September 26, 2008
Posted: September 26th, 2008 10:42 PM ET

From
The McCain campaign released a Web video featuring debate footage before the candidates left the stage.
The McCain campaign released a Web video featuring debate footage before the candidates left the stage.

(CNN) – Before John McCain walked off the stage, his campaign already had a new Web video up featuring footage of the first debate – clips of Barack Obama agreeing with his Republican rival. On the McCain campaign Web site, spokesman Michael Goldfarb noted mid-debate that journalists were already describing that refrain as fodder for a new ad: “It's like they have the place bugged,” he said.

Filed under: John McCain


Terry   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

To me, the debate brought out the old way vs. the new way. There were several times where John McCain was condescending when addressing Barack Obama. Let's face it; John McCain has been around Washington for a long time. As I review the events of the last week, coupled with the events of the last eight years, it seems that the old guys seem to be trying to tell the young guys, "just do it my way because I have been around longer than you". Well, I am tired of old men sending young men to war. I served in Viet Nam, and I arrived home before John McCain. To me, the only heroes of that war, or any war, are those men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice. I think it is time for new leadership and new, fresh ideas.

John Neale   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

In my opinion, this was hard to watch. It would have almost been easier watching them square off with a game of basketball. Obama is on his game and looks more presidential than I've ever seen him. McCain seems really old and foggy but also angry and somewhat paranoid. He also doesn't seem to be listening to what Obama is saying which is a critical flaw for a debater or a president. I like McCain. I appreciate his heroism and his patriotism and we really needed him 8 years ago. Today, however, Obama is who we all need to stay moving forward into the future instead of being bridled to political ideologies of the past.

What ever   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Nop,... I've heard that for almost 2 yrs in their campaigns. It was boring. Hurry and get it done so we don't have to listen to them anymore. Now I accept that whoever gets elected he can only stay in the White House for 8 yrs the most.

Jason, Rochester Hills, MI   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Whenever a political figure is wreckless enough to announce that he thinks Putin is KGB on GLOBALLY BROADCAST television coverage...we cannot afford as a nation to give him the power to act on is feelings. McCain is a dangerous old man and cannot be given power to act.

If he were elected we would be in a world war by the middle of his first term...he is already laying the groundwork. What is even more scary is the fact that he is too riddled with cancer to live through the war he begins and our nation would be stuck with Palin who cannot even answer a question in an interview with Couric. Wake up America...run from this while we still have the chance. NO MORE BUSH and that means NO MCCAIN/Palin

Annie   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

I thought Obama was considerate of McCain. Will America really believe that just because Obama may agree with him on some things that he agrees with all. That would be silly. McCain creeped me out. He's living in the past, is all about what he did way back when, and was incredibly obvious about his feelings. He never once looked Obama's way. Very hostile, almost like a cornered wild animal.

D&D   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

McCain never looked Obama in his eyes, why is that?

William   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Why doesn't someone ask McCain the exact meaning of what "winning the war" in Iraq means? Mayhap the permanent occupation of that country?

California Voter   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

I think the debate came out surprisingly even from my perspective. I thought McCain was far more personable, while Obama remained his aloof self. No humor coming from Obama. In fact, it looked like McCain was getting under Obama's skin, much like what happened when he and Hillary debated. Obama is so intent on coming off as presidential he tries to be the moderator as well as the one who answers the questions. Constantly, raising his finger to interrupt and then sneering at McCain. Interesting debate overall. BTW, it was difficult to tell who each was looking at while answering the quesitons, although Jim Lehrer did ask Obama to look at McCain when responding to one of the questions.

elaine   September 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

McCain can't look at Obama straight in the eye when responding or talking to him. On the other hand, Obama was looking at McCain in the eye when responding. Is it because McCain was twisting Obama's statements and comments and mischaracterizing Obama as well all the while during the debate? McCain just kept on repeating certain sentences, ie, "Obama does not clearly understand, or Obama's naivette". Was he told to say these things repeatedly so that the dumb American voters will then absorb the lies and then eventually start believing them? My, how sad that the McCain campaign thinks sooo low of the American intelligence.

Bryan   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

I cannot believe CNN - you are soooo biased. I am a democrat and have been a long-time viewer of CNN. What do I see when I first open the CNN page - just a picture of Obama. Even though there were 2 (that was two) people at the debate - CNN only chose to show 1 (Obama). You should be ashamed to call yourself a news organization.

Tomato Chick8   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

McCain won this bout – next !!!

PW/ Salem Oregon   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Way to go Obama!!!
I am proud to support a candidate that is big enough to say he agrees with his opponent when he does. How maverick is that everybody!!! Integrity all the way ,oh ,and he can make eye contact too!
Obama spoke for me tonight the average American.

Susan in Colorado   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

If anyone would bug someone, it would be the Republicans. It's what they do/did best. Remember Watergate!

GO OBAMA!

Joel   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Great debate. And as I predicted, McCain wooped Obama's (you get the picture). Biden will make up for it, though.

mekeda   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

I think that barack obama did a great job john mccain seems to dance around alot of questions. when john mccain stated that we dont have time for on the job training. what does he think he will have to do with his vp pick sara palin what type of experience does she has ?

Phoenix   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Inquiring Minds, Obama is running for president because some of us do not like living in economic devastation. McCain was right, remember, he steals Obama's ideas, like change.

Guantanamo Hotel for Republi-con Scum   September 26th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Obama did call him out on his lies. He also displayed that he had a broader and better perspective on the issues. McCain tried desperately to paint him as inexperienced and continually referred to the surge as if that was the beginning of the war but when Obama called him out on his errors in judgment regarding Iraq it was brilliant.

E Thomas   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Obama Has no idea what hes talking about. For the first time hes had to focus on actual policies instead of change rhetoric. And what does he say? "I agree with you John." Obama just learned a lot about foreign policy

kafrea   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

I can't believe that Obama keeps spouting new expeditures when we are in this economic crisis. If now is not the time to cut spending, i don't know when is the right time.

BNS   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

You can tell the paid-by-Obama bloggers. Their image-driven comments ended with a personal attack on McCain have become ubiquitous.

Mike in Seattle   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Obama is a diplomat and he isn't going to disagree with someone just for the sake of dsagreeing with them. That is what McSame does. Obama will agree with the person even if s/he is of opposing view points. This is why he will be much more bipartisan than in the office of President than McSame will ever be. I hope the McCain campaign does run those ads, it will only help Obama.

Maureen   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Its Kennedy beating Nixon all over again.

Crispus   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

The fact is McCain came up short. He showed Obama can stand up and compete with him on foreign policy. Obama proved that he can grow in knowledge and lead this country.

Ted   September 26th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

This is what I heard McCain say during most of the debate: War! War here, war there, war everywhere!

Lexie   September 26th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

I thought McCain looked like he'd been rehersed and had memorized part of his script. He also looked more and more confused at times.

jimbo   September 26th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

The old man handed him his as.

D. Cummings   September 26th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

I think John Mc Cain was rude in the debate. He was on constant attacks with many lies. Now we get to hear how he won the debate. Politics is total crap!

LT   September 26th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

I just have one thing to say.......
Choosing Sarah Palin: It's not just naiive..........It's DANGEROUS

McCain is too reactionary for me. Why couldn't he give me a clear idea of what his plan is for anything.

the comments from these cnn commentators are rediculuos.

Obama delivered a TKO..........not hard to do though to someone who is unstable

pam walker   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

McCain and Obama both did well i must say, but I'm still for Obama.
He is the ticket for change and McCain, well lets just say...go back to your country club, private plane, and visit earth soon..

claudine donner   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

Way to go Obama! Very Presidential.

John Baker   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

I never thought I'd learn anything from McCain, but tonight I found out that the North Koreans are three inches shorter than the South Koreans.

Tiff of lithia springs   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

This gut needs to stop whining.

Sharon   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

9 times Time and time again. I agree with McCain. Wow Obama not an original thought. Does anyone have the stutter count for the night. At times I was not sure if he was a US Senator or a broken down car....AHAHAHAHAHA. I loved the way McCain got under smirky's skin. He looked visibly shaken when he greeted his bitter half after the debate. AHAHAHAHm,mmmmmmahaham stutter splutter....nothing

ines   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

McCain looked stuck on the past. He was very condescending, and there were several instances where he actually lied. Christianne Amanpour and CNN footage just verified that Henry Kissinger did say that he would negotiate with countries such as Iran.

Jillian   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

McCain folowed up every answer with his days of glory as a veteran and/or P.O.W. I admire John McCain and his service to our country, but he is not the best choice to lead our country.
OBAMA/BIDEN

Independent in NC   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

I wasn't impressed by either one, it was pretty equal to me. McCain spoke too much about Iraq (and darn the luck, I was out of wine by the end of the debate so I missed the big POW part of my drinking game), and Obama seems in such a rush to hear his own voice that he bumbles – take a breah and figure it out before you speak, man!

I really missed Tim Russert tonight.

Thinking Voter   September 26th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

While I would not call myself a McCain fan i could not help but notice his experience vastly outshown Obama's oratory skill. The more I listed to Obama the more I realize he is a great speaker (with a script or extensive preparation) but lacks any serious experience. The best cut of the night to me was McCain's comment about the presidency not being the place for on the job training.

BNS   September 26th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

I see the usual inundation of pro-Obama/CNN drivel has already begun.

badcyclist   September 26th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

I hope that Jim Lehrer goes back and looks at the tapes of the debate. If he does, he will see that he consistently allowed John McCain to have the last word in answering almost every question.

The main job of the moderator is to be fair. By letting one side consistently have the last word, Mr. Lehrer betrayed his trust and failed to do his job.

Melonie   September 26th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

Is it any wonder they could have the place bugged? Think back to McCain's rehearsed answers during the Saddleback discussion.

CM   September 26th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

I don't think McCain did himself any favors by not looking his opponent in the eye. It shows a lack of self confidence on his part.

JASON   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

MCLAME NEVER LOOKED OBAMA IN THE EYE EVEN WHEN THEY SHOOK HANDS!!

Ellie, Boyds MD   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

WHERE was John McCain's flag pin? He whined about Sen. Obama not wearing a pin and he walks OUT without wearing one. Hummm.

I found Sen. McCain very predictable tonight in the debate. He kept talking about Ronald Reagan, General Petraas, etc. McCain looked like he was having an anxiety attack. He kept gritting his teeth while "smerking", but never ONCE did he look at Sen. Obama.

Is General Petraas the ONLY General in the country? I can't tell the way John McCain uses him in every other question. It's typical "John McCain", his mannerism was very tensed.

Sen. McCain lacked clear judgement when it comes to SPECIFICS, he skirted around his answers by repeatedly "telling stories of the PAST".

I found Sen. Obama very cool, calm and collected. He spoke very confidently and gave very specific details about what HE WOULD DO as the next President. Sen. Obama looked at John McCain AND looked straight into the camera while talking to the American Voters.
I THOUGHT Sen. Obama WON this debate HANDS DOWN!!!

A CANUCK   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

McCain came across as a patronizing old man who is living in the past.......Obama is a very intelligent man with common sense and will make an amazing President for this century.

lks   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

McCain wins big, sorry nobama!

America think for you   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Barack kick McCain tonight in the debate. Next Thursday Biden will do the same. Very good job for Barack Obama. He is ready for the job now.

Cam   September 26th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Obama giving credit to McCain on issues where he though McCain was right was a Presidential approach to take. Contrast that with McCain being completely unable to even give credit to Obama when they totally agree on issues......I think McCain came across as smug, condescending, confrontational, and defensive. Overall, Obama came across as knowledgeable, steady, and ready to lead.

Charlie   September 26th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

Wow. Obama is that guy that has the swagger of a president. He stood his ground and kept cool in the midst of things that were thrown back and forth. I saw McCain get upset a few time and react off of raw emotional. Obama is the guy that American needs. He was right on top of all the things that McCain might bring toward him. I was impressed by what he had to say and how he presented his ideas. The ideas were clear. Someone put McCain the bitter old man to bed.

Robert   September 26th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

Watching this debate as a foreigner, I am worried that if McCain is elected President, US will most probably start another war with either Iran, Russia or North Korea. By the way why does the old man keep patronizing Sen. Obama? ' You dont understand' geez

jhahn   September 26th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

McCain is a good senator...he should keep that job. Obama gave the appearance of having better judgement, and being a more balanced individual...he addressed the issues instead of trying to make political points and droning on and on about wars....

LT for Obama   September 26th, 2008 11:08 pm ET

rudy jones:

You have to remember that they are pathological liars. I mean, look at the debate, outside of repeating stump speech talking points most of the time, he was lying about Obama's record and stance in which Obama repeatedly called him out for.

Struggling, single mother in NC   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

I think McCain and his supporters were watching a different debate or just doing some really good drugs!!! McCain did nothing to earn any respect from him. Lots of low blows and talk of the past but he has no flexibility or willingness to be wrong. We are human and we do make mistakes, the only way to learn from them is to admit to them so you can grow and make better choices in the future.
I think that fact that Obama is not willing to pigeon hole himself about something that he can't possibly know about yet shows his willing to listen take advice and weigh his decisions. McCain camp would like for you to believe this is a bad trait to have. Yet he is not giving us any idea as to where he is headed because all he talked about was the past and his record. So if we are to go on his past that does not bode well for change or new administration policies.

NEW JERSEY FOR OBAMA/BIDEN   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Where was McCain's flag pin?!?! I thought he slept with it on? Obama was wearing his? Interesting....

DemocracyNow2008   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Obama was very Presidential tonight and if the Low Life Republican Party was their to tape Obama's saying to McCain your right.

Then think that is going to work in campaign ads you gotta another thing coming.

Obama held is own tonight and no matter what the GOP does with Obama comments to McCain Obama will be our next President on November 4th.

The only thing I would suggest to the Obama campaign on Renewable Energy say no to Nukes .

They are not renewable and they are dangerous remember 3 miles Island ?

Inquiring Minds   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Obama – I agree with Mc Cain – Seven times – what's up with that??

Mc.Cain – What Obama does not understand – eight times...

Obama – just drop out – if you agree with Mc Cain why are you running for Prez... What a looser....

TD   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

CNN HAS CLOSED ALL ROOMS BUT THIS ONE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT US TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS ON THE BAD CANDIDATE BO...........GOD THE DNC IS KILLING AMERICA

angelo   September 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

mccain cleary is afraid of obama, how come he would not look him in the eye, same old man same okd bush, ways, america is tired of this republican, i cleary thought obama won this hands down, mccain showed me a side that i dont want to see in the whitehouse,

Belle1   September 26th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

The best way to listen to a Presidential debate is to Turn Off the TV right after. The analysis line by line gives me a headache. Especially when pundits start adding in what they think the candidate meant.

If you don't know, why don't you do some reporting, and ask them!

Bob Indianapolis, IN   September 26th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

First, I'd really like to know why CNN cut off comments on a lot of the topicson the Ticker!

Next I'd like to say that I thought Barrack SMOKED McCain on the issue of Iraq, primarily because both BUsh and McCain have so much invested in the conflict which took valuable resources away from the REAL WAR ON TERROR.

Additionally, Iraq is the war that McCain so desperately needs to "win" because to quote Charlie Daniels, he's "still in Saigon in his mind." This is why he keeps playing the POW card.

james Northrup   September 26th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

O'Bama was the daddy tonight – he made Mac look like a tired old cliche.

Edmond Dantes   September 26th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Your party should know

Democrat Voting For McCain !!!   September 26th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

McCain , Wooped Obama Big Time Tonight . Obama Didn't Do Well At All , He Looked Lost For Words Most of The Time , And Very Angry . John McCain Does Well Under Pressure . Obama Crumbles

McCain/ Palin 2008

mitch   September 26th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

repubs dont even know when their toast.

ruby jones   September 26th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

i can not believe how the mc cain aide who was just on cnn can stand on camera and out and out lie. she learned from mc cain i guess.

seearkansas   September 26th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

McCain's budget cuts were to fire federal employeees – whom he later praised in regards to homeland security. 1) Firing thousands more in an ailing economy isn't going to help anyone – especially at what government workers are paid. 2) Federal employees are public servants – we keep America working. Remember the government shutdown during Bush 1's tenure – bad idea, very bad idea.

ohio   September 26th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

did anyone here notice that McCain was not wearing a "Flag Pin' Obama was !!!!

Barney   September 26th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Maverick – unpredictable, uncontrollable, reckless

Do you people want 8 more years of ready fire aim?

Aric   September 26th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Somebody get McCain his purple heart cause he has shot himself in the foot!

seearkansas   September 26th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

McCain was very condescending and he does sound stuck in the past. I respect his long service but he doesn't have any new ideas.

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