Here is the "Talk Clock" from tonights Debate!!

[The Sushi Bandit]

Question Count
CNN Moderators: 42
YouTube User Submitted: 37

[w13rd0]

1. Not altogether surprising...

...CNN focused on the "frontrunners" and those judged most telegenic for the primary slices of the three largest pieces of pie. Gravel was, unsurprisingly, given the least amount of time, with Kucinich coming in a whole two minutes above him. Kind of a shame, because I really would like to see more from Biden, Dodd and Richardson, especially given they are the three with the most experience actually governing and legislating. Edwards is right that this format, with this many players on stage, isn't really conducive to getting a clear picture of the candidates. But then again, only the really politically active are paying much attention, and one would hope that they other means to familiarize themselves as well as the debates. I don't think, at least at this point in the primary process, that the debates are actually making anyone decide on a particular candidate, one way or another, though they are certainly influencing predispositions.

[earthlover]

2. Sad that Cooper spent more time than any candidate except two....

Is Cooper running for something?

[earthlover]

3. Another thing I noticed....

At one point Cooper cut off Gravel for too much time. Then the question went to Hillary. She gave a short answer and Cooper actually asked her more questions to expand her answer!!!! What a hoot! It was pretty obvious that the focus of the debate was gonna be on the "contenders". Although I found Gravel to be a bit on the grating side, this was pretty transparent on Cooper's part.

[polichick]

4. Thanks...

Interesting to see it displayed like that; guess CNN just went by their poll numbers to decide talk time. So the polls and the debates support each other and the media picks the nominee. What a tidy little system!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Just like 2004

The corporate media have already decided who the "serious" candidates are.

I first noticed that in 1988, when everyone in the media seemed to be referring to that year's crop of candidates as The Seven Dwarfs.

[The Sushi Bandit]

6. They should mix up the line-up placement too.

put Gravel between Clinton and Obama!