CNN Debate in Las Vegas: Tainted by the Hillary Advantage

The CNN Democratic debate held on November 15, 2007 in Las Vegas was a quasi-prize fight, complete with ringside announcer and weird whispered voice-over commentary, in which moderator Wolf Blitzer took every conceivable opportunity to squelch actual debate among the candidates.

Genuine discussion occasionally broke out only because the candidates ignored Blitzer's obsessive need to control every utterance and his anti-informative insistence on "YES or NO" answers. (The good news is that the questons were usually relevant, unlike certain horrific MSNBC debates. )

But that was hardly the oddest part of this so-called impartial debate. The oddest part of this odd political show was CNN's obvious stacking of the fight judges with pro-Clintonistas: two former Clinton staffers and the spouse of a former Clinton staffer. And for good measure, two Republicans.

But even odder: Hillary Clinton doesn't need to have the deck stacked by CNN or anyone. Sen. Clinton is a strong leader with impressive experience, progressive ideas and an impeccable track record.

But then again, she also doesn't need hubby Bill defending his little woman on the campaign trail. Or planted questioners. Or, as newly seen at the debate, planted booers. (Much more on Hillary's booing supporters at the end of this column.)

Proud to Be a Democrat
What struck me most about the seven participants in the CNN debate in Las Vegas was how proud I am to be a Democrat in 2007, and how dazzled I am by the slate of Democratic candidates in the 2008 race for the White House.

The Democratic party has seven outstanding, albeit quite different, candidates for the presidency. Each is bright, principled and articulate, and each advances progressive ideas worthy of our great country. Frankly, it's been decades since the Democratic party engaged in such a richly important public discussion of the issues facing our country.

I'll miss this liberal road show ensemble with its cast of unique Democratic characters... Hillary, Barack, John, Chris, Bill "Did you know that I'm a governor?" Richardson, Dennis (and his much-publicized "hot" wife), and jokester Joe Biden, who lent a comedic touch to all events. (Biden's post-D.C. second career should be in stand-up comedy.)

But all good things must end: the final DNC-sponsored debate will be held on December 10, 2007 in Los Angeles.

Who Won? Who Lost?
No one "won," and no one "lost" the CNN Democratic debate in Las Vegas. In fact, I doubt that any of the candidates drew or drove away any supporters based on this event.

A few highlights: Hillary Clinton didn't bobble answers as she did a few weeks ago. She strode the debate stage with confidence befitting a gladiator, and forcefully responded to all criticisms. She never initiated an attack on another candidate.

Barack Obama consistently offered thoughtful, brilliant responses, and appropriately challenged Sen. Clinton when her soundbites were misleading. I cheered loudly in agreement when Sen. Obama refused to submit to Wolf Blitzer's cynical, worst-case scenario "what if" questions.

Bill Richardson clearly has the best speech writers to capture the hearts of liberals. I nearly swooned when he found a way to wedge in, "All I want is to give peace a chance." I half-expected John Lennon's "Imagine" to swell in the background.

Lately, I leave these debates most admiring the deep experience and decades-long, proven leadership of Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Chris Dodd. And I'm always surprised that their candidacies haven't caught fire with Democrats.

Both Dodd and Richardson are outstanding Democratic leaders and public servants. And both would be superbly effective as President of the United States, and leader of the free world.

CNN Gives Sen. Clinton the Advantage
Whether by coincidence or pressure-caused design, the CNN Democratic debate in Las Vegas was hardly impartial.

As if to make-up for Tim Russert's bloody whacking of Hillary Clinton at the MSNBC debate a few weeks ago, CNN gifted Sen. Clinton with certain advantages over the other candidates. And even more maddening, the Clinton campaign camp brought new meaning to audience plants...

Rather than me prattle on, enjoy the following sampling of colorful comments from DailyKos about CNN's obvious Hillary Advantage:

• "No matter who one supports, CNN handled this 'debate' in a wholly amateurish fashion."

• "... And notice the only boos were when Obama and Edwards dared to disagree with Senator Clinton? More plants in the audience... ?"

• "What about the booing, were those plants too?"

• "By deputizing the audience, she (Hillary Clinton) didn't need to dodge. The audience muted the criticisms by booing the critics. Then Hillary could stay on message, no problem. Seriously, it was such ingenious strategy, but horrible horrible democracy."

• "Alright...the next Hillary event we all go to and be in the audience and bring potted plants in backpacks. Then, when she starts to answer questions everyone just stand up and hold up your plant as high as you can."

• "I noticed they (CNN) only had former Clinton employees or supporters commenting on the debate"

• "Campbell Brown is married to some Republican operative. So two former Clinton aides and two Republicans think Clinton won. Big frigging surprise THAT is!'

• "(CNN) Has been consistently pro-Clinton for a long time now. I first noticed their not-so-subtle support for her in September, and since then, it's grown almost unbearable. Tonight made me furious."

• " I have to say this is a low point. The pro-Clinton forces were fierce on CNN tonight. It was all so transparent: the pre-debate setup, the management of the debate, and the pro-Clinton comments already in the can for the afterward.

  "And every single pundit had a Clinton connection. Or a Republican connection, like new hire Campbell Brown Senor, wife of Republican political operative, Dan Senor, who served a shameful stint in Iraq at the beginning of the blossoming freedom and democracy there. Senor now works for a firm whose purpose is to influence the news media. Got his wife hired at CNN----mission accomplished.

  "I thought the whole thing was a train wreck. CNN lost whatever pretense they had of objectivity. It was shameful and proof of the further decline in the integrity of our news media."

I have nothing to add to the last DailyKos commenter's eloquent summary of the CNN Democratic debate in Las Vegas.

(Talk Clock courtesy of the Chris Dodd for President campaign. )

Related Reading
Top Five Worst Moments of the MSNBC Democratic Debate
Clinton Falls, Edwards Rises in Whack-a-Mole Democratic Debate
Hillary in Las Vegas: An Asbestos Pantsuit and the Highest, Hardest Glass Ceiling
Obama vs. Clinton: Badly Playing the Gender Victimhood Card