[XR7]

Obama, referring to rising oil prices and limited oil supplies, said moments later, "There is going to be the need for each and every one of us to start thinking about how we use energy."

There were echoes — almost — of Jimmy Carter in that sentence. When was the last time a candidate vying for the highest office in the land summoned a memory of him rather than Ronald Reagan?

And, we do not seem to be producing anymore Ronald Reagans, sadly.
The men of "The Greatest Generation" are quickly all passing into eternity.

[McCain] insisted as well that he alone had a record of bipartisanship — that Obama was too liberal to reach across party lines.

Is it just me, or have we all just about had it with all the wimpy "reaching across party lines" talk?

[a real Sheila]

I didn’t watch the debate.
Did McCain even bother to mention the whole mortgage fiasco, ACORN, Freddie and Fannie, and the reason the country is even in this mess?
I’m guessing that he did not.
What the HELL is the matter with him?
It is MADDENING!

[RogerFGay]

Both campaigns are being run by marketing departments and the agenda is set outside the democratic process. What they've decided to call centrist, the ground both candidates want to be on, is way too far away from the traditional Republican Party base - i.e. conservatives. After the primary, Obama "changed" himself on several key issues to become McCain and left McCain with really - nothing to run on. It was a reversal of the McCain tactic to define himself early as being so far left as to be in Obama's space. It's a personality contest now. Smart move by the Obama campaign - just amazes me that he got away with it. (Oh the irony - Obama would be 4 more years of Bush)

McCain is a senator and his discussion and debate is a mix between things that would work in discussions with other senators and entirely missing opportunities to say something meaningful to the American people because he's run by his marketing department - just pushing his brand no matter what the question is. It doesn't help McCain that Obama can be on three sides of the same issue all in the same sentence and completely opposite what he said earlier and fill in the argument gaps by making things up and sounding authoritative and convincing when he does it. Obama reminds me of Johnnie Cochran as portrayed in a South Park episode delivering the Chewbacca defense. Ladies and gentlemen look at this picture of Chewbacca. It just doesn't make any sense. I don't make any sense. And it's working for him. The old white guy doesn't know how to respond to it. McCain is gonna lose.

I might have enough material to explain once again post 2nd debate how he could win. Not that I'm optimistic that the above pattern will change - but at least in theory - if he got real for a while and engaged in real democratic (small d) thinking - he could win. And if he did that, it would also be a great service to his country.

[G Larry]

McCain needs this kind of attack:

“Where are Obama’s college transcripts and writings, that we might evaluate his formative years?”
“Where are Obamas’s executive qualifications, given that he gained office unopposed, and has initiated no meaningful legislation?”
“Should we place more confidence in his liberal voting record of raising taxes and undermining national defense, or should we believe his pandering campaign rhetoric?”
“Not a record to be trusted in these challenging times!”

[sirchtruth]

Is it just me, or have we all just about had it with all the wimpy "reaching across party lines" talk?

This is a rino problem, but for all it's worth McCain has actually done it! McCain can actually point out the fact he's reached across party lines and sided with DBM/dems. Obama is just a liberal, socialist, hack, who hasn't done jack!

I'm waiting for the October surprise, McCain better think about bringing it because he didn't score any points with the base last night!

[KeyLargo]

It’s over.

Obama wins.

If Mclame thought that acting like the rats was going to improve his election chances he is mistaken.

I felt like I was watching a sinking ship when he said that he wants to bail out home mortgages.

McLame helped me with getting to sleep though.

[TheRobb7]

I think that the McCain camp is trying to “hold serve” until we get closer to Nov. 4, and then unleash whatever trump card they’ve got stashed away (whitey video, etc.)

Just my musings.........

[9YearLurker]

Last night did feel a little like ‘sundown at the not-okay corral’.

[CMAC51]

"There is going to be the need for each and every one of us to start thinking about how we use energy."

This is the key to why Obama will lead to the second great depression. Energy if the catalyst of productivity. Restrict the use of energy and you restrict productivity. Increases in productivity are what drive growth in the economy. Obama plans resticted energy use which will result in restricted productivity, recession and given our current economic situation, most likely depression.

[pray4liberty]

I posted this in another debate thread. This would have been much more exciting if we had McCain debate Joe and Palin debate Obama. Why don’t we have a four-free-for all and be done with it and have Jerry Springer be the moderator.