The political Quote of the Day comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman who argues that, in last night's debate, John McCain started off strongly but, once he bit the baited hook with the Ayers issue, he lost the debate and probably has lost his chance to turn the election around. Here are some extensive quotes: It was approximately 9:54 p.m., Eastern Standard … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: John McCain’s Political Suicide By Debate?
The Debate: John McCain’s Sorry Last Stand
Save for his concession speech 19 days from now, the third and final presidential debate was probably the last time a goodly number of voters could see John McCain in action. It was a splendid opportunity for him to go out with a bang and to make the argument that he would make a better president during a depression, which is certainly where the U.S. seems to be … [Read more...] about The Debate: John McCain’s Sorry Last Stand
Doubt Cast On ‘Kill Him’ Palin Rally Report
A story by a Scranton Times-Tribune reporter that someone shouted "kill him!" about Barack Obama at a Sarah Palin rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday is now in doubt. The rival Wilkes-Barre Times Leader now reports that not a single person interviewed by the Secret Service heard the outburst. More here. … [Read more...] about Doubt Cast On ‘Kill Him’ Palin Rally Report
No Mo-Joe for McCain
After giving up Joe Lieberman as a running mate in favor of Mrs. Joe Sixpack, John McCain brought out Joe the Plumber for tonight's debate--to no avail. The networks' instant polling shows a third straight loss for the Republican's attempt to sell himself as the champion of the average Joe. The candidates squared off after a day of dismal economic news--another stock-market … [Read more...] about No Mo-Joe for McCain
A Lighter Side of the Last Debate
Thank goodness the debates are done! Everybody ready to go vote now? I sure hope so, because I think we've covered tonight's ground many times over now. Everything from here on out is gonna be pretty ugly. Rather than focus on the remaining three weeks of hostility, spin, and loose facts, I think we should give some credit for tonight's lighter moments. (Transcript via … [Read more...] about A Lighter Side of the Last Debate
Quick Takes on McCain-Obama Debate 3 (‘Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over’ Edition)
Okay, I admit it: Part of my indifference to tonight's debate stems from the fact that I voted yesterday. Ohio, like twenty-nine other states, allows for early voting. It began here on October 6. I like voting early. No line. Walk up, show your identification, fill out two forms, vote, and walk home. So, in a way, for me the election campaign ended yesterday afternoon. But … [Read more...] about Quick Takes on McCain-Obama Debate 3 (‘Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over’ Edition)
I Agree with Joe (Not the Plumber): McCain Aiming for 46%
I was ready to make a post about how McCain spent the night playing to his base. And if the CNN Republicans (Bill Bennett and Alex Castellanos) are indicative, McCain succeeded. McCain then alienated most other people. But Joe Gandelman beat me to it. So I'll add this much. McCain was playing to hit 46%. He just wants to lose by less than 10 points right now. And the … [Read more...] about I Agree with Joe (Not the Plumber): McCain Aiming for 46%
The Last Debate
Some thoughts about the third and final presidential debate: It was a long day for me, but I don't ever think I've ever been drowsy at a debate, and I was tonight. It was boring. Was anyone else tired of hearing about Joe the Plumber? Obama was his usual cool self. Again, it gave people the perception that he can be presidential. Whether you agree with him or not, he … [Read more...] about The Last Debate
Post-Debate Polls Again Show Obama Won
If this debate proved anything, it's that most political pundits don't have the foggiest idea what they're talking about. I popped over to Politico's roundup of reactions, and the consensus is that McCain did great, even if it wasn't a game changer. But look at the post-debate snap polls: Mediacurves: 60% of Independents say Obama won; 30% say McCain; 10% called it a … [Read more...] about Post-Debate Polls Again Show Obama Won
Obama McCain Debate: McCain Improves But CBS Poll Finds Uncommitted Voters Declare Obama Big Victor
For Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain you might say this about the third and final debate he had with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama: The third time was the charm. For the first half hour at least. But uncommitted voters by a large margin feel McCain lost the debate, according to a just-released CBS poll: As in the previous debates, CBS News and … [Read more...] about Obama McCain Debate: McCain Improves But CBS Poll Finds Uncommitted Voters Declare Obama Big Victor
McCain’s Final and “Littlest” Impression
I'll be frank. I am not an expert when it comes to in-depth, nuanced, quintessential analyses of political utterances and performances by our various candidates---I gladly leave that to others. However, I do believe that I can pick up on sometimes subtle, sometimes not-so-subtle, aspects of their performances (I call them "little impressions") that often turn out to be big … [Read more...] about McCain’s Final and “Littlest” Impression
McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Before I get into some comments on tonight's debate I have a few thoughts for 2012 and beyond. First off, in order to save us all some time in 2012 they could simply film one debate and then show reruns. They could film it in front of a bluescreen to allow for different backgrounds and then replay the video. It's not like anyone actually says anything or changes any answers … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Recap of the Last Debate
We just finished up the last presidential debate, and right off the bat I will say that one of the real winners here was Bob Schieffer. As a moderator, he opened up the flood gates and gave both candidates the chance to get into some real back and forth. He also brought up some of the domestic issues which we have not seen in previous debates, including the abortion question. I … [Read more...] about Recap of the Last Debate
The Quick and the Dead
I had the debate on, but wasn't watching closely -- in fact, I was playing solitaire while listening with an ear to it. The bottom line is that Obama is like a Winky Wright -- you simply can't hurt him. He's too good defensively. A fellow chessmaster might be able to out-box him, but McCain is no debate whiz. McCain needed a knockout, and he wasn't going to get it. And in … [Read more...] about The Quick and the Dead
Favorite Joe the Plumber Tweets
ATask: Hottest costume this halloween: Joe the Plumber Kevin Drum: Is "Joe the Plumber" going to be the new "Joe Sixpack"? seldo "Joe the Plumber for Obama" hat now available on Zazzle. Already? [link, t-shirts too link] Paul Carr: I reckon McCain has absolutely nailed the plumber and autistic children vote... McCain finishes on a little dance. Nice touch. But perhaps … [Read more...] about Favorite Joe the Plumber Tweets
America’s Great Turning Point: Le Figaro of France
Is the 'radical transformation' of U.S. politics now underway a 'tribute to American pragmatism'? According to Pierre Rousselin, editorialist for France's Le Figaro: "In economics as in diplomacy, the most ideological administration in America's modern history is about to end with a dramatic renunciation of the dogma it defended at its debut. … This is a tribute to … [Read more...] about America’s Great Turning Point: Le Figaro of France
Indian Author Wins Man Booker Prize
Aravind Adiga, 33, has emerged as the second novelist of Indian origin to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his debut novel The White Tiger – as Arundhati Roy did in 1997 with The God Of Small Things. The Independent reports: "Aravind Adiga, a first-time author from India, won the Man Booker Prize last night with his novel The White Tiger, which was praised by the … [Read more...] about Indian Author Wins Man Booker Prize
Ambitions of Empire: Live-Blogging the Third Obama-McCain Debate
We'll have a lot of reaction to the debate here at TMV, but, if you're interested, I'll be live-blogging it over at my place: Click here. I'll be updating frequently over the course of the debate and then well into the early morning hours. Come drop by, and, should you feel so inclined, let us know what you think. And of course keep checking back here at TMV. It'll be … [Read more...] about Ambitions of Empire: Live-Blogging the Third Obama-McCain Debate
Voting in the Blount County Courthouse
Here in Tennessee we had our first chance to vote for President today. I live in the historically Republican eastern part of the state, though we Democrats are growing in number. I went into the Blount County Courthouse in downtown Maryville this morning and cast my vote for Barack Obama. When I walked out of the building I had an almost surreal feeling run through me. … [Read more...] about Voting in the Blount County Courthouse
Another Live Debate Chat
Join me tonight for a live, online chat during the presidential debate over at Hot Air. I'll be moderating the chat along with some friends, and political hounds of all stripes - conservative, liberal and moderate - are welcome to join. (Just please don't spam, use any sort of hate speech or disrupt things. It gets very busy.) If you're not registered for Ustream, there is a … [Read more...] about Another Live Debate Chat