Debate 101: Don't disrespect the questioner!

[feistydem]

I cringed every time Biden, Clinton, Dodd and Richardson answered the question they wanted to answer and side-stepped the question asked of them by a present questioner. Biden really blew it with the miner's wife! I am so glad Edwards, Obama and Kucinich addressed the questions asked, not pretend like they didn't hear them and blow past the person.

I am surprised that issue hasn't come up in the post-debate spin. Several candidates were loudly booed by the crowd for being so disrespectful. Why is Hillary ahead, anyway? I think she's pretty unskilled at "Debate 101."

[tech3149]

1. I think they all tried to steer their answers to platform issues

rather than answer the question. I expect that in a political campaign. Overall, I think they all did well, but Kucinich, Edwards, and Obama did less redirection than the others. Richardson did well and Biden hit one over the fence with his one word answer.

Forget the post debate spin, it's just that, other people telling you what to think. The only value of that is to show others how much their perception is manipulated by those with a big microphone,

[DURHAM D]

2. The worst "side stepper" of the night was Edwards.

He should have owned this forum - sadly, he failed miserably.

[feistydem]

3. I disagree, of course. But I gather that you wrote that because I support him.

I thought he kicked butt tonight.

[DURHAM D]

5. You might want to go back and watch his response to the

disabled guy - totally sucked.

When I wrote the response I had no idea who your candidate was? Why would you even think that I did or that it matters?

[feistydem]

6. I agree he could have addressed the disabled guy better, given the crowd sentiment. But ...

I don't think that means he lost or that he stunk tonight. At least he didn't sidestep the guy the way Biden did with the miner's wife. He talked seriously about healthcare reform and even got the questioner to applaud his answer.

[DURHAM D]

7. Just before the show started I was talking to a friend on the phone.

I suggested that he watch the debate. I told him it was a labor forum and that I thought Edwards would dominate and it should be his best debate.

I was very disappointed because it felt to me like he was pandering all night - he wasn't coming across as the real deal.

My friend called me after the debate and he was laughing. He thought I had punked him about Edwards. I told him that I was absolutely serious and he laughed and said "You are not as politically astute as I have always thought you were".

[DURHAM D]

4. mistake eom