A historic night: The first presidential debate of 2008
Scroll down for updates and liveblogging…Obama hammers Bush-McCain theme, McCain emphasizes — sigh — fighting against “climate change…with Sen. Clinton”…McCain hits his stride on the war, foreign policy, Obama’s no-preconditions bungle…Gaffe of the debate so far: Obama trying to respond to McCain on his military/moral authority: “I’ve got a bracelet, too!”
What a week, huh? The high-stakes presidential debate at Ole Miss starts at 9pm Eastern. Hang out here and share your thoughts. I’ll liveblog for as long as my stomach can take it.
Expectations: Low.
Ole Miss has a debate site here.
The moderator will be PBS anchor Jim Lehrer. The debate format:
– Each debate will have a single moderator and last for 90 minutes…
– During the first and third presidential debates, and the vice presidential debate, the time will be divided into eight, ten-minute segments. The moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates for the balance of that segment…
– Time at the end of the final presidential debate will be reserved for closing statements.
***
A reader proposes the first drinking game suggestion:
Michelle, how about a college-style drinking game tonight – where everyone takes a drink whenever Obama says “Bush” – in his laughably ridiculous ongoing effort to link McCain to Bush.
If you’re looking to get inebriated quickly, start drinking every time Obama says “Uh.”
Or every time McCain touts bipartisanship.
***
9:08pm Eastern.
First question on the need for solvency and security: Where do you stand on the economic recovery plan?
Obama: He’s reciting his bailout talking points…Oversight, returns to taxpayers, no CEO golden parachutes, help homeowners. Failed economic policies by George Bush supported by McCain.
McCain-Bush! Take your first swig, people.
McCain: Mentions Ted Kennedy being hospitalized. I’m not feeling too great about things tonight, but tonight I’m feeling a little better…touts bipartisan efforts to forge a bailout deal…Republicans and Democrats sitting down and negotiating.
Bipartisanship! Take another swig, people.
More McCain: This is the end of the beginning of the crisis. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Eliminate dependence on foreign oil.
Lehrer: Do you favor the plan, Sen. Obama?
Obama: We haven’t seen the language yet. There is constructive work being done there.
The question is how did we get here? Obama takes credit for warning about the problem.
McCain: Reminds that he warned about it, too. Says he will vote for the bailout. I’ve been heavily criticized for calling for the resignation of the SEC chairman.
He’s going on an anti-greed screed.
Obama: Attacking McCain for claiming the fundamentals of the economy are sound. Lehrer tries to get them to talk to each other directly. They won’t.
I agree with a commenter below. Obama is wearing too much make-up.
9:19pm Eastern.
Still on the economy.
McCain: We need to control spending. He’s talking about earmarks as a gateway drug. Refers to his friend Tom Coburn (also cited as a friend of Barack Obama). Obama has asked for $932 million in earmarks. Points viewers to Citizens Against Government Waste for documentation. That’s one of the fundamental differences between Obama and me.
Obama: Earmarks account for $18 billion in the budget. McCain wants $300 billion in tax cuts to wealthiest corporations and individuals.
McCain-Bush, McCain-Bush!
Bottoms up. Take another gulp.
McCain goes after Obama for $800 billion he supports in new spending. Obama says he’ll close corporate loopholes. Expand health care.
9:25pm Eastern. McCain is defending his business tax proposals. He really should challenge Obama on the Bush talking point.
Side note: Obama’s got a shiny flag lapel pin.
9:34pm Eastern. Sorry, tuned out for a moment there while Obama was burbling about building broadband lines.
McCain turns to defense spending. He’s recounting all his pork barrel fights.
I wonder if this debate will ever get to the stated focus: Foreign policy.
9:36pm Eastern. Another “Bush’s failed policies” line from Obama. What’s that now? 10?
Lehrer keeps hectoring the candidates to answer his question about how the financial crisis would change how they govern.
McCain says he’d call for a spending freeze on everything except defense and entitlements.
Obama’s babbling about something or other.
McCain goes after Obama on nuclear power, dependence on foreign oil…and CLIMATE CHANGE, “an issue I’ve been involved in for many years along with Sen. Clinton.”
Gag.
9:42pm Eastern. McCain is repeating his lines about cutting spending. Okay, I think he’s got his message across on that.
Obama: Bush-McCain! Bush-McCain!
McCain: Repeats his “I was not elected Miss Congeniality…I’m a maverick and so’s my running mate.”
Lehrer moves to the war. What are the lessons of Iraq?
McCain talks strategy, surge, praises Petraeus, we will come home in victory.
Obama pats himself on the back for opposing the Iraqi invasion, rattles off body count, claims al Qaeda is resurgent, complains about military spending.
9:48pm Eastern. McCain does well, finally, in attacking Obama on his surge flip-flops and not visiting the battlefront.
Obama’s answer: “I’m proud of my vice presidential pick.”
Joe Biden: Obama’s human shield!
McCain says “Obama doesn’t know the difference between a tactic and a strategy.” McCain recounts his visit to Baghdad two Fourth of Julys ago and how troops told him, “Let us win.” McCain gives a counterinsurgency 101 lesson. McCain points out Obama voted to cut off funds for the troops.
Very good fusillade from McCain.
Obama getting antsy.
McCain engages Obama on setting specific dates for withdrawal.
9:55pm Eastern. Lehrer turns to Afghanistan. Do we need more troops?
Obama: “Yes. I’ve said that for over a year now.”
9:58pm Eastern. McCain is “not prepared to threaten Pakistan as Obama said he would do…You don’t say that out loud…I’ve been to Waziristan…need a strategy…”
Sidenote: Email from reader Rich…
MM,
Overall so far…McCain is not quick enough on the uptake. Obama is more focused and clearly more prepared with the details and populist counter-arguments. McCain needs to respond quickly from two perspectives….1) What he would do moving forward, and 2) What he has done over the last 25+ years, esp bipartisan efforts.
Q1: Why did McCain say he has “spoken out” about Fannie and Freddie instead of talking about his introduction of legislation in 2003 to provide further regulation/oversight of F & F.
Q2: Obama immed answers a question of what he plans to cut during this financial crisis with a laundry list of his proposals for new spending programs. McCain misses an easy opening to say just that…”Obama was asked what he would cut and answered how he would spend”.
More later..
Rich
USMC (Retired)
Obama comes back at McCain for singing “Bomb, bomb, Iran.”
McCain returns fire with his record on Lebanon, Somalia, Kosovo. “I have a record of being involved in these national security issues which involve the highest responsibilities you can have…”
McCain recounts his Matthew Stanley bracelet story. Talks about troops, families, refusing to come back with defeat and dishonor.
Obama: I’ve got a bracelet, too!
He has to look at it…uhhh…to remember whose bracelet it is.
10:06pm Eastern. Obama attacks McCain on Afghanistan. McCain responds: “You would think if he were so concerned, he would have gone to Afghanistan.”
McCain wants a “League of Democracies.”
10:14pm Eastern. McCain takes a dig at Obama’s presidential seal…”I don’t have a seal yet”…
should have probably explained the joke a little…
10:15pm Eastern. McCain attacks Obama’s pledge to meet tyrants without preconditions.
Obama blusters on his preconditions/preparations line.
10:18pm Eastern. McCain is strong on North Korea.
Obama cites Kissinger.
McCain comes back: He’s known Kissinger for 30 years. Obama is parsing words.
10:26pm Eastern. McCain sounds forceful on Russia/Georgia. Obama follows up meekly.
10:30pm Eastern. Last question. What’s the likelihood of another 9/11?
McCain: Less than it once was. Recounts teaming up with Joe Lieberman on formation of a 9/11 investigation commission…Bush opposed us…we reached across the aisle…long way to go on intelligence services…trained interrogators so we don’t ever torutre another prisoner ever again…America is safer today than it was on 9/11, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a long way to go…he really should tie the war on terror overseas — not just in Iraq, but worldwide — to homeland security…and what about border security…
Stop. Oh, my god, he just mentioned doing a better job on our borders.
Knock me over with a feather.
Obama: He’s talking missile defense. al Qaeda in 60 countries.
McCain should have covered that.
10:34pm Eastern. Obama credits McCain on the torture issue and then gives us his Big Idea for making America safer? “Restoring our standing in the world!” Making us more “respected!”
McCain: Obama doesn’t get it. If we fail in Iraq…it would lead to defeat…Americans will judge…right path or wrong path…this is the central issue of our time.
10:40pm Eastern. Wrapping up.
McCain: “I don’t need any on-the-job training. I’m ready to lead now.”
Obama is talking about his name. Filibustering about “investing,” “The Children,” etc.
McCain gets the last word: “I know how to heal the wounds of the war, I know how to deal.”
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Presidental Debate, Round One- Maverick vs. Mushmouth? « Above My Pay Grade!
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- PrestoPundit
- Live Blogging The Debate | The Daily Conservative
- McCain Rapid Response Debate Ad - Obama Not Ready To Lead | BigMouthFrog
- Democrat=Socialist
- Presidential Debate Liveblog! « WitSnapper | The Blog
- Michelle Malkin » Debate video: Obama can’t remember the soldier’s name on his bracelet
- Michelle Malkin » Debate video: Obama can’t remember the soldier’s name on his bracelet
- MishMashZone » Debate, Who Won?
- Nicholas Fitzgerald » The Debate Debate
- First Presidential Debate. « The Pink Elephant
- The Presidential Debate « Tai-Chi Policy
- Obama, “Hate Bush, Kill Bin Laden!” « Riggword Weblog
- ¿Quién ganó el debate?
- The Kissinger Factor « Memoirs From a Young Conservative
- Election 2008–Presidential Debate I Recap | THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS
- Presidential debate drinking game. | I'm Surrounded By Idiots
- The College Politico » Blog Archive » The Debate… Who cares?
- Full Video & Transcript Of The First Presidential Debate - 26 Sept 2008 | BigMouthFrog
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I don’t have a dog in this fight… but I hope Palin gets a shot.
Please let McCain let his inner Conservative speak. My expectations are low too, but I still hope he wipes the floor with O:
I’ve got my booze ready for the drinking game. Change out of Obama’s mouth is 1 shot. My Friends out of McCain’s mouth, 1 shot. I’m guessing I’ll make it 10 minutes in.
If you really want to “get your drink on”(and by all accounts, you may need to), take a shot everytime the O says “uh or um”.
I don’t have TV and I really want to watch live, if I can get the baby in bed. I know I could listen on the radio, but I want to see the body language! Oh well
He hasn’t been home in 10 years.
Are you trying to kill me, Navywife91?
I think that would even wipe out ol’ Ted K.
Patchthebun
Listening on the radio and blogging here will probably be more interesting. I’m sure everyone will try to keep you informed.
I am feeling nervous. I know foreign policy is McCain’s forte, but I am still uneasy.
True., Navywife. I guess its time to start the bedtime routine so I can come back here to hang out with you all!
A girl can hope…
Do you relize that by the time the debate is over he will be enlightened from all that Nightquill (booze)-and he won’t be wandering anywhere.??
Historic: First time in American history an outright Marxist is the Democrat nominee.
We’re on the same wavelength, navywife. I’ve already had the take a shot when Obama says “Uh” idea. I don’t think I’d make it 10 minutes.
I wouldn’t dream of it! I just meant that may be the only way to tolerate this whole show. Still, it could be fun.
I feel the need for sleep.
Summarize it for me tomorrow, thanks.
We were discussing on Imus Truth what Sarah Palin, should have said to Katie Curic, in that interview. Imus showed us a clip this morning. I made a little list, and some of it was even clean, and made the observation, that Sarah Palin, was raised to respect here elders, and lets face it Katie Curic, is Sarah’s elder. This is when good breeding gets in the way. My suggestions for Sarah, what she should have told the ex today show hostess:)
Here is a response Palin could have given Katie Curic, When Katie stated “I don’t want to belabor the point” Right there Palin should have cut her off, and said, “Thank you Katie I appreciate that”
Then when she questioned Palin about Alaska and foreign policy experience. I would have stated: Well Katie it is a fact Alaska is bordered by two Socialist Countries, Russia and Canada. Katie goes on to ask, can you explain to me how that gives you foreign policy experience. Well let me see Katie, you live in a fancy Condo in New York City right? Well living in your Condo surrounded by Liberals is a lot like Alaksa. Although part of America both are not bordering, the Country. Katie comes back with, I don’t understand, and Palin says it’s okay, you don’t have to, I am not here for your vote. The People watching will understand. Then when Katie went on some more, Palin should have said “honey do you have an I phone?” I can show you a google map of where Alaska is located, if it’s real important to you.
LMAO!
Posted by: Ree | Friday, September 26, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Sometimes I miss having a little one. I hope he/she has sweet dreams tonight.
Lame stream media keeps insinuating that McCain was forced to come to this debate. because Obama was firm. Earlier, Oprah made it sound like McCain might not show up tonight! .. all by McCain ASKING Obama to consider rescheduling it.
Laree
It would truly have been refreshing, but alas, she tried to be respectful. Too bad.
I think McCain will stick it. He’s been around the block and there is just too much on the line for Obama.
Cheers to you Navy Wife.
Oh what a great idea, I think I have some Mexican Beer, in the fridge, now who do I salute in the debate
Yeah, I’m so sure that McCain is intimidated by the junior senator from Illinois. What a joke!
I’m pretty deflated about this election myself. Young people and minorities are more concerned with PC expectations and electing the first black president who knows nothing, does nothing, takes the credit for others’ ideas. McCain isn’t much better.
All I can hope is that McCain is brief, to the point, and lays into Obummer for his arrogance on stripping the military of future preparedness and opposing the surge. I hope that McCain keeps his cool and Obummer gets rattled or McCain gets under his skin.
Beyond that, I’m expecting the “my friends,” “change,” and the inarticulate ohs and uhms that both these candidates are known for. I may have a glass a Zinfandel to blot out the carnage.
Patchthebun
CNN.comLIVE is streaming @9:00
navywife91
If John McCain’s campaign can’t get the job done, preparing Sarah Palin. I think we could get the job done. I am retired army wife
Katie Curic we want a rematch!
Gov. Palin!
And to you, John! I guess it’s time for me settle in with an adult beverage and my hubby’s laptop!
I love Newt!
I watched Newt last night on Hannity and Colmes, and whenever someone started in with accept the bail out today. I commented you know what. I was listening to Newt. and I think I am going to put my bets on him. Thanks all the same, for not getting flop sweat on me
your cruel…once the 0 starts talking you wouldn’t be able to stop taking shots till the bottle was empty, presumably a 1/2 gal.
I think we have a case against both parties for driving us to drink.
I can’t imagine this debate can have much influence on the vote. The lines are drawn, in fact they were drawn in the last election. It might as well be a ball game imho.
I’ve got your back, Laree! Something tells me she could handle it on her own. Katie can’t hold a candle to her as far as I’m concerned.
Right,
You are correct, only the young people can keep up! I’ve got to get up at 4:30 for my daughter’s meet. No fair.
CNN is presenting their good squad to undermine McCain in the public eye.
ARe you guys already drinking?
I hope McAmnesty pins some BIG lips on a pig.
Have PBS on at the moment. Managing expectations. Sounds like they’re not expecting their guy to do well.
NF, what type of meet does your daughter compete in?
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.” (Steve McCroskey)
thank you, dfitter!
I’ve got your back, Laree! Something tells me she could handle it on her own. Katie can’t hold a candle to her as far as I’m concerned.
too robotic I only had a sip already
lol. I haven’t thought of that movie in a long time!
Patchthebun – why not watch the debate via an online live stream? Although you don’t have a tv, you must have a computer, right? I think Fox is doing live streaming.
Where will Obamessiah’s teleprompter be located?
Yeah thats what I was wondering, if anyone was streaming.
Thank you
So Obama is all studied up for this debate, he should do really well, where will they be placing his teleprompter?
I do have a TV btw, just not any cable hooked up to it. Ours is strictly for exercise tapes, etc, and pixar movies.
I’ll handle the Governor, my advice is: be yourself and go get ‘em girl!
She’ll whip ‘em with her honesty, they don’t know how to fight against that.
#45txvet2
You are like psyche, I was thinking the exact same thing, although really isn’t this what all the viewers are wondering?
Cross country running. This meet is a ways out of town, so we have to get up extra early. No fun running when it’s hot!
Oh, me too. It’ll be on all the networks. You should have no trouble.
psychic
Thats right I got ESP but it comes and goes.
NF, I wish her the best of luck and all be careful traveling to and from.
Navywife:
I’ll be drinking soon. Perhaps, you guys should try some beer pong. That would be fun…. for those beer drinkers out there.
Rats. Telefutura is carrying it too. No boxing tonight.
rightisright
Thank you!
Can we all just say a prayer for McCain? I’m nervous… but the beer is already helping…
C
Patchthebun …
If you can’t handle the commentary from CNN you can also catch the live streaming of the debate on C-span.org where there is usually no commentator …
hmm, good idea desertlover.
Dear Lord,
Please keep our brother John’s foot out of his primary alimentary orifice….and his head out of his secondary one.
Oh…and we don’t want to know where they shoved Barry’s Mini-Prompter.
Amen
Beer Pong does look like an all American past time.
http://nuggetoftruth.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/88155beer-pong-posters.jpg
Oh, and if our enemies also pray, please disregard their heathen prayers.
Amen
beer pong is the most disgusting game ever. Even if I was into that kind of thing, why would I want to drink beer contaminated by a disgusting dirty ping pong ball?
Gott mit uns!!
For the time being, I’m reduced to watching Nancy Grace (can’t stand The O’Reilly another second) – the debate segments before/after/during/even commercials drives me nuts. Then again, I do have cable and a slew of channels. Hmmm, travel, cooking, movies, history, etc..guess I’m not expecting anything other than how brilliant ‘Bambi “performed” and how eloquent/youthful/energetic he was.
Dick Morris is on the Factor. O’Reilly, Obama is going to obfuscate…and?
As others have suggested, but the media has tried to avoid showing, Obama flounders and flaps his arms without his teleprompter. I expect him to make a jaw dropping gaffe and leave the country slapping its head in amazement.
Then when Sarah and Joe get it on – well, doesn’t Joe remind you of Jerry Ford.
If John McCain’s campaign can’t get the job done, preparing Sarah Palin. I think we could get the job done. I am retired army wife
Laree, navywife91
Count me in. I’d say that about a third of the women in my family could handle the job.
I think Barack Obama would like to run against Sarah Palin as a presidential candidate. He’s not smart enough to understand that he still loses in that race.
Some of us voters are lawyers. Some of us voters understand all about how grades in law school can have nothing to do with performance, if a professor favors or disfavors a student. Some of us know very well that there’s something suspicious about an editor of a law journal who never qualified by writing a published article. There are exceptions, of course, but that hasn’t come up, oddly enough.
Some of us voters are astounded by claims that editorship of a law journal is qualifying experience for the presidency of the United States.
That is because, in the real world, editorship of a law journal is important for that first job as a lawyer, and maybe for the second. After that, a lawyer is expected to build up something called a “track record.” Barack Obama has no “track record.” That is astounding, for someone of his age. That man is no spring chicken. He should have a list of accomplishments by now.
Cheers!
24Klady…did you see/hear the 7:00+ minute clip on American Spectator’s blogspot where Mark Levin excoriated O’Reilly for being the idiot that he truly is?
http://spectator.org/blogger.asp
Scroll down, it was the first of the day.
Dear Thor, the Norse god of thunder and power.
Please keep Juan McAmnesy and his Mexican loving stupidity, his shamnisty, his senile anti-American, short-angry-man-syndrome, I-only-care-about-me personality from truthfully exposing itself.
May the one true god, Odin bless us and keep us safe.
Rob…thanks for covering that base.
I’ve got some neighbors sacrificing a goat and a chicken in a pentagram out back just in case.
Laree, picked up my Imus Ranch CD earlier this week. Absolutely fantastic. He has to do a Volume 2. Patty Loveless’s cover of Silver Springs is amazing.
Cheers Everybody
And by the way, this may not be completely factual, but have you thought – in a major crisis for this country, John McCain’s impulse was to go to Washington; Obama’s was to go to the gym.
And John, just in case you aren’t sure, now would NOT be a good time for “
jumpingreaching across the aisle”.lol… hey.. if you have some Juleøl to drink… we of Norwegian heritage will rape, pillage, and plunder all in the name of conservatism and another cold weather soul, Sarah Palin!
looking for a way to find the stream of the debate on fox, not finding it.
cnn has it
Hello, Alaskan. That’s called multitasking.
sarc off
navywife91, sorry if i offended you with NF, won’t do it again.
Alright, taking deep breath and looking at the first shots lined up. Hit record so when I awake from my stuper I’ll be able to see it (I’m brave like that)
No kidding. I’m going to pass on the debate though. Quick summary: Democrats will say Obama won, Republicans will say McCain won. Maybe something cool or dreadful will happen, but I will let MM point it out to me tomorrow. I really am wore out from this week.
Oh my – I don’t have that much booze in my house!
rightisright,
You didn’t offend me. I actually thought it was a typo.
Rob..
I got Jim Beam Black…and Jose Cuervo Black…and some high quality Polish tater squeezins from Monopolowa. If you close one eye…and don’t think about it too hard…could one of those be a JuleØl substitute?
I’m feeling it too. Just had a glass of Zinfandel myself. Need a couple of more to sooth my nerves…
Under Missippi showdown, Strategy Room
Kruathammer is about as open minded and fair as you can get, be interesting to see how he sees it.
Thank goodness we have a Total Wine nearby.
ah yay. watching now
Trader Joes FTW, Navywife!
I’ve got a half pint of Crown and flat 7-up
Just got home. The Studmuffin and I are making an exception tonight and eating in front of the TV. Just opened up a bottle of vin to get “primed”.
I had that in Newport News, VA. We’re supposed to be getting one here sometime soon.
Are you in VA?