Oohs, aahs and laughs
9:30 p.m. - I find it particularly interesting to be able to gauge the reaction of the independent press (or more often than not, the highly criticized “liberal” media) while watching the debate tonight.
After moderator Brian Williams successfully changes the topic from health care (after an opening 16 minute discussion) to NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) Clinton takes another poke at Obama. She points out that she has frequently received the first few questions and has been required to answer first for the last few debates. She says she doesn’t mind, but asks if Obama might need an extra pillow in reference to a Saturday Night Live skit.
The resulting “oohs” and “aahs” in the press room with a few chuckles gives a good sense of the press’ opinion on who is taking jabs at whom. Clinton and Obama each continue with a fairly civil exchange on NAFTA.
Once the questioning is turned over to Tim Russert, the NAFTA discussion gets a little more in-depth. Clinton then says she will renegotiate NAFTA and that Russert doesn’t have all of the record. She then takes back to defending her positions on NAFTA and charging Obama has attacked her unfairly with his NAFTA mailings.
Clinton has been talking for a few minutes now and Obama hasn’t gotten much of a word in on the NAFTA debate. Finally Obama gets a word in and agrees with Clinton that he will renegotiate NAFTA if he is President. Obama stays completely positive in his answer, stating NAFTA and other free trade agreements can be beneficial if negotiated correctly.
All of this is happening with the undertone of hundreds of fingers typing away on lap tops in the press room.
