Very tough first half for Obama

Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:51 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
The Obama folks may complain about the lopsided questioning in the first 40 minutes but the bottom line is that he didn't perform very well. His answer on Ayers and the flag question were simply weak; He seemed unprepared for them; Kinda surprising because he normally has a decent rant against "old politics" and yet "old politics" questions seemed to stump him.

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Comments

To all at MSNBC this is how you treat Hillary everyday. MSNBC is all Obama all the time. My froiends and I have developed a drool meter for Chris Matthews and Keith Oberman. How many bibs it takes to get through a show? On a scale of 1 - 5 bibs, it's usually a 5 bib show.

Teri, San Mateo CA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:40 PM)

chuck how could you???? abc should nevr do debates bring on chris and keoth tim too

teddy (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:42 PM)

The moderation of this debate was the absolute worst I have ever seen. ABC ought to be ashamed of its performance tonight. George S. was rude an idiotic. And I expected much better of Gibson. The questions asked for the first 55 minutes were pure drivel.

Madan Jagernauth, Plano, Texas (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:42 PM)

Teri, San Mateo CA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:43 PM)

Chuck Todd, I'm your biggest fan, but you're wrong here. Check out ABC's own web site. People are disgusted by the questioners. Obama is a hero for trying to make them ask policy quesions. He's looking great. The story here is ABC is doing a shameful job and Americans don't like their serious need for substantive debate being insulted.

Calyndha (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:44 PM)

you know why it is so bias? because it is ABC and George. He is the Clintons' lap dog. Before during the Clinton year and still is.

Tango, SF, Ca (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:45 PM)

This debate was far from tough, unless tough means unfair, trivial, stupid, inane, vapid and/or distracting.

Jill (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:50 PM)

ABC is running a awful debate, they are being unfair and asking questions without any substance, they really did a poor job

TOMMY (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:51 PM)

Not to worry, MSNBC, you'll make it all better for him and somehow find a way to make it Hillary's fault. I see you've already taken off one of your posts that talked about how poorly he has been doing. Any non-Obama supporter would expect nothing less from you. Keep up the hard work and good job you are doing this election cycle. It's probably going to be the last one for MSNBC, once you get your man in there your ratings are going to tank. Even the Obama supporters will grow weary of your nonstop glorification for him......I know, that was stupid of me to say, they'll never grow weary of His praise.

Jeff (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:52 PM)

OMG, all the Obama groupee's who have passed out simply from hearing his voice or either felt something run up their leg when he speaks are outrageously funny tonight! FINALLY, your "GOD" has been made to face the truth. A man who wants to be President should NOT be friends with a person who bombed americans and buildings. He should have had to answer to this A LONG TIME AGO but has gotten a free pass! Stop your crying and whining simply because your "GOD" has to actually be accountable for his own actions. GET REAL!

Brenda, Wilmington NC (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:53 PM)

Pat Paulesen for President!

Jack Varner (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:55 PM)

It was tough for Obama tonight because Hillary did not have to go first every time so Obama could not copy her answers!

Mark, Harrisburg PA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:56 PM)

I thought Obama handled the tabloid questions really well. Chuck isn't usually so off the mark.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:57 PM)

Hey Chuck.... are you a Clinton supporter? Watching you on Countdown, and in many many past segments, you hardly seem unbias.

NV - New Hampshire (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:57 PM)

I don't think I can add any additional insight that these other comments haven't mentioned, but I completely disagree with your assessment, Chuck.

Jason, Windsor Mill, MD (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:59 PM)

Worst debate ever! Terrible analysis Chuck! I had respect for you, until now! ABC should be boycotted for putting us Americans through this!

George S. should be fired!

walter, chicago (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:00 PM)

This was the most unprofessional debate, so one-sided and pro Clinton. Come on, George was biased, it appeared that he was still working for the Clinton White House. Undemocratic debate

Joyce Hamel (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:03 PM)

Here's a little guess. Tomorrow, Obama will talk about tonight's debate being the reason he's running for President. That the old school Karl Rove politics have to go, and they were dicated by the questions tonight. How the American people are sick of all that stuff, and want to know real answers to real questions about their lives. And everybody will like him more for it.

Matt (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:05 PM)

What a boring useless debate. Please no more debates!!!!

JS (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:05 PM)

I agree, the questions in this debate were ridiculous. What does the network make of the American people? Also, I wouldn't be surprised if ABC propped Hillary up with the questions beforehand.

Lissa, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:07 PM)

I stopped watching the debate after the first 45 minutes because of all those silly and meaningless questions from the moderators. They went after Obama and I felt so bad for him.
Wow ABC, you did it and you lost my respect.
Shame on you ABC fix news.

rasheed zir madison, wi (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM)

His answer on Ayres and the flag were perfect. What debate were you watching? Absolutely disagree with your take on Obama's answers and his performance. The ABC moderators were horrible.

mif, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

I think Obama's supporters need to boycott ABC!!! This was a very unfair lopsided debate!!! Hopefully that will be noted by the news media across the country. Who knows maybe the Clintons or their supporters paid ABC to pounce all over Obama and forget all the issues Hillary has had?

Sheri, AZ (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:13 PM)

shame on ABC and charlie gibson....50 minutes on politics before policy was ever mentioned and then the candidates were rushed for answers. The media is totally out of touch with the people....we don't want gossip and drama!!! We want information on the candidates plans for WE THE PEOPLE!!!

pjmccain, grapevine, texas (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:15 PM)

Well, the tables have turned. How does it feel Obamabots to have your candidate field questions that you think have given Hillary Clinton an advantage? Mkaes you mad, right. Maybe you should re-watch the debates where Tim Russert and the gang tried to beat up on Clinton and gave Obama a free ride and you will understand how Clinton supporters have felt.

Michele, New York (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

Chuck, I beg to differ. While I'll suggest that you have a point about about the Ayers question (he could have knocked it out of the park), but I thought that his response to the "flag" question was one of the best responses ALL night, from either candidate.

In all, it is good that the nominee gets this sort of preseason game, getting toughened up. BUT wow. George Stephenopoulous using a question from HANNITY?!! Holy crap. I have seen it all.

Rob, Madison, WI (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:18 PM)

Obama said he was 8 when Ayers bombed New York. Nice try Obama. You were 30something when you worked for him at the Woods Project. You as an adult made the decision to work for a terrorist.

Laurie Simpson (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:21 PM)

OBAMA STOOD TALL AND DURABLE, DECENT AND RESPECTFUL, HONOURABLE AND SENSITIVE. WHAT DID YOU ALL CALL TOUGH? THE TRASH AND TABLOID LIKE QUESTIONING BY CHARLIE GIBSON WAS TOUGH??? THAT WAS GARBAGE BECAUSE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SUBSTANTIVE WORTH OF WHAT AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. SO CHARLIE BOY AND GORGIE BOY MISSION WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE WE SAW THROUGH YOUR NARROW AND SIMPLE MINDS. REALLY IT SHOWED SORRY IT DID NOT WORK.
HIGH ROAD GO OBAMA 08 WIN WIN WIN

CORA, ILLINOIS (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:23 PM)

I totally agree with the majority of these comments. This debate was a joke! I only pray that it will help Obama come next week and the people of Penn. take a stance against Billary. He really did walk into an ambush and shined right through it.. that is why he will be the next President.

Janice Barnshaw Seymour Johnson AFB, NC (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:23 PM)

AYERS IS A TERRORIST AND OBAMA WORKED FOR HIM. SO GLAD THAT FINALLY A NEWS ORGANIZATION ASKED THIS QUESTION. A POSSIBLE NEXT PRESIDENT WITH THIS KIND OF ASSOCIATIONS? AYERS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

FLOYD, FORT LAUDERDALE (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:26 PM)

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