Live Blog and Chat: Presidential debate
posted at 8:00 pm on September 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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.
Blowback
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Obama’s been to busy running for president to hold a hearing on Afghanistan. But like Obam said that is inside baseball let’s get to the point here. Anybody else hear, DODGE!
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Obamabi is losing it
ConservativePartyNow on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Yes, I hope we never combine these threads again. I like them separate.
YAY! McCain hit Obama on the surge !
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
kick his teeth in John
slackerjpt on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
You, Obama, are an f-ing weakling weasel.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Is it just me or does Obama look blacker than usual? May be just the lighting but he’s looking more like the 1980′s Michael Jackson than his usual appearance akin to the 1990′s Michael Jackson.
highhopes on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
OH MY! “Senator Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy”…very nice
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Obama is wrong about Iraq, and I hope McCain hits him hard.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
OMG…OBama doesn’t understand…lol. Zing.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I just heard Obama say the military didn’t do its job.
wow.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Judgment. Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and strategy! That’ll leave a mark!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
McCain needs to hit him on the surge. He needs to ask him what his plan would of resulted in had we not had the surge. He needs to go after him on this and stay on it.
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
“As my VP um, explained to me…”
Lame.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Senator Obama refuses to acknowledge that we are winning Iraq?
Awesome.
CanadianGuy on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
obama is on the defense
jaboba on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
HOO HOO HOOOOOOO, YES!
surrounded on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
not sure what his color has anything to do with the debate
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:46 PM
He’s either too sane or too cowerly to try.
Sir Napsalot on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Obama is angry and it is obvious
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
barry’s facials are extremely annoying
what an ass
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Obama is wearing a very nice suit!
forest on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
I love that McCain refuses to look at Obama.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
McCain is STEAMROLLING!!!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Pound him.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
McCain scores points.
Meanwhile, Obama is such a pretenious ass
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
I just can’t believe that people can look at Obama, and not see an empty suit. The guy is so clueless.
RBMN on September 26, 2008 at 9:47 PM
wars aren’t won by a calendar.
Obama doesn’t get it.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
So….McCain is finally standing up…and the ObumBa is getting heated…hehe heheh
SunSword on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
more living in the past
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Called him John again, when Sen. McCain calls him “Sen. Obama” – lying on the troops, again.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
It depends on what the meaning of timetable is tabled in time. Obama is tanking.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Timetables. Are we on this?
Strategy versus tactics? I’ll go with the Naval Academy grad.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
So in other words Obama was opposed just for political reasons, not for any reason that would help our troops.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Obama sounds like an Al Jazeera commentator
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
What’s this ‘john’ nonsense .. He’s a Senator you little twit.
cgoode777 on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Obama’s stumbling here. Good hit by Mac.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
This much is clear: McCain is a much better debater than Bush.
Speedwagon82 on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Bin Laden is still there. You gonna go meet with him and conduct unconditional talks, Obama?
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Obama has had an answer for every single challenge and charge by McCain so far.
Typhonsentra on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Obama can’t let Mac talk or Mac will destroy him. As irritating as the interrupting is, he has to do it to save his skin.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Afganastan and Iran——————Dofus
canopfor on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Hallo, Entelechy; hogy vagy?
Obama must be doing something Wrong & Bad: you used the F-word….sort of
Myself, I can’t watch this. So much is at stake, and all I can do is scream at the TV
Janos Hunyadi on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
obama’s best rebuttal yet, but that doesn’t make it good
olddeadmeat on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Obama would have phased us out by now and there would be chaos there. Everyone knows that Afghanistan is next.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
“…end this war respolsiblehhh…”
Barry is flustered….trying to hammer it back to Bush isn’t working out too well for him either.
surrounded on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
capture and kill OBL?
didn’t he say he would like to try him?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Maybe Obama should have had some hearings on Afghanistan if he was so worried about AlQ reconstituting there. Me thinks that might have been bad “judgement”.
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Obama just said a President should not be asking whether to employ a specific strategy, but should look backward and ask if it was wise to get in to begin with. Crazy.
mikeyboss on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
McCain plays the Petraeus trump card again and again. Awesome. Obama interrupts, asshole.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
McCain sounds more believable when speaking about what commanders say. Obama looks weak saying, “That’s not true.”
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
I knew Mac had it in him hehe you don’t survive the Navy without being tough
tee866 on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Ouch. Obama just got bitch-slapped on Iraq.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Why does Bambi get more time to talk…and keep interupting?
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
That’s good John. You’re right. I’m wrong
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Give Iraq back their country? Obama views us as occupiers in Iraq.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Muzzle Obama, please…the little creep can’t stop interrupting.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Obama was “out”? Like Clay Aiken “out”?
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Okay, McCain’s best segment.
CanadianGuy on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Why is it that everytime McCain speaks, the screen is splitscreen with Obama? When Obama speaks, he is full screen.
Kevin71 on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
McCain wins Iraq debate on the “avoid a wider war” point and using Petraeus
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Surge in Afghanistan-Good
Surge in Iraq-BADDD!
–B. Obama.
Winner=McCain.
Obama, you want defeat.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Obama got bitch-slapped on Iraq.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
If Obama sends troops in to Afghanastan and they succeed, will he admit it?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Good night all and God Bless America
F.D.N.Y 343
slackerjpt on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Because always talks over McCain and McCain is polite to Obama
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
They feel emboldened because global leftists told them Obama would win.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
911 and Iraq. Lies and more lies
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I think Obama looked weak on Iraq.
Get him on Afghanistan. Obama sounds as if he swallowed an almanac with these stats. Listening to Obama speak of sending troops into any region sounds odd.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I know I’m showing my age here, but Obama kind of reminds me of a mocha “Eddy Haskel.”
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
McCain is so much better than Obama.
I am getting heated at home. I want to punch Obama in the face. I am so furious.
jencab on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
What planet are you from?
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Pockeeston.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Senator Present has no authority on this topic. It’s like listening to a teenager debate his WWII-veteran dad.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Obama is still thinking that we are simply fighting Alqeada. I guess he missed the September 16, 2001 Speech by President Bush.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Am I mistaken, or does it seem that Obama is making it up as he goes?
I do think, though, that McCain should hit Obama about the original decision to remove Saddam, which almost all congressional Democrats supported.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Hello Janos – I have a Hungarian guest in the house for a month :)
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
I think I have to stop commenting. Watching Obama, and thinking about how close he still remains to becoming President is going drive me to use obscene language.
RBMN on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
LIE == ObumBa.
SunSword on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Yes, Barack, Pock-i-ston…
RD on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
W
Interesting point.
dmarie on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Do you want to still invade Pakistan, Obama?
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Pock-eh-stahn!
Drink.
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
everyone hear how he’s pronouncing Packeestan?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
DId Obama just say that Karzi is the president of pakistan?
rw on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Yes, Mrs. Cleaver.
Does Obama get “cool” points for the funky way he pronounces “Pakistan.”
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
ObumBa == LIE
SunSword on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Barry lost it – he crossed the line and is lost
iam7545 on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
You won’t find bin Laden in Afghanistan. He’s in Pakistan. Afghanistan is only becoming a problem because the terrorists are finding safe haven in Pakistan.
Why doesn’t McCain point out that the root of the Al Quaeda problem is in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
theregoestheneighborhood on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
McCain is confident here.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Very nice. Launch military strikes into Pakistan.
hehe…”you don’t say that outloud” like speaking to a child…oh wait.. Mac is talking to a child…nevermind.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
I hate that Obama says Pockiston. That maybe the way they say it in the region, but by god that’s not how we say it here. But I forgot I should make sure my children can speak Spanish.
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Obama just creeps me out. My wife left the room, he is so annoying.
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Obama is wearing a LOT of makeup…Not Al Gore bad, but disconcerting still.
Kevin71 on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
McCain has been strong throughout the whole debate.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
McCain is making Obama look like a child.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
john just pointed a gun to barry’s head
custer on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
McCain is strong on Foreign Policy — we all know this. He didn’t do well, though, in the economic portion…
Romney would have cleaned Barry’s clock on such economic matters. It would have been worth a Pay-Per-View…
eanax on September 26, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Mac is pummelling bambi on Afghanistan
John Doe on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
I love it when McCain says, I’ve been there. LEADERSHIP!!
ConservativePartyNow on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
On the war it’s no match. This, however, will not decide this election, unless something very bad happens btw. now and Nov. 04.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
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