ABC Dem debate moderation was it good? or Sucked?

Nonstandard approach to evoke something spontaneous from the candidates. Moderation isn't the story, responses are. Gotta get 'em off the rehearsed answers, poke at what else is in there. Vetting. McCain won't pull punches in GE.

Flag lapel pins, Rev. Wright comments, and orher topics that do not relate to our economy or security were open for discussion during the last Democratic debate. I found it funny that Charles Gibson said some useless topic was important since it gained traction on the Internet, but didn't correct Hillary when she incorrectly summarized Rev. Wright's post-9/11 speech. There's a 6 minute youtube video floating around that shows that he clearly didn't say what Fox and other news outlets claimed he said. It seemed as though ABC didn't know of any relevant questions to ask.

I think people are voting "good" just to try and embarrass Trippi by making it look like the majority who read his twitter are idiots.

It was good if you are basing your vote on non-issue items such as flag pins and people being guilty by association. But if you are interested in the real issues there was not much of that discussed tonight.
George Stephanopolous should acknowledege the fact that he should never again be involved in moderating. He at first was pandering to Sen. Clinton but must have be spoken to during a break because for the second half he cut her off in mid-sentence at times.
Overall very disappointing.
Not too mention we on the West Coast had to scour the internet to find a live feed to watch. Why are we not as important as the rest of the country. When it was shown on the West Coast it was edit. Bad Form!

Best yet! Gibson deserves a lot of credit. The questions were those that a lot of people are thinking about--both substantive and "drama" ones.

Obama won the nomination back in February. Things have been unchanged since at least February 20th. His lead is insurmountable and a superdelegate coup kills the party's chances for maybe a generation. So, against that backdrop, what does Joe Trippi really think about the debate or the current state of the race? Are the pundits and consultants really just keeping all the balls up in the air to fill airtime? Geesh!

It was tabloid moderation. A shameless, embarrassing display overall.

It amazes me how when Obama is put on the hot seat the internet lights up! Well too damn bad!
It's about time the media quit treating him with kid gloves! Maybe his terrorist connections are OK by you- but the voters have a right to know it isn't just his poor judgement re:Wright! It's Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Meeks, Emil Jones, Auchi (do you worshippers even know who that is?) His brother in Kenya raila Odinga- who lost an election and oops all of a sudden people were getting murdered, villages burned! Take a look at his brother's web site- the two are very similar. It's him having a brother in communist China!
For God's sake, the man is a walking security risk! GROW UP!

This is the first debate between Obama & Hillary that didn't turn into Obama & media love feast.

The moderators did their homework and came with a list of questions that I wanted Obama to address. The debate opened my eyes to many issues. And I'm now more confident that I will make an informed decision when casting my vote. Thanks to ABC who out performed CNN & MSNBC in the journalists responsibility.

We've heard all the other questions/answers in the other debates over and over again. It was nice to hear a few questions about the "pink elephants" we are all thinking about but not allowed to talk about.

Thanks to ABC for asking a few uncomfortable questions. I still have lots of "pink elephant" questions to ask both candidates; let's do it now rather than wait and let the GOP get there first. I want to see how our candidates hold up under GOP-like scrutiny. Please?

While the issues that face our country should always be first and foremost in any debate, sometimes you have to get down to the basics of who people are. ABC did an outstanding job of putting both candidates on the spot about errors they have made - whether those were errors in speaking or in their judgment. Some people would say such things are trivial but it's important to know what has shaped the life of the person who wants to run this country. The only way to know that is to strip the layers of politial b.s. away and start analzying what they say, how they say it, and who they've associated with.

ABC did that and they tried to get to the core of these things and didn't pander to EITHER candidate. How refreshing! And regardless of which candidate won ABC shook it up last night. Good job ABC. Hopefully any future moderators will take their cue from you.

Of course, I doubt seriously if we'll see another debate after last night - at least not in that format. If we see another one, it will be just like all the rest before you. Most of the mainstream media is involved in a love affair with Barack Obama and have either fed him the questions ahead of time or just spoon feed him the easy questions during the debate.

Thank you, ABC for not using that tactic and for keeping this a fair and honest debate. Since the candidates are scheduled for another debate in NC on April 27th we'll see if Obama still wants to show up. The only way he will is if CBS guarantees they will slam Hillary left and right. What he and they will discover is Hillary can "take a licking and keep on ticking." She's just like the Eveready Bunny. She'll keep standing no matter what you throw at her and she'll be able to answer without searching, stumbling, stuttering, and getting angry about it. I'm sure Obama wishes this morning that he could do the same.

I enjoyed the debate ...it sure was different in that we didn't have to hear all the same questions and canned answers all over again.
I was surprised at the way Obama got very hot under the collar and was taken back when the commentators asked him some of his questions. He really did look like an amatuer and certainly not ready for prime time. Does he really think that it will get much easier should he be the party nominee?
This debate should have happened in the beginning..perhaps if it had, Obama's momentum wouldn't be what it is today.
On another note, let me throw this out there...according to Obama, we don't have his papers from Chicago Senate to look at, his record is sparce in Washington, truly...all we have is the associations he's kept over the years to get a handle on what kind of a person this guy is. ..I was afraid this was going to happen. There really is so much more to this man and we have yet to learn what that is...It's a problem..

It was ABOUT TIME that a debate actually contained a few non-fluff questions for Obama. Goodness, did he ever look shocked! I guess his campaign was unable to pay off ABC. It was great seeing him stumble with his typical "uh...um...aaaaaaand....uh...." responses when he doesn't have a TelePrompTer handy to feed him one of his "eloquent, articulate" speeches. What a laugh that guy is... My only confusion is this: Since Obama is unequivocally unqualified to be president--AND has a looooong record of associating with horrible people--is HE the stupid one, or does that title go to his followers?

As usual, Clinton was poised, articulate, gave intelligent answers, and was unruffled by touchy questions, such as her brain fart on the Bosnia issue (which has been documented elsewhere, correctly, for all to see, so it's not like she was trying to pull a fast one). Clinton is so VASTLY SUPERIOR to Obama in every possible way, it's shocking to think of how many people have fallen for his empty rhetoric.

One thing I was glad to see last night? I can't recall a single instance of Obama saying his usual line when asked a "hard" question: "I agree with Senator Clinton!" I suppose that's because Clinton's not the one who had a 20-year CLOSE (as in mentor, adviser, pastor) relationship with a bigotted, hatefilled, anti-American, anti-gay, anti-Semitic, misogynist, so she wasn't asked about stuff like that. Unfortunately for Obama, that left him unable to spew his usual response! Normally, Clinton gets asked the tough questions first, answers them intelligently, and then it's Obama's turn, at which point he says, "uh...um...I...uh...I AGREE WITH SENATOR CLINTON!" What a farce.

Finally we had a real debate. Up to now the debates were one sided debates with the press almost gave from before what they will ask Obama, and of course they did not really ask anything. These questions should have been asked since the first Debate they had. Hillary would have been the nominee now if the press was as objective and doing their job as it was last night

It's fun to watch the Obamatons squirm and shriek because finally--FINALLY!!--there was a fair, UNbiased debate. I congratulate Gibson and Stephanopolous for NOT being among the simpering sycophants and disrespectful misogynists that populate the other networks, especially the god-awful, unprofessional (MS)NBC. That it took fifty minutes to get past the politics and cultural questions speaks to Obama's negatives and bad judgment regarding his associates. If Barack and the Obamabots can't stand the heat of a party debate (nor can Barack think on his feet--what a terrible debater!), just wait until the would-be 48-state candidate of change goes up against the Swiftboaters and LOSES the votes of lifelong Democrats, like me, who would rather vote for a patriot than an inauthentic, racist, effete, divisive homophobic poseur. The one positive about the possibility of Sen. Clinton having to sit out the next four years is that a crushing and thorough defeat of Obama by McCain will wipe the former off the political scene FOREVER! (And I don't believe for one second that John Edwards, who was the only other deserving, viable Dem. candidate but got bumped by the "messiah," doesn't see through to Obama's phony core. That he doesn't endorse Hillary makes me wonder about the sincerity of his own humanitarian aims, which he KNOWS Hillary will partner with and help propel forward.)

Wow this outrage is unbelievable. Clinton has been ripped by the media for 1 year. Obama has 2 channels working 24/7 to get him elected thanks to David Axelrod and his media manipulation. Obama has never had to answer tough queations?

And now he has 1 and a half hours of what Hillary has had the entire election, and we're meant to be sorry for him. If the man can't handle that (and he clearly couldn't last night) how in the he11 is this man meant to be president?? I'm sorry if Obama supporters don't feel this because they finally saw what there candidate was all about, but ABC did what no one else has had the cajones to do....REAL JOURNALISM. Now..shock hooror...they are accused of being racist and in the tank for Hillary.

And lets ignore the "gotcha" part of the debate. Hillary boot-stomped him when it came to the issues as well. Was that ABCs fault, or were we actually seeing how this guy works without a teleprompter??

LEAVE THE GEORGES ALONE

Thank goodness a real debate for once. Except for the revisit of the Bosnia/lapel pin issues I thought it was GREAT and I am sorry if it offends people but we darn well better be asking any POTENTIAL nominee of the POTUS about ties to radicalism or terrorism! As John Edwards well knows, the MSM can sink your campaign with NO coverage as well as BAD coverage.

The debate hosted by ABC News was the most even-handed, substantive and informative of the many we have seen thus far. This debate successfully dugg into the critical issues our nation is facing in a fair and fierce way that no other moderators have been able to achieve. I greatly appreciated Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos for being respectful yet dogged in securing an anwer to each question, not allowing puff commentary or tangential wanderings off-topic.
Excellent debate by all involved.
-Boston-

I felt like there were some issues that should have been addressed but they did ask questions that were on many people's minds. I think it is time to move past the sniper fire and Rev Wright issues. It is all the media talked about for weeks. So she lies and his pastor made some comments, lets get over it already. I can see Obama's frustration with these topics repeatedly being brought up. How many different ways can the same questions be answered. It is diverting our attention from the real issues that we should be discussing.

I feel like they both did a good job last night, but I prefer Obama.

Great Debat, thanks ABC...it's about time some of these issues about BHO was asked. The American People have a right to know who this man is and what he really stands for.

I still want him to anser to his involement in the Kenya Presidential Elections with his LOU Cusin ODINGA. Black christians where burned to death in a church after his cousin lost the election. Obama campaigned for him and Dick Morris who his campaign manager. Google " Odinga Barack Obama Dick Morris" and see the connection for yourself.

God Bless America

Makes me wonder why anyone would support Obama. I don't support any of the candidates currently, but I'd choose Hillary out of these two. She seems to have a little better grasp of "by the people, for the people", but not by a wide margin.

Both candidates were respected and challenged. Both were given time to answer and no bias for either candidate was seen by either moderator.
Excellent moderation.
I know they are getting stormy and threatening emails from Obama supporters but those can just be ignored. That is how they behave in all comments and all blogs - they use threats and intimidation to cut off debate.
Remember millions of us 'invisible older women' are watching also, with courtesy and respect to all.

My heart goes out to all of the Obama supporters who are outraged by the debate. I know it is tough but, hey, better he be vetted now than we get stuck with him getting torn apart by McCain. I know it all seems so unfair. BELIEVE ME I KNOW. It really is tough to have your candidate under a massive microscope to the point you feel they are being bullied. The issues addressed in this debate are important to the rest of the country that doesn't spend every waking moment on an Obama blog. Don't hold your breath and stomp your feet. Just get used to it.

Finally, finally, finally a neutral debate. Guess what happens when there is an even playing field? Obama fumbles over and over again.

To those who don't think it's important that Obama judged it was appropriate to sit in Rev Wright's pews for 20years, that it isn't important that Michelle Obama hasn't been proud of her country until her husband could run for President, that it isn't important that Barack used his white grandmother to excuse the faults of his black pastor, how about this...

What if you knew that Hillary directly herself was associated with a known terrorist? How would you feel? Pretty outraged I bet.

How are you so blind that you cannot see that Barack's association with the known terrorist Ayers is important. How can we have national security with a President who has friends who are known terrorists? Or is it only because Ayers is white? If Ayers was brown and had a different name would you feel differently?

This isnt' some "six degrees of separation" argument that the MSM is trying to make with Bill Clinton's speech money. This is a first degree connection between Barack Obama and Ayers.

So forget everything else. Forget that Barack borrowed everyone else's words throughout the campaign, using them to inspire people to vote for him. Forget that Michelle can't summon the strength to be proud of her country even though she went to an Ivy league school. Forget that Barack was voluntarily associated with Rev Wright. Forget it all.

But remember this, we can NOT have a President who associates on a personal level with terrorists. PERIOD.

I thought this debate was great! Finally, the moderators asked some of the questions that too many of us have wanted more answers and admission too. There are too many still unanswered questions regarding Mr. Rezko and Senator Obama and his cousin as some prime minister in Africa. When is Senator Obama going to quite projecting HIS PLAYING dirty politics onto Senator Clinton and own up to what he has done from the beginning -race bait and it is distusting and he needs to stop it. He whines because he dem friends assured him this was a no-brainer ... guess what they were wrong and this is a BRAINER and he simply is not ready for this job the most important one in our country at this time!

Thanks Senator Clinton that you are working for us EVERYDAY to make a difference for all people!

The debate blowback on ABC is complete. Maybe next time journalists should get an okay from team Obama on what questions they're allowed to ask. Two journalists do their jobs, and the all out whining reaches crescendo to a contagion of head explosions. As if these questions shouldn't have been asked before. As if Barack Obama shouldn't have had answers to these ready and waiting. Can you say not ready for the general election?

Yes, they were tough. They were pointed. They brought up uncomfortable subjects. Wake up to scrutiny, something Hillary Clinton has taken for over 16 years.

someone dared to ask the junior senator with the sketchy background to fill in some details about that background. He took Michelle to the reception-party in honor of the shady character (crook?) whom he said he didn't really know. It cannot be that Obama didn't ever see the "bad" sides of the characters around him - unless he is just not very observant. If I may quote Michelle, "A [person] who cannot take care of his own house cannot take care of the country." Why would he expose his darling daughters and wife to hatred and resentment and the advocacy of violence?

Obama always trys to blame others for his failures, like the spoiled little boy that lies and blames it on someone else! The commentators asked Obama questions that the mainstream media has ignored. The American people deserve answers to these questions from both the candidates. If Obama can't answer these questions now, how will he answer the tough questions of the terrorist groups or others that question the actions of the United States?

For once a debate was balanced! Obama did not get any more negative questions than Clinton. She just responded better. It was apparent Obama was not prepared and fumbled. He probably thought he would be built up and Clinton asked the hard questions as in previous debates. The topics he was asked about reflect judgement and were valid. I don't hear him complaining about Hillary being asked about Bosnia again and her likability etc.
I think it is hysterical how Obama and his campaign can't handle what Clinton has been dealing with all along. They look like a lot of whiners today!
I won't even bother to vote on this poll, I know it is useless. Everyone knows Obama has people who just go and vote on these all day, making them invalid.