October 7, 2008
Posted: October 7th, 2008 10:09 PM ET

From
Obama and McCain went head to head Tuesday night.
Obama and McCain went head to head Tuesday night.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) - Obama was waiting for McCain to say - as he did many times in the last debate - that Obama "didn't understand" an issue, or needed "on the job training." McCain obliged on the first foreign policy question - and this time Obama was ready, saying that McCain is right; he doesn't understand why we invaded a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Presidential Debate


forrealtho   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

McCain doesn't understand that there is NO SUCH THING as VICTORY in IRAQ. They've been warring for thousands of years over there, it's not going to stop because we send more (or any) troops!

sue ellen   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

How can Obama even sit in the same room with a man who is in charge of doing what he has done to Obama. He said he wanted an above board campaign. He is really really mean. He scares me. MEAN OLD MAN.

Thomas   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.
He said he did not know that he would ever use the word "victory": "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan."
Afghan victory hopes played down

The UK's commander in Helmand has said Britain should not expect

"decisive military victory" in Afghanistan.

Governor Palin, war is not a Hockey game!

People die ! Men, Women and Children.

Ron was a REP now a DEM   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

I can't beleive he just refered to Sen. Obama as " That One"

Claire   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

First of all, I agree with earlier posts about how both men are using this debate to attack each other; however, at least Obama has SUPPORT/FACTS for his campaign. McCain is dancing around the questions, just as his V.P., Palin, did in the V.P. debate when she continuously avoided answering questions by talking about their "Maverick" ways and her "diverse" family.

I am utterly astonished that people are actually believing the words that come out of McCain's mouth. He is lying through his teeth about numerous policies, and purposefully "forgetting" his notorious past views and beliefs. As Obama said in an earlier campaign rally, "..you can't change decades of beliefs in such a short amount of time..." (paraphrasing, of course.)

The Iraq war, is NOT a "victory in sight" as Palin said the other night. McCain's ideas concerning the Iraq war are a disgusting joke.

Arshdeep Bhela   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Obama is doing a lot better at responding to McCains attacks.

dharmas   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Iraq is in turmoil, what surge? what progress? what victory?

ednadavid   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

McCain sounds lethargic and pathetic – he does not display any affect in his tone and somehow does not seem to connect with people on an emotional level – that is how he loses this debate and how he will lose the election.

PATTY   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

O.K. ....MORE MATERIAL FOR "SNL".....INSTEAD OF "MAVERICK" THE NEW PHRASE IS "MY FRIENDS"...NOW TAKE A DRINK.....

MaryJane   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Brilliant Obama!!!

McCain – give me a break about announcing plans/talking softly.

Robin   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

I think it's good to let Pakistan know up front what our intentions are. McCain seems weak on this front.

Greggamma   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Iraq was a mistake and a lie. Afghanistan was not and is not being carried out appropriately...Where is Binladen?

California Gold   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

You're right. McCain handed it right to him and Obama elegantly slid it right back.

texas voter   October 7th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Someone please tell Bill Schneider that Obama had a good zinger, he thinks only old people can do that

Ramesh Shrestha   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Obama cornered McCain right there and he got pinned pretty well. His own bullet hit him.
ObamaBiden 08.

Griff   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

It had everthing to do with 9/11... Read your History of the first Iraq so called invasion... Read...................

jeff   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

THis war has failed in a big way. Bring our troops home

Will   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

I have the same question.

Citizen   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

McCain is now criticizing Obama about his position on attacking Pakistan, even though Govenor Palin said the exact same thing as Obama. McCain is out of touch.

Smarter than the GOP   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

I thought that was smooth!

Jenny B.   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Has anyone noticed John McCain got to have a 1 minute response to 2 questions, and Mr. Brokaw did not allow Obama to do the same? This is crazy. Also why is McCain pacing, he looks angry and ADHD.
Any why does Tom keep saying thank you very much to McCain? I dont get it. If McCain says my friends one more time I am going to puke (no not because I am playing a drinking game, although those who are are probably hammered because my friend has been said far too many times)

EBC, Boyds, MD   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

HERE... we go with the STORY TELLING......

JOHN McCAIN = RECYCLED STORY TELLING = LET ME TELL YOU WHO I KNOW... YADDA YADDA... YADDA...

JOHN McCAIN = RECYCLED STORY TELLING = LET ME TELL YOU WHO I KNOW... YADDA YADDA... YADDA...

JOHN McCAIN = RECYCLED STORY TELLING = LET ME TELL YOU WHO I KNOW... YADDA YADDA... YADDA...

JOHN McCAIN = RECYCLED STORY TELLING = LET ME TELL YOU WHO I KNOW... YADDA YADDA... YADDA...

JOHN McCAIN = RECYCLED STORY TELLING = LET ME TELL YOU WHO I KNOW... YADDA YADDA... YADDA...

EMT   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Very interesting which of these postings allow comments and which don't.

Duke   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Typical.

McCain defined a "responsibility' by saying "it was imperative that all people get health care." Isn't that more of a 'right'?

I'll tell you how McCain gets his way, he deregulates, offering rich to privatize and jack prices.

But hey, McCain cares about all Americans. He was on ship with nuclear power too.

zuq   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Go Obama Go!

Amanda   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

oh yeahhh i love you Obama! Tell him like it is! Don't let him talk down to you anymore! and I hope you confront him and ask him to look you in the eye next time he tries to blatantly lie about you and see if he has the balls to do it!

Fabian   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Like I've said all along. There will be another attack if Obama is elected but the problem is the war this time will be on American soil.

NO OBAMA!!!!!! Save your families, save your life's and save America.

VOTE McCAIN/PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ericka   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Snoozefest. These debates are pointless.
Nothing new is being discussed. At this point most people know who they're voting for. Very few are undecided.
November 4th can't come soon enough. Over it.

Diane Dagenais Turbide   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Listen to McCain put down Obama and look at the line...that's it my dear, America is really sick of this old way of debating on a oneway!

American for obama------   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

I loved that line so much

Marq   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Correct.. you should address the issue that McCain said "That One"... How disrespectful..

Elizabeth - TEXAS - Former Republican   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

I thought McCain's hero was Reagan now its Teddy Rosevelt.

Another Republican for Obama   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

McCain just LIED that Obama will attack Pakistan! Pathetic.

Ted Knous   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Just what does it mean for us to have victory in Iraq? How do we define victory?

SM   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

McCain: "Just take your 5k to another state for your healthcare".
Not everyone has a private plane as he does .

Anonymous   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

We always seem to get some "meat" on foreign policy but not much substance on health care plan, economy and energy issues.

Liz   October 7th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

I really liked Obama's answser on this. McC concerns me with his idea that we have to 'win' everything. He just said we left Somalia in humiliation. When we go to help, why can't we just help. Why do we hae to 'win'. There's nothing to 'win' in Iraq. There's no Bin Laden there and never was. That's the only thing to win with regard to 9/11 – getting BL. Help should be help, tho, not winning.

Tiaunia - DALLAS, TEXAS   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

GOOOOOOOOOO OBAMA!!!

GREAT RESPONSE! HE ANSWERED THAT ONE, NOW MAKE A TICKER ABOUT IT!!!

Obama is my only choice!   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Love It!

LITTLE JOHN   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Did.t you see my last post,, if Obama does not know why we are in Iraq then he has no business even trying for president, \Such Niavete

tiffany in ohio   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

this is what we was suppose to do anyway get BIN LADIN why havnt we MCcain?

Fitzpatrick   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

THAT IS CALLED INTELLIGENT VS. EMPTY BRAIN OF MC CAIN

Greg in Oshkosh   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Who's McCain's "hero"? I've heard a couple different names tonight.

Jen from IN   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Take that! it's always good to get a jab in there.

dharmas   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

I hope americans understand that Obama is the only one who understands

bnavoter   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

all mccain can ever say about iraq is that obama doesn't support the surge, he never says anything about why he supported going in there in the first place.

Pamela   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

McCain can put a fork in it. He's DONE!

Dr. Roy   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

OK. Give Obama one "get out of the doghouse" response.

dustin   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Glad to see Crowley on here, much better then schneider

Phillip   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

That was great!

Angela   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

McCain says that we don't need a president that is getting on the job training but what about his VP? She's going to need a lot of on the job training.

Jan   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

I just heard Sen. McCain say the President Regan was his hero....actually President Regan had no respect for McCain and had little to do with him after he deserted his first wife and family.

TurnNevadaBlue   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

HOME RUN for BARACK! McCain has spent way too much time on the attack instead of setting forth clear detailed plans on how to fix things!

texas voter   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Obama was ready for him this time, good for him. He is finally getting familiar with the John McCains dirty bag of tricks!!!!

Denis Campbell - The Vadimus Post, UK   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

That was very good. He is listening to McCain, McCain is not listening to Obama and just forcing answer after answer across the line. Imagine how and to whom McCain would listen ad President?

Kimberley in Florida   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

I agree – so far I believe Obama is must more compelling and presidential. McCain always appears irritated and nervous. Why is McCain pacing int he background when Obama speaks. Obama calming sits and waits his turn...

Iris   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Mr. Mcain,
Since pulling out of Iraq means we would leave in defeat does that mean we were defeated in vietnam? If I recall we pulled out of there too.

jeff   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

I have wondered that the whole time! I am still wondering why we did that.

Shilpi Chaudhry   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Obama was BRILLIANT !

Justin in NC   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

You're right – it was an awesome moment! haha he was ready!

victor   October 7th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Best answer of the night, I by the way think he is connecting with the people (Obama).

Cesar Hernandez   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Brilliant!!

J. Edward   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

I think a lot of us wonder the same thing! McCain is out of touch, out of his mind and will soon be out of time!

claimjmpr   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

listen, Barak understands that we need to support our troops and eradicate terrorism...he 'gets it' in a very 21st century way, unlike McCain who is stuck in the cold war 'way' that the last administration was.

Dave in Illinois   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Good one, Candy! I'm sure Obama appreciates the help you and CNN give him every day with your biased commentaries.

Michele   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Yeah that makes two of us, I don't understand either.

Denise   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Obama's response was great! McCain sounds like an old, white parrot. He says the same thing over and over!

No Hillary = No Obama   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

If there is one thing the Obama campaign has down pat it's exploitation, opportunism, manipulation. How lazy.

Auburn Fan   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Then why isn't he answering the question about crossing Pakistan's borders?

Independent but Leaning   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Obama is on good ground as long as he can talk abstractly about stuff most people tune out.

Let's talk about domesti social policies

saint paul mn   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

MY FRIENDS

lets be clear,

mccain needs to go take a nap

i am exhausted of hearing my friends
of him not answering the questions and of his negative attacks

sorry this is not a quarrel this is a presidential debate the US presidential debate

Diane Dagenais Turbide   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

That was the best answer of the night to finally put an end to experience versus judgment!

Trysh, Los Angeles   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Yea...I thought that was kinda cute. Obama being sarcastic actually works. Go figyah!

Renee   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

He was just waiting for McCain to say it, now McCain might be more careful in the use of that given that Obama's prepared.

ines   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

A mature zinger coming from Obama! I love it.

Duop Chak, Colorado Springs, Colorado   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Very funny and politically calculated.

Dee   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Now that is my president. Gotta love the guy. Sen. Obama, the next POTUS. God bless you

Citizen   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Zing!!!!!! Advantage Obama.

Mike S.   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

For Schneider: That was a "Clinton" moment. Good job Obama.

Josh, Tucson Arizona   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Anyone else tired of McCain saying "My Friends" at the start of every sentence?

Jeremy from Columbus, Ohio   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Well I didn't understand it either...probably why I support Barack Obama. McCain looks like a senile old fart who wandered away from a nursing home.

Jay   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

It was the best response Obama gave all night!

bnavoter   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

i really wish the young people at he university were asking questions. this is really their future when you thing about it and i would like to hear from our young people.

Glenn   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Obama is wiping the floor with McCain tonight. McCain is so timid in his answers and his intonations and volume. ROUND 2 OBAMA

embee   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

McCain said that we need to bring our troops back home victoriously. When? In 2050?

what!   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Lol gotcha McCain hahahahaha!!!!!!

rony   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

i like that go obama

Lynne   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Go Obama!

Jess   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Go Obama!!

RS-Texas   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

It seems that current government has literally profted from supporting Military dictatorships, illegitimate / democratically unpopular regimes and tyrannical governments.

Apparently the governments of today seem to focus their efforts more on the accumulation of wealth for themselves whilst controlling their constituents through fear and hatred, rather than moving solidly towards lasting peace…..

WHO REALLY PROFITED FROM THESE WARS?????

LT for Obama   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Obama he says that we should never have been in Iraq and then right behind that McCain says that Obama was wrong on the surge. The surge would not have been necessary if we HAD NOT GONE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. Obama was right.

mgb408   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

and i liked it!!..you could see that obama was waiting for that " obama does not understand" line

EJ (USA)   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Great answer from Obama.

G   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

Right on can we say sound bite. Good answer Obama.

Stacy from Leesburg VA   October 7th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

That was a smooth line Candy. I think it was fantastic.

Bianca   October 7th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

That was brilliant!!!!

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