OBAMA, CLINTON DEBATE; MAKES HISTORY AND LEAVES TEASER

In the Thursday night CNN debate, between democratic candidates Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, there was little new information to be had. However, CNN's moderator Wolfe Blitzer, at the Kodak Center in Los Angeles, was light years ahead of Anderson Cooper's lackluster performance (the previous evening, for the republican debate). Where "Mr. AC 360" failed to bring out the discrepancies between the republican candidates and almost begged them to duke it out on the stage (at the Reagan Library), Blitzer tactfully poked and prodded with a bevy of questions. Actually separating the two remaining candidates, on at least four issues. Where there have been 17 other democratic debates, the debate before "Super Tuesday" between the first real Afro-American and woman candidate (which one will be the democratic choice to become the President of the United States), was a treat to watch and analyze. From the first words out of the candidates mouths, a middle of the debate that did show a handful of discrepancies and policy differences, to the very last question (a teaser virtually every talk news show host took to endless task and no doubt every media outlet over the weekend will drive into the ground until Tuesday's end) the night was filled quality and possibly history, just as it was billed.

Remarkably, the first words out of Obama's mouth was, "John Edwards." Who he thanked for bringing up, along his trek to gain delegates, his main issues of America's war with poverty, the poor, and the overall war on the middle class. Then, he used the democratic catch phrases, stating, "there is not a choice between black and white, a man or a woman here for president, but the planet is in peril...." Hillary's two minute opening, was a little bit more subtle, "January 20, 2009, I hope that it is one of us, who is taking the oath for the Presidancy of the United States!" However, she also included the newly ousted candidate, Edwards. They both made a huge points, to strategically pander for Edwards electoral votes and a possible endorsement. Although, after the rhetorical openings were over, both were forced to dive straight into actual differences.

First in health care, Obama wanted to give 95% of the people health care, but the other people a choice (15 million people, an estimate by the Clinton campaign). He said would have a choice to pay for a program. Within this choice, "He would repeal the Bush tax cuts to pay for the people not covered, and it would provide an avenue to keep costs down." Where as Hillary's plan would demand a "mandate" on the people, not giving them any choice. However, Clinton quickly came back, stating that she had the experience on this topic and the scars to prove it. Having been a purveyor of health care options for better than a quarter of a century, also that she was "ready to lead on day one, giving the people what they wanted, and that was every single person covered with health insurance."

When prodded about the housing plunge, Mrs. Clinton stated that she would, "set a moratorium on housing rates for at least ninety days, and a five year freeze on interest rates." However, Obama did not really delve into a huge plan on the housing market, rather going into the economy in general. He did say that there would be no interest rate freeze, because it may cause interest rates to spike and crush the economy, making things worse than it is now.

Iraq and foreign policy was the biggest stickler of the night, for the two candidates. Obama pointed out, that he wanted to pull out a portion of the troops immediately and he would also make sure that Iran would be spoken to directly, to bring them into the fold. "Speaking to Iran directly would open up avenues, the Bush Administration has never opened," he said. Although Hillary has completely different views on both Iraq and Iran, she did say that she would try to move as many troops out of Iraq, "as soon as possible." She continued, "the main thing is protecting our troops and those who have helped in the fight, but the Malicki Government has to start making the tough choices, because time is up."

The main difference and biggest jab of the evening was Obama making the point, "he has always been against the war from the start." Which prompted Wolf Blitzer to say to senator Clinton, "Since you have stated that you are the best choice for president, to lead the country on day one if elected president, and because of your experience, isn't a little bit naive that you voted for the Iraq war?" The question alone garnered some boos and hisses from the crowd. However, Hillary handled the question in stride, going back to the talking points, "I voted to give President Bush the option to keep the inspectors in, not George Bush take us to war."

Aside from a few other jabs, or swipes that were far from overt, the night was an overall success and fairly cordial. Although, the last question Blitzer proposed to the candidates will be the most spoken about, thru "Super Tuesday." "Would either of you consider, becoming the other's running mate, for vice president?" The auditorium boomed with both buzz and laughter, as did the candidates. Obama spoke on it first stating, "Obviously there's a big difference between those two," Obama said. "I respect Senator Clinton, I think her service to this country is extraordinary." But he said, "We've got a lot more road to travel" before such a decision. Pressed for an answer, he ended with, "I'm sure Hillary would be on anybody's short list." Then Hillary replied, "Well, I have to agree with everything Barack just said." It was too early to discuss running mates. However, I do not think that the media, pundits, and everyone else who follows politics (for that matter) will have any trouble discussing it at all.

CNN BLOWS THE GOP DEBATE AT REAGAN LIBRARY

The remaining republican candidates gathered in Simi Valley, at the Ronald Reagan Library, for the last GOP debate, before "Super Tuesday." With so much at stake for the country, not to mention the four remaining candidates (McCain, Romney, Huckabee, and Ron Paul), the last debate should have been a full hour and a half of evenly distributed time between candidates, dominated with hard hitting questions, and an even flow of information for America. Anderson Cooper, CNN's moderator of the evening, ultimately should have been slipping in questions and weaving in candidates subtle differences, exacerbating where each candidate stood, on the heavy issues of the day (immigration, health care, education, and the Iraq War for starters). However, that was far from the case on Wednesday night.

Anderson Cooper and CNN blew an opportunity to show America and the world that they were there for the business at hand. Cooper came off a simp and a shill of the democratic party (during the debate). "Mr. AC 360" asked few questions regarding any policy, how they would actual institute the "change" (which has so freely been the "catch word" of both parties during the political campaigns), and most important he let Mitt Romney dominate the majority of time. During the debate, Romney was more of a moderator than Cooper, or any of the heralded "City of Angels Beat Writers" attending the debate. Romney, when not directly engaged with McCain (as per Cooper's questioning, "Do you actually support a time table to get out of Iraq?"), refused to divulge anything new, sticking to the main Romney talking points. Romney actually was given, or took, around 27% more speaking time than McCain (the presumed front runner), with Paul and Huckabee struggling to get any words in at all. When congressman Paul and Governor Huckabee did have the chance to opine, it was usually from a backhanded comment from Romney (to try and clear the record), a question about McCain and/or Romney, or else it was just Paul reciting more of his "Constitutional synopsis'", that never gets over the top (or else he never gets the chance to speak his whole point).

After the debate was over, CNN still found more ways to kill the debate, rather than try and achieve some success. Bringing on Bill Bennett, Amy Holmes, David Gergen, and Roland Martin (just to name four contributors) to speak on what was supposed to be a GOP evening and debate (after showing a brief McCain/Romney spat), the attention immediately switched to democratic politics, the debate tomorrow night, and then a switch in the contributors. Claire McCaskill and Stephanie Tubbs Jones began stumping for Clinton and Obama, respectively. CNN's team of broadcaster's roaming all over, like an old 90's cell phone, then went to an electoral map. As if the performance to this point was not bad enough, the "CNN TEAM" acted like a "live focus group" (what they called "dial testing") was the equivalent of the invention of the wheel. However, where the same thing is used on Fox and MSNBC after debates, CNN failed again, because there were no people to poll and ask live (why the "line was up, or down during a candidates answer"), just a feeble line moving across the screen and another pundit to explain "for the dial testers." After a brief discussion of the "dial testing," the majority of points, data, and commentary was minuscule and useless. CNN made Frank Luntz (Fox News) look like he has the charisma of J.F.K., himself, by comparison to the "dial testing results." The guests, aside from Bill Bennett, had little input into the Republican outcome, where things may go between candidates and even less of a prognosis of things to come. CNN, Cooper, and all of the pundits of the evening failed most, when they had to fill one hour and twenty minutes (before Larry King's "Tribute to Reagan").

In that eighty minutes, CNN spent a total of Eighteen minutes of actual talk, footage, and polling about the republican party, candidates, possible outcomes, and the debate, overall. After the lethargic and unenthusiastic reports on the hour and a half (joke) GOP debate, there was enough time left for CNN to shove their agenda, or just poor ethics, down the America's throat for forty-one minutes (after taking out the 19 minutes of commercials). Therefore, what kind of information did they decide to fill forty-one minutes of time with? They spent over three quarters of theair time, after the debate, on tomorrow night's democratic debate and who would obtain John Edward's delegates.

On a night at the Ronald Reagan Library, the last GOP debate before 23 states vote for perspective nominees, "The Best Political Team on Television," decided; they would have a more than sub-par debate (with "No Rules", as Cooper stated at the beginning of the night), analysis and recap of the debate for roughly nineteen minutes (out of a possible eighty full minutes, minus commercials), and then have the gumption to hammer out all possible prospects and prognosis' for the democratic debate, for a full forty-one minutes. With a captive audience, CNN was the only broadcasting station to have the GOP and democratic debates, they actually showed in just a three hour span why Fox News consistently hammers the competition and always leads in the ratings. Tonight was a brutal and completely biased affair, from one end to the next.

John McCain Wins; Rudi Out and Hillary Declares Victory?

After the dust settled and the last piece of confetti fell, the McCain camp has Romney against the ropes and ready to throw the knockout punch. After John McCain finished, the "winner take all delegates" in Florida Republican Primary, with a win at 36% he had a more than warm welcome at his headquarters. However, the blood was all over the floor. Rudi was supposed to win in a landslide, Romney was the economies savior, and Huckabee has been from 1% of a joke to front-runner in an Iowa minute, but it is now it is McCain standing tall, as the solid front-runner in the Republican Party.

The Democrats have their own set of wonders and problems. The Democratic National Party declared that Michigan and Florida would be stripped of all delegates, making both primaries window dressings, also stating that democratic candidates could not roll across either state showboating their similar visions for the country. Barrack Obama won over the "Clintonian Machine" in South Carolina (receiving 23% of the white vote, in the first southern primary) and also received the John Kerry and [more importantly] "The Kennedy's" endorsement, he spent Tuesday night in "Memorial Hall," in Kansas City, Missouri looking to shore up some Democratic votes. The "Show Me State" air waves were filled with Obama "official commercials," narrated by Democratic flip flopper extraordinare Claire McKaskill, Tuesday night. Not to be out done, the Clintons made both headlines and speeches just after the South Carolina Obama win. First, Bill Clinton comes out and compares Obama to Jesse Jackson, stating, "Well Jesse Jackson won the South Carolina Primary in 1984 and in 1988." Obviously, "Bubba" Clinton had not learned his lesson, or else Hillary has not been in the same room to smack him over the head yet, but the American people are not thrilled with Clinton trying to reduce Obama to "just another black candidate." Then within minutes of the polls closing in Florida, Hillary Clinton landed in Florida and had a celebration, of sorts, declaring victory in a state that has no delegates. Hillary stepping in to claim zero delegates, was a classic political move to put her face into the camera, give a handful of interviews on cable news channels, and to overall make the ten o'clock news shift and morning papers, for the people who do not follow politics closely. Finally, there is John Edwards, who pulls in another third place, gets no delegates, and is planning on staying in the race until the end. However, he did cancel two stops on his "presidential tour," before the democratic debate later in the week, for a large speech on poverty in "Katrina Struck" New Orleans.

Aside from, the "Audacity of Cloak" Clintons, Obama's "Show Me" stop, and the nonexistent John Edwards on Tuesday night, the real story came from the Republican side of the tape. Even though John McCain won, Mitt Romney declared another "silver" and to "continue the fight, because there is a lot of time left." Before the Republican debates this Wednesday night will be Rudi Guiliani and Mike Huckabee. Rudi put all of his eggs into the Florida basket, which was really the only play, because of his lack of real conservative credentials and overall sketchy past. By Guiliani being steadfast in Florida, during the Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina Primaries he was able to stay out of the spotlight, hopefully America would just be looking at the credentials of his 9/11 role and "Mayor of the Century" title, without putting his family, liberal social constitutions, and maybe in the meantime some of the republican candidates would either drop out (like Fred Thompson did), or else they would have beat each other up enough for him to still be the front runner. However, that did not happen and Rudi now cannot lose, be criticized, or have any more bad press than he has already received, or his "legacy" will be taking a massive hit. Therefore, he will wait until the correct moment, and go in head long for John McCain. This will not only save face for the former mayor, but will also allow him to go back onto the speaking circuit and become a presidential prognosticator for the next eight months on Fox and around the country. Although that still leaves Mike Huckabee, the "little Arkansas Governor that could," still in the mix and vowing to stick it out till the end. His quote after his 14%, fourth place finish in Florida (which he received no electoral votes) was, "this is just one inning, and we are going to play thru the ninth inning of the game." Why would Mike Huckabee keep on trucking? Simple, he still has the third most delegates, just behind Romney, and if he does have a decent showing in the southern part of the country and in the always overlooked "fly over country" (Missouri, Arkansas, etc.), then two things could happen. First, McCain, Romney and Huckabee can go into the Republican Convention with a deadlock, or not a clear cut winner. The second option could be that Huckabee can hand over his electoral votes to McCain and possibly receive a vice presidential nomination in the process (like in the Franklin Delanor Roosevelt election), or at least get a cushy cabinet seat if McCain wins the general.

After California's debate today, at the Ronald Reagan Library, you can bet that there will be fireworks to say the least. There is not any love loss at all between John McCain and Mitt Romney. Huckabee and McCain should paddy cake themselves through the evening, as neither will want to show the other up. Although, Ron Paul is still in the house and will be throwing as many wrenches into the political debate, as he possibly can, the other three remaining will just roll with the punches and basically ignore the shots over the deck. On Thursday though, the democratic debate should also have it's moments, as well. Being that Barrack snubbed Hillary at the Presidential Address to the Nation, turning his back on her from one to two feet away, and making sure that the press knew that he would not even consider a VP spot on her ticket, "If she was to win." Hillary cannot afford to be to strident and also can't be to passive either, at the debate. Therefore, no matter what pant suit Hillary chooses to wear and how forceful the Obama camp comes out to play, on Thursday, even though the campaigns are basically identical in their theory on the way the country should be going, there will definitely be fireworks before and after the debate. After all, it is crunch time now, with less than one week for both the republicans and the democrats to make their push, for their parties nod and possibly their shot at the White House.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, OR DEMOCRAT PREVIEW, GOING INTO "SUPER TUESDAY?"

Overwhelmingly, most people across the nation thought and commented on how President Bush finished his last "State of the Union Address" and came across with flying colors. Which is odd, as his approval rating is anywhere from 26% to 33% approval rating, depending on what pole a person looks at?

However, the real story is not what President Bush said, in his fifty minute speech. The real story is how the people of the American Congress and Senate filed into the Hall. "Super Tuesday," where the American voters will go the polls and decide which candidate (both democrat and republican) could be their actual candidate for the general election, is just about one week away. The real story, that is not being spoken about in the media, is Barrack Obama and Hillary "Billary" Clinton filing into the hall and who they had behind and by their side, tonight.

Barrack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois breaks the plain of the door and directly behind him, non other than Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. Both Hillary Clinton and Obama had been jockeying for position, to get the "Kennedy Family" endorsement, as they are the foundation and are steadfastly the ultimate Democrat family. However, today the Kennedy's endorsed Democratic Candidate for President, Barrack Obama. After democrats (including Ted Kennedy) scorning Bill Clinton for his antics, the Clinton "Machine" passive aggressively playing the race card, and Hillary inevitably losing the South Carolina primary last Saturday, the Kennedy's then came out today and stuck the dagger into the heart of Hillary Clinton, with an endorsement for Obama.

The endorsement was a big stick in the arm for the Obama campaign, but the words the Kennedy's spoke at the podium were the actual dagger putting Hillary on the defensive, if not her campaign on possible "life support." Ted Kennedy Booming at the microphone for over 20 minutes, on how Obama's campaign stating comments like: "I feel change in the air. What about you?" and "With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentationand distortion. With Barack Obama wewill close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay," Kennedy said. Then, Barrack Obama was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late president, who said Obama "offers that same sense of hope and inspiration" as did her father. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, son of the senator, also offered his support. With these comments from the majority of the Kennedy family, in person and on the stage with Obama, it brings a sense of nostalgia of the John F. Kennedy days to older voters and also brings validity to Obama with both white independent voters and democratic voters. Therefore, was there any surprise that Ted Kennedy and John Kerry were walking right behind, the "junior senator/presidential candidate" Barrack Obama, tonight? I highly doubt it, because there is cabinet space and power to be had, if Obama becomes president.

The fun did not stop there either, because the republican candidates who were all in Florida preparing for Tuesday's Florida vote, that only leaves Hillary Clinton to come into the address (as John Edwards does not have any position, at present, but was a former senator). When the doors opened up wide, Hillary boomed into the room. Yet, earlier in the day, the Clintons actually played down the South Carolina loss, Bill's antics, and that they are still in the lead with the electoral votes across the country to date. When Hillary, ensconced in a scarlet pant suit entered the room, directly behind her (former presidential candidate) Joe Biden and Chris Dodd. As stated before, places in a cabinet to be had and points to be won, and what better way for Hillary to accomplish that, then to have two former Presidential and outspoken candidates by her side.

Politics is a contact sport, but even though both Clinton and Obama were just two feet apart in the aisle tonight, there were no kind words to be had. They sat just four senators apart and neither made eye contact and/or spoke a word to each other, neither did any of their "subordinates," or eye candy aisle toy senators. The next week will be ugly, with a capitol "U," period. However, tonight was a decent serving, upon watching what was supposed to be President Bush's farewell address, between the lines their was more democratic politics in just the aisle, then anything that Mr. Bush said at the podium. U-G-L-Y!

BARACK OBAMA/MIKE BLOOMBERG: THE ULTIMATE CHANGE TICKET FOR DEMS

Barack Obama is the marble in the slingshot of America speak and voting power. The platform of change, the philosophy of American people dispensing of status quo Washington politics, and the overall timing of an American Nation at it's breaking point on issues of health care, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy are the fork in the slingshot. While Obama's win in Iowa against the "Clintonian Machine," gave him the viability of a winner is the rubber being pulled back to launch. However, Barack Obama the biracial, always up for any topic, and a gifted charismatic speaker, a cross between John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., is the platinum marble ready to be launched, only after America gives him their overall support a mere group of days away. When that marble is launched from America's Slingshot, only God and time knows where and when he will land. Barack Obama may be the next President of the United States, but he will be the Democratic Nominee without a doubt.

The phenom from Illinois has made a splash by a combination of passionate speeches, a promise of American change, and bringing out groups of independents, Republicans, and the always cagey (Hard to get out to vote) group of younger voters. This is a classic campaign of improbability, against an almost inevitable comer to the thrown Ms. Clinton, of change over what was called "inexperience," and all the while with a clean and respectful campaign. The clean cut, family man's "holiday commercial," was a beautiful insight into his whole campaign. There was an attractive well spoken man, with his strong and equal wife, two adorable kids with speaking parts, a traditional Christmas Tree, and the last all inclusive statement (made by the youngest of the girls) "Happy Holidays." If there was one commercial, television spot that was an insight into the Obama campaign, this was the one. It showed that the country was in for change, with a possible first black president, a traditional side with a full family, yet an all encompassing message.

However, once the Democratic Nominee is chosen, how will Barack continue to pound the "changing of America" dichotomy home? There is no better way, then to have a vice president candidate that is an independent billionaire, who could run as President himself, does not want to take the chance of losing, needs to shore up some more overall foreign policy experience, and could follow in the footsteps of Obama after his term is over. In steps Mike Bloomberg, the now Mayor of New York, would not only fill in a perfect void, but would also be a perfect fit for the Democratic Nominee who has only been a one term senator and does have some experience flaws. Bloomberg would bring not only an "independent" credibility to Obama's ticket, but he also has the billionaire funds and overall swagger of a vice president now. A Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, or even a solid Richard Luger would be qualified and solid running mates for Obama. However, for the "Audacity of Hope" candidate, what would be more of a shocker, could shore up more independent voters in the "red states," and once again would bring endless funds to a candidate that is already white hot with a good portion of the American people?

With the emergence of Dick Cheney, being the most powerful VP in history and actually making the office a credible source of power and influence, Bloomberg would not have to be a lame duck (i.e., Al Gore, VP Bush, or any other vice president before Cheney). For the first time in America's history, there would basically be two Presidents in the Oval Office, both of whom would compliment each other and possibly could bring back the balance to the country. Whether or not Obama has the foresight to see this and make a bold decision in this direction, or whether Bloomberg would even take a second seat to anyone, is yet to be seen. However, Obama with any other Democrat in the mix of politics would have the possibility of having his "change message" tarnished. If Obama were to pick another "independent" like Joe Lieberman (which may actually be a running mate of Huckabee, but more of McCain), then he would be subjected to more of the "same old Washington" baggage and overflow. For all Americans who long for "American Change" in Washington and through the fabric of America, there is a possibility with Barack Obama, but a Barack Obama/Mike Bloomberg ticket looms with not only change, but that is a true "change in politics."