Did this debate influence how you will vote?

So you are willing to place America future in obama because he is younger? a man that lies and tells you what you want to hear? Obama will not fool me. people think that America is in bad shape now, just wait until obama is president i just got one Word Favoritism and America will Enter a dark age.

Who is Obama Trying to Fool? he knows how to act, what to say but that not what counts and that is not what defines a president

what defines a president is what he actions he or she takes.!!!!!

I agree with you very much so Joaquin....There is something about Obama...All I can think is Wolf in Sheeps clothing when I see him...

Perhaps you're just concerned because Obama presents scary new ideas that might make the country better?  Perhaps you prefer to shrink the middle class more than it is?  Perhaps you're an oil executive or a health care insurance provider who enjoys the profitability of the status quo?  Who knows.  All I know is that McCain will hurt my family, Obama will help my family.  And I vote accordingly.

Erica and Joaquin - I'm just speculating here, but I'd be willing to bet you both voted for Bush, huh?  You were wrong then, you're wrong now.  Know the facts and stop the ignorance.  Please. 

joaquin black i dont see how it can get any worse GWB messed the country up what define a president is his actions i willing to give him that chance just like we did GWB  

I hate to burst your bubbles, but when 85% of the country is saying Obama won the debate and the guy is leading in the polls by LARGE margins but you continue to say, "he won't fool me because I know better", you're the one looking like an absolute fool.  When you get to the point where you believe your own lies that you've been telling yourselves just to make it feel better, then you've gone off the deep end.  You die hard McCain supporters are going to get one hell of a wake up call on election day.

Obama is an immoral person with no respect or direction. He is all over the place when it comes to hard answers. He likes to play both sides of the court just to get the vote. Do we really need an unbalanced hypocrite running our country? All the pro choice radicals and gays are on his side. This shows which way our country is headed if he wins. Our future name should be “Gaymerica land of dead infants”. Doesn't his plan for spreading the wealth and healthcare sound like the communist party?! Government controls all! Getting rid of our self defense is the first step. Spread the word. the truth has to be known.

As an independent voter I always look into the ideas of campaigns with an open mind. I try to connect with the candidates and see them as my neighbor or invite them into my home for a football game or maybe even wonder how it would be to play a round of golf with them.  With that being said, John McCain would decline to come over for the game and I could definitely see him throwing his golf clubs in the lake by hole #6.

A wolf in sheeps clothing, you must be confused joaquin. McCain works harder to fool the American people by hiding behind his half true plans on tax breaks, health care and the list goes on. He spends more time adding untrue statements to Obama's policies then explaining his own. Where is McCain's substance to the issues? I thinks that's because, he really doesn't want us to know his true plans. I'm tired of a President who wants to deceive the American people by holding back the truth to get what he wants. Obama is clear on his plans, not unrealstic, but clear. He speaks directly to the people who have been over looked for many years. Too late McCain, you have supported the Bush policies far too long and now you want to try and tell us that you want change..Talk about jumping on the bandwagon! Oh and for McCain to act so insulted by the attacks of Obama's campaigns, that is all McCain did was want to go back and forth and point fingers when Obama continued to try and get to the issues at hand. This last debate defiantely confirmed who needs to be our next President. We can't afford a McCain/Palin party in our Washington leading our Country. I want my kids to have more opportunities for a better future and not to have to go throught what we have gone through for the last 8 years! Obama for President!

Dear Every Day Guy 08,

I couldn't have said it better myself! 

Daniel-642988, you are ignorant. You call pro-choice people "radicals" and obviously hate gays. Someone is not a radical because they have a different view than you do. Gays are people just like everyone else, and what they do with their lives is up to them. That's why people call this a free country. I don't know why you say Obama has no respect. If you look at these polls, it shows that many people respect him and feel that he will take this country in the right direction. He is far from being an unbalanced hypocrite. Senator McCain would fit that description before Obama would.

I could, help those who dont want to help themselves..

"Gaymerica Land of Dead Infants"

That is umm... Interesting.  I am personally glad that this country has gay people and pro-choice people and other liberals that love each other.  It would be a sad country if everyone was a hater like you. 

Can you say Socialism?

America will never be the same if Obama wins!

VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN IF YOU VALUE A FREE AMERICA!

Obama has style over substance.  McCain isn't a good speaker but I think he is honest.  I don't trust Obama.  The choice is bigger government with Obama, or smaller government with McCain.  Obama supporters are blinded by his eloquence.  Obama supporters beware of the kind of change you are going to get if he is elected.

what defines a president is what he actions he or she takes.!!!!!

And McCain voted with  bush 90% of the time. Just 4 more years of the last 8.

First, i respect your right as a fellow American to vote as you wish. But I urge you to rethink the logic behind your decision. Voting is very important, and I don't think this election comes down to "big gov't vs. small gov't." Obama is very chrasimatic certainly, but please don't disqualify his ideas, some of which are very good, based on something so superficial. He has presented policies that I believe will better our country's economic stance and foreign reputation. This whole "culture war" thing has divided us as Americans, but I think we have to start looking at things more substantively, rather than just peeking through the door every now and then. Obama did not get to the position he's in now by flapping his gums; people smarter than you and I have backed him for president. He's a very smart person, certainly a product of the "American Dream," and I demand as an informed voter that arguments against him should be far more substantive than yours. To frame it as "small gov't vs. big gov't" shows a very shallow view of American politics, and little else. Our country is in a position where we should demand strong, thoughtful leadership on all fronts, and I believe Barack Obama understands that far better than John McCain.

The point is, even though that is a fraction of my argument, it's better than the entirety of yours.

Obama comes across as a snake oil salesman. Very slick. I think he has a lot of people fooled!!!! They are buying his used car.

At least Obama has something to sell.  McCain doesn't know what the hell he's selling.  It is different every day.

Oboma's answer is to throw money at the problem.  OUR MONEY ! Under his command the government will control us.  He says he wants Joe the Plumber to give up his hard earned money for the people who refuse to keep a job and spend more than what the make. We are already doing that, America. It is called Welfare and food stamps!  The world is watching and maybe the our future with Obama is something that the rest of the world is uneasy with.  Maybe Obama running high in the polls is affecting how the world perceives everything including the markets which affects "Joe the Plumbers" and my 401K. 

Joe Plumber has become a buzz word, like main stream media, thrown under the bus, etc.  I am an independent, and I too try to look at each candidate as a whole.  Last night, McCain tried to recoup, and as someone said, he should've been doing it all along.  Had he done that earlier, it may have actually made a difference.  I've watched all of the debates, and this one was the least charasmatic of them all.  To me, Obama doesn't come off like a forked tongue snake oil salesman, ready to whip out his secret turban as soon as he's elected.  He looks like an intellectual, American, educated man.  I just don't see the horned devil that, it appears, some other people do.  McCain is old, so how is he supposed to look?  The people who ran McCain's campaign managed it extremely poorly.  McCain was a maverick at the last minute.  He should've been mavericky the whole time, and taken control of his campaign. Sarah Palin as a running mate was a mistake.  He rallied some with her, but alienated an incredible amount of people that may have voted for him.  Some, and I emphasize the word some, of his campaign rallies looked like the Jerry Springer show.  And, you can't blame the media for that.  Those people said what they did, and McCain Palin didn't say what they should have, until it was broadcasting all over the world.  The biggest hint to these people should have been the huge tv cameras pointed at them.  Freedom of speech does not protect diarrhea of the mouth.  I've said before, all the cameramen had to do is press record.  That doesn't exonerate any Obama supporters who may have done the same thing, but, I didn't see it all over internet in every international newspaper, youtube, and website.  I'm sorry, but the terrroristic threats and racist remarks hurt his campaign.  None of this did McCain any favors.  McCain has repeatedly said that Obama is a good man, not a muslim arab terrorist, but I guess some people didn't listen.  The ultimate goal in the end, is to win.  McCain did not run a winning campaign.  Joe Plumber's, and my own 401k, is already gone, regardless of who wins this election. 

The term "socialist" gets thrown around a lot lately as well.  I often wonder if it's like the arab term that is equally lobbed about, is it regurgitated, or do you really even know what the concepts of socialism are?  It's ok if you do, and you don't have to school me, but I have to wonder.

I know I don't need to educate you - but, for the rest of us. Socialism:a political movement based on principles of socialism, typically advocating an end to private property and to the exploitation of workers and stage between capitalism and communism: in Marxist theory, the stage after the proletarian revolution when a society is changing from capitalism to communism.

Encarta - just saying.........

I'm amazed that people are as easily fooled as alot of people are in this country. Obama has made you feel like a victim of rich people when your a victim of government and your lack of motivation. "Spread the wealth"? Get a grip people, we cannot let the greatest country ever be destroyed by your ignorance of history and how socialism works.

The real Encarta definition of socialism (go ahead and look it up):

Economic and social system under which essential industries and social services are publicly and cooperatively owned and democratically controlled with a view to equal opportunity and equal benefit for all. The term socialism also refers to the doctrine behind this system and the political movement inspired by it.

CC, where did you get your definition? Seems to reek of personal bias.

The Democrats. led by Obama, claim to be great visionaries with all of the ideas to lead us forward. Yet, they have been the majority party in Congress for the past two years. Did they not have the vision to see the financial crisis that we are now in? Where was the legislation to fix it? Health Care continues to be a campaign issue. Where is the legislation to address it? We are dependant on foreign oil and Speaker Pelosi goes into recess to avoid a discussion on drilling for our oun supplies. Where is the leadership in avoiding a discussion on this important topic? Obama claims to be the leader of the Democratic party and an influential Senator. Where is the legislation to address the many problems that he says we are facing. Last time I looked, you did not have to be the President to initiate legislation to fix the problems that our country faces. At least Hillary has had the guts to seek legislative solutions to the problems. Some get passed, some get changed and then passed and some get defeated. I see none of this coming from Obama. Of course, to be fair he has not really been in his Senate seat since he has been campaiging for a different office ever since being elected to this office. If his tax plan is so great and wonderful, write it down and put in front of the Congress for approval. If he knows how to create millions of j-o-b-s, put the plan in front of his counterparts and get it adopted. He touts is foreign policy and yet the only places he has visited is parts of Africa and some of the Middle East. There is a whole lot more of the world out there than these regions. I still prefer someone who has been around the block for awhile to be my leader. We think we are electing the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Make the wrong choice next month and it will be the last time that we can truthfully say that for a long time. I guess you could say I am a McCain supporter. 

  Obama has a condescending air that he knows what is best for the common man. This is a typical elitist liberal stance, and it scares the hell out of me. I have lived in a free country but that too may pass I fear if this very dangerous man is elected. McCain joins with the American people as a partner. That is effective and the sign of democracy.

OLD , you say....Wisdom comes with age, but the society we live in worships youth...

in all it's beauty and ingnorance and selfishnes!!!! Hope you feel the same way when

you are old and have so much to teach and the young, ingnorants won't want to listen

or even see you, because you are old. God, in all his AGE and wisdom, help us!!

I totally agree with you. 

I am so TIRED of repoblican stating that the Democrats have had control for the past two years.  They have had a 2 vote majority in the senate and a president who will veto anything they send up.  Please use an argument that makes sense.  This is weak>

"VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN IF YOU VALUE A FREE AMERICA!"

    Do you mean "free" as in not being able to marry who you want, or "free" as in a woman not being able to choose what she does with her own body?

"VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN IF YOU VALUE A FREE AMERICA!"

    Do you mean "free" as in not being able to choose who you marry, or "free" as in a woman not being able to choose what she does with her own body?

don't forgetthe babies Free Choice too? the babies is another human being or have you forgoteen that?

If you voted for George W. Bush please take personal responsibility and at least consider the possiblility that the reasoning process you used to select a candidate is seriously flawed and don't make the same mistake again by voting for Mccain and Palin. Our young people are dieing in Iraq and Afghanistan because the Bush administration would not listen to the experts who warned of the terrorist threat.  Our financial institutions are in dire straits because the Bush administration would not listen to the Attorney Generals from many states who repeatedly tried to warn the adminstration of the impending crisis.    John McCain has my deep admiration as an American Hero and I truly wish he was the right person for the job but, he is not.  Vote for Obama.  He is the genuine article.  We need to restore class and integrity back to the White House if we are to have any chance at all around the world.

I agree with conservatives that late-term abortions should be illegal. Routine abortions however are carried out early enough to where the "fetus" is no more than a microscopic cluster of cells and thus, does not constitute human life.

I remember a previous presidential candidate that had Character issues being revealed in his debates before he was elected. Jennifer Flowers became a thorn in President Clinton’s side and his weakness of Character showed up in his oval office with Monica Lewinski, he tarnished his presidency and America history forever. Worst yet he was on TV and Lied to the investigators, wife and to America and no one cared, because the media gave him a free ride because he was a DEM. The liberal media did not want to see, they prefer to stay ignorant and foolish.  We teach our children Character Counts but not in Politics???

America let’s not repeat that disaster and foolishly elect Obama because he is a smooth talker like Bill was. But look at the most important thing first, Character. So please, don’t Vote for a questionable character but Vote for the person of Honor. Righteousness [right thinking and right living] exalts a nation the Bible says. Vote McCain Let’s do the Right thing.

I would rather have John McCain as a trusted friend or Family member than Obama any day. Let’s not repeat that disaster and foolishly electing Obama because he is a smooth talker like Bill was. But look at the most important thing first, His Character. So please, Vote for the person of Honor. Character shows up in the bad times when everything is working against you and you remain strong in your core no matter how good Monica L looks. It is a trust thing.

I cannot trust someone that thinks Medical system should be a RIGHT not a privilege? This would usher in socialism. France and Canada have this medical system and both have a six month wait for a bad toe nail. I have family in France, they say that the quality of service is poor. In our bill of rights this concept is never mentioned. If a brain surgeon can’t get rich studying and being the best he can be at it then he will do something else. The motivation in any industry to excel is MONEY and if I do it well, I will make more gooood money. If Obama takes the motivation out of the medical industry then why bother. Obama is a way liberal farther left than Carter was. And with Him we had 18% mortgage interest because he raised taxes and Gas lines for a mile and could only get gas on even and odd days. So No. I will not go down that road.  Vote McCain

,,,,,,,,,,This is a no brainer folks we are in tuff times we need a tuff character, wise and experienced President Like McCain or would you choose Obama that has done nothing, no record of accomplishment of any kind. A bunch of talk and no walk my friends. Vote McCain

Mary McGar said:

Can you say Socialism?

America will never be the same if Obama wins!

There's that word "socialism" again...

Listen - this country has been capitalistically socialistic for years, to some degree.  Ever hear of Medicare?  How about "SOCIAL Security?"  Who exactly do you think pays for that health insurance and that "security" income for retired people? 

Ask your grandparents if they're willing to do away completely with "socialism" as they know it... In fact, please tell them you are against "socialism" and insist that they no longer use Medicare health insurance or collect their social security checks. 

You're like a parrot that mimics what it hears without any cognition.

Vote Responsibly - Obama/Biden 2008

You're right. It would have been easy for Obama to descend into any number of past decisions or associatons McCain has made or had with questionable or out right discredited bills, initiatives and individuals.
Obama stuck to the issues and defended his position only where it was absolutely necessitated by overt misstatements from McCain.
Obama is presidential material in every sense of the word.
McCain is not....
as for Palin? Uh, thanks for your application but we are seeking individuals with other (any) qualifactions to fill this position. We will keep your resume on file. (as in "please don't waste our time by re-applying for any elected, national positions")

I totally agree with you....he remained presidential in his responses and talking points.

Why do you people buy into the total lack of committment to anything Obama says - what makes you think things will change with him?  The Democrats have been in charge of congress for the last 4 years and what happened?  Everyone blames Bush when they had the ability to change anything they wanted - if the ideas of the Dems were so good everyone would have agreed with them and lots of their ideas would be in effect right now? Hmmmm?

Ms. McGar, I am afraid that you are ill informed. The democrats have held a majority for two years. That majority is neither large enough to break a republican filibuster or override a presidential veto. Please check your facts before you post. People might be more inclined to listen.

@Mcgar. Nichole is correct, and during these past 2 years, President Bush had to blow the dust off of his Veto pen and ran it out of ink Vetoing so many bills. Then he blames the Dems for not getting anything done.

I hope the Dems get the fillabuster(sp?) proof count they need and then we will see how good 4 years of a Dem controlled government can be, since we have been seeing where a Republican controlled government got us.

Texan - I'm very glad you said that. McCain is a grouchy, faltering, fading old man. He'd be better off if he retired and so would we!

McGar, you certainly have to be living in another dimension to think the Democrats were in control of Congress for the past *4* years, when they only had a *slim* majority for the past *2* years. The Democrats didn't have the numbers to stop a fillabuster, and they certainly didn't have the numbers to override a President's veto. The Repubs were the ones still in control of Congress, and since the Democrats didn't have the numbers they needed, Bush and the Repubs knew they can veto any bill without problems. It's clear the Repubs were in control for the past 8 years without any problems.

I wholeheartedly agree with youTexan76. Especially when McCain brought up Ayers and ACORN. Obama for his part answered with truth and dignity while refraining from bringing up McCain's association with a Rally Co-Sponsored by ACORN where McCain was featured as the Keynote Speaker, as witnessed below: Please make sure you watch and listen to the videos included.

McCain Hearts ACORN! Was Keynote Speaker at Group's 2006 Rally!
(Were There Any Preconditions?)
UPDATED WITH VIDEO: McCain Tells ACORN Gathering 'What Makes America Special Is What's In This Room Tonight'...
Golly, for a group that's committed so much "voter fraud" for so long (if you're gullible enough to believe the lies that RNC/FNC has been telling you) it's mighty strange that, as News One notes, "McCain attended an ACORN convention just two years ago."

The once-honorable Republican's campaign has even seen fit to produce a video smear ad, attempting to tar Obama with "associations" with ACORN, and alleging the group has committed "massive voter fraud" to boot! (They've yet to produce any actual evidence for that, unfortunately.)

But more than just attending the ACORN-sponsored February 2006 rally, ACORN confirms in a statement today that McCain was actually the keynote speaker!

So now, they wonder, why it is that McCain seems to have "lost that loving feeling"?

"It has deeply saddened us to see Senator McCain abandon his historic support for ACORN and our efforts to support the goals of low-income Americans. Maybe it is out of desperation that Senator McCain has forgotten that he was for ACORN before he was against ACORN," noted Bertha Lewis, Chief Organizer of ACORN.

"We expected Senator McCain to support our efforts to give voice to millions of Americans who have never participated in an election before," she continued. "We are surprised at his efforts to vilify an organization that, until recently, he saw as an ally."

Hmmm...So, why was John McCain "palling around with" an organization that "has violated more Americans' civil rights to have their votes counted than any group since the KKK," as described by noted Florida 'vote-rigger' and McCain surrogate Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Abramoff)? Or was Feeney speaking out of school? If so, we've yet to hear McCain condemning the outrageous remarks, or distancing himself from Feeney, the three time winner of CREW's "Most Corrupt Members of Congress" Award.

Also, we can't help but wonder, in regard to McCain's meeting with ACORN, where he spoke on immigration reform, by the way...were there were any preconditions before he agreed to meet with them?

Special Coverage of the GOP's ACORN "Voter Fraud" Scam right here...

Now updated below with video of McCain's appearance, when he tells the ACORN crowd: "What makes America special is what's in this room tonight."...

UPDATE: Sharona of Voice of Americans 2008 sends us the following musical tribute to McCain's change of heart about ACORN, followed by a local news report from his appearance at the ACORN immigration reform rally in Florida (note all of the folks with the red ACORN shirts on in the crowd shots)...

UPDATE 10/14/08: Here's a video (via Mark Ambinder at The Atlantic) of some of McCain's actual speech to the ACORN group, in which he says "What makes America special is what's in this room tonight. That's what makes America special."

***********************AND I HAD TO ADD THIS*******************

So, Where's That ACORN 'Voter Fraud'?! So far, nobody's been able to offer us a single instance of voter fraud as committed by ACORN, or even by any of the 1.3 million registered by them over the past two years. You sure wouldn't know it if you listened to the crazed rightwingers...

McCain Was ACORN Keynote Speaker in '06: (Video) Tells crowd they are "what makes America special"

*Now Obama is too much of a Gentleman and Statesman to bring this up because he believes that talking about the issues that are important to us is what America wants him to do. I am not a Gentleman or a Statesman, so I will definately do it for him and I definately believe he will be the next President of these United States of America!! BY A LANDSLIDE!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008 AND BEYOND

Obama will be a wonderful president.  He is not just smart and educated.  He is wise and good.  We thank John McCain for his service to our country.  He should have run for vice president with Kerry.  Now something sad has happened to him.  His choice of Palin spoke volumes about his bad decision making and his giving in to the dangerous part of the republican party.

i tell you why he knows how to act to fool your eyes! haha. he's satanic.

Sure Obama kept his cool, during the debate, his writers weren't there to fine tune his script, as to McCain's questions.  Also, why should Obama, show any emotional response during the debates, knowing that the very next day his party would have a new adverse TV ad against McCain.  Obama has millions to spend on these ads from donations that are questionable. Do you really believe these millions are from the poor and/or middle class Americans.  Obama is a smooth speaker when he has time to memorize his script.  He's a wonderful actor, but I don't believe he's the right man for title of Commander and Chief. 

not this American

Jenner - that's too bad!  This great country of ours need Obama for President.  Get over it and join the candidate for CHANGE.  It will be fine.  Sen. Obama is the leader America wants and need!

Not thie American either.  I'll in no way vote for a man who can not cross his heart when reciting the Pledge.  Nice to see the flag on his lapel last night.  Especially after how long it took to get him to wear one. 

I'm not against what the Democratic Party wants to accomplish here.  Just very much against having this person in our White House.  Perhaps his wife can sleep on the back lawn (just now realizing that she lives in the best country in the world).  First Lady?  Not!

Nor this american,  Obama wants to take my hard earned money and give it to others who are irresponsible and buy homes they cannot afford

I am so tired of hearing about "people buying houses they could not afford"!  Has it ever occurred to you people that many people are losing their jobs because of this terrible economy that we are in and therefore are unable to stay afloat? Come on people think twice about it before saying that.  Alot of people facing forclosures are good, hard working people who have fallen victim to a country that is sending their jobs overseas or just plain closing down businesses.  My husband is  United States Marine and we both FIRMLY believe that Obama is the change we need!  McCain claims to be for the veterans, however, his record clearly shows otherwise.    OBAMA 08!!!

We have forgotten our recent History of the Carter Era of America wake up. Nobama plus Tax that’s what we will get, another 4 years of Jimmy Carter I remember it was marked by high interest rates for mortgages of over 18% for a fix rate loan. Gas lines over a mile long and being able to fill your gas tank only on even or odd days remember that? America Held Hostage for years by the same crazy guy running Iran. Democrats have always leaned to the side that Government should be more involved in the daily living of the People, making the people more dependent upon Government which, with a broad brush is more socialist. But the Republicans tend to want people do be responsible for oneself, other than Federalist Issues like the security of a nation or borders etc.

Obama would raise the TAXs of anyone making 250k per year. Now in practice the owner of any company wants to keep his earnings, thus he cuts employee count to keep His salary static. This is normal business practice I HAVE even done. Now who won, the employer will still keep making His nut, but now we have an unemployed worker collecting from MONEY from the government.  This is what happened when Jimmy Carter took Office and this will happen again if we get Obama Plus Tax in office, He will take your money [redistribution of your wealth] tax program and give it to the people deemed by Him to be worthy. Folks I want to keep my Money and If I want to give it via charity, I control and have that right, why rob me of the blessing of giving. Socialist lefty democrats want government involvement into everything. It is a slippery slope and I want to keep that door close Vote with Me to keep our freedoms and Vote McCain & Palin ticket

Not this American!

That is ok Jenner - you can vote and even if you don't like the outcome you will still be able to be part of the better America that Obama will build.  I look forward to the day when the horrors of this economic crisis is behind us as a nation.  The republicans did this and history shows that we do better economically under democrats in the white house (statistic don't lie).  I look forward to an Obama win and a healthy US economy!!!

Eloquence does not make a president. Appearance does not make a president. A president is one who hassound judgement and can work with anyone to achieve a positive outcome. McCain has already shown his ability to do that. Obama has shown that he will not work with anyone who has differing ideas.

You must be confused. It is McCain that shows inability to work with others who differ. It's his way or the highway, just like Bush.

Well trying2bwise failed miserably on actually paying ATTENTION to the debate. Really do McCain fanboys/girls really listen? Are you in your own little world where the old white guy gives you candy? Really now, McCain has shown that he is an angry old fool that should be in an old folks home.

And ummm.......was anyone else annoyed by him saying Palin knows what is best for a special needs child? When was that a reason to be an elected official? Has she even tried to pass ANYTHING to even help special needs children? Another shallow attempt by McCain to win over the hearts of Americans.

If sound judgement is the attribute you use to measure the adequacy of a candidate for president then how can you choose John McCain?First, he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. Please don't tell me you think this woman is ready to serve in the highest office in the land.  Second, he thought the fundamentals of our economy were sound two weeks ago. This has obviously been proved false. Third, he and his running mate have incited hate speech at their rallies; the likes of which haven't been seen since the sixties. Supporting this sort of venomous speech is not helping America move forward.  Fourth, his policies have and will benefit only the very wealthy. Trickle down economics do not work, the statistics are easy to read if you only take the time to look them up.

I could go on, but I feel these four reasons are sufficient enough to show McCain's bad judgement.

What a lot of people might not have caught is when McCain was talking about Palin and her "Autistic Child", was that he is not Autistic, but has Down Syndrome. That shows you how unaware he is of his VP choice and her life and BS.

I thought I was the only one who noticed;  McCain doesn't seem to know the difference between autism and Down Syndrome. 

I completely agree adn Sarah Palin is NOT my role model either.  Why would I need to pick a role model with breasts?My role model is Abraham Lincoln, that would make me no less of a woman.  And Sarah Palin understands ALL the issues of families dealing with autism because all cases are exactly the same and she some kind of expert?  NO  Sarah Palin is an expert on exactly no issues. 

Like I stated above Chardra, he didn't even get that part right.  It is Down Syndrome, not autism.  He is a confused old man.  Hell I am an old man, but I know the difference between the two problems.

Nor mine.  Sarah seems to resonate with a lot of evangelicals.  Still, seeing Russia from Alaska, having a special needs child and mingling with mom's at sporting events does not a president make.  Sarah could really do some good at the senate level for special needs children.  I don't think anybody with a heart would want to cut their funding with a hatchet or a scalpel.  I don't discredit any of that.  But, she truly is not presidential material.  I'm sorry, and my vote will reflect that.

A guy who graduated 894 of 899 should not be consulted or trusted for education reform, and why does everything have to be reformed and battled these days?

Thats a very good point, cirwin.  I personally believe that higher educational standards are the key to the future of this country and it's continued standing as a major super-power in the world.  Senator Obama, as stated during the debate, has a proven record of support for charter schools that typically provide far more competitive math, science, and career-oriented education and trainning than public schools.  As a graduate of the Texas public school system, I can safely say that all I ever learned how to do before attending college was how to take and pass a multiple-choice test.  I think the fact that public schooling was really the only option available to me has significantly impacted my education for the worse. 

All of the fundamentals of a modern education are learned, typically, from the ages of 5-18 years of age.  If the time spent during those precious years is squandered in a failed education system, students struggle to build the rest of their lives on an uneven foundation, finding themselves behind of others who had the money and means to attend better schools.  John McCain supports public school vouchers, and while this will provide good competition between schools, I feel it will also alienate students who cannot afford to travel to attend the closest "top-notch" public school. 

I think we simply need to have higher standards across the board.  We need to start sooner and finish stronger.  Children should be placed in educational programs, free of cost, as early as two years old for at least a few hours a day.  Children should be able to, on a very basic level, be able to read, write and speak before kindergarten.  Parents can't be forced to turn off the cartoons but they can be forced to put their toddlers into early-education programs.   We could technically be teaching 3rd grade level material to kindergarteners and we could finish off by teaching junior-level college material to high school seniors.  Imagine what this could to for students who choose to pursue a college degree.  We could, potentially, expedite the university-level educational process, putting graduates into the work force earlier.  And, while I strongly believe that play time is essential to the development of a child's social skills and creative thinking, I also believe that there is too much of it AT school.  I think that students should attend school year-round on block scheduling at six hours a day for five days a week.  I think that children somtimes experience a depressive shock when transitioning from the realm of public education into the realm of the working world.  We shield our children too much from "the real world" I think it would do them good to inform them early on of what the demands and expectations of adulthood are so that they will be better prepared.  We have to expose children to modern society carefully, with love, and encouragement but we can not, at any time, imply that mediocrity is acceptable.  This is America - we set the bar high and we serve as the chief example of what life and deomcracy should be for the rest of the world.  We must always deal in terms of excellence and accept nothing less. 

I think Barack Obama will do right by America's children in terms of education.

NICE SPEECH CAN YOU PLEASE TELL THE POTENTIAL VP TO TELL HER DAUGHTERS BABY DADDY THAT DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. IS THIS THE ADVICE SHE WILL GIVE TO OTHER CHILDREN WHO MAKE A MISTAKE, ONE MISTAKE WILL NOT CORRECT ANOTHER.  JOHN YOUR RUNNING MATES FUTURE SON-IN-LAW PLANS TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL, COULD YOU PLEASE SEND HIM A VOUCHER OR A CLUE.

Was anyone else also disgusted at McCain's suggestion of "Troops to Teachers"?  My family is full of teachers.  I myself was a teacher for a while.  I am offended at the idea that he wants to improve our education system, but thinks it's okay to allow troops to go straight to the classroom, as he said, without having to take any of the tests or achieve any of the certifications/licenses that teachers have to get.  HOLY COW!!  What an insult to my education!!!  I guess John McCain thinks that if you are in the military that also qualifies you to be a doctor, lawyer, chemist, nurse, etc.  Of course, this is the same man who seems to think his biggest qualification for being POTUS was his service in the military, so I can see where he gets his line of thinking, no matter how wrong it may be.

Please note: This is not a dig at military members or their families.  I have plenty of friends and family members in the military who I consider to be very bright, intelligent people.  I'm just saying that they should also have to take the same tests to qualify, and earn the same licenses to become teachers.

VOTE FOR MCCAIN/PALIN IF YOU VALUE A FREE AMERICA!
 
You better have more reason than that 'something' to vote for a man for president - please tell me there is more reason than that...

How about a tried and true war hero.  A man that has given his whole life to serve us in congress and soon the Whitehouse.  A man that knows what it takes to get things done?  We will be the laughing stock of the world if Obama gets elected - teh muslim countries are licking their chops because they are certain they can pull all sorts of 'tricks' on him.  Of course they can - he'll be sitting across the table believing that they are telling the truth and as soon as he is out of ear-shot they start doing whatever it was that they were planning anyway - McCain is their worst nightmare - he knows them all very well and will be able to keep an eye on them and know what they are up to.  He will send the best team to work on any agreements we feel necessary to work out.  Of course McCain has people already on his team - Obama on the other hand - will have to get people assembled - not around long-enough to have his own 'people' on board.

Don't scare me with the - he has 'something' statement - YIKES!

VOTE FOR MCCAIN/PALIN IF YOU VALUE A FREE AMERICA!

What really gets my goat is that McCain has based his entire political career on "political honor" and now his hand selected RUNNING MATE is guilty of abusing her powers!!!  She flies in the face of everything McCain has ever stood for...but he traded all that in for some Hilary votes...good move.

By the way, the only reason Palin wasn't found legally responsible for her Troopergate mess is because Alaska is an "employment at will' state, which simply means you can be fired for ANY reason whatsoever (other than discrimination).  It would have been impossible to find against her legally in this matter.  But who cares?  Ethics and judgment are the issues...just ask McCain and Palin as they flail away at Obama.

MaryMcGar, what?!  What do you base this on?  It's speculative.  Barack Obama is not a muslim.  Where are you getting this information from?  Do you read some sort of Islamic radical newspapers that show them licking their chops at Senator Obama?  Why would you think he would be sitting at a table trading secrets with muslims?  John McCain has a man, on his team as you say, in his campaign that did just that with Saddam Hussein, lobbied for him.  You know, vote for McCain.  It's ok to do just that.  You don't have to justify it with a muslim argument.  Anyway, all muslims are not radical Islam, just as all Christians are not abortion clinic bombers.

You have got to be kidding??? This is where McCain brought in the nasty closet racists like you. Does no one understand that Obama is half white?? His mother and grandparents who raised him we whiter then white..so really your saying that if you even have a little bit of another race in ya then you are a terriost and not an american. That is the supidest thing I have ever heard in my life!!!! All you McCain supporters might as well get out your white sheets and burn crosses on Obama's lawn. You are all sick sick people and have made me ashamed of being white in america! My children are half hispanic so does that mean because they have the blood of an hispanic in them they should be deported?

McCain is a hypocrite...for one he keeps complaining about earmarks but then voted for them in the 7billion dollar bail out. He sat at a fund raiser for a woman who shot a dr for performing abortions...is she not a radical terrorist? So if guilt by association well I dont think I need to finsih that thought...In my little neck in the woods here, we say if your going to clean somone elses closet you better damn well make sure your own isnt dirty!

McCain's wife is also a criminal, and McCain used his powers to try to get her out of a bind after she was caught stealing priscriptions so she could get high...but they claim to above the morals of Obama....what???? you cant trust a drugie and once a junkie always a junkie!!! LOL Rave at the White house!!! 

Also last night he stated that Bush's education plan was good and needs to be revised well if that didnt give ya a clue that he plans to continue Bush policy then your a retard and dont have a brain!  

MARGAR,

GET REAL! With all the junk you just made up I'm shocked you aren't spearheading a campaign for John McCain to become Superman. How can you even begin to speak on behalf of Muslim countries? How can you sit here and yap about all the things he's done in the past when his own running partner keeps preaching "We need to forget about the past and focus on the future." They're shouting different things and are supposed to be on the same page? Give me a break...not to mention McCain doesn't even know the handicap her son has just goes to show how out of touch they are with each other and I'm sure that'll be a huge issue if they are to take office...but I don't think that's even an issue now.

The only thing that'll happen to "Free America" if those two clowns are elected is the country will be "FREE" of is smart citizens because we'll all flee before they burn our country to the ground.

The program has been in place for years, but it has never been funded.
The people who would be teaching would be senior service members; you can see the details here:

Do you really feel that we come out of military service as cretins?

You are not crazy or confused...  I drifted off into a bit of a haze with this comment also.  I was wondering "who was that comment for"... "WHO LIKES THE WAY THAT SOUNDS??"   It's absurd!!!!!!!!!!!   I'm no McCain hater, but he's not up to snuff for this job!!!  I think he's better suited for the senate!!!

As a long time student I think you would agree that it takes more than intellect to be a successful teacher.  It's not just what you know... it's knowing how to share that knowledge.  That's what teacher training is mainly about.  I don't doubt the broad knowledge base our military personnel are afforded through their service.  But, to require that they acquire teaching credentials... that they are made to demonstrate their competence to TEACH... that's not demeaning military personnel, that's esteaming the education of our children.

I am a teacher and I about fell out of my chair when McCain said that military personnel could step into a classroom and teach.  I guess anyone can step in then.... Absolutely crazy!!!!  So I guess I didn't need to get into $75,000 worth of debt to learning the most effective strategies to teach children.  I didn't need any training according to McCain.

Also, am I the only one who noticed that McCain kept referring to Palin's child as autistic?  Her son has down syndrome, not autism.  Very different!!!  He should know the special needs of his running mate's children.

GO OBAMA!!!!

You're not wrong and you heard correctly.  But don't worry.  McCain also said if a teacher wasn't cutting the mustard, he'd find them a new job...so ya know only a few thousand kids will get a crappy education for a few years until McCain calls Joe the Plummer to see if he needs an apprentice. 

What I find interesting and downright unbelievable (aside from the above) is that McCain said if elected he would do an across the board spending freeze yet 1/2 hour later he was babbling on about funding educational programs and vouchers and charter schools etc.  So, is he SPENDING or FREEZING??  Make up your mind already McCain!

I am no supporter of McCain, but the "Troops to Teachers" program is not a new idea - it's simply not funded. Look it up.

To teach in a vocational/technical school, a former service member must have 24 semester hours of college, and at least six years of experience in the area in which she/he wishes to instruct. For academic instruction, the former service member must hold a Baccalaureate or advanced degree; in return for $5,000 to pursue a teaching certificate, the service member must agree to teach for at least three years in a high-risk high school. There are a great number of restrictions and requirements.

It is SO comforting to know that non-military people think that former military members are too stupid to breathe the same air as they do.

CrowMeris - First and foremost - Thank You!  Thank you for serving our country, thank you for the "Troops to Teachers" information.  That program as you explain it, makes sense; it should be funded.  I wish McCain had given us more detail on it instead of leaving me, at least, with the impression that he was supporting the idea of warriors coming off the battlefield and going straight into the classroom.

Since my dad was military (Go Army!) and my three uncles were all in Vietnam, my husband is a veteran fro the tail-end of that same war, and I have a friend who just returned from Iraq, I cannot claim to be non-military.  But out of the 5, only one would have qualified  for the "Troops to Teachers" program. 

CrowMeris, I don't think anyone is saying military members are stupid. My husband is in the Air Force, and he would like to teach when he gets out. However, he would take a job teaching in the military first. Training is important. I know you wouldn't want to be given a job in the military you weren't trained for. The same should be said for teaching.

CrowMeris, they may be senior service members, but do they have teaching credentials.  There is a big difference.

Wait a minute Why should military not have to have the same education and credentials as everyone else...ya I know they serve our country and god bless them all, but does that mean for example if you come to the grocery store wearing a uniform that you get to cut in line in front of me?? NO that wouldn't be fair would it. OBAMA REPRESENTS WHAT SHOULD BE FAIR..... Jesus didnt say "step on everyone else to get ahead..amen" he said love everyone and help those that you can...break bread. Now I dont care about spreading the WEALTH around but hell let me keep some of what I earned!! Go Obama, and YAY FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS FOR FINALLY STANDING UP AND SAYING THIS IS NOT FAIR!!!!

This is along the same lines of "if you were a POW, then you know all you need to know to be President"

do not be happy so soon! OsamaBiladen for USA President? you must be kidding.

Amanda..another McCain supporter that will be devastated when Obama IS President..haha..McCain isn't going to win, especially with such a moronic VP pick :))

He referred to Palin's baby as a special needs child.  He talked about Autism and then said she would know.....because the baby was a special needs child.  He did not say the baby had Autism.  I can see how someone looking for something to rant about could have mistaken that.

He did say Palins baby had autism! But he has down syndrome.

Anyway what would he know...too busy mocking Obama and stuck in the past.

He needs to get his words straight.

McCain was referring to Trig Palin who has Autism, not the baby.  He knows the difference, apparently many of you did not know that.

Huffington Post   |   August 29, 2008 02:26 PM

Trig Palin is the baby check your facts, apparently you did not know the difference

Huffington Post   |   August 29, 2008 02:26 PM

Trig Palin is the baby, apparently you didn't know the difference.  Check your facts first

Your request is being processed...

Huffington Post   |   August 29, 2008 02:26 PM

Trig Palin is the baby, apparently you didn't know the difference.  Check your facts first

Your request is being processed...

Huffington Post   |   August 29, 2008 02:26 PM

Um, Trig Palin IS the baby, who has Down Syndrome. Many people do know that.

kennelgirlbev,

Obama is all the things you said he is.  I completely agree.  But, the personal attributes you like are things that make someone a good friend.  They don't make good government.  A constitutionalist believes that the role of the federal government is limited.  Government isn't supposed to "take care of us" or "solve our problems."  Government  isn't our mother, father, aunt, or uncle.  Government is an institution formed exclusively to serve our collective interests in a capacity that we would otherwise not be capable of effectively addressing on a state by state or individual by individual basis.  That's it.  Nothing else.

Right, wrong, or indifferent, the bottom line is that Obama believes that the federal government is the answer to just about every problem and that it's government's job to ensure a fair outcome to everyone.  Whether you make choices that enable to you be a high income earner or choose to continue loading baggage on a plane, you will get equalized.

McCain believes that the federal government is usually the or a big part of the problem.  Government's job is limited to ensuring that everyone has the same set of fair rules to play by.  The rest is up to you.  Your choices in life determine your outcome and the US taxpayers are not going to give you someone elses's money and penalize them for their more profitable choices.

Both of the candidates are good men.  Both are intelligent and would probably do a decent job.  Obama believes in government.  McCain believes in you.

StraightUp, what is your definition of "collective interests"? Do you include testing drugs for safety and efficacy? Do you include limiting the monopoly power of corporations or protecting against consumer fraud? Do you include outlawing a woman's right to choose personal medical procedures? Is it in the collective national interest to have an educated electorate, so that citizens can make informed choices?

Regardless of how you define collective interests, it is clear that you either don't understand Obama's positions or you deliberately distort and misstate them to make your point. That's your choice, but no matter how you define our collective interest, John McCain does not meet the definition. He is a shill, a front, for more of the corporatism that got us where we are at the moment. It was in the collective interest of mortgage lenders and other financial institutions to privatize the huge rewards; is it in our collective interest to socialize the $700 billion bailout?

Spin it any way you want--McCain is old politics, old results. While you may be doing well right now, there are a lot of people who, through no choice of their own, have seen their retirement funds disappear. Explain how that result is in our collective interest.

Both candidates are good men, but I am not sure that the that I agree with you about the OBama believes in government I believe he also believes in the People too just not in the same way that the people have been treated, There are some people who make more than the average person any they should share in the cost of let say medical for everyone else, Do you know they do that in France and England and no you don't get bad care or have to stand in long lines they have doctors that come to your home. they also have meals that are brought to the elderly and the shut in and there is no cost because the people who make the most take care of the people who don't have and the education is free so there is something that can be said about a nation that runs it self and runs it well.

So 80% think Obama is the man. He is young he will save us from our self's. He will make us a great county again. Long live the Republic!!!! Sounds a bit like 1933 "restructured the

Huh?

StraightenUp.  No McCain does not believe in me, he believes in big business.  Just like Bush.

One program he mentioned is Troops to Teachers and they hardly let former soldiers with no educational background jump in the classroom.  My boyfriend is involved in as a former soldier and it helps them through grants and stipends in pursuing continuing education in exchange for teaching in underprivledged districts.  It is a great program, but McCain totally blew the specifics on that one.  Not a surprise since he blew alot of things tonight - Go Obama '08!!!

I'm wondering the same thing? I'm in my last year of studying to become a teacher. Yes, I'm working hard to obtain a degree and to make sure I can offer the best education to younger generations..I didn't know going into to the service qualified you to be a teacher? If i knew that I wouldn't be over $40,000 in financial aid debt..I'm very very concerned.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!

I am not a fan of McCain or Obama; both of these guys are bad for America.  But in fairness, in reading McCains stance on Troops to Teachers.... He is NOTadvocating an uneducated person to become a teacher.  The person must meet ALL eligibility requirements to teach for the specific schools district, without requiring the tests that government requires.  BTW, this test has shown to be ineffective in weeding out bad teachers.

Oh most certainly, if there is anyone that can he is the one to do it; surely you don't think that JM & SP(who?) will be looking out for your best interest unless you are "Joe the plumber" It seems that JM can only do for a choice few; he is certainly good at singling out particular ones.

shut the hell up you idiot, you sound just like a right wing radical racist mccain supporter..go to a lame mccain rally and join your fellow idiots

Think about this for a second.  If McCain dies, then what have you got?  A hockey Mom running the country??  Mr. McCain needs to retire.  His ideas are old and more of the same. It is high time the rich start paying their way instead of the middle class for the last 8 years.  Now it is their turn.  Bill Clinton made it work so can Obama.  It is called "fairness."  Some of you are so use to the same you need a wake up call.

I am for a candidate who can show respect even to others who he disagrees with.  How can anyone work accross party lines by being sarcastic and demeaning?  We all know that who ever the president is he will not get everything he wants even from his own party.  As for pork barrel spending I think the Republicans sat too close to the old Democrats of past when voting for the bailout package.  Which party added 150 billion to the spending bill some of that for race track owners as if they need a break.  Action speaks louder than words and McCain has had 29 years to fix this mess in DC and it doesn't seem to have gotten better.  I am for Obama what the heck what have we got to loose?

To whom it may concern,

HE IS SENATOR OF ILLINOIS, NOT GOVERNOR.  THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

First of all since I have been following this election ( seeing how it is the most important one of the next 50 years) I have seen 6 different versions of McCain's strategy to fix the things that matter most to Americans. All RE-INVENTED weekly by McCain himself. Understand this, the guy has never given us a straight answer that has a resounding effect on our pocketbooks. All he ever talks about is the same negative scare tactics that has ruled in politics the last thirty years. McCain wake up. Smell the Roses. YOU DON'T GET IT!!!!!! But I bet you this if he is elected our kids will get it and their kids...and their kids....and their kids..... get my point

Hey UseYourHead,

You've been head-butting too long.

Use your mind, instead. Obama is a senator! Please explain the mechanism for a Senator to control or affect the civic maladies you enumerated.

Obama/Biden 2008

hmm that's very racist. Kool aid? ha. When republicans go racist and red in the cheeks it just confirms that we are winning against them. Notice how flustered republicans have been and very very angry. I just laugh. ahahahah *deep soothing calm and cool breath*

Are you on medication ?

I think you need to learn how things work. The United States Senator from Illinois has absolutely no part in levying state taxes, crime-control or balancing the budget of Illinois. That is the job of the governor and state legislature of Illinois. All Obama can do for his state is try and allocate resources. He has no role in policy-making. 

Useyourhead:  If you look at any state that has large cities like Chicago, they will have a huge murder rate.  Say like Houston, like where I live.  So that theory don't really fly.  Try something else.  And most of the time the Senator of that state does not set the tax rate.  So again what is your point!

Useyourhead....no seriously use your head...any fool can see how blatently pathetic McCain has run his campaign and wasting millions of donation cash...I could have done a better job honestly...the shear lack of intelligent planning, lack of deep thought and rational decision making is pretty obvious and gives the American people a glimpse of what kind of president McCain would be...yes, thats a right another Bush clone...The worst decision McCain made was pick Palin and it was really obvious why he picked Palin because I know that he truly does not think Palin is fit to lead deep down inside. Of course he wouldnt say that in public. Palin and McCain share a few things:

1. lack of insight

2. lack of good judgement

3. connect only with rural white folks in Red States

4. lack consolidating different ethnicities and cultures into their campaign

5. Pro-WAR,

6. no nothing about the economy...etc I can go on and on