Candidates Both Take A Crack At Having Bill Clinton Moment
One of the most famous moments in recent political history came when Bill Clinton, during a 1992 debate with George H.W. Bush, approached an ordinary voter in the audience and asked her to reiterate just what she had gone through.
Tonight's town hall seemed to offer the potential for such moments, where the test is whether the candidate can relate to people's economic suffering. And a voter named Teresa just created that opening, asking the candidates why people should trust either party when they'd both landed us in this mess.
Both candidates responded by taking steps towards Teresa, just as Bill did. Obama said:
Well, look, I understand your frustration and your cynicism, because while you've been carrying out your responsibilities, most of the people here -- you've got a family budget. If less money's coming in you end up making cuts. Maybe you don't go out to dinner as much. Maybe you put off buying a new car. That's not what happens in Washington. And you're right -- there's a lot of blame to go around.
Obama then talked about the recent history of the Republican Party and how it had turned a surplus into an enormous deficit. McCain also approached the voter, made emotional overtures, and directly attacked Obama:
Senator Obama has never taken on the leaders of his party on a single issue. And we need to reform. So let's look at our records as well as our rhetoric -- that's really part of your mistrust here. And now I suggest that maybe you go to some of these organizations that are the watchdogs of what we do. Like the citizens against govt waste or the national taxpayer's union or these other orgs that watch us all the time -- I don't expect you to watch every vote. And you know what you'll find: this is the most liberal big-spending record in the United States Senate.
It's fair to say that neither candidate quite rose to Bill's performance. That said, Obama drew a difference between the two parties' ideologies on the economy, while McCain sank to a bogus negative attack.
Obama has won already won this debate in a landslide...
October 7, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for that.
The thing is that he's deadly in a town hall because he connects with the audience.
I don't think McLame connects with anyone.
October 7, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG MCCAIN ISN'T WEARING A FLAG PIN!!!
DOES HE HATE AMERICA!?!?
October 7, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
He hate everyone, equally. A true GOP American.
October 7, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, at least the flag pin debate is over with. (rolls eyes)
October 7, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes it is over! Parade tomorrow?
October 7, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
For five and a half years, John McCain didn't have access to a flag pin. Instead, he just carved the flag into his chest. Of course, with his wrinkly skin it's no longer recognizable.
(Did he just misstate Obama's tax plan AGAIN?)
October 7, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the fuck, bitch - YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN. EAT IT!
October 7, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jello line - not a hit.
October 7, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Off off Las Vegas strip piano bar.
October 7, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's secret that you don't know!
October 7, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Inquring minds want to know.
October 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Muslim socialist terrorist.
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but I luuuuuvvvv Entertainment Tonight.
October 7, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
O here it comes, the health care lie. Obama is about to bitch slap McCain
October 7, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
and Tom wont let him do it...
October 7, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like i said before i really hate these fakes debates, have a real debate. They are always complaing about time. WELL MAKE IT LONGER IDIOTS.
October 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Clinton/House Democrats were blamed for raising the taxes and, guess what.
The economy went up. Even though the House lost their majority! Not a single republican voted for it!
October 7, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Social security and medicare. Good.
October 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
c'mon Barack-hit him w/ privatization...
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw gives McCain an assist: Doesn't allow Obama to answer the tax issue.
October 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
and obama answers it anyway. ha!
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
He had to. McCain dropped a whole mess of garbage with his tax accusations, and saying that Obama wanted to "mandate" healthcare. Obama just didn't have time to mop it all up.
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Haha, best segue ever back to tax policy.
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama back on taxes. Looks like Brokaw's gambit didn't pan out.
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain just gaffed BIG!
He claimed the last President to raise taxes in hard economic times was Hoover. BULLSHIT!!!
Clinton raised taxes in 1993 and it lead to a surplus and a booming economy. HIT HIM ON IT!!!
October 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correct. And wasn't it Bush Sr. who fearmongered on it? Apparently raising taxes leads to a better economy ;-)
October 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, the ol' "Read My Lips" line. Then Ooops we're going broke. Also, many folks seem to forget that after Reagan lowered taxes, he also had to raise them. Bottom line, we were worse off after Reagan than before.
October 8, 2008 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
But did Clinton say he was going to raise taxes during his presidential run?
October 7, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great job Obama, don't let McCain get the last word on that tax LIE.
"straight talk express lost a wheel"
HA!
October 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is James Brown. McCain is Pat Boone.
October 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is McCain going to say HOW? or just say he knows how to do it?
October 7, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
nope he never said anything remotely about how we are going to fix SS.
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, it's about taking on party leadership.
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain says the last president to raise taxes in troubled times was Herbert Hoover?
I think it was Bill Clinton, and the results weren't ineffective. Nice try by McCain, but Hoover is their guy.
October 7, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's not popular with repug, period!
October 7, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's not popular with his own party much less the Democrats.
He's right --- he's not that popular with anyone.
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The lobbyist bomb is coming!
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Sitting across the table isn't hard! I've seen people sit at a table! Just pull out the chair, put your toucis on it, slide the chair in..."
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is getting a bit snippy. Watch for a vein in his neck to go *pop*!
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Medicare!
October 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am telling you guys the truth, McCain looks old.
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's vision for the future has glaucoma.
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw: Priorities?
McSame: Everything first!
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hit him with Katrina!
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll listen to your vision of the future if you actually give one.
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who the hell ever thought townhalls were McCain's strong suit?
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin.
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're not his strong suit. It's just the only public format that he feels even remotely comfortable in, and since the press that used to fawn over him so much had to create a narrative around him as a candidate, they pushed townhalls as his strong suit. Part of it goes back to New Hampshire in 2000.
October 7, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone should ask McCain about Palin's fringe views on global warming.
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
is he going to say how..................
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
ahhh his answer is = NUKES
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tell that to Clark County about Yucca Mtn
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama says nuclear power needs to be safe or something...what a f*g, right?"
October 7, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Upperdown vote!
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
How many people are kicking themselves for not putting Joe Lieberman as part of their drinking game.
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is adrift in becalmed waters.
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nuclear energy is clean!
Um, I think everyone knows there are disposal and safety problems.
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Senator McCain, I happen to have a jug of uranium here. Perhaps you'd like slather it on yourself to prove its safety."
October 7, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Question: Since its so clean, would McCain support having a Nuke power plant built near his estate in AZ.
October 7, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
When McCain whined about the $4,000,000 projector for a planetarium, I wish Obama had asked how many missiles cost that much -- and said, "I'd rather spend that money educating our own children about the universe than on killing children in other countries."
October 7, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't bomb Af-ghannystan with a durned universe.
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Three Mile Island...
October 7, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
new energy = new jobs
investment = new green technolgy
At least Obama is layout a plan
October 7, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whip bam pow. It's about new jobs. And national security. Hit the point.
October 7, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Follow-up questions, please!
McCain lies about Obama and this format, or how
Brokow is moderating it, won't allow Obama to respond.
Brokow needs to step up to the plate and manage this thing...besides that, it's boring!
October 7, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude totally wiped his nose with his hand.
October 7, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw, shut up!
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, Brokaw. Shut the fuck up already.
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, Good God. It's like he's hoping to splice his questions together for a Greatest Generation piece.
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is on his game.
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I am going to answer the question" ... not.
WHAT THE FUCK IS HE TALKING ABOUT? "I have been on a nuclear boat?"
Grampa, we already know about this newfangled nukular technology.
...And there goes the server.
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
and, of course, McCain didn't answer it--didn't even come close. But, he mentioned Ronald Reagan!
October 7, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw is starting to be a dick about these timing procedures.
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
They wouldn't have problems with timing if Brokaw didn't spend ten minutes spitting out his goddamn questions.
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, Brokaw that question is one tough mother...
October 7, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now Obama is going to bomb him!
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
This debate is boring. But boring is good. McCain is losing chance #3 to change the game.
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
dont tell me he just referred to BO as "that one"
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, that was a really off-putting bit of condescenion there. Can't have played well in the hall; certainly didn't play well here in my living room.
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know who voted for the goodies? THAT ONE!
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is panting like a dog humping someones leg. Maybe not enough pre-debate meds to calm the nerves...
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed the panting too.
He should move the mic away when he's breathing so heavy.
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm getting sick of McCain's attacks against Obama instead of addressing the issue
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
"That one" !?
October 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The one who will be in the white house. And cool avatar.
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The uppity one!
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
THE BLACK GUY!
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't like the sound of that. Me thinks that translates veddy, veddy badly...WTF?
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
obviously you not one of us
October 7, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw, a little too friendly with McCain.
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooooh creeped out
"you know who voted...that one!"
Creepy golem smile....eeeewwww
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty rude way to refer to a US Senator.
No manners.
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beyond none, negative manners.
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's breathy laugh and crooked smile are way too creepy.
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is McCain wondering behind Obama when he is talking.....
October 7, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG who else thinks this debate is so boring? I mean, my God. I'm falling asleep here!
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who's giving McCain the hand signals from the audiance?
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What did McCain just signal while walking around behind Obama?
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Health Care as a commodity. This question goes right after the McCain proposal to tax health care. Let's hope Obama hits him on it.
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
"That one". Smooth John.
October 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama campaign has already picked up on that comment. Let's see how it plays out. It appeared to me as a very derisive, almost racist, term.
October 8, 2008 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, what happened to my avatar? A gray face was better than nothing!!!
October 8, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
The CNN undecided Ohio voters sure love Obama.
October 7, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the CNN pundits scorecard are also giving it to Obama.
October 7, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's healthcare answer was VERY STRONG!
Nice.
October 7, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
health records online is bad...hackers!
October 7, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ohhh...here he goes with "mandates" again.
Hillary Clinton is probably yelling at her tv right now.
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
$5000 is just a drop in a barrel for the costs of health care.
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama hit it out of the park on healthcare
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wher did he get the 95% ?
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has everyone else picked up on McCain's pattern (order varies)
1. Go rah-rah, praising Americans (sometimes well, sometimes not)
2. Crack on Obama (usually with some easily parried talking point)
3. Play up his experience.
He rarely provides specifics on plans.
If somebody can go back, there was an answer just like the above (between 9:30 and 9:40ish) where McCain goes on a ramble, talks about his past and then leaves with something along the lines of "and listen to my plan." That was the end, he never mentioned his plan through the entire answer. Really, it's a sound-bite somebody should find.
October 7, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now tell us about Medicare and Medicaid
October 7, 2008 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go from TN to AZ to get your health care? WTF.
October 7, 2008 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCains attempts at humor are going over like a turd in a punchbowl...
October 7, 2008 9:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah christ, hairtransplants joke. Are fucking kidding me.
October 7, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm dropping off. Don't look like McCain is gonna explode and Obama is sailing on a glassy sea. Good morning all.
October 7, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has no one told McCain that half the country breaks into gales of derisive laughter every time he says, in his Dickensian whine, "My friends"?
October 7, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well now we see why Harvard lawyers are so successful. McCain is becoming a sideshow here and just getting schooled.
Shit I was waiting for "my friends"....thats two swigs...
October 7, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
New Flash to McCain "public opinion" in those countries has already turned against us.
October 7, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was worried about watching McCain pace around behind Obama. A couple of times I wanted to yell at the screen, "WATCH OUT BARACK! THE OLD MAN'S GOT A SHIV!"
October 8, 2008 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Overall, no "gloves" came off. Obama seemed to try to stick to policy but kept getting diverted trying to debunk McLame's lies. That really took away from a meaningful debate. But what can we expect from a campaign that has sunk to the low of lows. Obama did a wonderful job of deflecting the lies and getting his own points in. He stayed on message and that, I think, is the deciding factor.
October 8, 2008 1:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not to comment on the article or anything, but that moment where McCain learned everything he knew from a chief petty officer and shook his hand? That was the Clinton moment.
October 8, 2008 4:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain said "this is the most liberal big-spending record in the United States Senate."
The "this" could have been referring to the present administration but it was clearly meant to refer to Obama. Another instance of the "that one" disdain but even more disdainful, without even the benefit of a noun.
October 8, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink