The night the gloves came off
January 22nd, 2008
Photo courtesy of Ted Pio-Roda/CNN
Notes from the Myrtle Beach Democratic debates
Watch the entire debate at the end of this story
By Judit Trunkos
Hillary Clinton, a former attorney for the Wal-Mart corporation? Obama, a former lawyer for a Chicago “slum lord?”
The Democratic debate on Monday, what some have described as a political “food fight,” provided boundless entertainment for we reporters on hand in Myrtle Beach. Potential voters who expected a serious debate were treated to something very different and definitely more fun. One thing became certain from the start: Barack Obama would probably not serve as vice president if Sen. Clinton wins the Democrat candidacy… and vice versa.
Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Carol Fowler, ignited the political sparks, suggesting that “this Saturday we are going to nominate our next Democratic president.” So South Carolina Democrats weren’t only paying close attention to the debate to pick their choice in the upcoming primary, but were also selecting a candidate who would be able to face a strong Republican candidate, potentially Sen. McCain.
The heated debate between Senators Clinton and Obama erupted at the first possible moment and according to post debate poll numbers, John Edwards, who chastised the other candidates’ sniping and stuck to the issues, won the day. In fact, by the end of the debate, a Clinton-Edwards alliance seemed to strengthen. This could be the result of a smart decision between Clinton and Edwards to slowly but surely eliminate Obama from the race by weakening his credentials and implying that he has an insecure voting record. The other outcome of the passionate fight was that the focus of the race and sex of the candidates finally shifted to their issues.
While the South Carolina primaries always carry heavy weight on the outcome of the elections, this particular presidential race has many revolutionary rolls to fulfill including the possible election of the first woman, the first First Lady, or the first African American president. Not only is there a great battle between the Democrats and the Republicans, but this time Democrats are desperate to bring change into the White House by replacing the past 8 years of deaf political ears with ones that will be ready to listen.
On Saturday, at the “First in the South” Democratic Primary, South Carolinians will cast their votes. The election eve stump meeting at the Jamil Temple will bring the candidates together a final time before the polls open the next day (be sure to bring your rain gear and galoshes because, if Monday was any indicator, there is plenty more political mud to be slung).
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