She's blogging from New Hampshire and has some interesting insight:

"Obama represents a whole new generation of politicians. Part of his appeal is simply that he wasn't on the public stage a decade ago. Part of it is his voice and his oratory skills. Part of it is the way he approaches problems, and part of it is that he represents America. His background, his skin, his parentage. There's something in there for everyone. Just by winning Iowa he's changed some people's perceptions of the US. If he takes the White House, it's a whole new image for the U.S.

Whatever reason, something happened last night that was different from all other 100 Club dinners I've ever been to. People left inspired, not just tired."

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

because we stay up later? ;-)

Can't wait to follow along here.

Stefania Pomponi Butler

I'm sitting here in the press hall in Manchester at the ABC/Facebook debate- nothing's really happening yet, and everyone is milling around. The bloggers are in the back, but we are near the food!

I'm seeing lots of my favorite TV reporters, looking chic in suits and Ugg boots. More soon....

So we need live blogging! :-)

ABC is not streaming it, either - at least not that I can find. And this a debate being co-sponsored by a website! Blurgh.

PopConsumer
Beyond Help

Local NH affiliate

http://www.wmur.com/video/14986153/index.html

So liveblogging is out.
I really liked how Gibson kicked off the debate with Iraq. No more ducking. Huckabee has clearly done his cramming on foreign policy, mentioning radical Islamic scholar "Sayid Qutub" (sic) many, many times.

The line thus far of the night when he was asked to characterize his position and Huckabee said, "which one." Major howls here.

I like McCain's focus on "outcome based" medicine. Mary Katharine clarified for me that this means focusing on preventative medicine for the 5 most common (and biggest health insurance cost centers) illnesses, rather that paying out huge bills when people are already sick.

Ok, more Reagan hagiography. More blogging when internet packets come back through! What are you all thinking?

Romney's suggestion that 47 million people in the US who don't have health insurance have chosen to dump the cost of their care on the rest of us is remarkably sloppy and cavalier. Guiliani's bland assertion that we have the health care system in the world seems not be informed by the data on infant mortality, which are rising at alarming rates.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

That so much time is being spent on who can beat Obama.

I also have to add that I like the fact that ABC is bringing research and fact-checking into the questioning.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

But once I did, I agree with you about the Republicans bowing at the altar of St. Reagan.

I love seeing all the candidates go at it a bit without too much interruption. Especially on the topic of illegal immigration. Unlike debates where the reporter is always interjecting questions, the candidates themselves were able to try and pin each other down on particular positions. Like when McCain was pressed on his immigration plan.

Megan
Megan’s Minute

what nice symbolism...yeah right. Are they all going to rush Obama and tackle him? Now that's how they can run against Obama...

Live stream was glitchy...and only caught maybe last 20 minutes of Rebub. debate. I'm an Obama Democrat, but I do try to listen objectively to what all have to say. I really didn't like Romney before tonight, but really, really dislike him now. I was surprised that I'd been watching for maybe 10 minutes before I heard a word out of Huckabee. Was he a more active participant early on?

Wondering what Hillary thinks of all that "Why you instead of Obama?" stuff. :)

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Josh Marshall on Mitt:

"...he was being slapped around up there like the dorky kid in the High School locker room." :)

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Not to mention it took me forever to give up trying to make it work on Firefox and moved over to IE. Glad to see the discussion going on here and I hope to catch the Repubs on the West Coast feed here in an hour.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Did anyone else hear Hillary go on about a possible terrorist attack after the elections...and that she is the only one who could handle something like that?? (It was on CNN earlier today).

She totally lost me at that moment.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at CatherineBlogs.com and The Political Voices of Women

http://www.wmur.com/video/14986142/index.html

And the Republican debate just ended. Depressing night for tv in DC.

When it ended I just went "eh." Cannot abide Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee, either one. And who else is in this from this side?

The bipartisan confab at the end was interesting. I'm just looking for some inspiration here, people. And maybe someone who seems like a capable leader. So far, not feeling either.

Thanks for the coverage Morra, I love when you're on the scene. : )

Laurie
LaurieWrites

someone wrote they were thinking "they understand why Bill hooked up with Monica" and the Barack is a Muslim smear. Yuck. I don't think they are archiving though...

You have to give Hillary Clinton credit. She knows her stuff. Her response to Richardson that Musharraf is an elected official who can't just be pushed out of office by the US without compromising the integrity of their electoral process was a good one. Also, she was the only one who mentioned Pakistan's fear of a possible attack from India.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

That's where all the media and pundits rush to after the debate to give soundbites. It's in the gym at the college- ABC has managed to build a nice set around it.
"Spinning" for the Republicans:
Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul. A little lonely.

Protectionist Tom Tancredo stumping for Romney. That is a big yuck to me. Why would Romney identify with such an extremist? Immigration vote, I guess.
Bay Buchanan (Pat's sister) also for Romney

Sen. Lindsey Graham spinning for McCain, very popular...

and Joe Scarborough was the big celebrity on the scene, not on duty as a reporter I think, just taking it in.

here

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Is it just me, or does Hillary look pissed...ever since she sat down? I don't see how that look she has tonight is going to serve her well. I can't read the look...does she think the debate process is beneath her? Does she resent being in the 4th seat? Anybody else perceive it that way?

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur