September 26, 2008 - 19:05 | 
Welshman
Go Obama!!!!!
OK, I don’t know how many will be on here, refugees from threads on all the other sites where three hundred posts all at the same time comment on how McCain scratching his nose at that point just lost him Ohio.
It could be me and just six million Welsh sheep talking among ourselves at 2.00 am in the morning, idiosyncratically expounding about something we know very little. Well, John McCain will do it tonight as well, so why not me?
I believe Roxy will be here but I do know that Cho won’t be. She didn’t say why. Off shooting moose by helicopter with a night spotlight and an M-136 AT4 anti-tank weapon with Sarah Palin or something. Or flying into Washington to save each of our miniscule savings held in the half empty vaults of our failing banks. Frankly, all a bit John McCain diva-ish if you ask me. Why shouldn’t she lose her sanity with the rest of us by watching the debates here?
Anyhow, having supported Obama’s position on bailouts all week, which has put me to the right of John Ashcroft on most progressive blogs, I shall be strictly neutral, unbiased, non-partisan and even-handed tonight.
So, my highlights will be if:
1- Obama does not have more than four “uhs” in one sentence
2- McCain loses his temper and knocks over his podium
3- Jim Lehrer asks a question in a way that I wanted it asked
My lowlights will be if:
1- Obama suddenly joins McCain in singing “Bomb, bomb Iran” or equivalent to gain the wavering centrist vote
2- McCain asks if we know he was once a POW
3- Jim Lehrer thinks that this is his show
Serious point: I cannot imagine how a seventy-two year old man with his medical history could have been in Washington for the last two days, running around trying to create a reason to justify his extraordinary political stunt, and then fly to this lengthy evening debate, when he will need all his faculties. Although I have not seen it mentioned elsewhere, this makes a further nonsense of his trip to Congress. Certainly, as a decrepit old bloke myself, I will have to respect his ability to take all this on.
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Sky News UK
Reports that one R-Senator has told them that Paulson has said that the Republican idea on the proposals is a terrible idea.
Their Washington Correspondent says that despite what was said by Reid to Congress an hour ago, they are edging away from a vote tomorrow and looking towards Monday.
BBC reporting
This could be the most watched debate in history, with perhaps as many as one hundred million watching.
The trouble is that 100 million sounds such a small amount when we have all got accustomed to talking about billions and billions all week.
scratching his nose ??
nawww, he went to pick it but missed and got his ear!! ;o]
whoops I must be reading the future like his campaign did, he won tonight, debate over, monday new ad, he's the next president, no need to vote, it's in the tea leaves!!
OK now I can relax!!!!!!
Do We Need Change, You're Damn Right We Do, And The World Needs Us To Change, Now!!
"The wise man points to the stars and the fool sees only the finger - and discusses it 24/7 on cable."
Jim
Are you suggesting that I need not bother staying up through the Welsh night and can just accept the Republican's verdict this morning?
Nah! I'll give ol' Obama support as he "fails"
A funny story on me.
I saw on the internet about the McCain ad and thought I would find an post it. But I assumed that it was a TV ad not just a pictures. So I googled for it and low and behold came up with a YouTube video, "McCain wins debate today," which was I put in for my search.
I listened and thought my God the fool. He had gathered a supposed focus group who were going through the motions of voting on what he said in the debate and in the commented that there opinion of him at improved etc. Fortunately I listened to the end and found out that it was indeed a debate he could claim to have won. A Republican debate during the primary in New Hampshire.
It just shows you I'm to old to be president. Of course McCain is two years my junior.
carol
He,he
I have my senior moments with Google too.
I am two years younger than John McCain and I'm too old to be President of my Golf Club.
Oooo!!!!
Just seen the BBC Correspondent covering the debates in Oxford, Miss
I bet my anchor woman is prettier than your anchor woman over there - and she will have an Oxbridge degree.
This now gives me a dilemma. I was going to watch Sky News instead of the BBC. Strangely, Murdoch's coverage of your politics is far more willing to take sides and frequently, as this week, Obama's side. The BBC tries to be terribly even handed so it much more difficult to get a real sense of what is happening.
Right now, the BBC is showing in depth interviews with people on Main Street USA, most of whom are bitter and opposed to the bail out. Washington Post guy now saying what I said earlier on here. It is not a bail out, it is rescue plan for all Americans. "You can teach Wall Street a lesson or you can save the economy but you can't do both at the same time" he says.
Now have Ben Smith of Politico on BBC
A shockingly erudite, good looking young man. I like him despite all that.
Hey, BBC now playing BOB DYLAN singing as a background to an item about Miss University and the problems that it had with integration!!!
Speaking of............
You might want to take a quick visit over to NPR and this Site Of Presidential Debate Has Come Far From Past
Of which has this cut in it:
Do We Need Change, You're Damn Right We Do, And The World Needs Us To Change, Now!!
"The wise man points to the stars and the fool sees only the finger - and discusses it 24/7 on cable."
C-Span
Didn’t like that caller on C-Span just now. Said that he was intending to vote for Obama but having seen McCain and Obama and George W this week talking about the bailout he is not going to vote “for any of the above”
I hope he is not indicative of independents
Awk a gain.
Not a good sign.
I'm here
tho not watching debates yet. We get wonky TV here in Hawaii and I could not find any
postpre debate coverage, tho the guide tells me I will get the debates in just a little less than a half hour.-----
ePMedia ... get the scoop with us!
If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Evening Roxy
Just saying that to ignore the fact that it is 1.40 am here and should be saying "Good Morning"
Morning Welshman
:)
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Obama
Sharp, confidently delivered answer to first question. Not that specific but OK.
McCain scored by mentioning Ted Kennedy. Answer more Main Street friendly and sounded empathetic at start but got vaguer and even less specific than Obama.
Obama will not answer directly the question "Does he support the plan" Adroit or will it be seen as evasive? Not talking to McCain.
McCain: "Are you going to vote foor plan?" "I hope so" Sounds very week - as a statement and in delivery.The first to mention greed.
Score
55% McCain 45% Obama because former mentioned greed and hit some buttons that I reckon will resonate. Obama a bit lecturery and not connecting as well I would guess.
the people
want clarity and answers, these idiots are spouting talking points. bah. a bad start for both of them. glad Lehrer is the moderator. At least one adult is on the stage.
Bumper sticker debate ...
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Get spending under control in Washington...
earmarks are a gateway drug.
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Tax plans, pork barrel spending etc
Obama scored strongly on McCain's tax plans. He comes across strongly on facts. McCain spouting advert type facts - they sound contrived.
McCain came back strongly. Related the phony argument of taax cuts to jobs.
Good scoring points by Obama about tax loopholes in business tax.
McCain grabbed extra time and did a good walking the walk talking the talk standard script. No time for Obama to reply. Obama looked p*ssed off there. Not too good.
Score
Still trying to put myself in the place of the the guy on Main Street (when being a sheep in the field is more my environment).
Still have it running 52-48 to McCain.
yep
McCain lost ground on the cuts ("hatchet or scalpel), but not much.
create jobs by building nuclear power plants?!
aye carumba!
McCain has a pork allergy ... I find that hard to believe.
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
LOL, that's funny!
"So your party is the only party that can save the country from the mess that your party created?" - attrib. Jon Stewart
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"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government in a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country." - Thomas Jefferson
McCain
is certainly doing better at talking to the people. He seems relaxed and in his element. Obama appears to be nervous and uptight for some reason.
agreed,
and that doesn't make sense. He's off his game - bad timing for that.
Hmm
McCain came across strongly on corporate corruption. Using his record well. Obama has no counter.
Lehrer bit frustrated at speech answers rather than direct answers.
I think McCain may have made an impetuous gaffe in trying to respond to Lehrer "A freeze on everything except defence ... (lost other)" Got a feeling that MSM analysts will rip that commitment apart in the morning.
McCain's
China debt is b.s., but probably plays on Main Street.
I want to be more Obama positive but
McCain is much better at this than Obama, Obama's failings are the same as those that he showed in the Primary debates. I am concerned at this stage.
McCain is doing quite well from where I sit ...
he is a lot more confident in his lying that Obama seems to be.
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Well put, Roxy
Dammit.
Genius
Roxy is winning.
Iraq war
Obama strong on Iraq war. Made good points. But still McCain comes back and puts Obama on the defensive.
This is McCain's supposed area of strength because of the "surge". I am not sure Main Street will buy this.
I find it hard to judge this section because I am so anti-war.
If I score it, I'll give it a draw.
McCain is attacking Obama directly at every opportunity. He seems prepared for it more that Obama to do the reverse. Puts Obama on the defensive. Next time he must come out dirtier.
Quick look at the Orange One
Not good. Outrage at McCain's statements but reluctant to award Obama scoring points. One or two think McCain winning - surprising on DKos.
Not a good sign for Obama.
McCain must have spent some quality time
with Karl Rove. Seems to have honed his spin skills.
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Wonkette
"Not very exciting, is it? Is the idea to keep Barry from offending anyone? Well, mission accomplished. Let’s get some bloodshed! Red meat! Eh, no, it’s a debate. Always boring, terrible, and oh lord of allah there is another half hour of this,"
McCain is raising the Iranian threat level
to "ernie"
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
It's not a great thing - McCain's 35 yr relationshiip
with someone like Kissinger.
War crimes aren't respectable in my book.
"So your party is the only party that can save the country from the mess that your party created?" - attrib. Jon Stewart
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"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government in a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country." - Thomas Jefferson
CNN Voters rating Meter
(Yep I've sunk that low) It shows the "sit down and talk to anyone" section just very slightly favouring McCain. Interetsing because I thought McCain performed higher so maybe with luck I have been too anxious and under-rating Obama
you reminded me to consider that rating
in terms of whose strong point would be favored in this topic area. I'm even happier with that context!
"So your party is the only party that can save the country from the mess that your party created?" - attrib. Jon Stewart
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"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government in a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country." - Thomas Jefferson
McCain's channeling of Ronald Reagan is
gonna make me puke.
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
eventually
though, those references will come back to bite him in the ass. I can't believe he actually mentioned "SDI", universally scorned, and eventually de-funded.
No kidding ...
I think a lot of what he said will come back around to bite him ...
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
McCain scores well
..on off shore drilling.
General reaction of the people operating the meter is fairly neutral Independents shade to McCain. ......
Sorry, I have got a bit behind on comments.
I'm scoring this lat twenty minutes 50/50. Obama doing better in second half of the debate. he has relaxed more.
McCain ended well Overall shade that to McCain. Was it something that will determine the outcome of the election? Don't think so.
I am in agreement with rba
McCain brought up stuff that will not play well on closer examination. Tho ... he did lie very convincingly. :)
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
Yes
My assessment I guess is trying to assess the uncommitted voters opinion without letting my objections to McCain (Kissinger ughhh!) over influence me.
I also think that some of McCain's statements will get ripped apart tomorrow.
As I said, I don't think this will change many votes.
No, I don't think this swayed
many votes either. McCain just did a much better job than I thought he would. He hasn't done well in public speaking events recently, but he seemed better tonite. Did we notice a "black box" like a monkey on his back?
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If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
...are you asking, or did you see something?
I noticed no rear-views of the candidates; I'm willing to bet that McCain had a condition -- similar to Bush's -- that the back of the candidates not be visible from the TV.
that's intriquing
but did McCain start slapping himself in the ear, Carol did mention odd behavior.
I am gonna rewind and look
there is a definite bulge under his jacket right below the collar in the middle. You can see it during the Iranian question.
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ePMedia ... get the scoop with us!
If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin