AFL-CIO Presidential Forum

Who made the strongest showing here? And why?

First off, let me say for full disclosure, I am pro-union from a union household and I think that the working men and women of the United States have been abused beyond what is tolerable. We have seen pensions evaporate, we have seen CEOs purposefully sabotage the running of corporations to line their pockets. So on... I'll stop there because I assume you get my point about where I am coming from.

Clinton - She made on decent showing, but I am still expecting more from her. She didn't seem like she was very "present" in the forum. She answered the questions adequately, but still managed to say little (see my statement below on being evasive). She was better in this debate than before, but I am still unconvinced by her... she has continued to come off as stubborn and "old politics" to me. I give her a B+.

Obama - Evasive... I know it's the nature of politics to say so very little, but I think that shows cowardice. I am continually unimpressed by Barrack. He is a fantastic speaker, but I still see no substance in what he is saying (except maybe on the Pakistan issue). I give him a B-.

Dodd - He was on the offensive. He seemed more engaging in this forum than in any other debate. He is not a great orator in my opinion. He had some good ideas and interesting statements, but he is still a bit boring to me, he did not convince me his heart was in it (which is too bad, because I know it is). I give him a C.

Kucinich - The first thing Pat Buchanan said is how impressed he was with Dennis Kucinich (although he did say Hilary "won" the debate), wow, I totally agree with Pat Buchanan. He was lively, he was energized, he is frackin dead-on right about EVERYTHING! I am an unashamed supporter of this fantastic candidate. I give him an A.

Edwards - I thought he like Clinton had a decent showing this debate, but THIS was his forum to "lose" and I think he could have done a better. I agree with most of what he said and the vigor with which he said it. He just could have stolen the show, but he seemed a bit reserved. I give him a B+.

Biden - He was so rude to the lady who lost her husband in the mining accident last year that from that alone he lost all my support (he even got booed from the crowd). He should have had the respect to spend 60 freaking seconds answering a woman who asked him a legitimate question. This was such a slap in the face... Biden has some decent ideas, but no way in hell is he getting my vote. He gets a D.

Richardson - Richardson was in the debate? Just kidding. He was alright in the forum but he didn't come off as all that convincing. I like a lot of his policies, and he is a great foreign policy guy, but he is still not making a mark in these debates. C is the grade he gets.


So, through my obviously biased glasses, I think that DK stole the show. Of the big three, Hilary probably came off the best, followed by Edwards (who should have ran away with it) and then Obama. It was a good forum. I would like to see a Kucinich/Edwards ticket. Go labor!