9:00 PM- Will This Be It?:
We've been waiting for the candidates to go for one another's throats during the debates, and from both campaigns' recent rhetoric, it appears that this may be the event where that finally happens. The candidates take the stage, and the moderator is ready to start things off with the issue foremost in Americans' minds: The economy.
9:02 PM- Birth, Death, and Taxes:
The subject is what the government can do to solve the economic crisis in the United States. McCain succeeds in immediately putting Obama on the defensive by going straight for the issue of taxation and accusing Obama of hoping to raise taxes on small business.
9:10- Joe the Plumber:
The candidates are arguing over the vote of 'Joe the Plumber.' Obama says Joe the Plumber and other small business owners would get three times the tax relief under Obama's plan; McCain, on the offensive right out of the gate, says Obama wants to take Joe's money and spread it around to others.
9:15- Beyond Our Means:
Obama says that we as a country have been living beyond our means, and that he proposes 'pay as you go' spending; with every extra dollar he'd spend, Obama claims he'll make a dollar-for-dollar cut in the federal budget by eliminating programs that don't work. He fights back by suggesting that McCain would not "Invest in America and the American people."
9:17- No Cuts in Federal BS Programs:
The question of the candidates is, "What would you cut?" in order to prevent an increase in the federal deficit. So far, the moderator has had to badger both McCain and Obama for waxing eloquent about their respective plans without specifying which government programs they would cut. Looks like the "excessive rhetoric" budget won't be on the chopping block.
9:20- Barack on Small Earmarks:
Obama notes that John McCain loves to talk about earmarks, but that this spending accounts for less than one half of one percent of the federal budget.
9:21- That's not My Bush:
"And frankly, Senator McCain voted for four out of five of President Bush's budgets," continues Barack.
McCain fires back, "I am not George Bush. If you wanted to run against Bush, you should have run four years ago."
9:22- Balancing Act:
The candidates are asked if they can balance the federal budget. McCain immediately says he can, and segues into a favorite talking point: "I have fought against spending, I have fought against special interests, I have fought for reform. You have to tell me one time you have stood up to the leaders of your party on a major issue."
9:23- Miss Unongeniality vs. Mr. Unpopularity:
Barack says that his votes for tort reform and in support of charter schools didn't make him the most popular person in the Democratic party. "If I've occasionally mistaken your policies for George Bush's policies, it's because on the issues that matter to the American people... you've been a big supporter of George Bush."
9:26- Language Barrier:
The moderator asks about the candidates' attack ads: "Are either of you willing to sit across the table from each other and say the things your campaigns and your commercials are saying?" He calls both candidates on pledging to take the high road, then going negative.
McCain somehow blames Obama's refusal to appear with McCain at a series of ten townhalls for the negative campaigning in the election. He goes on to say that Congressman Lewis's recent remarks suggesting that McCain and Palin were associated with the worst chapter in American history were "hurtful," and that he hopes Obama will repudiate these remarks. McCain claims he has repudiated all out-of-bounds remarks by his surrogates.
Obama responds, "Two-thirds of the American people think that John McCain is running a negative campaign versus one third for mine. 100% of your ads are negative." He says there's nothing wrong with vigorous debate, but that the notion that the lack of townhall meetings justifies releasing negative attack ads isn't correct.
9:30- Drink:
"I don't mind being attacked for the next three weeks, but the American people can't afford four more years of failed economic policies."
9:32- Misbehaving Supporters:
In response to McCain's objection to Congressman Lewis's remarks, Obama brings up an incident in which "terrorist" and "kill him" were shouted at a Sarah Palin rally, and Palin did not address or recognize these remarks. Obama says he and Lewis both admitted Lewis's remarks were out of line.
McCain: "I'm not going to say anything but that people who come to my rallies are anything but the most dedicated, patriotic Americans..."
Really? Every single one of them? Even Mr. or Mrs. "Kill Him?" The most patriotic Americans?
9:36- Gloves are Off:
As promised, McCain pulls Bill Ayers and ACORN out of reserve, saying ACORN is about to perpetuate "the greatest voter fraud in American history" and "destroying the fabric of democracy."
Obama responds by saying that Ayers was involved in "despicable acts with a domestic radical group," decades ago, and that Obama's serving on a school reform board with Ayers was not in any way inappropriate. "The fact that this has become such an important part of your campaign, Senator McCain, says more about you than it does about me."
9:41- Veep Creep:
The vice-presidential candidates have crept into nearly every corner of the presidential race, unlike prior elections in which VP nominees were less important. This debate is no exception, and the candidates are queried about their picks.
Obama praises Biden for "fighting for the little guy." He says that on all the issues important to Americans, "(Biden) has been on the right side."
McCain says, "Americans have gotten to know Sarah Palin. They know that she's a role model to women and to reformers all over America." He calls Palin, "A breath of fresh air... She understands special needs families. She understands that Autism is on the rise.... she understands that better than almost any American I know."
9:45- Friendship versus Funding:
Obama says that to address issues like Autism, funding for research will be needed, and that McCain/Palin's proposed spending freeze won't allow for it.
9:46- Drink 2:
McCain again attacks Obama on "860 billion of new spending." Take a drink.
9:47- We're Using All That Oil to Help Candidates Wriggle Out of Questions:
The candidates are asked to give an exact number for how much we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Predictably, McCain suggests building nuclear power plants as key to his energy policy, but doesn't give any numbers. "I think we can easily within 7, 8, 10, years eliminate our dependency on the places in the world that harm our national security."
Obama's a little more specific, but not much better: He says 10 years is a realistic timeframe to eliminate dependency on oil from hostile countries, but, like McCain, immediately jumps to pushing his own energy plan, which includes solar, wind, biodiesel, and geothermal energy, and more fuel-efficient American cars.
Sounds good, guys, but where's that exact number? 0% dependency on foreign oil in 10 years? 10%? 15%?
9:54- Freedom to Trade Barbs:
McCain says Obama doesn't understand free trade with countries like Colombia.
Obama replies that he not only understands the benefits of free trade, but also will enforce trade agreements with other countries.
Somehow we end up standing right back on Obama's platform plank about demanding more fuel-efficient vehicles be produced in America.
McCain says, "Obama doesn't want a free trade agreement with our best ally in the region, but wants to sit across the table and talk with Hugo Chavez."
9:59- Heartbreak Hotel:
The question's on health care, and Obama says it's "the issue that will break your heart every time." He relates an anecdote about two women struggling with health care affordability and availability.
McCain's more interested in returning to Joe the Plumber's situation, and says Obama would fine Joe the Plumber if Joe does not adopt a health care plan for his wife, children, and employees.
10:03- ORLY?:
McCain: "I'd still like to know how much that fine will be."
Obama: "Here's your fine, Joe: Zero."
McCain: "Zero?"
10:04- Talking Numbers:
Obama says that the average health plan costs $12,000 per year, but McCain would give only a $5,000 credit and would tax health benefits.
McCain responds, "Hey, Joe! You're rich!" He accuses Obama of wanting to take Joe's money and redistribute it through "big government" mandates. McCain says 95% of people in America will receive more money for health care under McCain's plan.
10:08- Cup of Joe:
Joe the plumber, Joe the plumber, Joe the plumber. Can we please hear less about Joe and more about the two people hoping to become the next President of the United States? I'm sure Joe has heard his name mentioned by presidential candidates more times tonight than he ever would have imagined, and that he's gotten enough information to make up his mind.
10:10- Holding Court:
McCain says he would consider only qualifications in his nomination of Supreme Court Justices, and would not apply a litmus test to judicial nominees, and would consider a justice who supported Roe vs. Wade if the justice is the most qualified choice.
Obama agrees that a strict litmus test should not be applied to Supreme Court nominees. "Roe versus Wade probably hangs in the balance," says Obama. He wouldn't apply a litmus test, but says he does believe the Constitution contains a right to privacy and that abortion rights should not be subject to state referendum. He says he does, however, support a prohibition on late-term or partial birth abortions.
10:16- Bristol?:
Obama says "there must be some common ground" between supporters and opponents of legal abortion, and suggests that the common ground is in reducing unintended pregnancies through education.
10:17- Swiftboat:
McCain calls Obama's remarks "Another example of Obama's eloquence." Apparently, eloquence is now an insult?
10:18- Scientific Method:
The question is regarding America's trailing scores in math and science despite high per-capita spending on education.
Obama: "This probably has more to do with our national future that anything." He says the debate on education has been more money versus reform; Obama says we need both money and reform to reduce drop-out rates, recruit new math and science teachers, and pay teachers better in exchange for higher standards and accountability. He'd also propose a $4,000 yearly tuition credit for college students in exchange for community service.
McCain: "It's the civil rights issue of the 21st century." He says we've achieved equal access to school, but that students in neighborhoods with failing schools must be given the choice to send children to charter schools. McCain says charter schools would provide choice and competition, but that throwing money at the problem won't solve it.
10:23- No Check Left Unsigned:
Obama says the federal government needs to be more involved in funding education, and that "We tried to do that under Bush. But Bush came out with No Child Left Behind. Unfortunately, he left the money behind." Obama says unfunded mandates burden schools, and that an Obama administration would fully fund IDEA, among other initiatives.
McCain responds by saying Sarah Palin understands the needs of families with special needs children, and that "We will find the cause of Autism."
10:27- On Message:
As the debate winds to a close, both candidates hit the high notes in closing statements. McCain positions himself as a maverick and proven reformer who takes on his own party, puts country first, and will be a "careful steward of your tax dollars." McCain also emphasizes his family's tradition of military service.
Obama emphasizes tough economic times. "Washington's unwillingness to tackle the tough problems for decades has left us in the greatest economic crisis since the great depression." He returns to his campaign's basic message of change, and praises the "Fundamental strength and generosity of the American people," but says investment in American people and American business is necessary to "Renew a spirit of sacrifice, of service, and responsibility."
10:32- That's All, Folks:
The last presidential debate of the 2008 campaign is over. Both candidates played well to their bases, but did either McCain or Obama sway the remaining undecided voters with this debate performance? Time will tell, and there's not much time left.
