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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McCain was lucky to graduate from college, which I know because he has touted it. Obama is ivy league educated and didn’t muddle through. He is intellectual and dynamic and meets the standards that I thought were meant to be (or at least should be) those necessary to be president. When you set the bar too low, you get people like Bush, Palin and Quayle. I think the republican party should attempt to raise the bar. These intellectually stunted individuals are an insult.
- Posted by elisa
Hey Elisa, maybe you’re unaware of this, which surprises me considering how much you claim to know about being intellectual, but the US Naval Academy is a far more difficult institution than Harvard to a) be accepted to and b) graduate from. It takes deep intelligence to get through the courses and rigorous training that lead to you becoming a fighter pilot. It does not to write a thesis about how corporate greed is keeping the man down and socialism will save the world.
Maybe the type of intellectualism you’re referring to is the type that leads a candidate to take a loan from a money launderer, or to sit through racist sermons for twenty years without noticing, or to threaten to bomb our allies and kneel to our enemies. Maybe you’re referring to brilliant statements by a VP candidate that FDR was on TV in 1929.
- Posted by MattJohn mcCain is the best that America needs in the following years ahead. He has integrity, he states facts, and does not waver when decision needs to be taken, especially in difficult situation where determination is a must!. He is the right President for america. My country is one of the great allies of the US and believes that when it comes to foreign policy, and keeping america safe, Jhon mcCain is the right choice.
- Posted by donsemDid anyone really listen to this debate? Perhaps it is easier to see in black and white what was happening, without all of the charisma? I watched it and now I’ve reread the transcripts.
Obama made McCain look like an ass. Period.
In the very beginning, Lehrer tried to get the two to debate about the issues and actually talk to one another. Obama said that he fundamentally disagreed with McCain about the economy and said that we have to hold ourselves accountable day in and day out to regular people who’ve been having a financial crisis for awhile. Lehrer specifically asked McCain if he agreed with Obama and he said “NO” and went off on some tangent about his belief in the American worker. They basically said the SAME DAMNED THING but McCain didn’t have the character to agree with Obama.
Throughout the debate, Obama specifically said that he agreed with McCain on several issues and the next day the McCain campaign spun that into an attack ad. Now, apparently, agreeing on something important for the American people is wrong? When McCains first comments of the night were on how proud he was that the Democrats and Republicans are working together? How can we expect them to work together and get anything done if we have a leader that isn’t man enough to admit when someone else is right?
McCain also said that he would double the ‘dividend’ for every dependent child in America. He obviously doesn’t know anything about filing his own taxes or how important an exemption for each child is to most Americans.
When Obama called him out on taxing health benefits, McCain didn’t respond to that he simply went off about oil companies.
The entire debate when on like that. Obama made a good point about McCains policies and McCain pulled out a ‘he did this’ to keep from talking about it.
The most brilliant thing McCain said during the debate was “We Republicans came to power to change government, and government changed us”
I was really disgusted when they were asked what spending Americans would sacrifice for this bailout and McCain said that he would stop everything but defense spending. Really? These shady contracts to his cronies would be top priority while CHIP just goes away? Does anyone else see this is completely wrong?
This country needs an intellectual President. Someone who has the mental ability to understand the vastly complex issues that we face. From what I saw in the debate, McCain just doesn’t have that ability.
- Posted by AJJohn McCain is a very dangerous bitter tired old man with absolutely no good ideas for cleaning up the horrible mess created by the current moron who sits in the oval office pretending he understands reality. They are both pathetic losers and are both bad for America. Soon President Obama can begin the long painful process of cleaning up the mess created by the misfits in the Bush regime. This will take years to accomplish however.
- Posted by widollar“Why is everyone getting so upset that McCain looked at the audience (live and on television) instead of looking at Obama? I am glad that McCain answers to “us” instead of to Obama. In “Public Speaking 101″, you always make eye contact with the people you are answering to. This is just another stupid and feeble attempt to discredit the candidate most obviously qualified for the job. Obama was not a polished speaker and continually and irritatingly kept interrupting McCain as he talked. Obama was the rude one!!!”
Deborah, this was not exactly “public speaking.” The two candidates agreed to a set format in which they would speak to the audience and discuss their policy position for a set number of minutes, which they both did. Both candidates also agreed that in addition they would talk to one another directly to highlight disagreements, etc. I think you can agree that when someone is speaking directly to you, it is unbelievably rude not to even give them the courtesy of looking them in the eye. I’m sorry but how you can call Obama rude is a bit far fetched. It was Obama who very graciously walked over and shook John’s hand and said “good debate.” From McCain’s smirk, condescending tone, interruption of Obama, and his lack of eye contact, it was abundantly clear who the candidate with the lack of manners was!
As far as presidential, who would you rather have represent the USA when having to meet face-to-face with some of the unsavory leaders of the world? Obama, who tries to turn everything into a negotiation, or McCain, who will stand stedfast in the best interests of the USA? Clearly, the choice is easy. If you get down to very basics - just compare the resume of Obama to that of McCain. This is not rocket science folks!
On this front, I would say that talking to someone is much better than isolating them. McCain’s stance on foreign policy is similar to that of Bush and look how well that has turned out. I think not even considering talking to Russia, Iran, etc is a big mistake. I remember eight years ago democrats warning against Bush’s foreign policy and management skills and look what a pickle our country is in now. Perhaps it would heed the republicans to just listen to logic and common sense this time….unless they want NO country left at the end of the next four years. Vote McCain and Palin at your peril. Like you say, yes, it isn’t rocket science!
- Posted by elisaI was taught discussions concerning religion and politics always brings the worst out in people and to read the blogs proves just how true this is. I don’t think there is one impartial comment. Oh well this is Democracy.
- Posted by Don CorryYou are getting what you paid for or at least a choice between two people who have been able to raise an obscene amount of money to run the race to the Whitehouse. A Smooth talker and a War hero.
For the importance of this election to both the USA and the rest of the World I would have thought there should have been minimum age,education and administration experience requirements like 50 plus and a minimum of 15 years of international monetary and foreign affairs experience.
The ticket which would have got home in a landslide would have been Clinton with Obama as running mate for the first four years and then perhaps Obama could have stepped up with the four years international experience.
Mind you if McCain had picked Condy it could have been interesting but too Bushy.
I am 71 and consider myself fit and more like a 60 yr old but would not look forward to all the pressures of running what is arguably still the most important country in the World for four to eight years.
The men and women who have the most experience and could do the best job of running the country are not on the list of candidates and this applies to most countries in the World when elections happen including where I live.
Good luck anyhow.
An interested KIWI
McCain’s behavior during the debate, his campaign “suspension” and grandstanding during the financial crisis, his selection of Palin, his constant pointing to his POW experience (none of the veterans I’ve known even want to talk about their war experiences let alone talk about them over and over again for personal gain), his many position reversals, etc., etc. all point to one thing… he is desperately grasping at his last chance for the presidency (not just in this election, but in his life). McCain has done some good in his career but comes off now as a dangerous warmonger who’s willing to sell out in any way necessary in order to win. Do we really need another warmonger in the world’s most powerful political position (albeit a more intelligent and experienced one than Bush)? Did anyone notice the gleam in his eyes every time he talked about past conflicts/wars? Folks interpreted it as an old man reminiscing (or living in the past, if they don’t like him), but I think he actually loves war. Every generation in his entire family going, I think, back to the Civil War, has served in the military and most of his male ancestors were veterans. I guess we should honor that service, but I think war is something you try to avoid and that you enter into with the greatest reservations. It’s not an adventure or a right of passage. If you want it to be then don’t take others along for the ride.
- Posted by D.As I watched the debate between McCain and Obama, I was struck that McCain was an insulting, old man smirking when he thought he made and attack point. He is a child in his thinking and reactions to Obama’s strong comments. He has never defined what his much heralded ‘winning’ in Iraq is. McCain does not know the real reason for the surge was to buy time for the Iraqi’s to establish a workable government based on benchmarks the Bush administration provide. the Iraq government has not done so, and by this Bush standard, the surge has not succeeded. The reason violence has been quiet is because Motaqa al-Sadr and his 100,000 Medhi Army have entered a cease fire for almost a year. General Petraeus knows this could erupt at any time.
Watching McCain on the podium, his lack of respect and his flagrant personal attacks simply indicates his integrity and what type of president he will be. He is a bully!!!
- Posted by Charles Redfern“I am afraid Sen Obama does not understand the difference between a TACTIC and a STRATEGY?” What did Sen McCain mean - in reference to the surge in Iraq?
- Posted by AlekaWow! I think all my fellow O”bomber” fans have said it all. Fact, Obama bombed on McPain and blew him out of the water. Why? The eyes, it’s all in the eyes. Oh, and Palin, she’s failin! Wait a minute, is she even still running as VP because America has seen less and less of her, and even when we see a quick photo there’s no sound bites. Shame on you John, excuse me, that’s Senator John McCain that is. You would have been better off if you just wore your own lipstick. Next time pick a real VP. Don’t pick someone to “win” you votes, Mr. “I’m for my country” man. Lastly, voters please DO NOT allow McCain to “amBUSH” you into voting for him. If you vote McCain their will be NO GAIN. Obama is the man, no doubt and please NO more BUSH.
CNN Junky
- Posted by CNN JUNKYPaul Cohen - PUH-LEASE! If anyone was using emotion vs. reason during the debate, it was McCain. As was evident by his empty claim of love the veterans. There was one person that used reason to form his arguments during the debate; the next president of the United States, BARACK OBAMA! McCain looked angry and agitated throughout the entire debate. He was rude to both Obama and the moderator. He was not by any means presidential. McCain, thanks, but no thanks.
- Posted by Isabel l.The winner is the one who, for whatever reason, causes voters to make a decision FOR him/her. Obama made the most people make that decision. Also, when there is a tie, the victory is usually given to the person who is “leading” at the time. On Friday, that was the senator from Illinois. OH WELL.
- Posted by TeenincheeActually Senator McLie, if you review all the polls from the voters, and not what the pundits are saying, you lost badly to Obama………….For such an older man you act like a little kid all the time.
- Posted by fafnerIt will be over for you soon…………..
I still do not understand how it could be claimed a tie when McCain continually went back to victory in Iraq, tried to make Russia the first aggressor in Georgia, said looking into Putin\’s eyes he read KGB, said Pakistan had been a failed state, and continued the Axis Of Evil policy of no negotiations with Nations on his evil list.
- Posted by MyVoiceHereWho is going to sign surrender papers for victory? What is his definition of victory in Iraq. Is his policy going to be invade Iran on the way to Afghanistan? Why fly our troops around when we can invade Iran for a straight route. Saber rattling has been the downfall of our last 8 years and heads us back into a cold war.
A statement that made me gasp was the bracelet. The mother has asked him to make sure his death was not in vain. Was it the wrong way to phrase it? Or did he actually feel that victory has to be claimed? I want to find the mother and tell her that her son lost his life fighting for his country and it is the greatest sacrifice a soldier can give and they are honored no matter the final result.
Many of the conservatives posting here are either delusional or blinded by partisan rage. McCain did’nt perform as well as he should have if he really was the expert on foreign relations that you claim he is. In the last 2 months he has mistaken the difference between Sunnis and Shia three times, refered to Czeckoslovakia three times(country that hasn’t existed in over a decade) has stated that there is a border between Iraq and Pakistan (there isn’t) and confused the President of Spain (Zapatero) with the former president of Mexico (Zapata). The guy is all swagger and other than that he is recycled, disproven republican philosophy. FAIL. bye bye repubs. Enjoy the generation banished to the wilderness that you so richly deserve. Good riddance.
- Posted by AntonMany who have commented correctly point out that Obama came across as self-assured and confident. McCain came across as angry, grumpy and downright condescending. That was my perception. I watched the whole debate again and now feel even more convinced that he did not look at Obama because he cannot stand the younger senator who just happens to be black. What a disgrace. After all, Obama had to struggle a lot harder to win the primaries against the anointed Senator Clinton from New York. If he cannot demonstrate respect for his opponent and instead shows disdain, I shudder to think what he would do in negotiations with other foreign leaders. This was a debate where one could learn about the temperament of the candidates. McCain now scares me. I am not going to entrust the future of the country and my children to this angry old self-serving man who has no shame. What did he learn from his Vietnam era prison experience. Perhaps bitterness. McCain has a sense of entitlement becaues he thinks the country should worship him for his POW experience. He supports a war that has cost our country thousands of lives and many more wounded. He should go and live in his nine homes and spend a little more time in his 13 cars until gas runs out for all of us. God help us if he and Sarah Palin get elected.
- Posted by ShakerMcCain was not looking at Obama but Obama was looking directly at him. What is the meaning of this peculiar behavior?
I can only speculate based on personal experience, but when I was younger I had, what can charitably be called, a quick temper. Often when I was in a confrontation with someone and I DIDN’T want to get into a fight, either physical or verbal, I often found myself refusing to look at them. See, if they “weren’t there” in my line of sight I could usually manage to contain my rage and not do anything I knew I would later regret.
Johnny Mac has anger issues too, so this is my guess at this behavior.
- Posted by Ericwhy does the obama campaign feel the need to set the bar so low? ‘escape relatively unscathed’?
wth?
- Posted by bethMcCain put the Whitehouse key in the hands of Obama when he chose Sarah Palin as vice-president. That he is now a desperate man shows clearly in his earlier cancellation of the debate and attempt to show how presidential he is by seeming to take charge of the financial crisis. He will be even more desperate after Sarah’s defeat by Biden next Thursday. Obama should be careful dealing with a desperate man.
- Posted by San YingI THINK THE BIG LOSER OF THE NIGHT WAS PALIN, AGAIN SHE WAS IN HIDING, THERE WAS A REPORT TONIGHT THAT PALIN MAY PLAN BRISTOL’S WEDDING TO THE REDNECK BEFORE THE ELECTION TO TRY AND CHANGE THE TONE OF THIS CAMPAGIN. ANDOTHER STUNT BY THE MCCAIN CAMPAGIN. SICK, SICK, SICK.
- Posted by BIGJOHN