Last presidential debate of 2008 tonight: Watch with us here!
by Lisa StoneTonight's your last opportunity to watch two men who would be president, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, take questions about how they would lead the United States.
Will you watch? What's the one question you would ask if you were Moderator Bob Schieffer? (Ellen Bravo has some great questions for both campaigns left over from her post "What Women Wish Gwen Ifill Could Have Asked.")
An estimated 60-65 million Americans will tune including us here at BlogHer.com -- join us at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 p.m. Pacific Time as we live-blog the event. Instead of transcribing as I did last time, I'll record each question in the comments and then we can debate their answers ourselves. I hope you'll join me!
Tonight's debate is happening as a CBS | New York Times survey says Obama has opened a 14-point lead over McCain, and former "HillRaisers" for Democratic hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton held a big fundraiser for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Here's what I'm reading from you thus far this morning:
Audreyh68: Paralyzed With Fear Over the State of Our Economy - "I had a wonderful post ready to go, all about "A Day in the Life
of..." and then I went and watched a program on the idiot box about the state of the economy and after curling up into a little ball, rocking back and forth..."Sara_Callow: Riding the Down Escalator Up - "At a time when the market is tumbling around us, homes are falling out of escrow for lack of financing, nearly everything dollar related seems terribly unstable, and the daily newspaper details depressing stories of families in over their heads on a house purchase - we are buying in..."
And, because I love you all and have a heart, I'll close with:
Megan Smith: Political Comedy Videos Are Not Just For SNL & Why Aren't There Any Pro-McCain Parodies? - "With twenty-two days left until Election Day 2008, I thought now would be a good time to bring you some political video parodies that aren't so well known, but still quite funny..."
Okay, let 'er rip!
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Comments
Gwen Ifill vs. Bob Schieffer: Conflict of
interest?
I'm fascinated that VP debate moderator Gwen Ifill got so much heat about potential bias (her book about black political candidates comes out this winter), but no one's mentioning the fact that tonight's moderator, Bob Schieffer of CBS, has a brother who is both a former business associate and the current U.S. ambassador to Japan, an appointee of President George W. Bush. Do you see any relevance in the association?
Bob Schieffer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Schieffer
Tom Schieffer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Schieffer
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
The attact on Gwen
The attack on Gwen was a saftey net for Gov. Palin to fall into. It had nothing to do with actual conflicts.
Michelle
I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/
What surprises me is the lack of conspiracy
theories
...about Bob Schieffer. Agreed -- as I've said I think Ifill's record speaks world for her professionalism.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
They need the help tonight
I guess they need all the help they can get for the last debate. They can throw their dog a bone if they like , I have faith that Obama can rock anything.Obama is so controlled and dignified, so great to have him lead.
Mommy Niri
http://mommyniri.blogspot.com/
Christopher Buckley, McCain's brother, Jesse
Jackson
Some of the stories I found this morning:
National Review boots Buckley son for Obama boost
Sen. McCain's brother blasts campaign strategy
Barack Obama's campaign rejects Jesse Jackson's claim that "Zionists" would lose clout under an Obama administration
Not
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
I watched Buckley
On MSNBC last night, and am rather astonished by how conservatives and progressives are finding common ground in Obama. Its fun.
And I'm really tired of the Obama camp taking heat for something Jesse Jackson says. It's nuts. No pun intended.
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
Ok...What ERIN Would Ask
This might sound a bit like the 'zen' question in the last debate. But personally (and I can't believe I'm telling everyone this) but PERSONALLY I want to ask them both if they are who they say they are.
But it's more than that. I want them both to look me in the eye and tell me they are real. I want them both to say to my face, 'yes, you don't have to be cynical and assume I lie...I really am who I am asking you to believe in.'
And now i have to go feed my unicorn before we fly over the rainbow.
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
Unicorns aside, it sounds like this is what
Suburban Turmoil
could have used last week: See Notes from the Presidential Debate by Suburban Turmoil
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
This is a great question,
This is a great question, Erin, and similar to my own. I wrote a post about it recently - how I feel the greatest factor in my voting decision is which one of them I believe the most - what with them both saying they are the answer and all.
I also have a lot of questions regarding my faith, which both of them basically profess, and how it applies to politics. I don't have dogmatic views on this, but I think the way that they answered the question would tell me a lot about their character and about their understanding of politics and society.
Serenity Bohon, also writing at Serenity Now, http://www.serenitybohon.blogspot.com
I'll be honest...
I am often made fun of for saying what I'm really feeling - but I'll be watching only to make sure I get all the jokes when I see the SNL skit.
How's that for honest?
No candidate usually ever says anything that is gonna offend or turn away any vote - so it's really a 'nothing' to me politically. No offense to those who do get something out of the debates. I respect that. (And I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the debate with Sarah - I guess I get something out of them when I really relate to a candidate for once)
Plus, it's just good clean fun in our house because we're split : )
(we dont' take all this stuff so seriously - it is gonna be all good no matter which one is elected).
Shallow End
I dunno. I plan to watch it, but I may stay in the shallow end with Nora Ephron: shirts, ties, jacket cuts, who looks like he's drooling or sweating, who might need to take meds, most believable smile. Uh, huh. ;-)
However, if the debate gets heated with lots of lies, twisted logic, and huffing and puffing, then I may have to go deeper. Who knows what to expect after the last few weeks of ugliness.
I suspect they're both going to try to get in sound bites on their economic plans, a chicken in every pot and what not. At this point, I think we're all watching with our guts.
Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link, Colin Powell Endorses Whom?
I can't wait to see!!!
I am not sure that I will contribute, but I can't wait to see what everyone thinks. (I am not sure about contributing because unless something major happens I am kind of closed minded about this now, although I wasn't when I started.) I love reading about the diversity even though I might not share it :)
TS
It's on! Bob Schieffer is introducing the
rules and candidates
Now THAT is a nice striped tie. Point to Mr. Schieffer's dresser.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
I don't like Bob's tie
I like McCain's tie this time.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
Finding others talking debate
Including our CE Jill
http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com/http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com/
and MOMocrats
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
Yes, she's doing a great job!
...and mentioned Terri Gross was great today. Did anyone here hear it?
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
McCain says we're angry
and we're angry. and we're angry. oh...and we're angry.
Are we angry?
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
Question #1: Both proposed new plans this
week re: economy
Schieffer: Why is your plan better than his?
Sen. McCain: Thoughts and prayers to "our beloved Nancy Reagan who is in the hospital tonight." Americans need short and long-term fixes. The catalyst for the crisis was Fannie and Freddie Mae (sic). Until we reverse this decline in homeownership, that value won't come up. Let's take $300 BB and buy home loan mortgages. In response to criticism: What about folks who paid payments? It doesn't help that person if the home next door is abandoned. Disappointed Sec. Paulson hasn't made that our first priority.
Sen. Obama: Worst financial crisis since Great Depression. Rescue plan is first step. I pushed to make sure taxpayers could get money bck and CEOs could not enrich themselves. What we haven't yet seen is a rescue package for the middle class:
- Jobs. End tax breaks for companies sending jobs overseas
- Middle class tax cut for people making <$250k. Let them access their IRAs if in crisis
- Agrees with Sen McCain re: homeowners. Disagrees with Sen. McCain's plan which could be a giveaway to banks.
- Long-term challenges: Energy and economy.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
Thank goodness you're here
I was on the phone with my sister, finding out new information regarding my crazy family, and I missed the first question.
Now I'm not confused by what these guys are talking about. OK I'm still confused because neither of them can do what they say they can do, but that's not related to my not knowing the question. It's related to them having unrealistic plans.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
The case of Joe the plumber an Ohioan
Sen McCain is telling an anecdote and saying the Obama plan would raise Joe's taxes. "What you want to do to Joe the plumber is have their taxes increased and not be able to achieve the American dream."
Sen. Obama: "Then he's been watching some ads of Sen. McCain's." Now breaking down the differences between the tax plans.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
Does John McCain really want to ask Barack
Obama why to
raise taxes right now?
Obama: I want to cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans. Exxon Mobile can afford to pay a little more so that ordinary Americans can ...get a break. Look, nobody likes taxes. .. But ultimately we've got to pay for some things that make this economy strong.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
Now McCain's response: "Now of all times
we want to spread the well around." This is the last time to raise taxes on businesses, he says.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
I'm disturbed by McCain acutally SAYING
'class warfare'
...because that is just about the worst thing he can go to as Mr. Rich Man Heiress wife guy.
I don't get it.
Or why it would aid him at all
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
So if you're rich you can't talk class
warfare?
That's like saying if you're white you can't talk about race warfare. Or if you're straight you can't take up the queer cause.
The rich upper class have to talk class warfare or we'll never get anywhere in resolving the class issue. (Not that I think either McCain or Obama are going to do much to help the class division in this country - it's bred into us and it goes against everything we as a country stand for to make gains in that area. We are a classist society, just like we are a racist society - we've not fixed race, we won't fix class anytime soon. Unfortunately.)
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
As a strategy it makes no sense to me
Why would he bring it up, being in the position he's in- I don't get it.
Seems like a buzzword he should stay faaaaaaaar away from.
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
Not in my eyes
If you're president, you bring up stuff that's difficult for you, personally - and for citizens of this country.
You and I are privileged class yet we don't steer clear of that issue, do we? OK we might, but we shouldn't or we aren't part of the solution.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
Obama's comment
Obama's last comment on that note was that he didn't mind paying a little more..
Question #2: Aren't you each ignoring the
cost of your plans?
Obama: We've been living beyond our means and we're going to have to make some adjustments. Strong proponent of "pay as you go."
McCain: Talks about Depression-era home ownership. Again focused on increasing home values. Schieffer asks him to address the question. We have to work on energy and stop sending $700 BB a year to countries that don't like us very much, create jobs. Wants to do an across the board spending freeze and then make specific cuts.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
McCain: I'm not President Bush
AMEN!! Bush is Republican in name only. McCain is NOT Bush.
Melanie
Blogging Basics 101
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Don't Try This at Home
He should have run four years ago
Great line. I liked it.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings