Final Debate Thread - Open for Two Days Online - OMG RITE

[Phoenix Dark]

I will give it to Schieffer for repeatedly putting both candidates on the spot.

Best moderator by far. I especially liked his cynical tone/questions concerning cutting the deficit. He might as well have said "you distinguished mentally-challenged fellows can't cut it, admit it for the lolz"

[tiesto]

I watched the debate over with some friends. Republican friends. While they wouldn't ever vote for Obama, I'm pretty sure I can now convince them not to vote.

Every little bit counts!

Palin has managed to convince a lot of my McCain leaning friends not to vote. Even my strongly neocon friend from college said he has reservations about voting McCain because he hates Palin. Hopefully this means that the more sane, centrist Republicans will decide to ditch the baggage of the religious base in the future, and that voice becomes increasingly irrelevant.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

That being said the two worst moments for McCain, which probably killed it all for him:

1.) Ayers conversation ending on him flailing, and BAD. Who cares if he was aggressive, he was basically an 8 year old with an Apache Helicopter.

2.) The sudden promotion of the plumber to that of a corperate millionare so he would get taxed by Obama's healthcare plan.

The worst moment for me was McCain's sarcastic dismissal of the woman's health in the case of an abortion. He was like, "...health. Pah." It was really disturbing.

[MrAngryFace]

Well like it was said after the debate: Obama's stance was in the center while it's clear the far right will love mccain for this debate.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

McCain is either going to keep attacking, or try and secure his political legacy by going out gracefully.  We'll see.

his closing statement tonight seemed kind of elegiac...I think he sees the writing on the wall. the problem is Palin is trying to undermine his graceful exit for a 2012 run (lol)

[The Fake Shemp]

I imagine JOE THE PLUMBER will be featured predominantly on tomorrow night's SNL Thursday program special.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

McCain re-energizes his base at the expense of the moderates.

A true maverick strategy

[Akala]

Palin has managed to convince a lot of my McCain leaning friends not to vote. Even my strongly neocon friend from college said he has reservations about voting McCain because he hates Palin. Hopefully this means that the more sane, centrist Republicans will decide to ditch the baggage of the religious base in the future, and that voice becomes increasingly irrelevant.

They don't even respond with "but she's hot!" anymore!

I agree with wanting centrist Republicans ro split from the neocon/fundie zealots in the future, only because I want the current incarnation of the Republican party to splinter in two, become irrelavent, and sit in the back of the fucking bus for a decade or so. 

[duckman2000]

By the way, doesn't Palin's son have Down's Syndrome? McCain at one point seemed to flat out claim that it was about autism. I know he said it in the general speech about special needs care, but he also said it in direct reference to Palin.

[Mandark]

I have the debate recorded but have not watched it yet.

Summarize for me, my friends!

[MrAngryFace]

By the way, doesn't Palin's son have Down's Syndrome? McCain at one point seemed to flat out claim that it was about autism. I know he said it in the general speech about special needs care, but he also said it in direct reference to Palin.

You can claim ANY kid is autistic

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Agreed; half of GAF has Aspergers

[The Fake Shemp]

I have the debate recorded but have not watched it yet.

Summarize for me, my friends!

Joe the Plumber vindicated!

[duckman2000]

What you guys have been saying... Obama's weakest debate yet. He had his eyes shut during a lot of McCain's statements. McCain was totally on the prowl, aggressive as all hell tonight. Not that I think this debate made a difference at this point.

I think they were weighing their chances here, and the Obama campaign probably just opted to gamble and stick to the high road, as opposed to entering the politics as usual path. There were plenty of situations where Obama could have absolutely cut the balls of McCain's entire debate (and certainly he had the chance to really bring it on the Palin issue), but he didn't.

By the way, doesn't Palin's son have Down's Syndrome? McCain at one point seemed to flat out claim that it was about autism. I know he said it in the general speech about special needs care, but he also said it in direct reference to Palin.

You can claim ANY kid is autistic

Right, but it seemed weird of McCain to get that wrong. I'd imagine various Down's and autism support organizations are debating this very lividly right now.

[Human Snorenado]

McCain is either going to keep attacking, or try and secure his political legacy by going out gracefully.  We'll see.

He's going to spend the next two weeks shoveling out tremendous amounts of crazy horseshit and then when he realizes that his goose is cooked with a week to go he'll probably try to salvage something, but at that point it will be too late.  Especially with Palin and probably all sorts of whackjob 527s going shitballs insane.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

McCain will keep attacking until he is losing by -15 points in some nationwide polls.  Then he will ruefully try to hang onto some of his legacy.

[MrAngryFace]

What you guys have been saying... Obama's weakest debate yet. He had his eyes shut during a lot of McCain's statements. McCain was totally on the prowl, aggressive as all hell tonight. Not that I think this debate made a difference at this point.

I think they were weighing their chances here, and the Obama campaign probably just opted to gamble and stick to the high road, as opposed to entering the politics as usual path. There were plenty of situations where Obama could have absolutely cut the balls of McCain's entire debate (and certainly he had the chance to really bring it on the Palin issue), but he didn't.

By the way, doesn't Palin's son have Down's Syndrome? McCain at one point seemed to flat out claim that it was about autism. I know he said it in the general speech about special needs care, but he also said it in direct reference to Palin.

You can claim ANY kid is autistic

Right, but it seemed weird of McCain to get that wrong. I'd imagine various Down's and autism support organizations are debating this very lividly right now.

Im suggesting that maybe he was talking about one of her non-distinguished mentally-challenged kids.

[The Fake Shemp]

New McCain ad:

"Now Obama wants to abort children already born - like Joe the Plumber. Really, Obama, you want to abort Joe the Plumber? Vote no for women's health, vote no on Obama."

[duckman2000]

I guess I'm not expecting the average American to give a shit either way, but I thought the Colombia debate really made for a clear distinction between these two men. And it made me claim, out loud, that it's due time that we stopped pretending that the right and the left are of equal worth as members of a world community. That's a bit off even for me, but that whole issue, combined with McCain scoffing at the idea of sharing the wealth (even trying to make it come off as a winning debate point) sort of invoked that response.

[duckman2000]

Im suggesting that maybe he was talking about one of her non-distinguished mentally-challenged kids.

Clever. A bit too clever, apparently. 

Wit

[Flannel Boy]

Im suggesting that maybe he was talking about one of her non-distinguished mentally-challenged kids.

There's no evidence that she has non-distinguished mentally-challenged children.

[demi]

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7435/lolmccainfi5.gif

lol willco

[MrAngryFace]

U HAF NO MONEY PLUMBER U NEED HEALTH OBAMA TAX U HEALTHCARE BOOM

Uh John..No I dont. I tax huge multi-million dollar companies.

*ROLLEYES*

FINE! JESUS OK HOW BOUT....OK PLUMBER! YOURE RICH NOW HOLY SHIT YOU HAVE MILLIONS AND HERE COMES BIG GOVT TO TAKE YOUR MONEY. NEVERMIND THAT FINANCIAL REGULATION REQUIRES BIGGER GOVT!

[duckman2000]

Another clear dividing line was drawn when they started talking about dirty campaigns. Obama considers it a bit dirty of others to claim that he's buddy terrorist, while McCain considers it a vile attack when the Obama camp mentions McCain's health-care plan.

[Mr. Gundam]

Did anyone see Fox News check in with their undecideds after the debate?

A majority said Obama won the debate. Four said they had gone from undecided to voting for Obama. Zero said they had gone from undecided to voting for McCain.

 

[demi]

[Human Snorenado]

[youtube=425,350]QGzfYOp34d8[/youtube]



HAW HAW HAW

[Robo]

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Put this on the front page.

[Tristam]

oh man this is so bad

McCain's whole "if only you gave in to all my demands I wouldn't have had to run negative campaigns"

what the fuck, McCain playing the victim card? INSANE

Yeah, that was the most infuriating part of the debate: "Well, my friends, if Senator Obama would have had town hall debates with me then I wouldn't have run a smear campaign falsely alleging that he was a terrorist and specialist in fraudulent voting tactics."

Then holy shit, at one point in the debate McCain just starting rambling off every one of his campaign's talking points when none were relevant to the question. Sounded more like Palin than anything.

[TVC15]

Why do McCain's eyes look all black?  It's like he's some sort of supervillain.

[MrAngryFace]

"well well the american people need to..they...full extent....you need to come clean on ayers...ahhh but I dont have specifics, but what you just said isnt what I know I dont know about....POW"

[Bocsius]

I watched the debate thinking McCain was doing better than usual at certain spots while acting like usual in other spots. By acting like usual, I mean trying to paint Obama into a corner, watching Obama get out of that corner with relative ease, and then McCain acting like Obama is still in that corner.

McCain: "Obama wants to raise your taxes! Small businesses!"
Obama: "Once again, 95% of Americans will not see a tax increase. 95% of small businesses also make under $250,000 a year."
McCain: "Obama wants to raise your taxes! Small businesses!"

McCain: "Joe Plumber, Obama wants to fine you. Ask him how much the fine is!"
Obama: "Uh, zero. There is no fine for small businesses. Large corporations that can afford to buy healthcare but don't will be penalized."
McCain: "Joe Plumber, you're rich! Obama will fine you!"

Senator McCain, be real. Nobody* is buying this.

I think the post-debate polls once again being overwhelmingly pro-Obama underscores what the national polls are meandering to, and that is the fact that America has decided. The numbers might not be as overwhelming in the daily tracking polls, but I think that's people being slow to admit what they really feel in terms of who they'll vote for, but being very ready to admit what they think about a one off debate or a single issue that doesn't necessarily pin them down. Americans simply like Obama better. It's playing out in the post-debate analysis, and it will play out in the voting booths on November 4.

*Excludes Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, etc.

[E-DuB]

Agreed; half of GAF has Aspergers

Oh, God it's true!

[MrAngryFace]

They also have waking dreams where they fly and know true happiness

[Mr. Gundam]

oh man this is so bad

McCain's whole "if only you gave in to all my demands I wouldn't have had to run negative campaigns"

what the fuck, McCain playing the victim card? INSANE

Yeah, that was the most infuriating part of the debate: "Well, my friends, if Senator Obama would have had town hall debates with me then I wouldn't have run a smear campaign falsely alleging that he was a terrorist and specialist in fraudulent voting tactics."

Then holy shit, at one point in the debate McCain just starting rambling off every one of his campaign's talking points when none were relevant to the question. Sounded more like Palin than anything.

You just know that McCain will say he lost the election because Obama refused to do the Town Hall meetings.

[Bocsius]

That little exchange was just stupid. "Obama wouldn't take public funding!"

Oh man, what a horrible guy.

[MrAngryFace]

YOU DONT UNDERSTAND! PAPERS WERE SIGNED!

[laesperanzapaz]

goonna have to disagree with yall

1. first thing first.  a last prez debate almost never changes people's opinion in any significant way votingwise, not without significant bombshels coming off.  This debate is such:  nothing really new, and people will either feel more strongly about whoever they were cheering for int eh first place, or not change at all.

2. deciding who won: by perception?  Mccain, a tiny bit.  More assertive, some wwould say aggressive.  Obama, always too shy to bitch slap his oppponent, his defences were good if a bit stumbling in his speaking [as always...cmon, fix that, obama], he always seems like an intelligent, awkward 16-y.o. straight A, socially awkward student.

3.  by arguing for his policies, refuting the others' attacks, all the good, important shit? Obama.  But again...he's too shy. Missed the chance to pimp slap the Mccain in many places, like ACORN, Palin, among ohters.

4.  I think overall, both kinda faltered. Obama too reserved in owning his opponent, Mccain too 'grumpy angry', the Americans no more intelligent as a result. Not that they ever would.

ELECTION RESULT: Obama with a slight-to-moderate win.  Not a strong win, imo.

FACtOR X: October surprise.  Stilll three weeks left.  Don't underestimate.  They just announced the 'capture' allegeldy, of the 2nd in command of Al qAEDA.  Thankfully, people are looking into their 401k, not the Musliminess of the OTHER, but still.

[MrAngryFace]

Are you trying to decide who you wanna make out with or who you want to run a large country?

[Mr. Gundam]

FACtOR X: October surprise.  Stilll three weeks left.  Don't underestimate.  They just announced the 'capture' allegeldy, of the 2nd in command of Al qAEDA.  Thankfully, people are looking into their 401k, not the Musliminess of the OTHER, but still.

This is the third "2nd in command" they've killed or captured now. It will have ZERO effect.

[duckman2000]

goonna have to disagree with yall

Given your track record of being wrong more often than The FlipFlop Experiment, I'd say we're mostly on the right path here.

[demi]

goonna have to disagree with yall

1. first thing first.  a last prez debate almost never changes people's opinion in any significant way votingwise, not without significant bombshels coming off.  This debate is such:  nothing really new, and people will either feel more strongly about whoever they were cheering for int eh first place, or not change at all.

2. deciding who won: by perception?  Mccain, a tiny bit.  More assertive, some wwould say aggressive.  Obama, always too shy to bitch slap his oppponent, his defences were good if a bit stumbling in his speaking [as always...cmon, fix that, obama], he always seems like an intelligent, awkward 16-y.o. straight A, socially awkward student.

3.  by arguing for his policies, refuting the others' attacks, all the good, important shit? Obama.  But again...he's too shy. Missed the chance to pimp slap the Mccain in many places, like ACORN, Palin, among ohters.

4.  I think overall, both kinda faltered. Obama too reserved in owning his opponent, Mccain too 'grumpy angry', the Americans no more intelligent as a result. Not that they ever would.

ELECTION RESULT: Obama with a slight-to-moderate win.  Not a strong win, imo.

FACtOR X: October surprise.  Stilll three weeks left.  Don't underestimate.  They just announced the 'capture' allegeldy, of the 2nd in command of Al qAEDA.  Thankfully, people are looking into their 401k, not the Musliminess of the OTHER, but still.

And like McCain, you dont know how to use a computer for shit

btw, *.rar

[Mandark]

McCain is either going to keep attacking, or try and secure his political legacy by going out gracefully.  We'll see.

Or he could wildly vacillate between the two until the very end, Hillary-style.

[Oblivion]

"ZERO?!?!"

  Oh, god it actually looked like he was serious. "NOBODY MENTIONED THAT TO ME IN THE PREPPING SESSION!"

[xnikki118x]

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Put this on the front page.

Yes! Front page please.

[Cormacaroni]

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7435/lolmccainfi5.gif

lol willco

HOLY SHIT DEMI

NOT WORKSAFE

(funny tho!)

[demi]

i am aware its NWS... thats why its linked

[laesperanzapaz]

there's no bigger wish right now than for me to be wrong on US politics

While I'd have to say that Obama won, it seems like both candidates are playing it too safe with some of the issues.

I like Obama's plan to give tax credits to companies that create new jobs, but what about huge negative incentives not to cut jobs? I'm tired of reading about profitable companies cutting jobs. I would propose a massive tax hike on all companies that showed a profit for three of the last four quarters that cut jobs or ship them overseas. Make it so that cutting jobs actually costs more than the savings would be. The only exception would be for companies that are actually in the red. If they still have to cut corners, they can start with CEO pay, among other things.

Both agree that something needs to be done about health care, but neither one addresses the fact that health care is drastically overpriced. For-profit health care is gouging the American public: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2004/june/forprofit_hospitals.php, and that's a fact. Big Pharma also makes a pretty outrageous profit margin. Together with outrageous malpractice suits, these factors drive the cost of health care through the roof. Without insurance, practically no one can afford health care. You could be in and out of the hospital in less than an hour (not counting the waiting time) and get a bill for over a grand. The problem is that to many Americans, sensible health care reform = Evil Socialism, so neither candidate can really run on a platform of what really needs to be done. It's kind of the same way that the Mexican-American population makes it impossible for us to pass sensible immigration policy. Obama talks about limiting malpractice, but doesn't really get into specifics. I like his ideas on allowing drugs from overseas companies, but we really need to do more to reign in Big Pharma.

1.  as a moderate with some conservative influence, i woudl argue that companies have a right to hire or fire as many as they want.  that is their right within a free market capitalism, and govt control on THAT, out of all things, is too much. Other less iron handed tactics, plz.

And yeah, health care is one area i am willing to socialize on.  But not many other areas. it just so  happens, "the best result for the max number of people" should be the rule of health care policy, and that requires curtailing the freedom from obligatory insurance payment for people other than thoes close to you.

[Mandark]

It's kind of the same way that the Mexican-American population makes it impossible for us to pass sensible immigration policy.

Wait, what?

[MrAngryFace]

caaareful, keep it clean, green.

[MrAngryFace]

Im just being preemptive lol. I know how forum political debates can get.

[Mandark]

caaareful, keep it clean, green.

Boooooooo!

Goading people into open bigotry is one of my favorite e-pastimes.  If I had my way, I'd be churning out a couple of internet Juror #10's a week.  Why must you take that away from me?

[MrAngryFace]

Yeah but something would be said, then all the jerks asleep right now would stumble out of bed in the morning and fly into a rage while half asleep and oh man drama.

[Mandark]

Anyways, the way I remember it the big immigration compromise bill that the Bush administration and Democratic Congressional leadership supported got skunked by the GOP hardliners, same as with the original bailout.

Mexican-Americans are nowhere near a big enough voting bloc to prevent immigration reform from passing, assuming that reform has solid backing from the white majority.

[MrAngryFace]

I honestly don't care if they make them all citizens, pay them a fair wage, and make them pay taxes.

[Oblivion]

Lol. Even after all this, it looks like Joe Plumber still won't be voting for McCain

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/The_Joe_file.html?showall

[MrAngryFace]

To paraphrase Lewis Black: "Democracy is great, cause you don't have to fuckin do it."

[cloudwalking]

they should put up posters like this in the states too concerning immmigration:


(for more security)


(stop mass naturalization, vote yes on naturalization-initiative)

[duckman2000]

Lol. Even after all this, it looks like Joe Plumber still won't be voting for McCain

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/The_Joe_file.html?showall

Er, as if the guy wasn't a plant to begin with.

[TVC15]

I honestly don't care if they make them all citizens, pay them a fair wage, and make them pay taxes.

But then people would have to start paying them at least minimum wage, which would kill the whole reason people welcome illegal immigrants to America.  We want to bring a lil' bit of that sweatshop value back here to the US!