09:34 pm
Live Blogging the Debate I
Okay, here we go. I’m going to do this in three thirty minute chunks. I’m also on Twitter. Going to try to make this analysis not narrative.
9:01 “Primarily about foreign policy which by definition includes the global financial crisis.” Nice way to bring the issues together, Mr. Lehrer.
9:02 My friend Matt wins the pool on the tie color. Obama waves, but McCain doesn’t. McCain looks pained.
9:03 Great first question — security and solvency. Obama: We are at a defining moment in our history. Great job framing the question, putting it in terms of how it will affect people. He’s repeating his four points on what the bailout has to include. Outcome of failed economic policies of George Bush and supported by Senator McCain. Key: whether middle class gets fair shake.
9:06 McCain opens with appreciation of Kennedy. Says he’s not feeling too great about things. Not sure that’s a good message. “Failures on Main Street” Not sure that conveys the right message either.
Obama is looking at the Camera, McCain is looking at Lehrer.
McCain paraphrases Churchill: “end of the beginning.” Manages to slip in a reference to foreign oil.
9:08 Lehrer pushes back, asking whether they favor the proposed bailout.
9:09 Obama focusing on what he’s done over the years. Trying to avoid answering the question directly. Acknowledges that we have to intervene. Notes that we don’t have a regulatory framework.
McCain says he hopes to vote for the plan.
9:10 McCain is talking about WWII. We’ve forgotten about accountability. First lie: said he called for the resignation of SEC chair when he originally called for his firing.
9:11 Obama: we need more responsibility, but not just when there’s a crisis. Point Obama.
9:12 Lehrer trying to get them to talk to each other.
9:13 Lehrer keeps trying, and neither candidate is really listening. They’re still both talking to him.
9:13 McCain just repeated his comments he used after being called out for saying the fundamentals of the economy are strong.
9:14 Next question: fundamental differences in what each would do to lead the country out of the crisis. Molly is yelling at the tee vee.
9:14 Oh God McCain just cited Tom Colburn, the prince of no. McCain just gave Obama an opening using $3 million for bears — what about Palin and seals? McCain waving a pen around and talking about earmarks.
9:16 Obama agrees earmarks process has been abused. Agrees on lobbyists but says not for him. Obama: Earmarks $18 billion, McCain’s tax cuts $300 billion. Point Obama, but are people going to then ask why $700 billion? Obama doing a good job of connecting things to people at home. Links McCain to Bush.
9:18 Earmarks earmarks earmarks. Does McCain really believe this is a winning strategy?
McCain didn’t win Miss Congeniality, Sarah Palin did. Heh.
9:19 Obama: eliminating earmarks alone is not going to get the middle class back on track. Once again linking Bush to McCain.
9:20 McCain talking about business taxes. Is that going to resonate? My friend Matt thinks yes — people don’t know what it means but it will sound good.
McCain’s main talking point: $932 million in Obama earmarks. Obama’s main talking point: McCain = Bush. McCain asks what Obama’s definition of rich is — that smart? McCain doesn’t want to close loopholes, he wants to add tax cuts on top of loopholes.
I’m biased, but I think Obama is winning the conversation on fiscal policy. But will most Americans understand it?
9:24 Festooned? That’s a word? Heh. (It is.)
9:25 If McCain were a superhero it would be Super-anti-earmarksman. He’s suggesting but not saying explicitly that Obama is flip-flopping.
9:25 Obama hitting McCain on oil company profits.
9:25 McCain just gave his creepy smile.
9:26 Third question: what are you going to have to give up as a result of the bailout?
9:26 Obama: hard to anticipate what the budget will look like, but there are some things that have to be done. Good flip of the question. Energy independence, health care, etc. Things we need to do structurally to be competitive in global economy.
9:28 McCain’s answer: cut spending, Obama has the most liberal voting record. McCain opposes ethanol subsidies — bye bye Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota. Interesting: McCain focuses on cost overruns on defense spending — interesting tack.
McCain focuses on what to get rid of, Obama focuses on what to keep.
9:30 Obama is not answering question of what he would give up. Focuses on companies skimming medicare. “Tom”? Whoops.
9:32 “I’m the most liberal because I had to oppose Bush’s crazy policies. Good comeback.
9:32 McCain: spending freeze except for defense, veterans, certain entitlements. Obama’s reply: that’s a hatchet instead of a scalpel. Best comeback so far. Obama mentions Iraq. First mention of foreign policy.
9:34 Back to drilling and nuclear.
Okay first post done. Back with more in 30 min.