Presidential Debates: The Last

Elki

WARNING: There is the only warning you'll get about not filling this thread with stuff unrelated to the debate.


Location: Hempstead, New York

Time: 9:00 EDT / 8:00 PM CDT

Moderator: Bob Schieffer

Focus: Domestic & economic policy.





Again, debate thread.

the cheat

Today then?

Jokerman

So this will pretty much set obama over the top or give McCain some momentum to close the gap.

The question on my mind is, will he stick to his promise ot keep things clean or bring out Ayers?

#2008elections
See you there

Elki

Yes.

JohnDoe

Is this an actual debate, or the no followup/no talking to each other/stupid time limit version like the previous one?

Matt_S

What the all-knowing Nate Silver says about today's debate:

538.com wrote:

Nevertheless, we are a full month beyond the Lehman Brothers collapse in mid-September. Obama has enjoyed quite a remarkable run, turning a 2-point deficit into an 8-point advantage. What's especially remarkable about it is that Obama's lead has continued to increase with an eerily consistency. The collapse itself precipitated an almost immediate 3 or 4 point gain in Obama's poll numbers, moving him from a point or so down to a point or so ahead. But since then, Obama has won news cycle after news cycle, adding another two points or so to his national lead every week.

It's fairly unusual for a candidate to have such a sustained run of momentum so deep into the campaign cycle. And it does appear to be real momentum, with some real feedback loops: the worse McCain's poll numbers become, the more desperate his campaign looks, and the more desperate his campaign looks, the worse his poll numbers become.

McCain now has to go on a run of his own, a large enough run to wipe at least 8 points off of Obama's lead, and perhaps more like 9 or 10 to cover his inferior position in the Electoral College and the votes that Obama is banking in early and absentee balloting. It is imperative that McCain does not just draw tomorrow night's debate, does not just win a victory on points, but emerges with a resounding victory, the sort that leaves the spin room gasping for air. Failing that, we are getting into dead girl, live boy territory.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/todays-polls-1014.html


Anyways, looking forward to watching the debate tomorrow. I'm curious as to see how McCain will try to come out with the victory he needs in this, without looking like the grouchy old jackass that might actually do him and his campaign more harm.

Bionic Monkey

I'm thinking tonight doesn't go all that differently than the previous two. Close tie, to slight victory for Obama, which of course gets spun as "Win for Obama!" on all the channels.

Sam

i dont see how you could reasonably push the ayers palling thing when anyone with half a brain is there to refute it, let alone obama. rezko had more legs.

Sam

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

I'm thinking tonight doesn't go all that differently than the previous two. Close tie, to slight victory for Obama, which of course gets spun as "Win for Obama!" on all the channels.

it's not much of a spin when theres all kinds of consensus including that of debate coaches and even mccain supporters

Kagera

I don't see this affecting anything unless Obama shows up in an Osama Bin Laden costume or something.

GoodOmens

I'm wondering if Obama will take the opportunity to push Palin's ethics violations. I hope not.

Sam

GoodOmens wrote: »

I'm wondering if Obama will take the opportunity to push Palin's ethics violations. I hope not.

that is best left to campaign ads

keating and troopergate have legs and should be pushed together.

Dalboz

So what are the drinking rules for this one?

I may order a pizza so that I don't need to miss anything by preparing dinner. So much for my diet.

Speaker

I just picture McCain practicing his debate lines while a japanese guy yells "Again! More intensity!"

Sam

Speaker wrote: »

I just picture McCain practicing his debate lines while a japanese guy yells "Again! More intensity!"

My friends, for relaxing times, make it a suntory time.

Quid

Quid's prediction for the last presidential debate: McCain will be impaled my a unicorn.

iTunesIsEvil

This a real debate and not a "gather 'round my small-town brethren" debate, right?

Any opinions on Bob Schieffer? I'm just glad that Blitzer hasn't gotten to moderate one of these. After that guy's involvement in the Dem primary debate(s), I can't stand the fucker.

OptimusZed

I'm curious to see how the "tell it to my face" thing plays out. If McCain brings it up, Obama's going to have a response. If he doesn't, then the Obama campaign likely has a new line of ads all cued up that basically call McCain a liar and a coward. It's a no win for the McMaverick, barring him actually brining Ayers on stage and having him confirm that Obama helped him blow up those buildings.

Personally, I'm hoping for some sort of an explosive, campaign ending exchange. This "coward" stuff seems to be getting under John's skin, I don't think it's at all out of the realm of possibility that he goes off on Obama at some point tonight if there's a push in that direction.

kildy

As a domestic policy debate, Ayers could be legitimately (using that word VERY LOOSELY) brought up in context if you reframe it as domestic security and ohmygod domestic terrorists.

However, if you don't spend the majority of this debate sliding it back to economic policies, you will lose the polling regardless of any points you get elsewhere. Nobody cares about random shit, everyone wants to hear a sound calm leadership speech on the economic crisis. You don't even need to say anything, just be calm, in control, and soothing. In theory, an ex military office should know this speech by heart, in reality, I'm taking the safe bet that Obama continues to look more upstanding and presidential.

Steev

This is a sit-down debate, I believe. I don't think I've seen a presidential sit-down debate in a while, just vice-presidential ones.

enderwiggin13

Dalboz wrote: »

So what are the drinking rules for this one?

Well, the obvious one is a shot for each time McCain uses the phrase "My friends".

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enderwiggin13

electricitylikesme wrote: »

enderwiggin13 wrote: »

Dalboz wrote: »

So what are the drinking rules for this one?

Well, the obvious one is a shot for each time McCain uses the phrase "My friends".

Or you could choose a game where you live to vote against him.

Of course, but I'm already playing that one and we need to find cues to drink.

OptimusZed

enderwiggin13 wrote: »

electricitylikesme wrote: »

enderwiggin13 wrote: »

Dalboz wrote: »

So what are the drinking rules for this one?

Well, the obvious one is a shot for each time McCain uses the phrase "My friends".

Or you could choose a game where you live to vote against him.

Of course, but I'm already playing that one and we need to find cues to drink.

Go with "taxes" and "porkbarrel." At the end of the night you're still blasted, but at least you probably won't require medical attention.

nexuscrawler

shot everytime obama smiles awkwardly to avoid laughing at McCain

PantsB

Obama will have something prepared for the Ayers attack, a general framework that he can use fluidly depending on how McCain brings it up. The response will be graceful, strong and aim to give the air of responsibility/maturity/reliability ie Presidential. He'll be above the fray and McCain will be in the dirt. And the American people will turn their metaphorical dials down on McCain for such a classless attack

OptimusZed

PantsB wrote: »

And the American people will turn their metaphorical dials down on McCain for such a classless attack

If he makes it. I have no doubts about Obama's ability to parry and counterattack against the Ayer's thing, and I don't think McCain does either. Bringing it up may be suicide.

Either way, his ass is kind of over a barrel at this point; bring it up and look like a tool, don't and look like a coward. Not a great place to be.

enderwiggin13

If anyone missed it, Bob Schieffer, tonight's moderator, was on the Daily Show a couple weeks ago just prior to the first debate. He doesn't offer a whole lot of insight into the debates themselves as Jon Stewart gets him laughing like a fool a couple times...but it's at least interesting to see a bit of Bob Schieffer the man and not the journalist..

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=186059&title=Bob-Schieffer

deowolf

OptimusZed wrote: »

enderwiggin13 wrote: »

electricitylikesme wrote: »

enderwiggin13 wrote: »

Dalboz wrote: »

So what are the drinking rules for this one?

Well, the obvious one is a shot for each time McCain uses the phrase "My friends".

Or you could choose a game where you live to vote against him.

Of course, but I'm already playing that one and we need to find cues to drink.

Go with "taxes" and "porkbarrel." At the end of the night you're still blasted, but at least you probably won't require medical attention.

Abortion, civil unions, economic prosperity - all a drink a piece.

Each time the main street/wall street connection is made, there's two down the hatch.

And something about religion should be a drink.

If McCain flips out and looses his temper, finish your drink. If he does it while calling Obama a 'n

---

', shots of 151. If he has a heart attack or strokes out, finish your neighbor's drink.

MKR

If McCain makes a joke about conceding, break out the beer funnel.

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Armored Gorilla

nexuscrawler wrote: »

shot everytime obama smiles awkwardly to avoid laughing at McCain

Oh that's a GOOD one.

Shot everytime McCain smiles awkwardly after being called out for lying.

Robos A Go Go

I'm more interested in the debate than anything playing in theaters right now. W is going to be awesome, though.

PantsB

OptimusZed wrote: »

Either way, his ass is kind of over a barrel at this point; bring it up and look like a tool, don't and look like a coward. Not a great place to be.

A GOP candidate can never appear weak. That's like rule 1, its why most people who vote GOP do so. They're the "Daddy" party and without the appearance of strength/courage/decisiveness...

mcdermott wrote: »

FUCK!
I didn't even think about this. The wife is coming down tonight, and I get the feeling she's not driving a hundred miles to watch the debate. I know it'll be hard. :winky:

Fix'd.

Grammaton Cleric

Obama baiting McCain regarding the Ayers attacks is an obvious trap. Obama himself has yet to state the McCain campaign's "if we debate the economy, we lose" meme during an actual debate.

On the other hand, Obama presses the "say it to my face" card if McCain doesn't bring it up.

Catch-22 sucka.

OptimusZed

Grammaton Cleric wrote: »

Obama baiting McCain regarding the Ayers attacks is an obvious trap. Obama himself has yet to state the McCain campaign's "if we debate the economy, we lose" meme during an actual debate.

On the other hand, Obama presses the "say it to my face" card if McCain doesn't bring it up.

Catch-22 sucka.

Seriously. It's so good that if you didn't know better you'd swear it was done by a Republican.

BlueBlue

Jokerman wrote: »

So this will pretty much set obama over the top or give McCain some momentum to close the gap.

The question on my mind is, will he stick to his promise ot keep things clean or bring out Ayers?

#2008elections
See you there

Which server, if you don't mind me asking?

Lord Yod

slashnet.org

Now if I could only find a feed that isn't like, 10 seconds behind the rest of you, that'd be great.

Feral

electricitylikesme wrote: »

mcdermott wrote: »

FUCK!

I didn't even think about this. The wife is coming down tonight, and I get the feeling she's not driving a hundred miles to watch the debate. *shrug* I guess I'll probably end up watching it online tomorrow or something.

Though, she has watched all three previous debates so there's at least some chance that's what she'll want to do tonight. But I've got money on a movie instead.

Either way, you guys will have to do without my drunken antics on IRC tonight. I know, I know, it'll be hard. :P

Doggy style in front of the TV? At the very least you'd have a hell of a story if anything spectacular happens.

That's hard on her neck.

Reverse cowgirl on the couch works better.

MKR

Obama is a secret Republican!