MOMocrats™

score one for stupid

As others have noted the debate was an enormous letdown on the part of the media.  Gibson and Stephanopoulos were shameful, asking questions about Bittergate and Bosnia and Wright instead of healthcare and housing and foreign policy.  And the flag pin question nearly gave me a stroke. 

It's clear that the giants of media have succumbed to the dumbing down of America, of making this election about speculation and snark instead of issues and ethics.  To see them goading the candidates with stupid questions and to have to watch the candidates, Obama in particular, practically begging for something substantial to talk about.  Thankfully the latter portion of the debate turned around, largely at the prodding of the candidates themselves.  It's like having the smart kids tell the teacher they really, really want to learn.

George and Charlie, don't quit your day jobs.  And keep wearing those flag pins. 

Live blogging and Chat with the MOMocrats for the PA Democratic Debate

Using the super simple Cover It Live software, the MOMocrats will live blog during the debate tonight. because this is interactive, you'll be able to chime in with your comments and questions too! Join us tonight at 8 p.m. EST. (This is a sticky post, scroll down for more content.)

How relevant is the Compassion Forum?

(Photo Credit: EFE, via EITB-24)

Compassion Forum. When I first heard about this compassion forum I felt extremely dubious and suspicious. Campbell Brown put my sentiment in the form of a question to both candidates when she asked how they would respond to people who felt that this forum was inappropriate. I listened carefully to how each replied, but mostly what I heard was blah blah blah platitudes. I think maybe both said something metaphorical about an anchor and ship and bulwarks and grace.

I'm making it sound as if I didn't pay attention or lack the ability to eloquently recount, a la reporter-style, what each candidate said---which isn't the case. It's not my problem; I heard them perfectly well and comprehended all too well what each said. It's their problem: neither of them said anything in the answer that was solid or concrete enough for me to grasp and share with you.

That was a problem throughout this so-called compassion forum, which wasn't about compassion at all. It was about faith and religion.

People who know me know that I am a person of faith and spirituality, and that I do not shy away from these topics. I frequently use them as writing prompts in my weekly writing roundtables.

So why was I so troubled by the compassion forum? Three simple reasons:

1. Euphemisms and connotations

2. Misnomers

3. Pandering to a vocal minority.

Keep reading to learn how I back up my points...

Clinton and Obama on the "R" Word, Recession

I predict soon we'll all be repeating famous words from 1992: then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton's mantra, "It's the economy, stupid." The past week's Fed bailout of securities firm Bear Stearns with a $30 billion credit line ought to convince everyone that the "R" word that matters is not Race, Racism, or Religion, but Recession.

It's the biggest campaign issue no one's talking about right now.

Remember, Just Because You're Paranoid ...

... doesn't mean they aren't really out to get you.

In all great humor, there's always a grain of truth.

Sure, Comedy Central is having a little fun, but how do we explain MSNBC's Chris Matthews turning a guest's favorable comment about both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the pre-Ohio debate coverage into one just about Obama?

Matthews' guest, a representative of the Ohio Democratic Party, asked the crowd to respond if they liked the views of the Democratic candidates on a particular issue (sorry, I can't remember which one!).

Then Matthews immediately instructed the crowd to cheer if they backed Obama's position,  excluding Hillary.  The Democratic Party guest quickly jumped in and asked for those in favor of Hillary on that same issue to cheer.  To my ears, about an equal number hooped it up for Obama as for Hillary.  Matthews dismissed the Hillary backers, saying, "That's just one guy making a lot of noise."

Granted, this is just an example of one person, but after a while, you've got to wonder -- maybe they really ARE out to get her.

Joanne, who also writes at PunditMom, is going to be keeping a close eye on Chris Matthews.

superheroes are overrated

"There's a certain amount of vanity and ego in politics" Obama stated near the end of the Cleveland debate and I thought "you think?!" 

Because kids, I'll tell you this much:  You are starting to lose me.  Stop hedging.  Stop couching everything. Admit you could have done something different. And you know, if just once you actually said you were wrong, I'd fall off the fence onto your side.

Hey, I thought ______ was a good idea but you know, once I voted for it and we rolled it out, I realized I was wrong.  But I've learned from it and now I'd do _______ .

Just try it.  We'll love you for it in the morning.  We don't need a superhero.   

LIVEBLOGGING: Debate at Cleveland State

6:00 PM:  First of all, I can't believe they are debating again.  To be honest, I haven't watched any of them since Edwards dropped out, but it seems like they've been debating every other day. 

Recap of Hillary flip-flopping on Barack love.  She loves him, she loves him not.  She's upset about flyers.  Says she's just standing up for herself.  He has consistently said they will force people to have healthcare whether they can afford it or not.  Met many families who don't have healthcare.  Says her plan will be affordable and cover everyone.  Does not use the "m" word (mandate).

Brian asks about photo of Obama in Somali garb.  Shows the photo.  Wonderful, MSNBC. Clinton says as far as she knows it did not come from her campaign.  She would  fire whoever did it if she found out who did it.

Obama says he takes her at her word. Wants to talk about healthcare.  97% of the plans are alike.  She wants a mandate, meaning forcing people to purchase whether they want it or not. Hardship exclusions for people who can't afford it, so Hillary's not covering everyone either. Says Clinton campaign has repeatedly sent out negative ads, robocalls, etc.

Clinton says the Obama ads question whether universal can be achieved.  Will allow cherrypicking by insurance companies.Looks like Republicans/insurance companies wrote it (OUCH!).

Obama's reponse is like "nu'uh" only using many more words.  He lost me.

Clinton: Mandate is present in Obama plan for parents to cover children.  She is kicking his ass on this, I hate to say.

Obama says essentially that there is an infrastructure in place for mandating children's healthcare, and that experts say there is no difference between the plans.  He believes if it is cheap enough, people will buy it.

Clinton is fired up, and gives good examples.

Hillary 1, Barack 0

Austin, Texas Debate Day

Please welcome new MOMocrat Bitsy Parker of Value wIT.  This is her first post here, and we look forward to more of her reports from Texas.

From the moment I ventured into public on Thursday in Austin, Texas, the air was sizzling with excitement.  Talking to my husband on the phone I heard sirens as a police escort roared by him with Obama's bus behind.

Debate tickets were near impossible to score, even for the politically connected. I had a friend who traveled as one of five main staffers with Hillary a few weeks ago - 16 cities, 10 states all in 7 days - he couldn't even get tickets. An legislator gave me his ticket, but the state Democratic Party would not allow it to be transferred.

In an effort to be near the debate, my 7-year old and I walked to campus where the debate was taking place. The venue, the infamous Sholz Bier Garten, was packed. Clearly the majority of supporters were Obama supporters, as evidenced by the loud cheers when he was shown walking into the debate as opposed to the one WHOOP when Hillary made her first appearance.

--sidenote:  the friend said that he slept 3 hours during those seven days. He said they would get to a city at 2 am and Hillary would be up and on message by 7 am. He said she was engaged, poised, on message and ready to become the next president. How can she not fall down from exhaustion?

Knowing the candidates were a block away was exciting. Many, many parties tonight, but I'm an old woman who was frantic my daughter stayed up two hours past her bedtime, and I didn't go to any.

Tomorrow night there is a big Obama rally at the Capitol and 30,000 supporters are expected. I'll be going and will be a full report.

P.S. The photos from iPhone are crummy; so I'm not attaching.

Cover It Live! Live Blogging the Obama v. Clinton debate in Austin at 7 p.m. CT

Join me here at 7 p.m. CT for a live blogging commentary and discussion of the debate between Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton in Austin.

Texas is historically a red state, but has been showing a lot of blue since the early voting began.