Thoughts of the Presidential Debate at Howard University.

From the Carpetbagger Report:

Last night’s debate of Democratic presidential candidates was the third of the campaign, and though it was dedicated largely to domestic issues and challenges facing the African-American community — there were no questions, for example, about the war in Iraq — it was probably the most substantive of the three.

It was the first debate in which education was discussed in any detail, it was the first debate to talk about AIDS policy, it was the first to address mandatory minimums, the war on drugs, and flaws in the criminal justice system. The first two debates had eye-rolling questions about an official U.S. language and a series of raise-your-hand inquiries, but this debate, held at the historically-black Howard University in DC, skipped the nonsense.

It was also unfailingly fair. There were eight questions, and each of the eight candidates got to respond to each one. With eight questions and eight candidates, they each got a turn going first. In previous debates, top-tier candidates tended to get more time; last night, equality reigned. I’m sure the candidates appreciated it.

As for “winners” and “losers,” I suspect this debate didn’t shake up the race too much, though a question about AIDS policy turned out to be the highlight of the night. NPR’s Michel Martin asked the candidates, “[W]hat is the plan to stop and to protect these young people from this scourge?” After several candidates gave a variety of good answers, Hillary Clinton said:

CLINTON: You know, it is hard to disagree with anything that has been said, but let me just put this in perspective. If HIV/AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34, there would be an outraged outcry in this country. (Cheers, applause.)

The applause was so enthusiastic, it pretty much made HRC the “winner” of the night. I’d add, however, that Joe Biden immediately followed Clinton, and suggested the key to combating AIDS is prevention: “I got tested for AIDS. I know Barack got tested for AIDS. There’s no shame in being tested for AIDS. It’s an important thing.”

Obama shot Biden a tough glare, Al Sharpton looked disgusted, and the audience laughed nervously. When

Biden was done with his answers, Obama interjected:

OBAMA: Tavis, Tavis, Tavis, I just got to make clear — I got tested with Michelle. (Laughter, applause.) When we were in Kenya in Africa. So I don’t want any confusion here about what’s going on. (Applause continues.)
It made Obama the debate’s other winner.


Other random observations from my notes:

* Clinton was excellent in showing “toughness” on Darfur policy.
* It must have been exceedingly hot on the stage; most of the candidates were sweating profusely.
* Obama was way more relaxed than he was in the first two debates.
* Dodd always seems to get screwed in these debates; last night he was on the far-right flank of the stage and he had to follow Gravel.
* Speaking of Gravel, he concluded the debate by insisting that the other candidates do not have “moral judgment,” and they have “proven it by the simple fact of what they’ve done.” Time to seriously consider whether to keep inviting this guy to the debates.

* Digby’s right: all the Dem candidates “are so much better than the non-sequitor dribbling absurdists on the Republican side that every time I see them I feel a little bit better about the future.”