Presidential debates on ABC right now-both parties

Shirley...I think that depends on the audience. I have listened to Obama talk on various subjects and in various settings and he seems to be black when the majority is black and he seems to be white when the majority are white and in a mixed crowd he comes across neither black nor white. I find that interesting.

I also do not in any way shape or form have any respect for the minister he claims was responsible for his conversion to Christianity, that guy is about as scarey as Huckabee.

And Amy...of course you do not see the similarity of "having a black friend" and "first black president" I wouldn't have expected anything else from you.  

I must have grown so much over the years.  I know there's still those who do not think like I do.  I don't see the color of his darker skin as far as being the president anymore than I see Hillary as a woman.  I look at their character, what they have to offer, do I trust them, or are they full of bull!

Our country is very fragile (IMO) right now.  I feel we need someone who understands foreign policy.  It scares the $#!+ out of me to think our Commander in Chief doesn't know one darn thing about foreign policy.  Of course I hope he has dependable people feeding him dependable info.  But I truly worry about terrorists trying again to come into our country and harm more people.  Huckabee might be a "good" person just as every other person that's running.  However, he knows squat about foreign policy.

I haven't made my mind up.  I will be listening, and listening, and listening.  However, I don't think Obama has enough experience for this job.

Oh, this is going to be ANOTHER fun election year.    I probably should be like Abadoodles and keep my mouth  !

Shirley

I didn't see the teary performance but I read about it and am amazed that it happened, I never would have thought the ice queen would break up in public.

If she got the nom, which she wont,I  would vote Repug.But NOT for Mitt, or Huckabee.If it was that, I would decline to vote.

I believe miss HILLARY broke up today because she's a menopausal ,spoiled brat who is now running third.(Why doesnt she rach into her ^^^^35 years of experience?******)One minute she is acting real tough and strident, rudely interrupting, talking over Obama (the gent).The next she is glassy-eyed and breaking up?Anyone else would be called schitzy.HILLARY  is showing a perfect example of why "they" dont WANT a woman president.PMSing.At an inopportune time.(I bet given the option she'd "press the red button if it blew Obama away.)This woman is SERIOUSLY spoiled.I think she thinks allowing Bill his piccadillos made her into a saint the country owes the presidency too.HAHAHA jokes on HER!It's all blowing up in her face! I bet she's be REAL now, if she only had depth of character and COULD!

Yep, I'm angry.Because I do hope for a woman president.But NOT ms Clinton.And she is pushing the cause waaaaay back, for the next woman candidate.

Shirley, I agree with you! Someone who is familiar w/foreign policy IS needed for president.Bill Richardson is the guy.IHMO.

BUT...Obama has IT.And is bright enough, I think, to surround himself with very, very good advisors.

When I saw that..I turned on Fox news here...I was very upset. If she is breaking down during a campaign..how will she manage during the very difficult presidency when she will have not only her supporters but a lot of non-supporters who will tear her to shreads throughout the 4 years.

Granted, she can't be strong every minute, but to break down in public is not very presidentially impressive, in my eyes.

Shirley, is Tiger Woods 50/50 too??? Seriously doubt when trying to hail a cab in NYC it matters much.

Paulette- your passive-aggressive comments are frightening if that's truly the way you see the world.

Hillary's tears were a huge turn off and shock for me. I undertstand where they probably came from and exhaustion didn't help. When I think of her as being presidential, I don't think that bodes well. What if the same thing happened when she was discussing difficulties with a foreign government? I don't think tears are a sign of weakness, only that there is a time and place for them. If her eyes had welled up over 9/11 (on the day of) or even the death of a soldier, I'd think that was a more appropriate public display of emotions. 

Amy...the same could be said for you...and when I want a diagnoses I will ask for one until then refrain from playing doctor.

Amy,

Regardless of whether or not his reaction was justified, Mondale buried himself with his tears.  Unfortunately, perception is reality and a leader perceived as weak becomes weak.  I wish it weren't so, but that's the way it is.  Again, JMHO.

I agree with you about the tears Susie.

I would go for an Obama/Bloomberg ticket- not a McCain/Bloombery one because gay rights and a woman's right to chose her medical path are too important to me to ever vote for McCain.

I agree with you about Hillary's tears Shirley. It incenses me that she's using that today to talk about how it helped people related to her blah blah blah. I was disappointed about the results for the dems, not so much for the republicans. The exit polls of women voters disappointed me in that many said they related to her more after she cried. The pundits are saying (though they sure got the predictions wrong)that women felt Hillary was being "picked on" because of her gender which I think marginalizes her candidacy. To me that's insulting as a woman. I would never vote for or against a candidate because of gender, race, religion etc, as much as I hope to see qualified candidates of different races, genders and religions in the oval office.

What do you think about Richardson, Nicki? He doesn't have a shot in hell of getting the nomination, but as far as experience goes what are your opinions on him? I'm impressed.

I'm having a hard time equating Hillary's  experience as an attorney, first lady and sophomore senator as 35 years of experience in "this business".

What a magic carpet ride this is going to be!



Emotion is human .... when it's real. She seemed sincere ... and when she added "I don't want to go backward"--well, every woman knew what she was saying. But I still don't want a woman in the white house simply because she is a woman.



Me too I'm trying to equate the 35 years experience issue...a statement that no analyst seems to want to question...or at least none that I've come by. Again, it might be the woman issue.



I remember that she was an attorney...don't remember her significant contributions as such in this regard other than some shady real estate deals, etc. that her opponents spotlighted along with other issues.



But this also reminded me of the "corporate wife". Given the framework for woman to succeed in a WASP, male dominated society (I remember it well), then there is credence to some of what she is saying. However, there were many other women over the centuries who accomplished as much without the leg up from a man.



However, the woman who stands by her man during his career, raises his children, tends the home (talk about budgets!)....a confidant to him....and if she is intelligent with indirect access to proprietary information, then she conceivably could translate that "experience" into a career of her own. The problem with this is that there is not measure, no record, no accountability for those years of "pillow talk". As first lady, she was active in many social issues, and sometimes those activities were questioned by observers who asked by what authority she availed to these tasks.



I just don't know how I feel about all of this today. I still have homework to do.



It is not possible to eliminate the gender issue from this campaign...or the race issue...or the religion issue....or the record issues.



But love this thread! After checking the news channels, this was the first place I wanted to come to see how NH went.



I finally figured out what IMO or IMHO meant...cute. So, IMHO, the issue of whether a black is black when they are 50/50? What the heck is "white"? How far back does one go to determine this status? And, what percentage? The origin of our species "whitened" as they migrated north....and genes muted....as well as pigments. I think I remember this correctly. Just curious...I don't want to stir the pot.



My heritage is English/French/Irish and maybe American Indian. And who knows what before the designation was any one of these "formally".



Susie, I steamed NPR online ... also monitored the CNN web site which is like the stats for a professional sport team...very helpful....but I could do without the monday morning quarterbacks.

Amy,



well written....but I think some of these issues that you raised are a matter of age and perspective.



Politics were just as dirty before Clinton as since....it's communication forms that changed.



.....what I remember from Sociology courses is that people with diverse view points come together at times of crisis then move apart again after the crisis passes.....no matter what the nationality....a matter of human behavior. I agree that it would be more than "nice" to see Americans unite again behind the spirit of democracy....it would be inspiring indeed. On this point I agree with whoever talked about the true nature of Americans.....socialized under a really terrific Constitution....from all walks of life....Americans.