# It's the official last Presidential Debate thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 15, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001 "2008-10-15T03:20:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/401 "2008-10-16T03:25:28Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > No kidding, what kind of prick attacks a friggin’ planetarium? That’s a non-starter and a bad move… Clearly, Obama wants Illinois children to become cosmonauts. Or something. Richard Lewis is going nuts on The Daily Show–I love it! ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/402 "2008-10-16T03:27:08Z")
Hoh boy. The “zero” thing stings quite a bit - that excerpt is already all over YouTube. You can tell that McCain is thinking about screaming at whoever got the facts wrong, before he regains his composure. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/403 "2008-10-16T03:28:41Z")
You know, I’m stuck in 4 years ago. McCain lied. He lied about his ads and his attacks. He lied about Obama’s position on taxes, health care and sex education. I thought he did a good job of advancing those lies. But maybe-- just maybe the people just are not buying it any more. Last presidential cycle it was so easy to get away with saying what ever the hell popped into your head and, if the American people really wanted to believe it, they would. McCain catapulted the propaganda with more style than in previous debates, I felt sure he’d score better. Are we, as a nation, really waking up from our American Idol induced coma?\* \*I love AI and watch it religiously. I’m just using the current meme. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/404 "2008-10-16T03:28:53Z")
Nate Silver on [fivethiryeight.com](http://fivethiryeight.com) made the following remark, which I wholly agree with: > [@Nate Silver](#): > > McCain … he’s winning his base and just about _nobody_ else. That’s why he’s losing. He had to fight so hard to keep his base happy that he’s simply not addressing the concerns the rest of the country has, and not appealing to them, either. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/405 "2008-10-16T03:29:00Z")
intrade contract price: Obama 84.1 +4.1 McCain 15.9 -5.2 ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/406 "2008-10-16T03:29:06Z")
> [@Marathon](#): > > Hoh boy. The “zero” thing stings quite a bit - that excerpt is already all over YouTube. You can tell that McCain is thinking about screaming at whoever got the facts wrong, before he regains his composure. Was that the thing about the tax plan or health plan? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/407 "2008-10-16T03:29:10Z")
Well fuck the squid with a robo-goat, that was actually pretty entertaining!! My two favorite moments: McSame’s face when Obama said “zero” to th fines on healthcare coverage. Towards the end (during the abortion bit? Not sure.) Ol’ Maverick rolled his eyes so hard I thought he was having a stroke. That coupled with the Darth Vader breath nd the choking laugh really drove home for me just how unwell he appears to be. I propose we disguise Joe the Plumber as Barack Obama and throw him off the stage at a McCain/Palin rally. Good times for all! ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/408 "2008-10-16T03:31:51Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Was that the thing about the tax plan or health plan? > > -Joe [Yes.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao5V66m5FaA) ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/409 "2008-10-16T03:31:54Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I do feel for McCain in one way. Barack Obama would be _infuriating_. People who stay cool no matter what make me want to strangle them. I know it’s petty, but he’d drive me mad. yep, the mr spock deflector screen. thunk them with the logic stick. when the interview with sen. and mrs. obama and the 2 young ladies was shone. malia obama said that daddy’s m.o. when they do something wrong is to “talk, talk, talk.” she even rolled her eyes. i can just hear it: daddy, i’ll never, ever, ever, do it again, please no lecture, nooooooooooo! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/410 "2008-10-16T03:32:15Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > YAre we, as a nation, really waking up from our American Idol induced coma?\* I think it’s temporary. And I think at least some voters are embarrassed about 2004. They’ll forget. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/411 "2008-10-16T03:33:07Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Was that the thing about the tax plan or health plan? > > -Joe Both. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/412 "2008-10-16T03:33:26Z")
McCain starts looking like the crypt-keeper when he smiles and rolls his eys at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/413 "2008-10-16T03:33:26Z")
> [@vison](#): > > As for Joe the Plumber? The poor man!!! There apparently are some real handyman businesses named “Joe the Plumber”, like [this guy](http://www.joetheplumber.com/) in Amarillo (complete with asscrack, apparently!). On the one hand, I bet they’re getting pretty sick of that stereotype, and on the other hand, hey, free publicity! ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/414 "2008-10-16T03:33:38Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > But maybe-- just maybe the people just are not buying it any more. Last presidential cycle it was so easy to get away with saying what ever the hell popped into your head and, if the American people really wanted to believe it, they would. > > McCain catapulted the propaganda with more style than in previous debates, I felt sure he’d score better. Are we, as a nation, really waking up from our American Idol induced coma? Og, I hope so. People really don’t seem to be buying into McCain’s crap; only his ardent base is willing to swallow it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/415 "2008-10-16T03:40:42Z")
> [@Marathon](#): > > [Yes.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao5V66m5FaA) “Zer—rooo!?” And he was there blinking like a deer caught in the headlight. Then he face the audience straight and just smiled…as if he’s some sort of portrait came to life. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/416 "2008-10-16T03:44:02Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I do feel for McCain in one way. Barack Obama would be _infuriating_. People who stay cool no matter what make me want to strangle them. I know it’s petty, but he’d drive me mad. _laugh_ When I read this I thought of this video: [Spiders For Obama!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZv39r5cYI0) (For those who don’t want to click on a YouTube link, it’s a short CNN fluff piece showing Obama going door to door and talking to people outside. A girl tells Obama that he has a spider on him. He quips “Is it a big one?” then sees it himself. He carefully tries to pick it up, but when he can’t he gently flicks it off. As someone who almost crashed a car once when a spider dropped down in front of my face from the ceiling, I have to admire Obama’s cool. Ob. debate, I agree with everything Knorf has said. I thought McCain was _awful_. The constant smirk was what infuriated me. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/417 "2008-10-16T03:44:45Z")
The more I think of McShame’s response to the abortion portion, the angrier I get. Glad to see Obama remained calm. Am still puzzled about Joe the Plumber–I wish McShame had given Joe an autistic child, that would have mixed things up a bit! Agree that McCain should never, ever smile. Ever. It makes him look horrible. How can a smile make you look worse? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/418 "2008-10-16T03:44:49Z")
Sorry if this has been asked/answered/commented: Did McCain say Obama voted against Justice Breyer? Not a huge or even significant gaffe (or is it a gaffe?), I just want to know if I heard correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/419 "2008-10-16T03:45:57Z")
You guys need to stop it with these knee-jerk internet polls proving Obama won the debate. Who is more likely to be up answering these polls? Who is more likely to have an Internet connection? Whatever. Resume the masturbation. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001/420 "2008-10-16T03:46:07Z")
My initial reaction was that this was McCain’s poorest performance yet. The Joe the plumber gimmick was way overused and I don’t think his attacks on Obama landed at all. The initial pundit consensus seemed to be the opposite and I was half expecting the polls to show a clear McCain win. But no, my first reaction may have been right after all. I believe this has been Obama’s best polling after a debate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-official-last-presidential-debate-thread/468001.md?page=22)