Comments on: The Candidates’ Debate: Expectations http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/ Firedoglake weblog Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:51:22 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: shell http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641788 shell Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:26:37 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641788 <p>I agree with most of your piece, except this one:</p> <p><em>“Be sure people know McCain knows his stuff: </em></p> <p>“McCain’s been in the Senate since Ronald Reagan was President! Obama can’t possibly know more than he does.”</p> <p>If you say “McCain knows his stuff” it is dangerous. Many you say this to might NOT watch the debates, and they are left with this in their heads. And that would be bad.</p> I agree with most of your piece, except this one:

“Be sure people know McCain knows his stuff:

“McCain’s been in the Senate since Ronald Reagan was President! Obama can’t possibly know more than he does.”

If you say “McCain knows his stuff” it is dangerous. Many you say this to might NOT watch the debates, and they are left with this in their heads. And that would be bad.

]]> By: Sara http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641778 Sara Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:30:47 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641778 <p>I predict that at least some of Lehrer’s questions will deal with international matters not so much the focus of most soundbytes. Future of the UN, Future of NATO, Conceptualization of relations with China, How to deal with N. Korea, Nuclear Proliferation, Latin American Relations — the BBC is just doing a long form story about the drug wars in Mexico — could be an interesting question. I anticipate an Africa Question. And yes, I expect a question on International Finance in light of the recent melt-down. We might see a question about organization of US Intelligence assets, or whether the State Department should regain control over US foreign policy from DoD. </p> <p>I think the challenge for Obama is to be clear and display mastery of various subjects, but not to provide any ammunition for those whose votes can be swayed by the term “Uppity” whether combined with the N word or not. I keep looking at that spread of “undecideds” “won’t say” maybe Bob Barr voters — and those are really the target audience, not us. If the outcome is that people see competence, and feel a sense of confidence in Obama’s approaches, he’ll do fine.</p> I predict that at least some of Lehrer’s questions will deal with international matters not so much the focus of most soundbytes. Future of the UN, Future of NATO, Conceptualization of relations with China, How to deal with N. Korea, Nuclear Proliferation, Latin American Relations — the BBC is just doing a long form story about the drug wars in Mexico — could be an interesting question. I anticipate an Africa Question. And yes, I expect a question on International Finance in light of the recent melt-down. We might see a question about organization of US Intelligence assets, or whether the State Department should regain control over US foreign policy from DoD.

I think the challenge for Obama is to be clear and display mastery of various subjects, but not to provide any ammunition for those whose votes can be swayed by the term “Uppity” whether combined with the N word or not. I keep looking at that spread of “undecideds” “won’t say” maybe Bob Barr voters — and those are really the target audience, not us. If the outcome is that people see competence, and feel a sense of confidence in Obama’s approaches, he’ll do fine.

]]> By: ronniemitchell http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641724 ronniemitchell Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:19:37 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641724 <p>with that in mind..how about raising expectations for John Mccain instead?..I dont see him doing as poorly as you seem to, and maybe I am not alone. I LIKE the fact that he seems to think about his answers..we do not need to dumb down the discourse ..and maybe I misread your point in this , but we need to stop feeding the idea that ‘bumper sticker statements are ‘intelligent’…the world’s future should not possibly hang in someone answering anything with the idea of a Jeopardy theme tune running.</p> with that in mind..how about raising expectations for John Mccain instead?..I dont see him doing as poorly as you seem to, and maybe I am not alone. I LIKE the fact that he seems to think about his answers..we do not need to dumb down the discourse ..and maybe I misread your point in this , but we need to stop feeding the idea that ‘bumper sticker statements are ‘intelligent’…the world’s future should not possibly hang in someone answering anything with the idea of a Jeopardy theme tune running.

]]> By: MarkH http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641675 MarkH Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:23:26 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641675 <blockquote><p>i honestly think McCain does well in these things. he has a very good sense of what buttons to push and will say what he wants to say no mater what.</p></blockquote> <p>Then the discussion needs to meander onto new and different things than they’ve discussed in the last couple of years. Lord knows what that might be, but that would be where McCain’s shallowness might become obvious.</p>

i honestly think McCain does well in these things. he has a very good sense of what buttons to push and will say what he wants to say no mater what.

Then the discussion needs to meander onto new and different things than they’ve discussed in the last couple of years. Lord knows what that might be, but that would be where McCain’s shallowness might become obvious.

]]> By: radiofreewill http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641634 radiofreewill Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:34:16 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641634 <p>Teddy - I couldn’t agree with you more!</p> <p>In the 2004 debates, when Kerry mentioned ‘international consent,’ Bush exploded in a very boisterous shout-down, which appeared to rock Kerry.</p> <p>It was ridiculously testosterony, but it scored points with the severely sloped forehead/over-hanging brow Alpha-male crowd.</p> <p>That kind of ‘Ram’s Head Charge’ is just the kind of thing McSame will be looking to do to Obama on Friday - he’ll be lying in wait for his opening.</p> <p>We should anticipate ‘intimidation’ being part of McCain’s plan and be ready - ready with a smooth, but painfully obvious, reversal that causes the Prideful One to tap-out.</p> <p>The most obvious ‘charges’ could come from -</p> <p>- the ‘Success’ of the Surge<br /> - Can’t leave Iraq to Al Qaeda<br /> - Torture under the ‘Worst Case Scenario - WMD Terrorism’<br /> - Gitmo and Habeus<br /> - Oil Lobbyists on his Campaign<br /> - Russia started the War in Georgia<br /> - what is the definition of ‘winning’ in Iraq?</p> <p>By taking McCain’s irrationality seriously, all of US and Obama, too, can be prepared for whatever lunge he makes.</p> Teddy – I couldn’t agree with you more!

In the 2004 debates, when Kerry mentioned ‘international consent,’ Bush exploded in a very boisterous shout-down, which appeared to rock Kerry.

It was ridiculously testosterony, but it scored points with the severely sloped forehead/over-hanging brow Alpha-male crowd.

That kind of ‘Ram’s Head Charge’ is just the kind of thing McSame will be looking to do to Obama on Friday – he’ll be lying in wait for his opening.

We should anticipate ‘intimidation’ being part of McCain’s plan and be ready – ready with a smooth, but painfully obvious, reversal that causes the Prideful One to tap-out.

The most obvious ‘charges’ could come from -

- the ‘Success’ of the Surge
- Can’t leave Iraq to Al Qaeda
- Torture under the ‘Worst Case Scenario – WMD Terrorism’
- Gitmo and Habeus
- Oil Lobbyists on his Campaign
- Russia started the War in Georgia
- what is the definition of ‘winning’ in Iraq?

By taking McCain’s irrationality seriously, all of US and Obama, too, can be prepared for whatever lunge he makes.

]]> By: selise http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641629 selise Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:26:56 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641629 <p>nite betsy. hope is a good sleep and a good week for you.</p> nite betsy. hope is a good sleep and a good week for you.

]]> By: TexBetsy http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641624 TexBetsy Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:21:24 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641624 <p>thanks mommybrain</p> thanks mommybrain

]]> By: Twain http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641621 Twain Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:19:17 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641621 <p>A test is okay with me as long as there’s no math on it. “g”</p> A test is okay with me as long as there’s no math on it. “g”

]]> By: Mommybrain http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641617 Mommybrain Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:15:04 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641617 <p>Nite Betsy. Pain free sleep wishes.</p> Nite Betsy. Pain free sleep wishes.

]]> By: ratfood http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641616 ratfood Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:14:54 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/21/the-candidates-debate-expectations/#comment-1641616 <p>g’night, sadly</p> g’night, sadly

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