Analysis Final

Ok, Here's the Final.

#1 Clinton-Kucinich
#2 Biden
#3 Dodd
#4 Richardson
#5 Obama
#6 Edwards

Clinton-

Senator Clinton, walking in with the most to lose due to her lead and due to that she flubbed the last debate, walked in fairly confidently considering the pressure of a back to back lose, which could have cost her dearly. Her early "Asbestos" quip was a gamble. If she did well, it would indeed be a "ha ha" which would reinforce her lead and initial confidence. If she flubbed again, her own quip would have flung her into Gravel status.
Clinton did not have the best line of the night but she had the most:
"I'm not being attacked because I'm a Woman, I'm being attacked because I'm ahead."
"I'm not playing the gender Card I'm trying to play the winning card."
Slapping down Edwards with "Slinging mud right out of the Republican playbook."
(From which Edwards never recovered)
"NAFTA did not do as it was hoped." Ok, Lame. But she said it.
On Kyl-Lieberman Clinton said EXACTLY what I stated in my post a few days ago.
"Aggressive diplomacy thru strength"
Link
On drivers licenses for illegal's she said "No" (Which I disagree with, but who am I but a big mouth who thinks he's right all the time. {stick out tongue here} )
She hurt herself here, but with who?? Illegal's don't vote. With the legal immigrants? Quite possibly yes.
By the same token this helped her with Republicans and Republican leaning Independents.
(Which is exactly why I think she will pick Richardson as VP as stated in my post some days ago.) Link

Kucinich-

I Knew this guy was good. He got the most memorable line of the night of course. "Because I read it"
Referring to the Patriot act of course.
Then he proceeded to "slam" Edwards with the China trade deal "take responsibility,as a trial lawyer you knew better." Edwards was down for the count after this. (if he got a "slap" before, this was the KO)
He pulled no punches and stated his positions clearly. He did not seem all to happy up there either.
Which, strangely, gave him even more credibility by looking disgusted with the other candidates.
The only candidate who would not vote for the Dem nominee "Unless they would not use war as a policy"
This guy couldn't have had a better night. NO UFO'S.

Biden-

This is the Guy that also came on cheerful, jovial, not a care in the world.
Why?? Because he had NOTHING to lose.
And he was total "Joe"
Along with the easy going mode he was in, he spoke with authority due to his experience.
This guy knew what he was talking about. And the only one who calmly, as-a-matter-of-factly countered Kucinich on the damage of the Patriot Act, like he was saying "good morning."
Leaving me with the feeling of "Presidential."

Dodd-

Dodd laid out what Dem's need to do to win the White House, and keep the House and Senate.
Effective on Unity. With the time he did get he spoke very well and very well in Spanish. While it was impressive, somehow it just wasn't the big bang.
He spoke with Authority but also with anger. Although I'm not sure at what. Is it just the way he speaks??
He was effective. Anyone remember him today??

Richardson-

"My name is Bill Richardson" ---Did the trick !! Ingratiating and approachable.
He was strong on education.
He was for DL "for" illegal's.
And was "for" Hero cards for Veterans. Which left me wondering about everyone else. That's a lot of people to leave out.
Environment, yada, yada, ....Gore.
Reminded me of Gore. Plus or minus? up to you!!

Obama-
Next is Obama, which has only moved up because Edwards moved down.
This was the biggest surprise for both supporters and critics alike.
If anyone "lost" the debate this is it.
Coming in with the loudest applause, Senator Obama was one of the two boo-ed for going negative on Clinton. (uh-oh Iowa)
The attempt was there. It just didn't come thru. Hemming and hawing, all the things he was accusing of, but not being accused of, until now.
The only effective point he made was on the China trade policy. " Why isn't the U.S. insisting on our inspectors inspecting over in China? Like Japan is."
On social security was a valiant attempt but just did not break the glass ceiling.
Hold on!! When he said he wanted to "build schools in the Middle East" I fell off my chair!
HUH?? Economy bad, Debt up to eyeballs, no oil dividend, a "money pit" war, housing market, 37 million Americans starving! AND he's going to build schools in the Middle East?
For the guys that would love to bring us ....9-11......
9-12....9-13.....9-14----9-15 etc. ????
Looks like the Naive thing is not gone today.
Want to know why I'm not going into his mixed energy policy??
Exactly ! Why?

Edwards-

Was he even there? After he was slapped down with his own "mud"
His "attack strategy backfired. Not only for himself but for Obama.
After this his answers seemed "canned"
The last, nail in this coffin tonight was the boo.


TrueBlue