Liveblogging The Election V

November 4, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under American Politics, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | Leave a Comment 

Obama’s victory speech covered all the right bases, especially the candidate’s thanks to McCain for the latter’s phone call conceding the race, which, undoubtedly, was as well-spoken and gracious as the speech in Arizona. The single problematic feature in Obama’s remarks was the paraphrase from Dr. King’s “mountaintop” speech delivered in Memphis the night before his death, which served to remind a lot of us that for the last ten months the senator has had more Secret Service protection than anyone except President Bush. Another notable aspect of the address is that it did not conclude with the strains of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. (“Overjoyed” by that artist might have been a suitable substitution but instead there was a lofty-sounding instrumental.)

But, as some commentator or other noted tonight, the nation is now on “the other side of history.” Forty years ago when Grant Park in Chicago was riven by violence rather than united in triumph, a minister from Washington, DC, Channing Phillips, received 67.5 votes at the Democratic convention, the first black American to be nominated for President at a major-party gathering. Twenty years ago, for a week after winning the Michigan primary, Jesse Jackson (much seen on TV tonight, with tears running down his cheeks) was the front-runner for the Democratic nomination – another first. (Tonight Brit Hume referred to this on Fox News; here’s a clip which also includes Juan Williams’s comments on Obama’s win to which John Taylor refers below.)

And tonight, the BBC coverage cut to one of their reporters, standing in a Kenyan village (where it’s Wednesday morning), while several relatives of the president-elect were dancing in celebration. Tomorrow has been declared a national holiday in Kenya.

NBC’s also reporting a gain of 26 seats for the Democrats so far in the House. Not quite a repeat of 1964, but it sure looks like Obama will have a Congress presenting him with few of the roadblocks encountered by Carter or (when he had a non-GOP legislative branch) Clinton.

And thus the evening finishes. A new era is indeed upon us.

Liveblogging The Election IV

November 4, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under American Politics, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | Leave a Comment 

It’s now a quarter before midnight Eastern. A few minutes before 11, NBC called Virginia for Obama, and at the top of the hour, as the polls closed in the West, he was simultaneously pronounced the victor across the airwaves. By 11:15, McCain was delivering a magnificently graceful and thoughtful concession speech, hitting all the right notes.

The most emotional coverage has been on the African-American-oriented channels, TV One and BET, as commentators reminisce about their own experiences, discuss the struggle of black America through the centuries, and marvel at the moment of fulfillment and triumph tonight.

After Obama delivers his address, a few minutes from now, it will be time for a post about how the composition of the next Congress is shaping up. In Maryland, where I live, the other election news of note is that a majority of the electorate, probably none too wisely, gave in to pressure from various bigwigs and approved a constitutional amendment which will result in the installation of thousands of slot machines at area racetracks.

Liveblogging The Election III

November 4, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under American Politics, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | Leave a Comment 

It’s now just after 10:30 Eastern, and for the last half-hour, after Iowa was projected for Obama and McCain locked up Mississippi, the Electoral College estimate has held at 207-135 in Obama’s favor at NBC and several other networks. Brian Williams just called South Dakota for McCain, but NBC’s political analyst Chuck Todd, poring over a map of Florida a few minutes ago, made it clear that he thought all the variables were moving Obama’s way.

By way of a sidelight, here are my nominations for:

Most Effervescent Coverage: Easily TV One, the African-American-themed channel, where the commentators (based in Grant Park) talk as if they’re perched on cases of Dom Perignon just waiting to be popped as soon as the West Coast tallies come in.

Most Somnolent Coverage: Probably the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s, which CSPAN2 is running for some reason.

Most Somnolent Network Coverage: So far, probably Katie Couric’s at CBS.

Most Fair And Balanced Coverage: Fox News is a contender – if a state has gone blue, Brit Hume and Chris Wallace haven’t hesitated to say so – but NBC holds up best overall.

Most Entertaining Coverage: It could be the BBC’s. Erica Jong of Fear Of Flying fame showed up a half-hour ago to bubble on about Obama, and former UN ambassador John Bolton has been crossing swords with historian Simon Schama and the Beeb’s own commentators; he just said that one of the network’s correspondents should be fired for raging bias.

Speculation now, across the airwaves, is that McCain may concede within an hour.

Liveblogging The Election II

November 4, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under American Politics, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | Leave a Comment 

It’s now 9:45 Eastern. At about 9:20 MSNBC, with NBC itself rapidly following suit, called Ohio for Obama and most of the other networks have fallen in line. The Illinois senator is now at about 200 electoral votes with McCain at numbers between 69 and 95, depending on the network. Virginia and North Carolina are still up in the air, but the counties yet to report fully in Virginia include some strongly Obama-leaning ones.

Sen. Mitch McConnell held on in Kentucky, and in Georgia a strong finish by Sen. Saxbe Chambliss helped keep that state in the McCain column, despite some blue-leaning poll numbers in the preceding weeks. New Mexico has just been declared for Obama. Grant Park in Chicago is getting packed and the atmosphere is thoroughly joyful; the feed from McCain’s Arizona HQ showed a more subdued scene.

At this point, as Fox News has pointed out, the best news for the GOP so far has been that it looks certain that the Dems won’t get a filibuster-proof majority of 60 in Congress. Which isn’t that much of a consolation; Reagan, in the days when the Republicans had a Senate majority but less than 60, always had a knack for bringing around some Democrats when it came time for major legislation, so if the Dems get something like 55 or 56 the same would probably apply for Obama.

In about 10 minutes it’ll be 10 pm, and the polls will start closing in the west. Can Obama secure Colorado? Or Nevada? Will he address the assembled in Grant Park before midnight, either Eastern or Central?

Liveblogging The Election I

November 4, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under American Politics, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | Leave a Comment 

Ambiguous sign if not an ambiguous outcome

It’s now a little past 8 pm Eastern and apart from watching ABC’s World News Tonight I’ve been watching NBC with Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw, guest Tavis Smiley, and various experts – Williams just finished interviewing Harold Ford Jr of the Democratic Leadership Council.

First to be called was Kentucky for Red, followed by Vermont for Blue. So, for an hour, Sen. John McCain led Sen. Barack Obama in the electoral college tally. But at the stroke of 8 NBC called Pennsylvania, the state where McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin campaigned so often and so passionately, for Obama. After I post this it’ll be time to check the other networks to see if they’re following suit.

In Virginia, well-financed former Gov. Mark Warner is beating former Gov. Jim Gilmore 60-40, so it looks like one Democratic gain is guaranteed in the Senate. And that margin may prove decisive in swinging the state into Obama’s column. In North Carolina, Sen. Elizabeth Dole is trailing badly in early returns. Again, this could compensate Obama if Florida doesn’t go his way.

NBC shows crowds starting to gather in Grant Park in Chicago, the site of the most furious confrontation between radical protestors and the police in 1968. (Illinois, along with predictable states like Maryland and Delaware, and the District of Columbia, has been called for Obama.) The mood at the park this time appears hopeful and expectant.

Just now, from the TV in the other room, I hear a minister – I don’t know if it’s in Chicago in somewhere else – saying something about the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King being fulfilled. There may be jubilation already as the electoral college tally (at least as called by NBC) finds Obama going over 100 votes, but what’s happening in the House and Senate, and in the gubernatorial contests? Time to do some channel-surfing and check.

Liveblogging the Oct. 15 Debate

October 15, 2008 by John H. Taylor | Filed Under Election 2008, Liveblogging | 1 Comment 

Going in: Before the last one, I said it was do or die for Sen. McCain, as did everybody else. Everybody was right. His candidacy is floundering, though mostly as a consequence of the economic crisis, as Mark Gerson writes, instead of anything McCain has done or failed to do.

It will tighten in the final weeks. As of today, the voters seem inclined to give the most powerful office in the world, during the worst global economic crisis in 80 years, to an inexperienced, ambitious junior senator who has been inordinately blessed by circumstance and coincidence, never staying in an office long enough to cut much of a profile while uncannily benefiting from opponents’ (and, this fall, the economy’s) bad fortune.

In these anxious times, Sen. Obama reassures people. It’s the year of even temperament and Gen X chill-out. Whosoever is elected, 2009 will have to be the year of results.

Even while hoping McCain says something miraculous to transform the race, I’ll be listening for the pragmatic, centrist Obama. If elected, would he be the consensus-building listener he’s promised? If so, it will be another historic first. His advisers would urge him to use his mandate and congressional majorities to bury the mangled carcasses of his defeated enemies. “You owe them nothing!” would ring from every West Wing office.

And yet by moving to the left in January, he would set the stage for the great GOP comeback beginning with the 2010 midterms. Move to the right — keeping Robert Gates at the Pentagon, consulting and appointing other Republicans, reaching across the aisle as the the Co-opt Kid — and he could transform the political landscape for a generation.

Former Nixon Center executive director Steve Clemons thinks Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as secretary of state could help Obama find his “inner Nixon.” However he does that would be fine with TNN. The inner Nixon has always been available to both Democrats and Republicans.

6:03 p.m. (PT): McCain: “Americans are hurting and angry…innocent victims of greed and excess on Wall Street as well as in Washington, D.C.” Same start as last time: Help people stay in their homes with $300 billion. Attacks Secretary Paulson for not making it a priority. Obama comes with a plan for jobs, tax cuts, and mortgage aid, though accusing McCain of favoring a plan that would enrich bankers. McCain’s counteraattack is on behalf of Joe the plumber, who said in a campaign encounter with Obama that he would raise small business taxes. Obama: Joe’s been watching McCain’s ads. In fact, “95% of you out there” will get tax cuts. Says 98% of businesses earn less than $250,000. (Is this right?) McCain: Obama told Joe that his wealth needs to be spread around. Accusing Obama of class warfare; says “spread the wealth around” 3-4 times; asks Obama why he wants to raise anyone’s taxes. Obama making a good case to the middle class; McCain sticking to his guns on taxes and socialism.

:13: Question on deficits; aren’t both sides ignoring reality? What from your $200 billion+ proposals will you cut back? Obama doesn’t answer. McCain doesn’t either, at first. Pushes mortgage plan and energy independence. Then: Across-the-board spending freeze. Will cut subsidies for ethanol as well as tariffs on sugar-cane imports. Finally an answer, followed by an attack on Obama as a pork-barrel beneficiary. Prof. Obama explains why across-the-board freezes don’t work (Washington insiders don’t let them work is why; he doesn’t say this, however). Ritualistic attack on McCain for voting for four out of five Bush budgets.

:20: McCain: “Sen. Obama, I’m not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should’ve run four years ago.” Hey — a soundbite! Good point on Obama voting for more spending than McCain had. As McCain brags about his taxpayer advocacy ratings, Obama’s grin looks disrespectful. Sounds a bit petulant about Fox News. Perhaps he and other Democrats are beginning to appreciate how Republicans felt in the prevailing media cultural for, oh, about 50 years. Are we seeing Obama’s thin skin? He said the other day that Fox was singlehandedly depriving him of three or four points in the polls. How many points is McCain losing because of MSNBC, CNN, and the networks?

:25: Both candidates asked about uncivil language in ads and surrogates’ statements and called to repeat them face to face. McCain: Obama wouldn’t do town meetings. “I regret some of the negative aspects of both campaigns.” Good defense against Rep. Lewis’s attack, which Obama didn’t repudiate, as McCain had repudiated his advocates’ comments. Says Obama has spent more money on negative ads than anyone in history and broke his word about public financing. “You didn’t tell the American people the truth.” Mentions Watergate! Obama: Quotes NYT poll, which says American people think McCain’s more negative. (But what do you think?) Attacks politics as usual, and yet it’s pretty clear Obama’s been practicing it. McCain’s answer was more statesmanlike and effective. Asks Obama to repudiate Lewis again. This is touchy for Obama, so he veers into complaining about McCain-Palin rallies, though he does note that his campaign had disassociated itself from Lewis’s remarks. McCain: “I’m proud of the people who come to our rallies…A lot of things have been yelled at your rallies that I’m not happy about, either.”

Obama tries to get the upper hand by sounding unity themes, and McCain finally pops on the two As: Ayers (“a washed up old terrorist”) and ACORN (“destroying the fabric of democracy”). Obama swings into a defense on both, concluding that McCain’s focus on Ayers tells more about McCain than Obama. (Even Obama says Walter Annenberg was a Reagan ambassador; he was in fact appointed by Richard Nixon. I guess Obama really has been watching Fox News a lot, since Alan Colmes has repeatedly made the same error.) McCain stays in his face and segues out by pledging again not to raise taxes. There, Hugh and Laura and Sean: McCain served the red meat. Let’s see if it helps.

:40: VP question. Obama thinks Biden would be better. McCain says Palin’s “a reformer through and through.” Vs. “old boy” network. “She has united our party and people all over America…” Obama: Palin “a capable politician.” Deft point on special-needs programs needing more funding, which McCain’s spending freeze would block. McCain critiques Biden’s foreign policy choices, especially on Iraq.

:46: Energy and “climate control” (McCain corrects Bob): McCain: Nuclear power — yeah! Obama better on numbering his points. Remember RN’s speechwriter Ray Price’s dictum: Even if people can’t think, they can count. Michigan will like his point about building fuel-efficient cars at home. Watch that protectionist-sounding talk, senator, please. McCain has a nice point on Obama being willing to “look at” off-shore drilling. Hits Obama on Colombia trade agreement. This is that wonkish middle-inning portion of the debate. Oh, he liked the Peruvian agreement. Back to protectionist grace notes and some implied promises for Michigan. Obama was talking about five million jobs; McCain’s back to Colombia — but then the bottom line: Sen. Obama wants to restrict trade and raises taxes like Herbert Hoover.

:57: Health care. Again, Obama using the opportunity to play to his strength, which is his ability to reassure people. McCain isn’t grasping these opportunities as effectively. Back to Joe the plumber and Obama’s fine scheme, which Obama promises Joe won’t have to pay. I’d like hear what’s going on in Joe’s living room right now. Obama is mastering McCain’s talk-to-Joe gimmick. He hammers McCain for wanting to tax people’s health care benefits. McCain gamely tells Joe that Obama is practicing “big government at its best.” Defends his plan as effectively as Obama has. “Senator Government” not the worst gaffe in the world.

7:06: Roe v. Wade litmus test. McCain: Won’t cop to litmus test but says Roe was a bad decision. Brags effectively about being part of a bipartisan effort to smooth Senate consideration of Court nominees, which he said Obama wouldn’t join in because he was afraid of conservative judges. Obama irritated grin and head-shake combo should be an issue, but it won’t be. Obama won’t cop to litmus test, either, but warns that Roe v. Wade hangs in balance when Court appointments are concerned.  Both candidates want to have it both ways. Will Schieffer call them on it? More red meat: Obama’s Illinois state senate votes on abortion and his “present” votes. Let no one say tomorrow that McCain didn’t bring up conservatives’ issues. Obama gives effective if wonkish answers on the two abortion issues and then moves issue forward with adoption, sex education, and teaching that sexuality is sacred, all of it evidently in the Democratic platform for the first time. McCain concedes Obama unity talk and speaks of dealing with young women with courage and compassion but won’t concede fundamental point on Roe.

:16: Education. Obama says education has more to do with economic future than anything, which is what he said about energy earlier in the debate. This wonk stuff, normally a draw, benefits Obama because of his reassurance and temperament edge. He appears more likeable. His expressions and gestures match his words nicely. He evinces competence. McCain not doing badly on this one, either — choice, competition, teacher merit, charter schools. Obama dings McCain on implication that loan-seeking college students are an interest group. McCain hammers back on vouchers and the McCain and Obama families their sending kids to private schools — and he wraps up the segment nicely by saying that Obama’s voucher position wasn’t logical.

:27: McCain closer: “American needs a new direction.” Reform, good stewardship, “putting my country first.” “Honored and humbled” at opportunity to serve again. Two minutes.

:29: Obama closer: Vs. “same failed policies and same failed politics.” “Gonna have to invest in the American people again.” Unity talk. “Spirit of sacrifice and responsibility.” “I would ask for your vote.” Two minutes.

* * *

Obama played it safe and played to his strength, which is a calm and reassuring temperament in anxious times. McCain’s attacks created a degree of cognitive dissonance between Obama’s proclamation of a new politics and his practice of the good old kind. His snickering demonstrated this. Serving as much red meat as he did prevented McCain from making his own reassuring, forward-looking case. The pundits will say it’s a draw, while the polls will show the same substantial edge for Obama that the previous ones have. Best line: “Sen. Obama, I’m not President Bush.” Bottom line: The ‘08 debates won’t be viewed as influencing the election outcome.

Liveblogging The Oct. 7 Debate

October 7, 2008 by John H. Taylor | Filed Under Election 2008, Liveblogging | 1 Comment 

Going in: Could be do-or-die for Sen. McCain. The MSM breakout the Obama-Ayers connection won’t help unless he finds a way to synthesize it with his vision on the economy. Independent voters are likely to be less interested in Sen. Obama repudiating Ayers as whether he will pledge not to raise taxes or enact protectionist policies in the teeth of a deep recession. Obama’s opportunity: Saddle McCain with the mantle of incumbency by lashing him to his passing association with the worst financial meltdown in history before this one: The savings-and-loan crisis in the early 1980s.

6:06 p.m. (PT): Obama out of box; the populist note on the 400K AIG junket was effective. McCain opened weaker, with energy independence, but then shifted quickly to home values, which is indeed one of the key fundamentals.

:08: McCain punting on his Treasury pick with a joke about Brokaw; then gestures gracefully to Obama on Warren Buffett and gets nod (there: He looked at him).

:10: Obama raises his “95% of Americans” tax cut. Will he raise taxes at all, period?

:12: McCain seeking points for wanting to reform Freddie and Fannie. Might be better to denounce Rep. Frank. McCain is good at this format, but he’s not on fire yet.

:14: Both candidates doing a better job selling the bailout than President Bush or Secretary Paulson.

:15: Obama wants credit for pushing for re-regulation. Nudges McCain for campaign links to Fannie.

:16: Obama wants a 21st century regulatory system, coordinated with “other countries.” What does that mean, exactly?

:17: McCain’s TPs are cronyism, housing-value stability, quality of the U.S. workforce.

:18: Teresa’s “plague on both your houses” question: Obama acknowledges that there’s a “lot of blame to go around” but then bashes Bush deficits. McCain should ask Obama to repudiate Barney Frank. Promises “net spending cut.”

:21: McCain mentions Feingold and Lieberman and then pivots to denounce Obama as a big spender, calling attention to own high ratings with taxpayer watchdog organizations. Time for some red meat, guys.

:25: McCain: Nuclear power! Yea! “All three things you mention are compelling national security priorities” — good line. Obama’s priorities: Energy — he knows the price of gas in Nashville; nice gesture. Reprises McCain’s own point on national security. NASA had Apollo designed by the time JFK announced we’d go to the moon, so we did know how to do it, Obama’s comment notwithstanding. Now targeting McCain favoring tax cuts — “that’s money out of the system.” That’s one way to put it, I suppose.

Draw so far — drawing yawns.

:29: McCain willing to cut waste at Pentagon. Spending freeze except on VA and Pentagon plus a few other areas.

:30: Obama invokes Sept. 11 and sense of national unity. Slams Bush for telling people to go out and shop. Actually, Obama might consider asking us to go out and shop this Christmas. Now he’s mimicking McCain-Palin on drilling and segueing to need for conservation. Not sure this is the time to call for more sacrifice by a population that just gave up 30% of the value of its retirement savings. Why defend earmarks again? And now he’s opposing tax cuts. McCain needs to ask Obama why he wants to raise taxes in the teeth of a recession. Opposes freeze.

:35: Finally McCain mentions President Hoover, Obama’s proposed taxes on 50% of small businesses. “Let’s not raise anyone’s taxes.” I do wish McCain would catch on fire.

:38: Obama replies by talking to individuals, but will he address the small-business issue? Yes: “Only a few percent of small businesses make more than $250,000.” Who’s right on this?

:40: McCain does better rolling Commandant Brokaw than Obama did. On Social Security, invokes Reagan and O’Neill’s 1983 bailout.”Our best days are ahead of us.” McCain better on hope and the resilience of the American people; Obama stressing that Washington needs to do a better job.

:43: Is McCain getting more time? Nuclear power again: “I was on Navy ships that had nuclear power — it’s safe and it’s clean.” The Europeans have solved the problem, but Obama opposes it. McCain sounds passionate on environment and ends by again praising American ingenuity.

:45: Obama: A new energy economy can create “five million new jobs,” but first government needs to invest. Obama is all about government solons guiding American enterprise; McCain is all about the originality of American enterprise. I don’t know how anybody will be able to argue that Obama is winning this; he was supposed to, was he not?

:48: Whoa: McCain saddles Obama with supporting “Bush-Cheney” pork barrel energy bill. McCain pushing drilling again. Americans want to hear we can solve the energy problem, and McCain’s doing better. This really is a good forum for him.

:50: Obama on health care: He’s connecting with his audience for the first time. A bit wonkish. Good critique of McCain plan.

:52: McCain picks up the Obama default preference for government and effectively defends his plan for a $5000 refundable tax credit. Corny gag on hair transplants. What’s this health care “fine”?

:56: Obama says health care’s a right; McCain had said a responsibility. Obama has a nice grace note on his mother’s problems with insurance, to which all can relate. I’d say Obama winning the health care round, if only because he’s mustering some passion. Oops: Delaware’s “loose laws on credit cards”? Did he really say that? And who (Joe) is behind (Joe) those (Joe!)? Let’s see if that gets gaffe status. It should. What if McCain had said that Alaska was an alcoholics’ paradise?

:01: Guy sets McCain up to slam Obama on surge and Russia and on-the-job training.

:01: Obama: “It’s true…I don’t understand” invading Iraq while bin Laden’s setting up camps in Afghanistan. Obama deftly brings the cost of Iraq back to domestic issues and says McCain hasn’t talked about how he can pay for his plans. Makes odd point again about not being able to maintain military power amid economic decline.

:04: Tom wants doctrines. Obama pretty mushy. Referring to Somalia tragedy, McCain sounding like a realist again; what does The Nixon Center think? Responsible answer on Iraq.

:08: Question to Obama on Pakistan war — making reference to RN’s move into Cambodia! And the logic of Obama’s answer so far, about attacks being launched from privileged sanctuaries, makes it sound as though he might have approved the Cambodian incursions. Might want to run that one by Bill Ayers and Tom Hayden. He’ll go get bin Laden if we know where he is, irrespective of effect on Pakistan. Better run that one by William Shawcross.

:12: McCain reprises point from first debate about our failure to support post-Soviet Afghanistan, which is a good one.

:17: This diversion into foreign policy, permitted by Brokaw, has killed the debate.

:21: McCain’s masterly answer on Russia followed by me-too mush from Obama. The prudence junkies will 1) fail to note that Obama called McCain “somber” instead of “sober” and 2) go all weak-kneed about Obama’s coolness. The thing is, McCain has sounded pretty cool, and he shows subtlety with his “maybe” answer on Russia. Definitely tending away from Neoconville tonight.

:25: McCain gets a question from a chief petty officer, which sets up his reprised answer on Iran. The Obama people will not be pleased with Brokaw tonight. Didn’t McCain get 55% of the time? And why did he permit the debate to veer into McCain’s strong suit?

:29: Obama ends well on Iran, but this is a defensive subject for him, brought about by his naivete about foreign policy.

:30: Obama ducking the “what don’t you know?” question, and I don’t blame him. Asking a possible future commander-in-chief to confess ignorance has a “why did you stop beating your spouse?” character. Good segue into “fundamental change” peroration, which I don’t think he’s every really fleshed out (except for that 21st century regulatory scheme worked out with foreign governments he mentioned at the beginning).

:32: McCain ducks, too — we all don’t know the same thing, which is the future. “I don’t know what the unexpected will be.” We, neither. McCain’s dodge leads him back to Hanoi with a series of “I know what it’s like” comments which Bill Safire would like. Actually asks for people’s votes (as Obama just did, sort of, too). Good ending with putting “my country first.”

McCain had the edge on domestic and economic policy and dominated on the unexpected foreign policy section. McCain also got more time, I think. Brokaw continued American journalism’s campaign to demonstrate forcefully that Jim Lehrer should moderate all debates. Overall, dull. If McCain needed to change the course of the campaign, he didn’t. Partisans will say he didn’t hit Obama hard enough on taxes and poor judgment, but my guess is that some remaining undecideds are taking a second look at McCain.

****

Mea culpa: I was wrong in thinking that this debate was supposed to have been entirely about domestic and economic policy.

The Vice-Presidential Debate Liveblogged, Part 3

October 2, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under Election 2008, Liveblogging | 1 Comment 

10:01: Ifil asks about Biden’s positions on Bosnia and Kosovo, in relation to the Darfur situation. He contrasts his positions on Bosnia and Kosovo to McCain’s. He emphasizes need for US to act unequivocally to bring African Union forces in to stop genocide in Darfur. Palin notes that, for the most part, Biden differed from Obama on Iraq in the war’s early years. She expresses agreement with Biden’s position in Darfur. She observes that as governor she saw to it that Alaska divested some investments it turned out to have in Sudan. Biden’s problem: wouldn’t the reduction in foreign assistance that he advocates make it more difficult for US to help Darfurians?

10:07: Ifil: “How would a Biden administration be different from an Obama administration” if Obama didn’t complete his presidency? Biden: “God forbid that would happen.” But he says he would continue Obama’s policie and then moves into boilerplate right out of his last dozen speeches. If Palin can come up with something better, she’ll really score. Palin: “As for disagreeing, we’re a team of mavericks.” McCain “has never asked me to check my opinions at the door.” Notes the need for “a little bit of reality to be brought from Wasilla to Washington, DC.” Strikes a populist tone. Biden’s reply: “Go to Home Depot where I spend a lot of time” and ask if their lives have improved in the last eight years – borrowing Reagan’s question in the 1980 debate, but Palin right on it: “Say it ain’t so, Joe – there you go again!” Biden laughs. But he knows whose borrowing was more effective. Palin talks about her family’s involvement in education and again strikes an effective down-home note. Ifil: “Everyone gets extra credit tonight.”

10:13: Ifil asks what the Vice Presidency is worth. Palin doesn’t get into specifics. Biden explains what Obama asked him to do as Veep: “I’d be the point person for legislative initiatives in our Congress” (traditionally the Veep’s role if he previously served in Congress), but doesn’t get into other details.

10:15: Ifil: “Do you believe, as V-P Cheney does, that the Executive Branch doesn’t hold complete sway over the Vice-Presidency?” Palin emphasizes the “flexibility” in the current role of the Veep. Biden: “Cheney’s been the most dangerous Vice-President we’ve had in American history.” Continues that “the primary role of the Vice-President is to support over the President.” Insists that Cheney’s idea “that the V-P is part of the legislative branch” is “bizarre” – but Al Gore worked in a similar fashion under Clinton.

10:18: Ifil asks how Palin’s experience as Governor will help her on the national scale. Palin emphasizes not only her political experience but her experience as a middle-class wife and mother. She quotes Reagan (and John Winthrop’s) “shining city on a hill.” Finishes with some stirring rhetoric. Biden insists that what some call his “excessive passion” won’t change. He cites various achievements from his legislative record. Speaks affectingly about his wife and daughter’s death in 1972, and raising his two sons. “I understand what the people sitting around the kitchen table are looking for, and they’re looking for help, not more of the same.” Palin notes McCain’s ability to win the support of figures as ideologically diverse as herself, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani and speaks of McCain’s “maverick” persona. Biden insists that “McCain hasn’t been a maverick” on health-care or education or Iraq or “anything that really affects what people talk about around their kitchen table.” He gets more passionate. Evidently aware he has to make a powerful impression somewhere before debate ends.

10:24: Ifil asks an unfocused question for the finale about compromise and consensus. Biden talks about fighting the Bork nomination (20 years ago! He doesn’t talk about Clarence Thomas, probably nervous about alienating more conservative black voters). Palin discusses, more relevantly, her work on Alaska’s budget and emphasizes the need to “bring both sides together.” Ifil’s followup brings things over the argument over the bailout. Biden: “I believe that if McCain were here” he’d acknowledge Biden was good at bringing people together. He insists he questions “the judgment, not the motives” of his fellow legislators. Palin notes in Alaska she’s made appointments regardless of party affiliations. She points out “the policies and proposals have got to speak for themselves.” She emphasizes that Obama’s program will increase taxes and “say no to energy independence.”

Final statements. Palin comes first. She notes that “I like being able to answer these questions without the filter of the mainstream media telling people what they’ve just heard.” She continues: “I know what the hurts are, and thank God I know what the joys are of living in America.” She quotes Reagan again: “Freedom is always one generaton away from extinction.” Concludes: “There’s only one man in this race who has ever really fought for you” – the only reference to McCain’s Vietnam experience in debate. A strong finish. Biden’s statement rather more soporific at the start. He starts talking about “dignity and respect” as it was taught in “the neighborhood I grew up in.” He quotes his dad: “Champ, if you’re knocked down, get up.” Not too strong a finish. He concludes: “God protect our troops.”

At debate’s end, Palin shakes hands with Biden at the end and perkily says, “Thank you so much!” and brings Todd and the young’uns onto the stage.

PBS roundtable: David Brooks thinks Palin was “every bit [Biden's] equal” and that she held her own. Mark Shields: Dems “are disappointed she didn’t implode” and that Palin “came through far better than those around her expected.” Brooks perceives that her down-home touches were highly effective. He notes that Palin mentioned McCain far more frequently than Biden mentioned Obama. Shields notes that Biden failed to take advantage of some opportunities to tie Palin’s rhetoric to the Bush administration. He notes high energy level of the debate. Brooks observes that Biden seemed much more coached than Palin and failed to show his more human aspect until he started to discuss his family toward the end of the debate. Richard Norton Smith, presidential historian, comes on and discusses Palin’s successes, but thinks Biden’s performance was solid; he doesn’t think it was a “game-changer.”

The winner: Palin, especially since expectations for her were so low. If she and McCain can follow up on it effectively, they can turn the whole ballgame around.

The Vice-Presidential Debate Liveblogged, Part 2

October 2, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under Election 2008, Liveblogging | Leave a Comment 

9:26: Ifil asks a question on mortgages. Palin: “We need to look back and be appreciative of John McCain’s call for reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” She refers to “a toxic mess on Main Street affecting Wall Street” – she should have have that the other way around. First gaffe. Biden completely misses this (or is leaving it to Tina Fey), continues with quotes from Obama and McCain. Palin stresses the need to US to be energy-independent. Points out that $700 billion “circulating to countries that don’t like us” should be rerouted to US energy development.

9:30: Ifil asks about climate change. Palin: “Alaska feels the impact of climate change more than any other state.” She doesn’t want to argue about the cause, but how to “affect the impacts.” Stresses need for “all of the above approach.” Biden: “The cause is clearly man-made.” He says the big difference between Obama and McCain is “that if you don’t understand the cause you can’t come up with a solution.” Says “McCain has voted 20 times against funding alternative, clean energy sources.” Mentions Obama’s support of “clean coal,” atoning for the gaffe last week. “Drill we must, but it will take 10 years for one drop of oil to come out.” Ifil: Has Biden always supported clean coal technology? Biden: “I have always supported it.” Palin notes the enormous “clean green” natural-gas resources in Alaska. Biden insists his comment last week “was taken out of context.”

9:36: Ifil asks if the candidates support granting same-sex benefits to couples. Biden says he supports such benefits unconditionally: “It’s what the Constitution calls for.” Palin: “Not if it grows closer to redefining the traditional definition of marriage” but says she is tolerant of couples “choosing their own relationships between themselves.” Biden states he and Obama do not support gay marriage. The candidates note their positions on these issues don’t differ.

9:39: Ifil asks about the war. Palin points out “the other ticket” opposed the surge. She says “it would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq.” Biden, looking uncomfortable, discusses Obama’s plan for withdrawal. Biden insists “you’ve got to have a timeline to draw down the troops.” Palin’s response: “Your plan is a white flag of surrender.” She’s on stronger ground here, pointing out decisions about how the war is going should heed what the “commanders on the ground” say. She notes Biden’s remark in the primaries that Obama wasn’t ready to be commander-in-chief: zing! Biden refers to McCain’s refusal to approve an Iraq funding bill that had a timeline. He insists that McCain “has been dead wrong on the fundamental issues of the war.”

9:45: Ifil asks about the nuclear threat from Iran. Biden notes the problem of unstable Pakistan being a nuclear power. Biden: “John continues to tell us the central front in the war on terror is in Iraq.” Biden insists the problem is centered in Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Which may be so, but only a stable government in Iraq can fight Iranian influence.) Palin notes that McCain’s opinion is the same as that of Gen. Petraeus’s. She observes that “Israel is in jeopardy” in the face of Iranian president’s recent statements. She brings up Obama’s “no preconditions” quote. “Spunky” could describe her demeanor. Ifil’s followup question refers to Palin’s meeting with Dr. Henry A. Kissinger. Palin expresses her admiration for him. Biden insists that Obama never said he would sit down with Iran’s prez. Palin emphasizes support for two-state solution for Israel and Palestine “and building our embassy in Jerusalem.” Biden insists Bush administration’s Mideast policy has been “absolute failure.” He emphasizes Iran’s growing influence in Mideast. (But does not point out the contradiction involved in his Iraq position.) Palin stresses that McCain administration “will learn from the past mistakes.” She says: “Change is coming?” Biden asks how McCain’s policies will be different from Bush’s. He uses “I haven’t heard how his policy will be different from George Bush’s” three or four times – too often.

9:56: Ifil asks about nuclear weapons proliferation. Palin says “nuc’leer” in her Big Sky accent. She emphasizes need for another surge in Afghanistan. Biden replies: “In Afghanistan, our commanding general said today surge principles will not work.” He says that US has spent as much money in 3 weeks in Iraq as in 7 years in Afghanistan. (True, the two countries have different landscapes, requiring different combat approaches.) Palin argues the general didn’t “categorically” say that surge principles wouldn’t work. She outlines aspects of Iraq surge principles that would be effective in Afghanistan. Biden in his reply seems on the defensive.

The Vice-Presidential Debate Liveblogged, Part 1

October 2, 2008 by Robert Nedelkoff | Filed Under Election 2008, Liveblogging | 1 Comment 

The following times are Eastern. I’m watching the PBS coverage.

9:00: Jim Lehrer, Mark Shields, David Brooks observe this is Palin’s big chance to prove she can talk coherently.

9:01: Gwen Ifil, the moderator, outlines the format. Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden come out, shake hands. Palin back in black.

9:03: First question – does the way Washington has handled the bailout show the best or worst of Washington? Biden plays it safe, quotes Obama. Dems keep fingers crossed that Biden will stick to that approach. Palin opens with a down-home approach: “go to a kid’s soccer [not hockey] game” and ask the parents how things are going. “The barometer is going to be resounding that our economy is hurting.” “John McCain has been one representing reform.”

9:06: Ifil: “How would you shrink the polarization we’ve seen?” Biden: “I’ve been able to reach across the aisle.” Then: “Two Mondays ago at 9:00 John McCain said the fundamentals of the economy was strong.” Palin: “He was talking to and he was talking about the American workforce, the greatest in the world. What I’ve done, as governor and mayor” is to have a “track record of reform.” She says Obama “has voted only along party lines.” “Put the partisanship, put the party interests aside.” “Americans are craving something new and different.” Ifil: “None of you have really answered the question.”

9:09: Ifil: “Who started the sub-prime meltdown?” Palin: “Darn right it was the predator lenders.” She continues: “Let’s commit ourselves – Joe Sixpack, hockey moms- never will we be exploited again. We need also to not get ourselves in debt.” And: “It’s not the American people’s fault the economy is hurting like it is.” Biden’s response: “McCain, while Obama was warning us,” said to the Wall St Journal “that ‘I’m always in favor of cutting regulations.’” Palin: “Barack had 94 opportunities” to vote for tax reduction. So far Palin is performing well. Biden argues that Obama and McCain “voted the same way” on the budget vote Palin is referring to. Biden cites “deregulation” again. Palin emphasizes “taxes.” She says, “I may not answer the questions the way you and Sen. Biden would like but I’ll talk straight to the American people.” Ifil cuts her off mid-sentence a minute later.

9:15: Ifil asks a question about taxing health benefits. Biden: Middle-class families “haven’t had a single break in taxes.” (You could have fooled me the last few years.) Palin: “I take issue with the redistribution of wealth principle you’re talking about.” She ties in lower taxes to the creation of more jobs. She borrows Reagan’s old “government not the solution, but the problem” line. Ifil: “Are you interested in defending McCain’s health-care plan?” Palin is, and puts the point across effectively, especially the crossing-state-lines part of the plan. Biden’s reply: “John McCain taxes, as income, every health-care plan.”

9:20: Ifil: “What promises have you and your campaigns made that you will not be able to keep” after the bailout plan. Biden notes that foreign assistance will have to be reduced, then moves into rhetoric about no longer giving big business tax breaks. Palin discusses the energy plan Obama voted for in 2005 “which gave those oil companies those big tax breaks.” An effective point which enables her to segue into her fight against the oil establishment in Alaska. Ifil: “So there’s nothing you’d take off the table” as a result of the bailout? Palin does not get into anything specific. Biden defends Obama’s vote on the energy plan.

Liveblogging The Debate

September 26, 2008 by John H. Taylor | Filed Under Democratic Party, Election 2008, Liveblogging, Republican Party | 1 Comment 

Going in: Sen. McCain has the opportunity to seize the mantle of change by showing how he was willing to risk his candidacy for the sake of the bailout. He can make Sen. Obama look cautious and timid — the candidate of “call me if you need me.” By the same token, Obama may be able to show that his opponent acted recklessly and impulsively and did nothing to help this week.

8:04 p.m. — Obama makes a quick connection with everyday Americans’ economic concerns and sets out a clear position on the bailout. A bit hot.

8:06 — Follows Obama’s partisan attack with a nice grace note on Teddy Kennedy. Talking to Jim Lehrer, whereas Obama was talking to us. Over here, senator! Matches Obama’s attack on him and President Bush with a celebration of bipartisanship. Inside baseball digression about House Republicans.

8:09 — Obama good on need for “21st century” regulation system.

8:11 — McCain deftly matches Lehrer’s Eisenhower quotation and then reaches for Sen. Change mantle by referring to his call for SEC Chairman Cox’s resignation.

8:12 — Nice McCain line: “Afraid I couldn’t hear him?” Lehrer is kindergarten cop, telling grown men whom to talk to. Just ask the questions, Jim!

8:15 — Pretty dull so far.

8:15 — McCain on “evils” of earmarks, and then accuses Obama of going after them. Obama=Evil? Red meat time.

8:16 — Obama shouldn’t say “Sen. McCain is absolutely right” quite so much — I mean, if I were he, I wouldn’t. Counteracts with McCain’s alleged tax cuts for privileged.

8:17 — Candidates are matched in that neither is especially eloquent off the cuff. They’re hesitant and halting, but also plainspoken and thoughtful-sounding. Both anti-(Bill) Clintons.

:18: — McCain making good progress on defining himself as a maverick. Obama needs to find a way to tar him with the insider’s brush.

:19 — First interruption: Obama.

:20 — McCain going for the entrepreneur’s vote. He’s for Main St., not Wall St. But then back to reformer talk vs. Washington and Obama’s earmarks. Lists some dollar figures for people.

:22 — Obama wants to talk to the American people, but he looked a little hesitant for a second, because Boss Jim wants him to talk to McCain.

:23 — Obama: McCain wants to “tax health benefits.” Nobody wants to hear that.

:24 — McCain: Budget “festooned with Christmas tree ornaments.” McCain communicating real passion as a reformer. Obama shouldn’t let himself look so frustrated. Doesn’t he know he’s on camera?

:25 — Obama says McCain wants to give $4b to oil companies. Nobody wants to hear that, either.

:25 — McCain’s smile is endearing — makes him look like a teenager.

:26 — Obama: “We have to have energy independence…” — but then the “Middle Eastern oil” dodge. That’s not actually anywhere near independence, and he knows it. Will McCain pick it up? Nice reference to China’s space walk. (Has it actually occurred yet? Evidently not.) Good laundry list, but sounds expensive.

:28 — McCain: “We’ve got to cut spending.” Calls Obama liberal, left. Didn’t Alan Colmes say that won’t work anymore? (Obama’s smile is endearing, too. You know what? They’re both good guys.) Good detail on sending people to jail over Boeing contract. This is essential work for him to do to kill the “third Bush term” talking point.

:31 — Obama: Now it’s dependence on “foreign oil.” Big difference. Another “John’s right.” Takes on lobbyists, but so far McCain still sounds more anti-Beltway.

:32: Both candidates are playing it safe. Lehrer a little too focused on this bailout issue, and so he got “How about a spending freeze?” out of McCain. Now Obama is against spending freezes. Lehrer approach does get them off their canned stuff.

:33 — Hey, Obama mentioned Iraq! That’s right, it’s the foreign policy debate! Okay, with you, Jim?

:34 — McCain: Nuclear power. You go, Senator. 700K new jobs, and helps with climate change. Well synthesized, Sen. McCain. Plus he mentioned Clinton.

:35 — Obama: “Roosevelt purchased a whole bunch of homes” in Great Depression. Somebody look that up. Obama cooking now on values and health care “crushing” people around the country.

:36 — McCain swiftly turns tables — let families make decisions on health care. Obama has $800b in new spending. Mentions veterans. Spending restraint and no tax increases are keys to McCain’s recovery plan. “We owe China $500b.”

:37 — Obama plays the Bush card. Whadaya got, McCain?

:38 — “Not Miss Congeniality” again. Partial list of independent positions v. Bush. Alludes to Gov. Palin.

:39 — McCain’s story on spearheading Iraq turnaround is extraordinarily powerful. Obama has nothing in his quiver to match this. McCain is hitting his stride on Iraq. “We will come home…not in defeat.”

:41 — Obama’s strong suit on Iraq is that he opposed it six years ago. Not as powerful a point as it would’ve been a year ago, so he’s wisely shifted to Afghanistan. Oops: Back to Iraq, and blaming al-Qaeda resurgence on Bush policy. He should go back to Afghanistan and repeat his “he won’t follow him to the entrance of his cave” line. But he didn’t.

:43 — McCain: Next President’s decision is how to get out, not whether to go in. Strong indictment of Obama’s opposition to the surge. This is Obama’s greatest foreign policy and judgment vulnerability.

:44 — Obama needs a better talking point on this. Oh-oh: Now he’s listing the things McCain was wrong about. Effective, but Jim interrupted him. Bet the Obama handlers are POed.

:45 — Obama “doesn’t understand the difference between a strategy and a tactic.” I don’t think McCain is especially vulnerable on this question. The “let us win” anecdote is good. “Sen. Obama refuses to acknowledge that we’re winning in Iraq.” Obama: “That’s not true.” (So we are winning, Sen. Obama?) McCain is scoring here. Jim should ask him if he’s now acknowledging that we’re winning.

:48 — Obama finally back to Afghanistan. This is better ground for him. Saying that the commanders there need more troops is good. McCain replied, and Obama didn’t let him finish his sentence. Yet McCain kept the floor and continues to dominate on this subject. Pretty amazing that McCain was working on the bailout this morning and is dominating the Iraq discussion tonight.

:50 — The kindergarten teacher undertook a bailout for Obama by refocusing on Afghanistan. He’d been pummeled into silence on Iraq. Obama keeps quoting Sec. Gates. Will he keep him? Third Bush term, maybe? Jim did him a big favor here, because he’s rolling on al-Qaeda, the poppy trade, Bush’s inability to get bin Laden.

:52 — McCain deftly shares in responsibility for post-Soviet neglect of Afghanistan. Good on Obama’s willingness to destabilize Pakistan, which is a weak point for Obama. His own route to another Iraq, if we end up responsible for that key nation’s stability. McCain is also sounding masterful here. He just know more. This stuff is in his DNA, and people can tell. He looks young and strong. Obama sounds like he’s stayed up late and done his homework.

:55 — Obama on the defensive on his invade-pAHkistan policy. Ineffectual jab at McCain’s “Bomb Iran” song (so yesterday!) but then says, “John’s right” again. Has there been a single “Barack’s right”?

:57 — McCain: “I don’t think Sen. Obama understands…” That must rankle. A reminder that McCain was there for Lebanan Marine bombing, Somalia, Kosovo. Not sure people that interested in the digression, but he’s reinforcing the quality and depth of his experience. Obama needed to make McCain look reckless tonight, and he’s failed. McCain sounds strong, almost magisterial. Frankly, I didn’t imagine that he’d do this well tonight.

9:01 — Obama: “We are having enormous problems in Afghanistan because of that [Iraq] decision…You don’t muddle through on” going after bin Laden.

:02 — McCain hits Obama for not visiting Afghanistan. He says he knows what our needs are — and I think people will agree. “Sen. Obama doesn’t seem to understand” again.

:03 — Lehrer notes that they’re even on time consumption. Obama’s made no errors, which, according to the pundits’ analysis before the debate, means he’s winning. I don’t agree. McCain has never been better.

:04 — McCain vs. a second Holocaust. Pro-”League of Democracies.” Bruce Herschensohn is smiling. The Nixon Center is tut-tutting. Good stuff on influencing Iranian behavior, so he doesn’t sound reckless. But he doesn’t want us to have any illusions about Iran’s nuclear threat nor its support for those killing Americans in Iraq. Hits Obama on Sen. Kyle’s bill.

:06 — Obama defending himself again. This will be seen as his weak point tonight. Too much defense, too little offense. “Sen. McCain is absolutely right.” Somebody should count these up! Deft point on McCain’s League of Democracies, which would ostracize non-Jeffersonian democracies China and Russia, which could help with Iran.

:09 — McCain plays the [I-can't-spell-his-name] card.In NY now, wanting to destroy Israel. OMG: He mentioned President Nixon and his trip to China. When’s the last time RN was mentioned at a GOP convention or in a Presidential debate?

:10 — Obama effectively quotes HAK, who thinks that talks with A– would be appropriate under certain circumstances. He’s retaken the offensive here, and I think people will be impressed. McCain won’t even meet with leader of Spain.

:12 — McCain’s “I don’t even have a seal yet” joke fell flat. He’s on defensive for first time. Obama’s approach to Iran is “dangerous and naive.” Segues into North Korea for no apparent reason.

:14 — Obama, candidate of change, quotes Henry Kissinger again. That’s got to be good for something in Nixonland.

:15 — Now McCain is quoting Kissinger. Maybe five minutes now spent on what Kissinger thinks about Iran. I’ll bet Henry just hates this! The Iran thing was a wash.

:16 — Obama now sounding prudent and well-briefed on Russia. McCain getting ready to go through the sequence of Obama’s original comments on the move into South Ossetia. Obama mentioning a lot of countries.

:18 — Yep. Here he goes: Obama’s first statement on Russia-Georgia war was naive. Obama “doesn’t understand.” Not sure Americans want to hear militant talk about Russia — we’ve got enough wars as it is. As long as we’re quoting RN and HAK, remember that the former President warned the Georgians in 1991 that the U.S. won’t go to war for Georgia. And yet McCain does demonstrate his mastery and experience. He’s been to these places, he knows these guys. I’m really not being partisan here, but Obama hasn’t offered much to counterbalance McCain’s strength on this stuff (and those two Ukraine names — whoa!).

:21 — “Sen. McCain and I mostly agree on these issues.” Why, I think he’s agreed with McCain 90% of the time! Both can say the name of the Georgian President that I can’t spell. “As Sen. McCain mentioned” — there he goes again. Obama effective bringing it back to Americans’ energy concerns.

:24 — McCain: Obama really not for nuclear (he doesn’t let Obama interrupt; then Obama tries again, smiles, looks uncomfortable). OMG: McCain was commenting, and Obama, for the second time, invited Lehrer to have them move on. Isn’t that crying uncle?

:26 — In talking about U.S. safety since Sept. 11, McCain gets another chance to show his differences with Bush and his record in reaching across the aisle. Gets in his anti-torture position. Implicitly takes credit for DHS. Immigration grace note.

:28 — Obama: “Not a nuclear missile coming over the skies” — a little Palin-like, there? Pro-missile defense, which I hadn’t known. Back to al-Qaeda, active in 60 countries. He said this already. Final point: “The way we are perceived in the world…America’s standing in the world.” Frankly, I don’t think anybody cares. Gratuitously, gives McCain “great credit on the torture issue.” His people are going to take him to the woodshed for that — isn’t that 6-8 pro-McCain comments from his opponent?

:30 — McCain returns the favor with another “Sen. Obama doesn’t understand” on al-Qaeda danger in Iraq. Hits Obama’s plan for specific dates for withdrawal. Obama didn’t bring this question back to score points, but McCain did.

:32 — Obama hammmers Bush-McCain on their single-minded focus on Iraq. “There has never been a country on earth that saw its economy decline and yet maintained its military presence.” “Next President has to have a broader strategic vision on all the challenges we face.”

:34 — McCain: “I don’t think Obama” has experience; he’s made wrong judgments. “We’ve seen this stubbornness in this administration” in talking about Obama’s refusal to admit error on surge. That was deft, associating Obama with Bush! Obama’s downcast smile showed that McCain had scored on that one. “Reform, prosperity, and peace” — McCain’s trinity. I hadn’t heard that, either.

:36 — Obama back on how America seen in world. Who really cares?

:36 — McCain’s closer: POW-MIA; normalization of relations with Vietnam. “I know how to heal the wounds of war, how to deal with our adversaries, and how to deal with our friends.”

Obama played it safe and gained no ground; McCain dominated and gained some ground. Advantage: McCain.