NPR: Ohio Debate Tougher, But No Knockout Blows

Ohio Debate Tougher, But No Knockout Blows

The judges' scorecards are in. And the winner is ... it's a tie.

That's the general take-away from political commentators and pundits after last night's Democratic debate in Cleveland. Ohio. Most observers felt that the debate was polite but tougher than last week's debate in Texas. But neither candidate was able to land a knock out blow, and that is more of a problem for Hillary Clinton than Barack Obama.

The Los Angeles Times writes that the "moment of truth" that Clinton needed never came. While she was able to nudge him throughout the evening deploying "everything in her arsenal," Obama "played out the clock" and "while he did not walk away unscathed from the debate, the damage Clinton inflicted was minor."

"No runs, no hits, no errors," said veteran Democratic political strategist Bill Carrick, who is not aligned with either candidate. "They both drew blood, but they did it cautiously. That was perfectly fine for Obama, but Hillary needed something more dramatic. She didn't get it."

The Boston Globe reports that at times last night "Clinton's frustration at her position was evident." San Francisco Chronicle blogger Carolyn Lochhead said Clinton "again failed to knock front-runner Sen. Barack Obama off stride..."

An analysis of the debate by The Associated Press said the candidates had "some testy exchanges" but that it was "a mostly somber and policy-filled debate that seemed unlikely to alter the political calculus of the race."

6:00 AM ET | 02-27-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Senator Obama revealed himself as the ultimate diplomat in the Ohio debate. It matters that Senator Clinton has not filed her taxes in a timely manner. Every candidate is busy. There is no excuse. It reinforces my instincts that her advisors are not up to completing the tasks which should not be put on the back burner. I know Obama will be here in forty years when I am long gone from this earth, so I have to trust him to bring all the nations of the world together in peace. I don't think Hillary Clinton has the stamina to be the best America has to offer.

Sent by Lisa Helgenberg | 11:16 AM ET | 02-27-2008

I thought this was actually a good debate. Both contenders were equipped to go up against one another. Obama has learned to debate nationally against one of the fiercest and best debaters in the Country. However, with the rhetoric that Hillary Clinton used against Barack Obama during the week leading up to the debate, she needed a knockout blow to really show the American people that she is tougher and better. She wasn't able to accomplish that. In my mind, Obama won debate based on his ability to fend off the blows, get in some licks of his own, and do it all without coming across as mean spirited or weak.

I totally admire Hillary Clinton, but feel we haven't yet found the right woman to hold the banner. She brings too much baggage (which she calls experience) into the campaign. She will serve the Country much better as a Senator than President.

Sent by crissy | 12:38 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I understand why Senator Clinton is annoyed by getting the first question 6 out of 10 times in the debates. When she answers first, Senator Obama seems to get the last word in. I know that whoever gets the last word is the one whose response resonates; I think Senator Clinton is aware of that as well.
I am, as yet, undecided on who to vote for but I do know that I have to work hard to actually listen to what the candidates say, and to not be manipulated or swayed by the way the debate format flows.

Sent by Janice Grover | 1:04 PM ET | 02-27-2008

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