1. Excellent post Cenk.

Even if you're behind Hillary, how does it serve democracy to have the first 45-52 minutes or so of a debate be about BS issues not relating to healthcare, the economy, war, trade and so on?

And look, if you're for McCain, do you really want the first 45 minutes of the debate with Obama to be about McCain's crazy religious figures (Rev. Hagee, Rod Parsley)?

Or about how he started an affair with his current wife Cindy (20 years younger and wealthy) while his first wife raised his kids while he was in Nam and then got into a bad car accident (he married Cindy within weeks of the divorce)?

Do you want to hear them ask about McCain calling his wife the C-U-Next-Tuesday word in public around several people and or about his fist fight with Renzi(R)?

No? Honestly, neither do I.

ihavenobias at 1:42AM on Apr 18th 2008

2. I'm with you, Cenk. I watched about twenty minutes of that stultifying train wreck.

ABC should be ashamed, and they owe, not only the journalism community, but the whole freaking country --including the candidates-- an apology for that embarrassing waste of time. They clearly are woefully unqualified to even be reporting on this year's campaigns.

Even the candidates --the %#&$-ing candidates-- themselves had to toss out their OWN red herrings in an attempt to steer the dialogue into something THEY believed was relevant, and all the while those two potato-headed half-wits insisted on driving the conversation back into something so mind-numbingly irrelevant that, in any other election, it would have been comedy. But, not this year, and not this god damned election.

Now, I didn't know they drubbed on for fifty-two minutes with this nonsense before finding some substance. I freakin' both envy you for your tenacity, and I pity you for the hellish circus through which you were forced to sit.

As a former journalist, I found that all I wanted to do was just hang my head in shame, crack open a bottle of whiskey and drink myself to death for the years I'd foolishly wasted in college studying this profession.

Dan at 2:01AM on Apr 18th 2008

3. ihavenobias: I love it when people like you rail on about the media focusing on the rumors and the Reverends, then turn around and reel off three bullshit rumors on McCain. The C*nt comment is just that. Were YOU there or did you hear it from the cousin of a sister of a friend of yours?

I could care less about lapel pins and old hippie pinkos. The people of Pennsylvania will decide who they think the party should nominate. As the last debate, they should have let the people ask the questions - then you would have had some meat to this thing.

Here is agood one that should have been asked. John McCain has proposed a Federal Gas Tax holiday for the "rip-off" season of Memorial Day to Labor Day. The estimated cost of this is approximately $15 Billion. Two Billion less than the Earmark amounts put in by Congress. (including Barack's $97 Million and Hillary's $267 Million)(McCain -0-) Would both of you be willing to rescind your earmarks to give all Americans a little relief on gas this summer, versus giving the money to pet projects and supporters in your states?

I already know the answer, but the squirming would have been fun to watch. Now that is a real question.

Finally, Cenk, you really are an ignorant slut. Blaming the Republicans for the politics of distraction in this case is a huge stretch, even for your small mind. This is a Democratic debacle through and through. We only get to sit on the sidelines, and like small children, ask for you to do it again and again.

OpenYourBlindEye08 at 2:47AM on Apr 18th 2008

4. Cenk

I cannot say you have a learning disability, it is more like an inability to learn. What Democrat debates have you been listening to so far? It seems like 100 debates. You, after all these debates, still do not know where Obama and Hillary stand on the important issues. Duh, they have stated them over and over, and they are almost the same on the various issue such as taxes,guns,Iraq, etc etc

Obama was complaing right after the debate about being what you said, Obama did not like the character questions of himself and having to answer to us commoners.

Obama, the chosen one, the elitist, does not want to be questioned about they radical racist group of people he seems to find and be friendly with. Rev Wright, an anti Jew anti american pro Muslim Pastor of Obama's for 20 years and America is not allowed to ask about that? Obama associates with an convicted american Terrorist Bomber and Americans cannot ask why? Obama wheels and deals with money and real estate with a crook who is on trial in Chicago, and America is not allowed to ask about that? Obama addreeses a group of Rich Democrat Elitist Donors at a closed fund raiser, not open to the press, and talks down at small Town Americans in Pa., and we commoners are not allowed to hear an explanation from Obama, the chosen one?

Obama is running for President of the United States and Cenk, you oversized bag of hot air, do not think Americans have a right to know about radicals, crooks, and terrorists that Obama like to seek out and be friendly with. The company he keeps will show a part of Obama's character which you are trying very very hard TO HIDE.

Cenk, you would love to censor Obama's past and not allowed anyone to question the things he has done. What else are you hiding that you think America should not know or need to know?

robert okane at 3:16AM on Apr 18th 2008

5. Cenk

The debate itself. Obama was very nervous about those questions he was asked, about Rev Wright, Weatherman connection , small Town Pa., etc etc.
Obama lost that debate because he looked uncertain as to what to say about all the questions this elitists did not want to be asked and have to answer. A few questions, when Obama tried to double talk out of giving the answer to the question, he was again asked the same question, just in a differently. Obama was being forced to give a direct answer to a direct question and Obama did not like it.

Obama, if the water is to hot for you at these debates, just quit seeking the Nomination becasue things will get a lot hotter during the General Election and really really hot if you make it to the white house.

Obama, stop being a cry baby and answer the questions from us "Redneck" commoners.

Hillary won that Debate with Obama by was wide margin.

robert okane at 3:26AM on Apr 18th 2008

6. Your comments are 100% accurate. The politics of distraction are destroying this great nation. ABC should be boycotted for this tragedy and the Whores that presented it. Gibson and Stephanopoulos should RESIGN for their gross lack of ethics. Dan Rather was fired for less. We should demand higher standards and insist on their RESIGNATION or the loss of viewership and advertising dollars should follow.

Patrick at 1:51PM on Apr 19th 2008

7. There is no god or love of god in politix. Love of self, yes, is the only religion. As for your claim the GOP has meddled with the media making it the party's mouthpiece is absurd. Why do you continue to divide the world into GOP and Dems, the bad guys/gals vs the good guys/gals, the old fuddy dudies vs the wholesome DEMS? Hey, you are in the business, too. Are you the Dems trumpeter?

Look, that debate if you wish to call it such was exactly what the constituents wanted to hear. Dirt and degradation have been honorably employed as timeless politicking tools. Does one really think that either candidate has a healthy, ready made plan to solve all of our crises? Like, sure, they've pledged to withdraw troops; turn the economy (which is an independent animal anyway subject to all vargaries at any time 24/7. C'mon they've got to broker that one. Sure she's gonna tax the windfall profits of oil companies. Yeah, right. That's never gonna happen! Gun control is another wish that's not going to come true. All the candidates have skeletons in their biographies. There are those who will find them, give a good shake, rattle the candidates bones.

The tedium of this campaign has enervated everyone.
But historically haven't they all been so?! You're being a big baby, Cenk, moaning ans groaning and carrying on to no avail. Get with it, man,you're trying to create a paradise out of hell. Both parties hopefuls are nothing more then the egotistical, hyped, super confident and proud people they are. Have always been. Imagine the chutzpah it takes to believe you can govern any country, let alone America!

Get a grip why doncha! Stop with the gripes. Get off your cloud and wake up to strong smell of politix and campaigning. It will NEVER become a pretty picture when A-types are involved.

boredwell at 3:53AM on Apr 18th 2008

8. Nothing less than the resignation of the moderators of that alleged debate is acceptable. Dan Rather was fired for less and his facts were correct too.

Patrick at 1:53PM on Apr 19th 2008

9. The public needed one more debate.....not! Questions asked of the candidates are usually known to them beforehand, Cenk, so Senator Obama stumbled and bumbled through them makes ABC the bad guy?

Not a fan of either candidate but Senator Clinton did display a certain amount of confidence this time around.

sharon kubitz at 1:43PM on Apr 18th 2008

10. Rev. Wright is part of the stew that is Barack Obama. 30 years of input is important. This could be if mistakes rule, the next president. WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY know more about this relationship which he distances like he votes in Ill, "present" to avoid controversy. The ayres connection WILL be brought up by the Republicans, just like the attempted impeachment was fostered on a president for nothing, just because EVERYBODY payed the same rich and poor and they and they had to bring Clinton some trouble.
The media gives a pass to obama, they make him look good. He is half baked in his ideas, stealing most of his thoughts and votes from Hillary.
He was against the war, speeches are cheap. When elected to the senate, he voted every single time to finance the war, exactly the same record as Hillary. SHE is the best candidate. Her baggage has been rifled thru and it was old to begin with.
No one really knows this guy.....and when they finally try to get to know him, the press whines, and HE WHINES. Awwww. Welcome to the frey, Barack, get comfy, it will only get worse. Hillary has my vote. She is the one who should win.

carolyn at 6:34AM on Apr 18th 2008

11. where incidentally is your fury when they are boring us with their attacks on Hillary? Barack plays viscious dirty back room politics all the time and gets to look choir boy? Good for ABC, tit for tat.

carolyn at 6:39AM on Apr 18th 2008

12. Blame your own media, you and the other sacks of crap have turned this into a Democratic circus with one unarmed contender.

Hillary '08

Ken Green at 7:14AM on Apr 18th 2008

13. Robert, you can't state somebodies feelings as if you know. You cannot say he was nervous. You can say you saw him acting nervously. But you cannot say how anyone feels. You're not in their head, you don't know.

Strados at 7:22AM on Apr 18th 2008

14. Hey Big Guy,

I watched part of the debate, and after watching those two stumble around up there, it's obvious neither one is fit to be president of our great nation.

If the Democrats want to avoid a Jimmy Carter level defeat in the General Election, they need to come up with a third canidate.

Willet at 8:03AM on Apr 18th 2008

15. Cenk, you never disappoint me. Just when I think you cannot say anything more ignorant than you did last time, you impress me with something so bombastically ignorant, I am completely blown away. You claim that it's more important to hear about Obama's plans for the future (WORDS) than what he has done in the past (ACTIONS). Oh, you are so wrong! Can you possibly be a plant for the Republican Party? I think you are, because your love affair with Obama will hurt Obama and help McCain more than your little pea-brain can ever acknowledge.

David Pitlock at 8:27AM on Apr 18th 2008