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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: barb on 9/30/2008 9:00AM
I enjoyed the debate and was impressed when Barack took command at different times to correct McCain. I also noticed that Mr. Patriotic McCain was not wearing an American flag like Barack. Many people were critical early on about Barack not wearing one and no one has mentioned McCain's oversight. But maybe that's understanble, he's old, he can't remember everything!!!!!!
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By: forlovealways on 9/30/2008 2:03PM
First before I even add my humble two cents to the topic at hand, I need to comment on poster # 15. This was truly an incredibly thoughtful and informative post perhaps, you may consider running for political office in the future. Now onto my reflections on what was truly a fairly irrelevant 40 minutes of time, which I cannot say actually inspired my confidence in either of the two candidates. I truly want to support Obama but as you pointed out, he lost a major opportunity to call Mc Cain onto the carpet not once but a multitude of times and that is unfortunate because this in and of itself, left many chances for his opponent to take repeated digs at his inexperience. I think that McCain should be careful when using that weapon as it literally points to the inexperience of his running mate Palin. The "you do not understand" comments coupled with the inability to look at this individual directly in the eye, was typical behavior for individuals from this socioeconomic group when addressing people who they incorrectly perceive to be inferior intellectually and otherwise. Many political analysts were quick to comment on McCain's lack of ability to appear personable as he deliberately never engaged with Obama as not only a fellow member of the U.S. Senate, but more importantly as a human being. I frankly was embarrassed for McCain, who should have set the standard as someone old enough to be his opponent's father. Why was it so difficult for McCain to relate to Obama in such a basic manner, I wonder. It was certainly a curious part of the debate and I cannot recall a time when this has ever occurred between opposing candidates running for any office, political or otherwise. Well, I suppose McCain is not losing sleep over such a decision so why should I continue on the topic? On to the issues that should have been a part of the debate but were never even a blip on the radar screen. I do not clearly understand why this "debate" did not choose to address some of the major issues and concerns of the American people, the higher unemployment rates, the proposed universal health care plan, the war in Iraq and the lack of confidence in the American economy on the whole. I think many viewers felt not only cheated by the entire experience but more confused than ever before about, which candidate would represent the country most effectively. The American people deserved to learn more from each candidate about the specific solutions that they will offer to completely eradicate the major problems currently plaguing our society. International affairs is certainly an issue of concern for many but I highly doubt is the primary one particularly in a climate where the decline of America's prowess along with the U.S. dollar, is highly visible even by the most idealistic of us. Unfortunately, neither Obama nor Mc Cain were extremely convincing, in my humble opinion in providing such reassurance but perhaps, this will be rectified in the upcoming debate between the two, we shall see.
An Humble and Concerned Constituent
Femme Coeur
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By: forlovealways on 9/30/2008 2:24PM
For # 30, I truly think that you may be onto something that many in your shoes would be afraid to state being that you are one black and two, black. I think many black Americans are afraid to acknowledge the fact that Obama is not ready for the enormous responsibility that the American presidency represents and that is not only unfortunate, it is foolish. Truly, I do not see either of these two candidates as being even remotely close to the Holy Grail but then again, who else is there to choose from and McCain does have the foreign affairs experience as both a U.S. Senator and a former POW and war veteran. I cannot imagine what will happen to the U.S. economy if the wrong person is selected to move into the White House because at this moment in time, the stock market is at an all time low and that INCLUDES the Great Depression! I am not only appalled by the present state of things economically in this country where unemployment rates are at a record high and homeowners are being foreclosed on left and right, I am terrified! I sincerely do not think this is a time for America to hand over the keys to the kingdom to an inexperienced newcomer, still wet behind the ears and full of nothing but hot air and grandiose ideas. The time for playing in this country has come and gone right along with the glory days of the 1950's and the prosperity of the 1980's. We as members of the general voting public must support the need for change in the most realistic ways and sadly, Obama is sharing a wonderful philosophy for being the catalyst in that department but somehow, the action to support such unproven rhetoric, is sorely absent. I wish Obama the best and I think he is a lovely family man who is well educated, articulate and positive but perhaps this time around, he is not the best man to lead America out of its current state of doom and we as taxpayers staring down the barrel of a Weston cannot afford anything less.
An Humble, Honest Constituent
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By: Susan on 9/30/2008 7:29PM
Sen Obama won the debate hands down! He was professional and courteous to Sen McCain. Sen McCain was rude and not courteous to Sen Obama at all. McCain was pushing the " I have so much experience crap" What a joke, he must really think the American people are stupid! I don't care how much experience McCain has, he still is a Bush follower and will continue to implememt the Bush policies if he was to win the election. Any person who does not think this will happen, is just kidding themselves! Sen Obama, will make a difference and bring about many changes, he is honest and is not corrupted by all the politicians who are in office now and have been for far to long, if you ask me. They have driven our country into the ground with all the money they have blown on stupid programs that did not work, who pays for that, the TAX PAYERS OF THIS FINE COUNTRY, THAT'S WHO!. Our country is in real financial trouble, we need a person who will cut spending and will downsize the government and help the people who really need the help, working class families and small business owners. They are the ones who need the tax breaks, not the wealthy, big time oil companies, and big corporations. Sen Obama is an honest man who will do his best to help the average joe. McCain on the other hand, is more concerned about big businesses and giving tax breaks to the wealthy, his concern is not for the average joe by any means. If you think he will help you, you are sadly mistaken. I for one am not buying it! McCain is a clone of Bush, you put him in office, you will have another 4 years of what you have experienced for the last 8. THE CHOICE IS YOURS AMERICA, I HOPE YO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR A CHANGE! OBAMA IS OUR MAN!
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By: amy williams on 10/01/2008 11:07AM
Well i think Sen.Obama did well.I dont know why McCain would keep saying Sen.Obama dont understand there are a lot of (White and Black) people that fit that.First of Sen McCain to seem to do alot of what I like to call beating around the Bush to those of you who might not understand what I mean he really not fully anwsering question. In All I think that Sen. Obama held is ground and came out looking very good I might add for something that the media said oh this is his weakness but He proved them wrong.
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By: clayton on 10/01/2008 10:50PM
Wow! how biased can you get...you seem to mention that McCain was for the surge but he would not admit that the war was in the wrong place; where you failed to mention how Obama would not admit that the surge worked and he should have voted for it. Quit showing from just one side and show the whole story just not one persons mistakes and not the other.
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By: clayton on 10/01/2008 11:30PM
If you are voting watch this please...called burning down the house...very informative
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiEWCnpNnBQ
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By: Trudy on 10/07/2008 8:31PM
GO OBAMA GO OBAMA GO OBAMA GO OBAMBA GO GO GO GO GO!!! THE LORD HAS FINALLY GIVEN THESE UINTED STATES A REAL MAN TO BE IT'S COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND IT IS BARACH OBAMA! SO GO OBAMA ALLLLL THEEEEE WAYYYYY!!!
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