Hotline After Dark -- "Yes, Yes, Yes"

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philly last night. The 90-minute Dem debate was hosted by ABC News at the Nat'l Constitution Center's Kimmel Theater. Some analysis:

CNN's Crowley: "If I had to boil this debate down to something, I would tell you it was three words, 'yes, yes, yes.' That's what Hillary Clinton said when she was asked whether she thought Barack Obama could get elected president this fall. As you may know, she has been campaigning largely trying to convince superdelegates that he's not electable. I think tonight for her to say I think he is, takes that off the table" ("LKL," 4/16).

FNC's Hannity: "All credit finally to ABC News and George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson because they asked them very tough questions. Finally the media asked [Obama] about Bill Ayers. ... He gave a pathetically weak answer. They finally asked him about Reverend Wright and some of the inconsistencies here" ("Hannity & Colmes," 4/16).

Time's Halperin: "[Clinton] was in a box tonight. ... She was forced to say, by the questioning, that she believes Obama is electable in a general election. And her problem is, her main argument, that she's making privately, and the only way she can stop the superdelegates and the delegates from going to Obama is to argue that he's not electable. ... That contradiction, acknowledging he's electable, but trying to make an implicit argument that he's not electable, is impossible to do" ("AC 360," CNN, 4/16).

See today's Hotline for more coverage on the debate.

And after the jump, McCain takes on Murtha and Cheney has a little fun (KATHERINE LEHR).

WHO YOU CALLING OLD?

John McCain was on "Your World" last night, where he was asked about Clinton supporter/Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) saying the presidency is "no old man's job."

McCain: "Well, I didn't know John was running, so I guess he will have to speak for himself. But I invite John to come out with me on the campaign trail. I out-campaigned everybody else, and that's why I'm the nominee of my party. I can certainly out-campaign either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton. I would match my record and my schedule, not only now, but in the past, with anybody's. And I guess Congressman Murtha will have to speak for himself and his own condition."

On Jimmy Carter meeting with Hamas leaders: "The word that springs to mind is 'unacceptable.' And another one is 'disgraceful.' These are thugs and murderers. Senator Obama and Senator Clinton should directly repudiate and tell President Carter he should not meet with what is fundamentally a terrorist" (FNC, 4/16).

There was also talk of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) leaving open the possibility of giving a keynote address on behalf of McCain at the GOP convo.

Newsweek's Fineman: "I don't think there are that many cons for him. Probably if he had a big choice to make, it would be for somebody who could help him more in the Bible Belt, perhaps, but Lieberman can help him there, too. So, I think it's something he'll probably end up doing. I think it will infuriate the Democrats, but I don't think it will help McCain all that much."

More Fineman: "If Lieberman wanted to, he could turn the majority over the to the Republicans by switching parties. That's why Harry Reid and other Democratic leaders haven't been attacking him frontally for this conversation today" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 4/16).

GOING OUT WITH A BANG

And "Hannity & Colmes" cut live to the Radio and TV Corr.'s dinner last night during VP Cheney's appearance:

Cheney: "You all know how to make a guy feel welcome. Obviously, you're not the kind to look down on a 'bitter' man who clings to his guns."

On Al Gore: "He's a little bit sore at me. He's convinced that, on global warming, I just don't get it. But lately with every passing day, the evidence has been catching my attention. ... I want you to know I'm doing my part to meet the crisis by reducing my carbon footprint big-time. Every time I'm rushed to the hospital, I insist on a hybrid ambulance."

On WH '08: "I'm old news in this election, but I want a piece of the action. I'm fired up for my own candidate, but the feeling isn't always returned. I feel kind of like Bill Clinton. ... You in the press need to go easy on Senator Clinton on the whole business about running and ducking from gunfire in Bosnia. She made an honest mistake. She confused the Bosnia trip with the time I took her hunting. ... Maybe I've sympathetic to Hillary because I've had my own troubles. The big buzz last week was about that picture of me fishing. In the reflection in my sunglasses, it looked like I'd reeled in something a lot more interesting than trout. ... The most common question is: what lure was I using? Anyway, that's the last time I'll go with an outfitter called the Emperors Club VIP" (FNC, 4/16).