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August 04, 2007
The Presidentials Arrive
Well, the 2nd annual Yearly Kos convention reached its climax in Chicago today with a lively presidential candidates' forum (quasi-debate), that featured Democratic frontrunners Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama & John Edwards, as well as Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. The gifted writer Matt Bai of the NY Times moderated, with assistance from Daily Kos contributor Joan McCarter and Frameshop's Jeffrey Feldman. Bai and McCarter ran the show from the stage, while Feldman handled audience questions out in the hall. It was a lively and interesting affair.
For one thing, no effort was made to squelch natural audience reaction to candidate responses -- a wise choice given the nature of the crowd. Such attempts at control would not have gone over well with this irreverent bunch. That said, all the candidates were generally very well received -- if laughing at Mike Gravel's answers constitutes a good reception -- with some exceptions.
The most interesting exchange of the forum came over remarks about public financing of elections and swearing off contributions from lobbyists, both of which (shockingly) were enormously popular ideas with the crowd. John Edwards -- who, by the way still seems virtually incapable of saying anything of substance regarding serious policy matters -- twice proclaimed his own virtue (as well as Obama's) for abstaining from lobbyist contributions, and challenged the rest of the field to come along.
Senator Clinton remained quiet, but Bai didn't let her off the hook. He asked her what she thought of Edwards' proposal, since he had mentioned it twice. Clinton, who, from our second-row seat looked pretty tense from the get-go (it's no secret she's not the blogosphere's favorite), initially said something like "well... it's clear John has taken that position...", which drew widespread hissing and grousing from the crowd. She then (oddly) added "finally, the reaction I expected all along!" or something to that effect, which only drew more audience grumbling. She then honestly responded that she would take lobbyist money, but that her record shows it would have no effect on her policy positions, and that it would take time to get public financing of elections. Lead balloon, folks. Obama then nicely finished the triangulation by touting his own record on campaign finance reform, both in Illinois and Washington, and calling for both immediate incremental change to the system, as well as a longer term overhaul.
The candidates generally came off as sunny, but vague. They said all the right things, but little substantive interaction took place. In our judgment, this lightweight tenor of the forum was mostly due to weak, general questions. If any audience ever cried out for a no bullshit exchange -- say, addressing candidates' perceived weak points and forcing them to respond -- this was it.
Where were the questions: Senator Clinton -- you have only recently changed your tune on begining to withdraw U.S. troops in Iraq, after having consistently voted for the policy since 2002. Why should we believe this change of heart is anything more than a craven political calculation? Or, Senator Edwards -- you too, proclaim yourself the real candidate of big change, and agressively rail against the War in Iraq, Patriot Act, etc. Yet, as a U.S. Senator, you voted for the war, and even helped write the Patriot Act. Why should we believe your judgment is suddenly better now? Or, Senator Obama -- you have little direct foreign policy experience, and many have characterized your policy statements in this area as naive. Why should we believe you're ready to be commander in chief? Sadly, no such questions were to be found.
Chris Dodd was surprisingly good. His sensible answers drew very positive reaction from the crowd. One can't help thinking he seems quite presidential. But, the New England senator profile (not to mention lack of funds) just ain't gonna get you there in 2008.
Once again, Bill Richardson -- again, highly qualified to be president -- was simply off base message-wise. Not sure who advises him, but a review on knowing your crowd is in order. He clearly did not really grasp what the Yearly Kos audience is all about.
Dennis Kucinich continues to offer a principled, if pie-in-the-sky agenda, but does help keep the others honest. And Gravel... what can you say, comic relief is always a plus.
Signing off from Yearly Kos. Back to more local concerns on Monday.
Posted by houtopia at August 4, 2007 03:15 PM