Liveblogging the Democratic debates — Gibson is useless, Clinton has “feelings”
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Posted by Jennifer L Pozner January 5th, 2008 |
Can you imagine a less effective debate moderator than former sock-puppet pusher Charles Gibson?
I’m on the road, so can’t liveblog the Democratic debates fully tonight. But, I’ve been watching the debate and will post at least a brief wrap-up of the problems I’m identifying with the way that Gibson is framing his questions to the candidates. Journalists should clarify the public policy issues at stake in the election, not fan the flames of dissention simply to make for a more attack-filled horse race (to see what I mean, find the question Gibson asked after the taped ABC piece about social security — which he then promptly ignored, instead pitting Clinton and Obama against one another).
Also, did any of you cringe at the “likability” question Gibson’s colleague, Scott Spradling, posed to Clinton [UPDATE: text of this question, below, from NYTimes debate transcript] — and then cringe even harder when she responded with what sounded to my ears very much like a melancholy high school girl: “That hurt my feelings,” she said. You know, because chicks are emotional, right?
Or maybe it was, “You hurt my feelings”… but wouldn’t it be great if (A) the strong female frontrunner wasn’t constantly asked to defend whether or not people like her, and then (B) the strong female frontrunner didn’t feel it necessary to try to feminize herself with lines about her feelings.
SCOTT SPRADLING: …New Hampshire voters seem to believe that of those of you on the stage, you are the most experienced and the most electable. In terms of change, they see Senators Obama and Edwards as the agents of change, in New Hampshire mindset. My question to you is simply this: What can you say to the voters of New Hampshire on this stage tonight, who see a resume and like it but are hesitating on the likability issue, where they seem to like Barack Obama more.
SEN. CLINTON: Well, that hurts my feelings. (Laughter.)
MR. SPRADLING: I’m sorry, Senator. (Scattered applause.) I’m sorry.
SEN. CLINTON: But I’ll try to go on. (Laughter.)
He’s very likable. I agree with that. I don’t think I’m that bad.
SEN. OBAMA: You’re likable enough, Hillary. (Inaudible.)
January 5th, 2008 20:24
[…] ABC’s Charles Gibson, again useless, randomly interjects that after covering DC for a long time, he hears people say that DC is resistant to change, so “God love all of you” for talking about wanting change. […]
January 6th, 2008 18:35
the likeability question to Clinton was out
of line. and I do NOT support her in any
way for the nomination. Still, it was
rude and stupid to bring that up during a debate. It caught her so offguard and left her no possible response to salvage the damage it did—If she joked about it would be criticized; if she got angry, same thing, and the way she responded was not good either…..and Obama ?
Was he trying to help or hinder with his
comment “you are likeable enough”. Likeability
is not an issue…it was an attack on her
personally. Negative, hateful from the questioner similar to the negative campaigning
we dont like. I DONT want her to run, but it
is wrong to treat people this way. For a long
time she was the favorite of the media–then
when she is down and “lost” to Obama at Iowa,
everyone analyzes her as a loser and can she
make a comeback……media needs to be
UNBIASED. They have too much power and influence over our lives and need to be more
careful how they spin and the editorial comments they make. Its all like a celebrity
magazine now.
At least we can read more from official websites of candidates ONLINE!!!! THAT is
good!
Debate was great—except didnt ask about
immigration. Edwards talked too much about
middle class……i already “got it”. Tired of hearing the word change. (That cant and wont happen till elect new
congress members) Let us at least elect a president
who will actually TRY. Like Huckabee and Ron
Paul.I Especially like Paul, but he is
misunderstood —he needs to temper his attack
on foreign policy cause he ends up bashing
America like the democrats have done. But he has great values, wisdom, ethics, voting record, years of service and experience. He has some “way out” ideas like getting rid of IRS , patriot act etc…..and wow, giving more
power to the people and less gov (they all
say that, but HE MEANS it!)
That’s all for now……God bless us!
what a time we live in!
January 10th, 2008 16:41
[…] Well, in light of Charles Gibson’s obnoxious demand that Hillary Clinton defend her personality during last week’s Democratic debate, it strikes me that a little compare and contrast between a little vintage moment from Gilmore’s second season (circa 2002) might be called for: […]