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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No winners and no losers. I thought McCain set up the coming “who do you trust” agruement well. BHO dodged a lot and presented himself as a moderate.
I believe O’reily was right. We as a nation want revenge. On our politician, on wall street and so far BHO give a clearer path to that.
unseen on October 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM
McCain absolutely blew it tonight. He has the PERFECT setup to absolutely DESTROY Obama, and he absolutely failed to do so. When Obama was talking about “if we could have stopped the holocaust . . . “, McCain should have BLASTED him. He should have brought up the hundreds of thousands who died trying to stop it, and then scolded Obama.
That could have been the game changer. Instead, we got a boring debate with no winner, but a big loser, John McCain.
muyoso on October 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I’m glad I am not the only one. But no way in hell am I voting for Obama over Mac in the election. He is too dangerous.
McCain fairly won the the first debate, but this one goes to the empty suit.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Did all the feeds focus almost exclusively on the Obamas signing autographs and taking pictures with people after the debate, or just FOX? That’s a very evocative visual (undecideds, after all, reacting in a friendly fashion towards the Senator and his wife), I hope the McCain people didn’t fail to advise him to do that stuff too. I can only hope it wasn’t the feed on all the networks.
DrSteve on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I’m voting Libertarian this year. Done with the ying and yang political parties…
eanax on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
The Dems have a record of imploding in home stretch. Maybe this time, too.
Travis1 on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I’m going to write in Fred!
yo on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
At least he didn’t say it was overwhelming.
Does McCain understand how many people are depending on him?
He’s a choke artist. In more difficult circumstances, Palin held up her end of the bargain.
Sigh.
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Isn’t this what Repubs do? The “right thing” while we get bitchslapped by the libtards?
ex-Democrat on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I wonder what McCain’s agenda was. Pretty bad when I have to ask.
huckleberryfriend on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I can see it now; after the fallout, Obama will be on the phone “Ahmadinejad, you go stand in the corner and think about what you’ve done to Israel. Bad boy”
Laura in Maryland on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I was thinking the same thing. Looked like 50/50 to me.
See, I think he did fine if he just decreases concerns about him wrt to the economy. And he restated his suspension again which is helpful, imo, because he shows his reasons and results (that was a first) instead of people worrying about him being erratic.
I don’t think McCain has to knock out Obama, but I’m in the minority I suppose. I think Palin will make Obama a dangerous pick in the next 3-4 weeks, and Mac just has to be the stable, smart guy you feel safe with.
Spirit of 1776 on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
WORST. DEBATE. EVER.
Buy Danish on October 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Ahaha check out Drudge.
jimmy the notable on October 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Obama lied early and often. First, he absolutely stole McCain’s positions… cut taxes… cut spending… must be some more of that “As I’ve always said…” stuff.
CC
CapedConservative on October 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM
“Serious question: Did the US constituion get mentioned at all tonight?”
No — not once
skree on October 7, 2008 at 10:48 PM
If you watch the very end of the debate, you can see the Constitution being dragged-off to the killing fields.
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM
He certainly is, there’s no doubt about it. Everybody thought he was going to come out swinging, and he did to some extent, but for the most part he just lurched way over to the left attempting to buy more support with taxpayer dollars.
FloatingRock on October 7, 2008 at 10:52 PM
He did good. No knockout punches. We need some knockout punches. He needs on the stump and in the next debate connect the dots for the democratic involvement in the economic meltdown.
hawkdriver on October 7, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Hey…anybody see my duct tape?
I need a break.
over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 7, 2008 at 10:52 PM
ABC interviewing 12 college students… 4 Obamas, 4 McCains, 4 undecideds.
electric-rascal on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
I think McCain left earlier. I am sure if he did it is all you will hear about tomorrow.
Mark1971 on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Lol no. I gave up any reasonable hope months ago. I still held out a different kind of desperate hope that we could pull it off, but without Rudy, I just didn’t care. I still hate Obama for making me sympathize with Hillary.
jimmy the notable on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Mccain won the debate.
I was worried about him during the middle portion but he pulled it out for the win.
The important thing is Mccain won BIG on the economy, which is the most important issue.
SaintOlaf on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
We still have a month to go and I am not giving up. McCain is due for an off night. He won the first debate and he could win the last one. The future is up for grabs.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
McCain C+
Obama B+
Chimpy on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Let me be the first to say….
Next debate: BENCH MCCAIN, PLAY PALIN.
That chick rocks.
dugan on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
It may have been…
eanax on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Did they not keep asking the same stupid questions over and over in the beginning??
Can we ever have a presidential debate that has an actual unbiased moderator????
Stupid idiotic questions,,“What don’t you know and how don’t you know it??” or some such crap!!!
As stupid as these idiotic questions are,, McCain blew the opportunities!!!
Sarah Palin has her work cut out for her the next 3 weeks!
Yes,, McCain did better than Obama,, Obama talked around and around in circles and half the time you didn’t even know what he was trying to say.
McCain had to do better! God have mercy!!
JellyToast on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
So we all meet in Texas November 5th?
ex-Democrat on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
According to Shep, he did.
BallisticBob on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
What we are relying on is our fellow Americans having a functioning BS meter in their heads. That is the scary thing.
Mark1971 on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Israel’s more afraid of Obama than 60% of our country…and he’s been living under our roof.
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I seriously respect you and your comments here. You actually make me feel better about tonight.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I thought BHO was very weak on national security. weak on energy security and weak on helthcare.
McCain won the economic debate.
McCain also won the ending.
BHO was like there. It was boring debate. Maybe that will lessen peoples love for BHO. I don’t know. I think McCain held his own and people will now give BHO a second look and find him to inexpienced.
I find it funny that so far. we thought McCain won the first debate and Gov Palin won the second yet the polls didn’t show this. So maybe we are looking for the wrong thing tonight also.
In a moment of fear people tend not to elect the new guy.
unseen on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Mccaskill is a moron.
Cardiganfox on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Undecideds are still undecided, but all now tip a bit more towards Obama.
electric-rascal on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I need some paddles to restart my heart….that snoozefest flatlined me.
David in ATL on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Sarah rocked in the debate and it started being reflected in the polls today. McCain on the other hand really missed the chance today. Obama will get back the lead he had yesterday.
neuquenguy on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
“What don’t you know and how don’t you know it??”
What an opportunity for Mac:
“I don’t know a damn thing about Senator Obama because he never releases any information or tells you what he really thinks.”
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
ex-Democrat on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I wish.
Cardiganfox on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
stick a fork in ol’ McCain, he’s baked…
Wyznowski on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
McCain C-
Obama C+
But McCain needed to turn the tables.
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I’m with you… the limp-dick nay-sayers just need to get a grip.
CC
CapedConservative on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I’m already here! Come on down.
atxcowgirl on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
That “debate” was awful. So boring.
nickj116 on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Fox is so in the tank for Ubama it’s ridiculous.
That’s what happens when you sell the only “conservative” media network to the Saudi’s when they’re running a manchurian candidate for president of your country.
SaintOlaf on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Mccaskill is a moron.
Cardiganfox on October 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I second that!
HouseHold6 on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
It wasn’t Bush’s tax cuts that caused this mess. What caused this mess was Bush spending like a Democrat.
eaglescout1998 on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I hope you’re right, my friend. Otherwise, we are treading down a very dark and dreary pathway.
And no, that is not racist.
Tennman on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Agreed! With a big fat forehead.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Good response by pro-McCain student: Political atmosphere favors an Obama candidacy, but we need experience in this critical period, thus McCain is his choice.
electric-rascal on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I just refused to watch the after debate stuff. I thought the whole thing was kind of dull, but McCain did better than Obama just because Obama was soooo boring.
McCain did get the hit in early about the Democrats and Fannie Mae and I liked that. I wish there could have been more of it, but at least he did go after him. Obama as usual acted like he was running against Bush. And that annoying crap about meeting with Iran and North Korea blah blahblah.Does Obama really believe that he can talk to these people and make them change? He is so full of himself.
Terrye on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I just saw a fat ass “Republican” bubba, in a test group, say that he may have voted for Obama if he was more “specific.” WTF? How can you say you have Republican beliefs, but you will vote for a Democrat if he is “specific.” I swear, we need to have an intelligence test for voting!!!
Star20 on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I am getting this feeling for the first time, that its over. McCain is not only battling Obama, he’s battling the media, the lockstep dems spouting same crap as 20 years ago and fatigue seesm to be getting the best of him. Marxism..Id never thought Id see it…over and out.
malkinmania on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I think I am done with the news, done with the polls,,, I am just done with this.
No more news,, no more polls,, taken a vacation.
JellyToast on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Thanks for the good thought.
You’re right. It’s not over til it’s over.
This was just such a sucky format, questions, and Brokaw stunk up the place. Tomorrow will look better. :-}
tru2tx on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I think McCain did a much better job than he did in the last debate.
Ryan Gandy on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Thank you.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:58 PM
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I’ll split the difference with you.
Chimpy on October 7, 2008 at 10:58 PM
I don’t know if it’s me being paranoid but…seams to me that the “O” knew what the questions were.
Anybody else get that impression?
jerrytbg on October 7, 2008 at 10:58 PM
He did okay. Considering Brokaw doesn’t know a town hall meeting from a hole in the ground.
Someone said, hours ago, that Obama is a pathological liar. That rang a bell for me. That’s how he can come across as smooth while lying through his teeth.
If Obama is elected we are in for a very rough ride.
sloopy on October 7, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Who advises McCain before and after these things?
It seems as if the campaign is run by morons. How did McCain let that shot about Davis’s lobbying for Freddie and Fannie go by without comment?
And McCain didn’t name names. He didn’t position himself as the guy who was going to make sure that Frank and Dodd won’t do this to us again.
BuckeyeSam on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
eaglescout:
Congress spends the money not the president and what caused this mess was unsecured mortgages.
Terrye on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
So we all meet in Texas November 5th?
ex-Democrat on October 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I was informed the other day that Texas has large spiders. How about Alaska instead? I’ll bring guns and a macaroni salad, you can bring medical supplies and an angel food cake.
Who’s bringing chips and sleeping bags?
Bishop on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Put Sara at the top, she would have a better chance. Thank you Fred Thompson, Thank you Mike Huckabee for giving us McCain. We could of had Mitt. Hell the Huckster could wipe the floor with this guy. I mean damm. Cut his throat, does McCain have a pair anymore.
I’ll even go futher back, thank you all of you Conservatives that did not stand up for Goerge Allen, (he made a mistake i know) but there were people on our side burning him.
How did we get to this. My God this man is going to be President and we can do anything about it, because our party selected another democrat.
I am pist. I am small business. I can pay for insurance for everyone. I will pay more taxes. We will not be safer.
BO is a dumb ass and McCain is a sissy, he needs to fight.
FIGHT WITH ME, JOIN ME, COME FIGHT WITH ME. —- WELL START FIGHTING DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!
kara26 on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Great. Chris Matthews is talking about Barry’s smile.
Star20 on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
I agree. The questions were horrendous! Too bad we can’t get a good conservative as moderator.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
The thing to take from this debate is that if obama gets in, the govt will be controlling your health. If McCain gets in, you will control it
ConservativePartyNow on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Fred Barnes summed it up pretty well:
DREADFUL.
Buy Danish on October 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Nit: Congress spends, president can be a cheerleader or vote down the spending that congress sends to his desk.
Bush approved (or was cheerleader for) too much spending.
We’re in agreement that the last 8 years have been a Democrat-like spendfest.
electric-rascal on October 7, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Funny all the defeatism……….. They have another debate and a few weeks to election. An eternity in politics.
Those of you who have given up, then give up and go home. No one wants to hear from you anymore, thanks for your input.
For those of us that see what the MSM is trying to spin, and see Sarah Palin as the one we are actually voting for, we will be staying engaged.
If you listen to the MSM, it will make you puke, so don’t.
Hammer the Congress to repeal the laws and regulations that got us into this mess in the first place, and place the blame on the one’s who caused it, the Democrats.
It is starting to bubble up from the grass-roots. Sure, the MSM will be on their knees for Barry O, but give it till the weekend.
I believe that Sarah will keep stoking the fire under every one’s butts……………
Seven Percent Solution on October 7, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Nah, just harmless tarantulas. Nothing to get excited about.
The real bad spiders are the Texas Brown Recluse and the Black Widows.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Obama is up 2 to 1 on Intrade
jp on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Yep. Wonder. You have to wonder, when O’Bama right out of the gate blames McCain and the Republicans for de-regulation and policies for the meltdown and McCain does not hammer it?
I hope he wins, but he is in dreamland. Buy home mortgages? If he does win it will be only because of Palin.
Starlink on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
It was an even match in two people getting points out in a comnvincing manner. Obama told quite a few lies along the way. If you points for that Chunky, okay! McCain was strong on getting the facts straight.
Still, Obama is an empty suit smake oil salesman.
hawkdriver on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Obama was the one that had to have the rules changed for him.
TheKernel on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 PM
carbon- McCain is hitting hard on the stump. He needed a lead-in question to get to the Ayers crap. I think he held his own tonight and to me thats a win.
Mercy4Me on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Check me if I’m wrong, but that didn’t much resemble a town hall debate, it was 2 people answering, for the most part, a bunch of idiot questions.
irongrampa on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Nice of you to say, thanks.
Spirit of 1776 on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
McCain and Obama opened up the casket of the free market, shot in the face, crapped on it, and buried it.
A$$holes.
lorien1973 on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I cant imagine McCain recovering..the crown is already on the Prince. Lets just follow Obama’s eveyr move during his term, after all, he will fix everything, lets hold him to it.
malkinmania on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Watching FOX here. “That one” was awesome, memorable.
Cardiganfox on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Color me unimpressed. And even more depressed.
McCain preformed slightly better on attacking Obama directly on the things that on which he is quite obviously culpable than I expected… But only slightly, and definitely nowhere near enough.
McCain once again proves himself the master of the missed opportunity, although I have to admit that the debate rules he agreed to would have required a Reaganesque “I paid for this microphone!” assertion of control.
And McCain surprised with another socialistic bailout program that I didn’t know about previously.
Obama even said a few things that I agreed with. Of course I am smart enough to know he was lying when he said the things I agree with, but most people wouldn’t grasp that.
JUST based on what was said, and how it was said, I’d say B- for McCain, C+ for Obama.
I doubt that more than 1/10th of a percent of the vote was changed by either candidate. So, call it a tie.
Obama might have even gained a few moderate votes… But at the cost of some of his far left supporters.
We must have sinned badly to be stuck to have to choose between either of these guys.
The World of Harrison Bergeron made real.
LegendHasIt on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Huck would have slaughtered him!!
SaintOlaf on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I see all those supposed “undecideds” in the hall and in Duntz’s focus groub and think that these have to be the most spineless, candy-assed, sniveling bunch of worms. How can anyone be f%#king undecided?
Lame debate. Lame moderator. Lame bunch of losers.
AAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!
pugwriter on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
They were wrong on the VP for GOP they had Romney at like 73%
Mercy4Me on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Buckeye:
I dunno, McCain did say it was Democrats who made this happen and he mentioned among others the Chair of the Banking Committee, that would be Dodd.
Keep in mind, that McCain is running against Obama, not Frank or Dodd. They are reprehensible, but Obama is the one he needs to tie to all this. And he did mention the money Obama takes from these people. He did not get into all that about Davis, but the back and forth had gone on awhile at that point.
Terrye on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Good! I am glad to see people here I respect feel more optimism than I.
I meant it.
carbon_footprint on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I agree! I voted for Mitt in my primary. He would have kicked Hussein’s ass, and done it with style. I want to hear from the people on this blog that voted for Mac in the primary! Thanks a lot, people!
ErinF on October 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I agree with Fred Barnes. Two debates and not one question on guns or abortion. Remember the days when the 1st question was “Mr Dukakis, if Kitty Dukakis was raped and killed, would you favor the death penalty for her murderer?” Dukakis lost the election that night in one minute.
Marcus on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I just want to know how Obama is going to give that teacher who makes $35k a tax break when she pays none now.
Oh, wait. We’re going to give it to her. It’ll be a right.
Obama said we’re broken. Somehow a kid like Obama from that disadvantaged background managed to get into the best schools.
Then why is the dream broken? Why can’t everyone do what he did?
And it was wrong to go into Iraq but we’ll be sure to go into places where murderous dictators are committing genocide.
Just like Iraq.
drjohn on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
The debate or McCain?
BallisticBob on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I saw a couple sleeping bags in the bargain cave at Cabela’s outfitters/camping and hunting store. Fishing to. And they sell fudge. In the gourmet shop. And they’ve got lots of expensive boats out side that cost more than my car.
?
Oh yeah, I can get the sleeping bags. Someone else get the bear be gone pepper spray. Because, you know, someone might get eaten by a polar bear in alaska. (I just watched an episode of ‘LOST’ on the dvr.)
wise_man on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
yeah, atleast mccain informed public of the Fannie/Freddie/Democrat/Obama axis, since the media refuses to outside of SNL
jp on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Brokaw referencing Wall Street as DRUNK was just too rich; “never before Brokaw” as the movie line went. Brokaw’s slurring speech patterns put a haze in everyone’s brain. Obama never answered anything directly. McCain did answer directly and to the point. McCain presented material this time that he did not last time; but not Obama. And Obama failed to say how much the FINES would be for not insuring yourself, your family, your employees. McCain won the debate. Obama maintains his cheerleading pep squad throughout the MSM. THAT of itself is the downer of downers; the media will always say Obama won regardless of how poorly Obama performs. McCain spoke clearly on target per question with reason and explanation; whereas Obama regurgitated his lines form last debate.
Where Gwen Ifill said she felt “blown off, the technical term”, America feels “blown off” by Obama for ignoring the questions and ranting his preconceived answers.
maverick muse on October 7, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Even major garret is getting on my nerves.
malkinmania on October 7, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Yeah. For supposed Conservatives, a lot of you have pathetically limp dicks. Let us know when your testicles finally descend.
pseudonominus on October 7, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Extra! Matt Drudge and Tom Brokaw are “boring”.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081008/D93M1JKO0.html
Rovin on October 7, 2008 at 11:05 PM
hawkdriver on October 7, 2008 at 11:01 PM
My score was based on public perception.
The Poll’s will tell.
Chimpy on October 7, 2008 at 11:05 PM
If it was 2004 I’d agree with all of your post, but in 2008 the MSM is pumping the public full of fear. I don’t mind going into Nov 3-4 points back but 8-9 is going to be hard to overcome.
Keeping hope alive but find myself looking at the liquor cabinet.
Limerick on October 7, 2008 at 11:05 PM
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