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!
- La Shawn Barber's Corner
- Jules Crittenden » Debate
- 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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- Michelle Malkin » McCain will support earmark-stuffed Senate Crap Sandwich; Obama: Me, too!
- McCain will lose the support of his base if he votes for this bill. | LOUNGE DADDY
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“Thats not true” What a great argument.
O just muttered “That’s not true”…real presidential…
he’s freakin now
suh-NAP! Social and economic success, YEAH. YEAH!
Go, go, GO!!!!
I think Obama should quit running for president, give up his senate seat and do what he was really destined to do…become a professor at some very liberal university. I guess that would be any university!
Ka-ching!!!!
Senator McCain:
I am afraid Sen Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy …..
High fives and a YES from the Studmuffin.
Did I mention I am disgusted by how rude Obama is with his continual interruptions? Uh Uh Uh …..
Don’t worry everyone, BO will appoint his Code Pink ladies as Secretary of State to deal with other nations’ leaders. Oh wait, they’re already doing that.
uh uh uh uh uh
I like the way he keeps trying to interrupt McCain..hint of Gore debate
he just rambles verbage
When would Obummer EVER give a blank check to Bush. ACORN yes, Bush no.
Right now I think Obama is getting his buttocks handed to him on a platter.
I really don’t think he knows what the difference is between tactic and strategy.
Leaning on Biden is a bad idea. He has a long history of being wrong too.
he’s rattled! I love it.
Gotcha Obummer on the funding issue. Gotcha!
Oh, now this pinhead is talking about McCain legislating the timetable. What the hell is he going on about.
This guy doesn’t get it. War is more than a bill. It’s more than a vote. What’s so hard to get about this?
He doesn’t know the difference between a strategy…. tactics are all he has.
McCain NEVER EVER said that there was no threat in Afghanistan. What an outrageous, bald-faced lie!!
Well BO, how would you send more troops there when you want to cut military spending by a gazillion dollars, hmmmm???? Oh yeah, not to mention disarming our nuclear arsenals completely. IDIOT.
Barney Frank will be Code Pink’s advisor.
Obama can’t get it in his head that you don’t diss troops. He has to start his talking points out pointing at himself his “position on the war” you are one guy they are many doing the very, very difficult fighting. He can’t get that it is always himself first. That is an after thought military familys some rest.
Obama I I I
Cricket # 602 –
YES !! Agreed — something I have mentioned before. Please bundle him off to a liberal arts college where he can preach to the choir…
Illinois residents …PUHLEZE put this man in the unemployment line….
Their both rambling…they sound like senators arguing about their records on the Senate floor. We need a governor on this stage.
The military families can take care of themselves thank you very much. We want to win the war, not leave and surrender.
Because O isn’t around to go to intel briefings on he Hill, he gets his info from the mainstream media.
Why does Obama get the whole screen while he’s speaking, but McCain has to have a split screen with Obama when he speaks? Does anyone else notice this?
How rude and desperate can he get? Interrupting McCain constantly!
BO is so rude and keeps talking over McCain. Very presidential.
If I hear Obummer say, “we should end this war responsibly” one more time I’m gonna SCREAM.
Now this jerk is speaking over McCain and being rude. Kinda like he is in real life.
BHO is going to lose his cool. This is very good.
Something I have noticed is whenever Sen. McCain refers to Obama, he says Senator Obama, and most of the times Sen. Obama refers to Sen. McCain he calls him John, which I find condescending.
‘tactic’
Barry, you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means….
Ha BAL- great minds think alike
Them Iraq question was John’s chance to bring up terrorists, esp the home grown kind. Ask O about the bombs, John. The bombs!!!!
Barry doesn’t like getting called out…he’s not looking good…looks angry with every McCain Statement…
Ouch..
Petulant! That’s the word I’m looking for.
Obama looks petulant.
Obama states, “need to capture and kill”…
Studmuffin turned to me and said,
“he’s just advocated a war crime. We can’t do that”.
DJ… we had the same thought.
OMG, now Obummer is muttering to himself.
Obama’s eye twitches when he is frayed. I never noticed it before.
Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory… Good for McCain for saying it.
Al-Jazeera
Barry doesn’t like it when people doubt his word.
Weren’t there more people killed in Chicago than in the WOT recently?
Obama’s unraveling.
A pentulant frenzy….I’m petulant and I’m in a frenzy…LOL
McCain- cool as a cucumber
Obama- increasingly shrill
I don’t think he has a clue how the military works or how he would implement the military instrument in our defense.
On September 26th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, Send_Me said:
Why does Obama get the whole screen while he’s speaking, but McCain has to have a split screen with Obama when he speaks? Does anyone else notice this?
Go MCCAIN MAVERICK!!
And they were hoping to do that to McCain.
I cannot follow anything O is saying, can you?
Gee, I wonder why the Taliban feels bold? Maybe they think you’ll win Barack?
Gotta eat. Will be back.
“They’re”…geez
He’s got the Taliban strategy down pretty good. I wonder who’s telling him that?
Shrill, yes, and petulant.
My bad – you’re right.
AAAAGGGGHHHH
did he just say ALQ was not in Iraq? And Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11?????
2 or 3 more Brigades would be sent by O to Afghanistan. Someone tell him that’s a Division.
Al Jazeera?
No Al Qaeda before we went into Iraq?
It was a strategic mistake? C’mon.
No wonder McCain’s got so many generals and admirals on his side.
How long until Barry takes off his shoe, pounds it on the podium and yells “We will bury you!!!”
Which is why my husband does not want him for his boss.
zzzzzzzzzzzz Obama
He’s talking about how many died in Afghanistan – someone should remind him how many people died in Chicago this summer!
Wish there was a halftime, where Sarah could slap him and tell him to get mad!
Remember this *ss clown’s flag burning friends!
High road my AZZ!!! tired of it!
Who is this Tolly Bonn? Is that the proper pronounciation?
Under Geo. Bush, with the support of McCain…
BHO is struggling
Yeah, it’s getting harder to listen to him.
Tal-i-ban?
Come Mr. Tal-i-ban, tali me bananas!
TOLLYbahn? Pock-I-stahn?
WTFF?
A right, a left, a right, a body blow…
Don’t forget the Arabic translators for Afghanistan, Obummer.
Gayle, I was thinking the same thing! Every time he speaks I get drowsy.
I too keep zoning out when Obama talks. I can’t take 4 years of listening to this guy.
We can’t bomb our allies go tell it on the mountain it looks like Obama has a different set of standards for allies?
YOu don’t tell them you are going to attack. You don’t play your hand.
Mmmmmmmm petulant messiah.
good one Mojoe
My husband is just castigating Obummer right now. He doesn’t think that Obummer is “boss” material either.
That’s how the snobs say things.
Obama is droning….on and on and on and not really coming to any solid conclusions
I love how Obozo is looking like such a naive neophyte… “You don’t say that out loud…” — bloody brilliant!!
He would treat the “military instrument” like a trumpet – he’d blow it.
Obama is Muslim, so expect him to pronounce it correctly.
Oops.
BO wants to go to war with Pakistan? I thought he was
a dhimm. They don’t go to war, they demonstrate on
the streets of Berkley against the Marine Recruiting
Office.
McCain is sticking it to Barry on Pakistan. I love it.
i wents with bere shoeters shotes nowe at a slix pake + twoo oopps
How about an english one, sheesh! I thought he was supposed to be clean and articualte. I cna’t even be sure of clean.
I was nervous about watching this, I’m not nervous any more.
Oh yeah…Barry was going to attack Pakistan…LOL…”you don’t say that OUT LOUD!!”
Anyone else notice that Sen McCain has much more depth with his answers? Drawing on historical context …Charlie Wilson’s war, abandoning Afghanistan after the Russians withdrew…
all Obama has is talking points that he has obviously practiced over and over again. Can not speak with confidence.
McCain is in his element…great rant on Pakistan
McCain is doing good right now. Very fluid explanation of our approach to Pakistan.
McCain is doing a good job of making it clear that he is not Bush part 3 (or 4 if you count Bush Sr.).
Yeah, that’s how a Muslim plant would pronouncce it.
TXRose, to be clear, my comment about the Obamanation raising his hand while McCain can’t, wasn’t intended as an insult against mcCain, I was merely wanting to point out how low Obama will go to play dirty.
McCain is showing Obama’s inexperience point by point.