2008 Presidential Election: Who are you voting for?

[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"

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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"

I think what you remember is pretty close. I doubt that's going to ever get said in a debate though by anyone.

I'd be interested to see if the entitlements were limited to Veterans or if it was a general "entitlements" like all entitlement programs.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I think what you remember is pretty close. I doubt that's going to ever get said in a debate though by anyone.

I'd be interested to see if the entitlements were limited to Veterans or if it was a general "entitlements" like all entitlement programs.

Here's the quote from the first pres. debate:

"MCCAIN: How about a spending freeze on everything but defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs.
LEHRER: Spending freeze?

MCCAIN: I think we ought to seriously consider with the exceptions the caring of veterans, national defense and several other vital issues."

That kinda just blows my mind, because there's all kinds of things in this country the federal government provides *some* funding for that he's suggesting eliminating (roads, transportation, education, FEMA, health/NIC/CDC, ENERGY, the list goes on and on).

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by AGDee

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"

See, and to me, I think that "freezing" is better than "cutting" because it gives an evaluation period to determine the extent to which the bailout can eventually pay for itself through equity and interest (which is why it was good the first version of the bailout failed - it was by far the worst solution for the government actually earning on their money) without actually permanently losing out on any programs.

Of course, he didn't say that (mostly because he can't say that last sentence, even if it's true).

[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!