Sep 27 2008
John McCain and Barack Obama in first debate

The Debate Round 1: John McCain Wins on Toughness. Barack Obama on Substance

What did we learn in this first debate? That Barack Obama has gotten better since the primary. It must be acknowledged, there was no winner: John McCain was tough and kept his comments on the offensive; Barack Obama was left to explaining his positions.
This was primarily the foreign policy debate, supposedly a Barack Obama weakness, but he showed that he is well versed and capable on the issues.

The one question I wanted asked during the Iraq segment was: What is the definition of success in Iraq? John McCain constantly talking about staying until the war is won. When does that happen. What is the “strategy or tactic” to get to that nirvana?

Regarding the economy, it’s clear that even with an unplanned $700 billion project to start with, Barack Obama has a plan for growth that addresses the needs of the average American. Where as John McCain believes that savings to corporations and selective earmark cuts will find its way to your pocket. If it sounds like you’ve heard that before, try George Bush for the last eight years.

The most hilarious thing was John McCain’s attempt to flip positions and say Barack Obama is stubborn and sticks to the same ideas like.. George Bush. You hear that? That’s the cheers from the moose hunters.

It’s those kinds of one line declarations that stick in the minds of people with no interest in the two paragraph rebuttal.

“That’s not true, John”.. How many times did Barack Obama say that? And then proved it.

I say there is no winner only because (us) Barack Obama supporters will appreciate his command of the issues and John McCain supporters will love his dismissive attitude and ability to rattle off events from the past 30 years. Even though it was a draw, the reality is John McCain has no plan for the future - it really is that simple.

Two more rounds to go.

Moments Before the Debate flicks

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama walk down the hallway

Barack and Michelle Obama walk to the debate area..

Barack Obama studying before the debate

Some last minute studying and a moment of silence.

Barack Obama studying before the debate

Michelle is seated and ready for the show.

Barack Obama heads to the stage

Time for some action.

Barack Obama 08’


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 Morning Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 2:26 am

OBAMA HAS GRACE - MCCAIN REPETITIVE BULLY. Barak Obama obviously won this debate in the minds of reasonable Americans who want an intelligent, reasonable, and clear-headed man who can steer us through these choppy waters. McCain, on the other hand, is obviously nothing more than a bully who recycles talking points that only foolish fall for. McCain was rude and failed to honor the debate agreements, choosing instead to bluster through both the moderator and his opponent, not what we need in a president!

2 Stymuli Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 2:54 am

I was disappointed. This wasn’t so much a debate as it was political posturing and sparring. I think Barack Obama did very well, but I don’t think John McCain engaged him—I don’t think either of them engaged each other enough if at all on any of the issues. I would have liked to have see Barack Obama question McCain on everything Jim Lehrer asked the both of them questions on.

3 anonmous Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 3:24 am

barack obama is a fake

4 anonmous Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 3:26 am

and btw obama was rude as well trying to bump in while he was speaking and also i was sick of the um um um from obama

5 Azzz Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 3:36 am

Wow, obama is such a joke.  he began his argument at least 8 times saying, “I agree with John McCain”.

Obama CONSTANTLY points out the bad economy painting a bad picture to put people in panic. No solution offered. He is no where near the position to be a leader.

6 JohnG Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 5:28 am

McCain said two things in this debate that really ticked me off.  He said that our troop in Vietnam lost the war and came home in disgrace.  That is absolute crap.  I am really surprised that no one called him down on that one.  The military didn’t lose anything.  They won every battle they fought in and should have come home to a heroes welcome.  The politicians lost that war after the military left Vietnam.  And another thing, McCain keeps referring to Kissinger as “his dear friend”.  Now that really fries me.  Remember Kissinger’s famous comment on the military?  “Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy,” As a retired military officer, I am appalled at this characterization and that it is tolerated.

7 MsMoni Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 12:19 pm

I agree with you Chris those who like Obama will think he did great and those who like McCain will think he did great.  What I do believe is that Obama is a faster learner than McCain, and he has to capitalize on his mistakes going into this next debate.  He let McCain sidetrack him too many times away from the issues like talking about earmark spending.  Which I honestly could care less about that 18billion he’s so amped about pails in comparison to the 700billion welfare check that congress is trying to approve that will ultimately turn this country into a socialist nation. He needs to stay on topic and call McCain out.  After the debate I left feeling as if Neither candidate won, but I also still have no idea what McCain wants to do with this country, and Obama seems to have a true vision.

8 atnusli Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 2:07 pm

I think that Obama did a better job than McCain.  McCain was more a boring lecturer than someone that has a vision, a clear objective for this country…  It seems that McCain gets trapped in the past.  He tried to lecture Obama about the difference between tactic and strategy that he does not know the difference himself. McCain does not understand that we are living in a new era.

Obama in the other hand needs to be himself but also more aggressive.  Many Americans are more emotional than reasonable.  So, I think that Obama needs to work on how to connect with the average americans that are desperate to find a solution to the financial crisis that faces our nation.

9 To that Ass Azzz Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 8:59 pm

Maybe Obama began his argument with “I agree with McCain” because he agreed with him you dummy. What was he supposed to do, make an argument when there wasn’t one? Obama continually pointed out the bad economy because the economy is bad. How dumb are you? Oh but you are supporting McCain so that answers my question. You say he is nowhere near the position to be leader but that BIMBO Palin isn’t in position to run my f**king daycare center she can’t even control her own. McCain is 72 and believes most of the same things that Bush does so who is in a better position to be President? This doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out unless you either are one of the 6% of white Americans that can not give your vote to a black man, or just feel you have to be stupid and vote republican just because you are one, or just plain stupid. Which category do you fall under???

10 Teachthefuture Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 9:12 pm

I’M A SIX GRADE TEACHER WHO HAPPENS TO BE WHITE AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I’M SO PROUD OF OBAMA! WHEN I TEACH MY STUDENTS I WANT THEM TO KNOW THEY CAN BE ANYTHING IN THE WORLD AND OBAMA HAS OPEN THE DOOR FOR LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS WHO THOUGHT THAT IT MAY NOT BE SO. HE DID A GREAT JOB IN THE DEBATE AND SHOWED THAT WE CANT LIVE IN THE PAST BUT INBARK ON THE FUTURE AND HE IS THE ONE TO TAKE THE COUNTRY THERE AND I’M WITH HIM. FIGHT ON OBAMA

11 drea Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 9:51 pm

I believe both candidates held their ground as potential presidents, but for McCain this is a terrible occurrence. He was suppose to leave Obama feeling schooled and pretty much unsure…but it seems he did exactly the opposite, Obama came out defending his points (as he was going to because he’s the younger candidate) and they were more sensible and this was clear because to a higher percentage of Americans the war still makes little sense. And this is why he won this debate and then also the fact that McCain didn’t even address the middle class Americans and Obama concentrated on them thoroughly pushed this thing in his direction as well.  “President Barack Obama ladies and gentlemen”.

12 Jacob Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - 10:04 pm

“McCain wins on toughness, Barack wins on substance” Well if that’s he case Obama wins!!! I don’t want another bullying dummy in office. The republican voters want one, and a lot of them do, then don’t complain when the country goes another 8 years of hell. And Palin, Oh, I cant even start on that. I’ll just wait to the Palin supporters come here with their idiotic comments.

13 Moe Sun, Sep 28, 2008 - 8:52 pm

McCain is stuck in the past. Obama is for the everday people of this country.  I was so proud he appeared poised and prepared.  I can’t wait for the next debate.

14 Above Sun, Sep 28, 2008 - 10:14 pm

Moe, McCain is just dumb I am not going to sugarcoat it by saying he is stuck in the past. Someone who still likes Jordache jeans is stuck in the past. This moron picked Sarah Palin for VP, He is just dumb. Out of all the woman in the world he picked her. I have three sisters in my family that are more qualified than her dumb ass. McCain makes his race look bad, his party look bad and the whole United States look bad as the whole world is watching this mess. I laugh at McCain and if Americans are dumb enough to put him and that idiot in office the rest of the world will laugh at us. too.

15 sensiblethoughts Thu, Oct 09, 2008 - 11:45 am

Who are Sarah Palin and Todd Palin? I think we need to investigate more about them, Troopergate investigation, their association with AIP, THE WITCH HUNTER, KILLING ANIMALS FOR SPORT RATHER THAN NEED, etc. Evidently they think they come as one package, or Sarah is as incompetent as she seems, and Todd has to do her work for her.

I also think since John is 72, we need to know as much as we can about THESE TWO QUESTIONABLE PEOPLE. McCain, himself, is not without SUSPICION! What is his association with the Iran Contra and the US Council for World Freedom? IS HE REALLY A TERRORIST? ARE the Palins REALLY TERRORISTS, SINCE THEY WANT TO SECEDE FROM THE US?

Cindy needs to STOP THE HOLIER THAN THOU WITH HER RECORD OF BEING A DRUG ABUSER AND THIEF! SHE NEEDS TO CHECK HER ADULTEROUS HUSBAND’S VOTES BEFORE SHE BLAMES ANYONE ELSE! Since we are CHECKING ON PEOPLE, LET’s CHECK them out!

Since they are inciting the crowds with vicious HATE SPEECH AGAINST OBAMA, WE NEED TO KNOW THEIR TIES TO TERRORISTS TOO!

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/10/sarah-palin-palling-around-wit.html

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