Debates Round 1

Quick take:

I'd give a slight edge to McCain. I thought his walk though all foreign engagements of the last 25 years was a weak explanation of his policy decisions today (so you were down with the US/Reagan in lebanon? The bombing or the fleeing? Or the going in in the first place?). I think he lost on the tax issue back and forth. Obama wouldy hit a high note, but it wasn't dominant in much of anyway. He also did something that you NEVER do in a debate: he kept conceding points where they agreed and then have an add on to differentiate. I'm of the school that says (and I say this as a matter of technique in the format) that you never concede their position. Even if you agree. You state hour position and the audience can decide "they agree on that". When you just say you have the same opinion it is weak and lazy and gives no one a reason to behind you. I think the debates were evenly split, but a slight edge to McCain 55/45.

UPDATED--Holy Cow!

Did you see David Letterman when McCain ditched the show after 'suspending' his campaign? oh my goodness! Letterman really went after him. If only in scheduling and logistics, I think this is a major mistake in his campaign. All indicators seem to point to a resolution passed by congress and on the desk of the President within a week, if not by Friday. People expect candidates to still do their jobs as Senators while campaigning and if McCain 'suspends' his campaign so that the bill can be passed anyway 3 days later, this will be seen as a major gaffe. This IS uncharted territory for the candidates, but this has been very difficult for McCain. Watch this short clip of his positions over the last 10 days. it doesn't point to his competence as much as it points to his lack of a developed, coherent position.



You know, what I like about McCain is that I respect him even when i don't agree with him. That's how i feel about the republicans i know in my everyday life, that i call my friends. I think McCain has had to do some unpleasant things to obtain and secure this nomination. I like to think that he wears it so poorly because it is so against his nature. I feel bad for him more than i dislike the man.

The Economic Crisis

Bush did have a few words to let the people know he was hard at work solving our problems:

"My first instinct," said President George W. Bush, "was to let the market work, until I realized, being briefed by experts... It turns out that there's a lot of interlinks through the financial system."

The things you learn when you get that Harvard MBA. One of the things i loathe about the President is his need to state things that are, generally, self-explained...then follow that up with a sentence elaborating on his comment like a kid giving a book report on a book he barely touched...trying to stretch for time.

Quote of the Day

"it's hard to stay sucker free in the land of lollipops."

-anon

Mets up 8-3 iin the 7th 3inning!

The view from the Mayor's box at Nationals Stadium.

Mets Batting Practice

Rain delay at the Last of the Season

We have the worst grounds crew ever.

Fiscal Conservative

Ask your favorite republican, i'm sure they'll tell you its someone else's fault.

What do you REALLY Think?? (video/audio)

You may have heard already, but here is a transcript.  it seems a few pundits (Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan) were still on mic when the cameras cut away.  VERY interesting is the comment about Sen. Kaye Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), possibly the most qualified female VP candidate alive.

UPDATE:  Noonan tries to clear up the "it's over" comment.  she wasn't REALLY talking about the McCain campaign with that.  I'm not sure if she commented on what she was 'meaning' when Palin's nomination was called "gimicky" and "bulls**t".

Chuck Todd: Mike Murphy, lots of free advice, we'll see if Steve Schmidt and the boys were watching. We'll find out on your blackberry. Tonight voters will get their chance to hear from Sarah Palin and she will get the chance to show voters she's the right woman for the job Up next, one man who's already convinced and he'll us why Gov. Jon Huntsman.

(cut away)

Peggy Noonan: Yeah.

Mike Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor world: Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. I mean, these guys -- this is how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it's not gonna work. And --

PN: It's over.

MM: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

CT: I also think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too.

PN: Saw Kay this morning.

CT: Yeah, she's never looked comfortable about this --

MM: They're all bummed out.

CT: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

PN: The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives --

CT: Yeah they went to a narrative.

MM: I totally agree.

PN: Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.

MM: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical.

CT: This is cynical, and as you called it, gimmicky.

MM: Yeah.

Not Much Time

It seems the McCain vetting team got to interview governor Palin one day before she was asked to be VP. not much vetting time, but that matches the stories i've heard about how all this unfolded. from the AP:

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 2 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was not subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview with the head of Sen. John McCain's vice presidential vetting team until last Wednesday in Arizona, the day before McCain asked her to be his running mate, and she did not disclose the fact that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant until that meeting, two knowledgeable McCain officials acknowledged Tuesday

VP Nominee is Pregnant Out of Wedlock...Move Along, Nothing to See Here....

This is a pretty good sign they didn't vet Palin very well for the VP slot:

A statement released by the campaign said that Bristol Palin will keep her baby and marry the child's father. Bristol Palin is five months pregnant, and the baby is due in late December.

FoxNews declared it a "Private family matter". Yeah. Because that's how they ALWAYS handle unwed, pregnant minors in the news. This cannot bode well for the candidate that was supposed to shore up the "values (read: theocracy) voters".

On The Case! ...or Vacation...?

i was happy to see the first major report from the President about Gustav come at 11:32pm Sunday night. i will confess that i've not seen every news broadcast, but as a citizen of Mississippi i'm a little underwhelmed by the leadership of the President thus far. Now let me be clear, I'm not saying he's screwed anything up. i'm just saying i haven't seen much of anything. that's all.