posted on September 26, 2008 07:08:55 PM new
I am now in another room away from the TV set,I am having a hard time keeping myself awake.
I think I will go to bed,good night everyone!
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 26, 2008 09:04:06 PM new
McCain's condescending smirks were noticed by focus groups watching the debate. And a CBS poll among "undecideds" gave Obama 40%, McCain 20% and 38% undecided.
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posted on September 27, 2008 05:26:56 AM new
McCain looked and sounded like an angry old man. He was condescending, never looked at Obama and showed him no respect. That turned me off big time and I think that was the case for a lot of people. How many times did he say "you don't understand" to Obama?
I think Obama showed some strength, a lot of knowledge of foreign affairs and looked McCain in the eye. There were a few missed opportunities, but overall he did very well.
posted on September 27, 2008 08:40:05 AM newMcCain looked and sounded like an angry old man.
He sure did. His lack of respect for his opponent was palpable and rude. I think both candidates made their messages clear and call it a draw in that regard, but McCain's uncivil demeanor is unforgivable. He's clearly feeling cornered.
posted on September 27, 2008 10:43:28 AM new
Imagine if he won and had to meet with some of the leaders of the world. With that attitude, he would get nowhere in negotiations.
posted on September 27, 2008 11:30:32 AM new
McCain did better than I expected, considering he gave the impression he was so frazzled he didn't know if he was coming or going all week.
There was a distinct contrast between the old man willing to go along with the same old stubborn policies that have only made things worse and the younger man who seems more open to new ideas.
As some here have mentioned, McCain seemed angry and contemptuous, unwilling to look his opponent in the eyes. On the other hand, Obama had the decency to make an effort to engage McCain and even the grace to agree with him on a few points before presenting his opposition.
It's not surprising that with this debate, Obama was able to win so many votes of confidence among undecided voters. No longer will McCain be able to define Obama as insufficiently experienced.
posted on September 27, 2008 12:39:38 PM new
"Are these serious comments? We are going to elect a President because of a wink, blink, or a nod? Oh me ..."
Yes, these are serious comments. I'm not talking about what type of cologne McCain was wearing. I would say they were about even on content, which means Obama did a lot better than peolple expected regarding foreign affairs. However, demeanor is also important. If McCain cannot show respect to a fellow American who is also running for president and has every right to be there giving his opinion, how is he going to treat leaders in delicate negotiations? How dare he keep saying that Obama does not understand, in a very dismissive tone. Obama has a good brain and a great education. His mistake is that he disagrees with the great John McCain.
posted on September 27, 2008 01:07:31 PM new "If McCain cannot show respect to a fellow American who is also running for president and has every right to be there giving his opinion, how is he going to treat leaders in delicate negotiations?"
posted on September 27, 2008 01:07:34 PM newAre these serious comments? We are going to elect a President because of a wink, blink, or a nod? Oh me ...
"When asked how the finacial crisis might affect his presidency, McCain said,
"How about a spending freeze on everything but defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs." Asked if he was really proposing a spending freeze, McCain added, "I think we ought to seriously consider with the exceptions the caring of veterans national defense and several other vital issues."
"It’s worth really focusing in on the fact that John McCain’s campaign was running around — proudly! — boasting about the fact that they intend to follow up a $700 billion bailout for Wall Street and $800 billion in tax cuts for the rich with an across-the-board spending freeze. That means, in real terms, less money for your local police department. Less money for the FBI. Less money for Head Start. Less money for Pell Grants. Less money for infrastructure. Less money for everything except failed banks and endless wars."
posted on September 27, 2008 02:36:20 PM new
Put yourself in McCain's shoes,he is an 'old' man and he has been around,is this his second or third attempt running for the White House? I lost count!
And he has to prove himself again this time against an inexperienced senator !
Of course some of you Obama fans will disagree,but he is inexperienced.
Our economy is in very bad shape,it may even die under the knife of Dr Obama.
Everyone talks about change,politicians promise change,we dont realise in real life changes dont always improve our welfare,it could even make things worse for some of us.
Chairman Mao promised change and he sure delivered change-10 oz of meat each month and 1/2 yard of cotton each year for an adult. Some change!
If you are still hungry after eating your 10 ounces of meat,there are tree barks and sand on the beach,it is free,so Help your self,thats a change!
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
[ edited by hwahwa on Sep 27, 2008 02:42 PM ]
posted on September 27, 2008 03:02:48 PM new
hwa, McCain has experience all right. He has the experience of voting for 9 out of every 10 of Bush's failed policies. Is that the experience you're talking about?
posted on September 27, 2008 03:43:59 PM newChairman Mao promised change and he sure delivered change-10 oz of meat each month and 1/2 yard of cotton each year for an adult. Some change!
posted on September 27, 2008 03:48:39 PM new
I wasn't surprised to see McCain treat Obama with such disrespect. What we know about McCain already is that he disses his fellow legislators--and his wife--and others. That he wouldn't even LOOK at Obama when O. was addressing him was really crude.
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posted on September 27, 2008 04:47:58 PM new
Kozersky--No one is talking about a wink, a blink or a nod. You are making it sound trivial. We are talking about respect, the absence of rudeness, the ability to make your point without sneering or slinging mud at your opponent. There are plenty of issues to be discussed, without this type of performance. I would rather hear facts, plans, ideas, not name calling, name dropping and (if there is such a thing) place dropping. According to John McCain, he has met everyone of importance and visited every place on earth where anything was going on. Politicians are, by nature, egotistical, but McCain must have the record for I, I, I and me, me, me. I know how to fix this. I know how to do that. This is a man who does not accept advice or criticism well and that is not a good trait in a president. Don't you think it is important to try to determine the character and temperament of someone who may beome president?
Obama could have brought up many incidents to make McCain look foolish (Afhanistan/Iraq border anyone?), but he did not. This is not a game. We are trying to pick a president in very troubled times. It would be nice if the candidates could debate the issues without acting like petulant children.
posted on September 27, 2008 05:24:05 PM new
I agree with Bill, I wish BOTH candidates would have better answers to the question on everybody's mind - how will we rescue the economy? How bad is it likely to get before it gets better? What programs will be cut and what taxes will be raised to get us out of this god-awful mess? OTOH, face it, Bill- ever since the Kennedy/Nixon debate the way the candidates come across on TV - not only what they say, but their winks, nods and general demeanor plays a large role in determining who will be elected.
posted on September 27, 2008 05:33:32 PM new
Bill: There are many, many subjective clues human beings spot, sometimes unconsciously, that give them a good idea of the character of a person. It's not wrong for us to extrapolate from the clues we saw in McCain that he would be a difficult president to deal with and might even offend (intentionally or otherwise) other heads of state.
We're not wrong to be dismayed at what we saw in the debate.
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posted on September 27, 2008 07:21:54 PM new
I agree,there are more important issues for the right man in the white house than looking into the eyes of his opponent or giving him a nod or a pat in a debate!
But we are not the only one who dwell on these lesser issues,last night after the debate,some of the journalist remarked the taller,younger man win,A- versus B+.
Neither of the candidates have much to say about the current mess we have right now,WAMU is the largest bank to fail and how is the 700 Billions going to solve the problem,it seems these banks never learn their lessons.
More rules and regulations,rules are for kids,not corporate titans.
I bet you every household is affected,they are either stockholders,or bond holders or mutual fund holders or employed in industries affected by this mess.
taxcut is nice if there is anything to cut,if you dont have a job,what good is a taxcut?
As for foreign policy experience,well,soon we will need foreign experience of a different kind,foreigners are buying up our assets,we better learn how to make sushi,speak arabic or pour volka!
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
[ edited by hwahwa on Sep 27, 2008 07:24 PM ]
Don't worry about stating your opinion, kozersky. We are not so easily abused.
McCain has acknowledged his anger problem. To call such a problem in the case of a presidential candidate comparable to a "wink, blink and a nod" is simply wrong.
posted on September 27, 2008 07:38:50 PM new
Bill, I admit that I do not care for McCain and certainly that affects my opinion. I used to respect his opinions more than I do now. There are probably many people who were impressed by his so-called toughness, but I'm not one of them.
Don't discount subjective opinions. During the Nixon-Kennedy debates, Nixon was deemed the winner on points, experience, policy. However, Nixon gave a terrible impression on TV and, of course, lost the election. All factors count in an important election.
posted on September 27, 2008 07:45:09 PM new
Why dwell so much on McCain attitude towards his opponent in a public debate and extrapolate into what and how he would treat others once he is in the White House/
May be the old man has a bad hair day,may be he is uptight?
I recall George Bush senior felt that he worked hard as an underdog under Ronald Reagon and then had to face a micky mouse gong show with the other candidates.Then in the debate with Clinton,he did not look into Clinton's eyes or give him a wink or a hood?
Or did he?
Why did someone not say something about Obama behavior last night,did he look into McCain 's eyes?
Einstein is a genius,but hardly a smooth diplomat,does that affect his work?
BTW,Chairman Mao did not start out with his economic reform saying it could end up causing many lives,he started out thinking this is the right thing to do for the people,just like Obama.
If China is not your cup of tea,try the Weimar republic then.
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
[ edited by hwahwa on Sep 27, 2008 07:46 PM ]
posted on September 27, 2008 07:49:10 PM new
Nixon versus Kennedy,may the tall and handsome candidate win!
There were a lot of fraud coming out of southside Chicago,the stronghold of Democratic Party.
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 27, 2008 08:03:42 PM new
Hwahwa, you began this thread by saying you were bored, tired, going to bed, so I'm assuming you didn't see as much as some of us did.
YES, Obama looked squarely at McCain many times during the debate, sometimes when he acknowledged that McCain was right on some point, other times when he needed to challenge something McC said. He was doing the civil thing. McCain was definitely not, and the contrast was striking.
Einstein, Mao, and Hitler did not need to be diplomatic. Mao and Hitler ruled by force; Einstein just had to do his physics and mathematics and didn't have to be kind.
Our next President, on the other hand, is facing a scary world and as always he needs to be diplomatic, civil, not only with us Americans and those who report directly to him, but with world leaders and diplomats. I'm pretty sure that's a requisite for the job!
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[ edited by roadsmith on Sep 27, 2008 08:11 PM ]
posted on September 27, 2008 08:46:58 PM newWhy did someone not say something about Obama behavior last night,did he look into McCain 's eyes?
Because nobody can say anything about his demeanor beyond stating that he was respectful, direct, spoke directly to McCain and looked him in the eye, at least as much as he was able to, given that McCain was usually smirking and looking away during Obama's responses.
You should have stayed awake. You're attempting to defend behavior that by all accounts you did not witness. Bad idea.
posted on September 28, 2008 03:05:40 AM new
Can a supporter of the war or McCain answer this simple question: how can we possibly continue the war and rescue the economy? I can't see how without nationalizing almost everything, becoming, in effect a socialist economy.
[ edited by kozersky on Sep 28, 2008 11:51 AM ]