Round two of the presidential debates between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama is over.
How did they do?
The town hall format was seen as an advantage for McCain. Did he live up to expectations?
Obama has been gaining an edge in many battleground states. Did he do anything to undermine or enhance his small lead?
Did they focus enough on the issues? Were undecided voters swayed?
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage
- Photo credit: Reuters/Carlos Barria
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Oh, yes, another thing: McCain stated he knew how to win wars and how to find Bin Ladin. Pray, tell us, John McCain, if you are so “gifted” why are we still fighting two wars and why is Bin Ladin still hiding? We have been in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003… it is now 2008; what’s the holdup, John McCain?? Have you been keeping this “knowledge” to yourself and endangering our troops, literally killing 4,000 plus of them, so YOU can win the wars and kill Bin Ladin IF you become president??
- Posted by NinaKObama won. McCain tried the old wrap myelf in the flag tactic and had no response from the audience. Voter want solutions, not grand-standing.
- Posted by Robin ReeseSomeone in his comment said, I don’t understand Obama’s health care plan…How much clearer he can be in the given 2 mintues !
People who are hardened republicans aren’t going to change their mind based on a debate…it doesn’t matter who won, same goes for democrats.
Me being a foreigner but with an active interest in american politics, I think Obama won by a large margin, he answered questions and not just attacked McCain…heck he agreed with McCain on some issues. McCain’s answers were mostly unjustified attacks, he called Obama “that one” which I think is beyond disrespectful.
McCain had a fair chance of winning the election up untill he chose Palin as her running mate, god forbid if McCain dies in office, America is doomed under Palin!
- Posted by SamThis comment is coming from… Chelyabinsk, Russia. This debate certainly did not bring any clarity for the questions like: “What are you ready to give up on as a president in this economic situation?”. Personally, I do not see how, say McCain proposes “US gotta leave troops in Iraq,” but he also agreed with Obama that “we need more troops in Afghanistan”. How are you going to do that? Surely, not out of your own pocket… I expected someone honestly stand up and say, “Yes, there will be tax raise”, because obviously there will be a raise, no matter who is going to take an office, Republican or Democrat nominee. For instance, I am very satisfied with less critique towards the Russian policy in Georgia. OSCE has published a record, where the observers stated that Georgia was an agressor. Russian answer was legal, but unproportional. Yes, there are should be negotiations, I do not exclude, may be sanctions. Russia has made a mistake, but Georgia did too. Mr. Saakashvilli, how did you expect unite the country by just going in there withh military and bombing everything that is in your way. McCain stated that there should be financial support for Georgia who is in desperate need right now. United States and George Bush could have prevented these expenditures, and the escalation of conflict late July, early August. Georgia now needs money because it conducted a military operation; it will need money in a little while because, I reckon y’all, opposition will get hold of Saakashvilli, and the elections will have to be conducted. As for Ukraine, president Yushchenko is deciding right now, right this moment on the political situation in his country. If he says “Yes”, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) will have to go, and the new parliamentary elections will have to be conducted. Again, a budget burdain for the United States.
Overall, I was not impressed. Both Obama and McCain, certainly, are patriots and want best for their country. If I am to vote right now, I would probably vote for Obama. Though, I did not hear anything new, points he was making were substantiated, maybe, a little bit better than McCain’s.
- Posted by Kirill M.first of all i would like to say something to mass from canada.Why if we are such a terrible country as IT seems to me that you think we are then why is everyone from other countries SUCH as canada try to come here to live? That is one thing i have never figured out everybody wants to tear U.S.A down but get me on the next bus out of here so i can go and live in THE GREATESS PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!AMERICA!!!! Now as for the debate nobama (that is a good one never heard that till tonight)He sat back and acted like a child in his actions when McCain spoke and for the one who said McCain did not try to shake hands with nobama that is a LIE we watch that part over and over cause at first it seemed that way, BUT if you will look at it agian i guess for you in slow motion you will see McCain patted nobama on the back went to shake his hand and NOBAMA pulled back and shook cindy’s hand McCain had already tried to shake hands with him he pretended he did not notice McCain, now how many of you if you put your hand out to shake hands with someone and they responded as if they really do not want to HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD PUT YOUR HAND OUT AGIAN? not a dang one of you as sad as it is that is human nature.McCain is not PRESIDENT BUSH!!!!!!why should he have to pay for what happen under the Bush Admistration and let me add BUSH when he went into office had to come behind clinton and try to clean up his mess.I have come to believe this is a race based only what the color of skin each has,and let me answer you no i am not white only! and i very proud of that, i am not a racest, color of skin has not a dang thing to do with the way i feel about who is going to be our next commander in chief, it is about who can help us and back it up.I do have one question obama has on t.v now a 24/7 obama channel with him just talking and talking WHERE DID THIS MONEY COME FROM??If he cares so dang much about the ones who stuggle everyday with jobs bills medical insurance take your channel off the t.v that has to be costing God only knows and give it to people who need it right now. What is the saying charity begins a home? And another thing he would not come out and say is that NO HE WOULD NEVER GO AGIANST ISRAEL he went around that question every way he could without saying NO THE UNITED STATES AS LONG AS I AM PRESIDENT WILL NEVER GO AGIANST ISRAEL.And people i will tell you right now that scared the hell of of me!!!!READ YOUR BIBLE PEOPLE!!!the news now is like they are reading it right out of the bible.I pray that God’s WILL BE DONE IN THIS RACE NOT OURS BUT HIS.AND is there anybody that can honestly sat there and cast stones at anybody can you??
- Posted by LindaMcCain WON.
- Posted by RafaI am independent but I think McCain had the edge. Obama is a “orator” and will lie and promise things that won’t be able to do, like a Populist do. McCain is the real deal and if Obama can clean his act regarding his real connections in the pass he may have another change to run again, after getting the experience needed something that McCain has NOW.
- Posted by EvelindaThis debate covered well-trodden ground by both parties: the economic crisis, healthcare and energy policies. McCain strove to address the first issue with a slight plan adjustment. We’ll see how voters react tonight and tomorrow to his recommendation.
But before I give my opinion of who won tonight’s debate, let me address a serious issue I have with these posts. I cannot convey how disheartened I am to read ignorant, hateful posts like this:
“…Liberals are following Obama like a puppy follows the dog catcher to doggie hell! I wrote a blog post about Obama’s contradictions, but I’m sure liberals will tell me how stupid I am, and how I am wrong with the same old language, “Change!””
I respect each opinion here, but I ask that you please respect the forum that is a public discussion–not a partisan mudslinging contest.
Who won? It depends. For the side of me that wants a reliable, “count-on-me” person in these tumultuous times, I was moved by McCain’s compassion and honesty–the kind of man who pats a retired Navy officer named Terry on the back and thanks him for his service.
But I also need to know my president’s plans and to feel assured that I’m entrusting leadership to a ‘fixer’. And Obama gives me that assurance when he talks about his priorities, about his revenue and tax plans, and about how to restore America’s global reputation by the “power of its example” (thank you Bill Clinton).
In the end, I favor my head not my gut. So this one goes to you, Obama.
- Posted by JeffWhose Undecided???
- Posted by AAAAANDREI’ve decided not to vote for either of these clowns!
Third Party all the way…
I have always thought McCain was basically an ok person - not presidential material though. After his recent smear tactics and the selection of Sarah Palin, I have now lost all respect I had for him. He is condescending and negative - just what Americans do not need right now.
- Posted by Mary NellLIFE-LONG COMMITMENT TO YOUR COUNTRY ABOVE ALL AND COMPETENCE VERSUS
CHARISMA(CLEVERLY PACKAGED)
McCain is what America needs now by a country mile
- Posted by ABBA LEITERMcCain’s ‘Heros’ are all HAS BEENS and he aspires to be a has been if only he could be!
Its a no brainer, Obama for President!!!
- Posted by TycoonIt wasn’t either candidate’s shining moment. However I think Obama maintained his composure better. His delivery was consistant and direct. McCain wasted his time and energy trashing Obama instead of just staying on topic.
I also don’t think in the middle of a debate is a good time to throw out wild changes to ones platform. The whole mortgage buy back deal seemed to be something McCain just pulled out of his head in the heat of the moment. Since he halted his campaign for almost a week to focus on the financial crisis - why didn’t he talk about all this mortgage buy back thing then?
- Posted by Vickie from FloridaMcCain WON this debate and I think the people will feel his readiness to serve the country. He showed that he is ready to command. Obama with all the reforms may need another 4 to 8 years to run again.
- Posted by Rafa1. ALTHOUGH I HEARD THE SAME SUGGESTION TODAY ON NBC, McCain claimed he owns the idea of helping home owners by renegotiating their mortgages.
He doesnt pay attention to the real world. He got the idea from a Harvard economist, so McCain thought that meant he has a patent on it. I have been hearing it for a week on TV.
2. McCain was so tired he had to lean on the chair. My friends, McCain is cooked.
My friends, presentation is 1/2 the process. My friends, people will remember him being exhausted. My friends, vote for Obama and send I’maPow back to Arizona to retire.
3. Each candidate did best what they do best. Obama was calm and presidential, McCain was on a tirade about his foreign policy issues.
- Posted by bruce beckerMcCain’s ‘Heros’ are all ‘HAS BEENS’ and he apsires to be a has been if only he could be!
Its a no brainer, Obama for President!!!
- Posted by TycoonBeing that the good ol’boy from AZ. Has Gotten himself stuck in the mud as late as earlier today. Then he comes on the tely in front of the whole nation. And turned away from everything that he and his kronies have been slinging. Than he has the where with all to stand in front of my T.V. Take up my eveing with look at me ” I KNOW HOW TO FIX IT ” look at me ” I AM THE HERO “. This is the very type of act that has us proud americans just down right tired of it. This is the shameless finger pointing and name calling, that we as americans have to speak out on. It a component of our great nation that also has to change. And from that view point, It is why i belive that our next president will without a doubt be BARACK OBAMA. He so far has been the one to at least try to stay away from the spitting and mud slinging. Yet when forced to do so he has it him to do what must be done to set things correct and clear. He has also been the one whom has been clear with where he stands on all the concers at hand. Obamanos america…
- Posted by we willBoth senators were very good tonight - clear and for the most part, on message. McCain won - and the reason why is that he is not the orator that Obama is - but his message about a president needing to make tough decisions, not knowing what the future will hold, and needing a track record, good judgement and strong character resonated with me. I can see through his record (though I haven’t always agreed with him) that he is ready and willing to make tough decisions - even if the polls don’t agree with him. With Obama’s lack of concise answers and firm stance on issues (more rhetoric than solid proof - like voting present instead of voting yes or no)I fear for what kind of decisions he would make under pressure. For character and dependability, I vote for McCain.
Michigan has had only Democratic senators for the past 8 years - and a Democratic governor for the past 6 years - and we are definitely much worse off under their leadership than we were when we had a Repulican governor looking out for our interest.
- Posted by Michigan VoterMy fried, winning a debate does not necessary translate to vote. CNN - independent citizens from Ohio also thought Obama won the debate. However more people are going to vote for Mccan(14 to 11). Race is big factor especially for old folks.
- Posted by Ted ChynDuring these economically trying times, both candidates did not touch on the two most important aspects that US citizens must adopt and live the lives : CONSERVE ENERGY & RESOURCES AND PRACTICE THRIFT. These two traits will help us get through the difficult times ahead.
- Posted by Ari