DebateScoop.org: Nashville Presidential Debate Liveblog

Nashville Presidential Debate Liveblog

By Tim ODonnell 10/07/2008 05:47:36 PM EST

Welcome to the third presidential debate live from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Tonight's debate will be moderated by Tom Brokaw. Join us below the fold for a real time discussion from coaches, students, and guests!

If you do not have an account, register for free. In the top right hand corner of this page, click "Create an Account" and follow the directions. You'll need to verify your account by checking your email.

Once you do, join us in the liveblog of tonight's debate by clicking on "Permalink :: Read More... " at the bottom of this post. Then, just submit a comment or reply to one.

Tags: Presidential debate, 3rd debate, town-hall, McCain, Obama, Brokaw, Belmont University

< Fireworks Tonight? - Unlikely | First Thoughts on the Nashville Presidential Debate >

Nashville Presidential Debate Liveblog | 71 comments (71 topical, 0 hidden)

While you are waiting... (none / 0)

...here is some good pre-debate reading!

by Tim ODonnell on 10/07/2008 08:26:11 PM EST

I think you forgot to link to it... (none / 0)

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 08:48:26 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Roll over "here" (none / 0)

by Tim ODonnell on 10/07/2008 08:55:32 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Well I'm a dumb@$$... (none / 0)

Thanks, Tim.
David Tokarz
by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 08:56:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Luke Rissert in the house, one undecided (none / 0)

here at Wake Forest, and in our pre-debate discussion with 100+ students, only one was undecided and only two said they might change their mind!

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:03:58 PM EST

Question 1 to Obama (none / 0)

Section A: With the economy on the down turn and citizens losing their incomes what is the fastest solution?

by Tim ODonnell on 10/07/2008 09:04:15 PM EST

: Proxemics (none / 0)

Obama breaks constraints on space and walks right out to the audience.
by Tim ODonnell on 10/07/2008 09:05:24 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Failed economic policies of the last 8 years? (none / 0)

Funny, Senator, because it's our party that wanted to reform Fannie and Freddie...

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:05:20 PM EST

obama (none / 0)

already switching the language from bailout to rescue package...interesting.

by AEKirzinger on 10/07/2008 09:06:22 PM EST

Fastest solution for the older? (none / 0)

Obama stood up before the question was asked.

"Worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Obama says. This is a "final verdict" on McCain and Bush's policies.

rescue package -- make sure there is oversight, crack down on CEO's (populist). Junket (which I mentioned in pre-game).
List of specifics
Health care and energy. Middle Class, not lobbyist employers.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:06:35 PM EST

: "Final Verdict" (none / 0)

Good wording!
Taylor Hahn, Wake Forest University
by hahntw7 on 10/07/2008 09:07:10 PM EST

[ Parent ]

This "Tax cuts for the middle class"... (none / 0)

Why doesn't someone say "Why don't we give a tax cut with everyone?" and just issue a full rate cut?

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:06:54 PM EST

McCain snide still (none / 0)

Saying Obama, thanks for being at a town hall.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:07:28 PM EST

Well of course he was snide, Ross (none / 0)

It's not like he ever congratulated Barack on the night of his convention speech... he's just been a total ass...

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:08:30 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: media reaction key (none / 0)

who cares what you and I think. McCain cannot afford to replay "grumpy old man" from first debate.
Be the debater you want to see.
by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:15:05 PM EST

[ Parent ]

McCain breaks rules (none / 0)

Good for him, really.

Strays outside "boundary" of the stools.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:08:06 PM EST

The nice guy (none / 0)

Interesting strategy. McCain appears to be increasingly friendly instead of being on the offensive. I wonder how it will be perceived...

Taylor Hahn, Wake Forest University

by hahntw7 on 10/07/2008 09:10:03 PM EST

Meg Whitman as Treasury sec? (none / 0)

Mitt Romney won't be happy...

And let's watch Barack Obama dodge the question just like Sarah Palin.

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:10:56 PM EST

Meg Whitman as Treasury sec? (none / 1)

Mitt Romney won't be happy...

And let's watch Barack Obama dodge the question just like Sarah Palin.

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:11:03 PM EST

McCain who T sec? (none / 0)

McCain hesitates, no ready answer.

"First crietria [sic] is someone people identify with. Buffett (post-partisan) or Meg Whitman.

Obama: Warren supports me. Key is that the next one understands prosperity not trickle down. Middle class. "McCain "fundamentals of the economy are strong."

Tax cuts (as predicted pre-game by a student).

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:11:23 PM EST

McCain points out Buffett supports Obama (none / 0)

not a bad move- Buffett is highly regarded, and it makes McCain look willing to reach across the aisle

by arao on 10/07/2008 09:11:26 PM EST

: +1 (none / 0)

David Tokarz
by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:12:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]

mccain is right (none / 0)

I wonder how much Obama will agree with McCain...I already see the commercial

by muddimar on 10/07/2008 09:12:07 PM EST

Brokaw on the rules (none / 0)

They are absurd, Tom. If both candidates push, just relent. The voters win that way.

Brokaw complaint is they only get one minute total for discussion.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:12:48 PM EST

Name a Treasury sec'y (none / 0)

wish they opened that question up to how they would select other cabinet officials-

by arao on 10/07/2008 09:13:09 PM EST

McCain belittles audience from the get go (none / 0)

Never heard of Frannie and Freddie? Seriously - does he think we're all the "average joe six-pack?"

by Jessica12 on 10/07/2008 09:13:55 PM EST

Never Condescend (none / 0)

McCain says "I'll bet you haven't even heard of Fannie and Freddie." Not smart.

by Tim ODonnell on 10/07/2008 09:13:56 PM EST

: In fairness... (none / 0)

...I bet Joe Sixpack hasn't
Taylor Hahn, Wake Forest University
by hahntw7 on 10/07/2008 09:15:21 PM EST

[ Parent ]

McCain attempted to regulate... (none / 0)

...but failed. How does that help his appear capable of creating bipartisan support?

Taylor Hahn, Wake Forest University

by hahntw7 on 10/07/2008 09:14:14 PM EST

: went against his party (none / 0)

and conservatives. We controlled Congress at the time, that's probably why it got shot down.
David Tokarz
by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:15:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Cronies? (none / 0)

Who are theses cronies McCain is talking about?

by mguckenb on 10/07/2008 09:14:16 PM EST

Is it just me... (none / 0)

or is Barack Obama dodging questions like Sarah Palin?

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:14:53 PM EST

thank you obama... (none / 0)

FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTION!

by smor on 10/07/2008 09:15:05 PM EST

first blood (none / 0)

Obama takes the first offensive attack... wonder how this will play

by AEKirzinger on 10/07/2008 09:15:12 PM EST

watching the nonverbals (none / 0)

interesting look on Obama's face while McCain was speaking. Bemused look- clearly in view with McCain in the foreground. Given how he responded, correcting McCain's history, it fit. But I'm not sure how it would play through the rest of the debate

by arao on 10/07/2008 09:16:02 PM EST

McCain pacing while Obama talking (none / 0)

looks anxious -- better when he goes back and writes notes.

Note writing is a good way to channel anger as well as nervous energy.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:16:29 PM EST

history matters (none / 0)

Tim O'Donnell should be happy with that respnse from Obama.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:21:23 PM EST

: Always!!! (none / 0)

by Tim ODonnell on 10/08/2008 12:40:44 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Out of breath? (none / 0)

McCain sounded really out of breath....Maybe he's breathing over his microphone too much, but it sounds really bad

Taylor Hahn, Wake Forest University

by hahntw7 on 10/07/2008 09:25:23 PM EST

mccain (none / 0)

he looks so uncomfortable, pacing back and forth, leaning on banisters, getting too close to audience members...also struggling to stay within time constraints, will tom regulate?

by AEKirzinger on 10/07/2008 09:25:36 PM EST

Well, Senator Obama (none / 0)

If oil prices are getting high, why don't we drill? Sure, it may not be perfect, but it ought to drop the futures market.

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 09:27:35 PM EST

But Palin spends big bucks on seals (none / 0)

What about palin's earmarks for seals in alaska? guess McCain will be freezing those

by Jessica12 on 10/07/2008 09:31:21 PM EST

How they can serve. (none / 0)

I agree with Obama that young people really do want to get involved in military service, volunteer organizations, etc. In the Virginia Defense Force, which I am in, most of the troops are 25 or under and it's all volunteer. I see a lot of selfless work to better the country in people our age.

Laura Summers University of Mary Washington Watching: ABC

by lsummers on 10/07/2008 09:34:12 PM EST

McCain making no progress (none / 0)

Overall, just more of the same from Obama and McCain. But that favors Obama.

Be the debater you want to see.

by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 09:54:04 PM EST

poor moderator (none / 0)

I feel bad for the moderator. It's like a nightmare babysitting job.

by mwinc2fi on 10/07/2008 09:54:34 PM EST

: he hides behind the rules (none / 0)

cheap
Be the debater you want to see.
by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 10:01:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Fines? (none / 0)

How accurate is the fact that Obama will fine those who do not get HealthCare?

by decourseybeach on 10/07/2008 09:57:04 PM EST

: inaccurate (none / 0)

No mandate except for if you do not get insurance for your child!!!!!
People who neglect their children might deserve to be fined!!!
Be the debater you want to see.
by Ross Smith on 10/07/2008 10:00:59 PM EST

[ Parent ]

right or responsibility? (none / 0)

Good question and interesting how the candidates chose different positions

by AEKirzinger on 10/07/2008 09:57:28 PM EST

mccain fell flat (none / 0)

with last comment about 'did we find out about that fine?' Didn't work well- especially when both Brokaw and Obama ignored it and moved on. Not sure why Brokaw let that one slide, though- wouldn't let Obama comment on an earlier point. Guess it doesn't pay to ask for time to comment- just comment.

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:01:36 PM EST

mccain fell flat (none / 0)

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:01:47 PM EST

Sound Byte (none / 0)

We don't have time for on the job training, will be a good sound byte, for tonights debate.

- Meredith Flynn

by mflynn on 10/07/2008 10:02:37 PM EST

Obama on foreign policy (none / 0)

Nice turn of phrase in response to McCain. Took away the punch of McCain's punchline, and put it in perspective of past decisions. Very effective.

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:04:44 PM EST

CNN TRax (none / 0)

The CNN focus group trax are quite amazing. Obama has generally pushed them up, McCain has kept them around neutral. When Obama discussed responses to Rwanda, the group responded positively. When McCain talked about national security (his specialty) it tanks. Is there any doubt who is winning this debate?

AW Leslie

by awleslie on 10/07/2008 10:12:09 PM EST

That's sketchy (none / 0)

Supposedly, McCain wins in most foreign policy type polls... I don't quite know why CNN is doing that.

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 10:13:27 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: that's sketchy (none / 0)

The polls are necessarily on general attributes. The focus group is responding to the words of the candidates. Obama seems balanced yet forceful. Notice when he said he would kill Osama, the response tracked up. When Mac said "of course" he would get Osama, it did not lift off neutral. This audience is believing Obama, not Mac.
AW Leslie
by awleslie on 10/07/2008 10:21:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]

So... (none / 0)

If Pakistan doesn't want us to violate their sovereignty to get a dialysis patient that poses only a threat to the US as far as propaganda goes, we... do it anyways?

Huh... and I thought the Republicans were supposed to be bloodthirsty warmongers.

David Tokarz

by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 10:15:05 PM EST

bloodthirsty warmongers (none / 0)

It is interesting to see Obama outflank McCain on this issue- not what most would expect, and helps take away the standard criticism of Democratic candidates. More difficult to paint him as a wilting CIC without the will to fight.

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:20:04 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: McCain needs to respond (none / 0)

And he's getting here, but he needs to call Obama out and tell him, essentially, that he's willing to do that, but that it's stupid to telegraph that intention before we actually have the intelligence.
David Tokarz
by deadwings112 on 10/07/2008 10:21:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]

obama on the offensive (none / 0)

strong response- and the uncommitted voters responded well to the line of argument. It was clearly difficult for McCain to respond and took the wind out of his Teddy Roosevelt line. That was the kind of prepared line that warrants later discussion- not just a joke, but a better developed argument

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:18:21 PM EST

back to McCain's strong suit (none / 1)

The Russia/Georgia debate was a high point for McCain in the first debate, and it is for him here, too. He is more comfortable with this discussion than any up to this point- and it shows with favorable ratings from the uncommitted voters on CNN. His response was more substantive- and did not come across and snide.

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:22:14 PM EST

All you need to know (none / 0)

http://twitter.com/Slate/st atuses/950653797

http://twitter.com/Slate/st atuses/950671901

by Dinger on 10/07/2008 10:25:15 PM EST

Nice work--and Taliban split (none / 0)

Tim and Ross, nice work on getting this going again. Been trying to log in all night, but just got the password confirmation finally. Been following this all night though from the debate watch we are having at the KCKCC library.

Thinking the answers are too coached/canned. Given the Taliban claims to split with al Qaeda yesterday, it is interesting that no one used that as a wedge to open dialogue and get around the invade question.

by KCKCCdebate on 10/07/2008 10:26:18 PM EST

... McCain wants to make League of Democracies... (none / 0)

That includes Russia... wow

Tim Cooke

by tgcooke on 10/07/2008 10:27:25 PM EST

Regardless of Party Affiliation (none / 0)

I truly do hope that every single person who watches this debate, regardless of which candidate they have chosen to support, goes to a website such as factcheck.org in order to follow up the information they have heard tonight. Debates such as this one consist of more back and forth attacks than they do truthful information. It's important to go to their websites separately in order to decide who we believe is qualified to run our country. Never forget the media can be filtered and unreliable. It is our obligation to go beyond the news in order to properly educate ourselves on the policies of both candidates.

by mateka8 on 10/07/2008 10:31:27 PM EST

What don't you know and how will you learn it? (none / 0)

What kind of question is that... It's Obama... He went to Harvard... he knows everything.

Tim Cooke

by tgcooke on 10/07/2008 10:31:44 PM EST

: but . . . (none / 0)

but does he know enough about how to effectively use the military?
by raphtheman on 10/07/2008 10:33:59 PM EST

[ Parent ]

The Last Question (none / 0)

This last question demonstrates McCain's advantage over Obama in the Town Hall format debate very well.

by decourseybeach on 10/07/2008 10:33:45 PM EST

McCain disdain for Obama (none / 0)

the story line at the end of the debate on CNN is that the two candidates did not greet each other at the end- but it looks like they did (that is why they were blocking Tom Brokaw's screen). But without having that handshake on camera, there is the sense that they cannot get along- will be curious to see how the media plays that over the coming day. one commentator said they could see that McCain has alot of disdain for Obama-

by arao on 10/07/2008 10:39:52 PM EST

CNN Sucks (none / 0)

Just another reason never to watch CNN.

by Dinger on 10/07/2008 10:43:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]