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September 26th, 2008
10:51 PM ET

Debate not raising the bar... literally

David Mattingly
AC360° Correspondent

I'm at a pub just outside Atlanta watching the debate. This is a place where every television is normally turned to a sporting event. Tonight every screen is on the debate and the pub is full but uncharacteristically quiet.

The crowd is listening intently but seems to be unmoved. With the exception of occasional applause from two tables of Obama supporters, this debate doesn't seem to be winning this crowd over to either candidate.
Filed under: David Mattingly • Raw Politics
soundoff (57 Responses)
  1. Deborah

    It's pretty arrogant and scary when a presidential candidate says " I will see who I want, when I want and how I want at my discretion if I'm president. That is a single minded and very careless and power hungry statement to make. I am surprised nobody has said anything about that.
    Americans, PLEASE listen to his answers.
    His decision to run for president is in his answers and it's not to protect our Country first.
    Wake up out of your stupors
    He might be ready four years from now, but he is not ready this election.
    Deborah

    September 28, 2008 at 12:20 am |
  2. Monika

    Why is it that McCain couldn't even look Obama in the eye during the whole debate? It seemed utterly disrespectful to me. Not even once. I wouldn't want a leader who can't "face" his opponent.

    September 27, 2008 at 7:54 am |
  3. ross berg

    I came into the debate wanting to be convinced to vote for McCain. I came away convinced to vote for Obama.

    I found McCains disdain for Obama rude and very unpresidential. He seemed at times to be peeeved that he had to be there.

    Also, after seeing Katie Courics interview with Sara Palin the thought of Palin being a heartbeat from the Presidency is truly scary! If I were McCain I'd get on the phone pronto and beg for Romneys forgiveness and get him on the ticket BEFORE Thursday nites debate with Joe Biden. Lord help the republican ticket if Palin goes up against Biden!!

    IMHO-Ross Berg

    September 27, 2008 at 7:15 am |
  4. William Wallace

    Well, Obama sure won't bring up Kissenger again. McCain has 35 years of politcal experience much of it foreign policy. I am really non-partisan, but boy, Obama got hammered in world affairs. He reminded me more of a college student that just read the world news section of the paper. McCain was more of the mentor and Obama the student. But, what is to come in the next debates, we will see...

    September 26, 2008 at 11:36 pm |
  5. J. Rivera

    I am not impressed by Mr. McCain, he is a republican, as far as I am concern, the reason for the situation in this country's financial crisis, the reason the world has a negative view of us, we have had a moron for president for the past 8 years, and Mr. McCain sided with him in almost everything; if he has done so much to opose the president then why has he done nothing to help the cause of "We the People". He is to old, and a big risk if Ms. Palin has a chance to be President, she needs to stay in Alaska hunting mouse and being a pitbull succer mom. Obama will get my vote, even with less experince he is the best candidate and the best chance for meaningful change we have. I think the world will have a better view of The US of A with him as president.

    Jose Rivera
    Delray Bch, FL

    September 26, 2008 at 11:35 pm |
  6. Caren in Chicago/soon-to-be Boston

    I'm right up there with your crowd, David. This debate didn't really move me, with the exception of being extremely annoyed that not once during the entire 90 minute debate, did McCain ever look at Obama. He never looked him in the eye, much less in his direction, intently focused on Jim Lehrer, which I thought was a huge mistake.

    September 26, 2008 at 11:34 pm |
  7. Lourdes

    I was watching the debate but was so predictable that I found myself falling asleep every time McCain went into rewind about when he was a soldier. Thanks to God that the graphic was on the bottom of the screen and kept me for falling into a "coma".
    I would like to hear not only what they are going to do as president but also how we are going to get there.

    Lourdes
    P.R.

    September 26, 2008 at 11:33 pm |
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