You may want to read up on this new mortgage proposal McCain put out last night.  Basically, if Mr. & Mrs. Smith bought the house next door to you at the height of the real estate boom, using a no money done ARM that they now can't afford, the government would go in and say that house isn't worth $250,000 anymore, it's only worth $200,000 so Mr. & Mrs. Smith only owe the bank $200,000.  The Ferrier's have been paying there mortgage so we aren't going to do anything for them.  Oh, by the way, Mr. & Mrs. Ferrier, since houses are appraised by the value of the houses near them and we lowered the value of the Smith's house by $25%, the appraisal of your house just dropped 25% as well.  Sorry

What do you think of McCain's here's $5,000 for health care plan? It makes me crinige every time I read it or think about it or have to hear it come from his lips. I will also say that being at a debate and watching people live and in person gives a whole different feel. I went to one of the debates in Las Vegas last year and it was mind blowing to be in the room right in front of these people and being able to really pay attention to movements instead of watching it on a television.

Oh and since you were sitting with the press how did the 'That One' comment come off?

(P.S. I still like you..)

Heather B. Personal Blog: No Pasa Nada BlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance

but the Obama camp did fact check everything McCain said on Obama's record last night and it's really not surprising considering they've been smearing all week

http://therecord.barackobama.com/?page_id=1465

I would also recommend my last post entitled 'Enough is Enough' where I take McCain/Palin to task for dangerous, racist, tactics. http://queenofspainblog.com/2008/10/06/enough-is-enough/

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

I am impressed with your commitment to do the research and find the truth about what the candidates say before making a decision on who to vote for.

A couple of thoughts on your comments:

McCain's repeated statements that he has consistently gone against his party leaders while Obama has not actually rubbed me the wrong way.  If he disagrees so much with the leaders of his party, why is he a Republican?  I don't know if his claims are true are not, and to me it is irrelevant - I agree with most of what the Democratic party stands for, so I don't see the problem with a Democratic senator voting with his party most of the time.  If McCain had brought up specific examples of legislation that Democratic party leaders supported and Obama voted for and that McCain disagreed with, it might have made more sense, but I don't get why agreeing with your party is a bad thing!

I also don't get how McCain's plan to have the government buy mortages using a reduced home value is going to help the situation.  Renegotiating the tems of the mortgage at a lower interest rate so that people can make the payments, yes; bringing down property values in entire neighborhoods, as Blue Lady describes, no. 

--Liz  

I blog about creating a life worth living at:  www.inventingmylife.blogspot.com

Hoping this helps too

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_debate_no_2.html

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

One thing you mentioned that swayed you was taxes, and I'd really like to clear something up on this point.

The best way to examine the tax plan is how it affects you and other tax groups, on the whole, and the best place I've found for that was here.  You have a couple of charts that weight things differently, along with a link to a very thourough breakdown of the tax plans that you may or may not actually have time to read (I've only skimmed it, myself).

Your reactions to it will depend on your priorities.  Look, for instance, at the $33,000 - $66,000 tax bracket.  McCain's tax plan would only give them back $319.  Obama's would give them back $1,042.  A lot of my friends with kids to feed fall into that tax bracket, and they're the ones struggling.  They're also the ones who will take that additional $700 and buy stuff with it.

One final thing.  Look at the average cut in taxes, across the board, on the two plans.  McCain's is $1,200.  Obama's is $160.  McCain's spending plan is, by most accounts,  no cheaper than Obama's.  How he intends to pay for his programs when giving that large an across the board tax cut when we're already in deficit spending is a question worth considering.

Thanks for listening.

Eric Sipple

One of the things that bothered me, again, about McCain is his willingness to talk out of both sides of his mouth.

How can he in a half-hour's time-span say that he has a reputation for being able to work with both sides of the aisle and then turn around and call himself a maverick that is not too popular with either his party or the democratic party? Please, re-watch the debate and listen to him say it.

How can he (in the first debate) first say that Obama was initially wrong about the surge in Iraq and that even Obama conceded that it had succeeded beyone their wildest expectations, and then turn around and state that Obama would not even admit that he was "wrong about the surge working".  Even the CNN fact checking site backs up this one.

How can he label Obama as a cronyist, when McCain is the one who has been in Washington for almost 30 years, when it was McCain who was censured for the Keating debacle? That bothered me immensely.  The fact that he would continually stress the word "crony" in relation to Obama did bother me.

As far as the tax issues and the health care, CNN.com has a terrific fact checking site.  Basically, the McCain health care plan would initially reduce taxes but they would evenutally go up, as per Obama's statement. And honestly, Obama is correct. I pay $83.00 a paycheck (every two weeks) for standard health care, which is half the total cost- my employer picks up the other half. Let's say that McCain says, "Hey! Here's 5 grand- go buy yourself some insurance if you need it"... WHY would an employer continue to fork out thousands if not millions of dollars towards health care? They wouldn't. So now a vast majority of Americans would be looking for health care coverage. With my employer paying half the cost for medical only, I currently pay $2,158.00 out of my paycheck. If McCain's plan happens, I would most likely end up having to pay the entire amount, which would be over $4,000.00.  Now, add in a spouse and children and see how far that $5,000.00 gets you. You can also visit http://www.electiontaxes.com/ to see how each candidate's tax system will work for an individual voter.  You put in some basic earnings info and presto magicko! You get an approximate answer.

Another thing that has me going is the theatrics involved. I absolutely cannot stand it when McCain gets that "ooohhhh.... there's a ghost story in here somewhere" voice going in the debates and interviews. I know it's a personality trait, but it makes me insane. And the overused term "My Friends" also put me over the edge.  It came across as patronizing and creepy.

No, before the first debate I was beginning to lean towards Obama. After seeing some of the attack ads that McCain has run, hearing the "terrorist" talk (another fear ploy) coming from Palin, etc.. I am more solidly behind Obama. After last night's showing, I am now upset with McCain after I used to be a big fan of his. How quickly times can change.

To each their own. You liked McCain after that debate? Go for it, and good luck if he wins.

Sen. Obama:  I think he spoke well.  Was upfront about his policies.  He was very well composed.  Stayed away from the trash talk and really spoke on the issues.  He clarified when needed and remained in control.  He did not talk down to the audience or to the moderator.

Sen. McCain:  He was very condescending to the moderator.  He avoided the questions and went on the attack rather than answering the questions.  He was engaging with the members of the hall and that was his strong suit. 

I do not feel that either candidate ran away with the debate.  I do think the McCain controlled his temper much better than I anticipated.  He really needed to pull away with the debate and he fell short.

Jess Mom to Thing 1 and Thing 2 CEO of Knight INC.

Queen of Spain,

I just saw the discusson on your blog! OMG! How scary.  It's sad really what people have been fed, and depend on one perspective alone.  Really.  We take one debate and perhaps use that as the basis for our very important vote.  Maybe right after the elections, there could be a possibility of moving to the other side, by then it's too late.  We've got to do just that....RESEARCH. I tell my students that all the time.  Where is your frame of reference? One magazine article? One debate? One night of an experience? It's unfair to Sen. Obama that as the many lies roll in, the more believers there are about them.  That one post on your site, condemning Sen. Obama as a "cold bastard." Yikes. But I believe in your spirit QueenofSpain. I do. I I love your retort. It was exactly what people are afraid of hearing and seeing...and reading.  We're so stuck in our own closets that we refuse to look at things from multiple perspectives.

I too was sorta kinda semi-excited that a woman was picked at the VP candidate, but that woman isn't me, nothing like me, and would never represent me, my struggles nor where I come from. She doesn't even sound like anyone I know - very textbook. Very. If that's the kind of leadership this country needs at a time like this, then I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but like you and many others have said, enough is enough, and I've damn well had it. 

GirlProfNYC - www.pinkerink.com

You Said: McCains proposal to double the child exemption on taxes, from $3,500 to $7,000 per child.

I Say: How does that benefit me? I am a single, TAX-PAYING, citizen who cannot have kids due to medical reasons. I live well within my means, but still live paycheck-to-paycheck, struggling to pay off loans. How is an extra $3,500/child in your pocket good for me/people like me?

You Said: I may end up voting for him and later regretting it (*cough* George W. Bush, *cough*).

I Say: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Do you really want to make that mistake again? Can we as a country make that mistake again?

and trying to think of a non confrontational way to say, "were we watching the same debate??"

Specifically because I felt like Obama answered the questions, point by point, with detailed explanations.  I felt like McCain was vague.  When asked "how would you prioritize these issues" McCain said "we'll do it all" - Obama said "energy first,then healthcare, then entitlement issues."  It was a tough question with no "good" answer - and Obama answered honestly and realistically.

One thing that Obama keeps repeating that I'm surprised more people aren't discussing is the fundamental difference in philosophy.

McCain is a proponent of trickle down economics.  Reward the people at the top, they'll create jobs, and the goodness will tricle down.

Obama's contention is that it is THAT philosophy that always fails (not just under Bush, but under Reagan and his Reaganomics) - and he believes in stimulating the lower/middle classes and that that will be better for the entire society, trickling "up" so to speak.

That is the fundamental difference that matters between these candidates.  Every decision they make - from taxes, to health care, to the ones we cannot yet know that they will face - is made through THOSE lenses.

Which lense makes sense to you?

Miss Britt

http://www.miss-britt.com

"Dignity is Overrated"

 My decision was made a long time ago, so the debate has very little effect on me as I'm a fact checker by nature, and an policy addict. My decision has always been based on fact, and knowing the methodoligies used determines the results I tend to dig a little deeper into what the candidates say.

I find it unfortunate  the pundits overall no longer talk about the issues, they key on presentation. That having been said the sleaze machine of the McCain campaign — we've always had sleaze machines of some sort in poitics just not of this caliber — is almost too much for most people to take without cringing, and blatant lies are really harder to take than expected mispeaks, or truths obscured by varied methodolgies.

The  bail-out plan as it was presented does provide for the Treasury
secretary to buy-up bad mortgages it just does not direct them to do so
at this time, McCains plan is something not totally original.  The logistics of such a plan is the problem. It is no quick fix.

I have no illusion that Obama will make sweeping change,  but I was assured once again last night that he is the way to go in this severely crippled economic time.

cooper

I'm going to be one of the few people who actually agree with you. The main problem I have with Obama is his lack of answers. I really believe that he thinks he can make things better. But he can't explain how very well. Often last night, he responded to the debate questions by not giving answers, but taking the opportunity to respond to what McCain had said, thus bypassing the questions he didn't have answers for. Even when responding to McCain's health insurance accusations (fining people for not having health insurance) he never specifically stated the fines to be imposed.

I'll be the first to admit that there are differences in my viewpoint as compared with McCain, but I really don't believe Obama has the answers. And I don't believe that government mandates and regulations are going to fix things. I wish there was another choice honestly, but partially based on that debate (although I'd already made up my mind earlier) I'm voting for McCain.

I'd like to comend you for posting this. There are a lot of vocal Obama supporters, and although everyone here has been extremely non-confrontational about it, you are a brave woman.

...to find yourself in a position as an "Independent" where you're being courted assiduously by both parties. Must be a pretty heady experience. Must make you feel pretty powerful.

But anyone who watched the debate in Nashville last night with an open, "unmade up" mind and came away concluding that Obama was vague and McCain was clearer -- contrary to every poll take  after last night's debate -- is someone more likely masquerarding as an Independent, but is infact a die-hard McCain supporter. It's fine if you are a McCain supporter, mind you. To each her own.

Of course, down here where you and I live, Tennessee (Nashville, in particular), is Republican territory. In this part of the world, an "Obama for President" sign like the one I have in my yard is hard to find.  

Read Renita's Blog Since She Spends Way More Time on It Than She Should: http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog.

I'm a transplant, mind you. But, oh, I live in this grand city alright with a view of it from a totally different side of town.  And from my window onto this part of the world, McCain and Palin are god and goddess. 

Read Renita's Blog Since She Spends Way More Time on It Than She Should: http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog.

Personally, I would like throw both candidates back and get a couple of new ones.  Hillary I thought was a keeper for this time in our history.  I am getting over it.  But I have to say that Obama is growing on me more & more.  I thought he handled the Healthcare and Energy questions and himself really well.   I don't think people will use the $5k or whatever it comes out to be after taxes for healthcare if they are in a situation where they can't keep their lights on or put food on their table at the end of the month.  We as a country need to make healthcare available to everyone.  Many other countries have managed it .. we can too.  We do have a healthcare crisis.  

Secondly, with regards to his energy answer he said that as we build the infrastructure to support a change from gas to more energy efficient means (electric, hydro, solar) that it would create jobs.  That was the only really practical means I heard throughout the debate that would increase jobs.  More people working will improve our economy.

Also, the more condescending that Mc Cain was the more it solidified my vote for Obama.  The more he stressed the maverick thing the more it solidified my vote as well.   I too think that if you are constantly saying that you took on your party .. that maybe you are in the wrong party.  I don't see voting with Bush 94% of the time as being a maverick at all either and I certainly don't want a maverick that does things on what seems to be a whim (Palin/ suspend a campaign, not gonna debate, then debate) in control of our armed forces.

I have my ballet tucked away in my drawer .. still waiting to see if I will be swayed by something major.  This debate just made me take one more step towards the Obama camp. 

http://www.midlifeonwheelsblog.com    OnDaRoad 

I think it's really nice of him to wait for seven years and only to "get him" if he's elected President.  Country first, and all that.

I thought that McCain did well during the first debate, but had gone off the reservation the second time around.

The mortgage buy-out plan is offensive on every level and will be a huge failure.  There's a reason that Warren Buffet supports Obama.  

His health care plan is a disaster.

For a long time I was a huge McCain fan. I always said that if he ran for president, I would be the first in line to vote for him. So you can imagine my surprise when I find myself now voting for Obama. Why? Because I found that the more McCain campaigned, the more he distanced himself from his "maverick" ways. Instead during the past few months, he has consistently voted with the far right, which I can understand because to have any chance he has to court that side of his party. But I can't understand how someone can say they are a friend to the environment and then in the same breath say that they are for off-shore drilling? Has McCain not read the thousands of reports by groups like the EPA that say how detrimental off-shore drilling is to the environment? As a mom, the legacy of a clean Earth is more important to me than some supposed tax credit which may or may not happen.

But the nail in the coffin for me really was his selection of Sarah Palin. IS HE NUTS? No matter how the Elizabeth Hasselbecks put it, she is simply not qualified for the job. 20 months as governor of a state that has what 15 people living in it, does not qualify you to be the vice president. That is like me saying, "Ok I make dinner for my family every night, now let me be the executive chef for Le Cirque" Also I have some major questions about her character. She constantly says how she is against pork barrel projects, but who was one of the first to ask for money for the bridge to nowhere? What about the fact that when she took over as mayor of Wasilla, that town had no debt. When she left, it had 13 million dollars of debt. Or that Alaska has consistently been among the top 5 states that receive the most government subsidies, but Sarah Palin doesn't believe in that. It sure sounds like pork barrel spending to me. Also what about trooper gate? How can she go on national TV and state that she will cooperate and then conveniently refuse when the media moves on to something else.

All of these things about Palin were confirmed for me as I watched the VP debates last week. I saw Palin doing her folksy hockey mom routine, instead of giving a real answer to any question. Why? Because she didn't know how to answer the question. Biden was able to answer thoroughly and with specifics, while she just winked, smiled, and spoke in trite phrases. Anyway that is why I refuse to vote for McCain, because 1. I feel that McCain has changed and 2. I am simply not comfortable with having Palin that close to the office of President. McCain has already had what two melanomas? What if something happened? Then we would have her as president, and that is something I just can't stomach.  

Hey Lindsay,

You know I mouth off all the time on my blog, shamelessly "market" it on Twitter and Facebook; you also know I'm intensely pro-Obama.

However, I think you're on the right track to identifying the right candidate for your vote.  I encourage you to identify the most important issue to you right now, right here, in your life and in your family's lives.  Then research it to Kingdom Come.  Find out how each candidate will solve, or address the matter, and then vote for the one with whom you agree the most on the subject.  In the interest of fairness, don't exclude Bill Barr or Ralph Nader - they'll also show up on your ballot.

The most important thing you can do is vote, and educate yourself first BEFORE you vote.  Then you'll have a right to complain if things don't go the way you'd hoped.

P.S. Nashville is remarkably like Los Angeles in its voting precincts: overwhelmingly blue with pockets of red.

P.P.S. You're not decided yet, really.  Give it until after the third debate to make up your mind.

Ciao!

Caroline