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.”
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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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Obozo is now lying about what he initially said after Russia invaded Georgia. Good Lord, hasn’t he ever heard of Google??
We are not going to have to worry about who wins this election because after two more debates like this Barry will have a stroke.
MM 977 comments Hotair 957 comments
Obummer now claiming that he immediately condemned Russia’s action in Georgia?
Wasn’t this the guy who said we need to go to the Security Council where Russia has a veto?
McCain is talking a lot smoother than us us um Obama. It is so clear. Just listen to the One studder!
“Obama, do you have a major difference with what McCain said [about Russia]”
Obama didn’t understand what McCain said.
Obama is spouting talking points, McCain is talking like he actually knows the issues.
You ask BO about Georgia and he says he has relatives in Atlanta.
Oooooooooh! We did not Forcefully object to what happened to Georgia.
Relief for Georgia…Cindy McCain there…where was Michelle O?
YOU warned them? HUH?
popcorn break!
Obama warned the administration.
Why didn’t they listen!!!
LOL @ BayState!
what you mean yet?
hic
I’m sick of hearing him say, “I warned the administration”. He’s a freakin’ junior senator who has more experience running for president than anything else.
LOL he doesn’t understand energy very much, does he?
Professor Obama in action.
zzzz
zzzz
He is just so wise, if only everyone would just do what he says, all would be right with the world. Especially the oceans. IDIOT. Have I mentioned how much I can’t stand this guy??/
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OIL IDIOT
Staccato speech. Ugh.
Why is he talking about alternative energy?
WTF is obambi going from russia to drilling
I cant wait till tomorrow to see how the MSM spins this to make it look “little o” won this.
et,
Slackers over at HA.
Mom! The teacher didn’t let me read my whole book report on Russia!
God, Obummer is just rambling. What the hell is he going on about?
Did he just change the subject? What he’s talking about has nothing to do with Russia.
O – Pretty cocky to say “I’ve got a plan for the next 10 years…”
Drill here, drill now IDIOT
It’s the height of irony listening to Obama drone on about walking the talk.
This is what Øbambi did with Hillary during their debates: just say “what she said.” No wonder Hillary got so pissed.
Biodiesel and ethanol are simply ways of burning our food to feed our cars.
Obama just got his arse kicked.
he’s lost :bwwaaaahhhhh
A question about Russia is spun around to a populist position statement…sheesh!
3% of world’s oil supply? That we KNOW of! Yes we can drill short term for energy independence. DRILL ANWR and Off shore!
Can’t get there from here!
Again McCain laughs at Obama!
Obama makes me want to clean my guns.
invest in wind energy?! Well, if he’s prez (God forbid) at least we’ll know where the bulk of it would come from.
powerpro
very funny
DRill here drill now pay less. HIckup
Howard Cosell Here…
DOWN GOES OBAMA…
DOWN GOES OBAMA…
DOWN GOES OBAMA!!!
Obama does not seem to know what a debate is, he never learned you wait your turn in a debate?
Zero is getting impatient and testy.
obama is a fool!
McCain will NOT let Øbama interrupt! Beautiful!!
Obama thinks because he can’t remember what he said, nobody else can either.
Love that McCain is being so rude and interrupting.
liar liar pants on fire
Obama is a rude,pompous jerk.
Uh uh uh let’s be clear
OK….when McCain announced Sarah as the VP…I sent $250.
I’m getting the checkbook out again even though I swore I wouldn’t send money to the RNC.
Obama just said he had a plan… well tell us your plan and stop babbling.
i love the fact that mccain is filibustering Duh-One..lol
McCain has kicked butt
BHO is struggling!
STOP TALKING OVER SENATOR MCCAIN, OBUMMER!!!
What a complaining crybaby.
BHO is not digging this format….LMAO
I’ve never objected to nuclear waste…
LOLOL
Love that Obama is being so rude and interrupting, but McCain just keeps talking.
now he’s directing the debate
Obozo doesn’t oppose nuclear waste. Bet the moonbats are slamming their heads against the wall.
Let’s move on,” says Barry.
Such a dumb ass.
somewhere in Chappaqua
Hillary just threw a lamp-
Great point Navywife91!
Strike #1041
Having technical difficulties.
McCain tries to distance himself from Bush again here … on the 9/11 comission
mccain has substance.. duh-one has no depth..
Seems like the last time Obama interrupted even Jim had to say something to him.
His inability to wait to speak shows just how not in control he is.
ANYBODY:
Have you noticed that JM has not once looked at Obambi when he’s speakin.
Remove all doubt. This is the reason why Obama did not want to have additional townhall debates.
It should only take ONE bomb, and we should do it…
Hillary is loving this debate!
McCain makes a good point about the 9/11 commission. I don’t think the 9/11 commission was beneficial overall… no single politician ever took responsibility for the letdown that was 9/11.
ROFL
#1056 – You sure Bill wasn’t the target?
I think Obama mistook the word “audacity” for “arrogance.” He needs to realize that if you truly are the better candidate, then your ideas will speak for themselves without the help of snickers, interruptions, and telling Jim to “move on” while McCain is talking.
I think McCain clearly knows his stuff.Obama is lost without a telelprompter.
I looked I can’t find that quote, where Dr Kissinger said, the President of the U.S should meet with out preconditions. Now the live blogging right now is coming up because of the Statement by Obama that this is attributed to Kissinger a John McCain adviser.
I have trouble looking at him too
30 … #1063 …
ya think? …
Obama as president is scaring me more and more–he was losing control there when he decided to direct the debate
Did I just hear Obunghole try to tell Lehrer to move along to the next question? What an arrogant and snotty little punk!
This is like watching a boxing match where one of the fighters is tied up in a chair. John’s just putting rounds on target!
McCain is calling Obama “Mr. Obama.”
Barry is calling McCain “John.”
That bugs me.
Now,you know Bill’s out on the prowl!
Mercy…Yeah…he’s always looking at the moderator as debate student is trained to do.
Yes, I have. McCain is focused. Obummer.. condescending and petty.
I wish this debate could keep going for about an hour more… I think we’d see Obama start crying and stomping his feet.
After wathcintg this debate, Hillary must already be preparing her campaign for 2012.
lol…crown & 7 all over the screen Joan
I thought humility was the cure-all. Color me surprised.
#1072 DJ
JM totally does not respect BHO. I LOVE IT!
I have never seen someone interrupt another candidate more than BO does. On one more note…we can build all the wind, solar and other alternate energy sources and it won’t reduce our oil demand one iota. I don’t understand why Obama seems to think that our electricity in this country is produced by oil.
We should kill them before they are born…
“Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.”
Obama puts pricetags on EVERYTHING!
Yep… because he’s not talking to Obozo, he’s talking to voters. I think it’s a brilliant tactic, and it keeps him from having to defer to Mr. Manners during his constant interruptions.
30-
Absolutely, was there any doubt?
Obama: We’re safer in some ways … the biggest threat we face is a suitcase, but that’s why we have to prevent terrorists from obtaining nuclear weapons.
??? Who knew they fit in suitcases?
It isn’t just that he’s not in control. Libs always do that, because they know that the point their opponent is making is going to demolish them, and they can’t let them finish.
Mav has kept it together…hasn’t looked directly at Obama…O gets frustrated real easily, especially when his words are used against him…McCain knows alot!….Obama don’t know Jack $%^&!
the last? we can only hope
Hillary must be doing the Tootsie Roll.
Thank goodness The One got that spit off his lower lip – that was NASTY.
OMG, if he mentions Iraq again i will die