Debate

Tonight was the Las Vegas Democratic debate between the three remaining candidates of the Democratic Party, Clinton, Edwards, and Obama. It was a great way to understand more of their opinions on the big issues like the economy, the environment, the military, welfare, health care, etc. Shrewd viewers can even sift through the rhetoric to uncover the candidates' true opinions, and the weaknesses in their views. I recommend looking at it if you didn't watch it tonight; I'm sure it can be found on youtube or some such.

That being said, my first impressions seemed to gravitate again to Barack Obama, as it has been more and more since he first announced his candidacy. He seems to have viewpoints and plans I really agree with, and truly understand the reality of many complex situations. Edwards, by contrast, is more extreme than the other two, and his goals seem too infeasible when grouped together. Too much money going out to programs (which are good ideas on paper) but no real way to finance them realistically. Hillary Clinton has always rubbed me the wrong way, and has never seemed genuine. Her overconfidence is something that I find a negative trait rather than positive.

Unfortunately, the pundits analyzing the debate after the fact seem to think that Hillary came off really strong and seems the most viable candidate at the moment, which I didn't really see at the time. I understand how they came to that position now, but it all seems like they were judging her rhetoric and confidence rather than the actual content of her answers, which honestly weren't all that compelling (though now I might be unintentionally biased). She seems to be trying to undermine the Obama campaign by aligning her views with him, and not the other way around, and playing up her experience, which is nothing to sniff at. However, I think there is something to be said for new blood, and all the experience in the world doesn't necessarily mean that you are a better fit for the presidency if your ideas and presence in politics are stale and unexciting.