Charles Krauthammer thought Obama won the first Presidential Debate
By John Amato Sunday Sep 28, 2008 12:03pm
I'm continuing to sift through the post debate analysis from Friday night so we can get a glimpse at what some conservatives had to say about the Ole Miss Friday night not-pay per view -event. First Dick Morris thought Obama won and now Charles very clearly gave the advantage to Obama. It's interesting when a political opponent gives a non partisan explanation now and again.
Krauthammer: I thought he hammered a little bit , he kept repeating, 'my opponent isn't experienced, he doesn't have the judgment, he's not ready,' but he's gotta make the case. And except for the last moment, I think McCain had a poetic moment when he very quietly and softly ended by saying I know how to heal a nation after a war, I know who to deal with adversaries and with... I thought he was hammering a lot. Now, there styles are different. McCain is a guy who hits, he hammers, he jabs. Obama is smooth, he's very elegant and he was nimble and here's a subject in which you'd think he be alien, but he was never flustered, he was never at a loss. I think he was on the defensive on a couple of issues like Iran, but that's because of statements he made earlier in the campaign. I thought he came out only slightly behind on foreign affairs, thus overall in the absence of a sound byte, in the absence of an embarrassing moment on his part, I think he comes out of this neutral and thus ahead because we're now going to have debates on the economy which are going to be his strong areas and McCain will be on the defensive....It does end the drama of the McCain week.
Yes, no sound bytes to pounce on. CK uses some weird language to make his point, but what he said is round one goes to Obama and that was a very important round indeed. I was against foreign policy being the lead topic of the three debates because it had the ability to side track the favorable polling news that has changed since the economic meltdown began for Obama, but it turned out pretty good so far...Lindsey Graham certainly was grumpy about it.
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My "friends?"
Firstish...
I don't know whether to be happy or run screaming. Chucky-boy has that effect on people.
Alright trolls, welcome to C&L....don't shit on yourselves but, that mean, condescending, colored fella hating, Dumbya ass kissing, dying before our eyes, old man lost....don't be mad, Sarah will save you Thursday.
So many of the reviews of this debate were determined by the appearance of McCain and Obama. I have a friend who listened on the radio and believed McCain crushed Obama. And he's an Obama supporter. I told him that as I watched the debate, it looked like McCain was a cornered animal, ready to attack. That McCain didn't even look at Obama when they were introduced, and he didn't say anything to Barack when the debate was over. You could hear Obama say, "Good job, John. Good job," but McCain again did not look at Obama.
John, don't lie through your teeth, Chris stated that the debate was a draw and both sides won.
I get suspicious when a Kool-Aid drinker like Krauthammer makes an even handed political analysis. I've become so cynical that I'm assuming AIPAC gave Charlie the green light to say something positive about Obama.
Joseph White @ 5:
Self correction, Charles stated that both sides won the debate.
One last comment
~ the TV heads are just like the medieval monks trying to explicate the labanotation of x-number of angels dancing on the head of the pin.
John,
Here's another one: www.gallop.com
Debate Watchers Give Obama Edge Over McCain
September 28, 2008
"A USA Today/Gallup poll conducted Saturday, Sept. 27, shows that Americans who watched the first presidential debate gave Barack Obama the edge over John McCain as having done the better job, by a 46% to 34% margin."
McCain came across as angry and that is not good for the people. Who wants an angry, agitated President. I've got my plate full of my own problems and would like to see a President who is calm, smooth and optimistic about what he can do for this country. McCain should have left his anger at home like I do!
YES!!! For the first time since I started checking state-by-state polls, North Carolina is showing to be slightly in Obama's favor. There is hope for the Tarheel state.
it's nice that at a certian point, some people will actually acknowledge reality. all the polling (including fox) showes that by a sizeable margin independants gave the night to obama. johnnies only chance going forward was to sway them with his so-called expertise on foreign affairs, and he didn't do it. once they focus fully on the economy and domestic issues, mccain will be toast. i think this debate will show more than just that obama "held his own", it will end up being the point at which the train crested and started rolling downhill with nothing able to stop it.
It is amazing to me that some people still don't get it that Obama is the New World Order candidate. Of course, the neo-conservatives like Krauthammer are supporting him. McCain is only in the race as a loser to get beat, like Kerry, Gore, and Dole before that.
The TV pundits are all propagandists and puppets for the central bankers, just like all the political leaders. Elections are just a show to give you the illusion you have a choice about what happens. WAKE UP.
It actually looks like the act of smiling brings pain to McCain.
Charles Krauthammer thought Obama won the first Presidential Debate
Charles Krauthammer thought?
I know the "conventional wisdom" was that Obama was ahead on the economy and merely "stood his ground" on foreign affairs ... but let me tell you that from an Old Europe perspective Obama wiped the floor with McCain ... He had a far more nuanced world vision, a true diplomatic style for the 21st century ...in my opinion, only ethno-centrist pundits could fail to see that.
When Krauthammer speaks no one listens.
Alert
Come listen to this interview of Obama's with Bob Schieffer of Face the Nation yesterday
Damn I knew I heard Obama say “Iran is developing nuclear weapons” during his appearance on Face the Nation on Sunday. He did not say they might, could, want to develop nuclear weapons Obama said “Iran is developing nuclear weapons” WTF
Why did Bob Schaeffer allow him to get away with repeating this unsubstantiated claim? We have heard Lieberman, McCain, Ledeen, Cheney, Bush, Rice, Reuel Marc Gerecht, Woolsey, Kristol, and other right wing radicals say this but this is the very first time I have heard Obama say this. What’s up with Obama repeating this?
Why is Obama ignoring the last NIE on Iran? Why is Obama ignoring what Iaea’s El Baradei has said about Iran? Why did Obama’s inaccurate and inflammatory claim about Iran pass by listeners and Bob Schieffer?
Listen to this interview with Obama? He said “Iran IS developing nuclear weapons” Obama needs to be called out on this.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/ftn/main3460.shtm
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I mean it was enough to listen to Senator McCain during the debat repeat 4 times the endlessly repeated and inaccurately interpreted statement that Iranian President Ahmedinejad allegedly said that "Israel should be wiped off the map". Which Professor Juan Cole has confirmed was a complete misrepresentation (lie) of what the Iranian President said Zionism "will vanish from the pages of time" JIM LEHRER DID NOT CALL MCCAIN OUT ON THIS JUST LET HIM KEEP REPEATING THIS.
But now we have Bob Schieffer allow Obama to lie and say "Iran is developing nuclear weapons"
Obama needs to be called out on this statement
Can you believe this Blow-hard has a opinion cloumn in my newspaper? I use it to line my bird cage.
Now will John McBush break even on the economy debate?? think NOT!!
Will the town hall be rigged with pre-reviewed questions and no spur of the moment action? Of course.
Will Palin embarrass her party into the history books ala the Whigs. Lets HOPE SO !!!
So Mukasey stalled for months on the attorney firings, and now selects a special prosecutor stalling just long enough for the Rove/Meiers pardons which I believe will trump the chances to continue the investigation.
Equal Justice Under the Law horseshit....Mukasey should have his ass hauled off to prison for obstruction of justice.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/29/mukasey-appoints-special-proscutor-to-...
Attorney General Michael Mukasey has appointed acting Conn. US Attorney Nora Dannehy to continue the investigation into the firing of 8 US Attorneys in 2006.
Faux noise is now turning on themselves and for once telling the truth that Obama mopped up Alzheimer McBush.
For all the yammerin' about it...did anyone notice that Obama had the lapel pin and McCain did not?
P.D. @ 18:
That explains your bird's anxiety disorder.
That's because the Reslugs actually hate our troops and don't support them when they come home.
I've been reading posts about how our veterans are fuming about McCain's comments during the debate. The fact he stated he loved our veterans and always supported them is utter garbage. And veterans know it. McCain constantly voted against any more aid for them and even college benifits. I think the Vets won't be very supportive of McCain on election day.
After 4 years in the White House, John McCain will look like Charlie Krauthammer.
P.D. Says: Can you believe this Blow-hard has a opinion cloumn in my newspaper? I use it to line my bird cage.
I think you should be more economical...and line the cage with dollar bills.
I sure wish they would stop calling these scripted platform speeches "debates". We are facing (pick one)
[the worst financial crisis of our time]
[astounding investment opportunities]
and neither of the "candidates" could candidly discuss or argue their positions let alone describe their proposals for dealing with this (pick one)
[crisis]
[bonanza].
debate noun A formal contest of argumentation in which two opposing teams defend and attack a given proposition.
Charlie Krauthammer is an american treasure. He is living proof that REALLLY ugly people can get on TV.
Selective editing screws up this blog....EVERY time...in between John's editing Charles did say this:
“No because he didn’t have that knockout moment in which he won that debate essentially. This was a draw. And I don’t think that advances Obama usually but it gets out of the way of potential liability…”
So Charles did not state that Obama won this debate, lets be honest here.
Well, at least he picked up the overall trend: That it's turning into a referendum on Obama. That's what negative campaigning has done.
I think that if it does turn into that, we win. In short, because I think people will always go with 'the devil you know', and polls do indicate people seem to feel they know Obama better.
OTOH what I'm kind of worried about.. for the sake of my sanity rather than the campaign, is McSame's gimmickry.. See the SNL debate sketch? Spot-on. I mean, first the Palin pick and then the campaign 'suspension' that wasn't.. If McCain has so little faith in his campaign that he'll pull these stunts when he's behind in the polls over a month out.. What's he going to do if he's still behind come the last few weeks?
Cue the pie-eating contest.. I would not be surprised.
Limp-Dick Blimpaugh @ 23:
They don't hate 'em...they just don't give a fuck about 'em, one way or the other...The troops are just ciphers, empty counters, pieces of machinery. What you learn, as a soldier, is that you are effectively 'dead.' They can do with you what they want/need, and there's nothing you can do, except die...
We were talking to some die hard republicans Saturday night. They didn't express an opinion regarding the debate, but they did say they believed Obama would win. Not sure what that meant or how to take it, but I liked the sound of it. Most of their friends are the same kind of republicans they are so I have a feeling some of them are jumping off the McCain ship and swimming to Obama's.
Liberal@26. LOL! I guess it's come down to that. Sad, but true. In just 8 years everything turned to crap. Well, let's hope we don't have to stand in soup lines. Because I don't think this Bail-out will do a damn thing.
P.D. Says: Liberal@26. LOL! I guess it’s come down to that. Sad, but true. In just 8 years everything turned to crap. Well, let’s hope we don’t have to stand in soup lines. Because I don’t think this Bail-out will do a damn thing.
NO SOUP FOR YOU! LOL!
McGramps came across as petulant, spoiled, peevish, bitter, contemptuous, disrespectful, irritable, cranky and curmudgeonly. In that way, he lost the debate big time.
BIG TIME.
pissed@32, What choice do they have? I'm terrified McCain will die leaving the Air-head from Alaska Pres. If that doesn't frighten them, then nothing will.
OMG. Are we in bizarro world here? First I hear news about a paper endorsing a Democrat for President after seventy-two years of supporting Republicans and this I see this shill give an even-handed critique of the debates without posturing for McCain.
Certainly the sky must be falling. ;)
P.D. @ 36:
If installed in the SHiteHouse, I expect him to remain until his cancer comes back. then he'll step aside for Scarah, who'll appoint Cheney (or Addington, or mebbe Jebbie) a HER Veep, to actually run things...
Obama needs to say “McCain wants to lower taxes for people making $5,000,000,000 (five Million dollars) a year. It is true and it sounds incredible. Why would anybody want to lower taxes on people making $5,000,000,000? Shit don’t they have enough already? Joe and Betty Sixpack/Winebox do not understand this. Obama needs to bring this home to the people of Pennsylvania and Ohio and Michigan. If he wins these states he wins the election.
What I'm tired of is the old, "this is Mr. X's strong suit" "that is Mr. Y's strong suit" Why can't we expect that intelligent people (I'm giving McCain the benefit of the doubt) have strong and informed views on ANY issue. Why should we "expect" Obama to be less knowledgeable on Foreign Affairs... he's a Harvard grad for crying out loud! Don't you think he might be able to pick up some data, read and absorb it? Don't you think a guy who's been running for President for the last 20 months would be engaged and listening and paying attention to what's going on around him? I am and I'm just a techie guy in California!
Being in the military does not necessarily give someone foreign affairs experience. Especially if someone's military experience consists of burning up 4 jet planes and getting another shot down over enemy lines. How does that prepare someone to be President? I was in the Air Force in my teens and 20's. That does not qualify me to be a pilot or to be a Commander-in-Chief? It just means I served my country... that's all. While in the military I was stationed in South Korea and I actually visited the DMZ and saw the table where North and South signed their cease-fire. Hey, maybe I do have what it takes to be C-in-C and President?!?
Listen to what they say and more importantly, look at how they have voted... then make your decision. I think you will see that Obama is more engaged, more knowledgeable, more able to reason with our so-called enemies and create a more favorable image of America around the world. I think Obama's strong suit is intelligence, while McCain's suit is empty.
Obama needs to let Joe Sixpack and Betty Winebox know that McCain wants to tax their employer provided health insurance. THIS IS HUGE. If Joe is making $40,000 a year and he gets health insurance he will be taxed at $52,000 a year. Health insurance being valued at $1,000 a month - $12,000 a year. Now if Joe and Betty are married and they each work and they each get health benefits at their respective jobs they will be taxed for an extra $24,000 in income per year. And if together they make $60,000 a year they will be taxed at $84,000!!! The general public does not know this because they have not been told. Obama needs to say this often often often often often often often often often often and LOUD LOUD LOUD.
I find it infuriating how the Repugs call it sexism when it comes to the tough questions. Yet, I remember how they descirbed Hillary. Shrill and cold. I don't know about you guys, bet Palin is the Shrillest of them all. Every time I hear her talk, it sounds like nails across a blackboard. And I'm not kidding!
Also Obama needs to use the words "Senator McCain does not understand" or "Once again Senator McCain does not understand." In the economy debate Obama will be able to show how much McMelanoma does not understand the economy and "Middle America" independents have to be told that McSenile does not understand the economy. "Once again Senator McGrumpiepants does not understand." "If Senator McBush would stop trying to blame the Democratic Congress for the Republican fiasco he would learn that the Republican deregulation was at the root of this problem." Etc etc.
Who won? Depends upon the audience.
Both candidate's bases are either motivated, or have choked down their objections and will come out to prevent the other guy from winning, or some variant of the these.
The debate's ONLY meaningful effect on the final result is how it affects the undecided voters.
Now at this point in time the undecideds are basically semi-retarded low information voters.
McCain wowed them. He was short, to the point, didn't look as old as he is, played all of the proven to work (on the low information voter) talking points, spoke slowly, and did not lose it.
Obama turned them off. He was precise, nuanced, and clearly elucidated a workable well thought out short and long term view. In other words the target audience had no idea what he was talking about.
For some reason these dupes want a doctor or lawyer who is smarter than them but want a president equal to or dumber than them. Go figure.
The debate (and those that follow) will change a vanishingly small numbner of votes. What they will do is help the undecideds to decide. And among that audience, McCain beat Obama like a rented mule.
biodrummindieseler @ 6:
You should be suspicious.
I think this is all an elaborate scheme to pave McCains road ahead.
Charles would have us take away from this that because Obama essentially "broke even" on the topic of foreign policy,a subject he isn't supposed to be as strong on as the Maverick,then conversely,(on the subject of the economy)all McCain must do is show up,not say anything stupid,and in effect break even to "win".
Dale @ 14:
Yes!! You nailed it. I have been trying to figure out what that idiotic grin reminds me of. McPOW is trying so hard to smile it looks like it hurts. It looks so disingenuous I can't stand to watch.
May the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future visited him. Maybe he's a new man!!!
Great job ghosts.
McCain needs to get into his little golf cart, pick up some of his OLD cronies and ride off into the sunset.
I don't really care what the sour Krauthammer has to say. He's an asshole.
Krauthammer's an idiot. He virtually avoided any analysis of the men's actual words. Why? Because McCain's ideas are threadbare, wrong, and often contradictory. (Krauthammer didn't mention that he and McCain share views.) So, he presented the debate as if a debate consists entirely of mime and dumbshow. Posture. Tone. Crap.
Even on Krauthammer's own terms, McCain was dismal. He was often caught making faces at the camera like a high school kid. In a man of his years, making faces at the camera isn't just immature: it's scary. People with nuclear responsibilities need to have a staggering amount of self-control, and if anyone says they've ever caught McCain exhibiting self-control, I'd like to see the proof.
pinkobait @ 46:
I would be more inclined to think that those Republicans in control never liked McCain and would prefer him to lose. They'll let Obama deal with this mess for 4 years which would sink the Dem reputation ('cause it'll take more than 4 years to clean this up), then a Neo-Repub can run in 2012 to get them back in the saddle.
It's sound bite, not byte.
And if it comes up again, mike is short for microphone, not mic, despite what you see on your electronics.
As for the debate, I thought McCain won, though barely, by being more aggressive (almost to the point of being a right-wing a-hole by interrupting Obama; maybe Johnny got his talking points from Hannity?), but I was pleasantly surprised to see the public giving it to Obama. Bring on Palin!
The economic crises is so bad the republicans will have to bring in their big ace to solve the problem. But she will have to cancel her debate on Thursday to do it.
Obama can easily conclude to McGrampy, "when you're wrong, you're wrong - and you - you're always wrong." Even if McGrampy was right about the surge, he, among other neocons, were WRONG about the Iraq war.
I can't wait to see Joey the Shark - Joe Biden take on Sarah Palin and make her look foolish and speechless, since Biden has experience that is valid and reliable.
There aren't too many people I out-and-out despise. This guy's one of them--I don't care *who* he thinks won the debate.
Krauthammer is not a very good person.
I don't care. He's an ass (Krathammer, that is).
This http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amb-richard-c-holbrooke/calm-methodical-ob... is the best analysis of the debate I've read yet. Sure, I'm partisan, but if I could write like Richard Holbrooke, I would have said exactly the same thing he so perfectly put down in ink.
You can sense the dissappointment in hume's voice at the end where he says: "Thanks for coming in". His tone was not quite as harsh as his usual grating 'hammering'. Another subtle blow against the right-wing, but they all count.
Charles Krauthammer is without a serious doubt, the most mean-spirited man on the planet.
Now, mirabile dictu, he is on our side?
Should we not be worried?
The leopard does not change his spots, at least not unless a good price iinvolved.......................
Maazel
For all the Krauthammer-haters above - As soon as I see you bring up a persons looks it shows me you are shallow and rude. It probably also means you are not very good-looking. When I read your comments about "lining the bird cage with dollars" it shows me you think like a white-supremacist(or are dating one). It probably also means you are greedy yourself. The guy obviously disagrees with you and is articulate, so all you can say in response is "he's an idiot." That's a pathetic way to make a point. The way you criticize shows the way YOU think, not the way the other person does. How were you treated as a child, buddy? Next time try some thoughtful criticism, not just mob mentality and the kind of garbage probably flung at you by your parents. People will then respect what you say a lot more. That is, if you really have anything to say.
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