Live Blog and Chat: Presidential debate
posted at 8:00 pm on September 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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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.
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I don’t need any on the job training. Wham.
My daddy’s from Kenya. WHAAAT?
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
er uh uhm ah er uh ah
Mattpat11 on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
What’s the deal with the name?
Go with it Obama, rag on the US.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
“My father came from Kenya. That’s where I get my name.” – Duh
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Bending over and grabbing our ankles is not going to retore our “perception” in the world.
Borrowing billions of dollars…but I want to SPEND SPEND SPEND!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Obama with the America inspiration, kid from Kenya stuff.
Obama goes back to standing in the world.
McCain has got to pick that up and counterpunch.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
America couldn’t find the unibomber for 15 years. is UBL easier to find in a foreign country?
and what does his father coming from Kenya have to to with foreign policy?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
What’s he saying???
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I’m a Vet…Why Obama?
His Father died a drunk and a loser…any ???
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Oh no, “the children” hate us.
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Obama just lost the election.
Tuning Spork on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
“My father came from Kenya.
That’s why I’m ashamed of my middle name”
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Yeah, Obama…no foreign kids dream of coming to America. Nope. They all hate us.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
If Your daddy loved America so much, Bambi, why is it that he left as soon as you were born?
LegendHasIt on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
My son made an interesting observsation about this debate.
Obama isn’t being intentionally disrespectful. He is NATURALLY disrespectful of anyone he disagrees with. That’s the way the far left operates. If you disagree with them you are CLEARLY an ignorant savage and worthy of no respect.
Check how they treat ANY scientist, regardless of experience or discipline, who disagrees with them on Global Warming.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Children around the world are deliberately indoctrinated by leftists and Islamists. God help them. (As a matter of fact, that is happening here at home).
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Hah…McCain ties Barry back to Bush. Barry smiling like he’s been caught. He was.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
My scoring
Draw on the domestic stuff
Big win for McCain on the foreign policy.
BO’s gloom and doom, especially in his close, will not win it.
Edge to mccain on likability: Obama spoke well, but his smirking and pulling faces while Mccain was talking is very disrespectful, and he did the Mussolini jaw thing a few times too. barf alert
prediction: the MSM of course, and certain “conservative” pundits, not mentioning any names, will say it was Barry O who won. Ignore the weenies, and tell your friends and family what you saw, no matter what the weenies say.
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Very good points there by McCain on experience/judgment and links Obama to Bush: genius. Hubris.
And wtf? when did Obama starting wanting to project American power across the globe? That’s not the Obama I thought I knew.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
“My dad wanted to come here, but now no one else does?!” Is he KIDDING? Is he NUTS? Has he heard about a little debate we’ve been having called illegal immigration? Good Lord!
Rational Thought on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
McCain: B+
Obama: C+
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
New slogan -
Barack Obama: Invested In Issues…
RD on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Might be alittle early for that claim but he certainly didn’t help himself.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
If our standing in the world is diminished. If the way people around the world see us in a less favorable light, it is because of people like Obama and the leadership of the Democratic Party that rants against us.
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
That was AWESOME! McCain swept the floor with him!!!!!!!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Obama is a tool.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
McCain goes back to veterans. He dropped the standing in the world thing. Maybe his polling shows it doesn’t hurt him.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
McCain blew Obama away in this debate.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
BOOOOM!!! Obama was CREAMED!!
186k on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
The average, non-involved voter watched, at most, 10 minutes of this debate – on a network channel – before switching back over to Bridezillas.
Not to worry…the Drive-Bys will spin it appropriately: Barry in a farking landslide. Make book on it.
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I don’t give a crap about Obama’s father coming to America to better himself. He may have wanted to better himself but he was to busy whoring and getting drunk to stick around for his son. Keep on touting that miserable Kenyan father Obama.
church on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
good night and good luck….. ha
custer on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Barry thinks, but does not say it: Umm… uhhh… by making the US into a socialist nation?
electric-rascal on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Barry, you’re going to clean up education just like you did in Chicago?
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:37 PM
roger that.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
McCain- ” I don’t need any on the job training…”
McCain three, Obama nil…
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
My Goodness, Cindy is hot.
Mallard T. Drake on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Hey, there’s Barry’s bitter half!
Where’s that anti-American b*tch been hiding?
ex-Democrat on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Strong last hour or so from McCain for the win.
Mattpat11 on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
The only Obamabot who could think he won this debate is Keith Olbermann.
Speedwagon82 on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
McCain has won tonight’s battle. Obama continues to lead in the war. (ironic)
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
What fun…thanks HA gang!
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
McCain wins hands down..
Obama looked weak all night.
Chakra Hammer on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
On performance:
Obama: B+
McCain: C+
On qualifications:
Obama: F
McCain: A-
stonemeister on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Barry: “Can I have my testicles back, Michelle? Did I do good, momma?”
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Everybody go to Drudge and vote, please
RushBaby on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I believe this may go down as the most lopsided debate is Presidential debate history?
186k on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
McCain: A-
Obama: C-
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Hey! I still want to know where Pockistan is…
A little help please? ;)
tickleddragon on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
McCain won.
church on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
EXACTLY.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Right with you – I hate that type of demagogic speak. In the past 4 months alone, 3 of my co-workers, 3, became naturalized citizens. The notion that we’ve lost standing in the world is false and patently unproveable. Obama’s a hack.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
People don’t want to come to this nation now Obama? Give me a freaking break… the line goes around the block and we have 30 million + illegals. What a dork.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I think McCain showed he has the experience and the judgement and Obanma showed that somebody prepared him very well for this debate …
CCRWM on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcqhoiK8-Ww
Barry against Missile Defense and FCS before now suddenly being for them….
sven10077 on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Fair.
Goodnight everyone. I love you all.
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Behind Sarah’s skirt.
cgoode777 on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
MAVERICK WON! OBAMA HAD NO TONGUE!
MAVERICK WON! OBAMA HAD NO TONGUE!
MAVERICK WON! OBAMA HAD NO TONGUE!
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Eeyore says,
Obama B
McCain C
Limerick stands his ground. Pulls pin on grenade and looks at his feet.
Limerick on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Go vote on Drudge.
Fight the nutroots and their spin.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Scr*w the rest of the world and what they think.
It’s time they got back doing what they do best: admiring us.
McCain/Palin ‘08
ex-Democrat on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
McCain clearly won the debate. McCain got stronger and stronger as the debate progressed. At the end, McCain was overwhelming over Obama and was eloquent.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Geez, did John McCain get REALLY bad news (worse than Kennedy being in the hospital) before the debate? He seemed sad and very low in energy. I hope that isn’t a result of him being advised to tone it down. Otherwise I’d give him an A and Barry a C+.
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Reform, Prosperity, Peace
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
WTF?
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen….we have a winner!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
McCain – A-
Obama – D (seriously)
ConservativePartyNow on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Well, the MSM can PRETEND that the empty suit won the debate, and if they state it enough times, then some might believe it.
Gabe on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
McCain by a nose. The average voter will think Obama won. Watch it.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
McCain won I think. Obama did pretty good on economics (though of course vague) but Mac did extremely well and made Obama tap out in foreign policy and change the subject a few times. I thought Obama would have won on style, but his interrupting made him seem like the insurgent candidate. We’ll see what the polls say.
And I voted for you RB! :)
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Night. Cheers!
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Nina Easton says a very good night for McCain. She mentioined the “festooned” remark. She liked the clear, direct style of McCain.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcqhoiK8-Ww
Barry against Missile Defense and FCS before now suddenly being for them….
sven10077 on September 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
whuh? Nina Easton saying McCain won!?!?!? SHOCK ME!
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
McCain!!
“People don’t want to come here?”
Did he really leave that one sitting there right in the strike zone?
How ’bout: Uh, Senator Obama .. or Barack, if we’re still doing that first-name thing .. can you please explain to me the immigration situation in light of what you just said? Are those people sneaking in here coming in for exercise, or what?
I think he did fine, but missed a TON of opportunities.
cgoode777 on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
CNN Gergen (sp) says it’s a tie????
WTF!!
186k on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
How strange that Obama is now for SDI, wants to keep Iran from getting nukes, wants to bomb Pakistan, wants to protect Israel from Iran, wants to build nuclear power plants, drill offshore for oil.
Uh, Barack Bush Obama?
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I think that “seal” remark was a GREAT zinger.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
McCain Presidential, Statesman and The Man we need.
Obama Not Qualified.
Chakra Hammer on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Kristol said McCain got under Obama’s skin.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
McCain came off as a jerk at the end. Obama rebutted all McCain’s false charges.
Obama A
McCain C
barry norris on September 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Pockistan is where the Tally-bon are hiding. Tally me bananas…
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
MCCAIN
73% 21,135
OBAMA
24% 7,034
NEITHER
2% 686
Total Votes: 28,855
From Drudge. FYI
Good night!
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Agreed.
Juan Williams lauding Obama? But he called him “impulsive.”
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Gee, we’re so ‘out of touch’ with the rest of the world…
That’s why Germany elected Merkel and turned its’ back on the Red-Green coalition.
That’s why France – f’n France, for crying out loud – elected Sarkozy over the objections of the car-burners.
The world is coming back to us.
thirtypundit on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
McCain won, but I’ll give credit to Obama… Obama didn’t stutter much, which is a heck of an improvement for him.
El_Terrible on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Jaun Williams must of been watching a different debate.
cmptrnerd on September 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
McCain by a nose. The average voter will think Obama won. –
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Especially after the Drive-Bys spend all weekend pounding it into their heads.
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
That’s RACIST !!!!!
186k on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Juan Williams commented on the smirks by Obama–UGH, very bad form. Any high school debater knows better.
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
McCain came off WAY more like a president. He just DID.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
BUZZ THE THREAD!
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
McCain will win with independents, undecideds, and conservatives. Liberals will say Obama won because they are in love with him.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
tonight’s soundbite????
I think it was “I don’t need on-the-job-training”
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Mccain cleaned O’s clock .
trailortrash on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I think this debate torches the Bush-McCain argument.
On to the economy.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM
These are Obama’s “Jenjissss Khaaaans.” Pretentious pronunciations are no substitute for genuine insight, Senator Obama.
Most telling thing (forgive me if it’s been brought up earlier, haven’t read all comments): Obama repeatedly refers to Senator McCain as “John.” Obviously and deliberately disrespectful. Calculated and on purpose. Condescending.
McCain has not once said “Barack” as far as I have heard. Obama reveals his inner arrogance with every “John” (and “Jim” for that matter, when addressing Lehrer.)
Gilda on September 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Check out the Drudge Poll
Kini on September 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
McCain’s false charges?
Heh.
Keep astroturfin’.
Slublog on September 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Well, I gotta admit that they BOTH literally put me to sleep in the middle.
But from what I saw, I call it a draw.
Obama came off as slightly less of a Marxist than he normally does, which will cost him some of his moonbats, but gained him some of McCain’s ‘independents’.
By not wiping the floor with his Senatorial Frat buddy as he COULD have and should have, McCain lost, despite the debate itself being pretty much a tie.
LegendHasIt on September 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
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