DISQUS

An_American_Karol · 1 year ago

I think the debate was a draw. People are reacting to how much they really dislike anything Republican - just my opinion.

mf_roe · 1 year ago

Obama just doesn't shine in debate, he isn't really comforable attacking. this is a weakness because at time you have to destroy the other guy's point. McShame did better than I expected but he still tended to wander off the trail at times.

An_American_Karol · 1 year ago

I don't think it is a weakness. People liked him. They will vote for him. In that regard, he did win. He comes across thoughtful. After eight years of Bush, the last thing people want is another hot tempered nut.

houstonray · 1 year ago

Great observation...McSame just reminds people of what we've had, the smirk, the fuzzy details, the 'talking points', the temper, the instability, I think on those grounds, Obama "won", hands down....

An_American_Karol · 1 year ago

Yes, Obama won for being Obama, not on any points.

ska · 1 year ago

One of the stunning things to me about the debate is that McCain kept saying "I have been here, I have been there, I have been to this place, ..." as though that experience is a critical criterion for being President. Yet, he has picked a running mate who has not been anywhere and, by his own criterion, is therefore unqualified for the job.

ZennButtKicker (tlhwraith) · 1 year ago

Let me be blunt, Obama simply can't show the degree of emotions a lot of Dems would like to show. The reality is, and I hate to go racial, but his primary obstacle isn't his temperment, it's convincing all those people that agree with his ideology, but simply can't get used to the idea of a youngish black man as POTUS. I guarantee you the minute Obama loses his composure in any significant way and shows anything but rehearsed contempt, the election is over and welcome POTUS McCain.

McCain and Clinton were "allowerd" to go off and be openly condescending and aggressive, Obama has to tread very lightly. I hate to say it but there are a lot of people who would simply be afraif of an "angry black guy" showing the righteous indignation at the current state of affairs that is probably warranted.

vkobaya · 1 year ago

Did you listen to the debate tonight? Sigh! I thought Obama took it on the nose many times. McCain kept attacking, but seemed like Obama thought it would be unmanly of him to hit, beat up an old man. McCain lied and lied and Obama only blocked, but didn’t attack back. McCain didn’t score a knockout, but won on points as Obama stayed on the defensive for almost all of the debate. He only laid one punch on McCain and you get the feeling he immediately was ashamed of himself for doing for hitting that vile, nasty, hateful old man. Maybe, as a black man, Obama was afraid of hitting a white man and getting lynched. Also Obama was hesitant and thoughtful, sometimes paused to think, would be taken as hesitant and unsure, but McCain had all his responses memorized and recited them route like a machine gun spitting out bullets. If I didn’t already prefer Obama, I would have had to have decided that McCain won.

A careful technical analysis would have awarded the debate to Obama, as McCain simply was reciting prepared campaign slogans and lying most of the time on his facts and figures, but people will go on their gut feelings and not realize that McCain didn’t win. Jim Lehrer also didn’t help as he often let McCain get in the last word.McCain laid a lot of traps and Obama carefully stepped over them, but was so dignified and unemotional about it, most people wouldn’t even realize that he had avoided the traps, thought McCain had scored another zinger. As one analyst said afterward, it is as if Kerry had written the lesson plan for Obama with the objective being to lose the debate ... and election. Damn!

I just hope Obama studies the films of this first debate, learns the lessons he needs to learn to win the next one and win with first round knockout.

unrepentant_expat · 1 year ago

I suspect you're probably right. Obama's too much of a gentleman too rub McCain's face in his own filth.

vkobaya · 1 year ago

BBC is saying the debate was a draw, no clear winners. You have to realize that everyone in the world except for American right wingers are rooting for Obama, so it must be painful for the BBC to say that this debate was a draw.

glenda743 · 1 year ago

It's really a crying shame that this country is blaming what one Person has done this last eight years on someone who has actually fought him...People needs to wake up... Obama is a liar, and a cheat and he will take this country into total ruin....He is not even smart enough to know that when you raise taxes on companies or corps or small business, they just pass it along to the middle class consumer as the cost of doing business.
Wake up America...Wake up.....

glenda743 · 1 year ago

The Democrats should be very careful when they start shouting “Bad Economy” and how we need to “Change”……..

Instead they should look back to just two years ago to see what a roaring economy we had been enjoying the previous six years with gasoline at $2.19 a gallon and unemployment at 4.6%. That’s when the voters then started talking about “Change” and they elected a majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress…. In just these past two short years with the Democrats, gasoline has gone to $4.00 a gallon and unemployment is up to 6.1%.....

The liberal leadership in Congress should not be allowed to continue the devastation of our economic well being……. Change???? We’ve had about enough Democratic change this country can handle…..

Some people might really believe that one person can do something...whether it be good or bad.... but I'm here to tell you that NOTHING gets passed without approval of Congress and Congress is now controlled by Democrats...Wake up America....this should tell you something...DUH....

bjcurry · 1 year ago

Sweet heart,
When Bill Clinton (a democrate) was president - Gas was .99 cents a gallon. But you're probably too young to remember.

Wake up - sweetheart - it took one person (George Bush) to drive this country in the ground and yes - it will take one person;s leadership to get it back on track and stop paying for George Bush's personal war.

unrepentant_expat · 1 year ago

Anderson: What do yo think of that john?...

yah meanIgot to think?

hawkseye · 1 year ago

I thought it was a draw for awhile. After listening to comments on PBS and MSNBC, I gave the edge to Obama. Commenters brought up good points which I had forgotten. It's hard to keep the full 90 minutes in mind when you weigh the evidence.

AdrianBrowne · 1 year ago

'Car sleepers' the new US homeless

"This new phenomenon of middle-class homelessness is hard to quantify, but New Beginnings, an organisation that runs the car park sleeping scheme in Santa Barbara, says they accommodate some 55 people in a dozen parking lots."

[ . . . ]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7585696.stm

grandma · 1 year ago

CNN’s Roland Martin’s reaction to the debate: “John McCain, how dare you come and give a debate and you don’t even say the word ‘middle class.’”

An_American_Karol · 1 year ago

What can McCain say? I wouldn't look good if he told the truth: Screw the middle class.

unrepentant_expat · 1 year ago

I've become Canadian years ago, but I can't remember the last time I heard an American politician say 'working class'.

freshpaint · 1 year ago

Uncommitted voters opinions are really important. Am so happy they watched and saw what I've always seen in the man I've been for since his senate campaign began. Obama's responses were thoughtful, not just glib soundbites. You got the feeling that Obama would have truly enjoyed taking on McCain one-on-one for even longer than the format allowed. McCain looked and sounded like a grumpy old geezer. Someone on twitter called it "his scary campfire voice". Creepy.

grandma · 1 year ago

Yes.....I mentioned that in an earlier thread too....McCain was coming across as 'creepy' to me for some reason.

Amrblg · 1 year ago

On the lack of eye contact issue, all the still shots I've seen of the initial hand shake show McCain looking away. I'd like to see the video again.

jennyb · 1 year ago

has anyone discussed the fact that mccain NEVER looked directly at Obama during the entire debate (even when assertively prompet by lehrer)? i found this not only disrespectful but indicates a lack of confidence his own assertions re economy and foreign policy. someone in his camp needs to fix this- it is not befitting of a world class leader he promotes himself to be. i found obama to be eloquent and VERY tolerant considering the silliness of many of mccains responses.

America4E · 1 year ago

Senator John McCain won this Debate Hands Down. Senator McCain has the knowledge, experience, and patience to lead this Country with Excellence. Any other choice would be the wrong choice. The other candidate kept interrupting Senator McCain and was defensive. Just because many people think it may be cool to vote for Obama... Cool does not make a great leader. When in a time of war and the economy is in peril, Cool does not cut it or make for a great leader. Vote for the best candidate and that points towards Senator McCain. It is time to quit playing games and listening to overpromised high picture wandering ideas presented by Senator Obama. We have to have a leader is to the point, on target, qualified to be President and is ready to lead. That leader is Senator John McCain.

vonbob · 1 year ago

Yes, the Obama Campaign sent out e-mails urging us to tell everybody he had won the debate — before it had even happened!

Barry Soetero Obama — who are you really?

CNN is creating another fairy tale. McCain was clearly the winner.

Wizz · 1 year ago

Hands down Obama won, and this is coming from a southern-born life-long Republican family. Both sides of our Republican family will be voting for Obama due to McCain-Palin being out of touch with America and the Iraq War. Obama’s Economic, Tax, and Military plans all make much more sense than McCain’s wreckless war crazed tactics. McCain's tax breaks only benefit the RICHEST people in this country while the Middle Class dies. Obama ONLY wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, not middle America like McCain...McCain is simply an Elitist who helps the rich, exactly like Bush has been doing. McCain kept going off topic and McCain’s temper started to show. When Obama would call out ‘facts’ McCain would start festering and biting his lip/cheek. No wonder McCain’s campaign is sinking fast, his views showed Americans why last night. Our sons won’t be dieing in one of his many senseless wars because he has grudges against a few countries from over 30 years ago. Every single poll shows Obama won handidly anyway.

queerunity · 1 year ago

McCain spewed out a bunch of nonsense.
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com

ACOL · 1 year ago

Last evening after the debate I went on the CNN Website where they were asking people to grade the candidates performance. I graded Obama a "C" and the comeback screen popped up with... "Your vote was 'A' and Obama's Average is 'B'." If this is how CNN is recording votes, I have NO confidence in their survey results.

redcheerio · 1 year ago

It's great to see people are becoming less and less tolerant of BS rhetoric and lies from candidates. Yay information age!

Obama was respectful and mature, while McCain was disrespectful and immature. McCain continually attacked Obama with BS untrue claims, because he knows that people who aren't very smart consider the response to that (ie. "no, that's not true") as being "defensive", therefore giving McCain undeserved credit. That logic encourages this jouvenile behavior, but Obama resisted that game anyway. Thankfully, more and more people are waking up and recognizing manipulative tactics for what they are.

Hats off to Obama for taking the high road, and resisting the temptation to play the BS rhetoric game! I respect McCain for being a bit of a maverick and for some of the good causes he has fought for, but the more BS I hear from him and his campaign, the less I respect him.

This debate goes to show that character and intelligence is worth more than experience alone.

America4E · 1 year ago

With all due respect, Hands Down Senator John McCain won this Debate. Hands down, it would be dangerous to vote for anyone in this election other than Senator John McCain. The World is watching...and they know who truly is qualified to be President and who is not. If we really want America to remain safe then Hands Down Senator John McCain is the one who is trained, qualified and is ready to lead. We cannot have someone learn on the Job. Bottom Line Period. This is not about Republican or Democrat. This is about what is best for this Country. This is also not about someone who is of another Race in the White House. This is about who is best to lead this Country. If you want to talk about people dying in America then you have to include all of the innocent unborn who die each year due to such liberal Pro Choice views. That is a silent war that has been going on and yet people want to turn a blind eye to that. Senator John McCain is for protecting the innocent & the unborn. Senator Obama is Pro Choice and this view fits into the whatever suits be best attitude. No, that is not how America is going to prosper. Bottom line, it would be the best and safest answer is to vote for Senator John McCain. One who is ready to lead and is courageous and does not coward down from what is right just to be popular. Popularity is fleeting and will go away. We need a strong leader who will do what is right. If you say that Obama wants to only raise taxes for the wealthy and not the middle class, then what is the incentive to become wealthy for some. It is a catch 22. Do not let the Democrats fool you….who promise change for the poor and minorities just to benefit their agenda...while they live in their million dollar homes. Who is kidding who? America needs a leader who is not afraid to bring change and reform in the places where greed and corruption are present. Senator John McCain has really fought for America and has nothing to gain for his own personal agenda only to care for and TRULY lead America. There is not perfect candidate in this race, although the more perfect one to lead is Senator John McCain.

Wizz · 1 year ago

The number say it all...that's why record number of 'Republican's liek us are jumping ship. Just look at what happened in the Special elections that took place this past year...ALL three Republican districts lost to a Democrat. The big one was the District in Mississippi...a Republican strong-hold for decades that turned Democratic. This election is shaping up to be a slaughter for McCain-Palin, if you have Republican families switching sides in vast numbers then you're in trouble. All the number show that Americans have already realized that Obama is the only one that has the ability to save his country. I have no shame in abandoning the Republican party as many other families we've spoke to our doing, because as Obama originally told this country...we are all Americans. We'll sit back and watch McCain's campaign to continue to spiral down the tubes.

-Republicans Against McCain

linrob · 1 year ago

It wasn't surprising the CNN poll showed Obama won the debate. It's quite clear there are no networks or cable new shows that are unbiased. Everyone has their passionate views about the candidates. Nobody on capital hill is looking out for you Main Street America, we're all on our own. They all have their own agendas. How about this A.C.O.R,.N...go to their website. Obama has been involved.