2008 Presidential Election: Who are you voting for?

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I didn't know where else to post this, because essentially every thread has become a "let's bash the opposing candidate" battle, rather than a political discussion. But, I thought Lehrer did a good job moderating the debate last night. I think he walked a good line between letting the candidates speak, and stepping in when needed.

You know - I noticed that too. I felt like last night was more of a traditional debate where they were allowed to go back and forth and react to each other's statements. In the past it was more like Question-Answer-Answer-Next Question-Rebut the first Question-Rebut the rebuttal and so on. It just got too twisty-turny when they were still going on about the first issue 30 minutes later.

Although I didn't turn it on until a half hour in, I have to say that I didn't really hear or learn anything that I didn't already know. Which makes me wonder if these things aren't put on to see who can deliver the most one-liners. There is some value in determining who can think on his feet, but the questions are pretty general and expected. Presidential debates probably had more value back in the day before 24-hour news channels and the internet - before we were bombarded with Presidential Politics at every turn.

I like this thread. Some of the others are hard to get to the substance because of all the gratuitous bashing.

[bluefish81]

Originally Posted by jwright25

Although I didn't turn it on until a half hour in, I have to say that I didn't really hear or learn anything that I didn't already know. Which makes me wonder if these things aren't put on to see who can deliver the most one-liners. There is some value in determining who can think on his feet, but the questions are pretty general and expected. Presidential debates probably had more value back in the day before 24-hour news channels and the internet - before we were bombarded with Presidential Politics at every turn.

I like this thread. Some of the others are hard to get to the substance because of all the gratuitous bashing.

It doesn't sound like I missed much by not seeing the debate since I was traveling back from vacation. Not going to bother watching it on YouTube either - I'll just catch up with the VP debate and the other Presidential debates. It was so wonderful to not see campaign ads for 10 days.

[Senusret I]

What was your take on him making a point to ask the candidates to look at each other and talk to each other?

[summer_gphib]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

What was your take on him making a point to ask the candidates to look at each other and talk to each other?

I think he was trying to facilitate real conversation as opposed to standard political rhetoric.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

What was your take on him making a point to ask the candidates to look at each other and talk to each other?

I really liked that - it seemed like he was trying to make it less of a series of stump speeches, and more of an actual debate. I also like it more when it becomes a real point-counterpoint.

Originally Posted by jwright25

You know - I noticed that too. I felt like last night was more of a traditional debate where they were allowed to go back and forth and react to each other's statements. In the past it was more like Question-Answer-Answer-Next Question-Rebut the first Question-Rebut the rebuttal and so on. It just got too twisty-turny when they were still going on about the first issue 30 minutes later.

Although I didn't turn it on until a half hour in, I have to say that I didn't really hear or learn anything that I didn't already know. Which makes me wonder if these things aren't put on to see who can deliver the most one-liners. There is some value in determining who can think on his feet, but the questions are pretty general and expected. Presidential debates probably had more value back in the day before 24-hour news channels and the internet - before we were bombarded with Presidential Politics at every turn.

I like this thread. Some of the others are hard to get to the substance because of all the gratuitous bashing.

I completely agree with that last sentiment; that's why I haven't posted about the election, or specifically about the candidates, in a while. There are a few people on here who I can have a really good give-and-take with (KSigRC, nittanyalum, MysticCat, etc.) but other than that it's been mostly bashing. I understand that partisan politics get nasty, and that each candidate has obvious "warts," so to speak, but people just can't seem to see the flaws in their own candidate. Plus, the GC posting format makes it almost impossible to have much of a political discussion (they always seem to be better in real time).

I don't think you learn a whole lot from the debates - the candidates don't have a whole lot of time to speak (even more so in a real debate format), so it becomes a series of one-liners and sound bites. Each guy is just trying to get in the one line that will be remembered after the debates (like Reagan's "I won't make an issue out of my opponent's youth..." or Lloyd Bentsen's "You're no John Kennedy.").

That's what I liked about Lehrer - even if it didn't work perfectly, at least he tried to do something different.

[AGDee]

I liked Lehrer also. I liked how hard he tried to get them to answer the question about which of their programs they'll cut/give up due to the $700 billion bailout. I think that was the least expected question and neither one of them would answer it straight out.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I liked Lehrer also. I liked how hard he tried to get them to answer the question about which of their programs they'll cut/give up due to the $700 billion bailout. I think that was the least expected question and neither one of them would answer it straight out.

Didn't McCain say he would cut ethanol subsidies and consider freezing everything but military spending, or am I thinking of a different response or occasion?

ETA: I think that I'm ODing on politics. I'm watching the Ole Miss vs. Florida game, and as they interviewed Meyer going into the locker room for half time, I though his voice sounded like Obama's.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Didn't McCain say he would cut ethanol subsidies and consider freezing everything but military spending, or am I thinking of a different response or occasion?

ETA: I think that I'm ODing on politics. I'm watching the Ole Miss vs. Florida game, and as they interviewed Meyer going into the locker room for half time, I though his voice sounded like Obama's.

I'm going to watch it again tomorrow, but what I heard the first time around was that McCain would freeze everything except Defense, Veteran's benefits and "entitlements". I want to hear them actually say "I'm cutting education funding" or "I'm cutting highway funds"

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

There are a few people on here who I can have a really good give-and-take with (KSigRC, nittanyalum, MysticCat, etc.) but other than that it's been mostly bashing.

I just saw this, aw, hey, thanks! I'm honored to be included in that company!

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

What was your take on him making a point to ask the candidates to look at each other and talk to each other?

I understood what he was trying to do, I just didn't like the way he said it.

[SWTXBelle]

I'm leaning towards Baldwin . . .I really dislike Barr. Must do more research . . . may post some links if I find some that are really good.

[Scandia]

I know whom I will be voting for. I just do not want to make it public until after election day.

[nittanyalum]

Polls give Obama 9 point lead; Bush down to 22%

[AGDee]

McCain has given up on Michigan. I'm really pretty surprised, but consider this a victory I am hoping this means we won't be bombarded with the pre-recorded phone calls that filled up my voice mails at home and work last time around.

[DaemonSeid]

well since McCain's campaign has started on Obama's associations this week

Let me give you 3 names to remember:

Charlie Black,whose lobbying firm represented human rights abusers in the Philippines and Nigeria...AND MCCAIN CHIEF ADVISOR?

Rick Davis a Republican strategist, and co-owners of Davis Manafort Inc., a public relations firm that worked for a Ukrainian political party backed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin..and involved with Freddie Mac, also associated with Oleg Deripaska an organized crime figure who has been denied entry in the US

who is also tied to......

Paul Manafort whose lobby group has taken in millions of dollars in hefty fees from the torturers, human rights abusers, and tyrants they called clients in Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines.


and let's throw Ted Stevens and John Abramoff in for good measure