Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

re: the jokes, in McCain's defense, the audience was told to be silent.

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

Haha, spot on! :D

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

That's exactly why I think things like the "that one" comment will turn out to be more significant than they objectively deserve to be. McCain is clearly painting a picture of himself as a condescending, frustrated, angry, flailing old man, and calling Obama "that one" only helps solidify the image. I don't say this in an effort to put him down with name-calling, I'm just speaking to how he's been coming across.

In his previous debate, he blatantly refused to make eye contact with Obama, and even looked like he could hardly stand to shake hands with him. He's been running non-stop negative ads, which at this point comprise almost 100% of his advertising budget compared to less than 50% of Obama's advertising budget going to negative spots. His campaign's message has ping-ponged around from energy ("drill baby drill"), to excitement over the new addition to Team Maverick, Sarah Palin, to suddenly adopting the banner of change that Obama has been pushing all along, to suspending his campaign to solve the economic crisis, and now to attacking Obama's character more harshly than ever - to the point that the audiences at his speeches shout out "terrorist" and "kill him" in response to questions they raise about Obama. He's just making himself look bad.

And incidentally, about 15 seconds into the video where McCain asks "who is the real Barack Obama", and a guy yells "terrorist", there is a very brief but clear look of troubled surprise that comes over McCain's face. It's the first hint he's shown me in a long time that the tone his campaign has taken isn't actually his cup of tea. Honestly, that brief expression made me feel kind of bad for the guy. It reminded me that had he won the Presidency back in 2000, he'd probably be a relatively popular President right now, and we most likely wouldn't be in the dire straights we're facing. Instead, he lost to Bush and now he finds himself in the last chance to get to the White House he'll have in his life, and he's losing to a newcomer who's surprise successes have baffled the overwhelming majority of the established political world. I in no way condone or forgive McCain's horrible behavior in this campaign because of this, but it makes me a little sad to remember that a man I once had respect for now repulses me.

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14400.html

In regards to the "That one" comment,
Wow, it's like they have no self-awareness.

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

Wait....I thought they were "turning the page" on the economic crisis. :confused:

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

I'm surprised she didn't say, "I’m shocked that at a moment of national crisis, where our economy is on the minds of every single person, I am shocked that that domestic terrorist-loving elitist liberal Obama and his campaign are again proving to be the fussiest campaign in American history."

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

good post sean, there's definitely something sad about how the mccain campaign turned out. i went from optimistic ("i rather mccain didnt win but if he does were not completely fucked...") to extremely anxious about the election ('oh god what the hell is he doing...)

i like this piece in the NYT, namely because it sort of addresses mccain's transformation and the doubtless conflict there must be about it

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

I completely understand where you're coming from with this.

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

To me this election is not so much about mccain vs obama.

its about

this america

vs

this america

Re: 10/7 Presidential Debate
 

Snap!

Just watched both of those two videos and was about to give them their own thread.

Donna Brazile's comments are right on the money and what it's about. This is about ideas, about inspiration, about strength of character. It's about taking this USA to places its never been before.

The others - they've got their point. They're pissed. They're angry. They're capable of vaguely coherent argument.

I just trust they're still drinking on election day and forget to get to the polling booth.

Or crash into it whilst riding their quad bike to the liquor store.

Besides - isn't Hussein Obama leading in Virginia? Maybe the genteel rednecks have seen the light.