We’re Live-Streaming Debate Tonight (Open Thread)

I hope McCain pins Obama down on his personal involvement with ACORN and why his campaign paid them $800,000. The news item really seems to be getting lots of play.

Now for an amusing ACORN news item: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e43_1224086229&p=1

I’d also like McCain to ask Obama about his vp running mate Biden funneling two million into his family’s coffers. Legal, but fishy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/15/biden-steered-campaign-ca_n_134735.html

Finally, McCain should ask him why he and Biden underpay the women on their staffs. http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NjE3OWVmZjkzN2YyNDgzOGFjMGE1ZDg4YjE0ZjQ4NDc=

live blogging…excellent! thank you!

I too want McCain to question Obama on the $800k funding to Acorn.

Also his tax cuts actually being socialism and wealth distribution

His involvement w Ayers which is recent

Rev. Wright but I don’t think that will be brought up.

A bit of humour…….make sure that you leave a comment. http://youtube.com/watch?v=KpESyx58qmA

Did He know that Frank Davis was a Real Communist..and if so..Did Frank tell Barackus that he should be a Communist too..??

Could some one please tell me why the msm and the rest of america seem to think obama is better on the economy?

What in the hell does he know about the economy? Why is this a given boost to the obama campaign?

Has anyone ever read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? What if the movers and innovaters when on strike/moved to Canada? How would the socialists like them apples??!?!

McCain needs to tie Obama to ACORN and then highlight the fact that in a speech to ACORN he said he would involve them in his administration, then point out his assosiations with Ayers, Wright etc. and pose the question about his judgement to fill positions in a new administration as well as potential supreme court judges.

Then he needs to highlight the recent “spread the wealth video”; compare that to his optimism about the American workforce (thus negating the “fundamentals of the economy” comment he made when trying to show confidence as a leader should). This way he shows Obama’s anti American leanings, highlights blue collar work ethic, and further explains his fundamentals remark.

That’s IT! If he makes these arguments clearly, passionately showing American optimism, that should do it.

FellowNQbloggers- read this !

I am cross-posting Soldier4Hillary’s comments. Very inspiring!

From Soldier4Hillary:

Okay here is MY pre debate advice for Senator McCain:

“Rules of Engagement”

http://anvp.typepad.com/soldier4hillary/2008/10/rules-of-engage.html

A live stream! Cool. Hope the audio is better than when the Hillary folks did it.

Question to Obama: Senator Obama could you explain/expand your recent comment to the plumber/voter/small business owner from Pennsylvania about the advantages of “spreading the wealth?”

Inquiring minds want to know.

I would appreciate it if Senator McCain would ask That One to define the term “honesty” with a sub-question as to what constitutes a lie.

Soldier4hillary’s advice to McAcin that he basically take the gloves off sounds like a plan to me unless the RNC and the Obama campaign have a real bomb about to go off on Obama in the next week or so. Here a few of the topics I would like McCain explore:

1. What was his specific U.S. Senate purpose in going to Kenya at govenment expense during his Cousin Odinga’s campaign?

2. Odinga supported Sharia law for Kenya. What does he think of that?

3. How does he explain having received campaign contributions only second in total to that of Senator Dodd from the very investment banks that were at the core of the current economic melt down?

4. How does he account for contributions coming from overseas?

5. He runs commercials decrying Rebublican connections to big oil, which is certainly true, but how does he explain his connection through the Ayers family to Commonwealth Edison and Exelon?

These are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of questions that might be asked.

Betsy has advice for John McCain:

It probably won’t make any difference, but here’s my advice for McCain. I’ve been trying to think about what McCain could have done differently. He was amazingly holding his own against Obama until this financial crisis struck. And Obama has been correct in saying that McCain’s behavior has been erratic in the past few weeks. Senator Obama has appeared much steadier and done a better job of connecting what he wants to do with how it will affect ordinary people. McCain has to be able to explain his proposals for the economy and health care in clear language that also explains how his ideas will affect people. He needs to expose the myths behind Obama’s tax cuts for 95% of people and how it’s really money handouts. Show people that Obama’s math doesn’t add up for all the proposals he has plus his tax cuts. There is no way he’s going to fund that just by taxing the top 5% more. And McCain has to clarify why tax increases, even on those people that Obama seems to despise - the successful people - will hurt the economy and stall out any recovery from what we’re experiencing right now.

Point out that taxes on businesses are passed on to customers so we’ll all be paying those higher taxes. And it will affect all of our 401K’s.

I know that conservatives are all hoping that McCain will unload on Obama about his radical associations, particularly with Bill Ayers. I don’t think that is so important. But I would strongly recommend that McCain start warning people about having an undivided government. Congress is not popular and McCain can point out over and over that Obama will not stand up to the giveaways that Pelosi and Reid lean towards because he has no record of ever having stood up against any liberal nostrums. And McCain should be specific. Talk about Obama’s support for taking the secret ballot away from workers or the money for ACORN that the Democrats wanted to seed into the bailout proposal. Remind people that we’ll never see offshore drilling with Democratic control of the government. Then connect that to people’s gas bills.

Every point that McCain makes should be illustrated with how that affects families today. Let people know how their lives will be affected with McCain’s ideas and Democratic policies.

I don’t expect to see that tonight. I don’t even know if Senator McCain understands the connections himself. But that is what I’d like to hear tonight.

http://betsyspage.blogspot.com/2008/10/advice-for-john-mccain.html

My Question for Bambi

Since you don’t celebrate birthdays in your own family can we assume that you will no longer celebrate ANY birthday’s if you become Prezeldent?

No Birthday 4 America (4 July)
No (Birthday 4 Jesus) Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the front lawn?
No MLK B-day??? HUH?

watch OUT America

Damn, McCain can’t play Mr. Nice guy-he has to show that he wants to be President. Come-out swining and keep hitting Soetoro on everything. I hope he didn’t wait to long to show his anger, passion for his country. We know his record but he has to demostrate thru his passion.

How Obama applies Alinksy’s “Rules For Radicals.”

The stock market tank again as CBS poll showed Obama lead was up 14 points last night. People are selling on fears of Obama pending hikes in capital gains tax.

Neil Cavuto with “The Plumber.”

MCCAIN talks economy with HILLARY

On Sept. 24, Hillary Rodham Clinton received a surprise phone call from the man she’s often denounced as an economic know-nothing: John McCain.

This was no social call, even though Clinton likes McCain enough to keeps his photo on the wall of her Senate office. The GOP nominee had already chatted with Bill Clinton about the mortgage crisis and wanted to pick the senator’s brain about her new proposal to have the federal government buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate terms more favorable to homeowners on verge of default.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14599.html

Reminder for those interested in participating, there will be a live debate CHAT tonight at NewHampster’s place. Remember to sign in first. http://www.partizane.com

See you at 9pm EDT.

Earlier today the two Fox political reporters were asked what Mac could do to make this debate turn his way. The one covering Zero said the whatO’s campaign fears most would be for Mac to say he is not going to discuss any of the issues like Ayers, Acorn, etc, and say instead that he was wrong to go off on that tack and he’s going to go hard this last 3 weeks focuses solely on the issues that the American people care about.

Now, I don’t know why that would put the fear of God into O’s campaign. But if the 527’s and others would dig the dirt and let him stay reasonable and focused, perhaps that would work. People really, really get turned off by his negativism. I’d be very surprised if Mac attacks.

…in 2108

Americans for Tax Reform

http://www.atr.org/index.html

Enter your 401 balance, and the calculator on this site will show you how much it will GAIN with McCAIN and FALL WITH ObaMAO’S PLAN.

When I heard that today, I thought yeah, right. Do you really think if that’s what Obama’s campaigned feared they would tell a reporter?

No, McCain needs to go after Obama on the comment about spreading the wealth, Ayers, Wright, and the f***king kitchen sink.

McCain shouldn’t listen to anyone in the media. Look what they did to Sarah.

PUMA RADIO is also running a show shortly!

W00T!!

with all this action all over the place I just can’t even believe the polls

I saw equal numbers of signs and bumper stickers today too!
Actually I saw MORE for McCain but that’s cuz one guy had like 12 on his back window! (ok maybe it was 5) but it was beyond obvious.

I look forward to this debate, but I have to say that anyone who thinks this debate is McCain’s last shot, or thinks he has to score a knock-out, is not seeing things in a clear light. Debates have never been the place where knock-outs happen; none that I can recall, and I’ve seen most of them since Nixon-Kennedy.

You’ve heard from people in this forum who are quite knowledgeable that the polls are not accurate, and even if they are close to accurate, it’s too early to call this election. Hold yer water, fer cryin’ out loud. This debate is not McCain’s last shot. It’s the end of the “getting to know you” part of the election for most voters. Now, in the next three weeks, there will be millions of dollars spent, dozens of rallies, and the heavy artillery.

And remember, this is not a boxing match. It’s not sports. It’s not American Idol, either. More than anything, it should be viewed as a trial. Don’t look for big emotional scenes or psychotic behavior. It’s two sides presenting their cases to the jury. It’s a civilized debate, not a sensationalizing talk show. It is possible that either side could devastate the other or leave a big WOW with viewers, but not all that likely. Most voters have already decided. This is aimed at the undecideds.

And with the courtroom model in mind, remember the adage that “an attorney should never ask a question he/she doesn’t know the answer to.” They can’t give their opponent an opportunity to surprise them live on TV. Some have tried intimidation tactics, only to have them backfire, like Gore strolling up to W while W was answering a question in 2000. These guys already know pretty much what they are going to say, and asking questions of the other is dangerous, mostly because the other doesn’t have to answer if he doesn’t want to, and can change the subject or turn the question against the questioner.

There’s also the issue of not opening Pandora’s Box if you have anything to hide or anything you’re ashamed of. Calling out past relationships and votes is typical, and often backfires. This is a case of being careful what you wish for. This should be a civilized discourse.

To most people, it’s just more talking heads, more campaign rhetoric. They are going more by perceptions than fears or facts. That’s been Obama’s dual-edged sword from the start. Some love him, some hate him, and that is not likely to change in the course of a debate. But those who are undecided about either candidate, for whatever reasons, will be judging from the gut, or by one statement. If they perceive unfairness in an attack, or see something that reinforces their preconceived notions, that can be the deciding factor.

What I hope for is that McCain will raise questions politely and press for answers, but only if he is confident he can win the point, and then keep raising the point if it’s not answered. Accusations or aspersions that can’t be nailed down in two minutes are going to make him look desperate. I want to see him confident and serious.

And please, Mac, don’t laugh at your own comments!

While you wait…a great new video from HireHeels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7auoVJZBOs

QUESTION: Senator Obama, what is your relationship with Raila Odinga?

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93R8IE00&show_article=1

About 200K Ohio voters have records discrepancies

obama wheres your birth certificate??

A pessimistic prediction:

McCain will say either nothing or not nearly enough about: Obama’s “spread the wealth” comment, ACORN, his relationship with Odinga, Wright and Ayers, or any other of the things that we’ve all been shouting about on blogs over the last few weeks.

In fact I’m willing to put money on the fact that during tonight’s debate, most of you will be screaming at the TV. “Why aren’t you saying X/Y/Z? What is wrong with you? Don’t let him get away with that! Why didn’t you call Obama out on that lie?”

I’m also tempted to predict that McCain will tonight sound whiny, like he’s pleading with the audience not to believe Obama. That’s what I felt in the last debate.

The trouble is that Obama is a smooth talker whose voice and articulation add undue credence to deeply flawed arguments. This is in fact the only reason why Obama is ahead. He sounds like he knows what he’s talking about, which reassures voters who don’t really understand the issues and who are looking to climb under someone’s wing for protection. McCain however sounds unsure of himself, even though his arguments and policies are better.

If McCain had a competent campaign team, which he doesn’t, they would have worked on his voice and his articulation. They would have worked on him sounding more forceful, more natural. Obama has those qualities. He knows how to make rehearsed speeches sound “off the cuff” as if he’s thinking on the fly. He is nothing more than a good salesman.

Obama should have fired Rick Davis months ago. Every time I see the man on TV I cringe - he’s like the kid you loved to hate at school. He comes across as evasive and knows little about image projection. Meanwhile it’s obvious that Obama’s team have hired the best image experts around.