Who won the debate?

[RobInKuwait]

You all know who I thought won...what about everyone else?

[SilentBob187]

McCain, Obama just struck me as disrespectful. Don't interrupt someone when they're talking, it's just rude and doesn't make you look better.

[RobInKuwait]

McCain, Obama just struck me as disrespectful. Don't interrupt someone when they're talking, it's just rude and doesn't make you look better.

Agreed. McCain spoke with an air of competence as well.

Edit- I think McCain smoked the economy and clearly won that portion. I think Obama did very well in shifting the Iraq question to Afghanistan, I'll give him that portion. Overall, I think McCain won it because he came across as more competent and less rude as bob said.

[glg]

McCain was vague on to many comments i.e., preconditions...tell me what you mean...what preconditions are you demanding? Overall I think the whole debate was to genericand & unfocused by both. I remebered why I don't usually watch them...just wait for the highlights like in many sports broadcasts.

[Dwight Schrute]

McCain looked more competent and was much more detailed especially on Iran, Russia, Ukraine, etc...

Obama held his own though.

[SilentBob187]

Replace Kirk with Obama and that's what I saw. b unit, where you at? I know you can get it done.

[glg]

Replace Kirk with Obama and that's what I saw. b unit, where you at? I know you can get it done.

So then is McCain a Klingon, Romulan...no wait...a Borg!!

[Fastone]

McCain, Obama just struck me as disrespectful. Don't interrupt someone when they're talking, it's just rude and doesn't make you look better.

I totally disagree as McCain overstepped his summary time in a few instances, In some cases I felt Obama was too respectful imo. Also if someone says something that you totally disagree with do you make an effort at rebuttal or do you just stand there and wait your turn, so to speak. This was a debate not a social function. That being said I think for the most part both candidates said what we've heard all along. They did however, better establish where they have fundamental differences. And so it goes

:bruce3:

And JP, none of that angry liberal stuff

[RobInKuwait]

Tell me why I watch the debate and I see McCain win the economy and Obama win the foreign policy. Then the analysts say exactly the opposite....

[Dwight Schrute]

And JP, none of that angry liberal stuff

What is funny is that McCain, the hot head, looked much more disciplined than Obama. Obama got flustered a couple times but also did gain points by directly attacking him as well.

What Obama did tonight was agree too much with McCain. If you're the "change" candidate, you don't agree...even if you do

[Fastone]

What Obama did tonight was agree too much with McCain. If you're the "change" candidate, you don't agree...even if you do

Holy cow, we agree on something however, didn't McCain steal the change mantle at his convention. Also I must say McCain is trying maybe too hard to distance himself from GWB. It's like waking up with the ugly girl and trying to figure out how to sneak her out of your house after you eat your own arm off to get away.

:bruce3:

[RobInKuwait]

Holy cow, we agree on something however, didn't McCain steal the change mantle at his convention.

:bruce3:

Its one thing to say change, its another thing to actually change something.

[Mo250]

Obama was a media man's dream. Made eye contact with his opponent, seized the initiative at every opportunity, projected aplomb and self-assurance. Very presidential looking. McCain: nervous, fixed smile, staring resolutely at the moderator and refusing to look his opponent in the eye, stumbling too often, timorous even when his points were strongest, e.g. re the Surge. He ignored the big picture of spending, instead argued vehemently against $18B of earmarked 'pork' - chump change compared to a $700B bailout, $1T war, $X T medicare drug program, etc. which he supported. Obama was actually more hawkish on Pakistan! And on the economy, of course, they're both equally pathetic.

[TripDog]

Its one thing to say change, its another thing to actually change something.

There is a lot of truth in that statement.

[grila jujitsu]

mcnasty was sad! he has very little debating skills and misquoted many people. dems:1 - rep:0.

[strategicmove]

For me, there was no clear winner. I would say it was a draw. Mr. McCain did not demonstrate the weakness observers might have expected in terms of the economy, and Mr. Obama showed nice command of foreign policy. McCain was expected to be more aggressive, given his weaker position in the polls before the debate, and he did come out more aggressive, almost always interjecting "What Senator Obama does not understand...." in his responses. On his own, Obama tried to contain McCain's attacks, while acknowledging any valid points McCain made. This aspect has been criticized by some as being too polite or gentlemanly. Others saw it as a necessary quality for a bipartisan or consensus-building approach. The second debate should be interesting, as both sides would be expected to have learnt a thing or two from the first debate.

[Fastone]

For me, there was no clear winner. I would say it was a draw. Mr. McCain did not demonstrate the weakness observers might have expected in terms of the economy, and Mr. Obama showed nice command of foreign policy. McCain was expected to be more aggressive, given his weaker position in the polls before the debate, and he did come out more aggressive, almost always interjecting "What Senator Obama does not understand...." in his responses. On his own, Obama tried to contain McCain's attacks, while acknowledging any valid points McCain made. This aspect has been criticized by some as being too polite or gentlemanly. Others saw it as a necessary quality for a bipartisan or consensus-building approach. The second debate should be interesting, as both sides would be expected to have learnt a thing or two from the first debate.

My name is Fastone and I endorse this statement.

:bruce3:

[AE14]

I would give McCain a slight edge, but very slight. Which I think is a poisitive for both of them. McCain needed to win after a rough week, while Obama really needed to hold his own on foreign affairs which I think he did as well.

No major surprises either way, as I dont think anything changes as a result. I am interested in Thursday as that will really come down to will Biden make a gaffe and will Palin be prepared?

[POWER HOUSE]

Obama Is Ignorant

And Will Destroy Our Country

Democrats Suck

[strategicmove]

Obama Is Ignorant

And Will Destroy Our Country

Democrats Suck

In what sense could these comments be extracted from yesterday's debate, the core subject of this thread? From my point of view, completely zero-value adding!