Just watched the re-broadcast of last night's MSNBC forum...

[mak3cats]

My impressions:

O'Malley - I liked his stances, and WHAT he has to say, but I simply cannot get past his method of delivery. Unfair of me, I know, but he always sounds insincere. I don't think he IS insincere, but he sounds like it to me.

HRC - I confess I didn't make it any further than her non-answer regarding her hawkishness (there probably wasn't much more anyway, unless she was given more time than the other two candidates). She's professional, and practiced, and the consummate politician. Lots of style, not much substance. But she knows how to play the game, and that's why she's a formidable opponent.

Bernie - In two words, nailed it. Said what he needed to say, and (with one exception) did it with clarity, passion and humor (glad to see that he's letting more of that out - it's engaging). The exception is when he referred to talking to "white, working-class voters." I understood him to be referring to Republican voters only (and thought his comment to be utterly valid), but if one is not so discerning, it could be taken as exclusionary. Judging by the expressions on some of the faces in the audience at the time, I am afraid that might have been the case. I'm sure that Camp Weathervane will attempt to make the most of it, but happily I have not found anything negative online yet.

Big thank you to retrowire and the others who live-posted last night during the event! That's where I started this morning.

[notadmblnd]

1. I thought he said "why working class voters" not "white working class voters"

I don't know, I guess people hear what they want to hear, just like here where people read into what is written what they want to read not what is actually written.

[cantbeserious]

2. Thank You For Sharing

eom

[LoveIsNow]

3. I'm so frustrated at myself,

but I feel the same as you about O'Malley. He isn't saying anything wrong; he's just polished to the point of almost being robotic and consequently, nothing he says really sits right.

Unfortunately, appearances count just at much as policy in an election.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. Martin

He isn't being himself. I don't know whether it is own doing but he sounds weird. I have watched him over the years as Baltimore mayor and MD Gov but he didn't talk like that then.

[LoveIsNow]

8. That's a shame.

I definitely admire the things I've read about him over the years.

I mean, don't get me wrong, If still be in the Bernie camp, but it would be nice to see a more down to earth Martin. I'd feel more comfortable with the idea of him as nominee.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. He did well as MD governor

I've heard him speak at many events however I can imagine it is nerve racking at a forum like this. I know when I've spoken in public my voice goes squeaky.

[Hepburn]

5. I was embarassed for Hillary...

...she came across as sooooooooooooooooo plastic and without any sincerity.

I was impressed by MOM and, oh, my, BERNIE ROCKED IT!!!!!

[DrBulldog]

6. Give me credit.

I lasted over a minute with Hillary. Kinda like holding my breath using a stopwatch.

[Plucketeer]

7. I watched the whole show

Given what's at stake, it's too important to tune out what you don't wanna hear.

Personally - O'Malley and Clinton are of a different world than I am. And I'm OK with the realization that there is a strata that I'd feel uncomfortable in - it's just that I don't endeavor to live like that. SO..... gimmee a straight-talkin' guy who's known what lean times are like and still does to this day.

[Bernin4U]

10. Veterans of the corporate world

Should recognize Hillary quite well. She's thar new executive who was just brought in (probably from a different industry) to come and shake things up.

She's full of double-speak, sounding perfectly smooth, while never saying anything substantive.

She'll make a point to shake the hand of every last employee. Then in her second week, she'll RIF a third of them without blinking.

The majority of her time there is spent planning her next career move. She'll soon leave the place in a shambles, off to bigger and better things.