Wolfson Declines an Offer to Grumble About ABC
The Clinton campaign thinks that the sort of questions Barack Obama faced last night—tough in a way that angered Obama’s sympathizers, but not at all unexpected—were appropriate.
On a conference call now, New Yorker legal writer Jeffrey Toobin just gave Howard Wolfson and Phil Singer the chance to perform some media criticism, asking them if questions about Barack Obama's acquaintances and other "trivia" were a valuable part of the political process.
"In an ideal world," said Wolfson, Clinton would only focus on policy, because she is a "policy wonk." But, he added, "we have learned that campaigns are about more than that."
Wolfson said that the questions were worthwhile because Obama's weak responses in the face of tough questions last night showed that he'd be flawed in a general-election race.
"I do believe," said Wolfson, that the sorts of questions about Obama's relationships with Weathermen members were made so "appropriately, effectively and candidly."
His response, Wolfson said, "does not speak well about the kind of candidate he'd be against John McCain."
Phil Singer then added that with the range of questions asked of candidates in the modern political and media culture, "the full measure of the candidate is taken by the public and it makes you a tougher candidate."
A few minutes later, in a sharp interaction with a reporter over a Bill Ayers questions, Singer pointed out that "Senator Clinton did not raise this question last night. It was raised by the moderators."
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{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}}WHO WON THE DEM DEBATE IN PA?...
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HILLARY CLINTON
42% 54,954
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BARACK OBAMA
58% 76,480
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Total Votes: 131,434
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Senator Obama is a STRATEGIST. He is FOCUSED on the long game. Our "journalists" and pollsters are focused on gaming. Thre is a difference. He will NOT give up his "A" game during a Primary Campaign no matter how many ambushes the Clintons and their corporate toadies set up for him. He and Michelle knew what to expect when they began at zero w/zero dollars and college loans. He was ready, willing and able to endure the Clinton (and Bush/McCain/Republican) hazing during the PRIMARIES. Throughout he has out-MANAGED and MANEUVERED Hillary Clinton and her PR surrogates' games -- w/out allowing himself to be provoked. Last night Barack Obama could have raised the FALN terrorist PARDONS in 1999, while Hillary Clinton was running for the NY Senate and seeking Hispanic votes. He didn't. He could have raised decades worth of disgraceful scandals, but he doesn't. He is restrained and THAT should not be interpreted as weakness. He is CHANGING THE POLITICAL GAME, masterfully and to the benefit of ALL Americans. Charlie and George and ABCNews and the entire media industrial complex (not to be confused w/the military industrial complex or Clinton/Bush political/special interest corporate industrial complexs) DON'T GET IT and the personnel in place (Gibson, Couric, etc.) don't understand what is happening, are ill prepared with an ACTIVE electorate who have had it across-the-board and are WORRIED about their establishment setups and spheres of influence being upended by Senator Obama and REAL American patriots who are destablizing their collective setup. This is WHY what passes for "analysis" is so STRANGE. Since the Bush/Clinton deregulation of MEDIA, FINANCE and out-of-control MILITARY outsourcing to cos. like Halliburton -- the American people have to resort to blogs to have a discourse. When I called ABCNews and emailed my complaint -- I received pitches for more products, goods and services and a request NOT to respond to the email and my voicemail will not be responded to. This is OUR spectrum, America. It is a valuable part of our Democracy. Help Senator Obama help us take it and our Democracy BACK!
So, now Hillary Clinton (or John McCain) are beginning to articulate a NEW umbrella military oversight of the entire Middle East. Did ANY journalist in America hear this last night??? Sounds like the 100 year strategy. How many Americans want their children and grandchildren to sign up for the DRAFT for this -- while our own economy and way of life subsidizes it??? Bill Clinton and George Bush/Dick Cheney avoided the draft in their youth. Who does THIS serve? When will retired, unafraid REAL JOURNALISTS address this clear escalation of warfare in the Middle East??? Clinton/McCain are the same as Clinton/Bush.
Turn the page, America. Take back your Country!
the fact of the matter is whether u support Clinton or Obama, the ABC debate was horrible. Not one substantive topic was discussed. The moderators wait until the last 40 min of the debate to ask real questions. There were no winners or losers in last nights debate. The real loser where the American people. Enough already with these meaningless debates, no more.
these debates a waste of time, money and political capital; i am sure not as many people watch them - they knew it is part of the same third rate political tired theater;
I believe 10,000 people watched the debate. As far as I'm concerned it's the only way the average American can get questions answered. I think we've only just begun to get appropriate questions answered and I hope there are many more debates. There's a lot of important information that is just coming out. This isn't a job that should just be handed to anybody. Vetting candidates is even more important in light of changes made in the roles of Pres and VP by Bush and company.