McCain vs. Obama Debate II Coverage

10:42pm:

DrudgeReport headline: BORING

I think Obama won the day when he gave that heartfelt answer about his mother dying with cancer in a hospital, unable to get insurance coverage. EVERYONE relates directly or indirectly to that. He seemed very AMERICAN when he was describing that issue.

I respect McCain, and I would prefer his military leadership over the next four years. If Obama has any wisdom, he will appoint McCain as Secretary of Defense.



10:36pm:
Stepanopoulos declares Obama the winner.

Michelle has gained some weight on the hips. I'm just sayin'. Don't wear red.

Andrea Mitchell -- rips McCain for $300 billion proposal to buy up mortgages. Gutsy, but "Too many headwinds." Big disagreements between two candidates. Neither candidate saying what they're willing to cut (Uh, Andrea, McCain talked about freezing spending -- something governments NEVER do!).

McCain was ripped on internet for assuming Oliver had never heard of Fannie and Freddie. That's interesting.


10:33pm:

Brokaw rips McCain for blocking the teleprompter.

McCain did great.

Obama is still in the lead with the people. He is the populist's champ. Obama hit ALL the right notes, even if he didn't explain everything logically.

The populist's champ will win this election.



10:29pm:

LaME throw-away question at the end to allow candidates to talk.

Obama: America gave him opportunity. Modest upbringing. Scholarships. Food Stamps. Despite all that, went to Ivy League school and got rich.

Can we pass on the dream of Food Stamps to the next generation? Bankruptcy ... kids don't have money to go to college ... need fundamental change from past 8 years. Hopeful that people want to continue America, but nerve to change. Okay....


McCain: We don't know what will happen at home and abroad. GREAT ANSWER to lame-o question. McCain loves this format.

We don't know unexpected.

Grew up with father out at sea in military, raised by mother. Knows dark times. Keep hope through difficult times. To rely on others for support and love. Knows when neighbors pick you up.

Believes in America, and future. Great honor to serve it. Asking American people for another opportunity. "Need steady hand at the tiller."

People are asking: What's a tiller?



10:24pm:

McCain: Thanks the questioner directly -- it's a military thang.

U.N. security council -- Russia and China would probably be against protecting Israel.

Iran a threat to Middle East if they get nukes.

What would Israel do? WWID?

Rips Obama for wanting to negotiate without preconditions.

McCain wants to put tough sanctions to modify Iran's behavior. "League of Democracies." Sounds great, like a comic book.

"We can never allow a second Holocaust to take place." 'NUFF SAID.

Obama: Cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. Unacceptable.

Cannot provide veto power to U.N. ... but we must PREVENT this scenario. Work more effectively with other countries to tighten sanctions on Iran. Become more energy independent. Prevent Iran from importing gasoline.

Obama believes in direct talks to deliver tough message. "It may not work," but has better chance at better outcomes. North Korea and Iran have ramped up since Bush took office (I guess North Korea getting nuclear power in the 1990's doesn't count).



10:18pm:

McCain: Russia's behavior out of the norm. Uses "K-G-B" line AGAIN. Boring. People don't care.

Show moral support for Georgia and Ukraine -- people don't know what these countries are. People are tuning out.

Use leverage, united with allies, to calm down Russia. No more Cold War!

Obama: Resurgence of Russia -- ANOTHER central issue (is there an issue that's not important to Obama).

Provide support to Soviet Satellites -- people are looking to the skies and wondering what he's talking about.

Putin -- nobody cares.

"Back in April, I put out a statement," DID ANYONE READ THIS STATEMENT? WHAT STATEMENT? I guess he has to prove his judgment by pointing to a statement from six months ago?

Apparently Obama has read the Woodward book.

Something about petro-dollars and weakening Russia.

Obama: Russia has engaged in evil behavior.

McCain: "Maybe." Depends....



10:16pm:

Obama: Iraqi gov't must take responsibility. Withdraw troops. Put some troops in Afghanistan (well, Obama, you'll be happy to know that Iraq wants us out by 2011).

Work with Karzai gov't (the puppet, according to Bob Woodward).

McCain: General Petraus will save us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Double army in Afghan. Streamline NATO. Must have same strategy -- rips Obama about surge again.

Believe in General Petraus -- elect General Petraus today! King Petraus!


10:08pm:

Obama: rips Bush and Co. for going into Iraq and letting Usama escape. Afghanistan is "Central front of terrorism." Must end war in Iraq (easier said than done.).

Rips Bush for coddling Musharref. The populist champ.

Expand friendship with Pakistan, and insisting on more room to operate in their country. Crush Al Qaeda, kill Bin Laden.

McCain: Hero is Teddy Roosevelt. "Talk softly." Rips Obama for talking loudly. Agreed.

Announcing an attack turns public opinion in Pakistan against the U.S. Agreed.

Taliban is back. It's official.

Relations with Pakistan is critical, due to borders.

Praises General Petraus strategy.

McCain visited rough country over there. Use force, work with Pakistan.

Subtle points.

Obama demands follow-up. McCain demands fairness. Brokaw is "Hired help."

Obama: Nobody said we're invading Pakistan. We should be willing to go after Usama. UH, doesn't that require invading Pakistan.

Rips McCain for singing Bomb Iran. McCain doesn't speak softly, either.

U.S. popularity in Pakistan declined b/c we supported Musharref. Policies will change if Obama is President.

McCain: supports military actions to get Usama. Joking with veteran about Iran.

Obama telgraphs punches. McCain states they have fundamental differences on military.



10:04pm:

Obama Doctrine: We have moral obligation. Holocaust, Rwanda. When genocide, ethnic cleansing happening and U.S. does nothing, that diminishes U.S.

Uh ... Iraq's people were getting killed by Saddam -- does that count? Sorry, Obama doesn't have consistency on this issue. This is baloney.

Ah -- "No fly zone." Clinton-style foreign policy. Bombs and no troops. Say good bye to Aspirin factories.


McCain Doctrine: First, he rips Obama for being against the surge. NOBODY CARES, MCCAIN. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SICK OF HEARING THIS.

Do whatever we can to prevent genocide. Has to be tempered with our ability to benefit the situation. Understand our abilities.

Brings up Somalia as an example -- that we had to leave. Lebanon.

McCain's argument makes sense to me ... I just don't think the public gives a damn about subtle military perspective.



9:58pm: McCain tries a Gotcha! moment in regards to the Obama Health Insurance fine.

"America greatest force of good in the history of the world." Amen. Peace-lovers. Peacemakers.

When to go to war? Only a person with judgment ... preventing genocide, preventing terrorism. U.S. doesn't always do it well, but we have good intentions.

Boasts track record. Rips Obama about surge and Russia/Georgia dispute. I wonder if people are hearing this or not.

Obama: He doesn't understand how we invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. I guess he hasn't read Bob Woodward's book.

Iraq war -- wrong judgment. Since Obama wasn't in the Senate, he can say he was against it. MEANWHILE, he voted for that crazy bailout package....

Spending $10 billion a month, when Iraq has $79 billion surplus. We need it here -- the populist champ. Obama says!

Economic decline = military decline. Cannot act on Darfur genocide ... or Somali terrorists, for that matter.

Obama rips Bush.


9:55pm: McCain -- healthcare is a responsibility. Everyone understands that. Brings up fine that Obama is offering.

Obama -- healthcare should be a right. Wow. Communism. Brings up mother dying at age 53 and how she couldn't get coverage. Damn.

The populist champ. I think he just spoke to the desperate, the scared, the fed up, the tired, and locked in their vote.

Gov't intrusion and mandates -- Obama believes that it's important the gov't cracks down on companies that are cheating on their customers.

I think, folks, we've found a heartfelt emotional issue for Obama.

Brokaw begging Obama to shut up. "Senator...."



9:50pm: Healthcare as a commodity (huh? It's not oil or pork.) Obama focuses on what the people are talking about. Crushing burden for small business.

"Moral commitment."

What he will do: if you have healthcare, keep your plan. Gee, thanks. Will work with employer to reduce by "as much as" $2,500 a year. What is he, a salesperson?

If you don't have healthcare, buy Federal Employee healthcare.

Rips McCains $5,000 tax credit. Claims McCain will strip away coverage for pre-existing conditions (huh?). Would lead to unraveling of employer-based system. Good scare tactic. I'm nervous about McCain's plan now.

McCain: skyrocketing costs. Put healthcare records online (Google is working on that already). Community health clinics? Huh?

Rips Obama for talking about government. Says Obama will impose mandates on small business. Says Obama will fine you if you don't get healthcare -- sounds like car insurance, which I hate.

McCain offering the idea of crossing state lines. Sounds good ... but what about the unraveling of employer based coverage?

"Do the math!" 95% of people will have more money to coverage.

Cracks joke about himself and hair transplant. He needs to stop doing that. No need to be self-deprecating when you're opponent is attacking you.




9:47pm: Gov't researching Green energy a good idea, according to McCain.

References bills with "Goodies" that Obama voted for that Bush and Cheney sponsored.

"Bridge the gap" to reduce oil price. "We've got to drill offshore, my friends!" Amen.



9:42pm: Brokaw -- stay out of the debate.

Green jobs and environment question: McCain references tough times. Has disagreed strongly with Bush ... team-up with Joe Lieberman. McCain kept the debate going -- the danger of climate change.

Best way of fixing: Nuclear power. "Woo hoo!" Safe, clean, and creates jobs. "Excellent!"

Obama, posing for camera.

Hybrid cars. McCain: "We can do that! Best innovators!"

Obama: Big challenge, and opportunity. Create new economy ... 5 million new jobs ... talking the people's language. The populist champ.

He favors Nuclear power! As one component!

Obama rips McCain for being in Senate 26 years, and voting against Green stuff 23 times.

Obama: We have 3% of oil and use 25% of oil. Can't drill out of problem (T. Boone Pickens endorses this message).

Obama points at McCain when Brokaw reminds them about the time -- childish moment.





9:40pm: McCain -- not that tough to fix SSI. Got to sit down and work it out.

McCain -- not popular with his own party (that's a problem, buddy).

Medicare -- have a commission. Recommendations. Have Congress vote up or down on the recommendations. No lobbyists. Sounds good.

Rhetoric and record -- back with the "94 times" increasing taxes line on Obama.

"Look at our records ... listen to my vision for America."

McCain seems pumped up.


9:37pm: Obama, shot down by Brokaw. Let him talk! Let him talk!

Brokaw -- adding to the question!!! Wasting more time!!!

Obama -- "We have to take on entitlements quickly ... first term as President."

Can't take on SS or Medicare without understanding taxes.

"Straight-talk lost a wheel." HA HA.

Less than $250,000 -- taxes will not go up. Less than $200,000 -- taxes will go down. Okay ... how?

50% tax credit for businesses ... okay....

Ripping McCain for tax cuts ... for corporations that give jobs to the working people. "Whatevah." Sick of this populist pap.

Can deal with SSI and Medicare b/c ... how? I missed the leap in logic while typing.


9:33pm: Obama -- Washington needs to set better example for people on spending.

Earmarks "Only" $18 billion. Tax Cuts are more expensive (Uh ... if the government doesn't have the money....).

McCain: nailing Obama's policies is like nailing Jello to the wall. Good line.

Compares Obama to Hoover -- McCain's people must read the DailySkew.

Gabrielle notes Obama's expression of smiling and appearing eager to speak.

McCain tells Obama that the news is bad. Leave tax rates alone. Doubling child credit -- WOOOOoooooh! APPLAUSE!!!


9:28pm: Brokaw needs to chill out. Let the debate run four, five hours.

McCain: May have to eliminate spending. Cut defense spending. Eliminate earmarks. People need to understand, he says. Rips Obama again for Projector.

Recommends spending freeze again. Sounds good to me.

Transparency -- sounds good. Make me believe you, buddy.

"We're Americans." Patriotic theme continues.

Obama: Brings up 9/11. We came together. Missed opportunity -- Bush calling America to go out and shop. Excellent point.

How are we each going to use energy. Explore for oil. Brings up the 68 million acres (the acres with no oil?).

How can we save energy in our homes? Buy fuel-efficient, American-made cars. Weatherize home. Business more fuel efficient.

Young people interested in how to serve. Doubling peace corp. Volunteer corp. Military service. Renewing America. Requires leadership.


9:22pm: McCain -- can't keep providing retirement benefits. Track record of reaching across the aisle. "All of the above" line about energy. "We can overcome it."

Healthcare -- people struggling.

Can tackle all three issues at once.

Brokaw complaining about playing by the rules.

Obama: Prioritize. Energy. Bad for national security.

Wants to go line-by-line through Federal Budget.

Ripping McCain for $300 million tax cut. Yeah, tax cuts are evil. "Money out of the system." What's wrong with that?

9:19pm: Understands the cynacism ... brings up the Clinton surplusses (I GUESS 9/11 DIDN'T HAPPEN, OBAMA?!? GODDAMN).

"Biggest increases ... in history." You mean the ones where Bush worked with Ted Kennedy to pass No Child Left Behind, or gave the left Medicare reform? Why don't you thank Bush for passing your policies?

McCain: System broken. Rips Obama for spending on a $3 million projector.

9:17pm: Obama offering to save everybody ... maybe he'll give Mimic a check. McCain mentions he has a letter warning about the crisis ... "Obama's name is not on that letter."

Patriotic worker theme. "Innocent bystanders." Positive: "We can do it."


9:14pm: Calls McCain a deregulator. "Reregulate." Wrote letters to King Paulson. Defends himself on Fannie Mae -- McCain jumped on the bill and it never got passed. "Chairmen Sperm." "Pointing fingers."

Why didn't the bill get passed?

"The next President will have to pick a Treasury Secretary...." Did you know that King Paulson is leaving January 20th? HAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA....

9:11pm: Oliver -- nice suit, buddy. Mentioning Fannie and Freddie ... "Chronies and friends." "Some of us stood up." He's not naming names ... he's naming parties. Ripping Obama directly for receiving money from Fannie and Freddie. Buy up bad loans and stabilize home values ... makes sense.

9:09pm: Warren Buffet is the one rich man that people aspire to be and do not hate. Wages have flat-lined ... harder to save, buy big screen TVs hahahahaahaha ... Agrees with McCain, but disagrees.

9:08pm: McCain naming names for Dept of Treasury ... ho-hum. Meg Whitman? Oh - E-Bay? Hahahaahahahahahaaa.

9:06pm: McCain talking energy independence, keeping taxes low. Speaking to retirees ... offering to buy up home mortgages and offer lower payments. Talking to the people. Stabilize home prices. Makes sense to me.

9:05pm: Obama talking to the people -- offering real solutions. Firing corporate execs always sounds good!

9:04pm: I don't feel like I'm in a great depression. Keep your scare tactics to yourself. Cliche Bush ripping.

9:02pm: Here we go ... Tom Brokaw moderating....