So, who won the debate?

[MCunningham]

Disclosure: I'm a die-hard Democrat!

I think Obama really held his ground and proved that he deserved to be on that stage. I think he had a real presence, I saw that he didn't allow himself to get too emotional or too flustered, he was well-spoken, and I thought he really made a good case for his policies. I'm really impressed!

I think McCain was solid, but I thought he sounded like a broken record, bringing up earmarks again and again and again and instances from 20-30 years ago. I was particularly frustrated to see that McCain seemed to be repeatedly mis-stating Obama's positions, even after he was corrected by Obama himself, but you really didn't see that in reverse. You just had McCain repeating "Obama doesn't understand" "earmarks are bad" "... as with the Reagan administration..." and "I've BEEN to (insert country here)".

What do you guys think?

MC

 

[JennieR]

Obama.

Even though McCain was stronger on foreign policy issues, I think overall Obama did a much better job.

 

[Shelshula]

Honestly, I didn't even watch the debates.

I'm a die hard Obama supporter too. Nothing McCain could have said would have changed it so I didn't bother watching.

I hope Obama was successful in swaying anyone still on the fence, but unfortunately the people I know who are pro-McCain are voting for McCain regardless of what Obama could have said tonight.

As an Obama supporter, do you think there is anything either one of them could have said which would have changed you to a McCain supporter?

 

[MCunningham]

No, nothing McCain could have said would have changed my mind, but I'm so anti-Republican right now that I think Ronald McDonald could be running on the Democrat ticket and I'd vote for him.

However, I personally know a large number of people who are undecided, and I am hopeful that Obama will have said something to reach them. (I'm sure McCain supporters feel the same way.)

I was just really looking forward to seeing how Obama handled himself, and how McCain fielded questions on areas in which he is historically weak.

 

[JennieR]

McCain said nothing that would have changed my mind. I'm anti-Republican too.

McCain, kept talking a lot about the past (not that that's not important) but we need to focus on the now, and what he plans to do for us average middle american people.

 

[Shelshula]

I am holding out the same hope. I just couldn't bring myself to listen to the debates.

I used to be a rabid Republican. In full disclosure, I voted for Bush in 2000 (please don't hurt me) but I didn't in 2004 and now I can't stomache listening to any of the Republicans, and I swear my ears bleed ever time Palin opens her mouth.

I'm glad you know some fence sitters who might be swayed.

 

[Shelshula]

I also agree with JennieR.

I don't think the Republican party is interested in the problems or worries of the average American. And McCain won't stop with the sound bites long enough to commit to a single statement about what he plans to do or how he thinks he can help people. Its a shame too, because he was one of the last Republicans I admired.

 

[JennieR]

I also agree with JennieR.

I don't think the Republican party is interested in the problems or worries of the average American. And McCain won't stop with the sound bites long enough to commit to a single statement about what he plans to do or how he thinks he can help people. Its a shame too, because he was one of the last Republicans I admired.

Amen sister.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I was at work LISTENING to it on my tv-radio and Obama blew my mind. He SOUNDED presidential. All McCain's ads that misstated Obama's positions over and over again have been irritating me for months. But when McCain actually had the chautzpuh to voice the same outright lies directly to Sen. Obama's face I really couldn't believe it. And Obama made sure everyone understood McCain was lying by clearly stating exactly where he stood on everything. And I was very impressed with Obama's grasp of foreign policy and the way he let McCain's constant "Senator-Obama-just-doesn't-get-it's" roll right off. Every time McCain disrespected Obama with his sonny-boy crap he only made himself look like a grumpy old man. Very pleased. I hope the undecided's were paying attention. The best thing? This debate was focused on foreign policy which (allegedly) is Obama's weakest area(!) and most are calling this debate a draw or giving Obama a slight edge. His strongest areas will be covered in the remaining debates so Obama can only improve. As for Biden v. Palin? If Biden can stay focused on the subject (he tends to ramble) and not make the kind of mistatements he's prone to (his recent interview with Katie Couric was so full of obvious factual errors it was comical... and I'm a supporter!). He just gets so excited he starts blathering and you never know what will come out of his mouth. Still, the Palin interview of several days ago is getting her labeled a "political idiot", which isn't really fair because McCain's people, IMO, did not properly brief her on where he stands. She just floundered and it really wasn't her fault. Is she a political moron? Who knows. But I don't support her and I'm hoping an hour-and-a-half of THAT VOICE (can you say "fingernails on a chalkboard?") will be enough to convince the undecideds that they just can't do it. Also, I doubt Palin can stand up to 90 minutes of serious questioning. If Biden can just stay focused, it will be fun to see Palin go down. A woman who wants freedoms for herself but doesn't want other women enjoying the same freedoms is not a woman I want anywhere near the most powerful position in the U.S.A. and, indeed, the world.

 

[CollinsMom]

I don't think the Republican party is interested in the problems or worries of the average American. And McCain won't stop with the sound bites long enough to commit to a single statement about what he plans to do or how he thinks he can help people. Its a shame too, because he was one of the last Republicans I admired.

Very well said!

 

[sparrow13]

If ANY of these folks on either side of the aisle were really concerned about the average American, they would have done something years ago to stop the economy from spinning out of control. But they, Democrat and Republican, were all too busy making money hand over fist and getting massive donations from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to care how this would eventually all come crashing down.

I'm voting third party candidate.

Sparrow

ETA: these debates are not really debates, IMO. The two candidates are up there simply reiterating what we've heard them say 100 times already. That said, Obama looked cool and professional. McCain is starting to look a little past his expiration date, IMO. And that silliness with putting the campaigns on hold just made him look dottering and confused.

 

[regina]

Hi,

I think that Obama appeared Presidential and poised. I do believe that Obama seems to be more in touch with the needs, aspirations and dreams of average middle America. Obama is also better at articulating his views After the disastrous week that McCain has had, I am now finding it difficult to think positively about his presidential campaign.

Actually I am anticipating the VP debates. I now believe that adding Sarah Palin to the ticket was a huge mistake. She is not prepared for the task of being VP. Her recent interviews were a disaster!


Regina

 

[fit_fairy]

Hi,

Actually I am anticipating the VP debates. I now believe that adding Sarah Palin to the ticket was a huge mistake. She is not prepared for the task of being VP. Her recent interviews were a disaster!


Regina

ITA, I can not wait to see Sarah and Joe go at it. I think it'll be no contest.


Oh and it's clear that McCain is going strong for women's votes. It ain't working for me. All of the repeated stories about mothers of soldiers,.... Touching the first time around,...

 

[dorothyrd]

Disclosure: I'm a die-hard Democrat!

I think Obama really held his ground and proved that he deserved to be on that stage. I think he had a real presence, I saw that he didn't allow himself to get too emotional or too flustered, he was well-spoken, and I thought he really made a good case for his policies. I'm really impressed!

I think McCain was solid, but I thought he sounded like a broken record, bringing up earmarks again and again and again and instances from 20-30 years ago. I was particularly frustrated to see that McCain seemed to be repeatedly mis-stating Obama's positions, even after he was corrected by Obama himself, but you really didn't see that in reverse. You just had McCain repeating "Obama doesn't understand" "earmarks are bad" "... as with the Reagan administration..." and "I've BEEN to (insert country here)".

What do you guys think?

MC

I have not watched it yet, but here is a website that shows they both mis-state things. It is a bi-partisan website.
http://factcheck.org/

 

[pink_fortitude]

If ANY of these folks on either side of the aisle were really concerned about the average American, they would have done something years ago to stop the economy from spinning out of control. But they, Democrat and Republican, were all too busy making money hand over fist and getting massive donations from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to care how this would eventually all come crashing down.

I'm voting third party candidate.

Sparrow

ETA: these debates are not really debates, IMO. The two candidates are up there simply reiterating what we've heard them say 100 times already.

I AGREE SO COMPLETELY WITH THIS STATEMENT SO COMPLETELY THAT I HAVE RESPOND IN CAPS!!!

Missy

 

[dorothyrd]

I have now watched the first 30 minutes and am amused that the moderator keeps asking the same question over and over again because neither candidate is answering it.....typical.

 

[ilovejesusmorethanyou]

As much as I hate to admit it, Obama was much better. I've always voted republican and evne tho I don't really like him very much i'm voting for McCane. I luv sara!

 

[dorothyrd]

Media is calling it a draw. So far I agree. I also agree with Sparrow in that it is the same ole same ole. I think Obama improved a bit at the beginning with his uh-uh-uh, but as it goes on, it comes back. As a public speaker he really needs to work on that, it is distracting. Both are well prepared, and comfortable speaking.

 

[dorothyrd]

One thing of note....war. For those that want an end to war...and who does not, realize, that there will not be an end under either of these men. Obama is talking about moving the troups to Afghanistan, and that war will also take a while. So money spent on the war, where ever it is, will continue.

Personally I think you concentrate on one area, the bad guys run to another area in the region, and we could spend forever chasing them around.

 

[toffeedog]

Politicans never answer a question with a straight answer. Therfore the lot of them world wide are a pack of dodgers. So send in the Treminator. Instant clean resloutions.....