...television at least.

"... Mr. McCain said of Mr. Obama on Monday: “My opponent’s touchiness every time he is questioned about his record should make us only more concerned.” Expect him to follow that line of attack tonight.

As for Mr. Obama, watch for him to continue to try to link Mr. McCain with President Bush as he makes the point that most voters think the country is headed in the wrong direction. ...

Watch for Mr. McCain to present a hotter, more confrontational persona, while Mr. Obama will show his cooler self, both in the sense of remaining unruffled and in staying at more of a remove from the audience. ..." -- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/...

"... The Obama campaign upped its daily spending to more than $2.8 million, almost double what the McCain team spends daily now. ..." -- http://adage.com/campaigntrail/post?arti...

If we're gonna talk money and economy (and judgment), i wonder if this'll come up? They're using 1000 dollar bills for toilet paper in the Obama camp--and he's still only a tiny bit ahead.

any Ayers/Wright/Rezko questions?

any Keating 5 questions?

that Obama HAS to run to the (right-of) center to be elected, I'm going to kill someone slowly and painfully. Isn't it that politicans are more worried about corporate America than the voters they're supposed to (HA!) represent?

Michigan, btw, will have Prop 2 on the ballot this year. It's a proposed constitutional amendment to permit, with certain limitations, stem cell research in Michigan.

First, the ads against it claimed wrongly that taxpayers would have to fund it. That didn't work, and now tonight, I see that the people against it, aka religious fundies, are now using the embryo "harvesting" argument.

What really pissed me off is that a "Say No to Prop 2" sign was put on the "tree lawn" (no sidewalk) in front of the Catholic Church this weekend. I haven't driven by since, so I'm not sure it's still there. Nevertheless, isn't that skirting the roolz?

Heard just now from a couple of sources, both with the same thing. Obama will hit McCain on the failure to extend unemployment benefits, rightly blaming Senate Republicans and holding John McCain - the Leader of the Republican Party - responsible for not whipping them to help the most desperate Americans.

According to one, Obama is actually pissed off about this; took it as a personal affront and a direct slam by McCain. We'll see what it turns into but there's my bet for a debate moment.

they should just have done random selection from all those submitted.

?

and Obama's wearing too much foundation.

Shocking, that!

when they're speaking?

on Clinton-- "... pay attention to what Mark Goodman, Mark Gring, and Brian Anderson call "visual bytes"—those TV-friendly actions "that convey a meaning or value."

In a recent paper, the authors portray Bill Clinton as the living genius of the town-hall format. In 1992, the first year the presidential finalists used the format, George H.W. Bush's forces "simply practiced verbal arguments and rebuttals" prior to the appearance. But Clinton's people capitalized on the rules that allowed the "debaters" to move about some. According to Goodman, Gring, and Anderson, they "laid out a grid, complete with fake cameras and doubles for his opponents and the audience, to train their candidate to utilize space effectively."

They continue:

Americans were thus introduced to a new variety of political persuasion. By positioning himself on the stage in relation with the background, to his debate opponents, and to the live audience, candidate Bill Clinton encoded the television image in a manner not seen in traditional moderator or panel debates. He literally carried on a commentary through movements combined with expressions, reinforcing his own oration and "invading" the discourse of others.

They cite another academic—Alan Schroeder—who discovered that Clinton "choreographed his moves so as to keep one or the other of his competitors in the camera shot at all times, a maneuver that circumvented the prohibition on cutaways of one candidate while another was speaking." ..." -- http://www.slate.com/id/2201505/

The medical marijuana and stem cell proposals, here in Michigan, are polling landslide-type victories. If anything, it's bringing out the liberals, this year. And, thank god, because we just got over two very bad proposals (banned affirmative action (2006) and same-sex marriage (2004))

This townhall format is almost too intimate. I'm finding myself already tuning out. For whatever reason, I thought this was going to be a much larger hall performance with people on all sides. *yawn*

BTW, Obama has a great (and very long) commercial playing up here in Michigan that talks about the economy where he's speaking directly to the camera. Wish he would have did this about three months ago.

I got no evidence other than the whole damn doesn't make a bit of sense otherwise. I think the deal was this - Obama had to take Clinton out in the primary, and if did, the Republicans wouldn't run hard against him in the general. Heck, it will be a lot easier to be the minority party for the next four years, than the majority. Anyway, I think that's why the DNC behaved the way they did - why tolerate all that abuse and cheating on his behalf, unless they think its a guaranteed win? And why would anyone look at Obama, with his paltry legislative background, his utter lack of accomplishment and his unsavory personal ties and think he could win - that is, unless the fix is in.

The GOP offered Bill Clinton a similar deal in 92 if he'd just wait until 96 to run. Bill turned 'em down. What makes us think they weren't offering deals this time either?

then saying "you're not interested in politicians pointing fingers"

ugh

Or is Obama not very good at this?

Disclaimer: I can't stand McCain and won't be voting for him.

Help people stay in their homes -- but no mention HOLC.

Financial regulation -- needs to be international, but what does that mean?

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

If I were playing a drinking game based on "my friends" and "well, look," I'd already be hammered.

that's a good question.

For suggesting both parties screwed the American people on the economy. Haw! Maybe, it's time to start making a tally of how many times Obama says cynicism.

He STILL can't mention Clinton!

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

Another mention of cynicism as if it's a unjustifiable disease.

BTW, neither of them are doing well at this. I'm missing Palin and Biden, already. Scary.

Fucking Villagers...

Obama priorities:

1. Energy -- $15 billion a year (as opposed to a trillion for the bankers...)

2. Health care blah blah

3. Education...

And prioritize tax policies as well (which is not bad, actually).

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

LINK, for your later perusal.

I'm tired of his incessant chiding for the one minute rule.

McCain trying to keeping his robotic talking points straight, or Obama dragging us through his word fogs.

He's really pissing me off, now.

and healthcare?

Oooops.

Re: Obama--What does this line by line review of the Federal budget mean? Things he won't put into his budget submitted to Congress? Or...?

If the program isn't working, he'll cut it, right?

McCain talks about warm and fuzzy togetherness and getting things done. A nice theatric touc, but it was immediately preceeded by the terrible "spending freeze" idea that he keeps hitting on lately.

I want Hillary. Or hell, even Joe Biden.

Nine... what?

that's why we vote for a president--so that he'll work for us. i wish Obama would learn that.

Obama slams Bush "go out and shop..."

But as for sacrifice? As if being unemployed with no health care wasn't enough....

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

McCain--eliminate some programs. Earmarks (petty cash, great).

Cut spending. Spending freeze, except for defense, veterans' affairs, also national defense?

Little stronger on healthcare just then--can do more than one thing at a time, won't tell someone without insurance to just make do. Will address.

Obama--Attacks Bush for telling citizens to shop after 9/11. Goes to energy--need for individual efforts to curb enery use. He'll tell Big Oil to begin drilling on their optioned areas or lose right to do so. Huh? Make the effort weatherize homes? Did he say anything about support financially?

My eyes and ears are having a much tougher time following McCain than Obama.

Obama (to paraphrase): drill, baby, drill. *ugh*

the VP debate was far more substantial and meaty.

only 18 million of the budget

I've never been this depressed BEFORE the election. 300 million people, 50 governors, 100 senators, and this is the best we can do?

They're the same candidate. It's hard to know which one is more full of shit.

Send me on a space mission to Mars please. i'd like to check out for the next four years.

Obama good on on hatchet vs. scalpel. "Unfair burdens."

McCain goes to the tried and true with "Obama wants to raise taxes..."

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

Okay, I'm going to start that drinking game now.

only 18 million of out budget

Obama tries to over-ride Brokaw, and gives in!!!! (Could have been "I paid for this microphone" moment but no!

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

This could be a new reality show. My god, they just don't get it.

Ugh. And he refers to "solving" Social Security.

Congresss a date certain to fix SocSec (which doesn't need fixing, freakin'-A!) and fix Medicare.

I cannot believe he was so obvious in being in High Broderism mode.

And, yes to whomever said it above--the Village MCMers are making clear that the next prez must be fiscally "responsible," no matter that they said nary a word about BushCo's profligacy. And that during Hard Times, government spending helps the economy and is going to be necessary for some to survive.

McCain--not that hard to fix SocSec. Damn you, Brokaw--it's not freakin' broken.

Medicare--tougher. Commission come up with recommendations and have base closing commission up or down vote. Oh, hell's bells.

He found some kind of strange second wind. He's getting aggressive, now.

Sit down like Reagan and O'Neill

On Medicare, have a commission! (like base-closing...)

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

McCain just said Obama was anti-nuke because he was in favor of "nuclear power being safe or disposing waste or something like that."

Wow.

when he speaks about global warming and green jobs. One silver lining in all of this is that we have two candidates that will be better on the environment than George Bush by miles, I believe.

EDIT: Obama says McCain not really for alternative energies.

?

.

Haw! Good one, McCain.

and those Harry and Louise attack ads against Hillary did come out of how he really thinks about things.

I have never not felt frevently in support of the Democratic nominee. It's strange and stangely liberating. It also makes it easier to critique both sides...heh.

Visited my elderly neighbor in the hospital today--she just got out of IC after 2 and a half weeks there post-surgery. She was alert and wants to vote, so I have to check on absentee ballot for her--she's not sure how she's going to vote, but she really does want to vote.

I do hope my pessimism is unwarranted. But it seems we have two poor choices.

Good question, audience member, good, good question.

Obama's already slipping and sliding through this one.

which we already know about--it's so dumb.

... about whether healthcare should be a commodity. Doesn't seem like he's going to answer it.

but Obama sees it as a bad thing.

Of course, McCain's suckitude is massive but at the end of the day... As DCB says, we can't afford not to do single payer, though of course we can postpone the day of reckoning with half measure like "affordable" health care.

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

And, they both coward out.

Did he just go there?

3k in costs to employee if employer provides (and when you don't have any big-ticket problems)

His tax credit bullshit. Aargh!

I'm stunned.

'Bout damned time. Too bad his health care plan doesn't make it a right, but his plan is still so, so, so much better than McCain's.

is great.

Now, McCain's plan is not good, so he's making as good an argument as he can, but it's going to hurt.

$5K for a family of 4, iirc from discussion today on Diane Rehm's Show.

Healthcare--privelege, right, or responsibiity.

McCain--responsibility. He seems to be saying it's a responsbility for the employers? Or the individuals.

Obamna--Right.

and clearly:

"I think healthcare is a right. In a country as wealthy as this..." etc.

Then he sort of wanders off into incoherence.

O M G "Delware has pretty loose laws."

Hot damn.

brings up watching his mother dying of cancer while fighting with the insurance company, I wonder why he wasn't doing the fighting for her.

but I swear I heard her say twice that people need to organize and show up in huge marches and demonstrations demanding decent healthcare. Seemed to be saying that until there's massive pressure, nothing will be done.

Guests pooh-poohed single-payer that caller brought up. Said it had been voted down in CA and another state--DC, accurate?

... spending years pushing America to invade Iraq? Maybe those things are just looser in Delaware.

is still infinitely closer to universal coverage, so that he falls short of his belief is a major concern, but pales in comparison to my concerns for McCain's health care plan. McCain just doesn't win on this one; he just doesn't no matter how much one tries to snake it through.

Obama--May have moral issues at stake. Must consider, act if genocide, ethnic cleansing is happening. Must consider as part of nat'l interests. But can't be everywhere all the time.

McCain Doctrine--McCain goes right to date certain for Iraq w/drawal. Obama would have have brought troops home in defeat.

US great force for good, must do what we can, but must temper with understanding of limits of our capabilities. We went into Somalis as peace keepers, tried to be peace makers, and had to leave humiliated.

Sending most precious asset, Am lives, into harm's way--will not take lightly.

... McCain doesn't strike me as decrepit. No doubt massive adrenalin, but still.

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

ugh

how many words is Obama using to tell her he won't respect their sovereignty?

I spaced out...

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

.

Better.

[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

in Cambodia--that's a red flag to lefties!

There are people plotting to kill Merkins right now in Afghanistan. Need to change policies, not coddle leadership in Pakistan as was done with Musharrof.

He pronounces it Pah-kistahn bcz he visited there?

McCain--Walk softly and carry a big stick. If you announce you will attack inside another country's borders, usual reaction is for that country to resist us.

Need to be diplomatic and persuade, not get hackles up. Help Pakistanis go into Waziristan. Work with them. Use force, only where necessary.

Obama insists of follow-up.
McCain says if BO gets them, he should get them.

Now Obama is going on and on and on and on and on. Wow.

McCain refuting BO. Camera tried to focus BO anc McCain, then pulled off BO--whose expression was, well, I found it kind of cat that ate the canary. Other reactions?

he's so thin-skinned.

that whole "wet behind the ears" thing--such a psychodrama.