Debate Live-Blog and Chat!
posted at 8:00 pm on October 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The second John McCain/Barack Obama presidential debate will start at 9 PM ET, and Hot Air will be at the forefront of instant commentary! 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!
I believe that this embed will have the debate live, and you won’t need to go anywhere else to watch:
What keys should we keep in mind tonight?
- McCain – He gets his preferred town-hall format, but that really doesn’t mean much, since Tom Brokaw has already selected the questions. The format won’t allow for follow-up questions, either, which probably helps Obama more than McCain, who does a pretty good job counterpunching. Instead, McCain needs to hammer Obama on Fannie Mae, taxes, and spending, and paint him as a backbencher who has no accomplishments other than getting himself elected.
- Obama – He has an easier task tonight. Obama knows McCain will get aggressive, just as he does in every debate. He’ll do better to speak to general themes of discontent, ignore McCain, and stay positive while focusing on his own plans for government. Every time McCain forces him to defend himself, he plays more and more on McCain’s turf.
- Tom Brokaw – I’m more optimistic about Brokaw than some others, although I think I’d prefer Brit Hume or even Jim Lehrer. Brokaw has enjoyed his senior-statesman status at NBC, and I suspect he also enjoys being the anti-Olbermann there as well. Watch for bias in topics and question construction, but I predict that Brokaw will give a balanced performance tonight.
After the debate, I’ll talk with Hugh Hewitt to give my perspective, at around 10:30 pm CT. I’ll also work on a final summary of the debate, probably for posting tonight. Don’t miss a moment of it here at Hot Air!
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This is how McCain should start the debate:
“Can I call you Barry? ‘Cause I practiced a few zingers where I call you Barry”
Mark1971 on October 7, 2008 at 8:02 PM
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/10/07/obama-is-hiding-a-radical-past/#more-5300
Obama the socialist
Mercy4Me on October 7, 2008 at 8:04 PM
McCain should use the term ‘corruption’ and ‘public corruption’ as much as possible. He needs to get the word ‘Soros’ in there as well as ‘Sandler’ and ‘Progressive’ and that should lock up the SEO consultant vote. Oh, no it wouldn’t. But it would be accurate. I wanted to be first in this thread. Dang it. Mark1971 you are quick.
ilitigant on October 7, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I want to see McCain hold up the photo of Ayers standing and dancing on the flag, turn to Obama and ask him,
“Senator, is this the man in who’s living room you launched your campaign?”
JellyToast on October 7, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Did you hear Rush taking it to Mac today? Offered some great suggestions for tonight.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:06 PM
T-Minus 55 minutes and counting!!!!
Hopey,Sir you are a Liar,worse than Bill Clinton!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Nashville represent!
ballz2wallz on October 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Please dear God be with John McCain tonight and it would be great if you would just allow free will to happen to Obama.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Rush even made a call to Hillary to set aside any partisanship and do the right thing!
Ropera on October 7, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Did you Rush……
InTheBellyoftheBeast on Oct 7,2008 at 8:06PM.
InTheBellyoftheBeast: Yes I did,and Rush basically said
launch all dive bombers,and fire a
full broadside,and NAME,NAMES:)
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Wake me when it`s over. And by that I mean Nov. 4th.
ThePrez on October 7, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Yes, I think it would be a good idea to pray to your higher power of choice!
Honestly, I think he’s going to kick arse tonight. He will NOT go down without a fight.
Oink on October 7, 2008 at 8:11 PM
John has two things going for him……first, the American people overwhelmingly trust John McCain more than Oslime-a in a time of crisis.
Second, he has the record of experience to take on any problem a president could face.
Oh yeah, one more……
The Bradley factor.
csdeven on October 7, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Anybody wanna watch this while we wait? It’s the most recent post from that “Black and White on Grey Matters” kid on my space…
This guy cheers me up…he really really gets it.
Enjoy!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=43873200
surrounded on October 7, 2008 at 8:12 PM
This debate will be a town hall meeting, right? That means taking questions from the audience.
I wonder how many of those posing questions will be Obama campaign plants.
DubiousD on October 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
So, is McCain going to borrow a pair of testicles and go after Obama as eloquently and pugnaciously as his VP, or is he going to be a eunuch doormat again?
He has plenty of issues to hit Obama with; the question is, will he use them? If he embarasses himself tonight, he has no one to blame but himself.
austinnelly on October 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Kick his @ss McCain.
nickj116 on October 7, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Pray everyone.
American on October 7, 2008 at 8:15 PM
I think John should stand next to a life size cardboard cut out of Sarah Palin for the entire debate. Make that Sarah Palin in a bikini. Yah, a bikini, that’s it.
I hope he has his old flight suit on tonight and drops some bombs. Maybe we should have a drinking game here at HA? Every time McCain says the word bipartisan we all do a shot.
Mojave Mark on October 7, 2008 at 8:18 PM
I do as well. Never underestimate the Maverick. He has cheated death at least three times.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Well said, Mr. Footprint. Can I call you Carbon?
tru2tx on October 7, 2008 at 8:21 PM
You can count on it. Pun intended.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Yes, but only if you have practiced some zingers calling me Carbon. ; P
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 8:22 PM
No need to panic folks, McCain took the gloves off a few days ago and has hammered Obama in a way that looks like McCain was waiting for the final days leading up to the election.
I also noticed that McCain let Sarah go get em also. Sarah has been hitting pretty hard, and on topic for the most part.
John needs to focus on the economy and call the Democrats and Obama out for their huge role in this disaster.
I hope John lands a solid right to the jaw of that wussy, by naming names!
Keemo on October 7, 2008 at 8:23 PM
JellyToast on October 7, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Exactly. I was thinking that McCain should phrase his answers as questions to Obama.
“Senator Obama, how did you manage to become the #2 recipient of Fannie/Freddie donations in only a few years? Is Chris Dodd just really inept?”
Obama won’t be able to answer, and he’ll appear to be dodging.
innominatus on October 7, 2008 at 8:25 PM
there.
surrounded on October 7, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I’m TIVO’ing the debate as I never watch the big game when my team’s playing as I don’t want to jinx him. So, I probably won’t be able to pop in until tomorrow morning or so and I’ll read how it goes then. Let’s hope Big John lands a knockout on the Chicago Chump!
As for the possibility (probability) of there being ringers in the crowd–I think McCain’s counting on that! That’ll give him the opportunity to really hammer Obama and Brokaw!
Matt Helm on October 7, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I’ll try the Powerline Blog, proving that insanity is doing the same unsuccessful thing o ver and over…when that fails I’ll drop in here.
JIMV on October 7, 2008 at 8:28 PM
I kind of wish it was not a townhall debate. It will be harder to get aggressive in that kind of format.
Terrye on October 7, 2008 at 8:29 PM
all of them, of course. But McCain’s people know that too.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:31 PM
This townhall format should be packed to the gills with partisans. Deep blue nutroots and deep red wingnuts. McCain will make fools out of the questions from the nutroots while Obama ums his way through the questions from the wingnuts.
Limerick on October 7, 2008 at 8:31 PM
For the sake of the country that “saved him” McCain needs to put his foot on Obama’s throat and leave it there until Nov 5.
Elizabetty on October 7, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Believers, please join me in praying for Senator McCain, and for America.
capitalist piglet on October 7, 2008 at 8:32 PM
What I realy want to see tonight is a confident, strong McCain who tells America that the next year is going to suck in the economy- neither candidate can change that. What matters is where we go from here; No more government pork-outs, no more entitlement programs, social security and veteran pensions are safe- and to assure the American public that going Obama is biting off our collective noses to spite George Bush’s face! It’s American suicide. There’s more to our life than empty Democratic promises.
anniekc on October 7, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Yep. But McCain has enough experience to get his information out in a firm but fair “Dad” kind of way.
Also, don’t anybody get their hopes up that Obama will get completely freaked out. I think the guy is actually pathological…maybe that toxic narcissist stuff, or maybe just a truly pathological liar. He simply doesn’t have the same guilt/shame thing that most decent people have when they tell or get caught in bold faced lies.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Doesn’t Janet H. Brown look like your prototypical liberal elite, leftist?
What the hell kind of scarf was that?
James on October 7, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Ok then. Confident Obarky and his Obamination army complete with media-whore archers, against the rag-tag conservatives who are supposed to get their asses kicked.
Sarah, ride behind them and take out their archers, Mac will meet you in the middle. Go now Mac, this is probably your last chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCjH5BKU4A&feature=related
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 8:34 PM
anniekc on October 7, 2008 at 8:33 PM
That’s very good, annniekc. I agree.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Why is the MSM and even Fox’s Carl Cameron saying that McCain should not(and wont) go negative tonight? There is also the spin that McCain will be seen as “grumpy” if he fights back! That’s BS.
Cameron said that the McCain team told him that McCain will not go negative.
Nelsa on October 7, 2008 at 8:35 PM
feint
Limerick on October 7, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Maybe the McCain camp is telling the media that they won’t go negative and BAM!
I am hoping.
jencab on October 7, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Keep your eyes open for the McGovern TV ad tonight. He’s opposing the legislative proposal that would eliminate the secret ballot in labor union elections–just one in a long list of indefensible, un-American positions that Obama takes.
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Maybe they don’t want to telegraph their strategy to the Terrorist Party.
capitalist piglet on October 7, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Yay!!! The debate is being televised in Australia on 2 free-to-air networks.
Crux Australis on October 7, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Great idea–thank you. I’m going to do that right now.
jgapinoy on October 7, 2008 at 8:39 PM
I was thinking the same thing and I hope that is the stategy.
McCain MUST keep the gloves off.
Nelsa on October 7, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Hey, I like it. Thanks!
kahall on October 7, 2008 at 8:39 PM
being honest != going negative, of course.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Three cheers for the ‘Diggers’! (And God bless ‘em)
Limerick on October 7, 2008 at 8:41 PM
O good, Al and Tipper are at the Townhall – maybe he can finally lose it and go all ManBearPig and steal the show.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Umm, if this was a balanced crowd at least half those people wouldn’t have been applauding Algore.
James on October 7, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Gore?
PLEASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE tell me Joementum is in the room too!
Limerick on October 7, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Scary how much applause he received – Algore I mean
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I missed some of the intros, is Thompson there too?
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:44 PM
It is in Nashville. That’s where Al and Tipper have that house with the $2000 a month electric bill.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Hey gang, I made it back just in time for round 2.
Lets have some fun, (at bambi’s expense of course).
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 7, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Everyone should look at this as objectively as possible…since this forum is 0-2 in the choosing the winner column. The Polls proved otherwise.
tomas on October 7, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Already started drinking…….*hic*
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Are you serious? Gore is there? He’s always poking his big nose into anything Nashville; (even though his own state wouldn’t support him! Ha!)
anniekc on October 7, 2008 at 8:47 PM
!!! McCain and the ‘Cuda touring PA this week !!!
- Multiple locations in Eastern PA!!
Ticket info:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-mccaintickets-100508,0,2535277.story
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-mccain-1003cn,0,6959419.story
gxpgxp on October 7, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Cheers.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 7, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Already started drinking…….*hic*
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Me Too and it is only 5:45 here
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Oh, good! A defeatist has joined us.
You guys have fun with it; I have to take a kid to soccer in a few…
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Already started drinking…….*hic*
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
buckichick1 on October 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Will we hear a Keating Five reference? I made a video last night and want eveyrone in America to see it. I counter the Keating Five with the OBAMA TEN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KNBYgx4-Ao
cannonball on October 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Done.
AZCoyote on October 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Doesn’t that lady own another scarf? What’s she trying to do, auction it on Ebay?
Nelsa on October 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I hope the townhall isn’t planted,or stacked by
Libtards!!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Major Garret says Obama will unveil new plans because of the economy. Meaning higher taxes for the wealthy. Is that new??
Didn’t Obama say this many times? Am I missing something?
jencab on October 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
two words: Ayers Wright!!!!
lavell12 on October 7, 2008 at 8:51 PM
I hope the townhall isn’t planted,or stacked by
Libtards!!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
jencab on October 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Brokaw actually sounds a little off.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Houston,all systems go!!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Anyone have a link to fox for a live stream?
cmptrnerd on October 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Two other words: Glen Livet…..*hic*
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
What’s up with the two chairs and the tables and why is one bigger than the other? ;)
Nelsa on October 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
I hope the townhall isn’t planted,or stacked by
Libtards!!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
buckichick1 on October 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Everyone should tune into the Strategy Room at foxnews.com to watch the debate. Its the only way to go.
jimmy the notable on October 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
He was saying Obama had to come up with new financial ideas to adjust to the economical crisis. Obama is supposed to introduce new ideas but they will have the same outcome as the old ideas, vis-a-vis higher taxes for the ‘rich’.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
I am so nervous because I don’t know what McCain will do. I am praying for him.
jencab on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Tom Brokaw interviewed all the 80 “uncommitted” voters? Tom Brokaw gets to choose who asks a question? Tom Brokaw gets to choose which internet questions are asked? Oh mannnnnnnn…..
Marcus on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Oh BTW Mr. Rash, glad to see your enthusiasm has returned after Ed, smeared a little pain ointment on your dermas a few days ago. ;-)
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM
I was nervous for Palin. I am not nervous for McCain.
jimmy the notable on October 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Obama is supposed to introduce new ideas but they will have the same outcome as the old ideas,
vis-a-visi.e., higher taxes for the ‘rich’.Sorry, but that had to be corrected.
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Lets get it on.
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
When Obama brings up the Keating Five, McCain should ask if if he so worried about it, why did he have John Glenn at his rally yesterday.
Obama might say that he had no idea that John Glenn was a member of the Keating 5 and “I will throw him under the bus tomorrow morning.” :)
Nelsa on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
we need to make an ad about ayers nyt article which happened to be on 9/11 and show the pentagon being bombed and saying at the end “Bill Ayers got his wish”
lavell12 on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Brokaw got to select the questions from the ones submitted, so of course they will be from the Obamabot plants.
shrug. This format just saved Tom the work of having to write the questions himself.
funky chicken on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
I am so nervous because I don’t know what McCain will do. I am praying for him.
jencab on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
buckichick1 on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Watching FOX
theeyeman3410 on October 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Drinking scotch.
ManlyRash on October 7, 2008 at 8:57 PM
All I ask is one question about Freddie and Fannie, just one.
Over30 on October 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Shuttle debate,you are go for throttle up!!!!
canopfor on October 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Tom Brokaw gets to choose which internet questions are asked? Oh mannnnnnnn…..
Marcus on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Isn’t that great?
“So esteemed Senator and all-around cool guy Obama, what is your favorite constellation and why?”
“Old man, why do you hate black people?”
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Refresh isn’t working. Must be tons of folks here.
theeyeman3410 on October 7, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Also drinking scotch, though I told my wife it’s for my sore throat.
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 8:59 PM
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