Obama vs MCCain Presidential Debate 7/10/08

[Bluewolf]

The 2/3 of the Presidential Debates, this time taking place in Nashville, TA. The moderator is NBC's Tom Brokaw. Apprantly this will be done with a group uncomitted voters in the audience as well as emails. It will take place at 7:30 ET.

So I wonder if this will be a lot more "fiery" then the previous presi debate. The group questions could really give a chance for both to go on a good attack if done right. I expect a moderate Obama win but I do not think MCCain will be wiped the floor with. I think questions will be common ones on the current financial crisis as well as on certain promised policies.

[SirNitram]

Rules, as transcribed by Time:

Code: Select all

–The questions will be culled from a group of 100 to 150 uncommitted likely voters in the audience and another one-third to come via the Internet. Brokaw selects which questions to ask from written queries submitted prior to the debate.

–The Gallup Organization makes sure the questioners reflect the demographic makeup of the nation.

–An audience member isn’t allowed to switch questions and will not be allowed a follow-up either. His or her microphone will be turned off after the question is read and a camera shot will only be shown of the person asking — not reacting.

–The moderator may not ask followups or make comments.

–McCain and Obama will be provided with director’s chairs, but they’re also allowed to stand. They can’t roam past their “designated area” marked on the stage and are not supposed to ask each other direct questions.

[Bounty]

So if there's no follow-up questions or actual, you know, debate, why are they calling it a debate? Isn't the point of these things to see how the candidates defend their positions?

[RedImperator]

So if there's no follow-up questions or actual, you know, debate, why are they calling it a debate? Isn't the point of these things to see how the candidates defend their positions?

Some I read this morning described it as two press conferences held in the same room at the same time, and that's about what it amounts to, save that in a press conference, reporters can ask follow-up questions. If you were generous, you might argue that the "no-follow ups" rule is designed to keep an audience member from monopolizing too much time, but I'm not that generous. I doubt you're going to wind up with the candidates not reacting to each other at all, but how much depends entirely on how closely Brokaw adheres to the rules. I'm honestly not expecting this one to be that interesting; if there are fireworks, they'll come at the third debate, which uses the same rules as the first and allows the candidates to ask each other questions.

[Bluewolf]

Out of interest how did the 2/4 of the 2004 election go? It might be interesting to see, after this is done that the results are.

[JLTucker]

It will take place at 7:30 ET.

To clear things up, the "debate" starts at 9PM EST.

[Bluewolf]

I got it wrong, I apolagise. I was looking at C Spans prep thing that was 7:30


Adding to what I last said, with those rules I suspect its going to be like the last one but with remixed questions. Like a attack, parry, attack, parry style of "debating". No real fires if the rules are held tight.

Maybe MCCain brought that pen with him.

[DarkSilver]

The debate has started.

So far a questioning concerning retiree's (from a old person at that). Obama answered the question, McCain went off on his fear mongering ("10 trillion debt, 500 billion owed to China" Red Scare perhaps?).


Town Hall, McCain certainly seems comfortable on this. Obama doesn't seem that phased either though.

Oh...if I was playing the Drinking Game, I would have gone through a six-pack with McCain's "My Friends".

[Tanasinn]

"I'm going to have to correct some of [John McCain's] history, not surprisingly."



Looks like there will still be knife-twisting, no matter the formate.

[JLTucker]

$5k for healthcare insurance is not enough, especially with high-ass deductibles.

[JLTucker]

Ghetto edit: Fuck this goddamned piece of shit format. Obama can't even fucking respond to McCain's claims about Obama's tax plans.

[DarkSilver]

McCain's ballfield

Obama agreed to it, but it's got him in a corner...

still, he's doing alright despite the limitations of the Format.

McCain though is playing this off like nothing, but fuck he's annoying as hell in this.

[McC]

I second the motion of the "my friends" drinking game.

The format is terrible. This isn't a debate, it's a circus. It's funny to watch McCain spew bullshit and see the look on Obama's face which clearly reads, "What the hell are you talking about?" Beyond that, it's a travesty.

While writing this post, he said "my friends." Jesus fuck.

[Fleet Admiral JD]

"Healthcare should be a right"--THANK YOU OBAMA!

[Tanasinn]

Bold statement. This format really does favor bald-faced lying.

[Tanasinn]

I really wish the Vietnamese had just kept this weedy little asshole.

[Tanasinn]

Wow, the stupid little shit STILL thinks Russia started the Georgia tiff.

[General Zod]

And McDouche finally trotted out the "America is the greatest force for good in the world" bullshit. Gag.

[apocolypse]

And McDouche finally trotted out the "America is the greatest force for good in the world" bullshit. Gag.

He just did it again, so that's at least twice now.

[Fleet Admiral JD]

Oh no, let's not relate anything to Vietnam and give the Gimp excuses to tell war stories. . .

[Darth Wong]

I've changed my mind. I no longer believe that the most important thing to add to high school is more thorough exploration of the scientific method. It's mandatory debate class. Explaining the superiority of the scientific method is meaningless if the majority of the population doesn't even know how people are supposed to challenge ideas and claims, which seems to be the case if anyone thinks such a ridiculous format is a "debate".

[McC]

Finally, breaking format! This might actually be interesting now.

[DarkSilver]

Yes! Break Format!

Destroy Brokaw's power! Consume his soul!

Erm..sorry.

Make this a real debate instead of McCain's gloried dog and pony show.

[Cairber]

Anyone catch where McCain called Obama "that one"

Who voted for it? THAT ONE!" (points at Obama) that's going to get tons of play.

[JLTucker]

U.S. politicians really need to quit sucking Georgia's cock.