From my position on the fence, I've really been looking forward to tonight's debate. In spite of having followed both Obama and McCain for months, there's something clarifying about hearing their visions in a direct (and mostly polite) format, and there's really no replacement for observing them side-by-side. So let me start by saying that while there were some odd moments, … [Read more...] about McCain v Obama: A View From the Fence
McCain-Obama Debate Quick Takes
A few quick reactions to the McCain-Obama debate. "If you like this kind of book, this is the kind of book you will like." That book review is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. A paraphrase of it will do in talking about how the debate went on Friday night. If, before the debate, you loved Obama's positions on the war and domestic issues, you probably still love them. And … [Read more...] about McCain-Obama Debate Quick Takes
Initial Reflections on the First Obama-McCain Debate
In general, I thought, McCain looked and sounded bitter, vindictive, and small. While Obama was presidential throughout, agreeing with McCain on occasion, exuding generosity and expansiveness and, above all, presenting a substantive articulation of his policies and positions, McCain dismissed him repeatedly as "naive," turning much of the debate into an ad hominem assault. He … [Read more...] about Initial Reflections on the First Obama-McCain Debate
Early Post-Debate Polls Suggest Obama Won
There are already some numbers coming in measuring perceptions about who "won" tonight's presidential debate. To start, CBS News polled 500 uncommitted voters and found: 40% thought Obama won, 22% thought McCain won, and the rest thought it was a draw 46% said their opinion of Obama got better tonight 68% think Obama would make the right decisions about the economy, … [Read more...] about Early Post-Debate Polls Suggest Obama Won
McCain and Obama Debate One: Will It Matter By Monday ?
In blogging the debate I basically came to the conclusion that, on points, I think that McCain narrowly edged Obama but that it was fairly-close with McCain scoring about 4 points on my unofficial scoring and Obama scoring about 3 points. But there were several questions where it was basically a toss-up so if you shifted one of those from McCain to Obama or from McCain to a tie … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama Debate One: Will It Matter By Monday ?
obama mccain, lower case debate
Thrust and parry aside, John McCain had the memorable glyph, speaking (paraphrased) about seeing 20th century Cold War KGB still reflected in 21st century Putin's eyes. Whining is often an indication, in children, that the child is frustrated, indignant, or expects not to win the argument. Think back over the conversation tonight. Both men had their whiny moments, Barack … [Read more...] about obama mccain, lower case debate
McCain’s Condescending Attitude
I know there will be volumes of very detailed and in-depth comments on the first Presidential debate by far much more knowledgeable and experienced analysts and pundits. To me, an ordinary citizen, an ordinary American, what I was struck most by and what I will remember the most is the condescending, dismissive, contemptuous, patronizing, almost insulting, verbal and … [Read more...] about McCain’s Condescending Attitude
McCain vs. Obama in Ole’ Miss. Brief Post Debate thoughts
UPDATED BELOW:For the first portion, dealing with the economy, both candidates surprised me. The chief goals I saw for the Senators were that McCain needed to avoid blowing up and getting flustered, and Obama needed to avoid the long pauses and pensive consideration and filtering before each answer. Obama needed more passion than he's shown in previous debates, and McCain … [Read more...] about McCain vs. Obama in Ole’ Miss. Brief Post Debate thoughts
Live Blogging The Debate
We here at TMV are going to try and give you some live coverage of the debate. Final Question: Are we safer that we were before 9/11. This question seems to be going about as you expected. Both say things are safer but that we have work to do. McCain hits Obama for opposing surge in Iraq, Obama hits Bush and through him McCain on the loss of our standing in the … [Read more...] about Live Blogging The Debate
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: VOTERS, START YOUR ENGINES
Cordel Faulk on VOTERS, START YOUR ENGINES Presidential debate season is upon us. That means John McCain, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Sarah Palin are traveling around the country with huge binders of prep materials under their arms---and dreams of an eight-year relationship with the Secret Service dancing in their heads. For the rest of us, however, we're getting ready … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: VOTERS, START YOUR ENGINES
George Bush’s Benign Tumors … and Iraq’s Malignant Ones!!
In the United States, people expect to be told when their leaders are sick. In the Arab world, such is not usually the case. So perhaps this article in one of Baghdad's daily newspapers is a bit of good news. It seems that Iraqis are fed up with the secrecy that marks governance throughout the Arab world. For Sotal Iraq, Jasim al Mutir uses George W. Bush as a foil to make a … [Read more...] about George Bush’s Benign Tumors … and Iraq’s Malignant Ones!!
Debating McCains
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Debating McCains
TMV’s Debate Coverage
NOTE ADDED BY HOLLY: This debate, which is about to begin, will be broadcast live on PBS. ****************************** Pundits on all sides agree that tonight's Presidential debate between GOP Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama could be one of the most important debates in a generation given the two candidates and the multi-pronged challenges the United … [Read more...] about TMV’s Debate Coverage
C-SPAN Debate Hub
On the heels of their success with Convention Hubs, C-SPAN has teamed up again with New Media Strategies to build online Debate Hubs. The first goes live tonight. New Media Strategies' Innovation Manager Bill Beutler points to a few new features this time around: The Twitter roundup is on the front page and auto-refreshes dynamically Debate Timeline visually … [Read more...] about C-SPAN Debate Hub
Some Debate Chat Tonight – Join us!
It looks like we've definitely got a debate on tonight and, if you would like to join in some live chat as it unfolds, stop over to a ustream chat room at Hot Air where Ed Morrissey and I will be moderating a live chat. Get your own reactions and opinions in and debate about the debate with other political addicts! We have conservatives, liberals, moderates and libertarians in … [Read more...] about Some Debate Chat Tonight – Join us!
Did Russia ‘Win’ the Georgia Crisis? Not By a Long Shot: Le Figaro
Now that the crisis over Georgia has subsided, where do things stand? Has Russia 'won.' French historian Alexandre Adler thinks not. According to Adler, while Russia has successfully maneuvered Ukraine into swearing off NATO - in almost every other way, things have gone badly for Moscow. Adler writes in part: "The relationship between Russia and the former republics of … [Read more...] about Did Russia ‘Win’ the Georgia Crisis? Not By a Long Shot: Le Figaro
Self First: McCain and the Financial Crisis
In a column published yesterday on McCain's "fundamentals," the NYT's David Brooks delved into the myth of McCain and came out with all the usual drivel. "I still think of him first in the real world of governing, not in the show-business world of the election," Brooks wrote. McCain is "a humble man," "an unfailingly candid man," a man of far too many accomplishments to list in … [Read more...] about Self First: McCain and the Financial Crisis
Biden Swears Off Pork, Switches to “Related Porcine Based Food Products”
It's been a while since we last visited the movable feast for GOP enthusiasts currently running for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. Joe Biden's name popped back up on my radar in connection with the recent $630B spending bill currently making its way through Congress. The bill itself doesn't contain much in the way of raising my eyebrows, but it was quickly latched on … [Read more...] about Biden Swears Off Pork, Switches to “Related Porcine Based Food Products”
Reflections on Palin-Couric II
Well, there was more disturbing hilarity last night during Palin-Couric II, with Couric trying to be nice and Palin getting lost here, there, and everywhere. (For my comments on some of Palin-Couric I, see here.) It's so bizarre, in a way. Here's Palin, running for vice president, on the national stage, saying silly and stupid things and at times unable even to answer … [Read more...] about Reflections on Palin-Couric II
(Updated) Cynical Ride-To-Rescue Strategy Flops: McCain Campaign Still Imploding
UPDATE: Blaming Barack Obama and Congress, in other words everyone but himself for the failure of his latest and boldest attempt to game voters, John McCain has announced that he will be in Mississippi tonight for the first presidential debate. McCain reversed field after having declared that he couldn’t face off against Barack Obama unless a deal was reached on the Wall … [Read more...] about (Updated) Cynical Ride-To-Rescue Strategy Flops: McCain Campaign Still Imploding