I was pleased with both Hillary and Barack this evening. However, I was a little turned off at times with Wolfe’s questioning, especially when he would repeat the same taunting question a number of times. I like some tough grilling when appropriate in a debate, but this seemed needless and perhaps a bit trivial. Sometimes I think the media enjoys a good fight among the candidates more than anyone else. I enjoy CNN very much, but lets not go trying to stir up something that’s not there for the sake of a story. Let’s leave any poor judgement calls up to the candidates. Their mistakes will help the rest of us make a better choice for president.

Thanks again for the report, Back Row Blogger. And thanks for answering my question about the yelling that goes on. I’m glad it’s all done in good humor. Laughter is the best way in the world to relieve stress! It’s either that or go get trained in CPR.

I have some suggestions for which of your “guests” to cut from the program, not that anyone at 360 cares what I think. I vote first for Carl Bernstein who is far too partisan and second for Bill Bennett who is far too pompous.

I’m glad you had no problems with the prompter tonight. Y’all handled the change in air time like the professionals that you are. Good job!

Well you all did a great job with the amount of guests that you had and what you put on the air. It was great to me!! Thanks for putting it into words…even though it is hard for ya! LOL I really love hearing what goes on behind the scenes! Hopefully soon you can add a camera and we can see it for ourselves!!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Great show as usual thanks to you all. The show flowed smoothly like it usually does.

Glad you didn’t’ have to cut any guests. I kind of agree with Barbara’s description of Bill Bennet but I enjoy him and his pompous air. And I think most of the panelists are partisan in one way or the other. On the Democratic side especially it seems sometimes like a pep rally for Obama.

I’d like to see a few people on there for Clinton. I know having James Carville on gave you all some problems with disclosure the last time he was on but he’s still a good analyst and with adequate disclosure he would be a great addition. (For those who don’t like clinton - look at it in a know thy enemy sort of mode). Paul Begala would also make a nice addition. There needs to be better balance on the panels and a lot more objectivity.

You all will be pros at crisis management by the time this election series is over. Not a bad thing for the old resume. Just be glad you aren’t having to do it with an auditor looking over your shoulder. Last few I did we had auditors coming out our ears!!

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

One thing is becoming crystal clear about the control room…It’s never in complete control, and that makes an interesting job to go to everyday. Flying by the seat of your pants, might be a good name for your hard working group.
I’m glad no guests were cut, we need all sides represented in your coverage.
Life is full of critics, and that includes critics we don’t agree with.
As far as broken prompters go, I think ad libbing is under appreciated. Nothing highlights skill more than coming up with the right words, for the right moments.
Good luck tomorrow.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Well, it’s been a wonderful week for those of us who love politics. Thanks for sharing with us the “control room” perspective. Better be careful though, all that crisis management could give you enough experience to run for the presidency!

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

A great show again tonight. I’m glad you didn’t have to cancel any guests with the unexpectedly shorter show. I guess you can also tell the guests to be more brief in their commentaries (if that’s possible) so no one has to be cut?

I’m glad you all have a sense of humor in your job…sounds like you all get along. I know in my job, if I don’t laugh once in a while, I’d go crazy.

Thanks,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

I know and believe that Sen. Obama is the best candidate for the democradic party. He is the most eloquent, trust worthy and best qualify to lead America. However, i felt in last night’s debate, Sen. Obama didn’t push enough to make me feel the same passion he felt about these issues as he did in the begining. In my opinion Sen. Obama’s not pushing enough and hoping the American people would feel that he is trust-worthy is not helping him in winning as the democratic candidate. John Kerry was very trust-worthy, however people could not feel it enough and made the wrong decision. John Edwards is also trust-worthy, people don’t make the right decision a lot of the time. With Sen Obama as the democratic candidate, i know the democratic party will succeed in this election. The results are shaky without him as the democratic candidate,

The main word that describes last nights democratic presidential debate is civility! Everyone is please that the debate was about issues and not about personal attacks. I would like to thank Obama for making the Clinton’s get out of the dirt with their nasty aggressive campagin attacks and comming back to the issues. What a great leader he was for the Clinton’s. He lead them back to civility and that is exactly why he should be president.

I thought the show was great. I don’t do well without a plan, so I can only imagine what you go through every night. I always find David Gergen’s comments really interesting. John King’s as well.

One more comment, when will Anderson get a night off? He deserves one after all of this debate/primary work he’s been doing.

Barbara, I read your comments with much chagrin. It is funny how you may not like someone that I care for and vice versa. It makes us all special. When I hear someone that I particularly do not like on 360 or any other station I listen and then I google them. Sometimes I mute them.

When I google them, I look to find their websites. Most of these pundits have their own promotional websites for books etc. There is a website http://www.newsmeat.com where you can track these folks and see what political campaigns they are supporting. When you read their websites you can figure out who their spouses are usually. Then key their spouse’s name in http://www.newsmeat.com. Some of these news commentators are just channeling political donations through their spouses. When you have the facts, everything makes a whole lot of sense.

The only pundits that really kill me are the folks that are offering their opinions that are not Americans. Here me out on this. A person decides to come to America from abroad and then takes up a profession as a political commentator bashing our government and our system. And yes, they in the past they have been guests on 360. I guess my never ending about of e-mails have caused these nice folks at 360 to review and discuss these folks. They folks haven’t been back. There are two in particular that just kill me with their own agenda. And, yes, they are on other network and cable television shows doing their Bush bashing for ratings.

Do you Barbara have the power to change the media? You bet you do! It is our job as good Americans to hold the media accountable to the jobs they do which is to provide us with full and fair disclosure. We expect it, we deserve it so we in fact can make up our own minds at home based on the facts and not the fiction.

Last nights debate with Obama and Hillary? Surreal!!!

I have had it! CNN along with most of the American media, and even my favorite Anderson Cooper are once again crucifying the Clintons and ignoring important observations.

Everyone keeps saying that it is beneath a former President to campaign for his wife, meaning Bill Clinton. It baffles me why the media has not asked the simple question of what other former President had a wife running for President.

The American media is so caught up in the Obama hype that it has also bought, hook line and sinker, the Republican’s ploy to use Ronald Regan’s name as much as possible to deflect attention away from the mess that Bush has created. Ronald Regan isn’t even alive anymore, yet his name is used more and more in every debate right under our so observant media’s watchful eye.

As an African American male, I feel that Barrack is a wonderful candidate and will be a great President but I would personally prefer to have someone not only with experience but with a proven track record of bringing stability and surpluses to the American economy, which is why Hilary will have my vote. I remember the Clinton years very well while living in South Beach and it was a prosperous time had by all. While she wasn’t in office during those years, she was a part of the White House married to the person responsible for bringing together one of the most successful administrations our country has ever seen. And during these debates she has proven to me that her administration would be a continuation of those successful times and better times to come.

Peter Ferguson

The debate was good and instructive made me understand difference in their position.and policy.
Wolf tried hard to put both at guard, nice try to make Hillary say that she made a mistake.

I heard yesterday in CNN that Oprah is coming to address in Ca on behalf of Obama.The people in CA is going to be hearing from Billianair OPRAH and Caroline Kennedy who inherited a lot of money from her mother father and brother,about what Obamh is going to do for poor and middle class people.

I think Oprah wants to be the ( black) king maker and want to be in the history book