Debates!

[swimmer]

The first one is coming up, are you excited? What topics do you want to see addressed?
Can we maybe come up with good questions in non-pointed format?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I''m really, really excited! I think the first one is about foreign policy? I can''t remember, it might be domestic policy. But I am 99% sure the second one is the economy. If it''s foreign policy I''d like to see our relations with Asia addressed because it''s a very important issue that I believe the Bush admin fell down on in some respects. If it''s domestic policy, I want to hear about taxes and health-care.

 

[luckystar112]

I''m excited to see which Obama shows up to the debates!

But really, I have so much confidence in McCain for this. This is where he is going to really shine. As long as people aren''t distracted by the shiny thing on the other side that is Barrack Obama (DF and I were discussing the Kennedy/Nixon debates a while back).

Obama is just going to make me laugh with all of his weak blinking.


hahahahahaaa...weak blinking
seriously, still laughing over that

 

[miraclesrule]

I wonder if Sarah Palin will blink at all.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 9/23/2008 2:56:09 AM
Author: miraclesrule
I wonder if Sarah Palin will blink at all.

LOL! Miracles, I was wondering the same thing!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 9/23/2008 2:56:09 AM
Author: miraclesrule
I wonder if Sarah Palin will blink at all.

I doubt it.

 

[ladypirate]

I hope that it goes well--Obama has a tendency to be too cerebral sometimes and I think that that can turn people off. He''s gotten better over time, though. I''m really interested to hear what the candidates have to say.

 

[MoonWater]

Is there any reason why this needs to be postponed? Why can''t they work together on it AND do the debate? http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE2JCSH5p9r2GBkQWS9TWAMzmuvQD93DA08O0

 

[Anna0499]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:51:20 PM
Author: MoonWater
Is there any reason why this needs to be postponed? Why can''t they work together on it AND do the debate? http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE2JCSH5p9r2GBkQWS9TWAMzmuvQD93DA08O0

I think it''s because the nation is in a financial crisis with no clearcut plan. The candidates are still Senators, and should work together to help formulate a plan. Whether this requires a debate delay, I don''t know...

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:57:15 PM
Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 9/24/2008 4:51:20 PM
Author: MoonWater
Is there any reason why this needs to be postponed? Why can''t they work together on it AND do the debate? http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE2JCSH5p9r2GBkQWS9TWAMzmuvQD93DA08O0

I think it''s because the nation is in a financial crisis with no clearcut plan. The candidates are still Senators, and should work together to help formulate a plan. Whether this requires a debate delay, I don''t know...

I understand this, I''m asking why would it require a debate delay? Don''t they know how to multitask?

 

[Anna0499]

I''m not sure...I think they''d have to be in Washington with the other politicians to get anything done whereas the debates are in Mississippi. It''s in their best interest to take part in coming up with a plan because they will inherit the problem; it looks like the debate is still on, though.

 

[luckystar112]

McCain''s full statement:

Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me. I am calling on the President to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem. We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night’s debate until we have taken action to address this crisis. I am confident that before the markets open on Monday we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people. All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so. Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.

He also cancelled his appearance on Letterman tonight.
I''m interested in seeing Obama''s response.
I believe that McCain believes that this is a crisis that needs both parties to solve immediately.
I also think calling out Obama was a genius move on his part, campaign-wise.

 

[goobear78]

Whatever happened to multitasking? Seriously, I want a president who can debate and solve financial problems at the same time.

 

[ams0124]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:24:16 PM
Author: luckystar112
McCain''s full statement:

Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me. I am calling on the President to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem. We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night’s debate until we have taken action to address this crisis. I am confident that before the markets open on Monday we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people. All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so. Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.

He also cancelled his appearance on Letterman tonight.

I''m interested in seeing Obama''s response.
I believe that McCain believes that this is a crisis that needs both parties to solve immediately.
I also think calling out Obama was a genius move on his part, campaign-wise.

Obama''s Response

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26872907

"Obama rejects McCains call to delay Debate"

 

[Anna0499]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:28:08 PM
Author: goobear78
Whatever happened to multitasking? Seriously, I want a president who can debate and solve financial problems at the same time.

This is a little bit more than multi-tasking! When the most brilliant financial minds in the world can't come up with a solution to solve the financial crisis what hope would Senators in Mississippi have? It would be in their best interests to take part in a plan to try and solve the huge catastrophe, as they will be the ones cleaning it up for years to come. Delaying the debate a few days wouldn't hurt anyone and they could actually come up with some sort of cohesive plan. Doesn't look like Obama agrees though.

 

[Krissie]

Obama initiated the joint statement approach with McCain this morning at 8.30 am. McCain responded at 2.30 and then announced he was suspending his campaign. He''s apparently making campaign stops between now and Friday, though.

Senate Maj. Leader Reid made a statement that Obama and McCain should not come back to Washington. Neither Senator can do anything this week, anyhow - they''re not on the relevant Senate Banking Committee.

Late last week McCain assured voters at a campaign stop that the fundamentals of the economy were strong. Now the sky is falling. Of course, his popularity has also been falling in the past week and many blame it on the current economic crisis. I guess he thinks it''s time to get serious about the economy, I don''t know.

I agree with Moon Water - I want a president who can multitask. I want a president that can meet with world leaders, engage in fierce policy debates, and late at night, answer a phone call and make tricky judgments. When you''re president, your agenda doesn''t stop because you face a crisis in one sector of your authority.

Americans want a change and we want transparency. What better time to debate the economy than in a public forum in the midst of the crisis? I want to know what both candidates propose.

 

[luckystar112]

Edit: Due to a mistake in quote...

 

[Inanna]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:56:34 PM
Author: Krissie
Obama initiated the joint statement approach with McCain this morning at 8.30 am. McCain responded at 2.30 and then announced he was suspending his campaign. He''s apparently making campaign stops between now and Friday, though.


Senate Maj. Leader Reid made a statement that Obama and McCain should not come back to Washington. Neither Senator can do anything this week, anyhow - they''re not on the relevant Senate Banking Committee.


Late last week McCain assured voters at a campaign stop that the fundamentals of the economy were strong. Now the sky is falling. Of course, his popularity has also been falling in the past week and many blame it on the current economic crisis. I guess he thinks it''s time to get serious about the economy, I don''t know.


I agree with Moon Water - I want a president who can multitask. I want a president that can meet with world leaders, engage in fierce policy debates, and late at night, answer a phone call and make tricky judgments. When you''re president, your agenda doesn''t stop because you face a crisis in one sector of your authority.


Americans want a change and we want transparency. What better time to debate the economy than in a public forum in the midst of the crisis? I want to know what both candidates propose.

I wholeheartedly agree!!!

From my understanding the first debate was to address foreign policy. A discussion of the economy would be much more appropriate considering the timing. Has anyone heard any reports of topic changes?

 

[Anna0499]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:56:34 PM
Author: Krissie

Americans want a change and we want transparency. What better time to debate the economy than in a public forum in the midst of the crisis? I want to know what both candidates propose.

What better time to show you aren't all talk and no action?

ETA: You know there is a desperate need to get *some* sort of plan going when Jack Welch predicts the worst first quarter in a very long time and is warning companies to completely restructure their economic plans.

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:21:55 PM
Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 9/24/2008 5:56:34 PM
Author: Krissie

Americans want a change and we want transparency. What better time to debate the economy than in a public forum in the midst of the crisis? I want to know what both candidates propose.

What better time to show you aren''t all talk and no action?

ETA: You know there is a desperate need to get *some* sort of plan going when Jack Welch predicts the worst first quarter in a very long time and is warning companies to completely restructure their economic plans.

But Indy, talking about how you''d change the economy is so much easier than actually doing it.

 

[E B]

I can't say I'm surprised.

“This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” Obama told reporters in Clearwater, Fla.

Absolutely, Senator.

 

[Krissie]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:38:45 PM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 9/24/2008 6:21:55 PM
Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 9/24/2008 5:56:34 PM
Author: Krissie

Americans want a change and we want transparency. What better time to debate the economy than in a public forum in the midst of the crisis? I want to know what both candidates propose.

What better time to show you aren''t all talk and no action?

ETA: You know there is a desperate need to get *some* sort of plan going when Jack Welch predicts the worst first quarter in a very long time and is warning companies to completely restructure their economic plans.

But Indy, talking about how you''d change the economy is so much easier than actually doing it.

But there is literally nothing for him to do in the Senate regarding the economic crisis between now and Friday.

Anyway, Obama and McCain haven''t exactly been star pupils in terms of attendance (although - and I need verification on this - I have heard that McCain has been absent more than any other Senator this term.)

The reality is that right now, Obama and McCain really can''t do anything about the crisis. I sure want to know what their plans are when one of them takes over in less than 60 days, though ...

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:40:35 PM
Author: EBree
I can''t say I''m surprised.

“This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” Obama told reporters in Clearwater, Fla.

Absolutely, Senator.

See, to me, this is exactly the time where Obama needs to put his money where his mouth is and actually PROVE he can deal with this mess. Not sit back in the sidelines. It''s almost like he''s saying, "Sorry...not my responsibility". Sorry, Senator, but it is your responsibilty. Running a campaign isn''t exactly a hall pass to skip what is affecting America right NOW.

 

[E B]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:46:23 PM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 9/24/2008 6:40:35 PM

Author: EBree

I can't say I'm surprised.


“This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” Obama told reporters in Clearwater, Fla.


Absolutely, Senator.

See, to me, this is exactly the time where Obama needs to put his money where his mouth is and actually PROVE he can deal with this mess. Not sit back in the sidelines. It's almost like he's saying, 'Sorry...not my responsibility'. Sorry, Senator, but it is your responsibilty. Running a campaign isn't exactly a hall pass to skip what is affecting America right NOW.

Granted, I'm just reading about this, but the article states:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., meanwhile, said McCain’s and Obama’s presence during congressional negotiations over a rescue package would “not be helpful at this time,” saying they would be a distraction.

“We need leadership, not a campaign photo op,” Reid said. “If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now.”

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:45:09 PM
Author: Krissie


Anyway, Obama and McCain haven''t exactly been star pupils in terms of attendance (although - and I need verification on this - I have heard that McCain has been absent more than any other Senator this term.)

That is true, but McCain has been a Senator for 22 years. I''d be interested in seeing his attendance percentage for the whole thing. Obama been a senator for four years, and has missed 45% of Senate votes, and voted "present" on many others.

 

[E B]

McCain Camp To Propose Postponing VP Debate

[/i](CNN) — McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there's no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.

In this scenario, the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin would be rescheduled for a date yet to be determined, and take place in Oxford, Mississippi, currently slated to be the site of the first presidential faceoff this Friday.[/i]

Source: CNN Political Ticker

 

[Krissie]

Date: 9/24/2008 7:06:46 PM
Author: EBree
McCain Camp To Propose Postponing VP Debate

[/i](CNN) — McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there''s no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.

In this scenario, the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin would be rescheduled for a date yet to be determined, and take place in Oxford, Mississippi, currently slated to be the site of the first presidential faceoff this Friday.[/i]

Source: CNN Political Ticker

UGH.

How about the VP''s debate on Friday instead? I''m sure Biden feels adequately prepared.

 

[Inanna]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:55:01 PM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 9/24/2008 6:45:09 PM

Author: Krissie



Anyway, Obama and McCain haven''t exactly been star pupils in terms of attendance (although - and I need verification on this - I have heard that McCain has been absent more than any other Senator this term.)

That is true, but McCain has been a Senator for 22 years. I''d be interested in seeing his attendance percentage for the whole thing. Obama been a senator for four years, and has missed 45% of Senate votes, and voted ''present'' on many others.

I agree that neither of them have been star pupils, but McCain has the worst attendance record of the 110th Congress (absent for 63% of votes). Before McCain started running for president, in the 109th Congress, he had the 5th worst attendance record, missing approx. 9% of votes. Obama missed 1.7% of votes in the 109th Congress.

I''ll have to do some more digging on the rest of McCain''s record.

Personally, I''ll still offended that McCain didn''t show up for the GI Bill vote (which he opposed anyway, feeling it was "too generous"). Obama and Hillary showed up. McCain was busy doing the Ellen show and a fundraiser in California that day.

McCain''s proposal to suspend campaign and postpone debates=DESPERATE POLITICAL PLOY/PHOTO OP (in my humble opinion, of course

)


http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/senate/22925/mccains-attendance-record/

 

[E B]

Date: 9/24/2008 7:10:00 PM
Author: Krissie

UGH.

How about the VP's debate on Friday instead? I'm sure Biden feels adequately prepared.

I, for one, am shocked. Shocked, I tell you!

This postponement reeks of desperation. Perhaps Gov. Palin isn't retaining information as well as they'd hoped?

 

[Krissie]

Date: 9/24/2008 7:14:50 PM
Author: EBree

Date: 9/24/2008 7:10:00 PM
Author: Krissie

UGH.

How about the VP''s debate on Friday instead? I''m sure Biden feels adequately prepared.

I, for one, am shocked. Shocked, I tell you!

This postponement reeks of desperation. Perhaps Gov. Palin isn''t retaining information as well as they''d hoped?

Did you ever have a time in school where you realized the night before you weren''t ready for the final exam? And then the forecast predicted snow, and you stayed up all night HOPING there was some way you wouldn''t have to go to school the next day? It happened to me in high school.