Tough to pick a winner so far

Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2008 8:57 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
This appears to be a very polite but substantive debate so far. The health care discussion should make the wonk wing of the Democratic Party very happy. The most striking thing about this confrontation so far is the improvement in Obama as a debater. There was a time that the gap between Clinton and Obama at these debates was vast. Tonight, there's hardly a difference; Obama's benefitting big time from the no-time limit rule. Clinton, btw, is doing well herself; both are making a very professional and, frankly, nice impressions to what is likely to be one of the largest debate audiences to date.

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Comments

But considering that a lot of Democrats want to vote for Obama but are scared he isn't ready, isn't the fact the debate is a draw where Obama is handling himself as well as she is a victory of sorts for him ?
He proves he has the mettle and the knowledge to answer those questions just like she can and can move the discussion off that perceived liability on more favorably intellectual field about change for instance.
Just a theory.

Benjamin (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:05 PM)

the american people are the losers let us move to mexico cause mexico will be here

DAVID ANDERS , PHARR, TX. (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:07 PM)

Chuck you are right on target! It is almost as if they have agreed that the time has come to start focusing on November and that it is important that they don't destroy eachother and the party in the general election

Mark Stanford, Full Time RVer, Traveling in America (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:07 PM)

This is the first real debate! I am actually enjoying a debate with no fireworks!

Brian Little (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:07 PM)

I agree that Obama has improved in the debate format, but so far Hillary has outflanked him on each subject. I was wowed by her detailed answers, especially on health care. She radiates confidence, and intills it. I'm excited about Obama's bright future, but right now we need her expertise & sense of history.

Holly (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:08 PM)

Ha Obama did not bite on Wolf's feeble bait on the Clinton's record!

Brian Little (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:09 PM)

Actually I agree. However, they both don't want any real gaffes recorded prior to super tuesday. After 1.25 hours, unless you already had preconceived notions about the candidates, thus far the Republican debate had a bit more juice. It could change though with one biased question from Wolfie, who loves Clinton, and then we might see a different slant in the 45 minutes to come. However, I think they are both holding themselves in so there is no youtube moments. And, after today watching youtube videos of walmart and Hillary and reading in Newsweek about Bill and his global graft, I think that Barak, besides being more specific, which he has been, is all he has to do.

M Majury (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:10 PM)

I believe that Wolf Blitzer is exhibiting a huge BIAS toward Hillary Clinton. It is totally unfair...the length of time that she is allotted, the poignant questions he asks Obama ...leaving her more gentle questions that portray her more favorably. This has clearly been orchestrated due to some favoritism toward the Clintons...where is the democracy in this display ???? I must say that I am SO disappointed that I had to shut the debate off because of this outrageous favoritism !!!

C Ackerman (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:10 PM)

I have to say in the expectations game, Obama has to win. People expected far less of him than he has delivered thus far. Sen. Clinton has done well, too, about as well as she almost always.

Rich, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:12 PM)

Well looks like we are going to have no difference made by this debate.

Brian Little (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:13 PM)

i wish wolf would stop hilary from taking up the entire debate

mike,tampa,fl (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:14 PM)

Though I am a Clinton supporter, I think Obama has gotten better. At the rhetorical level they are very close. At the substantive level, Clinton is still ahead. She has clearer policy proposals, clearer ways to pay for them, and a better idea of what government is there to do.

trev (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:17 PM)

So much for the implosion of the DNC. Obama and Clinton have gone a long way to heal the rifts that occurred over the last couple of weeks!

Brian Little (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:20 PM)

Well of course I will give it too Obama LOL!!! Too me Clinton doesn't answers questions she don't like. Like the mandate, and she just seems like the same old politics I'm so tired of, besides a woman as president and of course from Rep or Dem, I just don't see any "Change" in Clinton.

Jeff Rathdrum Id (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:20 PM)

I think that Obama only needs to be basically even on the detailed answers...when he does that, with all his recent endorsements and momentum, he will be in very good shape on Tuesday.

Mark Ahrens, Milford CT (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:20 PM)

It was very striking tonight watching them together. I could really see them as a team. But which one would say "NO" thank you not interested in the VP ticket? Each or the other would make history in the number one spot and /or number two spot. After eight years, one or the other could run on the merits of their term and continue to run for the number one spot.

Arcadia, NYC (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:22 PM)

Wolf got caught with his pants down. He seems intent on baiting Obama into attacking Clinton. Great comeback from Hillary!!

Brian Little (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:23 PM)

Tu hablas espanol David?

cris, Fort Worth Texas (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:34 PM)

To all Hillary supporters, let me remind you that her last name is Clinton. No matter how smart she is, or how much potential she has as a President, it will make no difference. Hillary will fail as a President, because she is a polarizing figure. The only way you can make change is to bring Democrat and Republican together. Hillary has no ability to reach across the aisle. The Clinton's are to Republicans what the Bush's are to Democrats. They will not support her and will not pass the legislation necessary. A vote for Hillary will be a vote for more of the same - stagnation. Please, please, please, don't vote for Hillary no matter how much you like her. Unless of course you like living in a blue state/red state "get nothing done" America!

Robert, Rochester, New York (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:37 PM)

I feel that Senator Clinton is being allowed to ramble alot and not answer the question. Other than that, it seems to be a good debate. I do agree however, that Wolf seems to be trying to create some drama. Senator Obama is being EXTREMELY polite in letting Senator Clinton complete her long, rambling "answers" without interruption.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:43 PM)

Obama is definitely holding his own up there and to me comes across as more Presidential. I think his view on not mandating healthcare is right on. It's about affordability. People will buy it if they can afford it. Putting mandates on it will only require additional spending on government controls and oversight and like Obama said, what is the penalty...making people pay more money (fines) that already can't afford it????

I also like Obama's plan to put all healthcare negotiations on C-SPAN...we have a right to know what's going on with our government.

In all honesty, I wouldn't mind an Obama/Hillary ticket, but probably not a Hillary/Obama ticket.

Rob (Holly Springs, NC) (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:43 PM)

Bottom line: Barack is the smoother, calmer, and more collected candidate that can move us forward in this country from the gridlock we have seen for decades. He has a calming effect. His major strengths, i.e. uniting vs. dividing, are much more important than Hillary Clinton's past experience can offer us know. Hillary has a ceiling of 50% of the vote in the general election if she gets the nomination, she is that dividing of of a figure. Barack has a ceiling of at least 60%. We need that edge in the next election. Hillary supporters, please realize what you may be putting us up against in in November. I voted for Bill and know many that voted for Bill, but these are different times and we need a motivational president to peacefully take us in a new direction in bi-partisian politics, foreign relations, and spirit. Yes, economic times were prosperous under the Clintions, but much of this was due to the Internet boom and global markets. We all made more money and all paid more taxes. Bill did a decent job in those times, but cannot take full credit for the surplus and prosperity we had. The free market caused this. Barack in '08! Please?!!!

Michael (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:45 PM)

I think Obama looks confident and very calm. What is most important he comes across as honest and not as rehearsed as Clinton. She is a true politician. She keeps mentioning her 35 years of experience. She answers what people want to hear.

Margarita Loh (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:47 PM)

Crystal clear to me is that Hillary dodges tough questions as old politics as usual.

I am just vexed by CNN, why in every debate they hold siding with Hillary???
Wolf is not someone I can respect as an honest journalist. Mr. Anderson did and does a much better job!

If you can not be fair to both of the candidates, please quit your job as a moderator. If you don't know how to be just as a moderator, ask Brian Williams. He declared to be an independent and he sticks to his role as an anchor with integrity.

Sean, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:47 PM)

What passes for detail in Hillary's answers on closer inspection is actually fillers. Fillers of list and anecdotal evidence. I think Obama's answers are succinct and use less words getting straight to the point, no more , no less.

Also she has developed her own version of the Bush smirk - a Voltaire smile.

His posture and stature is Presidential.

Skip, Washington DC (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:58 PM)

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