Home > Blogs > Post Content

Obama vs. McCain -- 27 days to go. 2nd Debate: Presidential Visionary vs. Angry Old Man (458 hits)

CNN's poll of people who watched the second presidential debate showed 54 percent saying Democrat Barack Obama won and 30 percent thinking Republican John McCain was the victor.

The most telling observation about Barack Obama's debate performance was an observation that he looked "more Presidential -- in command of his plan, his vision, his priorities."

In response, John McCain was ineffective in recycling his stump speech talking points. He was unconvincing, erratic in his arguments, and was not very crisp in offering specific solutions. He seemed angry at the world for the mess we are in.

This outcome should solidify the lead that Obama has established, but there is still a long ways to go. He has won the first two debates, and capitalized on the economic crisis open up signficiant polling leads in key battleground states. Democrats are regitering more new voters, and they have a well-organized team on the ground that continues to work hard everyday to get out the early vote and rally supporters for a big turnout on November 4th.

If we keep working, we can win. We will win. YES WE CAN!

Posted By: Roger E Madison Jr
Wednesday, October 8th 2008 at 1:30AM
You can also click here to view all posts by this author...

Report obscenity | post comment

Share |

I definitely agree that Obama is the more competent candidate.

During last night's debate, I often got the impression that McCain was not confident in his own arguments, let alone the American public.

The Marine Corps, when training Marine officers in leadership skills, refers to the concept of "bearing", or the ability to command the respect of your subordinates. There is a certain presence that a leader should have, and in this case, one candidate far outshines the other. In terms of clarity, persuasiveness, and trust, Obama is able to communicate in a way that will build support at home, and build allies abroad.

Not to diminish John McCain's sacrifices or character; he has demonstrated both. But that alone does not justify the Presidency. These are difficult times for America, and the strength or weakness of our foreign policy will determine our future for years to come. Nations such as China and Russia are becoming much stronger economically and politically, and the Middle East is a major threat to our national security.

Unfortunately for McCain, I believe that he will be seen by leaders of those nations as an untrustworthy leader. He represents a party and policy which has been openly deceptive, hostile to friends and foes alike, and has diminished our respect worldwide.

Change is indeed coming. But not with McCain.
Wednesday, October 8th 2008 at 12:05PM
Jon C.

Isaac, the program John McCain talked about already exists in one form -- for homeowners facing foreclosure. The devil is in the details when considering those who have already foreclosed. Many of those former homeowners have already declared bankruptcy, may have lost thier jobs, and had no equity in the property to begin with. This is not a new proposal that he is able to articulate better than Barack Obama. He probalby memorized the text from a bill that congress already passed earlier this Summer, to take effect in October. Below are some of the details.

HUD Secretary Steve Preston unveiled the so-called Hope for Homeowners program that aims to help distressed borrowers refinance into more affordable 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages with the backing of the Federal Housing Administration.

The program targets borrowers whose homes are worth less than the outstanding amount of their mortgages and who would otherwise not be able to refinance. Borrowers must be owner-occupants in their primary residence who made at least six mortgage payments before falling behind. Some borrowers whose mortgages do not exceed current property values may qualify.

Congress this summer approved the effort, estimated to help as many as 400,000 distressed homeowners nationally avoid foreclosure, as part of legislation to address problems with the nation's ailing housing market. Lawmakers now are considering expanding the program as part of the $700 billion package to bail out the nation's financial system, since the credit crisis originated with risky home loans that went bad.

Participating lenders can refinance homeowners into new FHA-insured loans of up to $550,440. If necessary, the lender would be required to write down a portion of the debt so the new mortgage doesn't exceed 90 percent of the property's new appraised value. In turn, lenders avoid what can be costly foreclosures.

And if home values recover to the point where the homeowner makes a profit on the sale of their property, the FHA is entitled to part of the equity. For example, if borrowers sell within one year of refinancing, they would have to surrender all the extra proceeds from the sale. After five or more years, the FHA still is entitled to 50 percent of any equity in the home, a part of which could be distributed to secondary lien holders.

McCain's proposal may sound like a good idea, but like many of his knee-jerk ideas, he hasn't thought through the existing altrernatives, nor has he proposed an implementation process. Don't be fooled by the hype. I suspect that Sentaor Obama already has factored in the funding for the current programand how many families this will help. That is the difference in being comprehensive and looking for shock value.

Wednesday, October 8th 2008 at 1:16PM
Roger E Madison Jr

Thanks for your comments. We all want him to win so badly, that we hope for a "slam dunk" on every issue. Overall, I feel like I understand the details of much of his proposed policy changes. I may be the exception -- going to his website to read the plans, and following the "factcheckers" to ensure that I am not being dragged along by the hype. It is very difficult to be a policitian. these guys and gals major in half trughts and exaggerations -- both ways. It takes a focused effort to really understand what to expect based on what they say.

Wednesday, October 8th 2008 at 2:00PM
Roger E Madison Jr

Roger, I must confess. After watching about 20 minutes of that debate, I had to turn from it.As bad as I wanted to hear what Obama had to say tonight, I just could not bring myself to listen to McCain blame Obama for from water being on planet Earth to blaming him for the air that we breath! Enough is enough!!!!!!

I do like that governor's (maybe 21st century style KKK meeting where she whipped up those racist to decide to say "kill him" is being investigated by the Secret Agents.

Inciting a mob with words,terrorist threats, is not protected by the first amendment! Much like yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater is not protected speech.Now the governor Palin is under government investigation in two states. How lovely...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA