Even though I haven't seen any video (except the Huffpost clips), it seems that ABC news pissed off its viewers, which is suicide in the TV business.
Change...the channel!
kevinbgoode
· 1 year ago
I've been saying all along that ABC has essentially already endorsed John McSame. That's why they aimed the debate not to the Democratic voters in the primary, but to the Republicans who want to be reinforced for McSame.
johnosahon
· 1 year ago
CNN is killing hilary, she said obama is electable which contradicts all her DAMN attacks.
she is TOAST.
infact i am happy they asked all the crappy questions, it gave obama the opportunity to look presidential by asking about the issues even during bosnia questions, and hilary looking desperate.
hopelesspedant
· 1 year ago
I'm an Obama supporter, but I am frustrated that he sometimes can't seize the occasion to his advantage. About half an hour into the debate I was screaming at the screen for him to have his Reagan/I paid for this microphone moment and turn on the moderators. Tell them he wasn't going to play this game, that if they weren't going to ask the questions Pennsylvania voters had been posing to him, he'd ask and answer them when it was his turn. The crowd there and across the country would have been thrilled. Instead, he seemed defensive and frustrated and exhausted, which is not what I wanted to see.
hopelesspedant
· 1 year ago
edited
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
I'm psychic. I posted THIS before the flag lapel pin question was asked. I was trying to be satirically funny, and Charles Gibson and friends SADLY proved my point in a very literal way.
"The difference in the way the media treats Democrats/Republicans:
Democratic Debate question: "Twenty years ago, one of your professors in college said that you said the flag lapel pin should not be worn as a symbol to prove patriotism. Why are you not patriotic?"
Republican Debate question: "Category: Dogs... Doberman Pincher or Shitzu, and please tell us why you would choose Doberman Pincher, and again thank you for having me, Sir!"
Deacon_Blues
· 1 year ago
If there was ever any doubt that the media is part of the problem in this country, this should put it to rest. Pathetic. Who cares what either one said? William Freakin' Shakespeare would have been at a loss for words in that situation. Jeebus.
Nigel Elliott
· 1 year ago
Huffpost: THE GOTCHA DEBATE
fostert
· 1 year ago
My satellite dish filled up with snow and I lost my service right before the debate started. I'm so glad that happened.
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
I guess I'm glad I didnt watch.
I cant say I'm surprised that they took questions directly from right wingers.. I mean they invite Glenn Beck on Good Morning America frequently..
so much for the myth of the "liberal media"...
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
Gibson looked quite sly and simpering in his cat womanish spectacles and posing in a snearing gotcha manner!
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
by the way, while Hillary, the media, and the right wing gang up on Barack Obama, John McCain is smiling.
thanks Hillary. Your actions will lead to the election of President McCain and the further destruction of America. (whats left of it that is.)
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
This was just one of the most disgusting hit pieces I have yet to witness. It was even worse than ABC's hit job on the Clinton Administration concerning 9/11.
Funny thing, all of Hillary's alliances with the right wing mavens we have been discussing finally have come through for her in this debate. She must have paid them well...
Joshau Norton
· 1 year ago
Maybe Gibson is auditioning for Katie Couric's job. They need another vapid right wing appeaser to take her place, so I hear.
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
I switched from the debate to American Idol. It was THAT bad! When they dumped on Obama for the flag lapel pin, and proved my psychic vision of them asking a totally bullshit question, I switched the channel. SHAME ON ABC AND ESPECIALLLY GIBSON.
The media would NEVER ask gotcha questions like that to someone like George W. Bush or any other Republican! They have got to stop being so elitist, but when most of them are making salaries like Chris Matthews at $5 million dollars per year they have a vested interest to protect their Establishment Republican friends.
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
after tonight, I'm pretty sure now that John McCain, despite everything thats been going on, will be the next President.
Iran will be invaded shortly thereafter.
lets all remember why this happened when oil is 200/barrel and the country screeches to a halt.
Joshau Norton
· 1 year ago
I'll take "Asshats" for $1,000, Charlie.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Olbermann made damn sure that the audience knew that George threw out a question that was inserted by a "right wing radio host". Also, Olbermann said Obama was taking on Clinton, McCain, and right wing radio hosts, in essence Obama was being treated as the presumed candidate for president. The questions were as if he was a ALREADY a presidential candidate, now was that appropriate debate BETWEEN two Dems fighting for the nomination.? NO
If Obama weathers this fiasco , this will make him stronger, much stronger. I said today his campaign is getting a real taste of what it is going to be like to go against Republicans, because Clinton is nothing more than a Republican.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Chris
Why do you say that McCain will be president?
grandma
· 1 year ago
Clinton-Obama Debate: ABC Decides Top Issues Facing Americans Are Verbal Gaffes, Flag Pins and '60s Radicals
By E&P Staff
NEW YORK In perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate this year, ABC News hosts Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous focused mainly on trivial issues as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philadelphia.
Considering how attacking Obama has so far worked in his favor and against hillary, this "debate" might be a blessing in disguise. Pissing off the viewers and ganging up on Obama like they did just might give him a bump that could help next Tuesday.
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
well aquarius2, its obvious Hillary wont drop out before the convention. Also the media has chosen sides (as they always do, they side with the Republican) and it will be 3 on 1 until after the convention, and after that Hillary will continue to destroy Obama so she can run again in 2012. Never forget that the media LOVE McCain and will do everything they can to elect him.
it would have taken a perfect storm to elect a Republican president in 2008, and guess what.. we have one.
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
now the INSANE PAT BUCHANON opines
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
shut up PAT
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
KEITH why do you put up Pat the crazy man???
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
One good thing, that ass Charlie Gibson was booed after the "debate". Huff Puff has the clip of Gibson saying amid boos "the crowd is turning on me". He is damn lucky they didn't throw eggs at him and George.
I just got through and the actual HOTLINE number for the debate comments is: 1-818-460-7477
That's the direct line and you should not have to use the operator to connect.
grandma
· 1 year ago
5168 Comments
That's the number on ABC News comment site. I have found one positive one so far. I predict a big surge in Obama donations after tonight. He did badly, but that wasn't the story. She did better - but Clinton tends to do better when she seems the victim of unfair attacks. Tonight, she was channeling Lee Atwater. I have no idea what the actual impact of this fiasco will be, but I know it made me realize how deep the MSM rot goes.
Regarding the Dem. debate tonight. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in ABC. Tabloid questions that sounded as if they were crafted specifically for future use by the far right attack machine. Fox Noise couldn't have done a better job of missing the boat entirely on issues of substance. After 45 minutes of no substance whatsoever, I turned you off. Shame on you, ABC!
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Okay, now the talking point is how well Obama is going to handle Republican attacks and since he didn't seem to handle these attacks tonight well, he may be a weak candidate. I really have to shake my head, what do they want him to do, lose his temper, punch the ignorant hosts, what? I thought he did okay.
Kansaskitty
· 1 year ago
Worst. "Debate". Ever.
My God. Could they possibly have come up with some questions that were important to the American people instead of carrying water for the right-wing? I'm still shaking my head over the stupidity of Stephy and Gibson. Awful, just awful. I'm insulted and they insulted the candidates instead of talking about substantive issues that really might mean something to "we the people" - we have to rehash this crap again and again and again. Hillary seemed to be rather smug while the moderaters were teeing up for her.
I think the American people will no doubt look at this smoldering pile of shit as the nadir of this primary. Please, get this over with.
Indigo
· 1 year ago
ABC. What do I watch on ABC? I'm not certain. New Amsterdam? No, that's on Fox. Dr. Who? No, that's on SciFi. Torchwood? No, that's on BBC-America. Days of our Lives? No, that's on NBC. NCIS? No, that's on CBS. South Park? No, that's on Comedy Channel. Naruto? No, that's on Cartoon Channel. Joepardy? You're kidding, right? Boston Legal? Yes, that's on ABC. Well, now that Boston Legal got at least one AmBlog favorable comment, it's likely to be cancelled. Sorry, BL. It's just that the ABC executives have an unexplained mandate to seek out the lowest common denominator in programming quality. You're off profile.
grandma
· 1 year ago
Tonight, Hillary, ABC News, and Sean Hannity Conspired to Dupe the American People and Subvert Democracy
MAJOR UPDATE
ABC contacted UIC for a photo of Ayers to be used tonight. Granted, this may be simply for the sake of having it on hand, but it seemed pretty clear that it IS going to be coming up in the debate.
ABC should not have allowed George to be a moderator, because of his Clinton connection. ABC should never have debates again, because they showed just how unprofessional they are. The questions for the first 45 minutes, were just attacking Obama, mostly on tabloid issues, that are not relevant to policy matters. It was a bloody nightmare to see one candidate being attacked, and cross examined, while the other looked smug, laughed at her opponent, and was given a few softballs. The worst debate of the series, ABC should have got professional moderators, rather than two idiots like George and Charlie. Who the heck cares about lapel pins, and what someone did 40 years ago, when people are without jobs, and we are in a recession?
FunMe
· 1 year ago
Facebook didn't even have the Wright issue (2 wrights make a wrong) nor the issue relating to bitter party of Clinton?
Dave of the Jungle
· 1 year ago
Corporate Media just gave themselves a black eye.
Hillary is toast.
Official Dave of the Jungle Prediction 20080416
george69
· 1 year ago
LATEST POLL NUMBER
Question:
"Who has the better chance of getting elected president in November"
Answer:
Obama: 62% Clinton: 31%
Washington Post ABC News Poll
Actually, Obama continues to poll better than Clinton in the general election match up against McCain. You, Hillary fans, can shout "can't win" all you like, but it doesn't make it true. Clearly millions of people disagree with you. Unfortunately for you - THE GAME IS OVER MY FRIENDS!!
A White, Male, Obama supporter & Hungry For Some PRINCIPLES!!
wmforr
· 1 year ago
My e-mail to ABC News:
"I just watched the'debate' last night between the Democratic Presidential candidates. I had to keep checking the channel to make sure I was not on Fox News.
"What the hell were Gibson and Stephanopoulos thinking? The future of our country is at stake, and EVERY important issue was ignored. Repeated right-wing talking points, irrelevant questions, gossip--was this produced by the News division or the Entertainment Division?
A"BC News has sunk from its former glory to a new low."
Unfortunately they only allow 500 characters.
rainlillie
· 1 year ago
I thought okay, they are going to ask Obama about the Rev, because George and Charlie may have been in a coma for the last few weeks. They didn't hear Obama's speech on race, they didn't watch him on the View. Moving right along, then Obama is asked him about some guy in a group called the Weather Underground, I'm thinking wasn't that the group that Tupac was in, my hubby said, no that was the Digital Underground..Remember the song "Humpty Hump"...Nevermind.
Obama please release the names of everyone that you've every spoken to, looked at , sat next to, ate lunch with.. and save the talking heads some time. I went to parties with people who smoke pot, some cheated on their spouses, a friend of a friend , of a friend did time in the slammer for domestic violence and we attended at least two of the same parties.
One party was a fundrasier for my nephew and the abuser donated money to our cause. Someone could say that two years ago Rainlillie and John Doe partied together and she took money from a guy who was arrested for domestic violence.
This country is in serious trouble, people are losing their homes and jobs. People are still dying in Iraq and I can't believe that the moderators wasted time asking ridiculous questions like "does Rev. Wright love America as much as you?" I wish Obama would have replied, George do you have a pen? Here's Rev Wright's number call him and ask him. They even asked about the FLAG PIN... Are you kidding me. ...They asked about the flag pin.
It was quite a spectacle. It's been reported that the Underground question came from Eddie Munster look alike Sean Hannity... The rest of the questions must have come from the other right wing parrots. George shouldn't have been a moderator, since he use to work for the Clinton's. I was disappointed, disgusted.... Oh yeah and bitter!
harpo
· 1 year ago
I'll tell you what happened. Obama and his surrogates have been use to the "hands off approach" and pro-Obama settings such as CNN and MSNBC. Despite the fact he appeared weak and nervous, I don't think this was his worse performance. How quickly you all forgot his stammering and difficulty forming sentences during the first two debates. What is wrong with you people! We are talking about a guy who is applying for president of the United States. He is not applying for manager at your local Best Buy. You whine about how tough two moderators were on him. I don't remember any complaining when Russert and CNN went after Hillary with "gotcha" questions. You can't shelter him forever. What's going to happen if he does become president.? Are you all going to whine about how "mean" the dictator was when he tells Obama where to go? We need a thinker and fighter who will fight for the average american during these hard times.
mirth
· 1 year ago
"Looking around other sites, I guess I'm not the only one that thought this debate was unmitigated travesty. Maybe the embargo on debate rebroadcast was a pro-human rights stand."
All Comments
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/16/212823/...
Change...the channel!
she is TOAST.
infact i am happy they asked all the crappy questions, it gave obama the opportunity to look presidential by asking about the issues even during bosnia questions, and hilary looking desperate.
"The difference in the way the media treats Democrats/Republicans:
Democratic Debate question: "Twenty years ago, one of your professors in college said that you said the flag lapel pin should not be worn as a symbol to prove patriotism. Why are you not patriotic?"
Republican Debate question: "Category: Dogs... Doberman Pincher or Shitzu, and please tell us why you would choose Doberman Pincher, and again thank you for having me, Sir!"
I cant say I'm surprised that they took questions directly from right wingers.. I mean they invite Glenn Beck on Good Morning America frequently..
so much for the myth of the "liberal media"...
thanks Hillary. Your actions will lead to the election of President McCain and the further destruction of America. (whats left of it that is.)
Funny thing, all of Hillary's alliances with the right wing mavens we have been discussing finally have come through for her in this debate. She must have paid them well...
The media would NEVER ask gotcha questions like that to someone like George W. Bush or any other Republican! They have got to stop being so elitist, but when most of them are making salaries like Chris Matthews at $5 million dollars per year they have a vested interest to protect their Establishment Republican friends.
Iran will be invaded shortly thereafter.
lets all remember why this happened when oil is 200/barrel and the country screeches to a halt.
If Obama weathers this fiasco , this will make him stronger, much stronger. I said today his campaign is getting a real taste of what it is going to be like to go against Republicans, because Clinton is nothing more than a Republican.
Why do you say that McCain will be president?
By E&P Staff
NEW YORK In perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate this year, ABC News hosts Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous focused mainly on trivial issues as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philadelphia.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/ar...
it would have taken a perfect storm to elect a Republican president in 2008, and guess what.. we have one.
The audience was not terribly impressed either. There should have been code pink like outbursts!
1-818-460-7477
That's the direct line and you should not have to use the operator to connect.
That's the number on ABC News comment site. I have found one positive one so far. I predict a big surge in Obama donations after tonight. He did badly, but that wasn't the story. She did better - but Clinton tends to do better when she seems the victim of unfair attacks. Tonight, she was channeling Lee Atwater. I have no idea what the actual impact of this fiasco will be, but I know it made me realize how deep the MSM rot goes.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily...
Yep.....Obama's donations are going to go wayyyyyyyyyy up after ABC's fiasco
HILLARY CLINTON
39% 8,201
BARACK OBAMA
61% 13,074
Total Votes: 21,275
http://www.drudgereport.com/
Regarding the Dem. debate tonight. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in ABC. Tabloid questions that sounded as if they were crafted specifically for future use by the far right attack machine. Fox Noise couldn't have done a better job of missing the boat entirely on issues of substance. After 45 minutes of no substance whatsoever, I turned you off. Shame on you, ABC!
My God. Could they possibly have come up with some questions that were important to the American people instead of carrying water for the right-wing? I'm still shaking my head over the stupidity of Stephy and Gibson. Awful, just awful. I'm insulted and they insulted the candidates instead of talking about substantive issues that really might mean something to "we the people" - we have to rehash this crap again and again and again. Hillary seemed to be rather smug while the moderaters were teeing up for her.
I think the American people will no doubt look at this smoldering pile of shit as the nadir of this primary. Please, get this over with.
MAJOR UPDATE
ABC contacted UIC for a photo of Ayers to be used tonight. Granted, this may be simply for the sake of having it on hand, but it seemed pretty clear that it IS going to be coming up in the debate.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/16/133...
Hillary is toast.
Official Dave of the Jungle Prediction 20080416
Question:
"Who has the better chance of getting elected president in November"
Answer:
Obama: 62%
Clinton: 31%
Washington Post ABC News Poll
Actually, Obama continues to poll better than Clinton in the general election match up against McCain.
You, Hillary fans, can shout "can't win" all you like, but it doesn't make it true. Clearly millions of people disagree with you.
Unfortunately for you - THE GAME IS OVER MY FRIENDS!!
A White, Male, Obama supporter & Hungry For Some PRINCIPLES!!
"I just watched the'debate' last night between the Democratic Presidential candidates. I had to keep checking the channel to make sure I was not on Fox News.
"What the hell were Gibson and Stephanopoulos thinking? The future of our country is at stake, and EVERY important issue was ignored. Repeated right-wing talking points, irrelevant questions, gossip--was this produced by the News division or the Entertainment Division?
A"BC News has sunk from its former glory to a new low."
Unfortunately they only allow 500 characters.
Obama please release the names of everyone that you've every spoken to, looked at , sat next to, ate lunch with.. and save the talking heads some time. I went to parties with people who smoke pot, some cheated on their spouses, a friend of a friend , of a friend did time in the slammer for domestic violence and we attended at least two of the same parties.
One party was a fundrasier for my nephew and the abuser donated money to our cause. Someone could say that two years ago Rainlillie and John Doe partied together and she took money from a guy who was arrested for domestic violence.
This country is in serious trouble, people are losing their homes and jobs. People are still dying in Iraq and I can't believe that the moderators wasted time asking ridiculous questions like "does Rev. Wright love America as much as you?" I wish Obama would have replied, George do you have a pen? Here's Rev Wright's number call him and ask him. They even asked about the FLAG PIN... Are you kidding me. ...They asked about the flag pin.
It was quite a spectacle. It's been reported that the Underground question came from Eddie Munster look alike Sean Hannity... The rest of the questions must have come from the other right wing parrots. George shouldn't have been a moderator, since he use to work for the Clinton's. I was disappointed, disgusted.... Oh yeah and bitter!
--Josh Marshall