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Jamma,
I agree completely. First of all, I did watch the debate, and Hillary's line was absolutely spot on (nice of John Edwards to give her that statistic in his answer :) ) She's a hell of a politician, and I don't mean that in a favorable way. She's smart and polished and practiced and I don't trust her from here to Monday. It was a great line. She's great if you want a president with a great line. Nuff said, I think!

I agree that too many people pay too much attention to what the media tells them. Besides false stories and deliberate negative attacks, the media tells US who is electable! They manufacture nonsense stories like the price of a haircut when important issues are ignored.

I think Obama did very well in this debate. One thing you will notice, that with almost every question, he goes beyond the simple sound-bite answer. He always sees the broader problem inherent in the question and its solution.

It's a shame these debates are so rushed that more time isn't given to enable the candidates to have more time... though, quite frankly at this point there are just too many still in the race to do that. Personally, I'd like to see Dodd and Biden and Richardson and Gravel drop out...not that they all aren't really worthy candidates..well, Gravel, not so much in my opinion, though he's a hoot! I'm sure as time goes on, the increased cost will force them to. I think this was the best format for debate we've seen so far. If it were up to me, I'd have Tavis moderate them all.

I think it's really important for people to educate themselves and not let media pundits manipulate their opinion. Obama.com is not hard to find.

And if you missed the debate you can watch the questions and answers online here:

view link

Anytime I hear the talking heads on tv report most news, not just political, I shake my head and wonder where they were at when it happened. Sometimes I laugh to keep from crying.

And comments like Hillary has the lock on the black vote, gay vote, women's vote is absurd. Let's see, we have a man with a history of working in poverty programs in Chicago, real street experience rather than bluster, and you're going to tell me that? Anyway, particularly television media news has reached such a point of non-relevance in this crazy world that many of us get our news other ways. How truly tragic that comedy news is closer to accurate than the evening news hour.

But let me toss something else out there. Am I the only one who is offended by a political race that started two full years before the elections? It is just one more way that disproportionate power is being given to the money lenders, for only those with a lot of corporate money can maintain a campaign for that long. And guess what, television pockets much of that money, so they are encouraging it too.

I agree with what you said. Pay close attention to all the candidates, Obama included. There is talk and then there is reality. And if we don't change the way we do things now, the American voter will never ever actually get what we deserve.

I agree with both of you. The political should not have started so early. To many things can happen from now until we vote. I live in Chicago and see how the local media try and tear Obama down with nit picking. I am even made at the black caucus for the stunt they tried to pull with having a debate on Fox cable channel. This group really has done nothing but they want Obama to fund raise for them. There are those who say he is not black enough I don't know what that means. They complain the he is not speaking enough about the ills of the black community. Like the rest of them are. We need to look at all of the issues to see what is need for Obama to win.
The only thing I want is that he answers some of our concerns.

jamma54

jamma, in my city we have a group of volunteers working on issues of poverty and racism through local churches called Isaiah. It is part of the Gamaliel movement officed in Chicago. These are people doing the hands on dirty work of trying to make the world a better place. And the work they have done is awesome. My church is part of Isaiah.

What I have heard through Isaiah connections to Chicago was high praise for the work Obama has done in this realm. This was before he ever announced as a candidate. It sounds like he has already proven himself from my perspective. Certainly more so than Hillary or some of the others.

One of the things I like to do is watch and see what people actually do. Talk is cheap, but those who match action with words really catch my attention. It is why despite my disagreement with him on trade policy, I'm still listening and watching. To date his actions indeed have matched his words.

I am still undecided, though I have great respect for Senator Obama. Far more so than for Sen. Clinton. I am not positive he is anti war enough for me. Does that sound silly? I would dearly love a policy of non agression. Does he hold that? I have not seen him sound convincing on this issue to me. Darn I missed that debate. I watch them all usually. Hilary..is good with answering quickly and positively as though she knows everything right away,which makes her show up well in the debates. But on the other hand, what she says does not impress me so much usually.

catalinamoon you are right Hillary does debate like she already knows the question. Its like she had her staff pick out key issue that she could use from Tavis Smiley's book. And know you don't sound silly. I have been against this so called war from day 1. Bush and draft dodger Chenny set us up. Now who ever takes office will have a hell of a mess to clean up.
jamma

I'm impressed by the quality ahnd depth of thought exoressed by those committed to Barack Obama. I completely agree with your assessment of Hillary. She's a woman, which is a plus, but I've never felt quite right with the Clintons although I did support Bill for both terms, a bit reluctantly.

But I don't think this is Hillary's time in the world spotlight as President. Don't think she could stand against any strong Republican, even if better. But she's too militant and too status quo.

YOU ARE SO RIGHT. THINK ABOUT IT 'HILARY' WAS THE ONLY ONE IN A POSITION TO SPEAK OF WHITE WOMEN AND AIDS. SHE BEING A WHITE WOMAN. YOU'RE ALSO RIGHT ABOUT WHO EVER BECOMES PRESIDENT WILL HAVE A MESS ON THEIR HANDS. WILL OBAMA BE ALLOWED TO EFFECTIVELY CLEAN HOUSE? PEACE!!!

Catalinamoon, it's good to be undecided - that means you're open to learn. Obama has been consistantly against the invasion of Iraq. He spoke out against it before we invaded while he was still in the Illinois Senate. As Jamma said please continue to listen and learn about this man and his wife. I think you will become "hooked" as I am.

Jane
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