Presidential debate was a wash out!
Washington Post
Neither McCain nor his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, gave a particularly electrifying performance and neither seemed truly responsive to the current frightening headlines about the potential collapse of the U.S. economy. How could they be responsive and truly topical when both stuck to repeating campaign catchphrases and promises that dated back to the earliest stages of the political season?
In their previous encounter, McCain appeared to take pains not to look his opponent in the eye, or look at him, period -- acting as if Obama didn't exist. Last night, after the debate ended, a camera caught Obama extending a hand in McCain's direction and what looked like McCain refusing to shake it, although watching at home one couldn't be certain. McCain's wife, Cindy, stepped in quickly and shook Obama's hand.
During the debate, McCain made another of his seemingly demeaning, nasty references to Obama. Describing legislation that had been backed by President Bush, McCain rhetorically asked, "Guess who voted for it?" and then answered his own question: "That one," he said, gesturing toward Obama. On CBS, commentator Jeff Greenfield thought "that one" would be "the major headline sound bite" of the debate, which goes to show, in part, how insubstantial the debate was.
But the snarled "that one" also contributed to McCain's image as a kind of mean old Scrooge, not so much a battle-scarred warrior as an embittered one. "Intemperate" is an adjective often applied to him, and again McCain demonstrated why. He also was perhaps the more relentlessly repetitious of the two men -- though Obama trotted out many a rerun from past appearances -- and was guilty of addressing the audience with his old standby phrase "my friends" at least 15 times in the 90-minute session.
It was incumbent on McCain to come up with something new, perhaps, since Obama is leading in many polls and thus arguably was wise to stick with his usual game plan. At times McCain was grandiose to an almost laughable extent, as when vowing like Sheriff John to hunt down Osama bin Laden (with his bare hands?): "I'll get him. I know how to get him, and I'll get him no matter what."
Moments after calling Ronald Reagan his great hero, McCain shifted gears and said, "My hero is a guy named Teddy Roosevelt."
The biggest wet blanket on the debate stage, however, was moderator Tom Brokaw, who also played a kind of military role: Commander of the Clock. Time and again, the NBC newsman inflicted frivolous rules on the candidates that only served to frustrate true debate and the kind of give-and-take that a "town hall" format supposedly encourages. At least twice, Obama started to answer one of Brokaw's questions only to have Brokaw call instead on McCain, which was rude and embarrassing.
The candidates seemed protected from reality rather than having met on the field of battle to confront it.
Barack Hussein Obama II ,s the junior United States Senator from Illinois and presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2008 general election. But he is not a muslim .
Obama was an early opponent of the Bush administration's policies on Iraq.Obama spoke out against government indifference to growing economic class divisions, calling on both political parties to take action to restore the social safety net for the poor.Obama proposed a cap and trade auction system to restrict carbon emissions and a ten year program of investments in new energy sources to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil and proposed that all pollution credits must be auctioned, with no grandfathering of credits for oil and gas companies, and the spending of the revenue obtained on energy development and economic transition costs.
See Obama's views on issues regarding:
Abortion - Obama supports abortion rights. In the Illinois State Senate, he voted against a bill to ban late-term abortions because it did not contain a clause to protect the life of the mother.
Church and State - Obama says he believes in the separation of church and state, but believes it should be guided by a "sense of proportion," saying the Pledge of Allegiance and student prayer groups should enjoy some leeway.
Death Penalty - Obama does not believe the death penalty deters crime, but he supports it for cases in which "the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage."
Education - Obama opposes government vouchers and tax credits for private schooling, believing it would undermine efforts to improve public schools.
Environment - In the U.S. Senate, Obama co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which was designed to cap emissions from industrial plants and oil refineries.
Faith-Based Initiatives - Obama says there is room for faith-based approaches to social problems, believing they may offer unique ways of solving problems.
Gay Marriage - Obama believes that marriage is between a man and a woman. He supports granting civil unions for gay couples and opposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. After dodging questions about the morality of homosexuality, he later went on national television to say that he does not believe homosexuals are immoral.
Health Care - When he announced his candidacy, Obama said his goal is to implement universal health care by 2012. He calls universal health care one of the "core values" of the Democratic party.
Immigration - Obama supports immigration reform that strengthens border security while creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.
Iraq War - Since Obama was not a member of the U.S. Senate in 2002, he did not vote on the authorization of the use of force in Iraq. He has since called the Iraq war a "tagic mistake" and has outlined a plan to bring combat troops home by March of 2008.
Poverty - In the Illinois Senate, Obama helped author the state earned income tax credit, and has supported bills to increase the minimum wage.
Stem Cell Research - Obama supports easing restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. He voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which was vetoed by President Bush.
Now, see how Mr. Obama will work for America and how he will save America from Global crisis!
Tigasin321, please tell us about O Bama's experience.
American will be back..just takes time.
Of course, neither candidate made any focus on the credit crunch, brit..like I said..never give yourself enough rope to hang yourself with, unlike BUsh has many time...in fact, he's given himself and others, enough rope to hang AND hogtie him!!
its also not just the stupid people that vote, there are many others, but certain political groups are very good at getting out to the ones that will support them in the political arena. I will be willing to bet that it will be a record turn out this time. I'll be voting from over here...already got the forms in hand.
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
and I don't think they will focus on it. Whoever becomes President will have to deal with it but for right now it is encumbant on the Bush administration to take action regarding the credit crunch. Neither candidate wants to associate himself with this.
I don't think any real issues will be discussed or tackled before the election. At this stage, it is essentially a beauty parade.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
but now we (the USA) and the rest of the world are in a very real crisis. That reality is hitting Main street USA and people are losing their homes and their jobs and this will spread to the rest of the world. In times of real crisis the American people will come out and vote. I strogly believe that they will make the right choice and that Obama will help America regain respect in the world through reasonable and consistent behavior both at home and abroad.
People are writing off America as a has been nation but we will be back.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
Neither candidate has actually focused on the credit crunch. I suppose, they don't want to be the bearers of bad news..
Well will know soon enough won't we.
Yes but it seems to me that only your stupid people vote. Although if the ratings from the debates are anything to do by, there's going to be a record turnout.
loved your last comment...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
Its gonna work out. The gap is getting wider day by day and the economic mess created by Wall street and the Republican administration will seal the Obama victory.
The markets are in free fall and Mc Cain has no economic experience at all. We Americans may be stupid but we are not quite as stupid as the rest of the world seems to think we are.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
Perhaps it's because I've recently started boasting a Vote Obama pin on my purse, but I've the gut wrenching feeling he's not going to win. Sorry Tig and Scarlett but I just don't trust the rest of your countrymen like you do.
its like watching a train wreck in slow motion...can't stand to watch it but too fascinating to turn away...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
some good came of British rule, but think about how many countries fought for their independence from British rule...there was definitely a basis for wanting freedom. I know what the US's was and it certainly wasn't pretty what had been done to them. India was in worse shape and still there is an attitude towards their people from a lot of brits. I know, I've seen it first hand many times.
I will give Britain a round of applause for elevating themselves to where they were, coming from being an island, but not in how they did it. Can't say I am proud of a lot of the things my country has done, but for the most part, we don't go around shoving other country's shortcomings in their face, as others do on here..
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
commit slow political suicide. Obama will win the Presidency and McCain and Palin are helping him do it.
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
There was a great comment about Great Britain being an Island nation, elevated to a world power. We think we have the power, but we don't have the territory.
A lot of goods things went on under British rule, it's not all bad.
I thought the world police was Britain...oops nope I was wrong..they were the ones who OWNED the world...then lost it...(just kidding!)
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
In 4 years the US will be down on its knees begging Hilary to run again.
Experience Doesn't count for everything is you are going to continue to make the same old mistakes. What is needed is vision and some new ideas, and reading up on the debate it doesn't look like either of the candidates have either.
It's a sad sad state of affairs it takes over a year to elect the richest, smoothest talking wise guy to lead Team America: World Police.
I didn't say that experience necessarily makes you a better president, I just pointed out that I can understand McCains point. Look at it this way, lets say you've been working for a company for 25 years and they suddenly hire a 26 year old fresh out of school to be your boss, how would you feel?
My country had a very experienced president before, up to 32 years of experience. And look at what he has done to the country..lol.
Frankly if I was McCain I'd treat Obama the same way, and I'm surprised Hillary treats him as well as she does (goes to show how poised she is). He doesn't have the experience to be in the presidential race and for a guy like McCain who has plenty, it must be irritating.
an election. Check any pre-election debate in any country and you'll get the same thing...Don't give any ammunition to shoot yourself in the foot while trying to gain the most votes.
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.