McCain, Obama Get in Last Shots in Last Debate

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama met at Long Island's Hofstra University for their third and finale debate. The two men sparred more energetically than the previous two debates in Oxford and Nashville.

For instance, when asked if he could balance the budget, McCain said, "If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago. I'm going to give a new direction to this economy in this country." Obama later retorted, "So the fact of the matter is that if I occasionally have mistaken your policies for George Bush's policies, it's because on the core economic issues that matter to the American people, on tax policy, on energy policy, on spending priorities, you have been a vigorous supporter of President Bush." McCain also namechecked Mayor Bloomberg, by pointing out that Bloomberg called for across-the-board spending freeze here, that's why he (McCain) thinks budgets need to be slashed (Obama's position to that some budgets could be cut, but some programs are currently underfunded). See the video after the jump.

The economy was a big focus of the debate, and "Joe the Plumber" was frequently invoked. Also, McCain raised ACORN and William Ayers a half hour into the debate, giving Obama the opportunity to explain. Video is after the jump; you can read more about the ACORN issue at Newsweek.

Who did best in the third presidential debate? ( surveys)

Much of the punditry has pointed out that Obama seemed cool and less inclined to attack (notably not questioning Sarah Palin as a VP running mate), perhaps to protect his lead. On the other hand, McCain was aggressive but not hostile at the start but then became more agitated and seemed to make faces and show frustration. McCain used air quotes a few times--once during an exchange about abortion (see video after the jump). But is it too little, too late for McCain? There's 20 days left till the election.

McCain, Obama, Bush:

Obama on ACORN and Ayers:

The candidates on abortion:

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 15, 2008 11:08 PM

Comments [rss]

glennQNYC

You know the Democrats had to steer their attack machine towards this guy. How dare someone show how Obama's horrible policies effect them!

just saying

Would you hire an unlicensed plumber?

It seems that "Joe the plumber" doesn't even have a plumbing license. Joe claims that he doesn't need one because he works under someone else. My guess is that the person he works for has the plumbing license and uses that to claim that the business is licensed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_el_pr/joe_the_plumber

spiritross

Nadar is a fraud

Back in 2000 he just wanted what any politician wanted, enough percentage of the vote so that his party could receive a piece of public campaign financing

Thats not a revolution and no amount of bs hype will change the truth

Be smart people

in other news

I was glad that McCain was bombing at times, so close to completely self destructing, it was beautiful plus Obama was so smooth and collected

Barack's paid ad on CBS and NBC a week before the election should be the nail in the coffin

America will get to see what an amazing president they will be electing

(the first in how many years? 40?)

Pull My Finger

Thank God McCain will be our next president!

Mr Mel

McCain to Obama, "If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."

This statement was a stock retort, written by a staffer, and Cap'n

John just waited for an opportunity to use it. It is reminiscent of Sen. Benson's famous rerply to Dan Quayle's hubris, "I knew Jack Kennedy, and you're no Jack Kennedy"

only Benson's remark was spontaneous. He lost and so will McCain.

glennQNYC

I'm sure the "Nailin' Palin" porn series will have a pseudo "Joe the Plumber" making a service call real soon...

duckert

Joe blow the plumber isn't even registered to vote

Amanda Harletsch

Anybody advocating to vote for Nader THIS FAR in the game is probably the best favor you can make to a republicans. So get over it and be responsible taking the fucker uppers out from the white house

Colochita

huffybike, I just want you to know that having clicked on your links a couple of times in the past, I will never do so again because it is an enormous waste of my time. Even if that's your site, I can't imagine why you are trying so hard to guerilla-promote it when it's so stunningly lame. Just fyi.

optimist

You know, giving your wealth to the lazy, the unable, the poor is just punishment for having the audacity of talent.

http://www.thepeoplescube.com/

everyAframe

Dude69 is clearly trolling as part of his - yaawwwwwwwwn - Pscyh101 class project.

huffybike

John McCain was a bit too smug about this line.

JRod5417

Do the Republicans only know people named Joe (the plumber, six-pack, etc.)? Just wondering...

S.D.

Dude, your stretching it a bit...

Politburo

I thought McCain did better towards the end than the beginning.. I remember one part at the beginning where he kind of forgot the question and reverted to his standard stump speech.. I think the question was about which programs he would cut, and McCain started talking about energy independence and nuclear power plants.

hitlerbaby

Oh, and my favorite part:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EASpPlcVbdI

zodak

nader had a rally yesterday but he's still in nyc if you want to see him: clicky

Wza

Nannystate said it best.

chubbyonekanubby

23- You must have watched a different debate. I would concede that McCain did better in the beginning of the debate, however the final 2/3 of it, and overall in my opinion, Obama won handily. McCain consistently looked awkward and/or angry/flustered and continually brought up failed and false attacks. He came across as a grouchy old man which is what he is.

Just seeing how he handles himself when he is flustered, or someone disagrees with him or proves him wrong, I'm afraid what might come of him sitting across a table from other world leaders who oppose him.

Also, I like how you put Palin on the top of the ticket...

Politburo

NannyState: It appears that it's actually about 20-25% that still falls for the shit. That's right about where Bush's approval rating is, and in a recent poll, 23% said the Ayers/ACORN crap was "very important" (51% said "not at all" important).

MonkSalve

Dude, pathetic.

Dude69

McCain won the debate last night hands down! His maverick style and confidence in his attacks put Obama in the defensive, and now voters know that Obama is nothing inside the shell that the media has created about him. There will be a Nov. surprise when final votes are tallied, and Palin/McCain will emerge victorious! Polls are notoriously inaccurate, and there's a good chance of a Truman/Dewey debacle come the morning after Election Day.

hitlerbaby

this is NOT the fucking year to vote for nadir (sic)!

GM

Joe works long hours, unlike anyone else, and so can't understand why the government takes his money.

I think Joe is one of those guys without a passport.

marblehill

#16 - nader is indeed running.

http://www.votenader.org/

Toby von Meistersinger

I think everyone should just vote for Joe. He would probably do a much better job than these two asshole politicians. Plus just think of all the savings if there is a plumbing problem at the White House!

Gothamist_Cynic

Obama totally won the debate.

BTW: http://www.joetheplumber.com/

I wonder how rich he is.

Amanda Harletsch

And yeah, McCain was painful to look at

...that evil hypocritical grin was totally repelling

Joe plumber if you are there: read a book, and believe when I tell you: Republicans will fuck all up except the ones on top: them!

Amanda Harletsch

ralph nader....yeah the dude is awesome.

BUT he's not running!!

AND to leave a republican in the white house is pretty damn socially irresponsible.

cucarachita

At this point, all I have to say to anyone who talks to me about the election is: SHUT UP AND VOTE.

ironybubble

McCain sure knows how to get flustered!

They both kind of sucked. Lots of soundbite time. Still it's not as though their third debate was the ideal platform to reinvent the wheel. Easier for them to be boring and consistent.

tkchunc

We all just lost.

NannyState

Well, for his talk radio fans who were looking for red meat, McCain hit it out of the park. For the other 85% of America, he sealed his creepy, angry and negative reputation. Obama held back because it was McCain's time to flail and overextend himself. Winners don't waste their time with such antics.

KinoSport

The economy is falling apart and we get Joe the Plumber? Would something as inane as this have appeared in a debate 50 years ago - or am I just romanticizing the past?

Barry did well and protected his lead, but played it a bit too safe.

Just curious: are there any McCain supporters on Gothamist? If so, I'd love to hear about it over at The Important Project, where we're collecting voter profiles.

nigganiggachoochoo

The way John McCain waddles his arms makes him looks like "a failed abortion".

SeasTooFarToReach

I'm happy for McCain the debates are over. With each passing one, Obama looked with more presidential stature, while McCain looks even more desperate.

He just doesn't know what to do to distanciate himself from these past 8 nightmare years. The "maverick" tactic does not work.

everyAframe

Goodbye Mr. McCain. Please don't put your fist through the wall on the way out.

JacqueMehoff

joe the plumber just mentioned he's for McCain and is going to bed. he's the first ever complaining plumber. how bout instead of bitching go for a Master plumber certification/license and get all the jobs and money you want.

babyhitler

#5 - I feel like i'm getting old just watching McCain. And This poll is biased for Joe The plumber. Damn you and your plumber prejudiced media elite.