Huff Post: Winners, Losers, and Other Debate Observations

[waiting for hope]

Winners, Losers, and Other Debate Observations
Michael Fauntroy, PhD
Posted June 29, 2007

Ninety minutes isn't much time to discuss the issues that are important to the nation. Seventy-five minutes is even less, which is what we got after the Tavis Smiley Show, the 15 minutes at the start of the broadcast that allowed him to pay tribute to Howard University, Tom Joyner, and, of course, himself. Candidate events such as these almost always fail to live up to expectations. There are canned answers, flubbed lines, and other annoyingly condescending comments made by candidates. However, these events are (marginally) important and here are my winners and losers.

Winners

Former Senator John Edwards, yet again, has demonstrated he grasps the issues as well or better than anyone in the race. He was particularly impressive in responding to a question on HIV/AIDS. He called for increased federal funding for a cure for HIV/AIDS and provide Medicare coverage for testing and treatment. He would appoint a redevelopment czar for New Orleans. It's too bad the punditocracy is trying to make this a two-person race.

Every day that Hilary walks off the stage without a major flub is a good thing. She didn't hurt herself and she helped herself when she noted that if HIV/AIDS were hitting white women aged 18-25 the way it is hitting Black America, then there would be hell to pay. That was an inconvenient truth that too many people want to overlook.

Joe Biden showed his willingness to be candid on issues. His comment on the need for community leadership to confront the men in the community about the need to wear condoms and the need for women to know that they can say no in response to a question on HIV/AIDS drew gasps in the room. Some will, no doubt, see his comment as condescending and I can see why (there's nothing like a White Senator telling Black folk what to do), but he's right and people need to be real about this issue. Too many Black men are being sexually irresponsible.

~Snip~

More

I thought Edwards did fantastic - How many DUer's knew that the Edwards campaign doesn't employ a speech writer? That just blows my mind - Imagine him in the White House after eight years of Bush trying to put two words together!

[dk2]

1. I have to agree

with Edwards did great - He had complete answers with a plan.

[bettync]

2. Very good article!

Edwards presented a great deal of substance in the small amount of time each candidate had to speak. When Edwards said, "Poverty is the issue of my life.", I was very touched.

[waiting for hope]

4. You just know he means it -

The poverty issue is like the gorilla in the room - nobody else wants to touch it but Edwards and I have more respect for him for that. It's not a popular issue but it's a necessary one and he gets it.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

10. I agree with you. JE is right. It is the moral issue of our time

How can we allow 37 million Americans to live in poverty in the world's most affluent democracy? That is plain wrong. Other candidates, aside from Kucinich, do not even bother to mention poverty, let alone offer a plan to deal with it. Of course, spending $15 billion a year to eradicate poverty is anathema to "New Democrats".

JE gains no political points for making it his signature issue. It is clear that he genuinely cares about it. He could have easily chosen a generic, poll-tested theme that sounded good but did not require him to actually challenge the status quo.

[ultraist]

3. Agree, Edwards had the best answers

Edwards had the most detailed, solution focused answers of any of the candidates at last night's debate. Not surprising, since he has the most detailed, progresssive plans.

[Cha]

5. Good on Edwards! I didn't see

the debate but I don't also don't see Obama mentioned in this review. Am I just being blind or did he skip the Senator from Illinois?

[waiting for hope]

6. Great catch zidzi...

Totally missed that - while I think we have the best field of candidates compared to the Republican side this election cycle, it's refreshing to note that name/fame recognition doesn't give a free pass.

[Cha]

7. It seems kinda strange

that Michael Fauntroy would leave out Obama for a "winner or loser"!

Sorry, about the double negative in my post above..too late to edit. :)

[draft_mario_cuomo]

11. I think that makes sense. Obama was not a "winner" but also not a "loser" last night

He held station.

[Carolina Voice]

8. The debate

In some ways I thought last night's debate was better than the others because it was less formal. The more formal it is, the more canned the answers.

[waiting for hope]

9. No kidding - and I am so

happy no one had to raise their hand!

[draft_mario_cuomo]

12. Thanks for the info. I did not know JE does not use a speech writer

That is great. Let Edwards speak from the heart with his words, not fancy poll-tested rhetoric written by a highly paid consultant. :bounce: