In a normal debate audience expression is usually unfair and distracting. In a Presidential debate between opposing parties it is more so because the audience is split right down the middle by design, yet the reaction to Senator Benson's famous retort to Dan Quayle, was I think spontaneous and irrepressible.
Politicians are pron to hyperbole, exaggeration and even unkind and unfair remarks when attacking an opponent. During a primary debates the audience, which is often undecided, can at times be an appropriate censor to such unfairness, which I think describes Ms. Clinton's "Xerox" line.

Sent by john dann | 10:58 AM ET | 02-23-2008

I second the emotion of that boooo from the audience last Thursday night. As I wrote on a blog I keep on politics and pop culture (more on politics these days), that Xerox comment from Clinton was just out of line.

Also, for someone like her questioning Obama's lack of originality in his use of words; I have a hard time believing the Xerox comment was really hers.

Sent by Moji | 11:09 AM ET | 02-25-2008

It turns out that Hillarys finest moment during the Austin Democratic debate-- you know the one at the very end of the debate, where she really connected with the voters by talking about how the hits she had taken were nothing compared with the ones Americans were taking-- were actually Xerox moments. The idea and the words were lifted from a 1992 Bill Clinton speech. This is not being reported generally, but I saw it on CNN:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/22/clinton-faces-claims-of-borrowed-language/

This says alot about her character, and voters need to know.

... I also want to tell you how much I appreciate your show. It is what radio journalism should be-- intelligent, lively, interesting, informative, and unbiased.

Sent by Molly P. | 12:40 PM ET | 02-25-2008