News McCain's Plan for Presidential Debate #2 - Will He Succeed?

[Ivan Seeking]

My spidey senses tell me that McCain may blow it tonight. He has announced that his campaign wants to stay away from the economy and instead focus on character assasination. So I can see this going one of two ways: First, he may be bluffing and trying to catch Obama unprepared. Or, he may be out for blood. If the latter is his intent, he risks coming off as wild, or mean, or as a ranting old man. Unless McCain is using this character assault as a diversion tactic, he may well crash and burn.

In fact, now that I think about it a little more, this whole thing does smell a bit like a diversion. Why would he publically state that he wants to avoid discussing the economy? Is he sneaky or stupid?

 

[WarPhalange]

He already came off as mean to a lot of people in the last debate by not looking at Obama. Whether that was his intent or not is a different matter, but if he keeps making people think he is mean, I don't think he'll win over many of them.

 

[Art]

This town-hall format reputedly plays to McCain's strengths so I expect him to do quite well. Obama needs to revert to the relaxed easy speaking manner he had in the early days of the primaries so the audience warm toward him; he seems far more stilted these days which projects as aloofness.

As the questions will be coming from the floor. (though chosen by some news guy whose name I forget), for McCain not to answer the questions would insult the audience not Obama. I think McCain will pretty much behave as in the last debate with no more nor less than the usual level of digs at his adversary.

It seems Palin has been given the job of character assassin to allow McCain to try and appear presidential and above such pettiness whilst hopefully, for his camp, embroiling Obama in a tit for tat spat with McCain's VP nominee and so reduce his public standing. Perhaps Obama should have Biden take on the same role for him??

To this end it would not make sense for McCain to join in the personal attacks himself and so imo tonight's debate will be standard fare, with both candidates concentrating more on not losing points rather than winning them.

 

[Astronuc]

I think the moderator should ask the audience if they want to hear about the economy or listen to McCain trash Obama.

 

[LowlyPion]

My spidey senses tell me that McCain may blow it tonight. He has announced that his campaign wants to stay away from the economy and instead focus on character assasination. So I can see this going one of two ways: First, he may be bluffing and trying to catch Obama unprepared. Or, he may be out for blood. If the latter is his intent, he risks coming off as wild, or mean, or as a ranting old man. Unless McCain is using this character assault as a diversion tactic, he may well crash and burn.

In fact, now that I think about it a little more, this whole thing does smell a bit like a diversion. Why would he publically state that he wants to avoid discussing the economy? Is he sneaky or stupid?

He's certainly set up for a short fall. They have been playing up his comfort with Town Hall format, and how great he is at it and how poorly Obama is when he doesn't have a teleprompter. I'd say without a clear gaffe from Obama, that Obama will be seen as the victor simply because he will exceed expectations.

I think the go negative approach has exposed McCain's campaign for its desperation. I expect that Obama will be buoyed by confidence and that will translate through the intangibles to the viewing audience. And after today's continued slide confidence in the economy is clearly flagging and any confidence will be viewed as strength.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

This town-hall format reputedly plays to McCain's strengths...

One caveat on this point: McCain's famous town-hall meetings involved rooms full of people who were biased. For the most part, either they already love him, or they were [at least] committed Republicans.

 

[turbo]

Reality-check! When McCain had the nomination locked up, he did town-hall-type appearances because the crowds could be hand-picked, questions could be planted, and McCain could look like he was thinking on his feet. Let's see what tonight holds. Obama really can think on his feet, and if the questions are relevant and fair, McCain will look like an idiot trying to spin every one of them into an attack.

Edit: Sorry, Ivan. I was eating an early supper and typing only sporadically. You've got the drill.

 

[Art]

There are to be 18 questions in total; 6 chosen by the moderator from some 6 million e-mails sent in, and the remaining 12 chosen from questions submitted by the live audience.

It will be interesting to see how many of these questions are answered properly by both candidates though I don't expect either of them to do a Palin and reply with a memorised stock answer regardless of the question.

Given that the economy is going to be a big part of this I think McCain could have problems tonight.

 

[WarPhalange]

I'm more interested in whether or not the audience are plants.

 

[LowlyPion]

I'm more interested in whether or not the audience are plants.

You know there will be. You can bet there is a group from each campaign that has been working on getting shills into the audience.

But I don't think it will matter. McCain doesn't have any soft lob questions that he can't get hammered on in response.

 

[cristo]

Is this debate on at 8pm central, like the others?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Yes. 6 PM PST

 

[cristo]

Yes. 6 PM PST

Shame.. I need to get up early tomorrow so won't be able to watch. You know, I wish these debates were either on a Friday, or at an earlier time (though I guess the latter won't work since the west coast won't be home from work by then). Still, the rest of the world do care enough to want to watch!

 

[Astronuc]

According to Tom Brokaw, Gallup poll selected 80 uncommitted voters, who provided questions, to be in audience. They also took thousands of questions from the internet.

The US and global economics are on everyone's mind.


I'm disappointed in Obama's first answer and the quick attack on McCain.

The solution to the current economic crisis is to deleverage, i.e. pay down debt. Give the Fed and Bernanke and the Treasury and Paulson time to work it out. Don't panic.


McCain's first response is better.

Ha - McCain mentioned Meg Whitman (Ebay). Why didn't he pick someone like her for VP?


McCain mentions the suspension of his campaign to fly back to Washington. Now he's misrepresenting the legislation two years ago.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Neither really answering the questions. Kinda annoying.

Ha - McCain mentioned Meg Whitman (Ebay). Why didn't he pick someone like her for VP?

Because she is running ebay into the ground

 

[Evo]

McCain is going to fix the economy by buying mortgages he said were bad debt and renegotiate those loans to be based on current value so people won't be foreclosed on? Wait, that means buying mortgages where people just aren't paying on time. What's the criteria? If I've been making my mortgage payments on time but my home isn't worth as much as when I bought it, does that mean I'm screwed? Or should I stop making payments so that McCain will get me a better deal? What about all of the Americans that are paying high rents? What is he going to do for them? Does he realize how stupid and unfair and unrealistic this is?

 

[LowlyPion]

I'm disappointed in Obama's first answer and the quick attack on McCain.

Well McCain has taken to being mighty mean spirited trying to paint Obama with Freddy/Fannie. Not good for him.

 

[Astronuc]

Neither really answering the questions. Kinda annoying.

They are using their responses to poke at each other. Might as well put boxing gloves on them.

Because she is running ebay into the ground

So she has experience in the economy.

According to the Wikipedia page for Meg Whitman "Whitman was also mentioned by McCain as a possible Secretary of the Treasury during the second of three United States presidential election debates in 2008." Did McCain say that yet?

 

[Evo]

I'm watching the debate on CNN and they have the live "worm", people rating the candidates as they speak. While McCain was answering the the trust question, the worm went negative. I've never seen it go negative and stay there for so long. I guess the viewers didn't feel any trust.

 

[Evo]

McCain's first response is better.

You've got to be kidding. Buy slow pay home loans? That's assinine. I'm glad he pointed out that it's not Obama's plan.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Did they both really call that poor woman cynical? She's going to get it and get it good when she goes back to work tomorrow. Maybe she's unemployed and has nothing to worry about.

 

[lisab]

I'm watching the debate on CNN and they have the live "worm", people rating the candidates as they speak. While McCain was answering the the trust question, the worm went negative. I've never seen it go negative and stay there for so long. I guess the viewers didn't feel any trust.

I'm so glad you mentioned the worm - I changed the channel to CNN and it's very interesting to watch other people's response. As I watch the responses, I find myself thinking, "Why are you trending THAT way? Are you even listening to what's being said?"

 

[LowlyPion]

I'm so glad you mentioned the worm - I changed the channel to CNN and it's very interesting to watch other people's response. As I watch the responses, I find myself thinking, "Why are you trending THAT way? Are you even listening to what's being said?"

The men women difference is certainly interesting.

 

[Astronuc]

You've got to be kidding. Buy slow pay home loans? That's assinine. I'm glad he pointed out that it's not Obama's plan.

Fortunately, McCain isn't the one to make those decisions. The entity established by Paulson (I presume the Treasury will take the lead on this) will be making the decisions. McCain and Obama seem weak on details of what caused the current crisis and what is being done to remediate the crisis.

 

[Evo]

I'm so glad you mentioned the worm - I changed the channel to CNN and it's very interesting to watch other people's response. As I watch the responses, I find myself thinking, "Why are you trending THAT way? Are you even listening to what's being said?"

I want to control the worm. I feel the urge to be clicking something.

I think it really lends an interesting aspect to the debate.

Yes, the difference between men and women is very interesting.

 

[LightbulbSun]

Can they both stop saying "reform" and "these are tough economic times"? I think they've already established this like 45 minutes ago.

 

[LightbulbSun]

Wow, these guys are really bad on establishing time limits. That's the fifth time Brokaw has reminded them to cut down on their responses.

 

[Astronuc]

I haven't heard the word 'maverick' yet.

Now the question is health care. I wan't to hear someone say that the emphasis needs to be on prevention, rather than treatment, and that responsibility lies strictly on the American people who should exercise more responsibility in diet and exercise.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

There doesn't seem to be any sort of indicator to tell them when they are running out of time. I think that may be the issue.

 

[LowlyPion]

There doesn't seem to be any sort of indicator to tell them when they are running out of time. I think that may be the issue.

They have indicator lights at the feet of the audience.

 

[lisab]

There doesn't seem to be any sort of indicator to tell them when they are running out of time. I think that may be the issue.

Yes, there are lights that look like stoplights - green, yellow, red. They're on screen every now and then - in the background.

 

[Astronuc]

There doesn't seem to be any sort of indicator to tell them when they are running out of time. I think that may be the issue.

I think Brokaw mentioned the colored lights which inidated that they are running out of time or that hey must stop.

McCain is talking about his $5000 tax credit. That doesn't help the people who can least afford health care because they don't even make enough to pay taxes.

 

[LightbulbSun]

Is there some secret success principle that candidates aren't allowed to discuss details of their policies? All I hear is general, idealized terms, but no real substance. Maybe I'm just expecting too much from politicians in general. I mean throw us a little something for christ sake.

 

[lisab]

Is there some secret success principle that candidates aren't allowed to discuss details of their policies? All I hear is general, idealized terms, but no real substance. Maybe I'm just expecting too much from politicians in general. I mean throw us a little something for christ sake.

Well, keep in mind they're under severe time restrictions. Even a great communicator can't a lot of detailed information out in 60 seconds.

Go to their respective websites if you want more details on their positions.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

OK, I get the point about the lights. :P

 

[Ben Niehoff]

McCain needs to stop saying "my friends". I understand what he's trying to accomplish politically, but he's totally failing. He says it with such a dead, practiced tone that in no way instills trust.

Or rather, I should say, I hope he keeps doing it. Maybe it will help keep him from being elected.

 

[LowlyPion]

It seems that the worm is predisposed to penalize negative comments about the other guy.

 

[LightbulbSun]

Obama gives a solid response on Pakistan, and now Mccain wants to school us on how to conduct military business. Pretty much he's acting like we're a third world country, that if we announce an attack then suddenly that will make us incapable of attacking. Way to go John! You tell us.

 

[lisab]

I wish I could get my hands on the raw data of that running opinion poll on CNN. It seems to me Obama is doing better - I see a lot of flat line when McCain is up. But I realize I could be biased, as I am an Obama supporter. Which is why I would like to have the raw data...

 

[Evo]

McCain is talking about his $5000 tax credit. That doesn't help the people who can least afford health care because they don't even make enough to pay taxes.

If I'm not mistaken, the $5,000 is for families, I believe it's half that for single people. My employer pays over $6,000 annually for my health insurance policy and they are a Fortune 100 company, the group rates they get are probably the lowest available.

McCain appears to be oblivious to the fact that 1) Individuals don't qualify for the lower group rates that their employers pay 2) That if you have a pre-existing condition, you may not even be able to get health insurance at any cost 3) that insurance companies can and will cancel your coverage after the first major illness or instantly raise your rates so high you cannot pay them, especialy if you are ill and can't work.

McCain is so out of touch with reality I just have to sit back and blink in disbelief.

 

[lisab]

I'm surprised the opinion tracking graph doesn't go negative when Brokaaaaarw speaks. I think they disable it.

 

[Evo]

I wish I could get my hands on the raw data of that running opinion poll on CNN. It seems to me Obama is doing better - I see a lot of flat line when McCain is up. But I realize I could be biased, as I am an Obama supporter. Which is why I would like to have the raw data...

After the debate, they will spend a couple of hours analyzing the debate and they will often refer to the worm results. I don't know if they have it available online after the debate, perhaps in replay?

The "wormers" are the same group through all of the debates, I believe. They are undecided voters in Ohio. McCain is getting much lower worm ratings than he did in the first debate, a sign of him losing in this segment?

I read the term "worm" BTW, I didn't make it up. They actually call it the worm.

 

[lisab]

It seems that the worm is predisposed to penalize negative comments about the other guy.

I think you're right about that, LP.

 

[LightbulbSun]

I wish I could get my hands on the raw data of that running opinion poll on CNN. It seems to me Obama is doing better - I see a lot of flat line when McCain is up. But I realize I could be biased, as I am an Obama supporter. Which is why I would like to have the raw data...

I have seen a flat line a few times for Mccain. What's interesting is how the men will go into the positive range a little bit, while the women line remains flat.

 

[LowlyPion]

I wish I could get my hands on the raw data of that running opinion poll on CNN. It seems to me Obama is doing better - I see a lot of flat line when McCain is up. But I realize I could be biased, as I am an Obama supporter. Which is why I would like to have the raw data...

I think if that worm is reflective of Ohio in general, that Ohio will end up Blue on November 4.

I sense a potential landslide.

 

[lisab]

I have seen a flat line a few times for Mccain. What's interesting is how the men will go into the positive range a little bit, while the women line remains flat.

And I see women being more favorable to Obama than McCain, generally.

 

[Astronuc]

If I'm not mistaken, the $5,000 is for families, I believe it's half that for single people. My employer pays over $6,000 annually for my health insurance policy and they are a Fortune 100 company, the group rates they get are probably the lowest available.

McCain appears to be oblivious to the fact that 1) Individuals don't qualify for the lower group rates that their employers pay 2) That if you have a pre-existing condition, you may not even be able to get health insurance at any cost 3) that insurance companies can and will cancel your coverage after the first major illness or instantly raise your rates so high you cannot pay them, especialy if you are ill and can't work.

McCain is so out of touch with reality I just have to sit back and blink in disbelief.

I agree. A large tax credit doesn't necessarily help since the folks still don't have much of a choice as individuals. The question then is - how do we put all those who need insurance in a pool? Do we expand Medicaid or create Medicaid II?

 

[LowlyPion]

The last two comments by each I think exemplify the choice.

McCain didn't close the deal.

Obama did.

 

[LowlyPion]

Pat Buchanan on MSNBC predictably thinks McCain won again.

Any more of these "wins" and McCain will be in the toilet and flushed.

LowlyPion's opinion is that Obama won the debate outright. And his last answer was a remarkably expressed and polished answer that sounded Presidential, while McCain's last answer was a stump speech regurgitation.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

LowlyPion's opinion is that Obama won the debate outright. And his last answer was a remarkably expressed and polished answer that sounded Presidential, while McCain's last answer was a stump speech regurgitation.

Maybe I wasn't hearing correctly but I didn't hear Obama answer the question at all.