(AP Photo)
If John McCain goes on to win this election, I believe pundits will point to tonight’s town-hall style debate as the starting point of his come-from-behind drive. McCain made from a huge jump up from the first debate in that he was more personable and human, serious when he needed to be, but he ably worked in some humor at several points. McCain also knew when to break the debate rules for a good cause, such as when he interrupted Tom Brokaw to quickly point out that Barack Obama had failed to address McCain’s earlier challenge of spelling out the financial penalties for failing to buy insurance under Obama’s health care plan.
On the other hand, Obama seemed to repeatedly break the rules simply to ramble on past the time limits, even after being indirectly admonished by Brokaw. Now, I will say Obama was more impressive tonight than I expected. He was generally comfortable in this format and eloquent. When Brokaw wouldn’t let Obama get in follow-up response during a discussion on tax policies, he effectively worked his thoughts in anyway as part of his answer to the next question about Social Security and Medicare.
But Obama spent much of the 90 minutes repeating the same phrases and attacks on McCain that Obama used in the last debate and in recent weeks on the campaign trail. McCain stood out a little more because he had several fresh things to say. He probably gave heart attacks to more than a few conservative Republicans when he opened with a commitment for the federal government to buy up every individual bad home mortgage in the country. But at least it was something different from the previous debate for viewers to chew on.
I thought McCain generally improved his performance on the economic crisis and other domestic matters. He sounded more thoughtful, instead of constantly repeating talking points. And he was darn impressive during the 20 or so minutes on foreign policy issues (Although, I would urge him to come up with new material when he talks about Russia’s Vladamir Putin).
Obama didn’t make any mistakes, so tonight’s debate might not make any difference in the election. But McCain gave undecided voters a slightly improved view than they’ve seen before, while Obama looked pretty much the same. That could make a difference if the election turns out to be close.
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Obama could not pass a background check with his mysterious pass.
Hmmm lived in Indonesia, Kenyan father with ties to radical government officials, half brother living in box in Kenya on a dollar a day, had a Saudi Muslim write a letter to get him into Harvard (why not release your grades from Columbia?) Did you not get into Harvard without shell money from the Saudi’s to fund your education? Who paid off your student loans? Release those documents Obama.
Then you have a Pakistani roommate in college and head to Pakistan for 6 weeks? French Riveria? NO but Pakistan. THen you are associated with Louis Farrakahn and Rashid Kashid and then 20 years with Rev. Wright….. PATTERN?
Ask yourself if the Feds would not pass an average person with a background check such as this handling your US information, why would you vote for this MYSTERIOUS guy?????
Voting for McCain the true patriot!!!!!
Healthcare is a responsiblity? To what end? At what price? Last year, I was a stay at home Mom and my husband was a full time Realtor. We attempted to buy Health Insurance. We don’t drink or smoke, get regular check-ups. I, unfortunately have a benign heart condition that was diagnosed in my 30’s that is Asymtomatic, but it’s there, and I also have had Migraines since I was 12-not much I can do about either of those, now, is there? And without going into too many details, at the age of 41 and 42, were told that they would cover everything but what we had already put down in the information packet. Well, part of the reason we wanted insurance was to cover the cost of the medicine I take for the Migraines, and although my Husband worked Full-Time, he had No Health Insurance. So, back to work I went. So, I guess it’s ok for me to pay for His Health Insurance, make sure His S.S. is solvent, and pay for My Health Insurance while I work outside my home and he lines the pockets of the fat cats on Wallstreet? Is that My Responsibility? Is that how he won the debate? I’m not sold on Obama’s idea, but I’m sure it’s gonna get tweaked. I want what They have-if they get sick, they go to a doctor. If they need tests, they get them done. If they need surgery, it gets scheduled. None of this-calendar year crap. If you NEED it, in the Greatest Country in the World, get it done. For me, I don’t want four more years of this crap. I’m done being ashamed of what my country stands for. Rising Deficits, Extended Credit, Liars, CIA Outers, Indiiference to Suffering, and Appalling Lack of Responsibiltiy when things Go Wrong. The Bible says, we will always have poor people, but WE Should Never Have Hungry…If we believe what we say we are. As you do to the Least of these…Kate Benson, Mesa.
Last nights debate left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, the closer election day comes these politicians spend more time trashing each other than answering the questions.
It felt like in many ways they participants were asked questions on the same talking points as in the past. Then their answer ranges from useless babble to slamming their opponent. This goes for both, and unfortunately McCain seemed to do a bit more trash talking than Obama did.
I would really like to see these guys answer the questions based on “what they have done” and “what the will do” instead of “what their opponent hasn’t done’. Seems that if you could raise yourself up by laying out your plans and own accomplishments instead of trying to “lower” your opponent by using slander.. then you could get really swing the undecided voters.
McCain does a good job of showing his experience and using that as a fighting point, but he also says of lot of the “we will do this” but doesn’t offer any examples of how he “will do this”. Show some examples, some substance and give the people something to hold on to.
There’s things about both that do bother me, but I really have to believe that a good honest “debate” where they can promote themselves without undercutting the other would make a big difference. They both try to push their ability to work with the other side.. .how about showing it on stage?
// Done rambling now //
The debate was again more notable due to style. McCain again talked down to questioners and showed his absolute disdain for Obama. Read his story and you see a spoiled brat with a daddy complex that still can’t live up. Why? Due to his inability to be honest and not be interested in himself before country. His wife and VP candidate only add to his life-long dishonesty.