Democrats Play It Safe In South Carolina

Few Verbal Jabs Offered In Opening Presidential Debate; Iraq Dominates Discussion

(CBS/AP)  It was less of a debate and more like a polite first date where the Democratic presidential candidates wanted to avoid any fast moves that risk turning off voters.

Front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were on the receiving end of a couple jabs, but the Democrats vying for the White House were downright complimentary, calling each other by their first names more like friends than rivals.

Offered a chance to rebut Obama on his plan for Iraq, Clinton said: "I think that what Barack said is right." Asked who else on the stage could win against a Republican presidential candidate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden said: "I'm looking at a bunch of winners right here, number one. And whoever wishes for Hillary is making a big mistake."

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd praised Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich for declaring his commitment to abortion rights. "What Dennis just said is extremely important," Dodd said.

In short, they mostly pulled their punches and played it safe in their first debate.

"No runs, no hits, no errors," said Democratic consultant Erik Smith. "Nobody made any significant mistake, but nobody distinguished themselves."

Some of the candidates told CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield that last night's debate was about showing the Democratic party who they are and what they stand for.

After their Thursday night face-off at South Carolina State University, the candidates planned to hang out another day in the state that holds the important second primary in January. They all were to attend the state party's biggest fundraiser Friday evening, then party together at a fish fry thrown by Rep. Jim Clyburn in a downtown Columbia parking garage.

South Carolina has only been carried by one Democrat since 1960. African-Americans make up 29.9 percent of the state's population, reported Greenfield.

The candidates spent most of their time in the 90-minute event broadcast live Thursday night on MSNBC explaining how they would lead the country and defending against their biggest criticisms.

Clinton said the fact that most of the public did not like her was actually a form of flattery because it shows she stands up for what she believes in. Obama, questioned about whether he is light on substance, laid out a three-point health care plan.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said even though he gets $400 hair cuts, he remembers what it was like when he was a kid and his father could not afford to pay for the family to eat at a pricey restaurant. And when the notoriously long-winded Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware was asked if he had the discipline to be a player on the world stage, he replied with uncharacteristic brevity. "Yes," was all he said to laughter in the hall with 850 viewers.

"The candidates did more testing of themselves and their own messages than against each other," said Democratic consultant Stephanie Cutter. "Very few issues separated them, and very few moments distinguished them. As these debates go on, that will change."

Their biggest target was U.S. President George W. Bush. The candidates universally condemned the failures in Iraq and said they would bring troops home. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he would end the war on his first day as president, coupled with diplomatic efforts to rebuild the country.

Edwards showed he was ready to challenge his rivals on the war from his first chance to speak in the debate. "Senator Clinton and anyone else who voted for this war has to search themselves and decide whether they believe they've voted the right way," Edwards said. Dodd, Biden and Edwards also voted for the Iraq war resolution, although all three have said they regret it.

Clinton responded that she did as good a job as she could with the information she had at the time, and said the focus now should be on how to get out of Iraq — which she said she would do as president if Mr. Bush did not do it first. Even though she was the front-runner, it was the only time she was called on to rebut a challenge.

The differences between Clinton, Obama and Edwards were on display at one point when moderator Brian Williams set up a familiar scenario of two U.S. cities attacked simultaneous by al Qaeda and asked the three how they would respond. Edwards and Clinton said they would swiftly retaliate. Obama did not mention retribution for al Qaeda, but instead spoke about how he would make sure there was an effective emergency response, correct intelligence and a conversation with global allies.

Obama later got a chance to talk about how seriously he takes threats to the United States, after liberal longshots Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel said Obama's declaration that all options are on the table with Iran amounted to a threat of war.

Obama responded that it would be a mistake to initiate war with Iran, but the country's nuclear programs pose a major threat to the United States. As Kucinich and Obama talked over one another, Gravel jumped in to complain that the United States has refused to disarm its nuclear weapons.

"Who the hell are we going to nuke?" Gravel shouted. "Tell me, Barack. Barack, who do you want to nuke?"

Obama smiled to cool the heated exchange. "I'm not planning to nuke anybody right now, Mike, I promise," he said to laughter from the crowd.

"Good," Gravel said happily. "We're safe then, for a while."

[xsoldier2]

The only way the Democrats can "play it safe" is if they finally get rid of that nasty Hitlery woman and start supporting a real candidate...
Posted by GunOwnerDan at 01:10 PM : Apr 27, 2007


Good post Dan

[gunownerdan]

The only way the Democrats can "play it safe" is if they finally get rid of that nasty Hitlery woman and start supporting a real candidate...

[xsoldier2]

The best health care plan I herd was to provide everyone a tax brake of 2K to buy health insurance. If someone wanted a higher cost plan he had to put money with it if some one wanted a lesser plan he would put less with it. Very similar to how we treat car insurance. Unemployed will still receive the tax benefit. That will bring health care down. Democrats don%u2019t like it because it isn%u2019t their idea and they can%u2019t male people believes they are getting an entitlement from them. It also won%u2019t keep people down

[xsoldier2]

I hope history will show the truth. The media only prints half the story

[xsoldier2]

Who ever said the Iraq was wrong? Most Republicans and Democrats supported going to war in the first place and presented many good reasons. Now that the Democrats can use it to gain political power they will deny that they wanted to go. The have deserted the troops and care less what happens to them. We had to go to war with out all the equipment needed because of president Clintons no funding of the Military.

Labeled as the first debate seems out of line with the fixuns that were presented. A debate is assumed to be one of fairness - equal time and questions to all on the panel. However, for some reason the show did not appear to come off that way. Dennis Kucinich has very good ideas on [1] exit strategy from Iraq being quite different from other proposals in that it is a plan to get it done with out the STAY THE COURSE attitude - which is the norm presently being worked in Congress. [2] Ideas on a health plan applicable to all under insured or uninsured with complete directions for paying for the plan. [3] Ideas for taking %u201Cwar%u201D out of the selection of solutions to arguments is a once in a life time matter that surely needs to massaging. Every other candidate quickly reverts to keeping %u201Cmilitary on the table%u201D. Not one instance can be recalled rightfully where a military action for forcing another body to adhere to desires has ever been successful. The most logical and thoughtful solutions should be non-violent negotiations. His plans of governmental management include such. [4] Making those who are responsible for the Iraq invasion publicly acknowledged and dealt with according to the severity of their wrongful deeds. It is apparent that others have rhetoric but no action responses.

[xsoldier2]

I have never seen a plan by the Democrats for anything they do. I just here slogans. They always make up names for the opposition. None of their statements are ever factual, if you want to check their facts they will send you to one of their own sources. Never an in depended source. My point can be observed by reading their post.

[xsoldier2]

Coming from a frat boy supporter, I'll take brains any day...


huskerarmy I know you will I hope they will help you, at least give you some.

[huskerarmy]

"It is his record that counts. And that don't look all that good." Posted by xsoldier2
Coming from a frat boy supporter, I'll take brains any day...

[xsoldier2]

The debate did nothing. It didn%u2019t accomplish anything. Except to show the character of the people running. And that is a sad show.