Thom Hartmann did his weekly presidential poll

[rusty quoin]

Edwards would always walk away with it in the past.
Today's results:
Obama 48
Clinton 8
Edwards 5

[Iwasthere]

1. Not surprising after last night

The two things that killed her: The IWR vote and the cackle imo

[ginnyinWI]

2. and the way she non-answered some of the questions.

I don't think it is lost on the average viewer when someone tries to side-step a question. And then just blah blah blah about their own agenda. Doesn't cut it with me.

Also, Obama did a lot for himself last night. He had the time to go into his answers thanks to there only being two of them. When that happens, he shows himself to have more depth, IMO. Hillary is mainly about grand, market-tested statements, it seems.

[Dumak]

3. I thought both did well in the debate

Good for Barak:

I would agree that Hillary voting for the IWR was a bad thing. I think she was one of those Democrats who were feigning naivet'e when it seemed clear that Bush could not be trusted.

Obama appears be incorporating more elements of Edwards' message as well.

Obama has a very charismatic personality, and would present a stark contrast to McCain. McCain might not want to debate at all if Obama wins the nomination.

Good for Hillary:

Hillary has a superior position on health care, though neither one has a proposal that eliminates the health insurance companies, which I think is the only solution that would save money. However, i believe that both of them are using their conservative health care plans to get the ball rolling. Republicans would vote against almost any health care plan, and a very modest plan would be the only chance to succeed unless we had 60% democrats in the senate to override a fillibuster.

She has shown to have a very well-organized thought process, and would do well against John McCain in debates. Though, I expect the MSM to dumb-down their questions in the democratic vs republican debates for that very reason. I also expect Mr. McCain to be wearing one of those hidden ear pieces --- we'll see.

Good for both:

They both showed themselves in a good light, which helps reduce the uncertainty about Barak, and the negatives about Hillary as a person (most republican anti-Hillary people can't even say why because they're picking up the message from right-wing media). I expect the republicans to keep Mccain separated from either of them as much as possible, as McCain is certainly showing his age. In comparison, the democrats are both mentally sharp.

[ginnyinWI]

5. to me, mandated health care would scare a repub voter

Nothing they hate more than government mandates and programs (and the fear that their tax dollars will have to go to them). I think in practice, Hillary's and Obama's plans would cover about the same number of people, but having at least the appearance of freedom to choose it or not helps Obama with Indies and Moderate Republicans. That's an example of his appeal to all sides.

I'm with you on getting rid of the insurance companies and going to single-payer. Maybe some day.

[Araxen]

4. One thing I thought about last night

is that Barack should have brought up her Iran vote too. I thought he missed a golden opportunity to show she's done it more than once.

[tishaLA]

6. If he did that, she would have brought up his non-vote

so it was better strategically to let sleeping dogs lie.