Thought Obama shaded it. Foreign policy is supposed to be McCains strong suit. Didn't happen and was factually incorrect on a lot of stuff.
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Thought Obama shaded it. Foreign policy is supposed to be McCains strong suit. Didn't happen and was factually incorrect on a lot of stuff.
It was strange to hear Ireland's corperate tax being a point made in a US presidedtial debate. I am not sure the reference would have been welcomed in Dublin.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Watched the debate live last night and picked out a couple of things along some others that I was talking to online about it whilst it was ongoing.(NERDS!) Also was looking at the CNN voter response throughout and I'll include what that was showing for those who missed it
- McCain's strategy was to try and focus the debate on Obama's mistakes, typical answer to what tax cuts he would provide as President was to make reference to a bill Obama supported that caused tax waste (he was lying about a lot of it though). This didn't go down well with independents or Democrats using the CNN approval tracker, and he Republicans weren't overly happy with the points he was making
- On Iraq and Afghanistan Obama absolutely killed McCain. McCain had bracelet stories for Christs' sake, where as Obama set out his plan for a timetabled withdrawl from Iraq to focus on the Taliban once again. Obama pointing out that McCain had said in 2003 that the Afghan campaign would be quick and easy, that McCain had said the Iraqis would greet America with open arms, that McCain had made threatening noises about North Korea and Iran, and that McCain had alluded to not talking to the Spanish PM unless he was onside with America scored the highest ratings of the night across the board, even Republicans thought he was doing very well here. Best quote of the night came from Obama after McCain started talking about the 2007 surge yet again, 'The way you talk sometimes John it's like you think the war started in 2007, it didn't'
- McCain refused to look at Obama throughout the debate, not once was he caught on camera doing so. Myself and the other lot that were posting about were divided as to whether it was a sign of disrespect to Obama (some said he may as well start calling him 'Boy' with the attitude he's showing) or to whether he couldn't look at him as he wasn't given a straight answer. Personally I think it wa sthe latter. McCain always came across as being an honest enough politician before he got this nomination, and I honestly believe the Karl Rove tactics his campaign have employed doesn't sit right with him. He's doing it, but he doesn't like doing it.
Overall the debate strengthened Obama's grip on this election. In the last few weeks the McCain campaign have made blunder after blunder and couldn't capitalise on what was Obama's weakest moment (he had a bad August, let's face it). If Joe Biden does what I think he's gonna do to that idiot Palin next Thursday then the election could be all but sealed. I expect McCain's campaign to really step up the dirty tricks in October though, more of saying Obama's a muslim, probably try and rake something up on Joe Biden and they'll look to use the Rev Wright thing again
Details please. Who made the comment and in what context?Quote:
Originally Posted by SMorgan
McCain mentioned our 11% corporate tax rate as a reason why he was preparing to give US buisnesses tax breaks up to 300 billion dollars. He said they need to lower tax rates for companies so they don't look elsewhere, what he didn't say was that he wasn't lowering the corporate tax to a level that would compete with Ireland, Poland, India, wherever, he was just giving the wealthy a bit of extra pockey moneyQuote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
Yeah, he also went for the 'inexperienced' thing too, by the embarassingly over used use of the words "Senator Obama doesn't understand".Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
Wouldn't say he 'killed' him to be honest, but certainly showed that he could more then hold his own against a McCain that was, at every opportunity, doing as much name dropping as possible to emphasise how long he's been around.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
Did you notice that when the came on to stage, McCains face as they were shaking hands and turning to go to their podiums? I swear, I'm no mind reader, but I gaurantee you McCain was thinking "Yeah, fcuk you Obama". The look of disdain, IMO, was really obvious. :eek: But as you alluded to, his campaign managers have probabaly instilled that in him.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
I agree, it was one of the first nails in McCains coffin. I think it was closer than you, but it was McCain that needed a decisive outcome not Obama. Obama just had to stay the course - and he done that with some to spare I feel. The next debate will probably be entirely centered around the economy and Obama should win that one at a canter. Now, the VP Debate may actually not be as straight forward as it looks. Biden really has to walk a tightrope on this one....lets face it Biden, as he's proved over the last couple of weeks, is MORE than capable of making serious gaffs. He has to make it out that he's not INTENTIONALLY trying to make Palin look dense (and thats going to be VERY hard to do) because if he does she can pickup sympathy support, and more female support as Biden also has to avoid saying something that even sounds remotely condescending as that would be construed as sexist.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
Still expecting some sort of October Surprise, but that might be the pessimist in me. Don't see Wright being raised in any substantive way again - it really has been done to death, people for the most part don't give a **** any more. Was funny actually, CNN got emails complaining about the amount of stories being carried about Palin and how unfair it was. At the end of the segment the anchor said: "Reports about Palin since her unveiling? 26. Stories about Obama and the Rev Wright affair ALONE? 54"...kinda thought fair play to that anchor.
Very poor "debate" overall but they seem to be always like that. Moderator did nothing but I suppose he has to make sure does not favour either candidate.
McCain was the more attack minded & I think overall he probably won but National defence is his strength anyway. The economy will be the most important topic as the campaign progresses & Obama will have plenty of opportunities to attack McCain.
I was interesting to try watch putting myself in Americans shoes as some of those voters look the "America is great" line that McCain added.
It was very poor that neither candidate could name spending plans that he would have to drop due to massive financial system bail out despite probing by the Moderator. You can watch debate on RTE & BBC websites.
Do the VP candidates have debates? Don't think it would matter for votes but might be more entertaining as they would be allowed off the leash a bit more.
Thursday @ 9 (US eastern time)Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Don't see how you thought McCain won though
Missed it, and the repeat, is it on anywhere else this evening?
I don't think I could watch a VP debate without figuring out how to vomit and cry at the same time.
adam
You can watch the whole thing here.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
Thanks si, anywhere on telly though?
Couldn't find anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
Trying to see from US viewpoint bearing in mind they elected Bush. They love the America is great & don't talk to terrorists lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Not sure if Obama would be good for the Irish economy as seems he would closr the tax loopholes of multinationals availing of our low corporation taxes.
Faux News perspective...
Thanks strangeirish, I guess Fox news have their work cut in Pennsylvannia, Ohio and Florida again?Quote:
Originally Posted by strangeirish
Big lead for Obama in latest opinion polls. Economic situation is probably benefiting him & that isn't going away anytime soon.
Quote:
All the national polls favor Obama as follows: Diageo (Obama +6), Gallup (Obama +6), Rasmussen (Obama +6), Research 2000 (Obama +10), and Washington Post (Obama +4). The mean is an Obama lead of 6.4%. A win of 6% in the popular vote will translate into winning all the swing states and an electoral college landslide
No doubt the current economic climate is helping Obama, but I also believe McCains choice of running mate is also helping Obama. The VP debate is Thursday, so it will be interesting to see how Palin handles herself. Biden has to be careful himself, not to come across as too condecending.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
SNL take on Couric Palin interview
"Bono, King of Ireland" :D
In VP debate I lost track of the number of times Palin just ignored the question & read her prepared script. If asked anything about say Health she was always going to read out same answer verbatim. :rolleyes:
Palin is a Dope
http://www.independent.ie/world-news...t-1490736.html
Palin's biggest error yet?
When you are down significantly in the polls that is what VP is used for. Presidential nominee can't say things like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp200...olls-Oct04.jpg
McCain is going on the attack & he will also bring up Obamas pastor again. See Obamas response here
McCain is playing with fire by allowing Palin to run her mouth. He has opened a can of worms for himself and has given Obama a opportunity to attack him about the Keating five.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
They're grasping at straws now, hoping to deflect attention from the economic crisis. It's getting down to the nasty mud-slinging tactics that the Repugs are renowned for.
SNL: Palin v Biden debate
Best line is Palins definition of marriage. :D
Another debate tomorrow. Topics to come from members of the audience in Nashville.
The key difference this year is the ferocity, speed and ruthlessness of the Obama campaign.
I suspect that McCain floated the ayers thing just to see what would happen - what followed was a barrage - he toned it down yesterday and is now using the racially tinged - "who is the real Obama ?"
I fully expect the Dems to respond with the skill and poise they have shown all campaign.
Unless something serious happens or Obama stumbles this is over
Whatever about the other two, his campaign people have always been incredibly quick to react to opponents, invariably very successfully. The speed with which they've been able to roll out responses - particularly professionally edited video responses, both online and in mainstream media - is nothing short of astounding. Minutes and hours where before it was days and even weeks. I've never seen anything like it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus
adam
I see you've been getting the Obama e mails as well.I've been signed up for over a year now and there's always e maiols waiting for me from David Poulffe, Barack or Michelle Obama or now Joe Biden every day. It really is astonishing the grassroots support he has built upQuote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
Agree - what that tells me is that they did world class opposition prep - i.e. they know what is coming, they got smart people to pitch anti Obama stuff and have a canned response to everythingQuote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
pretty impressive
Tonights "debate" seems to have a list of rules so stifling that I heard it likened to simultaneous press conferences.
Where can you sign up for these?Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
And also, can anyone recommend a good website that covers the elections and provides all the latest news, polls, rumours and analysis that I could possibly need? :)
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thischarmingman
CNN ain't a bad news source for the election - though they can be frustrating at times.
Can't remember how I signed up but info@barackobama.com is the address I get mail off so e mail them and they'll probably add you.Quote:
Originally Posted by thischarmingman
As for election info, no one site covers it well enough for me, CNN, Fox, the Guardian, BBC, and Jon Stewart pretty much give me info, and forums here and in English and American sites give me opinion pieces
As for CNN, according to post debate opinion poll, Obama basically wiped the floor with McCain. Double digit percentage felt he won overall. 20+ points better on the economy and the financial crisis. 5 points better on Iraq. McCain won on only one "issue" and that was terrorism. He won the "likability" poll. He won the most "leader-like" poll.
Interesting that the pool of people in Ohio that had the wee button/reaction yokes. The graph suggested that the preferred what Obama had to say, yet when Soledad asked them if you had to choose today the majority said they'd vote for McCain. :confused:
Overall, McCain came across as really, really frustrated, and snipey.
I have attached below the 2 best that I surf regularly:Quote:
Originally Posted by thischarmingman
www.electoral-vote.com
www.fivethirtyeight.com
538 has a slight Dem bias, but is probably the best for content. For a slightly GOP bias go to:
www.electionprojection.com
www.drudgereport.com
I recommend that site. Nice concise daily overview of the issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus
Thank you. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus
Well, the propaganda channel has its own way of putting things in perspective...:D Half!????? Supposedly, there are 20-25 people in this 'focus' group.Quote:
Originally Posted by dancinpants
Half of them? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by strangeirish
Lord have mercy...those hures at Fox are unbelievable :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by strangeirish
Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Well, at least it's not a trend...Oh, wait...Quote:
Originally Posted by dancinpants
:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by strangeirish
I like the old fella in the back who tries to raise his hand for McCain only to have his wife smack it back down :D