The Sunday showdown

Joe Einloth — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:23:22 GMT

"Mrs. Clinton was forceful, confident and at times even frisky as she easily deflected questions from Mr. Stephanopoulos..."

Kinda like having to fight a kid brother, isn't it?

The Sunday showdown

jerry/corpus christi texas — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:25:36 GMT

USA Today notes Clinton's decision not to attempt to cite a single economist who supports her gas tax proposal.

At least there are some smart people who won't back a dumb blonde.

Hillary Rodham Clinton stood up from her armchair on Sunday to tower over George Stephanopoulos on ‘This Week’ on ABC and merrily took on all critics, even the king of the Clinton-bashers, the talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh."

Let's see if Hillary has the stones to take on Rush one on one. Rush would wipe the floor with her big butt.

The Sunday showdown

Fontapa, Portland, Maine — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:31:06 GMT

Practically no covereage or mention anywhere in the media about how aggregious a lack of journalistic ethics it is to have Stephanopoulos, a former employee, campaigner, and tool of the Clintons conduct any sort of meaningful interview with Hillary Clinton. It's shameful enough that ABC would put on such playacting by pitting an obvious Clinton comrade as her interviewer, but it's almost worse that this has received no condemnation in the rest of the media.

It's textbook conflict of interest folks. This should be viewed as a terribly flawed decision and call into question the credibility of ABC news.

Ask yourselves this question, if a former Obama staffer and confidante were working for your network, would you ever in a million years put him in the position that ABC keeps putting Stephanopoulos?

The Sunday showdown

KD — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:32:39 GMT

Obama never answered Russert's question that if Iran nuked Israel what his stance would be. He said he wanted to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. But he didn't clarify on how he would prevent them from getting nuclear weapons. Again, he only tells us the problems and has no solutions.

The Sunday showdown

sotiredofignorance — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:32:44 GMT

Let's see, Senator Obama goes on with Tim Russert and his performance is listless? I thought he was quite good.

Clinton goes on with an old Clinton operative and she is 'frisky"? Why wouldn't she be? She has nothing to fear from little George.

Let me know when she steps forward and does "Hardball." Or does cowardice enter in?

The Sunday showdown

Lisa, NY — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:38:32 GMT

Go ahead and be critical of ABC, but from what I saw on NBC yesterday with Russert looked like the ultimate pandering. He did not ask one difficult question...NOT ONE!

I am done with meet the press.

The Sunday showdown

Lisa, New Britain, CT...working class voter AGAINST Gas Tax Holiday — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:39:15 GMT

For me, the gas tax holiday issue is the issue that defines the Clinton campaign, actually both campaigns.

Obama has shown that he will tell truth to power even if it costs him votes. People, that is the definition of political courage. This is what we need.

Clinton has shown that she will say anything to win your vote. This means YOU CAN'T COUNT ON HER. She is promising something that she can't deliver, that all indications are that it will probably not get you anything in the short-term and will cost you BIG Time in the long run.

This is what her campaign stands for, she thinks she can buy your vote for $30. If people in this country are indeed that desparate (and I know so many are hurting), then we really really need Barack Obama to change things up. The old ways haven't worked, that is why we are in this position.

As an working class Obama supporter, I send my $30 to Obama regularly...that is my investment in all of our futures. It is fine if he doesn't tell me he's going to send it back to me in terms of a gas tax holiday that may be anything but.

I am not doing well financially, we are hurting. But I still feel that way!!

I am so proud of his political courage.

The Sunday showdown

the Pajama Pundit — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:39:49 GMT

"[A] whopping 70% said that candidates proposed such a measure to help them politically, versus 21% who said it would provide relief to Americans."
*****************************************************

REALLY?! YOU THINK SO?!

I'm glad that at least 70% of the country can see through this thick smoke that McClinton is blowing out there. Nothing but pure pandering.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

The Sunday showdown

Leanza Cornett — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:43:04 GMT

George in This Week tried so hard to prove his unbias that really got on Hillary and was very tough on her. Hillary did great though...and slapped him right back. "you aint going to jumpstart your objective reputation as a journalist on my account" Loved it. Go, Hillary GO!!!!

The Sunday showdown

Bunch of whiny kids — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:45:20 GMT

If you people who think it was unfair for George Stephanopoulos to interview Hillary Clinton then you obviously haven't been watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann. He gets an hour a night to bash Clinton and never once does he challenge Obama-not once. When Obama falters, Olbmermann is there to carry his water. Chris Matthews has to wipe spittle from his mouth when he joyfully speaks of Obama's "elegance". Stephanopoulos asked some tough questions of Clinton and at the outset mentioned his former work in the previous Clinton whitehouse. You Obama folks are even more shallow and shortsighted than I thought.

The Sunday showdown

Laura — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:45:36 GMT

I am an Obama supporter, but I have not always been impressed with his performance in debates and interviews. Yesterday, however, I thought he did a great job on Meet the Press. He answered all the questions, did not duck the tough ones, and kept his cool throughout the interview. I did not think he seemed grave and disspirited at all.

The Sunday showdown

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:46:16 GMT

Hillary "Republican" Clinton's only "expert" is a Shell Oil lobbyist. Just goes to show she is bought out by the oil industry, not to mention the medical insurance lobby. Her mandatory medical insurance plan is that lobby's dream come true so they can rip us all off.

Go Obama!

The Sunday showdown

Susan, Nashville, TN — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:46:23 GMT

I used my tivo to watch both of these and I do not think that Obama looked grave or dispirited. I do think that his demeaner reflects his supporters opinions, that the media is more interested in getting their own coverage of his response to the "old" questions about Rev. Wright.

Tim Russert is normally above the "common" approach to politics. It's not like Obama has not already answered EVERY question that he asked. Am I supposed to believe that Tim, or his viewers, did not already know the answers? I did, there was nothing new.

Unfortunately, this is the price that Obama had to pay to be on Meet the Press this week, he had to go through a ABC style interview that started off and spent way too much time on this topic.

The big new is the gas tax holiday but he did not start off with that, Tim had to play the gottcha game. Very sad that even the powerhouses of our media have stooped to such interviewing techniques.

I ALWAYS watch Meet the Press and yesterday I noticed that Tim looked down and looked sad himself. Does this mean that Tim knew that what he was doing was beneath his normal standards?

I also watched "This Week" and it was exactly as expected, Hillary tried to dominate George, and the rest of us, like always...

The Sunday showdown

Jo, Chicago — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:48:52 GMT

Obama wasn't pandering, that's why he didn't look "frisky."

The Sunday showdown

aleese — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:51:02 GMT

The NYT does not speak for all viewers. I note that they are the only critics to report negatively with regard to Obama's apperance yesterday on Meet The Press. Could their endorsement of Clinton have anything to do with that?

To hell with how they looked! What were they saying? Every other critic reviewed Obama favorably with regard to his stance on the issues, and criticized Hillary's side stepping of her oft defended 'obliterate them' language, and her stupid gas tax holiday pander as being full of you know what!

The Sunday showdown

BJ, CA — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:56:35 GMT

Happy days are here again...I sold my vote for gasoline...sounds like a chicken joke my grand parents sung years ago....
This nomination has gone to pot....

The Sunday showdown

Jeannie Wilkman — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:56:46 GMT

I watched Senator Obama on Meet the Press and he was presidential, not weary and hunched over as described in your report. He was was calm and dignified and answered questions with intelligence and thought. Just the kind of person we need answering the phone at 3 a.m.! He has won the vote of this female, middle-aged, white, previously republican voter! (Feel it necessary to reveal my "demographic" category since the media has decided that this demographic does not support Senator Obama!)

The Sunday showdown

I am movng to Canada — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:57:16 GMT

Barak's high road re the gas tax is not unlike Jimmy Carter telling America to put on a sweater to conserve...and we all know what that got him in 1980.

Americans are gluttons, and don't want to be told that can't have something.

In this case Hillary is pandering to the middle class, but Barak is pandering to the wealthy.

The Sunday showdown

Steve, Dallas TX — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:59:05 GMT

I would be fine with either Obama or Clinton. However, the fact remains that unless the Clinton's pull something underhanded like trying have Michigan's delegates seated, Obama will be the nominee. All of this argument and analysis is really just a pointless distraction.

The Sunday showdown

Cindy Lou, TX — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:00:08 GMT

I watched MTP, and Obama looked calm, assured, confident and collegial, NOT grave and disspirited. Perhaps the reporter thought Hillary looked more energetic because Hillary was facing an interviewer who is a supporter, rather than Russert, who asked Obama tough questions--including questions about that horrible Rev. Wright again.

I'm glad to see the majority of voters realize Hillary's position on the gas tax is a political ploy. Unfortunately, her base of blue-collar, uneducated voters will probably fall for it. Hillary's counting on it, and it's worked for her so far. I wonder when those people will realize they're being dupped?

The Sunday showdown

Jane Harrington, Two Rivers, WI — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:02:13 GMT

Who in their right mind thinks that a do-nothing congress and an out-of -touch president are going to pass a bill giving the gas tax a summer vacation this year. Get real people!

The Sunday showdown

Disgusted — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:08:52 GMT

So, once again, Obama is faced w/Wright questions while Hillary is asked "issue" questions. Gee, I wonder why he wasn't animated. If he says anything about it, he's called a whiner. If he doesn't , he gets only the absurb Wright questions again and again.

The Sunday showdown

Bitter, Arlington Texas — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:10:54 GMT

Dispirited? I saw a confident, well prepared future president. What were you watching?

The Sunday showdown

Bitter, Arlington Texas — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:11:18 GMT

Dispirited? I saw a confident, well prepared future president. What were you watching?

The Sunday showdown

boogeyman, mamaroneck, ny — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:15:53 GMT

It all comes down to who's in the lead here. Obama has already won this primary, and Hillary is trying to steal it by having the media back her.

Why should Obama be aggressive with Russert? I guess the media wants to see Obama burn the Democratic party the way Hillary is doing it.

The Sunday showdown

boogeyman, mamaroneck, ny — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:15:56 GMT

The Sunday showdown

steve lynchburg,va — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:16:36 GMT

The final paragraph says it best. Clinton easily deflected questions. Obama, on the other hand does not sidestep issues, he answers them head on and gives voters credit for their intelligence. Tell me, which quality do you want in our next President?

The Sunday showdown

Faith - Mobile, AL — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:18:56 GMT

****** NEWS FLASH *************
I know this probably WILL NOT get posted. But the reason MSNBC and especially CHUCK TODD and his crew are really hard on Barack is THEY ARE PAID BY THE CLINTONS AND THE RNC TO HELP BRING BARACK DOWN. That's why he (Chuck Todd) is intent on reporting FOOLISHNESS SUCH AS THIS.

CHUCK AND HIS CREW IS FULL OF B.S.

The Sunday showdown

Valerie, Wilmington, NC — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:20:02 GMT

I thought Obama was masterful on Meet the Press. But I appreciate politicians who tell the truth and don't pander on issues like gas holidays. Obama is getting my vote tomorrow in NC.

The Sunday showdown

Katherine, Glen Ridge, NJ — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:23:21 GMT

In this day of foolishness, the Russert-Obama interview was calmly and intelligently conducted.

There were genuine questions and responsible truthful answers. There was an opportunity to see the real person being interviewed; no gimmicks.

Mr. Obama exhibits the honorable, thoughtful behaviors of an American president.

The Sunday showdown

Obama 08 — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:25:40 GMT

****** NEWS FLASH *************

I read over the weekend that CHUCK TODD is the pockets of the Clinton camp and the RNC to make Barack look bad!!!

That's why he and his reporters are doing all that they can to make Barack seems unworthy and unsure of himself becuase Hillary and the RNC are depending on it. If he doesn't come through...Then you know what's gonna happen. Just ask Peter Paul about his unfair jail time in some strange country, thanks to the Clintons.

The Sunday showdown

Anna, Chicago, IL — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:31:27 GMT

I watched both Meet the Press and This Week - objectively. Obama was strategic, broad, thoughtful and authentic; Hillary was tactical, specific, automatic and spoke to people like they're third graders. I found myself leaning forward to hear Obama and physically cringing when Hillary stood up and started pointing that finger...we need to move forward - not back into the Clinton mire and muck...

The Sunday showdown

Beth Texas — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:31:53 GMT

Russert asked Obama so many soft-ball questions yesterday. When has Russert ever been so "gentle?" Tim should have just seranaded Barack with Elvis Presley's "Love Letters Straight From [My] Heart." That would have been just as productive as the interview.

The Sunday showdown

Chris Portland, OR — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:32:01 GMT

It's easy to be care-free when you are willing to spill anything out of your mouth to win. When you don't have to worry about the strength of your party. When you have absolutely no conscience. When your're a pathological pandering liar. It's a little more difficult to be carefree when you've been attacked again and again over non-issues.

The Sunday showdown

Manolete, San Mateo California — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:32:04 GMT

I've never seen Tim Russert, behave like a kitty cat and not ask the hard questions as he did with Obama.

Tim either fears retaliation from the Obama supporters or he feels sorry for Obama. Either way he didn't performed his job of testing a candidate running for the democratic nomination.

I also feel sorry for Obama, he is frail and tender and has no real knowledge of how a government is run; but there is no excuse for Tim Russert's soft behavior with Obama, who is not running for a neighborhood association but for the President of the United States of America, the Commander in Chief.

Shame on You, Tom Russert!

The Sunday showdown

Drew Zagorski, BEaverton, Oregon — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:32:31 GMT

I'm not sure I saw the same programs based on the commentary here. What I saw on This Week was a candidate who didn't 'deflect' questions. She simply didn't answer them and didn't want to own up to the 'obliterate' statement until she was cornered on it. Sure she stood up and addressed the audience, because that was the format of the program.

Obama was in a one-on-one interview at a table. Not the type of forum you stand up to respond to questions at. I also saw a guy who answered questions posed to him. I will say I was disappointed a bit in Russert for blowing 20 minutes on the Wright thing. Obama answered, rather well I beleive, the first question about that situation. Russert asked the same question about 5 different ways on it.

On the Iran thing, Obama did answer the question. He stated that he would begin with a diplomatic approach. Dialogue. Frankly, I want someone in the White House with a cool head, rather than an itchy trigger finger. We've seen what that gets us into. And Hillary has no earthly idea about how she would go about providing her 'umbrella' of protection for the middle east and what the cost would be.

The Sunday showdown

LB, VIrginia — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:32:40 GMT

Hillary was frisky? Is she a dog? More like an arrogant pig if you ask me. I could barely contain my composure when she spoke, George should have asked her about lying directly about Bosnia. What a wimp he is. IF people actually thought she did well yesterday, then I can see why she could win, after all nearly 60 million idiots in this country elected Bush in 2004, so this must be the same ones who might vote for her. I'll take my ivory tower thank you!

The Sunday showdown

Mason, Tulsa, Ok. — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:34:00 GMT

How many of you who are knocking Sen. Clinton’s appearance on This Week actually saw the show. Stephanopoulos said at the very beginning that he had worked for Bill Clinton, and stated the years that he had done so; he also told the audience that HE had seen the questions that were going to be asked by the audience. Sen. Clinton then took questions not only from Mr.Stephanopoulos, but from the audience as well. The audience was a cross section of voters, including Republicans, Democrats, and undecided. She did very well. Many of the questions were hard, and Mr. Stephanopoulos pushed her for answers many times. I also watched Obama on tape. He had only one person to answer to and I never saw him really pushed for an answer. This is another indication that he is not ready to run in a general election, or to be President of the United States. You have to be ready for anything at any time. He is only going to be hounded and questioned about his life, more and more and he does not handle it well. People are getting tired of him telling us what he thinks is wrong, or needs to change, without ever giving any solutions.

By the way I think Clintons gas tax break, and it is just a break, is a good idea, the way she wants to do it. It could save summer jobs, and working people quit a bit over the summer. If people don’t drive more over the summer the way we always do in America, then jobs will lost, and a lot of businesses that depend on summer tourists for most of their yearly income, could go out of business. Even if I don’t go anywhere this summer, I would save more then $22.00 or so just going back and forth to work.

One more thing, for all the talk about how Obama’s supporters have a college degree, are upper class, or young intellectuals, it’s Obama’s supporters who seldom make an intelligent argument on these blogs for their candidate. You rant and rave, call names and put the Sen. Clinton down for actually having solutions to the problems that we are electing a candidate to solve.

The Sunday showdown

TLA — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:37:18 GMT

Isn't it a hoot how the pundits on all the news shows run continuous loops of the Wright issue 24/7. They put Obama under a microscope and pick every scab till it bleeds. They keep pointing out every dip & slide in the polls, and everything negative anyone has ever said about him.

THEN they exclaim about what a bad week he's been having!!!! THEY ARE THE CAUSE!!! The "juicy" stories would have died long ago, and the polls wouldn't be slipping so much. When the public hears all this over, and over, they start to think he's doomed, and SURPRIZE - the polls go down, and the votes go down. The media isn't covering the elections - it's affecting them.

The Sunday showdown

jy2008 — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:44:17 GMT

Gas price keeps rising. Stop talking guys.

The Sunday showdown

Linda — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:44:51 GMT

I thought Obama on "Meet the Press" was great. His answers were very concrete and not pandering. On the other hand, I saw Hillary on Stephanopoulos show and yes she was frisky and pandering. In fact, she took over the show. This woman never stop talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking ABOUT NOTHING!

The Sunday showdown

jacksmith, Dallas, Texas. — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:48:05 GMT

MY FELLOW "BITTER", STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE :-)

If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of "BITTER"!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER. :-(

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)

Best regards

jacksmith... Working Class :-)

p.s. You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you don't know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering...

You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year. :-)

Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on...

OBAMA AIDE: "WORKING-CLASS VOTERS NOT KEY FOR DEMOCRATS" :o

The Sunday showdown

MBM Chicago, IL — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:54:08 GMT

Maybe I am mistaken, but didn't Hillary sidestep most of the questions. I know Hillary's campaign has a script to which all of her surrogates must adhere. That is why they all seem unintelligent when they are asked a question. The standard response to any question seems to be "Hillary will be ready on day one". That was the response the other night on Larry King Live to a question about Obama. The poor Hillary supporting congresswoman came across as being dense. She couldn't answer a question.

The Sunday showdown

MikeS, Boston — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:55:15 GMT

A-B-C Hill-a-ry!!! Ya, there's a lot of objectivity there, euh?

The Sunday showdown

jacksmith, Dallas, Texas. — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:02:51 GMT

HILLARY CLINTON CAN BEST WIN IN NOVEMBER:

It's time for everyone to face the truth. Barack Obama has no real chance of winning the national election in November at this time. His crushing defeat in Pennsylvania makes that fact crystal clear. His best, and only real chance of winning in November is on a ticket with Hillary Clinton as her VP.

Hillary Clinton seemed almost somber at her Pennsylvania victory speech. As if part of her was hoping Obama could have proved he had some chance of winning against the republican attack machine, and their unlimited money, and resources.

But it is absolutely essential that the democrats take back the Whitehouse in November. America, and the American people are in a very desperate condition now. And the whole World has been doing all that they can to help keep us propped up.

Hillary Clinton say's that the heat, and decisions in the Whitehouse are much tougher than the ones on the campaign trail. But I think Mr. Obama faces a test of whether he has what it takes to be a commander and chief by facing the difficult facts, and the truth before him. And by doing what is best for the American people by dropping out of the race, and offering his whole hearted assistance to Hillary Clinton to help her take back the Whitehouse for the American people, and the World.

Mr. Obama is a great speaker. And I am confident he can explain to the American people the need, and wisdom of such a personal sacrifice for them. It should be clear to everyone by now that Hillary Clinton is fighting her heart out for the American people. She has known for a long time that Mr. Obama can not win this November. You have to remember that the Clinton's have won the Whitehouse twice before. They know what it takes.

If Mr. Obama fails his test of commander and chief we can only hope that Hillary Clinton can continue her heroic fight for the American people. And that she prevails. She will need all the continual support and help we can give her. She may fight like a superhuman. But she is only human.

Sen. Hillary Clinton: "You know, more people have now voted for me than have voted for my opponent. In fact, I now have more votes than anybody has ever had in a primary contest for a nomination. And it's also clear that we've got nine more important contests to go."

Sincerely

Jacksmith... Working Class :-)

The Sunday showdown

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:08:13 GMT

So now...MSNBC, N.C. and IN have to vote between HUNCHED and FRISKY.

Hey everyone...here are two more assine words the media is throwing out while they crawl up Hillary's behind.....only to get their coveted "brokered convention" in Denver. Pandering again guys???

The Sunday showdown

RLJ — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:09:19 GMT

Obama was direct, consise and frank in his interview with Tim Russert. Hillary might as well have been interviewed by Chelsea. She did resist messing up Little George's hair, though. (Just barely...)

The Sunday showdown

steven, new york! — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:09:57 GMT

Hillary said: I'm not listening to economists on gas tax holiday
Who does this sound like?
The Decider, none other than George W. Bush
Is this how the my way or highway Healthcare program didn't get passed in her husband's administration.

Hillary, we will obliterate Iran if they attack.
Who does this sound like?
The Cowboy Diplomat, none other than George W. Bush
Is this how she will change the tone and relationships with the rest of the world?

The Sunday showdown

jesse — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:15:27 GMT

America was not founded on fear. We must rise above it.

Look closely. Clinton has NOT made a strong case for greater experience. She has simply used fear to imply it.

Obama learned from EXPERIENCE that a gas-tax holiday would not help consumers (in fact, it would hurt us). He shows SOUND JUDGEMENT in saying that we need to focus on higher fuel efficiency and alternative fuels to solve the economic, environmental, and SECURITY issue that is our dependence on oil.

His health care plan avoids penalizing those who would not be able to afford health insurance. This shows a NUANCED understanding, and consideration for struggling Americans. This plan will also have greater appeal to libertarians/ independent type and will have a greater chance of getting signed into law.

EVEN TEMPERAMENT, sound judgement, INTEGRITY, carefully chosen strong language - these are the things we need in a commander in chief. Obama has the CONFIDENCE of many high level elected officials.

Threats of "Obliteration", Authorization of the Iraq war - Things we DO NOT need in a commander in chief. They do not make us safer. We do not take lightly the collateral damage implied here. How might Iranian-Americans feel?

Obama has lived abroad. He has an inside perspective on multiculturalism. The world is growing smaller. America is growing more diverse. We need a president with a deep understanding of these things.

We have had enough of the games and manipulations of the status quo. Obama CAN begin to change the game. He has done so much that is unprecedented already.
I'd also like to ask Obama supporters to restrain themselves from using smear tactics against Clinton. These tactics do not represent the ideals that Obama has inspired in so many of us. We are inspired by this man who will be a great leader of this nation. Changing the status quo starts with us. We must see beyond smears and dsitractions and refrain from using them as weapons. We support a candidate who represents hope, inspiration, cooperation, and strength.

Let us leave doubt, fear, and deception to the other camps.

The Sunday showdown

Nick R, Chicago — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:18:07 GMT

To "Bunch of whiny kids",

Olbermann is a huge supporter of the Clintons and was very conflicted when he began speaking out against the Republican tactics of the Clinton campaign.

I watch Countdown nightly and Olbermann's coverage is very fair. The only reason it may seem he's on Clinton's case more than Obama's is because the Clinton campaign is using political tactics right out of the Republican playbook. Because of that, the Clintons deserve to be ridden harder than Obama.