TWO HOURS LATER - MCCAIN VS OBAMA II - IMPRESSIONS

Townhall.com ^ | 8 October 2008 | Andrew Roman

[AlanGreenSpam]

Yes, did you see the cover of NewsWeak Mag during the primaries in which they had Romney’s mugshot and a caption
“Mitt Romney - A Mormon Journey” ???

They were trying to label him hard for being a Mormon.

What if they did the same for Obama (”Obama: A Rev Wright Journey???”)

[Arizona Carolyn]

I am talking about looking back at things like “if we had elected George Allen (in 2006) or Romney, or Hunter, or.... “ that is all water under the bridge, we do nothing constructive looking back, what is.. is.... and we have two choices, I hope we all choose wisely.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

"~LOL~ No, I’m not a PUMA. I just find it very interesting they are more passionatly supporting the GOP candidate than many so called Republicans."

Well then I have my answer. I should be a good party voter. Bad news for you, I am a Conservative, registered as an Independent. Once every 3 1/2 years I switch to republican so I can vote in the primaries. For 20 years I was registered as a Republican and will become a Republican again when the party returns to its conservative values.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Good luck with that if Obama is elected. OTOH if McCain is elected he likely will only serve four years and Palin will be ready to run.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

"Good luck with that if Obama is elected..."

Tired, worn out line. Get use to the idea of socialism because its coming in January.

P.S. I already voted for Palin.AWB

[Norman Bates]

The McCain List.

Praise for John McCain's debate performance:

Thanks to FReeper 1035rep.

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “[M]cCain is roaming the stage, playing to his strength. And comes out with a policy proposal to help people stay in their homes — a strong lead answer, to have a meaty response to that. McCain looks confident early.” (Rick Klein, “Live Debate Blog,” ABC News’ “Live Debate Blog,” blogs.abcnews.com, 10/7/08)

The New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: “Mr. McCain is developing a chatty rapport with Mr. Brokaw about the candidates exceeding their time limits. He seems relaxed, as if he knows he is making a connection on a personal level. He roams the stage. Mr. Obama, who once stood in front of classes as a college professor, stands still while delivering his answers, and this one on health care sounds more like a lecture.” (Katharine Q. Seelye, “McCain Warms To The Setting,” The New York Times’ “The Caucus” Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 10/7/08)

The Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “McCain, taking a question from a naval retiree, gives him a pat on the shoulder and a firm handshake. ‘Everything I ever learned about leadership, I learned from a chief petty officer,’ says one old sailor to another. It was surely a moment that won a lot of nodding heads from vets all over the country.” (Jonathan Martin, “Vets And Servicemembers Had To Love This Moment,” The Politico’s “Jonathan Martin” Blog, www.politico.com, 10/7/08)

* Martin: “McCain unveils a new pork-barrel project to be condemned: an overhead projector for a planetarium in Chicago that was included in Obama’s earmarks.” (Jonathan Martin, “The New Bears In Montana!!!” The Politico’s “Jonathan Martin” Blog, www.politico.com, 10/7/08)

* Martin: “A strong close by the GOPer with: ‘We can’t afford somebody who needs on the job training, my friend.’” (Jonathan Martin, “McCain In Comfort Zone On National Security,” The Politico’s “Jonathan Martin” Blog, www.politico.com, 10/7/08)

* Martin: “Right at the outset, [McCain] offers empathy: ‘Americans are angry, they’re upset, and they’re a little fearful.’” (Jonathan Martin, “McCain’s ‘I Feel Your Pain’ Moment,” The Politico’s “Jonathan Martin” Blog, www.politico.com, 10/7/08)

CNN’s Candy Crowley: “McCain seemed to answer first question [on a rescuing main street] better.” (Candy Crowley, “How Tough Is Too Tough?” CNN’s “Political Ticker” Blog, politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, 10/7/08)

CNN’s Bill Schneider: “That’s a pretty fundamental question should there be for profit health care? Obama’s answer...he’s not answering the question.” (Bill Schneider, “Obama Not Answering The Question,” CNN’s “Political Ticker” Blog, www.cnn.com, 10/7/08)

* Schneider: “McCain’s tone is better at talking to the audience...” (Bill Schneider, “Are The Candidates Relating To The Audience,” CNN’s politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, 10/7/08)

MSNBC’s Pat Buchanan: “I think McCain did come in with more heart and more fight. And I agree with you, he was the aggressor. He was throwing the punches. He did it in a better way than he did it last week when I thought he had won on points. Here he smiled. He looked at his opponent. He looked at Tom Brokaw. He talked to the audience, and he did it in a more calm fashion. And I think he clearly scored more points than Barack Obama did.” (MSNBC, 10/7/08)

National Review’s Lisa Schiffren: “Is it necessary to explain the basics? McCain is doing really well with the audience in the room by doing so. Does it translate to the TV audience? McCain is really sounding clear, energetic and firm.” (Lisa Schiffren, “Talking Down To The Audience,” National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, 10/7/08)

Commentary’s John Podhoretz: “This is McCain’s mantra. I know how. I know how. Here’s what I will do.” (John Podhoretz, “I Know How To Do That,” Commentary’s “Contentions” Blog, www.commentarymagazine.com, 10/7/08)

Commentary’s Daniel Casse: “[M]cCain is delivering tight, crisp, and extremely effective answers. Every answer has a similar structure: (a) I care about this issue (b) I’ve stood up against Bush/special interests on this issue (c) Obama has never taken a stand, never acted on this (d) so let’s compare records.” (Daniel Casse, “McCain’s Well-Structured Answers,” Commentary’s “Contentions” Blog, www.commentarymagazine.com, 10/7/08)

CNN’s David Gergen: “I thought John McCain was more effective than he was last time on domestic policy. I thought his answers in general were more organized and he made his points more effectively.” (CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” 10/7/08)

Fox News’ Charles Krauthammer: “McCain won the first hour on domestic (issues).” (Fox News’ “Presidential Debate,” 10/7/08)

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: “I thought Senator McCain started out very strong when he said we have to address this financial crisis by having a plan to buy up all of the bad mortgages in the country showed real compassion and empathy there...” (ABC’s “The Candidates Debate,” 10/7/08)

* Stephanopoulos: “I was also struck in the way that both candidates handled the stage tonight ... As we know Senator McCain wanted these town hall meetings all year long against Senator Obama. He made a crack against that. He is comfortable in this setting.” (ABC’s “The Candidates Debate,” 10/7/08)

ABC’s Charlie Gibson: “I do think if there was any new proposal in the debate, it was what John McCain said about buying up the struggling home loan mortgages and renegotiate them at a new value, have the government do that.” (ABC’s “The Candidates Debate,” 10/7/08)

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Nice moment for McCain: he claps a man (Terry Scherry) who asks about Iran on the shoulder and they shake hands.” (Chris Cillizza, “The Nashville Skyline Debate,” The Washington Post’s “The Fix” Blog, www.washingtonpost.com, 10/7/08)

NBC’s Chuck Todd: “[M]cCain did get stronger, I think, as the night went on. When it turned to foreign policy, you can see his comfort zone and you could see him getting more comfortable “ (NBC’s “Presidential Debate Coverage,” 10/7/08)

NBC’s Andrea Mitchell: “I think he was very comfortable in the format ... McCain was walking around approaching some of the questioners. Thanking them. Actually coming quite close to them. ... And as Chuck has pointed out, with the economy in such a tail spin, he came armed with a new proposal to have the government buy up failing mortgages ... That was a gutsy move.” (NBC’s “Presidential Debate Coverage,” 10/7/08)

The Politico’s Ben Smith: “Really, the first of the night. McCain takes a question from a Navy veteran. ‘Everything I ever learned about leadership, I learned from chief petty officer,’ he says, walking over to the man and patting his shoulder.” (Ben Smith, “A Connection,” The Politico’s “Ben Smith” Blog, www.politico.com, 10/7/08)

Commentary’s Jennifer Rubin: “On Afghanistan, Iraq and Russia McCain talks in action words what we will do, what will work and what our goals will be. Although he obviously wants to assure voters he will show restraint, his real strength is projecting a force of will and determination.” (Jennifer Rubin, “National Security,” Commentary’s “Contentions” Blog, www.commentarymagazine.com, 10/7/08)

National Review’s Mark Levin: “And he has shown more energy than usual. Obama is supposed to be the great orator (what happened to the messiah and the fainting?). The 72-year-old McCain has the upper-hand on the 47-year-old messiah, IMHO.” (Mark Levin, “In Defense Of McCain,” National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, 10/7/08)

CNN’s Bill Bennett: “The last comments [John McCain] made, I thought, were quite impressive and quite moving.” (CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” 10/7/08)

[fortheDeclaration]

Man, from the comments I had read night on FR, I thought McCain has been blown away in the debate.

I think Freepers are expecting too much from these 'debates'.

They are really for the undecided, not those who have already committed.

[conservativepoet]

I am talking about looking back at things like “if we had elected George Allen (in 2006) or Romney, or Hunter, or.... “

________________

Once again that was not my interest. Sounds like if the words “George and Allen” are mentioned, then you’re reflexively assuming I’m griping about not electing G. Allen in the primaries.

My larger strategic question was:

How do we protect conservatives such as George Allen and Sarah Palin from being destroyed? And it specifically applies to Sarah Palin in the next 4 yrs whether she is elected or not.

[BARLF]

The foreign minister of Hamas has recently endorsed Obama for president, another story that has sunk like a stone, barely reported other than by Fox and WorldNetDaily, even though Sen. John McCain brought it up on the campaign trail.

In 1998, reports Wallsten, Obama attended a speech by Edward Said in which Said called for a nonviolent campaign “against settlements, against Israeli apartheid.” Later, Obama and his wife were photographed at dinner with Said. “If only Obama could burn this picture,” writes Al Ahram, but the Cairo paper printed the picture anyway.

Abraham Foxman, national director for the Anti-Defamation League, told the Los Angeles Times, “In the context of [Obama] spending 20 years in a church” where anti-Israel rhetoric was repeated, “that’s what makes his presence at an Arab-American event with a Said a greater concern.”

Wallsten reports that Abunimah of Electronic Intifada said he heard Obama call for an “even-handed approach” toward Israel. In 2004, when Obama was running for the Senate, Abunimah quoted Obama as saying that he was sorry he wasn’t talking more about the Palestinian cause, but that his primary campaign had constrained what he could say. (Obama told Jewish leaders in Cleveland recently that a pro-Israel position is not necessarily a pro-Likud one.)

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/5080

More anti- American friends of “The One”. Old news but should be remembered I think.

[Arizona Carolyn]

One way we protect our true conservative is to be supportive of the growing number of moderate democrats who are trying to take their own party back. I think a weak democratic party hurts the GOP. This country needs two strong parties, and while I have never voted for a democrat, we don't elect the strongest people ourselves when the Democratic Socialist Party is trying to destroy anyone who doesn't believe as they do.

This probably doesn't make sense to you, but if we win in November it will be with the help of the people who are sick of the radicals who have bought their party and is funding a crooked media who is trying to destroy people like Sarah Palin, George Allen, etc... anyone they consider a challenge to their radical views... we have to break the radical back of the democratic party...

If they do not suceed in breaking that back, it looks like more moderates will be part of the GOP and that pulls the GOP more to the left than many are comfortable with.

JMHO

[conservativepoet]

This probably doesn’t make sense to you. . .

______________

I was agreeing with you until said the above. Amazing how you’re so patience with moderate Dems, and yet for a fellow freeper none. I can tell you’ve got this template you’re reacting to; you’re not reading carefully enough. So end of discussion.

[jan in Colorado]

WOW. Thanks for the awesome post!

[meyer]

Um... hello... we are all AMERICANS. Granted, Liberals are far more wrong then they are right, by a long shot, but damn it all to hell, its time to start ACTING like AMERICANS again, and stop trying to cut off our own left hand....

If you can seriously look at Obama and his merry band of communist followers and refer to them simply as Americans, you're deluded. They may have been born here, but as long as they support socialism, they are the enemy. They are certainly not people with which we need to compromise.

It's compromise with the left that has brought us the ponzia scheme known as Social Security. It's compromise with the left that has brought us racial quotas. It's compromise with the left that has given the environazi movement a stronghold on our own energy markets. It's compromise with the left that has brought us the failed Fannie and Freddie. It's compromise with the left that has brought us the housing and mortgage crisis.

The left represents the leeches on our society that take the fruit of the earner's labor for themselves under the guise of "fairness" and with the force of the government. They need to be removed, not accommodated.

When has the left ever "reached across the aisle" except to slap those from which they steal?

[Norman Bates]

Thanks to 1035rep!

[meyer]

Baloney, that attitude got us a Dem controlled congress in 06. Wake up and smell the Democrats crawling up from where the sun don't shine!

No, what got us a democRAT controlled congress in '06 was a Republican-controlled house, senate, and presidency that refused to act like conservatives. People will come out of the woodwork to vote for a true small-government conservative. One like Reagan. But when the right veers too far to the left, people stay home on election day.

[Danae]

Are you seriously proposing Civil war?

Then I have to disagree with you. Sorry but that kind of thinking is as much a part of the problem as anything else.

Thank you for the conversation, it was enlightening on several levels.

[dixiechick2000]

The speech in New Mexico was great!

I don’t think McCain will ever address Obama’s “issues” in a debate.

However, he had almost an hour with Sarah on H & C tonight, and had no trouble calling Obama out.

[SoldierDad]

Let them come. I’m stating my fears about what might be a plausible scenereo. If that’s criminal, they can do what they gotta do.

[SoldierDad]

If McCain doesn't find a way to become energized, and display the anger that most Americans are feeling right now (not with rants, but righteous indignation and a guarantee that he will pursue criminal prosecution for those responsible for this mortgage fiasco) he's going to lose this election. Obamasiah doesn't have to do much to win. McCain has a lot of work to do if he really wants to be President.

[dixiechick2000]

Disregard my last post to you.
I’ve changed my mind.

After seeing the new ad, hearing McCain name names today,
and seeing that Obama and Biden have asked him why he won’t
say that to their faces, I believe he’s going to call them out,
and name names in the next debate.

I was going to skip it, but I won’t now!