BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

Did the Democratic debate accomplish anything?  Aside from the initial outcry from the American citizens, some 8000+ comments on abcnews.com denouncing and disowning ABC, perhaps something was accomplished.  I alway try to look for the silver lining in a dark cloud and last night’s debate was a dark cloud on the American press and journalism, but perhaps, some good came from it.

Obama was hit by a barrage of assaults from the moderators in concert with Hillary Clinton.  It looked like more like a gang bang than a debate between the two candidates.  At times, Obama seemed slightly off balance, being hit from all sides by the adversaries.  Picking up on the pack mentality, Clinton used the opportunity to join forces with the moderators to lob rocket powered assaults on Obama. 

According to David Brooks of NYT

Three quick points on the Democratic debate tonight:

First, Democrats, and especially Obama supporters, are going to jump all over ABC for the choice of topics: too many gaffe questions, not enough policy questions.

I understand the complaints, but I thought the questions were excellent. The journalist’s job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that. The candidates each looked foolish at times, but that’s their own fault.

We may not like it, but issues like Jeremiah Wright, flag lapels and the Tuzla airport will be important in the fall. Remember how George H.W. Bush toured flag factories to expose Michael Dukakis. It’s legitimate to see how the candidates will respond to these sorts of symbolic issues.

Perhaps, the questions were excellent as Mr. Brooks suggests.  But, they were old.  We have heard the explanations and excuses.  We have heard the two candidates explain their positions on Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the flag pins and the Bosnia trip, ad nauseam.  Additionally, I find it condescending from Mr. Brooks point of view to believe that most of us are not capable of getting it the first time or the second or the third time around.  While none of us claim to be on the level of eloquence of Mr. Brooks’ mentor, William F. Buckley, the American citizens are not as stupid or as caught up in the trivia of insignificance as Mr. Brooks seems to suggest.

Have we seen Obama at his worst?  Brooks gave Obama a “D+” for his performance last night.  I don’t know that I would give that low a score, but clearly Obama at times looked like the male version of Wonder Woman deflecting bullets with his wrist bracelet.  However, at the end of the debate, Obama looked none the worse for wear.  Just as Linda Carter, portraying Wonder Woman, walked away from the streaming bullets with every hair in place and not a drop of sweat on her brow, Obama maintained his dignity and integrity throughout the onslaught.  He stayed above the fray and kept his course on the high road.

Perhaps, that is what America wanted to see, needed to see.  Hillary sounded like the disgruntled wife, especially when pressed on the question of whether Obama could win in November.  Her response, of increasingly loud, “yes, Yes, YES” in rapid succession showed her frustration.  I’m sure that is a question Charlie Gibson wishes he could take back.  Certainly Hillary wishes she could re-tone her “yes, yes, yes” answer. 

On the other hand, although Barack was obviously not prepared for some of the rapid fire attacks, he showed that he would not be baited into saying something negative about Hillary or passing strong judgments on her attacks of him. 

All that said, I would still rather have a cool level head sitting at the negotiating table with the Iraqis, the Iranians, the North Koreans, and the list goes on.  With Obama’s attitude of maintaining the positive track, I would feel far more comfortable with him sitting next to a nuclear power holding a discussion, rather than have Clinton raise her voice and answer in frustration.