Who's Watching the Democratic Debate With Me? Clinton vs. Obama

January 31, 2008

The two Democratic stars are coming out to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood tonight to hopefully discuss the urgent issues of our time. Only two candidates are left standing!! I can't wait to see Hillary and Barack face off sans surrogates. Tune in with me — starts at 8 p.m. EST on CNN.

While you're watching, let me know — who do you think will emerge as the Democratic frontrunner before next week's Super Tuesday?

212 Comments

trésjolie 5 years

And Hillary's experience will not be a winning point compared to John McCain. She will most likely welcome a pesky partisan war against the republicans, since playing dirty is her strong suit(she is very successful at that, as were Bush with Kerry). He will probably hammer down push polling and negative adds and leaning heavy on his war hero credentials he will rally up the rebublicans. Democrats and Independents will likely be torn and confused, and move in different directions, and Mayor Bloomberg might jump in to further split the vote. Obama focuses on uniting the country and will claim that republicans will have equal gain if he is president and many of them will vote for him or, not vote at all. McCain against Obama will take a hesitant step back into the more conservative field, to distance himself from the red/blue/no matter rhetoric Obama has, but if will be to his disadvantage; moving away from the straight talk and into a pool were he is disliked by so many will make him seem weak. Bloomberg will not enter the race if Obama is in the race, as he will not stand a chance.Also, the health for all proposed by Clinton will penalize by fines anyone who is poor, lower middle class, young people right out of college and older people who are laid of from work, and can't pay the high premiums. She says it won't, but she doesn't explain how, even when asked a direct question.

trésjolie 5 years

And Hillary's experience will not be a winning point compared to John McCain. She will most likely welcome a pesky partisan war against the republicans, since playing dirty is her strong suit(she is very successful at that, as were Bush with Kerry). He will probably hammer down push polling and negative adds and leaning heavy on his war hero credentials he will rally up the rebublicans. Democrats and Independents will likely be torn and confused, and move in different directions, and Mayor Bloomberg might jump in to further split the vote. Obama focuses on uniting the country and will claim that republicans will have equal gain if he is president and many of them will vote for him or, not vote at all. McCain against Obama will take a hesitant step back into the more conservative field, to distance himself from the red/blue/no matter rhetoric Obama has, but if will be to his disadvantage; moving away from the straight talk and into a pool were he is disliked by so many will make him seem weak. Bloomberg will not enter the race if Obama is in the race, as he will not stand a chance. Also, the health for all proposed by Clinton will penalize by fines anyone who is poor, lower middle class, young people right out of college and older people who are laid of from work, and can't pay the high premiums. She says it won't, but she doesn't explain how, even when asked a direct question.

Jillness 5 years

On Kieth Oberman, they had and NBC polticial correspondant talking about the general election. He was being asked about the Republican party and if they could win, who they will nominate, etc. Nearly every response came down to this type of answer: "It depends on who the Democrats nominate. Republicans are split between the moderates and conservatives. If Hilary is nominated, that will rally the Republican base and they most likely would win. If Obama is nominated, that keeps the split in the Republicans and Democrats would be very competative." I just think that Obama and Hilary are both great candidates, but I think Obama is vastly more electable. I also think that he would be the most persuasive when dealing with international leaders.

Jillness 5 years

On Kieth Oberman, they had and NBC polticial correspondant talking about the general election. He was being asked about the Republican party and if they could win, who they will nominate, etc. Nearly every response came down to this type of answer:"It depends on who the Democrats nominate. Republicans are split between the moderates and conservatives. If Hilary is nominated, that will rally the Republican base and they most likely would win. If Obama is nominated, that keeps the split in the Republicans and Democrats would be very competative."I just think that Obama and Hilary are both great candidates, but I think Obama is vastly more electable. I also think that he would be the most persuasive when dealing with international leaders.

JovianSkies 5 years

I get worked up over insurance, too. The way the state handles healthcare, along with the prices of insurance, create a hellish cocktail. I hope that no matter who's elected, they change all of that, because healthcare is a major crisis in this country.

Jillness 5 years

Thanks for the info, Juju! Lots of facts that are so important!

Jillness 5 years

Thanks for the info, Juju! Lots of facts that are so important!

trésjolie 5 years

Wow, great breakdown. My thoughts exactly on the differences in the health care programs Clinton and Obama has presented.

juju 5 years

During one of the earlier debates, Obama mentioned how people in Massachusetts were having difficulty with the mandatory insurance, and that people who couldn't afford the government's plan were fined, and thus in an even worse financial sitution than they started and STILL don't have health care.I spoke to a friend who just moved here in November from Mass., and she said that for her income bracket (she was a waitress right out of college) her mandatory insurance was $400 a month, and she was glad that she moved because she wouldn't have been able to afford it. Hillary's plan is just like Mass., and it won't work!! (IMO)The best part about Obama's plan is that it is voluntary, and that insurance companies would not be able to deny or limit coverage based pre-existing conditions. As an HR administrator, let me tell you that the occurance of "pre-existing conditions" is on the uprise. It doesn't need to be something like diabetes or a major disease. My roommate was denied coverage because she has a deviated septum in her nose and sometimes gets sinus infections. She was COMPLETELY denied coverage unless she would have nasal surgery to fix the problem. Everyone knows that Americans are becoming more overweight, more sedentary, and chronic diseases are on the rise. Just remember that the insurance companies are working HARD to deny or limit coverage based on medical history. If you've had gaps in your insurance coverage history and want to join a plan, you'll likely get denied unless it is an HMO through an employer.The other thing that Obama would work towards is breaking up the monopoly of insurance companies in this country. They don't price their coverage competitively because they don't have any competition. There are about 5 major insurance companies, and they run the ball game. Our insurance broker and I talk about how SOMETHING has to be done, or companies are literally not going to be able to cover their employees. Rates are going up, and benefits are going down. They increase premiums by 25% every year, but increase the deductibles and co-pays as well. It is INSANE out there folks. I think that Obama's plan really strikes at the heart of the problem, without forcing people who don't want coverage to pay for something they don't want.Sorry....I get a little worked up over insurance. :-)

juju 5 years

During one of the earlier debates, Obama mentioned how people in Massachusetts were having difficulty with the mandatory insurance, and that people who couldn't afford the government's plan were fined, and thus in an even worse financial sitution than they started and STILL don't have health care. I spoke to a friend who just moved here in November from Mass., and she said that for her income bracket (she was a waitress right out of college) her mandatory insurance was $400 a month, and she was glad that she moved because she wouldn't have been able to afford it. Hillary's plan is just like Mass., and it won't work!! (IMO) The best part about Obama's plan is that it is voluntary, and that insurance companies would not be able to deny or limit coverage based pre-existing conditions. As an HR administrator, let me tell you that the occurance of "pre-existing conditions" is on the uprise. It doesn't need to be something like diabetes or a major disease. My roommate was denied coverage because she has a deviated septum in her nose and sometimes gets sinus infections. She was COMPLETELY denied coverage unless she would have nasal surgery to fix the problem. Everyone knows that Americans are becoming more overweight, more sedentary, and chronic diseases are on the rise. Just remember that the insurance companies are working HARD to deny or limit coverage based on medical history. If you've had gaps in your insurance coverage history and want to join a plan, you'll likely get denied unless it is an HMO through an employer. The other thing that Obama would work towards is breaking up the monopoly of insurance companies in this country. They don't price their coverage competitively because they don't have any competition. There are about 5 major insurance companies, and they run the ball game. Our insurance broker and I talk about how SOMETHING has to be done, or companies are literally not going to be able to cover their employees. Rates are going up, and benefits are going down. They increase premiums by 25% every year, but increase the deductibles and co-pays as well. It is INSANE out there folks. I think that Obama's plan really strikes at the heart of the problem, without forcing people who don't want coverage to pay for something they don't want. Sorry....I get a little worked up over insurance. :-)

trésjolie 5 years

Yes, I'm trying my best here to fair too. It's hard.

gigill 5 years

Read all the comments and I'm sad I missed this debate! Damn timezone differences. Anyways, just in reference to the health care comments...the USA is the only first-world country in the world to not have universal health care. Think about it people. It's time to take care of each other and stop being so selfish.

piper23 5 years

I don't want him to go negative but he needs something, some kind of boost. Hillary even speaks louder than him. He has a loud enough voice at rallys - why not show that same kind of self-confidence in a debate. I really like him but last night I felt that Hillary knew her stuff a bit more then he did. And it might have been just the way she delivered it. UGH!! I hate having to write nice things about that woman!

trésjolie 5 years

I think Obama really, really dislike they way Billary has gone negative on him, and you can tell by his body language that it would be very difficult for him to work under her. I don't blame him. I also doubt she would accept being his VP, but you never know in politics. I think Hillary as always is solid but a little stale when she speaks, even for just a minute. When she talks it's hard to really keep interest, but I guess that has to do with charisma - something her husbands has a lot of, even if he hasn't been using it right lately. But I will say that she is probably the most correct speaker of all of the candidates, on either side, she will never slip or say something that she didn't plan to say on before hand. I think she was weak on Iraq though, channeling the no-remorse speeches of GWB. Obama is honest but a little fumbling here and there. He should trust his own material and and character more, and tighten it up. Show that he is strong without going in to the pitts.

trésjolie 5 years

piper23 5 years

I was hoping that Obama would just take over but seriously, if he's going to win - and unfortunately I don't think he will - he has got to take control of this race. He is being too quiet, too nice, too passive I guess. Come on, Obama! STEP UP!

rivrchild 5 years

I only saw the last 45 minutes or so ... but I think they both won this one. As Dems together, I like the new friendly strategy. And I was also quite pleased with the last question, as to whether a Clinton-Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket would be a possibility for either of them. They both basically said yes, in a round-about way. I think a Clinton-Obama ticket would be awesome. However, some of my co-workers seem to think that it would be "too much" to swallow for the important independent sway voters. I disagree. What do you all think?