DEM Debate

Everyone's probably heard enough about SEPTA at this point ....

But here's the last information about the perpetual Colombian-Venezuelan-FARC conflict (a well-written article by the BBC that presents the core difficulties at hand)!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7268257.stm


My real task today -- like the title says -- is to report on the Democratic debate between Hilliary Clinton and Barack Obama, held two days ago. I was out on the streets Tuesday night, but I was able to watch a taped version last night.

First of all -- for anyone who's been following the Dem primary -- it's evident by now that Obama is a political genius. I am starting to believe that no one can legitimately stop him from getting elected .... This is sort-of an about face for me, because I arrived in Philly in January with little knowledge of the campaign and skeptical of his seemingly meteoric rise to popularity.

However, listening to the man speak, I -- and the millions of others (suckers? my cynical self says) -- cannot help but be affected by his innate intelligence, relentless thoughtfulness and consideration, and (I hate to sound like a Republican "personal values" subscriber) moral-steadfastness and consistency.

In my sometimes unrestrained imagination -- I confess -- I've started to consider him to be the karmically-destined leader of the future U.S. He's emerged at exactly the right time, says all the right things, and embodies both black and white 'races.' Factor in the message about unity, change, and prosperity, and we have our next Paul Atreides (Dune, anyone?) in the land of liberty and gluttony.

I'm exaggerating, but all that excitement must come from somewhere.

The debate itself started on a surreal note, for me, because I'd just finished watching the opening skit of last night's Saturday Night Live (the show also contains Tina Fey's "bitch is the new black" paen to Hillary") -- a Clinton/Obama debate is imitated. During the real debate, Hilliary suddenly decided to reference the skit, suggesting that the two moderators were clandestinely favoring Barack's because they asked her every question first!

Granted, I think anti-Hillary sentiment exists among 'rank and file' (I heart that phrase) Democrats, but it's a complex issue. I would say it's not based on dissatisfaction or ill-will towards Hillary, but connected more with what each candidate has represents. Hillary -- the old guard of mostly trustworthy but sometimes insincere and cynical old guard, and Barack -- the progressive force of hope, peace, and authenticity. Any threat to Barack's campaign -- and Hillary unfortunately falls into that category -- is seen as a threat to this peachy vision of the future.

Hillary looked increasingly desperate during the first part of the debate (especially on health care -- an issue Obama had attacked her on), when she fought like a maimed cat with tooth and claw to expressed her opinion, and expressed it again and again.

Obama also made some ambiguous statements, specifically when asked about the unsolicited support of Louis Farrakhan and a public-finance agreement with John McCain (like all great politicians, he is a master of giving a non-committal response to point blank questions, such as,"So, you're going to go against your word?" -- so much so that it's almost admirable).

Throughout the debate, both moderators asked pointed questions and had obviously done their homework. Their method largely consisted of attacking each candidate and pointing out as many inconsistencies as possible. It often made me uncomfortable, but -- looking back -- maybe it was good preparation for the impending Republican onslaught (like the machine invasion in Matrix Revolutions)

By the debate's end, I began to wonder if maybe -- contrary to my previous assertions -- it would actually be harder for a woman than a minority man to win a U.S. presidential election. At times, it seemed like Hillary was fighting not only to supply valid answers to difficult questions, but also to prove her gender's mettle to a group of men representing the larger society.