Thoughts on the Last Obama McCain Debate

John McCain and Barack Obama are engaged in their final debate, moderated by Bob Schieffer. Due to my TIVO pooping out, I started the debate late, but here are my thoughts.

Won't some of your proposals have to be cut due to the soaring deficit. What will be cut back?

Obama -- A good answer about the bailout plan, but it isn't clear to me. He indicated he will cut programs, including subsidies to medical plans. I'm not sure I agree that this does NOT help the insured. Investing in energy, healthcare, and education might improve our financial situation, but how? In his rebuttal, he was clear about why McCain didn't work.

McCain..... McCain talks about raising property values. How? McCain talks about energy independence and the jobs created. Perhaps, but what are the details? How are there going to be millions spent? McCain's rambling in his thoughts here. He's indicated he'll veto "pork" which he fails to mention helps create jobs. McCain also goes back to his "overhead projector" garbage which equates a high tech piece of equipment designed to teach science (something that might help us grow our economy) to a low tech elementary school projector. McCain says, "I'm not President Bush. If you wanted to run against him, you should have run four years ago." That wasn't Obama's point, but okay. It's interesting to see on CNN that McCain's tracking negative the longer he goes on. McCain still can't look at Obama.

Verdict: McCain -- Obama sounds more confident and focused here. But I think McCain may have scored more points.

Are each of you willing to say what your campaigns and people within them have said about each other?

McCain -- The great war hero McCain is unable to man up and take responsibility for his own campaign, instead his first comment is that John Lewis hurt his feelings. "That was so hurtful," he said. McCain lies when he says that he's reputiating these remarks. Senator Obama has spent more money on negative ads than any candidate in history. This may be true, but he's also spent more money. McCain's rebuttal about being portrayed unfairly plays well, but doesn't address the specifics. Again with the "Joe the Plumber"! McCain indicates he's proud of the people at his rallys..... REALLY? What was McCain upset about at Democratic rallys? Did someone call him a terrorist or say "kill him?" McCain's comments about Acorn voter fraud is downright wrong, and typical Republican smear bullpucky. Interesting that McCain's CNN score tanked when he went negative immediately. McCain is losing by not looking at his opponent. He looks smug, angry, and combative, not Presidential.

Obama -- Obama sounds too measured here. He makes a good point saying that people don't care about their hurt feelings. I think Obama failed to address the negativity addressed at him adequately, which may be seen as a concession to it. McCain won't look at Obama, which makes me wonder why. Obama's response on Ayers is dead on. I wish he'd have said something about the crap that a fraudulent registration (which ACORN apparently is bound by law to submit, even if they know the cards probably aren't correct) equals a fraudulent vote.

Verdict: Obama -- By staying cool and addressing ACORN and Ayers head on, he wins here. Wish he'd have said more about ACORN.

Why would your running mate be better than your opponent's as President.

Obama -- Nice brief statement about why Biden is the man for the job. Obama's rebuttal about Palin is polite and does a nice job of tying it back earlier in the evening.

McCain -- CNN's female undecided voters flatlined when he started talking about Palin. McCain is rambling. No coherent message and it sounds like he doesn't have enough to say about her. McCain says that Biden is wrong about many foreign issues. He says that Iraq is uniting. That's not what I have been hearing on the news. McCain wants to know why we have to spend more. Would he propose spending less on research?

Verdict -- Obama

How much can we decrease our foreign oil imports?

McCain -- Halfway decent answer, but I think the question is a bit stupid and too narrow. McCain's rebuttal is a bit stale and too negative and frankly.... rambling.

Obama -- I'm glad he said, "we can't drill our way out", which is something that the Republicans don't seem to be answering. Obama's answer about free trade agreements was spot on. I also liked what he said about getting Detroit to start becoming more fuel efficient.

Verdict -- Obama

Would you favor controlling health care costs over expanding coverage?

Obama -- Clearly articulated plan. Makes sense. Taxing healthcare benefits is insane. He points out the flaws in McCain's system well.

McCain -- His response sounds like he's spouting some talking points more than he understands what those talking points will do. He's rambling again. His attack on Obama didn't stick. The Joe Plumber shtick is getting old. McCain keeps harping on something that he hasn't clearly demonstrated is true. McCain has no clue about "gold plated plans". NOBODY has those you dumbass. As for the average plan costing 5800, I have to question those figures.

Verdict -- Obama blows away an ill prepared McCain on this subject.

Could either of you nominate someone to the Supreme Court who disagrees with you on Roe vs. Wade?

McCain -- On stronger ground here, but did he just say that someone who agrees with Roe V. Wade wouldn't be qualified but he wouldn't impose a litumus test? HUH? McCain tanked on his response to fair wages for women. As he talks about abortion, undecided women keep going lower. McCain's response about Obama's talking about the health of the mother tanked for him.

Obama -- Interesting on CNN that his support of Roe V. Wade made him go higher, especially among women. Scored points on his support of fair wages for women. Obama does a great job of defending his votes. He also does a good job of speaking to what isn't being done to help provide alternatives to abortion.

Verdict -- Obama had a more reasoned response without attacking McCain.

What can we do about educational deficiencies?

Obama -- Well rounded discussion on what we need to do. I agree that vouchers aren't the way to go.

McCain -- School choice and competition. What does he propose? Public money for the private sector? Some of the worst school systems get the most money? Wonder if that is true.

Verdict -- Although I agree with Obama more, I think this was a draw.

Who won?

Again, Obama looks more Presidential during the debate and sounds more studied and educated about what he's talking about. McCain looks angry, frustrated, and seems more concerned about talking points than explaining his policies. McCain's continual addressing of "Joe The Plumber" was so frequent that it was as though SNL's writers scripted it for him. Also troubling is McCain's constant "I know how to....." As the candidate who has attacked his opponent's inexperience, the question comes to my mind for McCain..... "Then why haven't you in the past quarter century?"

By contrast, Obama was patient, in control, and less prone to the petty attacks that McCain unsuccessfully hurled his way. Obama's only gaffe was not beating down the ACORN attacks.

Who won? Senator Obama and Bob Schieffer