Is it ABC's Fault that Dems looked Bad?

New York Times ^ | April 17th, 2008 | David Brooks

[The_Republican]

The journalist’s job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that. The candidates each looked foolish at times, but that’s their own fault.

We may not like it, but issues like Jeremiah Wright, flag lapels and the Tuzla airport will be important in the fall. Remember how George H.W. Bush toured flag factories to expose Michael Dukakis.

Second, Obama and Clinton were completely irresponsible. As the first President Bush discovered, it is simply irresponsible statesmanship (and stupid politics) to make blanket pledges to win votes. Both candidates did that on vital issues.

Both promised to not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 or $250,000 a year. Returning the rich to their Clinton-era tax rates will yield, at best, $40 billion a year in revenue. It’s impossible to fund a health care plan, let alone anything else, with that kind of money.

The consequences are clear: if elected they will have to break their pledge, and thus destroy their credibility, or run a minimalist administration.

The second pledge was just as bad. Nobody knows what the situation in Iraq will be like.

To pledge an automatic withdrawal is just insane. A mature politician would’ve been honest and said: I fully intend to withdraw, but I want to know what the reality is at that moment.

The third point concerns electability. The Democrats have a problem. All the signs point to a big Democratic year, and I still wouldn’t bet against Obama winning the White House, but his background as a Hyde Park liberal is going to continue to dog him.

[cubreporter]

I think Charlie showed himself for what he is.

[cubreporter]

dont’ care how you wear your glasses. This is about charlee gibson.

[cubreporter]

you got the message.

[manc]

I hope you are right on that, Tis about time the media actually asked hard questions

[Grampa Dave]

Even George $oreA$$'s butt boy, Brooks knows that the rats and ObamaSnob are in trouble.

"Bitter Gate: the gift that keeps on giving!!!

" Crackerquiddick ~ Bitter Gate " and “Wright is wrong Gate” are huge problems for the elitist would be Sneerer in Chief, Hussein Obamasnob!!

You can't win a general election with a coalition of America hating Bitter African- Americans and America hating Bitter white liberal elitist billionaires/millionaires, who buy brie, Chardonnay, and Hussein Obama/Samma.

For an inside look at the real Hussein Obama and his elite hate America backers at San Francisco where Hussein Obama made his elitist remarks,

Go here to see the thread with all The Pictures posted and Here to see another thread about this meeting of elite left wing America haters.

There are some very interesting pictures and comments re the actual meeting on those threads.

"Hussein Obama’s big mouth, small brain, condescending, America-hating, grandkid-baby-terminating, born-alive-infant-abandoning, America-hating-wife, kooky-moonbat-America-hating-pastor, racially-divisive, race-baiting, crotch-saluting, America-flag-disrespecting ... chickens ... coming home to roost ...!"

Behold the would be Sneerer in Chief!

[manc]

it amazed me when Obama said that he would ignore the generals on the ground

What utter fool would thin they would know more thna the generals on the ground

[Miss Didi]

This comes from the NY Daily News...the most liberal of the tabloids.

[garbanzo]

So liberal Tom Shales thinks that just because this was an actual debate with tough questions that ABC is the loser.

Of course - isn't that His Holiness, Barack Christ had a bad night. That would be impossible - it was the questioners that made him look bad.

[manc]

I missed the debate last night but I would have loved to have seen them both going at it .

popcorn time it is

[CharlesWayneCT]

Also, McCain is much better known than Dole ever was, even a week before the general election in 1996.

Dole was liked enough by those who knew him, but most people had no idea who he was, so it was much easier for the Clinton campaign to define him.

It will not be easy to re-define McCain. He’s a well-read book.

[italianquaker]

Your right he did a good job for a change

[manc]

I have to admit either obama voters will vote for this man even if he got caught raping women on camera and robbing banks.

He comes out with multiple excuses for his mess ups and yet the media give him the free pass

I must too admit that ABC by far has been the best of the MSM
MSNBC and CBS NBC CNN are just a joke,
especially MSNBC

Did you hear that Guy last night at the dinner make the comment about how no one watches MSNBC anymore, I wonder how those reporters felt who work there

[cubreporter]

if that’s what you think....

[Gideon7]

607 comments so far at NYT blog, most of them with the sharp knives out for Brooks and ABC.

[italianquaker]

Yes thats what I think

[cubreporter]

good. happy for you.

[Miss Didi]

No, I missed that about MSNBC. Brit's Panel tonight gave ABC much praise over finally putting Obama to the test; even Mort and Nina thought their questions were correct. Brit finished by telling Charlie & George that Fox was pulling for them, and hoped that it wouldn't be too damaging to them.

[italianquaker]

great and I too am happy for you

[manc]

so does this mean the all liberal all inclusive we love all views will be banning ABC like they have with Fox

they really are a pathetic lot, they whine and complain that their darling got some hard questions really

It;s not about policy as Obama even messed on tax yet they are too googles eyed to see it

Obama could rob a bank on camera and people will still vote for him

I have to admit that obama voters have to be the most brain dead people out there EVER

[TexasNative2000]

It has amused me all day how the Democrats are SO upset at ABC and the moderators. All I have to say is . . . .

YOU WHINING, PAMPERED, CODDLED, BABIES! GROW UP! REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF THESE "DEBATES" FOR 40 YEARS. YOU'VE BEEN SLIPPING QUESTIONS TO THE MODERATORS SINCE WALTER CRONKITE WAS ON THE AIR.

There. I feel better.