This weekend Defense Secretary Robert Gates “issued a warning shot,” saying that the Democratic proposal extend the time between deployment was a “back-door effort” to end the war. I could not agree more with Gates, the Democrats are afraid to do what they said they were going to do, end the war.  They do not want to do it in a way that looks like they are not supporting our troops, for example stopping the flow of money to the troops for critical supplies. However this will do something similar, by not providing the needed man power on the ground.No where in the U.S. Constitution does it say Congress has the right to decide how wars are fought. I believe that if they really wanted to end the war, they would have done so already. Their drive to end the war is merely a rally cry for the American people.  I support the Defense Secretary assertion that the President should veto any bill that proposes, this “back-door effort.”

From the CNN Political Ticker:

• “[T]he eight contenders shed some of the collegiality of their previous group appearances” at last night’s CNN/WMUR/Union Leader Democratic Presidential Debate, “and made direct challenges to the votes and positions of their opponents on matters ranging from healthcare to energy policy.” (Boston Globe)

• It was “a wide-ranging, often heated debate that promised to test their appeal among influential New Hampshire Primary voters.” (New Hampshire Union Leader)

• The event “brought the top three Democratic contenders into close proximity and gave them their first real chance to joust in public.” (Washington Post)

• In “one of several striking exchanges – arguably the sharpest of the Democratic campaign” – Obama said to Edwards, “The fact is that I opposed this war from the start. So you’re about four and a half years late on leadership on this issue.” (New York Times)

• “Clinton, standing between them, happily stayed out of the crossfire.” (New York Daily News)

• Informed Voters has an excellent debate wrap up.
• The Wall Street Journal wraps up with a post on who spoke the most, Obama lead Hillary by 2 minutes 26 seconds.
• CNN has an interesting debate score card.

All in all, I found that the democrats said nothing surprising. Obama made sure that voters knew again that he never voted to authorize the war, Kucinich acted like he was a man of the people talking about restoring a sense of self in America.

They had an interesting discussion on the issue of English as an official language. I do not know how valid Hillary’s commit was that, if English were the official language the government could not provide ballots in another language or provide translators in hospitals. I think it should be the official language, and I know many on the liberal side will say most Americans can’t speak perfect English. I am not asking any one to speak English perfectly, but if you want to live in this country and make money in this country the least you can do is speak our language.

They also touched on the genocide in Darfur, they treaded very lightly on that issue. Not all the candidates took a firm stance on the issue.

Lastly they spoke about health care reform, and their “universal” health care plans. I agree that our country’s health care system needs to be reformed, I do not agree with universal health care for several reasons. First, like our current system a universal one will have several flaws. Second, America has some of the best doctors in their respective fields, going universal would force many of those doctors to leave this country because they are not going to be paid what they deserve for their hard work.

On Mandatory Military Service

Sen. Gravel–We should have incentives for those who serve: every year you serve you get 4 years of free schooling.

Sen. Dodd–Against the draft!! I joined the peace corp because an American President asked my generation to.

What is the definition of rich, in terms of income level?

Sen. Obama--People making over $250,000 a year–I am talking about going back to the tax levels during President Clinton administration.

Kucinich–Would you take out Osama Bin Laden if civilian may get in the way?–NO, I don’t believe in assassination politics!–Another Ron Paul moment!

Sen. Obama–Says he would take out Bin Laden as he is a credible military target and threat.

Would you take out Osama Bin Laden if civilian may get in the way?–Many raised hands, all jumped to make comments.

Sen. Clinton--Says her husband has already tried–I think she needs to stop referring to her husband and start taking more of her own positions in these debates

 Sen. Biden–Darfur–We can end this genocide but we must act now, and we should use military force to end the genocide in Darfur.

Gov. Richardson-Darfur–I would not use force to stop the genocide in Darfur–More UN Peace Keepers, more economic sanctions, we also need a foreign policy that will care about Africa.

 Sen. Dodd–Not participating in the Beijang Olympic Games if China does not help to stop the genocide in Darfurt–He says thats going to far!–I disagree.

On Iran–How would you approach solving the Problem with Iran, would use force or diplomacy?

Sen. Clinton–Diplomacy is way overdue, we need a process of engagement, during the Cold War we talked to the Soviet Union. Patient diplomacy is what I will do, we have to make it clear that Iran having a nuclear weapon is not acceptable.

Hillary makes a joke–sending Dick Cheney is hardly diplomacy… 

Sen. Edwards–The Iranian people rally for America, their is pro-American sentiment in Iran. Their President is politically unpopular.  Economic threat, but we will not take any option off the table.

Sen. Biden-- I would do away with the policy of regime change. Understand how weak Iran is, they are a decade away from building an atomic bomb–How does he know this no one knows this fact?

Questions from the audience:

Rebuilding the army after the war–Kucinich–This war has degraded our military and we should create a strong peace keeping force–Whats the difference?

Plan to rebuild the military–Cut Spending???–I don’t really understand his plan to fix the military by cutting spending.

Dodd–Applauds those who are serving–It is the principal responsibility to keep American safe and secure–however administration must use other option first before using the armed forces.

Why can’t veterans get care at hospitals of their choice? 

Sen. Obama–If they can’t access a VA hospital then they should be able to get health care any where.

Gov. Richardson–Provide VA Health Care card so that they can get care any where they choose.

Sen. Gravel--I am, personally satisfied with the VA care.

I think that Obama, needs to stop passing the blame of his short comings to the President.

• Check out my links under Read this… beneath the photos.

•  As well I don’t really like the format, with out the time limits, and bells

Sen. Obama–On Iraq Funding–This vote was a vote on the continuation of a plan that has not worked. The best way to support our troops, is to not leave them in the middle of a political situation in Iraq.

Sen. Edwards–I have always been against a funding bill that didn’t have a time table for withdrawal. He called out Sens. Obama and Clinton on the Iraq vote and lack of leadership

Sen. Obama response--”I have opposed this war from the start and John you are about 4 1/2 years late on leadership.”

Sen. Clinton response–’This George Bush’s war…he has mismanaged the war and refuses to end the war…We are trying to end the war”