Ground Game

I’ll be providing regular updates over the next two hours as I live blog today’s Des Moines Register sponsored Democratic debate in Iowa.

Bloggers and beltway reporters are falling over themselves today to formulate the conventional wisdom that yesterday’s debate was boring. I’m not necessarily disagreeing with that incredible bit of insight, but I would ask, as opposed to which debate, exactly?

Today’s DC collective-thought thread also seems to agree with my quick analysis that Mitt Romney performed well yesterday, Huckabee didn’t do anything to really hurt his new front-runner status, and that it was annoying to have Alan Keyes on stage. But I think we’re all a little curious to see how DMR editor Carolyn Washburn handles, or mishandles, things today.

• Hmm… this isn’t a good sign for those upset about the lack of diversity in yesterday’s questions (no immigration, no Iraq).

Washburn, on today’s topics: ‘The issues not getting a lot of attention,” and those “most-important to Iowa voters.”

• The candidates are being asked about balancing the federal budget:

Obama: Hates “special interests,” without naming any

Richardson: Wants to get rid of congressional earmarks, sticking with a pay-as-you-go budget.

Biden: Says ending the war will go a long way

Dodd: Growing the economy is good. But what will the anti-economy candidates say?

Edwards: “One of the reasons we’ve lost jobs … is because corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government.”

Clinton: Evokes Clinton administration. “I will institute those very same approaches. … The economy will grow again once we start acting fiscally responsible. … The results will take awhile for us to actually see.”

• The candidates, on how U.S. China relations should be balanced in light of Chinese creditors carrying a significant amount of U.S. debt.

Richardson: “Our relationship with China today is clearly one-sided.” “I would tell them that they cannot continue playing around with currencies. … It would be a stronger relationship with American leadership.”

Dodd: “This is more of an adversarial relationship and it has to be identified as such.” Makes a key distinction that “competitors,” usually play on a level-playing field. “We need to get a lot tougher on this – fair, not loud.”

On entitlements, and if they need to be reformed:

Clinton: “It’s a particular problem with Medicare.” Suggests a bi-partisan committee on Social Security.

Obama: Cites 1980 obesity rates, saying slimming down would save $20 billion in healthcare costs.

Richardson: “I believe universal healthcare is a human right for every American.” Calls out The Beetis

• Edwards is calling out “corporate greed” for the third question in a row. Refresh my memory, but I swear hearing once that he’s the son of a mill worker.

The candidates are now answering questions about trade agreements.

Biden: “How are we helping third-world countries by signing agreements with them that we know are going to be exploiting their workers?”

Richardson: Said any future trade agreements should require both partners to agree to international trade agreements on child labor, air standards, etc.

Dodd: Said human rights should be part of the “seamless conduct” of U.S. national security. “That’s one way to enhance our reputation.”

Edwards: “Human rights should be central to how our country engages with the rest of the world.” And yes, a reference to “big corporations,” and the mill his father worked in! Who could have seen that coming?

Clinton, on if NAFTA should be “scrapped,” or “changed.”: “It should be changed.” “I want to be a president who focuses on smart, effective trade.” “We believe in trade, but we don’t want to be the trade patsies of the world.”

Obama, on NAFTA: “There’s no doubt that NAFTA needs to be amended.”

• Richardson turns the table on Washburn during his personal statement: “I’m concerned that in the media, and in the last debate, that the Iraq war was not discussed.” “This is the number one issue facing not only this country, but Iowa caucus goers.”

He seems to be in his groove, but does it matter at this point?

The candidates on energy policy:

Biden: “The president’s gotta make this a moral crusade for the American people.”

Richardson: “Fuel-efficiency standards in this country should be 50 miles per gallon.”

Dodd: “We’re borrowing a billion dollars every day to buy foreign oil. … (getting quite vocal) “You need to be able to tax this carbon, which is killing us, killing this planet.”

Clinton: “This has to call for a new form of American patriotism.”

Obama: “There are going to be some increases in energy prices, initially, if we go with a cap-and-trade system.” “We’ve got to be courageous enough to not just talk about this in front of the Sierra Club.” Tells an anecdote about talking to auto makers in Detroit. “It was quiet in the room, nobody clapped,” gets laughter from both Washburn and the audience.

Edwards: “We have a future responsibility to future generations, an enormous responsibility.”