Barack Obama On The Strength Of Negotiating

One of the clearest policy -- and personality -- contrasts in the debate came when Barack Obama and John McCain discussed the issue of negotiating with other nations.

After McCain attacked him (angrily) for being open to negotiations, Barack Obama explained why negotiating is actually puts the United States in a stronger position, and why McCain's view is actually weak.

As he wrapped up his answer, Obama also hit McCain's refusal to commit to meeting with Spain -- a NATO ally.

Comments

[transparent]

Yah, this Spain comment is huge. I think what really happened is that McCain got confused about who the President of Spain was and thought he was being asked about a rebel group in South America. His campaign had to decide whether it was worse to admit he was confused or that he wouldn't automatically negotiate with Spain. They chose the latter. This is a no win for McCain and should be brought up over and over again. Bigger blunder than anything he's done so far.

[athenasword]

I commented on this at length when it happened. It was scary. Listening to the tape, there were even a couple of times when he hesitated (maybe thinking "hhhmmm, I could be in the weeds here") but, his choice was to stick to his canned, rehearsed talking point (getting more aggressive in his delivery) without asking for clarification. The result of course, was an insult to one of our allies. Not presidential.

Smacks of the kinds of compensating behavior I used to see w/ my elderly relatives, suffering from early dementla.

Very, very scary. Expecially when you add a vp like Sara to the mix.

[BethStuart]

I never stop wondering why McCain's staff chose the latter. Is their candidate so fragile that a simple act of confusion on his part would be that damaging?

[JimMan35]

"Horseshit. Horseshit."???

"HORSESHIT?" REALLY, John?

Is this happening?

Anyone have enhanced audio on this?

[CammyV]

You can't expect McCain to know who the President of Spain is...maybe he can't see Spain from any of his homes.

[CommonSenseBda]

LOL! Nice one.

[Tobiasism]

I think McCain wants Obama to get off his lawn.

[Tobiasism]

Is McCain saying 'Horseshit" at 2:58?

[jaslyn]

What do you say to that Mr. blink blink blink, can't even look at your opponent. What a grumpy, angry old man.

[ebie58]

What I was noticing is that every time Obama would look over and call McCain, 'John' or look at him and say 'you, John', McCain would really get angry and antsy. I think he thinks that Obama is just a little 'whipper snapper' and should not be that familiar with him. Also, that he, McCain, has been around longer and knows a lot more than Obama could possibly know. His facial expressions really proved it to me.

[larmarch5]

John McCain spent 5 years in a box. Obama has spent his whole life keeping people like McCain from trying to put him in a box. So far, so good.

[bygollymissmolly]

I agree. I think Obama calling Mc'Cain "John" was a brilliant move.

[marosi]

McCain also suggested that we should stay in Iraq for 100 years if necessary. Coupled with his comments last night regarding Iran, and Palin's super irresponsible comments about going to war with Russia (that one deserves a double WTF!) leads me to believe that his administration would have us mired in armed conflict on multiple fronts, without any regard for the well-being of the nation. He said last night that the defense budget and funding for veterans would be the only two areas of the budget which he would champion, while everything else gets disregarded or cut. That is a big FU to America.

[marosi]

It is extraordinary that we even permit someone like McCain to run for president. My wife is from Mexico, and she has told me that they have both an age limit, as well as a medical examination for each candidate. Someone who has been treated for potentially life-threatening cancer would not even be permitted to run (let alone the fact that he is about way too old, I think their age limit is either 60 or 65).

Had he selected someone remotely competent as a running mate, this might be less of an issue, but Sarah Palin is a national disgrace. Her responses in interviews are nonsensical. It is impossible to determine whether you agree or disagree with her, because she cannot express a cogent thought. Her academic background is pathetic, she clearly does not have "street smarts" which allows her to meaningfully contribute to the debate, and the more we learn about the way she has comported herself in Alaska, the "iller" we should all become. The McCain campaign's hijacking of Alaska's internal affairs during the election is obscene, and their refusal to permit her to speak in public should make every American very, very uncomfortable. She was totally absent from the debate last night. WTF!

[athenasword]

Spain and Sara have alot in common. The comments JMcSame made about Spain were a mistake that he won't own up to (but heck, as long as no one thinks I'm sen ile, it's ok to pi** off an ally ...) And, at this point we are all clear that Sara is also a huge mistake that he won't own up to either.

In both cases he's going to stick to his guns, no matter what. And, the Oba.ma camp just says... Well, ok. We will take this at face value and go from there. You say she's ready, she's equiped to debate, we will consider her a serious candidate and Joe is preparing accordingly. We will go along with the pretense that she's ready to be POTUS on a moments notice (even as she becomes a laughing stock after interviews w/ sweet Katie C.) As for Spain, well, Oba ma will continue to point out the apparent stupidity of a such a hard line stance on one of our NaTo Allies.

(any way you cut it Johnny, you are so gone!)

[jadeba]

There it is - even more clearly - McCain saying "horsesh*t" twice. Blinking and swearing and turning red.

[speeddeeps]

That was below the belt by Sen O, but it had to be done

[missinginminnesota]

no way....people have to be reminded of how uninformed and shallow McCain is...He thinks he can get away with these comments..and the more we remind the public at large how totally out of touch he is, the better...so don't tell me this was below the belt...

[Yve72]

People really do need to be reminded. Under GWB we have witnessed the dumbing down of America. Its almost as if they don't care they are being lied to.

[Yve72]

I don't think that was below the belt. I heard the reporter ask the question. J-Mac needs to think before opening his mouth with canned lines from his stump speech.

[athenasword]

How was the Spain reference below the belt? The comments JMmc made about Spain were a mistake that he won't own up to (but heck, as long as no one thinks I'm seni le, it's ok to pi** off an ally ...) He's going to stick to his guns, no matter what And, the Oba.ma camp just says "Ok. We will take this at face value and go from there." O just noted the stupidity of a such a hard line stance on one of our NaTo Allies.

[larmarch5]

I would have been btb had McCain owned up to thinking Zapatero was a SA leader and he was confused. But no, he pretended he really meant Spain. So he's stuck with that one, he owns it and it is absolutely fair game.

[JimMan35]

Not below the belt at all. I'd be interested in hearing your reasons for seeing it that way. John McCain made those comments about not committing to meet with Zapatero, and then his campaign when questioned for a confirmation, indeed, confirmed that he meant what he said and he was not going to commit to meeting with the head of a NATO nation. That's all pretty above board and fair game for a foreign policy debate as far as I can see...

[speeddeeps]

Dont get me wrong I am a Dem, but come on McKeating is an old man, the electorate expects him to make those kinda comments

[Yve72]

Why does McCain think its okay to swear during a presidential debate? Check the above video. At the 2:57 mark he says "Horse$hit" TWICE.

How's that temper J-Mac?

He can't even keep his cool during a live, nationally television event. Everybody around the world has seen it. What image is he trying to project?

[jashu51]

Yeah, if that doesn't age McCain? Who says, "Horse$hit!" anymore. Oh, that's right--he's a maverick. More like Maverick's stable boy.

[butchie65]

I can't for the life of me, see McCain dealing with foreign leaders. This mans temper would destroy our relationships with other countries in no time. This man is nothing more than a hot tempered, has-been. Go to your ranch in Sedona and retire, this country doesn't need you! I've been to Sedona and I don't think they even want him.

[obamasOHangel]

I LOVE this clip! When he gets angry Senator McBlinky's eyes start fluttering like a hundred blinks per minute LoL!