Dem Debate "Love-In" a WIN for the Party!

CNN Transcript Summary:

Iraq: Both Obama and Clinton said they support ending the war.

Healthcare: "It is so important that as Democrats, we carry the banner of universal health care"

Immigration: Both support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR):

1. tighten our borders

2. crack down on employer who exploit workers, both those who are undocumented and those who are here as citizens, or legal, if we can do more to help local communities cope with the cost that they often have to contend with, if we do more to help our friends to the south create more jobs for their own people, and if we take what we know to be the realities that we confront.

3. For the 12 to 14 million people here:

a. come out of the shadows

b. register everyone. if felonious criminal, deport.

c. Vast Majority, path to legalization by paying fine, pay back taxes, learn English, wait in line.

d. Against MASS Deportation: "Voices from the other side of the aisle... are living in some other universe, talking about deporting people, rounding them up...Don´t Agree!"

Once we have those conditions met.. then, they will not be in a labor market that undercuts anybody else's wages.

Differences:

1. Driver´s License Now: Obama Yes, Hillary No - wait for CIR

2. Impact to African American wages: Obama - "All poor are feeling economically insecure right now. Attributing Innercity poverty to immigrants is scapegoating." Hillary - "employers who exploit undocumented workers and drive down wages, there are job losses...So, I know that what we have to do is to bring our country together to have a comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) solution."

Best One-Liners:

. "It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush," she said.

. The Republicans are going to call you "tax-and-spend" liberal Democrats, and that's a charge that's been effective in the past. How are you going to counter that charge? OBAMA: "Well, first of all, I don't think the Republicans are going to be in a real strong position to argue fiscal responsibility, when they have added $4 trillion or $5 trillion worth of national debt. I am happy to have that argument."

. CNN's Wolf Blitzer noted that many Democrats have said they'd like to see a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket in November. (Neither ruled out the possibility of selecting the other as a running mate. )

Hillary A Beacon of Light!

Hillary Clinton, our next President, was a beacon of light on the stage last evening. In the midst of the political debate, through the onslought of slings and arrows, the "gotcha" question was asked.

Tim Russert, frothing at the mouth to be the pundit that finally "got her" disobeyed the "Lightning Round" format repeated by his partner Brian Williams, several times throughout the evening.

Even though Hillary answered the question intelligently, even though Dodd, the weakest and lowest scoring candidate lied about her answer to the question and began his attack on her, Russert, still frothing, continued his attack.

Hillary is tough and swiftly took on all of her naysayers. She is a strong and able future President. Of course now, all of the nutcases like Limbaugh, Dobbs and Tancredo are continuing the attack. What do you expect.

Russert´s Question: "You said Gov Spitzer´s plan make a lot of sense..."

Hillary´s Answer: "What Gov Spitzer is trying to do is fill the vacuum of the failure by this Administration to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. I believe we need to get back to Comprehensive Immigration Reform." (She said it made sense given the circumstances, not that she supported it nor was it the ideal solution.)

Had I been Hillary, when Dodd attacked, I would have added, "Are you advocating Mass Deportation of the 12M? If not, then you are just like the current Administration. They continue to partner with Business to bring in and employ these workers. You are content to live in a Political Hypocrisy, let the 12M live in the shadows, drive on our roads, invisible and without identity. That is the true double speak that continues to thrive in our current administration and which you apparently are supporting. Our economy cannot withstand the Mass Deportation of 12M people. I ask anyone, anyone in Congress or any legitimate economist to prove otherwise. If you do not advocate Mass Deportation, then you need to say so, forthrightly. It is time we bring the 12M out of the shadows. We need Comprehensive Immigration Reform."

Hillary will survive and continue to be strong through to election time. She can expect continued attacks. She is a strong person. The next time someone asks her the question, she should ask the question, "Are you advocating Mass Deportation of the 12M?" Asked and Answered.

PS: Go Claire McCaskill!!! She is a Hero on the Senate Floor!!