Last presidential debate ends, will the spread narrow?
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The third and final presidential debate is over after intense sparring between Republican hopeful John McCain and 
Democratic contender Barack Obama.
Have voters heard enough from the two candidates? McCain has been falling behind in recent polls, was he able to close the gap or was Obama able to solidify his lead?
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
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The advertisers won because the got a little more cheap content on which to pin them pathetic messages…
I thought Obama came across more Presidential. Obamas temperament makes me far more comfortable. I feel like McCain is sincere but that he is so contemptuous of Obama that he can’t think of anything but the differences between the two.
McCain didn’t blow me away tonight and I really think he needed to badly. I’m voting for Obama, its the more sensible and responsible vote in my mind.
Obama won the debate by far by keeping his calm. He was very Presidential. I was afraid for a while that McCain would have a stroke with all of the mugging, snorting and eye rolling he performed. He was embarrassing. How in the world will McCain ever deal with foreign leaders with the demeanor he presents?
Obama’s comments seemed to have content and he sounded very much like a president. McCain seemed to just be a critic, and not much content. Most of what he said seemed to be a bit of a streach on reality.
I feel that Barack Obama once again showed leadership we badly need. I find the McCain-Palin ticket scary.
McCain Committed suicide. After they discussed the personal attacks he went on the personal attack. The people have told him with a double digit lead for Obama to stop. He didn’t listen. Game. Point. Match. Obama. Hail to the Chief.
Senator McCain seemed so angry and condescending. He certainly did not display that Presidential character as Senator Obama did. Senator McCain appeared to be on the verge of loosing his cool. His short temper and rash behavior is unbecoming of the leader of the free world.
Obama won this debate, McCain was more of the same negatives finger pointing but not clear answers on how he is going to help this Nation. McCain has no clue!
It’s simple – Obama maintained his cool so he maintains or solidifies his lead and McCain falls further behind. The man is unflapable.
I thought John McCain looked like a frustrated, angry man whose irritation was was diminished only by his interjection of of his plea that is is the victim…
McCain won the debate.
He presented his ideas in a clear and clean manner.
He pin pointed the soft spots of Obama:
– Increase spending;
– Raise taxes – that is something that he can’t avoid if his is to fulfill his promises;
– Dictate – with the federal government messing up in people’s lives! – where to send children to school, or to which medical doctor to see or hospital to attend!!
McCain won, and I do hope he wins the Election.
Obama is looking out for me. That’s all that matters. He won.
McCain sounded desperate and at times incoherent, almost scary. He was only concerned about attacking Obama viciously on every single issue while saying he was against the hate campaign he has unleashed.
Obama was focused on the issues, calm and in control. We can disagree as much as we want on the politics, but he has a greater ability to calmly convey his message under pressure and in favor of his opponent.
After three debates it is clear that Obama is the better candidate regardless of policy. If I have to be honest he is more likeable and stable. I am voting Obama after tonight.
While I think this was McCain’s best performance, when it came to substance, intellect, and clear plans, Obama was the winner. McCain was snarky and spiteful. He continues to repeat the same lines and lies we’ve heard before. In no way do I think this was a game changer. Obama will continue to increase his lead over McCain post debate.
Obama won the debate by a landside. He remains cool and calm, a very necessary trait for a world leader. McCain is very erratic and hot tempered and he had difficulty in staying in place for an hour and half. One of the most important questions was the comparison between Biden and Palin as second in command. Ouch!
Obama was consistently articulate and presidential in demeanor. Alot of what he said was unfounded or outright nonsense (he supports nuclear energy, offshore drilling for oil, free trade, clean coal etc.) but McCain never really called him on it. McCain continued his losing strategy; wanting to talk about all he has done in the past without really being able to clearly explain the logic or reasoning behind his positions and not wanting to attack Obama over his past failings (like his 20 year association with Rev. Wright). It was a inadequate performance that will tilt the polls more heavily in Obama’s favor and, without a doubt cement his election as the next President of the U.S.
John McCain clearly won this debate. Obama had a tough time answering the questions that were proposed. This is the same thing the Dems accused Palin of doing in the VP debate. It will be interesting to see the bias that spews forth from the left after this final debate.
I am Swiss, coming from a country which is kind of conservative and proud of its banking system and strong economy… I am really interested why still almost half of the American people would vote for McCain since the GOP with president Bush failed in all issues of their jobs…. Can someone explain me who this can happen?
As a lifelong Republican, I am crushed by the past eight years. Thank goodness for Obama. America is fighting for its survival and I pray we will regain our status not as a warmongering country, but as a peacekeeping world
partner.
McCain seemed tense to people because his body is so broken up from his sacrifice in service to this country. He attacked Obama because Obama needs to be feared. His policies would damage this economy more than it is already. The need to shrink government is more clear than ever. Obama wants to grow the Government further. Anyone who can’t see that isn’t paying attention and just following suit with the lock step Democrates who by the way are in the majority as we speak.
Obama won hands down. John McCain is clutching at straws, while Obama is focusing on issues of substance.
Obama’s economic policies, and his grasp of economic fundamentals, is far superior to John McCains. Even The Economist supports Obama over McCain.
McCain is too old to run this country for 4 years, and his VP nominee is shallow & inexperienced. Her work with autism is commendable, but in no way qualifies her as a VP.
Lets put an end to this, elect Obama and get on with fixing the mess that the Republicans have left us with!
These debates are ridiculous. This one was “moderated” by CBS, home of Dan Blather if I recollect. I’ve never seen such a lack of objectivity in a presidential election before. Everyone makes the point that McCain doesn’t seem “Presidential” because he acts “irrational/scary”. What I saw was a perfectly normal reaction from an elderly and seasoned politician. Whereas with Obama I just saw a fancy pants lawyer with a lot of money and speech grooming giving a well rehearsed response to everything… I feel McCain won though, if for no other reason because he made it subtly clear that he’s a victim of ageism and partisan media analysis.
mccain totally won this debate.
Obama seemed confused, althought he was very calm he had nothing intelligent to say except keep bringing bush into the conversation. This is so pathetic.
Obama is a better thinker, not to bash but what is McCain going to be like in 3 years would you take him seriously across a negotiation table?
It appears that McCain gained no ground, which should mean that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States.
While McCain’s performance was much better then the previous two,obama still appeared to be more presidental in his demeanor.McCain did show some urgency and aggresiveness but more with being negative against obama instead of trying to stick to the issues more. his campaign stated last week he would be presenting a new economic policy and tonite would’ve been a good night to unveil that but it was the same ol stuff. although some of obama’s policies are flawed his ticket with Joe Bidden make them the much better team. Obama had a chance to really stick it to palin and point out her MANY flaws for being a Vp candidate but didn’t knowing the public now knows she is a fraud. obama is clearly approaching the end zone, but we’ll see how race plays a role and exactly how many things go wrong come election day. independent turned obama vote as of tonite.
Obama was calm, cool and collected and talked about helping the middle class. John McCain, on the other hand, seemed angry, petty and just rude. And did John McCain really suggest that because Sarah Palin has a ‘tough husband”, that she is qualified to be President? I am ready to vote now.
I have an example here of how FOX News distorts information that was said on the debate by Senator Obama. READ IT ALL AND SEE IF YOU CAN RECOGNIZE HOW FOX DISTORTS INFORMATION… I will show FOX’s report, then the actual transcript of the debate from CNN.(Remember,FOX could change the information on it’s site at any time!):
FOX’s Report: Obama also criticized McCain for drawing attention over the past two weeks to 1960s radical William Ayers and the low-income advocacy group ACORN, which is under investigation for voter fraud. Obama downplayed his ties to both, and said McCain’s focus on the issues “says more about your campaign than it says about me.”
CNN (Actual Transcript of Debate):
“Let me tell you who I associate with. On economic policy, I associate with Warren Buffett and former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker. If I’m interested in figuring out my foreign policy, I associate myself with my running mate, Joe Biden or with Dick Lugar, the Republican ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or General Jim Jones, the former supreme allied commander of NATO.”
“Those are the people, Democrats and Republicans, who have shaped my ideas and who will be surrounding me in the White House. And I think the fact that this has become such an important part of your campaign, Sen. McCain, says more about your campaign than it says about me.”
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/15/ mccain-aims-comeback-final-presidential- debate/
Obama won easily. Obama looked presidential while McCain looked like an angry Bilbo Baggins.
Why is Joe the Plumber the center of attention? joe the plumber is thinking of buying a business in the middle of a recession! Hes not worried about his house being foreclosed! Avrage american makes 40K a year, Joe makes more than 250K, Lets get real! This election is about the average american not the rich Joe Plumber! Obama represents the average american, McCain is out of touch!
-Mr. America
To MP are you on acid. Or are you in the top 5% of people who would get the increase taxes. Do you think McCain can really turn everything around without spending any money. Not everything can just be reformed. Are you kidding me? He would definitely be spending money. There was a study done. America is one of the only countries in the world that consistantly votes for a president (republican)that is not to the benefit of the working class man. Look at the past. If you vote for McCain that’s all your going to get.
ACORN and similar organizations were formed by people out of the SDS and Black Power movements and the extreme left of the labor movement. Obama has done much, much more than the “only thing” comment — he covered up and lied. Honest and effective fact checking slays Obama (which is why the media will not do it).
Barack Obama was mentored by communist and sex pervert, Frank Marshall Davis, from ages 10-18.
Ayers, Dohrn, Alice Palmer, the New Party, Wright, Rasheid Khalidi, Mazen Asbahi, Khalid al Monsour, Frances Fox Piven, Saul Alinsky…. all Marxist a/o Islamist figures formative in presenting America with Barack Obama.
And one of the latest, the Marxist/pro-Islamist despot of Kenya, for whom Obama campaigned on the taxpayer’s dime: Raila Odinga.
The Marxist Messiah wants you.
I’m a life-long Democrat voting for McCain this time. O’Bama just doesn’t have the experience. Plus, McCain actually does the things I would expect a Democrat to do, and O’Bama said he would do, like public campaign financing. O’Bama promises so many things, but really doesn’t say how he’ll pay for them. Plus, I do see McCain’s point about not raising taxes on businesses. If you do, they just go overseas. Plus, I REALLY don’t like the disrespect of Palin by O’Bama supporters, makes me a little ashamed to be a Democrat. I thought we were the party that respected all people. I guess, Democrats give you respect unless you are a woman Governor of Alaska.
Obama clearly presented his platform in an assertive calm manor…making his argument over and over on what he plans to do for Americans over the next four years… McCain always picking for straws…the only time i thought this man had me interested was in cutting defense programs that do not work… The man does have intellect in this one area…but is extremely narrow on every other topic… wallowing in his scars and angry for not getting what he wants when he wants it… Thank God Obama is going to be a leader the world will admire…
Obama won. America lost.
It will narrow before the Election Day. McCain did better on the debate. I liked the clean air ideas along with health care initiaves.
Yes, I think it will narrow apart.
Obama definitely won this one by a landside. I’ve been a life long Republican and I can honestly say, I was embarrassed by and for McCain. He came across as nasty, mean, cantakerous, spiteful and just plain scary (like any second he was going to go Postal). He certainly did not come across as *Presidential*.
I was happy to see John McCain come out with some passion early, but when he claimed his campaign was not negative and then proceeded to throw Obama under the bus I was lost. This Karl Rove style of campaign is a complete disaster and Republicans must understand that America has had enough. Slander, fear and hatred are no way to send a message to your electorate. Not everyone wants a drag out, Rush Limbaugh style country. Moderates on both sides must take over this country from the extremist and return America to greatness!
Barack Obama clearly won. He had greater command of the issues, appeared presidential, and kept his cool. McCain sputtered and overused his key talking points (“Joe the plumber,” “spread the wealth”).
I don’t really approve of either candidate, but I do agree with Jon, Obama did come off as more presidential.
Overall, I was surprised with how often they laughed at each other’s comments. I even found myself laughing at some of the things that were said.
Also, I am deeply disappointed that McCain can’t seem to leave Bill Ayers out of things. As I remember, he was acquitted. And did I hear a jab at Clinton in there?
So we’re sticking to the issues, and not making personal attacks, but the Bills, both Ayers and Clinton, don’t count?
Don’t get me wrong, Obama isn’t infallible, far from, but I do notice alot more “straight talk” from the candidate without the words written on the side of his bus.
John McCain’s “deer in the headlights” moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNzsxTj0d nM
Funniest thing EVER!
I think so.
I have allready voted for Obama in Ohio…
McCain will ruin social security
McCain will not stop Insur. Cos from Cherry Picking
McCain is not for the family as much as Obama; could it be that he is too rich from his wife’s inherited money from the Alcohol Industry & does not feel the pain.
I am out of work cause all the companys shut down> I have a college degree> McCain wants to educate me?
On & On & On; SOS…SOS…SOS
Wow, John. Feel rage often?
Obama addressed each issue and provided real solutions. McCain’s only response sounds just like the typical Bush approach – more tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy will solve everything.
Obama was calm, strong and looked Presidential. McCain was angry, bitter, and rude. Obama looked like a true gentleman, while Mccain looked like an angry thug looking for a bar fight. McCain also looked much older and out of touch with his strange facial expressions and shaky hand gestures.
Obama continues to show intelligence and demeanor, whilst McCain throws condescending tantrums. I don’t specifically dislike McCain, but as a former military man – he really should know a bit more about ‘keeping his bearing.’ Obama stood firm, yet respectful. He’s the leader, no doubt.
McCain talks nonsense with his ‘clever’ sound bites and disjointed logic. He’s sounding more like Palin everyday. Obama explains his position calmly and with conviction while McCain rants on and on making no sense with his ridiculous policies such as his healthcare fiasco. Yeah, you try to get a decent policy under his plan. And he neglects to state that a single person only get $2500 under his plan, the $5000 is for a family plan. I pay almost that much now with my employer,the federal government picking up twice that much of the tab.
Could McCain possibly blink and fidget more? What’s the deal with this guy anyway? He looks so emotional and, well, erratic, that it’s no wonder his campaign is imploding in the final days.