debates » Undiplomatic

15 October 2008 Charles J. Brown
10:37 pm

Debate Analysis

This was McCain’s strongest debate. I don’t think he “won” in the way that he needed to. No game-changer. Obama was steady, strong, Presidential. McCain was angry, nasty, often mean-spirited. As the debate went on, he got angrier and angrier. Lots of mugging for the camera. He really came off as a cross between Grandpa Simpson and the Hulk.

The key exchange was on the tone and tenor of the campaign. McCain responded with more negative attacks, while Obama was gracious but firm. And Obama was smart to avoid discussing Palin.

Obama really didn’t make any mistakes. McCain didn’t land any hard blows.

Advantage Obama.

Live Blogging the Debate

Okay, here we go. The last debate.

Thank. God.

I hear that McCain’s going to talk about “divided government.” The Republicans already have the Supreme Court. What more do they want?

McCain was actually polite at the intros.

BTW, no times tonight. Thought I’d try something different.

First question is about economy.

Damn I didn’t take hurting and angry in my drinking game tonight. McCain leads off with Fannie and Freddie talking point and then talks about his $300 billion home plan.

Who are McCain’s friends? Inquiring minds want to know.

Obama and McCain agree that this is the worst financial crisis since the Depression. Dur.

Obama mentions the middle class first. I win the over/under. Why is McCain so afraid of those words? Obama, unlike McCain, highlights differences between the two plans.

Okay, mistake by McCain — he refuses to engage Obama.

McCain is going to help this Joe the plumber guy start a business! Will he help my blog? Ka-ching!

McCain told Obama that he wanted the spread the wealth around and then said he would help spread the wealth.

If I hear anymore about Joe the Plumber I’m gonna hurl.

McCain seems to think that his best shot at winning the debate is to focus on small business owners.

Next question: deficit.

Obama says bailout must be structured to help Americans get their money back. Talks about pay-go. Do people know what that means? Says he will cut subsidies of insurance companies, but then switches to health care, energy, infrastructure. Key words: ethic of responsibility.

When McCain talks about the Great Depression, he sounds like he was there. McCain largely avoids the question, only promising an across the board spending freeze.

McCain opposes subsidies for ethanol. Guess he’s given up on Iowa.

Back to earmarks. Meh.

When he looks at Obama,

McCain looks like a bobblehead doll on crystal meth.

Why is McCain such a planetarium hater?

McCain: I’m not Bush, if you wanted Bush, you should have run four years ago. That’s a zinger? Obama’s going to smush him. Senator Obama, I know George Bush. George Bush is a friend of mine. Senator Obama, I am no President Bush.

McCain asks Obama what he’s stood up to the leaders on his party. When Obama answers, McCain shows contempt for the first time.

ACKKKKK! CREEPY FACE! CREEEPY FACE!

I’m waiting for McCain, like LBJ, to actually show us his scars. Oooh not convincing! What a comeback.

Schieffer asks the hard question about negativity. McCain blames it on Obama’s refusal to do town hall meetings. That seems like a weasel to me. McCain: I regret the negative aspects of both campaigns. Attacks John Lewis not in anger but in sorrow. McCain is setting up Obama to talk about Ayers. Claims that he is running a truthful campaign. Hits Obama on campaign finance issues.

Obama: cites CBS/NYT poll that 2/3rds of Americans think McCain is running a negative campaign. Obama refuses to take the bait on Ayers. Says politics as usual can’t work.

McCain claims that an attack on his health care plan, immigration plan are attack ads. No they’re not.

Grandpa Simpson and Joe the Plumber ‘08!

Obama comes back and talks about Palin rallies. In a competition between John Lewis and Palin for outrageousness, most Americans think Palin is worse.

McCain just snorted like Gore. McCain is getting snippy. That’s not good for him. McCain: I’m proud of those who come to my rallies, suggest that people like vets are who Obama is talking about.

McCain hasn’t repudiated Palin, though has he?

McCain needs to get his open contempt under control.

McCain brings up Ayers first, and ACORN. Opens up full attack. Isn’t that contrary to the intent of the question?

Obama answers Ayers and ACORN. Will it be enough? Good comeback on who associates with.

Given that a majority of Americans think McCain is too negative, how does being negative help him?

Next question: running mates. Obama first. Softball question to Obama, 120 mph fastball question to McCain. Obama is smart to talk about Biden, not Palin. McCain: Americans have gotten to know Sarah Palin. Friend: “And we hate her.”

Every minute McCain talks about Palin, he loses. McCain on Palin: Noun. Verb. Trig.

Obama: Question of whether Palin is qualified is up to the American people. Smart.

McCain: Joe Biden is wrong on many national security issues.

Most Americans have never heard of the word cockamamie.

Next question: energy and climate change. Unfortunately, the way Schieffer framed the question, it leads to talking points.

McCain: Obama hates Canada!

Obama: energy is the most important issue we’re going to face in the future.

Obama’s looking at the camera right now makes him look Presidential.

So far, McCain is attacking, Obama is ducking. Angry man v. smiling cool guy. McCain is winning some points, but he is coming across as nasty and angry. Which will people see?

When they show the split screen, Obama is looking at McCain, McCain is looking at Schieffer.

When McCain talked about Obama never having gone south of the border, he did the 538.com tongue tell.

Obama’s response: I understand it very well. Calm, cool, factual.

Good thing I had Peru in my drinking game.

Will Obama’s comments about Detroit dragging its feet on green tech hurt him in Michigan? I don’t think so.

McCain just rolled his eyes.

Does McCain really believe that people care about Hugo Chavez? Do most Americans even know who he is?

Is it me or is Schieffer letting McCain have the last word on every question?

Next question: health care.

Obama discusses his plan. Looks into the camera again. McCain talks about minutiae — though Molly liked the fact he raised childhood obesity. Seventh mention of Joe the Plumber. I think he has that guy’s vote.

So let me get this straight — McCain says Canada is good for energy, bad for health care. Hater.

Prediction: SNL’s skit this weekend will involve Joe the Plumber. Maybe as moderator? Which MSM outlet will get the first interview?

Poor Joe the Plumber: Obama will tax his income and McCain will tax his health care. Maybe he should vote for Bob Barr.

Advice to Obama: stop talking about Joe the Plumber.

I’m trying to figure out how we’ve had three debates and Peru has been mentioned more often than China. And Joe the plumber has been mentioned more than all countries in the world save Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Senator Government? You can bet that the McCain campaign will claim that was intentional tomorrow.

Next question: abortion. I recognize people feel strongly about this, but we know the positions of both. It’s a base issue, not one that is going to affect the election. That said, both candidates focused on judicial appointments, which is a crucial question.

Obama brings up Lily Ledbetter case, uses it as an example of how court decisions affect “real people.” Good for him. McCain calls the case a trial lawyer’s dream and blows it off.

Hey Senator McCain, what if Jo the plumber wants an abortion? Will you still like her?

McCain is playing to his base right now when talking about abortion. It will help him with them, but not with “mainstream America.”

Obama talks common ground and McCain snorts. A friend just pointed out that Obama basically just told people to turn off their TVs. Heh.

Our friend Matt just pointed out that they haven’t talked about the economy in a loooooooong time.

Last question: education. Obama: more money v. reform is a false dichotomy: “we need both.” McCain: it’s the civil rights issue for the 21st century. That’s code for vouchers. So is choice.

I always find it amusing that Republicans talk about choice as a bad thing re abortion and a good thing re school.

Aside: want to bet McCain sticks around and works the room tonight?

When McCain stares at Obama, he looks like an elderly Norman Bates. Or Charles Manson. Not sure which. Molly thinks he looks like a reptile, our friend Jen thinks he looks like Casper the ghost.

McCain: “Cindy and your wife, Mrs. That One.”

McCain keeps looking at the camera briefly, nervously, but not engaging the crowd — except Joe the plumber, of course.

Precious children. My precious. We likes the children. THAT’s who he looks like.

Do the American people really give a crap whether Michelle Rhee favors vouchers or charters? I bet Joe the plumber does.

Closing statements.

McCain: My friends. New direction. Bush bad. Reform. MAVERICK! But a careful steward. Make health care “avoidable.” (Whoopsie!) Trust. Another mention of careful stewards. Hope. Future. Joe the Plumber Joe’s gonna be sad that he didn’t get a mention in McCain’s closing statement. McCain didn’t mention the economy in his closing statement!

Obama: Economy. Economy. Economy. Hope. Invest in American people. Health care. Education. Energy. Middle Class. Middle Class. Not easy or quick. All must come together. Will work tirelessly.

McCain is pointing like Palin.

Final analysis coming soon.

More Debate Pr0n

Hat tip, once again, to Slog

I Want One

Somebody beat me to the punch:

In case you can’t read it: I am NOT your friend, John McCain.

Hat tip: Undip reader Chrisi

Debate Reaction and Analysis

This was a more thoughtful, substantive debate than I expected, given the format. I think that part of that was the result of both candidates doing their best to ignore the restraints their own campaigns placed on the process.

To McCain’s credit, he did not raise “character” issues. Is he backing off that approach due to the largely negative response so far? He not only didn’t take the gloves off, he seemed to hide behind them. He remained Grouchy McGrouchypants, however.

I am biased, of course, but I can’t help believing that Obama won the debate and did so quite easily. He demonstrated a mastery of the issues, and his answers sounded sincere rather than sound bites. McCain looked tired, and he repeated almost all the same talking points he raised in the first debate.

Perhaps the most telling moment of the debate was when Obama hit McCain on his judgment by citing his singing Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran and rushing to war in Iraq. It was his most impassioned moment, and McCain’s weakest answer.

I think the general conclusion is going to be that Obama won. Pundits already are saying that, but I want to wait and see what the snap polls say — that will determine the frame. I just can’t see how folks will say McCain was the winner.

Live Blogging the Debate II

Brokaw: What’s the Obama doctrine. Ackerman is going to be estatic.

10:05 Obama echoes Samantha Power on genocide prevention. Emphasizes working with allies.

10:06 McCain stuck on Obama and withdrawal in Iraq. Does anyone believe him anymore. McCain Doctrine: HULK SMASH! HULK DEFEAT TERRORISTS IN IRAQ! McCain says we need a cool hand on the tiller. Does that mean he’s endorsing Obama? Again, McCain talking about the past when Americans want focus on the future.

10:07 I’ll ask again: when did McCain win a war?

10:08 Next question: Pakistan and Cambodia. Wow, really good question. Proof to those who think Americans don’t care about FP are wrong.

10:09 Obama: Afghanistan-Pakistan is the main front in the war on terrorism. Reason to end war in Iraq. Can’t coddle Pakistan when they make peace treaties with Taliban. Saying it was a dictatorship, though true, might open a door for McCain. Repeats “terrorists in our sights” comment.

10:11 McCain: What would Teddy do? America: Huh? Says we drove Russia out of Afghanistan, (along with Osama). Oh wait — he didn’t mention that part. McCain: the fundamentals of our Afghanistan strategy are strong.

10:13 I think Obama and McCain just broke out of the format.

10:14 I think Obama just pounded McCain’s “speak softly” line into the ground and then jumped up and down on it.

10:15 McCain is blinking again. Every time McCain says “my friends,” a puppy dies.

10:16 Now Brokaw has departed from the format, asking his own question. How do you solve Afghanistan?

Obama: More troops, work with government, help them do better by their people. No dictator.

McCain: Noun, verb, Petraeus!!! Have to use the same strategy in Afghanistan as Iraq. Didn’t Petraeus say that the awakening wouldn’t work and a surge is iffy?

10:19 McCain: we’re not going to have another Cold War but we’re going to treat Russia just like it’s 1984.

10:21 Agree with McCain! Russia’s reemergence a great challenge. Have to provide East Europeans economic support, not just moral support. Need to anticipate problems. Need to be more strategic.

I’m troubled by the degree that both candidates pander on the Georgia issue. Obama: some of their acts are evil. McCain: Maybe. McCain still partying like its 1984.

10:25 Next question: support and defense of Israel if it is attacked? or go to UN Security Council? What an incredibly stupid and obvious question.

10:26 Here we go with the McCain preconditions talking point. Here we go with League of Democracies again. Senator, I know the Community of Democracies. The CD was a friend of mine. And Senator McCain, you have no freaking idea what you’re talking about.

Molly just came in and almost immediately said that McCain needs new talking points. He managed to say three things in the first three minutes that she had heard in the first debate.

It’s a good point: McCain answers in talking points, Obama discusses policy.

10:27 Obama agrees we’d fight back and that we have to prevent a nuclear Iran. Then acknowledges that he’s willing to talk. Says that when we take the approach of tough talk, it can work. When we refuse to talk, we get exacerbated crises.

10:30 Last question: what don’t you know, and how will you learn it?

Obama: Michelle could give you a long list. It’s not the challenges you expect, it’s the challenges you don’t. Then goes back to his biography, says the question in this election is are we going to pass on the American dream to the next election? We can’t expect that if we do the same thing as the last eight years, we’ll get different outcomes.

10:32 McCain: What I don’t know is what is going to happen both here and abroad. Americans are hurting, there are new and different challenges around the world. We’ll be talking about countries we don’t even know where they are on a map — especially Sarah Palin.

McCain keeps saying that we need a steady hand at the tiller. Does he not understand that people see this as an argument for Obama?

Full commentary and analysis coming soon.

Live Blogging the Debate I

Here we go. Will McCain actually look at Obama tonight?

9:00 I really can’t stand Wolf Blitzer. But we don’t get MSNBC in high def. On second thought, I hate the CNN trackers — going to MSNBC.

9:02 I really hate this format. It’s bogus. No real discussion and no real debate.

9:03 McCain passes first hurdle: smiles and looks Obama in the eye.

9:04 First question: how do we bail out average folks? Obama: we are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. This is the final verdict on the past eight years of economic policy, supported by McCain. Keys: strong oversight of rescue package, crackdown on CEOs’ compensation. Middle class needs a rescue package: tax help, mortgage relief, infrastructure, health care, green energy.

9:06 McCain opens with a shot at Obama about this being the first town hall meeting. McCain just lost the election: the answer to the economic crisis is energy independence. He’s throwing numbers around and I don’t think people will listen. McCain promising to buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate at diminished value — going to be expensive, he admits. Glad I have “my friends” in tonight’s drinking game.

9:08 Question is who to appoint Secretary of Treasury. McCain: first criteria is somebody who Americans identify with and support. Suggests Warren Buffett who supports Obama. Meg Whitman.

9:09 Obama: Buffett would be a good choice, there are other folks out there. Key is that next Sec Treas realizes that it’s not enough just to help those at top. Reminds folks that McCain said fundamentals of economy is strong. First “McCain is right.”

9:11 Next question: what in the bailout is actually going to help?

9:11 McCain: It’s a rescue, not a bailout. Claims that he suspended campaign in order to ensure good oversight. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh man you’re killing me. Can’t believe that McCain is talking about Fannie and Freddie, given the fact that 2/3rds of his staff were lobbyists for them. Obama is smiling like he knows he’s about to nail McCain. McCain blaming everything on Fannie and Freddie. What a crock.

9:13 Obama: Credit markets are frozen up, means business can’t get loans, make payroll, shut down. That’s why bailout necessary. Then goes on to correct McCain “not surprisingly.” Biggest problem is deregulation of financial system, which McCain has championed. In contrast, Obama wrote a letter two years ago, went to Wall St. a year ago while McCain talked about regulation.

Here we go — Obama goes after McCain on Fannnie and Freddie but then deftly brushes it aside by saying you’re not interested in politicians fighting over who did what.

9:16 Brokaw: Is it going to get worse? Obama: No. Politically expedient but wrong answer.

McCain: It depends on what we do. Focuses on buying up bad loans. We can fix our economy. American workers are the best in the world.

So it looks like McCain’s first Hail Mary is buying up bad home loans and renegotiating them.

Next question: How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties got us into this mess? Good question.

9:19 Obama: You’re right to ask that question. What you do isn’t what Washington does. Reminds people that when Bush came into office, we had surpluses and he’s doubled the national deficit. Biggest increases in deficit spending and national debt in history. McCain voted for 4 out of 5 of those budgets. Repeats basic points of his plan, but includes college affordability. Goes jujitsu on spending, says he’s going to cut more than he adds.

9:21 McCain: System is broken, I have reached across the aisle, a clear record on bipartisanship. Obama never taken on his party. So apparently bipartisanship is a solution to both parties being responsible? McCain trots out the L word for the first time.

Obama answers the question by blaming Washington business as usual. McCain answers the question by blaming Obama.

Is it me or does McCain look tired?

9:24 Healthcare, entitlement reform, energy — which first? McCain says all three. McCain is repeating talking points that didn’t work in the first debate: entitlements, bipartisanship, drilling, etc.

9:25 Obama agrees that we’re going to have to prioritize just like a family (good frame): 1. energy — sets a specific goal and how much it’s going to cost. Compares it to JFK/Moon. 2. Health care — broken health care is bad. 3. Education — so our young people have the opportunity. Hits McCain on tax cuts for the wealthy. Need to prioritize not just spending but tax policy.

9:28 Next question: what sacrifices will you ask Americans to make? Good question.

9:28 McCain: we’re going to have to eliminate programs that aren’t working. How is that a sacrifice for average Americans? McCain seems to think that the “overhead projector” for the planetarium is a winning line. I don’t think it is. He really isn’t answering the question. I think there’s an opening here for Obama.

9:30 Obama goes straight to 9/11 and how we were not asked to sacrifice. I think this is really going to resonate. Brings up shopping! Acknowledges that we need to start thinking about how we use energy — says that we have to think how we all can do better. Still, he really doesn’t answer the question.

9:33 Brokaw: how do you end all these credit binges?

9:33 Start with Washington: we have to show we have good habits. It means looking at both spending and revenue. Earmarks account for about $18 billion in budget, but his tax cuts for CEOs don’t involve sharing the burden. People don’t feel the rich are sharing the burden with other folks. All of us are going to have to make sacrifices, but we have to be sure that those who need help get help.

9:35 McCain brings out the jello bomb! Did McCain just try to suggest that Obama was Herbert Hoover? Most Americans are going to say WTF? Is it me, or do folks agree that most Americans are going to find the tax cuts mantra stale? McCain now talking about the specifics of his policies.

9:37 Brokaw is doing his damnedest to prevent real debate. Next question: reform social security and medicare?

Obama: We’re going to have to take on entitlements, maybe not in the next two years, but in first term. “Straight talk express lost a wheel.” Obama wants to provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans. McCain wants to give a $200 billion tax cut to corporations and $100 billion to CEOs.

9:40 McCain claims that he will answer the question. Repeats for the second time tonight the Reagan-O’Neill analogy. Medicare will be tougher than social security. McCain uses a Bush talking point: up or down vote.

Next question: environment.

9:43 McCain: tough economic times do not mean we can’t address environmental issues. “I’ve traveled all over the world looking at greenhouse emissions.” Didn’t that involve jet flight, which creates greenhouse gases?

9:45 Obama: environment is one of biggest challenges of our time. But it’s also an opportunity. Green economy can create 5 million new jobs. Environment is part of our national security. Did Obama just come out in favor of nuke power? We have 3 percent of oil reserves and use 25 percent of the world’s oil. We can’t drill out of the problem, and using more fossil fuels just means more global warming.

9:47 McCain says he’ll look at Brokaw. At least he’s looking at somebody. Brokaw follow-up: manhattan project-. . .

THAT ONE? What, is Obama an inanimate object?

Sorry, I just lost track of the discussion because of McCain’s reference to Obama as “that one.”

9:49 Next question: health care is profitable. Do you believe health care should be treated as a commodity? Talk about a message in Obama’s wheelhouse.

Obama: uh, duh, no. I know he didn’t say that, but that was the essence of his answer. He’s giving a wonky, technical answer, but I think that’s what people want to hear right now.

Obama’s performance tonight is reminding me of Clinton’s best performances in 92 — wonky but compassionate.

Offhand thought: I bet this has a lower rating than the first debate, which means McCain isn’t going to be helped by the size of the audience. Means a lot of people will determine who won by word of mouth.

9:53 McCain: fundamental difference b/t me and Obama is that he focuses on government. “Senator Obama will find you.” What, is he the bogeyman. Oh wait — he is to McCain. Too bad for McCain the horror movie is his campaign.

McCain: “Gold plated cadillac policies” — racist code? And WTF was that reference to hair plugs?

9:55 Brokaw: health care privilege, responsibility or right? McCain: responsibility Obama: right.

9:57 Obama repeating core message of his health care, refutes McCain’s claims. McCain crosses arms — classic defensive body language. Obama: McCain voted against S-CHIP.

In a debate over who is responsible for health care, government or insurance companies, the person who is blaming insurance companies will win. Uh oh — Obama just opened a door for McCain by mentioning Delaware and credit cards.

9:59 How will the US act as a peacemaker given economic constraints?

McCain: strong military, strong economy. Criticism of America’s foreign policy is justified, but America just rocks and don’t you forget it. Question of when to go to war can only be answered by someone who has experience making bad decisions on Iraq. Okay, he really didn’t say that, but it sure sounds like it.

Obama: I don’t understand how we invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 while igoring Osama. Don’t understand how McCain could have supported Iraq. Iraq has put a huge strain on our budget. Just happens that we’ve spent $700 billion so far. We need that money here in the United States.

I agree with McCain alert — we are the greatest force for good in the world. But there’s never been a country in the world that has seen its economy decline and maintained its military might. We don’t have the resources or allies to do what we need to do, but only if we change the McCain-Bush foreign policy.

Live Blogging and Tweeting Tonight

You can find my tweets here. See you at 9:00 EDT.

In Which I Pretend to Channel Rich Lowry

Editor’s note: given Rich Lowry is no longer thinking with his big head, we at Undiplomatic thought we’d do him a favor and write one of his posts.

Wasn’t Sarah Palin brilliant last night? I mean, she was able to form complete sentences, and occasionally a full paragraph without even looking at her cliff notes! And boy was she spunky! I love that in a woman. Such a strong, folksy, presence, too. I just loved the way she kept ignoring the question asked and saying whatever she wanted to. So unscripted, so spontaneous! I could not believe how good she was!

And the winking? I just melted. She was sending little starbursts through the screen and right into my heart. She’s more sparkly than William F. Buckley covered in glitter!

I mean, winks don’t lie, do they?

Do they? Please?

Oh. God. I can’t take it any more. Just thinking about that red dress and those glasses sends a shudder up my leg. Rowr! Grab me by the throat, baby. You know that I like it that way.

(breaks in to a falsetto, starts singing)

Sar-ah.
Just look at that red light.
Obama’s days are over,
You’re a hero to us on the right.

Sar-ah.
You just put on that red dress tonight
Sell your soul for Johnny
And don’t care if it’s wrong or if it’s right.

Whoops. Did I just sing that out loud? Oh well. It’s not like I had any journalistic credibility left to shred.

Sarah I love you! You’ve got it, girl. You light up my sad pathetic little life with such sweet starbursts of joy! Let me bear your child! We can call him Banana Duct-tape Slayer Palin! Anything! Just don’t deny me you dazzling sparkling effervescent, mezmerizing babealicious personality anymore!

I can’t believe that other people don’t see what I see. Come on, people do your homework. Sarah is much smarter than you think she is.

I should know — she winked at me — at me!

Siiiiiigh.

Poll: Who Won?

Let’s keep it simple, shall we?

Vote early, vote often.

Overnight Election Open Thread

In the end, I think Obama gets the edge: looked Commander-in-Chiefy, McCain looked condescending on at least four occasions, 45 minutes on the economy helps him, and I think he won the Iraq section of the debate.

But it was close. Not sure yet who will benefit more. My instinct is Obama because he looked like he could do the job.

Now debate amongst yourselves.

Live Blogging the Debate III

10:03 Next question: Iran

McCain: Iran is an existential to Israel. That echoes Condi on Iraq. We cannot allow a second holocaust.

Nooooooooo not the league of democracies!!! Is that like the Justice League of America? Suddenly the French are our friends. Does he know French scuttled the Community of Democracies? Well along with America’s atrocious behavior.

10:05 Iran: threat! threat! danger! danger! Will Robinson!

10:07 Obama on defense on Iran. Makes tough diplomacy point. Goes on offensive on talking to people. Good.

10:08 McCain plays without preconditions card but cant’ pronounce Ahmadinejad. That’s what people are going to remember. Just said he would sit down with anybody, but only with preconditions.

10:09 Obama is right about Ahmadinejad, but not sure people will care. Nice comeback on Kissinger.

They’re both performing well. It’s a tie so far. I think that benefits Obama.

10:11 People here are discussing The West Wing instead of watching the damn debate.

10:12 Obama just mocks McCain about his comment on Spain.

10:12 McCain says he doesn’t have a seal. Maybe he can get one from Sarah Palin.

10:13 Damn should have made Ahmadinejad a word in the drinking game.

10:14 Never thought I’d see Obama quote Henry Kissinger.

10:15 McCain is denying that Kissinger wouldn’t agree to meetings without preconditions.

10:16 Next question: Russia as competitor, enemy or partner?

10:17 Problem with Kissinger citation is that Kissinger will go on the tee vee and take McCain’s side.

Obama has passed the Commander in Chief test tonight. McCain passed the not your crazy grandpa test.

10:18 Condescension alert no. 3 — called Obama naive. McCain’s line on looking into Putin’s eyes was good.

10:19 So McCain’s opposition to Russia has to do with energy, apparently.

10:20 McCain knew Tsar Nicholas II, Tsar Nicholas was a friend of his. . .

I’m not sure McCain understands that the vast majority of Americans couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Georgia.

10:21 McCain sounds like a pundit, not a president — too much in the weeds on Ukraine. (Hat tip Yglesias)

10:23 Obama brings up energy as a component of foreign policy for the first time.

10:23 Obama just caved on offshore drilling, but noted that we only have 3 percent of world’s supply.

10:24 McCain: Do you really want to use a bridge metaphor when Palin is your running mate?

10:25 Last question: 9/11 Where’s Giuliani? Fear fear fear!

10:26 Lieberman makes the debate. Not a drinking game word, though.

10:27 Interesting that McCain is not using the Bush lines — another attack, vigilance, evildoers, etc. Good for McCain for talking about ending torture. Does he really want to mention the wonders of the Department of Homeland Security?

10:28 Obama: safer in some ways. But problems: nuclear proliferation. Missile defense?? WTF? Need to focus on al Qaeda, not just Iraq. Talks about fact that way we are pereceived in the world essential. We are less respected now. Gives props to McCain on torture.

10:30 When asked a gimme, McCain went to missile defense instead. Missed a chance to trash Bush. Goes back to Iraq and makes a subliminal reference linking al Qaeda and Iraq.

10:31 Over last eight years, this administration, along with McCain have focused solely on Iraq. Meantime Bin Laden is out there. First mention of challenge of China holding debt. Great point about failure of US’s ability to project power around the world, and fact China is projecting its power.

10:33 Obama mentions vets, PTSD, other vet issues. Good.

10:34 McCain has given Obama an opening by linking wisdom and judgment when they’re different. Will Obama take it?

10:34 McCain saying he loves veterans and will take care of them. That’s going to be his job. But if he can only do 1 thing at the time, what about the rest of us?

10:36 Final debate is really about Obama’s focus on soft power and values versus McCain’s focus on military power.

10:36 Last statement of the night: a noun, a verb, and POW.

I think that it was an excellent, serious, thoughtful debate. Verly little fluff, very little gotcha. I think it was largely a tie — the question is whether Obama proving he can be commander in chief is more important than McCain proving that he has judgment. Most important line of the night: Obama saying “you were wrong.”

Live Blogging the Debate II

9:34 Lehrer still trying to get them to talk about how it’s going to affect the economy.

9:36 Liked the focus on values.

McCain is all about fear here: federal government is going to take over health care. Cuts in spending.

9:37 Did McCain just spend the China card?

“John’s it’s been your President who you’ve agreed with 90 percent of the time and you’ve agreed with this orgy of spending.” Nice.

it’s been your President who you’ve agreed with 90 percent of the time and you’ve agreed with this orgy of spending.” Nice.

Miss Congeniality is tonight’s POW. He said Maverick. Drink!

McCain: I saved Iraq. All by myself. Well, maybe with Petraeus.

The sad reality is that, other than service families, people don’t care about Iraq anymore.

9:40 Obama deconstructs McCain on Iraq. Key point: we hadn’t finished in Afghanistan. Mentions fact that we will have spent 1 trillion. “We took our eye off the ball.” Notes Iraq has surplus when we’re in trouble.

“We have to use our military wisely, and we did not use it wisely in Iraq.” Point Obama.

9:43 McCain said we shouldn’t look at the past and then talked Obama’s past positions.

9:44 Nice reference to Biden in contrast to Palin.

9:44 John likes to pretend war started in 2007 — another nice line. Obama is tearing McCain apart right now on all his mistaken views back in 2003.

9:45 Condescension alert: Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy. Not sure that’s going to score any points. Claims Obama can’t admit we’re winning. Obama disagrees.

9:46 Obama answer “you were wrong” will be replayed constantly.

9:47 Obama: difference is over timetable not funding troops. The strategic question the President has to ask is “was this wise?” War on terror started in Afghanistan and has to end there. He’s right. But where’s the question about what’s happening in Pakistan?

9:49 Talking over each other.

9:49 McCain: Snatch defeat from jaws of victory.

9:50 Now Afghanistan.

9:50 Obama: more troops quickly. You cannot separate Afghanistan from Iraq because you don’t have troops in Afghanistan.

9:52 FINALLY Pakistan.

McCain: Won’t repeat the mistake of twenty freaking years ago. People are going to have no idea what he’s talking about it. McCain criticized Obama for saying we should launch strikes into Pakistan. Isn’t that what Bush is doing?

McCain knew Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great was a friend of his. . .

This is a pretty good answer by McCain, with lots of specifics.

9:55 McCain looks like he has gas.

9:56 I think Obama’s “take him out” line will resonate better than McCain’s criticism. He’s giving a good answer as well.

9:57 McCain: again with the condescension.

9:58 “Back in 1882 when I was first a Congressman. . .”

9:58 Didn’t he just talk about Somalia twice?

9:59 McCain is playing the patriotism card and “death not in vain” card.

10:00 POW POW POW — well indirectly.

10:01 Duelling blue star mothers. Obama reiterates whether Iraq was the right choice. Throws out the “muddle through” line.

10:02 Hey John, nobody cares about Senate committee assignments, but I’m glad when you go back to the Senate that you’ll do that.

Okay next one in 30 min.

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.

This Year’s “Truthiness”

Except in a good way: “multi-tasky.”

Usage: “McCain, through a series of impulsive decisions, managed to give Obama an opportunity to look calm, deliberative, multi-tasky, and presidential.”

Heh.

McWeaksauce: The Prequel

Apparently this isn’t the first time McWeaksauce has tried to weasel out of a debate.

With new polls showing his campaign dead in the water among California Republicans, Arizona Sen. John McCain has pulled out of a long-scheduled debate with Texas Gov. George Bush, set for Thursday in Los Angeles. . . . Top campaign officials attributed McCain’s decision to Bush’s earlier reluctance to appear at the debate. “We had agreed to do this debate a long time ago, and Gov. Bush said he wasn’t going to do it,” McCain spokesman Howard Opinsky said yesterday. “We aren’t going to hold our schedule together forever.”

. . .Still, just last week, the McCain campaign was openly derisive of Bush’s reluctance to commit to a California debate — and promised its own candidate would be there. “John McCain believes it’s important for the people of California to see and hear the candidates talk about the issues,” McCain communications director Dan Schnur told The Chronicle last week. “Thirty- three million Californians are worth that attention . . . and we’ll be there, either way.”

“Clearly, this is more double-talk from the McCain campaign,” said Alixe Mattingly, a spokeswoman for Bush. “Pulling out of this debate at the last minute is an indication that they’re pulling out of California, where McCain’s antagonistic message clearly isn’t working.”. . . “From a distance, it seems like the ‘Straight Talk Express’ is careening off the exit ramp in California,” said Leslie Goodman, a Republican communications consultant and Bush backer, in a reference to McCain’s campaign bus. “They claimed they’d make California a priority because it was win or die, and now they don’t care enough to debate.”

The irony here, of course, is that eight years later, Bush is an unindicted co-conspirator in McCain’s lame maneuver to get out of tonight’s debate.

Hat tip: Slog

Afternoon Buzz: In Honor of Tonight’s Debate

I’ll be live blogging and on Twitter. See you then.

McWeaksauce

The debate is on. Guess who blinked?

Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative Blunt as a designated negotiator for House Republicans. The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.

DIPLOSPEAK TRANSLATOR: Whoopsie! Man I couldn’t have screwed that up any more if I had thought about it. Of course, that would have required me to think about it, something I never do. Impulse control? What’s that?

Well, one thing he’s done: this very well could be the Super Bowl of debates, in terms of ratings. Unless he changes his mind between now and then — always a distinct possibility given his track record so far — I’ll be live blogging it.

In the meantime, I have some questions I’d like to see asked. More on that later this afternoon.

Nightly Political Haikus

Can’t write more haikus
Suspending my poetry
Except ones below

;

Surrogates appear
Campaign is not suspended!
Boy I sure fooled you

;

Had to speak today
Don’t want to let Clinton down
Since he endorsed me.

;

No debate! No! Please!
McCain’s freaking out again.
He’s a maverick!

;

Bailout deal is done!
Protected Wall Street.
Screwed Main Street again.

A Crisis in Confidence, Not Liquidity

Three observations about the current mess.

1. Last night, Bush looked scared, lost, and out of place. As my wife Molly put it, he was reading words put into his mouth rather than expressing his own thought. For all our mocking of Al Gore as Mr. Roboto eight years ago, no President has ever looked as wooden as Bush did last night.

But it was not merely a question of performance. Bush looked small — a sad little man out of his depth, more Willy Loman than Atticus Finch. It was a pathetic exercise in ass-covering and special pleading. Where others have risen to an occasion, Bush sank into the depths of his own failure.

2. It is easy to regard our current mess as a question of insufficient liquidity. Although the past two weeks’ event are clearly the product of the current Administration’s disastrous economic policies, what we’re really facing is a crisis in confidence. That’s why the Paulson-Bernanke decision to turn this into one of the biggest crises in American history was so devastating: it created the conditions for a collapse of confidence in the American economy.

If bankers continued to believe the economy was sound, they would lend. If foreign investors still thought the United States as a good place to put their money, the failure of a few large firms would do no more harm to our economic prospects than the Chrysler bailout, the collapse of the savings and loan industry, or the Enron meltdown did.

Credit isn’t drying up because there’s no money; it’s disappearing because people are afraid — scared to lend, scared to buy, scared to do much of anything at all. In the end, the Paulson plan (or the Dodd plan or any other proposal for that matter) will succeed or fail not because it pumps money into the system, but because it restores confidence.

What is required of leaders in times like this is not merely policy prescriptions, but also reassurance. Think about 9/11. For all we may despise him now, Rudy Giuliani — not Bush, I would note — demonstrated that kind of leadership. For about a week, Giuliani became almost a second President, offering Americans the comforting words they so longed to hear — words that Bush, whether unwilling or unable, never himself got around to saying.

In the current crisis, we have yet to see anyone play a similar role. Bush has been a disaster. McCain’s abrupt decision to “suspend” his campaign looked more like political panic than economic stewardship. Obama has been so cool, calm and collected that he looks detached. Paulson and Bernanke have turned into the Panic Twins, and no one in Congress has stepped to the plate.

3. I could not help contrasting Bush’s speech last night with one delivered during an even greater crisis. On March 4, 1932 (the official date of Inauguration Day had not yet been moved to January), Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his First Inaugural Address, three years after the Great Crash of 1929 had plunged the United States into the Great Depression. It was a desperate time, far worse than what we face now (at least as of now), the country teetering on the edge of chaos, despair, and the collapse of democratic government.

In response, Roosevelt gave what is one of the greatest inaugural speeches in American history (surpassed, perhaps, only by Lincoln’s Second), helping to calm American fears and start the long hard road back to prosperity — a process that lasted until the end of the Second World War, nearly sixteen years after the Great Crash.

Despite the fact that it would take over a decade for the United States to recover fully, Roosevelt’s speech that day was a turning point, if not in terms of economic growth, then in terms of Americans’ willingness to bear down and try to fix what was ailing the country — and in terms of saving our democratic form of government.

In this environment of fear and political posturing, I think it would be useful to recall what real leadership looks like. The following are excerpts; you can read the entire speech here.

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. . . . Yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it.

Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply. Primarily this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.

True they have tried, but their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. Faced by failure of credit they have proposed only the lending of more money. . . .The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.

Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.

Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing. Small wonder that confidence languishes, for it thrives only on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish performance; without them it cannot live. . . .

If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline no progress is made, no leadership becomes effective. We are, I know, ready and willing to submit our lives and property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership which aims at a larger good. This I propose to offer, pledging that the larger purposes will bind upon us all as a sacred obligation with a unity of duty hitherto evoked only in time of armed strife.

With this pledge taken, I assume unhesitatingly the leadership of this great army of our people dedicated to a disciplined attack upon our common problems.

Action in this image and to this end is feasible under the form of government which we have inherited from our ancestors. Our Constitution is so simple and practical that it is possible always to meet extraordinary needs by changes in emphasis and arrangement without loss of essential form. That is why our constitutional system has proved itself the most superbly enduring political mechanism the modern world has produced. It has met every stress of vast expansion of territory, of foreign wars, of bitter internal strife, of world relations. . . .

For the trust reposed in me I will return the courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less.

We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young alike. We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life.

We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it.

So how about it Senator Obama? If John McCain does not show up tomorrow night, it’s your chance to give a speech that could reassure the nation, one that would match if not surpasses the best you’ve given in the past. It might do more to restore confidence than anything that’s happening in Washington.

And if that isn’t enough incentive, it also just might win the election for you.

Election 2008: Calm Down, People

For some reason, the meme on the intertubes yesterday was “OMG Obama is flailing! OMG! OMG!” I’m not quite sure why, but several factors appear to be at play: several new national polls show McCain within the margin of error; growing fears that McCain’s negative ads have had an impact on Obama; and several progressive bloggers — particularly Josh Marshall and friends over at TPM — hit Obama hard today for what they see as his relative passivity.

My response? Calm down, people.

What follows is a list of the reasons I’m not worried. This one goes to sixteen.

1, Too much was made of the “Berlin bounce.” Too many Obama supporters got giddy over something that, a few weeks later, most people have forgotten. The same will be true about the celebrity kerfuffle (more on that in a minute).

2. The conventions haven’t happened yet. Despite the fact that some of us have been following this thing for 206 years, most people aren’t paying attention yet.

3. National polls don’t matter — if they did, Al Gore would be in the last seven months of his presidency.

4. Although there are reasons to be nervous, Obama is still doing well in a number of states. Yes, some races are tightening, but that’s to be expected. The only two I’m worried about at this point are Michigan (and only if Mitt Romney is McCain’s VP and the Kwame Kilpatrick saga gets worse) and Minnesota (where Al Franken is so badly hurt by Coleman’s “use his comedy to destroy him” strategy that he’s dragging Obama down). To be clear, things aren’t wonderful; they’re not even great. But they’re not bad, considering everything McCain has thrown in Obama’s direction over the past few weeks. (To be clear, this is all based on my gut feeling; if you want statistical models, go to Nate Silver’s brilliant site.)

5. I do think that Obama did make one mistake recently: the timing of his Olympic advertising. It appears that the majority of his buy was during week two, and his focus is primarily on policy rather than biography. McCain, meanwhile, appears to have spread out his buy, using week one to run his attack ads and week two for biography. (If anyone has more than anecdotal evidence that I’m either right or wrong about this, please let me know.) Given the huge interest in Michael Phelps and gymnastics, that may have been a misjudgment. But I doubt it will have a long-term impact.

6. Things are more likely to go Obama’s way over the next few weeks, barring a major misstep. If he picks Biden (or Gore or Clark, for that matter) he’ll get a bump. If his acceptance speech is up to his usual standard, he’ll get a bump. Meanwhile, McCain is unlikely to get similar bumps from his VP pick or his speech (unless expectations are so low that he manages not to look bad). And Rudy Giuliani as the Republican keynoter? WTF? Talk about the stench of defeat. Gee, I wonder if he’ll talk about 9/11?

7. If McCain picks Ridge, Lieberman, Wittman, or Fiorina, he’ll have an evangelical revolt on his hands. He may pick up a point or two from the PUMAs, but he’ll lose two to three times that from the Dobson brigade staying home.

8. Ron Paul could be to 2008 what Pat Buchanan was to 1992. Bob Barr is going to suck more votes away from McCain than Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney will from Obama. It probably won’t matter, but that’s what we thought about Nader in 2000.

9. McCain is starting to make mistakes. For example, his comments on water rights in Colorado may cost him the state. Even the mainstream media is starting to notice.

10. McCain has had a great month, but what really did he get out of it? That Obama is a celebrity? If this is the 2008 equivalent of swift-boating, then Obama will be fine. And some voters were not happy with the attacks. Obama’s negatives may have gone up, but so did McCain’s.

11. As we get closer to the election, real issues are going to matter more than the nonsense Schmidt and company are regurgitating right now. Obama’s people understand that, and their targeting of specific ads in specific markets reflects a canny approach to exposing McCain’s weaknesses on the economy.

12. I live in a battleground state (Virginia). Now I know that Obama’s people know I’m supporting Obama — after all, I co-managed the NoVa phone bank during the primary (35,000 calls by over 300 volunteers in 5 days, baybee). Right now, I’m getting, on average two to three calls a week asking me to volunteer. That’s what people mean by Obama having a superior ground game. It will make a difference in a number of states — just as Bush’s did four years ago.

13. The debates. Obama may not be as effective at debating as he is at oratory (and McCain may be better), but unless McCain starts coming up with some actual positions, he’s going to find it hard to talk about Obama’s alleged character defects for two hours.

14. Sooner or later, someone is going to ask McCain a hard question he can’t answer in a venue he can’t avoid, or someone is going to say something to set him off in a manner that

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