Final Obama - McCain Debate

[bush_cheney2004]

Well, it Phillies 3, Dodgers 0 after three innings.....stay tuned.

[Guest American Woman]

CNN Quick Vote

Who fared better in Wednesday's presidential debate?

Sen. John McCain 10% 1675

Sen. Barack Obama 87% 13951

No clear winner 3% 427

Total Votes: 16053

[bush_cheney2004]

{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}} WHO WON THE FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?...

MCCAIN 74% 53,977

OBAMA 24% 17,796

NEITHER 1% 1,025

Total Votes: 72,798

[Guest American Woman]

{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}} WHO WON THE FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?...

MCCAIN 74% 53,977

OBAMA 24% 17,796

NEITHER 1% 1,025

Total Votes: 72,798

So far Drudge's poll has been wrong every time and CNN's has been right every time, and it looks as if Drudge voters will be wrapping up their losing streak tonight with another wrong call.

[jbg]

So far Drudge's poll has been wrong every time and CNN's has been right every time, and it looks as if Drudge voters will be wrapping up their losing streak tonight with another wrong call.

I think Obama did far better in the debate(s) than McCain did. He showed that he was eloquent and in control. This time, he also mentionedthe names of many good people he said he'd seek advice from and/or have in hiis administration if he's elected.

One of the best things about America is the fact that we are now demonstrating that a person of any race or creed can become President based upon their qualifications. If Obama's elected, which looks at this juncture somewhat more probable than not, that he is in fact as good as his presentation. Carter wasn't. Reagan was, and Clinton, with some exceptions, was.

I can only wish the best for my country, which I love.

[BC_chick]

If Obama's elected, which looks at this juncture somewhat more probable than not, that he is in fact [sic] as good as his presentation. Carter wasn't. Reagan was, and Clinton, with some exceptions, was.

I can only wish the best for my country, which I love.

I know what you meant to say here. I actually felt the same way watching him tonight. He proved the naysayers wrong by showing that he is more capable than just following a teleprompter. He was eloquent, on topic, direct, calm. He does speak a fantastic game.

Meanwhile, McCain looked angry and desperate. At times he would just throw at much BS as possible hoping something would stick, truthful or not.

I'm biased, sure, but I kept my eye on the audience reaction lines on the screen. Obama nailed this one.

Edited October 16, 2008 by BC_chick

[August1991]

I didn't watch the debate but I wanted to respond to AW:

So far Drudge's poll has been wrong every time and CNN's has been right every time, and it looks as if Drudge voters will be wrapping up their losing streak tonight with another wrong call.

Every time? How many times could Drudge be wrong? How many elections based on popular votes has Obama won? (Despite polls, he won no primary based on non-caucus votes.)

AW, be careful of this result.

Ordinary people sometimes have a way of secretly expressing themselves that is contrary to what all the officials declare. (Canada's most recent example was the Charlottetown Accord.)

----

I agree that modern polling techniques are much better now than in 1948 and Obama's lead in the polls is daunting. I agree that Obama has moved perceptibly and admirably to the centre. I even agree that McCain has run a poor campaign. I think that this election is for the Democrats to lose.

Yet, it's not over.

Edited October 16, 2008 by August1991

[Radsickle]

McCain's losing his marbles.

Obama's politely asking him to get out of the way.

[Guest American Woman]

....He proved the naysayers wrong by showing that he is more capable than just following a teleprompter. He was eloquent, on topic, direct, calm. He does speak a fantastic game.

Meanwhile, McCain looked angry and desperate. At times he would just throw at much BS as possible hoping something would stick, truthful or not.

I'm biased, sure, but I kept my eye on the audience reaction lines on the screen. Obama nailed this one.

I agree with you completely. I wasn't even going to watch tonight since I figured nothing would be said that hasn't already been said, but then I could see that McCain was angry and desperate, so I had to see where it led. Even when talking about 'nasty campaigns' McCain kept bringing up someone who wasn't even involved in Obama's campaign, and when Obama responded with the allegations of McCain's campaign and the "he's a terrorist," "kill him!" responses, McCain talked about how wonderful the supporters at his rallies are; how they are nothing but patriotic citizens. Still Obama wasn't rattled, but kept repeating that it's the issues that are important, not "hurt feelings" as McCain was playing the wounded card because of what someone not even associated with Obama's campaign had said.

He also criticized Obama for not having been "south of the border" when Palin hasn't even had a passport until last year.

He was definitely throwing out BS, truthful or not, and I doubt it went over well. Obama would even be shaking his head, saying "not true," and elaborating that "I just said what I would do/what my policy would be." McCain looked to me as if he were having a hard time staying in control, even rolling his eyes in agitation at one point. Obama, on the other hand, stayed cool and more 'issue oriented.'

At any rate, I don't see this as a debate to change the way the tide has been turning.

And August, my comment was only in reference to the "quick polls" on CNN and Drudge regarding the debates of this campaign, the polls which bush_cheney and I have been posting.

[maldon_road]

One of the best things about America is the fact that we are now demonstrating that a person of any race or creed can become President based upon their qualifications. If Obama's elected, which looks at this juncture somewhat more probable than not, that he is in fact as good as his presentation. Carter wasn't. Reagan was, and Clinton, with some exceptions, was.

And other countries have shown the perspicacity to have women leaders - UK, Germany, Israel (twice), India.

History will be made in some fashion - a black Prez or a female VP.

[Topaz]

McCain's losing his marbles.

Obama's politely asking him to get out of the way.

You are kinda right. McCain has had 4 treatments for cancer and every time one has treatment it kills of both, good and bad cells. I imagine it also affects your brain cells and your memory, he does writes down all questions asked. I like McCain, but as president and the stress that goes with it neither he and Palin are up to the job.

[Sir Bandelot]

I watched some of the debate during commercials of the Montreal hockey game, and during intermissions. What I saw was McCain opening with "Americans are angry, I am angry" and I thought, he's starting out by trying to inflame the public. During the debate his answers were not bad, but whenever he tried to attack Obama personally, brought up terror links etc. I felt he was making mistakes. Obama constantly took the moral high ground, even saying at times that he agrees with John McCain on some of the issues, showing that he is not entrenched in the "Leftist vs. Rightist" ideology but actually a thinker who looks at issues from a larger social perspective. McCain cannot compete on this level, so he tries to bring it down to mudslinging, and fails.

I think there's ambition, and then theres actual ability. Compared to Obama, McCain is simply not the right man for the job, by his own nature.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Sir Bandelot

[bush_cheney2004]

....I think there's ambition, and then theres actual ability. Compared to Obama, McCain is simply not the right man for the job, by his own nature.

We were told the same thing about a doddering old fool named Ronald Reagan. Senator McCain is the sum of his life experience, and it shows. Doesn't mean he can't do the job.

I think it is absolutely appropriate that voters see the real John McCain as we already know him, not something that is faked or polished just for the election cycle.

Voters can choose the devil they know, or the devil they don't know.

[stevoh]

I thought McCain won the first 20 minutes of the debate, his attacks were more effective and made a real impression, especially the "I am not George Bush" comment that is being played over and over today. Then McCain appeared to get tired or frustrated, and Obama's cool disposition ended up giving him the win.

This is worrying to me on two levels. First off, those viewing the debate might not sit through the whole thing, so if you just tuned in for the first 20 minutes, then you might give the advantage to McCain.

Secondly, the tv friendly "I am not George Bush" statement was powerful and convincing. Its the single best moment for McCain in all three political debates. Obama's team probably recognizes this, as they are releasing an "Oh yes he is, look at his voting record" ad today in an attempt to rebuff that statement.

I doubt its enough to turn the tides of this election alone. But if McCain can stay away from the negative campaigning and put together an economic plan that resonates with voters, he has a chance.

Edited October 16, 2008 by stevoh

[GostHacked]

JBG

I think Obama did far better in the debate(s) than McCain did. He showed that he was eloquent and in control. This time, he also mentioned the names of many good people he said he'd seek advice from and/or have in hiis administration if he's elected.

I thought that was interesting as well. Gave us a view into the people that Obama would take on if he becomes President. I thought Obama did well. When McCain brought up the Ayers thing, I was really expecting McCain to bring up Rev. Wright. Which he did not. I was surprised. I actually liked some of the things McCain talked about.

Obama kept his cool and did not interupt McCain as much as McCain interupted Obama. Breathing heavey, rolling the eyes, being more reactionist than strategist.

Joe the Plumber was used so much, he ended up to be a pawn in the debate. Who can work Joe's scenario into the debate so that the candidates can use Joe to explain how he will be affected by each other's plan. McCain to me talked more general than Obama. Obama went into many specifics I did not think either of them would touch. Like the people Obama wanted to take on in his cabinet.

It was the first debate I saw between them, and auraly it is hard to get past McCain's whislte when he pronounces C's and S's. McCain was definatley more animated than Obama. One thing I found funny was how McCain did not know which way to go around the table at the end of the debate. It could have been a 'Dean Scream' moment.

American Woman

He was definitely throwing out BS, truthful or not, and I doubt it went over well. Obama would even be shaking his head, saying "not true," and elaborating that "I just said what I would do/what my policy would be."

It is like saying, yep, dealt with, move on, next topic.

I also very much liked how Bob Schieffer ran the debate. There was a lot of great questions in a short time span.

[maldon_road]

I thought McCain won the first 20 minutes of the debate, his attacks were more effective and made a real impression, especially the "I am not George Bush" comment that is being played over and over today. Then McCain appeared to get tired or frustrated, and Obama's cool disposition ended up giving him the win.

This is worrying to me on two levels. First off, those viewing the debate might not sit through the whole thing, so if you just tuned in for the first 20 minutes, then you might give the advantage to McCain.

Given that the polls and focus groups seem to favor Obama one might be led to believe that a lot of people stayed for the whole show.

Edited October 16, 2008 by maldon_road

[stevoh]

Given that the polls and focus groups seem to favor Obama one might be lead to believe that a lot of people stayed for the whole show.

I would certainly hope so.

[Liam]

I think McCain started out with much more energy and fight in him than we had seen in the other two debates, but he faded as time wore on. The split screen was no friend to him later in the debate. The line about running against Bush was very well played.

I have to admire Obama for keeping his cool throughout. I think his mission over the three debates was to allow the public to see him as the guy who could answer that 3 am call and I think he succeeded. McCain had his best debate performance last night (mostly due to the earliest 20-30 minutes) but it wasn't enough to turn the tide of the campaign.

Unrelated, but if anyone wants to see both Obama and McCain in a more light-hearted setting, do a youtube search of them at tonight's Alfred E. Smith award dinner. Both did comedy pretty well (but I'd give the deft comedic touch award to McCain).

[August1991]

Here's Mark Steyn's take on the debate which summarizes my take on the Fall campaign in general:

One thing I liked about the Bush/Gore debates is that it was obvious both men loathed each other and they didn't care who knew it. That liberated them, for good and ill.

By contrast, for all the characteristically ponderous huffing from Bob Schieffer about "negative campaigns", McCain was never able to cast aside the Senatorial collegiality and really stick it to Obama. Why couldn't he have used the s-word - "socialism"? Why couldn't he have said that his opponent is a perfectly pleasant fellow but he has an all but blank resume so all we have to go on is his votes and his associations and both suggest a doctrinaire liberal well to the left of, say, Bill Clinton? Why couldn't he have pointed out that Barack Obama would be the most left-wing president ever elected in the United States?

McCain lacked the killer instinct. A man who cheerfully crashes planes and survives years of torture appeared nervous that clobbering his opponent might dent his image as Mister Bipartisan. You look at the way he sneered at Romney in the primary debates and compare it with his tentativeness toward Obama. His reluctance to whack the Democrat wound up, by default, elevating Obama. When a veteran Republican who's been on the national scene for a quarter-century and a Democrat whom nobody had heard of 20 minutes ago appear to be equal in stature, then by definition the Democrat wins.

The US appears likely to send its Bob Rae to the White House. And as with Bob Rae in 1990 in Ontario, there will be a long line of people with bowls extended who expect payback - and as Rae faced in Ontario in teh early 1990s, Obama will soon face a recession (if the economic pundits are to be believed).

How will Obama pay out to his constituents in the face of falling tax revenues? At present, US federal debt is a manageable 50% of GDP. This could easily rise to 70% or 80% and Obama's economic advisors will likely tell him not to worry.

[janedame]

McCain seemed stronger during the beginning but became too emotional and like a cry baby.

[BubberMiley]

It difficult for McCain to try to label Obama a socialist who wants to "spread the wealth" when McCain is proposing buying up all the houses at risk of foreclosure and selling them back at a loss.

[Moonlight Graham]

i watched about 20 minutes of the debate. I know their policies & where they both stand. These campaigns are much too long. They could easily slice a month or 2 off this broadway show

[maldon_road]

The US appears likely to send its Bob Rae to the White House. And as with Bob Rae in 1990 in Ontario, there will be a long line of people with bowls extended who expect payback - and as Rae faced in Ontario in teh early 1990s, Obama will soon face a recession (if the economic pundits are to be believed).

How will Obama pay out to his constituents in the face of falling tax revenues? At present, US federal debt is a manageable 50% of GDP. This could easily rise to 70% or 80% and Obama's economic advisors will likely tell him not to worry.

I'm not ready to call it quits. The race seems to be tightening up, based on polls over the last couple of days. The states declared as "solid" for Obama are those that Kerry took - and he lost. The others are still up for grabs.

Or is that light I see not the one at the end of the tunnel but an on-coming freight train?

[BubberMiley]

From this clip, it seems the short old man clearly won the debate. Guilt by tenuous association allegations often work.

[Guest American Woman]

Love this "McCain Moment' captured on film.