Obama "1" McCain 0

Some excellent points. We need someone who can talk to people and acknowledge their strengths when they have a good point. You can arrive at consensus more easily if you can say something positive about the oppositions position when it warrents. McCain was not able to say anything nice about Obama.

Hi Guardian208, thanks for your response. On the body language...I wasn't referring to his "body" per say...I was referring to his inability to connect with Obama as Obama did try with him. I know McCain's history and I admire his courage and all he did and went through while a soldier, the fact remains that he looked angry and disconnected from Obama as if Obama had some kind of radar coming from his eyes that McCain refused to look at him throughout the debate. It seemed that McCain, in his mind, could not accept that he and Obama were on the same stage. ~G~

Chameleon I agree. He refused to look at him. The moderator kept trying to get them to talk and Obama would turn to try and talk to McCain but McCain would only look down. It is hard to talk to a sullen figure huntched over his podum.

I did take McCain's injuries into account when considering his body language. Those injuries don't restrict him from turning to look at Obama, or from addressing him directly as Jim Lehrer repeatedly asked both candidates to do. Commentators keep saying "He couldn't look Obama in the eye" - but it's more a matter of 'He refused to talk TO Obama'. A lot of the criticisms that Obama has taken in the 'style' category are a direct result of that - he appeared to be on the defensive in a lot of cases because he was responding directly to McCain while McCain talked ABOUT Obama.

The 35% McCain was talking about for corporations was before all of the write-offs. After is all said and done, corporations pay far far less than 35%. As far as the small businesses here in our country, unless they make over $250,000 they will also get tax breaks. Obama lays out his small business plan in very great detail on his website. He is a strong supporter of small business. The last 8 years have given many many breaks to the top 1% and corporations with the hope that it would have trickled down to the rest of us. Does anyone think that that happened? Unemployment is up and the cost for goods have risen across the board. All the while many corporations have reported record profits. Companies were allowed to grow so large, that the failure of a few can now collapse our whole economy. Regulations need to be implemented. The market doesn't always self correct. I don't know why this isn't clearer to more people. If we continue with these policies, things will get worse, not better.

Right on Lis... As for the bracelet issue, it was unfortunate that he stumbled over the name. On the other hand he was wearing the bracelet giving to him. McCain wasn't wearing the one given to him.

Exactly were do you get that Obama is for the small business people, my family owns a small business, my entire area is supported by small businesses. Exactly how much do you think $250,000 is? Really in a great deal of areas where these small businesses exist this is not a lot of money. Do you really think that all these companies are getting these tax breaks and really where do you think that our government is getting the money to support this country... not from you or me that is for sure. Now if you are against these additional tax breaks okay well I agree that some companies (and not all!) have gone overboard due to greed and corruption that much of which McCain has been fighting and should be stopped. But the companies who follow the rules are going to be the ones hurt. And how can you justify 50% to 62% of a tax percentage for large companies to redistribute wealth to those who pay nothing already? These companies will simply pack their bags and move out of America where the taxes are a great deal lower. It will cost them so much less. And then there will be no jobs. It's simple, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. If you think that forcing more money out of the pocket of those providing employment is going to get you a raise or create more jobs... Get Real! As for hope that it would have trickled down to the rest of us, this is bull. Anyone who is in business knows that every company has a percent that they must make in order to call their business a success. If you have more than one third going out then you have coming in consider your company a failure. Companies adjust with the times and a great deal of what everything costs had to do with the stock market. It's investors that drive up the price of everything. Those who look at the conditions around them and gamble on what they believe will happen in the future. Obama voted for the bush-cheney energy bill that contained $6 billion in subsidies to the oil and gas industry and $12 billion to the nuclear power industry, McCain voted against. Obama spent one million dollars for every day he's been in the senate of America's taxpayers money. This is not what we need in America today. His record is nothing but wanting to spend more and more of our money and not worrying about were it comes from. His answer is more government, and lets take the power of the American people to make their own decision away and tell them what they need. I've read Obama's plans in fact was at first thinking he would have been the candidate I would vote for until I read his plans. He has no knowledge on Economics. He's never owned a business. His wealth is from writing books that lined his pocket even more by running for office.

"I didn't like that McCain didn't have eyecontact. I didn't like that Obama didn't show proper respect, but then again, he hasn't in the past with HRC earlier." Exactly what do you mean by "Obama didn't show proper respect"? I think he showed a great deal more respect to McCain than McCain showed to him but that's just my opinion. Annie

I think that they were both posturing during the whole thing. McCain not looking at Obama. Obama continually trying to talk over McCain. It was a debate, pure and simple. Both were trying to position themselves a certain way in the public's eyes. McCain supporters will find fault with how Obama acted and Obama supporters will find fault in how McCain acted. Anyone who has watched debated before will find that it is really nothing new, just two different guys debating their own way. The only thing that is important is what undecided voters thought. So far I haven't seen many people comment who were undecided. But I will be honest and say that I have not yet read all the responses.

In a CBS News poll, uncommitted voters see Barack as the debate winner. When it comes to the economy, 66% say Barack would make the right decisions versus 42% for McCain. The CNN poll results are also clear: Who did the best job tonight? Barack: 51 McCain: 38 Who would better handle Iraq? Barack: 52 McCain: 47 Who would better handle the economy? Barack: 58 McCain: 37

If calling an equal by his first name is distrespectful then I am in trouble. These are two SENATORS not the king and a serf. They are equals. On the other hand, I would say that when a moderator asks two people to talk to each other and one REFUSES to look at the other.... that is disrespectful.

Hi 4Magoo, great response...thanks for not tearing into me...I've been up since 6 AM watching CNN and MSNBC, Morning Joe...there are so many conflicting opinions on who won and who did or didn't say what was expected. I'm not confused, but I wonder if everyone was watching the same debate that I watched and recorded!! Thanks again 4Magoo. ~G~