Democratic Debate in New Hampshire
05 January 2008 5:45 pm by Taylor Marsh
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Liveblogging as it goes…
Obama stands by his stance to go into Pakistan. He’s very hoarse, which as a radio host, I know isn’t easy. It zaps your energy. If I had the intelligence, I would strike. On the broader issue of nuclear proliferation, naming Rep. Lugar, he talked about working to stop nuclear nonproliferation. … .. What you just outlined is the Bush doctrine, said Gibson. No, said Obama. Our enemies are inside Pakistan. This isn’t speculation. … ..
Edwards says if he knew where Osama was he’d go get him, period. What is the long-term strategy? Pakistan is the perfect example. … .. Right now we’ve got an ad-hoc policy. He then talked about AQ Khan. We should be lead an initiative to rid the world of nuclear weapons. … ..
Richardson: diplomacy first. Musharraf is the worst of all worlds. He would ask Musharraf to step aside. Gibson is incredulous. … … Caretaker government, says Richardson. .. …
Clinton, getting back to the question… We did take action about 10 years ago on actionable intelligence, to target bin Laden. We have to be very aware of the challenges: 1. Bin Laden has regrouped because we didn’t go after him when we had a chance. We need more NATO troops and a bigger effort to train the Afghan army, including Predator drones. 2. Any actionable intelligence leading to a strike inside Pakistan must be given very careful consideration and the Pakistani gov. needs to know they’re on the way. India would be paranoid, so we 3. The nuclear technology right now is secure in Pakistan. Musharraf is the elected president; he’s in charge. I would try to get Musharraf to share the security, to get a fail safe. 4. We also have to repair the failed policies of the Bush administration, including diplomacy. But this is the forgotten area of the war. … ..
Obama turns to Iraq… The war of choice got us off the target of bin Laden. We have been bogged down. We have fanned the anti-American sentiment. Following Clinton’s lead on notifying Pakistan. … ..
What about a nuclear attack on a U.S. city, which is a 30% chance… On the day after a nuke goes off, what would we wish we had done and what will we do the day after? Edwards: in the short-term we have very serious threats: 1. Who is responsible and go after them. 2. The president must react, but do it in a way that’s “calming” for the American people and the world. Ratcheting up the rhetoric is the wrong way to go.
Obama on this same question… We have to retaliate, obviously. That’s why it’s so important to rebuild the non-prolif. treaty.
Clinton on the same question… We need a high level of commitment to marshaling our resources to fight proliferation. Homeland defense is weak and we haven’t done enough on port security. Protecting us from importation is critical. The stateless terrorists will operate from somewhere. We must demonstrate to the world that any haven of terrorists in a state means that state will be retaliated against. Deterrence worked because the SU knew there would be massive retaliation. … ..
Domestic policy and change… it was good for you, Obama. Then to Clinton, everyone needs to be vetted. What questions are unanswered. Clinton: All of us are advocating change. We all want to change from Bush. Calling or demanding doesn’t get change, working gets it done. The process is about this and looking at our records. All of us should be asked questions. Obama could have a good debate with himself. He was for single payer, then universal, then he proposed a health care plan that isn’t universal. “I think that’s relevant.” We all deserve scrutiny.
Obama, “I think the AP was quoting some of your folks, Hillary.” If I was putting together something from scratch, I’d put together a single payer. Given that half the people are getting employer based health care we don’t need to do that. You and John believe that if we don’t force people, we penalize people for not having health care. We focus on reducing costs. It’s not true I don’t leave them out. On SS, John and I were specific, raise the cap on wealthy. … ..
Clinton interrupted… You do have a mandate in your plan. You stop short going the distance. It’s not only about health care. Two weeks ago you criticized Edwards he changed positions. You’ve changed positions on a range of issues. She goes straight out at his record, today and years past. She delineates it out.
Obama is now reiterating his point. Now he’s talking about everyone being good public servants. He’s getting defensive and is steering the conversation away from details. It’s obvious that he cannot react to Clinton’s specific points. He’s turning the conversation away from details.
Making change is not about a speech you make. … Look at the changes I’ve already made. I can’t tell you all Clinton said, but she talked about her record, smacking Edwards for an attack on “status quo” that was very low.
“I’ve been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this.” – Bill Richardson … .. We want to change this country, but you have to know how to do it. What’s wrong with experience? Examine the record of those who have produced change. Look at our records. … ..
Will you say the surge has worked? Clinton: The purpose behind the surge was create the space and time for Iraqi political reconciliation. As your report said, we have the greatest military in the world and they will be able to dampen down the violence. In absence of political movement, we must bring our troops home as quickly and responsibility as possible. Within 60 days I will start that withdrawal.
Richardson talks about PTSD. He talks about progress: ZERO on all fronts. … ..
Gibson attacks Dems. in general to get the troops out, with the surge working, we look even worse. (translation)
Obama talks about his 2002 speech yet again. Repeats what Clinton said surge not working. Send a signal to Iraqi gov. that we won’t be there forever. Careful getting out, as we were getting in. … ..
Edwards: end the war; end the occupation. … ..
Richardson now talks about Edwards’ disastrous comment in the Dartmouth debate to not pledge to get out of Iraq before 2013. It’s the reason Richardson is on this stage. … ..
We’re in vigorous agreement about getting troops out as quickly and responsibly as we can. … Last year I began demanding the Bush admin. to tell us their plans. When I’m elected…… I’ll do that…..
–break–
Obama and Edwards NAILED on the double-teaming on Clinton… Change to Clinton, tell the something about your likability issue. “Well, that hurts my feelings, but I’ll try to go on. He’s very likable.”
Obama, “You’re likable enough,” said looking down. Sorry, CLASSLESS.
Clinton… the stakes could not be higher. in 2000 we ended up with a president we wanted to have a beer with…. American don’t think that was the right choice. I’m offering 35 years of change, but I have the experience to show for it. Look what we’ve done and there are a lot of differences. I think I am an agent of change. Having the first woman president is huge change. THE FIRST APPLAUSE OF THE NIGHT. I’m more prepared to deliver change… …
… … .. Clinton mentions a possible recession, a typical family and gets to the heart of an issue inside New Hampshire. Energy can jump start our economy … .. (and so it continues… so proud to be a Democrat).
