I was there as well on Friday. I had real nosebleed seats all the way in the back. I thought that the debate definetly went to Ann and that if had taken place anywhere else Coulter would have ripped Franken. I knew that conservatives were going to be very under-represented but i had no idea the level of immaturity the liberals were going to play. From the very beginning they started their little giggling and snide comments.
Al Franken played to the audience well by avoiding to bring up anything that came close to a rational thought and relying on punchlines and one liners which the liberals would rejoice at howling at the top of their lungs for "their guy" regardless if the comment was funny or not. Likewise, when Ann came to comment the boos and the hisses came so that we could barely hear their comment.
Conversely, the Conservative side as usual was very respectful (almost too respectful for the things). Giving Al his chance to talk and and giving applause respectfully to Ann when she gave her comment (rather than yammer about like an idiot).
I was amazed at the immaturity presented there. To see so many grown adults at like children on a playground to support "their guy" to win. I can't imagine the same thing being done to a liberal debater in a conservative audience. Every rational point and factual anaylsis was avoided in favor of some emotional amusement. Thats why Ann was out of her element, she tried to bring up the facts to no avail.
Still, i thought she did very well in the enviroment. She shut him down with facts which made the audience quiet and Franken could only resort to punchlines.
I brought my girlfriend along who is politically neutral and often leans liberal on many social issues. She didn't really know who either of them were except that Al Franken was on SNL, hence she might have an unbiased view. Her opinions on the night was that Ann Coulter was definetly more intelligent and displayed the facts better. She also hated Franken and thought he was completly annoying and wouldn't answer a straight question. She also lost her patience with the audience.
Race, I know what it feels like to be sitting amongst the enemy and I can understand how you got the impression you did get, but I sure feel better after reading chudogg's analysis. It's still hard for me to understand why Ann would put herself in the same building with Franken? He's a lightweight 'hasbeen.'