nor lost, and that is probably good for both of them.

I believe HRC did a better job fleshing out the issues if nothing else, she has her points down and certainly talked alot more. My husband, a former HRC supporter, disagreed and saw her as calculated and wordy.

Blizter should not have challenged her as that was not his place. However, was it me or were the questions generally aimed at her? I was turning it on and off, I can only watch a debate for so long. One could argue this was biased toward either candidate.

That being said, I applaud HRC for explaining her vote. Now that I know her thought process, I am very comfortable in knowing that there is no way I will vote for her in the primary. You can be that wrong headed with a domestic policy decision, but not a War. It's much easier to stump for health care or children, but standing on the side of what did she call it at one time? "The Vast Right Wing Conspiricy," seriously calls her judgment into question. The fact she is defending it as the right decision at the time (which I don't think she can do otherwise at this point), shows that she was and is a very political animal and not in a good way. Be political about health care and taxes. Not about bombs falling on people's heads.

Obama is correct. All the experience of how to get paperwork through the system and what committee does what is not as important to me as what the Commander in Chief's decision making. She was wrong on the most important decision of her Senate career, and lost big on that point.

Obama is very exposed on the issue of illegal immigration and despite the applause, I think HRC scored on this with her anecdote about the construction worker. Obama is correct in that the problems of the inner cities cannot be placed on the heads of illegal immigrants but he I hope he understands that they do take jobs away from legal citizens and residents and are a force lowering wages and benefits here in the Midwest. Both of them are courting the Hispanic vote and this is a hot button issue. Exactly how are they going to secure the border? This is more than a wedge issue it's a serious one and once again, it's going to require a decision maker not a vote-seeker. I am not sure who will be better when it comes to that.

Just my thoughts on a snowy snowy day. Have a great day all.

The candidates discussing their policy ideas and their visions for the future. No distractions, no red herrings.

Not that it helped me decide, though: they are so similar on most issues, especially the ones discussed last night, there's no crucial tip to the scales for me.

Which, maybe, is good: vote for the one you lie best, for whatever reason. Either one will be just fine.

A white woman and a black man running for the White House, and the white woman is Hillary Clinton.

I have never been as proud to be a Democrat as I was last night. When Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama took the stage at the Kodak Theater it was a thrilling historical moment--it was almost overwhelming.

The debate last night was one of the most thoughtful and engaging I have ever seen and spoke volumes about what politics could be like if we just allowed it. Kudos to both campaigns for elevating this race to higher grounding; it will serve them and us well moving forward.

It is difficult to frame the situation before us in words. We have the best candidates, we the best platform, we are (mostly) united, and we have the most interested electorate that anyone can recall. And last night both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton did their party and their country proud. Both candidates clearly articulated their positions and both proved that they are ready to lead our nation.

For my money, however, I am giving most credit to Sen. Clinton who outclassed, out-answered, and out-led her opponent. There is no doubt in my mind, if I had any to begin with, that she is the stronger of the two. She was given the toughest questions and answered them fully, honestly, and without trepidation. I am giddy with excitement and respect.

And as for that "dream ticket," well, it is literally one of my greatest hopes and has been for many, many months.

Well done to all involved (even Wolf Blitzer gets ok marks despite some moments of bad behavior).

Thank you,

Robert Sandy

I'm not a supporter of Hillary Clinton for a number of reasons, but I thought she did a decent job last night (I thought Obama was better). For the first time I thought, if this Obama thing doesn't work out, I might be able to pull the lever for her. The one thing that bothered me about last night's debate was her plan for freezing interest rates for five years. I am not a lassiz faire guy, but I can't imagine the impact that would have on the country and world. I don't mind the moratorium on foreclosures, and I'd like to see some legislation to prevent this from happening again; but I can't see how a rate freeze wouldn't hurt middle income Americans.

Furthermore, the timing of her plan is just plain silly. We are not even halfway through the 1Q of 08. Almost every analysis I've seen of the Subprime meltdown says it will bottom out in the 3Q of 08. HRC wouldn't take office until 1Q 09...what is the state of the economy going to be then?

The debate did, it seems, is lower the antagonistic rhetoric, it seems. Judging from the posts on this thread, and others, more people, especially Obama supports who previously threatened to hold their breath and turn blue before voting for HRC, are more willing to vote Democratic, regardless.

Clinton/Obama is a natural, unbeatable ticket, and would, I think, create an aura of inevitability for Democratic rule for the next 16 years. I think 8 years as VP would confer on Obama the mantel of experience that some perceive he lacks now (deserved or not)

Now that spells HOPE