Gothamist: Round 2: McCain Swings, Obama Jabs in Town Hall Debate

soopaman

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:57:36 -0500

I feel more at ease now after last night Obama-bots will soon be shut down.

Leon Freilich

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:55:40 -0500

CELLAR DWELLER In calling Obama "that one," A vile and insolent bash, McCain gives vocal proof He's palin' around with white trash.

ma bell

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:03:11 -0500

everybody do themselves a favor. pick up a copy of this weeks economist and get the facts on the plans for both candidates from one of the most brutally honest bi-partisan media outlets around. there is a fantastic section that breaks down each candidate issue by issue. these debates are worthless and filled with nothing but talking points and opponent bashing.

spiritross

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:45:28 -0500

I can't wait for the ultimate gaffe by McCain or Palin to occur in the next few weeks It would be nice if this is just a layup for Obama We don't need any more excitement Lets just end this republican reign of terror We can throw them all in prison as traitors to our country later

grandzu

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:01:37 -0500

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.

Mr Mel

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:33:52 -0500

One thing is for sure, Cindy, is getting her money's worth. She is still in almost every photograph. There's even a shot of him making a speech at one of his phony Town Hall meetings. He's out on a runway preaching, and she's standing, also on the runway a few feet behind him. Maybe she is there to try and catch him if he falls.

Politburo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:14:34 -0500

hungryghoast: He doesn't just plan to not raise any taxes, he plans to continue cutting them. Here's the best graphic on the issue, imo: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

Felix Hoenikker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:02:16 -0500

"But tough questions, and straight answers, seem to have no place in these info-mercials." I called the 800 line and gave my credit card#...where are my Ginsu knives?

Politburo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:53:28 -0500

"Also it seems that some subject are off-limits as questions. I would have like to see the prisoner situation at Guantanamo Bay brought up." I'd love to hear a question about that too, but let's face it, that is not an issue that has a direct impact on, well, almost anyone. Furthermore, both candidates have said they would close the facility. I'm not sure what additional insight we could have gotten from a question on this subject.

hungryghoast

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:51:30 -0500

question for the McCain shills: so his plan is to give 5K to everyone.... and buy up mortgages of houses that are worth less than the mortgage (which you have to admit is fucking madness)... and continue the war in Iraq.... and invest gov't money in green initiatives... and decrease borrowing from foreign countries... AND decrease the national debt.... ALL OF THIS without raising any new taxes?? i call bull.

huffybike

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:44:43 -0500

And this was the knockout blow.

Nyctini11

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:38:58 -0500

I don't know what's worse, Like or My Friends, I almost started muting the TV when McCain with all that My Friends crap, especially as he says it with that crazed look in his eye, that reminds me of a serial killer being put in a room full of new victims to choose from. Anyone else get the feeling this guy wants to be Pres for the simple fact he can start wars??

Politburo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:35:39 -0500

"I love how McCain said he knows how to catch Osama Bin Laden. I guess he won't tell anyone until he's elected President." I was really hoping that Obama would pounce on that.. Ever since I heard McCain make this statement months ago, I've been waiting for the obvious response: "Well, Senator McCain.. if you know how to catch bin Laden, do you mind slipping President Bush a note?"

drewo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:33:55 -0500

Why have we barely once heard the word "Democratic" or "Republican" by any of the candidates in the 3 debates (er, bullet point summaries) so far? Check the transcripts. I would have expected to hear a few times about how "Democrats will raise taxes" or "Republicans have led us down this path to ruin" but none of the candidates are criticizing the other party - just the other candidates. Why that? Perhaps they are both under instructions not to remind viewers and voters that this is a 2-party get-together -- and that no other parties are invited (even though you will have the option to vote for other political parties on election day). Also it seems that some subject are off-limits as questions. I would have like to see the prisoner situation at Guantanamo Bay brought up. A very politically sticky situation that might have revealed more of the true character of these two candidates. But tough questions, and straight answers, seem to have no place in these info-mercials.

Dirk

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:21:39 -0500

I love how McCain said he knows how to catch Osama Bin Laden. I guess he won't tell anyone until he's elected President. I also love how McCain said fixing Social Security was easy. I guess that's another secret he won't tell American until he's elected.

Headzo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:08:30 -0500

The audience was apparently comprised of undecided voters. Now- how that select group of undecideds got in, I'm not sure.

bornbrednewyorker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:01:33 -0500

5k for health insurance? In New York if you are uninsured and try to buy a family of four a policy, your monthly premium averages $1200. So McCain's idea will pay for 4 months. Big deal... Why hasn't Obama challenged that 5k number????

Felix Hoenikker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:35:51 -0500

At the very least this time they didn't blatantly state that they weren't going to answer the question before they went into their prepared talking points.

maevemealone

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:34:52 -0500

How does one get tickets/admittance to these debates? I'm sure they've already been distributed but just what is the system for these things?

Jen Chung

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:22:24 -0500

C-Span said that the McCains had left, so that's why they only showed the Obamas (it was suggested that the McCains left pretty much after the debate ended). @VanessaNYC--I agree, the debate left me a bit unsatisfied (like most do), because I felt like both candidates weren't answering the questions at times. There were sparks of interesting things, but not enough overall.

JacqueMehoff

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:20:49 -0500

good my vote will cancel out your vote. $5,000 for my health insurance, yeah that's going to help a lot. someone should call him out on that but then the rich views health insurance differently than the poor. It's all about choices for them for the poor it's about survival.

VanessaNYC

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:19:30 -0500

Did anyone notice at the end of the debate the Obama (and Michelle) were out talking with people and shaking hands but McCain and Cindy just sort of stood there and then disappeared? That was odd. Yes, I noticed that too. I watched the debate on the NY Times website (don't have a tv) and they kept for camera rolling for a good half-hour after the debate. John and Cindy McCain quickly left the building, but Obama and Michelle stuck around shaking people's hands and taking photographs. The people in the audience really seemed to like him. Anyway, that's minor stuff, just an observation. I don't really know who "won the debate" since the two candidates are so fundamentally different and neither really discussed why their policies are better for America. Actually, now that I think of it, Obama did explain why Democratic policies are better by comparing the Clinton years (and the budget surplus) with the last 8 years of Bush. I do wish that we could hear the two debate the fundamental differences between Democratic and Republican policies and back up their claims wih facts and figures. I wish this would occur not only to enlighten us, but also because, as the old saying goes: the truth has a liberal bias.

Felix Hoenikker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:16:20 -0500

That was a pretty damn white crowd. The dudes looked like they just walked off the enactment battlefield. I could have sworn one had a grey coat draped over the back of his chair. Both parties are tainted by the financial bust...the Dems for encouraging debt for the poor and the GOP for magnifying it corrupting the global economy to get rich. One party laid the first turd, the other built a factory to lay them by the millions and efficiently package and ship them all over the world. The red states will vote for the dumbest candidate they can get their hands on, in this case Palin, if only to spite the blue state smartypants. This is tribalism at its worst. Neither has a health care plan that addresses real problems in the system.

robingee

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:14:07 -0500

Boy the Repubs are getting desperate. It's fun to watch them sweat. OBAMA 08!

Billiamsburg

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:09:55 -0500

My friends, listen to me my friends, Obama will raise your taxes and fine you. Vote for me I've faced tougher guys and I've faced down these types of issues my friends. Obama is going to fine you did you hear me? For no reason, my friends. I will make sure as an American that you do not get fined. Actually I am going to give you $5,000 my friends. I've faced down these things before. Now how does that sound my friends?

Politburo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:48:18 -0500

NannyState: Yeah I was amused when McCain said "I've worked across the aisle.. with Joe Lieberman" (He went on to list others) Ides: Franklin Raines is not and has never been on the Obama staff. This has been an issue for the past few weeks so I can only conclude that you are a liar.

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:27:27 -0500

We do need fundamental change. However none of these two clowns will deliver. We'll just get the same old same old. The system is fundamentally broken. That is the only thing that this election and manufactured in Washington economic crisis seems to really bring about.

babyhitler

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:05:04 -0500

Who cares about McCain or Obama? It's not about them. the party of George Bush must be punished and flogged and dragged into the street and beaten. and that's what's gonna happen come november. You know how bad a president George Bush is? regardless of the economy or the war, George Bush is SOOO bad that he's opened the door for a african american to become president. You know how absolutely fucked up that is for white people to even consider a black dude as an alternative? think about that. George Bush gave us the first African american president.

Red Stapler

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:02:30 -0500

@14: Incorrect. http://snopes.com/politics/obama/fanniemae.asp Check your sources before you spout erroneous information.

malebranche99

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:13:39 -0500

Today's Guardian UK says it best with an article titled "It's President 'That One' to you." McCain go take your seat in the senate. And Palin, please get on your damned broomstick and fly away back home.

Pull My Finger

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:12:30 -0500

McCain kick big ears ass.

meowster

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:04:19 -0500

Did anyone notice at the end of the debate the Obama (and Michelle) were out talking with people and shaking hands but McCain and Cindy just sort of stood there and then disappeared? That was odd.

felixthecat

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:23:06 -0500

Raines released a statement denying any role as an advisor in the Obama campaign. Raines had told a Washington Post reporter in July, however, that he did receive phone calls from Obama's campaign asking for advice on housing policy. That one/Biden 08

felixthecat

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:19:32 -0500

But Mr. McCain neglected to say that some of his closest advisers and campaign staff members have also benefited from the largesse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Over a five year period, for example, campaign manager Rick Davis was paid nearly $2 million by the mortgage giants to help defend them against stricter regulations

felixthecat

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:16:53 -0500

@qwerty, yes, I might need some hair plugs some day. I wonder if McCalin's plan paid for all his plastic surgery or did his wife pay for him? Damn, he looks creepy.

felixthecat

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:14:33 -0500

McCain is too old and too creepy. He had no plans and most of his responses were "my friends" and "sit across the table with each other". Obama is young and intelligent and speaks to working class. That one '08

qwerty

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:24:14 -0500

I want a gold-plated cadillac health plan.

JacqueMehoff

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:12:16 -0500

so town hall debates were mcccain's strengths? maybe all that standing and sitting got him all tired and arthritic. and stop getting so close to the questioners! we see you fine.

ides_of_march

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:05:15 -0500

Nice lavender tie Obama. I wonder if Larry Sinclair picked it out for him.

nigganiggachoochoo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:44:27 -0500

"Obama brought the baloney, McCain forgot the knife." McCain brought his tumor face. Obama forgot his knife.

ides_of_march

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:42:18 -0500

"It's taking Ides of March a long time to comment on the debate" Your fixation on me is creepy. Besides ad hominem attacks, have you anything of substance to say?

tingo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:41:30 -0500

Why does McCain show his HATE for Obama so much? Why is the GOP the party of fear, ignorance, and anger? If the Dems are 'liberal' and 'intellectual', how is that bad?

ides_of_march

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:39:14 -0500

Obama didn't even attempt to answer the first question, he just launched right into a prepared lecture. The man is lost without a teleprompter. McCain needed to be more aggressive: he had opportunities to hang the Fannie Mae mess around Obama and the democrats' necks where it belongs. Franklin Raines anyone? He's one of those greedy, rich CEO's Obama kept moaning about: thing is, Raines helped wreck Fannie Mae and is now on Obama's staff as an economic advisor! McCain needed to expose this. Obama brought the baloney, McCain forgot the knife.

megs

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:36:40 -0500

McCain was a nuclear douche tonight. What a lying, creepy prick.

rhonda718

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:09:59 -0500

It's taking Ides of March a long time to comment on the debate. I guess typing a long, but misguided, post about how McCain owned the debate with one hand behind your back so you can cross your fingers does take a long time.

NannyState

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:09:40 -0500

McCain went around in the same familiar circles and did not once mention Sarah Palin, but mentioned Joe Lieberman, his first choice for Veep, several times. Obviously he considers her just another mealy-mouth surrogate while he's old enough (and stupid enough) to think that his "bipartisan" association with Lieberman proves anything about him. Lieberman has absolutely no currency with any democrat and only panders to the assisted living crowd with his flea-bitten '70s pro-Israel blather. McCain is just creaky and awful. His moment came and went and now he's like a Wal-Mart greeter who's just had another stroke and thinks he's moving into management.

marchendrix

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:59:14 -0500

Yay, Belmont University. Nashville is a great city, go Nashville. It's the a mixed city too, sometimes it goes red in the election and sometimes blue. Memphis on the other hand is almost always blue while Knoxville goes red. Nashville almost always goes blue with the presidential election these days.

Steven

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:57:48 -0500

Obama is really starting to pull away from McCain. Republicans and Democrats alike are both scumbags and corrupt. We had eight years of a Republican president and look where American is today? It's time for a change and that change is letting a Democrat be the president. I really hope Obama will fix up Bush's mess and help out the middle class.

MFer

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:55:47 -0500

Got to love those Republican shills. Desperation has a way of sweating out the oldies. But they ain't goodies. Sorry, Dude. Time's up.

rhonda718

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:51:30 -0500

sorry... That One/Biden '08 :)

rhonda718

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:50:18 -0500

Yep.. That Guy/Biden '08

Dude69

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:47:12 -0500

#4 - hipster why don't you go back to Ohio and do America a favor and cast your vote for Palin/McCain!

fakenewyorker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:44:07 -0500

dude69: bwahahahaha!

Dude69

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:39:24 -0500

I can't wait for the new poll numbers after tonight's debate! Palin/McCain will retake the leads in Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania! In one month's time we will have the Palin/McCain administration we need to put the Pelosi and her liberal cronies in Congress in their place!

fakenewyorker

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:35:54 -0500

'that guy' won

Dude69

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:35:17 -0500

McCain definitely won the debate hands down! The brain dead Obama supporters probably had the volume down during the debate! McCain slammed Obama just like Palin did to Biden!! He's a true patriot and war hero who will be the tough and experienced leader we need! Obama and his wife are ashame to be Americans and tend to "talk down" to us. We don't need a tax raising, weak on defense liberal elitist to lecture us on how bad Americans are! Palin and McCain will take on the Washington special interests and the Wall Street fat cats, and bring us out of our dark times! We need 8 years of Palin/McCain!! Join and vote for the true Mavericks!!!