Letters to the Editor

And then there were two In a highly anticipated showdown, Clinton and Obama duked it out, sort of, in a fight for the high road. By Thomas F. Schaller [2008-02-01]

• Good Day for Democrats

  I'm 38 years old and a life-long liberal Democrat. In twenty years of voting in national elections, I've never had a chance to feel this good about my party's candidates or their chances in the November election. On that stage last night, I saw candidates who were not weak, not running as someone other than themselves, and not tearing each other apart in debates so rancorous that they did the Republicans dirty work for them.

  Maybe it took seven years of the current disastrous administration to make Democrats work together. I don't know, but I do know that this is the best I've felt about my party's candidates and chances since I've been able to vote.

  I could not agree more with Schaller that Blitzer was the sole loser on that stage last night, clearly trying as he was to get candidates out of a thoughtful discussion and into personal attacks. He wanted drama to prop up ratings; I'm thrilled that neither candidate took the bait.

  I have been an Edwards supporter, and I watched this debate last night in an effort to figure out which candidate to support now. Frankly, I still don't know. As I suspected, Hillary came across as the better policy wonk, and Obama came across as a natural leader and an amazingly gifted orator. Contrary to their reputations, though, Obama last night backed up some of his big ideas with reasonable detail, and Hillary--safe from attack--let her funny and engaging side show.

  So I still don't know who will get my vote when Kentucky primary comes around this spring, but I do know that if they keep this up, I'll be able to cast my vote come November without having to hold my nose while I do it.

  -- jwolfgold
  [Read jwolfgold's other letters]
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