Fred Thompson tries out a campaign theme on Virginia Republicans

McCain comes out against Net Neutrality; Says would hire Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

Romney Is Central Target of McCain Counterattack

Rasmussen poll: Steady lead for Clinton among Dems

Edwards says he had all the intelligence he needed for Iraq vote

Biden scolds Democratic rivals for bowing out of debates, notes importance of black vote

Column: Sweet debate extra. Edwards goes after Obama, Clinton

Columnist/Author released after being arrested in Spin Room

Columnist Eric Alterman who apparently was arrested at the debate after refusing to leave.

Goffstown, N.H. police said Alterman was in the spin room as a guest of the Creative Coalition and went to an area reserved for a private reception for WMUR-TV. Police said he was asked by an executive at the party if he was invited to the private area and was asked to leave. A police officer was called after a verbal altercation ensued. According to police, Alterman was asked seven times to leave and became increasingly loud as he refused. After ignoring a final request, police said he was handcuffed and taken from the building.

techPresident looks at why Ron Paul was made for the Internets but why he is doomed to failure.

I am still trying to figure out if this Ron Paul stuff is real or the work of a few net savvy people.

I had a really nice day today stopping by Fairport’s Canal Days (local town here off the Erie Canal) where I ate WAY more then I should have. With that said, yum!

As for the Democratic Debate? As I keep saying WAY too many people on stage. I agree with Joe Biden, they should break these things up. One 90 Minute debate on Iraq, one on Health Care etc.

- CNN had numerous technical problems. I have no idea why but it became really distracting.

- Obama still looks shaky.

- Kucinich was out crazies last time by Gravel but had a strong crazy showing tonight! Good job.

- Pile on Edwards night

That is about it. Too many candidates and lots of technical difficulties. No major news.

I am just throwing up notes not a transcript but plenty of people are liveblogging out there. Who is liveblogging out there?

ABC | FireDogLite | Brian Beutler | Lookin’ For the Joke | Washington Post | The Major | No Runny Eggs

The ElectionGeek’s thoughts while watching the debate

- Obama opened trying to throw in everything he knows about foreign policy at the same time. Didn’t look so good.

- Great Obama line “It took you (Edwards) four and a half years” to come around to the anti-war position.

- Hillary great line about the difference between “working on the outside” to Edwards on ending the war in Iraq “and working from inside and actually making a difference”.

SO the theme in the first 17 minutes? Jump all over Edwards. Good stategy. Throughout the debate though as Obama pushes against Edwards, Edwards tries to be his friend. As Edwards tries Obama pushes further.

I am thoroughly convinced Obama & Clinton have some kind of pact with one another to not go too far. Well see if it continues. As Obama pushes Edwards he also pulls Hillary closer.

Edwards realized around 45 minutes in the strategy wasn’t working and started attacking Obama. Clinton stands in the middle nodding.

- LOTS Of technical difficulties with mics. Blitzer’s mic is bleeding all over (no not literally). Also why are camerapeople running all over the place? MSNBC & FOX had a much smoother setup. I understand this is a “down hall” but they can’t get a couple camera cranes?

- Hillary is trying to turn this into ‘the differences between us are small, the differences between us and them are large’

- Richardson doesn’t shine on these debates.

- Gravel is crazy, not Ron Paul crazy, the bad kind of crazy.

- Kucinich is crazy in a better package. It’s interesting hearing someone in Congress not understand how Congress works. Biden called him on it and did WONDERFUL throwing down the idea that they can just end the war because the Democrats want.

- Hillary & Edwards were both hit with the “not reading the National Intelligence Estimate” question. They both helped each other out on it. Then he followed up with the Obama question and gave him praise which lead to applause which then lost his steam.

- Bill Richardson wants the states to be able to investigate price gouging on gas prices but as a former Energy Secretary doesn’t believe they are gouging. So…

- Mike Gravel is the only one who believes english should be the national language.

———————- Break ————————–
Nice idea to have a break between in there. CNN continually highlighted today that they would not show commercials (unlike FOX) and the break is filled up with a few minutes of analysis. Everyone will sit down now.

Foreign Policy
Iran, Iraq, Osama bin Laden etc.

- Kucinich would not assassinate Osama bin Laden. Obama would take him out but doesn’t believe in “assassination politics”. Even GRAVEL would kill him. Kucinich, even GRAVEL would do it.

- Military force to stop genocide in Darfur? Lots of confusion with questions. Hillary lays down the law with Blitzer and gets lots of applause.

- Kid asks about the draft, which oddly enough is his notion of a “lighter note”. Lots of confusion.

Gravel would give everyone a free four year degree for serving. Kucinich wants to “inspire” people into joining. Guess which one I think would work better?

HAHA best idea of the night? Blitzer said the next debate will be “revolutionary” one utilizing Google & YouTube. CNN couldn’t even get the microphones working tonight, what kind of revolutionary business are they going to run? Will the lights not work?