...right out of the gate, and I like it!

He's smart enough, he's good enough, people like him, but he's nowhere in the polls.

about Dodd. 

...he sounds like he's speaking on the Senate floor or giving his PhD defense. When you campaign, you talk to people about the issues and you try to relate and seem personable. He's done absolutely nothing in regards to the latter.

Also, I think there is an element of "Washington Insider" to him, as he's largely known for being a longterm U.S. Senator. Likewise, folks can't really name much that he's done in office, unless you live in Connecticut and get to hear him remind you every 6 years.

about Chris Dodd puts me to sleep. I believe in substance as much as the next guy, but even I have my limits. But aside from that it seems like in just the past couple of months he's saying alllll the right things. To me, that's a sign of desperation or savy polling, not integrity.

in Iraq.  Joe Biden for Secretary of State?

We may very well find out the answer in 15 months...

I wasn't paying too much attention today but I did see that NLS said Webb on Liebermann's Iran resolution made him proud.  NLS' girl Hillary voted for it?!?!? 

the fact that the version that passed today was modified from the one that was introduced yesterday. TPM

You're right, the resolution was watered down substantially.

n/t

John Edwards just took the Jim Webb position on the Iran vote today. Great move!

taking out Syria's nuclear program.  Israel-Iran is a "hypothetical," refuses to answer the question.

Clinton: Will do everything she can to prevent Iran to become a nuclear power - diplomacy, economic sanctions, direct talks...no need to jump to force.  "Concerted comprehensive strategy."

Obama:  Don't know exactly what happened with respect to Syria.  We are a stalwart ally of Israel, we will back them up in terms of their security.  Until we've taken diplomatic route, economic sanctions, we shouldn't be talking about attacking Iran.  What Giuilani said was irresponsible. We will do everything we need to do to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Edwards:  Ahmadinejad is unpopular in his own country.  Sticks and carrots.  Severe economic sanctions if they don't give up their nuclear program.  Resolution on Iran's Revolutionary Guard -- I have no intention of giving George Bush the authority to take first step on the road to war with Iran.  Cannot give this president the first step in that authority, because he cannot be trusted.

Richardson:  Yes, will make solemn commitment that Iran will not become a nuclear program.  Approach it through diplomacy.  Commitment to strength and security of Israel, cannot deny a nation the right to defend itself.  Build international support to exert economic pressure on Iran, they're vulnerable.  Don't necessarily talk to Ahmadinejad, talk to moderate clerics.  Fundamental tenet of American foreign policy is to support Israel.  There's no Middle East peace process. Israel is less safe than it ever was.  "It's called diplomacy."

Rudy Giuilani doesn't know what the heck he's talking about on foreign policy.

Biden on immigration: the federal government has completely failed with regard to immigration.

This big city cable box features a DVR. I'm going to record this debate to watch later, and instead, prioritize and read the some 150 pages I have for tomorrow!

Would you allow cities to break Federal law? What kind of question is that?

Kucinich: We're forgetting who we are as Americans.  Statue of Liberty. Cancel NAFTA and WTO.  There's a moral law higher than federal law.

Obama:  Federal government has not done the job it needs to do. Pass comprehensive immigration reform, control the borders.

Clinton:  Federal government has abdicated its responsibility, can't push the responsibility off on the cities...could actually lead to people not reporting crimes or cooperating with police.

Gravel:  This whole country should be a sanctuary.  I'm ashamed as an American to be building a fence on our southern border.

says Hillary.

for Mayor of Crazytown.

Giuilani et al.

because he's got a higher calling?!?

Gravel doesn't get a call on his cellphone from his handlers pretending to be his wife when he makes a gaffe.

Why anyone would vote for Rudy Giuliani is beyond me.

Because 9/11, 9/11. You have to 9/11 your 9/11, or else 9/11 might 9/11.

Cleveland went bankrupt.  Yawwwwwwnnnnnn......

I may not be the perfect consultant, blow-dried candidate, I make mistakes, I admit them.  Do I deliver?  New Mexico is 6th fastest growing economy.  New Mexico is the clean energy state.  Four Nobel peace prize nominations.  The issue is "can you deliver?"  With Bill Richardson, you get both, change and experience.  To bring change, you have to have the experience to deliver that change. 

Story of prince marrying a prince.

Edwards: Yes, would be comfortable having that story read to his children.  Wants his children to be exposed to all the information, even in 2nd grade.  Nobody made me god.  I don't impose my views on my children.  Same benefits that go to heterosexual couples got to homosexual couples.  Get rid of Defense of Marriage Act.

Obama: I feel very similar to John Edwards.  Don't be afraid of people who are different.  There were times in our history where I was considered different.  Next president has to stop fanning peoples' fears.  If we feed the American people fear, they'll become fearful.  If we feed them hope and tolerance and reason, they'll become hopeful and tolerant and reasonable.

Clinton: I really respect what John and Barack said.  We've seen differences used for divisive political purposes.  With respect to your children, it's a matter of parental discretion.  Definitely preferable to teach children about the many differences among people.  Hate crimes bill vote tomorrow.  Important measure to send a message that we stand against hatred and divisiveness.  Something Democrats stand for in contrast to the other party.

Are we back to the fake crisis? Where did Russert get this idiocy about having to double taxes or halve benefits? Social Security is hardly our biggest budget problem at this point.

Biden:  Yes, tax all income, don't limit it to $97,000.  Can't save Soc. Sec. by growing economy alone. 

Clinton: Fiscal responsibility, balanced budget, make Social Security solvent.  Need a bipartisan process.  Then, look at what else might be done.  Put fiscal responsibility first, not putting anything on the table until then.

Obama:  Lifting cap is probably the best option.  Everything should be on the table.  There is a potential problem.  Meets young people who don't believe Soc. Sec. will be there for them.  Need to get our fiscal house in order.  Do whatever it takes to strengthen system.  Reject privatization.

Dodd: Don't have to go that far, raise tax lower than "all income" to achieve solvency.  We need to look at this in a holistic way.  Privatization off the table.  Don't need draconian measures.

Richardson:  No, don't need to lift the cap.  That's a tax on small businesses and family farms.  Take privatization off the table. Stop raiding the Soc. Sec. trust fund.  Constitutional amendment to balance the budget. Grow the economy.  Invest in education, have stronger work force. 

Edwards:  You can't grow your way out of this.  Be willing to be honest with America.  You cannot solve this problem just with setting up a bipartisan commission or growing the economy, we're all for that.  Why would you trust politicians who say the same things over and over again. There are hard choices to be made.  I don't understand why someone who makes $50 million a year pays Soc. Sec. taxes on the first $97,000.  We have to be very careful to protect the middle class.  I would create protective zone between $97,000 to $200,000, don't want to raise taxes on them.

Kucinich:  Of course raise the cap.  Wall Street is very interested in privatization.  Lower retirement age to 65.

Clinton:  We were on pathway at end of Clinton Administration of eliminating the debt.  Bush tax cuts were "horrible."  Greenspan was so worried we'd eliminate the debt.  Fiscal responsibility is premise of negotiations.  Democrats are much better stewards of our country's economy.  We have to make some significant changes.

Clinton:  Banned in NYC, business actually increased.  We should move towards regulating tobacco through FDA.  Not in favor of national law to ban smoking in all public places.

Obama:  Local communities are making tremendous strides on this. Don't need a national law at this point.  Treat as public health problem.  "The best cure is my wife."

Kucinich: Been breathing in a lot of secondhand smoke tonight.

Edwards supports national law to ban smoking in public places.

Biden:  Cost of alcohol in this country is enormous.  This is a gigantic problem just like the drug issue.  Don't lower the age to 18.  Attacks Clinton on Social Security..."presidents are supposed to lead."

Dodd:  I agree with Joe on this.  The evidence is overwhelming  on the problems associated with alcohol, drunk driving. 

Richardson:  No, I wouldn't lower the age.  Need dual approach. Law enforcement against DWI.  Also need substance abuse treatment, education.  Federal government not providing resources, leadership we need.

Gravel:  Anyone who can fight and die for this country should be able to drink.

Kucinich: Young people looking for leadership from a president. Should be able to drink at 18, vote at 16.

I think this is "Lose the Libertarians" night. I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty about the "nanny state" tomorrow in the blogosphere.

Hmmm...

He will really bring out middle disgruntle Republicans.  A little bit white, a little bit pro business and a little bit grandfatherly.

Dodd would brings electoral nothingness to the ticket. Regardless of your thoughts on his policies or his positions, he's not a very likeable guy to a mass electorate. Not to mention, Connecticut isn't exactly a state we're looking to grab from the Republican's icy grip!

Not very complimentary at all.

He said that he didn't think they had any impact and that he wasn't going to condemn their ad.  He reminded us that MoveOn is not the Democratic Party but rather just a part of the larger whole.

He said they've done good on some things. And I wasn't sure, but it sounded like he said he wouldn't condemn their ad (he didn't vote on the resolution).

I can't believe we're going through this, but I suppose we'd better be prepared to face the nominee from the Torture Party. I thought Obama handled it well. And Russert's gotcha on Clinton was ridiculous.

It does give them the opportunity to win back the libertarians by standing up for civil liberties and against government abuse.

Ha.

and becoming like terrorists in fighting them.  We don't water board or otherwise torture people.  Congress needs to rescind the FISA vote.

Edwards - What America is has been undermined the past 7 years.  Torture is a component of that, end Iraq war, close Gitmo (national embarrassment), no more secret prisons, end illegal spying on the American people.

Kucinich:  Politicization of fear.  Rejection of war as instrument of policy.  Need to redeem our constitution.  New national security doctrine.  The necon approach has made America less safe.

Hillary Clinton:  Cosponsored legislation to reveal donations to presidential libraries and foundations.

Obama:  Need to disclose information, disclose bundling of large donors.  I pushed it with Russ Feingold. 

I am proud of what I've spent my life doing.  I'm not perfect.  I was born into nothing.  I have spent my entire life fighting for the kind of people I grew up with.  I don't apologize for working hard and building a life for my children.  Organizing unions, college for everyone program...proud of what I've done with my life, I don't apologize.

Hedge fund money.  Look at what I've done.  Set up a fund for people whose homes were being foreclosed on in New Orleans.

Obama:  Favorite bible verse.  Sermon on the Mount.  Expresses basic principle that I think we've lost last 6 years.  Sense of empathy towards each other.  Empathy deficit.  I stand in somebody else's shoes. 

Clinton:  Golden rule.

Gravel: Love.

Kucinich: Prayer from St. Francis, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

Edwards:  What you to unto the least of those, you do unto me.

Richardson: Sermon on the Mount. Social justice, equality.

Dodd:  Good Samaratin.

Biden;  Pharisees. There are many Pharisees.  I worry about the Pharisees.

i was hoping someone would quote Richard Dawkins but then I remembered I wasn't watching Real Time with Bill Maher.  Perhaps by the time I'm 80 it will finally be "acceptable" for an agnostic or atheist to run for President. 

You don't hear me freaking-out when atheists babble about how Dawkins is brilliant (I think he's a moron, by the way).

As for atheist President, well... let's just say that the polls read that more people would vote for a Muslim President or a Gay President than an Atheist President.  And that says a lot for where we are in American right now.

faith being a litmus test to running for President or any public office for that matter in this country.  I realize your point with regards to the polls and I seriously wouldn't expect any of the candidates to say anything demeaning of religious belief (which would certainly amount to political suicide).  And I actually think it's good for Democrats to discuss their religious faith publicly and not let the GOP own the issue! 

It was the question that irked me more than anything because it suggests that someone who doesn't have a favorite bible quote isn't fit to run for public office.  And the only reason you're finally hearing atheists "babble on" about this is because Dawkins and others have encouraged non-believers to come out of the closet and to stop hiding their views in order to change peoples perceptions about them.  If atheists and agnostics actually organized they'd outnumber a lot of other special interest groups.  And speaking of that I'm going to blatantly plug The Secular Coalition of America which is attempting to do just that...

http://www.secular.o...

:) 

Hillary had a a tough time answering questions in the debate including this one. The question was favorite Bible verse. The Golden Rule is not from the Bible.

Richardson:  Red Sox because Manny Ramirez is back.

Clinton: I'm a Yankess fan, have been for a long long time. Yankees-Cubs could be a sign of the coming apocalypse.  I'd have to alternate sides.

Kucinich:  Cleveland Indians.

Gravel: I'm from New England.

Obama;  White Sox fan

Dodd: Sox.

Biden: Raised in a household in Scranton, PA where if you weren't a Yankees fan you didn't eat.

Obama seems to be running out of energy

She was last tonight - even Gravel had a better performance.  Um Um Um hypothetical, blah blah blah

Thanks!

Edwards,gap,Clinton, Biden.

I also think Richardson did pretty well for a change.  I believe this was actually not a great debate performance by Hillary, the first time I've felt that way.

I think Edwards shown tonight.  Clinton was solid once again.  Easily Richardson's best performance.

Gravel is still nuts, and Dennis is still felxible enough to kiss his own ass while standing-up.

He sounds like a boring academic among other things. Also, did anyone else catch him completely bombing the question about his letter saying why he understood that Bush would want a Hillary candidacy? He was asked several times by Russert to answer the question and still ducked, and did a bad job of it at that.