CNN: Pundits react to the debate

[bidenista]

OK, OK, so no-one cares. But still, here's the way the pundits are handling it on CNN.

Carl Bernstein: For this audience, important to be cordial. Going to go tough as soon as they're back campaigning. Obama went hard about "I'm the better candidate against John McCain".

David Gergen: Hillary Clinton came in to show that she can work with others, she's not divisive. Barack was pushing the unity line. Overcame the snub and sexist storylines by doing so.

Donna Brazil: Night that Democrats have waited for for a long time. On the verge of making history. Conducted themselves in a dignified, presidential manner. Disagreed on issues, but civil. Emphasized disagreements with Republicans.

Bill Bennett: A little disappointing. Obama had to do more than he did. Clinton won the debate. She was in control. Obama said "we both believe" too many times. If no-one has a clear advantage, it's advantage Hillary. Obama is the challenger. He was good on his details, though. Just failed to really challenge her. Didn't have enough.

Gloria Borger: Disagrees with Bill. Obama made the argument against the war in Iraq from the stronger position of having been against it from the start. Neither Hillary nor Obama wanted to be the first bad guy on the stage.

Roland Martin: Obama going for "steely resolve". Hillary laying out policy. Good that Obama went the policy wonk line. Why is this man employed by CNN? What an asshat. (That's me, not Roland.)

John King: Hillary scoring points on universal healthcare, Obama on Iraq. She played up the women's angle, Obama played up the youth vote. Obama is in for the long haul. Wants to split Super Tuesday 60-40.

OK, enough.

[Olney Blue]

1. Thanks! I'm watching MSNBC and its good to see what CNN is doing.

[earthside]

4. MSNBC Favors Obama

And, by the way, of course, Bill Bennet thought Hillary won. I occasionally listen to his radio talk show and he is salivating at the prospect of any Republican (except Huckabee) running against Bill Clinton's wife.

[Thrill]

5. Bennett is clear he wants Hillary to run

Its easy to fire their base up against her

[Olney Blue]

7. after the chimp, they are going to need something to fire up

[mia]

2. Thanks for the update

Wasn't able to watch the debate.

[bernicewilliams]

3. Who cares what the corporate media says won the debate?

Make up your own minds. That's the problem with us "liberals" these days.

[AX10]

6. O.K then, we now have the opinion of seven pundits...

on the record.

[Onlooker]

8. I thought the debate was even

Clinton did better on everything but Iraq, but she was really poor on Iraq. If she wants to defend her vote, then by now she should certainly have a pat answer. It's a wonder that she doesn't. At any rate, as someone who favors Obama, but likes Clinton, too, I thought she came off very well especially on domestic issues. Oddly, neither of them had a strong closing.