10:12 EDT: [Sean] Massive gender gap on the dials in many answers. In short: women are thinking Obama's winning in a landslide. Men: mixed.
10:09 EDT: [Sean] McCain is looking at Obama a LOT. So much for not acknowledging your opponent.
10:04 EDT: [Sean] "Gold-plated Cadillacs?" McCain really is Ronald Reagan's heir.
10:00 EDT: [Nate] Sorry I've been so quiet. I thought McCain was winning this debate 20 minutes in. But the second time that McCain brought up Lewis still feels like the turning point in the debate to me. From there forward, he's pretty much played into all of his worst stereotypes.
9:53 EDT: [Sean] McCain: Angrily sarcastic, eye rolling, McCain just feels contempt for Obama. Body language is mocking.
9:49 EDT: [Sean] Obama's talking directly to the viewing audience. McCain seems to be looking to the in-person audience more.
9:48 EDT: [Sean] Well, the server errors are back. Publishing problems. Please bear with us. We were told this was fixed, they weren't happy that we mentioned how bad it was during the VP debate. Well, whatever they call Nate up and say, I'm finding this a major problem.
9:45 EDT: [Sean] That was fun. McCain starts ripping Joe Biden. I say, "here comes a tongue jut, watch." Then McCain does it. You can predict the really dishonest answers get the juts.
9:41 EDT: [Sean] Where's McCain's lapel flag pin? And Roland Martin is a spaz with those numbers. Did Gergen leave? No, there he is. He just docked McCain for something Obama said.
9:40 EDT: [Sean] McCain's: "My campaign has been about the economy and jobs" doesn't pass the laugh test for Obama.
9:39 EDT: [Nate] These last fifteen minutes have been fascinating television. I think McCain had been on his way to winning the exchange until he overplayed the John Lewis card.
9:36 EDT: [Nate] This debate is beginning to resemble a typical comment thread at FiveThirtyEight.
9:35 EDT: [Sean] McCain finally gets around to Ayers and Acorn. Then major tongue juts as he finishes his attack.
9:30 EDT: [Sean] Wow. Obama calls out the Palin-McCain crowds, and Palin for not stopping it. Says it to McCain's face, I guess.
268 comments
McCain: the people who shout "TERRORIST" and "KILL HIM" are the most patriotic Americans there are.
Shit!!!!!! He called America cynical! Fuck Fuck Shit!
One for Obama!
Geoff
Hey from Canada(can't see russia from here). Can I say I am not watching this, but I am thoroughly enjoying the comments and the live blogging.
mccain looks like he's gonna cry
Obama is doing his Uh and Uhms thing.
Wow. Even though Ayers is a "washed-up terrorist", McCain desperately needs to know what Obama's connection is with him.
Geoff
ACORN is "destroying the fabric of American society"?!? Are you f'in kidding me?
Are McCain's eyes always this dilated? He looks like someone stabbed him with an epi-pen.
When obama said "kill him"... damn. totally manned up on the "say it to their face" challenge.
Come on you too, quit drinking and post. It's been SEVEN MINUTES with no update!
Obama keeps scoring higher with republicans than democrats on the CNN reader meters. Are the dials broken? I feel like I'm seeing things.
Acorn?
Bringing up the running mates...not good for McCain.
I don't think the CNN dials are reliable anymore. Fivethirtyeight already provided analysis that said Obama is about at the limit of his support. So the "uncommitted" voters that CNN brought in are probably the types that don't want to vote for McCain but will NEVER vote for Obama.
I'm not liking Obama's performance so far. Any one of us could have roasted the ACORN allegations.
Obama should've gone with "well MY VP pick hasn't been found guilty of ethics violations"
:P
Why so quiet?
McCain is a POS - he fuels the racists that are becoming more and more vocal at his rallies and now he has the gall to demand that Obama apologize for someone else calling McCain a racist. Idiot.
Blogger's bloggered, so comments aren't showing up.
Obama's now speaking directly into the camera now, instead of at Schieffer.
Blogger is having issues.
this site is getting fried.. enjoy the traffic :)
Re: resembling 538: intelligent points from the left & a small number of ignorant, annoying, incoherent neocons?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I think that Obama was planning on making a joke out of McCain. Comfortably laughing at McCain responses, etc. I think it might have worked if it had been one of McCain's weaker nights, but it looks disrespectful tonight.
Luckily, McCain is a self satisfied prick. So they're even.
CNN dials seem off, 538 is oddly quiet...what's the world coming to?! ;)
Blackhawks season is not decided yet. This election is.
From the sounds of it, I'm not missing much in the debate.
John McCain is behaving like a crotchety old man. I am waiting for him to tell Obama to get off his lawn.
3 questions in a row, McCain gets the last word.
Bias? Nah...
"This debate is beginning to resemble a typical comment thread at FiveThirtyEight."
Is this some sort of dig? I mean, aren't we your loyal readership? I'm not sure it's good for business to rag on your customers. Of course, we're all addicts, so it's not like we're going anywhere.
McCain is starting to lose control of his facial movements. And breathing!
Dude sounds like Darth Vader. Can't wait to see the youtube mashup.
BTW - I've been trying to post for a while...the google is failing me.
Did you see that smirk McCain did a couple of mins ago?
Maybe the National Security guys kidnapped Nate. His country needs him!
:)
Blogger's bloggered, so comments aren't showing up.
Obama's now speaking directly into the camera now, instead of at Schieffer.
After a update every minute, there have been no updates for 18 minutes. Surely you have some thoughts!
McCain really is an asshole. He's coming across as a complete jerk.
BO standing up for Colombian laborers is outstanding, though. Wow. :)
McCain with the Gore-style eye roll during the last answer.
I agree; Obama should stop smiling while being attacked.
Bringing up "Herbert Hoover" right now in any context is probably a loser.
Rob Nayer just mentioned you nate.
ROB NAYER: Sure. Nate PECTOA Silver did-- actually, I think Nate had them winning 87--
Heh, I got a comment through. Go me.
McCain is so full of shit tonight that his hair is turning brown again.
Does McCain see that he is burying himself alive???? And, so, Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP because she has a "special needs" child and will fund that research? Um....there has been no mention about education for non-special needs students by McCain at any debate.
didn't 41 raise taxes?
and blogerr is FUBAR
"Is this some sort of dig? I mean, aren't we your loyal readership? I'm not sure it's good for business to rag on your customers. Of course, we're all addicts, so it's not like we're going anywhere."
Don't you love me, Nate? I do it for you! I NAMED MY CAT PECOTA!!!!!!!!!
These attacks may be scoring with the pundits, but he's angry grandpa to everyone else.
McCain's been ugly, which is too abd because he's had some things to say. But again, Obama is the cooler customer that's on top of it. I understand McCain's tack due to desperation, but once the backfire sets in after 2-3 days of polling, he'll ride it with positivity to save his reputation.
MAN! Those dials move down when McCain starts to talk
Why does the moderator always let McCain get the last word?
Where is Real Joe?
My god -- MCCAIN DOESN'T HAVE A FLAG PIN ON HIS LAPEL!
Server's buggered.
Does Mccain realise he's on camera? Apparently he's going fot THE BIGGEST PRICK IN THE WORLD tonight.
Joe the Plumber AGAIN!
oh there you go again joe...
Christ, McCain sounds completely disingenuous on health care.
That 5,000$ tax credit doesn't do squat. Sorry.
Stop sucking up to Joe the Plumber. Jesus.
McCain looks like an angry old man
Obama's performance is good but not great.
John McCain is passionate, but desperate. I see it and I bet he feels it.
No clear cut winner at this point through my 150 strength readers....
McCain is just...flailing from topic to insult to topic blah blah.
He doesn't want to talk with our ally in the region on economics? ALSO, he wants to talk to Iran! ALSO, Ayers!
Obama should question McCain on Palin more.
What she did with the rallies was out of line.
I'm glad senator McCain denied that Obama was an Arab when that person said she was ['tis on youtube somewhere]. Not much, really, since it was just the truth, but Palin's been out of line a lot in this election.
I live in NYC and can say that a spending freeze will not accomplish anything. My school got cut over a million dollars [Stuyvesant HS, 15th in the nation and one of the most prestigious], cutting our APs and multiple electives. Many good teachers got cut and we have JUST enough seats for everyone, which means all classes [even unpopular ones, must be full so that we can get credit for something like tech, or whatnot]. This lack of funding makes getting what we need very hard. I need certain classes to get to my goal, MIT, and I just don't see that happening with McCain's 'spending freeze'. He never talks about education, which I think is a terrible mistake. Going to college will be much more difficult with McCain.
As it is going right now, unless McCain really hits a home run this debate, he doesn't have much of a chance.
P.S. McCain is so obviously scripted. His rallies, acceptance speech and all of his arguments in the debates use the same words. Earmarks, mavericks, and movie projectors are getting old. If you cut 1 billion in these earmarks, which could possibly be useful for something, why give a tax break to Exxon Mobil for 4 billion? We could have 3 billion to pump to education and all those earmarks could stay with JUST that one oil company.
P.P.S. Offshore drilling won't have a major impact until 20 years from now. And most wells won't be done until 10 from now. Start 'em whenever, but DON'T expect them to help us.
Oh fuck, JOE THE PLUMMER again. I smell a movie franchise.
Scheiffer is big buds with the Bush family. Maybe he is close friend with McPrick, too.
...looks like someone stabbed him with an epi-pen.
High on adrenaline, maybe?
Hello all,
Great site, couple of points
1) Obama has got to stop letting McCain get the last word.
2) Can McCain stop looking at his notes?
Joe the plumber... poor guy. I hope he is getting tons of free publicity from this because from now on he is known as "Joe the Plumber".
Sailing doe...I was wondering the same thing...
The second thought was what a wierd back and forth.
Obama lays out an idea, McCain attacks the idea, Obama talk about his idea again. Other than this Health session, it has been all be about Obama.
Is "Joe" really only McCain's friend...
Great retort from Obama: Talking about Ayres says more about your campaign than it says about me.
I hope that line gets replayed tomorrow, because it is a concise statement of the deep failure of McCain's campaign, ideology, and candidacy. McCain is relentlessly negative and nasty, and he offers no sensible solutions to the serious problems we face.
Ohio women do NOT like "Joe the Plumber".
And a $5000 tax credit is bull%#@*. There is no family health care plan sold through my company for less than 10K.
Hoover-Palin 2008!!!
Wait are people commenting on baseball now?
Haha. Says a lot about the debate.
McCain looks like somebody just pissed in cup.
hi guys
Obama needs to stop smiling and laughing at McCain so much. It's almost as bad as Al Gore's sighs.
And why is Joe the plumber coming back? I guess someone must have told McCain this "personalizes" his statement, but it makes it sound like he doesn't know anyone, and that Joe is fictional. Wierd.
First time poster here. The sound on my pc is not working so I'm watching the CNN viewer response lines in silence. One observation is that Obama's lines are very "smooth" -- they build slowly to a sustained peak, plateau at a high level, and stay there. Also D/R/I tend to stay in sync.
McCain's lines are much more fractal, with more highs and lows, splitting of D/R/I
Kinda like the candidates themselves, no?
Intrades?
I've never seen someone blink so much as McCain is doing right now. And lol at "zero!?"
will McCain win the debate ?
McCain's physical reaction when Obama said "ZERO fine" was PRICELESS!
Was he sending out Morse code signals with that blinking?
ZERO. say it again O. exempt small business from payments to healthcare fund.
very strong exchange for O. Snap! Even O is talking to Joe. damn i need a drink.
mccain: "ZERO?!?"
The look on his face was priceless.
Wow, Obama's health care answer had women off the chart positive, and McCain's is constantly toward the bottom.
I never thought I'd say this, but McCain looks worse tonight than the previous 2 debates.
Obama needs to stop smiling and laughing when McCain is talking. It's almost as bad as Al Gore's sighs.
It only took an hour for McCain to say "my friends". He gets chops for that, but he couldn't resist, could he.
ZERO!?! Oh man, the look on McCain's face was fantastic.
I think Obama is letting McCain have the last word to make him look... more erratic and hot headed.
will McCain win the debate ?
I don´t think so.
Obama somehow has been knocked off his game. I think it was because McCain came out swinging.
I can't believe McCain would get even one vote. He's such an asshat.
The shocked look on Mccain's face was awesome.
Shit, I know a plumber named Joe. I wonder....no they can't be referencing him directly.
There we go...nice mention of how taxpayers are on the hook when employers don't get health care for their employees. Hope people caught it.
If you did read the Rolling Stone article you see clearly that John Mc Cain displays that know it all attitude and he just doesn't come off well. He is full of contempt and mocking when this is damn serious stuff to those of us with NO health CARE damn IT. If I had health care I would be working and not hanging out at 538 so many hours per day and using my life savings to pay for overpaid medicine
I missed something. Did Joe Six-Pack get a plumbing job?
will McCain win the debate ?
reply guys
Who is this Joe person? How many plumbers named Joe are there? McCain thinks Joe makes over $250k/yr?
And Joe's back AGAIN! SNL has an easy layup this week. Maybe Joe the Plumber shows up on the skit or something.
Zero....chance of winning.
I think after this debate I'm voting for Joe the Plumber....?
Holy crap - "congratulations, you're rich???"
Jesus, what an elitist prick.
He's saying 95% of Americans .. he is stealing BO's lines!!
Has anyone noticed, not even one "My Friend" from McCain tonight...
will McCain win the debate ?
No.
This is a MUCH better debate than either of the previous two. It's actually going back and forth.
BTW, social medicine is GREAT! I've lived under US and Australian, and I'll take Australian ANY day of the week. My Insurance policy is $700/year -- FULL coverage.
The visuals of watching McCain and his facial expressions and reactions are very distubing and downright freakish. This cannot be playing well with the audience in general.
I think what may have happened is that McCain just saw that movie "Swing Vote" or whatever, and he apparently thinks that Joe the Plumber has the deciding vote in this election.
McCain started out going very well tonight. He's is getting thrashed in this health care conversation though and losing it as far as composure and style at the same time.
I'm gonna punch Joe if ever I meet him. I hate the guy already.
McCain seriously can't be playing well with indies/undecideds. It's inconcievable to me.
And... on behalf of the country, I offer Sen. McCain my sincere apology that his feelings were hurt in this campaign. Sen. McCain - I am sorry that not everyone agrees with you. I am sorry that you think you are the only one entitled to criticize other people. I am sorry that this campaign is all about you, not about the problems the country faces. You are a prevaricating jerk whose sense of entitlement and arrogance are mind-boggling. Go home--to whichever of them you want to. Your day is over. You have nothing to offer, and the nastier you get, the worse the election is going to be for you.
I reckon plumber Joe is going to be a coveted endorsee.
With the potential to shift the election half a percentage point.
I expect to see him pop up on the networks this week.
Obama is killing McC on healthcare
"If you did read the Rolling Stone article you see clearly that John Mc Cain"
I'm generally the first to defend the media against bias accusations, but Rolling Stone both adores Obama *and* has a hatred for McCain that predates this election. That was a total hatchet job.
If I hear "Joe the Plummer" one more time, I'm going to vomit.
Senator Government.
Hahaha, Freudian slip.
And, also, if J the Plumber is rich, he must be worth over 5 Million based upon McCain's definition!!
Did anyone hear me? None of this means anything. McCain isn't wearing a flag pin on his lapel.
Why does he hate America?
Cripes o-mighty! What is it with McCain and Joe the Plumber - enough already!
I already checked and joetheplumber.com is already taken by an actual plumber in Amarillo. (I could imagine someone grabbing it up and turning into a parody site like thatone08.com).
(Just for fun: John McCain Political Rally Bingo Card. Link Here Enjoy!)
"Senator Government". Hilarious. It's like some kind of left-wing Uncle Sam. The anthropomorphization of Socialism.
oooohhh== the abortion question and the court
3 Zukowski, when I started reading your post about your school I thought you were a teacher.
I hope you get to MIT. You seem very bright.
Nobody else in the Western world would accept the pathetic health care system that the U.S. has. It's shameful we don't have single payer.
BO could have been up 20 points in this election if he had supported single payer. Americans are ready for single payer.
Okay, here comes Roe v. W.
Ah, ABORTION, What a surprise.
I am now throwing one back every time I hear 'Joe'
Cheers
HEY! What does Joe think about Roe v. Wade? C'mon John, you're in touch with the man, tell us.
Abortion...now it sounds like a 538 thread.
If McCain does eke out a win tonight I don't see it being the big one he needs to turn around his numbers.
McCain: NO FATTIES.
Where is Joe the Plumber and when will he be interviewed on 538?
No Flag Pin on Senator McCain's lapel, an oversight at best.....However he's wearing a pretty nice suit. Off the rack or tailor made??
Yes, obviously. The day you begin giving out $5000 tax credits for health care is the day that almost all businesses across the country drop benefits plans.
I'm 30, non-smoker, single, no kids. My health care plan would cost around 3200-3400 on the open market. I'M fine; it's Joe the Plumber, his wife, and three kids that are screwed.
"Why does he hate America?"
It's a socialist country now. Didn't you want the news.
I'm sick of hearing about Joe the Plumber....
Weren't the Anti-Federalists for state's rights?
McCain's lying. He said he'd get rid of every liberal judge. He's an extremist.
where's PeteKent? this is his topic
"Senator Government"?
Joe the Plumber for Supreme Court?
Joe still wants to buy that f**king business!
Change careers, Joe!
Will McCain retire when he loses? Will Arizona get a new Senator finally?
Riddle me this, Batman: Why does McCain want to leave Roe v. Wade up to the states, but he also wants a constitutional amendment/federal ban on gay marriage? Can anyone explain that to me?
find a judge anywhere in the world???
Holy Crap Batman!
Did McCain just equate Plastic Surgery with Organ Transplants?!
McCain is talking about me
:-)
A Republican is complaining about ideological tests for judges? Who's been the president the last 8 years? Obama should reply "Wouldn't you want to keep judges appointed for life by George Bush off the bench, too?" :P
Yeah - McCain's 'no fatties' comment reminds me of latest bloody 538 ad at the top of the page: WHY IS YOUR BIG FAT STOMACH SO FAT? IS IT BECAUSE YOU SPEND EVERY SPARE MINUTE ON THIS SITE YOU LAZY COW?? (Or words to that effect).
Intrades?
Did McCain say that Obama voted against Breyer?
eeeww...boogers on his sleeve
"Why does McCain want to leave Roe v. Wade up to the states, but he also wants a constitutional amendment/federal ban on gay marriage? Can anyone explain that to me?"
He fears a court decision will invalidate the states as it did in RvW.
(Not agreeing, just explaining).
New t-shirt:
Joe the Plumber and I are voting for that one.
Economy debate? Nope.
Fucking Ayers acorn and now abortion.
Ugh.
I'm glad to know getting a kidney transplant is on par with getting a breast augmentation...
did McCain just say Breyer when he said Obama didn't vote for him? I think he meant Alito
Yes, I heard Breyer. He meant Alito. Demented much?
McCain can't stand Obama.
real joe - you must be SO proud. ;-) Anything exploding down there?
What are the voter lines on CNN doing? I can't get it here.
Obama really kicked butt with his healthcare plan tonight. It was specific, comprehendible, and all about what he will do. Score.
I agree Nate--I thought McCain was winning for the first bit, but he seems to be sinking in a quicksand of sarcasm and attacks that have proven unpopular outside of the conservative base.
Real Joe... Hard to say if he is winning. Neither is winning at this point it is the most important debate and Obama is not as much on his game. Mc Cain is calmer right now and not looking so sarcastic
Why do I think that "Joe the Plummer" is about to be nominated to the Supreme Court??
McCain's going to burn a hole through Obama's skull from the way he is staring at him...
"anybody who has those qualifications" will think Rowe v. Wade was wrong... that is what he said, didn't he?
Hey, let's go with even *less* government - instead of leaving the abortion issue up to the feds, or the states, let's leave it to those with a uterus!
Obama voted against John Jay. Marbury vs. Madison was a big litmus test back then...
Should have said Second Amendment.
Phil is right, McCain's pupils are huge. He's as high as a kite, and I really doubt that it's adrenalin.
"Hey, let's go with even *less* government - instead of leaving the abortion issue up to the feds, or the states, let's leave it to those with a uterus!"
What if the fetus has a uterus? Who breaks that tied vote?
Er...don't state gun control laws interfere with the Fourth Amendement?
(Don't hurt me, I'm a liberal-tarian)
"A child born in a failed abortion."
What does this even mean?
"We have to change the culture in America" McCain
CNN bars are flat for men and neg for women.
Please, roll your eyes again McCain. I do think he is doing well though. So far, a small McCain win
How many random issues can McCain bring up? Throw everything at the wall
I grudgingly give McCain some points for calling it 'late term abortion' and not 'partial birth'.
Courage and Compassion, eh? Wiping out half the court.
Kitchen sink alright. He's desperate, playing to the base. NUTS!!!
very negative reaction from women of McCain every time he attacks Obama
women took a free fall.
Who is McCain looking to attract with this tact? A couple of pissed off rednecks? It's been all about Obama, whether McCain or Obama is speaking.
POINT OF INTEREST.....
Since 9:30, Barack's INTRADE WIN CONTRACT has gone from 82 to 84!!
McCain win?.
Intrades don´t say this.
Cindy gave him one too many STarbucks double shots before he got on stage perhaps.
"Pro-abortion..." - John McCain about Barack Obama.
Damn I didn't know Barack favored infanticide!?
I thought it was pro-choice, Jack McCain....
Idiot.
watching cnn...
"very negative reaction from women of McCain every time he attacks Obama"
McCain: Anybody with the right qualifications will disagree with Roe v Wade.... BUT THAT'S NOT A LITMUS TEST!
drives me nuts every time people say they're pro-life (and thus in favor of removing the possibility of getting an abortion) and then "respect" the woman in her "very difficult choice" - umm... pro-CHOICE means being in favor of having a CHOICE to begin with!
I am mostly reading comments and only watching the debate for brief moments. But even only watching bits and pieces I can see that McCain's body language is worse tonight than the other two debates.
His obvious irritation when he interrupts Obama is enough to lose the debate.
Not. Presidential.
Grumpy. Shrill. Petty. Bitter.
The real Joe the Plumber exchange:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/spread-the-weal.html
We've located Joe the Plumber
http://www.joelaratheplumber.com/contactus.html
For anyone watching CNN HD what are the pundits scores?
McCain is high on that sharpie that he's taking notes with.
McCain is grasping at straws.
Why i Schifer giving McCain the last word nearly every time? His bias is showing.
"A child born in a failed abortion."
What does this even mean?
You get preggers with only 2 options currently. Push or flush.
Obama killed him on the Partial Birth Abortion explanation.
Marx was right said...
"A child born in a failed abortion."
What does this even mean?
A child that survives an abortion, thats actually more common than you might think. I've spoken to someone that has survives an attempted abortion.
Yes I'm Pro-life. Deal with it.
It does look bad, but fortunately for McCain most of his body language is restricted or hidden.
It's a bad thing that Obama is eloquent. Yup.
Pro-abortion movement? Roving bands of doctors terrorizing women and aborting their babies?
What about torture and the death penalty?
McCain: My opponent is in favor of "health". What does that even mean?
Health of the mother is an extreme position?
I was pregnant. MY baby died in Utero. The procedure is the same as a late term abortion. Being shouted at during such a time was horrific. IT made it even worse.
SCREW MCCAIN. Get him out of my body.
Obama in favor of banning most late-term abortions. In the spirit of Roe v. Wade, but somewhat surprising response.
And McCain comes back with some negative attack accusing Obama of parsing, and the numbers DIVE on the spot. This isn't working is it? Only time it goes up is when we he says "We have to work together." You'd think he'd have gottne that hint.
Good response from Obama on adoption and preventing unwanted pregnancies. That's usually ignored in the abortion debate
Oh, lets's give Sen. McCain the last word, Shieff. AGAIN.
Obama has never looked better tonight. McCain has never looked worse, not to mention petty and hateful.
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