Comments on: Review of the Second Debate

By: Shaun

Shaun — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:17:07 +0000

Nice recap. I agree that “…very little was added to the discussion by this debate,” not so much because of the character or content of the debate itself, but because the campaign trajectory has been set on what seems to be an inalterable course by other events. The kind of meltdown Obama would have to display to “lose” one of these things in any meaningful way is simply unimaginable.

By: Anthony Fuller

Anthony Fuller — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:50:56 +0000

Nice thoughts. I was a bit disappointed by both candidates, as each were more focused on attacking the other candidate/party, with McCain constantly digging at Obama and Obama digging at McCain and trying to link him to Bush. I also think the whole “that one” was blown out of proportion and is being used by the advisers to Obama as a racist “code word” instead of being kept in context.

The debate was boring, but the town hall format was so constricted with time limits and the selected questions that we didn’t learn anything new. Obama voters continue to support Obama. McCain voters continue to support McCain. Independent voters are still scratching their heads pissed off at both for the most part.

I still think Obama has this election in the bag, but anything could still happen. The “Bradley effect” is expected to have roughly a 5 point swing towards McCain, but I’m predicting it will only be about 2-3 points unless the polls are completely off. As long as the economy remains the big issue, Obama can coast.

By: Coffygirl

Coffygirl — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:34:56 +0000

I agree with your analysis of the debate. It would have been so much better in the traditional format. Great job on the fact checking too. The trouble with the GOP campaign is they they are focused on negativity and not on the state of the country today.

By: ep

ep — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:15:02 +0000

Billy-

I labeled it a misrepresentation because I didn’t fill in all the details (and I apologize for that).

His full stated position was(is) unless we have a plan and a place to safely store the nuclear waste, then he is not a proponent of nuclear power. I feel he has begun to leave off that qualification lately.

Hope that helps, I should have included that note in the original post.

By: billy

billy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:56:53 +0000

I don’t understand how

“Obama (Misrepresentation) - Obama stated he is pro nuclear power. This is contrary to a statement he made last December when he said, “I am not a proponent of nuclear power”. (1) ”

is classed as a misrepresentation and not a lie. The differences seem very cloudy to me. If I tell you two things that completely contradict each other (I hate dogs, I love dogs) am I not lying in one of the two statements?

By: Jody

Jody — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:55:55 +0000

All news channels and newspapers are biased. I used to watch TV, and I always saw how angry the Iraqis were that we invaded their country. But I heard a few soldiers mention that the news here was nothing like the situation in Iraq. After my son was deployed to Iraq, I asked him if the Iraqis were upset that we were there. He told me that almost all of them were very grateful and thanked the soldiers over and over. He said that a few were mad and that they were very “pissed off”. So, I can’t really believe most of the news on TV.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:39:34 +0000

mstokes, may I suggest a movie called OutFoxed to you. It was made in 2004 and provides a revealing look into the so-called “fair and balanced” network. It’s based on interviews with former employees.

By: LaterSkater

LaterSkater — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:35:46 +0000

I think all news networks are guilty of not following up on politician’s talking points for fear that the politicians will quit appearing on their shows. I’ve never understood how a news agency owned by a large corporation out to make their shareholders rich (like Aol or Time Warner or Disney) could be accused of a liberal media bias. I used to force myself to watch the 700 Club back in college until I was able to get beyond the point of it making me angry, just to understand some of the fallacy of arguments used on that show. Now, I have to admit, I get most of my news from the Daily Show and the Colbert Report because wrapping it in comedy is the only way to make it palatable.

By: ep

ep — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:56:35 +0000

Thanks for the post on my site. I’m curious if people self select into channels they feel will match up with their views. IE. Hard core conservatives are only going to watch Fox News so when they take a poll it is going to be skewed.

NOTE: I will watch Fox News as well so I can hear the Far Right ideology and rhetoric. I do this because I think it is healthy to hear and be aware of ideas that conflict with your own. I tried to listen to Air American and couldn’t do it.

By: mstokes

mstokes — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:01:21 +0000

This is an interesting article. However, I do not watch cnn because they are so biased. I was foxnews only, and according to one poll they had, it showed viewers in favor of McCain 87% and in favor of Obama 11% (the remaining undecided)

I know that McCain is not perfect, as no human is perfect. But Obama is the one that scares me.