Tonight's Debate Moderator: The Undecided Voter
In case you haven't read these elsewhere today, here are the rules for tonight's debate.
Tom Brokaw's role as the moderator will take a backseat to the true hosts of this debate: The audience, made up of undecided voters. Brokaw will select an audience member, and then that person will get to pitch his or her pre-submitted question.
The candidates will then have two minutes each to answer the voter's question, followed by Brokaw moderating a one-minute free-form discussion between Obama and McCain, and possibly asking follow-up questions.
The candidates aren't dealing primarily with some well-known TV personality in a suit, but instead with real-live voters, whose own reactions and presentations can have just as much of effect on the race as the candidates' own answers.
We'll be live-blogging the debate here at Election Central.















So MSNBC is doing a stupid voter graph thing as well it seems, WITH PA VOTERS WOOT!!! Cause its a swing state, last 4 polls were 13,15,10,15 for Obama.... hey thats = swing state right? Ugh I guess i gotta look up what channel c-span is again.
October 7, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
As this FOX News attempt to show PA as a "battle ground" state demostrates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTkqosRiyYo
October 7, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brokaw will read all questions before hand and choose which questions he wants asked THEN he'll be told which audience member asked it and go to their question.
Make no mistake Brokaw is asking the questions.
October 7, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, audience members won't be allowed to ask follow-ups or even show their reaction on camera- they will not be shown after asking their question and their microphone will be shut off immediately.
October 7, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does this post run counter to Greg's post just below?
LOL!
October 7, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I know I am confused. Up is down, damnit.
October 7, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, plus Josh has a very sort of downer post on the front page about Brokaw.
I'm just waiting - I can't process this many different takes on the thing.
October 7, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
If only we were Republicans, and everything was black and white, good and bad. Grey is such an evil color.
October 7, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
What a good comment.
October 7, 2008 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can we just had 1 real debate, is that so much to ask for. Make the debate last longer and give time for them to go back and forth until they say what they want to say, this nonsense where one side can say bullshit then the other side cant correct him because the time is up and they have to move on to another question is such BS.
October 7, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Put them at a table. Start with the queastion "Where do we need to go as a country?" Each gets five minute segments.
October 7, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give them 5 mins each then let them respond to each other until they want to stop responding to each other. If they stop going back and forth before the 3 hours are up then ask another question and let them have their 5 mins again then go back at it. Have a real debate, iam tired of this bullshit.
October 7, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen, Brother.
And when is the media going to force Palin to give an unscripted press conference with a variety of different reporters?
October 7, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
When the Palin supporters with their Thunder Sticks back down.
October 7, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
A voice crying out in the wilderness...
October 7, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Communist!"
October 7, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know I thought the "thunder sticks" thing was some sort of sarcasm -- like a weird inversion of an old Western: savages with guns shouting at the heroic-but-somehow-helpless cavalry -- when I read it in the WaPo. Shows how out of touch I am. Hey, my latte's getting cold!
October 7, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
They should ask her bogus questions!
October 7, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Brokaw shows bias everyone send his a thank you note at the Meet the Press email.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152/
Here is the Fair Media Contact list to contact the networks directly.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=111
October 7, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT, but go AP!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_el_pr/palin;_ylt=AhJ_b86LSDXO4wyC6B03amVsnwcF
I wouldn't see this a month ago...
October 7, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, it's a takedown of the whole enterprise.
October 7, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not gonna watch tonight's debate. I get high blood pressure every time somebody disses my man.
October 7, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I feel for you, but I'd suffer my BP to the point of stroke for the debate.
October 7, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Already took a double dose of meds from the VA and plugged in the TV. BTW my mute button is worn down.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z83/Zofryer/CandidateEquals/1223304787842.jpg
October 7, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too funny!
October 7, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sully had one of these for trains but I can't get his page to load...
October 7, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you have it bookmarked? If so, go to his site through google. He had a redesign and for some reason my bookmark kept timing out.
October 7, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
DailyKos has it too.
October 7, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I give it the ol' Harvard educated/elitist college try...
October 7, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh. Nice.
October 7, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Al Gore is in the house!
October 7, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I expect McCain will preemptively accuse Obama of running a dirty campaign. His wife pretty much gave that away.
Not sure how Obama will respond, but I'm sure he's prepared.
October 7, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is MSNBC having the debate live on the computer, and does anyone know the link? Thanks!
October 7, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
C-Span always streams.
I avoid the talking heads myself.
October 7, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I appreciate that, I was just there but those annoying callers made me leave. I can watch the debate there though. Thanks.
October 7, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.hulu.com/spotlight/election08
October 7, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!!
October 7, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hulu.com is doing its first livestream. They should have a great bandwidth delivery. Just an alternative for you.
October 7, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you :)
October 7, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have the sound on yet.
LOL
October 7, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smart! I heard "I support John McCain......" immediate switched website :)
October 7, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's been prepping how to smile and be friendly and appear to be a normal, well-balanced, even-tempered fellow. He's gonna smile if it kills him.
October 7, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great, so we McCreepy tonight, not McGrumpy.
October 7, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope, we're gonna get McHappy. Or is it McDopey? Either way, his charm will shine through.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say what?
October 7, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That thing McCain has so much of. I mean, besides bile.
October 7, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Obama just gets past 70 in Intrade (70.5 now).
October 7, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/10/vote-count-erro.html
October 7, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
as in the first debate, if Obama keeps his cool, he's going to win
October 7, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama should pound him Honnny)on Social Security...If we did the Bush/McCain plan of tieing Social Sec to Market, they would have lost 2 TRILLION in the last week and $ TRILLION since January!
October 7, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
meant to say Horny Johnny!
October 7, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't worry. The Obama team isn't looking at this debate through a national lens, but an electoral vote lens. And the biggest target Florida. Social Security in the stock market? Yup. McCain's 1.3 billion cut in medicare? Yup.
October 7, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo! Obama mentions social security and the fact that retiremnts just lost 2 TRILLION over the last couple weeks and McCain is toast.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
hurry Up 25 minutes!
October 7, 2008 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, now I'm nervous; my stomach is tightening up.
October 7, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's about time !!!!!! I took xanax, no kidding.
October 7, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't blame you. Just listened to Mrs. Alan Greenspan explain that "SOME (her emphasis) of the voters will be undecided, the rest of the questions will come from Tom, many from emails."
This is why I don't like town hall debates. There's too much room for ringers based on the moderator's biases. Remember when Charlie Gibson moderated the second Kerry-Bush debate and bush got all those "values voter" questions?
I'm thinking sandbag.
October 7, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was Kerry and Bush in 2004.
Obama is not Kerry.
this is 2008.
October 7, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wasn't nervous until a few moments ago. Now I'm really tensing up. It helped watching King on CNN put NH and WI in Obama's column, making it Obama 264 to McCain's 174. And watching him turn NC from leaning McCain to toss up.
October 7, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weeeeee!
:)
October 7, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm breathing into a brown paper bag right now. I have a really bad feeling about tonight. McCain is a cornered animal with nothing to lose given the polls and the momentum.
October 7, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
relax, jonze. a cocktail, perhaps?
October 7, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
but you're right about the cornered animal thing. tweety compared magoo and O to a bull and a matador.
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dearest Jonzie - when do you not have a real bad feeling?
It will be alright, Jonze. It will.
October 7, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not all going to be economic issues or even domestic policy issues, that's next week's debate. Expect a fair share of foreign policy questions as well.
October 7, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right it will be the Cool Dude and the flake, digging answers out of his orifice!
October 7, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fred "Z z z z z z" Thompson's enormous head & ego are in the Tenn. crowd tonight. Jeez, I hope he falls asleep and they get it on camera.
October 7, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe a shot of Al Gore nudging him awake.
October 7, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like it. But I hope Al draws a Sharpie mushtache on Fred's face first. :)
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kudos to hyper for calling Intrade today.
October 7, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
::takes a bow::
(not that it took a genius to make that prediction)
October 7, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-loathing-in-town-hall.html
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Fear and Loathing in the Town Hall: A Predictive Fantasy
(The camera looks at the hall from above, into the hall, from the POV of the stage. Red meat has been hung from the walls and rafters, along with dollar bills which, upon closer inspection, are Monopoly money.
The crowd is seated. They are strangely quiet. Their manner is that between those who are waiting for their instructions, post-op surgical recoverees, and post-war survivors. They are slightly slumped, in the same posture.
The candidates enter from opposite sides of the rear of the stage and walk to their podiums. The crowd rises as one and cheers with a loud, aggressive fervor reflective of their desperation.
Obama is standing tall in stride, looking a bit overcome by the experience, although genuine. McCain is smiling--his cheerful public grimace, although there is some genuine pleasure. His eyes have the slightest glaze of a gradually oncoming fog.)
MODERATOR: Tonight is a different format--one where you, the public, can ask your questions directly to the candidates. None of the questions have been screened in advance, and the candidates have been given no advance notice of what the questions, or who the questioners, might be. And with that, we begin. Our first question:
CITIZEN 1: My name is Jan, I'm from Murfreesboro? I've been watching the news, and I'm scared. I can't say that I've listened much about the stock market before? But I know that it's going down, and that's bad. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, or my house, or my kids. My question is for Mr. McCain? What will you do to help us understand what is going on, and to make it clear just what you will do about it?
(Crowd applauds vigorously as Jan sits down with a bit of embarrassment).
MCCAIN: (Holding the top of the rostrum with both hands and smiling): Well, first, I want to welcome each of you here tonight. You know, I know what each of you are feeling. I think that each of you must be scared--as I am, of not verifying myself in my father's and my grandfather's eyes. But, that's not so important today--or, at least saying it isn't. What is most important is to appear that I understand an economy that just months ago I said that I had little understanding of at all. I want to win. I need it, frankly, as a way of overcoming my own personal horrors and demons, of overcoming the anger that was bestowed and thrust, unwillingly, upon me. And that's why I'm still willing, even as the sharpest edges of mental function fade, to propel myself through this mass of insult. I understand how to respond to insult. With anger. And impulse. And that's what I'll bring to the White House, come January of 2009.
(Crowd applauds vigorously)
MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator Obama.
CITIZEN 2: Thanks. My name is Ross, from Shreveport. First-time caller, long-time listener. My question is: Senator Obama, it's not an error that you were given the middle name "Barack". We know that that is the same name of the murderous. Communist leader of Iran--and that's no accident. (A slight murmur from the crowd. The moderator looks vaguely stunned, but does not interrupt). Now, when you were going to Russia, with Bill Ayers, and dodging the draft--just like William Jefferson Clinton--(speaking more quickly now, more aggressively, turning to the crowd)--why weren't you here at home, saving our banks from the Liberals and the Socialists who want to take our money away from us and just give it to the terrorists?
SARAH PALIN: (Poking her head out from the wings, with a big smile): You betcha'!
(She withdraws).
OBAMA: Well. First of all, I also want to welcome you all here tonight. You know, I know that this is a difficult time. Many of you are worried about your jobs, your families, your homes. There are times that test a man's soul, and every woman's as well. And I know that this may be one of those times. I can understand why you would be frightened, even angry at what this nation has done. But we are a nation that has risen up in adversity even in the best of times, we found our strength, and honor, and courage, our ability to work as one, when faced with the most difficult situations. And I want to call on each of you, in that spirit of patriotic sacrifice, to join with me in that effort in the days ahead.
(Silence. Then applause, as the recognition of actual thought begins to spread through the crowd. It swells, and finally, subsides).
MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator McCain.
CITIZEN 3 (He is a man who appears to be in his early 40's wearing blue jeans that are stiff and obviously brand-new. They are perfectly creased. He is wearing a tight fitting, also obviously new T-Shirt that says "Average American...And Black With Rage!" beneath which is an American flag. He is wearing black wing-tip shoes. ). Senator McCain, I'm just an average American, just an average Joe, just your Average Joe-Sixpack (Blackberry begins ringing)...Oh...
excuse me...just...a...sec...my boss's phone...(whispering tensely into phone:) "No...I said sell. Sell. Yes, the entire portfolio. No, not Ghanan timber, for god's sake, gold, the lot of it. Jesus H....(tucks Blackberry back into pants pocket and then readjusts his stance to that of average Joe, slumping to one side again and changing his voice back to it's original tenor). Like I said, just an average Joe Sixpack. And I'm wonderin'. I heard what Mr. Hussein just said about "rising up", and I'm wonderin' if that's exactly what he wants to do! Oh, sure, he wants us to band together to rise up--where have we heard that before? Socialists! That's what they do! (crowd begins to murmur, and in the rising heat, the smell of the fresh meat begins to waft faintly through the hall). Rise up! That's what he wants to do! Well, we need to rise up! Against those kind of Socialist, Communist, Fascist, Atheist, Marxist policies! (the crowd is talking, some nodding their heads). And so what I want to ask you, Sen. McCain (crowd quiets), as an average everyday American, is this: What is it like, being a fighter pilot and all, when you know that Barack Hussein was out there, palling around with his Communist friends?
MCCAIN: Well, my friend--and by that, I mean that all of you are my friends--I'm glad you asked. Not everyone has had the luxury of gaining an education merely on the basis of their own talent, or the opportunity to travel the world learning how to be separate from important family members without their having significant pull, or to be able to experience the variety of foods that one has the chance to consume when they are paid for by the State. And, I can say that, in that way, I haven't been quiet as lucky. But I will say this--I will not look such fortune in the face and say: 'Fine, I'll work on education with the Bill Ayers of this world', "I'll be at the top of my class at Harvard", when I can be down, down there with you at the bottom! I know what it's like to be at the bottom when I've had all the opportunities--and I want to share that experience with those of you who have had none. You're angry. I'm angry. We have that in common. Let's be angry together, satisfied that, for another for four years, we've put those who have the arrogance to think for extended periods in their place, content in knowing that we're right--even if we're wrong.
CITIZEN 4: Hiya. My name is George, from Midland, altho' some would say Kennebunkport, heh, heh. I have a question for ya, John, and it's this. Listen: I'm goin' to be out of a job soon. Oil futures aren't lookin' that good, and I've got to tell ya', I didn't have too much luck there in the first place. So I'd like to ask ya, one flyin' man to another--what do you think I oughta do?
PALIN: (emerges from wings with purposeful strides to McCain's podium): I've got to take this one, John. Mr. Bush, if you can't figure out what you want to do after you leave and we move in, take a little time off, and then you come right up to Alaska. They love hunting just like you--and you can fly, you can learn to do it from a plane! The pipeline's big enough for any number of mistakes. So you come up here when you're finished--we've got plenty of bars with plenty of bowls of nuts and plenty of televisions right on Wasilla Main street--we'll take care of you right!
(Bush smiles and sits, crowd applauds, Palin, smiling and waving, exits).
CITIZEN 5: Well, look. This is a serious question. I'm John, from Carpenter. It's for both of you. I've got two kids, 4 and 6, a boy and a girl--so sweet. You know. My wife, she was working for the WaMu branch, center of town. It's closing next week. She's been looking in the ads, the newspapers, online--nothing. It's all she can do to keep a smile on her face for the kids. Myself, I built a commerical trucking business from the ground up. Sixteen years. Sweat everyday, grease on my hands, I can never get it out. We were never rich, but I made a good living. I didn't know about investing--who does, you're not born with it! Anyway, I went to an investment advisor, it seemed like the safe thing to do, protect the kids, plan for the future, not use my own dumb head (smiles). Well, he was so smart, and he was so sure, and he had it all planned out. And it looked so impressive on paper. Now--all of a sudden--it's gone. Everything is changing. It's changing so quickly. It seems like nobody--nobody knew. Not even the people who were supposed to! Everybody was talkin', makin noise, thinkin' of one thing: Themselves, themselves, themselves. Never worrying to think about someone else, about the future, about the next moment.
Well, now the next moment is here. And I wanna know--what are the two of you really gonna do about it?
(The room is quiet as his last word echoes in the hall. The raw meat is rocking, slowly in the air, and the paper bills are gently fluttering). You can see Palin in profile, standing in the wings, holding her chin in her hand. The two candidates stare straight ahead, holding the podium. They are silent).
Cite:
Head of State
http://headofst
ate.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-loathing-in-town-hall.html
October 7, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh holy jesus christ.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess it didn't work...
October 7, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
This calls for drastic measures.
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goddammit!!!!!
October 7, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Open your own BLOG!
October 7, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You sorry son of a bitch.
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
stop it. it's very inconsiderate. you dick.
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
RobertHewson must be a bot.
A human being would feel shame by now.
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has this. What are we all worrying for? Obama's cooler than polar ice. McCain? he's a quivering mountain of Ben Gay and hate.
October 7, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this place.
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have something for you and everyone:
http://punditkitchen.com/2008/09/05/political-pictures-barack-obama-chill-out-got-this/
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never ceases to calm me down. I may have to click on this a few times before the night is done.
October 7, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Co-Chairman of the Debate Commission just finished reading rules for audience. Sounded a bit lenient. Now, University President is thanking diff. organizations and individuals for their support. So it's about to begin.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nervous.Sipping.Vodka.
October 7, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
You, too?
October 7, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not even ashamed to admit it.
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
iam eating shaved ice that i made out of Orange/pineapple juice. mmmmm
October 7, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
elitist! elitist!
October 7, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frozen OJ from ice cubes is elitist? One bad part of it is that it makes me shiver after a while.
October 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I will be amazed if this debate does not show a partiality towards McCain.
October 7, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
A lot depends on the crowd. Gallup "chose" a undecided audience, but they may be leaning progressive if the polls are any indication. As someone else comment, I can hope.
October 7, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you really think they are undecided though, I find that hard to believe.......
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
No one is really undecided. The question is whether they are leaning progressive or leaning conservative. This is Nashville (which has its liberals) so it will be interesting to see how the crowd leans.
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sam Wang posted an interesting entry today in that regard.
October 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may, but I'm sure Obama is aware of that possibility.
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dang... I was nervous all day, and so nervous the last one hour I became numb. And now I am nervous again... so much so I'm almost vomiting my whole stomach.
:(
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
People, people...
http://www.thefader.com/ys_assets/0006/6676/i_got_this_main.jpg?1222077978
October 7, 2008 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I feel better.
October 7, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL, needed that :)
October 7, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely. We've seen the man speak. We've seen the man speak under great pressure. Trust him.
October 7, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just posted that upthread.
heh
October 7, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, Gallop selected the independent questioners.
October 7, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Supposively, they worked hard to make sure that they were actual undecideds. We shall see.
October 7, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
2 min answer, 2 min response, 1 min after. ooo so much time to give a clear answer to such important topics.
October 7, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Less than 5 minutes away...
Here is my predictions of tonight:
Obama will be cool during the debate, focusing on the issues and he'll deliver some prepared subtle jabs to McCain. McCain will keep it together but he'll hit constantly. Brokaw will be less partisan than usual but he'll give McCain a free pass in some excerpts. He will ask about Ayers in an indirect way.
That's my thoughts, but I think they'll turn out wrong. Anything could happen. I'm 50% excited and 50% nervous. I'll try to post something but you know...
October 7, 2008 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
just sent the kids to watch a movie (adolescents will NOT watch: they'll volunteer, but not watch), poured myself a pomegranate martini, and the tears started sliding down my face. This IS our time. This is OUR moment. The PEOPLE.
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's show time!!
October 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the things i like to look at with these debates is the interaction between the pundits.
On CNN watch the interaction between:
Campbell Brown vs Jeffery Tubin
Campbell Brown vs Roland Martin
Campbell Brown vs Anderson Cooper - Her interaction with these 3 guys is very frosty. They dont like her and she dont like them. I think she is jealous of Anderson. She left NBC because Katie Couric slot was given to Meredith Rivera and she felt as if she should have gotten it.
Watch Jeffery Tubin and David Gergan vs Gloria Borger - they slap down her analysis all the time and she gets peeved and she doesnt hide it. She tries to hide it, but she is a Republican.
There is no more pundit drama on MSNBC anymore since they went to there new debate format after the exchange of words between Scarbrough Schuster, KO and Matthews. That sucks.
October 7, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have a feeling that McCain is going to try some stunt tonight.
October 7, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lord you have a lot of feelings. Very emotional you are, Jonze.
;)
It's gonna be ok.
http://punditkitchen.com/2008/09/05/political-pictures-barack-obama-chill-out-got-this/
October 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad Chris Mathews and KO are talking about the dangerousness of demonizing someone too much and making people hate someone like McCain and Palin are attempting to do with Obama. It's a seriously dangerous road nobody should go down. Palin and McCain have no damn common sense.
October 7, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
is this the live blog thread?
October 7, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
There will probably be more than one thread, judging by past debates. May start here...
keep checking TPM EC...
October 7, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who cares?
October 7, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
McScum is trying hard to smile *puke*
October 7, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
God that man is beautiful! (obama, if you don't know)
October 7, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
wtf was McCain writing down right away lol
October 7, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reminded to himself that he was nice and smiled.
October 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
So he doesn't have to look at Obama
October 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
the question so he doesnt forget.... hes old.
October 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where his seat was!
October 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Don't forget to smile"
October 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Town Hall meeting jab #1
October 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Step One...perfect.
Step Two...yes, damnit, I have a plan.
October 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's not angry McLame - yet.
October 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
But he's getting there. This is an angry man.
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought he was going to sit in Allan's lap there for a minute...
October 7, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
He still might... hes wondering around the stage like a lost little old man.
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
O yeah, it just started -
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah huge debt.... who caused that again?
October 7, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol...I can't believe he made a snipe about attending a town hall with Obama that old miserable prick.
October 7, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain needs to keep still.
October 7, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is way off base at the start
October 7, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mclame is making a specific answer like he knew the question beforehand.
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What are you going to do about the current finical problem, it not like they couldn't see that question coming a mile away.
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yuk, my friends already.......
October 7, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
How many people in America had to down a shot...
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, Brokaw gets to ask follow up questions !
October 7, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lookout McCaine your going to get the Buffet! Bomb!
October 7, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friends my friends my friends
October 7, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, I know........Phil Gramm. Can we raise hands?
October 7, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meg Whitmen as treasury secretary?
October 7, 2008 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, eBay is all that.......
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ebay! HOLY SHIT DUDE - they just announced they are laying off 10% of their employees.
Hit it Obama -
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meg Whitman for Treasury Sec? I dont think she even went to college.
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fundamental!!! Drink!!!
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hitting trickle down. Perfect.
October 7, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Fortunate to have his [Buffett's] support..."
Kapow!
October 7, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
ohhhh! Good ! Spank them !!!
October 7, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
BullShit on the Fanny/Freddie lie
October 7, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here we go, Barack better hit him back on Fannie
October 7, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh shit, he's going to the suspension of his campaign. Dunce.
October 7, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still trembling...
October 7, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
O my god - he's hitting on the minority loans?
Holy shit -
October 7, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Screw those people in poverty.
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol senator Obama's cronies, lol yeah McCain Mr."i didnt see it coming" called out on it.
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
That your party in the House Did not support the bailout! And your friend Gramm allowed them to loan out 40 times capital.
And most of Fanny and Freddy lobyists are in your campaign!
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
McLame says: Obama and cronies got us into this economic crisis.
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about his campaign people who were on the take for Fanny/Freddie?
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I told you he liked Alan, he remembered his name!!
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's blaming Fannie and Freddie - Obama come on -
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG...he's going there - slamming congress critters who messed with the system in exchange for campaign contributions???
Is he fucking serious??
October 7, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
new thread y'all...
October 7, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did McCain even answer the question or did he just attack Obama the entire time?
October 7, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not surprisingly, love it!!
October 7, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smack Down #1!
October 7, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
YES! "Not surprisingly"
Hit him again like that - sneaky
October 7, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is rocking the house - he's totally in his groove.
I'm telling y'all - he connects in person. McLame - hahaha!
October 7, 2008 9:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is opening himself up to cronyism!
October 7, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Get the paddles! Clear! McCain's flat-lining on CNN's graph.
October 7, 2008 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
BO kick his ass
October 7, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
B nailed it on health care.
October 7, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Learn your history and stop drinking the Obama Koolade
October 7, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean confederate history?
October 7, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you see guys I told you there would be no Ayers/Keating question?
Overall, Obama kicked ass.
It was not that ugly exchange, though McCain looked grumpy at times.
No big gaffes, except McLame's lies.
October 7, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
McSame left a lot early, but Obama and Michelle are mixing with the crowd and taking time to exchange with each independent. Good for them.
October 7, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink