Ugh... the worst one yet

The verdict is in, and it's unanimous. The best word to describe last night's Democratic Primary debate is "yecch." The questions were all either of the tabloid headline variety or began with the phrase "answer a definitive yes or no about this ridiculously specific policy detail that no sane politician would commit him/herself to at this stage..."

Clinton turned in a much better performance than Obama, but it's important to remember it's just that, a performance. She could easily go back on any of the pledges she made. Plus, it's hard to imagine that she at heart believes in any the Fox News type attacks that Obama has faced these past few weeks. Especially when she herself decries these tactics when directed at her campaign. Clinton's answers (yes! and here's why...) came across as strong and unequivocal. She can't afford to waffle on questions because she's in 2nd place and needs to overcompensate to gain ground. It worked too! Obama gave more thoughtful, grey-area answers and came across unsure of himself. He said at one point he's trying to have an honest conversation with people. Unfortunately, that doesn't work in a debate forum that insists the candidates act like 30 second Tide commercials. "Small Town Fresh! Remove 8 year old stains! More vibrant whites and colors!"

That said, there was also appeared to be an effort on ABC's part to overcompensate for the media's supposed Obama bias about which Clinton has complained. After SNL (for lack of jokes) decided to carry the theme, it became the conventional wisdom. If there was any truth to the claim, this debate surely overturned the scales. It was the exclamation point to three weeks of inane punditry-driven Obama scandals.

Also, did anyone else noticed that while Clinton was talking they kept cutting to reaction shots of her supporters in the audience (Chelsea, Gen. Clark, Gov. Rendell). When Obama spoke, they would cut to a section of the audience washed with green or blue light. The contrast was stark between Clinton's flesh toned, relatable daughter and the weird alien automatons in business suits. There were probably times when they cut to the Aqua Monsters during Clinton's answers too, but Obama had no recognizable supporters to balance it out.

Run Chelsea! Ed Rendell can't save you now!

Much has been written about the debate's anti-Obama slant, but I have yet to see any comments about a glaring omission. Colombian Trade Deal? They had time to trot out the tired and ridiculous Flag Pin debate but couldn't wedge in one mention of Clinton's husband and campaign advisor cheerleading for a trade agreement that she publicly rails against? If ABC wanted to wallow in scandal questions, they could have at least brought up the one recent incident that's tied to an actual policy issue.

........