Debates

This is an odd case of censoring that if applied at the debate last night, could have made things look very different. In a congressional debate in Pennsylvania, a TV station has censored remarks made by one of the candidates because they were erroneous. Bleeping out a mistake? Yep, because the statement was about the economy. She said that two major banks had failed — when actually they hadn't — a mistake uncorrected at the time by either her opponent or the moderator was zapped from the debate before it was broadcast.

The general manager of the station who made the decision (after consulting with the FCC and the NAB) said, ''In the end, we did not feel that broadcasting the names of the banks served the public in any way. Because of the economic times we're in . . .a statement on television can cause an immediate effect.'' The debate aired with a disclaimer approved by both candidates.

To see what could have happened if this fact-checking censoring were to have happened at the debate last night, read more

• Joe the Plumber Speaks:
  After being the star of last night's debate, mentioned conservatively a dozen times, "Joe the Plumber" has come forward. His name is Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio man who wants to buy a plumbing business. He had spoken with Obama in Toledo this week, and told him his tax plan would prevent him from buying the business. He said of being the example of the night, "It's pretty surreal, man, my name being mentioned in a presidential campaign." He won't say who he's voting for — if he's registered — "That's for me and a button to know."



• Social Security Benefits to Rise:
  Social Security benefits will go up 5.8 percent for 50 million people next year. It's the largest pay rise in more than a quarter of a century. The increase will begin in January and will mean $63 extra per month for the average retiree. The raise is double increase from January this year.




• EU Firm on Climate Goals:
  European Union leaders are resolved to meet their targets and timetable for addressing climate change, despite objections from some countries. Worries that given the global economic situation cutting greenhouse gas emissions will be too costly has caused some countries to threaten to block the plan. French President Sarkozy says, "The climate package is so important that we cannot simply drop it, under the pretext of a financial crisis."

They may have very well saved the best for last. This was the most direct, most on task, most like an actual conversation debate we've had thus far. And not a moment too soon. The candidates were juxtaposed beautifully and answered questions not only on specific policies, but on the conduct of their campaigns. It was nail-biting, uncomfortable at times, but deftly handled by moderator Bob Schieffer. Here's what we thought:

Citizen: Wearing each other's "team" ties in what I hoped was a nod toward cooperation, the economy was ripped open right at the start. Both candidates spoke straight at the camera, directly it seemed, to me. It was eerie and wildly effective, with Joe the Plumber becoming an instantaneous celebrity, the cornerstone of their duel over small business taxes. Earmarks and pork barrel and budget overruns, oh my. I do like Obama's line of needing a "scalpel, not a hatchet," if only because it comforts me that he intends to cut spending as well.

When Schieffer pinned the candidates down on the negative aspects of the campaign I was breathless. It was baldly frank (seeming, I mean it is politics) talk, and when McCain whipped out the stat that Obama had spent the most money on negative campaign ads, it hit home — but was parried well by Obama's stat that six in 10 perceive McCain as negative. Then, the politest knock down-drag out on Ayers and ACORN. We knew it was coming all day, but when it did it was all the more potent. When Roe v. Wade popped up, I was actually heartened to hear civilized talk of the difference between choosing judges for their ideologies, and choosing judges for their adherence to the Constitution — it could be the most cogent debate on the issue we've had thus far.

To see the rest of my thoughts, and what Liberty has to say, read more

The fat lady is tuning up for the final hurrah, the last debate before the presidential election. Hosted by Bob Schieffer at Hofstra University in New York, the debate starts at 9 p.m. EDT and will last the standard 90 minutes with the candidate sitting side by side. Touching distance. And since McCain has promised to whip his you-know-what that proximity could be . . . you-know-what. We're settling in to watch all of the action and will be right here in the comments — come join us!

In the meantime, there is so much out there to take in — it's like a little debate prep of our own! Following the "whipping" comment, Obama came out saying that he's "ready for Ayers" but that he's using the debate to discuss his plan for the economy. McCain might be feeling the sting of a less-than-positive tone lately as six in 10 voters think he's been spending more time attacking than explaining what he'd do as president. That didn't stop him from hosting a record-breaking fund-raiser.

There are tons more goodies, including what kind of host we're getting ready for. To find out, read more

Tonight is the last chance Barack Obama and John McCain have to show Americans how their visions for America differ.

That's swell, but we all know what tonight's debate is really about — it's the last chance either candidate has to make a major blunder and self-inflict a campaign crippling wound.

Esquire went back to the archives to find examples of how presidential campaigns destroyed years of campaigning during a few seconds of debate time. Here are some of the highlights (or low points). You can check out the videos on Esquire's site.

• 1960: Nixon vs. Kennedy: Richard Nixon made the horrid mistake of refusing to wear makeup. His pasty skin, five-o-clock shadow, and unfortunate weight loss due to hospitalization distracted viewers and helped shift the momentum to a tan JFK.
• 1988: Bush vs. Dukakis: When asked if his wife was raped and killed, would he want the death penalty for the killer, Dukakis said: "No, I don't, and I think you know that I've opposed the death penalty during all of my life.” His lack of emotion didn't fly.
• 2000: Gore vs. Bush: Gore's sighs and eye-rolling. Enough said.

Is there a good chance we'll add to the list tonight — or are the candidates going to play it safe?

• Series of Town Halls: A few highlights from Nashville in graphic-novel form. — 23/6
• Debate Winner: The winner of the debate? That one. — Huffington Post
• Arnold: What did the Terminator say to the Hockey Mom? Miss Alaska is beating Mr. Universe. — Radar
• Smoking Laws: No Smoking? Shanghai outlaws smoking inside public places, but only during certain hours. — Shanghaiist
• Palin: What does Fred Thompson think? Ex-candidate defends Sarah Palin. — Townhall
• Authors: Melissa Walker is the latest author to throw her two-cents for Obama in the YA for Obama blog. How can the under-18s get involved? Here's how. — YA for Obama

Source

The much be-hyped town hall debate brought the candidates close together on the bright red carpet, the people closer to the candidates, and perhaps the undecideds closer to a decision? Between the discussion happening here, and the sparkily veiled tension on the stage, how did this match up fare? Here's what we thought:

Citizen:
The biggest shot in the arm this debate format provided was bringing the issues down to the individual level. The audience was intimate and the scrutiny felt equally as close — both from the questioners and Tom Brokaw, who proved to be a ruthless but level moderator. I was nervous about the "real people" questions (you saw the snowman debacle, I don't always like a Pro-Am) but some of them were great.

One in particular from an 80-year-old who lived through the Great Depression — she asked what kind of sacrifice we as Americans should make that wasn't just the blood of our Armed Forces. McCain's answer focused on spending saying, "We're going to have to tell the American people that we're going to have to have a spending freeze. . . we can establish priorities and full transparency. . . and I'm going to tell you Americans that we'll get to work right away." Obama continued the answer speaking to civilian service and expanding the Peace Corps, a different take on it to be sure.

To see the rest of my thoughts and what Liberty had to say, read more