The talking heads are proclaiming Clinton the winner because....

[senseandsensibility]

she is no longer the clear front runner, and they're afraid they "piled on" too soon. They want to make sure she wins first. Agree or disagree?

[rodeodance]

1. I disagree with your assessment. She was cool, calm and collected tonight.

[Renew Deal]

8. That doesn't make a winner.

You're basically saying that she didn't lose.

[rodeodance]

15. Perceptions are truth

[Renew Deal]

18. My perception is that she doesn't answer questions.

[HughMoran]

29. Yes, as a matter of fact it does

I will not suspend reality just because I am posting on DU. She kicked fucking ass tonight and took names. I don't care for her positions, but she was a much more Presidential looking and acting candidate by a long shot. Only Biden and Richardson seem to have some of that solidness to them. The rest looked like rookies tonight (not counting Dodd).

[Cha]

37. Why don't you think substance is

important..like all you care about is calm and collected and she didn't sweat?

[EVDebs]

2. Edward's upset in Iowa will be a media sensation and that's what media thrives on nt

[Ravy]

34. I am thinking Edwards will win in Iowa. The statistic I heard today

was that he was the second choice most people. In caucuses, if there are not enough people to support a particular candidate in a precinct, the caucus goers can move to another camp that does have enough candidates to register. Right now, that bodes well for Edwards, as it did in '04.

[Cameron27]

3. They're proclaiming Clinton the winner

because she was the winner. So, I completely disagree with you.

[Colobo]

5. You like Clinton, don't you?

I notice that you are very positive when it comes to her.

[Cameron27]

7. I did tonight,

I've been really pissed at the way Edwards has been attacking her so I'm delighted to see her come back tonight.

[Richard Steele]

4. Because that's the propaganda they've been pushing for years now. nm

[ProudToBeLiberal]

6. She won because she was the best at the debate nt

[Horse with no Name]

9. But she never REALLY answered anything

so I guess if that is a win...

[Cameron27]

10. She answered as well as anyone else.

[Windy]

32. She answered, but I don['t agree with her positions on Iran, Iraq

Social Security and healthcare so she will not get my vote.

[HughMoran]

11. No, she won by looking stong, speaking loudly and being extremely confident looking

She was really on tonight. She even had on more makeup than I remember and her frosted hair was buff. She is playing to win, the "boys" better step up or bow out.

[Blackhatjack]

13. I noticed nothing you said had to do with the content of her answers. Real substance, right?

[HughMoran]

25. Her responses were as solid as any of the others, you just happen to disagree with her

...as do I in many cases. BUT, I can see that she clearly won the "looking Presidential" race tonight. I will not bias my view just because I do not want her to win.

[Blackhatjack]

35. Sorry but my criticism was of your post ... you mentioned no content in arriving at your conclusion

[HughMoran]

38. "as solid as any"

Please don't use the "well, if you aren't going to write a thesis on her responses, then you're not responding" argument on me. It one of the most annoying ploys used here. If you have something of substance to say, and you are initiating the criticism, then YOU back it up!

[Blackhatjack]

40. Awful defensive for someone who chose the winner based on something other than content of her answer

I really was not being that critical. I assumed you must have had other reasons than those you listed, but really it sounded like a superficial analysis and decision on your part. No thesis required.

[HughMoran]

41. You are right

I do not give much of a crap about the content of the answers when judging a political debate. I do tend to judge based on what I think the average voter will "see" when watching the debate based on my emotional response. This assumes that the answers are not too convoluted or defensive sounding. I look for "gotcha" mistakes, but their positions really are not that different and nothing they say matters until they are elected. Look how many people though Bush really would be a "compassionate" conservative and that he wouldn't "nation build" as he promised. I tend to believe that people who get into the finer points after a debate are trying to find something good to say about their candidate who did not "project" well in the debate.

[Blackhatjack]

42. I had this conversation earlier today and I agree with you on many points...

In a democracy everyone can participate in the decisionmaking process by voting whether or not they are intelligent and informed.

I think many people respond more to appearances than substance(content). Hopefully, they will discuss their ideas with more informed individuals who will help them discern what the various candidates are standing for.

Bush was a walking disaster from day one, and those of us who knew it were the most disturbed by the stolen election and SCOTUS installation.

Now that Bush has destroyed this country, I hope people will be more interested and informed this time.

I posted positive comments about other candidates during the debate, but I believe Edwards was best on the issues.

[senseandsensibility]

17. What is all this about hair and makeup?

I'm confused.

[HughMoran]

23. lol

It's part of the image that must be discussed with a person like Hillary who also happens to have an "image" problem. I think it is a perfectly valid topic for discussion.

[emilyg]

30. Sen. Clinton is a good looking woman.

[HughMoran]

31. ...and her makup was "strong" enough to be noticed tonight

It was something I found notable as the men don't wear noticable makeup so it doesn't apply to them. She looked as good as she can look tonight in my opinion.

[Blackhatjack]

12. Hillary did not win, but you wouldn't know it if you watched CNN talking heads...

[HughMoran]

21. Who won in your opinion?

I thought Obama looked good but was not finishing his points with resolve (firmness), Kucinich was very animated and I of course agree with him 100%, Dodd was better than usual, Biden was a frickin' riot!, Edwards was strong with a couple of responses and Richardson was saying the right thing even though he speaks poorly. Hillary was strong on every question and she was extraordinarily confident and Presidential looking - I cannot overlook that even if I don't agree with her "corporate" or pat type of stances in many cases.

[blm]

14. Agree because this media machine didn't suddenly get honest after 8 years, did it?

.

[Individualist]

16. Conservative News Network wants Hillary to be the nominee.

[Renew Deal]

19. Clinton News Network

Old freeper adage.

[senseandsensibility]

20. Jeez... how anyone could think CNN is pro Bill Clinton is

beyond me. But they never did deal in reality did they?

[AuntPatsy]

28. it is mind boggling, why can't we debate while using common sense not emotion

emotion tends to cloud one's reasoning.

[hedgehog]

22. The talking heads are proclaiming Clinton the winner because....

it's her turn?

[madrchsod]

24. it`s a photo finish! --hillary by a nose!

oh i thought it was a horse race. actually they could give a shit less who wins or loses they`ll make their money no matter who is elected.

[mod mom]

26. Of course CNN does because their pundits are from HRC camp. shameful!

[Strawman]

27. That's what they do

Turn it into a sports drama.

Maybe instead of a Democratic Primary Debate we should just have Kobe debate Shaq with Phil Jackson as moderator and have ESPN cover it.

[Odin2005]

33. She was the f-ing LOSER!!!

It's like she can't NOT triangulate on anything. The "diamonds vs. pearls" question was stupid, but her going "I like both" pretty much sums her up.

[Mountainman]

36. Who really gives a rat's ass?

[HughMoran]

39. Most people on DU?

These debates will shape the Democratic party for the next few years. I think that might be of concern to people on the "Democratic" underground. lol - oh, you mean you weren't posing a question for me?