We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Political junkies unite! Tune in to CNN at 7 p.m. tonight to see the latest debate between the eight candidates currently running for the Presidential nomination of the Democratic Party. Ole Beardie himself Wolf Blitzer is moderating but don't let that put you off. I'll be on the blog for the usual caustic commentary. Join me, eh?
posted by gatorbob @ 5:54 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
42 Comments:
The latest polls coming into the debate have Hillary far out in the lead at around 41%, Edwards now second at 18%, Obama at 16% and the rest of the eight debating tonight (Biden, Richardson, Dodd, Kucinich and Gravel) at under 10%.
First round of answers on whether the War on Terror is real produces some interesting responses. While Hillary, Obama, Biden and Dodd speak loudly about the need to fight, Edwards is very strong on it being a "bumper sticker."
The knives come out briefly between Edwards and Obama about Iraq. Edwards takes a swipe at Hillary and Obama about the recent funding bill and their lack of leadership on trying to defeat it; Obama shoots back that Edwards is "four and a half years too late on the issue."
Meanwhile, Hillary's being very clever treading a unity line given that she's so far out in the lead.
Kucinich very strong in response to a question about whether lives in Iraq have been wasted. He repeats his line about not needing to put up a funding bill.
Shift of focus to the recent immigration bill - is this amnesty, Wolf asks:
Nice repost from Richardson comparing the wall to the Berlin Wall.
Why is Richardson the only one being put on the defensive on the immigration issue? A bit racist Wolf.
Biden speaks up basically for a guest worker program. It's amazing how right wing the discussion is on this issue. A guest worker program is what the French were rioting over last summer, whereas here's Blitzer acting as if the position is "soft on immigration."
Oops, Gravel claims that the official language of the U.S. is English. Have a look at the Constitution, mate!
Obama scores some points for pointing out the divisive nature of the question.
Dodd comes along and makes the point that Gravel was trying to make - that Americans should be encouraged to be multilingual.
On to health care: Edwards claims that his plan is universal and Obama isn't. He scores some points by attacking the Bush tax cuts for the rich. Nice one.
Obama is again on the defensive. He really should have come out on the attack tonight and tried to close the gap with Hillary, but instead he ceding the impetus to Edwards on that score. In the end, the guy looks like he's running for the Veep spot on the ticket at best and a cabinet position at least.
Again Hillary is trying to smooth over the obvious differences. It will interesting to see if it's a gambit that pays off. If either Edwards or Obama closes the gap - or Gore jumps in - she's going to have to get nasty at some point.
Edwards again on the attack saying that Obama's health care plan leaves 15 million people uncovered.
Obama comes back and essentially says that there is no way to mandate universality. Bollocks, mate!
As usual, Dennis the K. comes in with the common sense approach of national health care and gets a hand from the crowd before being unceremoniously cut off by Blitzer.
Interesting - Hillary asked about Bill's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy: she says that she has concluded that it's a mistake. A bit ballsy from Hillary. Mentions the Arabic linguists dumped by the military. Probably her strongest moment in the debate.
Biden speaks out in favor of gays in the military. Good strong answer.
Wolf asks who would get rid of "Don't Ask - Don't Tell:"
All hands raised on the dais. Nice one, Dems!
Uh oh, Edwards speaking out in favor of state's rights on gay marriage. Would he say the same thing about segregation?
Dumb question about Bill Clinton's future role to Gravel. If I were merely reading a transcript of Gravel's comments, I might be swayed, but there's kind of a "crazy great uncle" feel to the guy.
Richardson speaks to "buttressing" Israeli security - boo!
Hillary gets a warm hand from the crowd by mentioning her husband in contrast to the current monkey in the White House. Easy applause line.
Question on gas prices - I'm waiting for the candidate gutsy enough to attack the greedy oil companies:
Dodd - nope
Gravel - wouldn't lower the price of gas - gutsy answer from a no hoper.
Edwards - ding, ding, ding! He wins for wanting to investigate the oil companies!
Richardson - blather about alternative energies.
Biden - another good answer attacking price gouging. Way to go, Joe.
We're into the second half of the debate and it's on to the dorky town hall section.
The first "average voter" comes up with the question that started the debate about ending the war in Iraq.
The questioner is an elementary school teacher - why not ask about No Child Left Behind, sister?
Obama is asked about his plans for the Pentagon. He agrees with Dennis the K. that weapons systems need cutting but troops need funding.
Dodd with an easy applause line on support for the troops - blech!
This is getting infuriating. The second questioner is also someone with a loved one in Iraq. She's also a social worker, but does she ask about DSS? Nope, it's back to Iraq.
Obama speaks to vets benefits.
Gravel speaks to the Walter Reed scandal, taking swipes at Obama, Clinton, Biden and Dodd. Obama responds again defensively.
Third questioner asks about Iran:
Clinton - thinks we should have been using diplomacy with Tehran; "process of engagement." Right at the end, Hillary says that we can't let Tehran have nukes - she's clearly in favor of force.
Edwards - Speaks to long history of pro-American sentiment in Iran; attacks Bush; "put two options on the table - "carrots and the stick" - economic incentives or sanctions.
Biden - Would do away with the policy of "regime change;" speaks to how far away Iran is from developing nukes.
Fourth questioner is history prof. from UNH - how to reconcile alliance with Pakistan with undemocratic nature of society - good question:
Clinton - Attacks Musharraf. Focus like "proverbial laser" on diplomacy.
Kucinich - Actually mentions the word "peace!" Attacks the policy of assassinations; Osama should be tried in court of law. America should be "moral" and "peaceful." Wow!
Obama - Disagrees with Dennis the K. - feels that U.S. should "take him out."
Ridiculous question from Blitzer about using intelligence to kill Bin Laden:
The candidates reject it outright.
Edwards seems to back Musharraf. You're kidding!
Fifth question is on Darfur:
Biden - lots of saber rattling about the Sudan; UN troops should be sent in.
Richardson - Feels America should care - but what does he mean?
Dodd - Doesn't like the idea of boycotting the Beijing Olympics; clearly he's got his eye on a gold medal in the javelin.
The strongest answer from Obama tonight - relating Darfur back to U.S. policy in Gitmo and suspending habeus corpus.
Biden gets all "Angry Old Codger" on Darfur - wtf?
Best response from Richardson tonight backing down Biden on military action against the Sudan - and he gets a warm hand from the crowd for it.
Next question is from a high school student - should we have mandatory one year military service as in Europe:
Gravel - against (atta boy, Mike!)
Kucinich - against
On the draft:
Dodd - against
Next question - what's the definition of rich in terms of tax status:
Obama - $250,000
A hairdresser asks about the federal budget deficit:
Richardson - $100 million from Iraq going toward domestic spending; goes after corporate welfare.
Kucinich - Stop funding the war, get out of NAFTA, health care for all. He's my guy!
Internet question on "earmarks:"
Dodd - wants to "discourage the behavior," but doesn't want blanket policy.
Gravel - in favor of "totally" doing away with earmarks; in favor of line item veto.
Clinton - Easy applause line by referring to the Clinton admin.
Gravel and Kucinich take a swipe at the big three candidates on special interest groups.
Biden speaks up for public funding of elections.
Finally Richardson breaks the silence on education. We've had questions form six educators and one high school student and not one question on education. Thank you, Bill.
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