2008 Presidential Debate Results

Obama: 2 | McCain: 0

That one! What does that mean?
I don’t think McCain was being racist but I did see an air of indignation and or lack of respect to persons. McCain also was careful to call each questioner by name but for got to remember the young black mans name. I do hope that also will not be taken wrong. Overall McCain was much better in this debate as was Obama as well.

I see this one going down as a tie.

Did anyone notice that McCain wouldn't shake Obama's hand at the end!!! He directed him to his wife Cindy. What's up with that????

I think this debate was more effective than the last debate however I can't get over this "that one" comment. I mean, if Obama said "that woman" to Palin or Hillary, he would be ate up by every women's activist group. McCain is such an unprofessional and concentrates on the negative too much. He should have just called him a boy or "you people". Personal opinion. On top of that he didn't shake Obama's hand when he had his hand out – he was referred to McCain's wife. WTH??!??

its no wonder McCain is losing he's so much like Dick Cheney -a crotchety old man & Palin is no help shes too much like Bush no real experience but fun to have a beer with deja vue

Obama is definetely a better speaker that McCain. We have to give him that, but McCain is a better candidate and had a better debate tonight. We need his experience now more than ever.

Proud Conservative October 7th, 2008 11:17 pm ET
Lying liberal media once again. Too bad all of your analysts are totally in the Barack Obama tank. I wonder if they were paid to say this?

Alex Castellanos is a Republican. Also Gergen is not a political hack. He is very insightful

In this debate, McCain appeared rude and condescending. Not only did he openly express disdain for Barack Obama ("that one") and sell propaganda about his policies and experience, he insulted an audience member by intimating that he handn't heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This showed his arrogance at it's worst. He's clearly out of touch.

Obama next president.

Obama did an outstanding, job he showed his ability to be a great leader it will be" that one" one to become the next president.

Pardon my language, but, scumbag McCain referring to Obama as "that one" show his true disdain and lack of repect of Sen Obama.
But, that's ok, every time the slimy Mc Cain does that kind of stuff, he loses more voters by showing his sleazy persona. Go to your old age home McCain, this is your last hurrah.

Obama spent about 10 trillion with all his ideas. He just doesn't get it that government needs to drastically cut spending, not increase it.

Short and sweet: Obama is the future; McCain is the past!

I totally agree with the Proud Conservative:

Let me say it again:

It's the Lying liberal media once again. Too bad all of your analysts are totally in the Barack Obama tank. I wonder if they were paid to say this?

They obviously want to be on the right (=wrong) power trip – the media!

I agree with these numbers. I think that both stumbled over some things but I do believe that McCain was very disrespectful to the young man that asked the question about Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. "You may not have heard of Fannie Mae or Freddy Mac prior to this crisis." You don't talk down to people if your trying to win there vote especially when it is broadcast live on every major news network in the country. McCain showed his true character at that moment.

Mccain wanted Obama to do town hall meetings with him at least 10. I wish Obama had gone to clean him out like tonight.

My hearts go to you Joe Biden I hope and pray that your wife come through this. We love you Joe…even though Sarah palin still keep attacking you …

McCain's bad JUDGMENT again! He got the town meeting he's been whining about and lost bad.

Score: Obama-Biden 3 – McCain-Palin 0

Obama-8 Mostly intelligent, workable ideas. Very little mudslinging.
McCain-4 Too much mudslinging. Muddy, dubious ideas.

Occasionally, they both dodged the questions.

In particular, Tom Brokaw’s question about the Senior British General and Consultant’s statements, yesterday morning (our time) that the War in Afghanistan CANNOT be won by military might. That was annoying. I really wanted to hear a straight answer on that one.

They both ran overtime.

McCain was far to wordy, and not on point, a lot of the time… He kept slagging Obama off, which was unattractive. His attacks on Obama were, in some cases, known lies. He seemed very old, and 'erratic' at times.

Obama was a bit annoyed, and let it show, slightly. He’s ahead, and I don’t think this will cost him. His health-care and energy-policy answers were on point. I liked the ‘moral’ point about ‘genocide’ — non-involvement diminishes ANYONE who stands by and lets it happen.

I don’t know that socialised medicine would NOT work well in the USA. It has never been tried. I’d like to see ‘profit’ taken OUT of health-care in the USA. Obama didn’t answer the ‘Commodity’ question as asked. McCain didn’t answer it at all. That's too bad.

McCain doesn’t seem to understand that there have been numerous ‘holocausts’ since the Nazi Holocaust. The Khmer Rouge in Cambodia… Rwanda… Bosnia… to name a few. For someone who was still trying the condescending 'Obama doesn't understand' schtick, he did a poor job, understanding the questions, let alone answering them.

I agree. McCain should control some of his mannerisms and relax while Obama is speaking. McCain spent too much time walking around, instead of remaining seated in a more comfortable state.

"That one" reference was also a bit offsetting from McCain.

In contrast, Obama appeared more presidential and relaxed in the debate.

If this is the way you guys scored it, be honest. Obama won clearly and convincing. Game Over. I get tired of the argument that Obama doesn't talk specifics. he was way more specific than McCain. He was able to articulate every difference between his policy and McCain policy. The Cnn pundants are losing my interest because they are not being true. You Pundants are playing the middle but take a stand and say Obama won.

i think these analyst's hit it right on the mark, obama was on his game, letting america know exactly what he plans to do, while mccain was so busy trying to make a sound bite he only bit himself, ecspecially on the pakistan issue, mccain obviously slammed himself on that one. also thought that obama's announcment that he would chose pickens as head of energy got alot of peoples attention.

I don't know if any one noticed how Senator Mccain stood and gestured to the audience sort of pointing at Senator Obama. Alone with the "that guy" he was very disrespectful and conducted himself as an angry old man.

McCain's idea of having "his Treasury Sec buy up failing mortgages and renegotiatie them " is not a new idea. This was in our local paper in it's report about details of the first"bail out" proposal. It went on to say that if the home was ever sold, 50% of the profit would go to the Fed. No surprise, no new ideas from Mccain.

Did anyone notice how McCain, in response to a question from a young Black man started out by saying "you probably never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before this financial crisis…" I thought it was condescending since he (McCain) had no idea who that man was or what he knows (or doesnt know). Also, what's up with the "that one" reference to Obama?

I cant believe how totaly ignorant the democrats are and they make up for it with pure hatefullness.. they deserve what the are going to get with Obama…next it will be him stomping on the american flag instead of Ayers.

I don't have to understand about politic, it was so easy to see OBAMA WON!

It was truly encouraging to see the Obamas interacting with the audience of the debate so warmly and graciously long after the debate was over, and LONG after the McCains left. It is a true testament to the true leader of the people the U.S COULD have. This is ONE of the MANY reasons I will be voting for Barack.

Going to have different slants on this debate for the week to come. But there are signs that McCain knows he's slipped farther down, and leaving early, condescending to both voters and Sen. Obama, and his stumbling on answers just showed that he is not the Mavericky debater he'd been expected to be tonight.

Won't be long before Palin's vitriole becomes less and less consequential and her star falls.

I am appalled adn insulted to hear a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CALL ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
"THAT ONE,"

Just think about it, who goes around calling other dignatories and world leaders names?
who does mccain reminds you of?
whose policies will mccain continue to follow and enforce??

he has let us all know, he is Mcbush the 3rd.

calling anyone anyone "that one," and specially in this debate Presidential Candidate Obama, "that one" is condescending, disrespecful, uncalled for, it is non presidential like, it is more bush like
and it is simply pathetic and totally ignorant,
please we have BUSH the THIRD ALL OVERA AGAIN, JUST ANGRIER, OLDER AND MEANER

It seems that CNN is clearly for Obama. You took Senator McCain's comment out of context ;or we do not speak the same English. When he said that one he had referred to himself first and then to Sen. Ob ama as that one referencing to that Senator not this Senator. What a disgrace that this countries news reporting has stooped to this.

I am so disgusted with CNN and your biased coverage that I truly think I will just stop watching CNN all together.

Yes he did win.
. I'm voting for "THAT ONE".

Obama /Biden '08-12

I'm a bit surprised at this score. I thought based on the statements I heard, McCain won as I was a bit disappointed at Obama's performance. But it's a good thing the analysts gave the debate to my favourite candidate.

I cant take the bias anymore……

McCain portrayed himself as an angry old man who contradicts himself. In one breath he suggest the government buy up the bad mortgages, in the next breath he says we have to cut spending. So where is the money for the mortgage buyouts gonna come from? And, would this mean that those of us who haven't defaulted on our mortgages, will be compensated for the decline in our home value because of the mortgage meltdown? How about compensating us for our devalued retirement plans. Wow McCain, sounds like you're a big spender after all!

when I am ready to let my 70 yrs old grandfather manager my 401K, I may decide to vote for McCain to manage this country's economy.

Until then I'll stick with someone who understands the eocnomic issues

It's a shame to see that CNN is in the tank for Obama. CNN used to be the independent source you could count on to cut through all the bull and let the viewer draw their own conclusions. Now they come up with contrived excuses to make negative points against McCain (most recent example: "That one" ooooooooooh that's worse than the n-word!) and consistently say that McCain isn't doing enough — yet they never acknowledge that McCain has been attracting more independents than Obama.

I've been forced to turn off CNN and switch to that awful station FOX News just to hear an actual conservative opinion for once. I dunno how long I'll last, but I need a break from biased CNN.

That one. All it means is that candidate, not this one. Jesus people, is that all you can find wrong with McCain.

How about the comment that Obama lived on Food stamps but was able to go to the FINEST schools around. My parents worked and could not qualify for food stamps and I was forced to go to a school my parents could afford, not paid by the GOVERNMENT!

A Republican strategist says his own party lost the debate, and commentors here think that it's because he's a biased CNN employee.

WAKE UP!

Blindly pledging that everything one party does is what got is into this huge mess. Accept that your candidate didn't do so well, and ask for him to fix his mistakes. Don't just sit there and demand that all of America accept that your candidate won.

Game…set….match!!!

Viva Obama! He whooped McCain in the debate. I am looking forward to a president Barack Obama!

Obama wins and so does America…….

I hate to say it but Barack Obama has this thing in the bag. No matter who the Republicans elected as their running mate we would have lost. The Bush administration is disliked by to many people for any republican to have a chance. It is going to be fun with Barack Obama as president. The media outlets will actually have positive stories no matter what Obama does. I am honestly looking forward to that. If Obama messes up as bad as Bush the media will still find a way to praise him. I mean this in the most respectful way possible. I hope the election of Obama will show black people that we don't have it out for them. I hope they will quit their whining and realize that now things are pretty fair. If they work hard they will get just as many opportunities as a white person and sometimes more based on the color of their skin. Hopefully they will quit being so loud and obnoxious and learn that making something of themselves is kind of important.

These are intelligent people that watched the same debate I watched…………….insightful clear and reasoned analysis………………..and remember I am british and therefore neutral

LAURA GARNER;

I CAN TELL YOU HAVE AN EMPTY HEAD, BIMBO JUST LIKE PALIN.

Obama may have received MORE pluses from you but I'd rather vote for the guy who got the RIGHT pluses. Tonight that was John McCain.

It appears the cnn analyist do not take the time to look behind the political scenes,and realize that J MacCain has much more knowlege on how to fix the crisis in america,because Obama will tax his way out of it ,at home, but can not pay for anything abroad,,debt to other countries…etc..anyone who thinks that the debt will be forgiven like what most north american countries have done for developing seriously in debt countries wont happen….

Poor bitter old man…I felt sorry for him. He just doesn't seem to get it.

McCain is a broken record of "I'm a reforming bipartisan maverick", he can't seem to actually answer any question.

McCain is a dishonor to the american people so much for his patiotism.He should be ashamed to refer to a state senator someone that he has said he would reach across the other side to as THAT ONE And how can he relate to the struggling americans when you have not walked a mile ever in their shoes.Point blank he want to be president and could care less about us poor struggling people.Bush have stood back for eight years and did nothing and McCain will do the same.You people supporting McCain had better wake up before it's too late you might not like Obama for whatever reason but if you think the last eight years was bad look out because if McCain gets elected he'll be a clone of George Bush

McCain was a turn off when he referred to Sen. Obama as "That one" and when he was asked a question from the audience and he implied, you probably haven't heard of Fannie mae and freddie mac until now. What bugs me is McCain and Palin think we (AMERICANS) are dumb.

President Barack Obama

No question – Obama wins another one.

I hope you guys are playing for cash and not credit, Ha!

Lying liberal media once again. Too bad all of your analysts are totally in the Barack Obama tank. I wonder if they were paid to say this?

IT WAS CLEAR THAT OBAMA WON. OBAMA DID NOT NEED TO DISRESPECT MCCAIN TO MAKE VALID POINTS. MCCAIN IS A DISRESPECFUL OLD DOG. I CAN'T GET OVER HIM CALLING OBAMA 'THAT ONE' AS IF HE DID NOT HAVE A NAME AND A TITLE.

I HOPE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT DEFENDING THAT. OBAMA HAS NEVER DISRESPECTED MCCAIN..AND BELIEVE ME HE HAS MANY REASONS TO DO SO, BUT HE IS A TRUE MAN…NOT AN OLD GRUMPY, CRAZY ACTING MAN

I do not think any one won as our country is in the worst mess of my life time and all we can do is point a finger at each other. I hope that all have listened to these two men and heard nothing that will fix anything.

How can you spend 100 times what you will make and think it is about the job not the power

Health care is not going to be fixed as we are 250,000 nurses short and growing.

We must stop now with the killing of each other in the name of a party and become Americans again.

Jerry R Lucas RN
Male Nurse Magazine .com

Game set match!!! Obama won!

The folks at FOX are saying that Palin did the best job tonight?

I thought this was a very clear win for Obama.

Congratulations! I also loved seeing Barack and Michelle with the crowd after the debate. They looked engaged, sweet, and it looked like the spectators enjoyed their company. Didn't see any pictures of J & C. Where did they disappear to?

W H Y,,,,,,,,,D OE S ,,,,,,,,C N N,,,,,,,T H I N K,,,,,,,,,,W E ,,,,,,,,G I V E,,,,,,,,,

A,,,,,,,,,,,H O O T ,,,,,,,,,,A B O U T ,,,,,,,,I T S ,,,,,,,,,,P U N D I T S ? ? ?

so true

i felt that Mccain did not do himself any good in this debate. Is it me or did you notice how when some questions were asked, Mccain simple talked down to the person? Oliver, for example, asked his question and McCain simply said, "you may or may not know or have hear" and that struck me as condescending to the point that he was talking down and not on the common man's level

Wow, CNN stating that Obama won, i'm shocked. So predictable.

McCain won! Barack Hussein Obama is a Socialist idiot!!!!!!

I'm glad to see that I'm not alone–McCain leaving early said it all.

American's have a preconception of the Republican Party based on the despicable performance of George Bush. Therefore, thanks to Bush, the Dems are going to win this election "hands down"

"What don't you know and how will you learn it?"

Democrats… Republicans… join me in NH to fire the person who asked that question into space!!!!

Three down one to go and the score card reads: Obama 3 McCain 0

Hehehehehehehehehe