I tuned in to the Nevada Democratic presidential debate to see whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama would throw the race card on the table. But instead of a throw down, Clinton and Obama tamped down the racial back-and-forth that’s a losing hand for Democrats.
Early on, Clinton said “neither race nor gender should be a part of this campaign.” She expressed regret for the uncivil war waged by “exuberant and sometimes uncontrollable supporters.”
For me, the highlight of the debate was Obama’s acknowledgement that change doesn’t happen by merely hoping for it:
That’s what I draw from Dr. King’s legacy. You know, what happens in Washington is important. And we’ve got to have elected officials that are accountable and serious about moving forward on the goals of opportunity and upward mobility.
But if we don’t have an activated people, a unified people, black, white, Latino, Asian, who are all moving in the same direction, demanding that change happens, then Washington, special interests, lobbyists end up dominating the agenda. That’s what I want to change.
The lowlight was the candidates’ rote blather about "comprehensive immigration reform." Question: What part of illegal do these lawyers not understand?
Why was it so hard for John Edwards to say that English should be the official language? And why does Edwards think it is American taxpayers’ responsibility to make sure that illegals "get a chance to actually learn English?"
Why do Clinton, Obama and Edwards think millions of lawbreakers should be rewarded with American citizenship simply because they sneaked across the border or overstayed their visa?
Frankly, the most exciting news last night was the Michigan Republican primary results. Ron Paul garnered more than twice as many votes as Rudy Giuliani, who barely edged out “uncommitted.”
To borrow a phrase from Giuliani’s longtime nemesis Wayne Barrett, America's Mayor is looking more and more like America's Loser.