KYW Newsradio Team Coverage
At this hour, democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are engaged in a debate at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The exclusive radio outlet for the debate is right here at KYW1060.com and on KYW Newsradio 1060.
by KYW's Mike Dunn
As the Democratic candidates for president prepared for their Philadelphia debate, the latest Keystone survey of Pennsylvania Democrats finds that Barack Obama has significantly slashed away at Hillary Clinton’s lead in the Commonwealth. The margin between the two is now just six points.
One month ago, the Franklin and Marshall/Keystone survey found Clinton with a sizable 16-point margin over Obama among Pennsylvania Democrats, and some at the time wondered if she was a lock to win next week’s primary.
But the latest survey, conducted in the past week, finds that Barack Obama has narrowed the gap to just six points. This is poll director Terry Madonna:
“I think one of the biggest reasons for his gains, his 10-point increase in support, is because of his ability to attract new voters in the southeast. He’s picked up about 15 percentage points in the eastern part of the state.”
Clinton is still strong in the western part of the state, and Madonna believes the key next Tuesday will be the voter turnout on both sides of the Commonwealth.
KYW's Jim Melwert reports that there were not only hundreds of reporters inside the Constitution Center for the debate, but hundreds of supporters of both candidates outside.
The crowds for Clinton and Obama lined Arch Street, waving signs, banging on empty buckets and chanting and signing their candidate’s names.
(Supporter) "It’s a day, you know everyone showing their support. It’s good, people need to be engaged in America. It’s what America is all about. Right?"
Judging by signs and volume, Clinton supporters seemed more organized and out-numbered Obama supporters. But, no worries for Qasim Bassir who is a fan of Obama:
“The way it looks around here, the Hillary thing is more like the institution cause all her posters are the same and it’s representative of what this election is. Barack’s people, it’s more of the people. People made their own stuff, they came out and they did it. It’s clear what’s happening here.”
Complete KYW Newsradio Coverage of "Decision 2008"
KYW's Larry Kane, meanwhile, reports the Democratic presidential candidates will walk a fine line at Wednesday night's debate in Philadelphia.
There are lingering questions which are the keys to the debate. Presidential-like Hillary Clinton or the attack force she’s become in the last week may help her win the debate.
Maybe it will go to Barack Obama, who never loses composure and who has been the counter-charging candidate we’ve seen in the past few days.
Style will play a very important role in the extremely important encounter at the National Constitution Center, and so will substance.
The questioners will be sharp, but several key issues have not been addressed yet in a debate: the Bosnia memories, the small town "bitterness" controversy, gun positions on both sides, and a new look at Iraq.
In the end, the most important aspect of Wednesday night's debate is whether one or both candidates seek a sense of unity or continue down the path of attacks, not on position, but on character.
KYW's Karin Phillips reports that final preparations were getting underway during the day on Wednesday at the National Constitution Center for the historic Clinton-Obama debate.
The circular Kimmel Theatre in the center of the NCC is small, especially with a bunch of cables and monitors lying around.
The center's president and CEO, Joseph Torsella (right), says he prefers the intimate setting, but adds that the original plans were to hold the debate in the Great Hall, which could more than over 1,000 people. But he says the Kimmel Theatre is a better venue overall:
"(It) says the Constitution Center, looks like the Constitution Center. You see these exhibits. Everything about the Kimmel Theatre is designed around the idea of this place. It's a theatre in the round. Because we live in a democracy, we're all looking at each other, making this decision."
KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports that with all the election attention on Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter is proud of the work he's done to help spotlight our city.
Nutter (right) says some of the attention on Philadelphia was solicited, some not:
"Well, some of the things I've done and some have just kind of dropped in my lap. The Colbert Report [see related story], they called us. There have been numerous requests for TV interviews -- I was on Larry King. You know, whether it's Face The Nation or a couple of other TV-type programs, there are tons of events and activities."
He says that there is a lot going on in Philadelphia besides the Pennsylvania primary. There are construction projects underway, films being shot here, and community projects going on:
"The town is jumping! And I'm just pleased to be a part of it."
More Debate Coverage
KYW's David Madden reports that on the eve of Wednesday’s debate, the two campaigns brought in surrogates to rally the faithful. On Tuesday, it was Michelle Obama who addressed several hundred people at the Alumni Field House at Haverford College on the Main Line.
It was no surprise that the crowd was primarily 20-somethings, and Mrs. Obama didn’t disappoint, saying that they shouldn’t be disillusioned by things as they are today:
"Barack understands that we are all connected to one another, that our collective futures are all tied up and linked to one another, and that we as a nation are only as great as the weakest of us."
And if those in attendance wanted proof that the Obamas are just like them, she offered them a series of comparisons -- like, imagine a president who just a few years ago paid off his college loans.
(Photo #1: KYW's Ed Fischer)
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