Presidential debate

[clarencebunsen]

I just can't get aroused over either candidate; I think I must have electile dysfunction

[Swimmy]

You're not alone.

I was wondering if Obama realized that the surpluses he praised the prior administration for creating came at the military's expense and at the expense of national security. I won't go so far as to say that it caused 9/11, but I will say that it made 9/11 more likely to occur. There was an entire systematic failure that ultimately led to 9/11, but I believe that it was the funding cuts to the military and other elements of national security that made it more possible.

I was all gun ho about Obama's message of "change" in the beginning, but I still haven't heard the specifics. I'm not all gun ho about McCain, but I think I'm more inclined to vote for McCain.

[countrygal]

I find them both very unbelievable. It just seems to me at this point they are saying what they think people want to hear. I'm still on the fence.....sigh.

[dgriffin]

I'm getting bored. Except for McCain's buying up mortgages announcement, tonight the debate covered no new ground. And neither will the next, I fear. The two guys have their list of talking points and charges against each other and they are both sticking to the script.
Brokaw annoyed me. Being a retired national news anchor does not deputize him to interrupt two superheroes of the western world. (Or rather, the one you like a superhero and the other a bum.) While McCain and Obama may not personally be any more important than Brokaw (and that's certainly debatable), they are running for the most important office in the world. A few extra minutes for them to have their say isn't going to kill anyone. Brokaw let his "TV production" side take over his public interest side.

[Clipper]

Still on the fence CG?? Hold on a minute while I run and turn on the fencer, LOL!

[Clipper]

Brokaw should simply stay retired. Although both candidates thanked him for doing a good job, I thought that he interrupted both candidates all too often, and derailed important points that were being made. (not that we had not heard the points before, haha)

You are right. It was scripted, and rehearsed, and they both stuck to their scripts and took the token jabs that were expected.

[countrygal]

[Clipper]

[Swimmy]

I thought Brockaw did a great job moderating by keeping to the format and holding everything under control. It showed the candidates that they too are not above the rules and must comply. I got annoyed that obama insisted on having a rebuttal to everything McCain said.

[dgriffin]

Flipping through the channels earlier this evening, I noticed a couple of things about the women in the election. McCain's wife is getting softer, as I always thought would happen, transforming from Trophy Wife Brassy to Mrs. America. I noticed the hair style change first (and I never notice hair styles.) Tonight it was her colors. Pretty soon she'll be all pink and fuzzy like Laura Bush.

And Sassy Sarah is beginning to drop fewer 'g's. Much more statesman-like. My rough count during her interview tonight with Fox News' Greta von Ribbentrop was almost a third of the g's were there, up from about 10 percent last week. Look for that to increase to 100% by the election (when the swing voters will have swung), and to stay that way if she wins.

[frankcor]

We're screwed. Is it too late to do a do-over? Can we start again and try to get some candidates who might make a good president?

[dgriffin]

Don't worry, Frank. When the new president (whoever) takes over, the real government (federal agencies), supported by their business patrons, will present him with a limited list of options for running the country.
These guys (and girl) are as good candidates as most others have been.
I know it doesn't seem that way, but maybe we're just getting old and critical.

[frankcor]

If we can believe the writings of our founders, they never envisioned the "ruling class" of career politicians that populate our congress and state legislatures, today. Of course, some argued that without seasoned politicians providing oversight, government employees and bureaucrats would would end up running the country.

It appears that today, we have the worst of both worlds. Thanks for the cheering reminder, Dave.

[countrygal]

Oh GEEZ these two!!!!!!!!! They are both driving me nuts! "Your campaign said mean things about me; no, your campaign said mean things about me; no.....you wouldn't apologize for saying mean things about me, etc". Well....everyone complained that the last moderator didn't let them go at it. I can't wait to hear what they will say about his one. He's letting them go too long!!! I'm so sick about hearing about "Joe Plumber". OY!!! I did this, you didn't do that. I know this, you don't know that.

Bottom line people....they can promise all they want. When they get in there they have to fight with congress and the senate to do anything and there hasn't been a President any time before them that has been able to keep too may campaign promises. Frank's right....is it too late for a do-over?

I'm going to go watch the baseball game.

[frankcor]

LOL, Kim