Hear the Thunder
columnist: Gary Wood

Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Clinton, Obama Play Nice

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After what happened in the Republican debate last night tonight was a different story.

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by Gary Wood
(Conservative Libertarian)
Friday, February 1, 2008

Tonight's CNN debate was quite a contrast to the disaster we saw last night with the Republican candidates. To be fair, Governor Huckabee tried to get involved as much as possible and remained calm under the circumstances. Congressman Ron Paul was, as always, a gentleman despite the blatant tendency to ignore him and silence his Constitutional message. Senator McCain and Governor Romney took the debate structure to a whole new level. The senior statesman of the Republican Party, looking more likely than ever to become the nominee, showed a stubborn, childish side that has many shaking their head despite another endorsement today by a big name in politics, Governor Schwarzenegger of California.

Having fought and squabbled in the past, having a trail of dirty politics over the past couple of weeks one has to wonder if Senators Clinton and Obama didn't watch the debate the night before and make a pact to conduct themselves like adults. From the outset it appeared there would be no fireworks to report on from these two candidates. Did they differ? Yes. Were there subtle jabs? Yes. Did they get into a schoolyard, verbal pushing match like we witnessed last night? Absolutely not, in fact at the end of the debate they stood and exchange a hug and a laugh.

Can you imagine what they were saying? "We sure looked a lot more adult and Presidential than the two last night!" "Yeah, there's no way we can lose to those kids, this will be fun no matter who wins...but of course that will be me!" Yes, if any undecided voter tuned in the vote would have to go to one of these two based on adult behavior, if you can agree on their issues of course.

One interesting moment was near the end when the question came up about whether either would consider the other to be their running mate despite the heated campaign. The audience exploded in a long, rambunctious round of applause. When the noise level calmed down there was a time to truly listen to what both said. Of course neither answered directly, that wouldn't be protocol at this stage of the campaign. Yet, as Wolf Blitzer verified with "So that's a yes then," both left the door open for the other.

No matter which of these two gains the nomination for the Democratic Party history will be made. This was the very first time we've witnessed two finalists for a major party Presidential nominee representing diversity in both gender and race. Combine the two on a single ticket and the Republican Party really has something to worry about. Well, actually, even if you don't the GOP has plenty to worry about. With the huge Democratic voter turnout in the primaries, combined with the childish behavior of the two front-runners, its beginning to look as if they have less of a chance than the unknown third-party or Independent candidate sure to join in during the general election campaign.

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2008 by Gary Wood
- Permission to copy with attribution granted.

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2008 Gary Wood, all rights reserved.
Published: Friday, February 1, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 1, 2008

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