POLL: Who "won" the Dem debate tonight and why?

[CADsortaGUY]

John Kerry in my mind. He definately could have done more, but he presented a decent front against all his opponents and against Bush. I found his Tax cut info about the middle class very interesting. He is against repealing all Bush's tax-cuts (increasing taxes). He only wants to increase them on the Rich and presented numbers to back up his reasoning. He said that a family that made about $70K would have their taxes increased about $2100 if all of Bush's tax cuts were repealed. Very interesting that he is backing up his stance.

Obviously Dean is the front runner but I think that Kerry presented the best argument against Dean tonight. There were shots fired on all fronts though and I thought Liebermans quip about being one of the 2 most angry people that Bush is in the whitehouse was funny(he and Al Gore)

CkG

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

The general concensus on the networks is that Dean "won" and I have to agree with them. There was a lot of talk about how many of the candidates were going to challenge Dean on the issues, but it seemed like everyone just bent over and agreed with him, even those who initially held opposing views. I was pretty impressed with Sharpton, he made some good points tonight like pointing out how we have a real bad habit of making friends who a couple of years later turn out to be terrorists. I think Leiberman was the big loser today, did not command much presence and seemed to be caught off guard when he was called out by his opponents. Kucinich has absolutely no chance, its almost sad to see him up there. In a utopian world his policies would make great sense. Braun is fairly smart but her issues are all polarized towards the black community, shes going to have to take positions that appeal to a broader audience, but I don't think that would have any effect on her chances anyway.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: LilBlinbBlahIce
The general concensus on the networks is that Dean "won" and I have to agree with them. There was a lot of talk about how many of the candidates were going to challenge Dean on the issues, but it seemed like everyone just bent over and agreed with him, even those who initially held opposing views. I was pretty impressed with Sharpton, he made some good points tonight like pointing out how we have a real bad habit of making friends who a couple of years later turn out to be terrorists. I think Leiberman was the big loser today, did not command much presence and seemed to be caught off guard when he was called out by his opponents. Kucinich has absolutely no chance, its almost sad to see him up there. In a utopian world his policies would make great sense. Braun is fairly smart but her issues are all polarized towards the black community, shes going to have to take positions that appeal to a broader audience, but I don't think that would have any effect on her chances anyway.

Yeah - I was a tad confused about them picking Dean though at first. After I thought about it - it is the Leader syndrome. He coasted(as they put it) because no one attacked him hard enough so they are saying he won by default. That much I agree with but as far as substance of what was talked or debated about - he wasn't my top pick - he said the same generic things he's been saying - that to me isn't winning a debate. Look for Kerry to put a little more heat on Dean real soon. I think after his campaign watches the replay and hears the pundants - they'll focus on Dean. Kerry is probably the only one who stands a chance to beat Dean in the primary besides Clark who seemed un-inspiring tonight.

As a Conservative and Republican - I would have more faith in Kerry than I would in Dean or the others and I wouldn't "HATE" calling him my President...IF hell froze over

CkG

 

[no0b]

we need a results option for those who didn't watch

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: no0b
we need a results option for those who didn't watch

added option

CkG

Edit- seems we have an anonymous Clark voter. Hmm... come on back it up.

 

[PatboyX]

what about "i didnt watch and therefore believe i 'won'"?

 

[Dragnov]

I think Dean is "winning" in these debates and overall because like Arnold, hes lots of show with little/no substance. Not particularly wrong, but I don't think (and hope) he can get away with that running as President. (I don't have much fear of Arnold as he has a much more limited role.)

Personally, I think Kerry and Braun are the two smartest/knowledgable people out there. However, Bruan... something about her I just don't like... I just don't see her as a president mainly because shes seems too passive, nice. I think she could make a good congressman, though.

I'm liking Kerry more because he seems like he would be a smart leader as evidence in this debate, but the problem is hes like too smart for the average public. He doesn't have that "look at me! vote for me!" flare that Dean has right now.

Bush - Dean. I would vote Bush.
Bush - Kerry. I would vote Kerry.
Bush - Other. No vote.

 

[DealMonkey]

What about Edwards? Any thoughts on him? I don't have time to research each and every candidate, but he comes across in the debates (and I've seen him on the cable talk shows a few times) very positive IMO.

 

[chess9]

Dean was flat as a pancake. He lost ground with me.

Kerry picked up ground, principally because he checked his nerdy, whiny impulses, and conveyed his message in part. If he forgot he ever went to Yale he'd be a better man.

Wesley Clarke smiles more than an Electrolux salesman. I find that irritating at times. Also, he stumbled a bit on the "why is your campaign floundering" question. I don't think he showed himself to be a cut above any other candidate, though I do believe he would be a competent, fair minded President. Career military people often have a blandness-probably from a life of sucking up-that actually translates to effectiveness in dealing with people. Anyway, he is definitely bland.

Dennis Kucinich had the look of a deer caught in someone's headlights. He was shrill and nervous. He committed political suicide. Write him off if you haven't already done so.

Ditto for Edwards (for President, but see below), who did not answer the "what's wrong with your campaign question" without blinking 5,000 times and looking like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He's a good man, but he is a cut below Dean, Kerry, and Lieberman.

Carol Moseley Braun came across as articulate, compassionate, smart, and very centered. I just like the way she portrays solid middle American values without being too far left or too far right. She strikes me as the perfect candidate in many ways.

I have never cared for Dick Gebhardt and didn't care for him last night. He's a good man with a big heart, but there is something about him that grates. He's slightly shrill at times, like Kucinich. Maybe it's me.

Joe Lieberman is also a very good man, but I tune him out because the war is the single most important issue to me, and by a wide margin. I've supported Israel with contributions to private charities since 1978, but Joe's allegiance to Israel seems unlimited and I think that is actually bad for Israel and bad for the rest of the world, including America. (Contrary to what people think, all Jews don't support this war and even in Israel we have a lot of peace activists.)

Al Sharpton is pushy, obnoxious, and grating. BUT, Al Sharpton has a nose for hypocrisy and an understanding of theater and language that far surpasses the others. He was the most entertaining and I thought he delivered his message with the most impact. BANG! (apologies to Kaplan)

All in all, any one of these candidates is better than Bush.

I think the best ticket would be Dean/Braun, second best, Dean/Edwards(the Southern vote), but it's close.

-Robert

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Hmm....lots of anonymous voters out there. 6 for Dean? Anyone care to back those votes up as in why you thought he won the debate?

It's OK, you don't have to be ashamed(although I would be:Q) - lets hear why Dean won the debate last night.

CkG

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Only 18 people watched the debate?

Anyone wish to "out" themselves as the ones who thought Dean won? Seems to be some anonymous voters

CkG

 

[oreagan]

Edwards kind of choked at the beginning but he made the strongest closing statement. This wasn't his finest performance, he's usually very charismatic and articulate in debates. I'm going to vote for him in the primaries, but when he loses I hope he gets VP. Kerry/Edwards would be perfect for me (assuming it can't be the other way around).

 

[Gnurb]

I'd say Sharpton won.

It really doesn't matter at this point, I'd say that unless Dean really, really screws up, he's gonna win.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Kerry/Edwards would be perfect for me (assuming it can't be the other way around).

Ditto.

 

[SuperTool]

Dean won, and there is huge grassroots support for him.
The debate was a joke. They gotta get rid of most of them, so the remaining few can have a real debate. I really could care less what sharpton, brown, kucinich, gephardt, edwards think.
They aren't gonna get nominated. I want to hear Dean, Kerry, Clark and Lieberman duke it out. I don't think Lieberman would win, but he represents a wing of the party that needs to be in the debate.
I gave another 50 bucks to Dean yesterday, and there is a couple hundred more waiting for him if he wins the primary. The sad state of this country is that you gotta give money to counteract the hundreds of millions Bush is getting from his cronies.
As far as tax cuts, Kerry can say all he wants, but he is not presenting a plan that will balance the budget. Bush is only hopeful to cut the deficit he himself created in half, and pretty much gave up on balancing the budget.
Clinton has demonstrated once and for all that it is possible to have a robust and growing economy without runnign huge deficit and gutting government revenue. Dean is only saying we need to undo the damage Bush has done, and return to Clinton era taxation rates.
Arguments that it will kill the economy are easily refuted by the fact that with same rates under Clinton, the economy expanded enormously and created millions of jobs.

 

[glugglug]

How long you think before we see President Ford in the running?

 

[oreagan]

"I really could care less what sharpton, brown, kucinich, gephardt, edwards think."

I wouldn't count Edwards out yet...sure, he's the dark horse, but he's going to win SC, is gaining while everyone else buy Dean is lagging in NH and Iowa, and has a good shot at getting southern support.

 

[KenGr]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK


Personally, I think Kerry and Braun are the two smartest/knowledgable people out there. However, Bruan... something about her I just don't like... I just don't see her as a president mainly because shes seems too passive, nice. I think she could make a good congressman, though.

If you had ever lived in Illinois and had her represent you (she was a senator) you would know what's wrong with her. The funding scandals started during her campaign and never ended. She lost for re-election primarily because of questionable fund transfers, although her under the table dealings with African dictators didn't help. She was then appointed as an ambassador where she was more or less of an embarrassment - it just didn't make the news because they stuck her in New Zealand.