9:03 p.m. - 2008-10-15
blogging the debate
Blogging the final debate...
9:00pm McCain and Obama come onstage and greet each other. I can see a little bit of grey in Obama's hair. Is that new?
9:02 The left side of McCain's face looks swollen. Maybe it's just the angle.
9:05 Obama lays out 4 specific ways to help people during this economic crisis. Bang! He is being really detailed without being annoying and droning on. Interesting idea, allowing people to withdraw on their IRAs now if they need it without being penalized.
9:10 McCain accuses Obama's tax plan of penalizing a blue collar business owner who he is calling Joe the Plumber. Obama responds with facts, numbers and specific data, such as 98% of small businesses would be included in those who get tax cuts.
This format is quite intimate and conversational. It seems like this is going to be a lot of back and forth arguing. I am half anxious and half excited.
9:15 Bob, the mediator changes the subject...whew, s sick of hearing about "Joe the Plumber."
9:16 MCain is a lot more specific about what he would cut from the udget. I'm surprised because in the past Obama has been pretty forthright in response to that question.
9:18 McCain seem agitated and annoyed. He's gettin' feisty.
9:19 Obama points out that earmarks are bad but they only account for one half of 1% of the budget.
9:20 Oooh, snap! McCain says he's not Bush and if Obama wanted to run against Bush he should have run four years ago. Ouch.
9:25 McCain keeps up the aggression.
9:26 McCain whines that some congressman said something inappropriate about him and Palin and Obama didn' officially, publicly reprimand him (his campaign did actually issue a statement saying they disagreed with Congressman Lewis' statements.) Obama responds nicely with saying that the American people care less about the candidates hurt feelings and more about the issues.
Obama is just so much nicer and more cordial and respectful. McCain keeps huffing and puffing. He has totally interrupted Obama twice. Make that three.
9:36 McCain mentions Ayers without saying his name and ACORN. Yes! Here we go.
9:37 Obama sets the record staight. He totally nails it.
9:42 They are both asked about their running mates and why theirs is better than their opponents. Obama goes first. I am surprised he doesn't just start laughing. Hmmm, why is Joe better than Sarah...hmmm....let's think. He doesn't mention her at all. McCain responds in kind and does not mention Biden but he talks about Sarah Palin like she is his granddughter or something...he keeps saying her is so proud of her.
9:45 Bob the mediator tries to get them to both say something negative. Obama dodges it and focuses on autism research funding - woot! McCain takes the bait and meanders along criticizing Biden in a vague, general sort of way. Bob the mediator cuts him off.
I can't help but think that if I were rpesident, I would want McCain there as an advisor...he really is very experienced and has a strong handle on military and foreign policy stuff. But I don't want him to be president at all.
9:52 McCain talks for about 3 minutes and I actually have no idea what he is saying...something about Obama never traveling south of the border.
9:53 Obama responds calmly and concisely demonstrates his understanding of Columbian and Peruvian trade agreements. I love love love when he does that kind of thing.
9:55 Every time Obama talks, McCain smirks and blinks a lot. Obama has done this, even snickering a little bit twice or so, but McCain is being kind of a jerk about it. When Obama does it, he actually seems like he is having a good laugh, like "can ya believe this guy?" McCain sort of looks like he wants to put Obama in a head lock and punch him in the eye.
10:02 Obama goes on for quite some time about health care plans. It gets kind of boring.
10:03 We're back to talking about Joe Plumber.
10:06 Supreme Court nominees and Roe-v-Wade.
10:11 Obama blabbers on about this. I lost interest.
10:12 McCain refers to partial birth abortion as a "bad procedure." Couldn't he have come up with a more interesting way to say that?
10:14 McCain snorts while Obama talks about adoption and health of mothers.
10:15 He just called Obama "pro-abortion." Come on now...
10:16 On to education. Obama says parents need to show more responsibility. Right on.
10:24 McCain cheers on No Child Left Behind. Booo. McCain brings up autism research again. I wonder why this is suddenly the issue of the night.
10:25 McCain disses Head Start. Boo. Head Start is great.
I just noticed that McCain appears to be wearing a striped blue tie and Obama is definitely wearing a striped red tie. Is there some hidden message here?
10:31 The debate ends and McCain vigorously shakes Obama's hand and says "good job, good job."
Michelle Obama's figure is bangin'. She manages to look totally classy with just a wee bit of sexiness...just enough to be interesting. (Kind of like Sarah Palin, come to think of it.)However, Cindy Mccain looks like she is made of wax.
