MSNBC has story and poll up on the ABC's Gotcha Debate

[RamboLiberal]

ABC News drew both record ratings and a heap of complaints about how Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos moderated the Democratic presidential debate, criticism that Stephanopoulos on Thursday called a sign of how much people care.

By midafternoon Thursday, more than 15,600 comments were posted on ABC News' Web site, the tone overwhelmingly negative. A prominent TV critic, Tom Shales of The Washington Post, said Gibson and Stephanopoulos "turned in shoddy, despicable performances."

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Will Bunch, a Philadelphia Daily News writer, posted an open letter to Gibson and Stephanopoulos on his blog. He wrote that he was so angry that "it's hard to even type accurately because my hands are shaking." He said the ABC newsmen spent too much time on trivial matters that didn't concern most voters.

"By so badly botching arguably the most critical debate of such an important election, in a time of both war and economic misery, you disgraced the American voters, and in fact even disgraced democracy itself," Bunch wrote.

Shales also criticized the early line of questioning, and said ABC's coverage appeared slanted against Obama. He mocked Gibson's closing thank you to the candidates for a fascinating debate.

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.....A sampling found opinion was running against the network about 8-to-1.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24189180/

So far criticism is near 90%. Poll http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24190275/

[livetohike]

1. It feels good to vote on this thing

I think my blood pressure is finally starting to go down :-).

[Evergreen Emerald]

2. Where was everyone when they attacked Clinton?

I cannot wait for a few years, when the intellects take a look at the way Americans allowed Clinton to be burned at the stake, but came to Obama's defense when he got nearly the same treatment (not quite as bad in my opinion).

Backwards and in high heels.

[democrattotheend]

6. Russert was a little harder on Clinton than Obama in the Ohio debate

But it was not so imbalanced or sensationalized as last night.

[dmr]

14. Oh for Pete's sake, re-read the article

It's about substance.

As Will Bunch said:

"By so badly botching arguably the most critical debate of such an important election, in a time of both war and economic misery, you disgraced the American voters, and in fact even disgraced democracy itself,"

At this point, in a high-profiled arena, let's debate important issues and save the pettiness for later. ABC went tabloid. Americans deserve better than that.

[high density]

3. David Brooks liked it

So that should make the Clinton supporters happy since they're always quoting him here.

[PA Democrat]

10. Sean Hannity was so happy that he peed himself on air this afternoon

bragging about how George Puppet-Boy Stephanopoulis used his questions!

[Connie_Corleone]

4. Voted.

[Adelante]

11. Where is the poll, Connie?

Somehow I'm not seeing it at the link. Thank you.

[Connie_Corleone]

13. Here's the direct link to poll

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24190275/

[Adelante]

15. Thanks a lot

Voted :)

[Lucky 13]

16. Hell yeah

[angie_love]

5. I love that peoples voices are being heard in their disgust for shoddy journalism

[City Lights]

7. done and thanks.

I'm glad _abc is the subject of scrutiny by other networks.

[EV_Ares]

8. LOL, David Brooks is the only positive comment, giving them an "A", man

does that show what a biased ass he is. He can't even be truthful about such an idiot show by ABC like last night.

[nichomachus]

12. Thank God for that line in the story

I didn't think I was going to laugh at anything today. Now, I can't stop. David Brooks -- right-wing propagandists.

Note to David Brooks: Nobody gives a shit what you think.

[BlooInBloo]

9. C'mon Clinton-supporters! Get some momentum with your rightwing friends!

[ORDem]

17. kick

:kick:

[AX10]

18. This is sad.

MSNBC forgets how they and NBC piled onto Hillary two months back.

[Yes We Did]

19. Duh... anyone could see that it was the absolute worst debate...well... Clinton supporters...

and the right wing may not.