October 15, 2008
Posted: October 15th, 2008 09:17 PM ET

From

Hempstead, New York (CNN) - Obama's answers during this first line of questioning appear crisp and clear, while McCain's sound disconnected and rambling.

This whole discussion is about taxes, but what voters want to hear about is jobs. What are these two candidates going to do on jobs?

Filed under: Bill Schneider • Presidential Debate


Craig   October 15th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

Obama is so smug – I guess that's what a socialist who wants to "spread the wealth around" looks like – can you believe that? He actually told a guy who wants to grow his business that he will tax him more so that he can "spread the wealth around".

Do you realize that Obama has said that he would give 95% of Americans a tax break when 20% of Americans pay no income tax at all? In other words, he will up the Earned Income tax credit, that actually gives people who pay no taxes money out of my pocket.....

Thanks but no thanks......I may not be a republican, but I am an American, and American's aren't socialist. So I have to vote republican for the first time in my life.

Craig

Mick   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

I can hear the WHAAAMBULANCE coming to take McCain away.

Thom In Maine   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Is Joe the Plumber a fictional person related to Joe Sixpack?

Michele   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Jane,
Obama supported the purchase of a 3 million dollar projector to be installed in a museum in Chicago much like the cool ones that many museums have all over the country. McCain acts like Obama has the projector in his house or something. As we all know most museums support science and maybe McCain isn't that much of a science buff.

Susie   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

"I'm not President Bush. If you want to run against President Bush, you should run 4 years ago." That's very powerful.

SHELLI1313   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Here we go again with these STUPID town hall meetings. 10, McStupid you lost the one main one that you needed to win. You are to big of an A_ _ for me to ever think of voting for you or that Stupid woman that you picked for your VP. You are a Lier and you did not repudiate the remarks of the people. Your campaign is not and has not been truthful!

Carrie   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

How is McCain going to cut spending while keeping the troops in Iraq? I say he is still talking out of both sides of his mouth

Deidre   October 15th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

I am getting so tired of McCain attacking Obama every chance he gets. I am not, particularly for Obama either, but why can't McCain talk about what he can do for us as a people and for the future of our people?! He needs to focus! on the situation at hand.

White Christian Mother for Obama   October 15th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

McCain is doing the same policies of Bush in alot if his talks... and if anyone notices McCain is getting alot of his stuff from his advisors and Senior Republicans... he has hardly came up with anything on his own.

Obama has had this plan laid out from the start before his nominational run... He has stuck by it for the most part and he is sure and positive of it.

Jennifer Hull   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

I can see him actually getting something done...in a Cabinet meeting, at a summit meeting, working with Congress; this man has what it takes and they don't come along very often! Obama is not a Socialist, he is a pragmatist and a calm, cool, collected leader. Let's give him a chance!

Achille Salesh   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

Mc Cain still drowning down.

Shelly   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

McCain looks out of his element; deer in headlights almost. He appears to be trying to contain himself.
Obama is able to bring his points, McCain's agreeable points and present it calmly.

Doc G   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

McCain/Palin new campaign slogan-
"Yep, we can do that!"

One hour to go...Thank God

Carla A. Bly   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

McCain's words for the night.......hurting and angry. Can't seem to stop rambling can he??

Jane   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

John–we need you. In the Senate.

Barbara   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

Yes very presidential! McCain apperas to be rammbling and repeating the same talking points and still have no give a plan. He seems grumpy and irritated sitting next to Obama.

EVN   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

LMAO at McCain saying hes not Bush!
dudes just repeating the same ol crud that hes always pitching in his rallys.
boooooring.

CJ Harris   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

He is really taken this very personal . He needs to stay on topic.

Craig   October 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

blah blah blah – Obama can't come up with a single thing to cut out of the federal budget? Is he kidding? At least McCain said we would freeze the budget across the board.

Obama will say anything to get elected.

Craig

Thom In Maine   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

McCain is confused. He said, "Fannie and Freddie Mae". He is not capable of handling the job of President.

Samantha in MI   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Is McCain serious?? Can he answer the question or at least come up with some original ideas? He just sounds like a whiny old man. Obama will be the next President.

Obama/Biden 08!!!!!!

amandazz   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

McCain is just rambling. He isnt adding any substance. And Im tired of hearing he has the scars to prove it. Did Bush Hit Him?

Yonas   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

McCain, sound like Para Palin. Hmmm

Adrienne   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Death by a thousand cuts. Tax cuts that is. Lady America is bleeding to death.. and Mccain thinks the way to save her is with deeper cuts. It's like putting Lady America in a tank of leeches when she has a sliced open jugular. Some leeches will get real fat... but it does not help the lady.

EqualBranchesofGovernment   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Senator McCain said he isn't President Bush......at least the Senator hasn't lost all his marbles!!

AJ   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Is it just me, or is Sheiffer a much better moderator than Jim Leher or Tom Brokaw?

Oh, and McCain is all over the place tonight. Seriously, just state your case, quit trying to intimidate Obama. All it does is show your own insecurities.

White Christian Mother for Obama   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Obama is winning this thing!!

Smarter than the GOP   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

he isn't Bush, HE'S WORSE... coming from AZ

Doc G   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

McCain still an ANGRY fellow. Just scolded Obama over the question of balancing the budget. Ugh....

McCain not answering questions. "Yes I can do that" just won't do!

Linda   October 15th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Obama keeps talking in circles, I was leaning toward Obama but McCain seems to know how to fix this economic crisis. Maybe McCain gets my vote afterall

CJ Harris   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

I agree with you I see that JM is all over the place. In order for him to win he would have to stay on topic.

Sherri   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

It's amazing to see McCain distance himself from Bush, and rudely at that. He is part of the Bush machine. He shares responsibility for all that has happened in the past 8 years.

Paul Sackett   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

McCain has rambled a little....but he is most definitely whipping Obama. Notice how Bob Schieffer hammered McCain on specifics of budget cuts and let Obama off the hook? Hmmm

NB   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

McCain is trying to be confident. He thinks he can win this by repeating the same thing again again.

dustin   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

schneider actually talking positively about obama, wow, whats the temperature down in hell? chilly i presume.

steve bailey   October 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Would somebody please tell the ole fighter pilot to stop firing off heat seeking missiles and answer at least one question?

RS-Texas   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

We need change…not old rhetoric in new packaging…..

bnavoter   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

mccain always says "and i know how to do it...".
so does that mean that he's had all the answers but has withheld them, only IF he becomes president? that sure isn't "country first"!!!

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

OOPS – John's frustrated/angry – words are not right

Phyllis   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Did John Mccain say let's not spread the wealth around? Well John I am Phyllis the nurse and I am struggling! I would like if the wealth was spread around!

Tim   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

"i'm not President Bush."

NO, you're not!

GO MCCAIN!!!

Nick   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

If McCain brings up Ayer, while families are losing their homes, investors are losing their money, workers are losing their jobs and young men are losing their lives in Iraq, he will show he is clearly out of touch.

Nick

Chris from STL   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

There is no way either of them can balance the budget in their first term ... Ask any economist!

RS-Texas   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

it is hilarious how Sen.McCain keeps trying to separate himself from his party and most of all from his leader... The Bush's....

Lorraine   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

DRINKING GAME! Key word tonite- ANGRY
:)

Amy   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

"McCain's sound disconnected and rambling"

More like old and annoying

Erick in Alabama   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Go Obama! Put McCain to shame!

JAQUEL   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

MCCAIN'S NAME SHOULD BE MC' BUSH HE'S A WARHEAD HE'S NEVER FOCUSED ON THEECONOMY

Smarter than the GOP   October 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

McCain sounds like he has marbles in his mouth

Kris K in RM CA   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Obama looks confident and relaxed. McCain looks upset, unsettled, his answers are messy. He is blinking, not winking. There is no way McCain can balance the budget. We all know that.

Chris Wolski   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Why will no one ever bring up a flat tax?

California Democrat   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

That's because John is an idiot

embee   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Obama articulated the "Joe the plumber" question very nicely.

Ellie, MD   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

GO OBAMA!! GO OBAMA!! Keep your eye on the ball. Let Mr. McGrumpy tell his "stories"!!!

Smarter than the GOP   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

haha socialist... you people are thick headed

phil s.   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

mccain should've answere "I will cut the rest of the my campaigning" because it's wasting away american dollars

lou in ottawa   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

It's the Palin effect: McCain is refusing to answer the question put to him.. Haven't we heard his talking points before?

Moi   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

He is not president bush...what's up with that?

oboeanon   October 15th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Obama is so much at ease in this arena. McCain just can't keep himself together.

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   October 15th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Richie – I agree – he knows how to get bin laden, too, but he won't tell anyone that either.

RS-Texas   October 15th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

i think they're both tiring nearing election day.....if morality is a basis for selection, one would have to look for the candidate who chose higher ground..(and didn't use personal attacks)

Ryan   October 15th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

I'll take a mumble over a socialist any day.

Jane   October 15th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

He's back to that overhead projecter–would someone explain this?

Accountant Guy   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Good job Barack, stay on your game and finish McBush off!!

Obama/Biden '08

Robin   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

McCain is loosing it... I don't like his tone.

brian   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Obama won that duel.

Jay   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

McCain is all over the place.

bnavoter   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

i gotta say that obama seems so much more presidential than mccain. and i like the idea that our next prez will be calm and collected.

Chan   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

What is John talking about. The question is what program will you cut.

Richie   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

McW knows how to save billions, but he ain't going to say how. Count how many times he says "angry".

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   October 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Our next president. The other one is still stumping. Too late for McCain. No more wars

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