U.S. Presidential Debate September 26, 2008: John McCain vs. Barack Obama

Tonight we'll be liveblogging the 1st Presidential Debate between John McCain and Barack Obama
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/26/2008 9:47:19 PM
The debate kicks off at 9pm Eastern on CBS
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/26/2008 9:47:51 PM
McCain agrees to attend
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/26/2008 9:49:13 PM
Here's the scene getting setup for tonight:
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/26/2008 9:51:02 PM
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/26/2008 9:51:14 PM
Early reports suggest that they are going to address economic issues, despite this debate being slated to cover foreign policy and national security
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 12:05:48 AM
Ready to go with 2 minutes to spare!
by MDM at 9/27/2008 12:58:39 AM
There is two others covering this on SL
by MDM at 9/27/2008 12:59:22 AM
Presidential Debate 1
by MDM at 9/27/2008 12:59:57 AM
Crazy! Will be a big night for liveblogging ;)
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:00:03 AM
Woot Katie!
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:00:37 AM
Pundits think foreign policy is going to play to McCains strengths
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:01:33 AM
Introduction to the debate: primarily national security and foreign policy. Divided into 9min segments
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:02:09 AM
Audience being asked to stay silent tonight: no cheers, no applause
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:03:10 AM
McCain and Obama shake hands
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:03:26 AM
Question: Eiesenhower"We must achieve both security and solvency...foundation of miliary strength is economic strength" At this moment tonight, where do you stand on financial recovery plan?
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:04:07 AM
Obama: "Mainstreet" has been suffering already. Put forward series of proposals to protect tax-payers. Need oversight, possibility of getting it back/gains, none of that $ going to CEOs, helping homeowners. This is a "final verdict on 8 years" of Bush's policies; hasn't worked. Fundamentals of economy = middleclass
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:04:25 AM
McCain: Sen. Kennedy in the hospital: "our thoughts go out". Feeling better tonight: Dems and Reps working together on this crisis, thinking about "mainstreet". Has to be a package with other elements to it. This isn't the beginning of the end of this crisis, this is the end of the beginning. We have a lot of work to do.
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:06:38 AM
Can't believe he wasted time talking about Kennedy! He only has 2 minutes!
by Matt at 9/27/2008 1:07:31 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:07:36 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:08:03 AM
Q: How do you stand on the recovery plan? "We have 5 mins. We can negotiate a deal right now"
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:08:51 AM
Nice: I like how he ( the moderator) re-asked the question.
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:09:24 AM
Obama: We haven't seen the language yet. How did we get in this situation in the first place? 2 years ago he warned "we could potentially have a problem". Yes, we have to solve this problem shortterms. Have to look at how "we shredded so many regulations".
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:09:26 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:10:08 AM
McCain: Going to vote for the plan. Also warned about Fanny Mae/Freddy Mac, etc. Eisenhower reference. Lost accountability
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:10:13 AM
McCain is talking about WWII cause he was there.
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:11:02 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:11:57 AM
Obama: We need responsibility, but not just when there's a crisis. As we solve this shortterm problem, need to look at longterm issues. Disagrees that "fundamentals of the economy" are sound.
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:11:58 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:11:58 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:12:12 AM
LOL: McCain made a hearing joke
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:12:57 AM
Q: Do you agree, McCanin?
McCain: "No doubt that we have a long way to go", more consolidation of regulatory agencies. American workers are most productive.
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:13:40 AM
McCain: We need to fix the system: To bad it was the republicans that put them there.
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:13:58 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:14:41 AM
Question: Are there fundamental differences between your approach and Obama's approach to lead country out of this crisis?
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:14:42 AM
McCain: Spending is out of control. "We came to Washington to change Washington, and Washington changed us". Will veto all spending bills that would come across his desk. Burns Obama for porkbarrel spending.
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:14:50 AM
McCain: Spent 3 Million to study the bears DNA
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:16:06 AM
Obama: McCain right that earmarks process has been abused. McCain proposing $300B for corporate tax cuts. All earmarks are just $18M. "We need to grow the economy from the bottom up". Has proposed tax cut to 95 %of Americans. McCain wants to follow policies of Pres. Bush.
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:16:31 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:16:44 AM
Obama: McCain wants 300 Billion is tax cuts
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:17:27 AM
Obama: Wants to cut taxes to 90% of all Americans.
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:17:59 AM
by MDM at 9/27/2008 1:18:34 AM
McCain: Maybe porkbarrel is not a lot of money to Obama, but completely out of control. It's a system that "has to be cleaned up"
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:18:42 AM
Obama: Don't know where McCain is getting those figures. No one is denying that $18M is important, but eliminating earmarks alone is "not a recipe to getting the middleclass back on track"
by Jonathan Keebler at 9/27/2008 1:19:51 AM