It will be a long time before ABC hosts another political debate. It was shameful.

wasn't George Stephanopolous the inspiration for that Michael J Fox show Spin City?

Nestea Plunge: Good thing I didn't watch, ABC laid a huge egg from what I hear

That's understating it.

Nestea Plunge: I'm going to watch the lowlights online. Good thing I didn't watch, ABC laid a huge egg from what I hear.

~~

Andrew Sullivan has been blogging about it & compiling the steaming crap across the blogophere. (new window)

Makes me wish I actually watched it, but being in Metro Philly area, I am already nauseous from the unrelenting Obama/Clinton TV ad saturation.

I can't believe those clowns have jobs this morning. They belong at TMZ with the rest of the garbage.

It was embarassing, an exhibit of the "gotcha" coverage that political reportage has devolved into. I want to hear details on how Obama and/or Clinton are planning to get us out of Iraq. What they think they can do about the mortgage crisis. What they think we can do about health care. Not, as Obama said, questions about some shiat that some dude one of them kind of knows did 40 years ago.

It was pathetic. To echo the words of John Stewart on another twerpy little political douche on TV, George Stephanapolous is a dick.

you know, I was kinda annoyed that I missed this debate, but I guess I lucked out. My blood pressure wouldn't have been able to handle reporters asking more questions about nonsense than issues.

This would never have happened if Peter Jennings was still alive.

:(

I didn't watch them precisely because this is exactly what I expected.

Blues_X: This would never have happened if Peter Jennings was still alive.

:(

or if Bob Woodruff were 100%

It really bums me out. I mean, Gibson takes over for Jennings, one of the last (if not the last) trusted newscasters in the US and proceeded to do a pretty good job. Now he's gone and blown not only his own, but ABC's credibility out of the water. With Kouric stinking up the joint, who else is there to watch?

I watched the debate last night and couldn't help thinking "either these two have absolutely no idea what the job of debate moderator is, or they're two asshats for the first degree".

What was more disturbing is that Hillary seemed to relish that line of "questioning."

Sheesh. Kinda makes you wonder why they were hesitant to go on Fox. They would at least put on the appearance of a genuine debate.

baorao: Blues_X: This would never have happened if Peter Jennings was still alive.

:(

or if Bob Woodruff were 100%

Hell, even in the condition he's in now, Woodruff can still pull it off better than Gibson or Stephanapoulos. His recovery is, as I understand it, going well.

Get . . the . . fark . . over . . it. It's pathetic to read the reams of whine coming out of TEH DEBATE. Haven't the dem candidates covered the issues of the war, economy, infrastructure, etc. ad nauseum. What's wrong with some hardball? TEH DEBATE was aired nationally, right? Joe Sixpack across America wants to know the answers to a lot of questions not just what's important to your "politically savvy" sensibilities.

Lets think about this. Last week, we find out that top official held a meeting describing and sanctioning torture, which the President signed off on.

Did that come up in the debate? I was too busy trying to figure out if Obama's pastor loves America more, less, or in an amount equal to that of John Stamos.

I watched the first hour of it and was stunned at the inane stupidity of the questions involved. Wright. Flag pin. etc. farking waste of time. I want to know what these candidates are going to do about healthcare, Iraq, the economy etc. I was also quite unhappy to find out that George was literally taking notes on what questions to ask from Sean Hannity. Unreal.

Diogenes: What was more disturbing is that Hillary seemed to relish that line of "questioning."

Sheesh. Kinda makes you wonder why they were hesitant to go on Fox. They would at least put on the appearance of a genuine debate.

A fascinating thing has occurred. Hillary has said over and over that "these are the types of things Republicans will attack her on", and has thus given herself license to do the exact same thing. She's running as a Republican, in the guise of a concern troll. It's really weird.

It's like going over to an abused child and saying "you have to be prepared for your father's abuse", and so you beat them up yourself. Despicable.

baorao: wasn't George Stephanopolous the inspiration for that Michael J Fox show Spin City?


It's a shaky connection at best.

baorao: wasn't George Stephanopolous the inspiration for that Michael J Fox show Spin City?

Michael J. Fox in The American President, IIRC. Also, Sam Seaborn in The West Wing.

BluGuy: It really bums me out. I mean, Gibson takes over for Jennings, one of the last (if not the last) trusted newscasters in the US and proceeded to do a pretty good job. Now he's gone and blown not only his own, but ABC's credibility out of the water. With Kouric stinking up the joint, who else is there to watch?

Jennings is Canadian. So of course he's not a farking moron.

And I sadly say that with zero sarcasm.

Ouch. He pretty much reamed those guys out.

Whether you're an Obama supporter or a Clinton supporter, this was actually embarrassing to watch.

Just realized more issues they chose to ignore:

After all this Tibet stuff with China, we can't get a single question about our relationship with that country? Not one?

A-freaking men. I would have picked any of the previous debate moderators over those two idiots. "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?" ... We are the laughing stock of the free world now.

stargazer101: A-freaking men. I would have picked any of the previous debate moderators over those two idiots. "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?" ... We are the laughing stock of the free entire world now.

Sadly, FTFY.

There are American journalists who still try to get to the truth?

Since when?

Great usage of the word "ferret."

+1

stargazer101
We are the laughing stock of the free world now.

Now, don't be silly...

You have been the laughing stock of the free world for quite a while now.

/I keed
//at least I think I did

stargazer101: "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?"

I didn't watch it, was that acctually a question?

Egoy: stargazer101: "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?"

I didn't watch it, was that acctually a question?

Sadly, yes. Stephanopolous was actually given questions by Sean Hannity. No joke.

Sybarite: baorao: wasn't George Stephanopolous the inspiration for that Michael J Fox show Spin City?


It's a shaky connection at best.

Its took me a few seconds, but nice work.

Sybarite: baorao: wasn't George Stephanopolous the inspiration for that Michael J Fox show Spin City?


It's a shaky connection at best.

Ugh, you are going to hell for that comment.

/I got dibs on the window seat for laughing so hard.

most americans probably loved it...we get the democracy we deserve.

...like many other Americans -- I am still angry at what I just witnesses...

Really? Are you really going to lead off with a glaring typo? It just kind of ruins the snide tone of the entire column, no?

Egoy: stargazer101: "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?"

I didn't watch it, was that acctually a question?

Yes.

Erik teh Red: Really? Are you really going to lead off with a glaring typo? It just kind of ruins the snide tone of the entire column, no?

No, it doesn't. It's a total non-sequitor.

I'm still waiting for a collective apology from the ENTIRE U.S. media regarding the "drum-up" to the war in Iraq, etc.


/I hate wait
//I never believed the farkers anyways but a lot of people did and it's a shame

Wonder if he sent the same type open letter to Dan Rather over the National Guard story

Egoy: stargazer101: "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?"

I didn't watch it, was that acctually a question?

yes it was. the best question, though, was delivered by a "real person" on video and it was: "Senator Obama, do you believe in the flag?"

it's got to take a lot of something to stand there and listen to that and not say: "Are you people serious with this shiat?"

mrapier: I'm still waiting for a collective apology from the ENTIRE U.S. media regarding the "drum-up" to the war in Iraq, etc.

I hear this talking point often, but what exactly (and please note I said exactly) should the media apologize for?

dogdaze: Get . . the . . fark . . over . . it. It's pathetic to read the reams of whine coming out of TEH DEBATE. Haven't the dem candidates covered the issues of the war, economy, infrastructure, etc. ad nauseum. What's wrong with some hardball? TEH DEBATE was aired nationally, right? Joe Sixpack across America wants to know the answers to a lot of questions not just what's important to your "politically savvy" sensibilities.

You get 6/10 on the Troll Scale. It was believable, but not inflammatory enough.

I didn't watch it either - would anybody be kind enough to summarize in a few words what went on (and why people are so mad about it)?

Amurrrkah, one nation under the God!#$!#$

I don't get why you guys are so upset about the debate and the pointed questions directed at Sen. Obama. The same thing happened to Sen. Clinton when MSNBC hosted the debate, she was asked extremely pointed questions even as Sen. Obama got a free pass. She was hurt by it and has tried to recover. Sen. Obama must now do the same. If anything, having to answer such tough questions should prepare him for the general election if he is going to be the nominee. He's going to face far more questions from the press, particularly as third groups get going with allegations of this, or that. It's going to happen, just as it will happen to Hillary is she becomes the nominee. It happened to Gore, and Kerry, Obama will be no different.

From the looks of the debate, Sen. Obama has grown accustomed to not having the press ask him any tough questions. At many points he seemed shell shocked, annoyed or even at a loss for words. If anything, they debate will be good practice for the harder road ahead.

Hang On Voltaire: Wonder if he sent the same type open letter to Dan Rather over the National Guard story

But...but... Dan Rather?

Seriously, dude, the comparison isn't even on the same level.

Wombatzu: Egoy: stargazer101: "Senator Obama, does Rev. Wright love America as much as you do?"

I didn't watch it, was that acctually a question?

yes it was. the best question, though, was delivered by a "real person" on video and it was: "Senator Obama, do you believe in the flag?"

it's got to take a lot of something to stand there and listen to that and not say: "Are you people serious with this shiat?"

Part of me thinks they knew what a horrifically stupid question that was, and so they had a 'regular person' ask it on video. That way, Obama couldn't attack the question or the questioner. If the moderators had asked that, I don't think Obama would have put up with it.

Obdicut: Hang On Voltaire: Wonder if he sent the same type open letter to Dan Rather over the National Guard story

But...but... Dan Rather?

Seriously, dude, the comparison isn't even on the same level.

Welcome to Hang on Voltaire world, where nothing is too obtuse.

Nestea Plunge: I'm going to watch the lowlights online. Good thing I didn't watch, ABC laid a huge egg steaming turd from what I hear.

Shadow writer: I don't get why you guys are so upset about the debate and the pointed questions directed at Sen. Obama. The same thing happened to Sen. Clinton when MSNBC hosted the debate, she was asked extremely pointed questions even as Sen. Obama got a free pass. She was hurt by it and has tried to recover. Sen. Obama must now do the same. If anything, having to answer such tough questions should prepare him for the general election if he is going to be the nominee. He's going to face far more questions from the press, particularly as third groups get going with allegations of this, or that. It's going to happen, just as it will happen to Hillary is she becomes the nominee. It happened to Gore, and Kerry, Obama will be no different.

From the looks of the debate, Sen. Obama has grown accustomed to not having the press ask him any tough questions. At many points he seemed shell shocked, annoyed or even at a loss for words. If anything, they debate will be good practice for the harder road ahead.

Do you see no difference between a hard question and a bullshiat question?

You think "does your pastor love America more than you?" is a perfectly ok 'hardball' question?