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Democrats Slug it Out During Second Televised Debate« Thread

Daily newsbrief journal for June 2007, also see http://www.usdemocrats.com/brief for a global 100-page perpetual brief and follow twitter @usdemocrats


Democrats Slug it Out During Second Televised Debate« Thread

Postby admin » Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:02 pm

Democrats Slug it Out During Second Televised Debate« Thread Started on Jun 4, 2007, 8:13am » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Democrats Slug it Out During Second Televised DebateTim King Salem-News.com read at source> http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june ... 7.phpPolls continue to indicate that a Democrat will probably be elected President in the next election. Former North Carolina senator John Edwards (L), New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (C), and Illinois Senator Barack Obama (R) from the Democratic debate(WMUR-TV/New Hampshire) - One thing is certain in the wake of a debate between Democratic Presidential candidates today; President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy will soon cease to exist if the Republicans lose control of the oval office in 2008. Polls continue to indicate that a Democrat will most likely take the helm in the next election.Eight Democratic Presidential candidates took to the podiums today in an event put together by CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader, to debate a number of topics that may ultimately influence voters on election day. The actual television broadcast was not a reflection of what we generally expect in national TV. They had audio problems and Wolf Blitzer had to repeat questions from the panel that the candidates could not understand. The camera work probably made a few people run for their Dramamine and I had to wonder why so little went into the event in terms of pre-production and planning. I will say that every time I have covered a presidential visit I always end up on a big platform that bounces if somebody breathes wrong. Still, this seemed like the bar was somehow lowered.During the debate the candidates agreed on some things and in some areas they displayed almost bitter opposition. Most Democrats hold the Bush Administration more or less accountable for most of the huge events of the last six years, but Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich says President George W. Bush should not just be blamed for the war in Iraq, but on the Congress that authorized it.Kucinich says U.S. troops "never should have been sent there in the first place," he said. He says the time is now, Americans in Iraq are increasingly becoming targets in a civil war, and it is time to call it, "just say no money, the war's over." Joe Biden says the time to end the war in Iraq is now, but he defended the recent actions of Democrats who in the end, agreed to fund the conflict in Iraq. But Biden says that is not about blame, it is about making sure people over there are safe and have what they need.Perhaps the most revolutionary thinker of the eight is indeed Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who I had the chance to interview during John Kerry's campaign for President.While they all talked about improving the American healthcare system, acknowledging that it is badly in need of a major overhaul, Kucinich is the only one out of the eight who talks about bringing medical care to all Americans through a program that would basically end the reign of American insurance companies and their ever escalating costs. He wants American healthcare to stop being a profit industry. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says he brought healthcare to all kids under five. Other candidates like Barack Obama said that is not enough. Hillary Clinton talked about President Bill Clinton's unsuccessful efforts to establish a national healthcare system, "And I have the scars to prove it," she added.As strong contenders, plans under development by Clinton, Edwards and Obama all utilize the existing system.While many of the questions fielded by CNN's Wolf Blitzer and other journalists seemed logical and important, other questions were called out onto the carpet, so to speak, for being among the unnecessary subjects that typically divide Americans, ones there are no easy or practical answers for.One such question was whether or not English should be the "official U.S. language."Barack Obama objected to the notion of that being a subject that could lead to anything positive, saying it was, "the kind of question that was designed precisely to divide us." The senator said questions like that, "do a disservice to the American people."Obama was gracious during another hot button subject that he easily could have taken more advantage of; that is the initial support of the invasion of Iraq. While he wasn't in Congress at the time, he was the only one of the eight who openly refused to put his political support behind the initial war effort.To this day, Hillary Clinton seems very reluctant to admit that she may have made a mistake in following along with the intelligence reports on Weapons of Mass Destruction. Part of the problem is that both Clinton and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards chose to back President Bush and his team at the time, but neither took the time to fully read the fine print when it came to the intelligence reports. When asked if they regret not having fully read the intelligence reports at the time, each said no, citing reason after reason that the information they received at the time was sufficient to base a solid decision.But Edwards went a step further, saying in regard to that decision, "I was wrong." That is something Hillary is yet to do.Another change that seems guaranteed by putting a Democrat in office, will be the end of the military's "Don't Ask- Don't Tell" policy that was implemented during the Clinton Administration. Each of the candidates said it would be history. Richardson went a step further, "I would include domestic partnerships in the military." He decried the nine thousand servicemembers who have been discharged over their homosexuality while soldiers embattled in Iraq are running short on people. He also talked about how America's allies like France and Great Britain allow open homosexuality. "I have a feeling that soldiers in Iraq don't look at the Brit that is backing them up in combat and say, 'Are you gay?'"Richardson also talked about vast improvements that need to take place in the Veteran's Administration healthcare system. Former Senator Mike Gravel, D-Alaska was the only candidate who voiced confidence in the current VA healthcare system, he was also quick to talk about how the English language needs to be the country's official language.An ABC poll released June 1st shows Hillary Clinton leading the Democrats prior to the debate with 35% of the people surveyed saying they would back her for President. Barack Obama trails Clinton with 21%. 11% of those surveyed back Edwards, with Richardson at 2% and Biden at 1%.Rudy Giuliani is leading the race in the same poll as of June 1st, with 32% of those surveyed supporting his run for the oval office. Senator John McCain' 19% leads newcomer Fred Thompson who is already pulling support from 11% of the people surveyed. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich both are pulling 9% and Mike Huckabee has 2%. More contenders after that for the Republican ticket all pulling 1% are Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson, Duncan Hunter, Sam Brownback and two others.Indeed, the nation is in for a big change and whoever takes the reigns of this great nation is going to have a big job on their hands, to say the least.
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