McCain suspends campaign to go back to DC to work on bailout

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

I thought the debate was a wash, but that both candidates did fairly well. In terms of personalities (which is what matters when trying to discuss complex world affairs in 90 minutes or less), McCain got to show that cool, confident experienced side that will help him on the foreign policy front, and Obama got to show he can be tenacious and not just aloof and elite. He had some fight in him last night, and it was much more controlled and appropriate than his outburst earlier this year when Bush gave that foreign policy speech that took a jab at him.

The one thing that really struck me though was just how much these 2 guys must really loathe each other. I do not think they ever made eye contact during the entire debate. With Bush-Clinton in 92, it was more of a coldness with Bush seemingly bored, but McCain and Obama seemed really hateful of each other in a sense.

I just bring it up since McCain has a track record for reaching across the aisle and Obama has made unity a big part of his message.

I do think both are capable of that, and we know McCain is based on past history, but to watch the debates it is difficult to really get comfortable with the idea.

I agree with you. However, in spite of their anger, they still went out of their way to be polite to each other also, which is important to me. I was listening to debate instructors on the radio after the debate who were judging it based on "debate" criteria rather than policy/issue ideas and they said that Obama would have won by competition criteria.

McCain didn't lose his cool, which was good, because he has a history of having a hot temper.

Jim Lehrer was trying to hard to have them talk TO each other. It took a while for them to get to that point. They were just getting into the format when all of a sudden, it was over. I think Obama did a good job of correcting McCain when he exaggerated truths about Obama's plan (raising taxes on the top 5% of the population, the difference between the actual tax rate on businesses vs. the stated tax rate due to loopholes, etc)

ETA: One "expert" I heard during the analysis afterward was talking about their focus on the 18 billion in earmarks which they said is 1% of the total budget and won't make a difference at all when we're talking about $300 billion in tax cuts and $700 billion in bailouts, which totals 1 trillion dollars.

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

I thought the debate was a wash, but that both candidates did fairly well. In terms of personalities (which is what matters when trying to discuss complex world affairs in 90 minutes or less), McCain got to show that cool, confident experienced side that will help him on the foreign policy front, and Obama got to show he can be tenacious and not just aloof and elite. He had some fight in him last night, and it was much more controlled and appropriate than his outburst earlier this year when Bush gave that foreign policy speech that took a jab at him.

The one thing that really struck me though was just how much these 2 guys must really loathe each other. I do not think they ever made eye contact during the entire debate. With Bush-Clinton in 92, it was more of a coldness with Bush seemingly bored, but McCain and Obama seemed really hateful of each other in a sense.

I just bring it up since McCain has a track record for reaching across the aisle and Obama has made unity a big part of his message.

I do think both are capable of that, and we know McCain is based on past history, but to watch the debates it is difficult to really get comfortable with the idea.

I honestly feel what you are saying. However, the only issue I have is with what I bolded. The lack of eye contact was one-sided and that stuck out to me as soon as they both stepped out on the stage to shake hands.

To not look me in the eye when I am addressing you specifically is similar to saying 'I'm not listening to you; I don't want to listen to you'...I find that to be a bit rude. But, that is my opinion. I didn't get that the two candidates are "hateful" towards each other but there does seem to be a lack of respect which concerns me.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Velocity_14

I honestly feel what you are saying. However, the only issue I have is with what I bolded. The lack of eye contact was one-sided and that stuck out to me as soon as they both stepped out on the stage to shake hands.

To not look me in the eye when I am addressing you specifically is similar to saying 'I'm not listening to you; I don't want to listen to you'...I find that to be a bit rude. But, that is my opinion. I didn't get that the two candidates are "hateful" towards each other but there does seem to be a lack of respect which concerns me.

EE BO...there were plenty of times when OBAMA looked in McCain's direction with McCain NEVER returning his gaze....watch it again....and there were plenty of times when he got flustered and seemed ready to lose his cool.

and BTW...the bucket is up to $510.00

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

EE BO...there were plenty of times when OBAMA looked in McCain's direction with McCain NEVER returning his gaze....watch it again....and there were plenty of times when he got flustered and seemed ready to lose his cool.

Exacty. Anyone who actually watched the debate in its entirety would have seen this and known exactly to whom I was referring.

[Benzgirl]

Most polls said there was no clear winner

Washington Post Reader's Poll - 57% Obama
CBS Insta Poll shows Barack Obama won 39% to John McCain's 25% with 36% saying the debate was a draw.
Insider Advantage reports of those polled Obama won 42% to McCain's 41% with Undecided 17%
CNN reports voter opinions that Obama "did better" 51%, McCain "did better" 38%
The MSNBC on-line (non-scientific) poll showed Obama winning the debate 52% to 33%.
MediaCurves.com reported Independents favored Obama overall 61% to 38%.

All I keep reading was about McCain's lack of eye contact. I missed the first half because I was driving home, but listened to it on XM. McCains, "Well..um" reminded me of Reagan. He sounded very "old" on the radio.

[AGDee]

I had to listen to part of it on the radio because I had to pick my daughter up from her football game. I missed being able to see the looks on their faces, truly.

I had to DVR it for the girl so I'm looking forward to watching it again tomorrow.