I\u2019m going to be watching tonight\u2019s debate between the eight Democratic presidential candidates and blogging live. I\u2019m not going to report the entire event word-for-word, but I\u2019ll periodically update this site throughout the 90-minute event with observations and quotes. The newest updates will be at the end of this posting.<\/p>\n
Then, later, I\u2019ll have an analysis of Gov. Bill Richardson\u2019s<\/a> performance.<\/p>\n You can watch the debate live on MSNBC or the network\u2019s Web site<\/a>. It begins at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n \n Update, 5:10 p.m. <\/span> \n Update, 5:15 p.m. <\/span>Richardson said he would not have joined most Democrats in the House and Senate who have voted in the last few days to continue to fund the war but set a timeline for an Iraq pullout, if he was still in Congress. He said he favors the beginning of an immediate pullout.<\/p>\n Overall, most of the Democrats are saying very similar things about what should be done in \n Update, 5:25 p.m.<\/span> The candidates are all being asked questions about ethical questions with their campaigns. Barack Obama<\/a> had to explain a questionable donor, but spent more time talking about other donors to his campaign than that one.<\/p>\n John Edwards<\/a> was asked about whether his campaign against poverty is contradicted by his wealthy lifestyle and a $400 haircut his campaign recently purchased for him. Edwards said he is now \u201cblessed\u201d to live a wealthier lifestyle, but then told a story about having to leave a restaurant when he was a child because he father couldn\u2019t afford to pay the prices there and said he remembers what it was like to be poor.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how I felt,\u201d \n \u201cI think the American people want candor,\u201d he said. \u201cThey don\u2019t want blow-dried candidates who are perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n Was that a shot at Edwards\u2019 haircut?<\/p>\n \n \n I should add that \n Update, 5:31 p.m.<\/span> Mike Gravel<\/a> just took a shot at basically every other Democrat running for president. He said all three top-tier candidates and Joe Biden<\/a> frighten him.<\/p>\n \n Update, 5:45 p.m. <\/span>After being told he was the NRA\u2019s<\/a> favorite presidential candidate from either party, Of course, it gave He didn\u2019t really, however, answer the question.<\/p>\n \n He didn\u2019t really, however, answer the question.<\/p>\n Update, 5:52 p.m. <\/span>On the topic of health care, He breaks with most other Democratic candidates in proposing a health-care plan that doesn\u2019t involve a tax increase.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Democrats I hope we don\u2019t think we always think of taxes to pay for new programs,\u201d Williams has twice had to cut off \n Update, 5:57 p.m.<\/span> Richardson said the most significant political mistake he\u2019s made in the last four years was trying to \u201cram\u201d a minimum wage increase through the Legislature in 2006 instead of using diplomacy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m impatient. I try to change institutions, my state, rapidly. I\u2019m too aggressive,\u201d \n