Presidential Debate breakdown

Where do you stand on the 700 billion bailout?

Obama- states that we have to move swiftly and smartly to work out what is going on and make sure that the people get back the money that they are helping to bail out wall street with. What's good for wall street and what's good for main street. The people have been struggling long before this crisis but now there is a need for helping the people first on wall street while forgetting about.

McCain- answers with hearts going out to ted kennedy, and what does eliminating dependence on foreign oil have to do with the wall street bailout. He hopes that he would vote for the plan to bailout wall street. I see a stumble because even after all of this he hopes that he can vote on a 700 billion dollar plan. Failure and corruption are rewarded but there should be accountable drilling and nuclear power plants(43 new plants). Healthy economy without raising any taxes will help get us out this crisis.

What are the lessons of the Iraq war?

McCain- can't have a failed strategy that will cause you to lose a conflict. we have succeeded. there is a difference between a tactic and a strategy and says that obama does not understand that.

Obama- opposed the war when it was politically risky to be in the war and there was an unfinished job in Afghanistan. The insurgents are stronger now than ever, and we are spending billions a month on this failed war. says mcain cut funding for troops on a time table whereas he was open for sending funding. should end the war responsibly and in phases.

Should more US troops be sent to Afghanistan?

Obama- need more troops there and need to deal with Pakistan's. need to take out terrorist leaders if Pakistan isn't willing to.

McCain- not prepared to cut aid to Pakistan but not strikes and a need to work with them. same strategy in Iraq is going to be needed in Pakistan. He needs new strategy that will work in Afghanistan.


McCain- if Iran gets nuclear weapons then there will be a threat to the region. Can't allow a second holocaust. doesn't agree with those leaders without precondition. doesn't need to legitimize the face of terror.

Obama- need some sanctions on Iran, have to make sure they don't get nuclear weapons. we have to stop talking to threating countries without punishment because it is not working by just talking alone. there is a difference preconditions and preparations, need those preparations in order to get things done. says that mccain doesn't even want to talk to our allies, so how will we get things done.

How do you see the US relationship with Russia?

Obama- 6 point cease fire, proliferation of loose nuclear weapons. have to deal with Russia in response to us national security.

McCain-looked into Putins eye's and saw the letters kgb, thinks that Obama shows naiveté on dealing with Russia because of their dealings with Georgia. have to make sure that Ukraine knows that we are their allies.


What is the likelihood of another 9/11 attack?

McCain- thinks that we are safer now than the first day after 9/11. need better human intelligence, no prisoner torture, can work more closely with allies. do a better job along our borders. if we fail in Iraq then it will make those forces stronger. Has the ability to make the right judgments to make sure that the US is safe.

Obama- we have done some, airport has increase but other transport needs help, nuclear security, need missile defense, and cooperation with allies, get to the root of the problem in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Have to get US back on the positive with the rest of the world. we have weakened the projection of ourselves to the rest of the world. have to have a broader strategic vision.


After watching this debate, I think I would need to see another within the next 30 days is that going to happen probably not, but as of right now all it takes is Palin to mess up the VP debate and it's all she wrote. Honestly even with McCain pointing out Obama in some political choices made, but the thing about it is after seeing the debate, McCain himself changed his mind or can I say wording. It seems as if he went one way for one question and changed his mind with the different question. With McCain I felt like that if he gets into office, some of those old POW wounds are going to start acting up and we won't be in a better place, domestically or internationally. Given the fact that this debate was supposed to be a land slide victory for McCain, I didn't not see that. I think that both did well to get their points across but there was no clear evidence to make me change my mind on who I'm voting for or why I should vote for McCain over Obama.