Debate Live - It's Friday Night!

Ok, let's start with substance - have Obama's ears always stuck out like that?  Or is this some trick of the background, or the camera angle?

--I love McCain's intro - Kennedy is in the hospital and I haven't felt so well myself.  Oh, great - I'm not worried about McCain's age or health anymore...   

-McCain made a joke about an earmark for a study of bear's DNA in Montana - "I don't know if it was criminal or paternal" - and no one laughed (including me).

Oh, geez - earmarks corrupt everyone.  If McCain and Obama are going to compete for "Most Annoyingly Self-Righteous" its going to be a long night.

-- KING FOR A DAY:  Jim Lehrer asks whether the financial crisis will affect the way these two "rule the country" as President.

-- PLUG FOR PALIN (FINALLY!) McCain tells us he can control spending because he is well known as a maverick of the Senate and now he has a partner who is a good maverick too.

-- McCain points out that the next President won't have to decide whether to invade Iraq.  Well, yes, but don't tell Barack - his essential campaign promise is to not invade Iraq in 2003.

-- In other news, in the top of the 4th the Yankees are leading the Red Sox 8-3 [Now 12-4 at the end of 4].  A Yankee victory will snuff the flickering flame that the Red Sox will win the AL East [but now there is a rain delay at 13-4 so the fans are surely exiting the park before the Sox exit the AL East chase].  Meanwhile, in the top of the 8th the Mets are poised to auto-exit, losing 6-1 to the Marlins after 7 1/2 [Now a final score]; the Brew Crew is tied up with the Cubbies [Oops, now it's 5-1 Milwaukee as a final]. Philly wins, Brewers win, Mets lose - ouch for Mets fans who now trail in the wild card by a game and in the NL East by a lot with very little left to play.

-- "I'VE GOT A BRACELET TOO": McCain tells the heartfelt story of a mom who gave him a bracelet to honor her son and asked McCain to promise that his death not be in vain.  Obam's response - "I've got a bracelet, too".  Does Snide trump Maudlin?  Or am I alone in thinking that he sounded like the arrogant fool of the world?  FWIW, Obama went on to explain that he got his bracelet from a mom whose son died, and she exhorted Obama to assure that no other mother had to endure her loss.

MEETINGS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS:  Obama really is a weasel here, asserting that Henry Kissinger, one of McCain's advisers, now favors meeting Iran without pre-conditions, as do four other former Secretaries of State (article).  Eventually McCain makes the point that Obama's controversy related to Presidential meetings without pre-conditions, not the advisability of low-level contacts.  [Later, Henry chimes in expressing annoyance with Obama.]

Comments

[matt]

Obama is already trying to blame others....

[Tollhouse]

Of course Obama is going to blame other people, he hasn't been in office long enough to have done anything.

[steveaz]

Tom and guest,
Anyone know if the debate is available live on the net? If so, where? PJTV?

(I killed my TV about a year ago to save a big bill and help me pay my mortgage.)

Until I find out, I'm tuning into this site's debate-thread for running updates on gaffes, substance and all.

So, keep it real, guys!

[Joan]

Steveaz: If Obama wins the election, you can have my TV because I can't stand to listen to that man's voice. Or look at his smirk. Or his wife's surly face.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

Unmitigated disaster for all three people; MeCain, Obama, Lehrer.

A nation of 300 million...this is the cream of the crop?

This is so pathetic I'm checking my watch for when I can switch to the Mariner game...to see if they can break their 12 game losing streak...or is it 13.

[Jinny]

steveaz you can watch it live on CSPAN

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS

(Sorry I don't know how to make a link.)

[Joan]

The thread on the pre-debate is more lively. Check it out.

[Jane]

Okay so now we have too threads.

[Tara]

Steveaz ..

You can watch the debate here ...

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/26/live-blog-and-chat-presidential-debate/#comments

[Jane]

Oh dear now general "Betrayus" has done a good job.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

<a href="http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS">like this</a>

like this

[matt]

Obama lost me now and forever with his comments on Iraq. He is unrepentant about his opposition and is playing the leftist game. Screw this bastard.

I just spent 3 days with a CSM who just came back from Anbar/Baghdad, and these guys were the surge. It worked. Obama is absolutely wrong on this and is incompetent to lead this country.

[Jane]

Senator Obama doesn't know the difference between a tactic and a strategy.

Knockout BLOW!

[Jane]

Lift that finger Obama.

[Tollhouse]

McCain is so smooth, he just ignores the carping, interrupting Obama.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

Can we have a do-over on the primaries?

[Jane]

Tell us the difference between a tactic and a strategy Barry. I dare you.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Oh, now you've done it: I'm watching the CSPAN feed.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

"The next words you hear from me will be the real ones."

I think I'm seeing this delayed.

[prtymbl]

Noted on previous thread.

Ok - since everyone else is covering the substantial stuff, I'll make a superficial comment - Obama, your tie is crooked, please fix, as it is annoying me.

I am mad that McCain has let some low hanging fruit opportunities to strike back (CAC funding of non-education efforts) and (the whole Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac donations to key dems) slide by.

Perhaps it is not the time or place, but I still think, opportunity lost.

[Sue]

Obama didn't answer the question about holding hearings on the committee he holds. McCain needs to remind him.

[MayBee]

We cannot separate Afghanistan from Iraq. Did Obama really just mean to say that?

[Jane]

gawd now Barry doesn't think we can separate Afghanistan from Iraq. When did that happen. Now he is going to say "strategic" every time he opens his mouth.

[Sue]

Every intelligence agency agreed Saddam had WMDs too. When do you listen to them, Senator Obama?

[DrJ]

Damn I'm glad I have dual monitors -- one one each thread.

[Jane]

I love that Mccain has "lessons of history".

Oh and this Pakistan answer is perfect.

[BOATBUILDER]

Mcain is saying act like a grownup, son, this is serious. Good stuff.

[Barbara]

McCain's tone ("You don't do that. You don't say that out loud.") when talking to boy Obama is perfect. I like it.

[Jane]

Obama just doesn't do well as a hawk.

[JM Hanes]

Maybee says she's dumping me for McCain, but I bet she follows me here, in no time flat.

[Tollhouse]

McCain comes across very well when it comes to foreign policy.

[Jane]

LOL Obama looks red in the face. So now he lies about talking about attacking pakistan.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

"NObody talked about attacking Pakistan".

So now I think I'll explain why I'd attack Pakistan.

[PDinDetroit]

That is because Obama is a PIGEON...

[Jane]

And another insult. Barry you are losing it.

[Tollhouse]

Haha, Obama is reaching now, going for the throat.

[JM Hanes]

I loved McCain: "You don't say that out loud" Obamabots will love the reference to songs about bombing Iran though.

[BOATBUILDER]

Do you think we should invade an ALLY without UN authorization?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Please please please, ask him how he plans to cross the border at hit the Talibs without attacking in Pakistan.

[Jane]

Barry doesn't understand history. (Just as an aside)

[PDinDetroit]

We have coddled Pakistan for 10 years now?

Who knew that we were at war with them now?

[MayBee]

"I don't think Obama understands...."
I bet that galls Obama.

(I still love you,JMH. I admit it)

[Sue]

Typepad is screwy again!

[JM Hanes]

Coddled Musharref. Wonder if Obama's repeats the assertion that Pakistan using our military aid to prepare for war against India.

[Jane]

HOw long is this debate? I don't want it to end. I bet barry's folks do.

[PDinDetroit]

Tell the history John. Somebody has to educate Capt. Zero

[Topsecretk9]

Both ace's and the corner's live blogging is goofy...hmmmm

[Jane]

goofy how?

[DrJ]

Sue, you're good. No comments in the other thread since you "shooed" people here.

[bgates]

No fair comparing records.

No fair bringing up veteran or survivor support.

[Jane]

I've got a bracelet too! Me me, me me!!!!

[JM Hanes]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. I've got a bracelet too!

[Tollhouse]

Nice gaffe there Obama. Was it the mother or the Sergeant?

[PDinDetroit]

BUT, BUT, BUT...

I have a bracelet too...

Gawd, could he be more winey????

[Jane]

You think attacking Pakistan is good judgment barry?

[Sue]

Why thank you. Be sure and tell the original threadherder that I can work well under short notice.

[Jinny]

Thanks Charlie.

Oh brother, Obama has a bracelet too. He wants good judgment on how to keep America safe, but he also wants to cut our military.

[Ann]

I HAVE A BRACELET TOO.
UH what's his name
(looking down to read it I think) LOL

[M. Simon]

Thirty minutes to go.

[BOATBUILDER]

Pow! Lame comeback from Obama. Is the press going to ask him if he really has a bracelet?

[Jane]

How many soldiers will die to stop your videotapes barry?

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Duelling mamas.

"Our troops have performed brilliantly" since I declared the surge was working after all.

Please say "they're sending video tapes --- but they're not managing to send bombs."

[JM Hanes]

Nobody's talking about defeat in Iraq? Accuses McCain of lack of concern?

[BOATBUILDER]

Ouch!!!

[Sue]

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! McCain Scores!!!!!!!

[Jane]

OOooh You would think that Senator Obama would have gone to afghanistan!

Yes you would!

[michaelt]

Ace could be filled with astroturfers chickenlittlers.

The Corner, well, they nitpick everyone but the Pope.

[PDinDetroit]

whatta kiss-ass...

[centralcal]

break time!

[Topsecretk9]

Obama just isn't making sense.

--Jane

Ace's is "greeking" text or filler "lorem ipsum dollor"

and

Corner is like each comment in triplicate or more.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Gawd, could he be more winey????

Oh yes. You watch.

[JM Hanes]

Obama doesn't seem to understand the connection between, Iraq and Afghanistan. Probably the most important point so far.

[michaelt]

Astroturfers and chickenlittlers.

[Barney Frank]

It's a darn sight more fun reading comments about the debate than watching it.
Thanks for doing the dirty work guys.

[PDinDetroit]

Charlie - I am. I am really enjoying this....

[Jane]

Wanna bet Obama says that europe hates us cause of Bush

[Jim Ryan]

Hey, who is winning according to John and Jane Doe who Don't Really Follow The News and are Undecided?

I can't watch, but only read your snark.

[bgates]

This answer on Iran is terrific. Good for Mav.

I bet Obama's answer includes a "let me be clear" and a poke at McCain for Sunni/Shia something or other.

[BOATBUILDER]

McCain is talking on an entirely different level than Obama. "I don't think Mr. Obama understands. . . " is deadly--its true and Obama has nothing but platitudes to respond with.

[Jane]

Barry will now tell us his correction.

[Jane]

You are right Boat Builder. An entirely different level.

[clarice]

"Winey"--They're drinking this debate--At last-someone's devised a sensible format. Must they drink a whole glass before answering each time?

[Tollhouse]

I think both are going to come out with acceptable performances to each base.

Obama is really going to need to prep more next time though. Trying to link Bush and McCain just won't work.

[Jane]

Now we are back to sitting down with Ahmadinejhad.

[Jane]

Clarice - how was dinner?

[Tollhouse]

Independents though I think are going to clearly see through Obama. They may disagree with McCain, but Obama's responses are just incoherent, no overall message. McCain is hammering and reinforcing on experience, experience, experience.

[PDinDetroit]

He just admitted that he doesn't get it.

Here it comes... Mr No Pre-Condition...

[M. Simon]

Potentially have an interest in seeing Iran doesn't have nukes.

Tough diplomacy. We send them two notes instead of one.

[JM Hanes]

Russia & China have no interest in preventing Iran from going nuclear. Iran poses no real threat to them, because they wouldn't hesitate to blow Iran out of existence if they thought it was necessary.

Not just legitimize them, but what precisely do you plan to put on the negotiating table?

[Sue]

I can't turn off my partisan hat. I have no idea how an independent will view this debate. I need to hear what the pundits say afterwards.

[Jane]

I love it when Obama smirks. he knows he is losing.

[Jane]

he just stuck his foot in it.

[JM Hanes]

We already know what the pundits will say, Sue. We'll have to wait for the polls. :-)

[Sue]

I think Obama held his own with that answer.

[Tollhouse]

Bush is bad......er no Bush is good on Iran... er wait....what???

[Charlie (Colorado)]

You idiot, you can't even manage to agree with your Vice President, much less your advisors.

Did he not just say he's talk without preconditions and then enumerate preconditions?

[JM Hanes]

McCain needs to point out that Obama doesn't seem to be aware of the 6-party talks.

[clarice]

Fun, Jane--Hit is as nice in person as you'd imagine from his posts.

[PDinDetroit]

MCain Looks Presidential.

Obama Looks Like He Is From The High School Debate Team.

[Jane]

He did.