Live-blogging CNN Democratic Debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, February 26, 2008

10:33pm -- wrap up....


10:20pm -- Clinton says she regrets her pro-war vote.


10:19pm -- Liberalism: What about polls and appealing to independents? Obama says lots of independents want to make sure that there is ethics reform. Break-down of categories means that independents and Repubs may support positions Obama takes....




10:07pm --- Obama denunciates Min. Farrakhan's considered anti-Semitic positions, and distances himself from his endorsement... Tim asks about Min. Farrakhan's travel to Libya. Obama speaks to Jewish/black relations, the Civil Rights era.... makes clear that he is pro-Israel, pro-Jewish...

Clinton raises her relationship with the Independence Party in New York. She says she has made clear that she rejects the IP "conditions". She's trying to draw a distinction between denuciation and rejection.... [FYI -- Hillary is a rabid anti-independent in New York and is emphasizing her rejection of independent voters in New York... Members of the Independence Party and the Outsiders Coalition marched in September in Harlem to demand a debate in Harlem between Dem shoe-in Hillary Clinton and insurgent outsider Barack Obama. See the video at the top of The Hankster..... Read the Redding News Review or Rock Hackshaw's article on Room 8 for coverage of Lenora Fulani's perspective on this. See also Obama's Wave and the New York Role Reversal on thedailyvoice.com]

Obama says he doesn't see the difference.



10:03 pm--- Campaign Finance Reform: Tim asks Obama about taking public financing. Obama says he'll negotiate that as it comes about in November. Obama says he had confidence in the American people to fund his campaign, which is the aim of good government.... His average contribution is $109.....

Tim asks Clinton who's bankrolling her campaign. She says she's raising about a million dollars a day on the internet... Will work toward releasing her financial statements.....



9:52pm -- Debate on "speeches" vs. "record" ---- Obama: special interests are dominating Washington....

10:01 -- Obama says the only way to change what's happening is to involve the American people in this.




9:46pm -- Obama now says he's been very clear with the American people about where he's at with these issues. NBC "Nightly News" host Brian Williams has just cut off Clinton to go to commercial..... Not much else so far in terms of a strong appeal to voters, independents, or involving the Amiercan people in the decision making process.....



9:34pm: Foreign Policy/Iraq: Obama says Clinton equates longevity with expertise. Policy positions.... NOTE: Is there a substantive debate on US presence in Iraq? Obama seems more definitive in terms of getting out. Clinton has a tentative timetable for withdrawal. Once again, Obama "seems" to be more principal-driven and Clinton seems to be more triangulating in terms of where to locate US policy.... Still no mention of a mandate from the American people as to policy.....




9:19pm: NAFTA: So far, no mention of involvement in dialogue of the American people of trade issues.

I will say that Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press", the moderator of tonight's debate, seems particulary even-keeled and "hard-hitting". We'll see if he has a question about process and giving a voice to the American people in this election....

9:27pm -- Obama wants to be an advocate on behalf of workers....





9:12pm: Healthcare: No mention so far on involvement of the American people in decisions on policy, desire for universal health care... [NOTE from The Hankster: Questions and answers are All programatics -- the DP has failed on programatics, so they NEED to talk about process...]



2/26/08 8:33pm:
Hello everyone. The Hankster will be live-blogging the Democratic debate tonight on CNN betwen Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. My perspective will be from the vantage point of independent voters and any notice of a coalitional effort or alliance between independent and black voters.

Every day, The Hankster runs at least one post called "TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS", a comprehensive aggregated source for news articles from around the country for independent voters, about independent voters.

Independent voters throughout the country are concerned about being able to vote in state partisan primaries and having input as to who is running for president. Independents are concerned about being able to choose their ballot.

The Hankster offers a selection of articles that talk about independents and the weight they carry for the 2008 presidential election. You can subscribe by emailing or signing up.

I'd be pleased to hear from you, your thoughts about what's happening nationally and locally in terms of our changing political landscape.

Thanks!
Nancy