Yeah, this debate didn't cover much about the real issues. However, did anyone notice how Hillary kept pushing about Obama's "Bitter" thing and how it was important for

people to keep looking at it? Yet, when the stuff about

Bosnia was brought up she was like, "Yeah, I made a mistake,

I'm sorry, now just forget about it." Talk about a hypocrite -

but then, I already knew that. Obama held the high road - he doesn't want distractions about him OR her. She's the one playing this like a Republican and bringing in all this crap.

...that have been giving the "Straight Talk Express" a free ride... that have given the Bush administration a free pass...

Don't any of you folks out there wonder who these people are?

I don't know about you all... but I want some NAMES!

It seems that we all agree that reporters continue to toe-the-line; because they are paid outrageous salaries that encourage them to stomach and regurgitate the garbage that is fed, through them, to us.

Is there nothing we can do?

Perhaps we stop consuming their trash?

Could we collectively stop watching network news? Can we all peel ourselves away from the television?

I have come to the determination that television is responsible for so much misinformation and divisive discourse that I refuse to watch it anymore. I won't pay for it!

How about we READ our news from reputable sources? Is that possible?

It is T.V., with all these empty talking-heads, that has blown all of these ridiculous stories (featured in last night's "debate"), completely out of proportion! They have taken us away from the issues, while allowing Sen. McCain to coast along; unscathed!

And while you're at it... if you CAN manage to unplug yourself from the T.V.... maybe READ a book; instead of watching American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, before you switch the T.V. back to FOX or CNN (pool or pond).

MAYBE read a book to a CHILD!!! Don't park your kids in front of the boob-tube-babysitter!

...

And these POLLS!!! We read these less-than-credible, and easily manipulated numbers; and let them throw us into a frenzy?!?

Aren't you all a little fed up?

We all complain about it, but we continue to fall into their trap again and again!

We need to take these "reporters" to task! Publicly call them out!!! Expose them for the frauds that they are!

Do we need to begin some Guerrilla-Truth-Squad to infiltrate press conferences and so-called "debates?" ...to call out the no-talent-hacks who moderate these debates and distract us with their bullshit!

Stop giving your dollars to these networks AND their advertisers!!! Get off the grid!

Am I fooling myself here?

Are we all so dependent on the corporate-consumer machine?!?

What does everyone here think?

Thanks all.

Four out of the 5 topics of the first half of the debate were Obama "controversies" that the public doesn't give a shit about, but Benen failed to remark upon that disparity. In fact, he claimed the candidates tried, unsuccessfully, to steer the debate to real issues. IN FACT, Clinton gleefully jumped on to all the Obama criticisms and was content that the focus was there.

Yes, this was a horrible debate and the moderators suck. But it was also an attack on one candidate, which is worth reporting.

Re "disastrous debate"

I always feared the problem with Dems pushing for an early candidate before they were vetted... (John Kerry,etc)

I'm sure that most Dems would be a better President than any

republican... Most Dems dont know how to talk or empathize with the common voters... My peace group hates Hillary and would want anyone but her ..

Obama is not only backed by people mentioned in the debate last nite but my big Nuclear energy people ... and Obama has managed with his BIG HANDLERS to work around all the LEGAL FUNDRAISING... and then hypocritically harass Hillary for doing same.

This double standard by some media acting like the "starry eyed" hiphoppers who will shout down or make fun of anyone disagreeing with their candidate. is quite amazing..

Thank you ABC ( though not my favorite) station for being fair in the "so called" disasterous Politics" which were previously ONLY DIRECTED TO HILLARY... it is time for equality

Djk

Now they're throwing out this crap about him being an elitist. Translation= "he's 'uppity'". Uppity colored folks, thinking they are above their station. More racist code by the media. Old tactic that has been used by racists for generations. I don't watch mainstream news, not even for reference because I got tired of their crap a long time ago. No matter what, there are people out there who will 'whitewash' this issue but it is what it is and generations of this type of mindset cannot be changed over night. Gentryfing the language doesn't make it any less racially motivated.

It is amazing how when the heat is turned on Obama he, his supporters especially in the Press and online bemoan the lack of substance in the debates. The Press has always been shallow and focused on the horserace aspects of politics.

You wrote:

Renegade iconoclast wrote:

"Obama even defended Clinton against the Bosnian sniper story, saying that his campaign had talked about it because they were asked, but that people make errors, even Sen. Clinton was entitled, and that the gotcha politics and distractions were hurting America, basically.

What did Clinton do with the olive branch? She did her best to shove it up Barack's ass and give it a twist, responding to every sleazy attack on Obama as though it were justified."

Can I just say how much this sounds like some annoying teenage relationship? The girl gets caught in a stupid MySpace lie, the whole school mocks her, she feels stupid, the boy tries to defend her by pointing out a higher principle, the girl gets huffy for him sticking his nose into it, the girl gets even with everybody by attacking the boy.

I don't think I can take much more of this.