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CNN/YouTube Democratic Debate

All eight Democratic presidential candidates brought their campaigns to Charleston Monday and answered questions submitted via You Tube in a debate at The Citadel that aired live on CNN Monday July 23, 2007.

All eight Democratic presidential candidates on Monday came to The Citadel to answer 40 videotaped questions submitted by ordinary Americans on everything from slavery reparations, military-style weapons and gay marriage, as well as the larger issues that have dominated the campaign so far.

The two-hour debate, aired live on CNN, was historic not only because it was the first ever held in Charleston but also because its questions were sent in via the video Web site YouTube.com, marking an unprecedented use of the Internet on the presidential debate stage.

The questions came from people of all ages and ilks. Sheena Currell, a young student from Blythewood, asked candidates who their favorite teacher was, and a talking snowman in Minneapolis said, "I've been growing concerned that global warming, the single most important issue to the snowmen of this country, is being neglected."

No single candidate appeared to turn in a slam-dunk performance before the 2,500 people gathered inside McAlister Field House because there were so many players on the court. Still, many scored some points.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who is making history as a black frontrunner in American presidential politics, said he didn't favor reparations for slavery but added, "I think the reparations we need right here in South Carolina is investment in our schools."

Obama's comment — and a few of the other candidates' remarks — drew a loud whoop from the audience, which clearly was given more leeway to respond to the candidates than audiences in previous debates.

U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut fielded a question about the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina, calling it "one of the most dark and shameful moments in our recent past history. ... It's a mark of shame for our country. It ought to be reversed. It will be under a Dodd administration."

Asked about being a woman, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York said she is seeking support not because of her gender but because of her 35 years of experience. She said that experience would help her deal with leaders from Muslim countries, where women have a second-class status.

"When I'm inaugurated, I think it's going to send a great message to a lot of little girls and boys around the world," she said.

A North Carolina minister noted that religion was used to defend slavery and to deny women the right to vote. He asked why it's acceptable to today use religion to deny homosexuals full and equal rights, including marriage.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards replied that he opposed gay marriage. "I feel enormous personal conflict about this issue," he said. "I think it is absolutely wrong, as president of the United States, for me to have used that faith basis as a basis for denying anybody their rights."

Jered Townsend of Clio, Mich., said people want to know "if our babies are safe." He then lifted a military-style weapon, adding, "This is my baby."

U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware noted that he originally wrote the assault weapons ban and said, "If that's his baby, he needs help. ... I hope he doesn't come looking for me."

The debate differed markedly from the Democrats first face off three months ago in Orangeburg. Then, the war in Iraq dominated much of the night.

Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan arrived in Charleston earlier Monday to meet with reporters and point out how the Democratic candidates had backed away from the war for political reasons.

"It became in their political self-interest to go the other way. I think that's unfortunate for the country because a strong national defense is what government is first about in our country," he said. "We have to support our troops, and I think they're moving in the wrong direction."

Local Republicans watched the debate at TBonz Gill & Grill in Mount Pleasant and found little to like.

"I'm sure they did have some good questions — they screened them out," Charleston County GOP Chairwoman Lin Bennett said. "No one had an original thought or an original answer."

Also in the TBonz crowd was Cory J. Owens, a 1999 Citadel graduate and an Iraq war veteran who didn't like what he saw as the Democrats' tendency to oppose anything that Bush supports, particularly when it came to the war.

"There's an old country song that goes, 'You've gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything,' " he said. "I think that's what Bush is doing."

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio noted that he is the only candidate who voted against the war from the start and voted to stop funding for it. During his own YouTube video, he urged the audience to text peace messages to Congress.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson vowed to bring all troops home from Iraq in six months, although other candidates said it would take at least a year.

"The lives of our young troops are more important than George Bush's legacy," Richardson said. "This war is a quagmire. It's endless. The time has come to bring the troops home. No politics. Get it done."

Former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska appeared frustrated with the format and his lack of time to talk. When naming his favorite teacher, he said it was a priest who taught him to speak, "and that's what little chance I get to use it today."

U.S. Rep. and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said the debate will help South Carolina Democrats regain strength, because it was held at The Citadel, which he said helps counter the perception that Democrats are anti-military, and because the party's diverse presidential field helps distance the party from old race-related wounds.

While the tone of the debate dipped toward the silly at times, moderator Anderson Cooper warned viewers at the start: "Tonight is really something of an experiment."

CNN plans to use the same format when it televises the Republican debate on Sept. 17 from Florida.

South Carolina Democrats will go to the polls Jan. 29 to make their presidential contender pick.

Noah Haglund contributed to this report. Reach Robert Behre at rbehre@postandcourier.com or 937-5771.