Austin (City) LIMITS - Change Debate Results in Little Change
Debates can change the dynamic of an election, but they can just as easily solidify the narratives controlling a contest. Tonight's CNN/Univision Debate at the LBJ Library in Austin likely did the latter.
I believe three things happened that convince me the debate will better serve Obama's purpose than a Clinton shakeup.
1. Clinton's finest moment of all nineteen debates was, in the end, a concession.
2. Obama's narratives were sustained, even advanced.
3. The ability for Hillary to go negative after the debate was functionally forfeited.
Each point is found in statements directly from the debate.
I. Clinton's Closing.
Hillary's closing statement was perhaps her best moment in the campaign. For a rare moment ambitions, history, and wonkish manner were traded for what felt authentic, moving, grounded. She showed humanity, a genuine rationale for "hanging in there," and invited the affect that delivered New Hampshire. Of course closing statements alone cannot sustain 24/7 news needs for long, assuring other interchanges will soon dominate.
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: Austin, Democratic Debate, Obama, Clinton, Narrative, Negativity
Preview - A Debate as Big as Texas? Tuesday 8 PM (ET)
CNN, Univision Communications Inc. and the Texas Democratic Party in conjunction with the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation will host a Democratic presidential primary debate on Thursday, Feb. 21. The program will air live from the LBJ Auditorium at the University of Texas in Austin on CNN and on CNN International from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (ET). CNN’s Campbell Brown will moderate with their John King and Univision’s Jorge Ramos helping ask the questions.
The CNN press release touts their hosting, oh, and incidentally it may have something to do with the election.
It is the ninth presidential primary debate sponsored by CNN this cycle. CNN's debates in 2007 and 2008 have been among the most-watched in cable news history.
There is surprisingly little news about the debate in media outlets. Even
CNNPolitics.com is muted in the hype (often promoted on air, however). There may be reasons including other political news crowding out the debate and the debate "belongs" to CNN so don't promote competitors.
Analysis below fold
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: Democratic debate, Clinton, Obama, CNN, preview, Austin
