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

They are going at it.

Hillary: we are all advocating for change. We all want to get rid of Bush. But you don't make change by just calling for it...hard work.

Clinton says Obama not consistent on health care...Obama says, check out the AP.

And then Clinton to Obama: you stop short of going the distance for those who need health care....changes his positions on many issues.

Have you noticed it's "John" tonight- not Senator Edwards? Are Obama and Clinton condescending?

Oh, SNAP, John Edwards (to Hillary!) :)

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Sorry, I know that's snarky...but I happen to believe that the Clintons play dirty...

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Biggest negatives so far on Clinton accusing Obama of flip flopping

And interesting to see Edwards attacking Clinton for attacking Obama for attacking Edwards - oh the posturing!

Clinton accuses Obama of saying one thing and doing another"You said you would vote against the PATRIOT ACT, and you voted for it. You said you would vote against the war and you voted for it." Obama doesn't respond directly to that, but says Clinton distorted his health care plan. Now Edwards is calling Clinton the "forces of the status quo."

Clinton: "What we need is someone who can deliver change."

Richardson:"I've been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Negative reaction from voters - Clinton needs a different message

Edwards on Hillary's change message: "I didn't hear these kinds of comments from Senator Clinton when she was ahead..."

And then Hillary gets angry. I loved it. She effectively pointed out that she had made laws, not just talked about change. Keep it up.

Richardson: is change a leper? I love change though (Hillary please make me your VP)

"Change" might be the "reformer" of this primary cycle...

and now, onto Iraq. Gibson: Are any of you ready to say the surge has worked?
Clinton: surge is nothing without political reconciliation. That didn't happen....troops should come home.

Obama: Bar has become so low we've lost perspective on what should have been our national interest. We never should have gone in...back where we started 2 years ago at too high a cost. Need a phased redeployment to send a clear signal to Iraqi Govt: we won't be there in perpetuity.

I don't think she looks pissed. I think she looks tired. Can imagine they all are. And making it a lovefest kind of defeats the point.

I want to be much more impressed by Obama than I am.

And Professor Kim, I'm with you - I was an early Hillary supporter and have since gone to the land of the undecided, where I remain. Say what they will about her - she kind of knows what's up. I also believe that as much as people trash her for things relevant and not to this whole thing, she can afford to be a little feisty.

Again, not making a call, just sayin'. ;)

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Jumping off live feed and switching on ABC to watch first part of Republican debate that I missed...will catch end of Democratic one on the tape delay...

The Land of Moo

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Moderator to Clinton: You are seen as more experienced, but Obama is more well-liked...

Clinton could have sealed that by pointing out that Bush was seen as well-liked, without a lot of experience when he was a candidate. Look where that got us.

It scares me that people would vote for someone based on if they'd like to have a drink with them versus voting for someone based on the belief that they could do the job well.

(Not saying Obama couldn't do the job well. Just pointing out the insanity of judging candidates as being "well-liked".)

Christina
A Mommy Story

For those of us on the West Coast just now tuning in: keep this amazing discussion going!

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain