Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright

Posted: September 26, 2008 11:02 PM

A Breakthrough Night for Obama

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Tonight was a breakthrough for Senator Obama, who showed himself truly ready to be president. He responded knowledgeably, thoughtfully and confidently to the toughest questions on the economy, Iraq, and terror. Meanwhile, Senator McCain spent so much time attacking his opponent, he neglected to show how a McCain-Palin administration would differ from Bush-Cheney. As a result, Obama answered the threshold question about his candidacy; McCain did not.

Read more reactions to the first presidential debate from HuffPost bloggers, including Nora Ephron, Bob Shrum, Paul Reiser, Arianna Huffington, Sean Penn, Sheryl Crow, and more.

Tonight was a breakthrough for Senator Obama, who showed himself truly ready to be president. He responded knowledgeably, thoughtfully and confidently to the toughest questions on the economy, Iraq, ...
Tonight was a breakthrough for Senator Obama, who showed himself truly ready to be president. He responded knowledgeably, thoughtfully and confidently to the toughest questions on the economy, Iraq, ...
 
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- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

I too have relatives in the Military and fear for their safety in Iraq. They have said the surge is working, and that they do not expect to remain the occupiers they currently are. They do expect however that a certain amount of troops will remain indefinitely in the capacity that we still do in France, South Korea, Japan, and many many other parts of the world where they, not the U.S., have control over their own Countries. McCain included the caveat "as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed" when he spoke of remaining in Iraq. He does not want us to continue as occupiers.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:41 AM on 09/28/2008
- Maezeppa I'm a Fan of Maezeppa 26 fans permalink

On to Iran!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:13 AM on 09/28/2008
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Hey, McCain spammer Tessie: Have you won your bumper stickers yet? No one buys your b.s.

No way, no how, no war monger McCain.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:14 PM on 09/28/2008
- Mover I'm a Fan of Mover 8 fans permalink
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FYI: McCain was against resuming the war in Iraq in 2003.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:04 PM on 09/28/2008
- bentenrai I'm a Fan of bentenrai 3 fans permalink

The question again is not whether the surge is working or not. Think about it this way. What's the point of being victorious if your victory has no merits? I mean republicans like to brag about being the standard bearers of decency, honor, courage and all of that, and say the "liberals" are a bunch of cowardly, debauched bastards, yet you fail to see the hypocrisy, cowardice, and debauchery of staying in Iraq. It's a f**kin travesty of American values.
Is it convenient for the US to have a military presence in Iraq? By all means, it's a boon for us to be there. We get a good strategic view of the Middle East, they have resources our industries can utilize to generate extra revenue (not for you or me unfortunately). Everybody knows that. However, if you remember how and under what flimsy reasons we invaded Iraq, there are good signs that our future "convenience" will cost us the respect and trust of the world. It will cost the taxpayers money, and will keep us indebted to Communist China. That's losing in my book. The "win" is just military and corporate, period.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:04 PM on 09/28/2008

We shouldn't have been there in the first place!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:29 PM on 09/28/2008

Do you realize that this is not France, Japan or Korea. Do you realize that being in their country is what they object to and do not want. Note that most of the people in Iraq want the US to leave - all the troops to leave. The people and the government of Iraq want the US troops to leave. The only one that benefits from the US being there is Iran. Please read the history of the Middle
East and see the futility of remaining there. Think about the cost to the US economy and tell me that it is in our interest to be there. By the way I was in Japan during the renewal of one of the Japanese American troop renewal agreement and there was quite a lot of demonstration against the US being there.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:48 PM on 09/28/2008
- JHancock I'm a Fan of JHancock 15 fans permalink
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It's the reality they went to war with, not the reality that we all see.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:18 PM on 09/28/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

research, you are correct, I agree it's a bad idea to tax cell phones and provide subsidies for rural phone customers. Whether it's a Democrats plan or Republican plan to do so, I'd oppose it and so would most of the people.

And Dolphy, McCain's plan is not mandatory. You're free to find health insurance elsewhere, and if you do, you'll get a credit. Many employers plans stink. They give bare minimum coverage, no well patient coverage etc. In many cases you're so much better off going somewhere else for insurance where you get more for your money.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:20 AM on 09/28/2008
- research I'm a Fan of research 284 fans permalink

The time for anti-tax dogma and privatization mania is past.

It's FDR time.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:05 PM on 09/28/2008
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BTW,if you give some "whistle blower protections and amunity" to the unemployed who were laid off by the same CEO execs, WE the People will really get to the root of the cause of the financial crisis, and it "isn't the people who were duped, by the people who know the guidelines and risks.

Boys and Girls the letter today is:

the letter "I"

Investigate
Indict
Impeach!

Accountability is just a plus, justice must be served in this crookery.
It's time the FBI did it's cushy job of protecting us in the Banking business.

I know just who needs to do the INVESTIGATION.
"The UNEMPLOYED ACCOUNTANTS THAT WERE DOWNSIZED, AS THE CEO'S TOOK OVER THE COMPANIES

WHAT BETTER JUSTICE DO WE THE PEOPLE NEED!

I imagine they will be DELIGHTED to do so.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:19 PM on 09/29/2008
- mspye I'm a Fan of mspye 4 fans permalink

Tessie, you clearly know absolutely nothing about health care.

Millions of Americans cannot JUST go elsewhere. Many Americans are considered uninsurable - people like me with chronic allergies or those with asthma, diabetes, weight issues, etc. not to mention McCain himself who is a 72 year old cancer survivor. No one would ever issue McCain a policy on his own. He is blessed to have the VA and Senate coverage.

AND individual and family plans CANNOT even TOUCH employer sponsored coverage.

I know, it's my job to review individual and family plans and group plans for my clients.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:49 PM on 09/29/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

christine33 , I agree McCain should have looked Obama in the eye. That was a mistake I noticed. Of couse Obama wasn't looking at McCain either until Jim Lehr told him to. After that, it's true, he did as instructed. He knows how important it is to LOOK the part and say what people want to hear whether it'll help them or not. His followers eat that up. The condescending furrowed brow and pat on the back saying, "good job John" at the end, as if to say, "good try" like McCain was a child was indeed very slick. I guess that's what passes for Presidential these days. McCain could definitely use some pointers there. Too much time spent on substance, not enough polish. The future is all about looking good on the surface after all. Who needs reality?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:08 AM on 09/28/2008
- pegbo I'm a Fan of pegbo 5 fans permalink

I guess all the independents that gave Obama the win, in fact gave McCain lower numbers when he was bashing Obama or out and out lieing, are wrong. Remember they are independents and see it all from a different point of view than you or I. Even the biased pundits were questioning McCains demeanor, body language and just the fact that he wouldn't look at Obama. My guess is because it's almost impossible to look at someone you are lieing to and about.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:38 PM on 09/28/2008
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TRUE THAT PEGBO, TRUE THAT!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 PM on 09/29/2008

Evasive eye contact = lying, unless one is a true sociopath, which McCain isn't. Psych 101 stuff, and you're right on, pegbo.

I live in Arizona, and I can still tell you that Obama bumper stickers and shirts and signs outnumber McCain ones by at least 2 to 1. Not sure what that means, since even we diehards have just one vote apiece. But it does make you notice.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:15 PM on 09/29/2008
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Also and very IMPORTANT IN FOREIGN DIPLOMACY (which we need to implement very strongly) is to respect the other WORLD leader, regardless of your views and show respect to the peoples of their own nation, even if they are of a communist or religious belief.

This is standard Leadership 101, why doesn't this stubborn little tasmanian devil obey the rules of engagement.

He just doesn't get it. It's not all about "tough talk" it's about (as McCain in 2000 used to stand for) Straight talk!

I guess McCain of 2000 on the bus, traded his bus in for a corporated jet to "deregulation of Protections" Avenue on Wall STreet with his lobby campaign advisors, like Gramm.

There is no winning this argument and they don't deserve another four years of American trust, when "They have proven themselves UNWORTHY OF OFFICE"

Obama/Biden for Truth, Compassion, Trust and REspect in OUR Government "Of the People, For the People and By the People.

Why should farmers, whom WE rely upon, have to grovel, before thieves, when they CAN HAVE the Governments guarantee, to redo, those morgages we buy, and give the middle and working class, the chance to keep homes. It's the best money can buy, because, after this year, Accountability will become the norm in the houses. Barack promised to publish all Public bills and earmarks, debates and questions, before the American People for them to vote on a majority on.

That's open government and accountability "For the People's trust again.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:36 PM on 09/29/2008
- jalapeno I'm a Fan of jalapeno 27 fans permalink
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madelaine friggin albright OM friggin God !! She is rocking the shizzle Dude !!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:57 AM on 09/28/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

The democrats want to tax every transaction on the web and whether you sell a beanie baby or a car, They want you to get a business license so they can control you. Mccain and other republicans have continued to vote against taxing the internet.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:35 AM on 09/28/2008
- research I'm a Fan of research 284 fans permalink

Ted stevens and other republicans want to tax you cell phone, to provide subsides to rural phone customers. You GOP in general want to borrow and spend on your cronies.
http://news.cnet.com/Senators-oppose-plan-to-curb-phone-taxes/2100-1039_3-6190596.html?tag=nw.2

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:07 AM on 09/28/2008
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"The democrats want to tax every transaction on the web"

They may buy this b.s. at Red State, but it doesn't work here.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:15 PM on 09/28/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

McCain has proposed a $2,500 - $5,000 tax credit for INDIVIDUALS to purchase health care. He has offered this plan because he, and many other economists, understand that in order for wages to rise, health care and employment have to be decoupled.
McCain's plan is to try to move toward a government / citizen combo - with the feds subsidizing privately purchased insurance. This would actually SAVE entrepreneurs and small business billions of dollars because it would largely take the employer out of the health care equation (currently the government subsidizes employer-provided insurance instead of employee purchased insurance - this is why employment & health insurance are so strongly linked).

Criticize McCain's health care proposal all you want, but just don't suggest that it's bad for small business. It's actually a small-business owner's dream.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:32 AM on 09/28/2008

McCain's healthcare proposal is silly. If you can't afford to buy healthcare now, you won't be able to under McCain. The central theme to this is TAX CREDIT. Which means that you actually have to BUY it FIRST before you can get the tax credit. So as logic would have it, if you don't have the money in the first place to buy, then you won't be able to get the tax credit.

MCKLAN IS A FRAUD.

OBAMA '08!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:12 AM on 09/28/2008
- pegbo I'm a Fan of pegbo 5 fans permalink

But he also intends on making the premiums for the employers taxable. So this may cause more people to actually lose coverage, as many employers will not see any benefit in offering plans to their employees. I know many people that I work with would not be able to afford their own insurance regardless of tax credit.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:46 PM on 09/28/2008
- BelGazou I'm a Fan of BelGazou 5 fans permalink

Reality will hit when you have to purchase health insurance on the open market. I'm self-employed and pay >$860 monthly for an individual plan. That tax credit won't come close to helping you pay for health insurance, especially if you have to insure a family. It is not now mandatory for employers to provide health insurance. They will have even less incentive to provide health coverage if McBush's plan goes through. In any case, all of us peons will be paying higher taxes for having to bail out Bush & Co.'s billionaire cronies; we will have even less of our wages available for such "luxuries" as health insurance.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:36 PM on 09/29/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

Obama is proposing tax increases, and it's McCain that wants to decrease the U.S. corporate tax rate. Right now we have the one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world and the Obama thinks that's just fine. Lowering the corporate tax rate will bring businesses back, and give small businesses more capital to invest back into their businesses.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:26 AM on 09/28/2008
- dolphy I'm a Fan of dolphy 46 fans permalink

For a family of four, health insurance cost averages 1,500, so for the year, I'll pay 18,000. My net from McSame's plan will probably be between -14,000 to -15,000. And then if my company pays for any part of my premium, it will be considered an income. So it the company pays the other 4000, I'll get dinged for another 1200. Does that help me the middle class working stiff? To add insult to injury, I know that I'm paying double for a plan that does not cover everything unlike single payer plans in Canada, Europe. NZ, Australia and other developed countries. What are you talking about?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:50 AM on 09/28/2008

Dolphy, with Mccains plan if you find one in an other state thats cheaper you could purchase. I belive currently that is not possible. You also need to ask yourself, How is Obama going to pay for almost a trillion dollars in new spending by lowering the tax rates of indivduals? By far its the middle class that foots the bill, the uber rich should pay more but they dont have the funds to foot this bill.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:06 PM on 09/28/2008
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Told ya. Rip Van Winkleitis. Somebody sit her down with all the video footage of the last twelve years, since the REpubs gained seniority in the Senate and the bills for regulations stalled or voted out. Somebody show her the records with the government site, so she can see how the "Maverick Deregulator and his gang of thieves" have pillaged our financial systems with service fee increases and late fees of 3 - 18%.

70% increases in energy price, 40% decrease in income and healthcare accessability.

6 million added to the poverty roles since BUSH IT TOOK OFFICE.

THIS MUST STOP NOW TESS, WE ARE BEING ENSLAVED BY THE ELITE WITH HAMBURGER MANUFACTURING, SERVITUDE WAGES AND JOBS ONLY.
ALL THE GOOD JOBS HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED OVERSEAS, THIS IS OUR ONLY WAY TO ENSURE AMERICAN GOOD JOBS STAY HERE FOR OUR PRODUCTION TO BE TOP AGAIN. TRUSTED AGAIN.

Wake up dear, it's not too late to read all about it. You still have time and most bloggers if they recognize you are not being, negative, will help you to find things you wish to know, by video or viable news coverage facts.

just the facts tess, just the facts.
None of this is impossible to find, it's in your fingertips and it's time for them to get walking.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:06 PM on 09/29/2008
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That is why, when you look at the damage they can do, without regulation taxes for robbing, it's better to get our loot, before they steal it from the people anyway. They don't want any Judiciary oversight on the control of the money, at the WH.

I wouldn't hand anyone, family or otherwise, my loot, without a lawyer representing me, and making sure I'm not getting the chitty end of the stick.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:58 PM on 09/29/2008
- postman606 I'm a Fan of postman606 67 fans permalink
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We just got a $700 billion dollar tab added our 9 trillion dollar debt. That's not counting the $560 billion dollars in Iraq. The first question any responsible person would ask is, how are we going to pay for this. Of course taxes are going to be higher. In case you haven't noticed this country doesn't produce goods to sell to others as much as we're buy other country's goods.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:43 PM on 09/29/2008
- ashcom I'm a Fan of ashcom 2 fans permalink

And loopholes (which Obama supports closing) result in US corps paying the lowest corporate tax rates.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:18 PM on 09/29/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

The tax hikes for the weathy won't be paid. If you're an accountant, MizLiz you are well-versed in using every trick in the book to hide your clients assets so that they can escape paying taxes. I've experienced the burn of tax hikes as a small business owner who didn't make the kind of money to hire an artful accountant to hide my money. Layoffs and unavoidable raising of prices was the only way to stay afloat.
Sen. Obama's tax plan raises taxes on businesses and small business owners. It's the antithesis of what people desiring to start a new business want to hear. There would have to be at least 300 billion in new taxes to pay for the more than 300 billion in new spending Sen. Obama has proposed.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:24 AM on 09/28/2008
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They aren't tax hikes. Obama simply rolls back the tax cuts Bush gave to the very wealthy - they will simply pay taxes at the same rate they were paid in the 1990's under Clinton. Small businesses earning less than 250,000 per year will see tax cuts under Obama's plan.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:19 PM on 09/28/2008
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He raises taxes on businesses sending jobs overseas, and shortening our dollars circulation in hedgefunds in the islands. Are you one of these 'Untouchables?"

If so, oh well, the damage you have done outsourcing our jobs is ALMOST beyond repair.
But as we stop using your products to reduce you to rubble and give the service to companies right here in the good ole USA, I guess then you will understand the words:

"AMERICANS FIRST MR. PRESIDENT"

Is that too much to ask for, that OUR tax dollars, support our employment in times of war and distress, instead of ignoring the citizens that pay your cinchy job salaries and vacations?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:12 PM on 09/29/2008
- Tessie I'm a Fan of Tessie 3 fans permalink

Posturing is correct. Obama does talk a good game but it's very superficial. He keeps saying he opposed the war. But he wasn't even in the Senate when the vote took place. How convenient. He was never put to the test. Don't tell me he wouldn't have towed the Party line as he has done consistently these past 4 years. Now he's talking Afghanistan, which is what McCain said early on and was blasted for it by both Democrats and Republicans.
McCain was right about Putin. He's KGB.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:11 AM on 09/28/2008
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Putin was in the KGB for 17 years, and attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. So your point is?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:53 AM on 09/28/2008

Putin is no different than W

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:53 PM on 09/28/2008
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No Obama wasn't there yet, HE WAS RUNNING FOR THE SEAT AT THE TIME, Not a very popular stance in the political futures market of 2002, yet he stood up after hearing the BUSH IT coming off that Hill in DC, and said: "It's a DUMB WAR!" There was not enough evidence that Sadaam posed an immediate threat to America. He was right then and he's right on now.

McSame will destroy what's left of OUR reputation in the world by bombing everything, he doesn't understand.

I think if it wasn't against the laws and would question his sanity, he would turn this country into a WORLD POLICE STATE, to which, nobody can do alone. This unitary road of myway highway, is just that and we need a new course of action for the future.

I nominate Barack Obama and Joe Biden to straighten the boat and right the tiller on a course of common sense and security, while obeying the Constitutional rights of our citizens.

You can walk and chew gum at the same time.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:18 PM on 09/29/2008
- ceti I'm a Fan of ceti 8 fans permalink
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Of course Albright is cheering she is a hawk, prosecuted a murderous sanctions regime against Iraq and war in Yugoslavia. There is barely any difference between her positions and that of the neo-cons. All of Obama's foreign policy pronouncements and his agreements with McCain were downright atrocious and cringeworthy.

And the the so-called American left (or rather liberalism) can indeed go mindlessly along with this charade, hoping against reality that Obama is only posturing for the time being. Perhaps there has been precious little to cheer for or perhaps they have also bought into the imperial ideology, only to be carried out with more finesse and less bombast. It is indeed sad that Obama is offering himself up as the fresh face for a very tired old game.

Perhaps there is light at the end of this tunnel though. The fact that most American oppose the bailout that the corporate Democrats and Republicans are forging may represent the final straw leading to a whole new set of politics that goes beyond Republican malevolence and Democratic mediocrity.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:32 AM on 09/28/2008

As far as the debate last night went, Obama came out looking more intelligent, calm and prepared to take office than McCain. McCain acted like a bitter old man, not very sure of himself, relying on his POW schtick (which is growing old), and waving the American flag. He constantly accused Obama of "not getting it" all the while appearing that not only doesn't he get it but he doesn't understand it or have a plan to fix it. He talked down to Obama and never once would look him in the eye. McCain is constantly trying to make Obama look weak and accusing him of not being willing to take action against an agressor because Obama would rather try diplomacy first. Obama did make a very forceful statement that if he had Bin Laden or the Al Quada in sight, and could not get help from Pakistan or whoever, he would not hesitate to "take him out". I don't think McCain saw that one coming.

The bottom line is that Barack Obama came away looking very "Presidential". He is a total package for what this country needs. We do not need an embittered old man, who is not willing to discuss anything rationally but would rather point the finger at anyone who disagrees with him. He also does not appear to have any kind of a viable plan for our country. (If he does, he sure is keeping it a secret!)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:37 AM on 09/28/2008
- MissKaren I'm a Fan of MissKaren 43 fans permalink

Obama's job in the debate was to reassure people that a person of color can occupy the Oval Office without turning the world into a smoking ruin. He did that and did that well.

The danger to McCain will not come from his arrogant and condescending behavior, although that is not to his credit. The danger to McCain is going to be Thursday's debate between Palin and Biden. He's toast after that. People will begin asking what he had in mind making her his running mate.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:46 PM on 09/28/2008

Thank you, Secretary Albright.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:22 AM on 09/28/2008
- ObamAtomic I'm a Fan of ObamAtomic 167 fans permalink
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Tess that debate occurred in Spain?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:01 AM on 09/28/2008

During the debate, McCain reminded me of a miserable old woman. Snip snip snip.... But I still feel Obama can afford to be more aggressive. Yes, he us a Kewl dude and all BUT sometimes you gotta go for the jugular.. but maybe he has a plan.

I hope he does.. I pray he does!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:44 PM on 09/27/2008
- enilorac I'm a Fan of enilorac 2 fans permalink

McCain was full of confident swagger and he seemed to mean what he said, even tho' he came across as mean at times.
Obama wasn't so confident. He called terrorists "folks" more than once, just like George Bush did after 9/11 and he kept referring to the almighty We, when he would have sounded more Presidential if he had said I, in his retorts to McCain.
All in all the debate was a bore. Can't believe they got stuck in the pork barrel. Can't believe how petty it became.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:35 PM on 09/27/2008
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