Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain took to the stage Tuesday night in a town-hall debate in front of 80 selected, undecided voters with the rest of the nation watching live on all the major networks and news channels.
It was inevitable that the economy would be the primary focus with Congress recently passing a bailout plan to aid the failing financial industry. Both candidates promised they had a better plan to lead the country through which both referred to as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. An hour of the 90-minute event was used to discuss economic issues with McCain offering a plan that had been already proposed by Obama.
Obama blamed the financial crisis on deregulation and the fiscal policies of the Bush administration, which he continuously linked to McCain. McCain, on the other hand, attempted to portray Obama as an advocate of spending and higher taxes, while portraying himself as someone willing to reach across the aisle and sometimes at odds with Bush — a maverick, if you will.
During a discussion on energy, McCain criticized Obama for his support of the 2007 Bush-Cheney energy bill and dismissively referred to him as “that one”:
“It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate, loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me.”
McCain needed a success to possibly help in the polls, but it’s unlikely. Reaction groups polled by the major networks all declare Obama as the winner. The latest Gallup poll shows a 9-point lead for Obama, which ties his campaign high.
VIDEO OF THE DEBATE
poor Mccanin. i’m starting to feel sorry for him. obama did the dang thing! lol
—-Two political posts, how lucky are we. I fell asleep. I’m not an undecided voter, &
—-they both say the same things over n over again. Nov., can’t come quick enuff
Obama is clearly the man needed to move this country forward. McSame/crypt keeper is just out of touch and quite frankly hard to watch and listen to.
How can your campaign slogan be ‘Country First’ and you choose Palin as your VP choice? That’s an oxymoron; put this country first by possibly putting an inexperienced person that close to running this country. Give me a break Mr.
He was disrespectful with that ‘that one over there’ comment. I also didn’t like how he used the ‘golden cadillac’ reference. ANd he needs to put a muzzle on Sarah Palin calling Barack a terrorist. He knows most of his listeners don’t have common sense and her referring to Barack like that is putting his life in danger. I also get the sense that Michelle and Cindy aren’t too fond of each other, can’t say that I blame Michelle. McCain looked all of his 72 years last night. I think its a wrap for McCain.
Everyone please go out and vote. Dont wear anything that may imply who you are voting for(obama). Because its the law and you know since there’s a black man running, you know they are going to enforce the rules. They think that we wont go home and change which would mean less votes. Please spread the news!
Obama all the WAY!!!!!!!!!!
McCain pissed me off last night. I know everyone is talking about that “that one” incident, which was VERY disrespectful. But I’m talking about when he told that young man that asked a question about the economy, that he probably didn’t know what Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac was before the crisis. WTF?! And then he forgot the dudes name! I hate to say it, but I think he was playing to the racists last night by trying to dehumanize the black man. Everyone deserves a level of respect and McCain sure didn’t show it last night. He was very condescending.
He’s out of touch and he sure as hell ain’t getting my vote!
was the “that one’ comment very disrespectful, race-wise? fill me in please, im white & non-american.
I caught that, too, Angel. I was like “WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!”
Remy, I didn’t find it offensive on a racial level; I thought it disrespectful on a personal one. He didn’t even look at Obama when he said it like he can’t stand the sight of him or something.
The McCain/Palin campaign is a joke. It’s as if they’re doing whatever they can to ensure they lose.
@Remy
It is disrespectful, human wise and unprofessional.
McCain’s hatred for Obama:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl0ilOqPGak
I don’t think McCain meant to be racist, although it can be easily taken that way. But even if what McCain said wasn’t racist, it was still disrespectful b/c he should address Barack Obama as senator Barack Obama.
McCain has been condescending since jump. This man is so out of touch with whats really going on in the world. We as young americans must make sure that we follow through in the voting process we have the power to change america. McCain/ Palin campaign is indeed a joke but if we dont act according we will be on the recieving end of this joke.
Obama/Biden for the next eight years!
Vote 08
Hey Angel…
I am just really afraid of the tactics that the Mcslain/Fakelin campaign is using as of late. Charging up the crowd to a point where they are screaming “Terrorist, Treason, Kill Him etc… Even McSlain had to throw his hands up a second to the the “Terrorist” shout out. They are running a really thin line with going outside of the rules with that sort of tactic. Its and OUTRAGE!!!
One name…OBAMA…enough said!
Link don’t work:(
Anyways the old dude wouldn’t even shake Obama’s hand but motioned for his wife to do it instead. Old bastard!
The “That One” comment way extremly disrepectful and undignified on McCaine’s part. This is supposed to be a debate and he cant even aknowledge his apponent? He couildn’t even look at O’bama and calling him “that one” was just ridiculous.
first! obama won
I concur with you all on the “That One Over There” comment. I chuckled to myself because I couldn’t believe the level of disrespect that McCain had.
Granted, I consider myself a Democrat, but honestly, looking at the debates with as neutral mindset as possible, neither candidate is doing it for me.
I feel like both were dancing around the issues and pointing fingers instead of giving CONCISE answers. There were times where I wanted to go through the TV and slap them both and say “Just answer the question!!!”
I can’t wait for November to come, because I am hoping that by then, Obama will give me that push that I need to make me feel that choosing him is best for the country – and not just because he is the lesser of two evils.
McCain was most def showed he’s racist by being condescending to the black man. He doesn’t know that man background! For all we know he could be a financial analyst. I didn’t like how he didn’t give eye contact to the blacks and of all thing to refer Obama as “that one”. McCain is a goofy man and man of the past. McCain just puts me in the mind of the people on top that we work with. On the otherhand Obama is suave and well spoken and most of all respectful. That’s the kind of the president we all need.
*McCain lost his damn mind last night. Like one student said last night that McCain character was not on point,very disrecpectful. Just like Angel said McCain is soooooooooo out of touch. Please people get out and vote because I really don’t I think can do another 4 years of this mess. I think I might seriously cry if Dr. Evil gets elected!!!!!
i knew some of mccain’s babble sounded familiar.
haha my fav audience question was the one about whether they were gonna push all these ideas through at the same rate they rushed that bailout plan.
McCain hasn’t looked at Obama at anytime during either debate, he just won’t make eye contact at all. McCain came out strong but fizzled shortly after. But I don’t think his trademark sarcasm worked much last night. Obama showed strength during the fiscal part of the debate and that is what American’s are focused on right now. But I do agree that Buffet would probably be the best man for the job as Secretary of Treasury because it wouldn’t be about politics really it would be about saving the economy just as I believe Mayor Bloomberg has tried to accomplish for NY since 9-11.
Obama did sound exasperated when McCain accused him of being rash in threatening to invade Pakistan, but when Obama gained his composure I felt he rattled McCain. I loved when Obama called him out about America being a military superpower when our nation is in an economic shambles… touche! Obama 08
Under McCain’s plan to save homeronwership he’s going to buy out but like Obama pointed out “where is the money coming from”?
I can’t wait to see the final debate Oct 15th. Count down until Nov 4th!
Let me add McCain is petty when Obama made a rebuttal on McCain’s statement. McCain said well if he can I should be able to blah blah….This is not president material. He is so like Bush …no tact!
MC Cain clearly does not like black people. Hell, forget GB this mean clearly has a dislike for black people. Didn’t he take awhile to declare the holiday for MLK or didn’t think it was suppose to be a holiday. He didn’t raise one point but just keep repeating basically what Sarah said last week. I like the fact that after the debate Michelle and Obama kept talking to the people in the hall while McCain rushed off and left. I guess the people in the hall didn’t matter either.
Also, on NBC they stated how if it is suppose to be a Town Hall style debate most of the questions came from Tom who sucked as a moderator IMO.
@ T.Lynn…
People who believe these lies/smears against Obama are people who would never vote for Obama or any black person for that matter, so they cling to these cesspool tactics as excuses for not voting for him. What they are essentially doing is lying to themselves; when in fact they are racists – bottom line. They claim Obama “pals” around with terrorists, when in fact, at the time when Ayres was plotting to bomb federal buildings Obama was 8 years old, living on food stamps. Then they say, Obama was raised a Muslim. Obama’s father bounced on him before he could barely walk and was raised by his grandparents who are white Christians. But no one talks about McCain’s adopted daughter who was born in Bangladesh, a Muslim country. If you asked me John McCain’s daughter has a stronger Muslim influence than Obama does. People do not speak of these things because they know if they truly analyze these things logically they would not have a valid point.
— @ 23
—- Yeah that was my favorite one too!
Well concreteloop you got me.
I’m still not voting for Obama and I Agree that government buying morgage loans was his idea first.. I think it is a bad idea no matter who said it first.
I think that is worst than the bailout, and increasing tax to income ratio because you make more. Were is the government going to get the money to do that? To be real about it. For every American who has lost their home there are two or three who did the right thing money wise and are going to be hurt. I’m talking about people who will be put in a crunch, who are doing just fine now.
What I want to know is if they will weed out the folks who cause their own home loss
i.e. Ninja loan, acorn directed loan. Will the homeowner be responsible for any money not recovered from the sale of the home by the government?
What they didnt answer is what programs and earmarks ( Obama since McCain dosent have any) intend on stop to decrease spending, like HeadStart which started as a nonprofit but now uses government funds and cant even be used everybody.
Both of these guys are going to say what ever to win, we should all know that, which is why Obama changed mind on war( found out more people for than against) and McCain changed mind on Econmics. Now we all know they didnt really change their mind, they just read the polls.
So like I always say vote for the issues that are most important to you, and my the best man win
@ Remy…
Before you stated you were white I kind of figured you were, from your lack of understanding why black folks would find the “that one” comment disrespectful. White people and black people do not share the same sensitivities. A white person referring to a black person as “that one” will be deemed condescending to us. It goes back the history between the two races and it is a very sensitive issue. What I tell white people is please do not tell black people how to feel towards because certain issues.
McCain’s jowls are so sexy!
Even the way he sits possess power! McCain is too old too past it for the job and his running mate is a fool she just read whats written and given to her! OBAMA08
McCain can’t touch Obama when it comes to economy and education.
Obama has improved alot on foreign policy and I truly believe he would be good at trying to heal all these broken relationships we have with other countries
McCain does have some strengths, but I just don’t think he’s a good choice for a country that’s in debt and pretty much broke
Obama did a good job last night and I LOVE THAT HE STAYED AFTER THE DEBATE AND TALK TO THE AUDIENCE AFTERWARD!! GOOD MOVE!!
COsign #27, Tom Brokaw was extremely pro McCain last night, they should have had someone else moderate.
@JA
Will you vote at all? If you are, why aren’t you voting for Obama? I am just curious.
@ Remy…
In case you haven’t notice by reading this post, thats how we talk to one another in this Country. I’m black , from the South and American and I can tell you we are all Black and white racist and disrepectful of each other. That our nature and it wont change no matter who’s elected.
@ dukesman2000
Have an appointment but I will be back to give you a detailed answer.
Yes Angel I caught that comment too, he is very condescending. His horns are starting to show since he can’t get a leg up on Obama.
Is it just me or did anybody else feel when McCain referred to Obama as “that one” he may as well have said “that n****r”?
That was out of line!
Can’t go for that!
Obama/Biden 2008/2012!!!!!!!
I am trying to get past the “That one”comment…such a faux pas. It’s all good. Obama you are such a gentleman.
OBAMA WON!!!!! SO LETS PLEASE HURRY UP AND VOTE BOTH OF THOSE OLD BAGS UP OUT OF HERE!!!!!
AND THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!!
BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!!
BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!!
****************************************************************************************** McCain should refrain from calling Obama a terrorist because of his link to Ayers because it has been discovered that McCain backed, in 1983, a right wing Nazi death group which seeked to overthrow the leftist government in Nicaragua.
Just read the article below!
http://www.cbsnews.com/st...olitics/main4505539.shtml
******************************************************************************************
McCain couldn’t even shake the man’s hand! Wow! I just don’t understand how you would not vote for Obama.
I agree with others comments, the statement, “that one” really got under my skin, I thought it was disrespectful, and I feel it was a true reveal of where McCain stands with African Americans, especially African American men. Everytime Obama addressed McCain he made certain that he said “Senator McCain” to uphold respect within the debate. Secondly, the fact that McCain spent most of his time, writing down points (a lot like Palin last week), I thought that also showed a lack of respect. Although I’m sure it was because he couldn’t remember half of the things Obama was saying, it could be interpreted as him being disengaged from Obama’s statements. In addition to those two things, McCain walking around instead of sitting down when Obama was answering the question really urked me, I felt that out of respect, McCain should have either stood still or rested his “old bones” by sitting down while Obama was addressing the people, and lastly McCain needed to stop referring to the American people as “my friends” that was almost as bad as “maverick” last week with Palin.
okay everybody, i’m all for the o-man, but please stop with the “old” cracks on mccain. yes, he is up there in age but it wreaks of ageism and plain disrespect the way some of you talk about him. we know they have been str8 dissing our man but we should be better than that. i’m just sayin…
@DEEDEE i agree, i couldn’t believe him walking around on stage while Obama had the floor trying to divert the people’s attetnion away form Obama, i was too through!! he looked old and feeble and not fit nor able to run a country. CNN’s Soldad did an interview with a roomful of undecided voters after the debate with Ohio residents, she asked them by a show of hands who would vote McCain (14) and who would vote Obama (11)??! I couldn’t beleive it, after that condesencding and weak performance by McCain those whites obviously don’t feel comfortable voting for a black man and that scares the sh** out of me.
@ JA
Reading your first post unsettled me a bit and I hope to say the following with the utmost respect. My question to you is not whether or not you’ll vote for Obama. That’s your discretion and while I would love to spend some time and convince you to vote for an Obama/Biden ticket – if you are not at all convinced that this country can change, even a little bit , then you are self defeating.
It is NOT our nature to act racist and disrespectful towards each other. To attribute disgusting behavior as such, absolves us of the fundamental human responsibility to respect one another. To think that it’s our nature as a country to be racist/disrespectful places you, a black, southern person on the short end of the stick. I understand your frustration, but you can’t simply resort to defeating yourself because you’re convinced other people can’t change.
You have valid questions about the economy. I will say that your mistrust is misplaced, however, seeing as you might be a little misinformed about the effect of this bill on “well-standing” homeowners. Also, that idea that you’re talking about isn’t verbatim what is going to happen.
Change won’t just start with Barack Obama – it has to start with us. WE choose to see this great country for what it could be, WE choose to elect someone who shares our vision. You cynicism about politicians is also understandable, but again, I’ll point out the danger in being self-defeatist. You can sit with your marker and mark all the times that each candidate has changed their mind. But, unless you get over your cynicism and realize who is trying to serve YOUR/OUR best interests – then your marker serves absolutely no one.
Well i think that obama did so good last nite. You know what it is with the Mccain voters they scared that a BLACK MAN is about to rule the country. They scared that this man is a very intelligent BLACK MAN. That what is boiled down too. You notice people when dems in office the other country listen. It funny to when clinton left office we had a surplus and now we negative like come on. The other country r on all floor just laughing at us. Obama will get the country back on r feet but like he said we have to do it too. We can not just sit back and just let him handle it we all have to put in a helping hand too. SO GO OBAMA/BIDEN 08.
@45
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT. MCCAIN WAS RUDE AND CONDESCENDING THE WHOLE TIME. ALL HE AND PALIN TALK ABOUT IS THAT HE DID THIS AND THAT. WHATEVER. HE WALKED AROUND THE WHOLE TIME WHEN IT WAS BARACK’S TURN TO TALK. EVEN TIME IT WAS THAT OLD WHITE BASTARD’S TURN TO TALK OBAMA SAT DOWN RESPECTFULLY. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ON BOTH PARTS. MCCAIN DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE MIDDLE CLASS OR AFRICAN AMERICANS. WE ARE ALL FOOLS IF WE ALLOW THIS MAN TO TAKE OVER AND RUN THIS COUNTRY EVEN DEEPER INTO THE GROUND
@TOIA HE OLD POINT BLANK.
Was too ticked at McCain for that comment, like Obama is an “it” or something. Obama was not fearful of McCain at all and I was getting frustrated with Tom Brokaw for trying to hinder him from talking back at McCain for his accusations and proud Obama did not let it slide. It really helped his case. McCain improved some with looking at Obama more this time, but its hard for him to keep his racist disdain from coming out. That sort of thing turns people off and drives the undecided and black Republicans toward Obama. If he and Palin keep it up and it will cost them the White House.
yea, so, OBAMA without question WON that debate and the previous one as well….
Not only did the “that one” comments piss everyone, including me, off. But I thought is was interesting how McCains old wrinkley ass kept giving posthumous head to Regan. I guess he doesn’t realize that even quite a few republicans say Reganomics were bad for this country when he was in office. It’s like he had a crush on dude.
I like how Obama was looking at McCain, like… “this n*gga here”. It was funny. But I am really sick and tired of McCain and Palin’s @ss. They are working my last nerve with the smearing and lying. Everyone embelishes from time to time, including Obama. But it’s like they know their campagne is weak and are resulting to being messy. If they were on their game, they wouldn’t have to go to the extremes they go to. It’s tiring. I honestly can’t wait until it’s over.
I have said before and say it again. There will be no change with another republican in office. It has been proven time and time again that republicans pick up where the last ones left off. They continue the “plan” of action established by the republican establishment. Anything will be better than what we are experienced and have experienced these last 8.
I understand the importance of a good foreign policy, but I also think it is equally if not more important to clean your own house first. We keep policing other nations, when crime here is so bad that kids are being killed everyday on urban streets. And the economy is in the toilet. At least Obama is trying to provide some balance. All they keep harping on him about is foreign policy, when the role of the president is not to just maintain good policy abroad, but also to run this nation effectively.
In illinois we don’t even have to declare a party… so I am considered Indepedent because I never picked a party. It is always chosing the lesser of two evils to me and the Republicans always seem just a tad bit more evil and McCain just proved that with his disrespectful antics last night.
LOL when MC CAIN said we dont have time for untrained people on the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow–getting feisty
@ angel
McCain pissed me off last night. I know everyone is talking about that “that one” incident, which was VERY disrespectful. But I’m talking about when he told that young man that asked a question about the economy, that he probably didn’t know what Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac was before the crisis. WTF?! ”
That pissed me off. Just because he is a young black man doesnt mean he doesnt know what Fannie Mae is…WHO DOESNT KNOW WHAT FANNIE MAE IS????
RACIST ASSWIPE.
i AM SOOOO SICK OF “you betcha” & “my friends”
LOL @14! The McSlain/Fakelin was funny! How about McPain/Failin? LOL!
Seriously folks, if he shows no respect for a Senator, how do you think he feels about you?
Whoever is responsible for allowing America to become vulnerable for a terrorist attack is at fault for the economic crisis today. By being passive toward groups that were a threat before the attack. The twin towers were targeted for a reason, to wound our economy and it worked. Major companies in the towers were affected and it affected jobs in other areas with layoffs, downsizing, etc. It has created a snowball affect that exist today! Also, the McCain/Palin camp is trying to attack Obama the same way that Martin Luther King was attacked. MLK was also accused of being a terrorist!
@ 1…I’m starting to feel sorry for him too. McCain just needs to retire. At his age – who wants to stress over running an entire country – especially with the ways things are going now. Gas prices are higher than ever, some cities don’t even have gas, our economy is shot, people are losing their jobs, etc. Who would want to take all of that on – let alone someone who is 72?
MCAIN WAS VERY WEAK LAST NIGHT CRUMBLING LIKE A COOKIE….
THAT STUPID MY FRIENDS AND BABY TALK MADE HIM LOOK LIKE COMPLETE IDIOT AND IT WAS GETTING ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLES NERVES….
HE IS WEAK AND IT SHOWED LAST NIGHT… HE WAS UNDER PRESSURE AND IT SHOWED LAST NIGHT….. AND HE IS A GOT DAM LIE AND IT SHOWED LAST NIGHT……
THIS COUNTY IS READY FOR CHANGE. LIKE THEY SAID HE OWN SEVEN HOUSES HIS A** CAN NOT RELATE TO THE MIDDLE CLASS SO TRYING TO LIE TO US WE AEINT BUYING IT………..
OBAMA 08