The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

If you're watching tonight's first presidential debate and would like to comment, post here.

(Spare us the litany of YouTube Sarah Palin clips please, just discuss how McCain and Obama are responding to the questions being posed to them tonight.)

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

First debate and all but neither seems especially convicted. They both have their talking points down but their rebuttals are pretty weak.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

I'm going to bet this thread blows up after the debate is over.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

Well I thought it was boring. Hoped they would talk more about issues at home.

I've been reading message boards and a lot of people (Mostly dems, independents and undecideds) thought McCain came off as a cantankerous, arrogant old man.

Oh and McCain wouldn't look Obama in the eye. What's with that? If you're gonna present your arguments with conviction, at least look the dude in the eye.

Isn't that the first thing they teach you in debate class?

Anyway. Like I said, this debate was disappointing for me personally. I can't really say who won cause I'm an idiot when it comes to foreign policy and thus I kinda wasted an hour and a half hoping they'd talk more about stuff I could relate to.

Bring on the VP debate, damnit!

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/?hpid=topnews]Fact Checker[/url] (just some fyi)

I thought that both had their moments, but for the most part were pretty average. McCain liked to remind people that Obama had little experience, while Obama spoke of McCain's similarities to the Bush administration-which McCain seemed to take particular offense to. Same thing we've been hearing for a while now.

I thought it was interesting how many times Obama would say "He's right about that."

This was supposed to be right in McCain's wheelhouse (foreign policy/national security) but he didn't come across as the clear-cut winner. And in that sense, I think he lost this round.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

i think mccain had a better showing. i think his energy plan is better/realistic, and i don't think obama should really try to argue on the military... i was watching this at work (*ahem*) and every time he opened his mouth on those matters, well, what he decided to say didn't go over very well. that's a real weak spot for him, yet he kept talking about it.

when asked about how the economy might change their presidency, both mumbled around with answers about saving a few billion in an economy of 14 trillion, so that's really a band-aid for a bullet hole type of answer there.

i liked hearing mccain float punishing the greedy (did he mention jail terms? that'd be nice), but i can't remember anything else specifically, since both did spend a lot of time rehashing old quotes and arguments and repeating talking points.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

I think Dennis Green could best sum up the first debate for me.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=That Guy;481464]i think mccain had a better showing. i think his energy plan is better/realistic, and i don't think obama should really try to argue on the military... i was watching this at work (*ahem*) and every time he opened his mouth on those matters, well, what he decided to say didn't go over very well. that's a real weak spot for him, yet he kept talking about it.

when asked about how the economy might change their presidency, both mumbled around with answers about saving a few billion in an economy of 14 trillion, so that's really a band-aid for a bullet hole type of answer there.

i liked hearing mccain float punishing the greedy (did he mention jail terms? that'd be nice), but i can't remember anything else specifically, since both did spend a lot of time rehashing old quotes and arguments and repeating talking points.[/quote]

You are such a homer. I agree with 50% of your team affiliations. That the Redskins are awesome and the Republicans are awesome.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=wilsowilso;481476]You are such a homer. I agree with 50% of your team affiliations. That the Redskins are awesome and the Republicans are awesome.[/quote]

wtf are you talking about? you must have me mistaken with someone else. but thanks anyways for trolling, and i'll make sure i get your approval to have an opinion before posting next time.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=That Guy;481478]wtf are you talking about? you must have me mistaken with someone else.[/quote]

Stop messing with my mind.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

There weren't really any knock-out punches, no major gaffes. I just thought McCain appeared really tense, but that's his usual demeanor.

The one thing I took from it was how well Obama articulated this thoughts without a teleprompter. That was something Limbaugh, Hannity and other right wingers have said over and over, that without a prepared script, Obama cannot think on his feet, and that he has trouble speaking in coherent sentences. Which is an incredible comment from them, considering the speaking abilities of the current occupant of the White House. Obama had no problems last night on that front.

I just wish McCain would have responded to the 'tax breaks for the oil companies' claim by saying something like, "fine -- you go right ahead and nail the oil companies to the wall with higher taxes. What do you think that will do to the price of gas?"

Also on that note -- a tax break is not "giving" more money to anyone. A tax break allows people, or corporations to [I]keep[/I] more of the money [U]that they earn.[/U] Government isn't "giving" them anything because the money didn't belong to government in the first place.

It would have been nice for McCain to hit Obama with that.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

I thought Obama's only big gaffe was not making it a point to remember the name on the bracelet he was wearing. Kind made me think that someone behind the scenes gave it to him at the last minute because it would look good. McCain's "I will veto any bill...." remark was too close-sounding to Clinton's statement to Congress way back when.

In short, they both have some more polishing before next Thursday (Oct 2nd?).

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

I think it was a solid outing for both candidates. Debates should be boring, and in that sense the candidates supplied the pundits and the opponent with very little amunition.

I think Obama did better, or should I say improved his position more. Not so much because he out dueled John McCain, but because voters had more questions about Obama than they did about McCain. So Obama went a lot further to assuage some of those concerns and doubts. The experience argument didn't stick during the Primary and it won't stick now. The experience argument is good fodder for Fox news and Rudi Guilliani, but they're not the ones deciding this election. We're inside 40 days until E-day, and Obama hasn't gotten this far because people are concerned about his experience or lack thereof.

Here's how I see this thing playing itself out. On the campaign trail, not during the debates. People will scrutinize the day-to-day activities of these campaigns more than ever now. And I hate to say it or bring it up, but the fact that Sarah Palin was not available for the spin interviews afterwards, while Joe Biden was on almost every major network last night, speaks volumes. If Biden is smart and prepared, he'll stick to the script and let the debate flow to him instead of the opposite. No need to go for the Palin.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

All I know is HD is not McCain's friend. The guy looks like he has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

How can you look Putin in the eyes if you can't look at Obama let alone look him in the eyes? How can you look anyone in the eye if you don't sit down with them? I wonder if using binoculars or spy satellite to look people in the eyes counts?

As for Obama saying "he's right about that" I guess the "but" part of his speech isn't important.

p.s. I am so looking forward to the VP debate so I can post more Youtube videos of Palin.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

Oh screw it, I can't wait that long...I have a video of Bevis of Bevis and Butthead fame:

[yt]9EsYbhpmjLA[/yt]

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

obama did the same thing, so i'm not really sure what that youtube is supposed to prove... there was definitely obama smirking and looking away when i watched it.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=That Guy;481618]obama did the same thing, so i'm not really sure what that youtube is supposed to prove... there was definitely obama smirking and looking away when i watched it.[/quote]

Smirking and looking away and not making eye contact when speaking to your opponent are two totally different things.

I was taught to look at the person you're debating while also switching to make eye contact with your audience.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

Obama does not even knows who he is running against and kept calling John, Jim.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

I thought it was a clear slam dunk for McCain. Obama agreed with McCain A LOT, and there were several questions that were asked directly to Obama and he circumvented the questions.
All in all, seemed like McCain bitch clapped Obama.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=firstdown;481621]Obama does not even knows who he is running against and kept calling John, Jim.[/quote]

John. Jim.

If all black guys look the same, then all white guys can go by the same name. :rofl:

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=firstdown;481621]Obama does not even knows who he is running against and kept calling John, Jim.[/quote]

Obama was addressing John (McCain) sometimes, and Jim (Lehrer) other times.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=jsarno;481625]I thought it was a clear slam dunk for McCain. Obama agreed with McCain A LOT, and there were several questions that were asked directly to Obama and he circumvented the questions.
All in all, seemed like McCain bitch clapped Obama.[/quote]

I know you're a McCain supporter, so obviously you would say McCain won.

From a purely objective standpoint, as one who is not a supporter of either candidate, there were no 'bitchslaps' or 'slam dunks'. In my mind the debate was a draw.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

yeah, i personally liked what i heard from mccain a little more, but really they basically restated the same talking points they've been using for a while.

obama probably didn't help his military vote though. he can make up some ground when they start talking education and health care.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;481635]Obama was addressing John (McCain) sometimes, and Jim (Lehrer) other times.[/quote]
No he called MCCain Jim several times and even had to correct himself.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=saden1;481566]Oh screw it, I can't wait that long...I have a video of Bevis of Bevis and Butthead fame:

[yt]9EsYbhpmjLA[/yt][/quote]

Its funny, it seems that the liberals on this site must get their news from youtube and that might explain allot.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=firstdown;481652]Its funny, it seems that the liberals on this site must get their news from youtube and that might explain allot.[/quote]

Well don't lump in saden with liberals. For one thing, he says he lost all respect for Obama following the FISA bill. But he doesn't show his disdain for Obama with the same passion he does for McCain.

saden is a smart guy who used to offer some solid contributions to these types of threads, but those are few and far between now. He doesn't care anymore.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;481620]Smirking and looking away and not making eye contact when speaking to your opponent are two totally different things.

I was taught to look at the person you're debating while also switching to make eye contact with your audience.[/quote]

This isn't an attack on you, but it seems like some people wouldn't care if McCain said he came from the planet Zyrnax looking to make peace with the Platypus Kinga and will make ALF his secretary of defense, as long as he made eye contact. It really just goes to show how much perceptions play a part in all this...from Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow to Gore's scoffs.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

Anyone who watched this debate and came away with the conclusion that it was a slam dunk for either candidate wasn't watching the same debate that was televised on Friday.

I think the only person that called this a slam dunk for John McCain was Rudy Guilliani, and if he knew so much about running for President and debating he would have been standing on the stage opposite Obama instead of John McCain.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=firstdown;481651]No he called MCCain Jim several times and even had to correct himself.[/quote]

This is problem for you? I do that all the time with my kids, mix up their names and catch myself mid-sentence. He misspoke. That's all. Everybody does it, and it's certainly no exception with politicians.

I'm not an Obama supporter either, but this is ridiculous. I also fiind it amusing that republicans are so hung up with Obama's occasional slip-ups while their hero, the man who currently occupies the White House, has butchered the English language over the last eight years.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;481663]This is problem for you? I do that all the time with my kids, mix up their names and catch myself mid-sentence. He misspoke. That's all. Everybody does it, and it's certainly no exception with politicians.

I'm not an Obama supporter either, but this is ridiculous. [B]I also fiind it amusing that republicans are so hung up with Obama's occasional slip-ups while their hero, the man who currently occupies the White House, has butchered the English language over the last eight years[/B].[/quote]

I know, right? Having an imbecile in office didn't seem to bother them much over the last 8 years, but an occasional name gaffe has them up in arms. :doh:

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=jsarno;481625]I thought it was a clear slam dunk for McCain. Obama agreed with McCain A LOT, and there were several questions that were asked directly to Obama and he circumvented the questions.
All in all, seemed like McCain bitch clapped Obama.[/quote]

Really?

I didn't see it as a clear slam dunk for either one. I thought it was pretty even.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[yt]6Cj7reiFaaM&NR=1[/yt]

I can't believe he would not realize his profanity will easily be heard...

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=Mattyk72;481671]I know, right? Having an imbecile in office didn't seem to bother them much over the last 8 years, but an occasional name gaffe has them up in arms. :doh:[/quote]

Well, first let's not just make a blanket statement like the Republicans' hero is W. Secondly, as long as one side is going to post all these comments/videos about Palin's gaffes and McCain not making eye contact then why shouldn't the other point out errors as well.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=hooskins;481673][yt]6Cj7reiFaaM&NR=1[/yt]

I can't believe he would not realize his profanity will easily be heard...[/quote]

is he really saying horse shit? what a dope

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=Mattyk72;481713]is he really saying horse shit? what a dope[/quote]

I don't think he was saying that, but even if he was, when it is horse shit, should it not be pointed out?
haha

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=Mattyk72;481713]is he really saying horse shit? what a dope[/quote]
Yes he is, it's been all over the news, I haven't really heard what the McCain camp is saying about it. They will probably ignore it, which is probably the best thing for them.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=jsarno;481726]I don't think he was saying that, but even if he was, when it is horse shit, should it not be pointed out?
haha[/quote]
Watch it multiple times, he clearly does. Media has pointed it out too, saw it on Fox as well, if that makes you feel better hah.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

Horse shit eh? I'm okay with him saying that, what I'm not okay with is the pot calling the kettle black. First class wanker for sure.

Re: The Official Debate Thread (Round 1)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;481659]Well don't lump in saden with liberals. For one thing, he says he lost all respect for Obama following the FISA bill. But he doesn't show his disdain for Obama with the same passion he does for McCain.

saden is a smart guy who used to offer some solid contributions to these types of threads, but those are few and far between now. He doesn't care anymore.[/quote]

I still contribute in a meaningful way. Who else but me would bring you all those Palin videos?

You know, it's hard to get up for these threads when people in here are saying Palin is more qualified than Obama because she has executive experience. The level of intelligence and honesty has extremely declined with respect to the election related threads so why bother?

I am off the Obama bandwagon but I despise McCain so much that everything he does or says agitates me. I will continue to harp on him. If anyone else wants to step up and harp on Obama be my guest.