THE FINAL DEBATE

In tonight’s final, must-win debate before next week’s critical primary, Hillary Clinton fumbled the opening kick-off. When Bryan Williams gave her the first question, instead of answering it she chose to complain about getting it. “I find it curious,” she said, “that I always get the first question. I’ll answer it – I just find it curious, that’s all.” It was a desperate response from a desperate candidate.

Barack’s performance, if not stellar, was certainly smooth. Asked to respond to a taped clip of Hillary sarcastically mocking the theme of hope in his stump speeches, he graciously laughed and gave her points for humor and delivery. He remained unrattled and calm under fire.

The first sixteen minutes were spent on health care. Though she tried to parse the minute difference in their respective plans, it was clear that they are both seeking the same thing: the best coverage for the most people at the lowest price. So in the end, Sen. Clinton appeared to be grasping at straws.

For people of my generation, Jack Kennedy’s presidency and Bobby Kennedy’s candidacy were magical times. They made it seem as if anything you could dream was indeed possible. Barack Obama inspires that kind of dreaming, and that power simply cannot be overstated. He won the debate and will likely win the nomination.

a foot on either side