From The Road
September 23, 2008 2:14 PM

McCain Says Obama Is "Very, Very Good" at Debates

By
John Bentley
Topics
John McCain
(CBS)
From CBS News' John Bentley:

(CLEVELAND, OHIO) – While the first presidential debate is still three days away, it is very much on the mind of John McCain, who was quite complimentary of his opponent today.

"Have no doubt about the capabilities of Sen. Obama to debate. I mean, he's very, very good," McCain said.

"He was able to defeat Sen. Hillary Clinton, who, as we all know, is very accomplished, very accomplished. And he was able to, I think, with his eloquence, inspire a great number of Americans."

McCain was speaking to a group of about 100 supporters and volunteers in a Cleveland suburb as he tried to raise the expectations of Obama during their first debate. But he also expressed confidence that he would be able to win the debate on the issues.

"These are going to be tough debates, my friends. But I believe on the substance, on the substance I can convince the American people that I can reform government, restore prosperity, and keep peace," said McCain.

Add a Comment
by suzee52 September 26, 2008 3:49 PM EDT
I can''t believe I read in this post that John McCain is a whiner who should be in a retirement home. I wonder if he whined when he was being tortured as a POW while fighting a war for you. You may not agree with his politics - but he certainly deserves your respect.
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by jefflz-2009 September 24, 2008 1:37 AM EDT
This is very lame McCain at his worst. "Poor me, I am not a great orator". You can be certain that the McCain attack dogs will ridicule Obama''s skill as a superb and moving speaker.. The fact of the matter is that McCain cannot address a small audience let alone a large one. He has been muzzled by his Karl Rove handlers for the simple reason that every time he tries to make a spontaneous remark - he puts his foot in his mouth. The man is too addled and too slow to be a good speaker. He is best in the backroom making deals (Keating Five comes to mind). and this is why they have cut way back on his Town Hall meetings- can''t answer the questions!! How is it that the US electorate continue to be taken in by this tired out political hack??

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by mattcat25 September 23, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
The fundamentals of Conservatism are strong.

It%u2019s everything else that%u2019s going to heck in a hand basket!

Reply to this comment
by hugochavez9 September 23, 2008 7:13 PM EDT
MAYBE MCCAIN SHOULD OF WENT TO COLLEGE INSTEAD OF GOING TO WAR SCHOOL/PRISON....
Reply to this comment
by lucilioness September 23, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
IT''S TIME FOR JOHN AND SARAH (AKA: DUMB AND DUMBER TO PACK IT IN. THE SHOW''S OVER. IT WAS ENTERTAINING WHILE IT LASTED, BUT IT SUCK NOW, AND WE''RE TIRED OF THE BOTH OF THEM.
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by thebob-bob September 23, 2008 6:34 PM EDT
Since McCain has so much important experience in the Senate (the worlds greatest deliberative body) surely he must possess masterful debate technique compared to the ''wet-behind the ears'' community organizer upstart, Obama. We all have to expect nothing less than The senior senator from Arizona schooling the young senator from Illinois on how to take a political opponent apart in a debate. Anything less than a stellar performance by well-established Senator would have to be viewed as a failure, a collapse akin to a political earthquake.

We all await the Master''s performance.
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by jay1jay1 September 23, 2008 6:10 PM EDT
100 supporters!
Where is McCains hand puppet rock star Palin who draws crowds but isn''t allowed to speak on her own.
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by gwjackie September 23, 2008 5:43 PM EDT
JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT VERY GOOD AT ANYTHING. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN BE WITH THE RICH PEOPLE ALL THE TIME!TELL THE TRUTH JOHN YOU AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS.YOU WOULD DO BETTER IF YOU TOLD THE TRUTH AND SAID YOU WOULD DO BETTER AND IF ELECTED DO WHAT YOU SAY!
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