Clinton, Obama showed grit in SC debate

I think a lot more people should start considering John Edwards as a serious candidate. After last night's childish bickering, I would not feel comfortable having Obama or Clinton protecting the free world as President of the USA. People of America, please start to consider John Edwards. My home state is too late in the primaries and does not have enough influence to start this swing. I ask the poepple in the early states to please vote for America and vote for EDWARDS.

I enjoyed the debate. I cheered for all three of them at various times. I know it's easy for us in the peanut gallery to get so ticked off at one or the other that become indignant, but in the end I will support the winner, because it ain't George Bush.

Republican Debate in SC last week--no Swamp reporter there to cover it.

Democrat Debate in SC last night--two Swamp reporters there to live blog it.

Why not just rename this site the "Democrat Swamp"? Because that's all the Democrats who write the Swamp articles are interested in.

But Democratic voters know what kind of general election they're (should be their) candidate, whoever it is, is likely to face. Is this the best your grammar editors can do?

Obama and Clinton fighting!

Warms my heart

I love chick fights....
They just needed some hair pulling to wrap up the package

The pot calling the kettle black.....

One lawyer calling another lawyer a crook while a third lawyer stands by and trys to get into the discussion about who's the crookedest

Maybe they can WWE to host the next Dem debate

If Obama becomes President (God forbid) will he give his buddy Rezko a pardon?

Obama was more presidential. Hillary again failed to answer direct questions or show what leadership she would bring to the job of President. I'm leaning toward Obama.

Bill T

The more I see of Clinton, the more I like her. She is demonstrating guts, intelligence and perseverance. On the other hand, the more I see of Obama, the more I realize how arrogant, smug and condescending he is. These are not the qualities of a supposed "uniter."

Obama is a mirage in the desert. America is thirsty to be sure, and Obama looks like water. But the closer you get, you realize he's nothing but sand.

One thing I will say in regards to Obama calling Clinton a Wal Mart board memeber, Obamas wife sat on the board of a company whos only customer was Wal MArt. She drew $30,000 a year from this co. and their only customer was Wal Mart. You figure it out. Just another example of the hypocrite. How does the press let him get away with stuff like that?

I believe Hillary Clinton is a whore and witch. A flip-flap like her should never be president.

She's evil.

Go Clinton! show your moxy and blow for blow you will win.
Edwards: if it weren't for this you wouldn't have a thing to say

Clinton and Obama showed grit. Edwards showed knowledge, the voice of reason, and sanity.

you forgot to mention the very loud BOOS hillary received and the fact that obama caught her in the middle of a new lie LIVE during THIS debate when she deliberately (and SO obviously that people were laughing at her) misquoted obama only seconds after his actual quotation was played

edwards and obama both scored points against hillary in the actual debate

which one were you watching ??

i can only hope people listen or watch the actual debate itself rather than these excessively simplistic synopses calling it a "tie" - so they can all be reminded how brazen the lying clintons still are

a vote for hillary and her hubby gollum (still obsessively seeking to get his "precious" power back) is a vote for revisiting our past FAILURES in terms of gridlock, divisiveness and dishonesty to the american people AND voting for them will help NOTHING in our country

the only democrats that could even consider voting for gollum and hillary are those that are either

a) still in love with monica's molester/harasser
b)care NOTHING about character
c) voting entirely on the basis of sex

OR
d) put their party ahead of their country

Clinton was correct when she said the general election will only be about security and terror. She has the guts to say the Republicans have done nothing to protect the country and that 9/11 happened on their watch. I'm afraid Obama and Edwards would never state those truths. Clinton is the strongest general election candidate. Put a military man like Jim Webb as her VP and she'll be fine.

"you forgot to mention the very loud BOOS hillary received"

I see they booed her. Big deal.

What I love about this farce of journalistic reporting from Frank James is that he calls the venom-spewed battle between Obama and the Queen B, "grit." If this was a Republican debate and two candidates went at it like the Queen B and Obama did, Mr. James would have used words like "attack!!!!!," "mean-spiritied!!!!!!," "war!!!!!," "nasty!!!!!," etc., etc.
But with the Democrats we get "grit," "determiination," "entertaining."
Mr. Zell, in order for the Tribune to get back on track, cleaning house is in order. Finding journalists who keep their biases to themselves and practice OBJECTIVE reporting is necessary.

I don't think Hillary does herself any favors by talking about "battling" with Republicans. Most Americans are sick of the partisan bickering. Obama claims to be a "uniter", but that imples to me willingness to compromise. Thus, the real question he should be asked is on what core issues of his campaign is he willing to compromise? Or does he think his charm is enough to persuade Republicans to abandon their positions? Edwards is on life support. Nevada was a debacle for him, and his one-trick populist theme is running out of steam. Unless he pulls a shocker in SC, stick a fork in him.

I loved Barack's slam on which Clinton he's actually running against. He demonstrated his true leadership last night, and while Hillary had her moments, she fell back on same old jabs against Obama that we're all sick of hearing - I'm glad he finally challenged her (and Bill) about that. Edwards couldn't have come across any weaker...

Norm Hsu's best buddy versus Tony Rezko's best buddy.

There IS a difference between Clinton and Obama. Clinton is a more experienced crook. And a much bigger operator.

It's the difference between John Dillinger and a street mugger.

After watching the debate, I can say that any affinity I had for Bill and Hillary is gone. Bill and Hillary are determined to win the nomination through mudslinging and negative campaigning.

We all know that Hillary is a highly polarizing individual. Whether that's warranted or not, she is only making matters worse for her. She may have lost this Democratic voter if she in the nominee.

Francis says: ""I believe Hillary Clinton is a whore and witch.""

Your post raises an interesting issue. Can someone say Obama reminds them of Huggy Bear, the slick, jive-talking pimp from the television show Starsky and Hutch, or are nicknames like "whore and witch" reserved for white candidates only?

If Obama gets elected no one can ever use the words “fairy tale” again, or any other words that might suggest he doesn’t know what he’s doing or what he’s talking about or that he might be full of BS, because that might be shouted down as racially insensitive?

That’s a serious issue, regardless of Obama’s politics, if political speech is going to be curtailed about something as important as the performance in office of the president of the United States, because someone’s feelings might supposedly get hurt.

I’m guessing anything remotely resembling any of the delightful remarks about Bush's chimpy appearance, intelligence, preparedness for office and performance in the last seven years would pretty much be out with the black prince Obama.

Can you imagine four years of an Obama adminstration's racial slicing and dicing? What a mess. No way.

Hillary looked so, so, so presidential!!! She is so reminiscent of Bill. Tough, Resilient, feisty, Grrrrrr. Oh but I cry, just like a little girl. "What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice. What are little boys made of? Rats and snails and puppy dog tails. That's what little boys are made of."

We are finally showing the real face of Obana. Turns out he is another dirty politician like all the rest. Edwards won the debate last night. No doubst about it.

If Obama becomes President (God forbid) will he give his buddy Rezko a pardon?

Posted by: Snow Bunny | January 22, 2008 9:25 AM

Zzz...

The "swamp" is a perfectly sufficient label for this bastion of liberal favortism. What pitiful coverage. You even cover their politics as usual in a heroic light!!

John Edwards had a cheap shot.

Although I am not voting Clinton, I have grown quite tired of reading comments like, "Hillary Clinton is a whore and a witch."

Comments like this only reveal a person who has nothing to say. Why don't you criticize her policies instead of sounding like Abigail Williams from "The Crucible"?

This is why people fear and hate this country...Come on, we're better than that.

The Democratic Party continues to be the most racist and exploitive party of blacks and low income whites and minorities. No candidate is discussing gving poor blacks, whites, and hispanics, a new welfare program. Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barrack Obama both have ties to organized crime. Chicago Mafia Don Anthony Resko also donated to the Clintons during their a year reign. Black Democrats need to "Wake Up" and realize that 98% of white voters in South Carolina will support Senator Hillary Clinton, so 100% of the Black voters in SC have to support Senator Barrack Obama! Black Power can only live thry Senator Barrack Obama's nomination as the Democratic Party's Presidential candidate in 2008.

Hilary and her husband continue to perpetuate this myth that they balanced budgets during their eight years on office.

This is simply not true! Go to the national debt web page and you will easily note that the national debt rose during their tenure and that there was a budget deficit during each year of Bill’s presidency.

Bill and Hillary were the ones having the $75,000 per night sleep overs in the Lincoln bedroom for their various fundraisers.

Bill spent too much time worried about his p*nis to even be able to be an executive who could work against the global rise of terrorism. He was impotent to do anything effectively against the rise fo global terrorism.

So dear voters, if you place Hillary in the White House in 2009, you are on target to place Jeb in the White House in either 2013 or 2017.

I hope that you enjoy having the same old, same old.

Did you see how rude Sen.Clinton was? She wouldn't allow the other candidates to get a word in edgewise. Just imagine what she is going to be like if she wins the presidency. The only person she will listen to is Bill Clinton. Didn't we do that already? Just remember America...you make your bed, you gotta sleep in it...

The personal nature of some of these comments is a bit off-putting, and perhaps we are taking our cues from the candidates in that regard. I would like to see Barack not take the attacks personally and be drawn into the mud slinging, and I think he lost his moral high ground somewhat when he threw in the line about Clinton being a "corporate lawyer on the board for Wal-Mart", as this was a tactic that was clearly aimed to denigrate the character of Sen Clinton, and he was ironically using the same tactics he is complaining (correctly, I think) the Clintons are employing against him. On the other hand, Sen Clinton was misrepresenting Barack's comments about the Republican party being more idea-driven in the last 10-15 years, although not to the extent that Barack claimed. Barack was simply pointing out correctly that the GOP had been more successful in having ideas and successfully pushing them through (think, Reagan, and later, the Republicans in 1994). On the other hand, Clinton and Edwards were correct to call Obama out on his 100+ "present" votes. While it may be true that they were perfectly excusable, I don't think it's unreasonable to call this and other aspects of his record into question. The perceived knock against Obama is that his towering rhetoric isn't always backed by his voting record, and I think that addressing that is fair game. If Obama stays calm and calmly explains his votes and his strategy, I think he can come out with little damage. Unfortunately for him, he looked unsettled, a bit thin-skinned, and unable to take the heat, and this is not a good thing for him. This is a moral test for him, in my opinion, and how he reacts will demonstrate to voters how much he *really* believes in his stated beliefs of not resorting to "politics as usual" and campaign tactics he finds objectionable. If he truly finds them objectionable, he must be able to respond without resorting to them himself.

Most Americans are sick of the partisan bickering.
Posted by: Herbie H. | January 22, 2008 10:26 AM

Yes of course. I'm sure you were one of the first to say the same thing when after about 2 debates the republicans started attacking democrats. You didn't?...hmmmmm and you may want to wait till we see the next republican debate...once again the right claims that high moral road. I'ld put it 4 wheel drive for the rest of the trip.

Ahh, excuse me.

Excuse me...may I have a word??

Our country is sliding faster into recession now. Many, many American families will be hurt.

They will be hurt real, real, bad.

Would it be too much to ask these candidates to focus on this problem?

Would it be too much to ask them for their solution?

I love my country and would like to figure out what to do.

Do all of you?

Amen to Bruce, Hil-Billary has returned more illegal contributions than any other candidate.

Hillary was a pirranah and she looked ugly for much of the time. Obama was right on, looking presidential attacking when and where he should have which was long overdue. I think he won this debate. Hillary sure didn't. She was screaming and pounding and seething. When people say words like stop the fighting bickering well what's Obama supposed to do when the husband and wife cougar team gang up against him? He should lay down and die? I don't think so. Remember, we're 'free at last'. And Edwards just simply got on my nerves with his mill pounding southern twang trying to be referree sounding rather desperate on this his sequel to the white house. Sure, it's easy for him to say stop the squabbling and bickering but if it was him who had won one election, instead of distant thirds, and was on top of the polls breathing down Hillary's back and she and her husband the former 2 term president was falsely attacking his record, then see how much of that conciliatory southern drawl we would be hearing. None. He'd have on his boxing gloves swinging even more so than any of them and in the thick of the bick-er-ing.

STILL waiting for the Tribune to do more coverage of the Rezko/Obama story....what's the matter? too scared? your journalism ethics suck!!!!

STILL waiting for the Tribune to do more coverage of the Rezko/Obama story....what's the matter? too scared? your journalism ethics suck!!!!

In response to: Dec C - "Amen to Bruce, Hil-Billary has returned more illegal contributions than any other candidate."

That just tells me that Hillery has more people are break the law that want Hillary as the president. Maybe they want to be pardon just like Bill did on his way out!?

Amen to Bruce, Hil-Billary has returned more illegal contributions than any other candidate.

Posted by: Den C | January 22, 2008 11:43 AM

And the rest kept it!

I consider myself an objective viewer unlike a lot of you which clearly are either black, female or from the South. American ignorance usually wins out in an election (hence Bush's re-election) and thus its clear the Republicans will rule once more!

Would someone please explain to me what Obama plans on changing? I have been waiting for an answer.

all clinton supporters are nothing but mindless and corrupted supporters of corruption

there should be no name calling like WH*RE - it isn't necessary or professional - just point out that she will do take anyone's money and promise them anything

I think the clintons are the ones who are truly desperate - they never thought they would have such a close delegate race at this stage along with the loss of so many major endorsements - obama is just tired of the BS - not desperate like the clintons

Politics is a blood sport and anyone who was turned off by the debate last night is simply naive. If one watches the Republican debates, they tend to be just as many fireworks as last night (remember Guiliani accusing Romney of having illegal immigrants do the yard work at his mansion?). Obama showed that he is willing to fight back and that will be an asset throughout the primaries and the general election.

This is a Democrat that will NOT vote for the Clintons if they are the nominee. Fact check Obama and the Clintons and Obama is the honest one.

Hillary and Bill are master of lies, deception and half-truths. Do not fall for it anymore.

Obama has ideas,integrity and intelligence. Let's not waste this election on the Clintons.

I wanted to hear more about health care and economy specifics. Polocies. Grit WAS the wrong word. I can't really say Who won or who I would like let to be the nominee.

Posted by: tom | January 22, 2008 12:46 PM

Said one of the Obamasheeple.

How come nobody is commenting on Obama not wanting to sing We shall overcome, and for not wanting to wear a flag pin?

Who cares? I did not watch the debate because Dennis Kucinich was excluded. Without him the debate becomes a he said she said bickering contest between Cliton and Obama and the public ends up hearing nothing at all on their so-called universal health plans, Iraq/Iran war stances, GAY marriage stances, the NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO nightmare, repeal of the USA Patriot act and IMPEACHMENT.

Don't let the media stop YOUR questions from being answered! You are being duped into watching an expensive infomercial for the media's choices for President. Demand that Kucinich remain in the debates or end up hearing more of the same bickering created by the press to sell headlines.

I really enjoyed the debates last night. A lot of fun to watch. I agree with the previous poster. John Edwards was a joy to watch! I live in SC and really was not sure who I was voting for but now I know....John Edwards by far!

Hillary always says what she thinks people will want to hear. She has no real positions on any issues. Her positions change with whatever the latest polls say. She cannot be trusted, period. You can sum it up with this one clinton quote "I voted for that bill, but I hoped it wouldn't pass..." What the heck is that???? vote for something and hope it does not pass? Does she think voters are stupid enough to buy that crap? apparently a significant amount of americans who support her ARE.

Oh come on all that con job
phony Barack Obama is just
another empty suit,and who
cannot win against any GOP
candidate even old loser
Amnesty John McCain and the
media keeps hyping Obama
and Clinton and McCain rather then where these losers stand on the real
issues facing the US today.

Hillary cannot win. The republicans will put bill Clinton on trial for everything that he did in the 90’s. This will rally the republican base and turnoff the democratic base. And many on this blog and in the democratic party will soon have buyers remorse.

Bobbots always say what they think you want to hear. They make no real arguments using real issues. (They deal mostly in the superficial.) Their positions change depending on whatever new anti-Hillary catch phrase they pick up on. They can can not be trusted, period. (See I made a statement, period, end of discussion.) You can sum bobbots up in this quote. "Present" What the heck is that???? Vote present and hope it does pass? Does they think all voters are stupid enough to buy that crap? Apparently a significant amount of Americans who support Obama ARE.

i am an edwards supporter and enjoyed last night's debate. i am wondering what "the time of possession" showed. it seemed like obama and clinton mnopolized the debate time, i am estimating 45, 45 to maybe 30 minutes for edwards. however, while all 3 candidates handled themselves well, i still believe edwards got more bang for his temporal buck. he was able to travel the high road and benefitted from a couple of tv timeouts after well delivered statements of optimism and hope, both on domestic and international points. he deserves a good look by all.

i was for clinton in the beginning, and i was sure she would win. i really dislike her now because of how she and pres. clinton are willing to say anything to win. i don't appreciate them lying about the other candidates and trying to start a conspiracy on race. i just want the candidates to state the facts of their resumes and for the person who becomes the president to tell us the truth. clinton is like all the other politicians....SHE'S A LIAR!!! i wouldn't trust her to tell us the truth once president. I ONLY TRUST OBAMA AND EDWARDS!!! PS- atleast obama owns up to the mistakes he makes and tells the truth..she seems just like bush!

Bottom Line:

Like all of you. I know that health care is the most critical, and important issue facing the American people. Now, and in the coming elections. And like the vast majority of the American people, I want HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law NOW! "Single payer, Tax Supported, Not For Profit, True Universal Health Care" free for all as a right. Like every other developed country in the world has. See: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm

“HR 676:
For church goers: less money to insur. companies and more to the church- lots more.
Srs on Medicare: save way over $100/wk. Because no more medigap, long term care & dental insur. needed. No more drug bills.”

But if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our current politicians to get HR 676 passed into law before the elections. We will have to identify, and replace all the politicians standing in the way of passage of HR 676. And, I think the best first place to start is with the politicians that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bills for the kids. Passed by congress twice.

But what about the President. It was Bush after all that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by congress to assure more health coverage for Americas kids. So which of the presidential hopefuls do I think will be most supportive of implementing the demand of the majority of the American people to have HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law immediately!

We have some very fine presidential candidates who would make good presidents. But none of the top Presidential candidates directly support HR 676, the only true Universal Health Care plan. So I am supporting Hillary Clinton. She is the only top candidate that has ever actually fought for universal health care before.

I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgotten her heroic effort. If any Presidential hopeful for universal health care deserves my support, it's her.

Also, if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our government to give us HR 676 which we all so desperately need NOW! Then we will need the most skilled politician we can get on our side to broker the best health care plan for the American people that we can get. Though it will be less than we need, and less than we deserve. The politician I think to best do this is Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are probably the most skilled politicians in American history.

The insurance industry, and medical industry that has been ripping you off, and killing you has given Hillary Clinton so much money because they fear her. They have also given Barack Obama so much money because they fear Hillary Clinton. They think they can manipulate Barack Obama against the best interest of the American people better than they can manipulate Hillary Clinton. There is no race issue with Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are the poster family for how African Americans want white people to be towards African Americans.

As always, African Americans are suffering, and dieing in this health care crisis at a much higher rate than any other group in America. The last time there was any significant drop in the African American death rate was when Bill Clinton was president.

My fellow Americans, you are dieing needlessly at an astounding rate. In higher numbers than any other people in the developed world. Rich, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. And we the American people must stop it. And fix it NOW! Keep Fighting!!! Never! give up hope. There are millions of lives at stake. Bless you all... You are doing great!