"Hillary Clinton performed with an authority... and mastery of detail that was just second to none"

[ruggerson]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/south-carolina-democratic_b_82579.html

I'm not going to run through every detail of this extremely interesting debate, and I wish I had heard none of the political commentators afterward because listening to Mark Halperin (a virtual friend of mine) after, I was very irritated. He said he gave Obama an A- tonight and then a B+ each to Hillary Clinton and to Edwards.

I have to go with my own filters, not those of others -- and to me, regardless of who one supported tonight, it's clear that each scored points but that Hillary Clinton performed with an authority, presence in that huge hall, and mastery of detail that was just second to none. She hammered Bush on the semi-secret deal he's trying to rig with the Iraqi government to commit American troops and bases indefinitely -- something the others did not mention. She had numbers and details flowing forth as if they were as natural as could be.

One thing that was weird for me in this debate is that Hillary Clinton is clearly not mimicking her husband in any way. John Edwards is. Bill Clinton is the master of anecdotes and "let me tell you all a story" moments. Hillary is dense with facts, details, experiences -- but it's not warm and fuzzy.

I watched Ed Rendell one night at a 4,000 person DNC dinner in the final year of Bill Clinton's tenure introduce Al Gore in a kind of passing the torch evening from Bill Clinton to Gore. Both Gore and Clinton walked on to the stage at the same time -- and Clinton sat meekly behind Gore while the then hoping-to-be 43rd President literally "lost the crowd" which began speaking at an embarrassing volume over his rambling speech.

(more)

[nebula]

1. Hillary is a trojan horse

she isn't the biggest recipient, of either party, of insurance and defense industry
campaign money for nothing.

[aquart]

2. They didn't give your candidate any of that LEGAL money?

Oh, too bad.

[nebula]

4. Legal does not equal moral

Edwards does not accept any PAC money.

Hillary has never seen a PAC dollar she didn't like.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. This naderite child of the 60's shit is absolutely boring.

[Beacool]

3. Yep, she's a policy wonk

and that's why I think that, when all is said and done, she will be the nominee. Pretty talk is nice, but actual knowhow is even better when the country is going into a downturn.

Of the few hundred calls that I have made so far for the campaign, the economy topped as the greatest concern of at least 90% of people.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

7. I want someone who knows what they're doing

And I'm not convinced Obama is any more liberal than her anyway, he may be less liberal.

[lostnfound]

18. Her tears..I am shocked but

I recently heard a very dear, smart, basically mainstream liberal friend of mine say that it was the episode of the tears that made her really like her because it made her human.

Then just tonight, I found out that a massively Republican, George-Bush-contributing religious, wealthy Republican female entrepreneur (did I say Republican enough?) -- a woman who has multiple framed & signed photos of George & Laura at her business -- was telling her staff and family that she was going to vote for Hillary after seeing her cry that time on TV because you could tell that she really cares and that she was a real human being etc.

To say that I am shocked doesn't begin to scratch the surface. This person is a support-the-troops-flag-waver, good-Christians-vs-evil-Muslims-believing, Mercedes-and-Hummer-driving 55-ish woman who probably despised Bill to the tips of her polished toenails. Will she truly pull the lever (or touch the screen) for Hilary? I don't know. But if the tears had such an effect on HER, I'm sure it will hold some sway that policy types can't get.

I'm sure that being a policy wonk will help her in certain circles, and personally, I have always looked at voting records and policies, and where the campaign money comes from. I cannot rationally believe that a display of emotion is what clinches or sinks an election. But after hearing this from these women around me, but the tears may well have helped too. Bizarre.

[tblue37]

21. But she didn't cry. There were no tears--just a momentary catch in her voice. n/t

[allinktup]

6. She was second to the truth... And third to Obama

[itsrobert]

8. They should call his blog Washington "ONE" Note

lol

[CelloPaddy]

9. That was a good analysis, I didn't get to watch the debate myself

but I don't think I need to after reading his quick post.

[stickernation]

11. no no no no no no...

...his quick post sucked.

you have to see clinton and obama squabbling like kids, and edwards telling the audience, "how many children are going to get healthcare because of that kind of squabbling?" it was awesome.

edwards continually creates fantastic moments of grace and excellence in these debates.

this was not reflected all in that huffington post piece of shit.

[kevsand]

10. It was impressive, at that.

Too bad half the details were made up. Twice as bad that anyone who really wants to can find that out without taking my word for it.

[FrenchieCat]

12. She lies like a master......

but that ain't good. :(

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OKNancy]

15. OMG- my first instinct is to blast you but

I'll be as calm as I can. I got another cup of coffee and told my husband what was written here.
He said... on a Democratic site?

Your post is just so depressing especially to any woman that wants to seek a position of power or authority. You are putting this election in terms of if you would want to marry Senator Clinton
and are "turned off" ( a sexual connotation IMO)

I'm sure she wouldn't want to be married to you either.

I just have no words to express my contempt for this point of view, so I'll stop before
I get in trouble here.

[OneBlueSky]

14. people see what they want to see . . . n/t

.

[Voltaire99]

16. Har har har!

A toy with a string on the back could spout her trite coporate cliches just as well.

Ah, well: go ahead. Nominate her. Make me vote for Nader again.

[Perry Logan]

17. It's worth praising Hillary now and then just to see the anti-Hillarites bite their noses off.

[Iceburg]

20. Its a shame all 3 can't be president :-) at the same time ...but Hilliary

demonstrated with resounding clarity that she is most the knowledgeable, adept, and prepared candidate to take the country back and change its course.

All three performed well and soared in my estimation. As a triumvirate, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

[DaLittle Kitty]

19. BULL...SHIT! Hillary Lies Like Crazy and When Pressed Just Makes Shit Up! She IS Also RUDE!

Unbelievable how she interrupts anybody and EVERYBODY and blathers on repeating herself for 3 + minutes when asked to answer in 30 SECONDS! Hillary is just there to take up time getting HER face in front of everyone for the longest total time... Like Obama, she offers no concrete solutions to ANYTHING. Hillary WAS NOT Presidential in ANY Way, Manner, Shape or Form last night... For that matter, Neither was Obama.:)