9:46: Last question from Gibson, about pure politics: How will you make the case to the superdelegates? Hillary says "we need a fighter back in the White House." I'd say Bush is a fighter, just on the wrong side. She talks about tackling problems and various proposals, but I'm sure her real argument to the supers will be something along the lines of "Obama sucks and can't win."
9:51: And that's the end. Who won? Really, who cares? Obama looked tired, I think he had a sore throat, and it wasn't his best performance by any stretch. But Hillary didn't do much to capitalize either.
The big story of the night was the laughably unfair and superficial questions, which seemed entirely based on Republican talking points and/or stuff having nothing to do with who will be a better president. Mark my words: that'll be the story coming out of tonight.
More to come; off to the spin room now.
Posted by Stephen Silver at April 16, 2008 09:48 PMNice job Steve!
I was similarly annoyed when Gibson said Clinton was owed time, after Obama spent so much of his defending against tired attacks.
You wouldn't know this, being there in person, but ABC cut away to a Verizon ad immediately after the debate ended. It looked like the candidates were preparing to shake hands or something.
I am always interested to see how they act when it's all over, and this is the first time that I can think of where the audience wasn't afforded that opportunity.
I am left to conject that Hillary smiled and extended her hand and Barack fell asleep on his feet.
Posted by: PK3 at April 16, 2008 11:57 PM