Before I get to a wrap up of the live blogging of the debate on m-pyre, I thought I'd give some just gut reactions (OK, things I ranted about for a full 15 minutes before I went to bed).
McCain is going to rue several comments in the next 20 days. One, the "health" of the mother air quote combo, which will upset not only undecided women voters, but also men. husbands and partners of women of childbearing age. Because in the situation where it comes between the baby's life or the mother's, the mother is many times incapacitated, and it's the father that has to make that heart-wrenching decision.
And that snide, flippant comment just turned their stomachs.
He will also rue referring to Obama's responses as "eloquent." Used as McCain used it, it became an epithet, or even an obvious substitution for a bad word he really wanted to say. And you could tell. Every time.
And then there was the part where he pretty much implied that Ayers and ACORN wouldn't have been brought up at all if Obama had just agreed to those town hall meetings. "I don't care about some washed-up old terrorist," McCain said. Really? Then why bring it up? And does that mean it won't be brought up again, and those ads will go away? Have you sent that memo to your running mate?
And then there was the general talking over and interrupting of Obama, the sighs and the snorting during his comments. It all goes back to the disrespect we talked about before. Yes, Obama may have chuckled incredulously a couple of times, but he did bring up that stupid overhead projector again, even after it was explained that it wasn't the kind used in schools where a teacher writes with a dry erase marker, but a giant piece of sophisticated machinery used to educate people about the universe. McCain is lucky he didn't earn an outright guffaw.
That being said, what did our live bloggers over at m-pyre say?
I'm not exactly sure what to expect from McCain, but I fully expect it to be different from both his first and second performances.
McCain's going to use the phrase 'middle class' as much as possible tonight... got reamed for that last week
Obama looks beyond tired and I think he has always been weaker when he sits during a debate.
Is this Joe Six Pack or Joe Plumber?
Nah, it's Joe Butt Crack.
third time we've heard the same tax argument. boring.
Can I speak as the wife of Joe the electrician that the Joe referencing is wearing on me?
how is the U.S. supposed to pay for its debt if we don't pay taxes?
How 'bout cut this war?!
Maddow is right. He needs to make the point that JM is lying about him, and quit saying, "I'm not raising taxes."
This goes back to the critique we've all raised since Debate 1, wanting Obama to straight-on confront JM about lying, and he won't do it.
During the Depression, which I remember vividly because I'm ancient ...
Maggie, I think he could civilize himself right out of the race. There's still 20 days, and he needs to be specific.
And this is the last time he can do it to McCain's face.
I'm watching ABC, and the split screen kills me with the smirking while B.O. is talking.
Strong statement from JM r.e. Bush. Commercial in the make already?
He has got to stop giving McCain props. McCain *never* gives him props.
Pookie, those scars aren't from the Senate. Those were from when you were a POW. Remember?
OK, McCain spends 3-to-1 on negative ads compared to Obama, and that point deserves to be made here
JM: "I regret these negative attacks and will feel slightly bad when I urge my rallies to lynch Obama tomorrow afternoon"
Wait a minute - ads about your policies ARE NOT out of line. Those are about the issues.
Hinting that Obama is a terrorist is something else entirely.
Ooh, LOVE that Obama's taking JM and SP on for not doing anything to the "kill him!" folks in their audiences
Yeah McCain is freaking out right now, and interrupting.
Uh oh, did JM almost say "breast?"
So far, John McCain has given us "freth of bresh air" and "nuclear pants."
I totally want some nuclear pants.
BS's questions are great bc of their specificity.
"my friend" !!!! I missed you!!
Does he not realize that some of the Joes out there find him arrogant????
A friend of mine just IM'ed me asking if I thought McCain was blinking in code?! Morse code, I'm not familiar with...so I had to shrug my shoulders.
I can't BELIEVE I didn't do a "Joe" count
Sad? John just said he was a Federalist, and somewhere, Palin gasped and said, "But we're on the Republican ticket!"
OMG did BO just bring up Lily Ledbetter! I LOVE him! We SO must have a smart president!
McCain already had single-issue abortion voters locked up. Why even go there?
Maggie: He's been engaging in the biggest mistake the past few weeks - igniting your base, but nobody else.
Obama believes that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.
..Give them a sense of pride....
Way to end the debate with a hearty snort.
Why does he keep bringing up autism? Simple Trig has Downs.
You know, I still don't think JM has said 'middle class.' I was dead wrong on that one.
I was wondering that, too, Bethany. Maybe JM thinks autism and DS are the same condition.
Rachel Maddow: I can't be sure I didn't miss a mention... and there was that moment when my audio went buh-bye... but as far as I can tell -- I think that McCain's just made his way through all three presidential debates without saying the phrase "middle class".
omg Rachel Maddow and I said the same thing!!!!
I'm sorry - when I hear the phrase "future of the children," or "children are our future," I automatically go all Whitney.
Mr. Presidential 3, Old Lawn Guy 0, Bob Schieffer 1
Can someone give me context on the '"Find bad teachers another line of work" another line of work comment?
On the one hand, I've taught with a couple (most of my co-workers are awe-inspiringly good) who definitely needed to find a new line of work...
MB or Bethany, if you're still online... can you help out Saleem? I was actually in the other room during that line.
Yeah, sorry - I was trying to get health insurance quotes on a white male, birthdate 8-1936, history of cancer.
So I just now saw that question. I think you can go here to get a running transcript, though: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS...ript/ index.html
Showing posts with label debate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debate. Show all posts
Thursday, October 16, 2008
So...about that debate...
Before I get to a wrap up of the live blogging of the debate on m-pyre, I thought I'd give some just gut reactions (OK, things I ranted about for a full 15 minutes before I went to bed).
McCain is going to rue several comments in the next 20 days. One, the "health" of the mother air quote combo, which will upset not only undecided women voters, but also men. husbands and partners of women of childbearing age. Because in the situation where it comes between the baby's life or the mother's, the mother is many times incapacitated, and it's the father that has to make that heart-wrenching decision.
And that snide, flippant comment just turned their stomachs.
He will also rue referring to Obama's responses as "eloquent." Used as McCain used it, it became an epithet, or even an obvious substitution for a bad word he really wanted to say. And you could tell. Every time.
And then there was the part where he pretty much implied that Ayers and ACORN wouldn't have been brought up at all if Obama had just agreed to those town hall meetings. "I don't care about some washed-up old terrorist," McCain said. Really? Then why bring it up? And does that mean it won't be brought up again, and those ads will go away? Have you sent that memo to your running mate?
And then there was the general talking over and interrupting of Obama, the sighs and the snorting during his comments. It all goes back to the disrespect we talked about before. Yes, Obama may have chuckled incredulously a couple of times, but he did bring up that stupid overhead projector again, even after it was explained that it wasn't the kind used in schools where a teacher writes with a dry erase marker, but a giant piece of sophisticated machinery used to educate people about the universe. McCain is lucky he didn't earn an outright guffaw.
That being said, what did our live bloggers over at m-pyre say?
I'm not exactly sure what to expect from McCain, but I fully expect it to be different from both his first and second performances.
McCain's going to use the phrase 'middle class' as much as possible tonight... got reamed for that last week
Obama looks beyond tired and I think he has always been weaker when he sits during a debate.
Is this Joe Six Pack or Joe Plumber?
Nah, it's Joe Butt Crack.
third time we've heard the same tax argument. boring.
Can I speak as the wife of Joe the electrician that the Joe referencing is wearing on me?
how is the U.S. supposed to pay for its debt if we don't pay taxes?
How 'bout cut this war?!
Maddow is right. He needs to make the point that JM is lying about him, and quit saying, "I'm not raising taxes."
This goes back to the critique we've all raised since Debate 1, wanting Obama to straight-on confront JM about lying, and he won't do it.
During the Depression, which I remember vividly because I'm ancient ...
Maggie, I think he could civilize himself right out of the race. There's still 20 days, and he needs to be specific.
And this is the last time he can do it to McCain's face.
I'm watching ABC, and the split screen kills me with the smirking while B.O. is talking.
Strong statement from JM r.e. Bush. Commercial in the make already?
He has got to stop giving McCain props. McCain *never* gives him props.
Pookie, those scars aren't from the Senate. Those were from when you were a POW. Remember?
OK, McCain spends 3-to-1 on negative ads compared to Obama, and that point deserves to be made here
JM: "I regret these negative attacks and will feel slightly bad when I urge my rallies to lynch Obama tomorrow afternoon"
Wait a minute - ads about your policies ARE NOT out of line. Those are about the issues.
Hinting that Obama is a terrorist is something else entirely.
Ooh, LOVE that Obama's taking JM and SP on for not doing anything to the "kill him!" folks in their audiences
Yeah McCain is freaking out right now, and interrupting.
Uh oh, did JM almost say "breast?"
So far, John McCain has given us "freth of bresh air" and "nuclear pants."
I totally want some nuclear pants.
BS's questions are great bc of their specificity.
"my friend" !!!! I missed you!!
Does he not realize that some of the Joes out there find him arrogant????
A friend of mine just IM'ed me asking if I thought McCain was blinking in code?! Morse code, I'm not familiar with...so I had to shrug my shoulders.
I can't BELIEVE I didn't do a "Joe" count
Sad? John just said he was a Federalist, and somewhere, Palin gasped and said, "But we're on the Republican ticket!"
OMG did BO just bring up Lily Ledbetter! I LOVE him! We SO must have a smart president!
McCain already had single-issue abortion voters locked up. Why even go there?
Maggie: He's been engaging in the biggest mistake the past few weeks - igniting your base, but nobody else.
Obama believes that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.
..Give them a sense of pride....
Way to end the debate with a hearty snort.
Why does he keep bringing up autism? Simple Trig has Downs.
You know, I still don't think JM has said 'middle class.' I was dead wrong on that one.
I was wondering that, too, Bethany. Maybe JM thinks autism and DS are the same condition.
Rachel Maddow: I can't be sure I didn't miss a mention... and there was that moment when my audio went buh-bye... but as far as I can tell -- I think that McCain's just made his way through all three presidential debates without saying the phrase "middle class".
omg Rachel Maddow and I said the same thing!!!!
I'm sorry - when I hear the phrase "future of the children," or "children are our future," I automatically go all Whitney.
Mr. Presidential 3, Old Lawn Guy 0, Bob Schieffer 1
Can someone give me context on the '"Find bad teachers another line of work" another line of work comment?
On the one hand, I've taught with a couple (most of my co-workers are awe-inspiringly good) who definitely needed to find a new line of work...
MB or Bethany, if you're still online... can you help out Saleem? I was actually in the other room during that line.
Yeah, sorry - I was trying to get health insurance quotes on a white male, birthdate 8-1936, history of cancer.
So I just now saw that question. I think you can go here to get a running transcript, though: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS...ript/ index.html
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Debate
Pretty much a draw, although Pat Buchanan did say that Obama appeared more presidential in demeanor than McCain.
But the real puzzler came after the debate, when John and Cindy McCain high-tailed it out of there, and Barack and Michelle Obama stay and shake hands, take pictures. Hello? Room full of undecided voters, more undecideds watching on TV, and you leave while your opponent stays to hug it out?
So here's the fun game for Wednesday: Where did John McCain have to get to in such a hurry that he left his opponent with chum-filled waters?
Please be snide, snarky and sarcastic.
Update: Maggie asked in the comments, and so ye all shall receive. However, feel free to snark about in the comments if you want.
Pre-Debate Mash-up
So here I am, waiting for the pizza to finish cooking, and for the debate to start - which we'll be live blogging at m-pyre, as always. Before that happens, shall I show you what I've been scouring the Internets for today?
In short, election-related things that will make me giggle, such as:
1. Something you can do to your poor dog.
2. You can drink systematically, if it makes you feel better.
3. Lil O'Reilly, in case you're feeling pinko lefty-ish
See more funny videos at Funny or Die
And finally, this thought, as we inch toward the witching hour:
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."- Charles M. Schultz
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Debate Comments: The Sublime, the Funny, and the Astute
We live-blogged the debate over at m-pyre tonight - and I encourage you to go look at the whole thing (it's in the comments) . A smattering of the observations:
Did she just wink at the camera? - Don't drink every time she says, "Maverick." You won't make it past 9:30. - We should start a pool about how many specific examples of *anything* she gives tonight. - If she says hockey, soccer, football mom one more time i am going to throw up - Palin is good at speaking plain. That's her strength...she hasn't been around long enough to get the pol speak down. - Biden is really effective correcting her... his tone is just right. - She's not going to answer your question, Gwen, because she hasn't prepped for that one. - You can't go out and get a private insurance policy worth crap unless you are under a group plan. If you do, they penalize you with preexisting clauses and it's a hell of alot more expensive and they can raise your premiums whenever they choose.... - I'm sorry, once again I can not keep a straight face as Republicans try and bash tax breaks to oil companies. Remember when McCain did that during the convention speech, and there was a confused silence in the crowd? - "Main streeters like me" When Biden says Obama pointed out the subprime lending crisis two years ago, I'd like to point out that this was an issue of the left 2 years ago. - "I don wanna talk aboot bankrupcy, i wanna talk energy and alaaaaska" - He's so right, drilling isnt going to make any bit of difference... not for a very long time anyway. Yes I think we should to an extent, but obviously alternative fuels is where we need to put our bucks. - She's standing up fine. He's gona have to get to her in the late rounds - I used the Castro Brothers once when I moved. They were punctual, well-groomed, and quite polite. - "can we talk afghanistan? i have color coded flash cards for that one." -
A "shout out"?!!?!? Are you kidding me?!? How about "Hi Mom"! Does she not realize the caliber of forum that she's in? - She keeps saying "reform"... This word... I do not think it means what you think it means. - Well .. at the very least ... she's going to be tolerant of us gays (me). WTF. - Maverick = crappy Dallas basketball team that toys with people's emotions by looking like they'll win momentarily, only to choke on it when the stakes get high. I take it back. Maverick is wholly appropriate. - I love how Joe brought up our loss of creditably abroad. That's a very important issue to me. -
Friday, April 18, 2008
You'd Think...
after the whole "nappy headed ho" debacle, Don Imus would learn to measure his words better.
But no.
After the Clinton-Obama debate in Pennsylvania - the one pretty much everyone hated - seasoned professional Don Imus felt he had to weigh in. Why did he get his job back, again?
Thanks to Mike D. over at Dallas Progress for pointing this one out.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Debating in Pennsylvania: Losing Patience
I'm watching the Obama-Clinton Pennsylvania debate now, and in the first 30 minutes, we've rehashed the "bitter" comments and re-rehashed the Rev. Wright issue.
Thirty minutes on all of this - and nothing on the actual issues.
Is anyone else losing patience with all of this?
They're taking questions from viewers, apparently, but the cynical side of me is wondering if ABC edited out the unsexy ones. Right now, at 7:34, we're talking about the Bosnia trip again.
Seriously, Pennsylvania - the economy is in the crapper, we've got soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are hundreds of thousands living below or at the poverty line - and you want to ask Obama why he doesn't wear a flag on his lapel?
Were the questions really that craptastic, ABC, that this was what floated to the top?
Now George Stephanopoulos has asked Obama about William Ayers and Weather Underground now. He basically responds, then Hillary gives a long winded version of "known by the company you keep." Bad move, because now Obama can point out that President Clinton pardoned some of the Underground when he was president, which means she - by her own standards - is not fit to be president.
FINALLY - an Iraq question from a real person. Do the candidates have a real plan to bring troops home from Iraq?
Clinton says she's going to bring home one to two brigades a month home. She's convinced it's in America's best interest and Iraq's best interest to begin troop withdrawal in 60 days of er taking offices. Iraqis "will no longer have a blank check." She's made her decision, she says. Afghanistan has been neglected, she adds, and there's other problems "we've failed to address."
Obama says that its not the role of the generals to decide when troops come home - its the commander-in-chief's. While he'll listen to the commanders on the ground, "ultimately the buck stops with me." He plans on having troops out in 16 months. "We are overstretched in a way we do not have a strategic reserve at this point."
He also says its important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel is an attack on our strongest ally in the region.
Clinton says that the deterrent to Iran should go beyond Israel, and the Bush policy has failed. "Iran has not been deterred." She thinks this is an opportunity for diplomacy in the region, starting with low level discussions. "We cannot permit Iran to become a nuclear weapons power." She promotes having the rest of the region band together to deter Iran.
Stephanopoulos turns it to the economy, saying McCain said both are planning to raise taxes for everyone.
Clinton says she won't raise taxes on the middle class, and has a plan for tax cuts that will help that group better afford health care, college, etc. But she went on the record as saying there would be no tax increases.
Obama said he would cut taxes, not raise them. One of the centerpieces of his campaign, he says, is offsetting the payroll tax. The tax code in Washington, he said, was written for the wealthy and well-connected.
Charlie now gives Obama a history lesson on capital gains taxes. Obama said he would look at the capital gains tax in the interest of fairness. He pointed to articles today on hedge funds making millions. Says he wants to be able to fund healthcare, education, etc., "but you can't do that for free, and you can't do that on a credit card from the Bank of China."
Clinton wants to invest in clean, renewable energy, and in infrastructure. She works in the union - "good union jobs."
Both talked about the mortgage crisis, and said Bush didn't do anything to stop it. For the record, btw, Clinton said she wouldn't raise the capital gains tax above 20 percent, if she raised it at all. Charlie Gibson says Obama was on record saying he wouldn't raise it above 28 percent.
Obama says he would consider raising the cap on payroll tax, because the current cap is $90,000 a year. Chuckles gets a little pissy about Obama and his taxes...and Obama says he'd consider some exemptions.
Hillary talks about how the 1983 commission was the most awesomest thing ever. Obama points out they raised the retirement age and the payroll tax. Hillary then rambles about there being a better way, and channels her inner Paula Abdul right before the commercial break.
Now we're talking gun control. I almost missed the question because I had to check American Idol and the Mavericks score. I'm still unclear on both, just as I am this debate. Oh well.
Chuckles is apparently asking them about their apparent flip flop from pro gun control to being all for an individual's right to bear arms. Hillary's talking something about police knowing how to track illegal guns. She respects the second amendment, but thinks most lawful gun owners want to make sure their guns stay out of the wrong hands.
Chuckles now asks Obama if DC's gun law about sawed offs and handguns jibes with the second amendment. Obama says he believes in the second amendment and the government, but he also thinks the local government should have the ability to set zoning requirements. He thinks we can make sure criminals and the mentally deranged don't get handguns. That's so cute.
BTW, this DC gun law is before the Supremes. Hillary says she also thinks the local government should be able to set its own laws.
Snuffleupagus now asks Obama about affirmative action, because Obama is African American, and his children are, too, you know. I dunno, the wording of this question was just kind of almost offensive. As if the Obama children were the beneficiaries of such a policy.
Hillary is against No Child Left Behind. Who isn't? She talks about healthcare for a while, then gas prices and releasing petroleum out of the reserve, and (like McCain) a temporary freeze on the gasoline tax.
Obama says people are cynical about energy policy because we've been talking about it since the Carter administration. He wants to raise fuel efficiency standards, and "get serious" about it, and investing in new technologies and new energy strategies.
How would they use George W.?
Hillary said that she's sure that there will be an opportunity for him to work on behalf of the country. Obama says he's more likely to ask advice of George H.W. than George W., and actually spoke in admiration of George H.W.'s foreign policy prowess.
In short, neither one of them has a job for George W. Bush.
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