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Economy takes debate stage with candidates
McCain, Obama clash over causes, cures of crisis
Local reaction
Curtis Tomme, chair of the Taylor County Republican Party
"The economic situation was at the forefront of the last debate, and it was at the forefront of this debate. Again, I think Sen. McCain showed the differences in his experience. Obama showed that he's a big-government, big-tax, big-spend liberal. ... If you start to raise taxes you make the economy worse than it already is. McCain made that point."
Steven Knight, Republican
"McCain was more concise in his answers. I heard more promises than solutions from Obama. McCain has solutions that are thought out in more detail. Since the last debate, he (Obama) has had some trouble with economic discussion. McCain was more focused on the solutions for our financial crisis. Both candidates seem to have thought a lot about it. I just like McCain's answers better. Obama keeps talking the little guy, how he's suffering. I don't believe the solutions he's offering are the best."
Mary Lou Robertson, Democrat
"One question I came away with for McCain: He said that he knows what we have to do to solve the problem in the Social Security program. He didn't ever give an answer, never said what that would be. I would love to know. I also thought Obama had a realistic view of situations in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. ... I think probably McCain was more comfortable in this situation (town hall venue), but I also think Obama was comfortable. Overall, I think it was a better debate.
Lara Carlin, secretary, Taylor County Democratic Party:
"I value that Obama gave more specifics on the issues, like how he told us what he was going to do to help repair the economic system while assisting average Americans by cutting middle-class taxes, assisting with energy costs, health care and mortgage payments. What spoke to me was that Obama felt we need to have better spending habits, both federally and personally, and that at the federal level they need to reflect this by not giving huge tax cuts to CEOs while asking average Americans to tighten their belts."
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY Gerald Herbert Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., answers a question as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens during the presidential debate Tuesday night at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
associated press photo by Charles Dharapak Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wave to the audience before the start of the townhall-style presidential debate Tuesday at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for a sweeping $300 billion program to shield homeowners from mortgage foreclosure.
"It's my proposal. It's not Sen. Obama's proposal, it's not President Bush's proposal," McCain said at the outset of a debate he hoped could revive his fortunes in a presidential race trending toward his rival.
In one pointed confrontation on foreign policy, Obama bluntly challenged McCain's steadiness. "This is a guy who sang bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, who called for the annihilation of North Korea -- that I don't think is an example of speaking softly."
That came after McCain accused him of foolishly threatening to invade Pakistan and said, "I'm not going to telegraph my punches, which is what Sen. Obama did."
The debate was the second of three between the two major party rivals, and the only one to feature a format in which voters seated a few feet away posed questions to the candidates.
They were polite, but the strain of the campaign showed. At one point, McCain referred to Obama as "that one," rather than speaking his name.
"It's good to be with you at a town-hall meeting," McCain also jabbed at his rival, who has spurned the Republican's calls for numerous such joint appearances across the fall campaign.
They debated on a stage at Belmont University four weeks before Election Day in a race that has lately favored Obama, both in national polls and in surveys in pivotal battleground states.
Not surprisingly, many of the questions dealt with an economy in trouble.
Obama said the crisis was the "final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years" that President Bush pursued and were "supported by Sen. McCain."
He contended that Bush, McCain and others had favored deregulation of the financial industry, predicting that would "let markets run wild and prosperity would rain down on all of us. It didn't happen."
McCain's pledge to have the government help individual homeowners avoid foreclosure went considerably beyond the $700 billion bailout that recently cleared Congress. While he said bailout money should be used to help homeowners, the bailout legislation merely gave the Treasury Department authority to purchase mortgages directly.
"I would order the secretary of the Treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those payments and stay in their homes," he said.
"Is it expensive? Yes. But we all know, my friends, until we stabilize home values in America, we're never going to start turning around and creating jobs and fixing our economy, and we've got to get some trust and confidence back to America."
McCain also said it was important to reform the giant benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
"My friends, we are not going to be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that present-day retirees have today," he said, although he did not elaborate.
The two men also competed to demonstrate their qualifications as reformers at a time voters are clamoring for change.
McCain accused Obama of being the Senate's second-highest recipient of donations from individuals at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two now-disgraced mortgage industry giants.
"There were some of us who stood up against it," McCain said of the lead-up to the financial crisis. "There were others who took a hike."
Obama shot back that McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, has a stake in a Washington lobbying firm that received thousands of dollars a month from Freddie Mac until recently.
Pivoting quickly to show his concern with members of the audience listening from a few feet away, he said, "You're not interested in politicians pointing fingers. What you're interested in is trying to figure out, how is this going to impact you."
But that didn't stop the two men from criticizing one another repeatedly as the topics turned to energy, spending, taxes and health care.
Obama said McCain was going to require taxes on the health benefits workers receive from their employers at the same time his plan would wipe out the ability of states to enforce their own regulations to require tests such as mammograms.
McCain countered that under his rival's plan, "Sen. Obama will fine you" if parents fail to obtain coverage for their children but had yet to say what the fine would be. "Perhaps we will find that out tonight," he said.
Obama quickly followed up, saying that McCain "voted against the expansion" of the children's health care program the government runs.
The two men prefer dramatically different approaches to easing the problem of millions of uninsured Americans. McCain favors a $5,000 tax credit that he says would allow families to find and afford health care on their own.
Obama wants to build on the current system, in which millions receive coverage through the workplace, with government funding to help uninsured families obtain coverage.
Obama also said that American International Group, which was bailed out by the government, should give the Treasury $440,000 to cover the cost of a company retreat at a posh California resort less than a week after the federal intervention. "Those executives should be fired," he said, referring to the participants in the retreat.
The debate also veered into foreign policy, and the disputes were as intense as on the economy and domestic matters.
McCain said his rival "was wrong about Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia when they committed aggression against Georgia. And in his short career he does not understand our national security challenges. We don't have time for on-the-job training."
Obama countered with a trace of sarcasm that he didn't understand some things -- like how the United States could face the challenge it does in Afghanistan after spending years and hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq.
The audience was selected by Gallup, the polling organization, and was split three ways among voters leaning toward McCain, those leaning toward Obama and those undecided.
Tom Brokaw, of NBC, screened their questions and also chose others that had been submitted online.
Posted by ropers40 on October 8, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched this debate twice and noticed how Obama consistently did better with uncommitted voters in Ohio.{CNN)
I personally thought the debate was somewhat bland. I think Obama won the debate but the debate itself was nothing new.
I did find it interesting that McCain wants to add ANOTHER 300 billion to the 850 billion that the goverment has already allocated for the bailout.
People on here are so paranoid by the liberals and don't realize its the conservatives that are sending this country down the toilet. Go Figure
Posted by dlmjam on October 8, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain is not a conservative. He may want to think he is. People who follow this philosophy do not like to spend money. Most of the republican leadership are just wannabe conservatives and do not follow the true conservative way. This applies to the democratic party, too. Most are just wannabe liberals and do not follow the true liberal philosophy. They think they are but they do not. Both parties have been hijacked by special interest and left behind their constituency years ago. Neither candidate is worth a flip and neither is going to fix anything. This mess we are in was created by both parties and by 5 presidents that came from both parties and a congress that was lead by both parties. It is time, even though it will not happen, for a third party to run this country. I intend to vote for the 6th consecutive presidential election for a third party candidate.
Posted by wbarloww on October 8, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One story Obama told was kinda strange. When he talk about his mother dying bankrupt from cancer because she could not afford medical care. By simple math one would realize that if she was 53 when she died, then Obama was 35 and making 6 figure salary as a lawyer along with his wife make 6 figures as a lawyer. Yet he could not help out with her medical payments? Of course remember his brother lives in a box on a dollar a month. Real family values there.
Posted by donny on October 8, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the term limits that newt promised in his contract on America? None of those republicans that came into power honored that agreement. Unless they got ousted like Mark foley of florida.
Posted by junebug on October 8, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"One story Obama told was kinda strange. When he talk about his mother dying bankrupt from cancer because she could not afford medical care."
That's not what he said, he was talking about her having to fight her insurance company over coverage . . . the insurance company was questioning whether her ovarian cancer was a "pre-existing" condition. From the transcript:
"Obama: Well, I think it should be a right for every American. In a country as wealthy as ours, for us to have people who are going bankrupt because they can't pay their medical bills -- for my mother to die of cancer at the age of 53 and have to spend the last months of her life in the hospital room arguing with insurance companies because they're saying that this may be a pre-existing condition and they don't have to pay her treatment, there's something fundamentally wrong about that."
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone notice how McCain shunned Obama at the end when Obama tried to shake his hand? Very sad!
I will tell you that I will Never make the mistake of voting "Republican" just because I consider(d) myself one. I still was not sure (until last night) who I would vote for.
There were several questions that were asked that McCain danced around and just said, "Yes, my friends, the 3 things that the question pertained to are very important"...but he never answered the question on What he was going to do to change these. He stuttered all over himself on almost every question. He was blinking 90 mph while he was answering several questions (which are almost always the sign of telling a lie).
Sen. Obama never missed a beat. He was very specific in answering every question in detail so that “We” understood. If McCain tried to turn his words around, he wanted to make sure we understood exactly what he meant.
Listen, we need a change in our Country. Our economy can not take another 4 or 8 years of the direction we have been going. I honestly feel that if McCain is president, not much will change.
I know that "I" will be voting for the one that I feel can make the biggest change (for the better) in our Country. And I don't think McCain can do that. He believes too much in some of Bush's policies.
Posted by Gus on October 8, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw a great deal of fatigue in both of these men last night. (I don't think many of us could stand up to the rigors and scrutiny of the campaign trail.) Hence, the debate was lacking in energy...it was a bit of a yawner. We didn't really learn anything new regarding policy. I think we did see more of the "real" man in the smaller environment and with both of them a little weary. Obama was definitely more on point and precise. Having said that, McCain's healthcare plan scares the bejeezus out of me. What a disaster that plan is. No regulation, no oversight, a free-for-all with the healthcare consumer as the loser. Even today the CEO of Blue Cross/BS makes about 16 million in salary. The CEO of Cigna makes about 24 million over 5 yrs in salary. The deregulated approach worked so well in the banking industry, McCain wants to try it in heathcare. Huh?? What is this guy drinking?
And the negative BS Palin is spewing on behalf of the McCain campaign is not working. Everyone is sick of that garbage. Stick to the issues.
Posted by apricottx on October 8, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
blablah I agree with your assessment of the debate last night.
I also agree with not voting based solely on your party affiliation. Its hard, there's a lot of BS floating around politicians, in general.
I've made my decision, and I'll stick with it. Unless something earth shattering happens to change it.
Posted by huckster on October 8, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what we saw last night was two clowns. if they had only been wearing red noses and oversized shoes, they would have been more honest.
it's so hard to believe that these imbeciles are the best we could do.
Posted by robertwp on October 8, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched on CNN this time so I could watch the little graph on the bottom of the screen. I loved it! I noticed that every time one of the candidates said something negative about the other, the graph headed for negative territory. Every time the candidate addressed a specific problem and stated what he intended to do about that problem, the graph went high into the positive.
McCain came off as desperate. He is grasping at straws. Most of the time he was speaking, the graph showed that the listeners were indifferent to what he was saying. He would do himself a favor by watching the tape. The Wall Street Journal poll says that Obama won the debate by an 80% to 20% margin. I would agree. I expect this election to be a landslide. Bush has hurt the country with his complete lack of leadership but he has destroyed the Republican Party for a long time to come. Maybe the folks in Dubai will appreciate his authenticity and want to have a beer with him.
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I read an article in Air Force Times this morning concerning the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. It is the most prestigious group for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan group.
They released a congressional scorecard on Tuesday that ranks the members of Congress on how they voted to support these veterans. Scores were based on 10 votes involving increased funding for veterans’ programs, expansions of benefits, a vote to purchase Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and four separate votes at various stages of consideration of the Post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights and co-sponsorship of the bill.
McCain, ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a decorated Navy fighter pilot who spent 5½ years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, received a D due to his absence on several key votes on military and veterans' issues over the last two years.
He is one of nine lawmakers - four senators and five members of the House of Representative - who received a D or F.
Obama received a B on the report card, so did Biden. Obama missed four and Biden three key votes.
Posted by sdplm on October 8, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not news but it is the truth. When the economy is bad that is THE issue. When the economy is bad the party in the oval office is blamed for it. Right or wrong. That is just the way it is. People are looking and I believe will vote for CHANGE. Again, right or wrong.
I said it from day one, I am appalled at Sen. McCain's VP selection. She has hurt the GOP ticket more than she has helped. McCain himself has hurt the GOP. He has tried to distance himself from Bush as well he should.
Timing is everything. McCain drew a fair opponent in Obama. Without the economy being in the toilet, the election was easily McCain's to win. BTW, life isn't fair.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the funniest part was when Obama said that our military created the computer? Is he going to be another Al Gore "I created the internet" idiot? Also, he talked about what he wanted to do "in my first term" last night as if he already has plans for his second term. Did someone in Germany spike his coffee because he still hasn't won anything. He has to win his first term before he can even play for his second term. How do people not see how arrogant and ridiculous this guy is? I also think it is very suspicious that on the day a book was scheduled to be released in Kenya that spoke about Obama and his connection to the Kenyan government the author was arrested in Kenya and kicked out of the country. How many times is stuff like this going to happen before people see the pattern? The train wreck will be here soon if he is elected.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE....
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan---"he talked about what he wanted to do "in my first term" last night as if he already has plans for his second term"
First let me say that I am not attacking you...I rather like your posts, but I don't think Obama is being arrogant at all by stating this. If anything, this shows he is looking "long term" and still plans to make changes the whole time he is in office.
Posted by bronbo on October 8, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Senator Obama is so great! He has accomplished so much as a US Senator, an Illinois State Senator, and a community organizer. He deserves to be our next President of the US, and he can solve all of this economic mess we are in, and protect the US from terrorists and other enemies. Only he has the wisdom, the know how and the experience to do this.
We will be so better off with him in the White House in 2009, and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in Congress! Happy days will be here again! I can hardly wait.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Blah - Thanks for the clarification but as I was watching him during that part I noticed that he caught himself saying it. He kind of flinched and you could tell that he also thought he made a mistake. I don't know if you caught that but he definitely showed some body language that said "I shouldn't have said that in this setting." I understand that he is thinking long term but in this stupid game we call politics that was a mistake. If it were in a different setting it would be fine but since he was speaking to undecided voters he shouldn't have gone there. I just think he truly believes he has already won. History would say that Obama doesn't need to anger the silent majority. That's all I was trying to say by that.
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain stated several times last night "When I am president" is that arrogance too? I think not, if someone said "When I lose this race" would be political death!
Reagan_Bush08 "Obama and his connection to the Kenyan government the author was arrested in Kenya and kicked out of the country."
What connection? He father was born there? His grandmother still lives there? I guess, the next thing I will read on this blog is that the guy caught in "Obamaland" was being picked on because he did not have valid documention for his visa....
Posted by tcat on October 8, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama tended to stutter and say uhh a lot. He seemed to be on the verge of a coma, and he had to be prompted to say anything good about America, but then he is a Democrat.
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan---I did notice that as well. Maybe he does think he has already won. But that confidence in my opinion is self assurance and assurance to me as well.
Awhile back, I asked on a thread for help by the way of good links that will list "simply" what each nominee is bringing to the table. You as well as others provided me with some great ones. With that, I looked at what I wanted to see happen and the changes I wanted to see.
I honestly feel that if McCain is president, not much will change. We desperately need a change in our country. We are falling further and further in debt. I don't think McCain can fully understand what the "average" american goes through on a daily basis and the struggles we go through just to put food on the table and pay our bills. He has never had to deal with that in real life. So how can he make changes to something he has never had to deal with.
I understand that Obama has not had to deal with certain things also.
We just need a change.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"What connection? He father was born there? His grandmother still lives there? I guess, the next thing I will read on this blog is that the guy caught in "Obamaland" was being picked on because he did not have valid documention for his visa...."
Have you done much research on this? There are some concerned citizens who have found out there are some dealings going on behind the scenes that the government of Kenya will benefit greatly by Obama winning the Presidency. This book investigated these claims and substantiated these claims. The day it was to be released the author is kicked out of the country for "visa reasons". Are you that ignorant to believe that's the reason? The author has been there for a while doing the investigating. Couldn't they have kicked him out before the release date?
Posted by nivrek04 on October 8, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08: "I think the funniest part was when Obama said that our military created the computer? Is he going to be another Al Gore "I created the internet" idiot? "
ENIAC, short for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer,[1][2] was the first general-purpose electronic computer. It was the first Turing-complete, digital computer capable of being reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems,[3] although earlier machines had been built with some of these properties. ENIAC was designed and built to calculate artillery firing tables for the U.S. Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory.
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tcat...watch again. That was McCain that was doing that "my friend". LOL
Seriously though, McCain stuttered the whole time he as talking. I don't think he had to be prompted at all. When asked a question, he answered the question very well. Took his time to make sure we understood what he was saying. There were several questions that McCain didn't even answer. He just kept saying, "my friend, that is a very important issue and I "Will" fix it when I am president".
Posted by nivrek04 on October 8, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sounds like our military actually did create the computer...
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All good points Blah. I don't think you will find a democrat or republican to disagree with you. However, we will disagree on the approach. The correct approach is up to your judgement and you can vote accordingly.
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Conspiracy Theory...those amazing chain of events...that make me stay inside and foil my walls and ceilings.....
Snopes tells you when you do not know the names of these "concerned citizens"...They exist in the minds of people who are afraid.
If you can tell me who the "concerned citizens are" then I will stop deleting the chain letters I receive everyday in my email account.
Posted by tcat on October 8, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You loyal Democrats will see only what you 'choose' to see and ignore the facts. It's that simple for simple minded people. Beware of the false 'prophet' promising change. If 'he' taxes just the big people, they will just pass that on to you and me and then go one step further and declare it a felony to speak against it.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nivrek04 - Have you heard of Charles Babbage?
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08 "Are you that ignorant to believe that's the reason? The author has been there for a while doing the investigating. Couldn't they have kicked him out before the release date?"
No, I am not ignorant. I read on Fox News, he was in the country at the invite of a Christian Church. Dont tell me Fox did not present a 'fair and balanced' news story....They did title it "Stuck in Obamaland" didn't they?
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tcat---I am not a democrat. I am just voting for who I feel can make a change in this country for the better.
And enough with the name calling and cheap shots. Really! It is you who seems simple minded simply because you are saying "you democrats this and that".
To me, it does not come down to democrats or republicans. Only simple minded people think like that. It has to do with who will be the best person to fix this damage that has been done to our country.
Posted by abc123 on October 8, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you nivrek04. Some people think the computer just showed up when Microsoft did....
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Babbage designed and "partially" built the first mechanical computers. Does that mean it worked? Partial mean not all, right?
Not so funny is it?
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
abc123 - unless Microsoft was around in the 1800's I don't think your statement holds much water.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love democrats - "it depends on what the definition of "is" is".
Posted by ropers40 on October 8, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the snub at the end that the McCains made to the crowd spoke volumes.
Obama stayed and talked with the crowd, McCain cut and ran very quickly.
All of the news networks noticed it and reported it last night as well as this morning.
The man wants to be president but does not have 15 minutes to talk with the voters, he was probably running to Palin to make up another smear campaign.
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ropers...did you see the snub McCain gave Obama when Obama tried to shake his hand just before McCain left.
That spoke volumes also!
Posted by nivrek04 on October 8, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So Reagan_Bush08, by your logic, Da Vinci invented the airplane.
Posted by JarHead on October 8, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain's reference to Senator Obama as "That one" and saying "I'll bet you, you may never even have heard of them before this crisis." while referring to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in his response to Oliver Clark's question displayed, once again, just how prejudiced, tone deaf and clueless McCain is. Talk radio will now be spending the rest of the month trying to rescue him from his own arrogance and bigotry. I don't know why they would bother. The conservative movement buried itself last night. It is over. Now maybe we can find moderate and appropriate ways to talk to each other again and get back to working on the problems that matter most to our future.
Posted by jhb on October 8, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McSame stuttered the whole time. He looked old and worn out. He is old and worn out. He refused to shake Obama's hand at the end of the dabate. And, the comment "that one", was not only racist, it was juvenile. This thing is already over. The landslide continues.
Posted by Tumbleweed on October 8, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need an easy button! When I go vote I'm dammed if I do and dammed if I don't. Neither one is capable of doing what they say they will. As long as congress is capable of doing what they did last Friday we are doomed. If you drink the Kool-aid from either party I hope your headache isn't too bad. Where's my bumper sticker that says "I wanted to vote for the other guy but there wasn't one available!"
Posted by robertwp on October 8, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did everybody see that McCain had the "shuffles" during the last half of the debate? At the end he was hanging out by the exit. At one point I seriously thought that he was wandering out of the hall. Somebody said that he was shadowboxing death.
This guy seriously looks like somebody about to buy the farm. He doesn't look like he will make it until January, much less 2012. Does the idea of President Palin not scare the hell out of you?
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
weed---I have actually seen one of those bumper stickers before. LOL
Posted by saltydog on October 8, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Robert says, "Does the idea of President Palin not scare the hell out of you?"
No, President Obama does.
Posted by john_t_s on October 8, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will not and would not ever vote for either of these guys for any significant public office.
However, the proposal by McCain to spend $300 BILLION borrowed federal dollars to buy up mortgages and then renegotiate them for the borrowers, is perhaps the dumbest idea that I have ever heard. He cannot possibly know or understand the results and significance of what he proposed. If he does, he makes the Socialist BHO look like a far right-wing economic conservative.
I can fully explain this for anyone who needs it laid out in detail for them.
Please, please vote against ANY Member of Congress who voted for the bailout. Vote for someone who either opposed it and/or says that they will introduce legislation to undo or change it very significantly.
Posted by donny on October 8, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain is out for hate now. He says absolutely nothing but anti Obama prpeganda. I just watched a McCain rally in Pa and he was awful.
Posted by robertwp on October 8, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He is running on the ticket of the party that has flushed the world economy down the toilet. What else has he got?
Posted by blahblah on October 8, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree donny and robert. He has nothing new or different to offer. Everything will stay the same and we can not take that.
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
john_t_s
"However, the proposal by McCain to spend $300 BILLION borrowed federal dollars to buy up mortgages and then renegotiate them for the borrowers, is perhaps the dumbest idea that I have ever heard."
Surprise, surprise, surprise...
I really dont know why he said he would do that...Bush did THAT last week when he signed the redo of the bail out package! It is already a matter of law! No 'new' ideas here.....
Posted by mbs0606 on October 8, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I could care less at Mcbama now.
Posted by checkingn on October 8, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08 I did the research on those 'concerned citizens' SNOPES.COM said your information is FALSE.
I would watch what I repeat by copying from "concerned citizens" if I was you....
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 8, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe I'm even wasting my time with you but here is a blurb followed by the link if you want to do some more research and not look like a complete uneducated liberal.
NAIROBI, Kenya – WND senior staff reporter Jerome Corsi yesterday was refused permission to hold a scheduled news conference about his investigation into Barack Obama's Kenyan links by Kenyan immigration officials and soldiers armed with automatic weapons who then took him to his departure flight and made it clear he was not welcome to return.
"Don't ever come back. See you in hell," Corsi reported an unidentified official told him as the author of the No. 1 best-selling book "The Obama Nation" was delivered to a flight departing from Nairobi for London.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE....
There is alot more out there than snopes.com but I don't hold it against you. I live in reality. Welcome back.
Posted by achick47 on October 8, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Robertwp: For your information Mr. McCain has a disability from injuries as a prisoner of war that makes standing for long periods difficult. He is often thought rude for leaveing an area early, as he dislikes drawing attention to his need to sit after standing. Consider this would you have thought him rude, if he just sat down and didn't work the room? As to his not wanting to shake hands with obama. Did you notice McCain and his wife attempted to shake hands with Mrs Obama and she turned her back on them and shook her head? McCain and Obama had just finished shaking hands and Mrs.Mccain shook Mr Obama's hand when this happened. I am a democrate and even I can see that there is fault on both parties here. Open your eyes folks and vote your best interest. I will and hopefully the right person will win. As important as president is, you need to start researching the senate and house runners. They are the real wheels of this wagon and everyone seems to be ignoreing them. Good research to you all.
Posted by donny on October 8, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hillary is the one that started saying the government needs to buy the sell out morgages.
Posted by ropers40 on October 8, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
achick47: McCain had a chair that he could have sat in but he chose to walk around like a lost child. His advisors should have thought about a meet and greet that might have followed the debate and planned for it.
I have rumatoid arthritis in my feet and they hurt like hell most of the time but If I was running for president I would tough it out to do what I need to do to show that I want to listen.
Sorry a snub is a snub and McCain did the snubbing and his wife comes across as nothing more than a snob.
Posted by ropers40 on October 8, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW did anyone see the latest poll numbers for Tx, MCSnub is only leading Obama by 9 points and that is coming from probably the biggest red state there is.
McSnub better hope South Texas does not turn out in droves or his lock on this state may not exist.
Posted by robertwp on October 9, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Utah and Oklahoma are the red states with the biggest percentage for McCain. Texas may be a surprise. We have had hundreds of thousands of new voters register. Most of those are young people who are not likely to vote for McCain. It could be interesting to watch on Election Day. Delay's redistricting plan might actually hurt Republicans in this election because of the large number of Hispanics that are expected to vote in this election.
Posted by checkingn on October 9, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08 "I can't believe I'm even wasting my time with you but here is a blurb followed by the link if you want to do some more research and not look like a complete uneducated liberal."
You infer your intelligence....but spew FALSE crap to prove you are right? Arrogance NOT intelligenc...LOL
"There is alot more out there than snopes.com but I don't hold it against you. I live in reality. Welcome back."
I'll stick to Snopes, it is not a political party service announcement slanted toward or against another party! It is "fair and balanced" lol
Thanks for the offer to further my education, but I would rather be an INFORMED American VOTER, than to pass LIES around the internet from bias websites. I will have to pass on being intelligent like you. I will stay on fantasy island if it means getting unbias FACTS and being uneducated but well INFORMED!
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 9, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
checkingn - Please refrain from YELLING at others with ALL CAPS when speaking to them. It shows your lack of maturity and the only picture I see when this happens is an angry lady who can't speak without spitting. The story isn't false as you may think. Many news agencies have covered it and the author is setup to have numerous interviews today and tomorrow to go over it. I do have to ask though, what was the last grade you finished?
Posted by apricottx on October 9, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Capitalizing a few words in a post is called emphasizing , all caps throughout a post is yelling.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 9, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In that case apricottx...THANKS FOR POKING IN AND LETTING ALL OF US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! HAVE A GREAT DAY AND ALL I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU WHEN YOU CAN LET US ALL KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE. BYE FOR NOW. HAVE A GOOD DAY AND COME BACK SOON.
Posted by checkingn on October 9, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08
Dont take it so personal...advise only, surely NO ONE can tell you what to do....lol....
I agree, there is alot of information on the internet, anyone can spew anything on the internet...not all of it is true. I will stay on fatasy island, and sort through my info.
"HAVE A GREAT DAY AND ALL I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU WHEN YOU CAN LET US ALL KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE. BYE FOR NOW. HAVE A GOOD DAY AND COME BACK SOON."
Now, that reminds me of a good ole fashion temper tantrum! My children used to take their toys and run home when they got angry at their friends. I'll just keep spitting.
Posted by checkingn on October 9, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan/Bush 08
BTW Jerome Corsi Swift Boated John Kerry in 2004! They are calling that notorious for his "factually challenged" book to take down the Democratic President nominee. Now he is back again.
This is an excerpt from Joseph A. Polermo's 14 Aug 08 insight into Corsi
"Corsi, like Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, and other chickenhawks, staunchly supported the Vietnam War when he was draft age but he ducked military service with the excuse of being afflicted with "hereditary eczema." His love for the Vietnam War did not translate into love for the veterans who fought it, or else Corsi might have hesitated before Swiftboating vets who disagreed with his defamation of John Kerry's exemplary Vietnam War record.
Corsi is also well known for his paranoid ramblings about the "North American Union," which is a "black helicopter" conspiracy theory that posits that the Council on Foreign Relations is seeking to impose on the United States a "super-government" that will comprise the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It is a favorite argument of the extreme anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican crowd.
In their front-page story about Corsi's book in the New York Times (August 13), Jim Rutenberg and Julie Bosman refer to Corsi rather affectionately as a "conservative gadfly." The word "gadfly" benignly implies someone who is well intentioned, even iconoclastic, who seeks to provoke thought in others, not a lying, white supremacist, propagandist."
See, I identify WHOM said WHAT...and not just place "concerned citizens" Uneducated but informed. lol
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's called humor checkingn. If you've read many of my posts you would understand that. You still never answered my question though. Do you really trust the New York Times and anyone asked to write a story for them?
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, I forgot....lol
Posted by checkingn on October 9, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reagan_Bush08
"Do you really trust the New York Times and anyone asked to write a story for them?"
Not solely. Editorials are someones opinion, not necessarily based on fact. I know I can be very ANALitical. Or, maybe I am a doubting Thomasea. But, I have to lol, sometimes at my passion for facts... Truce
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on October 9, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONfJ7Y...
Posted by 4th_horseman on October 9, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
checkingn, I am amazed that you arent up to speed on the North American Union. Absolutely clueless on the Council on foreign Relations. WIth the whole earths information stores, a modern Library Of Alexandria on steroids at your fingertips, you resort to slurrs about black helicopters and conspiracy theories?
Are you working for the disinformation arm of or an asset some organization?
http://stopspp.com/stopspp/?page_id=11
http://www.spp.gov/
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/prog...
They both said nothing about the real economy during the debate. Both caved in to the banking cartels, under threat and blackmail of Martial Law.
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?co...
While youre quibbling about the debate, you will be lucky if the banks open next week.
http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/...
Posted by Gus on October 10, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
texan777: Obama did win that debate. And I pay 30% of my income in taxes. YOU don't contribute to my household at all with your taxes. And I'm still voting for Obama.
I think your facts may be flawed.
Posted by whatif on October 10, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
a_texan, find another reason or something to argue with. What you are using won't work anymore. Have you found a Willie Horton yet? Swift boat? You almost have the rednecks stirred up enough to start making threats on his life, and Mclame is just about to go ballistic, just one one rally and it will happen he or she will stick their foot in their mouth and the world will see the real McCain/Palin platform...
Posted by dr__dawggy on October 10, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"You are voting a closet muslim "
-----
Anyone makes a seemingly rational appeal to rely on "facts" and then makes wild eyed unsubstantiated claims such as "you are voting for a closed muslim" has zero credibility.
Posted by Gus on October 10, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Honestly...I don't mean to throw fat into the fire, but even if Obama really were a Muslim...so what?? I know a lot of wonderful, smart, talented, moral Muslim people. Not all Muslims are terrorists...just like not all Texans are Rednecks. And really, I'm more afraid of a Redneck full of beer with a gun than I am an educated, hardworking Muslim.
Obama is not a Muslim, he is a Christian. And this irrational perpetuation of a documented lie makes you look ignorant.
And while I don't have life figured out...I'm pretty comfortable with what I know right now. I know I will pay more in taxes, as will you and every other American. Our Republican leaders totally screwed this country and we will pay the price for a long time to come. I'm not putting another one in office.
Posted by TexSanger on October 10, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gus: And I'm a cow!
He's one shoe bomb shy of a muslim. ...and YOU want him running the country!
***Students, listen: the fact he IS a muslim IS a problem (Gus)! It's one nation under GOD. (Not alla, buda, opra, etc.) If you don't like it wrap a sheet around your head and go to the middle east.*** (they don't have your government programs, but they'll throw you a machine gun!)
Dr_dawggy joined the afgan and cat crowd too!!! Who else? Then check credibility when 911-part 2 happens. Credibility is lost for you in support of a threat. (...education will get you a real-live dr. degree!)
Yes these messages come as a shocker for all you liberal nut-jobs at home with nothing to do but drain assets waiting to get on government programs, - but I'm tired of hearing it ALL.
Posted by Gus on October 10, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tex: Obama is not a Muslim...you're sounding ignorant...or at the very least, you're a Sean Hannity junkie. This irrational, unhinged response is typical of people who have no idea what they are talking about. Are you OK with a Catholic in the White House? They worship the Virgin Mary...come on... sheesh.
And I work my a** off. I can absolutely guarantee you I put in enough hours for two people. I make a healthy living and I earn every da*n cent. And I am perfectly happy to pay more than my fair share of taxes so people like you don't have to! Your insinuation that anyone who has a different view of the world than you must be a lazy nut-job asking for government handouts shows just how isolated and ill-formed you are.
I love this country and I think the right wing nut jobs are in a panic that they are losing their strangle-hold on this great country.
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