Live Blog and Chat: Presidential debate
posted at 8:00 pm on September 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | regular view
I’ll be live-blogging the first presidential debate, scheduled to start at 9 PM ET. I’m using the Cover It Live system again tonight, but I’m combining it with the Ustream chat room from my show. That way the community can interact with each other as well as with me while I live-blog the debate. Jazz Shaw from The Moderate Voice will be moderating the chat, and don’t forget to register at Ustream to participate!
Here are the keys I’ll watch in the debate:
- If they stick to foreign policy, McCain has to get aggressive with Obama and demand specifics. McCain wants to emphasize his long experience on foreign policy and military affairs. Obama needs to keep the debate on general themes and criticize George Bush while avoiding getting pinned down on specifics.
- If the debate switches to financial policy, which I expect, the dynamics change a little bit. Obama is perceived to be stronger here, and he will need to get specific in order to demonstrate that. McCain still needs to aggressively push Obama on his inaction on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in 2005-6 and emphasize that government meddling created the financial meltdown.
- Obama reacted poorly when Hillary Clinton went after him in Pennsylvania. If he starts stammering his way through questions, he’s rattled. And no one gets under people’s skin like McCain.
I’ll watch the debates on C-SPAN. No one is providing an embeddable live-stream for the debate, as far as I know.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 ... 9 10 11 12 13 ... 15 Next »
Uh…Barry…these are OUR energy goals and resources…what about Western Europe when you allow Putin to install someone who favors him in Georgia like, I don’t know, one his cronies?
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I haz a bracelet.
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Are you farking serious? Thse people are demented. In their minds, Bambi is trouncing the old man.
Over here, future president McCain is trouncing the manchild.
Somewhere in Idjitland, Comedy Central is airing a rerun.
At 11 PM Letterman will explain that McCain got pwned by Obama.
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Here we go, deal with Russia by inflating your tires! What a tool!
conservnut on September 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
What? did Obama say?
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Hey Allah/Ed… if you don’t let NoScript allow the CoverItLive applet, you see the chat window like it’s working (doesn’t animate but it looks like a conversation is taking place) with a buncha text that looks like this:
It took me about a minute to figure out what was going on (Thought there was a live latin translation or somethin’. :) )
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
“I’ve got a plan” John Kerry lives
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Wow, Obambi flees foreign policy and goes back to energy
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Obambi looks like he’s gonna cry.
LtE126 on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Roll over him, McCain. Don’t get interrupted.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Shut up, Obama, you condescending jass.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
His interrupting gets really damned annoying.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Dang. Barack is omnipotent. He sent memos to the administration on everything apparently.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Obama is changing his position right here on the debate!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Thats not twoo thats not twooo
What a whiney panty-waist.
joeinmo on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Obama just declared for nuclear energy – blow me over.
I wish Lehrer would correct the record and not let him lie.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
the guys a lying piece of shit
John Doe on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Obama is lost on foreign policy, so he’s changed to energy.
STOP INTERRUPTING!!!!
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Let me just flip flop on my position on nukes….
I don’t want to drill. I want to be a slave to Saudi oil..Obama.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
You guys are watching a different debate. McCain isn’t clearly winning, and he needs a slam dunk. He SHOULD win, he’s waaaaaaaay more qualified than that empty suit. But he’s not.
stonemeister on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
McCain: we are safer now (bullseye)
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Ew…bad question. Easy to trip up on this one.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Obama claimed that we have to foresee another Georgia. He pretty much climed to be Messianic.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Barry says “Lets move on….” cause he is getting whipped!!!
IrishGirl17 on September 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I concur, I love how McCain talked about the Russian propaganda in South Ossetia.
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
McCain is credible on Homeland Security.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Don’t agree. Don’t agree….torture for the good of the nation. No other reason.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Lehrer’s questions are good. Short and sweet. Hitting the big issues in foreign policy.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Safer in some ways?
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
McCain’s doin’ just fine. Lehrer is doing great by staying out of the way
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Bambi desperate to change the subject….out classed and he knows it…..
Weasel Zipper on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Yes. I really wish he had brought that up.
macblanegirl on September 26, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Here comes Obama’s blame game.
AND there. we. go.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Hey Barry why are we safer? Because of George Bush!!!!!!!
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I agree Indythinker…Lehrer is doing a pretty good job with this.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Go John, Go. On 9/11, he spanked Obama. Obama is reaching for anything and stumbling.
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I’d have to say McCain clearly won this debate. Even the economic parts. I’d like to see a little more clarity on the bailout bill but basically Obama shows he’s an avid reader of the Cliff Notes version of foreign policy whereas McCain has this stuff in his DNA and it shows.
JonPrichard on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
The biggest threat to the US is you Bambi!
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
he knew this one was coming!!! Watch him hit his talking points!
joeinmo on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Overall, Obama came off as a spoiled brat on his own accord, due to his interrupting McCain so often.
Mcguyver on September 26, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Where’s Pockistan?
tickleddragon on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Just my opinion…but McCain is cleaning Barack’s clock!
MechEng5by5 on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
We must be liked.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
aafgaaneestaan and pockiston?
dmarie on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Oh, yes…they must like us so they won’t hurt us!
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Fixed that for ya.
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Sixty countries? Is AQ is his fab five?
Oh, he’s going to repair our image.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Hey, hey border security. Thanks for the shoutout my friend:)
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Obama switches to the standard “our standing is down in the world”
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I am soooooooo sick of that crap about how we are “perceived in the world.”
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Afghanistan is the ROOT cause. Perception in the world? I’d say McCain is commanding all the respect right now. Tonight might change a few minds over the big pond.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Wow. This tool has no idea what he is talking about.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Say Barry, how exactly are you gonna restore America’s image in the world? You keep sayin’ that, but how ya gonna do it?
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
OMG I am so tired of the we need to worry about how we are preceived. Doesn’t this asshole know we are only preceived well for the fifteen minutes after we save the worlds bacon. Then we are right back to being hated again. STFU about the world’s opinion
church on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
AQ in 60 countries?
Hmmmm….
sounds like something a terrorist sympathizer would know.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
McCain was able to tell people what he did. Obama just tells people what he feels.
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Barry’s withdraw plan. Judgment.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Obama’s plan on Iraq would give Al Qaeda a base in Iraq.
That is a bullseye.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Well, if I was undecided I know who I would be more comfortable with as CIC…
dmarie on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
We are less respected by the worlds Left Bambi NOT the whole world.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Obama is for Missile defense and for the FCS program now, but about 4 months ago he released a video saying he would cut those programs… I call shenanigans.
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
McCain: B+
Barry: C-
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
That a boy, John, pound his butt on cut and run politics!!!
joeinmo on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
There is no way anyone can say Barry is holding his own versus McCain other than maybe if you count clinching the other boxer as “holding”….
McCain has to walk a fine line because if he were to bust out his patented asshole brand sarcasm he is legendary for the Press would spin it as “Psycho John”….
I wish he had done better on the economic questions but on foreign policy you know the main job the office has according to the Constitution McCain just took Barry to school hard.
sven10077 on September 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Ustream is messing up my browser. I want barry to fix it.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
After looking weak at the Bush meeting in yesterday, I don’t think Obama is looking presidential.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Come on..Come on.
Reaching across the aisle, I know, for the indies.
When have you reached across the aisle, Obama, other than to give the repubs the bird?
Secure the BORDER! GET RID OF THE LAWBREAKERS!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
They may not “like” us, but they respect us and know we will do what needs to be done.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
We’re not less respected. That’s a leftist lie. Does anyone ever bother to ask how America perceives other countries who don’t lift much of a finger to help?
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Sadly, the disciples of ObumbaMessiah will believe he won this debate hands down — as the truth is not in them.
SunSword on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I think the average, non-involved voter will think Obama did well. Unfortunately.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Iraq has NOT been the only focus… Idiot!
tickleddragon on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Hey Obama. We have killed THOUSANDS of al-Qaeda in Iraq!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I’m actually surprised that McCain did so well in the economic parts. He did really well today. Obama doesn’t seem to get it.
Chudi on September 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Barry keeps tieing Mac with Bush but Mac has CLEARLY distanced himself from the current Administration and actually…GASP…has some ideas!!!
McCain is kicking a serious load of marxist arse in this debate after a slow start.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
aaahhhawe uh er uh er ahh
custer on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I think Barry’s make-up is melting. He’s looking a bit shiny. Maybe it’s flop sweat.
Barb Dwyer on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
bin Laden is such a minor player at this point. What a tool.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
We need to get out of Iraq so we can print better science books! Cool
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
My favorite comment of the evening.
As for UBL still being loose… it took the feds 15 years to find the unibomber in America.
what’s the problem?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Obama has scored a few points on standing in the world, Bush’s legacy, and China owing us. Obama ties this to our economy declining and military superiority.
Obama has hit his stride. It’s late, at least.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
“The conspicuousness of their presence is only matched by our absence.”
Oh, would you just
shut
up.
cgoode777 on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Hey Barry. there’s a community somewhere that needs organizing. Beat it.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Can’t a country do more than one thing, Barry? Huh? Huh?
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Hit him about not visiting the injured troops in Landstuhl, Germany when he was close enough to spit on them. Which is basically what he did.
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Me too because lord knows first time anything happens who do they run to us!
tee866 on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
My son made an interesting observsation about this debate.
He wonders why Senator McCain refers to Obama as Senator Obama, but Obama refers to Senator McCain as John.
He thought, and I agree that Obama is being intentionally disrespectful.
Susanl
Susanl on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Initially, I though barry was holding his own…but McCain really brought it home. He knows his stuff.
dmarie on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
nice. VERY NICE. Tieing Obama to Rumsfeld. SWEET!
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Tie Obama to Bush! SWEET!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
homerun
custer on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
McCain plays the experience card. Point.
McCain contrasts his experience and judgement with Obama’s. Point.
McCain links stubbornness against surge in Obama with same in Bush Administration. Point.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Someone should make a music video with Obama’s eh uh eh uhs throughout the whole thing.
Did Obama just say he has PTSD and can’t get help?
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Hey Obama — after this debate, veterans aren’t the ONLY ones that are going to have shell shock.
CyberCipher on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
On foreign policy it’s like father/son.
Unfortunately this topic will not decide this election, unless something big happens bef. Nov. 04.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Sweeeeet. McCain ties Obama to Bush with his stubborness to admit he was wrong on the surge. Whammo! Nice uppercut by Maverick.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
That depends on whether you trust your classmate more than your father to handle a crisis, imo.
It also depends on if you like snickering, interrupting, and condescension.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
McCain reaffirms support for veterans. Point.
Reform Properity and Peace
We have a central theme!
Major points, McCain.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Education and health care is the foundation of national security….. Wow!!! That’s brilliant!!!
Mcguyver on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM
You mean that funny name. hahahahahaha
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 ... 9 10 11 12 13 ... 15 Next »