Am I the only one who thought Obama failed the debate?

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

I see posts from Katzenkavsomething (Sorry I can't remember the name exactly) saying that he and Clinton won. Clinton perhaps was able to sound somewhat competent and smooth. Obama, on the other hand, seemed like he was struggling. He desperately needs a debate coach. Also, his answers seemed to me to be trite, and he let Edwards completely demolish him convincingly (ESPECIALLY on not leading on the question of the war funding bill).

I thought Edwards did reasonably well, but to tell you the truth I think Biden debated the best and won the debate, though I don't agree with his policy stance.

EDIT:

Fillers, stuttering, stock phrases, looking confused and unassertive, it's just bad debating.

That's all. I know you guys like him and are properly already in his campaign, but let's be honest here.

[Alizaryn]

I thought Obama did real well.

[William769]

25. Agreed.

[Alizaryn]

1. I thought Obama did real well.

[laruemtt]

2. i agree.

i don't think he did himself any favors tonite and he's gone down in my estimation at least. kuch is still the man.

[Alizaryn]

3. I thought Obama did real well.

[senseandsensibility]

4. yes

eom

[Colobo]

5. LOL!

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

8. it's you!

Katzenkavalier. I'll remember it now.

:hi:

[Coexist]

6. I thought he did fine. Totally muffed the VA question

but he was better than last time.

[itsrobert]

7. I thought Edwards scored a TKO over Obama

Obama needs to throw in the towel, he's outclassed.

[Colobo]

9. Really?

[thatsrightimirish]

13. I don't know

The four and a half years late comment was damaging

[Pirate Smile]

17. Definitely the best line of the night.

[flpoljunkie]

36. It will, no doubt, be the most quoted line from the debate.

[rep the dems]

20. No way. It's easy for Edwards to say that they should have taken

a stronger stance before the vote when he doesn't have to cast one at all. I like John Edwards, and I like that he gave Obama credit for opposing the war from the start, but Obama's rebuttal was tough but strong. It's Hillary who got served during that argument IMO.

[MethuenProgressive]

21. TKO? "Instead of ending the war in Iraq, I'll travel the world!"

Johnny's a featherweight, out on his feet, tripping over the spit bucket.

[Colobo]

27. LOL!

[Bucky]

38. That was a lame line, but they're all trying to sound novel & Clinton took the "best" answer

I think he was trying to avoid saying "me, too" and sound visionary and exciting. Whoever went first on that answer was gonna have it easier. Interestingly, Dodd, who spoke last, got the only applause there.

[MethuenProgressive]

41. He answered right before Clinton did.

Pretty sure she got applause too.

[noamnety]

43. "I'll travel the world" is a perfect answer

if you are running for Miss America.

[patrice]

10. I'm going to have trouble supporting anyone who thinks it's okay

for innocent people to die if we were to find Osama bin Laden and bomb him.

bin Laden should be arrested and brought to trial. I'm no expert, but I believe there ways to make that happen without bombing and thus killing innocents - that makes us no better than he is.

[noamnety]

40. I had a major problem with that as well.

that was an oops, you're out move. Not that I was planning to vote for him anyway, but we aren't supposed to go around committing war crimes. I know congress has lost track of that rule, but it exists, all the same.

[patrice]

47. They were saying something such as "Under the rules of engagement

in war, we can do this."

My Libertarian (attorney) husband says there's no way other than bombing, to get bin Laden, other than invasion, that is, but he's not the most creative thinker I ever met.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think of the sort of things that some Jews did to get those who massacred their athletes at the Olympics. It would require time, patience and commitment, but I don't think it's impossible.

[adarling]

11. i agree...he was smashed

by all of them. It was like a big gang up sometimes. Just wish he stood up for himself, he felt more like a politician than the guy i heard at the convention 4 yrs ago. Just don't think he is ready for this.

[itsrobert]

18. Exactly, Obama is looking like the run of the mill politician

The more you see him, the more you get sick of him.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

15. I'm a mole?

A mole for whom exactly?

[Bucky]

37. For, obviously, the Mole Men

But I know who can stop your ilk, you mole!



(or maybe the poster meant molé, the enchilada sauce) mmm, mo-laayyy!

[TahitiNut]

14. He's burying his stance under tons of weasel-words ... far more than needed.

He really needs to make his stances more crisply, imho. I'm totally unsatisfied with his stance on National Health Care (as well as Clinton's and Edwards'), particularly when HR676 stands out brightly. The gorged behemoth b;ood-sucker that's the insurance 'industry' sure has them intimidated. It's appalling.

[MonkeyFunk]

16. I don't think he failed

at all.

But I think people who keep hearing about how electrifying he is are now starting to be mystified by his reputation if all they've seen is his debate performances.

I know he's much better than he's appeared the last two debates - but I've seen him in other settings.

[Glimmer of Hope]

23. This is the first time I have seen him debate I was surprised

that he wasn't more fluid and dynamic. He even seemed nervous at times.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

24. What is everyone seeing? n/t

[doggyboy]

71. I see someone I'd be proud to vote for

but I don't see the rock star many say he is. I don't get inspired.

[patrice]

66. I think you're very right. I have not selected my candidate yet, so

I'm NOT against Obama. In re Obama I've been waiting for something to be there. I keep thinking he's got it, but maybe he's waiting, keeping his powder dry . . . ? Anyway, you'd think he'd have produced something more by now. I'm beginning to wonder if he isn't just a Black Hillary. Or maybe there just isn't any there there.

[jefferson_dem]

19. Not the only one. Maybe one of a few...

I thought he rocked! :bounce:

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

22. Look, I know you guys like Obama

I like him too.

I like Kucinich a lot, but I can admit he isn't a great debater. And I can admit Edwards made some bad moves too.

Have you guys ever taken a debate class in school or college? Obama just did not cut it. I know because I used to sound like he does in debate, and I kept getting terrible evaluations until I sharpened up.

Fillers, stuttering, stock phrases, looking confused and unassertive, it's just bad debating.

That's all. I know you guys like him and are properly already in his campaign, but let's be honest here.

[Bullet1987]

26. That's how Obama talks all the time

Remember, he got some applauses from the audiences...that's all that matters. An his comeback to Edwards was good and swift.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

28. George Bush talks like a moron all the time

That doesn't make Bush an adequate debater.

[Bullet1987]

33. NO!

There's a differance between sounding like a moron mispronouncing words and acting like you can't read and what Obama did. Obama did NOT sound like a moron.

[FrenchieCat]

29. 4 1/2 years late response to Edwards told me what I needed to know

about Obama. He knows when to kick a little ass, and did it promptly and cleanly! Important for a President, IMO!

[Colobo]

34. Hehehehehe!!!!

[patrice]

30. Kucinich held is own tonight and may have even gained some.

He was strong and I liked his answer about arresting Osama rather than bombing innocent people.

[Perky]

31. Hmmm... when did DU become a Spin Room?

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

32. Am I spinning?

I can tell you flat out that I am not affiliated with any campaign.

[Bucky]

42. A typical response from one of the Mole Men's secret agents!

:P Superman will take care of your ilk

By the way, you don't have to respond to idiotic accusations. I'm kinda sorta leaning toward Obama, and I also think he didn't really stand out. He could close the deal with me if he could sharpen his delivery. Right now he's about one mediocre debate performance away from becoming a senator for life.

[Egnever]

35. Pretty much yes

I thought most of the candidates were outstanding. Obama I thought tonight showed why he is making such a splash. The man listens and truely see's an issue beyond the black and white of it. I think his answers showed an amazing grasp of the issues.

[Dawgs]

39. Yes.

Next question.

[Cameron27]

44. Yes, you're pretty much alone.

I thought Obama did very well.

[LBJDemocrat]

45. Obama didn't do very well

No substance, and not much in the way of style either, surprisingly.

[BlooInBloo]

48. Ah - *there's* the other one.

[LBJDemocrat]

61. I'll give him props for one thing

Calling CNN on their divisive question about English as an official language. I wouldn't mind if it was the official language, but I don't really give a s***.

[mvd]

46. I thought he was the most improved

He wasn't as awkward IMO and showed more emotion. Was able to describe his policies better. Overall, I was happy with the top 3: Clinton, Obama, and Edwards.

[ElizabethDC]

50. My thoughts exactly.

I thought he did quite poorly in the first debate and did much better here.

However, I still think he has a ways to go - I don't think these debates are his strength. But his performance was much more solid tonight. However, it was nothing to blow me away.

[Colobo]

52. No matter what he does, he won't blow you away.

[ElizabethDC]

56. That's not true

his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention blew me away. I think he's getting stronger in the debates and could eventually be really, really good. But I was impressed with how much he improved.

I'm really, truly just being honest about how I feel about him. I would never say anything negative about him or any other candidate just for the sake of being negative. Even though I support Hillary, I think I can take a look at the other candidates and say, "he did well here" or "he didn't do so well here." I think that in the past couple of weeks Obama may have even become my #2 favorite, but, with the exception of Hillary, the candidates are pretty loosely ranked for me.

[BlooInBloo]

57. What I seem to be picking up from folks is that: he's awesome with canned speeches...

... and somewhat hit-and-miss with runtime stuff.

He seemed *infinitely* better tonight than when I remarked on this like a year ago.

[ElizabethDC]

60. I pretty much agree with that

he does very well at speeches, but in interviews and such, he's not as impressive. But he's definitely getting better.

[mvd]

55. Yes, it was only his second Presidential debate

I think he'll continue to get better.

[bamacrat]

49. Neutral

Didnt do great but didnt do poorly either. I was impressed with Biden passion about Darfur, when he said while everyone talks (Clinton, Obama) 50,000 people will die.

[LuckyTheDog]

51. Yep. It's just you. (nt)

[ChiciB1]

53. He Did Better Than The Last Time, I Like Him... But I Would Prefer

to see him as VP first. I only have one wish... that Clinton WON'T be the nominee!

[LWolf]

54. I don't think he "failed."

I also don't think he "gained." He didn't gain any points with me, anyway.

He had none at the start, and still has 0 in my book.

[sandnsea]

58. Free Trade and Amnesty

How the fucking hell can you attack Richardson on trade, and then turn around and support Hillary.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

59. Me?

[sandnsea]

64. YOU n/t

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

65. I don't have anything to do with Clinton though

:hi:

[sandnsea]

68. Not Clinton, Not Richardson, Not Obama,

Using words like amnesty??

:shrug:

I don't know what you're game is, but I know you've got one.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

69. Yep, the game of a concerned progressive student n.t

[Roy]

62. We should definitely not vote for Obama.........

No one without a debate coach will get my vote.

the only issue that matters!

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

63. I disagree

There are other issues that matter more. Also, he probably does have a debate coach. It'll be a problem when he faces Mittens, but it doesn't mean we should not vote.

[Roy]

67. Thank you, now I know what to do! N/T

[WinkyDink]

70. I thought he was okay. But "okay" ain't what I want to vote for.