- Tonight's debate is a town hall style debate, Senator McCain's favorite format. A group of voters get to ask their questions directly of the candidates. Obama's first question is about the current economic situation, and not surprisingly, he starts off blaming it on President Bush and Senator McCain. Unsure of who is really at fault? See here.
- Senator McCain replies to the same question with an opening of "Senator Obama, it's good to be with you at a town hall meeting." Clearly a jab at Obama's reluctance to participate in a town hall style debate all summer. Moderator Tom Brokaw asks Senator McCain who he would appoint to replace Treasury Secretary Paulson. McCain replies, "Not you, Tom." Then goes on to mention Obama supporter Warren Buffett and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Obama replies that Warren Buffett would be a good choice, but that there are others out there.
- Drinking game term tonight: middle-class. Obama has already thrown the term out when the question had nothing to do with taxes. Moderator Brokaw reminds the candidates of the debate rules that they both signed off on.
- Senator McCain answers a question about the bailout by referring to it as a "rescue." McCain has referred to Obama's cronyism twice already. McCain points out that Obama is the second largest recipient of support from FannieMae and FreddieMac in history. Obama has a pained smirk on his face. Obama takes the stage and also refers to the bailout as a "rescue package."
- Obama says "this is not the end of the process. This is the beginning of the process." Brokaw asks Obama if he's saying that the American economy is going to get much worse before it gets better. Obama says "No."
- Senator McCain answers the same question by saying, "I think it depends on what we do," then goes on to give some examples of things that we can do to keep the economy from getting worse. He mentions a letter that he and other Senators wrote to Secretary Paulson warning of this crisis, and points out that Senator Obama's name was not on that letter.
- A voter asks Obama how we can trust either candidate when both parties got us into this economic crisis. Obama stalls with some stammers, then says she is right, there's a lot of blame to go around. He then proceeds to say that President Bush came into office with a surplus, and now has a deficit. He points out that Senator McCain voted for four out of five of President Bush's budget plans that created the deficit. Obama goes on to say that he will cut more than he adds to the spending bill, but he fails to detail any of those cuts.
- Senator McCain agrees that the system in Washington is broken. He then explains how he has consistently been a reformer in Washington, mentions his bipartisan record in contrast to Obama's. Suggests we look at records instead of rhetoric (Obama has no record, but lots of rhetoric).
- On entitlements: Senator McCain says that we aren't going to be able to provide present-day workers the same entitlements (Social Security and Medicaid) that we give today's retirees. Clearly not a popular statement, but undeniable honesty! Obama says he would prioritize energy over healthcare and entitlement reform (and throws education into the mix, as well) while Senator McCain said he believes that we can and must focus on all three at once. Obama says we can be free of foreign oil dependence in ten years, comparing it to JFK's plan to go to the moon. Brokaw reminds the candidates again of time limits, saying they are going to have a bigger deficit on time than the country has in the budget.
- Senator McCain recommends a spending freeze across the board, except for defense and some other vital programs. He says that with the participation of all Americans that we can work on energy, healthcare, and entitlement reform all at once. He will not tell that family concerned about healthcare that they have to wait because he's busy working on something more important.
- Obama takes to the stage again referring to President Bush. I, for one, am very annoyed with the Democrats constant references to the Bush administration. Senator McCain differs from President Bush enough that his administration would not be another four years of the Bush administration. Why can't Obama just run against Senator McCain?
- I'd like to comment on the question Obama is currently answering, but he has stalled, stammered, talked long enough, and changed the subject enough times that I don't even remember what the question was.
- McCain: Obama's tax increases will increase taxes on 50% of small business revenue. Those taxes would be passed on to the consumers and employees of small business owners. The general feeling tonight is that Senator McCain doesn't want to increase taxes on anyone while Obama wants to tax the rich.
- Brokaw shuts Obama down on his request to reply to Senator McCain's answer on taxes.
- Obama says, "The Straight Talk Express lost a wheel" on entitlement reform. Says he wants to cut taxes for 95% of American's. Income over $250,000 will see tax increases. $200,000 and lower would see a tax cut. He says only "a small percent" of small business owners make more than $250,000 per year, so they would see a tax cut. In talking about money, he can't seem to keep his thousands, millions, and billions straight.
- Senator McCain: "We'll get our economy going again, and our best days are ahead of us."
- Senator McCain: The best way to fix the negative effects on the economy is nuclear power. Obama calls "green jobs" one of the biggest challenges of our times. He goes on to compare green energy initiatives with the computer. What?
- Brokaw again points out the time limits, mentioning the lights that indicate time is up. Senator McCain tell him to wave his arm and he'll be watching for that to know when to stop.
- After Obama mentioned our lack of enough oil to make an impact by drilling at home, Senator McCain points out that foreign oil is a national security issue, as well as an energy issue.
- Obama on healthcare again refers to the Bush administration. Obama will invest in prevention, computerized records, etc., to reduce health care costs to our employers (which he says will reduce our costs and improve our coverage). He also says that he if you don't have insurance, you can buy the same type of coverage they have in the Senate.
- Senator McCain calls for online health records to reduce errors. He calls for walk-in health care centers. He points out that Obama keeps using the term "government" and that he will impose mandates. He points out that if you're a parent struggling to get healthcare coverage for your children, Obama's plan will fine you for not having coverage. Pay the coverage or pay the fine.
- Is healthcare in America a privelege, a right, or a responsiblity? Senator McCain: a responsibility. Obama: I think it should be a right for every American. Obama says "it's true that you are going to have to make sure that your children has healthcare." Having been challenged by Senator McCain to tell us how much of a fine we would have to pay for not providing healthcare to our children, Obama avoiding addressing the topic. Senator McCain jumps in before the next question to ask if we heard the size of Obama's healthcare fine.
- Senator McCain: "America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world," in response to how America can be a peacemaker in the world. "Senator Obama was wrong about Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia. ... We don't have time for on the job training."
- Obama says we made a bad judgement going into Iraq when we hadn't finished the job shutting down bin Laden and al Qaeda. He talks like he knows where bin Laden is and we should do something about it. Get more troops in Afghanistan, eliminate drug trafficking, change our policies with Pakistan.
- Obama says that if Pakistan is unable or unwilling to hunt down bin Laden and take him out, then we should. He points out that Senator McCain is the one who sang, "Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran."
- Obama: Make the Iraqi government take more responsibility, withdraw our troops in a responsibile way. Our military leader sin Afghanistan are desperate for more help.
- McCain: We have to double the size of the Afghan Army, have a streamlined NATO, work much more closely with Pakistan. We will bring our troops home with honor and victory, and not in defeat.
- McCain: I don't think we're going to have another cold war. ... Long ago I warned about Putin. I looked into his eyes and saw three letters: K G B. Ukraine right now is in the sights of Putin. We've got to show moral support for Georgia and Ukraine, advocate for their membership in NATO. Make Russia understand that there are consequences for this type of behavior.
- Obama comes to stage after strong response from Senator McCain and says: We can't just provide moral support. We've also got to provide them with financial support and concrete assistance to help them build their economies. He then goes on to blah blah blah his way through another non-answer. "Energy is going to be key to dealing with Russia."
- [At this point, I got more invovled with the LiveBlog at Hoosier Access and was unable to keep up with my notes about the debate.]
What I saw on stage tonight was an experienced patriot who is prepared to lead this country and to lead the free world into the next decade, and a rock star wannabe who worked from a script and could only answer the questions if he had the answers prepared in advance.
What do you think? Your comments?
Joe
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