The ABC debate is about to begin. All the signage here is branding this as "Clinton Vs. Obama." You can watch on ABC if you're on the east coast. If it's streaming live, which I doubt, I'll post a link but follow along with those of us watching right here if you can't.
Beginning of the liveblog is over the fold. So far, Obama is getting some really tough questions and is acquitting himself very well. I'm glad he's expressing some exasperation. Clinton for her part is given the opportunity to amplify things or question his explanations, but doesn't look much more comfortable with the questions than Obama does.
Update [2008-4-16 20:52:49 by Todd Beeton]:Question for Obama from a woman via video: "Do you believe in the American flag?" OK, so, more tension then.
Obama: "I revere the American flag...I would not be standing here if not for this country...I could not help but love this country for all that it's given me. What I've tried to do is to show my patriotism by the way I treat veterans...by trying to bring our troops home...by talking about bringing economic fairness to this country...I will continue to fight for those issues.
On the issue of the flag pin: "I wore one yesterday when a veteran gave one to me. I've never said I don't wear flag pins or refuse to wear them. This is just the sort of issue that distracts from Americans' problems."
On William Ayers of the Weather Underground:
Obama is getting understandably exercised: "He lives in my neighborhood, he's a man I know, he's not someone I've received an official endorsement from or exchange ideas with. The idea that just because I know a guy who did something 40 years ago, that somehow that reflects on me and my values doesn't make much sense, George."
Clinton: "I believe that Senator Obama served on a board with Mr. Ayres, and continued to do so after 9/11 and after his purported comments [that he wishes the Weather Underground had done more], which many New Yorkers found offensive...I think it is, again, an issue that people will be asking about...This is an issue that certainly the Republicans will be raising."
Obama: "Let's not forget that Senator Clinton's husband pardoned two members of the Weather Underground."
Man, this is getting ugly. Senator Clinton was asked if she'd like a chance to respond and balance out the time that each of them had spoken. She passed. A merciful commercial.
Clinton used her opening remarks to talk about the significance of the location. "Neither Senator Obama nor I was included in the founding documents...I believe with all my heart that we the people can have the kind of future our children and grandchildren deserve."
Update [2008-4-16 20:13:8 by Todd Beeton]:On the subject of Gov. Cuomo's suggestion that the two candidates agree to be the 2 people on the ticket: Obama: "It's premature to talk about VP, we're still figuring out who the nominee is." Clinton: "I'm going to do whatever I can that one of us takes the oath of office next January...Our entire party must close ranks and become unified. I will do anything to make sure that all those that supported me will support the nominee and I know Senator Obama feels the same."
Update [2008-4-16 20:21:58 by Todd Beeton]:Obama is explaining his statements on the bitterness of small town Pennsylvanians. He said it much better tonight, of course, sans "bitter" or "cling." Clinton doesn't let it go, although her remarks are conspicuous for the absence of "out of touch" and "elitist."
Clinton: "I am the granddaughter of a factory worker from Scranton. I don't believe my grandfoather cling to religion when the government is not listening to them. And I similarly don't think that people cling to their traditions like hunting and guns when people are frustrated with their government. That's a fundamental misunderstanding."
"Can Barack Obama beat John McCain?" She won't answer directly. "I think we have to beat John McCain and I believe the next president is going to be either Barack or me."
"But the question was 'Can he win?'" Clinton relents: "Yes, yes yes. I think I can do a better job, otherwise I wouldn't be on this stage."
Obama back on the subject of Clinton's criticism: "It's hard for me to be condescending to people of faith since I'm a person of faith." He's talking about Clinton's playing politics with his statements and is saying "Senator Clinton's right, she has been through this before...but I think Senator Clinton learned the wrong lesson because she's adopting the same tactics."
Update [2008-4-16 20:37:8 by Todd Beeton]:They're now on Reverend Wright. Obama: "I did not hear those remarks that so many people found offensive."
Charlie: "But you did rescind the invitation to him."
Obama: "That was on something entirely different, Charlie...Senator Clinton's former pastor talked about how Rev. Wright was being caricatured. I wasn't aware of all these statements...The church is a community that extends beyond the pastor...Unless we can bridge some of these divides we're not going to solve America's problems."
Update [2008-4-16 20:37:8 by Todd Beeton]:Obama was given quite a bit of time to explain his not having left the church. An awkward moment there for Obama when he said he had "disowned" Wright's comments. George did a doubletake. "You disowned him?" Obama: "The comments. The comments I disowned."
Clinton doesn't let this go: "This is something that deserves further explanation. Bring people together in a way that overcomes whatever bitterness that might be out there. It wasn't only the specific remarks but some of the relationships with Rev. Farrakhan..."
George mentions a poll that brings Hillary's truthfulness into question then has a man on the street ask her about her Tuzla comments and what she would do to win back his vote.
Clinton: "On a couple of occasions in the last few weeks, I said a couple of things that I knew not to be right and that I'd written in my book. I said it was a mistake...I'm very sorry I said it and it was something that didn't jibe with what I'd written and what I knew to be true."
This is a very tense debate. You can cut the tension in the media room with a knife.
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