Hillary gave strong, concise and comprehensive answers to the questions, and showed grit and passion when she insisted that the health care question be continued. Obama stuttered his way through a few policy proposals that sounded poorly memorized and wholly uninspired.

I was disappointed that Hillary didn't make more out of his answer about presidential diplomatic meetings, which demonstrates more clearly than anything else I can think of, his utter lack of understanding in matters of national security. If he is the nominee, the Republicans will (rightly) make mincemeat out of him for trying to bring his group therapy approach to international diplomacy. There are countries out there who want to annihilate us, and will view the visits he's proposing for what they are: well-intentioned yet ultimately stupid gestures by a youthful president who has absolutely no idea what he's walking into.

Our country leans center-right and will not vote for this leadership style come November. As the more moderate candidate, Hillary is the best nominee and the best opponent for a veteran like John McCain.

I agree that Hillary did very well last night. I think she did better than Obama. She's much better at answering questions on her feet than he is. His strength is in uninterrupted oratory, not responding to questions. She's a bigger policy wonk than he is, so she's always going to appear to have the facts more.

My quibble is with your comment that there are countries out there that want to annihilate us. I don't know that this is accurate. The countries at the center of debate last night - Iran and Cuba - have no interest in annihilating us. They want us to leave them the hell alone, but that's different than annihilating us.

The folks that want to annihilate the US are not those in charge of countries. They're independent groups that are able to find safe harbor in countries that we paint as enemies, when we could easily make them our friends.

I think that both of the candidates plans have merit. Both of them would be more carrot and stick than BushCorps eternal stick.

She certainly insisted on using up air time avoiding the question she never answered... did she feel she was the only candidate qualified for the office. She was absolutely at her best taking that train off track.

Your statement that "Hillary is the best nominee and the best opponent for a veteran like John McCain" has no legs. All indications point to the contrary (voting results and polls).

You can continue to delude yourself if you want, but in the end you will either pull the lever for Obama...or McCain.

If those are the R/D choices, I'll vote 3rd party or not vote. I cannot vote for a pro-war candidate like McCain nor can I in good conscience have a part in handing this country over --again-- to someone who has no business running it.

Nice fantasy world you're living in. Hillary is done. Time to move along.

I'm glad to hear you aren't going to be a party to the problem (McCain), but sorry to hear you aren't going to be a party to the solution (Obama). But crying over spilled milk won't quench your thirst.

You may be correct in your assessment on technical proficiency however I think the ultimate goal of a debate is to woo the undecided voters rather than to actually make points with the candidates already locked in voters. Lots of non-verbal communication may actually sway undecided voters many times more so than a candidate's technical proficiency in their answers.

Accurately measuring the undecided voter's thinking is very difficult. Without that type of data, I would have to conclude that the debate probably was close to a tie!

And I in good conscience cannot and will not vote for someone that voted to send our people to war. I promised myself that in 2002.

Maglet:

If those are the R/D choices, I'll vote RD party or not vote. I cannot vote for a pro-war candidate like McCain nor can I in good conscience have a part in handing this country over --again-- to someone who has no business running it.

I like this idea and I agree with it 100%. McCain scares me and I think Obama is not ready for prime time. I think the chance of his presidency not being a disaster is pretty slim with the one hope being that at least he is very intelligent, can motivate people to do things, and portends to be open to other ideas.

He may win but even people in his campaign cannot name one achievement that is sad.

..that guy was NOT "in his campaign." He was some random state senator in Texas who supports him. I guarantee you any number of morons support Clinton as well.

Maglet: it's a conundrum. I can't stand McCain's policies and I'm really am not sure that Obama will run the country well (but I'm not sure he won't).

I think his "we" rhetoric could indicate that he'd be willing to listen to and trust the advisors in his cabinet. I also think he has the sense to pick good ones. But I do I take pause at his economic advisor's plans regarding the subprime mortgage crisis. I don't think his mainly "hands-off" approach is best, but mostly because I'm afraid that I will lose my job, as much as I do care about our soaring deficit. Maybe it's selfish, but I like Hilary's plan more and think the government should take a larger role in this issue.

I did think his wife's statements were a little self-centered, but I don't see that same kind of attitude in Obama. I think he is willing to be guided by others, but I do worry that that facet of his personality will also allow him to be ruled by a Republican Senate, who may be able to push their will upon him. His candidacy really does mirror Jimmy Carters in a freakish kinda way, but he does seem like a JFKish kinda guy (which is also a gamble since we're not sure how that one would have turned out).

What do you guys think: how much does Obama care about being liked? Do we think he cares enough that, if he meets resistance, he will back down, or will he push forward?

Aww...da widdle biddy baby gonna cry and take her dolly home cause she didn't ger her way.

Nobody cares who you're voting for. Cry elsewhere.

If you plan on voting for McCain or a third party candidate thats your choice. If you think a president is all alone controlling the entire country from his headquarters in Washington DC, you're sadly mistaken. It might end up that Hillary is a strong member of his cabinet, or vice president, and Obama will appoint a slew of fantastic people around him. Don't worry, you won't get another George Bush, remember Obama is a liberal. Now with McCain, you'll vote for an open ended war. No health care reform. No corporate and wealthy tax rollbacks, and most of the same old shit. Its your choice, just think about it.

maroci: that was very grown up of you. Way to undermine your credibility.

MichaelRJ: It's not that simple, really it's not.