Watching the debate? Share your feedback

If you plan on watching tonight's debate (9:00, all major news channels) we'd like to know your reaction. We can't be there in your living room or at that watch party, but we'd like to know what everyone's saying during and after the town hall-style forum.

Was there a zinger that clinched the night for McCain or Obama? How about a quote that'll surely end on Saturday Night Live? Winner/loser? Leave your comments here.

Over on Twitter, PolitiFact will be live checking the debate, posting updates and links. They'll also be asking other Twitter users for suggestions on items to check and links to evidence one way or another. On Twitter? Follow PolitiFact.

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Comments

[Ken]

Truth is neither McCain nor Obama can possibly deliver on campaign promises since there likely won't be any money available to spend. And, since I don't trust Obama in the least (for all his talk he's never actually accomplished anything) I'm going with McCain. If Obama gets in the only change I can imagine is what little will be left in our pockets.

[Moses]

I was disturbed that the moderator, Tom Brokaw, wore a lance armstrong yellow bracelet. It wasn't apparent throughout the debate, but there was one close up shot of it. Mr. Armstrong is a close friend of Bush and I thought it was very inappropriate for Brokaw to wear a bracelet that makes many people think of Bush. Very unprofessional.

[Becky]

Can we have a do over and get better candidates?

[Tuck]

Who makes over $250K per year? Corporations do, not just rich people.

Many have already moved overseas because the taxes & labor are cheaper.

If Obama is elected, he plans to raise taxes on corporations, which will force many more to move abroad. Americans will lose even more jobs and things will snowball from there.

[Commander-in-Chimp]

For all you you whining about how bad both candidates are, tell me how well you think YOU'D perform in the reality of 21st century political campaigning. Politicians cannot be too detailed or too forthcoming because the opposition will twist and distort it into something it never was. And there is no way in a debate format or in 15 second TV ads that any candidate can fully and completely explain his or her positions or fairly attack the opponent. This, coupled with the fact that EVERY politician is going to say what is necessary to get elected (that's just a law of nature, like gravity), and you have a system that cannot and will not permit genuine, unvarnished discussion of issues.

That said, the president's power is largely that of cheerleader or brow-beater. He cannot write law; he cannot interpret law; he cannot declare war. What he CAN do is set the tone for the government as a whole; he can use his political influence to affect policy; and he can veto legislation he disagrees with. Beyond that, the president's power is fairly limited.

So, for all you people hand-wringin over impending "socialism," your paranoia is misplaced. An Obama admiinstration is certainly going to be more "liberal" than a McCain administration, but why is that so bad? Republicans and conservatives have had a virtual stranglehold on power since 2000 and where are we? I personally welcome a shift to the left. Perhaps it will remind those on the right that there is are millions of Americans who, shockingly, don't like or agree with their worldview.

Obama|Biden

[Colleen]

I watched the debate last night and the one before...and as a senior citizen living on Social Security I made up my mind a long time ago..Obama all the Way!! He is a Statesman and he presented himself so well..he wasn't agitated and had a smile on his face and Joe Biden today was fantastic...Sarah Palin is a true Soccer Mom and her speeches reflect her English language to the T!! You betcha!! Can you ever imagine her as Vice President?? it's really scarey to say the least!!
OBBAMA and BIDEN all the way for this household and I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's not that ole train comiing this way!!!!

[Cynthia]

McCain proved last night by his sarcastic jokes and disrespectful manner that he is bringing out the WORST in America, not the best.
He is not Presidential material.

[Afraid]

All of you Obama "followers" need to do some research. It really is not that hard. Goggle "ACORN" of which Obama was a lawyer for. Google Saul Alinsky. Google Madeline Talbott and don't forget about Bill Ayers..Oh and also check out Jeremiah Wright's phiosophy. What you find should scare you. Obama is associated with, studied with, worked for and has endorsed everything these people believe in, until now of course.

[Go Rays!]

I would have rather watched Fringe. "That one" is a code word? I am missing the code book apparently. Why in the world should Americans save and take care of themselves when the government is always ready to give you what you "need". Oh no! I can't make my mortgage! Gov't come help me please! Those people then don't learn the lesson.

The gov't should stay out of the market and let it correct itself. It always does. If you lost money in your 401k, it will come back. Are you retiring tomorrow? Every good investment portfolio moves larger and larger percentages to safer and safer investments as you get older. I lost money too. It's called risk. And nobody FORCED you to put money in a 401k. You put it there because it usually makes money, but it's no guarantee. When the stock market comes back, -- it always does-- you'll be making money. You should be buying more stock now that the market is low.

Oh and by the way Bush has ran the country for 8 years, but Democrats have run Congress for the past 2. How long has this economic "crisis" been going on? How long have gas prices been through the roof? No no...don't blame Congress...the ones who write the laws...blame Bush just because you are used to it.

[Christine]

It was embarrassing watching McCain. I really wanted him to do better. Was he not advised to watch his mouth and come to the debate with respect for his opponent? My goodness that is just common sense. He was rude and condescending and it made me extremely uncomfortable. I watched Obama's face many times for his reaction and although he may have smiled at some of the ridiculous things McCain said, Obama was always polite and respectful. I am...another disappointed Republican.

[LaTreetha E. Sharpley]

Watching the debate last night, I could only think does America, really want someone like Senator McCain as President, my answer NO. The Senator was not truthful on several of his answers. The last draw for me was when he said "that one", when referring to Senator Obama. That is one of the code words used to describel someone less that human. He is not the person I want leading this great nation.

[Bobbert]

To Oct. 08, 2008 at 9:07 AM
I have had a job every day since I was 13 years old and have been responsible for my self in the tradition of the American West where I grew up. But after watching my 401(k) be more or less wiped out and the value of stock and real estate investments decline through no fault of my own I am d#mn glad that I have Social Security to fall back on.
Although the real estate market "adjustment" was entirely predictable and probably necessary, it is your Republican Party that has been in control for the last 8 years and it is their political philosophy that has led this nation to the edge of disaster. Typical of Republican strategy you blame your faults on the other guy.

[Boredtosleep]

BORING!!! In the case where Obama is ahead in the polls, his goal was to simply run out the clock. It was on McCain to catch up. It didnt happen. He appeared to fall further behind. I am a Republican, and this morning I am a bit nervous at this point.

[lk]

McCain has a plan. I heard enough of that from McKerry 4 years ago. What's your stinkin' plan!

OBAMA ALL THE WAY! :D

Are these two REALLY our Best and Brightest?
Lord help us all.

[Dale]

Clearly Obama won the debate. Ol' Johnny
was hobbling about as if in pain, looking for the triple strength pain reliever! While Barack was factual,composed and polite, Ol' Johnny was rude and condescending! To not shake hands after a debate shows Johnny's true nature, which is naturally angry and controlling. McCain = Bush. Do you want more of the same? Wap! Thank you, may I please have another!?

[mike]

Sal, I actually agree with you, but I can tell you from my personal experience of daily dealing with average citizens, THEY ARE STUPID!! They never save, because they need the new bling, they have more children than they can afford (giving up the burden to the rest of us), and they live day to day. Many people tell me that I talk over their heads, and I am no genius. Peace.

[MC CAIN WON]

OBAMA campaign cries racist over everything. If he is elected the politically correct press will have its hands tied and be unable to offer any criticism lest they be labeled 'racist'. This is how Obama ran Ayers' $50M "education" grant money through ACORN and intimidated banks into taking on unqualified buyers. Any resistance would bring on threats of a racial discrimination suit. America land of political correctness for all.

[mike]

While I am voting against McCain (i.e. for Obama) I really do not like either of these guys! We could solve this with a Constitutional amendment (that would never be passed by Congress). Each election has to have a "none of the above" box. If a majority vote for "none", everyone gets thrown out and new candidates are put in, and the process repeats.

"I feel what Obama will bring is socialism,what's next communism?"

Posted by: sal lembo

Sal raises a good question. As my studies of history show, Democratic leadership is premised on the idea that we are lesser educated, and that it'd be a good idea to let the government make the important decisions. Anyone remember "It takes a Village" by one Hillary Clinton?

Any attempt to rein in the power of govt is considered a threat to their views.

In this world view - the people should accept what the govt gives, and they choose how to tax and how to spend YOUR money.

The government has no money of its own, only what it can seize from the people.

Now the Republican view is that people should take responsibility for themselves, educate themselves and that as a nation we'd be better off with lower taxes, less regulation, and more personal responsibility.

Hence ideas are presented like "the ownership society", where our current president suggested we'd all be better off if everyone owned their own home.

Where we'd all be better off if, instead of giving the govt money from every check (FICA) for your retirement, that you be required to keep and invest that money in an account that you own.

I believe that I could do no worse than the govt is doing - if I were required to be responsible for my own retirement plan. Does anyone feel confident about the existence of Social Security in, say 20 years? Do you really want to live on $700/mo (adjusted for inflation) anyway?

Use any online financial calculator - take the same amount seized from you for FICA taxes and see how much you would "own" in your own retirement in the same 20 years, using conservative interest rates.

The simple truth is that if personal responsibility were the law of the land, and you were to amass a tidy sum of your own money (in real home equity and retirement funds), then you would not need a larger and more "progressive" government.

If you did not need that, there'd be no need for Democrats.

All of that said, I've never been more disappointed with the Republican Party and its candidates. It's gonna be hard to support either of these candidates, especially since they are both agenda driven.

Worse, their agenda, if revealed is not the same as yours. I'd bet on it.

As one writer said "God be with us!"

[LB]

After watching about 25 minutes of the debate last night, I have decided I'm voting for Tom Brokaw.

[REM]

What was revealing about this debate was when McCain was answering a question about the economy from a young black man. He said to the man, "you probably have never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac". I wonder if he would of said the same thing if the man was white? It was a racist remark from an old rich white guy still living in the past. BTW – I’m white.

[Cindy]

WOW! I do not trust either of them!!

Obama is just saying what we all want to hear...sounds good but i cannot find any substance. The package looks beautiful but I am unsure what is "truly" on the inside...he scares me.

McCain did look like a tired old man. While a republican, I would have wholeheartedly voted for him in the 2000 election but now he is making me think twice... however, if it comes down to the "lesser of two evils"... I think I would have to go with the one who has a proven track record and one that I "know" better.

One that says what i want to hear, smiles at me while saying it... makes me wonder what he isnt telling me... I think we will all find out though, as many are being taken in by the "words we want to hear and the pretty package"...

America is at the brink... which way she goes is hard to say but I beleive that whoever gets in office will not make much difference because as a nation we have let ourselves down... and further down we will go...God be with us...

[sal lembo]

I feel what Obama will bring is socialism,what's next Communisim?