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.

---

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.

[harbinger09]

his is funny-- Within the past 6 weeks--McCain made Republicans embrace a former mistress as potential first lady, illegitimate teen pregnancy, an Airhead for a VP and now they must embrace socialism and helping out the poor with a 300+ billion dollar mortgage bailout--before its over, the Republican party will seem more liberal than the Democrats and the Republicans have to swallow it--because he is all that they have.

Paying for a public bailout,ignoring subpoenas, then supporting airhead females for VP and championing pregger teens indeed--what were those conservative values again? Hypocrites.

[luv314]

PEOPLE ARE AMAZING. IF YOU DISLIKE OBAMA''S MESSAGE SAY IT. IF YOU DISLIKE BECAUSE HE IS BLACK (ALTHOUGH HE IS HALF WHITE) SAY THAT ALSO (IT WOULD MAKE YOU A RACIST, BUT AT LEAST YOU WILL BE OUT OF THE CLOSET). ONEAMERICAN7, SEARCH FOR THE REAL FACTS AND STOP MAKING UP YOUR OWN (THEY WOULD CALL THAT LYING. DIDN''T THEY TEACH THAT IN RACIST REDNECK SCHOOL).

[hatesthecolt]

Why isn''''t there ONE story on CBSnews about the murder of American sailors on the USS LIBERTY? Why?

GOOGLE: USS LIBERTY

Be advised that Jews and the Israels PACs, have spent a lot of money having the USS LIBERTY MEMORIAL site removed, but some sites revealing this information is still available.


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

Posted by Raheem44


YOU GO RAHEEM! The USS LIberty incident has been swept under the rug for years. If the Israeli government had any respect for us, they would have long ago owned up to this and offered recompense. It was a despicable cowardly thing, and our government behaved no better by not calling them on it. I am so glad to see this come up... I thought I was the only one who remembered.

[earthmomjs]

In short, he just makes stuff up. No one seems to care. Biden convinced the focus groups he''''s an expert. The media, with a few exceptions, let it all slide. Amazing

Posted by john43218 at 09:31 AM : Oct 09, 2008


Yeah but McCain keeps telling everyone Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP, and that she''s smart. I guess you just can''t believe any of the campaign rhetoric. In the end, it seems you just have to use your brain to decide who/what to vote for. The same old ***, or a chance at improving the US economy, foreign policy, families and all that minor stuff.

[hbevis]

http://politicallydrunk.blogs
pot.com/2008/10/web-archives-confirm-bar
ack-obama-was.html

BARACK OBAMA IS A DIRECT THREAT TO AMERICAN VALUES!

Posted by OneAmerican7 at 01:31 AM : Oct 09, 2008

I have been trying to tell people what he is for some time now....

[hbevis]

"Hypothetically, a Senator can call an "overly eager to help" Hawaiian state worker that couldn''''''''t find the ''''''''original'''''''' but "willingly" types one up. He''''''''s just being helpful!
Posted by brownpride46 "


No disrespect, but there''''s a reason this is not an issue.

Posted by dudeplayfair at 12:24 AM : Oct 09, 2008

And just why is it not an issue?...?...!...!

If it is not valid is is surely an issue...

[getreeltex]

brownpride46


Dude get a life....or just develop a little integrity.

[brownpride46]

Dissent is the true intellectual treasure of our country. It''s how we arrive at the truth!

There''s actually a study that proved this. The subject will choose the wrong answer "75%" of the time just to fit in with the peer group. Add ONE dissenter and the subject chooses the wrong answer "ZERO%". I''m gonna google the reference and exact figures...

Thanks,dudeplayfair, getreeltex, hbevis, AND raheem!

Until next time, fellow AMERICANS. Good night!

[brownpride46]

Dear dudeplayfair,

Thanks. Unfortunately, now that I know the lawsuit exists (berg vs obama 08cv4083) and sits before a FEDERAL JUDGE. Obama''s natural born status is an ISSUE for me and MANY AMERICANS.

If Obama''s elected, AND the allegations are true. IT WILL FURTHER DE-STABILIZE OUR FRAGILE ECONOMY. RIOTS. GREAT DEPRESSION 2.

Sorry, hbevis. I am a Democrat. Yes, a Hillary supporter like Atty Berg.

On second thought, I AM an AMERICAN FIRST. An EFFING PARTY MEMBER SECOND!

If you got No ID, you get No vote from me.

No ID, No vote from me.

That''s catchy.

I guess I am a ''closet'' Republican. No, I''m a closet AMERICAN. AND I''m done being intimidated and will vote for the candidate that RESPECTS the CONSTITUTION!

[dudeplayfair]

"Hypothetically, a Senator can call an "overly eager to help" Hawaiian state worker that couldn''''t find the ''''original'''' but "willingly" types one up. He''''s just being helpful!
Posted by brownpride46 "


No disrespect, but there''s a reason this is not an issue.

[brownpride46]

Dear hbevis,

Thanks! You are correct.

Hypothetically, a Senator can call an "overly eager to help" Hawaiian state worker that couldn''t find the ''original'' but "willingly" types one up. He''s just being helpful!

Howard Dean and the FEC would see an "authentic" document without an "original" source.

Hence, the lawsuit: Berg v Obama 08cv4083. Can''t tell you how many people are googling this today, including my pastor!

We''ll see what the Federal Judge decides.

Everyone, say it together:

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

I wouldn''t trust a pilot to fly my UNITED 747 if he refused to show ID.

I wouldn''t TRUST just anyone to run the USA, if he wasn''t VERIFIED to be a natural born citizen.

[dudeplayfair]

Factcheck also has ties to the ANNENBERG FOUNDATION which has sponsored AYERS and OBAMA for years.
Posted by brownpride46 "



As does McCain.

McCain, Annenberg and Reagan all were friends until McCain divorced his first wife.

[hbevis]

brownpride46 at 12:09 AM : Oct 09, 2008

You have made a very very good post...

You just wait and see if the judge does not wait and wait to make a ruling...!!

[brownpride46]

Dear getreelTex,

Sorry to have offended you. You are correct about my IQ. Like you and the majority of americans, I have a good feeling that Obama will win the election.

But I STILL believe in:

TRUST, BUT VERIFY. (popularized by Reagan)

"Con artists do their homework. They understand what triggers people to buy on blind faith. They will appeal to the DREAMER in you."

Which candidate profusely uses the word "DREAM"?

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

In 1983, 50 media conglomerates existed. Today, only FIVE control all of TV and radio.

Is Obama or McCain the media darling?

TRUST, BUT VERIFY

"FEAR is a particularly powerful motivator for con artists during times of economic downturn .
Scammers will EXPLOIT your concern about whether or not you will have enough money to meet future living expenses and medical needs.

Con artists try to make you feel INADEQUATE if you don''t believe them."

Who makes me feel this way Obama or McCain?

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

"Perform thorough background checks and deny government positions and security clearances to Muslim activists."--Brigitte Gabriel (Her once-Christian country of Lebanon is now ISLAMIC)

I just want to see Obama''s ''original'' birth certificate as part of my DUE DILIGENCE. Federal Judge Surrick will decide in BERg v OBAMA 08cv4083.

If the devastating allegations are true, it will be an empty victory for Obama. American outrage will be unstoppable.

[hbevis]

Obama''''s birth certificate is posted online.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.c
om/washington/2008/06/obama-birth.html



Posted by dudeplayfair at 11:47 PM : Oct 08, 2008

I am not questioning your post here. But anything and everything can be Counterfeited now days. With enough money...think about that...????!!!

[brownpride46]

Dear Dudeplayfair,

You are correct about FactCheck. Thanks for verifying. It''s true that Obama is now a Christian.

Factcheck also has ties to the ANNENBERG FOUNDATION which has sponsored AYERS and OBAMA for years.

The birthcertificate online isn''t enough to dismiss the Berg vs Obama case 08cv4083. In fact, it is the basis of the case. BIG MISTAKE.

Thanks, but I''ll wait for Federal Judge Surrick''s decision.

Also,a Muslim who turns into a Christian is an Apostate. This crime is punishable by death! However, if one practices the deception called Taqiyya, IT"S PERFECTLY OK TO LIE TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF ISLAM.

Obama and Biden are both pro-IRAN.

TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

"CAIR''s agenda from the start is to Islamize America"-Brigitte Gabriel.

Funny. One of the lawyers defending Obama in the Berg Lawsuit 08cv4083 has ties to CAIR.

It''s too late. Doubting Thomases are spreading the word. I spoke to my Pastor today. He''s going to VERIFY Obama''s candidacy. He said he''ll spread the word to other Pastors if it''s true.

[getreeltex]

Please refute my BS.
--------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--

Posted by brownpride46 "




You refute your own BS by being an obvious moron.

Congratulations!


lol!

[dudeplayfair]

Please refute my BS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by brownpride46 "


I hope my info helps diffuse the anger.

[getreeltex]

What can McCain possibly do to win this election?

I don''''t see him pulling it off, so would like to hear thoughts.

Posted by dudeplayfair at 11:43 PM : Oct 08, 2008




He won''t pull it off. But he will try every dirty trick in Karl Rove''s book.

[dudeplayfair]

Obama''s birth certificate is posted online.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/obama-birth.html