Presidential Debate round 2

[jom 4]

America will have its first Black president by next year. Life moves on and well see how he will do. I hope he will be a good president.

God bless America.

[doodlebugg 10]

McCain looked like he has about a week to live. I mean seriously I don't think he should be doing these town meetings where he walks around. He just looks OLD!!!!! And the way he talks made it look like he memorized about a hundred slogans and when a question that didn't fit in with one of them was asked he'd stumble and try to fit it in.

Obama definitely looked and sounded presidential but both of them skirted the questions more than once.

Btw, Biden's MIL died so he's off the campaign trail - but why isn't Palin on the networks talking up McCain's performance?

Isn't a running mate supposed to do that?

Just watch Fox News tomorrow morning.... McCain could have dropped his pants & took a dump in the middle of the stage & Fox would declare him the winner.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think the debates are a good barometer of who will win the election. GWB did a really terrrible job in '04 and he still won.

[LoriLawless 0]

I don't think the debates are a good barometer of who will win the election. GWB did a really terrrible job in '04 and he still won.

Only because he didn't have any good competition.

[doodlebugg 10]

just a question - I read that someone shouted "kill him" referring to Obama at a McCain/Palin rally the other day. Whether or not it was a real threat to Obama aside, what happens if either one of the candidates were to drop dead tomorrow, God forbid? Who would be the new candidate? The Vice Presidential candidate or do we start from scrap?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

just a question - I read that someone shouted "kill him" referring to Obama at a McCain/Palin rally the other day. Whether or not it was a real threat to Obama aside, what happens if either one of the candidates were to drop dead tomorrow, God forbid? Who would be the new candidate? The Vice Presidential candidate or do we start from scrap?

This close to the election it would guarantee that the *other side* would win.

[doodlebugg 10]

just a question - I read that someone shouted "kill him" referring to Obama at a McCain/Palin rally the other day. Whether or not it was a real threat to Obama aside, what happens if either one of the candidates were to drop dead tomorrow, God forbid? Who would be the new candidate? The Vice Presidential candidate or do we start from scrap?

This close to the election it would guarantee that the *other side* would win.

I hope that's not any of the partie's strategy then!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I doubt it. But there's always random nutters out there.

[Ling Ling 22]

oh dear, people should tell McCain that statements like the below make him seem hopelessly out of date.

I'll get him no matter what and I know how to do it. But I'm not going to telegraph my punches, which is what Sen. Obama did.

Transcript of the debate

I don't think that's an out of date phrase, it's a very common term in boxing, and really can't be replaced by texting or SMSing a punch.

You could try using "emailing a punch" but it sounds like something completely different.

For those that missed the so called "debate", it's available on CNN.com as a 3 part video.

I say so called "debate" because to many a real debate is more akin to the Lincoln-Douglas style debate which is still popular

in academia. What we have been seeing in this format is a performance interview. Each candidate is asked a question, and performs

his/her response to it.

I personally was not impressed by either candidate's performance, and feel that it has very little relevance in

persuading an informed person's opinion. That is, those of us who are informed already know the basics of where each stands on the issues.

What I'd like to see is for them to verbally duke it out. Stick to one topic for 30 minutes and have a real back to back, down and dirty,

let's get to the heart of the matter debate.

As for Senator Obama not appearing passionate enough, were he to show his true passion it may be deemed as aggression, and I fear

he's had coaching that appearing as an "angry Black man" could be counter productive. To that I feel that he should not be afraid

to show his passion or aggression, because we need a president who is both.

As to Senator McCain looking old, he IS old. To quote Chris Rock, "How many 72 year olds do you see just 'doing things? He was too old 10 years ago".

Personally I don't think his age is the biggest problem, but it does make me fear for his health and ability to perform throughout a term or more importantly,

throughout a crisis. While I was resistant to the idea of 4 more years of a Republican administration, I am scared to death of the possibility of Gov. Palin

being a heartbeat away from the most important role in our country, and in our world.

God Bless America...fast!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Again the mud, err rather jello slinging -- "It's like nailing jello to a wall" ~ McCain -- was certianly not professional nor was not answering the questions clearly and succinctly.

I've had it with this prez race...actually I had it early this year already!

Why oh why can the U.S. not take less time and spend less money on an election?

How many community services could be saved/helped...oooohhhhh...

Please, no need to answer....

[Ling Ling 22]

Again the mud, err rather jello slinging -- "It's like nailing jello to a wall" ~ McCain -- was certianly not professional nor was not answering the questions clearly and succinctly.

I've had it with this prez race...actually I had it early this year already!

Why oh why can the U.S. not take less time and spend less money on an election?

How many community services could be saved/helped...oooohhhhh...

Please, no need to answer....

Hmmmm, so what you're saying is....

If we took the simple MILLIONS that are spent wasted on the campaign, campaign ads, campaign security, campaign debates, etc.

and distributed that money to people in danger of losing their homes (or other such meaningful causes) then maybe we wouldn't have to pay

BILLIONS to bailout Wallstreet?

Nah...they'd just put that money into another war.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Only because he didn't have any good competition.

Do you think that Kerry would have been even worse than Bush?

[chri'stina 190]

Something I have to find weird is that the only person really defensive of McCain in this thread is spookyturtle but people act like "oh here they come" about that. One person saying something really opposite warrants that kind of attitude? Hmmm.

Anyway, I was not impressed with the debate either. We watched it all because my husband is very interested in all of it even though he can't vote. I do think Obama has a better chance of winning, but I just can't vote for him for several reasons. If he wins, I might actually be relieved in a way because Dems will now have to take all the heat as the administration and I want to see what he actually does. I am not going to bash him all the time or anything. I don't even bash him now. I respect candidates even if I disagree with them.

[HAL 9000 96]

Something I have to find weird is that the only person really defensive of McCain in this thread is spookyturtle but people act like "oh here they come" about that. One person saying something really opposite warrants that kind of attitude? Hmmm.

Anyway, I was not impressed with the debate either. We watched it all because my husband is very interested in all of it even though he can't vote. I do think Obama has a better chance of winning, but I just can't vote for him for several reasons. If he wins, I might actually be relieved in a way because Dems will now have to take all the heat as the administration and I want to see what he actually does. I am not going to bash him all the time or anything. I don't even bash him now. I respect candidates even if I disagree with them.

Don't I wish all people that disagreed with politicians would put issues first- even if they didn't agree with them.

As for the debate itself...

Obama. Nuff said.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You noticed how "my friends" has become the "maverick" phrase of choice for this debate.

I suspect someone has watched the Mark Antony speech from Julius Caesar one too many times...

I hated that #######. Dude, I am NOT your friend. ARGHHH.

OK, now I will go back and read the whole thread.