Did you see the debate? It was truly an uplifting civics lesson in which the two candidates talked at length about immigration, health care, experience, character and Iraq. Here are some of the key points in my view:- Health Care - The difference seems to be mandating health care vs. lowering the cost of health care. Both seemed very comfortable with their health care policy. Clinton was very passionate about automating medical records. If she becomes president I am confident that she will put her full energy towards putting our medical records online.
- Immigration - Interesting question from a Black woman who felt that illegal immigrants were taking jobs from African American youth. Obama correctly point out that B
lack youth have experienced high unemployment rates well before the latest wave of illegal immigrants. He doesn't think it is a good thing to scapegoat Hispanics for unemployment rates in the Black community. On the other hand, Clinton appeared to be willing to use this issue as a wedge between Blacks and Hispanics when she ruminated about a brother she met in Atlanta who felt that he was losing construction work as a result of illegal immigrant. I felt that she was throwing fuel on a fire she would like to see set between Black and Brown people in our country. - Experience & Character - Both gave their resumes for the past 20-30 years. Hillary spoke about her work as First Lady as it relates to health care issues and speaking out for women in China and 81 other countries around the world. Obama praised Hillary, however, he pointed out that it didn't matter if you are ready for Day one in the White House ... he would prefer that you be right on Day One. Obama noted that his campaign is bringing in new people ... young people to the electorate. He indicated that his vision for his time as POTUS is to inspire Americans to reach for higher goals in life. He was passionate about the possibilities for his administration, his cabinet and everyone that works in the federal bureaucracy. It was another moment when I realized that he truly is the right person for the job.
- Iraq War - This is where Obama won the debate. He almost won it by not saying anything. Just listening to the tortured explanation that Hillary gave about her reasons for giving George Bush authorization to go to war in Iraq was painful. She simply won't acknowledge that she made a mistake. Obama pointed out that he stood against the war when it was unpopular to do so. He suggested that not only does he want to "end the war", but, he also wants to "end the mindset that allowed us to get into this war in the first place."
mistake on the single most important public policy vote in her life ... authorizing the Iraq War. Her mistake (shared by 74 other senators back in 2002) cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars. And it comes down to the fact that Hillary is a divisive figure in American politics who doesn't inspire ... whereas Obama is an inspirational leader who can transform the way that we all think about our government.Barack won the debate in my view. Did you watch it? If so, what did you think about it?
