Ohio Debate: Reaction To Democratic Debate In Cleveland on MSNBC (February 26)

Who Won The Democratic Ohio Debate?
WINNERS: Health care as an issue, Tim Russert for pressing for answers.
LOSERS: Brian William who never seemed to gain real control of this debate.
EVEN: Clinton and Obama. Neither gained a lot of ground or lost a lot of it. The debate itself was just average. ((WATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW))

The Ohio Democratic Debate kicked off in Cleveland on MSNBC with Hillary Clinton addressing her concerns about the Barack Obama-supported pamphlets in Ohio attacking here health care plan. Brian Williams next addressed the Barack Obama picture first reported on the 'Drudge Report'.. Clinton denied knowing anything about it. Obama said he took her at her word and wanted to move on. Good. Let's get on to more serious issues. Williams and Tim Russert moderated the debate between Obama and Clinton. It was expected to be a last-ditch attempt by Clinton to salvage her campaign run. I think both candidates left the debate the same way they entered. Here's how the debate unfolded.

• Williams tried to continue questioning after Obama answered concerns about the photo and health care pamphlets. Clinton interrupted to provide more support for her health care plan. She is clearly trying to align her health care plan with former candidate John Edwards. Obama answered. Williams again tried to move on but Clinton objected and continued on her health care explanation. Obama continued to follow-up. It already feels like Williams will have trouble controlling this debate. This got ugly for Williams as a host.

• After 16 minutes about health care and finally gaining control, Williams moved on to question both candidates about NAFTA. Clinton's answer was defensive. She referenced 'Saturday Night Live' and the skit that suggested the media is giving Obama a free ride. She wondered why she always gets asked the first question. Obama appears to be on the offensive more in this debate than others... pointing directly to shifts in positions from Clinton.
• Tim Russert continues questions about NAFTA. He used his usual Russert pattern of pulling quotes and facts from historical data to confront current issues. Clinton tried to answer. Russert interrupted. She tried to answer. Russert told Clinton she was changing her answers and that her record was very clear. Read the Associated Press Fact Check about NAFTA and the candidates.
• Russert moved on to press Obama on the same issue. Obama agreed with Clinton. He was not challenged at all by Russert the way Clinton was. There appeared to be no balance in the way Russert challenged Clinton and Obama. Obama was not challenged on any points in his 2 minute answer.
• Russert challenged both candidates on Iraq and Afghanistan. He pushed for specifics in what seemed like "what if" scenarios. He paints these questions in this fashion a lot on 'Meet the Press'.
• Williams must have been frustrated by this debate. He kept trying to gain control but Clinton was persistent. At one point as he tried to toss to the first break, he almost begged her to hold her answers until after the commercial.
• Someone wasn't watching the clock as both candidates were slow to return to their seats at the start of the second segment. As if losing control of the debate wasn't enough, Williams tossed to a tape for his first question out of the break that turned out to be the wrong tape. He expected an Obama tape. It was a Clinton tape.
• The tape was finally ready. It was of Obama claiming Clinton selectively picks what she takes credit for. Williams' question about "your assertion that Senator Clinton considered herself a co-president" was a softball question. It afforded him the chance to just respond in any way her wanted to the issue but not a specific question.
• Russert challenged Obama on why he won 't commit to a public financing agreement for the fall campaign. Obama stumbled through a failed attack on John McCain's public financing issues. Russert further challenged Obama about whether he would opt out of public matching funds.
• Russert challenged Clinton why she and Bill Clinton would not release their tax statements. Clinton said she will release her financial records "upon becoming the nominee... or earlier." Russert also asked Clinton whether she supports opening the records of her public activities while first lady.
• Russert asked Obama about the Nation of Islam and Louis Farrahkan support. Obama said he did not solicit the support. When Russert challenged him on whether he rejects the support, Obama dodged the answer.

• Russert continued to push Obama on other religious issues. At this point in the debate, it appeared Russert targeted serious questions toward Obama instead of the earlier softballs from Williams.
• Williams returned from commercial break to ask Obama about how he could run a fall campaign after the National Journal rated him more liberal than Ted Kennedy.
• Russert asked the candidates a general knowledge question about "What can you tell me about the man who will succeed Putin (in Russia)" It was a sly attempt to see just what these candidates knew about a man who will be a challenge to the next U.S. president. When Clinton didn't mention Medvedev's name, Russert asked her. She stumbled but managed the name. Obama was not asked a similar question. Conspiracy theorists will question why Clinton was yet again a target this way while Obama was not.

• Williams asked the final question of Obama first. He asked Obama about what Clinton must answer before she could be a nominee/president.

• CHECK OUT OTHER RECENT POSTS
  The Obama Picture: The Mass Media Fell For It
  The Democratic Ohio Debate: What A Stroke of Luck for MSNBC
  Who Won The Texas Debate (February 21)

MSNBC Democratic Debate In Cleveland: What A Stroke Of Luck For Brian Williams and Tim Russert

MSNBC will host the next Democratic debate Tuesday night from Cleveland. If you’re MSNBC, you couldn’t be much more lucky. The Democratic debates so far have been among the most watched in history. Now, the Brian Williams – Tim Russert hosted debate will take center stage because of the growing tensions between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The battle heated up this weekend as Clinton laid a challenge of “see you in Cleveland” toward Obama following a spat about health care pamphlets. Look for this debate to be huge in ratings and effects on the campaign.

MSNBC will have a challenge to live up to the debates on ABC and CNN. The two combine for the seven more watched debates so far this year. The ABC debates lead the pack by far. But CNN’s cable debates lead all cable debates. The quality of those debates remains to be seen though. I hope NBC realizes the importance of a serious focus on issues and explanations. I hope producers and planners don’t get tied into the time box and flashing red lights to cut off candidate comments. Let the debate about serious issues drive the time. It will make my time watching much more appreciated.

By the way, here’s the previous debate ratings ranker (fromn TVNewser.com)
Jan. 5 Dems ABC 9,360,000 (total viewers)
Jan. 31 Dem CNN 8,324,000
Jan. 5 GOP ABC 7,350,000
Jan. 21 Dems CNN 4,910,000
Nov. 28 GOP CNN 4,486,000
Nov. 15 Dems CNN 4,036,000
Jan. 30 GOP CNN 4,018,000
Jan. 10 GOP FNC 3,746,000
Sept. 5 GOP FNC 3,207,000
Aug. 19 Dems ABC 2,799,000
June 3 Dems CNN 2,783,000
Jan. 24 GOP MSNBC 2,636,000
July 23 Dems CNN 2,622,000
Jan. 6 GOP FNC 2,576,000
May 15 GOP FNC 2,551,000
Jan. 15 Dems MSNBC 2,498,000
Oct. 30 Dems MSNBC 2,465,000
Oct. 21 GOP FNC 2,462,000
April 26 Dems MSNBC 2,261,000
Sept. 9 Dems Univision 2,194,000
Aug. 5 GOP ABC 2,106,000
June 5 GOP CNN 2,055,000
Dec. 9 GOP Univision 1,822,000
May 3 GOP MSNBC 1,762,000
Sept. 26 Dems MSNBC 1,472,000
Oct. 9 GOP* MSNBC 1,121,000
Oct. 9 GOP* CNBC 1,020,000
Aug. 7 Dems MSNBC 960,000

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Who Won The Texas Debate On CNN With Campbell Brown? (Democratic Debate Reaction February 21)

After watching for two hours, who won the Texas debate on CNN with Campbell Brown? I have my scorecard. I gave the same topics to another journalist watching with me. Plus, please post your comments by clicking at the bottom of the story.

Who Won The Texas Debate On CNN With Campbell Brown?
MY SCORECARD

• The Debate as a whole – (B) – There wasn’t a lot of fire but there was some substance. The answers were allowed to go long enough for candidates to make a point.
• Campbell Brown (B) – I thought she was on a roll. She opened the debate in a strong way. She looked great. She allowed the candidates and the topics to be center stage. She was moving along solidly… UNTIL she lost control during the health care debate. From there, she hobbled along to the finish line. This was far better though than the Anderson Cooper and Wolfe Blitzer debates with Brown hoping the format allowed for more substance.
• Jorge Ramos – (A) – Great. He connected to Texas audience. He connected to the Spanish-speaking audience. I wish he had been given more time in this debate to really drive home the issues of interest to Texas and Latinos.
• John King –(B) – He was pretty good. He pressed for answers when candidates avoided specifics. For some reason, I wanted more from him. The format did not play to his strength of pushing for answers.
• Hillary Clinton – (A-) – She can win the debate. Her trouble is winning the primaries. She was passionate. She was focused. Her best point was the closing answer about defining moments. Her defining moment is the one we all lived with her (Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky). She may have been hurt though by the ‘Xerox’ comment (the audience booed). CHECK OUT SOUNDBITES/CLIPS AT: CampaignBites.com
• Barack Obama – (B+) – He is far stronger in speaking to a large group instead of these debates. His speeches after recent wins have been great. He seems to wilt a bit though when going face to face with other strong candidates and moderators.

CONTRIBUTING SCORECARD: Brandon Benavides (National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Region 6 Director)

• The Debate - (A) - The format allowed the candidates to fully engage each other and explain their differences. We saw Barack's and Hillary's leadership, experience, and manner differences showcased. For the first time, the audience truly participated in the debate. They boo-ed, applauded, and gave a standing ovation. They've been the best audience in the debate season so far.
• Campbell Brown - (D) - Campbell did not control the debate. She had a hard time keeping the candidates on time and on topic. The candidates went on a health care tangent and she could not bring the debate back on topic until the candidates finished their arguments. She came across very personable and human but Campbell was not authoritative.
• Jorge Ramos - (A) - For the first time in recent history, Jorge created a bilingual debate. He questioned the democratic candidates in Spanish and English. Plus, he didn't sugar coat the hard questions. He immediately brought up the controversial topics of Cuba, immigration reform, and the role of a commander-in-chief. He did all of this in a humble manner. Jorge is the co-anchor a national network nightly news program. A job he's held for nearly two decades but he didn't come across as arrogant.
• John King - (C) - John did an average job of asking questions. He executed his task but there was nothing memorable from him. He didn't leave me with anything special.
• Hillary Clinton - (A+) - Hillary came across as a polished presidential candidate. She highlighted her experience, connected with the audience, and satisfied the awe moment. She closed the debate with a memorable explanation on why her tests are trivial compared to the scarifies men and women in the military have faced. Hillary stood her ground and explained her specific programs.
• Barack Obama - (B) - Barack's performance was above average. He stayed on message and stuck to the issues at hand. He connected to the audience and went after Hillary when needed. He had an excellent exchange on key issues: health care, meetings with heads of state, and the war in Iraq.

LIVE BLOGGING NOTES DURING THE DATE

CNN's Campbell Brown opened the Texas debate with a standing ovation from the crowd. I wasn't sure whether Brown could calm the audience so she could continue with the Democratic debate (February 21). Brown looks great and is very confident as the debate starts. Jorge Ramos can seize on the important issues to the many Latinos and many Texans. Watch the CNN debate here.

• Clinton's opening statement was clearly focused on Texas and Ohio. She remains focused on her consistent message of talking to the working class and the middle class. She seems strong and confident.
• Obama's opening statement focused on personal stories. He tried to connect to the voters that he wants to bring to the polls and caucuses. Obama also seems to try to bridge the Democratic alliance between he and Clinton... while pointing to her weaknesses and her strengths.
• Ramos speaks Spanish to start his first question. He asked Clinton about sitting down with the Cuban leaders to set a new course. When Clinton gave an indirect answer, he pressed her for a yes or no.
• Brown followed up with Obama. She also pressed him that his answer tonight was different than his opinion on 2003.
• John King's first question focused on the economy which repeatedly surfaces as the top domestic concern. He then transitioned to asking the two candidates to point out how they are different.
• While most of this blog will focus on the journalists, Clinton's answer to the economic question was passionate and focused. She knew there was a message she wanted to talk about. She talked for 2-3 minutes even over the interruption by Brown.
• Ramos asked a question about raids of homes where illegals are suspected to be living. It was a different spin on the 'immigration issue'.
• King focused a question about the fence along the American-Mexico border. It was another question of specific concern to the people of Texas. When Clinton appeared to not answer his question, he pressed for more clarity, pointing out that a partial fence would just force the problem to move.
• Ramos is doing a great job of connecting the Spanish speaking audience to this debate and the candidates. His question focused on whether a bilingual nation is a good thing.
• COMMERCIAL NOTE: CNN's promotion for Campbell Brown's new show lacked much punch at all during this debate. The spot (see it here) doesn't connect Brown, her strong performance to this point tonight and her new show coming in March.
• King points out the difference in polite tone during this debate and the many speeches on the campaign trail. He asks whether you can say "your opponent is all hat and not cattle."
• Brown asks about the plagiarism questions regarding Obama's speeches. She then follows up asking Clinton whether the campaign is a 'silly season' (mentioned by Obama) Take a look at the YouTube video. Note a phrase that will be repeated by the Clinton campaign "Change you can Xeroz."

• Ramos asked Clinton whether Obama is not prepared to be President. She redirected the answer to health care (which she did not respond to because of a commercial break)
• An ugly scene of Brown losing control of this debate developed when the candidates wanted to continue to talk about health care instead of answering Ramos' question. They continued. Brown interrupted... with no success.
• Ramos asked his question a second time when the candidates were finished talking about health care.
• King asked about 'judgment' especially as it related to the surge in Iraq. He pointed out that both candidates questioned the surge. He suggested there has been a positive effect of the surge.
• Brown pushed for more answers from Obama about the surge.
• King asked Obama why he had not disclosed where $90 million in government earmarks went to. Obama said he had. King also asked Clinton if McCain has a better case to make than her on wasteful spending.
• Ramos asked Clinton about the role of super delegates. Brown pushed Obama for an answer on the same issue.
• As the final question, Brown asked for a defining moment, a moment of crisis, when the candidate was tested.