Presidential Debate - 10/07/2008

Am I the only one that is sick of John McCain taking credit for everything positive that happens in the World? It's getting to the point where he might even take credit for the firing of Matt Millen.

Kudos to Obama for bringing up regulation. Biden hit Palin hard during his debate, to a great response. It's time for Obama to lose the hesitancy that he displays, and start using his strength-oratory.

McCain just described American workers as "the best exporters, the best importers.."

What? It's too late in the election to still be using empty dialogs...I, for one, would like to hear some specifics, from both candidates.

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McCain has now used the phrase "across the aisle" three times..in twenty minutes. Just an observation.

Again, I agree with Obama (surprise). We do need to prioritize, and energy should take precedence. It's no secret that the energy crisis is responsible for a large amount of the economic hardships today, and a solid solution that can be implemented quickly can no doubt spark a turnaround.


Debate: a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers. (Thank you dictionary.com)

Now, waddling around a town hall, ending up talking to a person from a very intimate distance, is not included anywhere in the definition. Neither is taking questions from the internet.


In case it wasn't clear, I don't like the format.

I like Obama's point about the young people looking for ways to make a difference. A lot of kids I meet have great ideas, and just need an outlet to start making changes. Increasing the peace core is a great idea, as is the idea of Domestic Renewal.

Best analogy so far: "Nailing down Obama's tax cuts are like nailing jell-o to the wall." VERY classy.

A close second: "Instead of using a hatchet on the budget, I would like to use a scalpel."

I think it's clear who really won.

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I don't understand why it's so hard for people to understand Obama's tax policy. NINETY-FIVE PERCENT!! Yet McCain always responds with the dependable "Obama will increase taxes" monologue. Please don't fall for that America.

I like McCain's response to the question about acting on Environmental Issues. Nuclear power should be factored into our energy plans, but we need to expand our outlook. I was disappointed by how the environment took a backseat during the election. I'm no tree-hugger, but when working on the environment can result in so man new fields of technology, it's SO related to everything else we're talking about!!

I love how the woman in the front row looks kind of scared, like she regrets paying the extra money to sit there when McCain stands a foot away from her going "We must drill, My friends..."

The biggest positive of Obama's health care plan is the fact that people with preexisting conditions will not be denied fair treatment. If you recall from the primary, John Edwards (gasp!) used to always give a speech about a woman who had a preexisting condition, and couldn't get health care...and she died. It's a sick part of our current process.

Don't you think it's time the government begins to take care of Americans? While they're running after Iraqis, and Israel, Americans are stuck at home without a job. Americans are begin denied health care, left on their own to survive. Americans are homeless, with that dreaded sign in their front yard. Americans are hanging pink ribbons on their door, and mourning the loss of loved ones. When is it our turn?

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"We don't have the time for on the job training, my friends." - John McCain, 10/7/08

"I can learn on the job, just like Ronald Reagan." - Sarah Palin, 10/2/08

I think many Americans are laboring under the delusion that all of our problems our separate. If our economy is bad, we can't just pile our might into foreign policy. The importance of the election lies in the delicacy of the situation: The new President will have to untie a tangled knot of :
a.) A demolished image in the view of the world
b.) A decimated economy
c.) A money sucking war in Iraq
d.) a threat of attack from terrorists

not to mention the picking of the outfit for the State of the Union...

Barack seems a lot more comfortable answering questions on foreign policy, and the difference between the first debate and now is very noticeable. McCain's policy on Pakistan is ridiculous. "Obama likes to talk loudly.." Does the song "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" ring any bells?

His admirable "carry a big stick" speech had zero effect on the uncommitted Ohio voters that I'm tracking at the bottom of the screen.

It appears that there is a new phrase in McCain's top three phrases:
1. "My friends..."
2. MAVERICK
3. "across the aisle"
4. "General Petraeus (is/has/says)...


oh wait...those were always there.


Is there anything more pointless that the "rhetoric vs. record" debate? They both agree with each other. It makes for the most redundant conversation ever.
"WE should look at the record, Senator Obama"
"No, I think we should compare our record line by line John"
"I disagree. We should go over our records." I'm waiting for the first-ever rhetoric about records.

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How does Obama plan on "financially assisting" former Soviet satellites? We should back off from making any promises. Russia will remain a mystery until the seond they return to full power. They are like Voldemort post-first encounter with Harry Potter: They run around, hiding in forests and attacking weak enemies, but they will eventually return to full power, and then a clash with Harry (or the US) is inevitable. Excuse my geeking out there. (If anyone understood that analogy, please let me know.)

I don't understand what is bad about meeting without preconditions. Nothing terrible could happen if the talks didn't work, but if they do work, then it's a job well done!

The number one spot on my list of "Top Ten Most Useless TV inventions" is occupied by the "analysts scorecard" on CNN. I personally think it is just the "best political team on television" jealous at Wolf Blitzer for monopolizing the attention during the post-game analysis. I don't see a scorecard with "Blitzer" on it...
There's always an ADD analyst that gives out points for seemingly just putting together a coherent sentence. And then there is the analyst that gives out ten points the entire time, insisting that he's "hard to please".

It seems to me that Wolf Blitzer's sole aim in life is to be praised by Anderson Cooper. Every other sentence is ended with "right, Anderson?" He's like Plainview's son in "There Will Be Blood" following his dad around doing little things. And then, when he tries to become a good host, Anderson disowns him and Wolf is sent out on his own.


Final Debate Grades:

McCain: C+ - seemed effective this week, looking at home in the town hall format. There was no game-changing idea, but no real screw-ups either. McCain did seem a little snarky towards Obama, but held his own in the economy section. He definitely didn't make enough of a difference to change the polls.

Obama: B+ - A couple of well articulated arguments, including prioritizing health care, energy, and education, as well as the sacrifice question. There was no huge negative in his performance, and was very polite towards McCain. The constant comparisons to Bush grew tiresome, though no doubt effective. His lead is safe.

Overall - B. Not the most interesting debate. Very choppy, and the rules got in the way a lot. Brokaw was a nice host, who kept the candidates in line. NO real race-changing revelations occurred today.


Good Night everyone!