Just don't think this was a good debate

[AllyCat]

The format was horrible. It was impossible to discuss serious issues in 60 seconds. I didn't think Obama delivered a knock out punch anywhere, but he remained calm and brought up good points. But McCain did his usual lying and the comment about "that one" was appalling.

Hope they don't do more like this, because I don't think we learned much new.

Any thoughts?

[av8rdave]

1. I want more like this....this format, contrary to predictions, doesn't help McSame

[AllyCat]

5. If it indeed slumps McCain, that's one thing, but I don't think it informs

the voters. Just sayin'

[av8rdave]

8. At this point, it's about winning

Cynical, I know....sorry.

[rtassi]

My thoughts exactly! n/t

[rtassi]

2. My thoughts exactly! n/t

[The Magistrate]

3. Indeed, Ma'am: Bad Format, And A Very Poor Moderator

[Eric J in MN]

4. A lot of the answers were repeated from the previous presidential debate.

A guy asked what the US would do if Iran attacked Israel, and McCain and Obama each said that Iran must not be permitted to get a nuclear weapon.

That wasn't his question.

"QUESTION: Senator, as a retired Navy chief, my thoughts are often with those who serve our country. I know both candidates, both of you, expressed support for Israel.
If, despite your best diplomatic efforts, Iran attacks Israel, would you be willing to commit U.S. troops in support and defense of Israel? Or would you wait on approval from the U.N. Security Council?"

He didn't say "nuclear attack." He may have been thinking of a conventional attack.

[book_worm]

6. Not a good debate, but no game changer which is what McCain needed. Obama won.

[goodgd_yall]

7. I thought it was fine

I felt Obama was able to give lengthier answers than he was in the previous debate and I liked that. Also I liked that it seemed a bit more free-form.

[parasim]

9. Agreed. Really, really bad format.

This was not even a debate. Although I do think that Obama shined compared to McCain. So that might be something.

[defendandprotect]

..but this is the way they want it --- NO serious discussion ...

NO opportunity for anyone to say something earth-movingly meaningful ...

You can also see it in Obama holding back --

No one losses and no one gains --- especially the public.

[anigbrowl]

10. Everything sucked - format, moderator, studio, McCain

I was bored, frankly. Obama performed well, Mccain seemed a bit less focused, but they didn't really lay into each other.Time limits were stupid, Brokaw was stupid too,

[1corona4u]

11. Yeah, but who cares!!!! Obama won.

:-) Again.

[Generic Brad]

12. I enjoyed watching McCain wander around behind Obama

For most of the debate I thought I was the only one seeing that. It was very distracting to see him wander around the stage every time Obama answered a question. But when McCain wandered in front of Tom Brokaw's line of sight to the teleprompter and was asked to move I nearly split my gut laughing. It was not my imagination.

[jsmirman]

13. I thought it was just ridiculous

it almost seemed designed to be pointless.

[elkston]

14. Ummm. What "new" do you need to learn. You are supporting Obama, right?

The format could have been tweaked, but Obama TOTALLY won this one. He didn't need a knockout punch because McCain sunk himself with his demeanor and scattershot answers.

This thing is nearly in the bag now because on TWO occasions Barack Obama has come off as sharp, Presidential, and capable. Its too late for McCain to gain ground because he has blown two chances to move this race in a high-profile way.

[AllyCat]

16. I don't need to know anything more. I'm voting for him. But it's the

"undecideds" that worry me.

[mtnsnake]

15. Most of these things are really boring. This one was simply lopsided, though, in the outcome

That's about the only interesting thing about it...that and McCain self-destructing with his bratty mannerisms.

[Johonny]

17. I thought there were some good questions

and I noted the better the question the worse Obama and McCain did at answering it. The health care as a commodity was a great f'ing question. Neither one dare yes or no that. I was amazed things like that got into this debate. The same thing with sacrificing for America. I give Brokaw some credit for throwing that stuff out there. McCain was horrible tonight. Wandering around while Obama talked, leaning on rails, getting too close at times to the audience, making jokes no one thought were funny. McCain bombed tonight. He's toast.