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Debate: Take Two

• Justin Webb
• 17 Apr 08, 07:53 PM GMT

was delighted by last night's debate (or my reaction to it, I see from the comments!) and here, for the record, is .

A rumour I hear is that the "Bittergate" tape has mention of Boise, Idaho, on it and much chortling from the audience at the thought of this and other heartland locations. Could this be true?

ABC meanwhile have every reason to disregard the criticism - this from their press office:

"Last night's Democratic presidential debate hosted by ABC News, the National Constitution Center, and WPVI-TV was easily the most-watched of the 2008 presidential cycle. The debate averaged 10.7 million Total Viewers, a 3.5/9 among Adults 25-54, and a 2.7/7 among Adults 18-49.

"For the 8-10 p.m. time period, this marks ABC's best Total Viewing audience since 11/28/07, its largest Adult 18-49 rating since 2/27/08, and its best Adult 25-54 rating since 1/9/08.

"The first hour of Wednesday's debate ranked first in its time period among Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. Up against Fox's "American Idol" and an original episode of CBS' "Criminal Minds" at 9 p.m., the debate retained 96% of it Total Viewing audience, retained 100% of its Adults 25-54 audience, and grew 4% among Adults 18-49 from the first hour to the second hour.

"Additionally, the debate beat "American Idol" program-to-program in four markets: Philadelphia, Orlando, San Antonio, Albuquerque, according to Household ratings."

Fascinating - fancy so many serious minded people living in Orlando...

I am told, meanwhile, by a British Embassy source that the Obama/Gordon Brown meeting went well - Obama told Brown he had been to 10 Downing St on a visit years ago, sat on Churchill's chair and was tempted to order a brandy.

Sadly other than the smalltalk we have no detail - unless anyone present cares to spill the beans...

UPDATE:

I see finally that Mrs Clinton is being accused of on the subject of white working class voters. Where is the tape?

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Yes and No

• Justin Webb
• 17 Apr 08, 11:08 AM GMT

Sorry we have been out of service for a few hours - I am told we are back now in much improved fashion. At least technically speaking.

The was not a disaster for Mrs Clinton but are grim for her - and the key answer she gave on the question of the electability of Barack Obama in November further adds to the sense of strategic miscalculation.

Her people suggest consistently that Obama will not win, or at least that he is highly vunerable. Yet when pressed on the question - her answer was Yes. In fact it was: "Yes, yes, yes."

The frustration of being caught in this bind was showing perhaps. Anyway, the Clinton message is now a mess - Yes, yes, yes and No, no, no on the vital question of Barack's power to win.

Wonder what Gordon Brown made of it. He was watching, I am told, on the ambassador's TV, in the residence at the

They had newly re-paved the road outside in his honour.

Actually, that was who is based just a few doors away. There are special relationships and Special Relationships...

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