April 17, 2008

Debate Wrap-up

My North Star column on the debate, filed from on site, is online here. I had a great time and I'm glad I went, but my lord am I mad at the questions ABC asked. Stephanopoulos went on Hannity's radio show and got suggested questions, which he later asked? Really?

The spin room, though, is really something, I recommend every political junkie get in there at least once. The most popular spinners were Mayor Nutter, Gov. Rendell, Congressman Patrick Murphy, Obama advisor David Axelrod, and a few other people I didn't recognize.

I asked Nutter a question about one of Hillary's gun answers, and about the federal government's role in crime prevention generally, and halfway through he started waving his arms. It was loud in there and I couldn't hear anything, so I figured he was asking me to get to the point. In actuality, the mayor of Philadelphia was asking my name and who I was with.

I didn't get to anyone else any questions, though I'm guessing I probably walked through the background of 15 different TV stations' live shots.

I was especially impressed with WPHT radio host Dom Giordano, who was broadcasting live while walking around in the room. I was less impressed later, however, when I listened to his show and he praised the questions asked, since he's sick of hearing about issues "like health care."

And about that column- the freepers got ahold of it! Who knew North Star was part of the dreaded MSM? Funny that here I am as independent columnist, writing a column critical of the performance of ABC News, yet it's me who is part of the dying, irrelavent, liberal mainstream media.

Posted by Stephen Silver at April 17, 2008 11:33 AM
Comments

Hey thanks for the great blog, I love this stuff. I've been paying a lot of attention to politics lately and it made me realize that Earth day is coming up. I don’t usually do much for Earth Day but with everyone going green these days, I thought I’d try to do my part.

I am trying to find easy, simple things I can do to help stop global warming (I don’t plan on buying a hybrid). Has anyone seen that EarthLab.com is promoting their Earth Day (month) challenge, with the goal to get 1 million people to take their carbon footprint test in April?... I took the test, it was easy and only took me about 2 minutes and I am planning on lowering my score with some of their tips.

I am looking for more easy fun stuff to do. If you know of any other sites worth my time let me know.

Posted by: Adrian at April 17, 2008 02:52 PM

Thanks for keeping the live debate blog, i read it instead of watching the debate, and am much happier this way.

Posted by: Freddy at April 17, 2008 03:44 PM

I just read that ABC's new blog got like over 15,000 comments and most of them were negative. Tuesday's vote next week should bring some interesting results.

Posted by: A at April 17, 2008 07:46 PM

I just read all the freeper comments -- talk about "bitter." The name calling, the personal attacks, taking so many things out of context... it's depressing how cynical and nasty they can be. Support a republican, fine, but try to stay positive! I guess our side has Michael Moore and the other side has the freepers.

Anyhow, enjoyed the play-by-play, thanks!

Posted by: jabbett at April 18, 2008 12:57 AM

so here's an idea: in the next debate, the moderator will do almost nothing, and the candidates will ask each other questions, like a real debate. These "debates" are really just dual interviews.

Posted by: Tito at April 18, 2008 01:01 AM

Energy independence is much more important than global warming. When the US is energy independent there will be no more oil wars and the terrorists will no longer be able or interested in reaching us. This will save lives AND energy. The global warming crowd can't claim this. The truth is only the Chinese can stop man made climate change. They are going through an industrial revolution that is sure to dwarf our own. Does this mean we should do nothing? Far from it. Let's study what Denmark, France, Brazil, and Australia have done on energy and do likewise. Let's drill wherever we have oil and put a new nuclear power plant in every state. Let's use all our coal and natural gas. We don't need foreign energy. And we will be safer, greener, and richer with out it.

Posted by: poetryman69 at April 18, 2008 09:41 PM

It's tough to take someone's argument seriously when their handle ends in 69.

Posted by: Fred at April 18, 2008 11:18 PM
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