LiveBlog: The Great Debate That Almost Didn't Happen
10:39 – Alright, kids. It's a madhouse in here, and I've been jammed in a corner away from the bathroom for hours. So, I gotta go do that and smoke and get idiotically drunk.
But please do keep up the conversation in the comments.
10:37 – Oh, and apparently we solved that whole POW/MIA issue. Someone should tell the bikers down the street from me.
10:36 – John McCain was in prison???!!! That's news to me!
10:33 – That's adorable. John McCain loves the vets and will take care of them. I wish I had a president who'd do that for me.
I'm so lonely.
10:29 – From the comments: "'We can't drill our way out of the problem' – That's not what she said." – (Rebekah)
10:28 – Wait, Obama hassss it too. Maybe it'ssss our sssssound ssssysssstem.
10:27 – McCain gets a little bit of a whistle in his S's when he talks about 9/11, doesn't he?
10:25 – Barack Obama is in favor of nuclear waste. Good for him.
10:24 – John McCain can say "nuclear." I think that makes him a snob.
10:22 – McCain's not wearing a flag pin. Why does he hate America? – Scout Finch
10:19 – By the way, Katie is also liveblogging this here. But make sure to tip your bartender.
10:17 – Stealing from Scout again. So, McCain's really fond of saying how he's known Kissinger for 135 years. We understand. You've been in Washington a loooooong time.
10:15 – Oh my! Here comes McCain's temper. Under your desks everyone.
10:13 – The average South Korean is three-inches tall?
10:12 – Oh no he didn't! Obama brought up Spain, girlfriend.
And then McCain pulls out the seal comment.
It's on!
10:09 – McCain is coming up with a rider of things he'll need in trailer if he's gonna meet with Iran. What do you think he'll be adding? Green M&Ms? A poster of Tina Fey?
(Credit where credit is due. I stole that from Scout.)
10:08 – McCain can't say Achmadentdslkjdkdijad's name? What's up with that?
10:07 – McCain is bold. He just came out strongly against a second holocaust. Good for him! – MK
10:03 – Iran is an existential threat to Israel. Just like Sartre.
10:01 – This whole debate has come down to who was given a more valuable piece of jewelry? And I'm hearing a lot of talk about bracelets, but neither man seems to actually be WEARING a bracelet. – MK
9:58 – "I'm such a Maverick, I voted AGAINST Reagan!" – MK
9:57 – McCain said "Ronald Reagan"! At the 57-minute mark. Someone just won a bunch of money.
9:55 – McCain promises he'll never publicly say he'd invade Pakistan. Well, unless it was through song.
9:54 – So, Barack Obama can't say we'll invade Pakistan, but Sarah Palin can? I'm sorry, but that's just sexist.
9:52 - I can't decide if they both have become better debaters since the primaries, or if they look better because I'm comparing them to each other and they are both crappy. – Michael Kraskin
9:48 – So, I'm sitting next to Katie Halper, Scout Finch and a Sarah Palin-esque-looking New York Times reporter.
Damn it! It's times like this when I wish I was attractive or charming. Or funny.
9:45 – My opinion may be greatly skewed by the crowd noises here, but from what I'm hearing (and kinda seeing) it sounds like Obama is playingcalm and McCain is playing continual catch-up.
9:44 – The crowd likes the "You like to pretend that the war started in 2007" line. Just sayin'.
9:41 – Michael Kraskin brings up and excellent point. One of the rules of this debate is that the audience is not allowed to cheer or boo or applaud or make facial expressions.
Sitting here in this room — where the audience explodes every time Obama utters an utterence — I can't even imagine what that's like.
9:40 – McCain really is obsessed with owning an Iraq Forever themepark, isn't he?
9:38 – Is John McCain really allowed to call himself a "maverick"? Isn't that like me calling myself "handsome"? That's not really my judgment call to make.
9:37 - Barack Obama said "orgy"! It's been legitimized finally!
We're all gonna get laid.
9:34 – It's interesting that Lehrer is treating this more as an open dialogue, not really directing questions to either one in particular
9:32 – Obama said "McCain calls me wildly liberal, that just means I'm opposing George Bush." Excellent line.
9:29 – I'm having a million tons of fun here, but I'm gonna have to go back and re-watchg this thing. Please tell me what my opinions should be in the comments.
9:24 – Sorry. Just got on a better internet signal. I'm back.
BTW, I love the word "festooned." Good for you, McCain.
9:15 – How many times is John McCain gonna use that "paternal issue" bear joke? What is he a stand-up comedian touring the late night talk shows?
9:12 – The crowd keeps laughing uproariously every time Jim Lehrer says anything. Oh, by the way, if I stand up and crane my neck just the right way, I can kind of see Barack Obama's ear.
9:11 – "Greed is rewarded." What is he, Gordon Gecko?
9:07 – Aw! John McCain's not feeling to well about some things these days. I wonder what those things are. The polls? His running mate? His skin?
9:06 – Ted Kennedy's in the hospital?
9:05 – I may have to watch this thing online. Crazy.
9:03 – Holy God! It's insanely crowded here at Drinking Liberally. At this point, I can't even see the TV.
And the crowd is intense! It's like being at an Eagles game. But slightly less violent.
If you're in New York — or the New York area or have access to one of John McCain's flying carpets — and you're looking for a nice quiet place to watch tonight's debate (assuming isn't called away on urgent inter-dimensional business at the last minute), then you definitely don't want to show up to Drinking Liberally's Presidential Debate Watch at The Tank in lower Manhattan (87 Lafayette St. between Walker and White).
That's where I'm gonna be liveblogging from, and I liveblog very loudly. And sometimes shirtless. And you don't wanna see that.
However, if you choose not to heed my warnings and want to come by anyway, make sure you get there by 8 pm, when a couple of excellent stand-up comedians will be warming up the crowd before the really funny stuff happens in the debate. They are…
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take off my shirt and catch an N Train.
—
Seems a little silly to be liveblogging a debate that we all already know John McCain is going to have won so handily.
But, you know, it's kind of our job. And McCain did go through all the trouble make-believe suspending his campaign and fixing all of America's money woes. So, I guess we probably should.
So, check back here tonight at 9 pm to watch the John McCain cream Barack Obama in The Great Debate That Almost Didn't Happen with us.
Because, really, we can't be any more stupid about the whole thing than Wolf Blitzer. Right?
Oh, and we'll be updating this post throughout the day with any relevant debate-related bullshit.
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Nothing matters according to McCain. Existence precedes essence. He must have read The Stranger. I can't believe no one is busting him on that gaffe but, it really doesn't matter.
If anyone's up and is having a Bloody Mary, Morning Joe has good analysis. Except for one gaffe over their inception, I think that's a pretty good show with a fair difference of opinions.
Years ago in college and high school, while the football players had their cheerleaders, we had the hot extemporaneous speaker babes. I did team debate in college and something called Lincoln-Douglas debate high-school. And, if can say, I was a master of bullshit and feel as though I might offer some insight here. I was in the NFL. The National Forensics League.
http://www.slackerup.com/TVThemes/monday%20night%20football.mp3
Rarely in this debate did they confront one another with the issues. To me, it was like two ships passing through the night. For those, including myself, who wanted Obama to knock it out of the park, he didn't, but showed he could stay in the cliche sports metaphor. McCain didn't get blown up but didn't blow out Obama either.
The crux of the debate ought have been the economy. The first half of the debate, both missed the most important aspect of debating — know who your audience is. Neither adequately addressed the issue in terms a layperson could understand. For that matter, Obama and McCain did not substantively give an explanation that would satisfy an economist. Forget explanations. Neither argued forcefully.
Obama's failure to drive home points and hit hard on issues in ways the public (or anyone) can remember as a "zinger" rarely, if at all, come. This is his weakness. Obama can't put people away and has an air of loftiness he needs to lose. This guy is a Harvard trained attorney. I am shocked at how weak he always debates as compared to his stump speeches. Also, as a matter of style, I'd be surprised if the G.O.P. doesn't use the picture of him with his cool shades and shouldered garment bag as a means of exploiting this non-weakness, weakness. Basically, Obama needs to learn how to punch and talk to the audience better in debaters.
McCain's just a liar. But, an effective one. He does a good job of repetition of talking points and actually has a better grasp on whom he is talking to. However, last night he was mostly looking down like a lost puppy, had no memorable one-liners, did not respond to "Bomb-Iran" song, but didn't get knocked around. McCain failed to adequately explain the economic crisis or his position on it as well. He repeated "he doesn't get it" probably thirty times as a debater is trained to do to an extent, but failed to say why. Also, McCain looked down at his hands, seemed out of his environment, and appeared to have gas.
Overall, I thought the debate was disappointing. Considering Obama had a wealth of ammo to shoot at McCain from the past week, I'd say he did not win. Neither did McCain. If the best sound clip Obama could get on McCain was the mispronunciation of a name of Iran's leader (I'm not looking it up) — big deal. Nothing memorable here aside from the blog and comments.
P.S. Is three hundred something comments a record?
http://www.rightsidenews.com/200809262045/editorial/do-we-really-want-to-socialize-our-financial-system-part-1.html
thats how we got hear, i dont like where we are going. bush it a socalist now he can add that to his reseme
I thought McCain looked like a dinosaur. Knowing his backup is Sarah Palin is frightening. (Katie Couric made her look like the inexperienced token woman she is. Yesterday another prominent right wing journalist called for Palin to step down for the good of her party.) Listening to McCain made me feel like I was a kid trapped at a family get together listening to my aged grandfather keep telling me over and over again I didn't understand just because we disagreed. I thought McCain was condescending – and I can't imagine him at his age functioning effectively as leader of the free world.
I'm just glad McCain showed up. He has been making a mockery of the system (Palin) in the final throes of a presidential election. He acted as if he was ready to burst most of the time–glaring, twitching and bouncing around.
I felt relieved when Obama spoke in a calm, measured tone (guess I'm whipped). He reached out to McCain so many times and McCain refused to acknowledge him. Weak. I missed the first half hour which was probably about the economy, but the war stuff needed to be discussed in minute detail, I guess.
Talk about belaboring points, John. I didn't need to hear the entire history of the Republican party for the last 50 years. I was kind of hoping we could see some sort of forward-looking vision by you if only because we could somehow, absurdly wind up with you at the helm. Shudder.
Number of times Sen. McCain referred to Sen. Obama as "Barack": 0
Number of times Sen. Obama referred to Sen. McCain as "John": XXIII
We have an economic crisis and all Barry wants to do is get his traitorous and lying face in the news. These debates are worthless trash designed for, set up by, and SPUN by the media. The real answer is that Barry is voting for the $700 Billion bailout using TAX PAYERS MONEY!. He is selling out the US CITIZENS. I for 1 and I think you will all agree, that the US citizens can not and will not pay for bailing out Obama, the Dems, and Walll street. Senator Mccain is listening to the voice of America and is pushing for the Republican Alternative to charge Wall Street for insurance to back their bad paper. Problem solved. We do not need a JUNIOR Senator with ZERO experience in ECONOMICS AND NO foreign policy experience, (I will talk with the AXIS of Evil with no pre-conditions) to lead this country. All who vote for Obama are FOOLS and the end of our Democracy will be on your heads. Elect Obama and we will become a SOCIALIST NATION. Obama is a liar and is selling out this great DEMOCRATIC NATION!!!!!!!
Considering that we're in a free-market democracy up to our necks (and quickly sinking), I can't wait till we become a socialist nation.
I think that the Daily Show should do a piece comparing McCain's Ssss to the old man on the family guy. That would be hilarious!
Stephen, I love you, you're smart, funny, handsome, every "real woman's dream".This being said, I want to let you know about a reflexion I had and the answer I receive.
I am not an economist, I'm bad at numbers, tough I don't consider myself stupid. Still I don't understand why the governement wants to bail out companies that didn't function properly and caused millions of americans to lose their houses, savings, hopes and more… If they can "print" money why not giving it to the people?
Well, I was asking myself the question when I received an email that confirmed that I was not stupid (surely a dreamer) and others think (dream) like me.
I had to pass it out to you. I think that you really have to make a segment about it.
Here it is:
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Now here my friends is a bailout plan that will REALLY work!
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving
$85,000,000,000 to the America people via a 'We Deserve It Dividend'.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals
$425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a 'We Deserve It Dividend', because afterall… it IS OUR MONEY, RIGHT?
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Therefore, every citizen 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes right off the top.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. That's 25.5 billion instantly returned.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket to use as they like.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis: Instantly solved.
Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college – it'll be there
Save it in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car – create tons of jobs
Invest it in the market – capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance – health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else… endless possibilities my friends!
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed
Forces too! What a wonderful thing this would be for those that risk their lives for our freedom.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it…instead of
trickling out a puny $1,000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive – that is being proposed
by one of our candidates for President. Hell you can't even buy a good flat-screen tv for that.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult,
U S Citizen 18+!
As for AIG – liquidate it. Sell off its parts just like any other company that doesn't operate profitably.
Let American General go back to being American General for all I care. Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. They'll certainly have the funds to do so, right?
Here's my attitude in a nutshell… WE deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that our legislators and Presidents' men will say can never work. But can you just imagine
if our legislators had the balls to actually do something, for a change, that's really, truly significant for the people, ALL of them!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow, adult Americans to know how to use this $85 Billion a lot better than I trust the people
who would administer these enormous funds…for proof of that, just look who got us in this mess to begin with.
The 'We Deserve It Dividend' is exactly as the name implies… and furthermore, we deserve it a hell of a lot more
than these geniuses at AIG, much less the myriad bloodsuckers that will surely profit, if it's handled by these eggheads in Washington DC .
And remember, this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned
instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
This is the best use of OUR money… hope you all agree.
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Now can you tell me why none of our government leaders and representative thought of that or didn't even consider this possibility? What's wrong with this plan besides the fact that they wouldn't pocket the money?