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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McCain schooling Obama now on Afghanistan. Obama grimacing, looking down constantly.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
McCain is so knowledgeable in these areas. I will surely feel safe with him as President.
jencab on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
“you don’t say that out loud!” SCORE!
hoosiermama on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
YES. Great answer on Pakistan! Awesome, awesome answer.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Mac is kicking ass, really
Obambi is no match on the foreign policy stuff
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Pock-eh-stahn
d r i n k
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Where is Obama going to get those two brigades? Did he mean two battalions like what Biden has said in the past? Besides, this war will not be won with conventional forces, we need to increase the number of Special Operation Forces in Afghaistan. We already have a lot, be a couple of more groups would put the nail in Al Qaeda’s coffin.
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
“He can let me know” – you puking brat!
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
the troops want to fight in Afghanastan.
turn the Leathernecks loose. they’ll clean the country good.
and yes, he DID say attack Pakistan.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
McCain is obviously the vastly superior foreign policy candidate of President. McCain is the pro; Obama is the novice.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Geez…Bambi finally shut up.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
You people aren’t thinking like Idjits – and they are the ones who will decide this election.
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
HE is such a liar he said in the dang speech when he thought he was a god.
tee866 on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
I am tired of hearing we don’t have enough troops. If that is true then our military is in a weak state and it’s being announced to the world.
Virginia Shanahan on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Obama is shoveling out memorized talking points and McCain knows the specifics.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
He brought up Bomb bomb bomb Iran.
Typhonsentra on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Son of a B!TCH! How the F@ck did Obama get the last word in the opening sortie?!
Terp Mole on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
I think the “John” stuff is going to piss off the older folks. He used the song story. I think that was childish.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Pockistun
huh?
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:56 PM
McCain won that round.
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Do you notice how many times that B. Hussien keeps saying that McCain is RIGHT!!!!!!!
Winebabe on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Pockeestan?
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Calls him John, again. What a ’superior’ piece of caca.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Obama’s favorite method is to set up straw horses, mischaracterizing his opponent’s stand, and then knocking the straw horse down. He starts smiling when he’s spinning that particular style of bullshit.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
when the hell was America “anti-democratic”?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I hate this SOB. I hate his guts.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
McCain is doing better here, but he needs to be coached on being more aggressive in the debate that focuses on the economy. Obama got off easy on the bailout problems.
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
This is the first time I think I have ever seen anybody really holding Obama’s feet to the fire…ever. He seems rattled by it too.
surrounded on September 26, 2008 at 9:57 PM
i like the bomb iran song
custer on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Mac does love to tell stories
I think it works
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
McCain is revealing how big a FOOL Obama is.
186k on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Can I drink on “Pock-ee-stahn-EE” too, and other conjugations?
“From Pock-ee-stahns to hockey moms…”
RD on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
How ’bout it? This coming from a socialist.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
amen.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
McCain…. didn’t even have an answer for the Bomb Iran song. Pretty embarrassing.
Typhonsentra on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Obama is showing his immaturity. What McCain is saying is you work with the Pakistan president and you don’t go blabbing your mouth, but you work quietly.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:58 PM
283 Marines killed.
I remember that. Good reference, Maverick!
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Obama has ideas on foreign policy; McCain has experience. That’s what being seen right now.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
McCain-Teacher
Obama-student
ConservativePartyNow on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
McCain goes to his record: right on Lebanon, Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
McCains doing good now, on Somalia, Kosovo, etc.
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Obama is actually sounding pretty good. If I didn’t know what a cheezy socialist b***** he is, that wants to desecrate our military, I would almost be impressed.
McCain is so busy trying to not lose his temper he is not being righteously angry. He needs to be giving that boy an education.
McCain has been doing this before he was born. When McCain retired from the military Obama was in college smoking dope and snorting coke. And he is going to stand here and lecture McCain?
OY!
Virginia Shanahan on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Seems Nobama’s strategy here tonight is to call Sen. McCain “John” so as to strip him of any apparent authority as a leader of the Senate. I’d like to see McCain start calling him “Junior Senator” Obama. And every time Obama says “pah-kee-stahn” he sounds like a member of Al Qaeda or something. What a total POS this guy is.
Rational Thought on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
If Obama calls McCain “John” one more itme, McCain should start calling him “Barry”.
profitsbeard on September 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
He didn’t really bring up Bomb Iran did he? Lame.
Love that McCain mentioned Obama didn’t know about the failed state. +1 on standing up to Reagan.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
McCain’s S’s are really whistling tonight.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Mav is charging the sidewinders…….do you hear the ring tone BO?
David in ATL on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I’LL have you know sir…that I am a high school graduate.
Not a coasty lib.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Ditto. What ticket has three lives at stake?
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
McCain is on a roll with this story
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Okay…turn out the lights OBama. Debate over!
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
We’ve been launching covert cross border raids into the Taliban controlled area of Pakistan for a few years now, what more can we do? Invade the whole country like what Obama wants to do?
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Does anybody really think this idiot Obama loves this country? All the change, change crap creeps me out. We live in the greatest country on earth and all this moron ever says is we need to start changing that.
church on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
“I’ve got a bracelet too!!” Neener neener neener.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Obama – I’ve got a bracelet too. Bwwwaahahahahaah.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I love McCain. Makes me feel proud to be an American
ConservativePartyNow on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
hey i want a bracelet
custer on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
“From, uh, uh, uh, … (who the f)#()*????)”
RD on September 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
he had to look at the bracelet.
unmeritedfavor on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
strong answer by McCain
then, I’ve got a bracelet too! hah
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
“I’ve got a bracelet, too, from some guy whose name I, uhhhhh, can’t remember.”
Rational Thought on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I ah have ah bracelet from ummmm from, oh ah, yeah the Mom
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
“I GOT A BRACELET TOO!!!”
BWAHAHAHA….
LET THE STUTTERING BEGIN…
NightmareOnKStreet on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
me too! me too!
i have a bracelet!
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
B. Alinsky: “I’ve got a bracelet too”
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
“I’ve got a bracelet too….”
Grow up little boy!
IrishGirl17 on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Judgment. Now we’re going to hear it. “The folks” who perpetrated 9/11?
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Goody for you, Obama. You don’t honor our troops.
You want them to come home in defeat to for your code pink and move.org fans.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
The is the line of the night. McCain has experience, but Obama’s got a bracelet!
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
what videos? AQ is pretty much defunct.
they’d be gone were it not for the left supporting them.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Does anyone believe that Obama will go strong in Afghan?
Preposterous
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
“with that kind of concern you would think he would visit Afghanistan”
very nice
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Obama beating McCain on the bracelet. Then veers off and goes back to Afghanistan.
McCain wastes Obama by noting Obama has not been to Afghanistan.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Gee, Obama didn’t go to Afghanistan either?! HA!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
But you aren’t an Idjit. They will decide this election. And so far: they are loving Barry.
ManlyRash on September 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
“You might think with that kind of concern he would have gone to Afghanistan!” Smack down!
Rational Thought on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
These debates should have an intermission.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Obama: I’ve got a bracelet too!!!
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
On to Iran.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Iran….now it gets brutal for the Bamster
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 PM
They are sending out videotapes? I’ll take that.
We’re killing them in Iraq so they’re not sending airplanes into our buildings.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Gotta’ stop with the “he doesn’t understand” stuff .. it’s easy and obvious.
cgoode777 on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Obviously you aren’t watching the same debate that the rest of us are.
IrishGirl17 on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Wow…McCain slams Obama for being lazy in committee and not visiting troops.
LOVE IT!
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran…
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
McCain was slow (stumbled?) out of the gates, but has hit his stride now. No contest, he is currently winning this debate.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
McCain – stop Iran with a League of Democracies!!!!
YESS!!!! I love how McCain is doing tonight.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I’d like to see that bracelet…like Kerry’s magic hat.
John Doe on September 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Boot the UN!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Book plug -and it’s not even mine!
“A Better Country, Why America Was Right To Confront Iraq.”
Brilliant book. 67 pages. Written by a DEMOCRAT attorney that excoriates the liberals and explains well- using proof- of why the Iraq war the right choice.
Written by Arthur Borden. Served in WWII – USArmy 43-45. Corporate lawyer.
Get it today and start shutting these liberal bastages down!
Virginia Shanahan on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
League of Democracies and combined economic power to contain Iran.
Interesting notion…but I have my doubts.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
sanction sanction sanction, sanction sanction Iran…
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
+1
And why “Pahk-ee-stahn”, but not “Af-rrrrrkh-AHN-ee-STAHN”? He seems to pronounce Afghanistan the way I do.
New Rule: If you’re going to geek out on the Asian country names, you gotta go the whole way.
RD on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
why didn’t mac mention that bama sucks up to Iran? that Iran has endorsed his candidacy?
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Has McCain called Obama on the Iran’s a tiny country that’s not a threat to us comment?
church on September 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
agree
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I find what Obama is saying about Afghanistan is nonsense. Bin Laden and Petraeus both did say that Iraq was the central front in the war with the radical Islamists. Pressing the Iraq War did not undermine our efforts in Afghanistan.
Does Obama still want to lose in Iraq? If so, how does that help us in Afghanistan?
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb the Republican Guard
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Then we are doomed my friend…gulp.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 10:06 PM
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