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

Well, for a town-hall meeting, I sure didn't see a whole lot of "town." A couple dozen of over-lit, underwhelmed people who got free tickets. As a comic, I have to say, that really looked like a tough house.

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. For God's sake -- let the man walk around when he wants to.

Net result? Once again: I think if you already like Obama -- you like him more after tonight. Likewise McCain. If you want to vote for him, tonight would've given you no more reason not to. And if you're on the fence, I don't know... Are there really that many people genuinely on the fence? How big could this fence be?

You could see both of them working their notes from the last debate. Obama was too gracious last time -- so tonight he came out swinging. McCain was too angry last time, so tonight he was more soft-spoken and very free with the "My friend" and "my friends." At least he didn't say "maverick."

But we already know the next few weeks are going to be less about any policy distinction and more about character assassinations and vicious insinuation. And the reason we know that is because the Republicans told us. Publicly. They confessed that if they continue to talk about the economy, they will lose. So they've decided to ratchet up the personal attacks. (By the way -- is it really okay to say that out loud? Geez. And here McCain is worried Obama "telegraphed his punch" to Pakistan.)

I would have loved for someone from the audience to ask McCain to his face if he sincerely believes Obama "pals around with terrorists" or wants to "attack our own country." And if not, why does he allow that to be said in his name? When Sarah Palin works up a crowd with "Obama doesn't see the same America we do" to the point that and a guy yells out, "Kill him," and she -- to the best of my knowledge -- says nothing to quell the sentiment -- where is the sense of shame? How is fueling hatred and racial stereotype and appealing to the very worst in all of us -- how is that putting "country first?"

It's not. And regardless of how the election turns out Obama has already done this nation a huge service by raising the level of debate and showing -- by tireless example -- that we can be better than that.

And we are. People are at least now seeing this poison for what it is. And I really do believe that Good will prevail over Crap. I think the Best In Us is actually going to prevail over the Worst In Us.

And if we continue to push Barack Obama towards the White House -- we are headed for a great New Day, my maverick friends.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Town Hall Debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[OhCaptain]

Watching the debates this year has made me miss Tim Russert even more than I ever thought I could.

[WilliamL]

How about a town hall meeting on a Military Base, or just off it at a VFW? or at least with a room full of military families, injured vets, dependents of KIA/MIA.

That wd. be a real town hall meeting.

See what those voters realy think about this endless war.

[WilliamL]

Most looked as if they were on jury duty.

[rdlmorgan]

I've seen McCain speak in a real town hall meeting and it was much more relaxed. I think the tone at this town hall debate was a result of the rules by which Obama agreed to participate.

[Stephanie71]

Well its easy to be relaxed when the crowd is filled with campaign volunteers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/coleen-rowley/mccains-last-gasp-in-minn_b_133105.html

[Tulka2]

Well, i suppose you must be right that minds were not changed... but ... McCain's campaign smeared Obama for days about one thing or another. The main thrust of McCain's attacks seemed to be that Obama is some kind of terrible liar. It is the worst sort of hypocracy to say such things about another man and then, when you are face to face with that man, shut up. It was small. It was disgusting. No one ever again better tell me i am supposed to respect John McCain. I do not.

[Mercy8 om]

This was such a weird construct. I kept wondering what was so benenficial to see ao much of the back of Obama's and McCain's head. I think McCain was wondering this too last night because he became very self conscious about his hair and needing hair plugs.

[Mercy8 om]

Please help clear up the Akorn situation and protect Obamam from being hurt by registration fraud.

[miatamama]

Paul, I'd like to be as hopeful as you, but let's remember these are the same guys that bought W's load of incompetence for a second term........

[NaturesNurturer]

Very well said, Mr. Reiser.

I spend much too much time obsessing over this election. I may be young (late 20's), but I have met many people of varying races and ethnicities. I have lived at a YWCA with a predominately black population (many women are like family now) and became good friends with a couple of Saudi Muslim EE majors back in college. I have difficulty grappling with the prejudice and ignorance that pervades our country. I have relatives that are CONVINCED that Obama is a threat to our country, that he's secretly Muslim, and that somehow being Muslim would make him less American, or acknowledging racism makes him a radical who wants to punish whites.

I want to see Obama do as he did at the DNC again and just say: "ENOUGH!" Because, let's face it: he's just as much of a patriot as John McCain. If Barack didn't love this country and believe in it with all his heart, then why would he be risking his neck out there to make a positive impact for it?? McCain/Palin should be ashamed of themselves for elevating the threat toward Obama legitimizing the crazies by not repudiating the calls of "treason" "terrorist" and "kill him."

I hope America makes the right decision. I hope Obama has that chance to unite Americans and restore our good standing in the world.

[longcrl]

The "Town Hall" aspect of this debate demonstrates another clear example of how manipulation has replaced direct communications and honestly with the American people. This was no town meeting I've ever seen, as it lacked plaid-clad hunters and Sunday School teachers and firemen in their dusty garb from work, sitting there tired after a day's hard work and allowed access with their own spontaneous questions with these candidates. Town hall? Not in my America. This "debate" was staged, apparently, for McCain's benefit. He's been all about the town hall, but he seems not to know what they really are. The format manipulation is too transparent to believe.

Well folks, it'll take more than format staging to provide substantial benefit to ANYthing McCain has to say, much less the way he chooses to communicate his message.

[davidpeace]

Why wasn't this like a real town hall meeting? Because it was probably scripted as much as possible. The lucky ones who got tickets were probably carefully vetted, not so they could make sure that there would be no physical threat to the senators, but so that they wouldn't get people who would ask unapproved (unapproved by the corporate media) questions that could be embarrassing. Such as, why did John McCain use the prospect of getting public funding as collateral for a loan to his campaign, then turn around and say he wasn't going to use public funding? Why has Obama backtracked so carefully on campaign promises, such as ending the war, healthcare reform, once he was sure he had the nomination locked up? Why didn't either of them truly stand up for the common person and vote against the Splurge? Furthermore, why call it a debate, when they don't really respond to each other and just spit sound bites at us? Too bad Youtube wasn't around during the Lincoln-Douglass debates. I've read they were quite lively.

[TankerRat]

A "tough house?" Sums it up pretty good Paul.

[claudiam]

Thank you for the article. I am very disturbed by Palin fueling mass hysteria. I can not believe that I am seeing Americans behave like this. I guess I am naive; I have always believed in our strength. This is dangerous ground that the Repubs are treading. I BEG the media to take notice and give the public notice that this is not acceptable behavior for Americans. claudiatucsonaz

[FOXYLADY]

WHO PICKS THESE PEOPLE ASKING QUESTIONS? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY WERE VERY 'TAME' AND NOT 'TOUGH ENOUGH' ON THE CANDIDATES...I SO WISH I HAD BEEN THERE AS I WOULD HAVE, IF THEY ALLOWED ME TO, PUSHED FOR MORE DEFINITE ANSWERS AND ASKED MUCH TOUGHER QUESTIONS.­.........A­ND........­...AS USUAL, MCCAIN WORE THAT SARCASTIC GRIN TOO MUCH AGAIN.........JUST LIKE BUSH WITH HIS GRINS AND SNEERS!! IT IS DISGUSTING TO THIS OLD WOMAN ... WHO NOW WORRIES MUCH ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HER GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN GROWING UP IN THE "REPUKE BUSH CLIMATE'........GOD HELP THEM!!!! I WON'T BE HERE TO HELP THEM FIND THE TRUTH GIVERS AND STRONG PEOPLE....­..........­.

[Noogie]

Tom Brokaw screened and pre-selected the questions which were asked. There were reportedly over 6 million questions submitted over the Web. Many of the questions Brokaw selected were not very interesting and some were confusing (e.g., "Is health care a right, responsibility, or privilege?").

[maribelle1963]

Actually, I thought that was an excellent question, and the answers solidified the difference between the two candidates. Obama says health care is a right, McCain says it's a responsibility.

[GingersPawPaws]

Actally that was a good question!

[TEPK]

John McCain's "Town Hall" rallies are usually filled with hand-picked residents of "McCain Town" - - and they respond accordingly - - much the same as Palin's rallies are filled with rambunctious rednecks screaming 'kill him", "terrorist", "Muslim" - - or worse.

The "Town Hall" last night had few, if any, McCain townies in attendance - - and it was a total dud for him.

If anything, McCain made it painfully obvious that he was too old, too worn-out and too old-worldish in his persona and perspective.

McCain might have had a good chance to win this election if he hadn't succumbed to the Rovians' sleaze-and­-slimeball­-method of campaigning - - and if he (or whomever) hadn't made the God-awful selection of the Mooseburger Queen as running mate.

In the end, the Rovians have taken away McCain's "maverick" image - - and have turned him into nothing but another incompetent Bush "sidekick".

(The only "debate" performances worse than McCain's and Palin's to date? The three moderators!)

[DangitRuss]

But Tina Fey's was top notch. Oh youbetcha!

[Blueboy1938]

Tina Fey for Veep!

[TankerRat]

Agreed Dangit

[TankerRat]

Mooseburger Queen!!!!!!!!!!! That's great TEPK!!!!! Can I use it? I count the moderators as innocent flaks so I'd have to say Palin was the worst. She scares the hell out of me. Hands down.

Draft Perot/Ventura-08

[JustMyWords]

According to what was said at the beginning, there were no Obama or McCain townies either one, at least in theory. It was specified that the audience was chosen from, and made up of, undecided voters. Now, if that's the case, McCain may have more problems than any of us thought, 'cause at the end of the debate, it sure did look like the audience was absolutely flocking to Obama. They wanted autographs and pictures, they shook his hand and even hugged him.

Of course, since McCain didn't stick around to actually speak to anyone afterwards, it's hard to tell whether he would have gotten a similar reaction. Although personally, I'm wondering if the reason he left so fast is that he was being ignored....

[thpreader]

The important thing about this "debate" is not what the candidates said. We have heard it all before. We were instead given the opportunity to observe these two men under stress. We were able to read their body language and to decide which man conducted himself in a presidential manner. We need to ask ourselves who would best represent this country to the rest of the world when dealing with foreign issues? Who would be able to stay calm when dealing with all of the stress the job entails? Which man is articulate enough to make his point clearly and calmly? I do agree that by now most people have made up their minds and are not likely to be swayed by the debates. But for those left sitting on the fence, consider those questions and do your research! Here are some sites to start with:

http://www.truthout.org/100708HA

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_iran_contra;_ylt=AhLjCepuS5KBmjQwZcAheA.s0NUE

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/406/story/225909.html

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20081007_investigating_john_mccains_tragedy_at_sea/

By the way, here are some other factors to consider about the voting system itself:

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/10/florida-countys.html

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9116465&source=NLT_AM&nlid=1

[FOXYLADY]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE LINKS!!!! WE ALL SHOULD FIND MORE INFORMATION TO KEEP US UP TO DATE ON ALL THE ISSUES.....

[TankerRat]

Speaking of issues there Foxy have you seen McCains latest proposal to have the TAXPAYERS swallow 300 Billion in bad mortgage debt under the bailout plan by which the banks and Big Shots would lose NOTHING including their golden parachutes. Just as bad is that the proposal bails out those who were irresponsible in borrowing but does NOTHING for those who played by the rules , acted in a responsible manner, and are staying current with their debt.

In short a thinly disguised attempt to snooker some people while in reality maintaining the status quo with the Big Shots.

A true Republican proposal/con game at it's finest.