Debate Highlights

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:39:24 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, John McCain, 2008 (all tags)

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The debate transcript is here. What were your favorite parts? I'll add the clips to this thread.

Updates below.

Transcript:

Obama: In North Korea we cut off talks. They are a member of the axis of evil, we can't deal with them. You know what happened? They went, they quadrupled their nuclear capacity, they tested a nuke, they tested missiles, they pulled out of the nonproliferation agreement, and they sent nuclear secrets potentially to countries like Syria. When we reengaged, because again the Bush administration reversed course on this, then we have at least made some progress, although right now because of the problems in North Korea, we are seeing it on shaky ground, and I -- so I just have to make this general point that the Bush administration, some Senator McCain's own advisors all think this is important, and Senator McCain appears resistant.
He even said the other day that he would not meet potentially with the prime minister of Spain because he wasn't sure whether they were aligned with us. I mean, Spain. Spain is a NATO ally. If we can't meet with our friends, I don't know how we are going to lead the world in terms of dealing with critical issues like terrorism.

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Debate Highlights | 21 comments (21 topical)

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Spain?? (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Pegasus on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:45:02 PM EST

That was almost mean. Too funny.

Buchana on the Spain line from (2.00 / 0) (#9)
by oculus on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:21:02 PM EST

Obama: the world economy is tanking, deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan--but Obama is chiding McCain about his Spain gaffe?


: pff (5.00 / 0) (#11)
by Pegasus on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:27:58 PM EST

Yeah, whatever.
Sorry, insulting a NATO ally (even if inadvertent) and then refusing to apologize because you're incapable of admitting a mistake is not a minor gaffe. It deserved one good zinger, at the very least.

: Well (5.00 / 0) (#12)
by Steve M on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:28:21 PM EST

Considering McCain's response was to bring up Obama's presidential seal, I'd say Obama brought a bit more substance to the debate. Maybe it's not the most earthshattering issue either, but it's still extreme when McCain won't commit to meeting with a NATO ally.

Why (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by cannondaddy on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:46:49 PM EST

didn't Obama mention Maliki's desire for our withdrwal from Iraq? He's said it before when talking about Iraq. That had to be a conscience decision.

I know. (none / 0) (#5)
by coigue on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:58:00 PM EST

Obama could have told about his discussions with Maliki, and about who he met in Israel, etc etc.

But he did not. He keeps his experiences to himself. I hope he changes that habit.


It bothered me that he left it out (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by shoephone on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:09:41 PM EST

He had a perfect opening when McCain started touting how he had gone to Iraq and pow-wowed with his boyfriend Petraeus, blah blah blah and then Obama just let it slide.

He should have shot right back:

"Yes, when you were in Iraq, you strolled through a marketplace wearing a bullet-proof vest and with dozens of security personel protecting you. And you had the nerve to proclaim that the surge worked and the streets of Iraq were safe. The very next day, the same marketplace was blown up by a suicide bomber and scores of people died. But when I visited Iraq this summer, I made no such proclamations. Instead, I met with Al-Maliki and other government representatives. We talked about timetables for withdrawal of American troops and guess what? Al-Maliki PUBLICLY agreed with and supported my proposals.

SO, tell me, Senator McCain -- who has more understanding of the situation in Iraq -- you or me? Obviously..."


Oh well.. (none / 0) (#8)
by coigue on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:17:01 PM EST

pretty easy to criticise fro mbehind a computer, I guess.


I know, I know (none / 0) (#14)
by shoephone on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:31:29 PM EST

But it occured to me in realtime... and it just seemed like such a natural segue for Obama to make.


: yeah (none / 0) (#15)
by coigue on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:33:23 PM EST

but he did do some good stuff. the bomb bomb bomb Iraq stuff was good.

Most bizarre comment of the evening (2.00 / 1) (#6)
by BrassTacks on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:08:52 PM EST

Obama said "I never objected to nuclear waste".

McCain managed to be (none / 0) (#3)
by jpete on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:53:25 PM EST

fairly coherent, if drearily repetitive. I was surprised. After the last several weeks, it was hard to know what he'd do.

There was the Kennedy opening line from McCain, which announced K was in the hospital, tho the cnn audience had just been told he had gone home.

: Yeah, I too was surprised at how OK McCain did. (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Don in Seattle on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:23:05 PM EST

I personally had it a draw -- neither candidate said anything too embarrassing.
I'm pleasantly surprised that most of the CNN post-debate poll results clearly favor Obama.

McCain opened very strong, (none / 0) (#4)
by andgarden on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 10:56:13 PM EST

and then his gin wore off.

Jeffrey Toobin said the most memorable stuff (none / 0) (#13)
by Angel on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:31:26 PM EST

of the evening was McCain saying that Obama "doesn't understand" over and over again. And that Obama kept saying "I agree with John."

I really don't understand why (none / 0) (#16)
by oculus on Fri Sep 26, 2008 at 11:50:55 PM EST

Obama keeps saying he agrees w/McCaink even if he does.


I also don't know why he keeps calling him (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by BrassTacks on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:09:43 AM EST

John, especially when McCain always called Barack, Senator Obama. I suppose McCain would have been called a racist if he used Obama's first name, like Obama did. It just felt wrong to me, like McCain was showing respect and Obama wasn't. It's probably cause I'm old. :(


: I confess I didn't even notice (none / 0) (#21)
by vj on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:14:21 AM EST

But I also didn't notice what some commentators pointed out - that supposedly McCain never looked Obama in the eye - never turned toward Obama to speak, whereas Obama turned to speak directly to McCain a few times.

If I recall correction, the phrase was (none / 0) (#17)
by vj on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:06:24 AM EST

"John is right."


: Yup, the ad is already on the air (none / 0) (#19)
by BrassTacks on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:10:42 AM EST

With Obama saying that, over and over. I bet he won't make that mistake again!

: 13 times per Rachel Maddow. (none / 0) (#20)
by Teresa on Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 12:13:09 AM EST