Stalemate Works To Obama's Favor

CBSNews.com Analysis: Candidates Offer Few Economic Answers In Second Debate, But Status Quo Benefits Obama

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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An electorate starving for answers to the nation’s economic crisis didn’t receive much nourishment from the two presidential candidates in their second nationally televised debate. Aside from a new-sounding proposal from John McCain aimed at buying out troubled mortgages, both candidates relied on recitations of their stump speeches mixed with fresh empathy to try and convince voters they are best positioned to take over the reins of an increasingly chaotic and unsettled country.

Early indications are that neither were successful in moving voters during their second, highly anticipated, face-off. In an insta-poll conducted by CBS News and Knowledge Networks, Barack Obama had the edge among uncommitted voters who were asked who “won” the debate. But a full 72 percent of those surveyed said they remained uncommitted afterwards, while those who said they decided split about evenly between the two.

A draw of that kind is good news for Obama, who has seen the political landscape tilt strongly his way in recent weeks, both nationally and in the crucial battleground states. McCain needs a breakout moment, and he didn’t get one in Nashville Tuesday night.

What was expected to be a bare-knuckled brawl by some over character issues turned into a mostly issue-oriented exchange. To be sure, there was a fair amount of finger pointing and at least one awkward moment, when McCain referred to his opponent as “that one.” And there were a lot of charges and counter-charges, most of which had been heard in the earlier debates or on the campaign trail.

Unlike their first debate, McCain seemed more comfortable and less openly irritated to be debating Obama, although Democrats afterwards still described him as erratic and irritable. It was Obama who took some of the hardest jabs at McCain, accusing him of irresponsible rhetoric toward foreign nations and staring intently at the Arizona senator during his answers.

McCain’s ad-libs and asides fell flat and he was less comfortable than advertised in what was supposed to be his best format, the supposed town-hall. But the candidates threw the pre-agreed time restrictions out the window, despite moderator Tom Brokaw’s best efforts to keep them on track. A rough count showed that just 13 questions from the audience or online were asked in a debate that lasted 90 minutes.

McCain came off as better prepared on the economic issues than he was in Mississippi just a week and a half ago. But aside from his mortgage proposal, he merely hammered away at the time-tested Republican favorites of low taxes and reduced spending as the way out of the economic morass. Obama spent a good chunk of his time blaming the past eight years of the Bush administration for the economic mess without offering any new thoughts on the solutions.

Even when asked directly what kinds of sacrifices they may ask the American people to make in tough economic times, neither could muster much. McCain offered a general call to cut some government programs and Obama urged energy conservation.

Obama did criticize President Bush for urging Americans to “shop” in the wake of 9/11, but he failed to mention that he supported last year’s economic stimulus package designed to do just that - and has even proposed another, similar one. McCain argued that he could do all of the big things at once, including health care reform and Social Security reform, in the face of the current crisis and massive government rescue of the financial system.

Neither candidate made a big gaffe but they took few chances. It was what McCain didn’t do that might be the biggest point of discussion in the wake of this debate. His campaign, led by his running mate Sarah Palin, has escalated attacks on Obama over the past several days, specifically for his past association with Weather Underground member William Ayers.

It’s a page out of the Republican playbook used against Bill Clinton in 1992 to try and use the public’s unfamiliarity of the young candidate to raise questions about his overall character. “Who is the real Barack Obama,” the candidate himself asked at a rally on Monday. Despite all the talk of taking “the gloves off,” though, nothing even approaching William Ayers was raised by McCain, although Obama appeared to be ready for just about anything.

The attacks are likely to resume on that front, or some other, as early as Wednesday morning. Time is running short for McCain to buck the prevailing winds that are blowing hard against his campaign. Voters may still have not heard any real answers from the candidates on the economy but all available evidence shows they trust Obama and his party on the issue in general by a wide margin. He’s done nothing in two debates to prove unworthy of that trust, and McCain has done little to convince them otherwise.

[pvperson]

It''s just sad when a man of McCain''s stature lowers himself to the level he has and forsakes his principles, his ethics, his morals because he can''t why any other way to the white house. Shame on you John, but then, like they say, "There''s no fool like an Old fool".

[slcootz]

Status quo? Don''t really think so. Senator Obama won this debate hands down. By a mile. He answered the questions clearly while explaining the philosophies behind his decision-making and establishing his values.

Senator McCain was much less clear. He insisted several times thats he can handle whatever problems the country faces, but he never convincingly explained how--other than by offering Republican boilerplate. "Cut taxes, create jobs", etc. At one point he just kept saying plaintively, "I know how to get bin Laden. I know how to get him."

Obama is already showing leadership--by laying out a vision and a set of priorities for the country, and by campaigning on substance.

[adancastillo]

Is sad to see mccain''s atittud towars Obama...such a hero and very disrespectful by calling him "that one"!!!!!!!,did you pic on mccain''s, that he didn''t not stay to shake hands???,another thing,he said many times "I know how to fix this in that,I know how to do it and on and on" my question is, if he knows how to fix everything why he has not help his amigo bush?? he also said the he knows where osama is and he will catch him,because he knows how??? well so MR. hero,MR. american citizen,Mr.know it all, why you have not help you amigo bush or better yet why you have not told your other amigo petreas where he is??. MCCAIN YOU ARE A JOKE OF A HERO

[petererik-2009]

Mr Uncle Smiley "Trust Me" McCain, Mr McRegulations, Mr Reckless Hand at the Tiller is not who you''re voting for-- keep in mind he''s fought cancer four times and won''t release his medical records. Palin for president anyone?

[petererik-2009]

President Palin is ready to take on the leadership of the free world, if someone would kindly explain just what it is that a president does.

zaqxsw55 at 01:58 AM : Oct 08, 2008 wrote:

"Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/el
ection2008/2008-10-07-mccain-iran-contra
_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip"

A very, very interesting link - thanks.

[mikejv2]

Palin is not US Presidential material and I now question the judgement of JMAC and those surrounding him. I had been his supporter for past 10 years, solidified with 2 personally autographed books, a photo and personally collected vietnam era articles about his capture,imprisonment and release. As a vietnam era soldier, i admired him. Joe Biden can lead this country into war and out if need be.. Obama and Biden will make the best leadership team for USA and the world. I am sorry, but this is real!

[samthetvcat]

---"Palin is not US Presidential material and I now question the judgement of JMAC and those surrounding him."---
Posted by MikeJV2

That would be quite a sacrifice for you to make if McCain is able to show in the coming weeks that his plan for rerouting Paulson''s bailout money directly to the source of the economic decline to hasten the bottoming of the market so that it can start to grow again would render your 401k more profitable more quickly.

It''d be like saying you''d want to forego having more retirement money to make sure McCain/Palin don''t take office (if they can make the case that their plan would work, which I think they can).

[thaner2]

Last night Barack Obama did not just win the debate. He won the election.

[kenwonobi]

This was no stalemate. it was a route and Obama clearly beat Mc Cain he even looked more Presidential and calm under any situation than Mc Cain did. His answers where spot on and he even gave the ways to get out of this financial crisis through steps that needed to be taken. He even beat Mc Cain on foriegn policy. Now it stands 3-0. Obama just beat him plain and simple in every way.

[sunshinegyps]

You said that neither candidate gave a method of resolving the financial crisis, but I beg to differ with you. Obama did say that in order to get the economy going in the right direction and companies like AIG would have to be held accountable for past and present misuse of funds. Hello, isn''t that what Enron and Worldcom were about. He also said that projects to improve roads, power situations, schools, and other public works programs in the different states would need to be implemented to create jobs and improve the quality of life that would stimulate the economy as President Roosevelt did in the thirties. In addition he proposed lowering the current extreme tax burden on middle income taxpayers and forcing the rich to pay a more reasonable portion of the tax expenses. Why should I pay 25% of my lowly income to taxes when folks that have millions and billions pay little or nothing on their incomes? I cannot aford a house or other amenities that would allow me to reduce my tax burden.

[nadodi]

My dear friend, its time for u to make way. U were with President Bush and voted over 90% with him. You r part of the problem and America needs somebody to solve this problem. When u ask for my vote my dear friend, u r suggesting that the prolem itself is the solution.

[sunshinegyps]

During the Debate in Nashville, McCain kept pushing toward nuclear power plants as a resolution to our power crisis. He is not saying what is going to become of all that nuclear waste that is generated and who will wind up living with it in their back yard. We need to learn from past mistakes that green energy is much more realistic to keep our global heating situation at a minimum. Turkey Point was built in Homestead, Florida in the late 60''s. The bay temperatures raised by 12 degrees. Frogs, crabs, and gators in the area all have tumors and deformities. Residents in the area tend to get an abnormal amount of rare cancers. The radiation spills are hushed and cycle goes on. Do you want this next to your town?

[vet_sk]

Just because your buddies Rush, Sean, and Lars constantly talk about a grand left-wing media, does not make it so.
Most of talk radio is radical right-wing spin designed to talk the poor and ill-educated into believing that the status quo of the rich not having to pay taxes and that war is always the answer, Bush failed because of the media. And then people her on these forums talk about the conspiracy of the left-wing media. Grow up and stop listening to the likes of Rush, Sean and Lars.

[sleepyric]

This election is now the sideshow. The real issue today, is the Bear loose on wall street!....

Cancel the third debate, this one''s over and Obama is clearly the one ready to lead. McCain kept repeating himself but gave no specifics on what he would do other than buy up bad mortgages. Is this what we want? Obama is much more likely to improve relations with our allies, more likely to find solutions to our international challenges and is more likely to preside over an open and honest administration.

[craigh9]

My wife and I worked hard to save appropriately for a house and purchased one within our means and it will be completely paid for in 5 years. Now McCain expects me to be OK with him allowing a family that got in way over their head and buying a home they couldn''''t afford to not only be forgiven for being STUPID, but rewarding them by letting them keep the house they couldn''''t afford in the first place at a much lower rate. That''''s ridiculous. They could end up paying nearly the same price I did for my home but owning a house twice what mine is worth.
NO ONE should be rewarded for being stupid. BY all means make options available to let people stay in their homes BUT DO NOT RELIEVE THEM OF THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. If we need to lower their interest rate or add years to their mortgage - fine, but not one red cent should be FORGIVEN - STUPID is as STUPID does - and those that didn''''t use common sense when buying their home should have to live with that poor planning for a long time to come.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear "my friends" - John McCain IS NOT your friend.

[voter08yep]

I want to emulate Bill Clinton in his remark on Larry King a few weeks ago: we need to be able to like and respect our leaders despite disagreeing on some points. I think it''s important, too, to recognize that both men are good people, they are well-informed, highly intelligent, and motivated by a desire to do good for all Americans, even though they plan to do that in different ways if given the opportunity to serve. That being said, I have to say Obama demonstrated again last night that he is more in touch with the general poplulation of this country than McCain, and he seems to have a more rational, cool-headed disposition (a highly desireable quality in a leader in this volatile world).

The reality is that one of these men will be our new president, and I can honestly say that neither of them is a "worst-case" scenario. Either one could serve us well, though I hope it''s Obama.

Would anyone else like to see the candidates speak for a longer period of time on one point? I think there is a flaw in the debate model that allows for scripted and partial answers and not enough time to show us how they will stumble when the time comes.

Also, is anyone else "fundamentally" tired of hearing the word "fundamental" over and over again? I think it''s time for a thesaurus.

[irmcvet97]

Bussiness owners need to let the American people know what Obamas tax plan will do to America.Bussinesseslarge and small are going broke.If Obama adds more thats on them it will finish them off.When they go out of bussiness we will lose millions of jobs.Obamas plan-NO WORK,NO JOBS,NO MONEY.

Posted by mr22582 at 08:21 AM : Oct 08, 2008

For some reason I just do not think your scare tactics and ridiculous deceptions are working. Tell us Sparky, what does McSame plan on changing about the present economic plan. You constantly, like all Neocons, are ready with the Scare tactics but NEVER tell us how you intend to bring about the Change you SAY McSame is about. I listened VERY carefully last night and YOU are lying about Small Business but you are also LYING about McSame.

[magoo2u1]

What debate are these guys reporting on? This is the only place I see "stalemate,tie,draw". Every where else reports an Obama victory and undecided voters moving his way. Do CBS be on drugs?

[irmcvet97]

More taxes on bussinesses will finish them off.NO BUSSINESS---NO JOB...

Posted by mr22582 at 08:24 AM : Oct 08, 2008

That''s rediculous!! You give the average guy out here a buck to spend and a greedy person like yourself will figure out a way to get it. THAT''s the principle used by FDR and the principles used by this nation up to 1980... built the greatest economic power on planet earth. We do not need to worry about the rick folks... they will continue to be rich. What we have forgotten and some like this person, continue to ignore is the Average Working Stiff who has watched HIS standard of living fall from the top to the bottom in the G-7...it continues to fall TODAY!

[craigh9]

It turns my stomach when John McCain says he knows EXACTLY what needs to be done to correct all our problems.
The way I look at it he certainly should - since he has been actively involved in CREATING those problems over the last 25 years.
The entire country NEEDS to vote consistently over the next 6 years to OUST EVERYONE that is seated in government today. DO NOT look at qualifications, pork brought back to your community, religion, race, etc. THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD MATTER is 100% replacement of all members of govenrment. Once the insiders are all out then, AND ONLY THEN, will the "what''s in it for me" attitude disappear and hopefully be replaced by "what''s right for the country".
If they claim EXPERIENCE, VOTE NO - experience means they know how to line their pockets. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and the like didn''t have EXPERIENCE in government when they got invovled - they just used their intelligence and sense of right and wrong - we need to get back to that.
VOTE EVERY INCUMBANT OUT

[irmcvet97]

What debate are these guys reporting on? This is the only place I see "stalemate,tie,draw". Every where else reports an Obama victory and undecided voters moving his way. Do CBS be on drugs?

Posted by magoo2u1 at 08:26 AM : Oct 08, 2008

You are correct my friend. If it wasn''t a knock out for Obama it sure was close. McSame could have just taped his responses and mailed them in from what I saw.

[bigsk8fan]

basically, if you are a republican, then you like what john mccain said. everyone else (about 53% per polling) felt that obama said what they wanted to hear.

[craigh9]

McCain has been a MAJOR part of creating our difficulties over the past 25 years. I would vote for Mickey Mouse before I voted for him.
IF THEY CLAIM EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT - VOTE FOR THE OTHER GUY.

[arlt1627]

Y''''all enjoy your little socialist party when you put that clown in the white house. Y''''all realize we''''ll be paying that guy the rest of his life too? Not to mention the paychecks of the SS that will be protecting him?

You want change? Well you could start by thinking more responsibly and selflessly. Obama sure hasn''''''''t and probably won''''''''t.

Posted by Hwy71So

Really? How about that Socialist McCain. What a daisy he pulled from his bummm last night. "I want to buy up all of the bad mortgages in America so people can stay in their homes." What? Do you know how much $ that will cost! Talk about socialism and massive size of government. I''m starting to wonder what fiscally conservative Republicans are thinking about this guy? Honestly I can''t believe your eyes are that shut!

[antoniof123]

I don''''t think anyone wants to raise taxes, but aren''''t you guys missing a key issue here...WE ARE IN DEBT!

Posted by whatithink1 at 08:46 AM : Oct 08, 2008

You can''t explain it to them they only hear what their religious masters tell them. Deposit your cash in the plate.

That said even the GOP strategist are saying that cut taxes is getting old and isn''t working. They say this and yet they keep trying to make their party look good.

This is a case of party over country.

[credibility2]

The debate was lackluster and the questions vapid. Obama will tax and spend the economy into the toilet and ruin it beyond the level it''s already in. The debate would''ve been better if McCain and Obama could have duked it out. There''s more trash on Obama than there is on McCain. It''s too bad the kiddie nice-nice brigade has successfully stiffled free speech and a meaningful debate. Brokaw was also boring, but then he and NBC favor the great mixed race one!

If you want to follow this inexperianced narcisist to the bottom of the sess pool and believe he will change your life, you are right, and it will be a disasterous change and you will very much regret it. Socialism does not work and if this country does not get that they are in for some sad times. Distribution of wealth is not the change the USA needs..Do you honestly believe rich Americans are going to share their wealth with American dead beats??? LMAO

Posted by john4321
--------
What planet are you living on? We''ve just had a $700 billion socialist pill shoved down our throats, another socialist pill of even greater proportions bailing out banks bailing out banks, another socialist pill for AIG, more for a still longer laundry list of failed "free market capitalism" ventures, another for Social Security''s ever burgeoning rolls of seniors, another for Medicare''s Prescription Drug Plan, another for Veterans, and on and on. In your dreams we are the free and brave land of our forefathers; in reality we sold that farm long ago and now rely on the crutch of government largesse. The camel is now inside the tent, if that means anything to you.

mr22582 at 08:43 AM : Oct 08, 2008 wrote:

"If Obama gets elected and taxes bussinesses until they go under you will lose your job.Millions of people we lose their jobs.If you think it is bad now.Just wait.You will be lucky to be able to get food."

I see that your brain has already starved.

[leftyintexas]

Obama clearly won the debate. He is well on his way to the Presidency. Good luck Barack. You have your work cut out for you. Bye bye, republiCONS!

[arlt1627]

mr22582,

Quick question......how is McCain better than Obama when he proposes (on a whim I think) another $300 billion for the gov''t to buy up bad mortgages??? Where''s he getting that cash? I suppose we''ll borrow some more too!! The other thing we''re missing is that when the Feds ALWAYS cut taxes you still need to fund programs at the state and locals levels. The taxes are just being pushed to those levels and we''re still getting hit.....or we pay "fees" up the wazzoo!

[arlt1627]

Either way....you''ll get hit so that''s just the way it is...plus we have to eventually start paying off our $10trillion debts...how do you think we''re gonna do that?

[leftyintexas]

I think the debate was a waste of time.No winner.

Posted by mr22582 at 09:18 AM : Oct 08, 2008

Since you support McCain, I can understand why you would make that comment.

[arlt1627]

arit1627---If you check you will find part of the bailout money was for that.The 300 million is part of the bailout money.

Posted by mr22582

Nope. It was announced this morning. This is an ADDITIONAL $300 billion. You may want to go check on that baby!!
Sorry to disappoint you!

[leftyintexas]

NOBODY won THAT debate. But, the people of America have already lost. These are the worst two candidates I''''ve ever seen up for the bid. Sad

Posted by Hwy71So at 09:21 AM : Oct 08, 2008

My comment to mr22582 applies to you as well.

[icewinds-2009]

think the debate was a waste of time.No winner.

I agree with you 200%. I honestly believe it will not make an IOTA of difference who wins this election, either way we are in DEEP TROUBLE!!

[arlt1627]

He says he''s going to take it away from the Wall Street $700 billion but YOU and I know that won''t happen so it will turn into a bonus $300......

[ll2owt]

i want to get a start on playing the race card. hope it preempts the repugs try..here goes..johnny mc is White..johnny mc has White hair..johnny mc has a White wife(more anemic than White maybe). johnny mc has White children(except the adopted one)..oh well..that''s a start huh?

[willie_d1122]

Why do grumpy old rich white men always think that cutting their taxes is the salvation for the nation? They make their money off of poor people, they use the public infrastructure to transport their goods, exploit government sponsored research to foster ''innovation'', and yet paying for all this public support in the form of taxes is bad. They need to stop lecturing us and whining about how government is the problem and start paying for the system that supports them.

[pbaird2]

The so-called uncommitted voters are made up of two groups: those that have made up their minds but are enjoying the attention from the press and the campaigns; and, those that wait to see which direction popular opinion moves so as to be on the winning side. What a shame such an important decision must rely on people who are indecisive.

[arlt1627]

It has nothing to do with cutting taxes for an old rich black or white man.It has everything to do with taxing our companies out of busseness.


Well lets continue cutting taxes, running up deficits, and letting US companies ship jobs overseas! How about coming up with ways to keep jobs in America and maybe we won''t need to tax big business....free market capitalism doesn''t always work especially when corporate greed is rampant. It can be as bad as socialism is the other direction.

[icewinds-2009]

The so-called uncommitted voters are made up of two groups: those that have made up their minds but are enjoying the attention from the press and the campaigns; and, those that wait to see which direction popular opinion moves so as to be on the winning side. What a shame such an important decision must rely on people who are indecisive.


Do You honestly think either of these BUFFONS will magically turn into a LEADER just because they get elected?? Two sorriest choices we have ever had in a presidential election!!

[arlt1627]

Americam companies are in trouble.Obama wants to tax them out of bussiness.

Posted by mr22582


Come on now. The fear tactics are getting old. No one in their right mind wants to tax the US out of business. However, many in America believe there is a vastly growing economic gap in America and believe in a little more equity.

[fitzbitz35]

I''m no political guru, nor do I pretend to know for certain all the answers to all the questions out there... but would it be too much to ask to have the people who sign in with their clever opinions here at least know how to spell? I mean, c''mon guys... vote for whomever you want to vote for, but if we''re going to go with childish name-calling, can we at least get the names right? Pathetic.

---------------

If you want to follow this inexperianced narcisist to the bottom of the sess pool and believe he will change your life, you are right, and it will be a disasterous change and you will very much regret it. Socialism does not work and if this country does not get that they are in for some sad times. Distribution of wealth is not the change the USA needs..Do you honestly believe rich Americans are going to share their wealth with American dead beats??? LMAO

[arlt1627]

It would make more sence to stop spending money we don''''t have.

Posted by mr22582

No kidding! Stop spending $120 billion a year coming up on $1 trillion of our wars. Look at what kinda dent we could put into that deficit/debt and actually bailout Wall St. and fund domestic programs.

[earthmomjs]

McDone, McOver,

Mc-See-ya-later to the cranky old guy and his empty vessel, hate-spewing running mate. Don''t let the door hit ''ya'' on the way out.

[omega40]

I can see some of you are a little slow.I will make it easy.NO COMPANIES = NO JOBS.
NO JOBS = NO MONEY

Posted by mr22582


And who better to make things simple than a simpleton. The fact of the matter is that Republican god Milton Friedman and his market driven BS have been exposed for the fraud he was. Even his professed followers (the republicans)put their economic stimulus package in the hands of the poor and middle class when they were hoping to stimulate the economy. This should make it abundantly clear, even to a simpleton, that Republicans don''t really believe that supply side economics benefits anyone other than the rich.

[brownbuilder]

IT''S A WRAP SEE YA GRUMPY OLD MAN, HE DID NOT EVEN STAY AROUND AFTER THE DEBATE TO SHAKE THE PUBLICS HANDS LIKE OBAMA DID; HE JUST LEFT. HE KNOWS HE IS DOOMED AND A LOSER.

[ibzjem]

Look, if most of the press is reporting on something, maybe there''s an element of truth to it. FAUX SNOOZE stands alone.