Live Blogging 2008 Presidential Debate Between Obama and McCain

by Rob Walker | September 26, 2008 at 05:22 pm

2085 views | 12 Recommendations | 18 comments

The first presidential debate between Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Republican Senator John McCain began tonight at 9pm est.

As expected, the debate began on economy and the most recent bailout, which expanded to the larger economic issues.

(A quick note, these quotes are paraphrased as I'm typing it out as we watch it online, check NP later for the full transcript.)

Obama and McCain both agreed that there are major problems going on with the economy and government oversight (or lack thereof).

Obama wants to reduce taxes for 95% of citizens in the US.

We'll be continuing our updates as the debates rage on!

Obama: "The people out there who are working every day, who are not getting a tax cut, you want to give them more. You don't want to add the tax cut, you want to add more."

McCain: "This is a classic example of walking the walk, and talking the talk. You've got to look at our records, that's the important thing...who is the person who has kept spending in control?

"Let's give every American a choice. Do the americans want the existing tax code, or a new tax code."

Commentator: Are you willing to acknowledge that this financial crisis is going to affect how you rule the country?

Obama: "There's no doubt about it. Even if taxpayers get (the bailout money) back, in the short term there's an outlay, and we may not see that money for a while."

(I missed some discussion on Afghanistan/Pakistan because I was trying to upload some video. Check for the transcripts online folks!)

McCain brought up Obama wanting to attack Pakistan, and Obama turns around on him big time. Obama reminded McCain that McCain wanted to wipe out North Korea and was singing songs about 'bombing Iran'. Ouch.

McCain: "My reading of the threat from iran is that if iran acquires nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to the country of Israel...it will also cause other countries to create their own nuclear weapons."

Obama: "I believe the republican guard in Iran is a terrorist organization. I have said so numerous times. Ironically, the main thing that has strengthened Iran is the war in Iraq. Iraq was the number one competitor to Iran (before we invaded)."

Commentator: "How do you see our relationship with Russia?"

Obama: "A resurgent and very aggressive russia is a threat to the peace and stability in the region...it is absolutely imperative that we have a unified alliance. And we have to explain to the russians that you can't be a 21st century power and act like a 20th century dictatorship."
"We also can't go back to a cold war era with Russia."

McCain: "A little bit of Naivety there, he doesn't understand that Russia committed an act of war against Georgia. He doesn't understand that Russia is basically a KGB-run country."

53 See all footage | View Slideshow

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blacktryst

at 17:44 on September 26th, 2008

McCain says that in the Presidential debate that building 45 more Nuclear power plants is part of his plan to reduce oil dependence and is part of his climate change plans.... Climate change with Nuclear energy??????!!!!!!!

master_jim2008

at 19:01 on September 26th, 2008

This judge of the debate says

McCain = WAAAAAA sniffle sniffle

Obama = WINNER and next President of the United States

shaniqa (not verified)

at 09:58 on September 28th, 2008

obama is very wise when it comes to politics i believe he would be a great president!!!!!!!!!

Jordan Yerman

at 19:04 on September 26th, 2008

I admit to yelling at the television. More than once.

(It's me, jordan, using Rob's laptop, and using my mysterious powers to compensate for accidentally not logging out before commenting. Oops)

Uwe Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 00:31 on September 27th, 2008

Rob Walker, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Sorry, But I have to say that both worried me with there lack of knowledge and simple minded views as well as solutions, MxCain was worth though then Obama. I am very sorry for the US and the rest of the World, to me those two are clowns and neither should be a President.

Amy Judd

at 13:38 on September 27th, 2008

Great job you guys - and love the videos you made!

Poisonthemonkey

at 20:17 on September 27th, 2008

Current's Hack the Debate event with Twitter.

Poisonthemonkey has contributed a photo to this story.

Poisonthemonkey

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:18 on September 27th, 2008

Rob Walker, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Blue-439

at 20:44 on September 27th, 2008

Watched part of the debate at the apple store on 14th street in Manhattan...BORING!! Presidential debates once provided some potential for an eventful exchange. Now they give nothing but expected responses with no new point of view.

Blue-439 has contributed a photo to this story.

Bernard Lovius (not verified)

at 21:11 on September 27th, 2008

Although I would vote for Obama I did think McCain came across more strongly and Obama seemed somewhat nervous too frequently saying "John is right on this point" etc

LilEJamie (not verified)

at 17:35 on September 28th, 2008

I think Obama won this debate hands down. The only thing John Insane got Obama on was foreign policy. I think John Insane is a coward. He did not even look at Obama one time the whole debate. Even when he was addressing him directly. That is pitiful. Insane just kept on saying Obama doesn't understand and yes you may be saying that Obama kept on saying that I agree with John or Insane. Obama was just giving the man his credit on saying that he was correct meaning that he was agreeing with him. But John was acting just like a 74 year old man would act. Agonizing. And why would he bring his age into this debate. That was a dumb move. He just kept on saying all the experince he had and where he had gone( Iraq and the other places he mentioned.) But I liked when vice presidental candidate Joe Biden said that he had been to all those places that Insane had gone and that doesn't make him anymore qualified than Obama. And now on this race thing.. I am sick and tired on all of these white people not saying Obama is qualified. But if Obama was all white they wouldn't have a thing to say about him. They probably would want him to become president. I was watching a video on youtube on why some people didn't want Barack to become president and most of the white people of course didn't have a thing to say. They were just saying they didn't want him to become president. Didn't have one good reason. And I know racial issues are going to last forever but at least give the man a chance. And Insane need to sit his old tail down. I dont want no man in office who might die 3 days later. I don't mean to be talking like that but... Anyways.. And Insane was acting like he didn't want to hug his wife. See Obama walked over to his woman. Said a few words and kissed her. Insane's wife looks a bit too young for him. hahaha.. And Isnsane was wrong for spreading a rumor about a love child that Obama had. See Obama is the bigger man. He didnt say anything about John and the affairs he use to have back in the day. John was a player.Just do the right thing!!. OBAMA 08' TIME FOR A CHANGE! YOU PEOPLE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION!!

Ejjjj (not verified)

at 17:23 on October 1st, 2008

obama your the best i will pick uyour like the first black american i hope uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu win not him but u

mtippett

at 18:36 on October 2nd, 2008

My call:

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/vp-prediction-bidens-authentic-emotion-diminishes-palins-cutesiness

rlw943

at 18:57 on October 7th, 2008

After all the attacks on Obama over not wearing his flag lapel pin, here we are in the most important meeting that the two candidates have and McCain fails to wear one.

rlw943 has contributed a photo to this story.

Sanjay Jha

at 19:03 on October 7th, 2008

Good work, I didn't see whole debate but managed to see last few minutes. So who do you think has scored good points?

master_jim2008

at 19:14 on October 7th, 2008

2nd debate score, Obama 10, McCain -0

see my story "not even an hour after the debate"

behrang (not verified)

at 00:09 on October 13th, 2008

iam iranian iam 22 and i just wana say that all i really think about this presidential election asthat republics give more attention to foreign policys in comparison with democrats for me as a young man that didnt have a chance to expriencethe freedom in my home idlike the american to vote mccain.its not about racial issues but about to put irans regime under the pressure.and i just wanted to add the mccains comment about ahmadinejad and about the obama that said he would be ready to negotiate with ahmadinejad and irans regme without any precondition tht for me itdoesnt make sense.how can you negotiate with someone that want israel to be eleminated from world and blieves that israel will disappear off the map and obama would be ready to negotiate with such a person this is what i cant understand about obamas logic but iam sure americans will ellect right person