WASHINGTON - Republican White House hopeful John McCain, fresh from his first debate with Democratic rival Barack Obama in Mississippi, expressed regret on Saturday that his performance didn’t win over all the pundits in the press.
“I was a little disappointed the media called it a tie but I think that means, when they call it a tie, that means we win,” McCain said during a telephone call that was caught by cameras filming him at his campaign headquarters.
Both camps claimed victory after the 90-minute debate on Friday.
Meanwhile, Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, sought to lower expectations for the next debate in Tennessee on Oct. 7. It will be conducted in a town-hall style with questions from an audience.
“We will be a decided underdog in that encounter, and John McCain is the undisputed town hall champion,” Plouffe told reporters on a conference call, noting that McCain — who is fond of the format — had challenged Obama to do joint town hall meetings throughout the summer.
“He clearly feels, even more than the foreign policy debate, this is his home turf. So if we can just escape relatively unscathed against the undisputed town hall champion in Tennessee, we’ll be thrilled.”
Obama has held regular town halls of his own throughout the 2008 campaign and does not appear to struggle with the format.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
Photo credit: Reuters/Brian Snyder (McCain talks on the phone at his campaign headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept. 27)
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The media has already elected Obama to be President since the first day of the Democratic primary.
What is more news worthy to any newsman or women to be able to cover the “historical” moment..
That debate was clear that Mccain won. Obama appeared lost and was obvious he memorized the stuffs as he kept repeating the same few points over and deliberately switched topics so he can continue to repeat the same stuffs over and over.
- Posted by KratosPaul Rafeal — didn’t you read the article: “Meanwhile, Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, sought to lower expectations for the next debate in Tennessee on Oct. 7.” That’s the problem with those who “believe” in Obama — ignoring reason and fact, giving in to emotion. You do have a choice — you can vote for someone who has dedicated his life to this country, or you can vote for someone WHO HAS NEVER SACRIFICED ANYTHING FOR THIS COUNTRY. Reason v. emotion. That is your choice. It is obviousl that Obama backers are emotionally driven, and their bad judgment will drive him in to the White House. When he gets there and fumbles and ets you down, maybe you’ll learn your lesson, maybe you’ll just latch on to the next smooth talker, or maybe four more years of incompetence on top of the last eight years of incompetence will be too much and bring this country to its knees. It’s your gamble, and no one is more likely to gamble than someone ruled by emotion.
- Posted by Ron Cohen‘Spot on’? What an idiot. You Obamacrats are about to find out that your meat doesn’t come from the grocery store. And, I really ‘hit the nail on the head with that one’. What morons. All dressed up like adults, but still living their parents’ basements. Stick a fork in them, they’re done.
- Posted by SAMPALIN/mccain..The Bushies…Are a Bridge to nowhere.
…………….So I Say
…Thanks…But… No Thanks
- Posted by BubbaWow - the press and many of you are so blind. McCain did not do everything right, nor did Obama. Obama was virtually crushed on Foreign Policy, however. Did no-one hear him say, for example, that if Pakistan did not crack down on militants and help (or something like that) that he would just “let them have it.” That is a virtual declaration of war! His position to sit down with the leader of Iran (and other such countries) and just chat without preconditions is also outstandingly naive…
The bias for Obama is impressive! If McCain or worse Palin had said that we will just let Pakistan “have it” the press would have had a field day. I am just so disappointed that after 8 years of Bush we now are facing Obama. Gore was far the intellectual superior of Obama, but would never have one as we don’t elect on intellect or credentials, we elect on the basis of charm and good looks. The press crushes Palin who is the only one of the 3 with any management experience and let’s ONE TERM OBAMA get away with virtually everything.
I have *always* voted with the democratic party, but this is a joke.
- Posted by Benjamin AlperI was surprised to see McCain cowering. He was utterly unable to look Obama in the eye. Oddly, he somehow managed to look both angry and ashamed. (No wonder he doesn’t want to go face to face with with an enemy. They would walk all over him, behaving as he does like a scared and embittered child.) Only one person displayed Presidential Dignity and Authority: Obama.
- Posted by patmacAs for Rob C…nice try, but it is McCain who has lowered the bar the entire campaign with his playground tactics like “suspending” his campaign to “resolve” the financial crisis. Let’s not even mention his lowering his standards by bringing Palin on board. That’s ok because Obama has shown time and time again that he is above people like yourself who try to bring him down to there level…kind of like McCain.
- Posted by Paul RafaelMichael Reed wrote: “yet no one in the media noted it. If McCain would’ve said something like, “Now Barack, you know that’s not correct” - the media and bloggers would be up in arms about “lack of respect”
Nonsense. Desperate nonsense. McCain could have called him “Barack” and no one would have batted an eye. This is just another manufactored nontroversy by McCain supporters, but there’s no lipstick on this pig either.
Ron Cohen wrote: “So the Obama team is already downplaying expectations for the next debate.”
More desperate nonsense. The only ones playing the downplaying expectations game is the McCain campaign regarding the VP debate. They are vehemently trying to downplay expectations for Sarah Palin.
- Posted by Anna HudsonAm McCain won! As be better, am tell things good. Obama am lie, as not know to do with terorists! Palin as keep eye on terror, as know to do, and McCain as tell truth. America #1!!!
MCain and Palin! As be get! As be get!
Am for McCain Palin, am say AS BE GET!!!!
- Posted by JimmybugMichael Reed, don’t jump to conclusions. About 15 minutes after the debate the news station I was watching declared that Obama called McCain “John” while McCain kept saying “Senator.”
- Posted by AlanaHowever, instead of lack of respect, it shows me how much more comfortable and personable Obama can be in comparison to McCain. I think it shows serious fear that McCain couldn’t even look at Obama, haha.
Oh yes….The wait for Thursday night will be like a kid waiting for Christmas.
- Posted by BubbaWant to thank Daniel for his concise and articulate description of the debate last night. Spot on.
- Posted by Paul RafaelI watched the entire debate, and was stricken by McCain’s obvious rudeness. He ignored the moderator’s calls to end his comments, and forced Obama to insist on rebuttal time.
His refusal, or inability to look at Obama was a real puzzler to me. Even when the moderator urged him to “speak to [Obma] directly, he stared stubbornly ahead.
The answers were boilerplate campaignspeak, but the actions of both candidates showed me who I want in the White House next year. I opt for grace and thoughtfulness. No one with half a brain can wonder for whom I will vote.
- Posted by Jerry UlibarriI am disappointed too. McLame looked like a frustrated child as Obama picked apart his canned statements with ease.
McLame offered no substance at all. Obama was detailed and busted McLame on ever lie he told.
It was not even close.
Palin/Biden is next. Ten bucks says he has her crying in frustration in the first 20 mins.
It’s almost over.
- Posted by captainkonaSo the Obama team is already downplaying expectations for the next debate. This after they downplayed expectations for the first, and then claimed that since Obama didn’t get absolutely smashed in the first debate he must be the winner. We should all remember the last team to play the reduced debate expectations game — the Bush team. So keep cheering for Obama — another presidential candidate seeking to win by lowering the bar. Great for America!!!
- Posted by Ron CohenObama presidential? He kept referring to his opponent by his first name “John” constantly - yet no one in the media noted it. If McCain would’ve said something like, “Now Barack, you know that’s not correct” - the media and bloggers would be up in arms about “lack of respect” - it was universally a tie - not sure what websites you’ve been looking at - the DNC’s site? CBS News? MSNBC? Yes, those are bastions of impartiality aren’t they?
- Posted by Michael ReedY’all can buy in to the “Aw Shucks” Hype The campaign is selling…. If you choose to. Fact is … Once Obama got past the first debate…The rest will be a cakewalk.
- Posted by BubbaMcSame is out of touch with the modern world. It wasn’t the MEDIA that called it a tie, it was the people who watched it, and 1/2 of them are brain dead and think McSame won it. The half that has a functioning brain saw our next president whip McSame’s lying butt.
- Posted by sfroseI noted that during the debate last evening McCain did not look at Obama or make eye contact with him. This morning, on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle
- Posted by Philip Hicksthis was again repeated. McCain was not looking at Obama
but Obama was looking directly at him. What is the meaning of this peculiar behavior? Is he afraid that Obama might see something in his eyes? Or is he simply refusing, in this primitive behavior, to recognize his existence?
Almost all the polls show Obama winning the first debate by double digits. Why? Because he was presidential, respectful, concise, measured, and composed. This tells me that the Republican spite and snarl is beginning to turn people off. Obama got in his jabs - but also had to contend with sloppy moderation and an opponent who showed disrespect to the borders of contempt. If Obama resorted to this sort of tactic - even in fair retaliation - he would have been lamblasted by the MSM. It’s true that Obama had to spend much time defending himself against McCain’s arrogant barbs - but he acquitted himself well and for the most part, batted them all away. There are more debates - more chances - and more ammunition to use against McCain. He can do better - but I thought he did well and played it smart.
- Posted by Daniel Staniforth