10:29: Here's a YouTube of "That One."
10:24: McCain uses question about whether US would defend Israel military if Iran attacks to bring up "without preconditions" vow, but McCain does not answer question...neither does Obama...smart of them both not to answer this question.
10:23: Is Russia under Vladimir Putin an evil empire? Obama: "I think they've engaged in evil behavior." McCain: "Maybe. If I say yes, then that means we're reigniting the old cold war. If I say no, we're excusing their behavior."
10:16: The RNC sends around reporter's e-mail criticizing the debate format. As in -- this is not a REAL town hall meeting, so if McCain's not doing as well as he should be doing, it's not his fault.
10:15: McCain insists that Obama wants to invade Pakistan.
10:13: Noticing that Obama says Pahk-istan and McCain says Pack-istan. Obama: "This is a guy who sang bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran...called for [destruction] of North Korea...said 'next up Baghdad...that's not speaking softly."
10:12: CORRECTION: I wrote earlier that McCain called health care a "privilege;" he did not. He called it a responsibility.
10:08: Katie Hamm asks good queston about Pakistani sovereignty. Obama uses it as an example to criticize the Bush-McCain Iraq policy. McCain uses it as an example to criticize Obama...that "he wants to announce that he's going to attack Pakistan. Remarkable. When you announce that you're going to launch an attack in another country, it's pretty obvious that it has an effect [in Pakistan..in that it raises anti-American sentiment." McCain and Obama have a genuine difference on Pakistan, and we're hearing them spell it out here.
10:06: Backing up just a bit: McCain accused Obama of proposing to fine folks who don't purchase or ask for insurance...."He will fine you." Tough charge, not really answered, but did it get lost in the delivery?
10:05: Relitigating Iraq.
10:03: Is it me or is Obama getting more time to speak than McCain? Not sure about this... just an impression.
10:01: McCain: "There are some things that Obama just doesn't understand" in re: foreign policy... Obama turns it around: "I don't understand how we ended up invading the country that had nothing to do with 9/11..."
9:59: Obama aide Bill Burton sends out e-mail: "Did John McCain just refer to Obama as "that one?"
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McCain needs to lose the "my friends" talk. He has voters in front of him, not friends.
Posted by doug | October 7, 2008 10:08 PM