Here is what some Christians who blog are saying about the 1st presidential debate between Senators Barak Obama and John McCain:
Daddypundit - 11:07 PM - The First Debate
Now that the first presidential debate is over, the question that everyone is asking is who won? Each side will, of course, claim victory. But pundits (and probably voters, too) go into these things looking for a clear victor.
One of the cardinal rules of debates is to not say anything that will come back as a sound bite that can be used against you later. While there weren’t any major verbal gaffes, the McCain campaign didn’t waste any time making an ad from one of Senator Obama’s minor gaffes. The speed with which that ad appeared is just further testimony of how media saavy McCain’s campaign really is.
La Shawn Barber’s Corner - 9:25 PM - First Debate Open Thread
Back in this blog’s early days, I used to “live-blog” events like speeches and debates. Haven’t live-blogged in a long time. Why break the streak tonight? …
I invite you to “live-comment” tonight’s presidential debate. Discuss the candidate’s answers, appearance, and anything else of relevance. Topics of interest to me: immigration … , the war in Iraq and how to deal with global terrorism, and the developing Cold War, Part II.
Bible, Math, Politics and More! - 7:26 PM - Math Meets Politics—Obama Gets Failing Grade
During this evening’s debate, Sen. Obama made the following observation …: “We’ve spent $600 billion in Iraq, soon a trillion….” A moment later, he added that we are spending $10 billion a month in Iraq.
A quick bit of math demonstrates that at this $10 billion/month rate, it will take another forty months (that’s 3 1/3 years) to reach the $1 trillion dollar spending threshold. I don’t call that “soon.” Furthermore, if spending in Iraq decreases in the months and years ahead, as it should, the man elected president this year may not even be in office when that $1 trillion threshold is reached—if it is reached at all.
So he failed on that question.
Vox Nova - 12:23 AM - Debate Wrap
Winners: Jim Lehrer. He was successful in not making this an alternate series of informercials. Investment Banks. In one of the good shows of magnanimity, both candidates said they would cooperate in getting the bailout passed. Time will tell, but most likely the rest of us will benefit. Losers: Russia. In another show magnanimity, …
The Thinklings - 9:43 PM - The Debate
I’m watching the debate. Both candidates are doing well. It’s been an enjoyable debate so far, believe it or not.
McCain is doing well. He’s knows his stuff, and is doing a pretty good job. I think Obama was supposed to not do as well, as this is a foreign policy debate, but he’s actually holding his own, making some points and deflecting most of the barbs coming his way. He looks Presidential, whatever that means.
My observation: McCain has been coached to point out, repeatedly, that Obama “doesn’t understand” and is “naive”. I happen to basically agree with that … but I’m not sure how well that repetition is working. Obama seems to have been coached to appear Presidential … and so he’s repeatedly said “When I’m President I will . . .” Decent strategy, I think..
joyfulchristian - 12:28 AM - General impressions on the first debate
McCain made Obama look outright foolish about Iran.
McCain clearly had a message he wanted people to hear about Obama. He repeated over and over, “Senator Obama just doesn’t get it.”
Obama either had no theme for the night, or didn’t communicate it very well.
Hugh Hewitt - 10:30 PM - Debate Summary: A Strong McCain Win: “Senator Obama Doesn’t Understand…”
As expected, McCain shines and Obama is on the defensive throughout. The good news for Obama is that more than 30 minutes were not on the specifics of foreign policy. But Obama stumbled badly on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. McCain simply knows this stuff, and Obama again and again betrays that he does not.
Michelle Malkin burns up a bunch of electrons with these multiple posts on the topic:
- Who won?
- Debate video: Obama can’t remember the soldier’s name on his bracelet
- Rapid response: McCain debate ad quotes Obama, “McCain is right”
- A historic night: The first presidential debate of 2008
And finally, a whole bunch of posts in mostly 20 minute increments by Fr. Ernesto Obregón of OrthoCuban:
- Pre-first debate post, McCain vs Obama
- McCain vs Obama, first half hour
- McCain vs Obama, timeline 30 to 50 minutes
- McCain vs Obama, timeline 50 to 70 minutes
- McCain vs Obama, timeline 70 minutes to end
And a bit earlier today:
signs of life - 3:27 pm - questions about debates and global poverty
If you could suggest one question for Jim Lehrer to ask McCain and Obama, what would it be?
I would like to see the candidates asked how their foreign policy will affect the world’s poor.
Finally, for those who prefer their debates be in the World, but not of it … Doug Wilson offers:
Scripture in Debates, Scripture on Debates
