Okay, thank you Olbermann for pointing this out - McCain stating that he will make sure the US never tortures a prisoner again. The Pakistan was a failed state and we all know it thing - not to mention getting the President's name wrong - is probably worse, but much less likely to be picked up on.

Watched Across the Universe instead.

Nice. I wish my disc hadn't gone walk-about. Ended up watching the debate with half attention. I kept wanting Obama to hit back at the "judgement" accusations with "do you think choosing Palin showed good judgement?"

Very happy to proven wrong. Maybe the sneering and contempt were over the top enough to turn people off? Anyway, if this holds up - great.

Very happy to proven wrong. Maybe the sneering and contempt were over the top enough to turn people off? Anyway, if this holds up - great.

My reading of the audience reaction is that they were most negative when McCain was talking about the things he'd done and the people he'd talked to way back when. Either they didn't appreciate the name-dropping, or Obama's made ground painting McCain as the past, not the future.

one fact-checking piece: [link]

and this appears to have been a real-time fact-check going on during and just after the debate: [link]

My take on the debate was that they both held their own. Obama had the better start, McCain took over in the second half. One thing my MiL pointed out was that Obama laughing at McCain's insults reminded her of watching the Kennedy/Nixon debate because it demonstrated that Obama was alert to the rudeness but his reaction made him look charming rather than provoked. I found her analysis there rather interesting.

I thought the debate was a draw.

I think the Republican attempt to paint Obama as young and inexperienced may have set up some lowered expectations for him.

heh, could be. Of course, given how low the bar has been set for Palin, as long as she doesn't start speaking in tongues during her debate it'll be considered a win.

I fell asleep at 6 pm and slept through the debates. I'm looking at the spin now but I wanted to check the watch & post, too.

Most of the reports I've read scored Obama better than McCain. I'll have to find it on c-span or something to judge the performance. I should have recorded it. Maybe DH remember to do that.

I'm currently on my second bowl of chili.

Watching on C-SPAN now. Barak kept his cool a lot better but man, they let McCain step all over his responses and time limits. It was disrespectful as fuck and annoying.

During McCain's parts, Barak looks like he's actually processing what his opponent is saying, rather than just waiting for his turn to speak, like McCain.

Timelies!

For some uneartly reason I have decided to show one of my Mustgangs at a car show today. This means dragging myself out of bed and getting out of the house early. Hub would have been up at 5:30; however, we both overslept.