Barack Ambushed?

The ABC Democratic Debates just concluded, and I have to ask myself …was Barack Obama ambushed? It seems so.

Incredibly, almost the entire first hour of the Debate, and I call it that with reservation, was a grilling of him on the “Bitter” comments he made in relation to the frustration of voters, which makes them rely on their religion and guns; the Reverend Wright controversy, etc. Almost anyone who hasn't heard about both these events to the point of near insanity, has either been out of the country or in a comma the last month or so. Yet, the hosts, Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulous found it necessary to spend at least 50 minutes rehashing them …with Hillary Clinton … once again.

First, the “bitter” comment. Obama answered the questions. And, answered the questions.

Then, they moved on to the Reverend Wright controversy.

Again, he answered their questions, noting that they had been asked and answered before.

It wasn't disturbing that the hosts chose to go down this over-worked trail, but whenever Obama would complete his answers to their questions, (when they weren't cutting him off), they would eagerly ask Clinton to respond.

And, it would start all over again. She then would go on, and on about these wrongful affiliations (Rev. Wright), and the comments (Bitter), that she would never have, or make.

I began to feel like I was watching The Hillary Clinton Show with the journalists working with her to keep this guy on the hot seat.

Finally, when it seemed the interrogation had finally run its course, and real issues were being discussed, ZAM, POW, BAM! Out of left field, Stephanopoulous, who was a Bill Clinton staffer, hit Obama with a question about an individual who had been a part of the radical Weathermen underground network back in the "60"s?

What!?!

It seems Obama has a casual association with the individual and served on a Board with him at one time.

Then, when they passed the bat to Hillary on this issue, and she hit him with it a few times, you could have taken me out of the oven, I was done.

Of course, they didn't ask Obama if he wanted to respond to her comments, and when he tried to anyway by saying, “What about Bill Clinton pardoning 2 Weathermen while he was in office?” They did what they (especially George Stephanopoulos) did a number of times during the evening… they cut him off.

They even brought up the old news about Obama opting out of wearing an American Flag lapel pin, which he already explained. He said that people wear the pin as a sign of patriotism, but he would much rather express his patriotism through his actions … like his work on the Veteran's Committee.

It was a most extraordinary event. After watching all the past debates that were very professional and restrained in their sensationalism, I am surprised at ABC. And, as far as journalism, well … responsible, fair and substantive aren't words that leap to mind.

Under the circumstances, Obama conducted himself as well as could be expected when under such a sustained attack. He was on the defensive, but who wouldn't be? To his credit, he remained calm throughout, which gives me all the confidence in the world that he's not a hot head, rather cool and deliberative.

The most startling bit of information to come out of this supposed debate was that Clinton was forced to admit that Barack Obama is indeed electable.

I'll say! One of Clinton's main talking points has been that she, unlike Obama, is vetted and can withstand Republican attacks in the general election.

Well, so is Obama now! After the last few weeks, and especially after the beating he took tonight, it's clear, he can stand up to whatever comes his way.