VBD Presidential Live-Blog: Belmont University

LOS ANGELES, Cali. — I will be live-blogging the presidential debate which is taking place at Belmont University. Once again, feel free to follow along, comment, etc.

- Mike Bietz

Yes! Tom Brokaw.

6:11PM Obama flipped aff. Who are all those bald guys?

Economic Question:
Obama - He doesn’t answer the question until well into it. He should spend less time with history and more time with some specific action. I’m not too impressed with his answer. Waaaayyyy too broad.

McCain - Energy independence??? How does that solve the problem now? How does taxes solve now? It is awkward how he’s staring at the one guy so close up. His answer is a little better. But not much. Neither said what they will do right now.

Who will they appoint?
McCain - joke… wuh? Huh, he says a supporter of Obama would be a good idea… interesting.
Obama - Warren Buffett would be a good idea. I agree! He’s avoiding the question again.

Both almost completely ignored the questions.. next please.

6:18PM
Bailout Package - how does it help?

McCain: it’s a rescue, not a bailout. Wall Street was greedy and Main Street suffered. How clever! I think one of the higher-ups in the McCain campaign was paid by Freddie Mac up to a month ago.

Obama: Does a better job of explaining what the rescue package means. Regulation/Deregulation is a good way of explaining it. There it is. McCain’s campaign manager. McCain should do a better job of pointing fingers so it doesn’t point back at him in the end.

Worse before better?
Obama: Optimism. Talks about organizing with other countries. Stop lobbyists.

McCain: No answer. People are solution.

6:23PM
Why should we trust you?

Obama: Agrees there is a lot of blame. This is a definite a question that will lead to finger-pointing. I think Obama is going over-time with each question.

McCain: Need to be non-partisan. End earmarks. Obama only votes for spending money. Especially pork… I guess that proves he’s not muslim! He turned himself.

Priorities:
Mcain loves nuclear power plants. Wants to build a bunch of them.
Obama says we have to prioritize priorities. Energy. Finally, a specific policy point. Nice optimism. Health Care. Education. These are pretty standard democratic issues. This is very good at pointing out how cutting taxes for certain groups is the same as an earmark.

6:40PM
What sacrifices?

McCain - Very nice answer on even being willing to look at out of control defense spending. Transparency. I don’t know how this is everyone sacrificing? It’s a huge sacrifice to not pay taxes, huh?

Obama - How are we going to use energy. This is an easy answer, that everyone begins with. It is a very politically safe answer, but at least answers the question. He also brings up his plan to encourage national service.

6:45PM
This is now babb

Unfunded obligations. That’s what they’re on about right now.

Straight-talk express has reportedly lost wheel. If anyone finds it, notify us immediately.

We can conclude that Obama’s tax plan either INCREASES or DECREASES taxes. We can also conclude that small businesses are sooooooooo great.

We need more Ron Reagan and Tip O’Neil. TOOO MUCH SPECIAL INTEREST!

7:00PM
McCain not more of the McSame on the environment. But who cares about the environment, really?

That guy in the front row with the buzz cut and glasses is freaking me out. He only stares directly ahead and he looks creepy. Appears to be a giant fetus in a suit.

McCain talks a lot about drilling. But we can’t drill our way out of the problem. McCain says drilling is vital.

Health care….. BOOOOOOORING.

McCain does his shopping across state borders. And thinks it’s normal.

Is health care a right, a responsibility? Boooo insurance companies.

There are “fundamental differences” between the candidates. This much is clear.

Sweater guy asking the question from the audience looks like an average American.

7:21PM
This is bietz again.

How will economic stress effect our ability to act as a peace-maker?

McCain - Being more judicious in our ability to use. How was Obama about Russia? I’m pretty sure he didn’t stand in favor of it? To quote josh anderson: “what was he for it?”

Obama - Ugh. I wish there would be some specfics.

Sidebar: this debate is exactly the same as the first. Both are playing not to lose. Let’s get some issues.

I don’t know what McCain’s answer about the time-line has to do with the question. What is this story about? I think he’s just talking. I do believe he thinks we should do more humanitarian work.

Katie Hamm!!??!!?!?

Should we violate Pakistan to find Al Qaeda?

Obama - We made the wrong choice for Iraq. Ok… doesn’t answer the question. It is a tough question. He gives an answer that is pretty decisive in the end.

McCain - Like Iraq we should get the support of the people? What the hell is he talking about? Does he think we were really welcomed with open arms?

LOL. McCain’s joke was great. “thank you very much”

I would prefer a debate style where they just go back and forth for the entire two hours.

Both of these answers are exactly the SAME! Both will get Bin Laden no matter what it takes!

7:30PM
Afghanistan.

Obama - need more troops. ok.

McCain - They both agree that they need more troops.

Russia

McCain - We won’t have a cold war, but they are acting in an eradicate name. Should bring international pressures. Will use our leverage with allies. Hm. Attacking a small sovereign country?

Obama - Agrees with McCain. Need to help more countries. Energy consumption is key, too. As Anderson points out - we don’t buy Russian oil.

Is Russia an Evil Empire?

Obama - Did evil things.

McCain - Maybe. Energy is a big factor.

Why does each person have two microphones?

7:35PM
Would you wait to use troops to help Israel if attacked by Iran?

McCain - would not wait. Iran is dangerous. Says Obama wants to talk with Iran. I don’t know what is wrong with that prior to any attack. This question is about post-attack, not pre-attack.

Obama - Can’t allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. Babb points out that this is the same answer as debate 1. But says we can’t provide veto power to the UN. Need to try to avoid the situation first. Ugh. Again - this question is about POST ATTACK! I’m glad he explains what he means by direct talk. Nice delineation between North Korea and Iraq.

7:39PM
What don’t you know… how will you learn it?

Obama - Ugh. Here comes a stump speech. This is the most frustrating answer ever.

Babb: A golden opportunity for McCain to actually answer the question. But he’ll do the same as Obama.

McCain - He’s not a tarot card reader. But he knows what it’s like in tough times.

Popularity: 2%

test

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 5:31 pm and is filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.