Let's Talk (Live) About Tonight's Debate

Don't get me started you, you, you OBAMA person, you!!!

Scott -

I'll be honest. Maybe it's just my frustration but they both irritated me. It was like watching Elmer Fudd...and, and...shucks I don't know who to equate Obama to. I don't want to equate him to anything people would take offense to...someone else make a suggestion. He was poised but seemed to me uncommitted to some of his answers. Like he was wavering.

I wanted to hear just ONE of them say they would fight to at least LIMIT the amount taxpayers had to pay for the bailout.

I totally agree with non-government controlled insurance - totally. And that doesn't mean I don't think there needs to be an answer to the insurance question...

I'm a little bit worried about Obama and foreign policy. And I didn't like it when he said that when he was President HE would reserve the right to sit down with whoever he wanted to when he wanted to...that just reeked to me of power hungry and a sort of 'I don't care what other people/advisers think - I will make the decisions" and that is a scary attitude. Not to say there is not a bit of that on the McCain side! I'm not trying to say McCain is perfect!

One thing that has crossed my mind - although we might not think that we got into this war for the right reasons, or even agree with war - we are at war now. We NEED someone who understands war, knows what it's like to fight in one, and has experience in order to be a good commander in chief. To think that Obama is so green on these issue disturbs me. I mean, to suggest you can sit down with an enemy of a country that is your ally and have a discussion with them and not cause problems with that ally is very naive.

I do think we need to close tax loopholes (Obama support here), but I don't think that raising taxes on business will bring jobs home...it's not sound economics. Raising taxes on big businesses will make them look for ways to raise their profits to pay for those tax increases, which may mean higher prices for goods and services, and less jobs.

As far as Obama's - isn't is $250,000 and above - tax increase. Who decided that was rich? Is that really a rich person in say, California? Being rich has something to do with cost of living...

I'm all for tax cuts for my middle class - but at what cost ultimately.

I like some of the things Obama said - and I was so proud of him for really stating emphatically that this is a good country (I feel like he just hasn't made it clear in the past he feels that way). I thought they really both did a good job overall. I got tired of hearing McCain fall back on repeating his experience a bit instead of really being strong on what his thoughts/plans were.

I so wish there was more of a middle-ground here. For instance I would love to see a candidate that was strong and experienced with economics, AND knew about foreign policy. Was a good speaker, middle-aged with no health problems...LOL Whew...that's a dream I suppose.

One other thing - even though it's been said that McCain is 'the past', I personally believe that it's not a half bad idea, if you are really going to change things, to know how thing have become corrupted and how it's worked in the past. That experience could actually lend a hand in moving toward the future - as long as he's really not stuck there.

And I didn't like it when he said that when he was President HE would reserve the right to sit down with whoever he wanted to when he wanted to...that just reeked to me of power hungry and a sort of 'I don't care what other people/advisers think

Sorry but that sounded more like he was diplomacy hungry and doesn't care what war mongers think to me.

You are of course - entitled to your opinion. However when someone is not experienced in a subject, it's always wise to be willing to listen to people that know. I would respect him much more if he admitted to not knowing everything about foreign policy and suggested he would surround himself with people he would listen to. And attitude of "I know best because I know best" with nothing to back it up historically is dangerous. Charging in because you think you know best may only increase the danger and make enemies of everyone. Or friends with the wrong people. That could possibly bring MORE war.

Make no mistake, I am happy that he wants to 'talk' and not just 'fight'...but he darn sure better be willing to take advice. Arrogance will get us nowhere in a hurry and you cannot talk your way out of everything. Talking is a reasonable solution, but some of these people are not reasonable. People that believe in blowing themselves or others up to kill as many people as possible are not 'reasonable'. People that that want to exterminate a whole other race of people are not 'reasonable'.

Just my opinion. Do I want to fight no. Do I think we have to fight sometimes yes. Do I want to make sure we are fighting for the right reasons - absolutely.

Charging in because you think you know best may only increase the danger and make enemies of everyone. Or friends with the wrong people. That could possibly bring MORE war.

Ladybug331,

Do you realize that your statement is a much more accurate description of John McCain than it is of Obama?

While Obama has confidence in his positions, he has always said that he would consult with the experts. His current plan was not reached alone, he spoke with many individuals in various fields. He is not a shoot from hip cowboy.

I would much rather have an introspective president who gathers a consensus before taking action than a swaggering bully who keeps saying "I Know" the solution to everything.

If you haven't already, go to Obama's web site and read his plan.

Thank you Independent Ed - I will. And I'm not sure I have expressed this here, but I also DO worry about McCain being too confident that he knows what to do and too quick to rush to war. I just WISH I felt like we had someone that met in the middle on these issues.

I meant only that it was the impression I got from Obama that bothered me...which I freely admit could be colored by the worry that if he gets in there and it's a true attitude we could be in real trouble. I would love to see some real humility from either candidate. Neither of them should have a 'I can do it all alone' attitude. Just my opinion...

Jsbach. I have first dibs. I'd love to put the bastard down. Oh sorry, Bury him. Now that's more polite than shooting him. Nasty little man.

anyone else watching cnn? wtf is up with the whole audience reaction meter?!

Well, as I duck and run, I'm watching Fox News Stream live.

You don't

Dottie,

Yes, but at least he's keeping down the "my friends."

jsback,

True, but he sure picked a poor substitute.

Scott,

You must be one who's gotten the new format. Here's a link to the announcement .

Dottie. Nah lost count after 1.000.000 times. He's a turd.

Obama is too friendly to Israel in my opinion, but he has to be. Everyone has to be...can't say anything bad about Israel!!!

But yeah, I'm an Obama supporter and one of my issues right now is that he is too friendly with Israel and is also keeping up the idea that Russia attacked Georgia...which as most of the rest of world knows, is completely false. Russia came to the defense of South Ossetia(spelling evades me right now.)

Let us watch more. :)

talking monkey or someone...

can you give me a link on the whole Russia not attacking Georgia thing. When it originally started my understanding was Russia was moving in on Georgia to take control of an oil pipeline that was in that area. Georgia is friendly with us by my understanding and this put us in sort of a weird position.

You're right. They may get bored with some of the issues. lol

Jim Lehrer announced at the beginning of the debate that the audience would be quiet for the entire time. That may be why they looked lethargic. I on the other hand felt my BP going up because of McCain's condescending attitude. I am so sick of hearing "I know", "My friends" and for tonight "He doesn't understand."

Are they both calling each other by their first names or is it only Obama calling McCain, John?

Alexandra,

MSNBC, one of the commentators said the exact opposite of your opinion. He thought Obama came off cool-headed and McCain the hot head. This was the Republican commentator, too.

I agree with you though. I bet Obama is being told to ease up a little.

Perhaps because it's true?

Those words have been used in past Presidential debates but for this particular debate, it is looked upon as "patronizing?" I don't think so.

thanks scott!

with all due respect js, I don't watch MSNBC, so I wouldn't know. scott, likewise, I respectfully disagree that the "he doesn't seem to understand..." was a bad thing. patronizing? possibly, but something can be both patronizing and true.

Also, I'd like to make mention, in the question on "what would you cut, given the economic situation" Obama did not answer the question. In the entire time he spoke, he talked about what programs we need to implement, what we need to make stronger- he did not say anything about what he'd cut, either in his proposed initiatives, or what is currently part of the budget. I only wish McCain had called him to task on that.

Scott,

NO! Instead, you prove to me that McCain is using that phrase in a patronizing tone. Can you do that? I didn't think so.

Old lady running to the hoop! She jumps! She scores!!!! The crowd roars!!!!!!!!!

McCain looks like he wants to explode on almost everybody that disagrees with him. His temper or rather his poor control of his temper is a major concern to me. It's not what I want in the President of the United States. Can you image how often he is going to have to listen to people that disagree with him. If he wants to explode on Obama, who is rather polite when he debates, imagine what it will be like during difficult, tense and frank conversations about world changing events. We have had enough problems with Bush being unable or unwilling to have anyone disagree with him.

Dottie - did you really think he was angry tonight? See, I just saw it as committed to his cause. I saw Obama getting pretty rattled sometimes too. I think it's normal for both candidates to get their back up a bit and it's good because it's a sign that they care. If they were just dry you'd wonder if it mattered to them.

Obama had that one major blowout - I reserve the right as President to sit down with who I want when I want statement which sort of made me go - whoa! Aren't you supposed to be looking after your nation...which might mean listening to others who have more experience than you when they are telling you it might not be a good idea at the time. That sort of really took me aback...

This is just an additional statement - nothing to do with anything you've said but just a thought that I had. None of us like war. But the people that joined the military - they were grownups and knew they might have to fight. I have a soldier friend and he is really glad when he has to go and 'do his job' which he loves. I get just a tad irritated when people seem to think that we are sending these guys and gals to slaughter like lambs. They believe in what they are doing for the most part. Much as all of us hate war and for whatever reasons, right or wrong, that we went into it...we are in one now. And foreign policy is a huge issue - at least for me. I do think we need to end the war and avoid conflict when possible. And I do think Obama was right in saying that we need to analyze more carefully before we start one...on the other hand we can't wait until the nuke is actually pointed at us before we act. And it would be good to have someone in office who really does have some experience on the subject.

You have many good points. McCain did control his temper tonight. I believe I could still see it in his body language but he controlled it. And you are right, Obama got a little testy as well. I got a little off topic as I was talking about McCain's well documented temper. And there are many times he has not controlled his temper. I think he is volatile and too quick to react before he thinks things through.

The point about Obama taking to leaders or nations that do not agree with us is complex. I don't agree with Bush's doctrine of only agreeing to talk to leaders only after they agree to do what is that we want to talk to them about. He stated that all talks were be done only after preliminary preparations and negotiations have been worked through. There seems to be a nuance dance around the words, "pre-conditions to talks" and "preparation to talks". I do think he needs to explain his viewpoint in more detail.

You are right, none of us like war. There are some times war can not be avoided. At those times, you are right we need to send our sons and daughters out to fight for what is right. My son is in Afghanistan now. He is doing his duty proudly and honorably. But I am afraid if you are referring to Iran/Korea/Pakistan under new leadership/and the lines of other nations buying nuclear technology, we don't have anyone left in the military to send out. These wonderful men and women who volunteered are spent. What are they-Approximately 20% of the population capable of defending this nation?They have done 3-4- 5 tours of duty in hell and it is morally wrong to ask them to go again. It is time for others to step forward and assume their responsibility to defend our country. I haven't read about massive enrollment into the services. Are we ready to accept the draft?

I want someone in the White House that is willing to listen to people that disagree with him, that thinks things through and explores every option before choosing one that affects the world. I just don't trust McCain's judgement.

I agree with you Dottie. Both candidates disturb me on some level. I see Obama as unwilling to bend or listen to people who know their stuff because he wants to prove what he knows, and I feel McCain may be a little overconfident in what he knows...so that he appears a little puffy.

And you are right about running out of soldiers - we can't be everywhere at once and we need to be careful... We need to finish up in Iraq quickly and move on to get stable. But we need to do it successfully. My friend that's in the military has been to Iraq three times. At some point in time he has the right to settle down and enjoy his life.

While I don't believe in never talking, you are right - this is an extremely complex and delicate issue. And it worries me. While I don't believe in no preconditions, I don't believe in never talking either.

My personal opinion is that even though I think McCain may be a bit cocky about what he knows - he also knows the hard reality of war and what it can do. He believes in taking care of soldiers when they return. One of the reasons I'm against socialized medicine is because someone I know almost lost her arm because of government doctors and their 'rules' about what could be done and when. At least in the existing system she was able to go outside and get help with the issue - but it was BAD. I cannot even begin to imagine having your doctor be a government employee... It's expensive to go to medical school too - so I worry about the quality of doctors we could get. My understanding is that because of socialized medicine in Canada - Canadians often seek medical treatment here. I would like to investigate this issue further.

No matter who we elect, there is always a possibility that they will not show their true colors until they are truly in office. I believe both have the ability to play to the crowd when they think it will get them some advantage. They are - after all - human.

I've decided I'm not a Republican or a Democrat. Maybe I'm a Republicrat...or a Demolican... or...something!

Isn't it interesting how we all see these things differently! Guess it's a good thing or we would never get perspective.

I guess it was an attitude I saw coming through. Yes, he would be the President - but that doesn't mean that just because he wants to sit down and talk to one of these people it's the best thing to do. I don't think that I ever assumed that he wouldn't come to the table if he wanted to - but his attitude (to me) was one of arrogance. Not like a President - like a king. He is the powerful one who ALONE can make the decision to sit down no matter WHO might advise him that it might not be the best thing to do. And that sort of attitude could get us in BIG trouble.

I would have WAY more respect for him, and feel more comfortable if he admitted he doesn't know everything about foreign policy but seemed willing to not just make it up as he went because HE thought it was right. Read my post above. I don't like war. I don't want war. I think war is horrible - but I also think that unfortunately and realistically sometimes you have to fight. And regardless of the right or wrong reasons we got into a war - we are in one now. He has no experience to speak of, so a little more humility would be more refreshing. It takes a big man to admit he doesn't know everything.

I don't know everything either. Maybe I mistook his statement for an attitude he doesn't really have - I hope that I'm wrong. He shouldn't shut the door on talks and I'm not suggesting that...but he should be careful not to appear to be friends with the wrong people. Think he would have learned that lesson already! Sorry - I couldn't resist!

I really feel posturing is taking place on both sides - and that part is very frustrating (although as you pointed out - normal). I don't think either of them can pull off everything they are proposing. Again there is a whole system of government here.

I don't think they should pledge who they will and won't meet with and I apologize if I did not make my point clearly. I only would like to see just a little bit of humility - from EITHER of them. I feel like one believes too much in war, and one believes too much in talking. Where is the BALANCE people???

And before anyone about the humility comment (and I know it might be coming) just because you are humble doesn't mean you aren't strong. A truly intelligent person realizes they don't know everything and shouldn't do everything on their own in my opinion. And I also realize that someone has to have the final say and that will be the President as it should be.

I will just make the best decision I can according to my life experience and beliefs and go from there. Who knows what will happen in the next two debates and the vice-presidential one. I might totally change my opinion by then.