If you tuned into every major network tonight, you saw the first ever debate between presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. But what was built up to be the political "rumble in Mississippi" between the veteran McCain and the newcomer Obama, was all hype and short on delivery. The suspense of whether John McCain would show up, if he was afraid to debate, and if Obama be would ready to slay, were answered in the first five minutes.
Both men began with their prepared speeches, almost oblivious to the questions coming from PBS host and moderator Jim Lehrer. However, the themes of the night, which were foreign policy and national security, soon took center stage, with each man laying out their differences and similarities.
On the economy, Obama and McCain both agree that any bailout plan for Wall Street should include greater oversight and transparencies, and not include "golden parachutes" for executives who ran their companies into the ground. Obama would also add help for homeowners, while McCain wants loans for struggling businesses. Interesting to note was when McCain seemed to backtrack on saying he'd fire the head of the SEC. Now, he claims he would simply call for his resignation; that is, of course, because the President doesn't have the authority to fire him.
Then, it was on to the war in Iraq: a war Obama opposed and McCain supported. While Obama pointed out that the terrorists who attacked us on 9-11 are thriving in Afghanistan while we battle in Iraq, McCain asserted that the surge worked, four years into the conflict. He refused to concede that it was a war in the wrong country, or to acknowledge that the 4,000 soldiers lost and 30,000 others wounded were victims of his failed judgment and decision to support the wrong war.
When asked what lessons could be learned from the war, Obama said, "We should never hesitate to use military force, but we have to use it wisely," while McCain said, "You cannot have a failed strategy that almost causes you to lose a conflict." McCain more concerned with winning and losing, Obama with choosing the right fight.
So, were there any fireworks? Actually, there were a few when the men differed on government spending, earmarks, taxes, health care and education. There were also some when each accused the other of being out of touch on these issues.
If anything was learned from the debates, it was that both men still have a lot more to say. Hopefully, next time they will say it with a bit more fire in their bellies.
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Comments: (98)
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By: Lranee on 9/26/2008 11:42PM
I only caught the end of the debate but I was glad to see McCain showed up, both candidates did well on presenting their platform on diplomacy, but John McCain is so out of touch with his ways of dealing with world, issues his approach is the same as Pres. Bush and that is NOT working OBVIOUSLY!!! The ABC news panel pointed out that Sen. Obama had great eye contact with the audience present and at home watching, the host and even John McCain, where John McCain was not connecting at all. I would also like to point out that Sen Obama was very poised at the end he was the first to approach his opponent confidently and he and his wife were the first to approach the McCains. I'm so proud that Sen. Obama is confident and showing that despite their differences, he always comes out looking to be the better man. Great job Sen. Obama!!
Vote Obama/Biden '08
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By: Inspired on 9/26/2008 11:53PM
Well, I think each candidate attempted to get it on, But Obama just danced all over Mccain in quite a few instances. I noticed that Obama told Mccain he was not telling the truth a few times and Mcain did not reply. To some it up it appeared that Mccain attempted to draw our sympathy regarding his military experience, some old tired stuff about Vietnam.... From my observation of Mccain he attempted to give us the old grandaddy debate stance, no fire, no eye contact and frankly made me tired when listening to him. Obama won this Debate!
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By: tina on 9/27/2008 12:01AM
Obama proved in more ways than one that McCain is George Bush all over again. It also raised my eyebrow when McCain said he admired Ronald Regan the most; It brings to mind the Star Wars program, I wonder how much that cost the government, and as we found out later Ronald Regan was suffering from Dementia.
Vote for the All-American Senator Obama for President
Obama/Biden 2008
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By: Lanette on 9/27/2008 12:03AM
it was an interesting debate...
i am looking forward to palin vs BIDEN
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By: OKSistah on 9/27/2008 12:05AM
Both candidates were strong, but I felt John McCain was VERY condescending, repeatedly stating that Barack Obama "did not understand" numerous matters related to war, foreign policy, etc. and speaking over Sen. Obama multiple times. I was proud to see Sen. Obama hold his own and show that he did, in fact, understand very clearly where the issues stood and how to handle them once in office. Overall, I agree with the article that the debate was a bit of a snooze. The only highlight for me was when Sen. Obama turned directly to McCain in response to a question about the war and stated, "John you said _____, and you were wrong" not once, not twice, but three times.
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By: love-breeze on 9/27/2008 1:06AM
The majority of the journalists that commented after the debate stated that Obama’s debate was most impressive and effective. I absolutely agree with Obama that America has lost its' capacity to project power and respect to many nations because of the wrongful attack on Iraq, and I believe that Obama is the candidate that's prudent enough to rectify that. Obama's concern is truly for the working poor Americans who are deeply affected by America's economic calamity, as well as the many troops who have lost their lives or arms and legs, and can't get adequate healthcare after serving in a wrongful war. McCain cannot identify with the painful experiences of low income Americans because he was born into a wealthy family, and since he has been in politics he has been supplementing his wages with six figure incomes by working for the rich lobbyists’ agendas, instead of what is best for all Americans. It looks like he was a participant of all that Washington greed too. So how can he empathize with the majority of Americans when he has never experienced the pains and struggles that we have faced; and yet, he continues to bring up his five year war ordeal, in which he involuntarily stated in his brief biology before the debate that he gave up military secrets, while so many Americans have suffered far longer. McCain staunchly justifies Bush’s wrongful war that has caused so many other nations to feel disdain toward Americans; and not to mention the lost of Americans. And I absolutely agree with Obama when he said that Bush’s refusal to talk to dignitaries of other nations doesn’t intimidate them. In fact, it only allows them to feel less reluctance about making nuclear weapons, or doing any other anti-humanitarian deeds. McCain is the one who doesn’t understand the issues that affect most Americans, nor does he have good military discernment. In addition to that, approximately a week before the economic calamity with the banks and Wallstreet was made public he said that the economy was just fine. That goes to show you how little interest he took in the American economy, because his bank account and portfolio was fine. Now he says that there has to be a stop to Washington’s greed, and the greed of the major financial institutions: Well if he knew greed existed there, then why didn’t this so called “Maverick” do something about it? And didn’t he feel that this greed was wrong to American taxpayers? We work hard for our money, and with this unequal pay for men and women, and with so many deadbeat fathers out there, we need that hard earned money to provide for our children.
And for him to post an ad that says he won the debate, shows you just how out of touch with reality he really is. Majority of everyone on tv says Obama won that one.
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By: rdby on 9/27/2008 1:09AM
Unfortunately, Obama looked rehearsed, confused at some points, but well out of his element of knowing exactly what his people want him to say. McCain showed how little Obama knows about real-world knowledge and he clearly caught Obama in some lies...especially about the "meeting with dictators" lie that everyone was showing the video of Obama stating exactly what McCain stated...Doesn't look good for Obama at this point...hopefully his crew keep educatining him and prep him better for the next one.
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By: MsPresario88 on 9/27/2008 1:23AM
I quickly got tired of McCain sayin,"What Senator Obama fails to understand...". Trying to make him seem confused and out of touch on the isssues. Obama held his ground very well and represented to the fullest. I can't wait to vote for him again in Nov!!!
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By: jamar on 9/27/2008 1:31AM
Mcain sounded more experienced, very comfortable. Obama stuttered and seemed confused.
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By: ms kitty on 9/27/2008 1:39AM
I watched the debate and I thought Sen. Obama did an excellent job of answering the questions and clarifying his knowledge and stance on foreign policy. McCain attempted to make Sen. Obama look ineffective when he kept saying "he doesn't understand" but he does understand and he showed it tonight. And my goodness, if I hear one more of McCains war stories I'm going to scream! I'm so proud of Sen. Obama and proud to be a supporter. I am REALLY waiting for the Biden - Palin debate. I am a Delawarian and I know what Biden is capable of. He will EAT Gov. Palin alive. Vote Obama for president, because it is TIME FOR A CHANGE!
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