Obama-McCain Town Hall Debate Reaction: HuffPost Bloggers Weigh In

Arianna Huffington: The Winner of Debate II? "That One":

In Debate II, John McCain twice laid out the criteria for how the American people should judge the candidates: In tough times, we need someone with a steady hand on the tiller. By that measure, Obama was the clear winner. He was centered where McCain was scattered. Forceful where McCain was forced. Presidential where McCain was petulant. READ MORE

Nora Ephron: Life in the Shallow End:

By the time tonight's debate was minutes old, I had decided that Obama had won. His shirt looked great, and his suit fit beautifully. This seemed important. He sat down in a chair that was basically unsittable and he looked fantastic. He loped around the stage, holding the microphone as if he'd been born with a silver one in his hand.READ MORE

Paul Reiser: Not a Whole Lot of "Town," and Other Town Hall Debate Reactions:

Not sure what the much-ballyhooed format does for us. Having the candidates begin their answers with "Thank you, Fiona" and "Why, that's a very nice question, Oliver" doesn't seem like such a huge plus to me. Although getting to stretch their legs did seem to agree with the two senators. Certainly McCain. Walking around seems to have helped diffuse the rage.READ MORE

Robert Shrum: McCain's Mudslide Continues:

If the question of the first debate was whether Obama would pass the threshold on national security (he did), the reality of this debate is that McCain didn't pass the threshold on the economy. He can't get there with blather about earmarks; the voters aren't dumb. The big story tonight: Americans are becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea of President Obama. The "other," as the Republicans labored to paint him, now comes across as reassuring, a strong and steady hand in a crisis, possessed of that grace under pressure that Americans prize in a president. Obama had it again tonight. READ MORE

Erica Jong: Is John McCain Really Our Friend?:

Why are these debates so incredibly boring? Is it the questions framed by committee? Is it Tom Brokaw trying to exude gravitas? Is it John McCain telling us constantly he is our friend while he grimaces in a way that is friendly to no one? Or is it Barack Obama keeping his cool despite all the idiotic lies and provocations? READ MORE

Bob Cesca: That One?!:

McCain seems to think his strong support of nuclear power is a big political winner for him, since he has brought it up three times in the first hour. But every time he talks about nuclear, he flatlines with both men and women. They simply are unenthused about nuclear power, which is no surprise. READ MORE

Mitchell Bard: The Second Debate Revealed a Fatal Flaw in McCain's Candidacy:

It's easy to take a position in a campaign. But the promises are empty if the candidate has a record opposing those very positions. READ MORE

Howard Schweber: The Answer We Needed to Hear:

Obama's answer to the first question of the night was fine -- anodyne, uninspiring, reasonable, and utterly uninspiring. READ MORE

Cenk Uygur: Worse Than "That One":

For me, the more worrisome moment of the debate came when McCain told a young, black questioner, "You've probably never heard of Fannie Mae." READ MORE

Leah McElrath Renna: "That One": McCain's Use of Dehumanization as Hate-Speech:

When McCain refuses to look at Barack Obama and refuses to use his name, he is employing modified versions of a military technique -- a strategy of dehumanization." READ MORE

Timothy Karr: Citizens Panel Mixed on 'Town Hall' Format, Wanted Brokaw to Do More to Challenge the Spin:

John McCain's supporters seemed happy with the ground rules of the second presidential debate in Nashville. Barack Obama's supporters seemed happy with the results. But many were troubled by the debate organizers' claim of true public participation in Tuesday's forum. READ MORE

Joseph A. Palermo: "My Friends," It's Over:

It was clear tonight that Barack Obama has a far superior understanding of the moving parts of government and American society than John McCain ever had. READ MORE

Steven G. Brant: From "The One" To "That One": John McCain And (Not) Reaching Across Party Lines:

In tonight's presidential debate, Senator McCain failed big time in that most basic principle of bipartisan leadership: attributing inherent worth to his equal from the opposite side of the political spectrum. READ MORE

Joseph Romm: Note to McCain: Uncommitted Ohio Voters Just Aren't Into Nuclear Power:

McCain seems to think his strong support of nuclear power is a big political winner for him, since he has brought it up three times in the first hour. But every time he talks about nuclear, he flatlines with both men and women. They simply are unenthused about nuclear power, which is no surprise. READ MORE

James Love: The Debate: Round Two to Obama:

Despite the hype, tonight's debate covered familiar ground, with less tension than the last debate. If this was McCain's night to change the conversation, he changed nothing, or lost ground, looking more tired and less competent than the last debate. READ MORE

Ari Melber: McCain's Failed Debate Offensive:

John McCain did not have the debate he needed on Tuesday night. McCain's style was aggressive, disciplined and occasionally punchy. He heaped criticism on Barack Obama, blasting his record on taxes, health care and earmarks, and at one point derisively called the Democratic nominee "That One." READ MORE

Linda Bergthold: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus in the Presidential Debate:

If you watched the presidential debate on CNN, you could watch the green and orange lines of the focus group reacting to everything each candidate said. What is quite amazing is that men reacted more slowly than women and men tended to react less to McCain's tough rhetoric than women. READ MORE

Max Bergmann: Another McCain Dispute with Kissinger -- Now on Russia:

McCain said Ukraine was "in Russia's sights" and repeated his oft-repeated line that when he sees Putin he sees the letters "K.G.B." This is a good line if you are pundit, not if you are a president. READ MORE

Jeff Schweitzer: My Friends, I'm Going to Lie About Everything:

The concept of a debate typically involves two sides presenting opposing ideas reflecting different world views. Tonight was not a debate. What the American people saw instead was Senator Obama presenting coherent answers to difficult questions, while his opponent perpetuated old lies, often unrelated to the subject at hand. READ MORE

Comments

[atomicrob]

The debate was more about Tom Brokaw, who (it would appear) now fancies himself as officially un-retired. He usurped the alleged "Town Meeting" format by confiscating the audience questions, choosing the one's he saw fit to be asked so he could manipulate and control the content of what I would label "the media event."

[diamondinthehuff]

I watched and listened to every breath of the debate. I can't really add to anything much that hasn't already been said accept that John McCain showed a tremendous lack of respect for Senator Obama.
After Barack said his peace, he would sit down, but not the other one. He stood around, pacing, he was disturbing.
Perhaps it's hard to sit down? Bum leg? Re: the war and how Mc.Palin knows how to win one. How?
Unfortunately, he was a POW for five long years, we lost that war and apparently did not learn from it.
Victory in Iraq-I wish Barack would ask what does that look like and at what price to our American treasury, precious lives from both sides past, present, and future.
Our economy is in the tank because "Country First" means croonies first, John.

[swisherlady]

as i watched last night i could not see anything except john mccains health and age. things are catching up fast with him. i'm sure everyone saw what i did. i have always been in some kind of nursing since a teen. one thing that we were all taught is , what ever you were in your youth ,the things you controled and hid will come out in your older years. i just read the rollingdtones today about john mccain being a maverick. a long but well written story of john mccains life , what anger he has always had and starting back when he had tantrums as a small child . i do not ever want to see him in the whitehouse but this man is not well and dangerous. also i kept thinking he would fall down on stage .

[deb46]

I am not surprised that Senator McCain acted erratic he always does lately, however not to change the subject from townhall mess.. but Senator Mccain keeps talking about his wonderful health care plan and i would like to say something that some may have thought of some maybe not. If he is giving a 5000 tax credit then that is taken off of our takes like our regular tax credits , alot of people my self included take more excemptions that they actually have in order to make ends meet , then at the end of the year if they cannot pay the amount they get a payment plan with the IRS, who does not care they just want their money. If these people cannot make it with taking all those exemptions then what makes senator mccain think that his 5000 credit is going to give one cent of help to the majority of lower to middle class families who may not have good or any health insurance now and if it offered they may not even be able to afford it . Then he is going to tax it , is he crazy, whoops rewind that I know that he is .. We need help and a tax credit isnt it.

[teamrn]

"That One?" Do you have a problem with "That One?" This was a town hall format for the debate and colloquial finger pointing like that is expected. One thing I noticed in re-watching the debate was that John McCain more eye contact with the PEOPLE and Barack Obama made more eye contact with the CAMERA and the moderator.

He's a smooth operator, that Obama. I hate to see a smooth operator become president ONLY because he's a smooth operator. McCain/Palin '08!

[ProLiberalist]

Obama is much much more then just a 'smooth operator' and McCain had LESS eye contact with the people then Obama did. I noticed McCain talking directly too the older veteran true... however when it came to the young black guy he was condensing and he didn't even look at the black female. Obama however paid more attention to everyone equally.

No McCain/Palin

[Nette19]

I am so scared as to who will become president, I do not know much about politics, I have been reading on both candidates, and I really like the way Obama carries himself, what he is saying he will do for our country, I think McCain has been in this alot more and knows how these things run, but why in the world would he get Palin, She annoys me! I am torn in the middle between my friends, some choose Obama and some choose McCain, What can some of you tell me to help me make a dicision. I live in California .. and I ask myself does my vote count? Should I even vote? Please help me out! Thanks, Have a great day!!

[kathy4change]

Nette19
EVERY VOTE COUNTS - and that is why it is important for you to vote! Yes, Obama is younger and has not been around as long as Mc Cain. On the other hand, Mc Cain has been around a long time and has not made much of an impact in matters that are important to Americans! Obama has a better plan. He will cut taxes for middle America, eliminate the tax cuts for wealthy Americans, work on a health care plan that is affordable and accessible for all Americans, and work on bringing the troops home to stop the bleeding of both our young men and the $$$$ in Iraq. By the way, Mc Cain offers a $%,000 tax credit for health care but he does not tell you that the value of your employer paid health benefits will be added to your income and taxed as income! Obama is more in tune with what America needs - Mc Cain is not. Mc Cain only chose Palin to bring the extreme right wing of his party and women who would have voted for Hillarty Clinton to his side and he FAILED! Women are not that stupid to vote just because she is a woman. Mc Cain has turned to smearing Obama because he cannot sell his plans - they have not worked in 8 years and will not work in the next 4. GET THE FACTS and VOTE!!!!

[vs1d12]

Zen like, what is the worse? "Not knowing what you do not know or not acting on the things you do not know" or here is another for the moderator "why is a swan?" equally profound. Also why does Mr. McCAIN chose to address a fellow Senator as "That One"i, and what does that tell the average voter ? Let me fill in the blank "SCREW YOU"vote for ME i'll take care of you look what we have done so far.

[kathy4change]

"That one" goes right to the heart of Mc Cain's bigotry. He abhors Obama and what he stands for. Mc Cain stands for the wealthy - he left his wife to marry money. Obama stands for middle America - he came up in middle America and knows what it is like to be in that spot. Mc Cain is an old man just doing and saying anything to win this election. John Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" And what we all can do for our country is vote to make OBAMA our next President!

[Carolleecook]

In response to bettybp about McCain departing abruptly........we think it was probably past his bedtime.

Putting that aside as a former Republican I was embarassed at McCain's conduct, attitude, demeanor and ignorance. He is clearly a man who thinks much higher of himself than the country. This is a game to him and he is mortified that a young, bright black man is going to win and he is going to lose. After all, his perception is that we owe him the presidency. As I watched the debate I was proud to have chosen Obama/Biden as my candidates. I have also realized this is not about party its about us and our country. We have many friends internationally and they are stunned that we have McCain as a choice. What does that say about our image? It is time to move forward, put party aside and follow our hearts. We can be that great country that we once were. Biden was brilliant this morning. The Democrats have so much more class with their choices than the Republicans. Padin is a joke and a very tasteless one. Pretty face, quick wit, thats it! No knowledge and clearly someone that McCain is hiding behind to spew the ridiculous lies she is spewing. Sounds like McCain hired the same people who discredited him 4 years ago. Wow, think this about this.

[FedUp60]

A very intelligent answer Carolleecook! However, more and more, Palin's rallies are making her ugly. I clearly saw how confident Obama was. Frankly, after all of the character defamation/racist remarks coming from McCain/Palin, I would have hauled off at McCain. I had to put him on mute each time he talked. "My friends" was getting old. After the debate, did you notice how many of the audience members got up to greet Obama and take pictures? McCain and Cindy didn't stick around. It is about us and Obama showed compassion for us. McCain NEVER mentioned "middle class" because he is all about the wealthy. Nothing less! It's going to be a hard, long road for Obama and Biden but they know what we need to do.

[kathy4change]

I applaud your insight and your willingness to vote for AMERICA by choosing OBAMA/BIDEN!

[gottahope]

Body language says it all. Do you have confidence in a calm man? or a fidgety one?

[HockeyMom]

But don't give up the good fight just yet. As long as we have come so far why not work for a mandate?

[bettybp]

Did anyone ever come up with a reason for McCain's rather abrupt disappearance after the debate? After a minute of watching the cameras panning the crowd, it was evident that McCain was not shaking hands or greeting supporters. As an old soldier might say, he left the battlefield - in distain? in angst?

[ggirl00]

Tantrum. He was probably pissed at his performance, pissed that his pal Brokaw shook 'that ones" hand, pissed that his wife shook the hand of 'that one' and pissed that the audience wasn't already in line to get his picture.

[MarianneEvans11]

Sorry to write this, but he probably had to go to the restroom...to throw-up! You betcha! Or, maybe had needed to call his "Sarah the barracuda" to discuss "new tactics" for today since he couldn't get his boxing gloved untied tonight! So pathetic that I actually am feeling so bad for him today...BUT not that bad!

I am so glad that there are only 27 more days until election day! Then this will all be settled! I am praying for Americans who are sitting on the fence not able to make up their minds about voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.....my friends, it is the only right thing to do. You see what you would have if you pulled the wrong lever on Nov. 4th...Please vote with your country -- vote OBAMA-BIDEN!

[edh69]

Nap Time

[somsoc]

His nap time started years ago.

[somsoc]

McSame has been asleep at the switch for years, many, many years.

[gottahope]

Tom Brokaw told him to get out of the way and he took it personally?

[somsoc]

No he was just standing there shaking and lost.

[bud812]

Its simple ask yourself 2 questions and answer them honestly. 1.Who looked most presidential? and 2.Who acted most presidential?

[edh69]

1. That One

2, That One

[kathy4change]

You need glasses! Mc Cain looked like a tired, old man who has lost his quest! He sold his soul and it backfired on him. He needs to go back to Arizona and retire!

[csmicsun]

Dear Senator McCain: Please give up while you still have some dignity, Obama will be our next President!

[tmo7734]

An Obama shutout. Slowly but surely putting the final nails in the McCain coffin.