Debate: Live Coverage

Well, all..I'm heading to the spin room to try and ask some campaign surrogates some questions. When I get home later, I'll do a post debate wrap up. Thanks to Tommy for keeping the comments section going! Oh, and Howard Fineman from Newsweek is a REALLY nice guy!

9:30 - Hillary does not support federal gun laws. What works in New York may not work in Montana. I'll have to check on this, but I believe she supoort federal gun bans once. George looks a little sceptical, too.

Affirmative action. Hillary says "let's affirmatively invest in our children". Ok. Sounds good.

I just noted in the comments that this rooms full of journalists seems asleep. Since this is my first debate in a press room, this could be normal. I'll find out. But check out the comments over at ABC News if you get a chance - nobody there seems too damn thrilled with this debate either.

9:10 - Still on the economy. Hillary favors investing in infrastructure and green projects. She would not increase the capitol gains tax. Here's a purple Dem elephant for you for the commercial break:

8:50 - Yay, issues! Clinton will start taking troops out of Iraq in 60 days. Obama will not listen to the people on the ground like Bush. Well, maybe for tactics.

Obama bolsters his appeal to Jews by making sure that he mentions that Iran will never get away with doing anything bad to Israel. Hillary: Me too, me too! She will not have the Iranians in her White House, but she will engage diplomatically.

Economy: Shows video of McCain saying "audicity" and HOPE in little finger quotes. Hillary likes that. Middle class tax cuts? Nah, but Obama might do something to offset the payroll tax.

8:35 - Obama begs and pleads to bring the debate back to important issues again. Oh! Another Latrobe person! This one wants to know why Obama doesn't wear a flag pin! Hey Charlie, George! Hello?? Healthcare? Iraq? Our shredded Constitution - we're in the Constitution Center for crack's sake!

Ayers...Here we go Katherine! I hope you're there. I told you they were gonna go with the Ayers question...

Seriously though, Obama mentions that he's also friends with Tom Coburn who advocated for the death penalty for abortions. Should that be held against him as well. Why is Hillary backing this up? BILL pardoned some Weather Underground, didn't he? Yes! Obama brings that up. I just raised a fist in the air. I think some people near me are Hillary supporters - they're glaring at me.

8:50 - Yay, issues! Clinton will start taking troops out of Iraq in 60 days. Obama will not listen to the people on the ground like Bush. Well, maybe for tactics.

Obama bolsters his appeal to Jews by making sure that he mentions that Iran will never get away with doing anything bad to Israel. Hillary: Me too, me too! She will not have the Iranians in her White House, but she will engage diplomatically.

Economy: Shows video of McCain saying "audicity" and HOPE in little finger quotes. Hillary likes that. Middle class tax cuts? Nah, but Obama might do something to offset the payroll tax.

8:35 - Obama begs and pleads to bring the debate back to important issues again. Oh! Another Latrobe person! This one wants to know why Obama doesn't wear a flag pin! Hey Charlie, George! Hello?? Healthcare? Iraq? Our shredded Constitution - we're in the Constitution Center for crack's sake!

Ayers...Here we go Katherine! I hope you're there. I told you they were gonna go with the Ayers question...

Seriously though, Obama mentions that he's also friends with Tom Coburn who advocated for the death penalty for abortions. Should that be held against him as well. Why is Hillary backing this up? BILL pardoned some Weather Underground, didn't he? Yes! Obama brings that up. I just raised a fist in the air. I think some people near me are Hillary supporters - they're glaring at me.

8:10 - Charlie asks the "bitter" question. Obama understands how some would be offended. It's not the first time he effed up and won't be the last! He clarifies. People, when feeling down fall back on constants.

Hillary's grandad was a poor mountaineer from Scranton. Or something. In any event, she understands that type of life better than Barry. She's asked if she thinks Obama can beat McCain. She admits that Obama can win, but she's better because of what she's been through. Obama thinks he's way better.

Barack remembers the time that Hillary was called elitist - after the Tammy Wynette - baking cookies thing. Now she does shots.

Charlie asks why Obama didn't know what Rev. Wright was all about. Obama dices and slices saying "I said I didn't see the ones circulating on You Tube." Next question, please! Hillary is asked why she said Wright would never be her pastor, after all he did good things. 22 minutes in and all we've had has been Bitter and Wright. Sounds like a folk duo. Friend Paddy informs me that everyone is probably now changing to Deal or No Deal. I'm bored.

George wants to know who loves America more - Barry or Wright. Is Wright as patriotic? I'm going downstairs and slapping both of them. Enough!

Hillary - are you the Queen of Tuzla? Do you pack an AK-47? No, she says - just not as accurate as usual.

8:00 - Obama gets to give his opening statement first. Hillary looks on lovingly. He talks about a man in Latrobe, PA that can't find a job and worries about the gas money to go find another - doesn't indicate whether he loaned the poor guy any.. Did they close the Rolling Rock plant?

Hillary speaks to the fact that government is not standing up for them. Promises all things to all people in the world.

First question concerns about disparate constituencies between the two. Mario Cuomo wants them to pledge to run together. Hmmmm, no one wants to answer. Ok- Obama bites. But it's too premature to pick a running mate. More promises about stuff and McSame is the Bush II. Hillary promises to make sure a Democrat gets to the White House. Close ranks and unify! Hah! Have you seen our comments section lately??

Chesea is looking pretty and looks like she's going to cry.