CNN & YouTube Debate Report Card

Delaware U.S. Senator Joe Biden C
New York U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton A-
Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Dodd C-
Former North Carolina U.S. Senator John Edwards B
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mike Gravel A
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kunich C-
Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama B-
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson C+

CNN & YouTube Debate Historic

The first of its kind and a historical event is truly what it was. The CNN & YouTube debate which showcased videos made by ordinary Americans who asked various types of questions lived up to its hype completely. While the debate featured some humorous videos, it actually had a more intellectual and intriguing questions than expected. In fact many of the questions allowed candidates to show their human being side in terms of answering questions such as who was your favorite teacher and why? That type of questions is usually never seen or heard of at a debate but it truly brought about a lot of interesting comments and it gave some insight into the hearts of many of the candidates.

For instance, former Senator Mike Gravel gave a comment about how one of his teachers took the time out to teach him how to speak and it has led him to the opportunity he has tonight on stage. Also Senator Barack Obama gave an insightful comment about how his 5th grade teacher who spent time in Kenya taught him that growing up in another country is not a bad thing but it rather helps one in terms of presenting a different mindset than most. However the most interesting responses came in the question about No Child Left Behind and whether or not the candidates would scrap it all together or revise it. All the candidates said they would scrap it all together and look to improve education by decreasing class sizes, improving teacher training and making sure funding is going to school districts and schools equally and fairly so that all children can learn.

Also the candidates were asked would they be willing to accept minimum wage if they are elected President. Many of the candidates said yes but let’s be real, I don’t think any of the candidates would be willing to serve as President if they were only paid minimum wage. Also Anderson Cooper through an interesting twist in the question and said they would not be paid for overtime either. Therefore I truly felt that the candidates did not really answer the questions truly but rather said what they public wanted to hear.

Questions ranging from the war in Iraq, health care, education, foreign affairs, diplomacy social security, and the environment all were asked. Thus the CNN & YouTube debate really gave a lot of voters’ insight into the passions and sincerity of many candidates as well as how quickly each candidate can think on their feet. Overall I felt that each candidate did well but clearly some stood out more than other in this type of setting. Senator Mike Gravel was very enlightening and passionate in his responses. I felt he really stood out and this setting really helped him but many will not take his candidacy seriously. Senator Gravel spook the truth and did not bit his tongue one bit when he replied too many of the questions.

Now Senator Obama did much better in this type of format and gave more concrete solutions than he had done in the past. While Senator Hillary Clinton continued to show she was the front runner and was here to stay. Senator Clinton was humorous as well as engaging in her responses that showed me she was charismatic. Former Senator John Edwards really gave a lot of concrete and accurate solutions as well as gave some serious insight into many of the things that plague America. So to be more accurate I feel that Senator Edwards was suited for this format and really responded well. Now while the top three Democratic candidates did well in this first of a kind debate format. I must say that Governor Bill Richardson and Senator Joe Biden were good in their responses but they did not really overlap the top three Democratic candidates. However they did well enough to stay above water and gave some good responses to many of the questions. Congressman Dennis Kunich and Senator Chris Dodd did not do well in this format by any means. While at times they gave good responses, they did not really sell me on many of their stances. However I do believe that each of them being in the debate served its purpose in terms of presenting various views on the debate.

Most of all, I do believe that the CNN & YouTube debate was historical and pure brilliant in terms of showing the humor of each candidate as well as giving Presidential debates life. Many political pundits and non-pundits believe that debates are boring and possess no charisma or humor. However this first of a kind debate lived up to his hype was clearly one of the best debates I saw in a long time in terms of really putting the candidates on the spot and allowing the candidates respond as freely as they wanted. While a lot of people were judging and looking at this debate to see who won, clearly Senator Gravel won and was the most open and real about the issues in terms of telling the truth and not just saying what he felt the audience or the people wanted to hear.

Senator Clinton and Senator Obama might be the Democratic frontrunners but they did not show that really understand all the issues clearly because they really did not answer all the questions completely and accurately. While I do feel that Senator Edwards answered the questions great except for the question dealing with gay marriage. Senator Edwards did not avoid the question but he did do a lot of back tracking in his responses which I felt showed that he has not completely made up his mind on the issue and is willing to listen. However Senator Edwards needs to understand that using religion to justify why one does not or does support gay marriage or civil unions is never justifiable no matter how you try to portray it or cut it. However Senator Edwards now understands that and showed that in responding to the issue. Therefore other candidates for future reference need to see what Senator Edwards did and don’t avoid the questions that are controversial to their campaigns.

Simply put the CNN & YouTube debate is here to stay and people should look forward to this type of format to be done in future Presidential, Senatorial, Gubernatorial, Congressional and Mayoral races’.

Sudan President to visit Darfur

Now after 4 years of conflict in Darfur, Sudan, the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will be visiting the region for the first time since the conflict erupted. Clearly this has been overlooked in many newspapers and on many newscasts. However it needs to be discussed because that would be similar to if President Bush didn't visit the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina ripped. I think the American public would not let that fly one bit and the international community would make sure he never forgets it until he perhaps go to the region.

Therefore we sit here and I wonder, why hasn't the Sundanese President been to the region of Darfur in over 4 years since the conflict erupted and spread thus sending shock waves of reports that a genocide was taking place in Darfur. So is the international community fair when it implicates President Omar in being involved in what is taking place in Darfur. I am not one to point the finger but clearly he has a lot of explaining to do as to why he hasn't been to the region prior to now.

I don't know what all he has done to improve the situation in Darfur but clearly he hasn't done much if he hasn't even been to the region in 4 years to sit down with the tribal leaders of the region as well as the people to help see what aid the region really needs from not only the Sudanese government but the international community. President Omar visit to Darfur comes a shock to me because it has been 4 years since he was last there. So how much longer will the people of Darfur have to wait until his next visit I must ask.

Things like this should not occur in any place in the world. The people of a country should or a part of a country should not wait 4 years until the President or there elected official comes to their region to visit. Elected officials need to be held more accountable and it starts with Sudanese President Omar answering why has it been 4 years since you last visited Darfur?

Bush threatens to veto Student Loans & Grants Bill

As College tuition continues to raise and students having to take out more on more loans, finally Congress is trying to help students with the Student Loans and Grant bill that would not only raise the maximum of a Pell Grant to $5,200 but it would also change provisions on the FASFA form so that homeless or foster children can be considered independents now. Therefore by homeless or foster children claiming as independents on the form, they can now be eligible for Financial Aid unlike in the past.

However President Bush and other GOP leaders have criticized the bill because of a loan forgiveness proportion of the bill that would practically allow certain loans not to be paid back after a certain period of time if students work in the public sector and start paying on the loans constantly for a while. Also the bill is criticized because it is said that while it helps low income households, it hurts the middle class households in terms of they will not be eligible for certain loans that used to be eligible for if they were not eligible for grants (http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon180.htm). Now while this is the first I have heard of this, there are also critics who say the bill is reaping off loan lenders such as Sallie Mae who will have to deal with some of their loans not being paid back completely.

Now at the same time the bill is being criticized so heavily, President Bush might have to compromise on it and not veto it as apart of a Iraq funding compromise. Let's be real, enough is enough, if any member of Congress has children in college and if they are paying out of their pocket for college or their child is having to take out loans than they should know that college loans are not cheap and they interest rates are high way robbery at times. Therefore President Bush and all of Congress should vote unanimously in favor of any education bill that would increase Pell Grants, cut loan interest rates or subsidize them, and provide more financial aid to students who want to attend college no matter their age. Enough is enough so I hope that Bush doesn't veto this bill and that the Senate votes yes on the Student Loans & Grants bill like the House did over a week ago(http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul11/0,4670,StudentLoans,00.html).

So while looking at the bill carefully, one can only imagine why President Bush and loan lenders such as Sallie Mae are upset about the bill. They are upset because Sallie Mae is a huge contributor to many political campaigns and that's why they have to protect their investment by having lobbyists on the hill as well as politicians in their pocket at times to sway the vote particularly in the Senate where it is so hard and close to pass any bill depending on how a couple of Senators vote. So if Sallie Mae is sincere about providing affordable loans to college students than they should be in favor of one interest rate of 3.4% that's what I say. Also they should be willing to forgive certain portions of the loan if students pay constantly on it for 10 years I believe that is what the Senate is proposing.

I am in favor of the bill and I hope others get behind it and make sure Congress makes higher education affordable to more households.

Bush veto threat on health bill draws criticism

President Bush is now threatening to veto a health bill because it would provide health care to families who make $80,000. Now I don't know what is up with President Bush but clearly he is out of touch with the American people and the tough times facing America. Now my father recently switched jobs over a year ago but while he gets paid more money, he doesn't have free health care any more which his old job provided. My dad used to be able to go to the doctor for free and pay $3 for any of his medicine practically. However because he switched jobs and gets more money, he has health insurance but has to pay $25 each time he visits the doctor and he pays more for his medicine.

Now my dad has a regular doctor and a foot doctor. Therefore he has to visit two places and get medicine from both places. So if my father has to go through this than I can imagine how many other Americans parents have to face the same problem or how many other Americans face this issue. While President Bush wants to fight a war overseas and wants the troops to be funded no matter what, I say what about the average American citizen. All Americans need healthcare and it is up to the President and Congress to find ways to make healthcare in the country affordable and feasible to all Americans no matter how much they make.

Now my dad only makes a little over $30,000 and I don't care if he made $80,000 or not, sometimes we need to look at what is taking place and try to make somethings in America affordable for all like healthcare and education. It isn't a black or white issue, it is a American isssue and until President Bush realizes that than he is only hindering America. While President Bush wants America and Congress to support the war, he needs to support Congress and the American people by not vetoing any bills that would only improve the current status of healthcare in America.

Winfrey, Obama just the ticket

Finally, Barack Obama's biggest supporter on terms of who wanted him to run for President of the United States is finally backing him with a hugh fundraiser. Yes folks, billionaire Oprah Winfrey is set to open up her Santa Barbara estate to a huge Obama fundraiser in September. So what does all of this mean, it's simple. It means Obama will be getting more money as he heads into 2008. Everyone including myself was waiting to see when Oprah would chip in to the Obama campaign since she was the first to suggest that he run and even some Oprah fans wouldn't mind seeing Oprah as his running mate. However while Oprah stays out of the political eye in terms of being a candidate, she is still backing Obama over Hillary who could be the first Female President in the U.S. history.

Oprah's backing of Obama is nothing new or a suprise to me but don't be suprised if Obama doesn't win the Democratic Presidential nomination and you see Hillary on the Oprah show sometime in 2008 with Oprah backing Senator Clinton. You heard it here first.

Obama Says He, Too, Is a Poverty Fighter

Alright is this monkey see, monkey do. First Presidential Candidate John Edwards launches his 8 city poverty tour and now Obama is speaking out against poverty saying he is a poverty fighter. Let's be real folks, politicans will do anything to garner a few more votes now days! Now I am not trying to take anything away Senator Obama because I know he fought against poverty and economic strife for 25 years in Chicago. However, Senator Obama until now has spoken about poverty and even been very vocal about it. In fact no other candidate has championed it like former Senator Edwards has. Therefore, I ask you, why did Senator Barack Obama take the time today to speak on poverty and how he has fought against it way before now while offering solutions to the mater.

Senator Obama did it because Edward's 8 city tour ended today so Obama wanted to show people he had a plan to fight against poverty. While Senator Obama is a good candidate, however I question his motives sometimes and what he really stands for. Senator Obama needs to step out and really speak on what he stands for and not just follow the other candidates and jump from issue to issue as he sees Hillary or Edwards speak on an issue so someone tells him he has to speak out against it. Senator Obama speak about how you plan to bring hope and change and lay out that plan and the intiatives that you have.

I am tired of monkey see, monkey do because clearly if this continues my support for Edwards will only grow as he continues to lead on the issues in terms of stimulating dialogue on many of the issues before the other candidates say anything about it.

Elizabeth Edwards on Hillary Clinton!

Elizabeth Edwards is at it again but this time she is attacking Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Edwards says Senator Clinton isn't really an advocate for women's issues as she proclaims to be and she said neither is Senator Obama before continuing to speak about Senator Clinton. Mrs. Edwards continued to say that Senator Clinton isn't the advocate for women's issues as she proclaims to be and that Senator Clinton needs a better rationale for her campaign than she's in it to win it. Mrs. Edwards also said Obama had no rationale. However the main point is that Mrs. Edwards feels her husband is the only candidate who has advocated for women's issues because poverty is the biggest women's issue out there since a lot of single parent mothers are the one's who are living below the poverty line while raising children at the same time.

Mrs. Edwards says that Senator Clinton should be advocating for this but hasn't. While Senator Clinton response to Mrs. Edward's words were that she is going to continue to talk about the issues and run her campaign how she has been running it (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=18684.) So so far there is no sparring going on and Senator Clinton is taking the high rode once again as the Democratic Presidential continues to heat up heading into the July 23 Debate in South Carolina that will be broadcasted on CNN.

From Obama, Clinton, Dueling Ideas of Change

Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) took aim at his main Democratic presidential rival during his July 4 campaign swing through Iowa, saying that "change can't just be a slogan" -- days after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) introduced her new slogan, "Ready for Change, Ready to Lead."

Obama has long cast himself as part of the future of politics, in contrast with a Clinton era that he portrays as part of a divisive past.

But Obama had a ready target on Wednesday: Both Clintons were campaigning nearby in Iowa, their first swing together. Bill Clinton repeatedly introduced his wife with reminders of the 1990s. The former first lady embraced the role of virtual incumbent on their holiday-week tour, promising to restore conditions -- in the economy and in the government -- to the way they were during her husband's administration.

Obama praised the former president, then quickly shifted his tone. "I think he did a lot of fine things, and I think he's a terrific political strategist," Obama told the Associated Press. "What we're more interested in is looking forward, not in looking backward. I think the American people feel the same way. What they are looking for is a way to break out of the harsh partisanship and the old arguments -- and to solve problems."....