Second Presidential Debate Open Stream
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Debates, McCain, VideoYou can watch it here…
Please add your voice in the comments section below and continue to comment throughout the broadcast.
Some advice. Since there’s video embedded here, you may want to open up this post in an additional tab too so you can comment quickly and you won’t have to start up the video again. Obviously that’s if you’re watching it in the post.
And away we go…
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October 7th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Alright folks, it’s go time, and I think this could be the most interesting debate yet because we really don’t know what John McCain will show up. The economic populist? The attacking underdog?
On the other hand, I think we can be sure that “No Drama” Obama will show up.
We shall see…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
David Brooks just said that Obama can’t be too “professorial” tonight.
Well, it’s been doing well for him so far…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
We’re also doing a live blog, but I’m going to try to participate here too.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m sweating already.
This feels epic…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Both candidates look rested and upbeat.
Looks like it’ll be all about the economy tonight.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
This is not Obama’s strength (debate, unexpected questions).
He’s making eye contact with the crowd…
And all I can think about is the SNL sketch making fun of Brokaw (Gerald Ford dead today…)
October 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I wondered how long it would take for someone to mention AIG. Glad it didn’t take too long
October 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Obama being unspecific again. Let’s see what McCain says.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Good first answer by Obama. Laid it all out.
McCain starts talking about energy independence. Doesn’t want to raise any taxes. McCain is strong in this format. It shows already.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I don’t think he was lacking specificity…
He outlined 3? points.
McCain doesn’t look natural on stage like this – and he sounds nervous.
“my friends” 2x
October 7th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Is it just me or did Obama basically answer the first question with “Well, it’s McCain’s fault.” Not good enough.
McCain “has a plan.” Uh-oh, John Kerry had a lot of those too and we saw how far that got him.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Wow. Interesting idea on the home mortgage buying. That’s “main street” help and a good response
October 7th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Haha, how was that not specific?
Did McCain just get stumped by Brokaw’s question?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Obama just sidestepped Brokaw’s question. Obama is on the offense now. Interesting.
And he’s pushing that middle class tax cut HARD.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Middle class (Obama said it once)
McCain didn’t say it yet.
Obama was the first to attack though, with the “fundamentals are strong line”
I was under the impression attacks wouldn’t work tonight.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Did anyone read that article about Clinton being the master of the townhall format, and his mastery of non-verbal communication and camera angles? I think it was in Slate, but I’m doing too many things at once to find it. Either way, I wonder who is going to master the non-verbal communication format now…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
McCain pivots from bailout to rescue. Good move for everybody there.
But McCain is talking about his campaign suspension, which many didn’t buy was actually a suspension.
He brings up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and ties Obama with them. Will it stick?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
McCain isn’t explaining how the bailout will help the rest of us. But, hey, it’s Fannie Mae’s fault. Good to know.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
McCain sounds nervous…like he did at the beginning of the last debate. I hope he settles down.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
On the economy? No. On Bill Ayers and Keating Five? Yes.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Wow…Obama is the one looking on the offensive. “Correct Mr. McCain…” I don’t think he looks good doing it and really it’s not necessary for him to do.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Obama is explaining how the bailout works. Unfortunately, McCain is forcing him to pivot from the question and fire back over whose fault this mess is. Who knew two out of 100 senators had so much power of the economy?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Obama SOUNDS more like he knows what he’s talking about. McCain talks about Mae/Mac, and Obama talks about what the “bailout” was about, and how it would impact the questioner.
“you aren’t interested in seeing politicians pointing fingers” – Obama
Nice line.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Wow, “politicians pointing fingers” good dig by Obama that chairman of McCain’s campaign was lobbyist for freddie, fannie
October 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Obama explains the rescue package actually quite well, but doesn’t really answer the question.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
How can we trust either of you with our money?
Obama ties it to Bush. Surpluses turned into deficits. He’s thanking Clinton without mentioning him. Interesting…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Now Obama is not answering the question and is defending the party when we all know that the fault is on both parties like the woman with the question said.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Obama is smart to point out how much our debt has increased under Bush. Too bad he’s really never pushed national debt reduction. Where’s Ross Perot when you need him?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
It’s tough for McCain to talk about how Washington is broken, but has been part of it for so long. And bringing up campaign finance reform and climate control doesn’t really address the economy.
McCain hits Obama on bi-partisanship and spending. But it doesn’t really seem to stick.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Too bad ear-marks gets so little traction with voters. McCain has Obama over a barrel on that issue, but I’m not sure anyone cares. They should.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Reform? What reform, Senator McCain? Be specific, please.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Don’t you know it!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
McCain still sounds shaky. I can hear him…breathing. Side note: McCain’s answers haven’t gotten the “ratings” that Obama has on the CNN tracker.
Obama answers with the blame bush line.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
my friends (4x)
thats my take a shot phrase for the night.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Honestly, I don’t think either of these guys sounds that reassuring on the economy. This is turning into another draw, and we all know what that means…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Is anyone else getting sick of the Reagan-Tip O’Neal references? Gag me.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Obama talks specifically about higher oil prices and ties it to national security. That’s strong.
Just invoked JFK and the “we’re going to the moon” line. Good one.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
That last answer from Obama was particularly strong. Detailed and future forward.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
True, Justin.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Huh? We still don’t know how that tanker issue is going to turn out, Senator McCain.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Ohhhh…Obama’s may hit back on McCain’s earmarks with the reality that it’s just not a lot of money.
McCain talks about his “spending freeze” again. Looks like they’re really trying to push that.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
air force tanker again?
Earmarks?
come on…
overhead projector?
McCain just doesn’t sound relevant tonight.
“Behind closed doors, and shoving stuff through in the middle of the night” – McCain
Not a strong line, as Obama’s response will be his open government project.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Wait a minute Justin…McCain mentioned independence from foreign oil in his first response and linked it to National security. Perhaps, like the “CNN trackers” you are not hearing McCain. You may be listening, but you are not hearing.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
A bit late here, tonight… I had to put our 3-year-old daughter to bed… so I missed the first 20-25 minutes.
I saw the JFK/moon shot reference… good point, and just minutes after McCain slaps him about the planetarium earmark. Was that Obama turning lemons into lemonade? Yes, a planetarium is expensive… but look what can come out of it! (science education, inspiration, the next generation of NASA)
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
October 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
McCain says he’s not willing to make that person without health insurance wait. For what? The punchline to the joke that is his health care plan?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Haha, Obama going to 9/11, squandered opportunity/ go out and shop. Interesting.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Sacrifice = Turn your damn lights off!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Man, Obama really nailed that one. Invoking 9/11 spoke to everybody and tied it back to Bush.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Obama is being way way way too cerebral tonight.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
To whoever mentioned “non-verbal communication”: I think Obama looks at least as comfortable as McCain, maybe a hair more comfortable.
Hatchet/scalpel… good line.
I see McCain is wearing that bracelet tonight, right wrist.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
my friends (5x)
Nailing jello to a wall? Practiced “money” lines don’t hit.
I don’t know if hitting Obama on taxes will work.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I’m getting really sick hearing McCain send off some general ’scary’ attack on Obama rather then answer the question.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Is it just me or is McCain off his game yet again? It’s not like Obama is shooting the lights out, but he’s simply doing the steady thing and letting McCain hang himself with rambling.
And the “My Friends” line is like Palin’s “Maverick/Outsider” line.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Actually, Obama did well on the sacrifice issue. He’s doing well in general. He has really improved in these formats. He sounds assured and he’s not even having to spin his wheels much.
McCain is getting into his groove though and is sounding less nervous.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I still don’t understand how penalizing only the people who worked to become successful in a Capitalist economy does not move us closer to socialism.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I imagine that many of those small business owners would be amazed to learn that they make over $250,000 a year.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Everyone comments about bailing out Wall Street, and keeping people in their homes. What about those of us who are disabled and on fixed incomes? Who is going to bail us out? I don’t even have a home; I can’t afford to move. Someone besides the taxpayer has to pay for this. Pretty soon, I am going to be on the street.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Yeah, they just don’t work.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Brokaw just cut off Obama–good!
That should put off any extremist yappers whining about “the MSM showing favoritism to Obama.” :rolleyes:
October 7th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Obama totally dodged the entitlement question in order to promise his tax break again.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
NEW RULE:
“My friends” = Take a shot
Wink at the camera = Drain the bottle
October 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I would just love it if they would tell McCain to quit lying about everything, and quit calling people “my friends”. He is not my friend
October 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Side note: I’m a small business owner, the business gross earns 150k or so.
I (sole-proprietor)earn about 40k. I can’t afford health insurance, especially in the NYC market I live in.
I feel like Obama is closer to the reality on this.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Reagan-Tip O’Neal (2x)
October 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Obama’s not answering the question about entitlements. Instead hitting McCain on taxes.
But then he brings it back around…sort of.
McCain says he didn’t answer the question and he’s right.
McCain on social security…not gonna touch that third rail!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I SO dislike mccain’s “whisper” voice.
My friends (5x)
October 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
The problem McCain is nobody cares about your record. They care about what you’re saying now. They’ll trust Obama to do what he says.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Brokaw asked if they would insist on fixing Social Security and Medicare in two years. Obama said no but that he’d want it done in his first term.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
“My friends” HAS to be up to 10 now.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
This is just great. My insurance is already over $5000 a year, and no other insurer will touch me. Most of my money goes to copays and coinsurance on top of that.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
#1: The women on the CNN tracker are in the tank for Obama. Consistently higher in every single issue. Maxxed out on most of his answers.
#2: Tell me please how penalizing those who are successful to “even out the wealth” is not a move toward socialism. Seriously, someone tell me this.
How do you tax the people who are responsible for hiring the middle class and think that will work? I do not get it.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
My friends (6x)
I do like Mccains nuclear power stance.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Good question about “getting Congress to move fast!”
Seems like Congress only moves fast to:
1) Bail out Wall Street
2) Make sure somebody’s feeding tube stays in
3) Give themselves a raise
October 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
McCain is right about nuclear energy. I really wish Obama would buy on, and that could actually be a very easy flip-flop for him if he gets elected.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
on the tracker, obama is knocking it out of the park.
“we can’t drill ourselves out of the problem” good line
but Obama didn’t sound as strong on this green energy line.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
McCain could have made the environmental question into a plus but he stumbled through the answer. I’m not really sure I understood his opinion other than nuclear power is safe.
Obama is going to talk about his New Deal — Green Edition. Yep. There he goes. But he’s a little all over the place too.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Obama is really hitting his stride here. He really has the issue down cold.
Brokaw “TIME!!!”
October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
My friends again.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Good question, Brokaw!
“Manhattan Project” vs. “Garage Inventors”
Seems to me things like the X-Prize work well.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
#1: The women on the CNN Tracker are in the tank for Obama. Maxxing it out on a consistent basis.
#2: Tell me how penalizing successful citizens in order to “even out the wealth” is not a move toward socialism? Seriously, this isn’t Sherwood Forest, it’s Capitalist America. The people Obama wants to tax are those who are responsible for hiring the coveted middle-class. I do not understand how that works.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
“My friends” creeps me out.
x9.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Would you treat health care like a commodity?
What’s McCain doing wandering around?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
“As I travel around the country” is almost as bad as “My Friends”…
Or am I imagining this?
October 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Obama is so right. We need to diversify our energy. Like letting us import cars that already get better gas mileage. And McCain should wipe that snide grin off his face.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I agree with Agnostick about an X-Prize approach but this version can’t have the limitation that the actual X-Prize did to keep out existing businesses.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Answer: Both!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
My friends (8x)…(9x)
Oil is already cheap.
3.15 in NJ
Do you believe health care should be treated as a commodity?
Doesn’t really answer the question…I mean he kind of does, but by explaining HIS health care plan.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Obama on Health Care
Electronic medical records — that’s already a regulation on the books but the implementation keeps being pushed back because of the extraordinary costs to providers.
More money in preventative care is essential — he’s right.
Still not sure how we pay for his health plan and his tax cut. And I’m concerned about the burden his plan will place on business. We should be finding ways to extract health care from employment. Instead, Obama is tangling it up even more.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
The only problem with McCain’s health care is it wouldn’t cover everybody.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
“If you’re a parent struggling to provide health care for your children Obama will fine you.” – John McCain
That has to be the most appalling lie I’ve heard from McCain.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Yes, maybe “both,” Justin (I could use some help with my coding sometime… can’t figure out how to “quote” somebody like you just did with me…
Anyways, I agree with Jim about “X-Prize 2.0″… let everyone in on it.
I would add one other caveat:
Just as open source software sort of “belongs” to everyone… I would strip away all patents, copyrights, etc. out of any innovations that come out of “X Prize 2.0″
Give ‘em a big prize up front, and that’s it… no patent that lets you gouge everyone for 17 years after the fact.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
McCain on Health Care
Wouldn’t it pretty to think so. Individual ideas are good — particularly freeing up the competition between insurers. But if he thinks his tweaks will solve health care, he’s been playing the “my friends” drinking game.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
WHOA.
Obama thinks it should be a right?
He went there…
This format helps Obama, I was wrong.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
The majority of McCain’s claims about health care are lies. Complete falsehoods. What a pathetic wretch he’s turned into.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
McCain: It should be a responsibility.
Obama: It should be a right.
And Obama is owning the health care issue and puts the lie to McCain’s “across state lines” idea.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
My friends (10x)
And the whole “did anyone hear the number” thing made him an a-hole in my book.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
my friends (11x)
Obama’s stronger (again) on this foreign affairs question.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Wow. Obama says, “You know, I don’t understand…”
That was a great turn.
And then he turns it back to the economy!
Folks, Obama is winning this thing.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Obama is smart to hit on how much the Iraq war is costing us.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Agnostick,
I wouldn’t strip them of their patents but I would think that they would have to license the technology for a reasonable amount or else it wouldn’t do any good. Any really good discovery would have to be widely available. In addition others would have to be allowed to do research that would result in improvements to the initial technology.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
“And the whole “did anyone hear the number†thing made him an a-hole in my book.”
That’s exactly what I thought.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
my friends (12x)..(13x)
There IS no victory in iraq! HOW MANY TIMES MUST THIS BE SAID!?
That’s Petraeus’ own belief.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
McCain “whatever we can to stop genocide.” You know, Obama had specifics about Darfur. McCain is more focused on broad philosophy — “tempered” is the word. Not sure he’s been tempered recently.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Pakistan question sounds like it was written for Obama. You could tell he was really happy that one got asked.
Hitting his stride now regarding al Qaeda.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Here’s where Obama bests McCain. He says we have to go in, McCain equivocates and says “Shhhhhhhh!”
October 7th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Obama is really explaining his Pakistan position right to the questioner. That was good.
McCain: “Senator Obama likes to talk loudly.” That makes me laugh. Sure, McCain is going to be the less belicose leader. Right.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Yes, this format is better for McCain than the other formats, but it’s also a GREAT format for Obama. This debate makes me feel a little sorry for McCain, because this reminds of why I liked him in the first place. He’s just not as good as Obama.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Bugs Bunny: “I speak softly… but I carry a big stick!â€
Yosemite Sam: “Oh yeah? Well I speak LOUD… and I carry a __bigger__ stick! And I use it, too!â€
October 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Does McCain remember that he was in Congress when these mistakes concerning Afghanistan were made? How can you work with Pakistan when their main intelligence agency is shot through with Taliban and Al Qaeda supporters?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Oh, slam dunk. “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran”. McCain looked dejected.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Bomb Bomb Bomb… Bomb Bomb Iran!
“I want a follow up”
“Hey! If HE gets a followup, I want one, too!”
“Fine by me!”
“Let’s do it!”
“I’ll ‘follow’ your ‘up’ old man! I’ll slap the taste out of your mouth!”
October 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Wow. Obama really turned “speak softly” claim around on McCain. That was impressive.
Folks, I think Obama is winning this, and not just by a little bit. I am REALLY surprised by this, but that’s my take with 15 minutes to go.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
McCain knows how to get Bin Laden. But it’s a “secret.” Guess it’d have to be but, come on, makes me think of Nixon’s secret plan to end the Vietnam war.
Of course, McCain is right that you can’t telegraph your military strategy. Not sure Obama has done that but that would be the worry with such an inepxerienced leader.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
my friends (14x)
really…McCain just sounds like a whiner. I WANT MY SHARE OF TIME TOO.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
McCain acted responsibly in his military career? He got shot down because he ignored his own systems that warned him a missile was coming!! And that’s only the most egregious example and the one that extracted a terrible price from him.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
James Joyner of Outside The Beltway…
I guess others think he’s winning too?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Hands down.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Why does McCain always look at Obama’s answers as something entirely different?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Okay, I think McCain is looking better. After his 75-minute warmup, he’s finally feeling his oats
(What’s with this Captcha? “Ladies Mannes?” Who am I, Tim Meadows?)
October 7th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
The problem with McCain is that he’s talking over people. He’s being too professorial, not Obama.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Did you catch that earlier? McCain seems to have a secret plan to catch Osama Bin Lden.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Maybe Obama should have done all of those town halls, eh?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
“Is Russia still the ‘evil empire?’”
Obama won that answer straight off!
October 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Maybe?
If I say yes…
If I say no…
Huh? This is funny stuff John. WTF?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Wait for the UN to support Israel?
Well, both of them will say no to this one…
October 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
ooh nice handshake. good one mccain.
I don’t like how he says ‘my friend’. it sounds insincere when he says it so much
October 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
“Obama, without preconditions, wants to negotiate…”
Has Obama ever used the word “negotiate?” I thought he’s always said “talk”…?
Big difference between “negotiate” and “talk” in my book.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
The undecided who asked that last question really seemed to agree with Obama.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
STRONG finish here for Obama. Talks about the American dream, thus negating any more of these Ayers attacks for having any effect.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
what a horrible answer on that last question for both candidates.
maccains was worse
by far. he sounds like he has no clue whats coming down the pipe nor what to do. its too backwards looking.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
So folks…who won?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
We just watched the next President nail it, and the other guy get his gold watch.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hey, McCain is winning the Drudge poll! He must have won! ;-)
October 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
McCain might as well have said “Times are uncertain so stick with voting for what you know, the old white guy.”.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Chuck Todd is talking about how Obama was attacking McCain a lot more instead of vice versa.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Overall I didn’t think McCain did as poorly as this thread seems to imply, but Obama probably will turn out more positively. If nothing else, a tie is a win for Obama.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I have to wonder whether or not John McCain actually thinks he can accomplish 3 major tasks a once??? Apparently no one has ever told him to UNDER PROMISE and OVER DELIVER. When you can’t follow through, you can only go down.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
“What I don’t know, is what the unexpected will be” – John McCain
October 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Did I just see Mccain ignore Obama trying to give him a handshake? His wife reached out and shook a waiting Obama hand.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
It was a tie. Which means win for Obama.
No momentum stopper here.
McCain is only down to 1 last bullet. Debate #3.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Everybody I’m hearing now is saying that Obama seemed a lot more comfortable than expected.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
These presidential debates are so much better than the debates during the primaries… it’s been a pleasant surprise so far.
I thought Obama won hands down, but then I’m already in his camp. I’m eager to see what the snap polls look like, though.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
@bubbles yeah i heard that too and I was like lol wut?
good one senator. good one.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Justin…
I’m not sure how many other blogs do this sort of thing… maybe more than I think.
But three times now, you’ve sort of “hosted” this running shenanigans throughout the debate. It’s been a lot of fun, and I thank you–as well as your regular contributors–for the ongoing “infotainment” this site brings. Not just on nights like this, but the rest of the time, as well.
THANK YOU!!
October 7th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Uncommitteds on CBS were completely unmoved. Except for one guy who switched to Obama.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
My first reaction is that it was a draw… which at this point is as good as an Obama win. McCain gave as good as he got, but he needed to really hit Obama with a thunderbolt or two in order to regain a glimmer of hope. He didn’t even seem particularly interested in going on the attack.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Taegan Goddard thinks Obama ran away with in. I’m inclined to agree…
The thing that struck me is that McCain really didn’t hit Obama very hard on nearly anything. And when he did, Obama counterpunched incredibly effectively.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Agnostick writes…
Well, without all of you this wouldn’t be possible so THANK YOU!!! :-)
October 7th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Republican operative on PBS says (paraphrasing), “Obama always seems like he could be President in these debates.”
That’s why I think he won.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I think we are in for some tremendously tough times ahead like no one has seen in our nation in many years if these are the only two candidates that we can deliver. What a sad day for our country.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’d like it known that I’m watching CSPAN and they have a policy of keeping the cameras on the room so long as the candidates are still there. We’re 20 minutes afterwards and Obama and his wife are still there talking to people. McCain left after only a few minutes into the room. What happened to McCain?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
@ Terry
I noticed that too. Strange…
October 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
he had to talk to Hannity.
not kidding
October 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hmmm, that’s interesting Terry. You sure you just can’t see him?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
@Erik
Man, that tells you all you need to know right there. No wonder he’s losing this one so badly.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
By the way…152 comments so far. Most evah!
October 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Well, looks like that’s it. Thanks for joining in everybody! Until next time…
October 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
@ Justin. My response is a bit late, but no. In fact, the CSPAN people come on twice to say that tey aren’t being one sided – their cameras weren’t ignoring McCain, he had left the room so they are only focused on Obama.
@ Erik – Really? He left a group of ‘undecided’ voters to have a chat on the ‘fair and balanced’? Is that who he is reaching across the isle to?