Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

Meanwhile over at truth Social, the former president is busy confessing to crimes.

We still have time to mess this up!

Their freedom requires your slavery.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

Not all heroes wear capes.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

You cannot shame the shameless.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

You are here: Home / Past Elections / Election 2008 / McCain/Obama Debate Open Thread

McCain/Obama Debate Open Thread

by | 221 Comments

This post is in: 

Possible live-blogging unless McCain pisses me off so much I have to turn off the tv and play Civ IV or read.

9:04 pm – First question was not about Ayers. But I thought that was the most pressing issue ever?

9:07 pm – McCain should know something about home values. He has seven of them.

9:08 pm- McCain is going to buy every mortgage in the country. Daniel Larison and the folks at Reason just shat themselves.

9:13 pm- They are both full of shit. This economy is in a deepening recession, and the economy is going to get much worse.

9:25 pm- This is boring as hell. Someone in the McCain campaign must have told him that “energy independence” polls well because he has mentioned it a number of times when he has no plan whatsoever.

9:30 pm- Apparently McCain can do two things at once. This will come as a surprise to everyone who watched as he “suspended” his campaign last week to go in and grandstand at the bailout negotiations.

9:35 pm- ZOMG Obama said “high on the hog!” Clearly he is talking about Sarah Palin. /wingnut

9:55pm- Hair plants, wtf? Was that a dig at Biden? Weird and creepy.

9:57 pm- I think Obama may have scored major points with the mother story.

Reader Interactions

221Comments

  2. 2.

    Frank Sobotka

    McCain: The $10 trillion debt is the fault of earmarks and reckless spending, not Bush.

  4. 4.

    Товарищ НеинтереснаяСобака

    "We’ve got to have a package of reforms, and it has to lead to peace in the world."

    Miss America Presidential nominee John McCain, answering a question about what we need to do to get the economy back on track.

    Did I hear him wrong? Did he really say that?

  5. 5.

    Delia

    He’s going to appoint Meg Whitman secretary of the Treasury? He’s going to buy up everybody’s mortgage?

  6. 6.

    Michael Demmons

    I don’t want to make fun of any war injuries that McCain may have suffered that prevent him from moving his arms properly, but Damn. every time he moves, he reminds me of Bender.

  10. 10.

    Perry Como

    Everybody in section A now knows what McCain had for lunch.

    Spit and vinegar? GET OFF HIS LAWN!

    McCain/Palin ’08: No pander too small, no hate too big!

  11. 11.

    Frank Sobotka

    Ho-ly shit, McCain just dumped Fannie and Freddie into Obama’s lap.

    Obama needs to knock this out of the park. McCain’s in a fragile glass house.

  12. 12.

    Stuck in the Fun House

    McCain is going to buy every mortgage in the country. Daniel Larison and the folks at Reason just shat themselves

    I don’t know who came up with that idea. Probably some idiototic blog commenter. :)

  13. 13.

    TR

    Did McCain really just open the Freddie and Fannie can of worms? Does he not read about his own staff?

  15. 15.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    Thanks be to the gods that John McCain "suspended" his campaign. Oh noes the FM’s! Now we know the credit markets seized up because those darn liberals!

    "I gotta correct a little bit of Senator McCain’s history."

    Snap!

  16. 16.

    Throwin Stones

    McCain: Cut taxes for everyone and buy all the bad mortgage debt while reassessing all properties.
    FAIL

  17. 17.

    Fwiffo

    So, I decided I’m going to spare myself the pain of watching the debate. Instead, I’m watching the X-Files on DVD. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t remember the show sucking this badly when I was a fan years ago…

  19. 19.

    Товарищ НеинтереснаяСобака

    Wow, Obama’s come right out and been a total asshole. ("I have to correct some of McCain’s history, not surprisingly.") Their strategy really is to get under McCain’s skin. I hope it works…

  20. 20.

    TCG

    Fannie and Freddie did everything, whoever they are.

    John McCain will pursue Fannie and Freddie to the Gates of Hell, my friends, and make them, whoever they are, pay.

  23. 23.

    p.a.

    Sorry to go off-topic a bit, but has anyone heard from President Cheney during this crisis? Hell, Shrub is down to 25%; no need for Dick to hide anymore, his presence can’t do much damage to ‘the brand’.

  24. 24.

    TR

    Obama answers the question, pivots to smack down McCain’s bullshit, and then returns to re-answer the question.

    Suck it, McCain!

  27. 27.

    SamFromUtah

    I don’t know who came up with that idea. Probably some idiototic blog commenter. :)

    That’s how he decided on a VP, after all.

  28. 28.

    raff

    Obama: "…but you aren’t interested in politicians pointing fingers…"

    Oh, snap! Obama is landing a lot of solid blows, but McCain’s playing it cool for now. He’s landing low-key blows, but not really connecting on a ‘Main Street’ level.

  31. 31.

    Laura W

    OMIGOD John used my post photo (that I stole from someone else here)!!! I thought I’d get exiled. Instead, I apparently rock!

    Thanks, Cain, for the relocation notice. You are my NBF.

    My friends, rhetoric, my friends, stump speech, my friends, nap time, my friends, Bear DNA, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  33. 33.

    tripletee (formerly tBone)

    I wasn’t going to drink during this debate, but it appears McCain is going to leave me no choice. Fannie & Freddie were the match? Jesus wept.

  34. 34.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    You gotta wonder if McCain knows he’s bullshitting or if he’s in the early stages of dementia and has no idea.

  35. 35.

    Seanly

    McCain’s gonna buy my mortgage? Sweeeeet! I’m making my payments, but I could use with cutting the principal in half.

    For the life of me, I can’t see any downside to the federal government buying up lots of bad loans and then giving the previous owner a loan for half of what the feds just paid.

  36. 36.

    plus C

    Perry Como:

    Everybody in section A now knows what McCain had for lunch.

    Spit and vinegar? GET OFF HIS LAWN!

    McCain/Palin ‘08: No pander too small, no hate too big!

    No, because that’s what you thought he would have. A real maverick keeps you on your toes and has oyster shooters for lunch.

  37. 37.

    cyntax

    HAHAHAHA! We’re the best importers! No one can touch our trade deficits!

    And now that the dollar is tanking, we’re good at exporting.

    Does anyone buy this crap McCain is slinging?

  39. 39.

    Pooh

    Actually a decent answer from McCain on the followup on the bailout. Though he had to take a shot as part of the close. So far, CNN dials have had much higher peaks for Obama than McCain though both have tended to stay above par.

  40. 40.

    Brian J

    Fannie and Freddie did everything, whoever they are.

    John McCain will pursue Fannie and Freddie to the Gates of Hell, my friends, and make them, whoever they are, pay.

    Either he’s a really, really bad liar, or very ignorant.

  42. 42.

    Bootlegger

    Obama grants the woman that both parties are responsible and tells her they have to do better. That, is straight talk.

  44. 44.

    LiberalTarian

    Huh. If McCain’s going to buy all the mortgages, do you think he’ll throw in the student loans as a garnish? Man, I could really use the gubmit buying up my student loan.

  46. 46.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    McCain: Cut taxes for everyone and buy all the bad mortgage debt while reassessing all properties.

    Yeah, that will keep government small. NOT!

  48. 48.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Database error: Deadlock found when trying to get lock; try restarting transaction
    SQL: INSERT IGNORE INTO wp_firestats_urls(url,md5,add_time,search_engine_id,search_terms ,host) VALUES (‘https://balloon-juice.com/?p=11906’,MD5(url),NOW(),NULL ,NULL ,substring_index(substring_index(url,’/’,3),’/’,-1))

    It ain’t WordPress Error but it made me feel nostalgic anyway.

  49. 49.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    What happened to the brand new super-colossal audience response meter thingy that MSNBC had?

    Of course, trying to figure out audience response on CNN—confuses me.

  50. 50.

    Comrade Jake

    Obama simply looks much more comfortable up there than McCain. McCain looks like a candidate in the death throes.

    EARMARKS, BITCHES!

  51. 51.

    cyntax

    Ohhh Senator Obama hasn’t taken on the leaders of his party—his frickin party hasn’t been in charge for the last 8 years!

    +1

  53. 53.

    raff

    Hmm, McCain still doesn’t seem to be able to look Obama in the eye… he’s looking in Obama’s driection, but more past him to a point over Obama’s left shoulder.

  54. 54.

    handy

    Senator Obama has voted for…is proposing.

    Ahh, nice little catch there, McCain.

    And what the hell is this "$3 million for a projector in Illinois" from the guy who wants to buy all mortgages and perpetual war. What a piece of work.

  55. 55.

    Lesley Hirsch

    McCain: I’ve taken on the big money people. You bet he has. He took on Keating – so did his wife, kids, and babysitter on a junket to the Bahamas! All he had to do was in exchange for his opposition to regulations that would have prevented the Lincoln Savings and Loan debacle! Wow, that’s a reformer. Not.

  56. 56.

    gyma

    We got out of the market 2 weeks ago. Had we stayed in, we would have lost an additional $19K. We are close to retirement and I’m not hearing anyone address the millions of others like me.

  59. 59.

    Brian J

    So McCain can be trusted to fix what got us into the financial crisis because he worked with Joe Lieberman on global warming?

  63. 63.

    dslak

    "Some of this $700 billion goes to terrorist organizations." Where the hell did that come from?

  64. 64.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    Jesus! This fucking debate is killing me and having "Mumbles" Brokaw as moderator just puts the suck factor off the dial.

    Time to start chasing the tequila with some Belgian Abbey-style Ale.

  65. 65.

    Dismayed Liberal

    Honestly, I think Cheney just conceives of the economy in terms of barrels of oil and tonnes of steel, like a mid-20th century warrior. All this paper shit, he thinks that is irrelevant. I don’t think he would have much to say about this even if he was popular enough to stick his head out.

  66. 66.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Not watching. Is McCain still not looking at Obama in this debate?

    Yes, Obama is debating the other side of McCain’s head this evening.

  67. 67.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    Well, CNN’s Ohio Uncommitteds seem to be responding to Obama much more than McCain now that they’ve woken up. This is a good sign.

    They flatlined throughout most of one of McCain’s questions that I saw. They even appeared to go slightly in the negative direction.

  68. 68.

    Seanly

    Wow, nice of Tom Brokaw to invite Obama to a McCain campaign event.

    Why the fuck is McCain getting 80% of the talking time? His rancid answers & lies are pissing me off.

  69. 69.

    Radon Chong

    I’m starting to think that this Obama win is going to be historic. Why oh why can’t Tina Fey instead be a man who looks just like John McCain?

  70. 70.

    Dork

    McCane’s suit looks 5 sizes too small. Maybe he’ll go all Incredible Hulk on the crowd, turn green, and rip out that Armani.

  71. 71.

    plus C

    Ahhhhhh they took a question from Chicago bias bias bias

    Damn it, O-bomb, don’t bring up 9-11, Giuliani will come running through the door.

  73. 73.

    dslak

    McCain just attacked Obama for purchasing an overhead projector. He must not realize that fancy things like overhead projectors are considered essentials in many offices.

  74. 74.

    Perry Como

    Whoa, Obama brought up 9/11 first? What is this, fucking bizarro day?

    -edit

    Someone see if Obama has a goatee. It may be evil Obama.

  75. 75.

    Brian J

    And what the hell is this "$3 million for a projector in Illinois" from the guy who wants to buy all mortgages and perpetual war. What a piece of work.

    That’s the understatement of the century.

  76. 76.

    TR

    Obama is talking directly and specifically to the room and the viewers at home, while McCain is desperately trying to win back the affections of Joe Klein with smart-assery and inside baseball.

  80. 80.

    Lesley in NY

    McCain: I’ve taken on the big money people.

    Haha. You bet he has. He took on Keating – so did his wife, kids, and babysitter on a junket to the Bahamas! All he had to do was in exchange for his opposition to regulations that would have prevented the Lincoln Savings and Loan debacle!

    Wow, that’s a reformer. Not.

  82. 82.

    Comrade Nikolita

    I can’t remember the topic of the segment last night, but on CNN there was a story and behind the reporter was a woman with a "Failin’ Palin" sign. Good for a few lolz.

    And FUCK OFF McCAIN, he’s not going to raise taxes. It’s been debunked (although I wish the media would cover that) by anyone with a computer. STFU.

  83. 83.

    JL

    I really like the fact that Obama spoke about the fact that Bush’s response after 9/11 was to go out and shop. I remember my mom’s stories about WWII and the depression about the Americans working together for the good of the country. Bush missed a chance to develop energy independence.

  88. 88.

    TR

    Obama said "high on the hog." I can’t wait to hear if that’s sexist or anti-Semitic or what.

  90. 90.

    ThymeZone

    That’s the understatement of the century.

    And of all recorded time.

    McCain is just being fucking ridiculous.

    Obama looks like he is having a hard time not laughing out loud at this crazy motherfucker.

  92. 92.

    Laura W

    Listen to McCain breathe in between words.
    I really think this man is gonna stroke out on stage.
    No joke.

  94. 94.

    Brian J

    "Some of this $700 billion goes to terrorist organizations." Where the hell did that come from?

    Some of that money is tied to Wall Street firms. Many of those firms support Obama. Obama is a terrorist. Therfore, some of that money goes to terrorist organizations.

    Get it?

  97. 97.

    plus C

    Hoover was the last president to raise taxes during an economic downturn? Was McCain in a coma during the Bush I administration?

  98. 98.

    Comrade Nikolita

    …Ok I can’t edit my post now. WP Ajax doesn’t like me. :(

    I wish McCain would STFU about Obama raising taxes. It’s been debunked by anyone with a computer.

  100. 100.

    Stuck in the Fun House

    "Some of this $700 billion goes to terrorist organizations." Where the hell did that come from?

    Yea, I heard that too, I guess he’s saying the Paulson/Bush plan is to buy up OBL’s cave loan and renegotiate for smaller terror attacks. Of course we’d need an updated address. Brilliant strategy Magoo!!

  101. 101.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    It’s a terrible observation on my gender, but, McCain mentions giving back $7k to families and men are flatlined while women are 3/4’s up on the dial.

  104. 104.

    TR

    A ticking time bomb that will eat us up! And it has bees in its mouth, and when it barks, it barks bees at us!

  105. 105.

    Punchy

    Obizzle not answering this Q…..he’s angry chair at Pale Skin Cracker.

    Time for O to flash some gang signs and use "bitches" to end every other sentence.

  111. 111.

    Perry Como

    My friends, maverick, energy independence, pit bull with lip stick, Obama is a terrorist. Good night.

  112. 112.

    Pooh

    McCain: "We know what we need to do on social security" Doesn’t say what we need to do. Thanks for clearing that up, chief.

  113. 113.

    kommrade jakevich

    As I said in the last thread:

    Maverick McMaggot speaks, Obama listens attentively. Obama speaks, McMaggot reads his notes, shuffles around, shakes his big puffball mushroom head.

    Christ.

    Say what you like about Obama, the man has class and it’s reflected in everything he does. I’d like to have him in the White House if only to know we finally have a president who won’t give the Chancellor of Germany a neck rub or call his wife a c^nt.

    Conversely, I hereby declare the idea that John McPOW is or ever was a man of honor, complete and total boiled bullshit. Please give that meme a decent burial in the nearest toilet.

    The guy is just another 24k motherfucker from the GOP.

  116. 116.

    Nicole

    I love how Brokaw tried to shut down Obama correcting McCain’s BS about the small business tax thing. By "love" I mean, "totally hate and want to punch him in his weird little piggy eyes."

  117. 117.

    Товарищ НеинтереснаяСобака

    "Senator McCain, how would you fix Social Security and Medicare?"

    "Social Security is easy to fix, we just need to do it. Medicare is harder, so we need to appoint a panel, and then do what the panel tells us."

    WOW! Who can disagree with that? Shit, I’ve been wrong all along about Social Security and Medicare.

  118. 118.

    montysano

    Jeezus, Brokaw is pathetic. Not allowing a followup when one is obviously called for is wrecking the debate.

  119. 119.

    TR

    Shorter McCain: "I’m a people person, goddammit! I’m good with people! Why can’t you assholes see that!!?!!?"

  120. 120.

    Brian J

    A ticking time bomb that will eat us up! And it has bees in its mouth, and when it barks, it barks bees at us!

    Dean Baker’s ears are burning. I imagine he’s going to tell us in TAP blog tomorrow that he threw a brick at his television.

  121. 121.

    frogspawn

    McPain/Ailin’ 08:

    Wankers of America, Unite!

    Improved.

    Thank you, comrade!

    I stand ready, joystick in hand, to give mine all for the revolution.

  122. 122.

    ThymeZone

    McCain is in over his head here. I have the feeling that at any moment, he is going to go POP! and shoot out into the audience like a deflating balloon.

    Pssssssssssssssssss …. gone. He is just ready to lose it.

  126. 126.

    Calliope

    McCain: "We know what we need to do on social security" Doesn’t say what we need to do. Thanks for clearing that up, chief.

    Oh, he knows, all right. It’s easy! We’ll have a commission!

    See how easy that is?

    What a jerk.

  127. 127.

    catatonia

    I think Obama brought up 9/11 to try and goad McCain into blundering into the Hussein/terrorist/black guy/lib meme. I think Obama’s loaded for bear on that one, and he may just be fishing for a opening.

    And Brokaw is a prick’s prick. As has been mentioned, he only mentions the ticking clock after Obama speaks. I wish someone would shove the entire greatest generation up his ass.

  128. 128.

    Stuck in the Fun House

    I wish McCain would STFU about Obama raising taxes. It’s been debunked by anyone with a computer.

    If they did that, the only issue left for wingnuts would be permanent war. That’s it, they screwed themselves out of every other traditional GOP issue. IE small government, spending, family values, and ruinning .

  132. 132.

    handy

    Brokaw, this isn’t really about you, buddy.

    And is it me, or does he only seem to be making an issue of the time after Obama speaks only?

  134. 134.

    plus C

    McCain keeps saying "my friends", but who actually talks to their friends as if they’re eight years old?

    Also, Obama has voted against freedom 84 times, and voted against America 71 times.

    "I know you’re getting tired of this back-and-forth. Now, this is why Obama sucks…"

  136. 136.

    Freelancer

    "…THAT ONE!"

    Jesus Christ and the Old Boy Network.

    Straight-Talk about open disrespect.

  138. 138.

    Brian J

    A ticking time bomb that will eat us up! And it has bees in its mouth, and when it barks, it barks bees at us!

    If he lets the secret out, the Russians, or the Chinese, or the Iranians, or the Muslims, or some weird hybrid of those groups, will get it. Do you want that to happen?

  141. 141.

    jcricket

    I like following the liveblogs and comment threads more than watching the actual debate.

    In fact, I’m tivo-ing it now, but i might not even watch it if it’s as much of a snoozefest as most of you have described it – even if Obama is winning.

    All I want to hear is what the voters thought afterwards. Not what CNN thought, or Fox News, or DailyKos. What did the voters – especially uncommitted and independents, say.

    McCain and Palin are clearly firing up the base with the sleaze, so those people are a lost cause. But if the uncommitted and independents break heavily for Obama as they seem to be, not only will Obama win big, the coattails for down ticket races will be huge.

  142. 142.

    DFD

    The undecideds on CNN really seem to be going for Obama. They’ve actually dipped below the baseline several times with McCain. They must hate his voice as much as I do.

  143. 143.

    Martin

    Jeezus, Brokaw is pathetic. Not allowing a followup when one is obviously called for is wrecking the debate.

    Well, blame the rules on the townhall which both sides agreed to and which prevents followup. Shitty format. Shitty debate.

    But McCain is just tanking out there according to the dials. He was never rated this poorly in the first debate and he’s negative quite often tonight.

    As to observations about distinctions between men and women on the dials, women are more generous in general on the dials. That’s just part of focus groups. Women will dial more positive and more negative. Men have a greater tendency to stay near the center.

  144. 144.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    Would someone explain to me how McCain got a reputation as strong in a "town hall" setting? An angry, crotchety, creepy-smiled guy shoehorning "my friends" into every sentence doesn’t make someone a good town hall presenter.

  145. 145.

    Brian J

    McCain: "We know what we need to do on social security" Doesn’t say what we need to do. Thanks for clearing that up, chief.

    If he lets the secret out, the Russians, or the Chinese, or the Iranians, or the Muslims, or some weird hybrid of those groups, will get it. Do you want that to happen?

  146. 146.

    kommrade jakevich

    Conserving energy is such a novel idea.

    Unless it involves proper tire inflation. Then it is just whoop! whoop! booga booga loon-E.

    I gave up watching. I can’t stand McPOW’s voice (Dubya with less twang), can’t stand the lies, really can’t stand to look at him.

    Man he looks B.A.D. If he gets elected this country will experience a period of President Palin.

  148. 148.

    dslak

    How many people were able to follow McCain when he started describing how he was going to help people obtain healthcare? He seemed to be rambling, to me.

  152. 152.

    t jasper parnell

    McCain is totally incoherent and a lying sack of whatsit. He is without honor, brains, or a clue.

  153. 153.

    TR

    Anyone catch the bit where McCain was standing behind Obama and made some weird gesture to someone in the crowd? WTF?

  155. 155.

    Alan

    The health insurance fines are from Hillary’s and Edwards plans which Obama took issue with during the primaries. Like nuclear power, McCain is putting Hillary and Edwards positions on Obama. McCain and his supporters are lying.

  157. 157.

    Martin

    Would someone explain to me how McCain got a reputation as strong in a "town hall" setting?

    He’s not strong. He’s just not pathetic like he is in regular debates and prepared speeches. He does seem more comfortable, but he still sucks compared to Obama.

  159. 159.

    Freelancer

    "Did we hear the size of the fine? Heheheheh." (DUD)

    BOMB BOMB BOMB, BOMB BOMB DE-BATE

  161. 161.

    Товарищ НеинтереснаяСобака

    Weird. Obama totally dodged the question about "should health care be a commodity," but in the followup forcefully said "health care should be a right for every American." I didn’t think he had the balls to say that, but I guess he was emboldened by McCain’s incredibly shitty answer.

    And every one of CNN’s female dial-turners had their dial at 10. The line actually went halfway off the screen for his entire health care spiel. (The men were asleep.)

  163. 163.

    dslak

    McCain is shooting himself in the foot by talking about how he doesn’t support wasting American blood and treasure. That plays right into Obama’s foreign policy forte!

  164. 164.

    TR

    It’s a good thing Bush isn’t one of the candidates. He’d stroke out from all the bald men in the room.

  165. 165.

    A la lanterne les aristos!

    Ok, I just got here so I don’t know what preceded, but imho Obama just pwnd the healthcare exchange.

    Is there anyone in this country who has not dealt with/had friends who dealt with something similar to his mother’s cancer?

    Ooooh… now he’s reapropriating the "doesn’t understand’ trope.

  166. 166.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    McCain has been all over the place and rambling since he started. He is boring, grating and obviously angry. The man has about as much personality as a toilet brush.

  167. 167.

    DFD

    Anyone catch the bit where McCain was standing behind Obama and made some weird gesture to someone in the crowd? WTF?

    I saw that too and shouted at the tee-vee, "Sit your ass down John!"

  168. 168.

    yet another jeff

    Relaxed prickishness isn’t better, I think I like McCAAAIIINNN!!! Hulk better…and I agree that Brokaw is sucking hard.

    It was nice to hear "Upperdown Vote" again, though…nostalgia.

    Obama doctrine? oh fucking fuck…

  169. 169.

    Punchy

    You fuckers are so biased. Didn’t you know that McCane didn’t have a town-hall meeting for over 5.5 years as a POW?

  171. 171.

    Brian J

    How many people were able to follow McCain when he started describing how he was going to help people obtain healthcare? He seemed to be rambling, to me.

    Shorter John McCain on health care:

    SHUT UP, THAT’S HOW!

  172. 172.

    Martin

    The line actually went halfway off the screen for his entire health care spiel. (The men were asleep.)

    Men aren’t responsible for healthcare in families. Women are.

  173. 173.

    Ty Lookwell

    I can’t get over how fucking weird the "my friends" thing is.
    It’s like a creepily friendly tourette syndrome tic.

  174. 174.

    Justin

    I loved the "that one" comment. Fell over laughing. McCain and Palin are highly entertaining. After they lose in November, can they please debate each-other. I would love it!

  175. 175.

    handy

    Surge Surge Surge!!! If it weren’t for the surge, my friends, the earth would have been swallowed up in a black hole. My friends.

  177. 177.

    dslak

    Shorter McCain: Obama was wrong about the surge! That means I was right to support invading Iraq.

    Also, "I’ll bring our troops home with honor" should set off alarm bells with anyone who remembers Nixon in ’68.

  179. 179.

    Freelancer

    Obama’s about to smack him on timelines, Maliki, Bush agreeing etc.

    McCain’s Talking Point about troops home in defeat makes him sound like Nixon and "Peace with Honor". Hope he keeps that up.

  181. 181.

    Conservatively Liberal

    Error!

    Database error: Deadlock found when trying to get lock; try restarting transaction
    SQL: INSERT IGNORE INTO wp_firestats_urls(url,md5,add_time,search_engine_id,search_terms ,host) VALUES (‘https://balloon-juice.com/?p=11906’,MD5(url),NOW(),NULL ,NULL ,substring_index(substring_index(url,’/’,3),’/’,-1))

    But the page still loaded.

    Start a new thread, it’s time for the BWOD.

  183. 183.

    Punchy

    Katie Ham’s question is completely bullshit. What she really wants to know is what Obama’s alcohol tax will be, how hard gun registration will be, and if she can get a few new teeths for herself and her family.

  184. 184.

    Brian J

    "Did we hear the size of the fine? Heheheheh." (DUD)

    BOMB BOMB BOMB, BOMB BOMB DE-BATE

    I love that the lines went down as he made his joke about him needing hair plugs.

  185. 185.

    TR

    If Brokaw weren’t completely in the tank for McCain, he would’ve stopped this fight a long time ago. McCain’s getting whaled on Kimbo style.

  186. 186.

    Laura W

    Where is our Annette? The mother ship is listing.
    We need a firm hand on the tiller.
    HA!
    I am so enjoying this. McInsane is SO OLD.
    And so insane.
    And can’t lift his arms above his head.
    So there.

  189. 189.

    Comrade Jake

    I really have no idea why McCain’s taken this subtle stance on Pakistan. Obama’s 100% right, and twice on Sundays on the merits. What are we going to do? Not go after OBL?!?!?

  192. 192.

    Bootlegger

    You support dictators Honest John, boo-yah.

    If you can get him Johnny then tell us how. Please?

  194. 194.

    Pooh

    Holy shit, the lines didn’t move a whit for McCain on Pakistan. If the Ohio dials are any indication, this shit is OVAH.

  195. 195.

    dslak

    I’m not watching the CNN feed with the lines. I’m curious how people reacted to McCain’s reply after Obama pegged him on "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" and so on.

  196. 196.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    The audience response is better for Obama on foreign policy. That can only be good for McCain. Also, POW. Also.

  197. 197.

    Delia

    McCain knows how to find Bin Laden but he can’t tell anyone.

    Oh yeah, and St. Petraeus is going to fix everything in Afghanistan. Just like Obama won’t admit he was wrong about Iraq.

  199. 199.

    handy


    Oh snap! McCain just accused Obama of NOT having a big stick!

    Umm…hmmm, yeah walking away from that one.

  200. 200.

    Nicole

    McCain’s hero is Teddy Roosevelt? What part? The founding the national parks thing or the saying white women had an obligation to have at least four children apiece thing?

  201. 201.

    A la lanterne les aristos

    Oh, Obama not only killed the ‘walk softly’ BS, but riled McCain into looking like a doof in his reply; "I’ll get him! I know how to get him!" … like he’s a drunk in a bar being held back by his friends.

  205. 205.

    Prematurely Grey

    @catatonia

    And Brokaw is a prick’s prick. As has been mentioned, he only mentions the ticking clock after Obama speaks. I wish someone would shove the entire greatest generation up his ass.

    what she said

  206. 206.

    Comrade Jake

    One of these guys looks and speaks like the next President. The other looks and speaks like Mr. Magoo.

  208. 208.

    dslak

    Both candidates are full of BS on Iran. Iran’s not going to attack Israel, but you can’t answer that question honestly without losing Jewish voters.

  209. 209.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    but riled McCain into looking like a doof in his reply; "I’ll get him! I know how to get him!" … like he’s a drunk in a bar being held back by his friends

    My father-in-law acted that way a lot with dementia the few years before his death. McCain shouldn’t be on a debate stage, he should be in Sunnyside Manor yelling at the ducks.

  212. 212.

    DFD

    OMFG! McCain refused to shake his hand! He just shoved Cindy inbetween himself and Obama’s outstretched hand. WTF!

  214. 214.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    McCain shouldn’t be on a debate stage, he should be in Sunnyside Manor yelling at the ducks.

    Is it just me, or did McCain’s performance deteriorate noticeably towards the end? It’s past your bed time, gramps.

  215. 215.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    My father-in-law acted that way a lot with dementia the few years before his death. McCain shouldn’t be on a debate stage, he should be in Sunnyside Manor yelling at the ducks.

    Oh Gosh, now I feel bad that I already suggested a POTD, this would have been a better choice… but I only get one vote. So sorry. Good effort though, keep up the good work!

  216. 216.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMVIII

    CNN’s Debate Watchers poll numbers show ABSOLUTELY NO MOVEMENT for McCain at all.

    Obama gained 4 points in the poll.

    Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

  219. 219.

    Nellcote

    McCain snarked on Biden’s hair plugs! On the same day as the funeral! What a class-less jerk. Is McCain getting his talking points from freeperland?

  220. 220.

    Jon H

    "McCain just attacked Obama for purchasing an overhead projector. He must not realize that fancy things like overhead projectors are considered essentials in many offices.
    "

    No, he attacked Obama for getting a planetarium projector for the Adler planetarium, to replace one that was 40 years old and had educated countless people about the universe.

    These are highly sophisticated optical devices.

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