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StumbleMcCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks as Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., listens during their presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 7:39 p.m.
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Election 2008
John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Wednesday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their campaign for the White House.
"One hundred percent, John, of your ads, 100 percent of them have been negative," Obama shot back a few moments later to his rival, seated only a few feet away at a round table.
"That's not true," McCain retorted.
"It is true," said Obama, seeking the last word.
McCain is currently running all negative ads, according to a study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But he has run a number of positive ads during the campaign.
Behind in the polls, McCain played the aggressor early and often.
He demanded to know the full extent of Obama's relationship with William Ayers, a 1960s-era terrorist, the Democrat's ties with ACORN, a liberal group accused of violating federal law as it seeks to register voters, and insisted Obama disavow last week's remarks by Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat, who accused the Republican ticket of playing racial politics along the same lines as segregationists of the past.
Struggling to escape the political drag of an unpopular Republican incumbent, McCain also said, "Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush. ... You wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."
Obama returned each volley, and brushed aside McCain's claim to full political independence.
"If I've occasionally mistaken your policies for George Bush's policies, it's because on the core economic issues that matter to the American people _ on tax policy, on energy policy, on spending priorities _ you have been a vigorous supporter of President Bush," he said.
McCain's allegation that Obama had not leveled with the public involved the Democrat's decision to forgo public financing for his campaign in favor of raising his own funds. As a result, he has far outraised McCain, although the difference has been somewhat neutralized by an advantage the Republican National Committee holds over the Democratic Party.
"He signed a piece of paper" earlier in the campaign pledging to accept federal financing, McCain said. He added that Obama's campaign has spent more money than any since Watergate, a reference to President Nixon's re-election, a campaign that later became synonymous with scandal.
Obama made no immediate response to McCain's assertion about having signed a pledge to accept federal campaign funds.
Asked about running mates, both presidential candidates said Democrat Joseph Biden was qualified to become president, although McCain qualified his judgment by adding the words "in many respects."
McCain passed up a chance to say his own running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was qualified to sit in the Oval Office, though he praised her performance as governor. Obama sidestepped when asked, saying it was up to the voters to decide.
McCain used the opening moments of the debate to accuse Obama of waging class warfare by advocating tax increases designed to "spread the wealth around." The Democrat denied it, and countered that he favors tax reductions for 95 percent of all Americans.
"Nobody likes taxes," Obama said in an exchange early in the third and final debate of a campaign nearing its end. "But ultimately we've got to pay for the core investments" necessary for the economy.
"If nobody likes taxes, let's not raise anybody's, OK?" McCain retorted with a laugh.
McCain's allegation stemmed from one of Obama's campaign appearances last weekend.
In Ohio on Sunday, Obama was approached by one man who said, "Your new tax plan's going to tax me more."
A video clip caught by Fox News shows Obama replying, "It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."
McCain referred repeatedly to that voter, Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber from Toledo, Ohio.
Wurzelbacher watched Wednesday night's debate and said he still thinks Obama's plan would keep him from buying the small business that employs him.
About McCain: "He's got it right as far as I go."
Even so, Wurzelbacher declined to say who was getting his vote.
He said he was surprised that he was called "Joe the Plumber" repeatedly during the debate.
"It's pretty surreal, man, my name being mentioned in a presidential campaign."
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Not a game-changer.
John McCain looked crabby.
And when he tried not to look crabby, he looked like a crabby guy trying not to look crabby.
Watching this aggressiove little morgue candidate tonight, I still can't get past the thought of how McWhacko would handle a Kruschev or Ayatollah Khomeni. The Sen. still thinks he's a tough guy and thinks that's the way to handle things sorta like another mouthy ex-GI running around Nevada blogs. But it would sure be one way to cut down on our nuclear stockpile if he were Psycho-in-Chief II.
And I haven't seen plumbers mentioned so much since the Watergate break in.
He was right though in that we are going to have "class warfare" and the sooner the better. And he was right he is not George Bush; he is exponentially more ill-suited for the position.
Li'l Johnny was crabby, whining, and acted like the kid on the playground trying to get someone's attention by lashing out at the nearest person with off-topic, meandering thoughts that came from who knows where. Obama was cool, offered great answers (though they both dodged several direct questions) and as usual sat above the fray that Johnny likes to try to get started. We need a president with that kind of coolness and level-headedness. Good judgement and let's face it, Obama is way cuter than McCain. McCain did make some great faces though, can't wait to see those again.
Listening to John McCain tonight was sad. He lasted five minutes before he started imploding. His answers were erratic and whiney. Obama remained calm throughout the exchange and demonstrated great leadership. I feel bad for the old goat because he definetly showed his age tonight...
McCain really blew it tonight. Using his fingers for quotes on the "HEALTH" of the mother re: abortion. He only cares about himself and his rich friends (he doesn't have any others). He would implement across the board spending cuts. Therefore, if you are poor and pregnant you can't get an abortion nor money to help raise the child. Why because the Pro-life Republicans only care about individuals while they are in the womb.
If people making 250K a year are complaining about a tax increase because they are not living the "wealthy" lifestyle. Try making it on less than 75K.
A change we need...I just hope in the long run it works...I am an independent voting for one the 2 parties since 1984.
I see all the "seminar posters" have chimed in for the social communist, Obama.
How much of YOUR wealth does he need to "spread around".
McCain had the puppy, Obama, on the run most of the evening. Obama gets that broad, vacant smile pasted on his face when he gets smacked, and he "smiled" a LOT last night.
Obama simply doesn't have the gravitas to be much more than what he is - a programmed, scripted slickster who has more in common with the Jeremiah Wrights, the Rezkos, the Ayers, the racists, the ACORNs and the social communists of the world.
How much more wealth of YOURS will he and his ilk seize to "spread around"??
Do you even understand what the word communist means, because all you do is throw that word around and dilute the meaning. Communism is the government owns EVERYTHING. Everything from the clothes on your back to the the furniture in your house to the electricity to shops, everything. Obama has not said he would nationalize one industry. Keep on making scurrilous attacks that have no foundation in reality. Besides, he said 95% will get a tax break. So are you saying you are in the 5% richest in the country? If so you deserve to pay more taxes.
...Not near the $1.8 TRILLION the Psycho-in-Chief just took...
McWhacko looked like the very little...bitter..pathetic, vacant waste of skin that he is.
Hussein's plan is to take tons of cash from peolpe that earn money and give it to the people that do not earn money.
People who pay zero income taxes will get each get thousands of dollars under Hussien's plan.
Income re-distribution = Socialism
No wonder that Chavez, Castro, Putin and Hamas just love Hussein.
I bet $100 that there will be dancing in the streets in Palestine, Iran and in Pakistan if Hussein wins.
Bush's income redistribution= predatory capitalism.
Also I don't vote based on the candidate's popularity in another country.
"Do you even understand what the word communist means.....
Back after your self-inflicted crushing embarrassment the last two days. You have been fun to toy with, thanks. Being a mensch is most of what you've contributed.
I've said and meant "social communism" is what Obama represents. Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nan Pelosi, Murtha, Harry Reid, Maxine Waters, Frank Raines, Jim Johnson, Jamie Gorelick and their ilk have been handling the "nationalization" of the banks first, the financial services industry next - once "you" control the money, "you" control everything else. ALL, because of the rotten debt liberals FORCED the FMs to take over the last 10-15 years.
xxxxx
"Obama has not said he would nationalize one industry.....
Social communists NEVER say what their real and true intentions are. They can't!
The "95% will get a tax break" canard has already been destroyed here and throughout the internet arguments. Good thing Obama has the lying liberal major media to cover this up. Wait until YOUR "wealth (is being) spread around". OR, maybe, you're waiting for your "welfare check" from Obama to those who pay next to no taxes as it is??
xxxxxx
"Bush's income redistribution= predatory capitalism.
Also I don't vote based on the candidate's popularity in another country."
Obama's "spreading the wealth around" = corrosive socialism and national shared misery! Worse than Jimmah Carter.
America's enemies LOVE the puppy, Obama. Can't wait to get their hands on those big-ears! Ignoring the appreciation of America's enemies re: the puppy, Obama = is very indicative of your side just covering their ears and intentionally living in ignorance as to the danger BO and his ilk represent. Bush Derangement Syndrome rides again!
I AM in the "top 2, maybe 3%", who pays about 40% of ALL income tax revenue. I have NO DOUBT that you pay much less of a %, IF you work at all. The 95% bogus campaign tax-cut woof by the puppy, Obama will never happen.
Clinton, a MUCH more professional politician, said about the same thing about "middle-class tax cuts" - then got elected and what happened - not only a tax rise on them, but a SS tax hike on them as well. It took years of corporations falsifying wealth and cooking books to have Clinton show a "surplus". That, and stripping down the military as world-wide terrorism took hold. Good thing George W. Bush and we "30-percenters" have won the war in Iraq - just in time for the puppy, Obama, to invade Pakistan, lol!!!!
You have seemingly done little to earn the free ride MY increased tax rates and payments have paid your way for. The services "you" enjoy and can call on - are being paid for by ME and we "top 2%-ers". Success and achievement are HARD to gain and maintain and will be harder under an Obamunist Administration.
Red: are you getting dizzy from intellectual spanking being administed by NVMakz?
They might both be kind of stupid but at least one is American & says the pledge of allegiance honorably.
1) I do work thank you.
2) I'll say it again. Which is it, because you seem to not make up your mind. Is Obama socialist or communist? And couching either phrase with social is fudging the facts. It would be on par with saying something is luke warm and cold.
3) If you are in the top 2-3% (which I doubt) earners, then you are a selfish coward. Whatever money you make is on the backs of those who help make it for you. Warren Buffet even says the rich should pay more, because they are supported by the rest of the country. Bill Gates would have no money unless low paid grunts did the work for him. And he understands that, that's why he gives back so much. This isn't to take away from his ability, and he deserves the billions he has. But he knows that his money is made by others.
In any case, in your own warped world sure you can win, but objectively until the "Ref of the Sun" comes down and annoints you with laurels, you just have delusions of granduer to match the written effluvium you tend to spew out like so much diarhea. Seriously, source your outrageous claims (not with editorials!).
also gino, you're speaking up now. This is after you were owned on the whole Obama citizenship thing. Don't you have some UFOs to chase down?
3) "If you are in the top 2-3% (which I doubt) earners, then you are a selfish coward. Whatever money you make is on the backs of those who help make it for you."
I wouldn't doubt it! Denial may force you to, though!
xxx
"Bill Gates would have no money unless low paid grunts did the work for him. And he understands that, that's why he gives back so much."
Gates "gives so much", but the estimates of his wealth year-to-year changes little and his place on the billionaire's list changes little. This IS well-noticed around the financial world. MICROSOFT has rewarded the employees very well, probably creating more millionaires in their 30 years than any other company in history. MS's "low paid grunts" are compensated VERY well for their efforts.
xxxxx
"This isn't to take away from his ability, and he deserves the billions he has. But he knows that his money is made by others. "
So, Gates deserves his wealth, but I am a "selfish coward"?? LOL!!
The "others" have been world-wide computer users / purchasing consumers who have used MS software to create many, many global mega-trillions of dollars of positive economic results. The marketplace - at least until Obamunism takes hold if it does - rewards like this.
xxxx
"In any case, in your own warped world sure you can win, but objectively until the "Ref of the Sun" comes down and annoints you with laurels, you just have delusions of granduer to match the written effluvium you tend to spew out like so much diarhea."
You haven't made a serious argument here for many weeks. The last two days have especially hard on you, at your own hand, lol!
This "Ref of the Sun" KNOWS (as I have told them personally) they can ban me anytime they want to, but they haven't. I feel very positive all the libs pound the "suggest removal" button when I write - therefore the "Ref" is well informed.
xxxxx
"Seriously, source your outrageous claims (not with editorials!)."
The FACTS presented wiped you off this forum the last days -at your own hand. Unanswerable and sputtering re: the list of FACTS re: Democrats causing the economic crisis lately. It must of hurt not to argue back, didn't it?
Here is it AGAIN! Just to see you not be able to answer FACTS once again!
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles...
Add this one in there as well.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles...
Obama is the Messiah.
First, Obama will save America.
Obama will take from the rich and give to the poor. People who pay income taxes will pay higher income taxes so that people who pay no income taxes will get checks for $1,000's of dollars.
Obama is going to hand out welfare cash like it is candy.
Obama then is going to try to buy the middle class vote by giving them $1.95 more a day in middle class tax cuts over McCain's plan. $1.95 a day will bring much happiness in lives of Americans.
Every day, Obama is promising more tax cuts and spending plans. Obama will be the trillion dollar man. Obama will be the first president to generate trillion dollar annual budget deficits every year he is in office.
Next, Obama will save the world. Many leaders are excited about Obama being the world leader. Chavez, Castro and Hamas have given their support to this wonderful future leader. There will be joy and dancing in the streets in Iran, Palestine, Pakistan and Havana when Obama is anointed Messiah of the World.
nance, you are such a dissembler. And a name caller, and a hater. You've said the same things a thousand times, just reworded a little bit to fit the context. It's sad, really.
Red: thanks for the mention. Sorry, no one has ever owned me. Twenty years in the Marine Corps taught me to stand my ground. By the way, the lawsuit filed by Hillary Clinton supporter Philip Berg, demanding that Obama produce a vault copy of his purported Hawaii birth certificate, is alive and moving forward. I understand that the presiding judge was appointed to the federal bench by President Clinton. Check out www.obamacrimes.com for all of the details.
NVMakz: I appreciate your informed analysis!
gino keep clinging to that fable. There is a preponderance of evidence stating the obvious, he was born in Hawaii. That or he broke into the records office, inserted forgeries, has bribed all of the records officials, planted a false birth declaration in the newspapers, and much more, because his mom just knew he would be running for the presidency in the distant future. Get real. that or start hanging around holocaust deniers or those idiotic 9/11 truthers.
Or if you are so damn sure of this, why don't you spend the money to call up Hawaii (your cell carrier might have good night minutes that will coincide with Hawaii still being open for business. What are they, 3 hours behind PST?) ask for the relevant records office, and ask them yourself. Or the more realistic point is that if he was foreign born, I think the government would have already ferretted out that fact already.
Oh, and for that matter, the governor of Hawaii is a republican stumping for McCain. If there was EVER someone in a good position to blow him out of the water on this issue it would be her. Keep clinging to this fable, because desparation is a stinky, stinky cologne.
Red: Please take a deep breath and count to ten slowly.
I never called, Hussein, anything except by his legal name.
What do you want me to call him Barry?
(He used to be called Barry but that was too white for him.)
Red: Speaking of fables, as a History major I'm certain you're familiar with the one entitled, "Dewey Beats Truman."
Calling Barack Hussein Obama by his given name is at least 1/3 racist, according to the Obamunists..
This tactic also calls his parents racists, since they gave him a name (1/3) only racists can speak.
Why would Barack Sr. and Stanley Ann give their son a racist middle name?
Why did it take so long for the Obamunists to discover saying Barack Hussein Obama's middle name to be labeled racist? Guy's in his late 40s, after all.
So if it's not racist, or at least trying to make a subtle point, why not refer to McCain as Sidney? Why the double standard unless there's really a point you're trying to make?
I'm guessing you Republicans are listening to too much Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Michael Savage. When was the last time Savage actually referred to Obama as anything other than Hussein? While it's technically correct and not necessarily racist, it just speaks volumes about the real intent there.
I suppose it's just like referring to Bush as "W" and the negative connotation it holds.
But harske, there was another Bush who was president, and they have the same names. I suppose they thought Bush the Second sounded a little too imperial/regal. They wanted the more common touch there. After all it led to that bad joke he made about Washington, that his friends called him George W.
In any case there isn't another Obama to get confused with, and it does speak volumes about intent. We could all just call McCain Sydney the Third.
Although I do admit that if you inflect W, to make it Dubya, there is a little bit of red-neck baiting going on there.
Would you call Muhamad Ali "Cassius"? Would you call Ahmad Rashad "Bobby"? Did ya call your hero Reagan "wilson" or "willy"? You are such a transparent racist, nance.