Anyone else get nervous watching debates?

blackredyellow

There wasn't much new as far as substance, and each had their highs and lows. I would say that it was a push and depending on your ideology it could go either way. I think that helps McCain right now though.

That said, maybe since Clinton/Dole, I can't remember a debate with two completely different personalities/philosophies.

McCain framed everything in terms of the past, and was very dismissive/condescending toward Obama at times. Obama however, made just about everything in terms of the future, and seemed much more open and cooperative than "Mr. Bipartisan" McCain.

slightofjeff

blackredyellow wrote:

That said, maybe since Clinton/Dole, I can't remember a debate with two completely different personalities/philosophies.

I thought it was a bad sign for McCain that this was the anniversary of the Kennedy-Nixon debate ...

NMyTree

Brain of J.Lo wrote:

Does that 4 yr old have a creepy uncomfortable smile?

No, the four year old doesn't have that creepy " I just butt fucked your poodle against his will and now I'm going to fondle the cat" ....shit eating grin.

MrBrian

Never felt nervous, but did feel kinda sick. As for who won?..Probably Obama, but it's not hard to beat McCain. Obama showed that he is faaaaar from a good candidate. But showed that he was better than McCain. All that matters right?

I think it's very sad that the debate is limited to only the dems and the republicans. having a third party candidate wouldve been great. I'm sure that most dems and republicans on the Train would agree with that. maybe?

But most avg Americans would not, well they have not demanded it in any event so it's probably not a big concern for them, even if it would improve american politics. Americans never having any balance.

That's why it's always falling over, no balance at all. Like a drunk.

anyway, can't wait for the vice debates. That should be a riot.

digster

I've flipped through some networks like PBS and CNN (God knows I'm avoiding Hannity like the plague). It seems like pundits think this is pretty even-handed. I think this probably helps both candidates. A good debate performance probably helps people forget about all the weird stuff coming out of the McCain camp this week, and Obama manages to look relatively strong on what most people considered his weakest topic.

blondieblue227

NMyTree wrote:

No, the four year old doesn't have that creepy " I just butt fucked your poodle against his will and now I'm going to fondle the cat" ....shit eating grin.

Lol
I’m picturing that grin next to the ‘i’m the great decider grin’

slightofjeff

digster wrote:

I've flipped through some networks like PBS and CNN (God knows I'm avoiding Hannity like the plague). It seems like pundits think this is pretty even-handed. I think this probably helps both candidates. A good debate performance probably helps people forget about all the weird stuff coming out of the McCain camp this week, and Obama manages to look relatively strong on what most people considered his weakest topic.

If the undecided voters seem to think Obama came off as credible, then Obama "won" the debate. Or at least won the moment.

Obama is ahead in the polls. He didn't need to knock it out of the park.

If Obama passed the "is he ready?" test in the minds of most people, then he wins the night.

Brain of J.Lo

slightofjeff wrote:

If the undecided voters seem to think Obama came off as credible, then Obama "won" the debate. Or at least won the moment.

Obama is ahead in the polls. He didn't need to knock it out of the park.

If Obama passed the "is he ready?" test in the minds of most people, then he wins the night.

I agree with this.

I think it was more on McCain to have an incredible night...so a tie, in that respect, is kind of a loss.

digster

slightofjeff wrote:

If the undecided voters seem to think Obama came off as credible, then Obama "won" the debate. Or at least won the moment.

Obama is ahead in the polls. He didn't need to knock it out of the park.

If Obama passed the "is he ready?" test in the minds of most people, then he wins the night.

I would agree with that. Since this is a draw, it means that probably people forget about the mess that's been the past few days, and I think that probably benefits McCain more.

I'm surprised that whole mess didn't really come up at all.

Enkidu

Somebody on TV said McCain won on points, but Obama seemed more presidential. They also said McCain seemed too mean and cranky.

Bring on the moose-killer.

Mrs.Vedder78

Enkidu wrote:

Bring on the moose-killer.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

slightofjeff

Brain of J.Lo wrote:

I agree with this.

I think it was more on McCain to have an incredible night...so a tie, in that respect, is kind of a loss.

Tie definitely goes to Obama.

I just don't think we'll know the outcome for a couple of days ...

Enkidu

I think I'm gonna have a party for the VP debate. And provide alcohol.

But - anybody want to take me up on this? It wouldn't surprise me if the VP debate never happens.

slightofjeff

digster wrote:

I would agree with that. Since this is a draw, it means that probably people forget about the mess that's been the past few days, and I think that probably benefits McCain more.

I'm surprised that whole mess didn't really come up at all.

Agreed.

I thought both sides had an opening to try to score points there, and they both just avoided it altogether.

Brain of J.Lo

Enkidu wrote:

But - anybody want to take me up on this? It wouldn't surprise me if the VP debate never happens.

Before the events of the past two days, I would have disagreed. Now I don't know what to expect from these fools, lol.

slightofjeff

Enkidu wrote:

I think I'm gonna have a party for the VP debate. And provide alcohol.

But - anybody want to take me up on this? It wouldn't surprise me if the VP debate never happens.

Is it wrong of me that I kind of think Palin is hot? Not "Cover of the SI swimsuit issue" hot ... but kind of, "Your best friend in high school's mom" hot. ...

Enkidu

I'm female. I think SP's hot in a - I'm really drunk and I want to have sex with somebody right now and never have to see them again - kind of way.

slightofjeff

Enkidu wrote:

I'm female. I think SP's hot in a - I'm really drunk and I want to have sex with somebody right now and never have to see them again - kind of way.

Um .... so ... you want a beer?

slightofjeff

So I'm watching the debate in the living room, while my wife is at the kitchen table, working on thank-you notes from a recent baby shower ...

She is not very politically engaged, has never voted, and doesn't really follow the candidates or anything.

About midway through, after kind of listening to it as background noise, she asks one question about Obama:

"Why does he keep stuttering?"

Me: "I don't know. He kind of sounds like Foghorn Leghorn, though."

Her: "Poor guy. Is this the first debate?"

Me: "Yeah."

Her: "Man, this is going to cost him, huh?"

I just laughed. I don't think it will cost him. Reading a lot of blogs, I don't think most people even noticed. I just thought it was funny my wife's only impression about Obama is that he's a horrible public speaker.

iamica

digster wrote:

Crap crap crap crap crap.

Alcohol is not helping at all.

This made me laugh out loud.
I don't know who won. One thing I couldn't stand was McCain's self-righteous smirk...the exact same one that Bush wears all the time. Plus he kept dodging questions and repeating some of the same crap over and over again. And we could play a drinking game not only with "Obama doesn't seem to understand" but also with "I've been to this country, I've seen this country".
Obama seemed OK, but McCain put him on the defensive a lot by misquoting him and mocking him. Yeesh. I was uncomfortable through the whole thing.