[mcmama]

OK, so who won? Do you like this town hall style? Is this an effective way to debate?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/...ate/index.html
Personally, I thought Tom Brokaw was not a good moderator. He did too much talking, and the supposedly relaxed format was not really good for getting down and dirty. More for campaigning and rhetoric.

[pattiewrites]

It wasn't very relaxed, was it? I didn't like the way he kept chastising them when they did get into the issues a bit more in depth. Personally, that is what I want to see. I like that the voters are posing the questions in the town hall style debate. We think Obama won, big surprise, I know. I do think he was stronger particularly on the economy and understanding the issues facing families in this economic climate. Health care is another area where he is much stronger, and I think that was reflected in this debate too.

[twinzplus3]

Now see, I thought McCain won. But I didn't like Tom Brokaw as a moderator at all. And like you guys, I like that voters are posing questions.

[Samual]

McCain made quite an arse of himself, he didn't say anything of worth the whole time, then the rediculous mortgage bail out plan, does he know what a mortgage is?
I think they are both awful, but at least Obama tries.

[erinellakal]

I watched some of it. I hate the way the attack each others veiw points. Can't they just answer the question with out dragging the other thru the mud?
I think Obama did address things better.
I thought watching the debate would help me decide but I am actually still undecided on who to vote for. I am going to do some more research on my own to find out who is a better candidate for myself....i hate politics!

[MissyChrissy]

I agree with the sentiments about Tom Brokaw. I was very disappointed in him.

I think the animosity between Obama and McCain was more apparent-or, they are really starting to feel disdain for each other. Not sure which is the case.

I tend to think Obama handles himself in these situations exceptionally well. I am biased though, so I can't say definitely that he 'won' this debate.

[MommaColleen]

This is just my opinion....

I can't say who one because those things tick me off and I end up changing the channel 10 minutes in to them. It all boils down to who is the better salesman and convinces you they will actually do the things they say they will.

I don't really like either canidate better than the other. I think they both have good and bad qualities. Neither canidate has really wowed me yet.

[twinzplus3]

Samual--you'll have to site specific examples of how McCain did poorly? Specifically, what did he say that didn't make sense to you regarding mortgage bail out? And then what's wrong with Obama again?

To me, they are so different that it kind of boils down to what you think will work and obviously that's the divide. I've mentioned before this is really the first election where I'm really tied. I tend to agree that Obama handles himself really well in these situations. He very much comes off like he's shooting the breeze on the porch and says things in very plain English. But I don't see McCain's economic policies at all like Bush's. . .in fact, I very much see him as a departure from Bush and of course Obama is a departure from Bush.

Have you seen the 'fact check' segments? Those are always really interesting.

[KR258]

I read on their websites what they plan on doing...and I just don't see how McCain's plan is any different from what we're currently doing.

[pattiewrites]

McCain's plan really isn't much different than Bush's. There is one difference and that is health care. On this issue, I think McCain's plan is scary. I did a bit of my own fact checking on Obama's claim that it would lead to "the unraveling of the employer based health care system" and the statement is accurate. Look for more on this in the politics blog later this week. Personally, his $5000 tax credit will do nothing for my family. We'd be paying out more if we had to go on the open market for insurance, since it would cost $12-$15,000 to replace what we have now.

Obama does much better at answering questions, keeping his cool and staying on message. (Hillary helped him hone his skills in this area in the primaries.) For the most part, when he slams McCain, it's a counter attack. McCain has been slinging a lot more mud lately; it increases as his numbers fall. He is showing that he learned well from what Bush did to him in 2000. I'm glad Obama is starting to hit back because up until last week, he wasn't hitting so hard. That was the fatal mistake Gore and Kerry made when running against the Rove tactics in 2000 and 2004. Obama said he won't be swiftboated, like Kerry. This time around, the country is in bad shape and people don't want to hear the mud slinging. It doesn't seem to be helping McCain reverse the slide in the polls.

I'm watching a CNN poll right now that shows 63% think McCain was attacking more in last night's debate. I tend to agree. He needs to tone it down and actually come up with something other than a continuation of Bush or he is going to lose.