What is the top issue that needs to be addressed by the presidential candidates in their second debate?

maybe YOU should take another look, d from T.  Alaska may be big in area, but it ranks 47th in population

yes Barbara is right Alaska's population is 640,000, a mid sized city is bigger in population then Alaska is and if you don't believe that just look it up....Duh!!

All of you need to take a look at yourself.  and your comments.  Wasilla is a subburb of Anchorage.  A gross metropolitan area of over 450,000.  Hardly a little dot of 25 people.

She wasn't mayor of Anchorage. Just trying to keep the facts straight, here. Where she mayored or governed and the relative size of each is the least of my concern with Palin

I'd like to know why the press keeps repeating the false premise that Ayers and Obama have any relationship, and keeps ignoring the very real relationship between Keating and McCain.  McCain's involvement in the Keating 5 is almost a miniture of the Sub-prime mortgage and credit default swap problems we are dealing with now.

I have yet to hear any details on Obama's plans.  How is he going to pay for these ideas?  If he is not going to cut government than he must be raising taxes.

jlemay, Wasilla is not a subburb of Anchorage, it is a good 20 to 30 miles from Anchorage.  Wasilla is a little hole in the wall, and also a pretty nasty little town.  I know, I lived very near it for 10 years.

He's going to stop the war in Iraq, the billions of dollars spent over there will be put back where it belongs, here in the good old U.S. of A. 

i do not question who obama is i see who is is loud and clear and it is very scary.

It's always been clear what and who Senator Obama is:  a smooth talking empty suited narcissist who has smooth talked his way into the simple minds of the American public.  I keep waiting for a little kid to come out of the crowd and announce, "but he doesn't have any clothes on!"  However, the self absorbed emperor want-to-be will probably be elected president as the media continues to tell the American public how wonderful this guy looks in his new clothes.  James Earl Carter was elected in 1976 because the people were unhappy with the existing president, the economy was headed south, and he preached a message of reform.  We all know what happened to the economy after that.   I'm embarrassed to admit that I voted for Carter (but I was an ignorant 19 year old at the time).  I learned the hard way that just because someone preaches change doesn't mean the change is good for our country.  Lenin argued for change.

As far as Palin's qualifications to be VP, who cares what size of town she was mayor of.  Her mayoral tenure is more impressive than Obama's "community" activities.  Her governorship is more impressive than Obama's senate activities.  She is running for VP, Obama is running for Pres.  I think I want the most experienced person at the top of the ticket rather than the upside down ticket of the Donkey party. 

So far, everything I've heard about Obama, I haven't liked.  Not one thing.  No matter how many of you say otherwise you will not convince me based on what he has done.  Mind you, I said "done" not said.  He seems to say alot.  Much ado about nothing!

I think you're being a little hard on Jimmy. If anything I just proves that just because you're a moral, upstanding person does'nt mean you're going to be a successful president. In fact many of our most beloved presidents in retrospect weren't exactly choir boys. In the same respect McCain is by all accounts is of great moral character but I don't see how he is going to steer us out of this economic mess. Repackaged trickle down economics which didn't work for me and my family in the 80's will not work for me now. In this time of corporate greed and excess am I to believe that  tax breaks given to big business will be reinvested to create jobs and not just line fat cats pockets?That will not work now and has not worked for one reason. GREED. The rich don't want to share!  demand fuels production. Give Americans a little extra in their pockets to ease their financial woes. When people feel comfortable about their own finances their more likely to spend." It's the economy stupid." John  McCain has said not to long ago that he doesn't know that much about the economy and now is not the time for on the job training

Obama plans to pay for his plans by not extending Bush's taxcuts to the wealthy as well as by cutting government waste.  It is stated in his plan on his website.  It's also been mentioned on the campaign trail but I guess you'd have to be listening to him to hear it. 

 I would love to have asked Obama about Larry Sinclair just to see him Squirm. I would have also asked him Why cant he produce a US birth certificate, whats so difficult about that if youre running for PRESIDENT ???
Another thing is about Jerome Corsi ( author of the book 'Obama Nation' ) getting Deported from Kenya today... Could it be that someones fixing to be able to prove Obama was born in kenya and not hawaii as he claims? This would make him INELLIGIBLE for the presidency by LAW.<BR>I think the rough days for Obama are comming , LOL !<BR>WHATA TURD.

Soarl is not correct I support McCain but I do read and listen to Obama and I do not agree.  I voted for Jimmy Carter and I voted for Kerry because I believe I do not have to agree with everthing a person says to support them.  I believe the President needs to be believable outside the US.  A man who will send you into battle should know what it means to be in a battle.  Bush has never gone to war and neither had Clinton and Obama has never really took a stance shows what he really believes in.  Therefore, I support McCain because he has the wisdom which comes with age and the experience to make hard choices when the time comes.  That is what makes a President.  The Senate and the House make the laws not the President.

fredolim:  Although in principal I agree, in reality, if he doesn't fight back like Kerry didn't against the Swift Boaters, it could hurt more.  No matter what people say about being negative, unfortunately it seems to WORK. 

And, saying that people don't want to vote against a war hero makes me angry because of the lies of the Swift Boaters about John Kerry's heroism.  Yeah, McShame spent time in a pow camp- my uncle spent 4 years in a Japanese concentration camp-survived the baton death march survivor and he still wasn't a good man.

Amen!  Stay above the mud and be presidential at every opportunity.  So many are absolutely sick and tired of the constant bickering.  Let McNasty and Pantaloon go down that road.  It leads to no where and certainly doesn't help those of us who are losing our pensions, losing our jobs and basically having our life dreams turned upside down!

I'm not sure what you mean by 'rolling into the hands of terrorists'.  Our country is a mess right now, and it is because of the Bush Administration's failed conservative policies on Economics (deregulation led to crisis), Education (never properly funded, maybe because of unnecessary wars), Energy (in the pockets of big oil lobbyists, ignored new sources for clean energy), Foreign Policy (flexing military instead of the power of diplomacy), etc... i could go on and on about why this country is in better hands with Obama, but somehow from your comment, i doubt you will be listening... 

McCain has shown nothing but disdain for Senator Obama... an American senator.  How can we possibly believe that McCain has the temperament to deal with leaders of other countries where their views radically differ.  McCain is completely out of control.  His behavior is both erratic and offensive.  We need a leader who is intelligent and thinks before he acts.  We've already been through 8 years of irrationality ... last thing we need is 4 more.

Lets not forget that Mr. McCain has only gotten where he is because he is the son of Admirals through favoritism, cover ups, poor temperment and alot of double talk this "Maverick" will do to this country what he did to that Airplane in Vietnam, Crash.

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of course he was born here.  This is just more of the slanderous fear tactics Republicans just love to use when they don't have real answers. America IS waking up, and you can't stand it 

He was born in Hawaii.  McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone.  They are BOTH Americans 

In fact Obama was born in the US, McCain was not. McCain was born in Panama on a military base. 

It's sad that lying and slandering Obama is the only thing left for McCain supporters to do.  Lies and fear- that's all that the lunatic conservatives have left.

Yes with Obama leading the way he and the democratic party will get this country rolling again.  The only problem is that the rolling will only occur downhill. With Obama taxing the 'so called rich', who pay 95% of the individual taxes today, and then taxing only business's with sales of $250,000 and up that is really going to help. Not!!

Please understand that when he raises the taxes on businesses the business will then increase its prices to offset the increase in taxes.  The higher prices do not have much effect on the rich, but it sure does hurt the poor.  Believe me the tax break the "poor" will get under an Obama administration will be more than offset by the higher prices that the average joe and poor sam will be paying for food and clothes and of course the booze and beer that you have to have.  One thing you do not have to worry about. "Obama, the rich man is going to take of himself, and could care less about you are me.

Oldirish and wise.

D- You need to start thinking for yourself!  Go to factcheck.org and test some of your statements against the facts.  You sound pretty silly...Wake up and get your facts straight!

It's not businesses making 250 k that will have their taxes raised.  It's PEOPLE who make more than 250k that will have their taxes raised.  All the others (which is 98% of the population) will see a reduction in their taxes.

If you want to get Technical, military bases overseas are considered American soil, much like an embasay. They are both Americans, and it sickens me to see, the losing side of the race has no other choice but to smear Obama, its ridiculous. I am tired of the "I don't have a plan, look over there" style of politics.

Tlane, you like to bring up the fact about handing the country over to the terrorists, if you know the facts there were no AlQuida in Iraq when we so stupidly attacked them.  There sure as hell is now, but McCain, Chaney and Bush saw to that with this un-needed war.  Talk about handing it over to terrorists, they take the cake.

I agree somewhat with verno, but the reason I did not agree with going to war in Iraq is that we could control things there with what was already inplace.  Having Husain in power was in America's best short term interest.  The Iraians feared Iraq with Husain in power and that allowed us to maintain enough unrest to accomplish are real purposes in Afganistan and Pakistan.  But I still believe McCain is best to deal with Russia and the other conflicts and let the Congress work with the economic issues and let McCain use the line item veto like Reagan to control laws being passed by congress which will most likely be controlled by the Democrats.  I would not like to see a government totally controlled by one party.

You said it well.  I have little respect for McBush or Caribou Barbie.  I feel sorry for them.  To let people spew such hate at there rallies is very troubling for adults of there stature.  I predict he will implode tonight.

You didn't have to sign that you were from Tenn. Your comments scream it! Shame on you!

Yup, our friend d here drips of what his party is made of. Why let facts get in the way of a good, racist, rant

""I would like to know why Sarah Palin and John McCain said nothing when people in the crowds of their events shouted that Obama was a "terrorist" and "Kill him!" What could the McCain campaign possibilty be thinking?""

I can tell you what he's thinking..."its working!"

You can't control what people may shout out at a rally; but you can indicate that you dissagree or won't tolerate such statements.  Shame on Palin and McCain for just letting such comments pass.

On the other hand, when someone actually manages to shout loud enough to be clearly caught on the microphone in a large gathering; it fairly screams to me "staged", "plant", "actor", "fake".  Reminds me of the guy who shouted "Iron my shirt" to Hillary; which made sense not as a taunt, but as a plant working to mobilize her base.  It is frightening to think that McCain and Palin had people from their campaigns in the crowd to incite the mob with "kill him" and "terrorist".

1. "You can not control some people no manner how hard you try you just can't.How in the world could you trust someone who is tied with iraq and afganistan?"

HOW IS HE TIED TO EITHER? WHERE IS YOUR SMOKING GUN? ALL I SEE IS WILD ACCUSATIONS WITHOUT EVIDENCE.

2.How can you people even sleep at night knowing that you are for a man that is Muslim?

He is not a Muslim, get your fact right. Even if he were, Muslims are not the enemy, radical Muslim extremists are, there is a huge difference. The Muslim religion like most religions are about peace, spirituality and tolerance. From what I can tell, you are a radical christian extremist, who believes that their religion is the correct one, rants like that led to the crusades.

3.How can anyone believe a man that is not even a true american much lessa man that doesn't know the first thing about America FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!His family is notafrican american. You guys must be confusing the two. He is not African American he isMuslim/Enemy.

Obama's father was from Kenya his mother was a white woman from the states, they met in college and the rest is history. So he is an American, of mixed decent. His father was Muslim, his mother was Christian and Obama was raised primarily by his grandparents in Hawaii. You are ignorant, sticking only to the Republican talking points meant to inspire fear and divide the nation for political gain. You sicken me.

Even if he was of the Muslim faith what of it. There is nothing wrong with it. You are so ignorant for trying to make something of someone's faith. Do you realize there are more people killed for their faith (and it is Christianity) than for any other reason. Please think about what you are doing if you have the capacity to do that.

Stop to think what you are saying instead of just throwing out hate and trying to incite a riot.

Obama's father may have been from Muslim descent, but for the most part, he was Athiest.  Obama is no more muslim than Mother Teresa, not that it matters anymore.  He is clearly the superior candidate, and has a much more intelligent grasp of domestic and international problems than McCain could ever hope to achieve.  His built-in worldliness gives him that edge.

It's laughable to listen to the regurgitated talking points the neo-cons hand out to their minions on the Fox Propaganda Network.  Then we read them here.  Then we wonder how these people could be real Constitution-loving Americans.

Maybe, they believe in Freedom of Speech whether they agree with it or not.  I don't like what you say, but it's not my job to shut you up-freedom of speech!  Enjoy it because people have fought and died for that right.  Go McCain!

They are desperate, confused, disdainful, very risky angry pretenders. How can we trust both Governor Palin and "herrunning mate" Senator McCain. Obama has to be wary of his haters. Read Judges 14:1-End. Obama is America's Barak( Israel's equivalent of our own Barack Obama. Believe it or not OUR GOD ALMIGHTY has appointed him a judge to clean up the McCain/Pulin/Republican mess and liars.

Their incitement to kill Obama is not a question of free speech: this is felony. Tell us the original birth places of these contenders, and you will know why what is happening is what we are seeing.

If suffering is singing like canary and having a fully furnished apartment with two prostitutes chain me to the wall!

When there is trouble on the horizon, I'll take that terribly mean guy. You can stick with Obama Sweetie Pie.

how can you not care?  he's a known terrorist.  sigh

The Taliban fed, clothed and gave free medical to  the citizens of Afghanistan.  How about if you feed your family and save your own house.  It is not up to the government to determine your living standards.

This is for just say no to obama.  Are you an idiot?

The people who believe Obama is a terrorist or a Muslim (or even Muslin as I've seen several times - what, he's like fabric??!!) are way beyond the point that you can even try to educate and inform them of the truth.  Maybe though they also believe that Big Brother tracks you through voter registration, and that they'll get called for jury duty if they vote and will stay away in droves.

I dont believe he is a terriorist but out of his own mouth it slipped about "his muslim beliefs..." quickly corrected to "Christian beliefs..." 

have you never had a little slip when talking

No.  Not when it comes to my religion and values.

You need to look at history and stop blaming the Republicans for this economic mess.  It was the democrats and Jimmy Carter who started the Community Reinvestment Act that encouraged lending in the inner city but it was Bill Clinton who in 1999 insisted on increasing the lending to the subprime market and expanding the CRA.  This bill was signed by Joe Biden.  John McCain did not vote on the final bill.  They told Fannie Mae to increase the loans to 50% of their portfolio.  The Graham, Leach bill was started to increase competition between banks and investment companies but it was the democrats who forced the increase in sub prime lending.  It was the democrats who came up with these crazy Option Arms.  President Bush in 2003 suggested that there could be a problem but because you on the left hate him so much he was ignored.  John McCain in 2005 tried to bring in a bill for more oversite on Freddie and Fannie but was turned down by Barney Frank and Chris Dodd (both have benefited personnally from Freddie and Fannie).  Even Obama suggested in 2007 that there could be a problem but he didnt yell loud enough.  Margo From Texas needs to get her facts straight. 

Republicans were all for deregulation; "let business do what business is good at".  Well apparently business is very good at stealing our future with over-priced services for the troops and worthless securities for our 401Ks.  They want a bailout for their excesses and more oil leases when they won't drill on the leases they've got.

talljennifer - You are making way too much sense, so few on this blog will pay attention.  One thing you left out is that ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) was a motivating factor in the sub prime lending crises when, with their young lawyer, Barack Obama, sued the banking industry insisting that they provide home loans to people who could not afford them.  Somehow they won.  They are now bussing the homeless to register to vote and to vote early, right then and there, which is fine, but admitted on national television just last night that they are telling these people to vote for Obama.  Makes you wonder if they are offering a stipend for the  vote (food, cash, ???)  They are also bussing college students (who should have the fortitude to do it themselves) and stopping at bars in lower income areas.  Oh, by the way, they are currently under endictment for voter fraud, even having 13 year olds on the rolls.  What a great organization.  With Obama -  MORE OF THE SAME!!!!  GET READY PEOPLE.  These are varifiable facts - not the ranting of fans.

Thank you gramsarah.  And in view of the additional voter fraud coming out of ACORN I stand corrected.

Is Obama really a qualified minority.  Why is the left so ga ga about a man who is half white.  He was not raised poor, he was raised by his wealthy grandparents in Hawaii.  His mother was poor because she was a perpetual student but she didn't raise him.  He has no decendents of slavery and went to elite universities.  Had the democrats picked a person who was truly black and who had slaves as ancestors and brought himself up economically, that would be something to celebrate.  This man is not.

Obama crosses the color line; the cultural problems will wait for another day.  I can't imagine another black man who could get elected now; I can image many more after him.

Barack Obama is really a black man, haven't you heard? In these United States if you have any blood that can be traced to Africa, you are black. Obama's grandparents were not wealthy, they all lived in a high rise condo building in an apartment that was under 1000 square feet. He was able to attend the school he did through scholarship. He worked hard to get where he is, has demonstrated his intelligence and work ethic. He didn't graduate 5th from the bottom of his class like another candidate who was only in the Naval Academy because of who his father and grandfather were. Everything Senator Obama has is because he worked for it, not because it was handed to him on a platter. I want the brightest and best in the White House. Lord knows we need it after the last eight years. I have to think that some of the people posting here are either racist or so partisan they can't see theforestfor the trees. Since when do we not applaud people who work hard to get an education, and work to try to make things better for people? That USED to be the gold standard. Evidently it isn't enough for some people. They would rather have a man who didn't do well in school, has a terrible temper, has questionable judgement, (Keating 5, picking Palin- who I KNOW, and is not qualified to be VP OR a heartbeat away from the presidency), did not even live up to the standard for POW's, (others did) and has changed his positions more than his underwear and who favors more deregulation. Just what we need!!  And by the way talljennnifer, the democrats were not at fault, it was the repubs who would not bring McCains bill out of committee to be voted on by the full body. And the democrats only gained a simple majority, not a veto proof one.

McCain/Palin were inciting violence towards Obama,  by using smear campaigning. Palin preaching "terrorist," scared by grandmother to reflect the same bigotry from Hitler. 

Let's see, 300 years ago on the shores of what is now called New England, radical Christians must have scared Native peoples of this land as much as the RADICAL Muslim do you. Because RADICAL is the common word here. Radical should scare any of us, radical voters like you scare me too. Look at the facts with calm demeanor and you may learn something. Oh, yeah, you don't really want to do you??

DKW You can not see past your hate.  Obama is a puppet created for this election. The left needed a rock star. Look who supports Obama, entertainment! (what a screwed up bunch they are) I have worked ON SET PERSONALLY with those loonies, (hundreds of actors) for 35 years. Did you know you will be fired if they find out you don't agree with the left?  Most actors have the mentality of a teen with zero work ethics.  Young star struck voters will believe anything entertainers say without question. Think about the large chunk of voters that will get Obama elected! How much do you really think an 18 year old knows beyond music and TV?  Scary. 

Yes you can count on losing your medicare coverage.

I who is elected???   Not very clear here.  I read yesterday that McCain has big plans for Medicare cuts.  Is that who you mean??