So I kinda/sorta just watched the Democratic Debate...

And by kinda/sorta I mean that I did not get a chance to watch the whole thing, though I did get to see a good portion of the Town Hall format.

Largely, I was impressed by pretty much everyone on the floor. Even Clinton, which was a surprise. (though she did almost immediately make me ill)

Some highlights and interesting quotes of the event:

*Clinton*
Surprisingly wore a pale yellow shirt underneath a modest suit. Interesting nonpower power play for the rough'n'tough NY Senator. She did an amazing job at pointing to her husbands' successes in the White House as often as possible.
"My husband..."
"I've seen...I've lived terror...I'm from NY."

*Obama*
This man surely knows how to win over a crowd. I sincerely believe that if he was selling snake-oil a good part of the American public would buy it. The fact that he seems so genuine is incredible and the ease at which he handles tough questions is poetic.
"Bin Laden is a target, of course I would take him out."
"The rich are receiving the bulk of the tax breaks...roll back breaks on those making more than 250000$"

*Edwards*
So this guy has officially moved himself on to my bumper sticker dream machine. I have no doubt in my mind that if he and Obama were to team up, in either order, the two of them would rally the nation and win the election.
"Free College...with work programs that lead to free tuition and books..."
"National HealthCare..."

+++The rest of the candidates were not as memorable, but worth mentioning. I spent much of the time focusing on my main three, but was still impressed with them+++

*Biden*
A surprisingly tough Liberal, this guy came out of the gates guns 'a blazin' and never seemed to let up.
"Less talk, more action!"

*Richardson*
An interesting option for many Democrats, Richardson comes out with a natural presence and an air of calm with a decent reputation to back him up.
"...balance the budget with a rollback on Bush tax cuts..."

*Dodd*
Nearly my favorite of the underdogs in this campaign, he holds some pretty new ideas and has a way of forcing the leaders of the pack to discuss them without resorting to name-calling or political bashing.
"...Fiscal policies should reflect our Moral Values..."

*Gravel*
But my award for Favorite Underdog in a Campaign They Have No Chance of Winning would have to go to this candidate. He has no way to win, and he knows it. He also has marbles the size of coconuts and an old-fashioned 'Fuck off' attitude wrapped in a shell of a former Governor of Alaska. Interesting things can come from cold places.
"...get rid of ear marks in bills...give the President a Line-item veto power..."
"...work toward a change in our tax structure."

*Kucinich*
The resident Ross Perot of the democrats, (and that goes physically as well as nutty, just look at his friggin ears.) this guy surely knows how to oust himself from a debate composed primarily of somewhat moderate liberals and thrust himself right into the hellfire that is extremist. Sure, the guy is the same shade of blue as everyone else on the stage yet he somehow manages to come off a bit yellow.
"Change the trade laws...get away from NAFTA and the WTO..."
"LOOK AT MY ELF EARS!!!"


Side note: Who the Hell decided that it would be a good idea for an 18 year old, Tim O'Connor, who has not even graduated High School yet, to address this crowd of candidates and ask about reinstituting a draft? Why would this be a good question? The idea of a draft is, and has been repeatedly proven useless and a waste of time. The President is not even the one that would have to come up with the resolution to make that happen. So, FUCK YOU, Tim O'Connor. Thanks for making the youth of this country look bad.

And Finally:

When asked what the most important item for each candidate would be during their first 100 days in office, the following were answers. (each scaled down to just the subject)

Edwards
Re-establish America's Moral Authority

Clinton
Bring our troops home

Obama
"Obviously" bring our troops home, and HealthCare

Richardson
Upgrade education

Biden
End war in Iraq, work on Korea next

Kucinich
Reshape the world for Peace. Get rid of Nukes.

Gravel
Basically, it came down to him wanting to Yell at Congress...which is awesome.

Dodd
(with my favorite answer)
Restore Constitutional Rights!


And keep in mind that the next debate is July 23rd. Keep your channels tuned to CNN, as they are the only network that carries these things.