McCain didn’t give a shit enough to give the guy’s name at all. Hell, his bracelet probably had his own name on it. It’s probably one of those ID bracelets they give to Alzheimer’s patients in case they wander off.
As disgusting as that is, you’re probably right.
Obama let McCain get away with a lot of bullshit tonite, preferring to act reserved and not interrupt needlessly. This was not to his benefit, and as many posters here have said, he will need to hit a lot harder, call McCain on his crap, and ardently defend his stances as the strongest ones. This will be tough to do without looking hot headed, and I think, frankly, that’s what Obama is afraid of.
Three things matter:
Gaffes: None on either side, really. = Draw.
Content that is memorable: Hits on Iraq for both sides. Spain. McCain on the Iran exchange. Cutting pork. = Sleight McCain.
Demeanor: McCain looks angry at times, and timid at others. Obama was generally forceful and direct, though occasionally to detached. = Obama.
So…basically a draw, depending on whether memorable content or demeanor wins.
All this discussion about winning and losing a debate based on abstractions feels like a luxury of elections past.
Yeah that sounded like a forwarded email thing too me. Whether or not it is true, I think the point behind it is still valid though. Responsibility, it needs to more than just a slogan.
If Joey doesn’t come out that with blood and lipstick on his hands then Palin wins.
I can’t wait for Biden/Palin now. Wolf is interviewing Biden and I am excited, for all Obama’s stuttering, Biden is a much better presenter.
Obama would benefit from some of Reagan’s rhetorical flourishes.
Particularly, “There you go again.” Much better than letting your opponent condescend to you for an entire debate.
How disappointing… For 89 minutes, it looked like McCain might actually be able to refrain from mentioning that he was a POW. I had such hopes on that… But apparently, he was just saving it for the closing remark.
Yes, John, we already knew about that. You don’t need to keep reminding us.
So will McCain resign as president the first time he fucks up? Is that what he’s promising? Because I’m sure with Palin waiting in the wing, people would be really curious to know if that’s his plan.
I’m watching BBC America and they are showing snippets. Now that I can look without paying as close attention, McCain looks and sounds very condescending. He also struck me as showing how he has already been the President with all the deep decisions he has made and how much influence he has had over foreign nations. Snobby, Actually.
Heard the first half on the radio, saw the second half. Pretty close, and that was a bit of a surprise because I have been reading and hearing that Obama is not a good debater.
You know, people aren’t stupid. Every time McCain spoke, or nearly every time, he began by attacking Obama. Every time Obama spoke, he answered the question. He didn’t attack McCain.
I think, in the course of the debates, this will impress people more than you might think. Yes, I was rooting for Obama, but I was watching to see how McCain did. He did fine. But he was snotty, really snotty. Condescending. And that grated on me, big time. He might as well have patted Obama on the head.
I have also been told, by those in the know 
that the debates don’t really shift anyone’s vote from one party to the other and I guess tonight demonstrates why.
Don’t forget all the places he’s been.
Although McCain did well, he really needed to shine in this debate where the topic is supposedly his forte. And he did not. He didn’t fall on his face or make a serious misstep, but he sure didn’t hit anything out of the park.
Obama needed to show people that he’s not as green as some fear. And he did. Indi’s must be feeling a little better about voting O now.
Fox hasn’t gotten there yet, but I do think the right wing media will pick up on the bracelet thing sooner or later. Not a great moment for Obama. To me it looked like he was trying to remember the mother’s first name and couldn’t come up with it, but regardless of what he did or didn’t remember or care about, that moment will be used as prrof positiove by the right that Barack Obama hates the troops.
I suspect it won’t resonate much outside the echo chamber, though. People really do have more urgent concerns right now.
Plus, Palin V. Biden is bound to produce something far more cringeworthy from one or the other or both.
Pretty much a draw, if you consider what they had to accomplish. No major gaffes.
Not a lot to report.
- Bold added by me.
No here is where McCain did slam Obama, 932 million in earmarks (if that’s true I really don’t know)? Yeah that is Murtha like.
Not much to choose from when it came to substance but Obama carried himself far better IMO and came off as more presidential. McCain just looked plain weird at times with his awkward mannerisms and funny voice-changes. In terms of the big picture I think it was a win for Obama. He needed to project stature and confidence on foreign policy and that is what he achieved.
Here is a discussion about the letter Eisenhower wrote in case the Normandy invasion failed, with a link to the actual letter:
No mention of any resignation. McCain just fabricates what ever history he needs to polish the turd of his policies.
Slight McCain, S-L-I-G-H-T.
Also, too, not to.
(I’ve given myself 30 lashes.)