The Right to Debate in Mississippi

Just a few thoughts on tonight's first debate from the great state of Mississippi and their institution of higher learning.

I thought John McCain was miles ahead of Obama in the area of foreign policy, and therefore won the debate. Of course, this is what the first debate was to be on, and it also happened to be right in McCain's wheelhouse, so it wasn't much of a surprise. I'm not really sure why this debate was on a Friday night. Although an estimated 100 million people were going to watch, I think it would have been much more if it wasn't on a night when most people go out. Perhaps it was a big conspiracy so that fewer people would see McCain in his area of expertise.


I wish people would just answer questions more straightforward instead of being vague, talking about something only somewhat related, or dodging the question completely. I felt that both candidates were guilty of this several times.

Can we please retire the terms "Wall Street" and "Main Street" when talking about the economy, the rich, and the regular Joe's.

I thought it was pretty amusing at first that Obama seemed to be trying pretty hard not to keep saying "Uh" and other such things between all of his thoughts. It worked for a little while, but eventually they started coming out.

I like the McCain line that he used at the RNC and again tonight that those who use earmarks will be vetoed, and that he will make them famous and we will know their names. However, I also thought the he spent too much time on earmarks when discussing the financial crisis. But Obama is still wrong about why were are in this mess, especially since we can debate that all day and it doesn't change the fact that we are in it all the same. I thought Obama's description of Bush's "wrong-headed policies" was a good demonstration of vocabulary-if you are a third-grader.

I thought it was a good line when McCain said that he did not want to hand healthcare over to the government.

I'm glad Obama stood up in opposed the war 6 years ago-before he was in the Senate.

McCain was right on when he said that the next President will not have to address going into Iraq, but that he will have to address how to handle it from this point on. It was comical almost to hear Obama talk about military matters at times, with McCain having to say that Obama obviously didn't understand the difference between a strategy and a tactic.

McCain hand a strong upper hand in all things dealing with military, foreign relations, foreign policy, and history. He obviously knew not only what he was talking about from reading up on these things and being prepped by advisers, but from being there himself.

Obama: "I've got a bracelet, too." How petty. Again acting like a third-grader.

McCain: "I don't even have a seal yet." Funny.

Kramer: "You know what the Ukraine is? It's a sitting duck. A road apple, Newman. The Ukraine is weak. It's feeble. I think it's time to put the hurt on the Ukraine." I don't think I will ever hear of the Ukraine again and not think of Kramer and Newman in the battle for world domination.

McCain also called BO out on not going to Afghanistan, especially with his subcommittee position.

McCain said again and again, and it was so evident, that Obama was naive, just doesn't understand, and simply doesn't get it.

Both candidates showed that they are quite knowledgeable of issues, have a good grasp on things, and know a lot of facts, but only John McCain was able to provide the examples and experience that is needed. I liked that he was aggressive; you could see Obama getting ticked at things, and they say McCain is the one with the temper. I didn't see it. Somehow I managed to catch Joe Biden on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News after the debate and had to change it each time because I could not take it. I hope he doesn't go out and try to fry Palin next week, because I think it will backfire. I'm definitely looking forward to those two squaring off next week though.