Open thread: McCain and Obama at the Saddleback forum
posted at 7:20 pm on August 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
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8 p.m. ET on CNN and MSNBC. Obama gets the first hour, then Maverick. Tune in at 8:55 or so at least for the body language as their paths cross onstage.
I share the boss’s disdain for this grand pander so I won’t be watching, but we’ll have video later if anything interesting gets said. Which isn’t as unlikely as she suggests, actually: Warren has promised to “deal with their personal life,” which in the case of his “amazing” friend Barry should mean at least one question about Rev. Wright and in McCain’s case should mean you know what. Note to Maverick: Be sure to mention John Edwards, seeing as he was thoughtful enough in his ABC mea culpa to mention you. Or better yet, since Warren’s so concerned about character, ask him what conclusion we should draw about the character of an American who travels overseas for photo ops with terrorist cretins responsible for funneling suicide bombers into Iraq to kill American soldiers.
As always, if you see or hear anything worth clipping while you watch, tips are very much welcome.
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” The question we have to ask ourselves is:” Should the Feds take YOUR money?
mred on August 16, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Stacks of stuff? Closet Rush fan? Bwahahaha!!!
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Strange. After all the hoopla, Warren seems kind of bored by Obama.
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Well, that Teachers Union needs to be dissolved or eradicated, however you want to put it.
AprilOrit on August 16, 2008 at 8:42 PM
If they tax your boss, you don’t get a raise. If they take a business your price goes up. How do people not get this?
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Or you can opt for the Al Franken Tax Plan where you don’t pay jack, just refer to it as an “honest mistake”…
Texan on August 16, 2008 at 8:43 PM
No he said someone making over $250,000 a year is in the top 3 or 4% pay wise.
terryannonline on August 16, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I haven’t notice if there’s been any shots of the audience. Got to wonder what the make-up is.
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 16, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I am watching the Mets game until McCain comes on. I am never getting back those minutes I wasted on this empty suit dodging answers and Warren not following up. How pathetic.
jencab on August 16, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Typical white people?
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
I can not watch. I can’t stand his face or his voice, let alone the non-answers he gives. This man truly makes me freakin ill.
ambuldog on August 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Bitter, bible and gun clingers!
carbon_footprint on August 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Jets————07
Redskins—–03
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
I wonder if his friends in the teachers union(s) know that he supports merit pay.
salmonczar on August 16, 2008 at 8:46 PM
There is no case where your statement can be true without my statement of it being true. Check the math!
Right_of_Attila on August 16, 2008 at 8:47 PM
The basic principle must be “How does this help Michelle’s kids?”
Gak.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:47 PM
What if the international community won’t get off its a$$?
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 8:47 PM
What’s worth dieing for?
Obama: International treaties.
- the Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 8:48 PM
He has no idea what he is talking about.
WisCon on August 16, 2008 at 8:48 PM
That number is closer to the top 1%.
Right_of_Attila on August 16, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Hmmmm…did Warren just give Bush kudos?
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Screw it. Back to the game.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I hope that this will be the un-doing of Warren in the eyes of Christians. I don’t like his “theology” and I hate the way that Christian media adore him. I hope him having an infanticide supporter in his church will wake my fellow Christians up.
Needless to say, I’m not watching. I’m flipping between the Olympics and the Cubs game instead.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 16, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I love it: Thomas is an idiot, but Scalia is a brilliant conservative.
I don’t care how this sounds: Obama is self-hating.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Yes he did. OMG! How dare he not say that Bush isn’t pure evil!
/sarc
terryannonline on August 16, 2008 at 8:50 PM
It does not explain Charles Johnson’s level of animosity.
I also find it telling that evolutionists are so freaked about any theory being taught but theirs. So much for freedom of thought and intellectual inquiry.
clark smith on August 16, 2008 at 8:50 PM
From a question about religious tolerance to “OMG BUSH TORTURES!” Nice.
salmonczar on August 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Is it me or is the O! a bad BS artist?
mred on August 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Since when don’t we have religious freedom here in America?
terryannonline on August 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Warren: Here’s a problem, what are you going to do about it?
Obama: That’s a problem and we need to do something about it.
Me at the TV: Ok, but what will you do about it?
Obama continued: Talk about it to people.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Charles Johnson? Pot smoking idiot.
mred on August 16, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Looks like his neck would get tired holding his head sideways with those big ol’ Dumbo ears weighing him down.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Obama just admitted he was a bully growing up.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 8:54 PM
He can’t even succinctly answer why he wants to be president.
salmonczar on August 16, 2008 at 8:54 PM
This guy is so full of it. Unbelievable. An outright liar.
WisCon on August 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
McCain where are you?!
jencab on August 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Obama is a racist to those Blacks who understand conservatism.
justinok on August 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
We need forums where we have a conversation (unless it’s a townhall debate with McCain where he will make me look bad).
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
” These are the kind of forums we need” See you at the next townhall O!
mred on August 16, 2008 at 8:56 PM
These are the types of conversation we need… unlike town hall debates.
salmonczar on August 16, 2008 at 8:56 PM
blah blah Jimmy Carter’s sweaters blah blah..
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Don’t worry- nothing compares to Bush killing the British terrorist investigation for political points in 2006- in order to dishonestly take credit for killing a terrorist plot. As a result, the terrorists walked and are probably planning another attack on US soil:
NPR: I want to talk just a little about this fascinating episode you
describe in the summer of 2006, when President Bush is very anxious about
some intelligence briefings that he is getting from the British. What are
they telling him?
SUSKIND: In late July of 2006, the British are moving forward on a mission
they’ve been–an investigation they’ve been at for a year at that point,
where they’ve got a group of “plotters,” so-called, in the London area that
they’ve been tracking…Bush gets this briefing at the end of July of 2006,
and he’s very agitated. When Blair comes at the end of the month, they talk
about it and he says, “Look, I want this thing, this trap snapped shut
immediately.” Blair’s like, “Well, look, be patient here. What we do in
Britain”–Blair describes, and this is something well known to Bush–”is we
try to be more patient so they move a bit forward. These guys are not going
to breathe without us knowing it. We’ve got them all mapped out so that we
can get actual hard evidence, and then prosecute them in public courts of
law and get real prosecutions and long prison terms”…
Well, Bush doesn’t get the answer he wants, which is “snap the trap shut.”
And the reason he wants that is because he’s getting all sorts of pressure
from Republicans in Congress that his ratings are down. These are the worst
ratings for a sitting president at this point in his second term, and
they’re just wild-eyed about the coming midterm elections. Well, Bush
expresses his dissatisfaction to Cheney as to the Blair meeting, and Cheney
moves forward.
NPR: So you got the British saying, “Let’s carefully build our case. Let’s
get more intelligence.” Bush wants an arrest and a political win. What does
he do?
SUSKIND: Absolutely. What happens is that then, oh, a few days later, the
CIA operations chief–which is really a senior guy. He’s up there in the
one, two, three spots at CIA, guy named Jose Rodriguez ends up slipping
quietly into Islamabad, Pakistan, and he meets secretly with the ISI, which
is the Pakistani intelligence service. And suddenly a guy in Pakistan named
Rashid Rauf, who’s kind of the contact of the British plotters in Pakistan,
gets arrested. This, of course, as anyone could expect, triggers a reaction
in London, a lot of scurrying. And the Brits have to run through the night
wild-eyed and basically round up 25 or 30 people. It’s quite a frenzy. The
British are livid about this. They talk to the Americans. The Americans
kind of shrug, “Who knows? You know, ISI picked up Rashid Rauf.”
NPR: So the British did not even get a heads-up from the United States that
this arrest was going to happen?
SUSKIND: Did not get a heads-up. In fact, the whole point was to mislead the
British…The British did not know about it, frankly, until I reported it
in the book…
What’s interesting is that the White House already had its media plan
already laid out before all of this occurred so that the president and vice
president immediately–even, in Cheney’s case, before the arrest, the day
before–started to capitalize on the war on terror rhetoric and political
harvest, which of course they used for weeks to come, right into the fall,
about, “The worst plot since 9/11, that has been foiled, and this is why
you want us in power.”
–
bayam on August 16, 2008 at 8:57 PM
justinok on August 16, 2008 at 8:55 PM
True dat.
Also, who else loves the irony of Obama saying we need more forums like this? Um, townhalls, anyone?
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Ok, folks, did anybody learn anything new about Obama?
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 8:57 PM
“My grandparents generation” The moslem Kenyans?
mred on August 16, 2008 at 8:57 PM
And yet MDSers want Obama to be the POTUS.
Sigh……
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 16, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Cheap debaters trick: false antithesis on energy.
Nobody says the current problems will be free or easy to solve.
I guess if you accept false premises and assign stupid positions to others, Obama can seem less than idiotic.
Right_of_Attila on August 16, 2008 at 8:58 PM
He got some applause, I am really shocked.
AprilOrit on August 16, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Very weak performance.. but of course the MSM is gonna say that the evangelicals have an increased amount of respect because he atleast showed up
justinok on August 16, 2008 at 8:58 PM
I was over there before I came back here to HA on this thread. Of all the debate topics, that’s the one he’s highlighting?! I was surprised. Disappointed and surprised. Crazy; I used to go everyday, now rarely. Sad.
Spirit of 1776 on August 16, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Man, I didn’t think Warren was going to ask the abortion question. And I also can’t believe the trouble Obama had in answering it. That might have sealed his fate with Evangelicals. In one sentence, he said the decision at which point life beings was above his “paygrade.”
Then he said just moments later that (paraphrasing) “for those people who believe life begins at conception, then we’ll had to agree to disagree.”
You’re right - an empty suit.
MsUnderestimated on August 16, 2008 at 8:59 PM
That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
And they finally get the two on stage together, and they cut away.
JetBoy on August 16, 2008 at 8:59 PM
P.S. Some of these answers will come back to haunt him with his base, or in future debates as well.
MsUnderestimated on August 16, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I learned that watching Obama speak without a written speech for him to read is as painful as a popped hemmoroid.
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 16, 2008 at 9:00 PM
What was that last question? “what do you say to people who disagree with me asking you these questions?”
Say what?
gxpgxp on August 16, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Krauthammer is da bomb. (FNC)
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:02 PM
I agree with the analysis that his answer on evil in the world was extremely weak. He didn’t even mention Al Queda…President of Iran, Hitler, etc. We’ll see what McCain says.
nazo311 on August 16, 2008 at 9:03 PM
“They’re just distractions!”
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 16, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Cone of Silence - I love it! - Agent 86 and 99
gxpgxp on August 16, 2008 at 9:03 PM
He blew Obama out of the water on the first one.
WisCon on August 16, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Wow. McCain’s pick of Patraeus was strong. John Lewis and the CEO of eBay are interesting, and better than the “typical white person grandmother” of Obama.
Right_of_Attila on August 16, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Jets————–07
Redskins——-06
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:04 PM
3rd quarter, 2:44 to go…
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Mentioning that Obama didn’t mention Al Q, and that his objection to Justice Thomas about his lack of experience for that job … is nothing that Obama should be too keen to mention, given his situation, exactly.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 9:05 PM
What?
Tuning Spork on August 16, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Saddleback is a business that doesn’t pay taxes therefore their input carries no weight…unless of course you count yourself among those that tremble in the pews during the weekly brainwashing. Stay out of the public square jeebus and do Jefferson proud.
DanKenton on August 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Dang… McCain is good
justinok on August 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I had a cousin who I grew up around who was an insufferable Redskins fanatic. I haven’t been able to stomach them since, although I admire Joe Gibbs.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
McCain didn’t hit Abortion as the America’s Moral failure but he is answering sooo much better than Obama
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Yup.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Alright!!!! Drill now!!!!
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Offshore drilling! HOME RUN!
WisCon on August 16, 2008 at 9:08 PM
HELL YES!!
Goodnight folks.
exit stage left
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Yes, he is. I’m really trying to be fair as possible but McCain is answering the questions better.
terryannonline on August 16, 2008 at 9:09 PM
McCain on offshore drilling - no more waffling on that one, finally.
flyawaybird on August 16, 2008 at 9:09 PM
DanKenton on August 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Look, I agree this whole thing is a farce and probably inappropriate, but don’t be disrespectful to most of your countrymen, whose faith is the core of our lives.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Hah! Sarko!
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 9:10 PM
On alternate energy McCain listed Tides as one (I’m amusing hydroelectric) This shows he’s seriously doing his homework.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 9:11 PM
No kidding. Not only is he answering with substance, but with style and grace. You have to have both. Obama doesn’t have any substance behind his words, it just feels empty.
flyawaybird on August 16, 2008 at 9:11 PM
BTW, anyone else not looking forward to the embryonic stem-cell research question?
PLEASE FLIP-FLOP, MAC.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 9:11 PM
McCain is also getting a lot more applause.
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 9:12 PM
This is off topic - The Cone of Silence is from the 60’s sitcom “Get Smart”, Maxwell Smart as Agent 86. (You had to be there…)
gxpgxp on August 16, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Did you catch the beginning of the program where the moderator said that he’s ask them both the same questions, and that McCain was in the ‘cone of silence’, so he wouldn’t hear Obama’s answers?
That’s referencing to the tv show “get smart”.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Is there any question as to who should be President? The differences in character between these two have never been so starkly displayed in front of us.
WisCon on August 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM
I got chocked up on McCain describing his contemplation of whether or not to leave Hanoi. You can see the emotions. Soldiers really get to me. I love them.
jencab on August 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM
McCain is pretty comfortable in this venue. Obama didn’t look comfortable at all.
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM
gxpgxp on August 16, 2008 at 9:13 PM
FWIW, the Steve Carell movie was an EPIC WIN.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM
It’s now COMPLETELY obvious to me why Obama refused to do Townhalls with McCain. Obama’s stuttering is very painful to watch, while McCain is a smooth operator.
MsUnderestimated on August 16, 2008 at 9:14 PM
OMG! I just saw Bill Maher’s face. Totally destroyed my night.
terryannonline on August 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM
You missed an opportunity to be silent. This only kind of comment only makes Christians more determined to have an influence on public policy, so they are not ruled by rude idiots who lack judgment.
Right_of_Attila on August 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM
flyawaybird on August 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Obama’s faith is in himself.
And his ability to snooker millions.
Denver should be creepily instructive.
profitsbeard on August 16, 2008 at 9:15 PM
I’m with you on that one.
- The Cat
P.S. Obama didn’t even answer that one.
P.P.S. I hope he also gets to tell the story about the Guard that drew the Cross in the sand.
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Actually, I think this is an excellent venue. McCain is doing very well so far. I agree that there is quite a contrast between McCain and Obama and this is working to McCain’s advantage.
eaglesdontflock on August 16, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Obama was all over the place. I think the RNC is making an ad right now.
SoulGlo on August 16, 2008 at 9:17 PM
MirCat on August 16, 2008 at 9:16 PM
He is now.
Damian G. on August 16, 2008 at 9:17 PM
I had a cousin who I grew up around who was an insufferable Redskins fanatic. I haven’t been able to stomach them since, although I admire Joe Gibbs.
hillbillyjim on August 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Well, we Redskin fans in Florida appreciate the updates anyway.
Cindy Munford on August 16, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Ok. Now I’m getting teary.
Connie on August 16, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Not too bad for McSenile, eh? The old coot might surprise people yet. I’m sure that the Kennedy family will strongly object to any tide development to capture the energy and convert it to electricity that spoils their view as they objected to the wind turbines.
wise_man on August 16, 2008 at 9:18 PM
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