Becuase Everything Else Sucks

AFL-CIO Democratic Presidential Debate on MSNBC

By Manila Ryce
Published Wednesday, August 8th, 2007, 6:55 am
Filed under: Videos: Debate, Videos: Political, Videos, US Politics

Last night’s AFL-CIO Debate was both good and bad for progressives. Good because the candidates really started to set themselves apart from each other, and bad because Mike Gravel wasn’t on stage. Sure he’s a cranky old man, but he’s also like a child who kicks you in the head while you’re sound asleep. You have no choice but to wake up. The organizers gave some lame excuse about a questionnaire not being filled out in time.

Still, as much as I love Gravel, his absence was a blessing in disguise for Dennis Kucinich. The Ohio Congressman seemed to fill Gravel’s niche as the outspoken alternative choice. Most often we see Kucinich taking the “peace candidate” thing a bit too far with a plastic smile and using talking points to get his message across. Well he finally let loose yesterday, able to play to the boisterous crowd more than anyone else.

As for Keith Olbermann, I think he did an excellent job of moderating. He tried to let the candidates reply to each other (like in a real debate) while giving everyone the same amount of speaking time. He also kept his own time short and without many quips. All too often, the moderators in these debates will try to become the center of attention, but Olbermann bit his tongue. Kudos Keith.

So other than Kucinich, I’d have to say that John Edwards also did a great job of connecting with the audience as a protector of the working class. If I didn’t pay attention to the millions of dollars from Wall Street backing his campaign, I just may have been inclined to believe him. Dodd and Richardson didn’t do as well in setting themselves apart from the tired politics of the top tier candidates. I suspect it’s because they actually aren’t different.

Obama did fairly well defending himself against attacks from Dodd and Hillary on his recent remarks, stating that he would perform targeted killings in Pakistan without Musharraf’s permission if necessary. Though anyone familiar with the blog knows I strongly disagree with the policy of extrajudicial killings, Barack was able to expose Hillary’s hypocrisy in criticizing a hypothetical scenario when she authorized the disastrous war we’re in. However, Obama’s support from the audience began to fizzle when he answered every question with a variation of the following: “Yes, corporate interests are screwing you over, and though I will not eliminate them from the equation, I will have you present at the bargaining table when we negotiate your future.” The crowd didn’t seem too satisfied with that response.

And now for the two biggest losers: Hillary and Biden. In case you didn’t catch it in the previous debates; Hillary would like you to know that this is George Bush’s war, and that she really had nothing to do with it. “I’ve been fighting for you and I’ve got the scars to prove it. I’m different from the Neocons. Really.” Nonetheless, as you can see at the end of the last video, Chris Matthews continued his cheerleading for Hillary. I wonder if he’s being paid for his commercial endorsements, or if Matthews just hopes she’ll win the nomination because nothing will rally the defeated Republican Party like the possibility of a Clinton presidency.

And if you didn’t think anyone could get a colder reception from a union audience than a Clinton, I present to you Joe Biden. He answered every question with the following: “The first thing I’d do to fix your problem is tell you a personal story of my own. I’ve lost a spouse, been sick in a hospital, and stubbed my toe last night while getting a slice of pizza from my mini fridge. I can relate to you. With that being said, allow me to address an unrelated question asked 10 minutes ago. You can’t accomplish anything without forsaking your principles. You idiots better get real about these issues.” His response to the widow of the coal miner was simply disrespectful and opportunistic. To be fair though, Joe was at least able to make it through the entire debate without saying anything racist.

Seriously, Biden must have gotten booed more than Limp Bizkit at the Apollo. And with that reference to a band you never wanted to think about again, I leave you with the following videos. Enjoy.

h/t to CSPANJUNKIEdotORG for always being on point with my requests.

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9 Responses to “AFL-CIO Democratic Presidential Debate on MSNBC”

  1. Keith Olbermann is very good at letting others talk. It’s called journalistic professionalism.

    Great night for DK, too.

    Blue Gal
    08/8/07 at 8:12 am

  2. I have never seen anyone commit so much time to actually help people; but walking the picket lines with us hundreds of times, hunbdreds; by working hard to raise the minimum wage in ten states(!); by pointing out where our democracy is faulty; by demanding the troops out;, by apologizing for his vote to enable W; all in order to fool me into thinking he fights fir working people, everyday of his life, and wants to that as president.

    So if wants to continue to fool us by working hard for us as president, well I’m OK with that.

    Or you’re wrong. Or you’re wrong and Edwards is the real deal who sees America as it is, even been burned by it, learned from it. He sure sounds like those are issues he wants America to wake up to.

    If I hear one more candidate spend half of much time saying that unions are good for America, I’ll eat my hat and re-think my switch to John.

    But until then I think your almost paranoid attacks are silly.

    Exlie
    08/8/07 at 1:54 pm

  3. @Exlie
    Although I prefer Edwards over Clinton or Obama (that’s why I only criticized him with one sentence above), he simply doesn’t go far enough. He won’t take money from Washington lobbyists, but still gets it from Wall Street hedge funds. He wants to reform NAFTA, but won’t cancel it outright. He wants universal health care, but won’t make it a not-for-profit system. He’s pro-civil rights, but against gay marriage. Then there are his votes in favor of the Patriot Act, creation of Homeland Security, and the Iraq War. He’s better than some, but definitely not the best.

    Manila Ryce
    08/8/07 at 2:41 pm

  4. Spot on with your critique of John Edwards. The problem for me is that I really want to like John Edwards, but I can’t help but shake all those blotches on his record, and his generally wishy-washy stance on the issues. But I think he’s definitely got his head in the right direction, but like you said, he just doesn’t go far enough. I’d probably like him the best out of the big three were his record not so abysmal.

    Sam
    08/8/07 at 3:05 pm

  5. Abysmal…
    yeah right I’m sorry this is just a troll
    abysmal hahahha
    yeah Biden is on the ground helping to raise the minimum wage, righ,t clinton walks the line with us, Dodd is a big union guy? Probably is, but not the dedicate fighter like Edwards is. Ok I.m not insulting others I’m just so sick of both republican and naderite “attack and dividers”, pretending to be democrats, as well as the over the top fellow democrats who don’t know how to formulate a debate, just an attack.

    Exlie
    08/8/07 at 3:25 pm

  6. If Kucinich was our candidate we would loose, and probably take our Hpouse and Senate majorities with him. If he cannot, and he can’t, convince democrats to take him seriously, How the hell is he going to convince the independent dem leaners? I like positions he has taken and been angry at his smug, “i’m the only one with the support of the democrat left,” which he isn’t. Holier than thou is a problem with repug and democratic party candidates. It’s awful in both, and doesn’t play well in the cornfields let alone the plant gate, let me tell you.

    That means we’re talking aboput who understands and talks about why NAFTA screwed us over, undertands talks about and acts on the control of our media, understands and talks about and acts on the needs for unions and our working rights, understands and talks about and acts on minimum wages.
    Not glib phrases, not almost there, maybe, but wont say (HRC wouldnt even call hereflf a liberal when pressed, (’I'm a modern progressive’) or says but has not history of doing.

    Edwards / Durbin sounds like a great ticket to me. The VP is really the only thing I’m concerned about now. That and what Gore is going to do.

    ON the VP we have to make sure John doesnt go for a ‘moderate’ balance to his ticket (uuugh), I’d happily agree with Obama, or Boxer, or Spitzer. excitement is the key for me, Oh and making sure the mandate gets carried out no matter what. If you know what I mean.

    On Gore I’m hoping he comes out for Edwards, or even joins his ticket (!!!) to spend all his time as VP working for green industrial base - or runs and asks Edwards onto his ticket. The sheer justice of the stolen election the destiny of Gore being president and all that camelot stuff, just makes me weak.

    If Gore endorses HRC then we were very wrong about him, and the democratic party and America are in deep doo doo by me. But if we are right how Al has grown, Gore/Edwards wow, Edwards/Gore holy sh!#

    Exlie
    08/8/07 at 3:51 pm

  7. I Appreciate the editorial since I did not see the debate. It is nice to hear Oberman did a good job, I have more faith in him the most of the other talking faces. Did get to hear some of the highlights on PBS and must say, this the first time I have herd Dennis get excited and he did it well, hearing him was exciting.

    Gravel did not get in the paperwork, sounds a little like a set up.

    Anyone out their believe Dennis has a chance? Big money seems to be calling the shots as usual. Lets face it the fascists, neocons and Zionists (may all be the same) will make sure he dosent.
    Thanks again for the great site.

    Lee
    08/8/07 at 9:11 pm

  8. Who here claimed to be a Democrat? I’m certainly not one. This whole idea of being loyal to a party at the expense of your principles befuddles me.

    I like Edwards better than everyone except Obama, who I hold on about equal ground. I like Edwards policy stances better than Obama, but his votes for the Iraq war (he even co-authored the bill), Homeland Security, and the Patriot Act make me really question his judgment.

    Both Kucinich and Gravel are far better candidates though.

    Sam
    08/8/07 at 9:54 pm

  9. […] of his father working in a mill, but refuses to cancel NAFTA. Dennis Kucinich said outright at the AFL-CIO debate that he will cancel both NAFTA and the WTO. Edwards also says he’s got the most progressive plan […]

    Kucinich Wins Presidential Poll on John Edwards’ Own Site | The 35 Percenters
    09/5/07 at 4:50 am

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