Dem debate from 2007 vs. today

Watching the debates 2 weeks ago, I started to wonder: "Is it just me, or have Democrats gone off the deep end?" I needed something to compare them to.

So I went to youtube looking for an apples-to-apples comparison. I found the first Dem debate 3 election cycles ago. It was from April 2007, held in Orangeburg, SC. LINK It was Obama, Hillary, Biden, Edwards, and 4 others. Here are my observations:

1) One immigration question was asked, and it was for Hillary.

quote:

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Clinton: Well, I'm in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, which includes tightening our border security, sanctioning employers to employ undocumented immigrants, helping our communities deal with the costs that come from illegal immigration, getting the 12 million or so immigrants out of the shadows. That's very important to me.

After 9/11, we've got to know who's in this country. And then giving them a chance to pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English and stand in line to be eligible for a legal status in this country.

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This answer is further to the right than every 2020 Dem candidate, and about half the GOP today. Nobody challenged her, and they moved on to education.

2) Quote from candidate Dodd that would go over awesomely in 2019: "I don't support same-sex marriage."

3) Candidate Gravel from Alaska, at one point, looks at Hillary and Obama and says "these people frighten me" tinfoil hat time!

4) The candidates were so cautious. Generally boring overall. They very rarely challenge or interrupt each other.

5) It's funny to see Obama nervous. At times his voice shakes. He looks right out of college.

6) Sometimes you forget an audience is even there. Much less applause than you hear today.

7) Dems loved capitalism back then:

quote:

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Clinton: Well, I think that America is a great place because we have an entrepreneurial economy. We have people who are willing to make stakes and new enterprises and invest their money.

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8) Candidate Richardson all about that non-PC life:

quote:

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Did it affect that he was Hispanic in what I said? Yeah, it did, and I said so. I think the American people want candor. They don't want blow- dried candidates with perfection.

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9) Weird to see moderator Brian Williams go hard in the paint on Hillary:

quote:

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Senator Clinton, recent national polls indicate the majority of the general public has an unfavorable view of you, right now, at this point in time. Why do you think Republicans are looking forward to running against you with so much zeal?

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10) Edwards sweet talking pro-lifers, wouldn't fly in 2019 brother

quote:

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this is a very difficult issue for many people. And I think we have to show respect for people who have different views about this.

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11) Richardson touting gun owners

quote:

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a vast, vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding

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12) Last but not least.

quote:

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Obama: Well, look, I think that the Confederate flag should be put in a museum. That's where it belongs.

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Yeah, I'd say the Democrats have changed just a tad in 12 years