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Liveblogging Obama-McCain, Debate #1

by: Martin

Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 08:28:20 PM EDT



( - promoted by Hopeful)

Let's all join in --  Hopeful.

Rate comments, so you can judge the quality of comments! -- huntsu

Evening, Blue Jersey. Can't sleep either? Well, please roll over, pass the remote, and watch the debate with me.

Some of my best memories on Blue Jersey are from liveblogging various important political events: Andrews vs. Lautenberg in the primary, Corzine's state of the union addresses, and so forth.

Anyone up for contributing to a liveblog of Obama and McSame this evening? I'll contribute some thoughts as I watch. You know the time: 9:00 p.m. on many t.v. channels, local and cable.

Go Obama!
Martin :: Liveblogging Obama-McCain, Debate #1
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Liveblogging Obama-McCain, Debate #1 | 70 comments
thanks Martin (4.00 / 3)
I'm excited for this debate -- I couldn't concentrate on anything else this afternoon.  

McCain is very good TV performer and I expect him to do well.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

It's started (4.00 / 1)
Thank you, Hopeful, for all you do for this site and progressive politics.

Jim Lehrer is moderating. Obama was asked the first question, about security and solvency, particularly the financial bailout. Obama frames his answer in terms of his family. "We gotta have oversight over this process. Taxpayers... have possibility of getting that money back when the market returns..."

O: this is a final verdict on 8 years of Bush policies (0.00 / 0)
supported by McCain.


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
NO APPLAUSE! (4.00 / 1)
And then the applause.  

Obama waves to crowd first.  ha ha

McCain's rebuttal (0.00 / 0)
McCain calls it the greatest financial challenge of our time. Classy start with his acknowledging of Kennedy's hospitalization.

McCain speaks sincerely, but he honestly hasn't answered the question.  I think the environment works against him tonight.

Classy? Classy? (4.00 / 1)
He just used Kennedy's illness to pretend to have bipartisan appeal.

There was absolutely NO REASON to bring up Kennedy being in the hospital except for self aggrandizement.  

I think it was disgusting.

[ Parent ]
plus, Kennedy is out (4.00 / 1)
so it was bit behind anyway.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
[ Parent ]
Obama starts on how we got into this mess (4.00 / 1)
I like this answer.


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
Wow (4.00 / 3)
Looking at a black man debating to be the President of the United States is just fricking awesome.  Thank you, America, for bringing us to this point!

He looks good, and is explaining his position on the bailout well.

And the hammer comes down early -- this is due to 8 years of Bush policy supported by Mccain, and he says FUNDAMENTALS of THE ECONOMY!

McCain is evil (0.00 / 0)
Bringing up Ted Kennedy is pretty disgusting.
Is it me? (0.00 / 0)
Or does McCain seem a bit flustered tonight (did he always go off topic like this?) -- and Obama looks focused, even if Obama didn't really answer how he'd vote on the bailout package deal.
Leher asking a stupid question (0.00 / 0)
How can you ask about "this plan" and not define the plan?  Neither McCain nor Obama can answer unless Leher is willing to tell them what plan he's talking about.
McCain's funny (4.00 / 1)
he really is.
[ Parent ]
McCain condemns Republicans (4.00 / 1)
I wonder how it will work.


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
McCain: Still doesn't understand the economy (4.00 / 1)
Earmarks and pork barrel spending is a problem, Sen. McCain, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the billions spent on the Iraq War.

He still thinks Republicans lost power because they didn't rein in spending. Out. Of. Touch.

And he made an error (0.00 / 0)
We are not the world's greatest exporter.
[ Parent ]
Obama's response (0.00 / 0)
In response to question about economic growth: "Tax cut for 95% of families." More money for children, gas.

Sorry, McCain, earmarks aren't a potent economic issue.

Well, Thank Goodness! (0.00 / 0)
John McCain Has A Pen
Obama (0.00 / 0)
-promises "earmark reform" then gracefully returns to getting middle class "back on track." Calls it the "continuation of the last 8 years."

Lehrer asks McCain about his tax cuts. McCain returns with some statistics, the first that he's used tonight, I think. Wants to "Cut that business tax."  

Obama and the market (0.00 / 0)
Obama calls McCain out on less regulation and that his health care plan would tax providers (I think).

McCain brags that he voted against tax breaks for oil companies! Seriously? Look at your inner circle of lobbyists.  

Jim Leher is doing well! (4.00 / 1)
I like the way he's running the debate, encouraging them to talk about what the other said.
McCain Lies Again (0.00 / 0)
The United States has the second highest rate of business tax in the world at 35%, BUT it also has the most deductions possible for taxes which reduces the EFFECTIVE tax rate down to the bottom third in the world.
And Obama hits it out of the park (0.00 / 0)
when he talks about the "loopholes."

Well done, Obama!

[ Parent ]
Obama wiffed (0.00 / 0)
He says McCain's health care tax increase is a classic deal in faith with the free and open market and didn't tie it in to the current problems!
[ Parent ]
McCain looking creepy (0.00 / 0)
On the other hand, he managed to make a big part of this debate about earmarks.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
Obama (4.00 / 1)
I thought Obama's comeback on oil companies was borderline brilliant. Now he's on health care deductibles and bankruptcy.

More comments directed toward college and "young people."

Shift to alternative energy and population centers. He sounds good!

Obama (0.00 / 0)
I thought Obama's comeback on oil companies was borderline brilliant. Now he's on health care deductibles and bankruptcy.

More comments directed toward college and "young people."

Shift to alternative energy and population centers. He sounds good!

Obama on fiscal matters (0.00 / 0)
... sound more competent than McCain. McCain harps on spending and waste. He doesn't understand the crux of the economic crises.
Foreign Policy? (0.00 / 0)
A half hour in, where are the foreign policy questions?
finally, spending on Iraq (0.00 / 0)
McCain Just lost Iowa (0.00 / 0)
I agree with him to get rid of biofuel subsidies, but he just gave up Iowa.
And Obama Kills Medicare Part D (0.00 / 0)
nicely done

"Tom mentioned, I mean , John mentioned ..."  

hee hee

[ Parent ]
McCain and the environment (0.00 / 0)
Problematic, because he has a pretty bad environmental record, so talking of "flex fuels" and alternative energy (which he's voted against) seems rather fake.

Obama needs to address the issue of nuclear power and drilling, which McCain brought up.  

McCain's second gratuitous (0.00 / 0)
Democratic reference -- Senator Clinton

And it was so weak and tossed away you can see he was told to say her name and just stuck it in.

huh, I missed it (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
Iraq, finally (0.00 / 0)
McCain thinks the surge's success is equivalent to the war being a victory. Talk about selective amnesia.

Obama says there is a "fundamental difference" between himself and McCain on Iraq. He should continue going on with his criticism on Iraq.

oversights NATO (0.00 / 0)
hee hee
[ Parent ]
We are winning in Iraq (0.00 / 0)
Tell that to the hundreds of Iraqis who died in attacks and the dozens of Coalition deaths from insurgents this month.

And tell it to the Iraqi government which can't seem to stand up for itself, even though the "surge" was supposed to give them "space to reconcile."

Actually General Patraeus said... (4.00 / 2)
that this isn't a war where we will declare victory and plant a flag.  You know, the same General Patraeus that he praised while also saying that he and Osama Bin Laden have something in common...
[ Parent ]
the good thing is that it is clear there is a difference (0.00 / 0)
stay on foreign policy (0.00 / 0)
The facts on the ground favor Obama's plan for redeployment from Iraq, so I like that this has been a topic of focus.

Shift to Afghanistan. Differences on Pakistan.  Gee, I wonder why McCain wanted to shift to the latter?

how I hate the Republicans (4.00 / 1)
Using Osama bin Laden to launch a war in Iraq and opposing bombing him in Pakistan.  There has never been a bigger group of liars.


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
Loved... (4.00 / 1)
Obama's reference to McCain's song "Bomb Iran"!

McCain talks of the Bosnia conflict and his support for it and other such conflicts. McCain says "security issues" in nearly every breath now.

McCain brings up a dead soldier and a bracelet. I find it somewhat tacky.

Anyone watching on cnn? (4.00 / 1)
They have the audience reaction in real time at the bottom.  Interesting to see...
No. (0.00 / 0)
I wish I'd seen that.  My husband and I are watching on MSNBC.
[ Parent ]
how's it going? (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
just turned it (0.00 / 0)
I turned it to cnn, per your comment. The Independent line is going very far up as Obama speaks (more than McCain), don't you think?  
[ Parent ]
Yes, but depends on the issue n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
SERIOUS QUESTION (0.00 / 0)
Does the striped tie on McCain annoy people?  Not folks who are already annoyed by him like us, but others since it seems to be vibrating on the television for me.

I really mean this seriously.  When I look at McCain, his tie is distracting.  Obama's tie doesn't do the same.

McCain: I was afraid ... (0.00 / 0)
That seems like something to put in an ad.  :-)

I'm evil. I know.  Sorry.

McCain Panders Again (0.00 / 0)
Matthew Stanley has just been used by McCain.

Let me see the bracelet, you hypocrite.

And Obama does the same (0.00 / 0)
sad
[ Parent ]
And Obama does the same (0.00 / 0)
sad
[ Parent ]
McCain (0.00 / 0)
harkens back to the Reagan years. He seems to want to forget the Bush years for some reason.

Differences on Iran. Obama says the "don't talk to them" policy is wrong; McCain critiques him on a "no conditions" meeting with Iran.

I'm not sure whether we win or lose on the Iran question, but I imagine that if this is framed as a neocon Bush ploy for aggressive invasion of Iran a la Iraq, we win.

Flag Pin? (4.00 / 4)
Is that a flag pin on Obama and none on McCain?  Who knew...
Nice call (0.00 / 0)
sweet
[ Parent ]
What the hell? (4.00 / 1)
How could Iran with nuclear weapons be an "existential threat" to the United States?  What could Iran ever do even with some nuclear bombs do that would completely destroy the existence of the United States?

Secondly, "holocaust" as he is using it when referring to a "second holocaust" has nothing to do with nuclear weapons.  The Iranians have shown absolutely no interest in committing a Nazi-style holocaust, and the fact that holocaust actually means a fire and nuclear bombs create massive fire does not equate the two.

Finally, Obama tells the truth that the Iraq policy has strengthened Iran.  Good for him.

body language (0.00 / 0)
Obama is staring right through McCain. McCain won't meet his gaze repeatedly. Both get perturbed (eye blinking, interrupting) at certain points while the other is speaking.
in fairness (0.00 / 0)
A good talk on Russia and Ukraine by McCain. He's certainly more knowledgable on foreign issues than economic ones, but I still think that Obama is winning, but will do so more if he can sustain major parts of the conversation, not just reacting to McCain.
McCain's votes against alternative energy (0.00 / 0)
I was waiting for that.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
Holy crap (4.00 / 1)
The average South Korean is three inches taller than the average North Korean.  

Wow.

"America is Safer Today Than 9-11" (0.00 / 0)
says McCain. I don't think that is the case, and neither does the 9-11 Commission, which gave the federal government "F"s on several marks.

Obama rebuts "We have a long way to go."

Obama's return to Iraq (4.00 / 1)
This is a very, very smart move. Says McCain and the Administration have been solely focused on Iraq.  Connects it to loss of power in relation to China.

Oh my, that was very heartfelt on Obama's part on veteran's health care.  

Awful last question (4.00 / 1)
Stupid.  What are the odds of another 9/11 attack.  Stupid.
Obama was very strong (4.00 / 1)
Now, McCain did well and stuck to his points, but he is now behind and I don't see how he changed that.  Obama clearly looked knowledgeable about a wide range of issues.


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
an interesting start (4.00 / 1)
As someone who originally supported that guy from North Carolina, I didn't pay attention so much to Obama and his rhetorical skills. McCain did fine, even better than I expected. But Obama did better overall, particularly on Iraq and the oil companies.

Nice liveblogging with y'all!

This was ... (4.00 / 1)
supposed to be McCain's strongest subject.  The rest will go to Obama.

And let's not forget that McCain tried to avoid this debate, and use its postponement to help Palin avoid her debate!

[ Parent ]
POW!!!!!!!! (4.00 / 1)
McCain ends with, "I was a POW."
Biden strong on TV afterwards (4.00 / 1)
No sign of Palin.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch
Good job guys. (0.00 / 0)

Liveblogging Obama-McCain, Debate #1 | 70 comments
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