Tonight's Debate Brings Opportunity For Intense Confrontation
Here's a quick run-down on the rules for tonight's debate, the final such meeting between Barack Obama and John McCain.
The rules are the same as their first debate. The moderator, Bob Schieffer in this case, will pitch a question to one of the candidates, who will then have two minutes to respond. The other candidate will then get two minutes of his own to respond, followed by five minutes of more free-form discussion of the topic.
The official subject area for tonight is domestic issues, but don't be surprised if Schieffer injects some foreign policy into it, just as Jim Lehrer asked questions about the economic crisis in a debate that was officially billed as being on foreign policy.
This debate will have a subtle difference from the last one: The candidates and Schieffer will be seated at a table together, rather than having them standing at distant podiums. This could serve to give the free-form sections a more natural, conversational feel. And if John McCain does choose to talk about Bill Ayers, right up close and personal, it could turn into an even more dramatic moment than it would have been otherwise.
We'll be live-blogging the debate tonight at Election Central.
Does McCain really want to get nasty?
If so, it will only confirm something that many moderate conservatives are concerned about with him: That he is not the man he says he is.
And they will no longer have to ask how well do they really know the real John McCain. His ugliness will have surely, and finally, answered the question.
His nastiness will only appeal to his base--this is a base he once wanted nothing to do with. So pathetic.
John McCain: He'll say and do anything to get elected.
October 15, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
How is McCain going to wander under this format???
October 15, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe he will swivel his chair side to side, like a 5 year old at McDonalds.
October 15, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Put wheels on the chair and scoot around?
October 15, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
He really needs to put Mr. Puddles on a leash this time.
October 15, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. Puddles? Mr. Puddles? Eh? Where'd ya go Mr. puddles? Anybody seen my Mr. Puddles? Darn. I'm gonna miss my stories.
October 15, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I think his mind is up to some wandering.
And one thing to keep in mind: They'll be sitting. That typically makes things a little less tense.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 15, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I mailed my ballot so I can sit this one out.
As long as McCain is spelled O-B-A-M-A I have nothing to worry about.
October 15, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mailed mine too. Best vote I ever cast.
October 15, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me three. And I even got to vote for a local (SF) proposition to rename a local facility the George W. Bush Sewage Plant!
October 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I faxed my application for an absentee ballot to Dallas today. Now I have to wait for the ballot. Sheeeeeit! I can hardly sleep now.
October 15, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hate waiting around for these things to start.
October 15, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too - my stomach ties itself up in knots.
October 15, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
got my Jay-Z / Linkin Park mashup blastin' and a beer. pre-debate get-pumped-up routine, like i was actually going out there.
i'm so psyched for this.
jesus, i'm a poindexter.
October 15, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
October 15, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
As for tonight, Schieffer is my biggest concern.
October 15, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I think McCain is concerned about NLCS...
October 15, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go Phillies! Go Obama!
October 15, 2008 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Background: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20081015_Baseball-distracted_Phila__may_ignore_debate.html
And yet the GOP is still spending heavily in PA...
October 15, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
You should be because Schieffer is a Bushniac and a McLame worshiper.
You should not be because our guy can take two. He's skinny but tough and smart.
October 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, you cannot underestimate Barack Obama - and when I get nervous, that's what I tend to do -
;)
October 15, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too.
October 15, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Having just finished watching the debate, I think my fears were displaced. I didn't like Schieffer asking the question suggesting they were both fighting dirty but Obama handled it brilliantly and other than that, Schieffer was fine.
October 15, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I expect that he'll ask at least one Ayers/Wright question.
October 15, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
How in the world can we be expected to quit being angry with Repugs when every goddamn election nowadays the only way they can win is through voter suppression and how successful they are at it?
This is craziness. The Democratic Party needs to get up and fight this bullshit.
October 15, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, they are very complacent about it. 2000 Bush v. Gore should have had them all over this, let alone Ohio and Kerry's loss. Maybe that is why McCain doesn't have to win, because they just steal every election.
October 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
O I don't think they can steal it, Amelie - not with numbers like this - they'll start riots - riots that make the 60s look like Public School Day at the Texas State Fair.
But it pisses me off that one side continually tries to subvert our democracy in order to win. It needs to be aired and fought. But I don't know that complacency is exactly what that was - certainly not in 2000.
October 15, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
p.s. yeah, i'm a bit buzzed now.
October 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
If your pretty little girl leaves you hung up
Standing on the corner of 5th and Main
Left you standing there with a pair of movie tickets
Tear up the tickets brother and don't complain
Cause it ain't...no it ain't...it ain't no big thing.
If you wake up early one Sunday morning
Find your bag and luggage in the rain
Your chick just left town with your best friend and all your money
Tear up the number my brother and don't complain
Cause it ain't...not it ain't...it ain't no big thing
It ain't no big thing brother when things ain't looking up
It ain't no big thing when there ain't no coffee to fill the cup
The good times comin'...let 'em roll...let 'em roll
Aint't no big thing
If your ma in law starts getting huffy
Walking around your pad with with a long face
Just go out and buy her a oneway passage...tell her
Go join the astronauts in outer space
Cause it ain't...not it ain't...it ain't no big thing
It ain't no big ting brother when things ain't looking up
It ain't no big thing when there ain't no coffee to fill the cup
The good times comin'...let 'em roll...let 'em roll
Cause it ain't no it ain't
Ain't no BIG Thing!
HANG LOOSE!
October 15, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the pic on the front page is from tonight
s stage set-up, then the candidates are positioned facing each other and a mere 3-4 feet from each other.
Obama's poker playing might come in handy here...
October 15, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
My 16-year-old son just came in to ask me if I'd heard about "this voter fraud thing that Obama is connected to." Apparently the topic of ACORN came up in his AP History class.
We had a little talk.
This kind of thing pisses me off. And I mean, we live in liberal coastal Maine, where people ought to know better.
October 15, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a vid from Kos that highlights the Schieffer and McCain love affair. I believe them actually making out was thankfully left on the editing room floor...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J9SxvrAp6U
October 15, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, as mad as I got at Rahm Emmanuel at one time, I have never not thought he was a good looking guy -
October 15, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Rahm and its obvious that he is making a play for bigger things.
October 15, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
As to that, well, whatever -
I'm still back here in the "damn you're fine" state of mind.
;)
October 15, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rumored he'd be Obama's replacement for the Senate seat.
October 15, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
He looked good and SO relaxed. It is like he has taken Xanax or something. How does he do that ?!
October 15, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
O, that was part of the difference - he is relaxed. Nice observation.
I've always thought he has it going on, but tonight especially so. I think you're right - he's relaxed and confident.
October 15, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Predicting how McCain will act is like predicting the weather in London.
However, it is reassuring to know the one on the other end will be none other than Obama.
That thought somehow relaxes my nervous. I'm nervous though, I admit.
October 15, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree.
I just with Schieffer would go ahead and go for the trifecta: ask Obama about ACORN, Ayers and Wright. Let Obama talk to people about it - I am not afraid of those subjects - I'd like to see them out there, see him answer all 3 - AGAIN - and see what that little shit McLame says.
and earlier MSNBC showed poll results (don't know, but guess it was theirs) that asked whether tonight's debate was going to make any difference. The answers were: 94% NO - Already made up my mind, to 6% undecided. IF that 6% even shows up to vote it will likely be the first time they have.
October 15, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McNasty will bring up Ayers just to the racist base who apparently don't like anything about him other than the fact he's running with Falin and running against Obama.
I'm looking for obama to again take a decisive lead on the economy, rest it all for the pundits to feed their clocks.
By the way, this website is already acting up on me and may be totally handicapped during and right after the debate.
October 15, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I'm gonna barf.
October 15, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay Mike, overshare!!
October 15, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here.
October 15, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
But the "intense confrontation" won't happen. That's what the media hyped last week, right before the world's deadliest, most boring debate.
October 15, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I pray Obama will weather the storm that's about to come his way. I say this because Mcnutts is desparate and desparate men have nothing to lose. He will throw everything at Obama even Cindy if it will help him take "O" out!
October 15, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm infinitely more worried about TPM's server holding up tonight than I am about Obama.
October 15, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
So slow, I was just going to comment on that.
October 15, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish I could be there. What history to tell your kids and grandkids.
October 15, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was in the bank today and the teller is a really young Hispanic guy - he told me today he's 21, and this will his first vote. He went to Espanola to the rally and shook Obama's hand. He had part of it on his cell phone and he played it for me.
October 15, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
How great!
October 15, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minutes away, here's my predictions about tonight:
In my view, it won't be very different of the previous debates. Schieffer probably knows what's at stake here, so he'll go for issues mostly. I'm betting on an indirect question over Ayers or ACORN, but I thinks the odds on that are 50%/50%.
Obama will do what it worked for him before. Focus on the issues and being presidential. He likes to play safe and don't take unnecessary risks. Still, if the opportunity knocks for a K.O. blow, he'll go for the kill. It's very unlikely for me, but if it happen and he delivers the final punch, then the rest of the race would be smooth for him.
McCain will be less hostile. He needs to show less hatred and more empathy to the people. He'll be more focus on issues and still use GOP talking points. He'll will go for Ayers ACORN if the chance appears. For him, it's do or die.
Enough said. I'll catch with you later.
October 15, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes I predict the server will crash before this debate gets good -
October 15, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second'd!
October 15, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're at Onikahakaha Beach Park and can't wait for these talking heads to get out of the way!
October 15, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's actually in a very awkward spot tonight. Both the extreme right and Obama have basically dared him to do something, but at the same time the attacks haven't worked in TV ad form -- quite the contrary. So he looks weak if he doesn't say anything and he looks like a jackass if he does.
The key variable is Schieffer. Does he simply ask Obama questions like "How do you respond?", or the somewhat tougher but still not too loaded "Why does serving on a board with Ayers not matter", or does he twist it by actually attacking Obama with stuff like "How can you say you disown terrorism when you served on a board with Ayers?"
October 15, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alright. Starting to get nervous now.
Tonight is McCain's last real shot to change this thing. We've seen enough from this guy that I'll never assume that I know what he's about to do.
Good luck Barack.
October 15, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink