September 26, 2008 9:27

JP's Big Fat Debate Thread

Posted by James Poniewozik | Comments (224) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

JP: Several commenters have asked us to create one thread and update posts within it. Let's try that.

9:30: Actually, Karen and I can't edit each other's posts, so we'll try each doing a separate one. For now.

9:31: OK. Following on my shallow observation about the height disparity: clearly they are shooting them to equal it out. In split screens, you can't see Obama's podium. And McCain's head looks larger.

9:35: Liveblogging is a lousy way to actually pay attention to a debate. Thank God I have CNN's magic poker chips to think for me.

9:37: Seriously, I'm mesmerized by those CNN HD rating circles. They look like Sudoku. Castellanos is a vvery aggressive grader. Gloria Borger's practically boycotting the thing.

9:40: OK, I need to ignore that BS pseudo-science focus group line at the bottom of CNN's screen, but... the mention of Sarah Palin's name seems to be kryptonite for the independents.

9:42: Iraq! It's interesting to see a Presidential debate in which both the Republican and the Democrat seem equally eager to talk about it.

9:46: "I'm afraid Senator Obama doesn't understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy." Um, I'm guessing neither does 98% of your audience---maybe you want to define it for them?

9:48: I'm not sure how eager the audience is for a discussion of the Iraq War during Bailout Week, but the candidates certainly are. No need for Lehrer to coach, "Say it to him!" here.

9:52: Obama's pre-debate coaching. Numbers, numbers, numbers. And keep it crisp.

9:53: McCain: I knew George Schultz!

9:57: McCain's facial expressions while listening to opponent in split-screen much more animated than Obama's. Not saying this is necessarily good or bad. But a lot of eyebrow action.

10:02: NBC wins for least distracting bottom-of-screen chyrons. After starring at that terrifying CNN screen, it's like a spa for my eyeballs.

10:04: Add to banned-phrase list: "existential threat." Meaning: "a threat to its existence, and I am smart." Also sounds a little Frenchy.

10:08: OK, I'm an Obama supporter, but I'll cut McCain slack: I can't say Ahmadinejad either. And my last name is Poniewozik.

10:14: "I don't even have a seal yet." Very funny joke, for about 5,000 people who remember political signage gaffes of the past summer. Also, was Sen. McCain not briefed not to use the phrase "stinking corpse"?

10:16: Checked back in on CNN's pundit-ratings graphics. I'm not entirely sure how to read them, but I think somebody has Bingo.

10:19: Also, Sen. McCain: Do not use phrase: "Great young president."

10:21: McCain clearly making a point of emphasizing his well-worn passport: "I've traveled..." "I've been to..."

10:26: For a debate whose format is supposed to encourage a lot of direct interchange, these candidates don't really seem to want to talk directly to each other much, particularly McCain to Obama. Deliberate strategy? Personal issues?

10:28: Shockingly, CNN's Paul Begala places Obama ahead on points while Bill Bennett has McCain ahead. Thank God technology can move us beyond the fog of partisan spin!

10:32: McCain isn't as funny and disarming as he is in formats like his townhalls or Saddleback. I'm guessing that he turns on the personal appeal and humor best when he's talking to someone one-on-one. Obama, of course, is no Mr. Giggles on the debate stage but has clearly worked on the crispness of his delivery. He sounds a little more behind the podium like he usually does in his speeches—a little.

10:37: Possibly the least closing-remarks-y closing remarks I have ever heard.

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Reader Comments (224)

Posted by q | October 30, 2008 6:46 AM

Just wait and see. Can't be picky (about food).642-811 / 642-825 / 350-018 / 70-445 / 70-445

Posted by lauryn123 | October 22, 2008 9:45 AM

backatcha dude :) see you then.

sweet dreams, all

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 11:33 PM

so would I shara and it is what I dream about while I head to bed.

Night shara, it was nice exchanging thoughts with you, see you on the 2nd, bring lots of alcohol cause there will be a lot of palin phrases to drink to including "ya"

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:24 PM

@dgopalan - I'd pay good money to see that - someone actually going no-holds-barred on that lady.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 11:20 PM

night canada_girl seen on the 2nd

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:19 PM

I get that underestimating her is dangerous on a political level that if she even suprasses expectations by an inch, she is going to claim victory.

I also get that Biden is going to tread some murky waters in how he deals with her cause she not Hilary Clinton tough. I am afraid he is going to pull his punches cause she's a mom.

My thinking is this, no one expects much of Palin then why not show exactly why we shouldn;t expect much out of Palin. Why not get at her to the point that she is drooling and ranting about armageddon, why not demolish her and end this idiotic candidacy.

I also understand that doing the above will be seen as sexist by some but why? This can easily be countered with that she is a product of title IX, she is a pitbull with lipstick, why does she get a special pass cause she is a woman?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:19 PM

night night everyone, see you October 2nd!

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 11:16 PM

James P. thanks, even though you and KT spread the discussion all over the place and not in a central location. Finally got going here, though.

Thanks everybody.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 11:13 PM

@dgopalen - I don't like that she's going in as the lowest of underdogs. I mean, I'm glad that nobody is expecting her to do well, because it would be worse for people to take her more seriously, but doesn't that kinda serve her interests anyway? I mean, people will be surprised if its not a total massacre - all she has to do is avoid drooling and ranting about armageddon and dinosaurs and it will be better than some expect. Then she can get an upswing, some forward momentum, of having done 'better than expected'. Actually, if that DOESN"T happen, I think she and McCain are kinda screwed. If that happens, I'm saying I told you so . . . But who knows.

That's how you're gonna get 'em, Butch. Keep underestimating them.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 11:11 PM

@ dgopalan - I think I'll be doing the same thing. Listening to Harper might make my ears bleed and listening to Dion would make me weep. I want some entertainment... I can't wait to see Palin put her lipstick on.

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 11:11 PM

As a sure and straight Demo ticket voter, I am not happy with Biden.

But, time for change, even if Bush and the Demos are on the same page on econmic policy and fighting the grassroots Repubs in the House. Those people will bring us all to hell.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 11:10 PM

Shara - HA!

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:05 PM

Biden on CNN just played the expectations game by stating that Palin is great debater. Try as you might Biden, there is no way to lower the expectation of you wiping the floor with her

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:04 PM

@dgopalan - but strategery, now, that's a whole other thing. . .

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 11:03 PM

Nice, Biden just said McCain doesn't know difference between strategy and tactic (which is nothing by the way)

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:02 PM

Thanks James P! Great job with the liveblog, it definitely added to the experience.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 11:01 PM

don't even get me started on canadian election (supid NDP agreeing to no confidence vote that led us to conservative minority govt - hate the fact that I worked for Layton briefly)

but in reference to your question, it'll be the VP debates all the way, can't wait to watch my very first live train wreck. Canadian debate will be hard to follow with Dion's accent andnot enough considers NDP or Green to be viable options yet

You?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 11:01 PM

one of mccain's aides just made a comment about how they didn't have much time to prepare because they "suspended" the campaign to help the country.

i just threw up a little in my mouth

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 11:00 PM

@canada_girl My plan is to watch the Canadian debate live, then the taped version of the US VP debate. I figure that'll be easier to find that online than the Canadian debate.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 11:00 PM

Mike Murphy has on the same kind of graphically bad tie. Is it a Repub requirement?

Posted by ivb | September 26, 2008 10:59 PM

dgoplan- the first vp debate is on the same night as the Prime Minister's debate here in Canada... what to watch?

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:58 PM

palin would probably see KGB in the eyes of a moose

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:57 PM

I think it's just a townhall so anything goes. Third is domestic and economic issues.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:57 PM

I'll see you guys at the next debate :) Have a good night!
ps> How many Canadians are there on here?!!

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:56 PM

Curseword, I was watching on 2 different channels and don't even see the CNN dial.

I think McCain won because I have a gut feeling for what the Bush voters think and what appeals to them. McCain appealed to that crowd very effectively. Most of the discussion was related to foreign policy and McCain pitched the same old crap that Dems and Repubs have supported since the Great War 2.

Obama not only did not parry, he joined in and that is McCain's turf. Bad Russia, bad Iran, get the whole world in line with our values. That is a serious problem and I don't know that Obama differs on those views and practices. If he does not differ with the Republicans on foreign policy, I am not sure I am in his camp totally.

I can go on forever on this, but that is the simple answer.

Thanks for asking Curseword.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:56 PM

is it just over arching domestic policy not including economy?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:54 PM

stupid question, what is the topic of the next debate?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:54 PM

@Mike: lol! Does she look them in the eyes and see K. G. B.?

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:53 PM

I know as a Canadian on the west coast, I'm grateful Palin's out there protecting the entire continent!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:53 PM

Palin was unavailable because she's taking the night shift watching for any ruskies trying to cross the bering strait

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:52 PM

Shara, the other thing be talked about that was pretty noticeable especially here with the drinking game of "he doesn't understand" was that Obama was seen to agree with McCain a little too much whereas McCain didn't even engage Obama personally

I certainly hope for the next debate, they take you up on your suggestions cause it will certainly stop this Obama is naive thing that GOP is sprouting

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:50 PM

Wrong link. Palin not allowed to spin: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/palin-wont-spin-for-mccain/

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:50 PM

Shara, Palin is in an undisclosed location: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/first-obama-mccain-presid_n_129569.html

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:48 PM

They just had Joe Biden on for the Obama camp, and then freaking Rudy Guiliani on for McCain - where the frak is Palin?

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:47 PM

NBC had Biden on to spin for Obama.

Before Williams guts to the GOP rep - Guiliani, he makes a statement that an offer was extended to Palin but not accepted hence Guiliani's presence.

VP debates cannot get here sooner

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:47 PM

If i had one piece of advice for obama for round two its to stop paying attention to the garbage coming out of mccain and stick to your plan as shara says said or is it just shara said? ;)

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:46 PM

@shara I think you hit the nail on the head. McCain spewed a whole bunch of crap and told a bunch of stories. All of it was either irrelevant or blatantly untrue, but unfortunately still effective.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:46 PM

I think. . .

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:45 PM

Whoa, Katie Couric just talked about Kissinger's actual position on meeting with foreign leaders, and what Kissinger said was what Obama had said he had said. If that makes any sense. Hee hee hee.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:45 PM

@Mike - I agree. But he only dominated by spewing so much crap around that Obama felt compelled to set straight. That let McCain stay on the offensive a little more than I'd have liked, but Obama also did come across as very well-informed and reasonable.

McCain got lots of soundbytes in. He also did things to "connect" with people - it was funny, Obama was talking about helping all these people, proposing plans to help working people, but McCain was telling plenty of stories about them.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:44 PM

Damn! Biden's coming but not Sarah? LOL...

Posted by Corey | September 26, 2008 10:42 PM

Why do you think McCain won James? Is this from the magical dials from CNN?

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:41 PM

I think the one thing that got Obama in trouble for sure is when he said he wouldn't sit there and listen to Ahmedinejad's spewing hatred against Israel.

McCain pounced on that and hey look at that Brokaw agrees with me and viscerally,McCain won that point cause that is what most people tuned in to see, someone really rip into the other guy

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:41 PM

Thanks to all! This was fun.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:40 PM

McCain probably took the second half, but he didn't do what he needed to do, which was blow Obama out.

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:40 PM

Damn even Michelle towers over McCain

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:38 PM

What the hell is with Cindy's hair?

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:38 PM

SPIN ROOM! SPIN ROOM! SPIN ROOM! Lie to me various campaign surrogates! Lie to me!

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:38 PM

Unfortunately I agree with James. Despite the fact that none of McCain's comments had even a passing relation to reality, he still won...

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:37 PM

What is so flipping hard about the Iranian President's name?

Ah-mad-i-ne-jad

Other than pronunciation issues WRT Persian vowels, it's spelled exactly how it sounds.

Posted by FastEddie | September 26, 2008 10:37 PM

I cannot freaking wait for the VP debates. That is going to be a total trip.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:37 PM

McCain was a POW?

Posted by Tiff_in_the_CHI | September 26, 2008 10:37 PM

POW reference - DRINK!

oh wait, I am the only one playing to that reference

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:37 PM

dgopalan - I agree
POW reference

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:36 PM

One last POW drink!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:36 PM

If Jesus or Mother Teressa were on the Republican ticket, I would not vote for it.

But to be honest, McCain won this debate. I did not expect it, and I am heartbroken. I will be so disappointed if the Republicans rule again.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:36 PM

Who won the soundbite contest? I think that McCain got in some good soundbytes (and you could see him smirk every time he got in a low blow or soundbyte catchphrase), although Obama's statements tended to be more practical, and he came off as focused and articulate, and straightforward. McCain seemed angry and smug. But calmer here at the end - no more jaw twitching.

Ah, invoking the 60s and the American Dream for an inspirational finish.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:36 PM

ouch... "I don't need on the job training"

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:35 PM

When I think flexible, McCain does not spring to mind. Poor word choice.

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:35 PM

Didn't McCain vote against veteran benefits that were too good and would damage retention?

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:35 PM

Also I dont like this soft spoken voice thing that McCain does, it borders on a man about to cry and doesn't project strength/power

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:35 PM

Did McCain really try to tie Obama to Bush. Hey look at that Obama is doing a belly laugh along with me

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:34 PM

It just dawned on me that John McCain looks like Grandpa Simpson.

Posted by Tiff_in_the_CHI | September 26, 2008 10:34 PM

Nice bringing in the veterans benefits

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:33 PM

McCain's makeup is looking good. He's learned the lessons of Nixon.

Well his new make-up person costs over $5,000. He could look good if he were dead. Of course that isn't as important for people to know because he doesn't pay $400 for a haircut. Only because he doesn't have enough hair.

Posted by ivb | September 26, 2008 10:32 PM

Poor Obama. He has understood anything in the last half hour here.

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

McCain-- SDI was a ridiculous fantasy; what brought down the USSR was $80/barrel oil followed by $10/barrel oil.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

chaser for "doesn't quite get it"

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

@shara;

Lehrer's an old man...but I'm still not recovered from running 3 hour discussion group of 11 people...last Thursday...

Posted by Corey | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

Overall Obama really hasn't done enough to tie McCain to Bush's policies.

And I didn't realize Star Wars was responsible for ending the cold war!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

thats it i'm gonna slap him

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

DRINKS!!!
Mike...go slap him

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

doesnt understand - DRINK!

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:31 PM

McCain: "I know our allies" - does that include Spain?

As for the largest reorganization of govt, stupid man, you never take credit for the TSA

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:28 PM

So NOW McCain's against torture again? I lost track.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:27 PM

POW mention..there it is

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:27 PM

Really? I don't think its safer...

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:26 PM

I don't like that Obama gives in the opportunity to have the last word on a topic to easily

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:26 PM

jim leher seems tired

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:26 PM

McCain's makeup is looking good. He's learned the lessons of Nixon.

Posted by thearchduke | September 26, 2008 10:25 PM

OBAMA: PLEASE SAY THAT OFFSHORE DRILLING IS A "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE"! ZING!

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:25 PM

@shara:

Research shows that "uhs" increase understanding of messages...

Posted by Corey | September 26, 2008 10:25 PM

Clean coal always makes me think of a line from the West Wing. "Clean coal is just something that pollsters came up with because it sounds better".

West Wing was a great show.

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:24 PM

Is that McCain in the background hucking back snot from his nose? Does this man have a cold?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:24 PM

You know, I dismiss any discussion of Georgia that does not mention that Georgia attacked Russia.

Obama is doing that now.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:23 PM

yes, I'm Canadian and I just said "eh". Furthermore, I think that McCain's body language is screaming "defeat", Obama, although faltering with the "um" more often now seems more at ease.

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:23 PM

@james: Heee! Maybe just for the ones she can see from her house?

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:23 PM

"...behave in a fashion befitting a country that respects international boundaries." Is that the standard now? Coulda fooled me.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:22 PM

McCain... do you need a dustpan and broom to pick up all those Russian names?

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:22 PM

shara, yes, and Palin gets a ribbon for every country she has not visited.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:21 PM

Anyone else think McCain is just making things up now?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:21 PM

frig... he's been everywhere, eh?

we don't care!!!

well.. I don't..McCain just doesn't understand.

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:21 PM

Does McCain get a ribbon for visiting every country that has ever existed?

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:20 PM

Both are talking nonsense crap now. Rattle the sabres.

McCain wins on that one. Obama is pissing against the wind.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:20 PM

OMG most memorable quote of the night:

I looked into Putin's eyes and I saw 3 letters. K. G. B.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:19 PM

This debate, brought to you by the letters KGB.

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:19 PM

"Naivette"? More French from the flag-pin-non-wearing-America-hating McCain.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:19 PM

if he says doesn't understand one more time, i'll slap him myself

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:19 PM

Caleb, McCain is afraid to look at him for fear he would punch him in the nose. I think McCain is trying to contain his anger.

Posted by news-fatigue | September 26, 2008 10:19 PM

Holy Crap! My wife just pointed out Obama is wearing gold eyeshadow...

How can he afford gold in this economy? Elitist liberal!

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:18 PM

Caleb, cause McCain can't say the name Barack properly

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:17 PM

Obama is now saying "uh" a lot. They both must be exhausted. I've been stressed out all day thinking about all the pressure on both of them right now. I couldn't handle pressure like that.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:17 PM

Has anyone noticed that while Obama keeps addressing McCain, McCain has barely looked at Obama at all?

Posted by Caleb in Chicago | September 26, 2008 10:16 PM

Russia? How do I see them? I see them from my house!

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:16 PM

damn that was a mistake

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:16 PM

God I hope they swept the candidates for knives, or Obama's done fer.

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:15 PM

Holy crap. This is insane.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:15 PM

Verdao, eruption better come soon cause there's only 15 min left

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:15 PM

He's comparing South and North Korean's height?
McCain is really grinding his chops...sheesh

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:14 PM

If I sit down with someone, I thereby endorse everything they have ever said? Really? That is how it works?

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:14 PM

Is it just me or did McCain almost call Obama stupid before catching himself?

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:14 PM

what's the average weight of an African Swallow, John?

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:14 PM

Obama needs to smash the crap out of him right now. He needs to go all medieval on his a$$ and take control of this conversation. That's what I want to see.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:14 PM

oooo McCain is getting sarcastic with the seal comment! Maybe an eruption is coming.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:13 PM

ANOTHER ONE!

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:13 PM

doesnt seem to understand - DRINK!

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:13 PM

I don't even have a seal yet.

LOL

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:13 PM

McCain needs to stop showing his teeth (I mean that literally) it further exaggerates his age

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:12 PM

A strong defense of diplomacy. Thank you!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:12 PM

Holy crap McCain is clenching his jaws. Look at his jaw muscles twitching - looks like body language for seriously angry.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:12 PM

James...

Try Saahashkavile.....or whatever his name is...

THe only one I've heard get it right so far is Maddow

Posted by Corey | September 26, 2008 10:12 PM

"you aren't going to invite him over for tea" God I love when Obama gets snide. I know, I know, I'm a liberal elitist snob. I don't care.

Posted by Elena | September 26, 2008 10:11 PM

McCain never wears a flag pin. He does hate America

Posted by ivb | September 26, 2008 10:11 PM

McCain - Nailed!

Go further Obama, preconditions is what destroyed the N Korea deal

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

time-blogger... ha ha...

McCains is gonna throw that pen at Obama lol, did anyone notice how HUGE the letters were on that pad of paper?!

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

time, very suspicious to me. Is he a communist? More likely a fascist. They are all the same. But no flag pin is shameful.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

Hmmm...

Didn't Jesus sit down with the tax collectors without preconditions? Wouldn't that be the CHristian(TM) thing to do?

Posted by Corey | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

You know, this is way better than when Kerry and W were debating. This is way more dynamic, two more interesting speakers. And wasn't 4 years ago when they were being all strict on the time limits, and so everyone just spent most of their time for the next question finishing their answers to the previous questions? That was driving me freaking crazy back in the day. I like this format WAY better than whatever I had seen before.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

dgopalan -- good catch! I thought that's what I heard. hehehehe

Posted by Elena | September 26, 2008 10:10 PM

Those Iranians names sure are tough. Also, semantic debate about the meaning of "without preconditions"!

I like to imagine the current president sitting in the Oval office have lively debates about the meaning of certain phrases.

Posted by Curseword69 | September 26, 2008 10:09 PM

Only when fearmongering is being used for political capital...

BTW..... REPUBLICAN GUARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:09 PM

Did Obama just help McCain with his pronounciation?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:08 PM

How come McCain's not wearing a flag pin? Does he hate America?

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:08 PM

Delicious, want me to post more in caps?

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:08 PM

News fatigue, I was waiting for POW references, so far only one, I getting on canadagirl's plan of adding "he doesn't understand" and perhaps "making it clear"

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:07 PM

every time James uses all caps, I drink.

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:07 PM

"Spa for my eyeballs" is the best quote of the night!!

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:06 PM

SHOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:06 PM

THE THREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:06 PM

We need to screw with every country on earth, right?

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:05 PM

Isn't everybody doing shots to "Senator Obama doesn't understand"?

Posted by news-fatigue | September 26, 2008 10:05 PM

Good point shara. McCain says something blatantly wrong or distorted and Obama dignifies it with a slightly defensive denial. It's not a winning pattern for Obama.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:05 PM

"Existential threat" WTF?

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:05 PM

Obama does seem to be having difficulty coming back from McCain's leisurely storytelling...

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:05 PM

THE IRANIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

Whoo League of democracies! Kind of like the League of Extraordinary gentleman, a horrendously bad movie which is a good simile for McCain's idea

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

THE RUSSIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

Mike... I'm glad you noticed...it should be a drinking game

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

great point shara, he needs to ignore some of the BS

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

A second holocaust? WTF?

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:04 PM

Defeat in Iraq occured on "day one" as has become a catch phrase.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:03 PM

"Doesn't seem to understand"... GEEZ!!!

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:03 PM

another "he doesn't understand"

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:03 PM

Obama is starting to sound a little defensive every now and then. McCain is definitely doing a better job of controlling this part of the discussion - going on the offensive - by making Obama spend most of his time refuting absolute garbage.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:02 PM

McCain seems to be getting angry.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 10:02 PM

ooh mccain gets snarky

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:02 PM

Angry man is coming through

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:02 PM

Holy cow... based on your comments, I'm three minutes behind your broadcast here in Denver... he just started his 1983 story.

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 10:02 PM

I am thinking in terms of the people who voted 2x for Bush. McCain is scoring with them.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

BATTLE OF THE BRACELETS

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

Oh we all have bracelets! Sorry this is a bit cheap on both of their parts.

Posted by llirra | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

Oh man. It's a bracelet-off!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

Oh we all have bracelets! Sorry this is a bit cheap on both of their parts.

Posted by llirra | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

its the bracelet wars!

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:01 PM

And the first reference to his POW status. Drink!

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 10:00 PM

I think McCain is benefiting more here. Obama is doing himself no harm, but McCain is doing himself more good.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 10:00 PM

McCain is now telling us a bedtime story

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 10:00 PM

like i said earlier - he runs out of substance, so he spends all his time telling some down home story. This is a presidential freaking debate.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 10:00 PM

It's convenient for McCain to talk about the past. Less chance he'll get nailed for blatantly distorting the truth.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 9:59 PM

he's kind of right... you don't say that out loud...

there are some things that you do at night... like invade Pakistan with tacit, unspoken permission... the kind that keeps their administration in power and still allows us to achieve our goals...

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 9:59 PM

Really, do you really want to bring up Regan, Really? Cause you haven't had enough problems in the last week with the economy?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:58 PM

mccain needs to stop telling these folksy stories, its making him seem old

you know back in 1983...zzzz

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 9:58 PM

"I don't think he understands" is McCain's favourite line of the night...

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:57 PM

@dgolalan - i think so too. McCain is making some low blows though, since we got to foreign policy. Obama makes a lot more sense, but McCain is coming off as more confident (well, cocky).

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 9:57 PM

Agree about the effective prep. He is better than I have ever seen him in this mode.

Got to McGrumpy by saying Bomb Bomb Iran!

Posted by ivb | September 26, 2008 9:56 PM

I want him to lose his temper! He's starting to make faces!!!

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:56 PM

Woah, smackdown on McCain's Beach Boys cover!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 9:56 PM

Rose - you're right, I was thinking the same thing..

Glad to read there is another Canuck on here..

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:55 PM

McCain using the word 'trigger' is really unsettling.

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 9:55 PM

Rose, do you think he is not personally engaging Obama cause he is afraid that he will lose his temper and thereby show the american people what he means when he says he is not Ms. Congeniality and hopefully why this man should not be in the oval office

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:54 PM

Lehrer is not normally up this late, apparently.

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 9:54 PM

I can't get over how well Obama is doing today oratorically speaking. Gone are the constant stutters, whistling when speaking, well done debate prep team

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:52 PM

Strategy vs. Tactic... awesome

Posted by DeliciousMonster | September 26, 2008 9:52 PM

OOOOOH strategic mistake

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 9:51 PM

chris rock was right. i'll trust the guy who only owns 1 house to worry more about the economy

Posted by cbhenderson | September 26, 2008 9:51 PM

James, yes, I would like to see one place for all the comments on the debate.

Too late now. It is totally screwed up.

Posted by james | September 26, 2008 9:50 PM

"Why doesn't McCain actually engage Obama? This is the second time Obama has referred to McCain personally"

dgopalan, he's trying to not look like a crazy angry old man who shouldn't be anywhere near the nuclear button.

Posted by Rose | September 26, 2008 9:50 PM

oh good canada_girl (ps me too, i mean I too am a canadian girl born in 79)

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:48 PM

ps...I mean Obama needs to get McCain's smirk off his face...

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:46 PM

Obama's looking down during McCain's answers so he can make notes about what he'll respond to.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 9:46 PM

wait was is the different between tactic and strategy other than 3 extra letters?

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:46 PM

McCain falls back on anecdotes when he has nothing of substance to say.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 9:45 PM

YOU WERE WRONG!!!!

Obama needs to get the smirk off his face

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:45 PM

Why doesn't McCain actually engage Obama? This is the second time Obama has referred to McCain personally

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:45 PM

Why does Obama keep looking down, makes him look like he's sleeping through McCain's answers.

Posted by llirra | September 26, 2008 9:43 PM

Crowd is neutral on Obama, uptick on the end. Might be a good thing...redline didn't dip.

Posted by Hammerlock | September 26, 2008 9:43 PM

I am almost wishing for a McCain smirk right now when Obama rattles off Iraq stats

Posted by dgopalan | September 26, 2008 9:42 PM

The tie is painful

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:41 PM

"you cannot have a failed strategy that almost causes to lose you a conflict"

really? it took iraq to tell you that?

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 9:39 PM

Hee hee he says that what we should have done was NOT to have had a faulty strategy. . . If only we had thought of that before. . .

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 9:39 PM

The american people KNEW him very well....

...lol, palin.

Posted by Hammerlock | September 26, 2008 9:39 PM

sounds smarter than w?? is the bar that low now??

Posted by cbhenderson | September 26, 2008 9:38 PM

"I got plans" that's great Mr. McCain.

Posted by llirra | September 26, 2008 9:37 PM

James, so right about the tie.

Posted by ivb | September 26, 2008 9:37 PM

He seriously wants to spend nothing except for the military? Obama's response about the scalpel and the hatchet was very well put.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 9:37 PM

McCain may not have Obama's oratory flair, but he sounds a lot smarter than W.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 9:37 PM

Someone should mention that new nuke plants cost TEN BILLION EACH.

450 BILLION? Seriously?

Posted by Hammerlock | September 26, 2008 9:36 PM

I obviously won't be voting, but this is great. Personally, I think McCain is lacking charisma and the appropriate vocabulary to sound eloquent and "presidential"

Posted by canada_girl79 | September 26, 2008 9:35 PM

"This is going to affect how you rule the country"?

Lehrer is a monarchist?

Posted by stuart_zechman | September 26, 2008 9:35 PM

Nuclear power - not a winner John...

Posted by Mr. M | September 26, 2008 9:35 PM

I'm with Mike. It's insanely hard to follow when no one's answers have anything to do with the question. It's a war of strategic talking points!

Posted by Verdao | September 26, 2008 9:35 PM

McCain is acting like a spoiled kid.

45 new nuclear power plants? Holy crap.

Posted by shara says | September 26, 2008 9:34 PM

McCain's on his stump speech. Again.

Posted by grape_crush | September 26, 2008 9:34 PM

Nice with the Coburn comeback.

Posted by grape_crush | September 26, 2008 9:33 PM

Could you go back to the blog drawing board before the next debate and find a more suitable mechanism? Refreshing a page and then scrolling to the bottom to find new comments is very 1990s. Let's see some event-driven technology to update the page automatically.

Posted by time-blogger | September 26, 2008 9:33 PM

i really wish one of them would actually answer a question directly...

Posted by Mike | September 26, 2008 9:32 PM

Thank you!

Posted by stuart_zechman | September 26, 2008 9:31 PM

to be fair, Iowa hasn't been one for a week.

Posted by Hammerlock | September 26, 2008 9:31 PM

"It's hard to reach over that far to the left!"

Posted by kit mackenzie | September 26, 2008 9:31 PM

Yes, James. Update a single posting, and keep all the comments in one spot.

Posted by grape_crush | September 26, 2008 9:30 PM

sounds good.