What to expect at the debate tonight?

[pmcalk]

This time the format is the one McCain wanted--town hall.  Despite the heated level that has emerged in the race, I doubt that the format will lend itself to too many attacks.  If McCain acts as he did in the previous debate, I think he will lose.  He needs to show he is presidential, not an angry old man.  Quite a lot is riding on this debate for McCain.  Not much time is left.

I wonder, though, how many people will actually be watching this debate.  And how many people haven't already made up their mind.  

Will McCain look at Obama this time?

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

This time the format is the one McCain wanted--town hall.  Despite the heated level that has emerged in the race, I doubt that the format will lend itself to too many attacks.  If McCain acts as he did in the previous debate, I think he will lose.  He needs to show he is presidential, not an angry old man.  Quite a lot is riding on this debate for McCain.  Not much time is left.

I wonder, though, how many people will actually be watching this debate.  And how many people haven't already made up their mind.  

Will McCain look at Obama this time?

I still think he wouldn't look at him last time because of the rage he harbors. He couldn't afford to get mad publicly. He will lock eyes with him this time because it suits his goal.

Seen the latest Rolling Stone bio on him?

interesting reading: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

[pmcalk]

I did read that--very interesting.  I didn't realize he had crashed so many airplanes.  

I also thought the part about his "early release" option when he was a POW was interesting.  The way the campaign portrays it, only McCain was given the option of early release.  But in fact every prisoner who was willing to denounce the government could have been let go early.

Obviously, his POW years were difficult, and we should all admire his determination and ability to survive those tough years.  But it seems that he really was no different than any other POW--all of whom should be given due respect.

[Hawkins]

Expect McCain to take chances and go on the offensive.

He has nothing to lose at this point, he trails in every poll outside of the Bible belt.

[Ed W]

This is interesting, projected electoral votes based on recent, non-partisan polling data.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

[HoneySuckle]

McSame old McSame old.  Good heavens, this is getting really boring. Enough already.

[RecycleMichael]

I think McCain is giving decent answers, he is just not coming across as persuading the viewers on CNN. He seems almost robotic or detached from it all.

Obama is scoring points right and left for clearly explaining his views. He seems very comfortable in this format.

[iplaw]

Did someone just replay the debate from two weeks ago?

[pmcalk]

Nothing new, except the new proposal by McCain about buying up mortgages.  Not sure what that is about.

Obama has no reason to switch the game at this point.  All he needs to do is look calm and presidential, which he is doing well.  It's McCain that needs to shake things up, and he didn't.

Polls showed Obama won.  More importantly, CNN polls showed that Obama is more likable by far.  It is clear that McCain really doesn't like Obama, and so he comes across as irritable.

On CNN, they kept the camera on the stage for quite some time after the debate.  Obama & Michelle seemed to stay until they actually greeted each person, shaking hands, and taking pictures.  McCain seemed to leave right away.

[rwarn17588]

I watched the whole thing.

It's a good thing McCain didn't get his wish for a dozen town-hall debates, because tonight's format didn't do him any favors. He was walking around like he was feeling every one of his 71 years.

The format was boring. I thought town-hall meetings are supposed to be free-wheeling and vigorous, not stiff and uninvolving.

Snap polls by CNN and CBS both are calling it for Obama by sizable margins, which is exactly what McCain didn't need.

[tim huntzinger]

McCain seemed uncomfortable saying many of the things he was saying and looked robotic. He was erratic and goofy and I feel more comfortable with O'Bama after watching the debacle unfold.  He is really screwing this up.

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

I watched the whole thing.

It's a good thing McCain didn't get his wish for a dozen town-hall debates, because tonight's format didn't do him any favors. He was walking around like he was feeling every one of his 71 years.

The format was boring. I thought town-hall meetings are supposed to be free-wheeling and vigorous, not stiff and uninvolving.

Snap polls by CNN and CBS both are calling it for Obama by sizable margins, which is exactly what McCain didn't need.

I agree that the format was oppressively boring.  I don't think Lockjaw helped it any either.

What we saw last night was NOT a town hall meeting.  There was virtually zero interaction with people asking the questions.  The people in the audience were basically moderators allowed to ask a single question.  Lockjaw could have done that himself.

**********************************************

That being said, McCain stunk on ice, and frankly, I thought that the debate was supposed to be between a candidate on the left and a another candidate on the right.  My mistake.  

All I heard last night was this, "My friends, I have a plan, I've made plans and I know what plans are, my friends."  FYI McCain, nationalizing mortgage debt is NOT going to solve anything John. Neither is nationalizing health care Barry.

I think Mr. McCain lost what little support he had left with fiscal conservatives.  

I firmly believe that both of these idiots are prepared to take this country to hell in a handbasket.  The only thing we're fighting over now is whether we should take a bicycle or a jumbo jet or how big the handbasket should be...

[Hometown]

McCain grumpy and irritating old man.  Obama presidential, young and vital.

Dan Rather said that Baby Bush would be a transition president.  The more I see of Obama the more I think he might represent a watershed of change that will propell us into a new era.  God help us put the Reagan era to rest.

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

McCain grumpy and irritating old man.  Obama presidential, young and vital.

Dan Rather said that Baby Bush would be a transition president.  The more I see of Obama the more I think he might represent a watershed of change that will propell us into a new era.  God help us put the Reagan era to rest.

Yeah, that whole "end of the cold war" was a real bummer.

[Hometown]

Soviet Union was already greatly weakened with Reagan came in.  The first thing he did was fire the air traffic controllers, cancel the CETA job training program and all but eliminate legal aid for poor folks.  He disrespected working people.  What does RM call trickle down?  Tickle on.  It's been an era of denial, squandered opportunity, waste and economic injustice – a celebration of selfishness.