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Reading in Between the Monologues
Published by Ashley on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 11:16 pm.Posted by Ashley Slayton for BET You(th) Vote
Well it took forty minutes, but finally the debate switched from our troubled economy to the scheduled topic of foreign policy. Of course that didn’t happen without a lot of rambling from each candidate as they skillfully avoided answering the questions directed to them by moderator Jim Lehrer. Unfortunately I don’t speak gibberish, so a lot of that monologuing fell on deaf ears. Actually, with the current state of our economy, I’m sure American voters would rather have heard a ninety minute debate about the economy instead of foreign policy. Since that didn’t happen, I broke down a few key points of the conversation on foreign policy for You(th) Voters.
When Lehrer asked the candidates about their take on the Iraq war Obama responded that it was a mistake. “We took our eye off the ball,” the senator said. He cited several reasons for his statement including:
- “We didn’t know what it would cost us”
- “We didn’t know what our exit strategy was”
- “We hadn’t finished the job in Afghanistan”
McCain disagreed and said that it wasn’t important whether or not it we should have entered the war but how we finished it. The senator said what’s important is “how we leave, when we leave and what we leave behind.” He also accused Senator Obama of refusing to acknowledge that we are winning in Iraq.
Winning what? Wouldn’t whether or not we’re winning depend on what success in Iraq looks like? Does anyone know what that victory would look like anymore? The candidates also discussed Iran, Pakistan and Russia. This was right around the time the conversation turned into a juvenile sparring match, with both candidates interrupting the other. McCain repeatedly referred to Obama as “naive” and Obama pointed out McCain’s obvious support of President Bush’s policies over the last eight years.
When Lehrer asked the candidates about whether or not the nation could experience a possible repeat of 9/11, both candidates replied that the nation is safer today than it was during 9/11 but that we had a long way to go. All in all the debate was informative, but a little dry. I found myself yawning through the last thirty minutes or so. What do you think?
Was the debate informative or a repeat of everything the candidates have been saying over the last few months? Was there really a winner in tonight’s debate? And which candidate is ready to lead? You tell me.
-Ashley
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KeepN itReal:
Your commnet is so right, I had to respond to it because by reading it sought of brought back another reason why MCcain should NOT be PRESIDENT.
I was deeply outraged, hurt, I’ve also cryed watching the special that Spike Lee made about the Hurricane Katrina Victims. Watching that SHI…… made me hate Bush even more, I was HORRRIBLE the way these people were being treated while most of them were dying and watching their love ones die as well. And all the billions of dollars that Bush is sending in different countries,but the PEOPLE here in America couldn’t get shi.. from our so called PRESIDENT. And McCAIN is another Bush talking his same old talk, we DON’T need that kind of abuse from no one anymore.
And if anyone saw it and has a HEART, would NOT vote for McAIN ASS:
KeepN it Real…you’re so right…4 years probably won’t even partially seal the hole we’re in…and on top of the mess we have with Iraq..Afghanistan and Pakistan…Russia gave Venezuela over a billion dollars towards development of weapons for mass destruction…and I’m just sorry…being a veteran doesn’t equivicate an expert in counter terrorism..just means we need to honor him for his service to this country..I mean..my God..McCain graduated 5th at the BOTTOM from his military class…We really need to read up on legitimate facts and stay informed..
LadyofWisdom…J-dogg, David, and RednBlack are hopeless..they are determined by any means, to be right…no matter how unfounded or how false their statements are..
Everybody…I met a group of young white and black Americans…that made me tear up with pride…they debated back and fourth on McCain and Obama..with no strife…it was great…I love this country!
Lady of Wisdom
Truth to you is only subjective
Honor…
You called me hopeless and a liar…..please feel free to paste any of my statements that are lies…..
Live up to your name and give me some proof to back up your claims
Lady of Wisdom
In all humbleness….How will an Obama victory effect you personally and change your life?
Thanks
Rednblack…Obama healthcare, tax plans, and education plans…will be paid for with the removal of congressional committees..positions..and dormant points of office, that are simply money pits…and by actually taxing Americans that make over 250, 000 yearly…but all these changes are only on contingency..He stated that these are his plans, his ideas…but he will only attempt to make these changes…with the help of his advisors…if it is feasible…. Based on how badly our country is damaged by this economy crisis, that we were lead into..He stated this during the debate…did you watch it? Or simply heard what you wanted to hear?..CBS..CNN..Yahoo..and many other independant polls..show Obama soundly trumped McCain during the debate..You can not take a man seriously..when his selling points are that Barack is inexperienced..and he out debated him on foreign affairs…that McCain over and over said was his strong point….In all actuality…I don’t want this a personal..going back and fourth..Your more than anything..just concerned…unlike others..who are lying…I don’t see Obama as a superman..But a man with a goal..a better goal than the alternative…and the alternative is simply frightening to me..I want my nephew home from Iraq..I want my friends to keep their homes..and I want to stop spending more than a 100 bucks a week in gas…and I want my co-pay less than 50 bucks, just to go to the doctor for a check-up..am I struggling? No..am I sick of this Republican rhetoric? Yes..I want a better America..for my family..my friends..for us..and it won’t happen with McCain..For heaven’s sake..Sarah Palin should scare all of us…Being debriefed by 192 dignitaries over the week..to just debate with Joe Biden…
I am tired of hearing all the lies, i am tired of hearing Obama and McCains name, i want this election to be over. I cant wait for November 4 to be over.
Why would you vote for somebody who can’t pronounce Iran right. Then you stated I have freinds over in Iran, but can’t pronounce his name right. What a damn fool….Then gave Obama a smirk when he said it right. How about when McCain said I have a bracelet, then Obama said, I have a bracelet too Priceless.
Obama 08
Honor
You called me a liar…please cut and paste one of my so called lies
Your last post was a FAIL
Honor….
Did you not watch the the debate?
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Jim Lehrer asked Barack FOUR TIMES “With the proposed bailout of 700 Billion the next president will have to make some cuts to pay for his new expanded governmental plans?”
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Obama could not come up with ONE Specific item…that is why the moderator had to keep asking the same question!
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Honor said “Rednblack…Obama healthcare, tax plans, and education plans…will be paid for with the removal of congressional committees..positions..and dormant points of office, that are simply money pits
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Honor…Barack has been in Govt for over 12 years; when has he EVER done that and what makes you believe he will do it now???? Gotta admit your comment gave me a chuckle
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Honor said “…but all these changes are only on contingency..He stated that these are his plans, his ideas…but he will only attempt to make these changes…with the help of his advisors…if it is feasible…. Based on how badly our country is damaged by this economy crisis, that we were lead into..He stated this during the debate”
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Pretty Weak…DOES not sound like a leader to me!!!
Honor…
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please accept my apology..within your post you mentioned this”
….In all actuality…I don’t want this a personal..going back and fourth..Your more than anything..just concerned…unlike others..who are lying”
Once again, I sincerely apologize. Your absolutely right this should not be personal!
However, in all regards, I am just dissapointed that our First Historic Black Candidate has so many flawed ideas
THE DEBATE WASN’T AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE , WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, I THOUGHT OBAMA WAS GOING TO BRING IT ,,YES HE DID OK BUT I JUST THOUGHT OBAMA WAS GOING TO BRING NEW IDEAS …I AM STILL A SUPPORTER ,,,HE HAVE TO SAY IN DETAILS WHAT THIS CHANGE IS ,,,NEXT DEBATE OBAMA PLEASE BRING IT AND I MEAN YOUR A GAME …
Well your wright sen M cCain says sen obama you well win.
Barack proved he has a strong command of foreign policy. I was impressed. I registered 3 more people today.
RednBlack..apology accepted…we both clearly see things differently…so many flaws huh?….Odd..I see hope..*shrugs*..Stay positive and rock the vote..I want ALL my people heard on Nov. 4..even you RednBlack..*winks* Obama!
Sen: Obama won! he showed respect to Mc Cain when it was clear to me that McCain was trying to provoke him. Why was Mc Cain unable to show common courtesy by speaking directly to Obama instead of this dumb down look expression that seemed pasted on his face. Why could’nt Mc Cain look at least at Obama’s forehead, if he did’t want to look in his eyes. Also another thing, if Obama did not understand,the various issues discussed. what would be wrong with explainning in a brief professional mannor what McCain experience could enlighten, so we could be sure he knows what he is talking about. I seen a very focused ready to take on what-ever Obama, staying true to the American people by not getting in the dirt just to avoid the real issues that all people tune in for.
I DIDNOT SEE THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, BUT I KNEW IT WOULD BE ANALOGOUS TO A SCIENTIST(OBAMA) DEBATING WITH A FEEBLE, EMBITTERED, ALZHEIMER, OLD MAN(MCCAIN) ABOUT EIENSTEIN’S THEORY OF RELATIVITY. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT OBAMA HAS AN ECONOMIC STRATEGY TO HELP AMERIKKKA, WHILE MCCAIN’S ONLY SOLUTION IS WAR; WHICH BENEFITS THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS, & THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.
i think that McCain is going to lose and obama going to win the whitehouse spot. McCain is just like the gop they do not like the poor around the world
its all about the money @ oil to the gop and McCain i be glad when bush get out of the whitehouse for good forsho i think our us troops should come
home for good why they fighting for lets the gop and bush fight for their own
war this is not my war in over seas.obama is going to win 2008 i’m voteing
for obama.
TO: Honor:
I’m NOT determined by any means to be right, I’m just speaking on what I feel and see, so I don’t know what your talking about.
And please don’t put me in a category with those lame as people such as rednblack, JDog, and David, I’m NOTHING like them. I don’t hate on someone because of their knowledge and intelligence.
And how dare you call me hopeless, SWEETY I’m living and very damm proud to be me. I’m not lazy, I work everyday to support my family and I’ve accomplished alot and still trying, bought my first home, I have a good job, a car, I’m blessed, so HOPELESS is NOT a OPTION for me:
You have A bless day Honor:
OBAMA 08:
Rednblack:
And your truth is un attentive and heedless………………………………………………………..
OBAMA 08: