I have been eagerly awaiting the presidential debate. Did you watch it?
I guess besides wanting to hear what both candidates had to say, I was particularly curious to see:
1. If McCain could keep his temper in check
2. If Obama could give good answers without a teleprompter or rehearsed answers
And I have to say that yes, McCain remained calm, and yes, Obama was able to give good answers without any help.
I thought both candidates did well. However, I thought the questions asked by Jim Lehrer could have been better. About an hour and 15 minutes into the debate I started to feel like it was getting kind of boring. I felt like his questions weren't provocative enough, and aside from the questions about the whole bail out thing, a lot of it was stuff we've heard time and time again. I wish there had been more questions that might have taken the candidates by surprise - questions that they wouldn't already have prepared talking points for.
Your thoughts on the debate?
The end.
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I just heard part of it when they were discussing Iraq. I thought they both showed self-control but I was hanging pictures and rearranging furniture while I watched so wasn't giving it my full attention.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty bored too. Nothing too exciting happened on those debates. You're right, I think it was the questions/questioner. I really think Jim Lehrer is the big BORE.
ReplyDeleteReally? I thought the debate wasn't that good, both candidates didn't seem to know what they were going to do with the financial crisis we are in. Mccain said he wanted to pass the bail (where will that money come from) and Obama, well I watched the campaign several times, and I'm really not sure of his position on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really fond of either of them. Sure they're great people, but they just don't do the job for me as president. :(
I was pretty bored with the obviously rehearsed answers. I think the town hall debate will be the best due to audience participation.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree though that both candidates leave a lot to be desired and whichever takes office will burden the middle class with more bills to pay.
Hi Carole,
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog....I'll have to visit again!
I watched the debate and I was impressed with Obama (other than the fact he couldn't get McCain's name right). He seemed like he had more of a plan for middle americans whereas McCain was very vague...I agree that the questions could have been better.
I agree with your analysis. However, it seemed that McCain came across as an angry old man, especially when he kept repeating phrases such as "You just don't understand." Sadly, I think the media has become too lax and fearful of asking hard-hitting questions---and that is exactly what they should be asking during these days prior to us needing to make the important decision of who will lead this nation for the next 4/8 years.
ReplyDeleteI too was bored with it, but you know i learned alot more about McCain that I don't like during it too. He came across very smarmy to me and even condescending, which didn't help him any. it just told me he's a rude old man and didn't impress me a bit.
ReplyDeleteBut for me it's the vice presidential debate that i'm waiting for lol. I know it's mean but i really think Palin needs her ass handed to her before she'll realize that she needs to either shut up, or start making sense.
McCain spent most of the time name dropping and attacking Obama. Obama spent most of the time trying to prove how moderate he was.
ReplyDeleteI watched it, but I would really love to see other parties represented on stage. There are more than two political parties in this country, but the commission on presidential debates isn't going to have any of that.. gotta maintain the illusion of two parties!
karen: Don't worry, if you've been somewhat keeping up with politics, you didn't miss much, it was pretty much same old, same old.
ReplyDeleteLuvikavi: "I'm not really fond of either of them. Sure they're great people, but they just don't do the job for me as president. :(" I couldn't have said it better myself!!
Talen: I agree, the town hall debate should hopefully be much better!
Casbah Kitten: Hey, welcome! :-) And yeah, I know the moderator's name was Jim, but many times when Obama would say Jim or John I wasn't always sure if he said the name he meant to - it was kinda confusing!
S.A. Hart: Yes, I know...Jim Lehrer seemed like "milktoast" as a moderator - boring questions - but who would be better? Who would ask really hard-hitting, unexpected questions? I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that I even think is that great of an interviewer - and FAIR - nowadays....?
Nessa: Yes, the VP debate should be really interesting... I'm not sure who may make more gaffes, Palin or Biden. I heard Jodi Applegate this morning on the radio saying there should be a drinking game for that debate - one drink for when Biden says something dumb, another drink for Palin...
Jeff: There are SO many people who would like to see a third party be really competitive in the general election, but it never manages to happen...I don't even have any ideas of how to facilitate that, but it sure would be great if we had another choice!!
Thanks all for your great comments! :-)
Well, it never manages to happen because people think they will be wasting their vote, etc. If we never begin voting third party, third parties will never get any votes.
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