The debate ended without the fireworks some pundits were expecting. Though Sens. McCain and Obama reiterated many of their arguments from the first debate, Obama seemed more confident in his tone and delivery. During the initial debate Obama said he agreed with McCain several times. There wasn’t any of that tonight. McCain hammered in on what he calls Obama’s pork barrel spending and “being wrong about the surge in Iraq.” Will this debate be a game changer? Will McCain get the boost he needs in the polls from after tonight? Seeing as how viewers didn’t learn anything new about the candidates and their plans, it’s highly in doubt that this debate will have a great impact.
Final call – 10:31 – And the candidates wrap up. Obama says some of the obstacles the president may face are “never the challenges you expect, it is the challenges that you don’t which consume most of your time,” he says. “We need fundamental change,” he adds in his closing remark.
“I believe in this country, I believe in its future, I believe in its greatness,” McCain says. Is this a possible play on the McCain camp, Obama=terrorist claims? McCain ends on a note of uncertainty. “What I don’t know is what we all don’t know,” he says. “What is going to happen both here at home and abroad, the challenges we face are unprecedented.”
Much ado about Iran – 10:25 – McCain says the U.S. would not wait for the UN security council to take action on Iran if it threatened Israel. McCain pledges to promote some sort of “league of democracies,” to increase pressure on Iran and he calls for more sanctions.
Obama says he will never take military options off the table when it comes to Iran. Obama and McCain agree on one thing; not waiting on the UN security council to act. He also talks about tightening sanctions on Iran and preventing it from importing oil.
Going after Russia – 10:20 – While not wanting to get into a Cold War 2, McCain says the U.S. needs to work to put international pressure on Russia using the G8 -a body of leading international countries – and other international organizations. McCain says Russia attacked Georgia unprovoked.
Obama says Russia “engaged in evil behavior.” McCain says Russia “may be” evil.
Afghan strategy – 10:16 – Obama says the U.S. will need to work with the Karzai government to treat the people better. Brokaw asks if there needs to be a new dictator? That question seems a bit weird. McCain goes back to pressing Obama about being wrong about the surge and Iraq.
More foreign policy – 10:10 – Obama proposes to expand non-military aid to Pakistan, and support democracy. Now McCain wants to work together and coordinate. He quotes former President Theodore Roosevelt, “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Economy’s affect on America’s stance in the world – 10:00 – McCain takes a jab at Obama’s inexperience, “we don’t have time for on the job training my friend.”
Obama hits back. There are somethings I don’t understand, I don’t understand how we invaded a country that had nothing to do with the September 11 terrorist attacks.
It’s starting to feel like a playback of the first presidential debate. Obama brings up the millions of dollars in Iraqi oil revenue while the U.S. shells out money hand over fist.
Obama mentions genocide in Darfur which has not been a major issue among voters this election. Darfur was brought up by moderator Gwen Ifill, during the vice presidential debate.
Brokaw asks for the McCain and Obama Doctrine. Obama says “it’s important for us to be able to work in concert with our allies.” But he says he wouldn’t hesitate to intervene if necessary.
How many times has McCain said “my friends” and “Reagan?”
McCain doesn’t explicitly state his “doctrine.” He brings up failed U.S. efforts in Somalia in the 1990s, insisting the U.S. needs make sure it is a place the U.S. should actually be in and helping out in.
More on healthcare – 9:56 – McCain says healthcare is an American right, to an extent. He also says Obama will fine families if they do not have healthcare plans for children.
Obama says he will fine parents whose children are not insuranced since children are the cheapest to cover.
On healthcare – 9:50 – Obama proposes to work with employers to lower the cost of healthcare. He also proposes that those without healthcare get the same plan he and McCain receive in Congress.
McCain does not let Obama out-efficiency him. He plans to put healthcare information online to reduce costs and create fluidity. McCain wants to make a portable healthcare plan. He says people will actually get money back through the tax credit he proposes.
Time is ticking – 9:40 – Obama’s time runs out and Brokaw doesn’t extend it. He wants to clarify his tax policy. Obama uses a question on social security and medicare to go back to his tax policy.
McCain brings up Reagan again and his tax policy. He also brings up his maverickness, claiming Obama has not opposed any of the legislation proposed by fellow Democrats in Congress. Brokaw is becoming frustrated because the candidates won’t stick to time constraint.
On Taxes – 9:35 – McCain says Obama’s tax policy is “like nailing jello to a wall.” McCain asserts that Obama will increases taxes on 50% of small businesses. Palin made this same accusation last week and Biden refuted it. He said most small businesses don’t generate revenue in excess of $250,000.
McCain pushes his $5,000 healthcare credit plan. There are many fundamental problems with this plan including employees being taxed on healthcare.
Americans to make sacrifices – 9:28 – McCain proposes to stick to making government smaller and eliminate wasteful spending. McCain pushes his spending freeze again, which would not include defense and veteran affairs. McCain takes a another dig at Obama, “we can attack healthcare and energy spending at the same time,” he says.
Obama says he will explore new ways to get more oil. Oil companies have 68 million acres of land for off shore drilling Obama says. This is an issue Biden has been passionate about as Senator Lindsey Graham and other Republicans push for more leases for off-shore drilling. Biden says the companies aren’t using a majority of the leases they have now.
Priorities of the candidates – 9:25 – Suddenly, McCain can do multiple things at once. He says healthcare and energy can all be managed at once -just a week ago he couldn’t campaign and deal with the bailout at the same time. Obama says energy is a top priority, followed by healthcare. Obama pledges to go line by line in the federal budget to eliminate wasteful spending.
And the “maverick” strikes back – 9:21 – McCain touts his record of fighting to reduce pork barrel spending.
Questions on the bailout – 9:11 – Congress calls it a bailout, McCain calls it a “rescue.” Ding! McCain finally mentions that he suspended his campaign to make sure Americans were included in the bailout package – and the gloves come off. McCain blames Obama and other Democrats for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pushing subprime loans that led to this mess of an economy. “Fannie and Freddie were the catalyst, the match that started this forest fire,” McCain says.
Obama disputes it. He brings up McCain’s antiregulation stance. “A year ago I went to Wall Street and said we have to regulate and nothing happened,” Obama says. Score one for Obama. He finally brings up McCain’s campaign manager lobbying for Freddie Mac.
Obama, McCain and the economy – 9:08 – Obama says a week after the bailout AIG went on a $400,000 junket and they should give the money back. Obama heads straight for appealing to the middle class.
McCain says energy independence will fix the dismal economy, he’d also like to cut government spending and add a package of reforms. McCain wants to buy up soured mortgages and renegotiate them at the new value of the home.
He also says he supports appointing Meg Whitman, ex-Ebay CEO, as a replacement for Treasury secretary Hank Paulson.
Intro by Brokaw — 9:04 — Veteran newscaster Tom Brokaw explains the format of tonight’s town hall debate to the 80 uncommitted voters in the audience and us viewers at home. Each audience member wrote questions for the candidates and Tom Brokaw selected the questions. Brokaw starts off with the economy. Audience member Alan asks a question plaguing many Americans: “how and what is the quickest way to fix the ailing economy?”
T minus 6 and Counting
Tonight marks the second presidential debate and many are expecting it to be a knock down drag out as Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain amped up the personal attacks this week -and it’s only Tuesday. This evenings trigger words; “Keating,” “Ayers,” and “liar,” could possibly make this town-hall-style debate rather interesting. But as the looming financial crisis shakes many Americans, the candidates may be forced to get back to this issues tonight.
Renita Burns is the editorial assistant for BlackEnterprise.com