anyone watching the debate right now?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Dems on this board - please enlighten me...

I don't get how Obama's "spreading the wealth" plan for health care isn't eerily similar to a socialist state.

And why penalize those of us who are successful? For most of us "wealthy" we work(ed) darn hard and long, made many sacrifices along the way, made smart lifestyle decisions, and often took two steps back to lurch 3 steps forward to become well-to-do...In fact, it's an inspiration, not something I should be penalized for.

A classic have verse have-nots debate, I suppose.

First of all, its a 3% tax increase that simply returns the rates to where they were before Bush cut them. To hear all the crying, you'd think that Obama was taking your first born child or something.

When Obama used the phrase "spread the wealth", he meant it in the sense that he supports policies that will allow more people to become wealthy. Bush's tax cuts favored the wealthy. McCain wants to go even further in favoring the wealthy. Obama is aiming his tax cuts at the middle class in the hope that many of them will have a better chance at becoming wealthy.

[Anonymous]

an inspiration? so you are implying that those 90 something percent of americans who make less than 250k didn't work hard, made bad lifestyle choices and did not sacrifice anything? Are you aware that you are in the minority in this country? And you just don't care what happens to others because you are entitled to low taxes, luxury healthcare that you can afford?

wow...

I won't even bother to try to enlighten you... you're just fine where you are. Go vote for the mavericks... ignorant people seem to be their main target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to start drinking a few beers to make it through the debate last night. I try very hard to go into these things with an open mind just to see if the things I actually care about are talked about and are addressed. I about laughed out loud (ok, maybe I really did) when McCain acted all hurt by the comment made by Congressman Lewis. Really??? How about all of the mean things Palin has said and CONTINUES to say about Obama just to excite her crowds? I found to be a very transparent and in my opinion failed attempt at sympathy.

Secondly, I too was very bothered with the Sarah Palin understands autism comment that he made and then repeated. I did laugh out loud when he said it for the last time because it was so out there. Yes, she has a special needs child and yes, that has to be tough but as one previous poster noted, he's what 6 months old? I don't doubt those 6 months are harder than the past 12 with my son who is not special needs but suddenly she's an expert on all things special needs? That is just outrageous.

Thirdly, the split screen definitely HURT McCain. I agree with the poster who commented on hearing and not seeing the debate. He was horrible. At one point he kept looking back and forth from Obama to the moderator to Obama to the moderator and all I could say was "pick me! pick me! pick me!" like the eager kid in the class room with his hand waving that the teacher purposely avoids calling on. To me, he should have been put in front of a mirror and shown how silly he looks and trained not to do the eye rolling and everything else he did last night.

Lastly, another prior poster commented on how someone said Obama looked presidential while McCain didn't and that it was not important to judge it that way. I disagree only in that how they compose themselves and explain their opinions and talk to another person with whom they completely disagree (and probably by now dispise) is really important in a leader. That McCain can throw jabs and roll his eyes and insist untrue statements are in fact true (DC Vouchers e.g.) while Obama sits there and smiles and takes it and then calmly explains, repudiates or just listens to the comments really will mean something in a room with Putin or Chavez or any of the other unstable world leaders our President has to meet with. Eye rolling with some of these folks will be insulting and could do far more damage diplomatically than words alone.

Maybe it is about time the US had a leader that comes across as a bit unstable. We have had leaders in the past that are full of charisma and poise and what has that done for the country? I have worked for a few off-the-wall characters that go against the grain of everything the stereotypical leader present and they were excellent in their positions. I am not for McCain and I am not for Obama. They both are taking stand with things I am agreeing with and vice-versa. I like neither of them. All politicians lie and they don't have as much power as anyone thinks. No matter who wins, the lies will come out and the promises won't happen. But we're used to that, aren't we?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All politicians lie and they don't have as much power as anyone thinks. No matter who wins, the lies will come out and the promises won't happen. But we're used to that, aren't we?

True dat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that Obama is trying to take the high road on things - the contract in style was very obvious in the debate, McCain would take a shot, Obama would respond, but not shoot back below the hip. He looked very presidential while McCain looked like a petulant child not getting his way and was about to go home with his "ball". I would have voted for the 2004 and 200 McCain, but not this one.

I tend to not directly respond to an attack or any other comment when I don't have a come back. In my opinion, no response and not willing to defend yourself are not good traits for a president. (By the way-my lack of response in meetings was considered admirable and pensive in the beginning until people began to realize that I really don't have anything to say).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen my grandmother die of diabetes, does that make me an expert on diabetes? I am sorry, I don't buy this stuff. This whole "Look at me I'm like you" crap bothers me. Since McCain is suggesting a total spending freeze, I don't see how they are gonna help me with my autistic kid at all. I'm still going to have to pay the 800 dollars for private therapy because the schools don't provide adequate therapies. and that's not going to change, unless someone makes an investment in special education.

The only people that are bigger experts about special needs children are those families that have special needs children that are older than her son. That means she is more expert on special needs children than most of the population. And as she faces more challenges down the road, the issues will come to light because they will be in her face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that Obama is trying to take the high road on things - the contract in style was very obvious in the debate, McCain would take a shot, Obama would respond, but not shoot back below the hip. He looked very presidential while McCain looked like a petulant child not getting his way and was about to go home with his "ball". I would have voted for the 2004 and 200 McCain, but not this one.

I tend to not directly respond to an attack or any other comment when I don't have a come back. In my opinion, no response and not willing to defend yourself are not good traits for a president. (By the way-my lack of response in meetings was considered admirable and pensive in the beginning until people began to realize that I really don't have anything to say).

You may disagree with Obama, but you have to admit that he is super smart. He KNOWS that any response from him that is seen as emotional in anyway will be quickly spun into the "angry black man stereotype". This is why I think that he take the high road not becasue he has nothing to say. In fact, I think that the excessive smiling last night was his way of calming himself down while McCain was throwing punches. I am so happy that he did not walk into McCain's trap.