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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Categories: Barack Obama,John McCain
Pundit & Pundette
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» Obama's war on conscience, cont'd
All those moles weren’t wacka’d in vain if they were following the orders of the commander in chief.
What a tool
Ooooh that barely functioning moron thing makes me so mad. I’m writing a strongly worded letter to CNN. That was so far gone …
But that’s a different thread.
Obama wants to fight an old fight 2001, this fight we are in, is fluid.
Use the old “young and inexperienced” line on him.
He didn’t mention France as an ally, did he? Against Iran? They’ve been so helpful in the past. Sheesh.
OBL has been dead for years IMO.
You wanted to meet with Iran w/out pre-conditions.
Ee- Rahn
Geez, where did he pick up this accent, cause it ain’t Chicago
The only problem I see is McCain isn’t enough of a smart ass for my taste. He is an honorable gentleman engaged in a street fight. I’ve thought of several cutting, snarky remarks to Barry’s stupidity, and McCain has let them flow by.
How many times did you have to shake your magic 8 ball to get the right answer?
Which universe are you living in? The condescending one, where, like Obummer, you look down sneeringly at McCain and our troops? Or the one where he’s stumbling and will say anything to fill the time?
uh uh uh uh
Breeding tells. Son of CINCPAC, Grandson of Chief of Staff of 3rd Fleet.
God Bless the US Navy.
“Senator Øbama doesn’t understand” and “I have a record” are just b-slapping Øbama, reminding everyone of how empty his suit really is.
A couple of nice whacks on Øbama’s record as chairman of that Afghanistan committee that he never convened! LOLOLOL!
and talking to Iran will work. Are you kidding?
So Saddam in power was a good thing. Huh, didn’t know that Barry.
Ironically the thing that has strengthened Iran is the war in Iraq. Obama, I am going to ask Iran to stop
McCain now mentioning Iranian forces in Iraq…YES…Obummer knows NOTHING about what is REALLY happening….
unless there’s a photo op in it for the “One”, he’s not interested.
Studmuffin says,
IDIOT…Republican Guard is NOT IRANIAN, it’s IRAQI.
again, more
YOURE AN IDIOT!!
Oh my.
Trying to sound intelligent.
He rambles soooo much, he’s hard to follow.
Indonesia
Wishful thinking for some. Reality speaks with McCain kicking some Barry O a$$@
TexE, were you a Navy nuke?!!
sanctions… and humility.
LOL strong wine in the club car on Metro North this evening??
Obama said “Senator McCain is absolutely right” again.. Is anyone keeping count? I think it’s over 8 times now..
He just said Russia isn’t a democracy…
Omu is must have added “aannnnddd” to his drinking game.
They both called the Iranian Revolutionary Guard the “Republican Guard”. That was Saddam’s “elite” troops
Can I stand 4 years of ‘Bambi lecturing me/us? No substance, just lectures. Needs to be back lecturing students that can’t argue with him. Clearly shows by body language and attempted interruptions he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Give the ol’ guy credit – been there, and knows the stakes.
Russia has provided equipment and infrastructure to Iran to facilitate their nuclear program, Obozo!!! Holy crap, he lives in the Bizarro World!!
Yer right. I got suckered into the blinding stupidity of Omu’s comment. Shan’t happen again
Oh there you go…from McCain:
Good one. I totally agree. Also, I wonder, why is it that Obama keeps interrupting McCain? McCain is not doing this. Obama can’t stand for anyone else to have that stand. He is The One.
Ooops. I can’t make fun of McCain because I can barely say the evil guy’s name.
Obama bin Biden better get on their knees and pray that Palin is as bad as they want her to be to recover from the spanking McCain is giving Øbama.
Can I have what you’re smoking?
Or has banging your head on the wall as McCain whoops Obama’s butt got you groggy?
Where the hell is Obummer getting this whole “we’re broadening our war in Iraq” from? Does he or does he not think that the Republican Guard are terrorists and a threat?
Yes, let’s talk… talking is just awesome. Yeah…. let’s give these POS’s some of our time to “feel their pain” while they laugh in our face.
You cannot be serious.
Thats right he will sit with our enemies and he will give the prestige of the U.S. Presidency, to our Declared Enemies. Because it sounds like a good sound byte.
YEEEEEEEES.
No preconditions. Get him Mav.
Extermination of Israel. Heavy reality time. And look at the glare from O.
I’m thinkin’ that’s probably going to make a pretty good ad…
anyone noticing that as McCain makes a good jab at Obama, his head comes up into the elitist position? His camp has done well with training him to stop that little head action – until he gets pissed at McCain and it suddenly comes back.
MDH3…nope, not a Navy Nuke. They wanted me…but football knees blew the physical.
I’ve worked on electronic controls for reactors…as has my Dad.
At the time and place of his choosing?
That’s called appeasement Barry. Have fun with that.
henry kissinger WASN’T the president!!
No, you just invite them to a dinner in their honor.
Two candidates have KIA bracelets:
1. Obama’s bracelet symbolizes a mother who doesn’t want any other mother to lose her child to war…
2. McCain’s bracelet symbolizes a mother who doesn’t want her lost son’s efforts to die in vain as a consequence of “cut and run.”
Solution: How about mother #1 advise other mothers who don’t want to lose their sons to war…not to let their sons join a volunteer military.
That way we can move on and allow those who want to be there to successfully complete their missions.
BHO “I reserve the right to meet with jew-killers without pre-conditions.” Nice…
He just blew it. He said he “reserves the right to meet with anyone he wants”, without any accountability to the American people in essence. He just took a hit for his arrogance..
When do they have the debate about associations with terrorists?
Were beating the good folks at Hotair on the number of debate comments.
hmm, I think my feed is behind the tv. YOu all comment right as I’m hearing what you’re commenting about.
Invite Iran over for Pancakes not Tea!
low level talks are going on
OMG… now Obummer is bring the former Sec. of States into this discussion. One of the most useless departments of the whole federal government… oops, sorry HUD.
He’s changing his story again. “no preconditions” means “no preperation”
HE JUST ADMITTED THAT IRAN IS A ROGUE REGIME!!! Why the hell would we pursue contacts with a rogue regime?
TexE, cool.
It is hilarious how he is trying to align his strategy with various republicans. IDIOT. Doesn’t he know that his base of nutjob leftoid wingbats won’t like that?
You were called naive because you are naive about the economy see selling loans to people who can’t afford them. Talking to our enemies who would like you and your family dead. So Foreign and Domestic I am not feeling it.
Obama is debating Bush’s record now.
Anyone watching on CNN HD? The audience meter and analyst scorecard is very neat.
Omu: Do tell, where is “the one” winning? He’s held his own most of the time, but McCain has gotten him a couple of times.
McCain gave Obambi some free rein at first and didn’t fight back like he should have in reminding Obambi just exactly how the economy got where it is (hint: Bush’s fault ain’t the answer). But since then, McCain has answer Obambi point for point.
North Korea had help from the Clinton Adm. and his Secretary of State.
Here come those dreaded sAnctions again!! No! No!
Not the UN sanctions!
So NK got nukes because they were mad that we stopped talking to them?
I hope McCain points out that the envoy from the state dept to Europe meeting with Iran was to accept delivery of some documentation regarding the Iranian nuke program … not to negotiate with anyone …
It would be nice if O would complete a sentence without an uh, um, or a pause.
Does he ever say anything concisely?
The “Seal” joke. Ouch!
NO SEAL! hahahahahaha
My pugs are falling asleep… this is how sleep-inducing Obummer is right now.
Oh, now he brings in Bush. I’m telling you guys… Obummer is a secret Republican!
What is with this Spain comment? C’mon!
I DON’T EVEN HAVE A SEAL YET!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
“I don’t even have a seal yet.”
AHAHAHAHA
I don’t even have a seal yet. HA
“I don’t even have a seal yet.” He, he, he.
I don’t even have a seal yet….LOL
I think the reason Obama had to look at the bracelet is, unlike McCain, he doesn’t wear it every day.
Michelle your clock is fast.
0MG did you hear the seal joke!! Hell ya!
I don’t even have a seal yet!!!!
Bullseye!
McCain: I don’t even have a seal yet!
YES!!!! Love it! But, will that catch on with the folks who don’t keep up with it?
HA! Again, BO doesn’t understand!! Brilliant
Obama is clueless. He doesn’t seem to understand.
“No seal yet” I love it!!
Not set the White House visitors schedule before hes president. Good One!
I don’t even have a seal yet. Rimshot!!!!
He doesn’t have a seal yet?
Oh that gonna leave a mark!
It’s taking forever over there to refresh the page because of the live stream…
“I don’t even have a seal yet” Good one McCain!! LOL
Petulant.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH
“I don’t even have a seal yet!”
hahahahahah
EI’s!!
We used to call Obama’s type
Educated Idiots!!!
Our Affirm/Action $$$$
were wasted on this guy’s Harvard stay-
madeleine albright did that.
“Fundamental” again!
“I don’t even have a seal yet”
LOL.
Mookie – thanks for the heads up
Slam Dunk! “I don’t have a seal yet!” Great one Senator McCain!
I thought the same thing until I realized that I’d paused the TV at some point.
Trust but Verify. Love it!