on 3/27/01), and is now in favor of federal funding.  But Sen Biden  didn't.


Biden was dead on questioning Clinton's claim that her  failed health care attempt made her better able than other candidates to succeed now. Clinton admits she failed to build a coalition of support in 93, but it was worse than not merely bringing in opposition. She refused to allow House and Senate Democrats  who were long time advocates of changing the health care system to be involved. She claims to have learned the importance of building coalitions, because of this experience (something she should have already known). However learning how not to accomplish something, or even learning what you need to do to accomplish something, is not the same as showing you have the ability to accomplish your objective. Name one piece of major legislation that Sen. Clinton has been able to pass (by building a coalition, or through luck)in her 6 years 8 months in the Senate? Sen. Biden  was right to question Clinton's claim that she is best able to change the health care system.

Carrie is 32, workd all day at a government job and is a lawyer.Sheclaims to be a farmer's daughter. Doesn't have to worry about health insurance and says she's an Iowa bred woman that has been STALKED.She also has such a high paying job she can sit at her computer all day and night.(Sounds like a troll).
Now, who could argue with those credentials?

It is better to meet with the voters in an arena where he can talk to them one on one.  He will be able to answer their questions instead of the questions from the press.  

Was there a forum last night?

Political debates are a very important part of the election process…if you intend on reaching most of the general voting public.  Speaking in front of a crowd in a town hall meeting or some other event should be a relatively simple modus operandi for any politician.  However, that type of podium versus debates/forums fails to provide a true assessment of the candidates on the issues and doesn’t really make room for much comparison, which is necessary in order to make an informed decision on which candidate is the better for the job.  Personally, I don’t really care how Obama wants to run his campaign, because that is his choice.  However, I would think that he would take every opportunity he could grasp to get his message out there.  Avoiding the debates is like committing campaign suicide.

Could it be that Obama didn't want to come right and say that the AARP has sold it's soul to the insurance companies? As a close second, Obama doesn;t have the luxury politically to start throwing bombs like Edwards and Kucinich, etal. do. Kucinich would have liked to have been there but he wasn't invited. Wanna know why? Because he's called them on their B.S. The AARP has a sweetheart deal with Aetna for one that will net the Geezer's Union more than $4 BILLION over the next few years. Billions people. Instead of fighting the insurance companies to get low-cost medicine to its members it takes its hugh money instead. I'm glad Obama didn't dignify the Geezer Union with his presence and instead went to an already scheduled fundraiser in Atlanta that garnered him a lot more supporters than he would have had he gone to the Geezer Union forum.

what else is new bash OBAMA. Enough MSM. Pick on another candidate like HILLARY. OH Yeah, her HILLRAISER HSU is in Jail for campaign fraud. Whoelse in the democratic party has that problem? Oh we cannot report the news because she is off limit. I am getting SICK AND TRIED OF THE MSM NOT DOING THERE JOB. Start doing your job and leave OBAMA alone.

OK, everybody, Hillary care, is simple, affordable
health care means, federally mandated healthcare, or
basically it will be a law for every american to buy
health care, which means,,,billions of dollars more
in the insurance companies pockets. Goto AHIP.ORG ,
American Health Insurance Plans, basically the Health
Care Industry Organization that all the health care
agency's belong too. AHIP wrote Clinton Care, or
should I say Hillary adopted the Insurance Industries
Universal Health Care plan, pass a law to mandate
every american has to buy health insurance. Watch out,
if you can't afford it, then you the US Government will gladly automatically take any of your tax refund and help use it too pay for your federally mandated health care. The sad thing is,,,,if you are poor, unemployed, homeless, can't  afford to make any mandatory premium payments, guess what, you still have no health care, and when she says that
everybody should be able to have the same insurance that congree and senators have,,,,go look at the Federal Govt Insurance palns, where the govt pays for normally 75% of the premium, and candidates pay 25%,
sure they can make it where anybody can buy it, but of
course is the govt going to pay your 75%, I don't think so, the premiums will run 800 - 1200 a month for a family of 4. And don't forget, Hillary's campaign has received more money from the Health  Care Industry than anybody else, and I guess you also believe Hillary when she says, It doesn't matter that I take their  donations, I have fought for universal health care for a long time, well the NEW UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA was written by the insurance companies, so who do you think will come out
head,,,americans or the insurance companys. Before you start bashing me, take a little time and do a little research on the net, you will see the only thing Hillary Care does ,
is makes the insurance companies richer, lowers the standard of health care, creates a mandatory law that you have to buy health care insurance, just like paying taxes,  which will increase of course, and you get  no tax refund check anymore.

If americans want real universal health care, go
google HR676, Dennis Kucinich co sponsored the bill,
but the congress and senate will never pass it of course.
If you think socialized medicine is so bad, go ask the
48 million adults who don't have any healthcare and see if they would rather have no health care or socialized health care. Remember even with socialized health care, if a person wants to pay to have better care at private hospitals or doctors you can always do that.

God Bless America  

OBAMA IS A BIG DEAL FOR THE COUNTRY.
HE HIS THE ONLY CANDIDATE PEOPLE DEBATE ABOUT EVEN WHEN HE DOES NOT SHOW UP.

REMEMBER POLITICIANS ONLY BECOME NOISY WHEN A CANDIDATE SCARES THEM.. AND OBAMA DOES SCARE EVERYBODY.... HE IS THE ONLY APPEALING CANDIDATE.

The next Democratic party candidate will be decided just as the last one was--by the press, the Democratic party machine, big money interest, and the spin-meisters.  The U.S. voter will get a cooked process with two candidates--undoubtedly white establishment loyalists--and a president will be elected.  Democracy in the U.S.  And based on this bogus "democracy" we will go out proselytizing, waging undeclared wars, and brutalizing the nations, economies and peoples of the world.  Disgusting, indefensible and fraudulent.      

Hillary gets to be the winner because she says what the traditional media wants her to say so they can be right about their predictions.  The game is fixed.  Further, she's had 15 years to practice so she better get it right.  This is an issue of the traditional media's lack of diveristy of thought.

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