There was yet another Democratic debate last night, the 20th thus far in the primary. Since we've had this record number of debates this year, there was of course not much new information presented in last night's event, short of There was yet another Democratic debate last night, the 20th thus far in the primary. Since we've had this record number of debates this year, there was of course not much new information presented in last night's event, short of Hillary Clinton citing Saturday Night Live to validate her claims that Barack Obama is getting an easy ride from debate questioners. There was also the obligatory discussion of health care and NAFTA. In the blogosphere at least, most folks are getting pretty weary of these debates.
Through my own eyes, i.e. those of a person who's watched about a million Democratic primary debates at this point, the whole thing seems tedious. How does it seem to voters in Ohio and Texas who are watching these two go at it for a first or a second time? I don't know.
Megan McArdle notes that Clinton performed well, but wonders if it matters:
Was there really any possibility that she was going to deliver a sweeping blow to Obama with her spectacularly charismatic responses? The debates draw about 4 million viewers, most of whom are not in Texas or Ohio--indeed, as far as I can tell, most of them are wonks, journalists, or political operatives of one type or another, none of whom needed to hear what Hillary thinks about NAFTA in order to decide how they're going to vote.
Digby calls for Tim Russert's head:
The country wants change. They want Washington to stop all the partisan bickering and they want a different tone. They want their government to be serious and deal with real problems. Can someone please explain to me how that can possibly happen until something is done about the reprehensible political press? From tax returns to Farrakhan to footage shown by "mistake" to the endless, trivial, gotcha bullshit, this debate spectacle tonight was a classic demonstration of what people really hate about politics. It isn't actually the candidates who can at least on occasion be substantive and serious. The problem is Tim Russert and all his petty, shallow acolytes who spend all their time reading Drudge and breathlessly reporting every tabloid tidbit and sexy rumor and seeking out minor inconsistencies from years past in lieu of doing any real work.
And Chris Hayes, like me, just wishes that watching this debate wasn't a job requirement.
Will this be the final debate of the Democratic primary, or might we be forced to slog forward with a 21st?
--Kate Sheppard
