Who Won the Debate?

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Who Won the Debate?

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Posted: 3:38 PM Oct 9, 2008
Last Updated: 3:38 PM Oct 9, 2008
Reporter: KKTV

36 comments

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Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain squared off in their second debate with the economic meltdown the top concern among voters.

Obama said, "We are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. ... This is final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years."

McCain talked up energy independence.

McCain said "Americans are angry, they're upset, and they're a little fearful."

The town-hall format at Belmont University allowed voters to ask questions while NBC's Tom Brokaw moderated. The candidates' third and last debate will be Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

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Posted by: Payday Loan Advocate Location: US on Oct 31, 2008 at 02:09 AM
With less than a week to go until the Presidential election, I am getting more and more excited. I’m anxious to see which presidential candidate will actually be representing America for the next four years. Election polls are one thing I’ve never paid much attention to, even though they’re the focus of most election coverage. The polls sound official, and are often performed by reliable news sources like the Associated Press, NBC, CBS, ABC, and Reuters. However, a poll that claims that two-thirds of Americans support Barack Obama isn’t entirely accurate. There’s no way that two-thirds of the nation is blind to the fact that Obama is pushing to do away with valid financial options like cash advance stores. Instead, the two-thirds that the poll is talking about, represents two-thirds of that particular viewing audience—not two-thirds of all Americans. See how that works? So, when making your choice for president, don’t let the polls sway you because that’s what they’re meant to do.

Posted by: Cathy Location: Denver on Oct 16, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Obama won the debate, but that doesn't mean he should be president. Big government doesn't work period. Obama sees government in the role of parent, caregiver, re-distributor of wealth. This very socialist perspective is demonstrated in his voting, and outlined in his books and policies. Example : the Union Check Card issue misleadingly named the "Employee Free Choice Act" http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11840.html Americans are scared. We feel so disillusioned and leaderless we appear to be willing to to 'try anything' to see if it will make a difference. George Bush was possibly the worst president in history, but we can't make another mistake and elect a fundamentally socialist leader. Independence and self-resilience is what built and made this country great. The more freedoms and choices we turn over to the government because we are desperate to feel secure is a dangerous road. History has proven socialism fails its people, weakens the republic and squashes a nation's

Posted by: Anon Location: CS on Oct 9, 2008 at 06:31 PM
People will not agree on who won the debate but it's time people stop blaming Bush and the Republican party for the sad state our economy is in. People don't seem to acknowledge our economy is suffering because the U.S. has a tremendous load due to the ridiculous amount of people on welfare not paying taxes not to mention the drain due to the illegals not paying taxes. The burden has stressed the tax paying population beyond it's means. The toll has also hit all city, state, county, federal, and non-profit organizations in this country. The funding spent on the war has ensured our freedom. It's easy for O'Bama to blame McCain. If not for Senator Ryan's threat of a sex scandel O'Bama would not be running on the ticket.

Posted by: Robert Location: PPCC on Oct 8, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Obama won the debate in my eyes because he just needed to hold his course, and that is what he did. McCain needed to win and win big, but he didn't do that. McCain seemed more into bashing Obama than getting to the issues. When he referred to Obama as "That one", he lost some respect from me because that was really was a low blow. If you can't refer to him as Senator or Mr. Obama or Barack or anything than "that one", that shows a lot of disrespect. If McCain is not going to show Obama the respect he deserves for being the Democratic Candidate, then his record of being bipartisan takes a hit. I think McCain showed his selfish side with "that one".

Posted by: Anon on Oct 8, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Obama won by a landslide....everybody say YAY!! YES WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Larry Location: Colo Springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 03:22 PM
No question....Obama won this debate. McCain looked like a lost little old man in a department store...Why was he wandering around so much when Obama was talking??

Posted by: I vote against more of the same! Location: CS on Oct 8, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Not another 4 or 8 years of the economic disaster we just had! Please!!!!

Posted by: janet Location: cos on Oct 8, 2008 at 02:32 PM
ali-last i checked i've been american my whole life and mccain has far from connected to me-he even looks dishonest. superficial when he tries to grin and says 'my friends'....i cringe. he has no idea how to tackle the current economy crisis-afterall we all heard him say 'the fundamentals of the economy is sound'. he unlike the average american has never had a want his entire life. a choice of mccain/palin would take women back to the stoneage. this republican is voting obama!

Posted by: Brian Location: Pueblo on Oct 8, 2008 at 01:51 PM
This debate was a real yawner...both candidates struggled and I don't think there was a clearcut winner.

Posted by: N/A Location: C Springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:57 PM
OK, I watched part of the debate last night, and I am not up on my politics and right now am on neither side. But one thing i really noticed along with Stacie, is that neither candidate answered the question specifically. They candy coated the questions they were asked, or didnt really give a great answer. It seems as though they have a perception of what the public wants to hear, so they candy coat the truth and give their opinion. I completely agree with Stacie.

Posted by: Paul Warmington Location: Colorado Springs, CO on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:42 PM
John McCain is 72 years old and tells stories about his heros Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. He lives in the past, he is way to old to run for President, he is a Senior Citizen! There should be an age limit to be able to run for President. Barack Obama is only 47 years old and he reminds me of John Fitzgerald Kennedy who took office at the age of 43, he was the second youngest President to take office. Barack Obama cares more about all of us and knows and understands what is happening to each of us, and the problems that we are having with the economy, he has a vision and a plan. John McCain has no clue, and no real plan to solve the problems that we are currently facing with in this economy. We need to take care of the problems that we are having here at home, and taking better care of all of our Military Personnel in all branches of the Military, after all, they are the true heros who are protecting us and our Freedom.

Posted by: ERICB Location: COLORADO SPRINGS on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I DIDNT LIKE THIS TYPE OF DEBATE ,THERE WAS NO FOLLOW QUESTIONS /I FELT MCCAIN WANTED TO DO PERSONAL ATTACKS WHICH WILL NOT SOLVE THE HOUSING CRISIS /THE COST OF HEALTH CARE /THE COST OF GAS / THE WAR IN IRAQ. I DID NOTICE ALSO THAT MCCAIN DID NOT USE THE TERM MIDDLE CLASS ONCE .SO I REALLY DONT THINK MCCAIN KNOWS WHAT THE MIDDLE CLASS IS GOING THOUGH .OBAMA KNOWS OBAMA WILL WIN !!!

Posted by: sheila Location: c springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:17 PM
That's politics, stacie. I agree with you completely. Not once have a heard a straight answer out of any of these bozos. Frankly, I wouldn't believe a word, any of them says. All they are doing is spending all of their time giving us lip service or bashing the other party, both in an attempt to gain votes. Personally, I think that they must not have much faith in the intelligence of the American population. But I can tell you one thing that I can't stand is being treated like an ignorant neanderthal.

Posted by: Stephanie Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Every single answer I heard from both McCain and Obama sounded exactly the same. They skipped around the issues instead of addressing them head on. It was redundant and only made it even harder for me to decide who I'm going to vote for. I dont' feel either of these men are prepared to fix our economy or any other problems this country is facing. It's too bad that we can't change who's running.

Posted by: D.J. Location: Colo. Springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Obama couldn't keep up. He kept forgetting what the questions were. The OLD GUY did a great job...GO MCCAIN/PALIN

Posted by: Mark Location: COS on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Touche. I know several folks who work at Fort Carson as subcontractors that sit around and make 20 dollars and hour. They laugh at the waste. One guy is in Iraq fixing diesel engines and makes 120k. That's exactly what Mccain will support. Military spending and the rest of us have to pay. Let me rephrase that. Our children will have to pay while driving down crippled roads, paying 500k for college and living 15 deep in a 2 bedroom just to survive.

Posted by: Alan Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 8, 2008 at 10:25 AM
What I though of before the debate and was confermed, was that the moderator was bias towards Obama. They was softball questions as far as to keep Obama safe from answering tough questions. Figuring that all he had to do was just to take a few easy question and come out of it unscaved. I don't know why the media is bias now a days, I really don't, but it is. What every happen to "report the story, don't become part of it"?

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:21 AM
I think that Obama is the one that talks about the past..saying what we should and should not have done in the past 8 years..blah blah blah..whats done is done and now its time to see how can handle this mess, Mccain seems to have the interest of America...as Obama just says what everyone wants to hear

Posted by: Kay Location: Co Sprgs on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Knowing your history is not living in the past. It's called Experience. Listening to Obama talk about Pakistan and hearing how nieve he was about the Iraqi issues makes me scared to death. McCain also has been involved with connections in Russia for years. Putin is no one to under estimate. Without military, we are an open book for 9/11 again and worse. Obama sat there stuttering about health care, are you serious,he's going to government madate our health care and then FINE us if we don't do his expectations ??Does the term THIRD WORLD counrtry ring a bell ? When McCain, on national TV, accused him of the Wall Street crash and his involvement in Fannie Mae and that he was the second highest paid from this financial blackmail, did ANYONE hear him DENY these claims or offer proof to the contrary, no he he did what he always does, smooth talk his way on to another subject even though McCain had a letter of warning WITHOUT Obama's name on it. We need the stability of forgein affairs now.

Posted by: Bob Location: C/S on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:19 AM
Dont trust anyone who says "Friend" all the time. McCain is totally out of touch with the hardships of the average joeblow.

Posted by: Art Location: CS on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Obama clearly won the debate, McCain looked pretty stressed out. McCain represents George W Bush, heck he voted with Bush 90 percent of the time. 8 years of disasterous policies and now you want to give McBush 4 more? McBush will cut ONE Trillion dollars from Medicade and Medicare, McBush will tax your 5000 dollar credit for your health benefit, McBush will keep George W Bush's current tax cuts which has devistated our economy because the tax cuts went to the top 5 percent of the country, the rest of us received scraps. McBush will give 4 Billion dollars additional tax breaks to Corporations. No, the Right Canidate for President is Obama, he is smart and will take our country in the Right direction, which will lead to more jobs to the middle class and he will work with both Parties. Obama for President, the Right Leader for Our Country.

Posted by: Mattie Location: Monument on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I continue to be amazed at the number of people who believe McCain to be a good choice for all of us. He doesn't answer the questions, his rhetoric is tired and overused, he continues to espouse deregulation as the way out of the mess that our country is in. What scares me is the thought that we could be saddled with the same political machine that we have had for the past 8 years, and even scarier, with Sarah Palin a part of that. Go Obama!

Posted by: Don Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:20 PM
God help us all if Obama actually pulls off this election. He is nothing but a puppet for the DNC. Sure, he is likable and says all the things you want to hear, yet he never really says specifically what he will do for the American people. And he has no significant experience that qualifies him to head up the most powerful nation in the world. It's too bad people can't see past the political deception and focus on truth. John McCain may not be my first choice, but at least he has background and experience to do the job. Wake up people!!! This is not a beauty pageant, this is the future of our nation at stake.

Posted by: Lanny Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Obama never said he wanted to WIN THE WAR in Iraq. Even after Sen McCain said that Obama was for defeat.

Posted by: Sherry Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Obama won the debate. He shows genuine leadership ability and sounds much more intelligent. We need a change and McCain just sounds like his policy has not changed from George Bush. And can anyone admit that Bush was a good president? Not in the least.

Posted by: Mary Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Obama won hands down! He is empathetic, concise and clear. He will be a great president and restore America in the world's eyes!

Posted by: Louise Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Without a doubt Sen. McCain won this debate. He answered the ques. clearly and to the point. Obama was defensive and several times didn't answers the questions asked. He would talk about other issues.

Posted by: schaef Location: nj on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:40 PM
obama won. i felt sorry for mccain. at times he distorted what was said, not even knowing he was doing it ie obama said he would take out bin laden , mccain heard he would attack pakistan.two different things. he seemed old and rambling at times.

Posted by: David Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:31 PM
For almost everyone, whoever they liked before the debate won it.

Posted by: D Location: CS on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Actually Laurie, you must be smoking weed because McCain was the one specifically answering the questions. Obama is too soft on the issues and McCain will be the most responsible candidate to vote into the office of President. NOBAMA and YES to McCain/Palin. No on the job training for America.

Posted by: stacie Location: colorado springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:26 PM
I feel that neither won, I would like to see both canidates get really specific in their answers, I feel like I am asking my 12 year old a question that turns into a very long story and not getting a straight answer. No one really wins a debate, It is just their opinion. What about ours?

Posted by: BaROCK The Vote Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Obama takes it!

Posted by: laurie Location: florida on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Obama smoked him

Posted by: D Location: CS on Oct 7, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Someone help us if McCain becomes president. Obviously this guy is living in the past because all he talked about is the past. What is this idiot going to do for this country. Give more money to the military? That seems about all he is sure of. Just like I overheard a member of the military tell his fellow military buddy the other day "dude.....give yourself a pay raise. Vote for McCain" Obama won this by a landslide!

Posted by: Rick Location: left coast on Oct 7, 2008 at 08:58 PM
McCain showing he really does have our best intrest at heart, Much more so than the last debate. Hope he can pull it off. OBama scares me.

Posted by: Ali Location: New Mexico on Oct 7, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I believe John McCain won the debate because he was able to connect with the American people and show that he could answer the tough crisis we are facing today. He also answered several questions straight that Sen. Obama did not. Definitely for me, McCain was the most convincing.