TresSugar

Debate Rebate: Our Reactions to the First Presidential Debate

CitizenSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:54:16 -0700

Did you watch? Were you with us all commenting? If not, don't worry, here's the whole transcript of every word of the first presidential debate. Want to know what Liberty and I thought of the whole event? You're in luck!

Citizen:
First of all, Jim Lehrer did an excellent job. His ruthlessness and tenacity to get the straight, specific answer he was looking for, especially in regard to the economy, made his presence incredibly valuable. McCain stayed very consistently on message, railing against wasteful spending and solidifying his position against it. In terms of conflicts abroad, McCain's personal experience inside of Iraq gave him practical credence during the the segment on the wars, though Obama was very well prepared for it academically. I loved that McCain acknowledged history in terms of Afghanistan and the trouble caused by leaving the region before the job was finished early on, and he was clearly well focused on what needs to happen militarily in a global sense.

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

McCain hammered home naivete over his institutional memory and experience and it stood up against Obama's admittedly impeccable preparation. The direct head-to-head did get tense at times, but they managed to keep it in a constructive arena. With moderator Lehrer springing a no-holds-barred, "are we facing another 9/11?" question toward the end, I think of all the elections, Lehrer may have just won "Supreme Moderator for All Time." McCain wrapped it up cosmically saying, "I know how to heal the wounds of war... I know how to treat our adversaries." As for a winner? Both candidates stumbled at times, did their jobs at others and both brought a serious A-game.

Liberty:
Tonight the candidates clarified, as well as muddled, their positions on many issues. On the introductory question about the $700 billion bailout plan, Barack Obama offered a numbered list of conditions he would require in an acceptable plan, while John McCain said "sure," he would approve the negotiated bailout. It seemed that after suspending his campaign, McCain would have clarified his position.

As for the designated topics - foreign policy and national security - McCain and Obama emphasized their respective strengths: the surge and tough talk on Russia and Iran for McCain and foresight on the folly of an Iraq war, and strong, but smart diplomacy for Obama.

Overall, McCain somewhat effectively painted Obama as naive, while Obama attempted to prevail as a cautious, informed leader. As for the punches, I think Obama's landed some hard ones; he called McCain out on discussing North Korea's extinction, and bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran. According to my super-scientific reading of the CNN audience reaction graph, Obama seemed to have higher marks with all groups while he spoke, but what do you think?!

The opinions expressed here are those of the authors, CitizenSugar and LibertySugar, and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Sugar Inc.

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The First One! Finally! Who's Watching the Debate With Us?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:45:43 -0700

Well, after a few days of up-in-the-air-edness, it's finally here: the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain at the University of Mississippi. It starts at 9 p.m. (EDT) and there are so many ways to mark the occasion. We'll be here during the whole debate commenting in this thread, please join us, we're dying to know what you're thinking!

Now that the official head-to-head discourse is starting, maybe you'll want to see just how what they say to each other stacks up against the promises they've made so far this campaign. This tool from the National Journal is outstanding - you can search promises from each candidate by subject - keep it handy while you watch!

Tons of you mentioned . . . games of a drinking nature - we found a few pretty funny ones from Wonkette and Radar, and Comedy Central if you're so inclined to enjoy said debate with an adult beverage.

We'll be posting our full reactions to the debate afterward, and we haven't made up our minds as to just who won - yet. Our radio friends Maegan Carberry and Lizzy Blackney are twittering during the debate, and we'll be checking back with them afterward to see what they thought.

So who's with us? Who's settling in for the big debate?

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Front Page: Bailout Plan Hits Stalemate, Debate Remains Doubtful, Terror Suspects Held on Plane

CitizenSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:51:49 -0700

Bailout Plan Hits Stalemate:
Negotiations over the plan to rescue Wall Street have ended in a "shouting match," with Republican members of Congress blocking the government plan after discussion with President Bush. Bush just gave a short statement outlining how the legislative process isn't pretty. Both sides are resuming talks later today with Nancy Pelosi saying there will be an agreement because, "it has to happen."

Debate Remains Doubtful:
The first debate between McCain and Obama appears doubtful as negotiations over the economy continue in Washington. Obama says he plans to travel to the University of Mississippi where the debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET. McCain says "I'm very hopeful that we'll get enough of an agreement tomorrow so we can make this debate." McCain is returning to Capitol Hill today.
Terror Suspects Held on Plane:
Two terror suspects have been arrested in Germany on a plane preparing to take off. The two Somali men had been under surveillance for months and were said to have been "possibly planning attacks" having left suicide notes behind in their apartments saying they wished to die in a "holy war." The plane was eventually allowed to take off following the arrests and a luggage search.

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Who Will Be the Next President? Watch the Results With Us!

CitizenSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:21:46 -0800

Election Night is finally here! We've followed the 2008 Presidential campaign trail from primaries, conventions, debates to every hilarious and unexpected moment in between. East Coast polls have started to close, and we'll be here updating you on the electoral votes as they come in using predictions from pollster and major networks. Join us as we wait for the next American president!

Senator Barack Obama

338

Senator John McCain

156

You can check out all the major headlines of the night right here, and I'll be filling in the results for each state as they come in. To see results, read more.

State	Electoral Votes	State	Electoral Votes
Alabama	9	Montana	3
Alaska	3	Nebraska	5
Arizona	10	Nevada	5
Arkansas	6	New Hampshire	4
California	55	New Jersey	15
Colorado	9	New Mexico	5
Connecticut	7	New York	31
Delaware	3	North Carolina	15
D.C.	3	North Dakota	3
Florida	27	Ohio	20
Georgia	15	Oklahoma	7
Hawaii	4	Oregon	7
Idaho	4	Pennsylvania	21
Illinois	21	Rhode Island	4
Indiana	11	South Carolina	8
Iowa	7	South Dakota	3
Kansas	6	Tennessee	11
Kentucky	8	Texas	34
Louisiana	9	Utah	5
Maine	4	Vermont	3
Maryland	10	Virginia	13
Massachusetts	12	Washington	11
Michigan	17	West Virginia	5
Minnesota	10	Wisconsin	10
Mississippi	6	Wyoming	3
Missouri	11