Yeah, that was a nice line.

I posted as series of short diaries to act as threads for reactions to each of the 7 candidates who spoke.  They're lined up in the 'diaries' section right now, if folks want to comment on specific things they heard or impressions of the candidates

I was listening to Hilary and she said that she had a bill which would require withdrawal to begin in 90 days, which she said she had been pushing for the past 2 years. Did anyone else hear this? I could be wrong, but I believe this is what she said, and I find it hard to believe. Did I mishear her?

Thought the town hall was great.

Its a hard question for a standing Senator to concretely answer, almost calls for predicting the future.

That said, he could have been a bit clearer. Still unsure on what he would prefer actually prefer to do.

The all combat out by March 2008 means nothing.  How may noncombat troops is he planning on leaving in theater and for how long?

from the MoveOn event (not an AP story)

Edwards -

This is "not a game of chicken" or "keeping Joe Lieberman happy."

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view .php?id=25415

I have a summary of all of the candidates' comments here: http://www.debatescoop.org/story/2007/4/ 10/132510/046

Obama actually did a good job with the "how to react to Bush veto threat" question as Matt notes. But the sweet line referencing Mccain's market tour was not in answer to a question. In fact, the question was, "What is your plan . . ." and Obama's answer for the most part was about what a wreck the status quo is. In fairness, he did then sketch his plan (same one he has had for some time) but in less detail than some of the other candidates.

Hillary was the most evasive in answering questions and did the most pandering to MoveOn.

Edwards, as usual, dropped a passive/aggressive dig at Obama.

Obama could give some publicity to a few of the 54 co-sponsors to his and Patrick Murphy's bill to bring the troops home and stability to Iraq. That might help with his effort to gain more support among Republicans, and to get to the number needed to override a veto.

Did everyone hear that videos of the segments will be available at 11pm tonight? I muddled through with audio from AirAmerica.com and the still pictures, tho' not of all of the candidates, from MoveOn.org. Sometimes it's actually a help to listen and follow someone speaking without the distraction of watching body and facial movements.

I watched and this time, I listened as if I were an undecided voter. It was helpful for me that Barack Obama was last so had no distractions.LOL.

Edwards: IMHO. I felt that Edwards was reading from a script by his tone and I did not feel as if he was being sincere. When that happens, it makes it difficult for me to pay attention. While I agree with him on many points, I do not feel he believes in his own rhetoric.

Biden: IMHO: I felt as though he was being honest and sincere and "articulated" his ideas very well.

Kucinich: IMHO: I felt that he showed the most passion and stated , unapologetically , his position. I lamented that his strong position, while very similar to my own, that because he is so upfront and because he is so progressive, fear of a 2008 defeat by many ,will cost him his bid.

Richardson: IMHO: I listened to him , but for some reason , was unable to remain focused on what he was saying.

Clinton: IMHO: I intentionally put added effort to pay attention in an effort to determine if she would indicate that she learned from her mistakes. Her plan is still not consistent with the desires of the American people. She evaded her questions through campaign rhetoric and pandering. Her arrogance made it difficult for me to embrace any good points - if there were any.

Dodd: IMHO: I also found it very difficult to pay attention to him. He did not hold my interest.

Barack Obama: IMHO: I appreciated the authenticity in his comments. Although he "opined" a bit in his answers, he still answered the questions posed which is the important part. I agree with Obama that we have to not only withdrawal from Iraq, but that we also have to implement a progressive diplomatic policy towards Iran and Syria. It is vital to our national security. Also, the fact that Barack Obama talked about things taking place in Iraq TODAY and talking about the troops that we have lost since the beginning of this month as well as oppose the Pentagon's latest action with regards to deploying more troops, let's me know that he is current in what's happening. He's paying attention and he's not out of the loop. I feel that he is taking this very seriously.

I like Obama a lot although I am still sitting the fence.  I have had concerns that he is a little green but he keeps impressing me.  Great line about McCain.

Former Sen Tom Daschle, who I think now and even thought back then as I ground my teeth in frustration when he was Democratic Senate Majority or Minority leader, was and still is the epitome of a mealy mouthed, spineless, bend over backward compromising Democrat.

I was a member of a DNC women's group back then, and I left it for a while in complete anger over how he ran the Democratic caucus in the Senate.

When confronted by a MSM enforced Republican talking point he would always back down.  When Russert on MTP demanded in Jan 2000 that Daschle acknowledge that George Bush was legitimately elected he did just what Timmeh wanted.

So imagine how I felt to find that he's an important Obama advisor, indeed that Obama sought his counsel.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18040719/fro m/RS.2/

A quote

"The two men share a similar approach to both the process and substance of politics: a certain soft-spoken meticulousness, and a desire to blunt the sharp edges of partisanship"

In this era, this is a recipe for losing  our fights and surrendering our principles. When the Republicans have lost some more, many more elections maybe then you can afford to trust them. Why even Bill Clinton thinks the Republicans need to lose some more before you can trust them enough to be bipartisan.  Obama just doesn't get that,  and his cultivation of Daschle just is just more evidence.

Obama is too careful.  He is making the same mistake that McCain has made.  He doesn't want to disappoint the fat cat crowd with -- perish the though -- a liberal idea.  This is the time when we need bold answers to the enormous problems in this country.  While the country demands a new direction--from Obama we just get rope-a-dope.