Quick '08 Update

Submitted by Travis Valentine on 7/24/07

- Much of today will be spent reading analysis and views from last night's CNN-YouTube debate. (Part 1 and Part 2 of the debate are available on CNN's website.) Before I get to that, though, a quick shout-out to Congress seems appropriate:

Reflecting on the question posed by Cecilia Smith and Asanti Wilkins from PA regarding the candidates' willingness to work for the minimum wage, I want to highlight (once more) that the federal minimum wage was increased for the first time in 10 years today. Read the statement we sent out last week for more.

- Due to the work of our New Politics Institute, I would be remiss if I didn't first touch on the technology present in last night's debate and afterwards. Check out NPI commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle, BBC, and the San Jose Mercury News. During the debate, Barack Obama asked his supporters to text him and tell him what they thought of his answers.

- For quick analysis, check out Chris Cillizza's quick take on the debate. Also, Eric Kleefeld and T.W. Farnam have a good round-up of the debate on TPMCafé.

- Roger Simon from The Politico gives the Edwards campaign some reason to celebrate, giving Edwards' performance the highest marks of all the candidates. (It seems as if someone agrees with the Edwards campaign's video, noting that other things do matter aside from Edwards' hair...). Meanwhile, Simon's colleague Ben Smith notes that Clinton, Biden and Obama won marks for their performance as well. Biden also received praise from the National Journal's blog, The Gate.

- Chris Dodd and Hillary Clinton posted videos of themselves answering YouTube questions before and during the debate. Be sure to check out their YouTube channels for more (Dodd's here and Clinton's here).

- Some non-debate news: make sure you check out Rudy Giuliani's first ads. They are on radio in New Hampshire and Iowa. Check out "Garbage Can", "Will Do", and "Out of Control". Also, the WSJ blog points out that John McCain seems to be going after hedge fund and private equity money. (Enter Mike Gravel's point from last night...)

- Until I post more updates, check out the Dodd campaign's Talk Clock from last night:

For more information on NDN's coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, click here.