Hot topics on political talk shows yesterday: the Pope’s visit, the heated Obama vs Clinton Democratic presidential race, and of course, ABC’s presidential debate:

ABC’s Roundtable defended their network of the heavy criticism it has received since hosting the debate last week for focusing on gaffes made by the candidates.

ABC’s Cokie Roberts: “The fact is that these are the types of questions that willc ome up in the general election.”

ABC’s Sam Donaldson was especially riled up characterizing the criticism as coming from “Obama’s fans in and out of the media” and that Obama should “get out of the kitchen” if he can’t take the heat. Donaldson said the criticism was coming solely from Obama supporters.

But Clinton surrogate Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on Face of The Nation said the debate was “so disappointing”.

“The first 45 minutes was a disgrace and they should have gone right to Iraq and important questions,” Rendell said.
On Meet the Press, Clinton’s new chief strategist Geoff Garin said the most important questions of the debate were “not the questions at the beginning, but the questions on the issues.”

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Clinton supporter called the first half of the debate “slightly unusual”.

Watch about 3:30 minutes into the video where ABC’s George Stephanopoulos questions John McCain about Reverend John Hagee, an evangelical pastor who has made outspoken remarks attacking the Roman Catholic Church.

Watch the last minutes of this video where ABC pundits talk about the negative turn of the Democratic presidential race and how it hurts both candidates:

• RagToon: Obama vs Clinton
• Tensions High at Philly Democratic Debate
• Obama, Clinton Talk About Faith Compassion Forum
• Michelle Obama Serenaded on The Colbert Report
• Howard Dean Speaks Out Again//Calls to End Primary Contest

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