Meet the Press. Ben Cardin is really impressing me today.

[nickshepDEM]

This is the first time Ive seen the guy with a little fire in his belly. Its clear that Steele is out of his league in this policy debate. No doubt, Steele is a good salesman, but on the issues and on policy, he's out of his league.

[orpupilofnature57]

1. It's a wonder the Evil Elf doesn't kick Cardin in the crotch. n/t

[Olney Blue]

2. He'll hurt his toes if he does that!

[nickshepDEM]

3. Steele just waffled big time on Abortion.

[bluhoodie]

4. I agree

Thanks. I turned on the TV just because of your post. I too had never seen Cardin before and I'm impressed. He's so much clearer than Steele on his recommendations, strategy, views, etc. Steele sounds articulate but he's flip-flopping all over the place.

Cardin sounds so reasonable! He prescribes "diplomatic solutions." Aha!

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. what show are you watching?

Steele is kicking his ass up and down the show. He's dominating it. Not only that, he's doing it impressively.

I don't like Steele, but I can't remember seeing a MTP debate this one-sided.

[nickshepDEM]

7. Did you forget the sarcasm at the end of your post?

Steele refused to answer 3 questions in a row.

Would you support an amendment banning abortion? Waffle.

Im running for Senate, the abortion question is moot. Russert laughts out loud and says you're running for the UNITED STATES SENATE.

Would you have voted against any of the Supreme Court Justices? Steele says 'thats a gotcha question.' Russert nails him.

What programs would you cut? No answer.

Steele waffles on affirmative action. Russert, again, nails him with an old quote.

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. I just think

that Steele is coming across as smoother, more likable, and if I didn't know either of them and just watched 2 minutes of this show - he'd be the guy I'd vote for.

He carries himself very well. I'm sorry, but I'm calling it as I see it. Cardin will probably win the race, but this debate isn't helping him. Steele is doing as well as any Republican I've seen during this debate series.

[DCal]

18. Which 2 minutes did you like best?

The part where Steele wants to privatize social security?
The part where he flip-flopped and waffled on stem-cell research?
The part where he was proud that the Republican party of today is represented by George Bush?
The part where he has no plan for getting out of Iraq?

If you liked 2 minutes of Michael Steele today, I'm sure you'll really get to like him over the next 6 years, along with Mitch McConnell as majority leader.

Even though you can't vote for Steele, there is still time for you to send him a contribution.

[beaconess]

17. You're watching it like an insider

Your analysis is the kind of analysis done by folks who already really understand the issues and are very familiar with all of this stuff. But a voter who is still trying to make up their mind, who doesn't have the luxury of following the election as closely as we do and is now just starting to focus on the campaign, is not going to look at it the same way. And to that kind of voter, I think Steele came across as very positive, assertive, knowledgeable and confident.

Case in point - in the first round, Steele spoke exclusively about what he plans to do, his vision for Iraq and general political philosophy. I don't believe he even mentioned or acknowledged Cardin.

Switch to Cardin - right out the gate, he started criticizing Steele, babbling about the 168 words buried on his website (what does THAT mean to most people?) even before he laid out where he himself stood. I heard nothing about his philosophy or his vision. Instead, he sounded extremely defensive - in fact, by attacking Steele before he did anything else, Cardin made Steele appear to be the frontrunner.

I fully support Cardin and want him to win - but I don't think he helped himself much in this debate, while Steele did himself a world of good.

[Olney Blue]

8. You're right- but he's "dominating" in a rude, sneering way.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. so?

It's a debate, not a tea party. Cardin needs to wake up, it seems to me like he's coasting, and Steele is doing what he needs to do.

[freeplessinseattle]

12. sure, if talking louder and interrupting are positive

things to you, but listening to the substance it is clear who really has his shit together.

[Kahuna]

13. Steele has an impressive presence. But on the issues he is week

and relying on rhetorical trickery to answer questions that would go against him.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. all republicans are weak on issues

so you grade them on their ability to bullshit. And Steele is a damn good bullshitter.

[Olney Blue]

6. Cardin is a coming across well.

Nailing Steele on the Iraq war.

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. Cardin is good in stem cell research

Steele seems clueless on this issue.

[beaconess]

14. I think Steele is kicking his butt, unfortunately

To people who steel haven't made up their minds, I think that Steele is coming across very well.

[sampsonblk]

21. Same here

The stuff Steele was saying was garbage. But if I were an unsuspecting moderate voter, I'd go for Steele based on this debate. Cardin seemed to act like he was very unsure and didn't want to take any real positions. In fact, when asked whether he'd support cutting off funding for the war, I thought Cardin's answer was just plain awful.

Cardin is going to win. Thank God. But I hope there are less debates and not more.

[THUNDER HANDS]

16. it's over now...good debate

actaully enjoyable to watch. Good showing by both men. Should be a competitive race.

[MiniMe]

19. Did you catch Steele's remark on Supreme Court noms? I'd look them in the eye?

Sound familiar?

[GOPS Worst Fear]

20. You see Steele spin the fact he's a Republican?

Russert held up ma bumper sticker that said steele and under his name the word Democrat appears. How misleading is that? Sounds like he is trying to fool the afro american community into voting for a Republican.