McCain and Obama: October 15 Debate

Bob Schieffer of CBS News was the moderator of this third and last presidential debate.

(To my knowledge, he's not writing a book about Barack Obama, scheduled for release on Inauguration Day.)

The debate took place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

John McCain and Barack Obama were seated at a table with Schieffer.

Observations:

---It was interesting that McCain's opening statement acknowledged that Americans are angry. Although he was talking about the economy, I think he lended validity to the anger being expressed by some of his supporters. He was saying, in effect, "I have heard you."

---Barack Obama looked DIRECTLY into the camera when he first spoke. When Sarah Palin looked into the camera like that during the VP debate, Chris Matthews said she was a "dolt."

MATTHEWS: You know what I think of people when they come on "Hardball," and they look at the camera, I think they're dolts.

---Looking directly at Obama, McCain said, "Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago." FANTASTIC LINE, the best line of the night.

---McCain mentioned plumber Joe Wurzelbacher, star of the debate, and he brought up the disgusting anti-Sarah Palin t-shirts

! McCain was really landing some major blows.

---McCain brought up Bill Ayers. He called him a "washed up terrorist." McCain also mentioned ACORN.

---Obama talked about "Mr. Ayers," wanting to clarify the record. AGAIN, Obama said he was eight years old when Ayers was involved in domestic terrorism. Obama did his best to distance himself from Ayers. He was unsuccessful. Obama LIED about the extent of his involvement with ACORN.

---McCain took it up more than a notch. McCain countered on Ayers and ACORN. McCain was being combative. That will play well with his supporters. He has to fight if he wants them to fight.

---Schieffer asked about the running mates. Obama rambled on about Joe Biden, but then drifted into a condensed version of his own stump speech. McCain's words on Sarah Palin were very effective. He noted that she's a role model. He cited her accomplishments as governor of Alaska. He called her a reformer. McCain said, "I'm proud of her."

---Schieffer asked Obama if he thinks Palin is qualified to be president. Obama said some nice things about Palin, but he never answered the question. When Schieffer asked McCain if Biden is qualified, he ran down a list of Biden's mistakes, such as Biden's lame plan to divide Iraq up into three parts.

---Obama repeatedly was seen laughing AT McCain. He looked condescending and arrogant, not jovial, not pleasant.

---Regarding dependence on foreign oil, McCain talked about alternative sources of energy and hit Obama on NAFTA. Obama went into a scripted response. He looked directly into the camera. (If it were anyone besides Obama, Chris Matthews would call him a "dolt.") When he was speaking off the cuff, Obama didn't look directly into the camera. It was so obvious.

---McCain was so sharp. He said he admires Obama's eloquence, but he cautioned people to listen closely to him. Obama said that we'll "look into" off-shore drilling, he didn't say he wants off-shore drilling. McCain pointed out the wishy washy nature of Obama's words.

---On free trade, McCain managed to bring up Obama's willingness to sit down with nutjob Hugo Chavez without preconditions.

---On health care, Obama started with a story about two women desperate for coverage. It was too brief and too vague to be of any value. Then, he explained his plan, and again looked right into the camera. *SCRIPTED MOMEMT ALERT*SCRIPTED MOMENT ALERT*SCRIPTED MOMENT ALERT*

McCain, brought up Joe the Plumber, and the fines that businesses would face under Obama's plan. McCain talked about Obama's plan to nationalize health care and take away freedom of choice.

Obama claimed that Joe the Plumber would pay no fine, because small businesses would be exempt. He said he was only talking about fining large businesses. McCain said Joe's business would fit into that category.

Obama attacked McCain's $5000 tax credit for health insurance, and repeated the line about "taxing health care benefits for the first time in history."

---McCain made a funny gaffe. He referred to Sen. Obama as "Sen. Government." That's the definition of a Freudian slip.

---Finally, abortion. For the first time in the three presidential debates, abortion was discussed. Schieffer talked about appointing a justice to the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. McCain said that he would not have a litmus test.

McCain scored points when he noted that he voted for Justice Breier and Justice Ginsburg. Obviously, no litmus test there. He pointed out that Obama voted against Chief Justice John Roberts, clearly an extremely qualified man. That speaks to Obama's extremism.

Obama said he's against a litmus test, but then he turned around and said he wouldn't appoint a justice that would be against abortion.

Obama veered off topic and brought up McCain voting against equal pay for equal work for women.

McCain took the discussion back to abortion. He brought up Obama's infanticide votes.

McCain talked about Obama's vote against a ban on partial birth abortion and his record of voting "present."

Obama claimed that he didn't really oppose medical care for the newborn survivors of botched abortions. He disowned his extremist infanticide position.

McCain said that Obama was being slick when he noted "health of the mother" as an exception. With slick talk, Obama was claiming to be against what he actually supports.

---The last question was on education. Obama was on autopilot. He rambled. I heard him say that parents need to turn off the TV. McCain talked about School Choice. He said, "Throwing money at the problem is not the answer." McCain's response was much more comprehensive than Obama's answer.

Schieffer asked if the federal government should play a larger role in education, meaning more federal money. Obama said we need to follow through on funding. Obama danced around vouchers. Clearly, he didn't want to come out against them, but McCain pointed out that Obama opposes vouchers.

McCain pushed School Choice and vouchers, hitting Obama hard on his opposition. McCain cried out for reform before throwing money at schools.

---McCain's closing statement emphasized his record and his promise for reform.

---Obama's closing statement was about change from Bush policies.

---This really was a spirited debate. It wasn't just a rehashing of the candidates' tired campaign lines. There were some new topics, new territory.

---McCain was remarkably energetic. He came to do battle. He vowed to take off the gloves and he did. I think McCain accomplished what he needed to do.

When I watch a debate, I evaluate what was said. Why focus on what I think should have been said? Why whine like that? I think it's a pointless exercise.

I am troubled that some conservatives are sounding resigned to defeat.

I don't get it. That's no way to win.

This race is not over. I wish they'd stop talking like it is.

I refuse to give up at this point. I believe that McCain can win.
______________

Debate Transcript