I just finished watching tonight's YouTube Democratic debate and here's my quick assessment:
The Format: A
The format worked. Having the people ask questions was so much more interesting and the questions more substantive than the tiresome panel of print and television journalists.
The Questions: B+
The questions were challenging and substantive. Incredibly, YouTube received 3,000 videos, of which 50 were picked, and 38 were asked. However, as in the Howard U. debate, the glaring omission of immigration and Latin American relations was unfortunate. There was a question on health care for undocumented workers, but nothing on immigration reform and nothing on Latin American relations.
The Moderator: A+
Excellent. Anderson Cooper was in control of the format the whole time and was able to move things along in a crisp and effective way. From my count Cooper was able to get 38 questions in along videos from each of the 8 candidates. Cooper's performance in this debate makes Tavis Smiley's performance at the PBS forum look amateurish.
Barack Obama: A
It seems to me that Obama won this debate. He's the closets thing to the unBush on the stage. He's articulate. He's knowledgeable. He shows passion with intelligence. And he doesn't equivocate--that is, you know where he stands on the issue.
Best moments: When he took the reparations questions and turned it into an opportunity to challenge the country to invest in quality education for the children attending rotten schools in what he called America's "corridors of shame."
Hillary Clinton: B+
This was a strong performance for Hillary. She also had smart answers and seemed confident. I also appreciate that she didn't feel the need to scream her responses like she did at Howard U.
Best moment: When she said that it was a problem when Bush was elected in 2000 in response to a question about Clinton and Bush political dynasties.
Joe Biden: B-
Biden did well in part because he stopped the outrageous need to talk down to people which marked his Howard U. performance. He seemed to have settled on the fact that he's in the 2nd tier for the duration and that what he needs to do is begin accentuating his foreign policy credentials in preparation for a role as VP or Cabinet Secretary to Clinton or Obama.
Best moment: When he mentioned that he would choose Republican Chuck Hagel as his running mate?
Edwards: C+
John Edwards had a decent showing with his anti-big business rants. However, the repetitiveness of his populist attacks got tiring real fast. Edwards just doesn't seem to offer much beyond wanting to get the rich--and that by itself is not much of a platform for gaining the nomination.
Best moment: When he spoke passionately for universal health coverage.
Kuscinich: C+
Kuscinich was effective in making the point that he's anti-war, pro-peace. His problem is that he didn't gain any ground and may have lost some because he offered nothing knew.
Best moment: When he called "global waring" the antithesis of addressing global warming.
Richardson: C-
Bill Richardson needed to stand out in this debate if he's to make a move into the top tier. I don't believe that he did so. His debate performance as undistinguished and he seemed to lack a message and passion.
Best moment: When he called for scrapping No Child Left Behind Act for not doing enough to address the needs of disabled and English language learners.
Dodd: C-
Chris Dodd was largely unforgettable. I can't remember one thing he said that stands out as interesting or memorable. Dodd has always seemed to me to be competing for VP, but today he was outpointed in that contest by Biden.
Best moment: When he stood up for No Child Left Behind and made the point that accountability is hugely important.
Gravel: I
Still not much to say about Gravel other than he's right that he's being shortchanged in terms of talking time. He did accuse the Clintons of selling out the Democratic party to the Wall streeters was unexpected.
Best moment: When he mentioned that it was his filibuster that led to canceling the draft in the early '70s.
Candidate Videos A
The videos were fun to watch--often added a dose of needed levity. My favorite video was Barack Obama's. It successfully captured the mood in his party and the country for change. It was positive and future-oriented. Edwards video with the "Hair" theme song was pretty good, too.
Television focus groups picked winners
<span style="font-size:130%;">CNN</span> ran two focus groups: one in Charleston and one in Nevada. The Charleston group picked Barack Obama as the winner, while the Nevada group declared it a tie between Hillary and Richardson.
<span style="font-size:130%;">Fox</span>'s focus group picked Barack Obama as the winner.
<span style="font-size:130%;">Drudge</span>'s online poll is currently showing Obama at 41% and Clinton at 14%. Kucinich comes in 3rd with 11%.
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