Mr. McCain Picks a Woman for V.P. Mate

[treelizard]

I'm not a zombie. I just thought it was weird that he said he wouldn't go to the debate because he was busy, still managed to have time for lots of media interviews (which isn't really consistent with a suspended campaign) and then showed up anyway even though no deal was reached.

[Sagacious Lu]

Without having read all 20 pages of this thread I think it's incredibly irresponsable of a would-be president to jeopardize the debate for any reason. The debate is crucial in order to make an educated decision for all voters. In addition, it's incredibly arrogant of McCain to think that the input of one (or two) measly Senators would impact much of anything. I lost a lot of respect for McCain because of his attitude towards this debate.
Once it went off I thought the debate itself was a draw. Pretty much everyone that cares favored one candidate or the other before tonight's debate, and I didn't hear anything from either candidate that I thought would sway anyone at this late date. McCain and all those in his camp should be ashamed of his behavior prior to the debate, and his lackluster performance during the debate reflects an obvious disregard for the need of a president to communicate with his constituents.

[treelizard]

He has done it before. He pulled out of a debate with GW. I thought perhaps it was a ploy to give Palin the additional prep time which she obviously needs.

And I agree that it was a draw. They both did a really good job.

[Hardball]

As much as I hate to admit it, McCain was very impressive especially with his political name dropping and knowledge of worldly affairs.

[jubaji]

We really should have a few dozen debates, but that ain't gonna happen.

[Ghost]

The debates are nice to have but its just a media circus event, its entertainment.
I think only america has these debates, russia had a go at it recently for a laugh but no one else does them.
They never really go into any meaningful detail do they but they are fun to watch.

I really hope they have some debates would love to watch it, i enjoy the american elections its like a sporting event, its as much fun as it is serious.

[treelizard]

I was really surprised that people say Obama won. It looked like a draw to me, if anything.

Don't they have debates in the UK?

[Ghost]

Only mini ones and you could count them on one hand. Nothing that would be taken serious in the States.
Im still in two minds about debates. Over in the Uk the general perception is that the debates are like the superbowl, people enjoy watching it but its of little relevance. I think they are useful but the depth they go into is too superficial.
I certainly enjoy watching them and i think it lets you get more of an idea of the character of your candidates.
America is often criticized in europe for having hollywood style elections which in europe is seen as not taking the issue seriously enough.

Regarding the America elections, in europe we of course are highly focussed on what will happen on a global scale as a result the elections. Its seen as far more important than what happens within america as a result. The logic not being that it doesnt affect us so it doesnt matter - we are quite aware that what happens in america internally happens over here pretty quickly too as we are so closely linked. The basic thought is that we in the UK + USA will all be ok anyway, its everyone else that suffers because of us.
So for the first time we seem to be putting others first. as a public.
Which is why Obama is wanted in Europe and McCain is not liked.

[jubaji]

And she plays and likes classical music. What does that mean? It means she has culture and class, unlike Sarah Palin. She would understand European culture and values. See, the rest of the world is not really into tractor pulls and Tobey Keith, like Sarah Palin probably is.

Surrender your passport at the nearest post office, punch yourself in your pretentious face and prepare to be smuggled into the slums of Paris, D-bag.

[Ghost]

Interesting, its being portrayed as a win for Obama over here on the BBC news.

[treelizard]

I was surprised at how much she bombed the Couric interview. I have a friend who has done advising for politicans and he told me that they have "handlers," who are experts in their respective fields and will discuss and rehearse every possible question an interviewer might ask, playing the opponent. He said the Couric questions seemed quite predictable... So either she didn't have the knowledge base to adapt her rehearsed answers to the questions asked of her, or her handlers overprepped her and her answers got jumbled up in her mind making them sound like half-assed sound bytes, or they exploded on her in a rehearsal instead of reasoning with her and she lost her confidence. They should've hired someone who worked on female Congressman's campaigns instead of handlers who have only made male candidates.

The Biden debate should be interesting. He's not the most savvy politician himself.

[treelizard]

Interesting, its being portrayed as a win for Obama over here on the BBC news.

That's what the exit polls say.

But maybe the people on this forum are more educated than the standard viewers.

[kingoftheforest]

That's what the exit polls say.

But maybe the people on this forum are more educated than the standard viewers.

Well what with all the secret agents on here..................

[Tant01]

Men in black...

Well what with all the secret agents on here..................

....................

[TTEscrima]

....................

Exactly.