Debate: Obama Repels Attacks

Some observers speculate that the Connecticut Senator entered the presidential race at the behest of the Clintons; Dodd can freely attack Obama openly without fear of alienating his supporters since the Connecticut senator’s chance of winning the nomination is non-existent.

Presidential Debates

Senator Barack Obama held his own last night in the debates as other leading Democratic Party candidates implied that he hasn’t enough experience to become president.

“If you’re tired of the backbiting and the score keeping and the special interest driven politics of Washington, if you want somebody who can bring the country together around a common destiny than I’m your guy,” the Illinois Senator declared.

Senator Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Senator Chris Dodd all questioned Obama’s preparedness for the White House. Dodd was especially critical. “You’re not going to have time in January of ’09 to get ready for this job,” Dodd said, in remarks pointedly meant for Obama. “You’ve got to be ready immediately for it,” he added.

Some observers speculate that the Connecticut Senator entered the presidential race at the behest of the Clintons; Dodd can freely attack Obama openly without fear of alienating his supporters since the Connecticut senator’s chance of winning the nomination is non-existent. Dodd may be lining up a plum job in a prospective Clinton Whitehouse, these observers believe.

While Clinton has opened a huge margin in national polls, in Iowa, a recent poll of likely voters show Edwards, Obama and Clinton virtually tied. The first party Caucuses will be held in Iowa, hence its importance. There were eight candidates at the ABC Television moderated debates yesterday, including former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich; Senator Joe Biden; and, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

While Obama was ridiculed for ruling out use of nuclear weapons to attack al Qaeda, while at the same time entertaining a pre-emptive strike at terrorist organization’s leaders within Pakistan’s borders, Clinton had to defend why she once ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran. Yet, the other candidates contend Obama’s stance with respect to Pakistan could undermine US-ally and dictator Pervez Musharraf’s hold on power.

Clinton has recently also had to fend off a rear flank attack from Republican hit-man Karl Rove who recently noted that no one with her “unfavorable” rating of 40% ever has been elected President.

Separately, Edwards was attacked for his investments in a Fund that holds sub prime mortgages with Katrina victims who now face losing their homes. He has vowed to divest his $16 million from the Fund. Yesterday’s 90 minutes debate was held on Drake University’s campus.


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