Joe the plumber

Here we go again.

A lot has happened since the last debate. The stock market has utterly collapsed.

McCain has had to defend Obama in Lakeville Minnesota.

The Federal Reserve is continuing to piss our grandchildren’s money away.

In that spirit, it’s time for another quality debate that will change all our minds right? I know I asked this before, but is anyone still undecided? Are there still people out there pretending like they still don’t know whether to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea? The candidates positions are very well known and published at their websites.

For your easy-clicking pleasure:

Obama

McCain

Now that we can all see their intents, do we really need them to lie at each other on stage and back-peddle when questioned?

2 minute warning…

I like the round-table deal.

As much as I’d like to focus on myself as a middle-class American, I’m tired of the candidates obsession. The tax cut will not make me rich or even make me solvent so let’s move on to issues that affect the entire country. Not the couple of bucks that get thrown my way.

McCain getting folksy but at least he’s finally learned to look at Obama. McCain claiming that the Plumber is going to get screwed on taxes in Obama’s plan. Let’s see how Obama responds. So far, he’s rambling. He really doesn’t address the issue directly.

I like the back and forth that this debate offers.

Why would we want to increase taxes? Because we need the money, and the rich can afford it. I’ve voted for every tax increase that’s been on a referendum and voted for every candidate that wanted to raise taxes. We need to cover our bills. Can I just take out more loans to cover my mortgage?

Move on guys.

Deficit question. How will you handle it? Obama answers first. As per usual, not really answering. Nondescript program cuts. “Federal budget, line by line” blah, blah, blah. President has no line item veto so therefore, no you won’t.

McCain answers about how “we” handled the Great Depression. Dating himself maybe? His actual answer, cut spending across the board. On what? Can we cut everything? Should my grandparents social security be cut? Maybe they’re spending too much on their oatmeal. They should probably get jobs. They’re only in their 90’s after all. Plenty of time before they retire.

Good response on the Bush obsession by McCain. Finally acting like an adult in a debate. However, he’s not answering Schieffer’s question. He’s just pushing back at Obama.

Standing up to the leaders of the Democratic party. Obama has a clear answer. Awesome! Very nice to see an occasional straight talk.

Schieffer addressing the negative campaigning issue. McCain going back to town hall B.S. The town hall format is a waste and has nothing to do with McCain being a prick. He would have been a prick no matter what. It’s Obama’s fault that McCain running a 100% negative campaign? He still hasn’t answered why he’s being negative.

Obama answering directly with straight answers. McCain disagrees directly. This an excellent format for a debate. This is how they are supposed to work. Back and forth until they stop going anywhere.

McCain responds directly as well. Unfortunately, McCain doesn’t look as bad has he has in this one. It’s too little, too late for me. Someone who used to really respect him.

What the hell is McCain talking about? When did anyone insinuate that McCain’s supporters were bad people? Obama was talking about Palin’s comments.

Obama returns to talking points. Not sure why. Switches to that we need to work together. McCain rebuts with negativity. Again, not sure why. Onto Ayers.

Good response from Obama on Ayers. Good response on ACORN as well.

Shut up McCain about Ayers and ACORN. This is idiotic. Very bad transition to talking points by McCain.

Schieffer moves to a new question. Onto running mates.

Obama on Biden: Blah blah blah. We all know Biden. We don’t need Obama to tell us about him. We can make our own conclusions. Ooh! Now he’s back on talking points!

McCain on Palin: Blinking like a crazy person. Everything he’s saying is lies. McCain wanted Lieberman for VP. He should have picked Tim Pawlenty. Instead, the party stuck him with no-nothing Palin and all her anti-American, secessionist, baggage.

Obama doesn’t bite on Schieffers question of Palins qualifications. Obama didn’t provide the media with any negatives on her. McCains response on Biden not too bad. Still foolish. Biden is wrong.

McCain transitions to Obama’s spending policies? What?

Schieffer straightens him out. Moves to energy policy.

McCain claims Obama is an extreme environmentalist? Since when? He’s far less of an environmentalist then most loggers and coal miners. I don’t think I can drink enough to get through this.

Obama getting rambly. Getting bored.

McCain getting back on offshore drilling. Reminder for those that don’t remember. DRILLING WON’T REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR OIL BY 1 F’N CENT! Hell, I have no problem with offshore drilling. Drill all over the goddamn place. But it won’t help us, other then by adding generally to the supply.

McCain loves Columbia and wants to marry it. Obama stood Columbia up at the prom.

Obama has a good rebuttal to McCain. McCain responds with total BS and back to no-preconditions with terrorists.

On to health care. We know their plans. Don’t care what they say. They’ll probably just lie about each-other.

Joe the plumber what? Where the hell did this meme come from?

Obama responds with a solid hard response on Joe the plumbers employer-based health insurance.

How the hell is Joe the Plumber rich? McCain claims that the average cost of a health plan is $5800/year. McCains heath plan offers $5k per family. Not 5k per person.

McCain getting a little too worked up.

Abortion: Watershed issue? McCain responds well but blames democrats for something. Not sure what, got distracted by his blinking. Shutup Scheiffer, McCain answered the question. I’m not sure what you’re getting at.

Obama responds. A little wishy-washy. I actually like McCain’s answer better. That put’s a bad taste in my mouth but it’s true. A straight answer is always better. Man up Obama.

Partial birth abortion issue has nothing to do with the popular view of what partial birth abortion is. This is a nuanced issue. Third trimester abortion has to do with non-viable fetuses or instances in which the mothers life is in jeopardy.

Stop snuffing McCain. He needs to learn that his mic picks that up.

Why does McCain never say his adoptive childrens names?

Education. Somehow, I can’t bring myself to care about this issue right now. Economy is just too important. Of course, I’d like to get some controls on state college costs, but I just don’t see any president doing anything about it.

Don’t get the school voucher obsession. When you’re state/federal funded, what purpose does competition serve?

Warshington.

Closing arguments, McCain: Good and not negative. Claims he will make change.

Closing arguments, Obama: Getting a little negative, not happy about it. However, by McCain leading in as the “change” candidate, Obama was forced into it to avoid being the “me too” candidate. His closing, is not as polished. It almost sounds like he made it up on the fly.

Good solid handshake at the end. They finally got it right.

May I say again, “Holy Crap Michelle Obama is tall!”

To recap. Great debate, great moderator, great format, Joe the plumber is the winner.