Clinton Goes National; Obama’s Gave on South Carolina
21 January 2008 8:11 pm by Taylor Marsh
Clinton Goes National; Obama’s Gaze on South Carolina
Tough.
Historic.
Edwards proved tonight why he’s still in the race. He also illustrated that he’s
worthy of that position. Taking on Obama, Edwards schooled him on health care, but
especially on Barack’s “present” votes, which Edwards didn’t buy in
the least. Obama talked strategically, but Edwards said that when you have tough
decisions on the line you can’t just vote “present.” You’ve got to
take a stand. You have to wonder what might have been for him, but that’s for another time.
Obama was wound very tight at the start of the debate. There wasn’t any calm
anywhere to his presence, with his voice tight and forced. Once the attacks started, however, he melted, fumbled, stuttered and stopped. Edwards took him down while Clinton watched.
Clinton took what was aimed at her and gave it back. Obama said Wal-Mart. She
countered with Rezko. Clinton
also didn’t flinch at the heckling and booing at her when she mentioned “slum lord” and Rezko, that word the press still hasn’t found how to spell. It was as if it didn’t happen. That’s because she wants the votes of South Carolinians,
but her focus tonight was the national audience. Besides, it was obvious the crowd was for Obama, so she tuned it out and stayed on point.
Obama’s mistakes were major errors, one of which Edwards and Clinton both brought
out. First, his “present” votes. Obama tried, but it still amounts
to not taking a stand when a stand is what a president takes every day. But
the big mistake likely went unnoticed. Obama touting Elko, Nevada is not a good thing. Talking to my husband, who is a Nevadan for most of his life, he’s outlined that Elko is rabidly Republican and very pro-Bush. Obama
using Elko as representative of what he can do in the general is
laugh-out-loud ridiculous for anyone who knows the state. In fact, it’s one of those places where Bush can still land and get ovations.
The other big problem for Obama was his answer on Rezko. That’s because he
didn’t answer it. He talked about being an associate lawyer, but that’s not half good
enough, especially once the trial heats up. It’s not going to be enough when the stories start hitting the front pages. They will, right?
Edwards was a significant force, but he cannot win the nomination.
Clinton was steady, strong and unflinching, playing beyond South Carolina.
Obama was tight from the start, but when it came to defending his votes, health care, or Rezko, he just didn’t meet the bar needed for a bruising general election.
But everyone following this primary race better savor it. Reflect on it now and drink it in. You will not see the likes of this in a lifetime. It was the super
bowl of debates — sorry, excited about the Giants — and I don’t say that lightly.
As a woman, however, I must say I’ve been waiting for this moment for a lifetime. Clinton doesn’t blink when bashed. She doesn’t flinch when fighting back. You never worry about a gaffe or that she can take the attacks. Hillary Clinton simply never gives up or hands her opponent a point. Watching this, I’m having the time of my life and it’s on nights like these that the fatigue, the pains, the sleeplessness and all the rest are worth it.
What a depressing night to be a Republican.
