Thank You ABC for killing the GOP smear plan for this fall.

[Bensthename]

From all of the previous coverage of the Wright, bitter, flag pin, etc. people were really starting to get tired of hearing about it. Then comes along Charlie and George and embarrasses themselves by talking about this ridiculous crap for the first hour.. People were about to throw up from this crap.. I know I puked a little and then swallowed it real quick..

From all of the reviews and backlashing over this there is one solid message to the media from the masses.. LET IT SINK... This may turn out to be a blessing for Obama that this primary has turned nasty for so long. So when the GOP tries to rehash this b.s. again they will also get the bird from the American people.

This may be the silver lining in my view. This debate has set the tone for the GOP race on these trivial issues. The people to the media and the GOP smear machine = Let It Sink, let's talk policy.. McCain will be forced to talk about this failed war and failed economy. An easy win in these times.

[ColbertWatcher]

1. I hope you are right. n/t

[MrModerate]

2. Dang! You mean the newsies are on our side?

Or did they slip this one past their corporate masters all stealthy-like?

[Bensthename]

3. Hmmmm, good question..

Maybe. They can't be as dumb as they let on last night so you may be right.

[MindMatter]

4. This may be the year that candidates decide the debates don't add anything to the process

I would dearly live to see an honest debate where substantial issues are discussed substantially. That hasn't have a single time in any of these debates.

We are in a new era. The networks and the cable wannabes are on their way out. To a large extent the superficiality of the spectacle last night was a direct reflection on just how trivial and irrelevant that whole segment of the media has become.

In 2000 and 2004, Letterman, Leno, and Larry King became more relevant than the "news" talking heads. And just look at how things have changes since then. Nobody stands around the water cooler commenting on what Tim Russert had to say yesterday. This is a Youtube, blog & email world. And an appearance on The Daily Show has far more impact than 20 appearances on Meet the Press and all the other shows that are designed to settle noting, inform nobody, and not offend GE and the other sponsors.

So it becomes a serious question. Why should the candidates even waste any time with a debate program this year?

Undoubtedly, the candidate running behind will call for debates in macho "I challenge you to a duel". And we'll probably have to endure 1 or 2 of them in the fall. But after that train wreck last night, Obama will be in a strong position to say, "Listen, I'd love to have a clean , fair, open discussion about the issues, unscripted, and free of the petty 'gotcha' nonsense that the American people have shown they don't want to hear." The ABC fiasco puts Obama in a position to push for the kind of debate that will expose McCain to be an old well out of touch with the world, and completely incapable of doing anything more than reciting a few simple slogans.

And the real debates will be going on big time in the new media.