April 26, 2007
Dem Debate Smells Like School Spirit
Is this a race for president or homecoming queen?
No other election year has seen such a hot contest among the TV networks for proprietary claim on the debates, and MSNBC, which is hosting the first big talk-off among the Democratic contenders, is letting everyone know it. As if the daylong speculation on what the candidates might or might not say tonight weren't enough -- and arguably at the expense of other news (hello, Iraq funding bill) -- "Hardball" is broadcasting outdoors on the South Carolina State University's campus, complete with the school's marching band making the commercial segues and a hooting and hollering crowd of excited co-eds.
(Wonder if Christopher Dodd or Joseph Biden are also Gnarls Barkley fans?)
None of this is to say there isn't a whole lot here for political junkies or agnostic voters, even. Elizabeth Edwards is on now, full of energy, reminding Chris Matthews that last time around before the primaries, Howard Dean had all the mojo and look what happened to him? She then evokes the somewhat unfortunate example of Richard Gephardt, who in 1988 was in last place before winning the Iowa caucuses. Gephardt lost the nomination, of course, to former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.
MSNBC has an amusing wire write-up on the pre-debate Expectations Game. Expect MSNBC to broadcast from the campus up until kick-off time, 7:00 EDT. The Gate will be liveblogging all the way.
--JANE ROH
