NEW HAMPSHIRE: A Strangely Touching Moment

John Podhoretz - 01.05.2008 - 8:44 PM

ABC’s Charlie Gibson, who is moderating these back-to-back debates, asked at the conclusion of the Republican contest for the Democratic candidates to come out and shake hands with the Republicans. They had a civil minute of joshing and smiling. I don’t want to sound sappy, but there was something lovely about it.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2008 at 8:44 PM and is filed under Contentions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

8 Responses to “NEW HAMPSHIRE: A Strangely Touching Moment”

1. 1
   Peter Skurkiss Says:
   January 5th, 2008 at 9:00 PM

   You do sound sappy.

2. 2
   Ken Silber Says:
   January 5th, 2008 at 9:02 PM

   It was a nice touch, and even relevant to the job. Whoever becomes president will have to be able to talk to people who disagree with or dislike him (or her), not just rant and rave.

3. 3
   Victoria Says:
   January 5th, 2008 at 10:09 PM

   Sappy, but on point.

   It’s not always just for the history books. Moments like this go into national folklore. Nice move.

4. 4
   Tom Zampino Says:
   January 5th, 2008 at 10:13 PM

   I agree. It was a very good moment for our country. I thought it was terrific and I was moved by it.

5. 5
   Lee Dodson Says:
   January 6th, 2008 at 2:18 AM

   Perfectly idiotic. Gibson never misses a chance to “make news.” While he handled most of the job well by not pursing his lips as he usually does, his attempt at peacemaker played into the hands of the Huckobama crowd. Amazing Gibson didn’t quote that other arbiter of peace, Rodney King. Disgusting. Ruined an otherwise terrific approach.

   This guy should have retired on the success of his handling of the GOP side of the forum.

   As to the Democrats, he never once pushed them on any of their ignored issues.

6. 6
   Jon Warren Says:
   January 6th, 2008 at 6:27 AM

   “Whoever becomes president will have to be able to talk to people who disagree with or dislike him (or her), not just rant and rave.”

   If the press and their viewers would focus on this ability a little more, maybe we would get more substance out of the debates. I thought there were a number of silly shots that made the speakers look immature for the job. Lloyd Bentson’s comment was quite a KO, but no one’s done it since. I’d much rather look to see who sounds most competent to control our slowing economy and be within an arm’s reach of the button. Quoting the Declaration of Independence poorly is not very impressive, especially if you take away the nastiness.

7. 7
   pj Says:
   January 6th, 2008 at 11:54 AM

   It was nice–as if they were saying, isn’t this a wonderful country–we’re all running for president!

   A sentiment conspicuously absent from the Dem debate but there in the meetup.

8. 8
   Sue Says:
   January 6th, 2008 at 2:42 PM

   I’m with you. It was good to see. But I did sit and wonder how much some of them may have hated that moment.

   Sue

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