Live Coverage of Tonight’s Debate

Less than a week after the federal government had to bail out American International Group Inc., the company sent executives on a $440,000 retreat to a posh California resort.
I want my money back!!!!
2TRILLION LOST IN RETIREMENT FUNDS!!
McCain better talk about the economy and leave that garbage at the landfill!!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN08

How can Obama, the most liberal senator, appeal to the independents and moderate conservatives if he hasn’t ever shown any attempt to come to the middle?
Mike from San Diego

Tom Brokaw has too much makeup on.

Lisa: It not my tv setting. I noticed he is very yellow.

PLEASE stop denigrating each other and answer the questions! What can you do? What will you do? If you can’t answer the questions, this debate is useless and we should turn our televisions off.

M Mendell: Did McCain said he will reduce home owner mortgage to market value so they can keep their home? My home loan is 135,000 but the market value is 88,000. reducing my home loan to 88,000 will work for me.

Let the moderator know that HE SHOULD MODERATE in the dabate not take sides with inflamatory comments toward any side or challenge the comments made.
This is yet another reason that ABC should not be involved in thisor any election

the questions appears to be too easy for both candidates.

McCain is playing too soft here, and holding back.
Obama stealing McCain’s point he made at the Faith Forum about after 9/11 getting more people involved in Peace Corps….what a fraud.
I never understand what the hell BO says…so “nuanced”.
He’s just throwing numbers around to screw with us.

Obama will not answer in specifics at all, why?? Every questioner is asking for specifics and he won’t give them.Is he afraid, he’ll offend some voters. This is not Presidential. Level with America. We want to hear the tough answers.

Did I hear Senator Mc Cain tell Oliver the black gent, that he probably never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before the economic crisis? Since when did we stop spending money on instruments of education( the overhead projector)?

McCain was right in saying we don’t have to prioritize those three things mentioned…he can focus on all of them at once. You can’t tell someone about health care they have to wait until you handle the energy crisis.
McCain won that one.

Obama is an unpatriotic fraud and a liar. When will the American people see through him and notice the kind of people that he keeps company with.
McCain loves America and fought for America. Obama does not think America is Great, he thinks we should apologize to other countries – No way!

I am not trying to be funny but it is very difficult to understand Obama when he talk. He is going okay.

The voters, whoever they’re for, deserve better than the infantile accusations and name-calling going on presently. Will these two men,in the remaining month be willing to stop mentioning their opponent’s name, record, and/or perceptions…and focus SOLELY on explaining their specific plans for energy, economics and health care? We should hear nothing but the hows, whens and whys of their solutions.

If McCain says “my friends” one more time, I am going to scream.

drill baby drill

I’m sorry…but they’re still not getting it. I support Obama, but I’m not any happier with his approach. And I DON’T want to hear about a 3M dollar projector when folks want to hear about affording $25 for groceris.

did OB just say he was for nuclear power? what? since when? the last two minutes while Mac was speaking?

McCain is the guy for alternative energy….T Boone Pickens is for McCain.

Mike, again: I do like the idea to adjust all home owners loan to market value. this will help me and to drill for oil.s

OB cannot speak directly, Obtuse should be his middle name not Hussein

We built a huge city for billions of dollars in Bagdad called a US Embassy. What will both candidates do to protect this and other permanant capital expenditures made over the last few years. What returns will we see on these types of investments? What will happen to freedom for oil?

It’s a damn shame we don’t have Hillary up there. She is brilliant. Funny- Obama’s healthcare plan sounds exactly like Hillary’s. Obama is such a poseur.

Why is Tom Brokaw constantly interupting Obama??? Is he a republican or something??

I want to know why neither candidate is addressing the specifics re: the lenders of this nation that were forced to lend to folks that should have NEVER been granted loans based on their ability to qualify – period! Regulations put in place to “help” the american people have forced the hands of lenders to lend to consumers who did not truly qualify. How are the regulations going to be changed so that this situation never happens again?

McCain connects with the people more….he’s used to Town Hall format and mking connection with American People. Obama’s ego fills the room, he only connects with himself.

INTERRUPTING OBAMA ???? – Are you watching the same debate as I am?

Looks like another Obama win.

WHERE’S HILLARY WHEN WE NEED HER? SHE WAS BRILLIANT AND RAN CIRCLES AROUND BARACK HUSSEIN….I WANTED A HILLARY VS. McCAIN ELECTION, BUT NOW I AM FULL ON McCAIN/PALIN.

I want to know why neither candidate is addressing the specifics re: the lenders of this nation that were forced to lend to folks that should have NEVER been granted loans based on their ability to qualify – period! Regulations put in place to “help” the american people have forced the hands of lenders to lend to consumers who did not truly qualify. How are the regulations going to be changed so that this situation never happens again?

sue: Nothing personal. Obama and MCCain keep talking over their time.

I want to know why neither candidate is addressing the specifics re: the lenders of this nation that were forced to lend to folks that should have NEVER been granted loans based on their ability to qualify – period! Regulations put in place to “help” the american people have forced the hands of lenders to lend to consumers who did not truly qualify. How are the regulations going to be changed so that this situation never happens again?

McCain can’t hide his desperation tonight. So many of his comments are disjointed because he tries to interject antiObama crap that’s irrelevant.

Universal Health Insurance = Socialism, just one small step for Obama, one big leap for Stalin…didn’t we tear down that wall?????

I love the comments stating how “America” backs McCain…Have you read ANY of the polls lately? America may be “backing-up” from McCain…but they’re clearly not “backing” him as a whole.

THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOING HELP AMERICA IS TO BRING OUR JOBS BACK TO AMERICA. NOW I LIKE OBAMA PUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE THIS STEP AND BRING OUR JOBS BACK HOME TO BRING US OUT OF THIS MESS WE ARE IN
.

Yes, but they also spend and waste their money on mudslinging and advertising. Some people do not have access to radio, internet or tv.
A canidate that would spend their money more wisely and not waste it- shows us they know how to put into action what they are talking about. They can afford to spare their money and help others. By doing this, they will garner more support and people will start to have faith in their country again.
People would feel about helping and suporting causes that they see their leaders supporting.

Republicans got us into this mess,now we gotta Pay for it!!! Let’s take care of America 1st before we provide for other countries. Jobs,Jobs,Jobs….People are starving in America but Washington doesn’t care.

I want to know why neither candidate is addressing the specifics re: the lenders of this nation that were forced to lend to folks that should have NEVER been granted loans based on their ability to qualify – period! Regulations put in place to “help” the american people have forced the hands of lenders to lend to consumers who did not truly qualify. How are the regulations going to be changed so that this situation never happens again?

McCain, you doddering old fool, we marched right into Iraq why cant we just march right out?

PA Voter – lol on AIG.
Jill – nice to know there are solid Americans on both sides of the political fence.

Why is McCain so DISRESPECTFUL to a fellow Senator? “This one” and “Did you hear the fee?”
What an a-hole.
Is anyone keeping a count of the times he says “my friend”? Senator McCain, you are NOT my friend.

Sorry lyssa…couldn’t hear you…let me turn down the bubbles a bit…

If Obama plans to be President, then he needs to do some changing his self.
He needs to stop whinning! He is NOT ready to be President of this country if he want even wear the American flag on his lapel or even put his hand over his heart to be proud to be an American.
I can honestly say that I will VOTE for aTRUE AMERICAN John McCain

Het John from FL – tell God why 4,000 good Americans are dead because of your stupidity, fear – and a real Christian should not be fearful of death – , ignorance, and greed.
Take your scummy ignorance and tell us why you are not in Iraq.
Coward?

It is nothing to do with color. It is where yhou stand on abortion. Kill babies or support life. That is the ultimate and only issue that counts.
If they say it is ok to kill a fetus, then what are those that pay thousands to inject their eggs with sperm to make a baby? Both sides can not be right. Either it is a fetus or not.

what is going to be done about our port securities? our ports must be secured to protect dirty bombs and such fromm entering america, why is this not a topic that is being address by either canidate

Obama just said he’s green behind the ears and my husband said “you are!” We are all in agreement that Obama is green.

are we there yet? this is pathetically boring and they are both lying. yuck

OLD JOHNNY FORGOT TO TAKE HIS WHEATIES THIS MORNING…

I am sure, even with all of his bumbles, ums, and uhs, the MSM will still give OB a wonderful review, after all, he is their Man. He has yet to gather his thoughts, brilliant though he is, into coherent sentences. He has been unable to come across, once again, to the average American, as someone relatable, and trust-worthy.

I’m having more fun reading here than listening to/watching the debacle…oooops, I mean the debate.

I have a comment and a question. I am a 44 year old female the is also a EMT I work 80 hours just to make it out in this big world yet we have people out there that sits and wait on a check for nothing. Most are able to work so where is the answers. However there are the ones that really needs help and are unalbe to get it. Where is the balance.

I don’t understand how anybody can honestly believe that McCain connects with people better? How can a man that is 3/4 dead related to the majority of the American voters? He can’t, his only point that he can make tonight is that Obama knows nothing. McCain doesn’t even answer the questions or explain how he’s going to “win” the war and “get” Bin Laden. Clearly he knows something if he’s attempting to dig the U.S. out of the deep hole that our current Republican administration has threw us in to. Obama also knows something if he’s willing to sit down and actually talk to the people that give the US issues. Talking to countries and not bombing countries will help end the hatred towards America and open communications lines that have been closed for way too long.
McCain is Bush Jr., there’s no doubt, and if Palin has to take over, the country is even more screwed.
And to any Hillary supporter that will back McCain/Palin doesn’t clearly understand Hillary, she wouldn’t support a former Democrat switching their vote to Republican because they didn’t get their candidate, Hillary still has a chance, and she will be and is a great ally for Obama. Just because Palin is a female doesn’t mean she represents the same values and goals that Hillary had. Obvioulsy you were never really interested in the change of this country if you’re willing to vote Republican.

Hanna…You’re right. I’m sure Bin Laden wants to overthrow Long Beach just as soon as he gets his surfboard rewaxed.

I WANT TO KNOW IF THE TROOPS ARE GOING TO BE BROUHGT BACK HOME AFTER ONE OF YOU BECOME PRESIDENT ???

Yeah McCain, let’s go to war with Russia. That will really get us out of this financial mess.

Steve W
John stayed in Vietnam though he could have gone home
John is not the 3rd W and he will get Bin Laden (unlike Clinton who let him go when he was within sight)
Jobs are being outsourced because the democrats refuse to pass free trade agreements
I don’t think any of us support Iraq, but it is something that we have to deal with, and in the best way we can, not by cutting and running, but by making sure their gov is established and worthy of handling the situation. Why aren’t you there?
Why don’t you donate your money to pay for all of OBs new socialist policies?

WHERE’S HILLARY WHEN WE NEED HER? SHE WAS BRILLIANT AND RAN CIRCLES AROUND BARACK OBAMA ….I WANTED A HILLARY VS. McCAIN ELECTION, BUT NOW I AM FULL ON McCAIN/PALIN.
WISHED THAT OBAMA WOULD STOP TALKING IN CIRCLES. HE NEEDS TO SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN.
AND STOP TELLING LIES ON MCCAIN.

MCCAIN WHO’S ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN GANG KEEPS SAYING HE WANTS TO DO…BUT HIS RECORD SHOWS HE’S DONE NOTHING…WITH ALL HIS YEARS…WASTED…

I love when Obama agrees with Senator McCain as he did EIGHT times at the last debate. He’s now agreeing with McCain on Russian/Georgia.
McCain has to throw a right hook before this night is over…..he really should. I still don’t understand Obama’s wordy answers. He’s too cerebral.
Russia and engery fall right into Gov. Palin’s area here, and McCain should mention that.

I love when Obama agrees with Senator McCain as he did EIGHT times at the last debate
———————
You probably didn’t count the five times Palin agreed with Biden did you?

Time to change your depend McCain…you’re full of crap.

Bill,
Well, France is pretty close and getting closer every day, give Sarkozy a few more months. I can’t dis the canucks cos I get my contacts over the border (yes, they are cheaper, but neither candidate’s health plan will change that). I’ll leave the Swiss and Brits alone, for now.

We know what the MSM told us the public thought about the last one, Jeremy.

I put in that there is a need to help. I just believe that the parents can go out and work. A lot of our children turns around and lioves just like their parents. I could have choose this route when i was raiseing my child but insread i choose to get ot there and get a job. Let my child have values and know that it is possible to make it with hard work and beliefs. No sysem is perfect but there is other ways to survive beside waiting on a check the first of the month. I just wnat to know if there is any answers out there

I was a rep but i am ready for a change and I changed and became a DEC WE NEED A CHANGE

I have a small hurting home-base business with no healthcare and I was trying to get food stamps for a couple of months to feed my family until I can bring in sales but I was told that I made too much money, $1150.00 a month before taxes to cover a family and run my business at home.

Jill, why aren’t you in Iraq? Are you too precious like Bush’s daughters?
I have noticed, besides that the rught tends to whine a lot, that they do not like to actually fight the wars they start.
Then there is the funding for an ignorant war,
Jill, where is Bin Laden?
Why are you not actively engaged in exterminating this vermin?
Don’t worry. I already know the answer. Right wingers talk, but they cannnot walk the walk.
I am sure Jeremy is in a public restroom somewhere waiting for your counterpart.

Hannah, I can’t believe someone married you. Please don’t procreate.
Do you actually think that Palin is going to solve our Russia + energy crisis problems? I know there is oil in Alaska and I am well aware that she can see Russia from her state, but to posit that she will offer any coherent solution is too big a leap for any sane mind to make.
But I suppose sane minds don’t type in all caps and exclamation points and pray for terrorist attacks.

Obama wins this debate too.

Sue you rock – vote for change :)

Steve
Funny, you ignored my other responses. I’m not in Iraq, but my brother and cousin did serve there. As for BL, why are you not actively engaged in hunting him down. You are better at rhetoric than you are at solving problems. Find your own restroom, doubt you’ll need assistance pleasing yourself in Ideal-land. Back here, in America, we live in reality.

Larry this is what i am talking about. When someone really needs help it isnt out there. I believe that a lot f the people that gets all the benifits could work

Steve,
I concur, Mac is not W, and not W the 3rd. That is the point I am attempting, apparently not very well, to make.

It is up to the america people who will be our next president however if they watched the debate they will see why I changed to OBAMA OBAMA won tonight

Stayed up here in the UK to watch the debate live, have read your comments and none of them mention the fact McCain and Obama adimitted the corruption and fraud within the govt system and that McCain was involved in a def contract that was corrupt from the start when buying new refulling tankers. The whole system is corrupt and the UK is the same.

I’m sorry – vote Obama and you are getting a man that has the prime religion of getting rid all that do not believe in the muslim religion. Looking at the muslim religion – it states that unless you take down 3 unbelievers, you will not reach heaven. What better way to ensure your place in heaven (according to that religion) than to become the leader and take out the greatest free religious nations?!?!??? Because of his experience, because of what he has seen – my vote MCCAIN!!

Even the Republican strategist thinks McCain lost this one.
He’s a poor speaker. The Republicans chose a poor candidate.

I agree lyssa…very well stated. Meet me down at O’Malley’s – I’ll buy you a beer!

Who picked the debate questions? What a boring debate. Both Obmaa and MCCain did okay but we did not learn anything with those standard questions.

Steve W
I think you have it wrong. I believe neither candidate answewred questions that the public asked. I have no intention of insulting americans who work 12 hours a day for minimum wage. Been there and did that as well as worked my way through college and paid back my education loans. Your questions are great, Why have we not found Bin Laden? It would appear that GW and DC had a premedidated idea of invading Iraq maybe e3ven before 9/11. Why don’t I pay for the war? Unfortunately I do. If I had my choice I would earmark my tax money for education and poverty alleviation and national development projects like roads, water systems, environmental improvement etc. My original comment was that I believe that the American Public deserved a better discussion. I feel that niether candidates did a good job. I found the debate boring. I am still going to vote for Obama. I am proud to be an American, Democrat and Liberal.

Look at how he changes into a big smile for a camera and almost looks bored just talking and shaking hands.

Obama, being the celebrity. Working the crowd. Just like a one world leader will do after the Rapture.

My mother on more than one occassion that men/women of the cloth are only human and make mistakes just like the rest of us so when we go to church take what works for you home and leave the rest in the hands of GOD. I have taught that to my children also. Just because a reverand says something it does not mean you as a member of that church have to believe it. I am sure that mama obama taught her son along the same lines as my mom did with us. I would agree that it didn’t look good but then obama is also only human as is mccain. I would rather have a president that admitts his mistakes then one who doesn’t. Oh yea another thing…bash obama as much as you want but at least his wife didn’t hang out and campaigne with a group of people who want Alaska to become it’s own country, verbally say that she hates america and is ashamed to be called an american as Joe Palin did and said.

Jeremy, did not mean to insult you. I do not spend a lot of time on these blogs and then I realized I had taken things out of turn after some time and more reading.

I can’t believe that there are still posters so ignorant as to think Obama a)is a Muslim, b) gives a rats behind about anyones religion or wants to “convert” ANYONE! He’s a Baptist…I’m a Baptist…there is nothing mentioning virgins and heaven in any of my education in church. And if you want to talk about friends, does Keating ring a bell?
P.S. Hanna-Hillary is out…get over it

Obama’s plan for America in a nutshell. “Government is good.” “More government is better.” Elect me and I will block Republican attempts to drill for more oil, build new refineries and new nuclear power plants. I will increase your energy costs cause I think using 25% of all the oil in the world is unfair. I will kill economic growth and jobs by raising taxes on American business making the US less competitive in the world wide economy. The money I confiscate from American business will be funneled through a corrupt bloated bureaucracy. What little of the money is left I will than trickle back down to the “middle class” if they follow my authoritarian rules of the road as defined by my unrepentant terrorist buddy, Ayers. Obama: “You can’t drive your SUVs, eat all the food you want and keep your thermostats at 72 degrees all the time. I WON’T ALLOW IT” I understand now. Thank you Obama for making it crystal clear what you plan for America should you get elected.

I would like to comment on Obama’s statment on asthma. Yes, asthma is a treatable disease. It can also kill in a very short amount of time. I have asthma. My life was saved by some amazing doctors and nurses in an ER. As a matter of fact breathing problems are right behind level one trama. Asthma is a serious disease that should not be taken lightly. With asthma on the rise in our children in all areas of the country we need to have a better plan. Than to just make it so that the child can see his or her doctor. We need more urgent care centers. With qualified people. I could go on and on. I find the comment Obama made on the subject not to be a responcible one and frankly, I am angry. Neigher one of the canidates care about people like myself who are struggling to pay for medical bills on top of everything else. I have been under our form of social medicine and was treated less than human in many cases. I saw the same treatment for many other people. I have had to wait in line for 6 hours to get my medication at a pharmacy. Right after being in the ER. This is no way to treat people. After being able to get private insurance I was finally treating like a human being and not cattle. The sad thing is that I lost my job because of the asthma and now I am trying to get it back under control. Since, I can not work at the moment. I am forced to go back on low income healthcare or be a burden to my family while I fight my disease. I don’t want handouts. I just want to be able to pay a reasonable amount of money for quality medical insurance. I am ashamed of the way that this country has handled our business in all areas. This is no time to give us the same o’line. But, I am afraid that this is what we are going to get once again.

Wow Jill, if we all could do what you do then there probably would not be any issues for us Americans to face.
Please lead us to the great enlightment oh Great One.
The problem is you are just full of promises and hot air.

Please, Steve, sarcastic sound bites are better left to the pundits. “I” am not full of promises and hot air, “I” believe in the american dream – and believe we, all americans, should help each other through service and kindness. (sarcasm forthcoming) Forgive me for being kind and a republican, I know it is a hard nut for you to swallow, but we are out here.

John McCain won tonight imo.
Obama is full of hot air, and refused to answer in specifics. No wonder he is known as “All-Talk” Obama.
Even Hillary said all he has is a speech from 2004.

Obama was in touch with all, not just those he could personally identify with “military” the teacher mom, unemployed needed a pat on the back also. Nither of them can tell us what they are going to do until we see what Bush will do with the bail out and one of them have to clear up. you can only propose what you would do until you get in and see what needs cleaning up. I want to know when Bush will bail us out with the second round of money to help us live for today not next January 5th.

John McCain has done exactly what I anticipated—continued to speak in circles and condescend. He consistently fails to present facts and tries to grin and “my friend” his way through the debate. It is almost unbearable to watch.
Barack Obama continues to articulate his plan calmly and clearly. There is absolutely no question he is the next leader of this country.

Finally McCain takes his gloves off and acts really concerned instead of being the nice guy. Obama needs to be exposed. Character flaws, untrustworthy associations and platforms that do not add up to any real savings such as he claims, Obama is like a used car salesman, smooth and convincing.

Obama did a Wonderful Job, has lots of knowledge, highly educated, and knows how to approach all people. He will be the the President!