News Presidential Debate #3: Fireworks or Stale Bread?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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The final presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain sparked intense discussion, particularly regarding McCain's aggressive tactics and the effectiveness of negative campaigning. Observers noted that McCain appeared increasingly desperate, while Obama maintained composure, which many interpreted as a reflection of their respective leadership qualities. There was speculation on whether McCain would resort to personal attacks, with some arguing that such a strategy could backfire, especially given public fatigue with negativity and a desire for substantive discussions on issues like the economy.The debate featured the controversial figure "Joe the Plumber," whose concerns about Obama's tax plan became a focal point. However, it was revealed that Joe lacked a plumber's license and had financial issues, raising questions about his credibility. McCain's reliance on Joe's narrative was criticized, with some suggesting it highlighted a disconnect with voters' realities. Overall, the debate was characterized by a perception that Obama outperformed McCain, leading to predictions of a widening gap in support for Obama as the election approached.
  • #31
Mccain: DRILL! DRILL! DRILL!
 
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  • #32
McCain is totally wrong on nuclear. We are not going to build 45 nuclear plants right now! It is physically impossible, even if we had the cash sitting in the bank - which we don't.

There are a number of licensing submittals before the NRC. Several pressure vessels and large components are on order, but those plants may be started in the next 2 to 4 years. They will each take 5-6 years to bring on-line, and tie up people building those plants. Then we might get others started while those plants are being contructed.

The biggest problem is that we don't have enough people who have been qualified at the grade for nuclear. That's going to take some time to qualify enough people.

Recycling doesn't contribute to new energy. It just deals with the back end - and that is certainly something that needs to be worked out.
 
  • #33
I laughed at the same time Obama did when Mccain brought up Obama meeting with Chavez without any preconditions.
 
  • #34
Mccain is talking to Joe The Plumber now.
 
  • #35
Is Joe the Plumber the same guy as Joe Sixpack?
 
  • #36
McCain seemed to do well in the beginning, but he has definitely taken a dive... uh oh, there's Joe the Plumber again... worms go negative...

Anyway, he is often coming off as grumpy and mean. And like LisaB noted, his darting eyes make him look very deceptive.

Just now he corrected McCain about good ole Joe. McCain looks stunned! :smile:
 
  • #37
Mccain: Congratulations Joe, you're rich!

But I thought he was Joe The Plumber, and not Joe the billionaire?
 
  • #38
which chavez was that? cesar? the grape boycott guru from the 60's?
 
  • #39
Does anyone else notice that Obama and Mccain are sporting ties that represent their opposition's party?
 
  • #40
Ha, McCain caught in a lie. He just said he wouldn't appoint a Supreme Court judge because they supported his views on overturning Roe V Wade, and it was on The View, that he stated that he would appoint a judge that supported his views on overturning Roe V Wade.
 
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  • #41
Uh oh, now McCain is going for his base with abortion. He already has his base.
 
  • #42
this is surreal, i am reliving the 60's watching mccain. women used to have a very tough time regarding abortions, and some of those women were my friends.
 
  • #43
Yeah, I think McCain really hurt himself on that one.

The womens track went highly negative. And I wonder how many people were aware of the potential for 3 SC appointments.
 
  • #44
McCain "Congratulations Joe, you're rich." Sounds a bit sarcastic.

Obama explained that small businesses are exempt from penalties on health insurance. Large companies, which can afford insurance should provide insurance.


It's interesting that McCain can sit there are proclaim - "I'll (we'll) cut spending" - followed by "I'll give you $5000 for toward your health insurance." With 47 million without health insurance would represent 20 million families or about $100 billion. And McCain wants to balance the budget?
 
  • #45
So now the woman's health during pregnancy is an extreme position John? What the hell is he on tonight?
 
  • #46
Wow! In regards to education, Obama just scored a sustained 100% with both men and women. I think that is a first in any debate.
 
  • #47
How the heck does McCain expect to give the same opportunity he had or Cindy McCain had in education?! Cindy Hensley came from a wealthy family. McCains family can't be that poor if his father was an admiral.
 
  • #48
Ivan Seeking said:
Wow! In regards to education, Obama just scored a sustained 100% with both men and women. I think that is a first in any debate.

Agreed. This election is all Obama.
 
  • #49
this seems to be the most revealing debate yet, and by far the best moderated. i may be biased, but it seems to reveal that mccain is a scripted idiot and obama is a very flexible and articulate future leader. it is hard to imagine the undecided voter who would tilt to mccain after this debacle.
 
  • #50
Does McCain think he is more buff than he really is? He looks like those guys on steroids strutting around. Can he straighten his arms?
I can't vote for someone who is not pro choice.
 
  • #51
Astronuc said:
How the heck does McCain expect to give the same opportunity he had or Cindy McCain had in education?! Cindy Hensley came from a wealthy family. McCains family can't be that poor if his father was an admiral.

McCain went to military college, which is already accessible to everyone (willing to put in the effort).
 
  • #52
Predictions on the reaction?

I will go with 55-45 Obama
 
  • #53
McCain's wife is hotter
 
  • #54
tribdog said:
McCain's wife is hotter

But clearly less intelligent since she married McCain?
 
  • #55
Obama ended on a very positive note.

I think this went something like the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960.


Obama wins!
 
  • #56
to me no one could go with mccain except the already committed. so 60-40? obama of course. except i thought mccain wrapped up well, and the "good job, good job" was nice.
 
  • #57
I'm pretty sure McCain was talking about the education he can give his kids and Obama can give his kids, not their own education when they were kids
 
  • #58
McCain really blinked a lot, to the point that it was distracting. He seemed twitchy and a bit too smiley.

Obama seemed controlled as always.
 
  • #59
well that education remark was absurd, i think only the wealthy can aspire to go to harvard, say, nowadays, as opposed to the kennedy days when there was "no highly gifted child left behind", i.e. merit scholarships that actually paid your way to harvard .

in 1960, a kid in the top 1% of SAT's, and having other top records, could go all tuition paid to harvard, whereas today a merit scholarship pays a tiny fraction of the cost.

the establishment learned the cost of actually making opportunity available to the smartest, and they concluded under nixon, that it resulted in a bunch of leftists taking control of the opportunities.

no one in power today wants to admit students to the best schools based solely on ability, as that may leave out their own children.
 
  • #60
I'm not touching this one with a 40 ft pole. I don't want to get my head chopped off.
 

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