How to make Russert look better
By Steve Benen Thursday Nov 15, 2007 7:40amNo matter which Democratic candidate you like or loathe the most, I think most reasonable people can agree that CNN was really, really awful.
As ever, it's really striking to observe the difference between the audience-generated questions and the journalist-generated questions. Wolf Blitzer's main interest is in asking questions designed to put Democrats on the wrong side of public opinion, even if those questions are about things like driver's licenses or "merit pay" for teachers that aren't really under federal purview. Efforts to reframe those questions by putting those topics in the larger context of immigration policy more generally or education more generally are derided as cowardly dodges. The point, after all, is to force a choice -- piss off an interest group, or say something that could be used in a GOP attack ad.
The real people, by contrast, ask about problems in their lives. The mother of an individual ready reserve member wants to know about Iran policy. The mother of an active duty soldier wants to know about military pay versus pay for military contractors. An Arab-American wants to know about racial profiling. Then the candidates explain what they think about these issues.
The voters are curious and want to learn where the candidates stand. Blitzer doesn't care about informing the public about the issues -- he actually objects when candidates try to explain their views on broad immigration policy issues -- he's just interested in trying to embarrass the candidates.
Oliver Willis added that in the post-debate wrap-up, CNN reported that candidates' surrogates told the network that their candidate did really well -- "REALLY? You went into the SPIN room and PAID OPERATIVES of a campaign think that THEIR OWN candidate did well?"
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Don't forget that an audience member asked a question and Malveaux and Blitzer turned it into a question about whether they would require a justice to be pro choice before being considered for SCOTUS, which had very little to do with the original question. My esteem for Biden went up when he answered the woman's question and put Malveaux's question aside. I think and wish that all of the rest of the candidates had said something to the effect that it was audience participation time, not Malveaux participation time. I'm honestly surprised that CNN used her rather than Beck. Why have a neocon on when you can have a neocon wingnut?
I'd almost bet, they didn't have Beck on is because he would have ended up on Keith Olbermanns worst person again. How Blitzer stays off that list is beyond me.
Oh Really, I thought CNN did really, really well?
They skipped asking Dennis Kucinich a question in 3 rounds!!! And they were his signature issues...Healthcare, Ending the Occupation and IMPEACHMENT. They effectively muzzled him but made it seem he was included.
If Hillary and O'bama are such great candidates why do they fear Kucinich so much? If they're sooo much better than him then they should have no problem with him getting an equal number of questions. Right? And when are we going to have a REAL debate. Let the candidates FACE EACH OTHER and question EACH OTHER.
Tim Russert, Campbell Brown, Wolf Blitzer...they're all HORRRRIBLE!
My other observation is that ALL the "Second Tier" Democrats would make better Presidents then ALL the "Top Three" Candidates. Its very obvious. And the worst of the "Top Three" is quite clearly Hillary. (1) She won't end the occupation, (2) She'll attack Iran, (3) She won't even raise the tax rate above $97,000 for SS taxes, which should be a dead giveaway who she is and who she represents.
How to make Russert look better?
Put Cheney next to him.
More interesting and informative after-event polls would occur if Fox and CBS were asked how CNN did, and the Obama folks were asked their opinion of Hillary, and the bottom three in the polls were asked how the top three did.
what they did to Biden and Kusinich, and have been doing to them as well as what happened to Gravel...is wrong.But I thought Biden did ok last night.The very few times he opened his mouth.
as for the moderators........what did ya expect?
I watched a recap as I had to work. One thing that was mentioned is that no one brought up the problems that your economy is facing. Wasn't it Bill Clinton that won in 92 by usuing the line"It's the economy stupid"
Until Obama is questioned about his betrayal of anti-war forces I will simply see these forums
as attempts to harpoon Hillary Clinton in the interest of ratings.
Clinton is pilloried for unclear statements about an unclear policy about drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants in New York State.
Obama runs as being against the war from the beginning.
Then he campaigns in Connecticut for Lieberman's re-election, praising him and urging voters to return Joe to the Senate
where Lieberman can "continue to work in our behalf".
This doesn't even raise eyebrows in the "liberal" community.
This is of no interest to the sharks in the media, who care nothing about our lives or war or peace.
using* sorry haven't had my coffee yet
How to make Russert(and ALL the MSM) scum look better
a pie in the face would be a good start
Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Obama Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Obama Obama Obama Obama Edwards Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Edwards Obama Obama Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Obama Edwards Edwards Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Obama Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Kucin... SHHH... Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Obama Edwards Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary Hillary
Diamonds or Pearls?
Aww, chicken shit.
Can we take the capital by storm and fight a revolution already?
Kucinich always has the most intelligent well thought out statements. The media has already buried him for good. He is actually a leader with a realistic vision, but we wouldn't want that in this country....next.
First debate I watched and it was terrible. No one answered the Iraqi veterans question in everyday language. You could see their eyes glass over when the top candidates allowed to answer used political talk. They showed the mothers response when Kucinich in a later question when he brought up impeachment and she cheered. I was hoping Dennis would have had a chance to answer that question. I was hopng for a Bill Clinton moment. "Do you still have friends in Iraq yet?" "Yes sir" "We need to bring them home now" Dennis was SHUT OUT. Wolf was terrible!!!!!
this shouldn't be a hissy fit or a popularity contest.....what it should be is..The person most qualified for the job.The person with the best voting record.That starts to narrow it down pretty fast.I dare say the top three candidates would get the boot....
Anthology @ 10:
Actually, eyebrows ARE raised about Obama because he is even trailing the ever-equivocating Hillary even in the black community. Obama has a great voice, but everything he says is platitudinous. Nothing I've heard speaks to people's real problems. His speech the other night was just another case of promising the goods and delivering lies.
What else should anyone expect from a man who won't challenge LIEberman and his committee to end the corruption in NOLa with all the contracting? It's obvious to anyone who knows that Obama has Two LIEberman advisors on his staff.
As for Hillary, the MSM bashing is the ongoing attempt to 'gore' her image so that any repug chosen will have less of a disadvantage. What we see now is nothing compared to the crap they have in the pipeline. Expect Foster to re-emerge. Expect her husband's impeachment to re-emerge. We have already been reminded of the clinton/boosh dynasty. They have already posted the picture of Obama peeking at her ass. It hasn't even gotten vicious yet.
And the MSM will never go after Rudy's corruption.
mudshark @ 16:
and quickly.
>Kucinich always has the most intelligent well thought out statements.
Kucinich was on nationwide radio in Canada last week (1/2 hour), his statements on Impeachement were bang on. Said Pelosi was tearing sections out of the constitution by taking Impeachment O.T.T.
Matured, reasoned.
Makes most of the rest of them sound like posers and clowns.
I think all these debates are really really stupid. The way I saw debates is...one person or persons is asked a question...and they give their opinion. Then the rest of the crew takes turns telling why that isn't a good idea or is a good idea or what their idea happens to be. All they have here is a grilling session. Seems more like an interrogation they do on TV in the rooms with suspects to a crime.
Boy everything in this country has changed. A simple debate turns into a chance for the republican interrogators to try to embarrass the Democrats. Alto they don't try to embarrass the republicans in these debates, they sure don't hold debates with them either.
Hillary won the debate. Deal with it.
Now, on the other hand, if a "journalist" was tryin' to embarrass Republicans, then half the blogosphere would be jumpin' for joy. ;)
It's also about infotainment. CNN is the Faux news wannabe. If the audience asks "boring" questions the asshole commentators have to spice them up.
Our election system has become a sham. Corporate America will choose our president.
earl @ 19:
all that and his wife is a bombshell! :) I'm sure they are all jealous.
Ali @ 23:
unless you do something to change that!
Jo-Ann @ 21:
:lol:
Just a sidenote... it was not an Arab-American who wanted to know about racial profiling lol... his last name was Khan... so more likely South Asian but definitely not Arab (Unless I missed another racial profiling question later on?). Sorry, just had to point that out!
The only thing missing was buzzers for the contestants to ring and a flashy scorebox . Ms. brown could've played the Vanna White part.
I'll take debate fatigue for $200 dollars... Wolfie.
To me the format was more like a spelling bee or a oral pop quiz. True or False, yes or no, would or would not, that's not a debate format.
Instead of covering almost the same subjects in every debate, why not pick one or two important topics and then divide up the hour so each candidate has equal time to state their position on those one or two topics. Next debate, pick one or two different topics and so on.
Plus pick a moderator from a university faculty or something, not some dumb fu*k news readers. These news readers are more about their own performance than they are about the topic and candidates
I think John Roberts was the most over-the-top in his reichwing framing of "questions".
Fuck him, Shitser, and Mal(kin)veaux.
Gold star for you, POP! These are NOT debates. They are, at best, question and answer sessions.
CoIntelPRo @ 24:
?? Whatever ...
Good luck America ... you all are going to need it.
:) Feeling this cool weather down there Dr. Acula?
I couldn't watch all the debate because it just makes me crazy trying to hear what one candidate is saying while the so called moderator talks over them or shuts them down at some crucial point of their answer.
I stopped watching these "debates" (which they are not) weeks ago. These encounters are worse than the speeches I remember hearing in high school from candiates for the student council!
Look, the powers that be have already chosen the next president - signed, sealed and delivered - even if nobody went to a poll and cast a vote, a president would be "elected." Except, if the Evil One and Dubya decide they want to stay on for a while and make sure the Iraq /Iran War is carried through to a proper completion.
bring back the League of Women Voters debates...they were intelligent and asked questions that were germain to our lives...this is corporate media bullshit for guys like matthews, russert, limbaugh and the rest to play sport with....you are never going to learn anything watching this garbage...read their position papaers and then do your own research.....unless you have more important things to do like watching nascar, football; dancing with the styars or some other such foolishness...... else you will be led by the nose like little sheep...
I loathe the Republican side not the Dem side..
DNCT @ 3:
Based on what? Kucinich got less than 6 minutes to Hillary's 18. A debate is supposed to expose the public to the views of all the candidates not just those leading in the polls. (You know, the polls where they call you up and ask who you would vote for for President, but when you say "Kucinich" they inform you he is not on their list.)
TIMMEH!!!
pissed off patricia @ 33:
Yes, that was very irritating. The last thing CNN (and the rest of the Corporate Media) want is depth.
I watched the Democratic debate tonight, and I’m not kidding when I say America wake up! Obama clearly is ready for the presidency, however, this election is rigged for Hillary Clinton and the elites in power. The tide has turned once again for the Republicans and those individuals with money and power have shifted to support the Democrats. These same individuals control the media and influence every aspect of this nation-it’s all about maintaining the status quo. This is not about what is best for America and it’s really frightening. Here’s my view and take if for what it's worth: the media (CNN, NBC, Fox News, etc.–the corporate driven folks that control the airwaves) decided that they had gone too far in giving Hillary a pass and had to reign this election in for the masses. So, they staged debate questions and then the commentary to influence public opinion, while producing polls to show Hillary’s slip over the last two weeks. Unfortunately for Obama and Edwards they got a slight illusion that this meant a chink in Hillary’s armor. Obama even got the needed boost in energy he hasn’t had for weeks. Obama performed better then any other debate. He finally proved that he is ready to lead, has the most intelligent grasp of the issues, and frankly doesn’t have the connections or baggage to bring to the table. The only thing he brings is honesty, integrity, and a desire to do what is best for this country. He was clearly fired up and ready to lead tonight! However, the Presidency has always been controlled by a few elites in power and this election is no different.
I realized the entire event was rigged when CNN commentators gave their analysis after the debate. I should have detected this earlier based on the enormous hype about Hillary all day today. The media was setting the bar low and preparing Americans for the outcome they wanted to report in tomorrow's headlines. Like little dogs the Americans public will take the bait. Here’s the playbook: the media (again CNN, NBC, Fox News, etc–the corporate driven folks that control the airwaves) hype a candidate and flood the airwaves with bogus stories abut what the candidate will do as in two debates prior when they hyped about Obama preparing to finally attack Hillary–as if pointing out differences is an attack in the first place. Then they state how badly Obama did by not meeting their false expectations. This was another pass to the Hillary camp to further her lead as they did during the other debates. The same corporate–driven media folks then decided to bring some equality to the debate and tighten up the race a bit because they couldn't let Hillary run away with the nomination–God forbid, what would they cover? So they destroyed Hillary in commentary after the last debate, and then hyped her expectations this debate. The problem is they didn’t give her enough questions and she was just average. When they started the commentary after the debate and slammed Obama and Edwards the light went off in my head that this election is really rigged and it is sickening.
Yes, POP, nice and cool down here this morning! It finally feels like fall.
I couldn't watch the entire debate either. When Richardson starts babbling I had to change channels.
I was really annoyed by the way that Wolf reframed the audience member's very reasonable "what kind of person are you going to look for in a Supreme Court nominee" into "ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE ABORTION A LITMUS TEST? WELL, ARE YOU? YES OR NO, PLEASE!" (I'm restating it slightly, too lazy to go to the transcript...)
That was the dumbing down that the media does for us in a nutshell. Take a good question and turn it into an obvious one framed negatively. Would a Democrat support an anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee? Would Bush appoint a "homosexual rights activist" who was otherwise qualified? Inquiring minds want to know.
Other annoyances: "Well, if we can't solve immigration do you support driver's licenses for illegal immigrants?" First off, it is not even the President or Congress that issues driver's licenses. Second, why assume failure? Obama called him on it for the nuclear question, pointing out many of his questions assumed failure. "Assuming that we make no advances in technology, would you support nuclear power as an option assuming that we run out of oil?"
My letter to CNN:
Once again, CNN demonstrates its role as hand maiden to the Right Wing, the kinder gentler FOX. Initial questions were aimed at Sen. Clinton rather then any issues. Will you lead your Republican debate the same way? Will the first question in the debate be poised at Giuliani in the same manner? Will you ask him if why he keeps changing his positions on abortion? Will you then ask McCain and Romney, what they make of Giulini changing his position? That is what essentially happened in this debate. Why do you deem Democrats as "flip-floppers" when they change a position, but you will never use this same term when discussing a contradiction made one of front runners, especially Giulin? Until I hear a rationale as to why you treat Democratic politicians differently then Republicans, I will operate on the obvious observation; CNN tilts right, badly.
Wasn't it Russert that said, in his debate, that the answer to "are you for or against drivers lincense for the illegals" should be a yes or no answer...
Also, to Russert the world revolves around the guys, if his father worked two jobs like he said, he spent a lot of time with his mother.. In his book "Big Russ and Me", you would think he was raised by a single father...
How Blitzer stays off that list is beyond me.
Same network, innit?
Hillary won’t even raise the tax rate above $97,000 for SS taxes, which should be a dead giveaway who she is and who she represents.
yup, the 6% pf folks whose incomes are OVER $97K...a vital bloc
Can we take the capital by storm and fight a revolution already?
torches and pitchforks and a MILLION furious citizens encircling the Shitehouse til the choppers come, either to open fire on the protestors or to haul the Cabalistas off to paraguay.
Now, on the other hand, if a “journalist” was tryin’ to embarrass Republicans, then half the blogosphere would be jumpin’ for joy. ;)
I doubt most of us could believe our ears, should that utterly unlikely event actually occur. Having Olberman 'moderate' the next GOPuke debate might be salutary.
Ali @ 23:
I…. Corporate America will choose our president.
unless you do something to change that!
the deed is done...the secret hasn't been leaked yet, but the choices have been made. Gay-Ron-TEED, cher...
?? Whatever …
Good luck America … you all are going to need it.
i do believe we've run plumb outta luck; what we need now is automatic weapons and rpgs...
I wish this cooler weather would last more than two days. This isn't even worth unpacking the sweaters.
I think the only debates I'll watch from now on are the repub debates, but only for the comedy content.
The "C" doesn't mean "Cable" anymore...
In their descent into the slime pool of newsertainment, CNN has shed most everyone capable of actually practicing journalism, much less knowing what it means.
If (and it's a big if) Bernie Shaw pauses to think about what CNN is now doing in the name of journalism, he probably can't stop throwing up.
The "C" now means "Crap."
?? Whatever …
Good luck America … you all are going to need it.
i do believe we’ve run plumb outta luck; what we need now is automatic weapons and rpgs…
Well, hate to say it, but unfortunately you-all probly have run out of luck,
it was needed most after Grand Theft2000,
Arbusto burned thru the good-will pretty fast after that.
So whats left? Dog and Pony disinfotainment on the "News" and Dancing with the Train Wrecks ...
"C" is for Conservative
steve @ 14:
Fuck the media, voters decide who gets the nomination not the media. Don't be brainwashed!
sure, put neocon Campbell Brown in there to ask the really idiotic questions - she was nothing but a plant. Don't forget, friends, she's married to and having Dan Senor's baby - remember him? He's much to blame for the early failed strategy in Iraq. But she just keeps on keepin' on, giving cover to her hubby and the rest of the loser con's by grilling the Democratic candidates with red herring questions.
There's fair and balanced for you CNN!
Not a single question to any of the candidates on raising taxes.
earl @ 32:
:P
Frederick @ 52:
or ending the tax cuts for the wealthy.
George (~Bush) @ 42:
I find it offensive that Blitzer, Russert, etc. feel the need to make things into yes or no questions. I presume this is because they think we are really, really stupid and not able to understand that issues are complex and can have complex answers. I don't care if GWB and the Republicans "don't do nuance." That is their own problem and it works for them well on their segment of loyalists, but it doesn't work for people who actually read and think about issues and problems in a serious manner.
Also, Bill Moyers suggestion on his show last week was dead on. Why do we have to go through the mainstream media to even have these debates? He suggested each candidate pony up some money and do interesting, thoughtful, complex debates or discussions with the candidates. I think having C-SPAN set up a simple room with a table and asking Brian Lamb to moderate a half dozen two hour discussions, each on a different topic would be amazing, informative and really good for democracy.
Cheers
What I find troubling is the fact that, if Hillary does indeed win the nomination, and then the presidency, then this country will be subjected to the rule of TWO families for the past 24 years. Assuming Hillary wins reelection, it would be 28 years. That, to me, resembles a dynasty, which this country does not need. We need a fresh voice.
Questions to be asked:
1. Will you raise the ceiling on the Social Security Tax?
2. Will you rollback the tax cuts for the wealthy?
3. Will you amend the AMT (to help save the middle class)?
Not bullshit, meaningless questions like "diamonds or pearls?"
cmhmd @ 55:
Well said. The MSM clearly has their agenda and I agree it is offensive to have partisan shills like Wolfie attempt to manipulate the debate. The real answer, however, is that the participants simply must affirmatively stand their ground against the MSM's manipulation. They will continue their slimy tactics as long as they perceive they work and nobody calls them on it. The less we touch their poisonous partisanship and manipulation the better.
CNN coverage was awful. The reporters questions were at best Entertainment Tonight quality. Just because there has been a bum rush of idiot pundits on the airwaves over the past six years doesn't mean that the American public is morons. The press failed us during the run up to the war and it continues to fail us now. One thing the Internet has exposed is that many of these reporters on our airwaves from Tim Russert to the six graders impersonating reporters during the debate last night have no business being reporters. Maybe the problem is their both over paid and out of touch and that's why they continue to ask irrelevant questions instead of asking the questions like the ones ask by real working Americans in the audience last night. All the debates except the You Tube one have been marred by piss poor questioning.
CNN's trying to be like Fox. Fox has Rudy proxies on all the time like Steve Forbes and never mentions he works for Rudy
Margaret @ 1:
adam fanklin @ 56:
Him?
http://post.oftheday.com.au/images/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-will-smith.jpg
CoIntelPRo @ 26:
Jo-Ann @ 21:
Hillary won the debate. Deal with it.
Would you like us to shutup?
It would appear as though she did win the debate, and has already won the nomination. This is how we are dealing with it. If our electoral process resembled a true democracy instead of an episode of American Idol, she would have no chance at "winning" any debate (let alone the nomination), given her track record and her apparent fixation on pant-suits, jewelry, and invading Iran. Her "victory" has nothing to do with the issues that people in this world care about, rather it comes from the fact that she is a leader in the business of the consolidation of wealth, power, and influence in this country and around the world.
She is a master of war. I refuse to accept the "reality" that her victory is inevitable. I will deal with it by continuing to dissent verbally and physically, if necessary.
I was really impressed by Biden. His answers were straightforward and honest, even when he goes against the mainstream of his party. I may not agree with all of his positions, but I respect his clarity and experience. The next president needs to be someone who knows how to deal with all three branches of government and respects them as well. I'm giving serious consideration to voting for Biden. It's time we had a senator for president again.
How to make Russert look better? Get him to a gym?
anyone with half a brain could see how blitzer was trying to frame his questions to entrap the candidates into saying something stupid. he asked the question on merit pay and dodd just shot him to pieces with his answer. too bad the answer just went over his head. rather than focusing on what dodd had said, he just posed the same question in the same innane way to all the other candidates, but again, none fell into the lair that he was attempting to set up which made him look all the more the fool.
and what was dodd's response that won him many points in my estimation: he was asked when a teacher is so far and above other teachers should they not be rewarded with merit pay. dodd's ans: if in fact, and i'm paraphrasing here as in "hey, i'm walking here, I'm walking here." apologies to Ratzo, dodd stated that if by a great teacher it's one who teaches in an affluent part of the city and the scores of the students are always exemplary and are always near the top in the nation, then the ans is no. however, if a teacher goes into a school that is located in a less desirable part of the city and teaches students despite the obstacles, then that teacher deserves merit pay. as a former school admin. i can only say hear, hear. bravo dodd. he certainly has done his homework. a great ans for a difficult question. the easy ans would have been merely to say yes, great scores are reflective of great teaching and those teachers need to be rewarded. middle america would agree. that's the easy ans kind of llike let's build a fence to keep the southern border closed and the terrorists on that side. easy ans easy solution, just not the right solution. but hell what does middle america care. it's mom, religion apple pie and pass the GW koolaid. can we have a coalition of voters so that middle america and it's backwards thinking can just be discarded. i'm pretty sick of them myself.
It would be one thing if Wolf would spread his venom among the repukes as well. However, he is so FUCKING OBVIOUS in his attacks on the dems and certainly Hillary.
Someone told me it is because he is part of some very pro Israeli lobby that is in cahoots with the religious right.
He has been covering Bush's ass for years.
Maybe when Lou Dobbs becomes Presdient and Wolf can be his VP and at that point the book of Revelations will come true.
Why does CNN let them get away with such blatant
partianship?
Jack Jett
This was the same old, same old, tactics by CNN and Wolf Blitzer. It looked as though CNN was trying to make Hillary Clinton look as good as possible so the morning papers could say, "Hillary Rebounds!" That's why people get turned off to politics. It's all so contrived.
cmhmd @ 55:
Will @ 59:
KUCINICH AND OBAMA FOR INTEGRITY AND HONESTY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
08 AND BEYOND TO CLEAN THIS MESS UP NOW!!
Blitzer is is the most incompetent person on TV.
What do you expect from a two-bit network which hires an ignorant, racist hack like Glen Beck, and showers him with money so he can defend the flat earth society members who still refuse to believe in global warming?
The only way to make Russet look better is to make him eat a salad and force him to use a StairMaster.
I think CNN did a lousy job, and I almost tuned out several times, which would be a first. Blitzer was an awful moderator. He spent the first 22 minutes or more on questions all about Hillary Clinton designed to elicit personal attacks from Obama and Edwards, and was roundly smacked down by the crowd for focusing on heat over substance. The debate became a 3-way food fight. Blitzer lost control early on and never gained it back. He failed to get most candidates to stop talking when they ran on too long, merely mumbling "all right" repeatedly. He failed to give some candidates (especially Kucinich) enough questions and enough time even though he promised to do so. I'm not a Kucinich fan per se, but this was patently unfair. It's not easy to do, but Blitzer and his crew made Russert and Williams look downright professional in their handling of the last Democratic debate.
I thought the question to Hillary about whether she liked diamonds or pearls better was ridiculous and offensive. It separates Hillary from the rest of them and assumes that all women are good for is liking jewelery. I wish she would have said "I'm running for President and that is not an appropriate question in a Presidential debate". I think its ridiculous that every question is about Hillary. Hillary never answers a question directly, Obama attacks Hillary on everything, Edwards tries to get in on it and the rest are left sitting, and getting to the point where they have to raise their hands to get called on.
Wolf Blitzer was a horrible moderator and couldn't keep control of anything.
Also can we please have a question screener so people who have no idea of how to talk in front of an audience or ask questions don't get to be on national tv?
Make Russert look better?
Schmear KY jelly on the camera lens.
Jo-Ann @ 21:
Really? Because you say so? The Iowa Independent newspaper seems to think Obama won last night.
Wolf, the automaton, made sure that, if he wasn't asking a question of Hillary, he was asking a question about Hillary. That insured she would be allotted even more time to respond to their supposed "mud-slinging". Add in an audience who booed things like Edwards saying, "we should all be held to the same standards" and you have "The Hillary Show", not a debate.
Jo-Ann @ 21:
No you deal with this....
She's a corporate whore= Bush/ Cheney
Hope you don't have children because she's probably going to send them to Iran.
Planting questions? hmmm... reminds me of someone. Oh that's right, George Bush, planting media reporters.
Want more Jo-Ann?
Let me ask you a question? Do you prefer diamonds or pearls. I dare you to answer that and then call yourself a woman.
You should be embarrassed as a female that Hillary Clinton answered and PLANTED that question.
Why don't you go and educate yourself about your candidate choice Jo- Anne.
"I find it offensive that Blitzer, Russert, etc. feel the need to make things into yes or no questions. I presume this is because they think we are really, really stupid and not able to understand that issues are complex and can have complex answers. I don’t care if GWB and the Republicans “don’t do nuance.” That is their own problem and it works for them well on their segment of loyalists, but it doesn’t work for people who actually read and think about issues and problems in a serious manner."
Brawndo - Its got what voters crave!
The fact that Leslie Blitzer is a "anchor" at CNN, speaks for the atrocious state of current news outlets, and how much it has deteriorated into "entertainment" over the past 8 years. Leslie "Wolf" Blitzer is a true lightweight. Cable "news" is just horrible. Russert doesnt deserve airtime.
If Hillary won this debate, and I felt that she did, this will push Tweety over the edge. Imagine his MOOD tonite !!!
I wanted CNN to do a REALLY good job last nite, only to make MSNBC look bad. Anything, they do is sick. Nora O'donnel just signed off ,with that stupid grin on her pretty face and that even upsets me on their network. At least she did'nt laugh, its even worse. Guess, I'd better snap out of it because they are'nt going anywhere.
I have a question for C & L. Are you taking advertising money from CNN? If you are then I say you are sleeping with the enemy. CNN is just another embarassing arm of the feckless and infuriating MSM. Why watch the debates when they ask such inane questions and the candidates don't call them on it?
There must be someone out there that loves or likes Chris Matthews enough to call an INTERVENTION for him to heal and get some well needed help so he can get over Hillary with not too much pain. His whole show tonight was on Hillary !! He can't be SO stupid to think he can change all our minds, so it has to be a complete,total obsession that he can't control. Surely, his wife must see this. His fellow hosts at MSNBC seem to encourage this opinion except for Keith .Even his boss , Russert goes right along with it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sq-1RPIYfo
This guy breaks down why CNN is just as bad as Faux News...funny clip!!
Kick his ass off the air
I have a suggestion for the candidates...When asked by the moderator a stupid question. Look perplexed and say now why in the hell would I waste my time answering a dumb a** question such as that?
As far as Matthews his obsession with Ms Clinton is getting out of hand...The guy starts drooling at the mouth liike a rabid raccoon, and his voice goes another octave higher.
I hope MSNBC has a couple of guys in the wings with a gurney and some restraints for when he really goes off the deep end!
Campbell Brown can be excused she's married to Dan Senor a total neocon which shows she has no common sense.
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