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1. It was the worst thing I have seen on TV in a long time, except maybe Sandra Lee on the Food Network. At least Sandra admits that most of her stuff is prepackaged.

   ABC, not Obama or Clinton, was the loser of the night.

   Posted by: Jon-Marc | Apr 17, 2008 8:09:50 AM

   
   

2. After twenty debates, it's hard to come up with new and interesting questions. But, I think if ABC had just asked questions sent in from voters, there would not have been one that focused on lapel pins, Wright, Bosnia, or anything else that they focused on.

   ABC news in run by the entertainment president, which explains the lack of focus in the news division. This is just another example of how ABC gladly waddles in fluff, and thinks it is news. Since Peter Jennings died, that network has lost all credibility.

   Posted by: Cadence | Apr 17, 2008 8:24:11 AM

   
   

3. All of the debates have been a joke ever since there control and moderation were taken away from the leaque of women voters.

   In what country does 1 of the moderators of a debate happen to be the former employee of your husband? Russia? China? Iran? Nope.....America

   52 minutes in before they even got to a real issue.

   Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 17, 2008 8:27:58 AM

   
   

4. I've boycotted the "debates" since day one. Aside from the matter that no candidate is going to say something substantial, modern-day political debates are nothing more than fodder for sound bites to be analyzed by pundits whom I have little to no respect or regard for.

   My vote is on the fence right now. I like Obama, I like McCain. Depends on whom either selects as their running mate.

   Posted by: Rad | Apr 17, 2008 9:05:12 AM

   
   

5. "Reflecting what seemed to be the main consensus of the night - that ABC botched this debate, big time - Charlie Gibson tells the crowd there will be one more, superfluous commercial break of the night and is subsequently jeered."

   That was the best part! They were in Philly, you know! ;-)

   Posted by: virgoboy | Apr 17, 2008 9:05:27 AM

   
   

6. For the record, there is no love loss between stephanopoulos and Bill Clinton. Read George's book and you will find that George is not a fan of the Clinton's.

   Posted by: The Realist | Apr 17, 2008 9:10:53 AM

   
   

7. I saw it and thought it was well done..ABC let them both comment on the recent past mini controversies("bitter" comment, sniper fire), when they got that out of the way..they hit their plans on Iraq, taxes, gun control, affirmative action etc. I also liked the 'no applause' rule..This was the first debate I've seen when they weren't actually KISSING OBAMA'S ASS and they threw him some curve balls..I think that really pissed off the Hillary hating media, so what do you do? You blame ABC of course...

   Posted by: daveynyc | Apr 17, 2008 9:15:29 AM

   
   

8. The Realist

   I haven't read that but I do remember something about Hillary and George not being on good terms. Something about her saying, "That little F....t" or some such.

   How did they ever come up with allowing the candidate from the other party to ask a question?

   That was big time crazy

   Does anyone believe the repubs would have allowed Hillary or Obama to have a question presented to the repub nominees when they were running? Hell, the repubs would have never answered said hypothetical question and just droned on and on about Hillary being the wife of the devil or the killer of baby Jesus or some such crazy right wing rant.

   Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 17, 2008 9:18:14 AM

   
   

9. Nope. I didn't vote for Obama, but I thought the debate was appalling. I disagree that they were asked legitimate quesions. I can go on and on about the questions not asked. This was not about kissing anyone's ass, and I don't have to invent any reason to criticize ABC. It's pretty simple, this was the worst debate I've ever seen, and ABC sucked. It was a hit job, centering on issues that don't matter, issues that we have been told by the media matter.

   Goerge and Charlie should hang their heads in shame.

   Posted by: David | Apr 17, 2008 9:25:10 AM

   
   

10. DAVENYC

    Gov Ed Rendell of Penn. a HUGE Hillary supporter even said last night that it was a mess.

    I say, bring back the Leaque of Women Voters to handle and moderate all debates.

    Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Apr 17, 2008 9:29:12 AM

    
    

11. Barack looks sexier and sexier...wit' his skinny self. (At this point, why be serious about this frickin' never ending primary campaign).

    Hillary was likable enough. I thought George Stepha...whatever, was gay. Why did Hillary call him a faggot, JIMMYBOYO? Maybe she was thinking of ancient Greeks. (According to Bill, she does get confused.)

    Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 17, 2008 10:01:49 AM

    
    

12. And when Hillary did not think the ABC so-called moderators were doing a sufficient political hit job on Obama she further impugned his patriotism with snide innuedo and association. She never had my vote but my disgust with her Roy Cohn-style politics now has caused me not to support any LGBT group associated with the Clinton machine. It's not as if Hillary has ever done anything for the LGBT community anyhow -- except for her silly marches down Fifth Avenue -- and LGBT ties to the Clinton machine are now enough for me to say the hell with them, too. Integrity matters.

    Posted by: History of Gay Bars | Apr 17, 2008 10:10:20 AM

    
    

13. It was a joke. Charlie Gibson is a windbag more concerned about how people who make over $200,000 might be affected by a capital gains tax than on the housing crisis, education, defense policy, or the economy. Flag pins? Come on, how many Americans wear flag pins? I don't know of anyone who wears them. Neither Steph or Gibson wore a pin.

    
    Tom Shales of Washingtonpost.com:
    To this observer, ABC's coverage seemed slanted against Obama. The director cut several times to reaction shots of such Clinton supporters as her daughter, Chelsea, who sat in the audience at the Kimmel Theater in Philly's National Constitution Center. Obama supporters did not get equal screen time, giving the impression that there weren't any in the hall. The director also clumsily chose to pan the audience at the very start of the debate, when the candidates made their opening statements, so Obama and Clinton were barely seen before the first commercial break.

    At the end, Gibson pompously thanked the candidates -- or was he really patting himself on the back? -- for "what I think has been a fascinating debate." He's entitled to his opinion, but the most fascinating aspect was waiting to see how low he and Stephanopoulos would go, and then being appalled at the answer. (SOURCE)

    Posted by: noah | Apr 17, 2008 10:17:36 AM

    
    

14. That was a joke, it made Fox News actually seem fair and balanced and was more of a low brow attack than even Fox would do. Not one real issue was discussed, like home forecloses, the ridiculous price of gas, all that time spent on wearing a cheap, made in China flag pin to show your patriotism, gag me with a spoon. And, they made sure that MCCain will be elcted without having once had to address any real issue.

    Posted by: Sebastian | Apr 17, 2008 10:20:56 AM

    
    

15. These big media boobs claim they speak for “average” Americans or know what “most” Americans are interested in but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Charlie and George are millionaires, they pal around with other millionaires in places like Dupont Circle, Bucks County and Martha’s Vineyard. If an “average” American came anywhere near them they’d call security. They live very insulated and privileged lives with a staff of people doing everything for them so they never have to mingle with the masses. Just like the courtiers of Louis the XIV, they live to kiss the ass of anyone perceived as more important than they are and scorn anyone without their same social clout and money.

    Posted by: ggreen | Apr 17, 2008 10:26:12 AM

    
    

16. ABC is getting a MUCH DESERVED tongue lashing from last night's viewers. Of the 11,000+ and rising number of comments to their website on this topic, 95% are from people outraged with the focus on sensationalism and the shameful lack of substance.

    It seems that, without exception, the comments on the ABC site that are supportive of debate moderating fiasco are coming from people who declare their support for Senator Clinton or declare their hatred of Obama. I find it strange that ANYONE could say that spending almost an hour of a 90 minute debate on silly things that have already been rehashed and rehashed in the media, and talked about by the candidates, ad infinitum while ignoring REAL issues and REAL policy discussions, was a GOOD thing.

    Fox News used to be the biggest joke in television journalism. It seems that ABC is determined to give them a run for their money.

    I think ABC, Stephanopolis and Gibson ALL owe the American people an apology.
    

    Posted by: Zeke | Apr 17, 2008 11:03:55 AM

    
    

17. Wow, Zeke,GGreen and Sebastian well, put, it was a travesty and like watching the National Enquirer live, bleech.

    Posted by: Juan Pablo | Apr 17, 2008 11:06:46 AM

    
    

18. DERRICK,

    I think his last name is Snuffleupagus. Yeah, that's it, George Snuffleupagus.

    You know, it is kind of hard for me to get my manties in a knot over this primary, anymore. Whatever happens, happens. I like them both. I can live with either.

    I still deplore the invective toward Hillary, though. It's good to know that some of us can be adult about this. You too, Jimmyboyo (and Zeke).

    Posted by: nic | Apr 17, 2008 11:14:45 AM

    
    

19. It's too bad that the kid gloves did not come off in the treatment of Obama until it's really too late to matter. The unfair, Limbaugh-inspired, misogynist treatment Clinton has gotten from the press and debate moderators has done its damage. I do not deny the anti-Obama slant last night, but it cannot touch the obscenely preferential treatment he has gotten on the whole.

    Stop whining, Obama-heads. He has the nomination sewn up, right, Jimmyboyo? Last night proved that he is not able to perform in a hostile situation. It's much better for him to implode and look ridiculous against Clinton than it would be for him to do the same against McCain.

    Posted by: Landon Bryce | Apr 17, 2008 11:34:59 AM

    
    

20. Try again, Landon. According to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, Clinton's negatives are currently a whopping 54% (the highest of any candidate) and rising... She'd be utterly obliterated by McCain in the fall, as both the true left and the right hates her guts.

    Posted by: Esteban | Apr 17, 2008 11:51:01 AM

    
    

21. Did you see Obama sweating and stumbling last night from softball questions from ABC?? Imagine what the republicans will do to him if he's the nominee?? I'm so sick of these polls that don't mean anything. I can't tell you how many polls have counted Clinton out from almost every past primary..and guess what?..she's won them and I have no doubt that she will continue to win..we all know she will take Pennsylvania but she will also take the others. I have no doubt the super-delegates will back her over Obama..she can ACTUALLY win. I think the democrats are so self hating that they are backing this man who has no integrity, or any TRUE love for his country becuase they love to lose and love being the victims of the rich republicans. I am not a victim and I am sick of losing..I want a democrat in the white house with passion, good solid ATTAINABLE ideas, intelligence and grace. What this country needs is a woman's view and compassion to get us back on track. Hillary '08!!

    Posted by: daveynyc | Apr 17, 2008 12:36:55 PM

    
    

22. Lordy, DAVEYNYC:

    That was one of the most emotionally charged comments I've ever read on Towleroad. It almost brought tears to my eyes. You want her to win so bad. Well, I guess you can pray on it, darlin'...the Pope is here.

    Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 17, 2008 12:45:57 PM

    
    

23. I think this travesty is a painful demonstration of what a conflict of interest it is to allow media COMPANIES (whose ONLY goals are to get high ratings and make money) to host and moderate political debates.

    To allow a shareholder-owned News COMPANY to be in charge of a debate when they have a vested financial interest in manipulating the outcome to keep the primary race going so that they can keep their viewership up and thereby increase their profits, is akin to (as we would say in Mississippi) leaving the fox in charge of the henhouse.

    I agree with JIMMYBOYO. It's time to get back to the real and fair debates of substance that were sponsored by the League of Women voters and moderated by Jim Lehrer. As long as we let profit oriented media companies run the show we are going to get results that are good for THEIR bottom line, regardless of whether it's good for the country or not.

    If anyone doubts this, just look back to the 2000 election between Bush and Gore or the 2004 election between Bush and Kerry. In BOTH instances the media manipulated the information that the public was fed in order to keep the races tight so that the media would seem more relevant, would attract more viewers and would make them more money. We ALL know how that worked out for America. Well, they're doing it again and they'll succeed if we let them. I am SO glad to see that America is finally waking up, calling them on their sh*t and DEMANDING better with THOUSANDS of angry comments on their website. Now we can only wait and see how they respond. I'm not gonna hold my breath for a major change over this single outrage but I believe that they will have to change if we continue to let them know that we are no longer willing to let them get away with this screwing of America.

    To read the comments at the ABC News website, or to add a comment of your own, go to:

    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/DemocraticDebate/comments?type=story&id=4666956

    or leave them a voicemail message at:

    (818) 460-7477
    

    Posted by: Zeke | Apr 17, 2008 12:50:49 PM

    
    

24. DAVENYC reflects 100% of the 2-5% of the comments at the ABC News website that supported Charle and George's flag lapel pin and Bosnia sniper obsessed debate. It seems that the rank and file Clinton supporters are as outraged as anyone by the debate farce but the "anything to win" wing of her supporters are just fine and dandy with it. Unfortunately it's this small minority within her campaign that are tarnishing the whole campaign, and the majority of her supporters who are thoughtful and reasonable, with the "anything to win" reputation.

    Posted by: Zeke | Apr 17, 2008 1:01:04 PM

    
    

25. DAVENYC, the country could use a woman as commander in chief, just not the one who is trying to steal the nomination, HRC, who has all but assured that McCain will be in the WH because of her own selfishness and who more than anything else wants McCain and the repugnanats in office, anybody but the guy who showed her for what she is a fake and fruad.

    Posted by: Sebastian | Apr 17, 2008 1:02:18 PM

    
    
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