Comments on: Live Blogging The Debate

By: Well, Just Who Won the Debate, Joe Biden Or Sarah Palin?

Well, Just Who Won the Debate, Joe Biden Or Sarah Palin? — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:43:41 +0000

[...] Live Blogging The Debate [...]

By: Wordout - Some Thoughts On The Presidential Debate

Wordout - Some Thoughts On The Presidential Debate — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:45:28 +0000

[...] Here are some links to other blogs covering the debate: ThinkProgress WashingtonIndependent HuffingtonPost ModerateVoice [...]

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:10:49 +0000

I think the plan was for McCain to repeat the “doesn't seem to understand” phrase in the hope it would somehow stick. It fell kind of flat since it was obvious Obama clearly DOES understand, and has at least as much useful knowledge about the international scene as McCain. McCain should have spent more time talking about his own beliefs and policies and spent less effort trying to mischaracterize Obama. McCain did better overall than I thought he would (he didn't get overly flustered) but Obama seemed more coherent and didn't depend on overused rhetoric as much as McCain did. Obama seemed more knowledegable, clear, direct and generally cognizant, while McCain seemed to be a man of convictions… even if those convictions seemed based on more of the same old policies that helped to bring us to this point. McCain supporters will be pleased with his performance, and Obama supporters will be pleased with Obama. I'm not sure there was enough to change perceptions overall.

By: Patrick E

Patrick E — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:40:59 +0000

Good heavens, do Elrod and I sort of agree on this one ?

Isn't that a sign of the end times ? LOL

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:39:06 +0000

What's up with the post-debate spouse kiss?!

By: elrod

elrod — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:36:53 +0000

Not a lot of fireworks overall. McCain loves to say "Obama doesn't understand," but isn't very convincing when he says that. They have legitimate policy differences - some quite minor. That's not naivete and McCain looks presumptuous for suggesting that.

Both are very knowledgeable and have strong talking points (even if I agree with Obama's).

This whole debate depends on expectations. Nobody blew anybody out. There were no major gaffes. But Obama has clearly been able to show command over foreign policy and national security issues, even if voters disagree with his specifics.

For McCain's side, the concern was never that he didn't know enough about foreign policy and national security. The issue was temperament: would McCain explode on the stage. He didn't.

So, Obama looks commanding and confident and knoweldgeable. McCain looks calm enough.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:36:49 +0000

I cracked up literally when McCain tried to say Obama was stubborn like Bush. Hilarious.

By: jchem

jchem — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:33:46 +0000

How many times has McCain used the phrase “Senator Obama doesn't seem to understand…”? Perhaps McCain is testing a new slogan?

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:07:53 +0000

The great Bracelet-Off of 2008.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:04:03 +0000

The bracelet discussion has been the emotional high point so far.

By: jwest

jwest — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:02:55 +0000

This jerk McCain is toast.

I’m sending off for my Obama bumperstickers today.

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:22:12 +0000

McCain is doing pretty well at controlling the conversation… but are earmarks really that important?

In case anyone wants to read a liberal screed, I'm liveblogging at Why We Worry.

By: Holly_in_Cincinnati

Holly_in_Cincinnati — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:20:12 +0000

Thanks Pat!

Jim Lehrer is doing a good job!

By: Jim_Satterfield

Jim_Satterfield — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:18:03 +0000

Vote for which plan
? I didn't think we were back down to having only one plan after the House Republican blowup.