Sullivan points to Silver: TPM has the internals of the CNN poll of debate-watchers, which had Obama winning overall by a margin of 51-38. The poll suggests that Obama is opening up a gap on connectedness, while closing a gap on readiness. Specifically, by a 62-32 margin, voters thought that Obama was “more in touch with the needs and problems of people like you”. This is a … [Read more...] about Obama Won
Debate Transcript via CNN
Here is the Debate Transcript via CNN, I'll offer my own opinion later. CNN: Transcript of presidential debate … [Read more...] about Debate Transcript via CNN
Thank You
And now for something completely different... … [Read more...] about Thank You
The Real Sarah Palin: Worrying To Concerned Americans, Crushing To Proud Alaskans
"This really is pathetic. . . . Anyone who has been to high school immediately recognizes the terror of facing a pop quiz or an oral exam when you just have no idea what you're talking about." -- JAMES FALLOWS The estimable Mr. Fallows does not choose his words lightly and he may have spent more time in Alaska than I have. But being of proximate ages, we both surely have met … [Read more...] about The Real Sarah Palin: Worrying To Concerned Americans, Crushing To Proud Alaskans
McCain is Right: Grass *is* Green
John McCain has an ad out already, using moments from the debate when Barack Obama segued into his rebuttals via agreement. (You can view the ad here.) But Obama wasn’t just acknowledging common ground, and he definitely wasn't tacitly deferring to McCain's mastery. Rather, he assured the rest of us that we’re all seeing the same thing. That we’re not crazy or stupid. I … [Read more...] about McCain is Right: Grass *is* Green
Paul Newman Dies At 83
It's probably not a huge shock given the recent reports about his illness but it was announced this morning that actor, businessman and philanthropist Paul Newman has died at the age of 83. In addition to a very long acting career, he also enjoyed a 50-year marriage to actress Joanne Woodward. Please feel free to offer your thoughts on his career. I seldom agreed with his … [Read more...] about Paul Newman Dies At 83
57 Reasons to Vote for Obama/Biden
Background: I'm someone who has needed to be persuaded as to why Barack Obama deserves my vote because I didn't support him during the primaries (none of the GOP candidates came even remotely close to holding positions I support - they were off the table from the start; I state this as a matter of full disclosure). Once it came time to determine why I should (and could) vote … [Read more...] about 57 Reasons to Vote for Obama/Biden
Thank You Hillary
I mostly agree with the other TMV posters about the debate. On substance it was mostly a draw, with each candidate showing strengths in different areas. If the debate had to go to somebody, it would be Obama because McCain's tone suggested condescension, and that turns off a lot of Independents. Saying "you don't understand" doesn't mean Obama does not actually understand what … [Read more...] about Thank You Hillary
Duel In The Delta: Win, Lose, Draw & Spin
I had forgotten about how much I dislike campaign debates. Not because they aren't important. Last night's certainly was because it was a "crucial face off" minus only a drum-roll intro between an experienced political icon about whom we know so much and a relative newcomer about whom we know so little. (The same certainly will be true of the Oct. 2 vice presidential … [Read more...] about Duel In The Delta: Win, Lose, Draw & Spin
The Demeanor Debate
John McCain spent 90 minutes tonight telling voters Barack Obama "doesn't understand" what America is facing, as Obama demonstrated a broad grasp of the 21st century issues besetting the economy and national security. Body language was revealing in McCain's tight grin that occasionally morphed into a smirk under criticism, while Obama featured a relaxed smile and at least … [Read more...] about The Demeanor Debate
McCain v Obama: A View From the Fence
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