Liveblogging the Second Presidential Debate
Well, it’s about forty minutes from go time for the second presidential debate, so I’m going to kick off the liveblogging festivities. You can check out my debate preview here, and I’ll give you the quick rundown below the fold.
As always, we welcome everyone to join us in our liveblogging. This is easily done because all of the liveblogging takes place in our comments section; you can join in with me at any time you want. I only ask that nobody spam, and no one get too foul of a mouth (I will of course forgive the occasional curse word).
I will be watching this via CNN.com’s live feed, though you should be able to watch on any number of television channels, MSNBC.com’s website, and even hulu.com (which I personally love, but the screen size over there would make it difficult for me to live blog).
Without any further ado, let’s get this started!
245 Responses to “Liveblogging the Second Presidential Debate”
Got something to say?
Okay, my first comment, re: CNN.com’s live pregame coverage on their online feed:
WHERE IS NICOLE LAPIN!?!?!?!?!?!
And if anyone wants to accuse me of developing a mild crush on Lapin…
mumble mumble.
Oh god, and now CNN’s been talking to an undecided voter at this point, and grrrr… how can you be an undecided voter at this juncture? Honestly?
And you know something else? I’m a little tired of everyone trying to play this equality of evils with the negative campaigning. There can be at this point absolutely no question; the McCain campaign has gotten far more negative than the Obama campaign.
Oh sweet, CNN is using the “perception analyzer” again, or as I like to call it, the “mood meter”
Tragically, for me this thing becomes something of a crutch and most of my analysis ends up becoming, “durrrr mood meter went up…durr.”
And gosh darn it, there I go, thirty minutes out and I’m getting all nervous again. Jeebus, you would think by now that I could figure out that Obama’s got it, but nope, it still feels like I’m about to watch the niners engage in yet another epic fail.
You know, I’m going to go out on a limb here. As I watch some of the coverage of the youth vote, I’m thinking about what these candidates need to do. I mean, okay, people are scared, and I think that really gives you an indication of what both candidates really want to do.
I think Obama is going to want to come out and much like he did during the first debate, he needs to put forth that same persona, that nearly FDR like persona wherein you trust the guy, he’s the steady head in the storm, he’s the one that will tell you there’s nothing to fear but fear itself, etc.
I think if Obama connects on that level, he comes away with the debate, and he comes away significantly better positioned to win the election.
And holy crap, CNN just put up a poll of North Carolina with McCain and obama dead even at 49. that is simply phenomenal.
There’s a CNN poll out today that says voters see Obama as more compassionate than McCain. DUHHHHHHH.
HAHAHAHAHAH I was just about to comment on that Kathy. I mean, how funny would it be if after all the promise of fireworks, this turns into a “I really care” pissing contest?
I’m gonna try watching on Hulu.
let me know how it goes. I love hulu, do most of my tv watching on hulu, but I just can’t do that this time.
McCain *cannot* compete in that arena. And Obama cannot compete in McCain’s lynch mob arena.
We’ll see. The one thing that has me a little apprehensive here is that the townhall format supposedly favors McCain.
I actually didn’t know about hulu until just now when I read your mention of it.
That’s the conventional wisdom, but I don’t agree with it. At this point, I don’t think *any* format favors McCain.
By the way, did you see my post from here on that CSpan debate site?
I can’t look at Sarah Palin anymore w/o thinking of Madame Defarge.
The only format that favors McCain is having Obama waterboarded.
Oh, Hulu’s pretty great. There are a lot of tv shows that you can watch on Hulu, and hulu actually does a pretty good job of getting new episodes to you. So, if you’re like me, where you work through prime time, you don’t need a DVR or anything to keep up with your favorite shows. Plus, they have some movies you can watch online too, which was great for me because I ended up watching two movies last Friday as I was waiting for it to be time to go home.
*snort*
Jinx rules kids, jinx rules. Until Obama wins, I’m operating under the impression that he’s going to come out of this debate positively pwn’d.
You know, I’m listening to FDL’s Jane Hamsher and she’s talking about the mud campaign McCain is waging, and the fact that McCain is still slipping in the polls. Which brings a simple question I’ve been pondering for … okay, only a couple of hours.
At what point do you think the McCain campaign gets the message that the negative campaigning doesn’t work? Let’s say all week the polls fail to move in McCain’s direction, does he get the hint?
Hey, this just in, Palin will sit for two more interviews. I’ll let you guess for which network while I go urinate in preparation for the beginning of the debate.
Okay, what does “pwn’d” mean? I keep seeing it and meaning to ask.
Oh, and yes I did see you on cspan. My debate preview got picked up there a little bit later, and I saw a thing over at TMV that did a blurb on cspans new debate hub and it looks like a pretty awesome little deal.
Fox
CNN’s web video is slower than a horse and buggy right now. I might have to switch to Fox.
it’s l33t speak for owned, as in dominated in competition.
EXAMPLE: According to all the post debate polling, Obama pwn’d McCain in the first debate.
ding ding ding. Sarah Palin will conduct two more interviews indeed on the Fox News Channel.
Really? I’m sticking with CNN right now because it has yet to fail me since the general election began. For a while there I was preferring MSNBC, but if MSNBC’s live streaming is behaving like it’s prerecorded clips lately, I’m not even going to try.
Kyle, I don’t think it’s about McCain realizing that the negative campaigning doesn’t work. He’s got to know that already. He’s got to do *something,* unless he just concedes the election now. He can’t do the economy. And I really, truly believe that he genuinely does not know how to campaign in any way that isn’t negative right now. I think that’s all he’s got inside him. I think that McCain’s level of self-awareness is very, very low.
“pwned” is an internet creation… People would tell somebody they got “owned” but mistype it, and the typo became a word all its own.
Proper usage: “powned!”, “pown’d!@#”, and the ever popular “POWNED!@##@$@!!!ione!!”
Hi all…
Are we doing this again?!?
I’ve got C-SPAN up now. CNN got pown’d!
What’s my prize, Kyle?
You know, that’s a very reasonable comment, Kathy. I’ve been debating with myself this concept of losing with honor, and you know, there is honor in losing if you stick with your set core principles etc.
McCain’s not doing that, and I think a part of that is because he just feels like, well I have to try and win, it doesn’t matter how. But, of course, it does. As Ezra Klein wrote, if McCain wins, that could vindicate him (though I don’t think it will, and I think he’ll inherit a country more divided than ever before), but if he loses, it’s going to wreck his legacy. It’s already wrecking his legacy.
HEY TERRY!
Of course we’re doing it, and away we go!
Your prize, Kathy, is a shiny new can of soup. Hold onto it, in a couple weeks it may be worth more than its weight in gold.
Re: pwn’d. Hmmm. I think I’m more confused now than I was before.
He looked at him!!!
McCain looked right at Barack this time.
Hey, John McCain actually looked at Barack Obama this time!
Testes, I’m nervous again.
Kyle:
Question 1: What’s the fastest and most positive solution to bail these people out of the economic ruin?
We all noticed it, lol.
Sorry, Kathy, I’ve been reading too much over at Wonkette, and I have seriously internalized the concept of gallows humor.
Ohhh snarky town hall comment
Obama got off to a shaky start, but he’s now into a four point plan that is scoring very well across the board.
I gave up on hulu. It’s too cumbersome to go back and forth between windows.
This McCain answer is a little scattered…
Okay, should we count how many times McCain says “My friends”?
Oh crap, John McCain is back on the government “spending spree”.
Notice, that Obama outlined a simple three point plan. McCain is pretty vague here. And he did okay for a bit but his answer didn’t rank as high.
I agree Terry, he was scattered.
What’s with McCain and Meg Whitman?? He also said he thought she was one of the three smartest people he knows.
Both CNN and C-SPAN are crapping out on me.. Might have to switch to radio and not watch. Sigh.
Ooh, McCain said he would replace Palson with Meg Whitman, and for some reason the independents didn’t like it. Obama gets asked who he would replace Paulson with, and he uses the question to go into his philosophy on the economy in genereal
What a prick.
Question 2: What about the bailout package will help people out?
heh, McCain is flogging his campaign suspension again, and I don’t think he realizes that that move didn’t go over well at all.
And McCain is not really answering the question.
Here he goes with the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac collapse is Obama’s fault.
I think Obama is somewhat nervous in this format, but he is managing it much better than McCain is handling his.
he just hit Obama for cronyism with Fannie and Freddie, and the independent bar is getting whacky, but it’s not going over well. Obama’s got a sly smile on his face, and I get the feeling McCain is about to get hit.
And wow, obama is coming through with a pretty sane explanation for the bailout, and he talked straight to Othe questioner about this. And now he’s going straight at McCain and calling him out on his attacks.
McCain’s up and pacing while Obama speaks — maybe he’s going to suspend his campaign again. Looks antsy.
American workers are not why the economy is in crisis.
“Senator Obama’s name was not on that letter” — and I’m sure he was invited to sign!
It’s kind of rich listening to McCain talking about cronyism. And McCain just called Obama “my friend” if you don’t know McCain, that is not a compliment.
Obama is so comforting when he speaks…he inspires confidence, IMO. There McCain goes again about his “warning” about Fannie/Freddie…which I believe took place before Obama even got into the Senate.
Question 3: How can we trust you, both parties, that oversaw this crisis?
Heya RM! Glad to see your face in the place!
McCain’s been so consistent of a reformer that after his two decades in the Senate, the system’s fucking broke. Woo hoo! Go Maverick!
You know what, I’m guessing McCain is going to be negative the whole debate.
You know, the difference here is so striking. Obama truly listened to this woman. It was clear he was listening. And his nonverbal cues indicated he understood (it’s that compassion thing).
McCain sounds like he’s trying to read a speech with feeling.
You know, I really agree with Radical Moderate here. I think Obama is clearly more comforting, and McCain is rolling out more of this, “I’m a reformer,” nonsense, and fighting against the special interests.
Speaking of voting in increases for spending, McCain, what about your votes for Bush’s tax cuts? Tax cuts are spending, dickhead.
And she was nervous, too, that woman. She was scared, maybe, to get up and talk into the microphone. Obama gave her real respect.
And he’s going off on the pork barrel crusade again. And I agree, Kathy, McCain didn’t even really answer the question.
Oops, I forgot about the profanity thing. I will use “teabag” from now on.
I’m not prioritizing!!!!
penishead, tas, penishead.
teabag works.
I agree with radical_Moderate, too. That’s basically what I meant by my last comment. I think “comforting” is the perfect word. You feel reassured listening to him. You feel like he knows what he’s doing and things are going to be okay.
McCain sounds like he’s hyperventilating.
McCain doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about right now — he’s just throwing verbal crap against a wall and hoping something sticks.
You know, if “I have a clear record” were a drinking point, and I were allowed to drink right now, I’d already be fecal-faced.
McCain sounds like his running mate is what he sounds like.
like, such as…
the Iraq
Tom Brokow is acting like a teabag about this time thing.
Question: What sacrifices will you ask every American to restore the American Dream and get out of the Economic Morass?
Remember, everyone, this is supposed to be McCain’s best format!
Ooooh, an overhead projector! ALL FEAR THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR!@!!
nOT SNot so fast McCain, You haven’t closed the deal on that oil tanker yet…
He just said he wants to cut defense spending. But then said he wants a spending freeze on everything but defense.
huh?
I agree, tas. Brokaw is the ref you want to scream at, “LET ‘EM PLAY!”
Oooh, McCain on the “spending freeze” again? Is this smart?
And how is he going to work on health care, energy efficiency and have a spending freeze at the same time.
COGNITIVE DISSONENCE PUNK!
Wow! What a fantastic answer to how Americans can sacrifice. That’s awesome.
Just got home from work! What’s the score so far?
Hey D!
I’m going to say right now Obama is doing just fine, though no knock outs yet.
Tas, LOL! I so agree about Tom Brokaw. He’s being a total prick.
McCain’s pacing again…
Hi, Dynamic.
The last president to raise taxes during tough economic times was Clinton, who was elected during a mild recession and left office with surpluses. Suck it, teabag.
Okay, I love the hatchet vs. a scalpel analogy.
McCain on Obama raising taxes again, and by now I think that’s been debunked enough to where no one is buying it.
Obama must be fending off the urge to raise up and deck McCain right now. McCain speaks to him like he’s a child. Obama needs to attack this teabag.
yeah, trucknuts is just a teabag.
Obama better hit McCain back on this
Who put the rod up Brokaw’s ass?
And Brokow wouldn’t let him respond! Hang the umps!
McCain is standing; not pacing. I wonder if he has prostate problems.
would McCain stop this horseshit claiming that doubling the deduction for children helping “most” Americans, I wouldn’t benefit, I don’t have kids!
You know, Tom Brokaw is in the tank.
Damn, and Obama just nailed it, he just answered the question AND hit McCain back.
“Across the table” — drink!
McCain isn’t answering the question. Having Congress vote up or down is not a plan.
I thought McCain said he was going to answer the question? He said he could fix social security, but he didn’t say how?
And he’s not answering the Medicare question either. And is it me, or does he strike anyone else like a troll?
Brokow wouldn’t let Obama respond to teabag bullbag again — drink?
Again, he’s not answering the question. The question was how would he get Congress to move faster.
Yeah, screw it, we don’t need nuclear power to be safe! pfft!
jesus McAMcCain is running dangerously close to “Old man Yells at Cloud” territory…I agree with whoever speculated that he must be having prostrate trouble…
we’re the best workers
we’re the best workers
we’re the best workers
that’s the answer??
You know, you would think that allowing the candidates to fully answer questions and respond to each other’s comments would be more important than rigidly sticking to arbitrary rules about time.
Obama meant to say Internet didn’t he? Not computer.
I think he’s having prostrate *and* prostate problems.
Well, Kathy, I think that is part of the story. I’ve read a few things that Brokaw is in the tank, and the fact that he keeps cutting off Obama I think has to be a part of the story.
Hey Brokaw — Shut the !@#$ up.
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST ON A POGOSTICK! Brokaw sounds like an effin’ kindergarten teacher!
If I have to hear Brokaw one more time remind the debaters about the rules, I’m going to scream.
And holy shit, I’m looking at the mood meter, and I don’t think McCain did himself any favors by mentioning that he shut down alternative energy because of “goodies”. Every time McCain goes on the attack, he gets punished for it on the mood meter.
Kyle, you’re right. There’s a woman in my synagogue who used to work at NBC. She was there for years, and she worked directly with Brokaw. He is Republican to his DNA, and she also said he’s a racist.
McCain’s pacing again — sit down you loon.
big loser of the night: Tom Brokaw.
yeah, what is with McCain and pacing? What do you guys make of it because it’s making me a little wary. It’s, again, a bit like a sign of disrespect. he’s not being as openly rude, but the pacing isn’t great.
Kathy, I have to correct you: It’s “JUMPIN’ JESUS ON A POGO STICK!” Since he’s on a pogo stick, he’s obviously jumping. This was covered in the Dead Milkmen song “Stuart”, which also discusses what the queers are doing to the soil and is hilarious…
Obama is terrifObama is excellent this evening…maybe he made a mistake not doing more “townhall” meetings with McCain…
We go across state lines for beer.
Late to the party… I had a school board meeting to attend.
Thanks to your informative comments, I can catch up!
yes, let’s make sure that our snark is up to standard.
If Brokaw doesn’t let Obama respond here, I’ll pay somebody to go across that room and do violence upon him.
Jebus, McCain is killing me… he’s turning into that adult sound you hear in the old Peanuts cartoons.
Waaa wa waa wa wa wa waa.
I’ve gotten blogdiva on twitter to start shouting “GET OFF MY LAWWWWWNNN!”
You know, Obama has the classic look. McCain rails on Obama, and Obama just smiles.
OBAMA IS KICKING MCCAIN IN HIS ANCIENT KEASTER ON HEALTHCARE!
That was a great answer about buying in different states from Obama.
Shut up, McCain.
And the mood meter was off the charts throughout that entire answer. And mcCain just told a joke that didn’t come off.
John McCain just said criticism of America is justified?!?!?!
WHY DOES HE HATE AMERICA!?@!
Oh, McCain is about to get his peepee spanked here. for our studio audience, McCain actually brought up judgement on military issues.
Well, there ya go, tas. I’m too square to even have heard of the dead milkmen, lol!
Kathy, your squaring shall be pown’d: STUART!
I think the news tomorrow is going to be full of “Tom was really grumpy about time” comments.
Okay, how did Obama do? I had the phone drag me away through Obama’s answer.
I have no idea what that meant, but I love to visit new places.
Is that Stuart, or is it one of the Dead Milkmen?
If we had done what Senator Obama wanted done in Iraq, we wouldn’t have been in Iraq. Shut the !@#$ up, McCain.
A COOL HAND ON THE TILLER? Oh, he’s going to regret saying that.
“a cool hand at the tiller?”
And that’s McCain? Really?
I’m not sure — I just found the video on the spot, but haven’t watched it yet. Debate and all. Could be fan produced.
Keep your fucking mouth off the Holocaust, asshole.
Kyle I almost wrote the same thing
McCain… Cool??
I just don’t see it. I can’t see John McCain as our president. I just can’t.
President Reagan “his hero” what a laugh, as I understand it, the Reagan’s didn’t think much of McCain after he dumped his first wife, who the Reagans loved, for Cindy Lou
Get you some Kathy!
You’re correct there RM. In fact, I heard that Nancy Reagan’s “endorsement” of McCain was less than enthusiastic.
We’ve been watching Obama so much that we’ve heard a lot of this before. If people are seeing each candidate for the first time, Obama has to be coming off as very impressive. McCain is so negative and a, I’m sorry, a little creepy.
Wait, I thought his hero was Ronald Reagan!
And I agree with you very much Terry. I think one candidate tonight looks calm, presidential, and ready to lead. The other is teabag trucknutz McCain.
Wrong McCain — Wrong, wrong, wrong on Pakistan. We’ve given Pakistan everything they could have ever wanted from us and they still let the Taliban into their hinterlands. Obama has a better approach.
Get the people of Warzistan to work with us? Hahahahaha! Right.
McCain is looking more and more like a crumudgeon.
And Obama just murdered McCain on “speaking softly.”
As a curmudgeon, teach, I resent that!
How does McCain know how to “get” Osama bin Laden. I think McCain just killed himself here. After Obama just right there clarified his Pakistan policy, McCain AGAIN lied about it.
(teach) I was kidding, btw.
ZOMG! McCain just said Obama was correct! Can we make an ad about it?!?!
Fine McCain — what are those penalties? And when issued to Russia, how to we defuse any counteractions they have?
Does anyone just turn off when McCain starts droning on and on. I do.
Minor gaffe on Obama’s part there, he said “more safe” when he meant “less safe”.
“maybe”
?
I’ve got my daughter on gmail chat, that’s why I haven’t commented here in a few minutes. She’s watching the debate at Barnard.
Two more questions?
*sigh*
Bald guy with goatee and glasses asking a question — I have to stand with him. Because I’m bald.. With glasses.. And regrowing my goatee. Keeps the ole chin warm during the winter, ya know.
Hey all someone asked this question on my blog:
If either party’s candidate for the presidency becomes incapacitated or God forbid dies, what happens to that party’s election? Would the VP candidate become the prez? Would the DNC or RNC have to select a new candidate.
Does anyone know the answer?
As a former petty officer, I am naturally opposed to chiefs in general.
I think Tom Brokaw is rattling Obama a little. Goddamn SOB.
HOLOCAUST! SHRIEK!
Kyle, I didn’t mean to offend. I also didn’t mean to mis-type.
LOL Kyle @ chiefs
There Obama goes with his second Holocaust crap again. Teabag you.
Terry, I’m not exactly sure. The only close example I can think of was when Senator Paul Wellstone died. Then Michael Dukakis jumped in and lost to Norm Coleman. In this situation, I’m not sure what would happen, but i think the GOP would pretty much have to accept Governor Palin as their presidential candidate.
Teacher, I was just giving you some good natured ribbin’ as they say back home on Main street Wasilla…
Oh thank GOD! Last question!
What don’t you know, and how will you learn it?
terry — That’s a question you’d have to ask a Constittutional lawyer. But since I’m an asshole, I partially qualify so I’ll answer. The Constitution stipulates that presidents are elected by Electoral College. When you vote for a president, you’re not actually voting for that candidate — you’re voting for the Electoral College delegate’s that his state’s party has assigned. Those delegates pledge to vote for the candidate; but they can vote for anybody they want. Indeed, in 2004 John Edwards received one electoral college vote (it’s the closest to the presidency he’ll ever get). Should fate befall a major party candidate after they are elected* (* - after the November election, I should say; or even before), the Electoral College delegates elected for them can vote for whoever they want — regardless of what the RNC or DNC says.
The Constitution, though, could have a different procedure that I don’t know about.
And both candidates are using this to go into their stump speeches and biography, and I guess that means it’s time to start getting your opinions. What did you guys think?
And mcCain again says we need a steady hand at the tiller. the thing about that comment is that I just don’t think McCain can make the case that he’s that steady hand!
Thank God it’s over. Only one more to go.
I kinda think McCain’s a huge teabag.
Yeah, I know, kyle. I think he’s leaving himself wide open with that steady hand thing.
And Wolf is already saying that McCain has disdain for Obama. And Anderson is discussing that McCain still appeared disdainful.
yeah only one more to go.
David Gergen is saying that there wasn’t much electricity. And it’s sounding that Gergen is giving the debate to Obama.
And Jeff Greenfield is saying “that one” will be the talk at the watercoolers tomorrow.
On CBS, I should say.
Damn it! and CNN is cutting all its live feeds. But before they did, all of their analysts score cards, across the board, appear to give the debate to Obama! Yet ANOTHER win for Obama!
Which one Kathy? I may not respond immediately as I pound out some immediate post game analysis.
Which one what?
NPR’s Mara Liason (sp?) is saying that both candidates resorted to stump speeches rather then answer questions. I think, though, the difference here is that Obama’s stump speeches actually have facts whereas McCain’s just full of teabags 24/7.
“That one” was how McCain referred to Obama when he was answering a question about energy. That’s what Greenfield was talking about.
Agreed, tas.
Okay, I gotta ask another question. I’ve figured out that calling someone a teabag is not a compliment. But what does it mean?
I think this was a clear win for Obama. Again.
McCain simply cannot get through a debate w/o being disrespectful toward Obama. Frankly, I think it’s a racial thing. He would not have treated John Edwards that way.
Again, I’m going to give this debate over to Obama. I know, big surprise, but I’ll tell you why.
First and foremost, we have to remember that this debate is occurring in context. Depending on which poll you look, McCain is down by anywhere from six points to double digits nationally, and depending on which electoral map you look at, Obama is either in striking distance of the big 270, or he’s already well out ahead of that.
With that taken into consideration, you have to remember that every big opportunity to “change the game” that McCain doesn’t capitalize on only moves the percentages of an Obama win higher. This was the second to the last debate, this was McCain’s second to last chance to really win over a series of news cycles in his favor, and I think on that note, McCain really failed.
Obama has made it clear exactly what his persona and his strategy will be for the rest of the general election. On strategy, it will continue to be slow and steady wins the race, and on persona, it will be the “cool hand at the tiller” that McCain meant. In this fashion, while McCain paced and occasionally dipped into cranky old man behavior, when McCain made the call that the country needs that “steady hand” what he may not have realized is that his opponent far better resembles that characterization.
By contrast, McCain still comes across, as I mentioned above, as cranky, and at times outright disrespectful. While it’s a little vague which candidate got a better response from the independents in a positive manner, it was plain as day that they showed their disapproval the most when McCain went on the attack. On top of that, I think one of the most telling portions of the debate was in regards to Obama’s stance on Pakistan.
McCain blatantly mischaracterized Obama’s Pakistan policy, Obama clarified it right there, and even said, paraphrasing here, ‘and the people in the audience heard me say it just now’, and then McCain tried to mischaracterize the policy yet again. That really didn’t go over well.
Granted, neither candidate’s attacks went over particularly well, but I think McCain’s reputation for sleaze is really starting to reap some terrible benefits now.
So, what we saw tonight were two candidates, and one was clearly still more presidential, and one was John McCain. The focus group providing the mood meter appears to back that up, and the quick glance I saw at CNN’s analyst score card also seems to have backed that up. Now we just have to wait for the flash polls and other focus groups.
I think that last question was a really good one. Great, in fact.
kathy, teabag equals scrotum sac
And you’re right, Kathy, I just popped over to oliverwillis.com, and that was the top post, “that one”
Perhaps yet another watch looking moment, or heavy sigh.
…while McCain paced and occasionally dipped into cranky old man behavior, when McCain made the call that the country needs that “steady hand” what he may not have realized is that his opponent far better resembles that characterization.
No, he did not realize it at all. Not at all. The man has absolutely no self-awareness.
And over at Talking Points Memo, they’re actually unsure as to whether or not McCain stiffed Obama on the post game handshake. If that’s true, that could be trouble.
OOh, brb
Ohhhhhhh! on the answer to my teabag question. It’s so obvious now that you say it, lol!
And is anyone catching any of the cable coverage right now? Are we hearing any news on the snap polls or focus groups?
The teabag thing.. it isn’t popular. It’s something I made up in the last debate open thread, where Kyle instituted a no profanity rule and my feeble mind searched for ways to express itself. At random, I blurted out that Palin is a “lying sack of wet teabags” — which forms a visual akin to a sack of shit — and when Kyle said “wet tea bags” right afterwards, I sensed that I had a winner.
Okay, back. Well, I’m cool to hang out for at least another fifteen or twenty minutes.
heh, you know guys, I’m feeling really good about this. Just really good.
And yeah, I guess in regards to Palin, teabags don’t exactly = scrotum I suppose.
And dog gone it, where are my snap polls and focus groups!!!!!! This is one of the rare few times where the internet is moving slower than cable teevee!
Sheesh, and now CNN.com’s live stream went to their backbenchers which sucks!
Tas, it’s funny, because the only slang association I have with “teabag” is the famous thing that Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana, said (after they divorced). She said that a woman is like a teabag: the longer she’s in hot water, the stronger she gets. I’ve always loved that metaphor, and it struck me as interesting that used another way it’s a negative metaphor.
I love language, words, etc. That’s why I always ask these questions.
I can see the confusion, Kyle. I never really explain myself unless I’m asked.
And just so you know, while I still don’t have my SNAP POLLS AND FOCUS GROUPS! the left is already up in arms over “That one!” Good effing catch Kathy. I frankly missed it. Granted, I’m also used to this petulant crap from McCain towards Obama.
Eli at Firedoglake commented on how appealing it was when Obama referred to Michelle in answering the last question. “A very appealing and warm response.” I agree, and this is what I’ve been thinking (and sometimes saying) a lot: that Michelle is one of his best assets. Not just as a person, but the relationship they have. Such respect, such love, such closeness.
Np tas, I just think teabags are kinda funny in general.
Thanks, Kyle.
ruh roh. O-dub is declaring that McCain stiffed Obama, but Josh Marshall is letting people judge for themselves.
If McCain said “That one” and refused a handshake, that’s not going to play well tomorrow.
Kathy, I’m afraid I have a less honorable reason for thinking of “teabag”. Teabagging is a somewhat sexual act where a man touch his nutsac to somebody else’s forehead, and for some reason that was going through my mind while Palin spoke. Why? I have no clue.
CBS SNAP POLL!
39% Obama winner
27% mcCain Winner
35% Draw
that’s another one, twelve point win for Obama, scoreboard!
Oh my god. I just noticed a new Gallup poll that says only 9% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country.
Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that I earn a fair chunk of my living by partying, but I’ve heard a number of negative associations with the term “teabag” - in fact, “teabagging” is a commonly referred to verb, though I’ll not describe it for fear of violating the no profanity rules.
I thought tea bagging was dipping a scrotum in an open mouth whilst the owner of opened mouth was asleep. Hitting the forehead, in my upbringing, was called “braining”.
Don’t worry, D. I’m sorta the boss so i get to break rules when I want!!!!
j/k
Well, that’s an interesting association, tas. I don’t think I’d call it “less honorable.” A bit more edgy, maybe?
I’m not really the boss.
I thought tea bagging was dipping a scrotum in an open mouth whilst the owner of opened mouth was asleep. Hitting the forehead, in my upbringing, was called “braining”.
Wow, I thought I’d done just about everything, but clearly I was wrong.
Um… Kathy, unless there’s something you’re not telling me, i would expected you to have never teabagged nor brained anyone.
I haven’t either, and I really hope no one has done it to me!
Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that I earn a fair chunk of my living by partying, but I’ve heard a number of negative associations with the term “teabag” - in fact, “teabagging” is a commonly referred to verb, though I’ll not describe it for fear of violating the no profanity rules.
One: You must explain how you make a living by partying.
Two: I think every rule of profanity has been broken in here already.
Um… Kathy, unless there’s something you’re not telling me, i would expected you to have never teabagged nor brained anyone.
As soon as I sent that one, I realized that was how it sounded. I meant that I had never been teabagged, not that I had never done it.
Possibly that is it, Kyle. In John Waters’ “Pecker”, though, he has a man smacking another man in the forehead. Maybe he did such because of the ratings system and wishing not to get an NC-17 rating? But whenever I need a goto man for perversions, John Waters is, uhm.. Well, ever seen “Pink Flamingos”? And that scene where “Surfin Bird” is played? If so, then yeah. You know what I’m talking about.
Well, I gotta start closing down the office so I again wanted to thank everyone for stopping by and having a great time with us. These debate liveblogging events are really turning out to be a great time. Thanks Kathy, tas, Terry, Radical Moderate, Dynamic, Teacher!
Definitely a party, and I hope I can take part in this at least one last time with you guys a week from tomorrow night. Thank you all so much, and good night.
Goodnight, Kyle, tas, radical, dynamic, teacher, and anyone else I’ve missed!
The debate live bogging helps pass the droning monotony of these debates.. It’s been fun, night all.
OMG, I have been cracking up over the last fifty-or-so comments.
You guys are great.
During the week I will typically have a “normal” job (though not always, depending on how busy I am with the rave stuff) but I’ll play records just about every weekend of the year.
I get around pretty far sometimes, I’ll have to post my schedule sometime and see if I’m near any of you lot.
Night everyone!
[...] First,you can check out our liveblogging of the event here. I was joined by my fellow bloggers tas and Kathy, as well as some of our readers in the Radical Moderate, Dynamic, and An Appreciative Teacher, and I’ve got to say it was by far the best liveblog I think we’ve done this election season yet. [...]