Liveblogging The First Debate – Thread 3

Ooh, wonky website…Obama is owning this topic. SPAIN!

LOL – Love that he brought up the Spain thing

ak ma din a ak mah den a akh meh dine a jad

Does he know Madeline Albright left?

Yeah, bringing up Spain!!! That got quite a nice awkward creepy McCreep smile.

WTF is he talking about? 3 inches taller?

Obama needs to say something to stop him from saying “Senator Obama doesnt seem to understand..” He needs to stop him from repeating that.

I’m getting too old for that feeling.

where the hell did South Korean’s height come from?first time posting, but I’ve been reading for a long time.

why can’t mccain look at him?

where the hell did South Korean’s height come from?first time posting, but I’ve been reading for a long time.

Wanting to slap him again. Backhand. With a duct tape covered exploding weenie.

I think Obama’s starting to get under his skin.

parsing words?!?! you are talking over him!

There’s that temper starting to flare, talking about Kissinger…”Not MY Henry! MY Henry wouldn’t say that!”

Mercy is McShame a fucking prick….

He cant look at him because he hates his fucking guts

where the hell did South Korean’s height come from?first time posting, but I’ve been reading for a long time. thanks for making my evenings easier.

McCain was looking a bit unhinged with that crap about Iran and Israel. Wasn’t it determined at some point that that statement about “wiping Israel off the map” wasn’t actually what the guy said? Something about a bad translation?

and he cant look at him because he can pronounce those hard names and words

Theo that made me turn around too.McCain can’t look at him or the horns will pop out with the anger.

I guess that the whole three inches shorter thing was in reference to the fact that North Koreans are being starved by their leader but why couldn’t he just say that?

Apparently Obama doesn’t understand anything… WTF?

Mercy is McShame a fucking prick….

hi theo. hi theo. hi theo.How tall are you?

ack, sorry for triple posting. first time here.

I guess that the whole three inches shorter thing was in reference to the fact that North Koreans are being starved by their leader but why couldn’t he just say that?

Stop saying that Obama doesn’t understand! Stop it!Obama needs to say “Senator, you’re fucking senile” only not in those words.

awwwww he went there once!

I looked into McCain’s eyes and saw three letters N-U-T

I hate to admit it…but McCain actually just made some valid comments about Russia/Georgia. He’s wrong though about another Cold War. With his policies and attitude, that’s exactly where we will end up.

Is McCain wearing BLUE EYE SHADOW??

why does Obama keep conceding the point? “We agree on this point,” and “John is right on such-and-such.” Even if he is right, phrase it differently.Also, it’s Mikhail Sakaashvili, not Misha.

My GAWD no one in middle america understands a THING they are talking about right now. Let’s go back to the ecomony please.McCain’s old man storytelling is hilarious ‘I took a truck there one day and saw a giant poster of Putin…’Let’s see how many countries and provinces McCain pronounce correctly.And Obama should NEVER says he agrees with McCain, ever.

come on! most of the US’s oil come from Canada.

Is McCain wearing BLUE EYE SHADOW??

Whoever said that there would be a break in the middle of this will have to fork up for my dry cleaning bills. My bladder is near breaking point.

I’m telling y’all this: It’s a goddamned good thing that this debate dumps out into a weekend newscycle that no one will be paying attention to. If this were a Tuesday or Wednesday and we had two or three standard weekday newscycles to BBQ this fucking thing, Obama would be in serious, serious trouble. Most of Red State Retard America is out getting drunk and getting pregnant right now, not watching this.

McSame’s nostrils are flaring big time..What a fucking cranky old man.

I had to stop watching for awhile…cant the stress….

God, McCain is a prick! The idea of having to listen to his whiny fucking voice for four years…I think I’d actually rather listen to Bush talking than this fucking idiot!!

Exploding poppies!

oh god..9/11..

Theo – “Misha” is a dimunitive form of Mikhail. He did that on purpose to make people think he and “Misha” are on cuddly nickname terms.

We need trained interrogators – you mean training in waterboarding? Yea, I’m sure the rest of the world will be comforted to know we have “trained” interrogators.

SO he wants to cut spending across the board, but the folks in the defence agencies are safe as houses.

I agree with you Fraulein – I never thought anyone could be worse than Bush…but Grandpa and the hockey mom takes awful to another level.

oooh really? thanks for that. Gotta say, I think it makes McCain look either disingenuous or forgetful.

torture – we should never torture again…will Obama bring up the fact that McPOW DIDN’T vote against it? Plus he just implicitly admitted that the US tortures.

“Fragile sacrifice”???

Tom Friedman on McCain’s energy votes. McCain just told a bald-fuckfaced lie.

Senator McCain did not show up for the crucial vote on July 30, and the renewable energy bill was defeated for the eighth time. In fact, John McCain has a perfect record on this renewable energy legislation. He has missed all eight votes over the last year — which effectively counts as a no vote each time. Once, he was even in the Senate and wouldn’t leave his office to vote.

This one is going to be seen (MSM memes) as a draw or lean towards a McCain.The cranky old man lied enough but these lies seemed plausible. And all Obama could do was say, “that’s not true”.Plus, this was frikkin’ love fest. O just saying things like, “John is right…”I don’t like saying this, but I can’t see it any other way.

Is McShort standing on a box?

must focus on eyebrows….make symmetrical…

Agreed, Mr. The Space Cowboy. Draw or lean towards McCain, if not a flat-out win for McCain. Like I said: Thank God for the weekend news graveyard. This debate got taken out with the trash. We should be grateful. Senator Obama is being caged by his reluctance to rage.

I hear ya Space. I’m not liking this either. It was not the blow-out by Obama that it should have been. Too many times Obama said that he and McCain agreed on things. And McCain played nastier than Obama – attacking Obama’s character more – and Obama didn’t. He needed to.Damn.

cowboy: I agree it is driving me insane that O keeps bellyflopping to Mccracky.

Geeze…. where the hell is dave chappel when we need him.Oh, BTW did anyone else notice that our hosts website is WAY in need of some coke?Johnny, your fucking done.

Youngest kid just said that Obama is coming across as more bipartisan by agreeing with McCain and taking the points farther…

John loves the veterans. I think not.

I believe it’s 91 veteran suicides this year, so far? And a whole other 120 have killed someone else? And McCain won’t talk about helping veterans except with his shrewish smirk and declaring that he already has their support?Also, Beltway Johnny, you don’t have the support of the veterans. They’re donating to Obama 6-1. Why won’t Obama say something like that?

hggh hggh hhheyest respect for our troops

Thank you Theo, for pointing that out.

I think that’s the problem with this debate Theo – Obama didn’t. He should have and instead he came out looking weaker and playing catch-up.

CNN is about to do a “Fact Check”This should be good.

Obama has to hit harder, and not back off. And damn it, he has got to say “No, John, I understand just fine. I don’t agree with you.”McCain got that “Obama doesn’t understand/is naive” thing too many times.I summarize on my own site here.http://obamaproject.windonwater.net/?p=191QT

Don’t like it. Don’t like it one bit. Not thrilled with the talking over each other, especially since Obama is too polite to do it well.

sorry, Me Not So Nice.I would have given the “stink hand” to cindy mccain.

Ugh… I don’t like the way we ended this debate…. not on a high note. I feel all queasy… maybe it’s the white wine I’ve been drinking all night.Can we discuss how the major networks (I’m watching ABC at the mo) are now having HD backgrounds but blurring faces of George, Charlie and Diane?? It’s bizarre.

bravo QT, I will check it out.

Ceu? If McCain isn’t standing on a box, those are certainly not matching camera shots.

David Gregory – in the tank for McCain or what?! “He showed his command of foreign policy” and he lied soooo smoothly.

Another thing is that we know McCain’s record, we know how he votes, we know what he has said.The problem is that the average American does not. And their perception is different than our’s and they are going to see McCain as decisive and strong.It’s going to be up to the MSM to paint the picture for the low-info voters.

I cannot bring myself to watch the pundits go all a twitter over this debate. Im gonna watch the Food Network…

“Oh, BTW did anyone else notice that our hosts website is WAY in need of some coke?”Maybe ecstasy????????????I posted a few times, they appeared as posted on my end, then things froze, I had to reboot and all messages are gone????????????It was a “someone left the cake out in the rain” moment.

someone needs to sit Obama down and politely inform him that calling someone out is different than smearing them, is different than swift-boating them. and he absolutely has to learn to talk over someone.uh-oh, Buchanan’s still alive.

Cowoboy, they’re going to pain the picture that McCain was strong and aggressive and won the debate.

TDDP (too drunk; didn’t post)

Oh duh, must learn to read ………… Thread #1, #2, #3. Sorry to bitch before being bitten!

I don’t think I got drunk enough Jane..

Bob – You’ve got to fix the technical issues in time for the next debate. Unbelievable frustrating…

I think they gave him a booster- maybe lactated ringers?

That would be “paint” the picture. I’m pretty disappointed about this debate.

It’s these TOOOOBZZ! THey’re clogged!

Oh, Jane

BTW, Andrea Mitchell says she didn’t hear anything about Medicare. Did she fall asleep for that part of the debate, or did Obama just not make his point forcefully enough?QT

I’m very disappointed as well, Mi Amigo.

Im emotionally exhausted

Right – I’m off to get a whole 3 hours sleep. I’m calling it a draw. I’ll see if the pundits agree with me in the morning…’Night all.

I’m agreeing with Pat Buchanan. Someone shoot me in the face.

(just now getting to akamenawho is akamakamendinejad) HA

I’m pretty sure he got in the full three Reagan’s!But how many times did that dill-hole revert to using his stump speech?????????And my lie-o-meter exploded!

It wont be a draw. The expectations were so low for McCain…that anything half way decent is a victory for him.

Yep…this was not a good showing for O. I don’t know how McCain pulled this off, but it’s certainly not good.Another problem is that this gives people another “out” to hide their racism for not voting for O. It’s all about rationalizing the ‘hate’.And, as we know, racism is what is keeping this thing close.

Nite gal.

I did too, Elvis. This whole evening didn’t go the way it should.And Rachel isn’t on until 1 a.m.?? I think I may pass out before then!!

Oh, and just what the fuck was McCain’s answer to dissing Spain????????????

I’m invoking the Bush Doctrine of Liveblog Commenting, in which I preemptively say goodnight in case a) I drop out without warning b) you do and/or c) one of us passes out in place (okay prolly me there)

Was fun, all. I got lost. Hope to do it again Thursday.

I’m back. I took notes. Gonna scan y’als comments, see if any of you are worth yammering at…Wanna say one thing RIGHT NOW.I GOT MY FUCKING WHARGARBLE!!!!Ahmadinnerplate…ahdinogate…WHARGARBLE!!!!I WIN.No “My friends”. I puked anyway.

I like those options Jane.

was “stinking corpse” a drinking word?

Yeah, keep sucking McCain’s dick, Mike Murphy. You need to make up some points with your check-writing base after dropping that bomb on your open mike.

Noticed the thing was horribly divided. McCain lied, red line went up, blue line went down. Obama was too fuckin wordy, blue line went up, red line went down.Green line looked to be favouring McMumblefuck.McCain had some bad moments, but scripted enough good soundbites to run out the clock.Obama wins before a panel of smart people. Oops…should we have thought of that?They never considered the pause. Letting McCain hang himself. There were a few shots at it, but O jumped in too quickly: “Just let me correct the record…”"I think it’s important that we understand the importance, relative to the average working family, of the effect of a policy that, in effect….”JUMPED UP JESUS ON SKIS! SPEAK!!!

The Zapatero thing? I believe he smirked, and then nationalized the paintball industry.

I did not get the evisceration I wanted.No stroke, no spastic jerking about…Colour me disappointed.

NATIONALIZE PAINTBALL! Also, whargarble.

Thanks for hosting us again, Bob. You’re a brave soul.

BORC!!I am out to meet the hubby at the bar. Dear sweet Canadian man, I gave him a time out card for tonight (our first debate). He’ll be weirded out big time next week. See ya tmro (or until the cab comes).

George Will on ABC just gave a slight advantage to Barack Obama. Said it was generally a tie on a night that should have gone for McCain.

Nice cousinavi…”JUMPED UP JESUS ON SKIS!”I was thinking Jesus Tap Dancin’ Christ, but yours is better.

Jane, DEAR, please don’t talk about your whargarble in public. You knows how I loves your whargarble.

Wow.Uniform disappointment throughout the thread.Rejoicing in the McCain camp.Tomorrow, I think, I shall not turn on my computer.

Thank you for that amaraya. Surprised that would come from George Will.

Chris Matthews just said Obama= Nixon. FUKKK YOUUUUUU traitor.

Go, Keith, go. Eat it up. Eat it the fuck up, Keith. Make me feel better. Turgidity, Keith! TURGIDITY!

Alright…I’m off in a flood of shiraz and disappointment. I’m gonna think more positively about next week and a hopeful Palin massacre. Thank again for hosting Bob!

Biden’s gonna be on Countdown this hour.

I just hope some MSM outlet fact checks what McCain said. But, I fear, the damage is already done.

gawd yall, I was drunk and stupid and I thought it went well. Why the long face (ba dum dum)?

Biden is awesome on CNN right now.

Oh…and I’m feeling sorry for the East Coast folks. It’s time to take a little nap, then hit the town.Have a good one folks!

Maybe the whole eye-droop was lowering expectations? (Didn’t he look positively vibrant?)

Nate Silver over on fivethirtyeight.com notes the following, which — if it trends this way poll-wide — is very good news tonight:

Independents in the MediaCurves focus group gave the debate to Obama 61-39. They also think he won every individual segment. Republicans gave the debate to McCain 90-10, Democrats to Obama 93-7.

61-39 to Obama from Independents. Fucking outstanding.

I thought that this was a less than expected showing from our candidate. I’m hoping for a draw, but I don’t see it that way. I was hyped for this debate but I now feel a little disappointed. He threw some strong rights, but few uppercuts and too many jabs. He needs to attack more. He needs to be on the offensive, not defensive.

Here’s a thread of mixed opinion folks (my online home community): http://www.exisle.net/mb/index.php?showtopic=54478&st=0&#entry1148637Offered to give all a chance to hear other pov.QT

Good stuff there Elvis…thanks for that!

I have so many notes here…I covered pages. McCain said some dangerous shit.Comes to mind: “I wouldn’t SAY OUTLOUD that I was going to attack them.”Obama had a good comeback – “Bomb bomb bomb Iran” reference…”Yeah, you know how to not say unreasonable things”.I think the real quote was weak: “Don’t know how credible that is”But the statement hangs: “I wouldn’t say it outloud”…I’d keep it a secret and sneak up on the fuckers!Still. Obama ain’t no trial lawyer. There were some Perry Mason opportunites and he let them all slide by in favour of a well researched brief, properly footnoted and patiently delivered.PUTZ!I wanted Gimpy to suffer a spastic meltdown. Didn’t ANYONE read the fucking SCRIPT???

Completely agreed, Mr. The Cousin Avi. Also, “whargarble.”

I thought Obama did great. McCain surprised me that he didn’t run across the stage and try to tackle Obama at some point but maybe that was me just hoping. Don’t be depressed about this as it was a strong showing from Obama and surprising coherence from McCain to those of us that think his campaign is going off the rails. Online polls are strong for Obama and CBS called it a tie along with expressing surprise that Obama could hold his own. All good.

How hypocritical is it to keep saying that Obama is naive, all the while knowing that your VP choices is a FUCKING IDIOT?!

Oh, by the way. I was watching the debate on “regular” TV from NBC. At the end of the debate, Brian Williams stated that an invitation for Sarah Painlin to respond to the debate but it was declined. I wonder why?

Yeah, let McCain look strong, one time. Tough, even. Then noone can cry poor POW when Obama wipes the floor with him in the future?

@ ElvisTHAT scares me…that the reds and the blues can pick a winner that diametrically opposed. It’s the problem with the whole thing…there just isn’t a single goddamn thing that isn’t yes and no, and split side to side. Nothing in this thing is remotely grey.There’ll be countering poll data tomorrow on independents.This thing teeters.It fucking teeters and we’ll be lucky to live through it.

jane, I’ve been thinking the same thing. what if Obama threw this one because he knows that no one watches the news on weekends and it’ll be forgotten by monday?

@ ElvisAHMADINERGARBLE…IMAJINGARBLE…WHARGARBLE!!!!I love it when a plan comes together.Also (just cuz it bears repeating) called the Spare a Moment For Ted Kennedy play. (buffing fingernails on shirt)

AHMADINERGARBLE…IMAJINGARBLE…WHARGARBLE–tomorrow that will be all I remember.

Ralph “The Spoiler” Nader is on Real Time with Bill Maher right now. He’s turned into Reverend Jim from Taxi.

Alex Castellanos makes a good point (I know he’s hated, and I don’t like him, but he made a good point…)Namely – the smaller the debate, the worse for Obama. That’s a good point – Obama needs to make sure that the conversation doesn’t get dragged too far into small-minded stuff. His vision is all about seeing the big picture, and McCain’s assessment that “Obama doesn’t get it” is the very essence of smallmindedness – Obama has been talking about a broad vision, and McCain is talking about Iraq. There’s something there worthwhile to exploit.QT

League of Democracieswill veto every spending billwill halt spending on everything except defense, entitlements, and veterans affairshas a penand a braceletlies without compunction

39 minutes till foreign policy came up? heckuva job.

I agree with Ceu

When I heard McCain say “Republican Guard” I though it didn’t sound right. Duh, that was Saddam’s elite fighting force.

@cousinaviCongrats on the call predicting McCain’s Kennedy play. Having read your comment before leaving work and listening to McCain say it on my way home I was impressed. Any chance his handlers are hanging with Cesca or can you really predict the future?

Predict the future? Piece of cake.2nd week of October, troubled young Muslim from Newark named Hussein, who has been picked on by Guido’s his whole life, will strike back.McCain will rush suspend his campaign, rush to the scene, and promise America that no one named Hussein will ever fuck over America again.If I get this one right – and I put it at about 70-30 against – you owe me a bottle of Appleton Estates Rum.You, of course, get nothing if I’m wrong. So it goes with us seers. We only play the upside.

I don’t know, guys. Obama did better than I expected. To be honest I was a bit nervous about this debate – not because I don’t trust him on the issue, but because McCain is always painted as such an expert on foreign policy. McCain was totally unimpressive for being such an “expert.”I’m with Bob on this.

Bob – Thats what I keep saying. Gloria is a complete idiot. Im pretty sure she must either be a producers girlfriend, or she too, gives great blowjobs. She doesn’t know jack shit and simply repeats talking points word for word.

Well played cousinavi, well played.

Goodnight, everyone.Thank you, Bob!