I won't win cool points for this, but McCain is doing excellent so far, better than Obama

[Seen the light]

The actual answers to questions in these debates don't matter one bit as to who won them, only "moments" do. I honestly can't remember hardly any of Senator Obama's answers to the questions that were asked, while McCain has had at least SOME memorable answers.

I think it was a mistake for Senator Obama to do this forum.

[dkf]

1. You like his soundbites? I don't find anything interesting or informative

about anything he is saying.

[Seen the light]

11. His Vietnam stories and owning up to his marital failure was excellent

He's been succinct in his answers. As dumb as his answers have been, he's been pretty straightforward.

[Erin Elizabeth]

19. So as long as you are direct about your dumb answers,

that's good?

Man, the bar is LOW.

[dkf]

29. I'm rolling my eyes at his Vietnam stories.

[beachmom]

32. I highly disagree. I want details as to why it was a moral failing.

Succinct is not the point here. Getting to know the person is. I felt like I got to know Obama; McCain's flippant answers show we know nothing about him, and he is unwilling to reveal who he is.

[Pisces]

2. Sounds like someone was given the questions in advance.

[Seen the light]

6. Now THAT very well may be

I've been shocked at how well McCain has done compared to what I was expecting. That very well could be it.

[stray cat]

3. I think Obama sounded personal and human and McCain sounds like a politician

[Erin Elizabeth]

13. There you go. You hit the nail on the head.

A very self-centered politician, at that.

[glowing]

4. Why? I don't think that he's doing that well.. Just because he says things

really forcefully and pulls that whole Flag, Soldier, Christian thing.. doesn't make him more popular.. This stance on abortion will alienate many women.

[monomach]

5. Agree that it's a mistake. Giant fucking fundie echo chamber. nt

[gblady]

7. we must .....

be watching a different version.

[FormerConservative]

8. Low info voters love this christian war hero bullshit..

I'm scared for Obama in the general.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Bullcrap.

[Erin Elizabeth]

10. Really?

My politically fairly uninvolved husband thought Obama did great and is getting more and more annoyed by McCain (talking only about himself, "my friends," etc).

He's also really stiff.

[SoonerPride]

12. Fail.

He trots out POW sob stories when he's cornered.

It shows he's weak.

[BlooInBloo]

20. Giuliani: 911! 911! 911! McCain: Vietnam! Vietnam! Vietnam!

[speedoo]

14. So you like hearing "my friends", followed by bullshit?

Did you like his rant on evil, as well?

[Peregrine Took]

46. This stuff sells to Middle America. If my parents were still alive they would

love it.

[liberalmuse]

15. Fuck you! You're right.

He's doing better than Obama because he is pandering to American ego.

[SunDrop23]

16. Well damn dude, if you give me softball questions like that, I'll outdebate anybody. Here we go...

radical islamic extremism
9/11
pro-life

oh by the way i served in viet nam

the mccain people have to be LOVING this.

who in the hell authorised this in the Obama camp?

[Thrill]

17. It wasn't a mistake. But the questions like this are perfect for Repuke Talking Points

[Peacetrain]

18. Horse Hockey!!

What program are you listening to??

[Seen the light]

27. I'm telling you: These McCain anecdotes are better than Obama's thoughtful answers

Thankfully all undecided voters are watching the Olympics right now.

[FormerConservative]

30. Good point...phew

[musicblind]

51. Sadly you are the only person on DU who is able to look at this with

objective eyes. Everyone else sees it through tinted glasses.

I do, however, think he was fed these questions in advance.

[Ichingcarpenter]

65. I can't stand people that deal in absolutes be it McCain or a DUer

Your glasses our colored even in your response.

[musicblind]

72. My glasses are certainly not colored my posts are elaborate, unbiased

and do not always follow the strict and narrow of "if it came from McCain's mouth it is bad" "if it came from Obama's mouth it is good."

That is the difference. I feel like some people on DU think we are having some big battle between good and evil. Rather than a battle between good and bad ideas.

If you cannot tell that by saying "you're the only one on DU" I am using hyperbole then that says something about you ...


Obviously there are others who agree with me and the OP. Since they have made responses to this very thread.



Author's note:
Wow that's the first time I've used the "eyes" feature since joining DU

[Ichingcarpenter]

78. Yes, your OP is getting its intellectual analysis and support

that "Obviously there are others who agree with me and the OP"

Yes, lets look at the obvious.... thank you for pointing out banality.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Obviously, you like Republican fundie warmongers!

Good for you!

[AllieB]

47. Seems like there's a lot of those around DU lately.

[Christa]

22. He is playing the audience well

whereas Obama was honest.

[SoonerPride]

24. One showed thoughtful replies the other spews sound bites

McSame is terrible

[LSparkle]

23. It was a mistake for him to think Rick Warren was a FRIEND and would

treat him fairly.

Warren is TOTALLY kissing Bomb Bomb's ass -- letting
him have the chance to "tell stories" and give his
stump speech, while he specifically warned Obama he
didn't want a stump speech ...

RIDICULOUS. The post-game is going to be terrible,
but Obama (like many of us liberal Christians) thought
this would be a good opportunity for him. I'm REALLY,
REALLY disappointed in Warren, because I thought (like
Obama did) that he WOULD be an honest broker and he's
totally shown his hand.

[Ichingcarpenter]

25. I think it shows anyone in their right mind will not vote for McCain

fuck the religious right.

[Sidney J Mussburger]

26. The best part was

when he went into complete detail of his torture with his arms tied behind his back and his head between his knees. That response was entirely relevant to the question asked. Oh wait sec, I meant to say it had nothing to do at all with what was asked.

McCain : Vote for Me, I was TORTuRED!!11!!!

[beachmom]

28. Really? I turned it off as soon as he said his greatest change of view was offshore drilling.

Obama was humble and compelling tonight. McCain was just trying to score political cheap shots. It is my view that McCain does not understand the purpose of this forum. HUMILITY is the most important thing to show tonight.

I was open to listening to McCain. Then right out of the gate he sites Petraeus as a great wise man to consult. WRONG ANSWER. That is not the kind of answers evangelicals are looking for. George W. Bush knew how to work this crowd; McCain simply does not. I am no longer watching, so that gives you an idea of how well McCain is doing. I bet you I am not alone.

[isentropic]

42. McCain is not attempting to connect with you, me or any DUers.

His targets are people who never heard of DU and would hate us if they did.

[JackORoses]

31. keep looking pal, cause what your seeing ain't the light

[flamingdem]

33. Mothers and fathers listening to this have to consider the draft, he is a warmonger nt

[Sparkly]

34. He's doing better at stating rightwing positions.

That's why this audience loves him. The questions are about politics, as it turns out -- and for this audience, there are correct answers and incorrect answers.

[Arkana]

35. Impossible to tell because they don't go in on equal footing.

Obama knows the deck is heavily stacked against him--and the fact that evangelicals tack Republican is inescapable for the media.

And it's easy to speak in soundbites because stupid people, like the folks in the audience, remember them. But I hope embittered Clinton supporters who are convinced that voting McCain will salve their egos in November are watching--because McCain revealed himself to be just another right-wing scumbag.

[Erin Elizabeth]

36. Well, given the fact that he just asked about the justices

question before the guy had even GOTTEN TO THAT QUESTION, you can clearly see why he's doing ok (for McCain). He knew the questions. He's rehearsed. He rattles off stuff because he knew what the questions were.

So yeah. Not really a level playing field, is it?

Husband said he's up to 14 times to say "my friend."

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[depakid]

38. Even though McCain was fed the questions beforehand- he's doing great

Anyone who doesn't think so doesn't know how to analyze performances objectively.

He's being forceful and direct- looks in control, and people in the rust belt and places like Virginia are just going to eat this stuf up.

Good thing not many people are watching....

[isentropic]

39. You are right and you will be pilloried by those here who refuse to acknowledge it.

Denial is a huge problem in DU. I've seen it way too much.

[noel711]

40. As a 'professional' person of faith, McCain's answers appall me

Rick Warren pressed Obama, stressing no stump speeches,
yet is giving McCain
leeway for his 'political talking points.
All McCain is dwelling on is the military perspective;
there is no 'faith' viewpoint from McCain.

If he's so damned sure of his faith in Jesus,
then why the hell isn't he baptised?

Press him on that, Rick Warren.

[Raine]

41. I agree

he's full of crap but the audience is sucking it up anad that's what counts.

[Spazito]

43. Huh?

The only reason they might be memorable to you is because you have heard them over and over again, in every stump speech. What did McBush say that you did not know before, haven't heard before?

[eleny]

44. Obama spoke to Independents watching on tv - McCain to the live crowd

Not a mistake for either candidate. Most in the audience would never vote for Obama. Forget his turning evangelicals his way.

[Peregrine Took]

45. I agree with you. I don't know why Obama went there - he comes across

as a poor second to our "McZero the hero".

[JerseygirlCT]

48. Seriously?

McCain's coming off stiff and canned, giving pre-fab answers, saying little to nothing except to bring up POW experience, and intone the magical name of Reagan as often as possible.

I'm not impressed.

[QC]

50. Consider the audience he's in front of.

He's not trying to appeal to you and me, you know.

[JerseygirlCT]

54. The audience there certainly seems to be loving it - but there's a

larger audience out there.

Hopefully enough with the intelligence or low tolerance for BS to see through his nonsense.

As to the evangelical audience, I didn't hear anything tonight that would put there doubts to rest from McCain - he remains incapable of speaking about tough, personal issues like his faith, while Obama handled them gracefully and thoughtfully. McCain's only religion is his manufactured brand of patriotism. I hate to even use that word, because it devalues the real thing. Jingoism?

[pot luck]

49. Obama gave intelligent, thoughtful answers

while McPOW just ticked off right wing talking points and gave endless stories about being a POW. America’s going to eat that sh*t up. I’m sorry, but I have no faith in a country that elected Shrub TWO FRAKKIN’ TIMES. McPOW gave all of the answers that the LIV in fly over country love. My only hope is that some women’s eyes were opened tonight and see that McPOW doesn’t have our best interests in mind.

[ProSense]

52. McCain's responses don't make sense. In fact, some of them are lies. Don't

confuse the fact that fundies will applaud anything RW with doing better. The nation is watching.

[marlakay]

53. Lets just say i could tell obama was authentic

and mccain was fake, and if people are stupid enough not to be able to tell and they go by mccains phoney smiles and fake christianity they deserve him.

[flamingdem]

55. Sadly, authenticity does not always win over glib and macho in the USA nt

[cyndensco]

56. It was definitely a mccain audience.

The only mistake I caught mccain make was he said he needed to talk about Rwanda instead of Darfur.

The interviewer specifically used "flip-flopped" with Obama and not with mccain.

[emilyg]

57. You have a good point.

[DesertRat]

58. I agree

As much as it pains me to say so.

[flamingdem]

59. Kudos to Obama for dealing with the Orange County Neocon glee club nt

[True_Blue]

60. Same BS we've heard for 8 years

McSame said exactly what I expected him to say.

[Willo]

61. Listen to the callers on C-Span.

I'm paying more attention to the independents calling in.

[ChazII]

62. Does Youtube

Never mind...I am checking out DU's video section.

[mvd]

63. You're not taking home field advantage into account

Obama was not tripped up despite McCain's home field advantage. He handled hard questions very well and got a standing ovation. Obama wins, considering.

[salonghorn70]

64. I Agree With You

It pains me to say it but I think McCain came off better tonight. That is not saying that I agree with McCain. I didn't like McCain's substantive answers. But I thought McCain was connecting better. His style was better. You can say all you want about Obama's thoughtful answers but it just wasn't connecting on a people level. Obama could never have convinced this group on the issues but he still could have presented himself in a more connecting way. When faced with a hostile group, you have to woo them. It reminded me of the Bush 1/Clinton debates in 1992 when Clinton was almost hugging those asking questions while Bush looked at his watch.
Obama must correct this before the debates. The good news is that this kind of stuff can be corrected. Also, the good news is that most were watching the Olympics (GO PHELPS!!!!!).

[mvd]

67. Our takes couldn't be more different

Obama's answers had to be more thoughtful in this forum. McCain sounded pandering and canned.

[salonghorn70]

71. I Hope You're Right

Hey mvd, I do hope you are right. But I do think that thoughtful answers won't cut it in the fall debates. In the fall debates the candidate who most sounds like he is sitting around the kitchen table talking to people about their problems is going to be the one who wins.

[mvd]

73. Yes, the debate answers are timed so you have to..

have sound bites ready. He doesn't have to give black or white answers all the time, but he'll have to use phrases people will identify with.

[tuesdaymorning]

66. I agree McCain did better. Obama is making the exact same mistake that so many Dems before him

have made.

He plays the game by the repugs' rules and bends over backwards to not offend the fundies, instead of making them look like the throwbacks they are.

[mvd]

68. Lot of good that would have done

Why accept the invite if you do that. Obama won.

[Raine]

74. Got to agree

that's something that has been frustating me lately, the Democrats ALWAYS play by repuke rules instead of setting the rules themselves.

[last_texas_dem]

69. Yeah, pretty much...

I believe McCain viewed this forum as a prime opportunity to pander to the religious right and, in that aspect, he hit it out of the park. It played like a number of events with Bush vs. Gore/Kerry, in which Gore and Kerry "won" on substance by far, but Bush managed to score more successful soundbites. Soundbite bullshit gets more play in the media and more strongly influences the largely apolitical, less-informed voters that make up the majority of the electorate than do thoughtful, nuanced responses. Sad but true.

[Seen the light]

76. I agree and Senator Obama had nobody to blame but himself

It would not have made one single bit of difference if he had refused to participate in this. But participate he did and he needs to hope that most undecided religious types were watching the Olympics instead.

[dbonds]

70. McLame looked like a pandering fool.

He actually lost it when he was trying to say what he thought rich was. 5 million, that sounds plausible for him.

[AtomicKitten]

75. Hey, I'm content that Obama held his own in that forum.

He's reaching into a traditionally hostile demographic.

I think he did fine.

McBush barked talking points. Doncha know. My friend.

[lynne]

77. I think both did well but I do agree that this format served McCain better than Obama -

- While both seemed at ease, I thought McCain's answers more direct and to the point than Obama's. McCain also appeared more animated than Obama, IMO. I think this particular Q & A format is more conducive to McCain's personal style and I also think that we minimize McCain's abilities at our own peril. I do believe we're looking at what will be a close race.

[deaniac21]

79. The youth vote is what is going to win this election and they

weren't watching.

[timetoleave]

80. I hope you are right

but I have heard that same line for 30 years