Dear Senator Watson: At Least Bring a Wikipedia Crib Sheet Next Time!

Former Austin mayor and current Texas State Senator Kirk Watson made an appearance on MSNBC last night after officially endorsing Senator Barack Obama. When asked by Chris Matthews to list just a few of Obama's legislative accomplishments, Watson looks stumped, and then only manages to respond with a weak, 'Well, I am not going to be able to name you specific items."

From the Huffington Post:

But he was unable to answer Chris Matthews most basic demand: "Name some of his legislative accomplishments... name any..." A fantastically awkward mix of dead air, stuttering, laughter and repetition ensued, as Watson could not name a single one. Matthews laid off part way through, it seems at the demand of his producers, but came back around to lay a final blow at the end.

Senator Hillary Clinton, whose motto for the Texas campaign has (for better or worse) turned into "concede absolutely nothing!", was quick to repurpose the embarrassing clip, going so far as broadcasting it to reporters and mentioning it in last night's post-election speech.

With the latest polls showing an almost even split, we're almost certain that this minor SNAFU will find its way into tomorrow's debate.


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Comments (9) [rss]

I'm not sure how this would work its way into the debate. What, will Obama be asked to defend the ignorance of one supporter?

Watson embarrassed himself, nothing more.

agreed -- while it does not (or should not) reflect on the campaign, Clinton will probably find a way to slip this into the discussion.

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PREDICTION:

Edwards will endorse Barack Obama within a matter of days. And he will do it on the UT campus.

...you'll see.

"Quick Chris, name me some of Hillary Clinton's greatest legislative accomplishments."

"Well, er uh, she voted for Bush's invasion of Iraq."

So Clinton cunnilinguist Chris Matthews did a gotcha on Kirk Watson. Lame. But Hillary is so desparate, she may find a way to mention it Thursday night.

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Whose decision was it to put a freshman Texas STATE senator who just switched his endorsement LAST WEEK?!

This should backfire only on Watson--but it is definitely fodder for the Clinton camp. She's already mentioning it in speeches!

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I would really like to see both of these candidates give a solid, tangible commitment to universal health care and no more secret torture prisons.

Seth

Universal health care for some; secret torture prisons for others!

Universal health care for some; secret torture prisons for others!

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