Reply #21: My only difference with your observations is the intensity of outrage.

[RichM]

Well, OK, maybe I'd also leave the "Debate could've been great" part out of the subject line. Too conciliatory.

Other than that, I saw it precisely as you described it.

And the implications of the grotesque deficiencies that you identified are enormous. In themselves, they demonstrate that our political system has altogether ceased to function. It's a sclerotic dysfunctional failure. A "debate" like last night's is far more an exercise in SHUTTING DOWN real discussion than in having it.

The purpose of last night was to AVOID discussion of issues; to DIVERT attention from real questions (Iraq, health care) into moronic TV idiocy (like "Sen. Kerry: What nice quality does Sen. Edwards have that you don't have?"). The purpose was to LIMIT the range of dialogue, to smash down attempts to explore issues... In short, to crush challenges to the framework of thought most acceptable to ruling class interests.

The last sentence of your post cannot really be improved upon, even by a tough & critical eye. ;-)