We the people

14 responses so far ↓

• 1    Taylor McClendon // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:42 pm

  I attended a debate watch party for the Democratic debate hosted in Austin. Not being a Democrat I had my predispositions about the two candidates and wasn’t thoroughly excited to spend two hours listening to them droll through their rehearsed agendas, but anything for extra credit right. I noticed that, in her opening statements, Hillary referenced a health care bill that she crossed the “party lines” to vote for, in attempt to appeal to her Texan audience at large. She also made a well to do effort to reference her qualifications as a long time senator and continually talked about what needs to be done in the future. Obama’s opening statements, on a different note, targeted the people. He is amazing at making issues very personal and appealing to his audience. However I refuse to let Obama’s charisma get the best of me on account of the fact that he talks about how bad politicians are, and how Washington is upside down, all the while he is competing at the highest level of the political arena. Cuba was the topic of the first question and Clinton responded well and answered the question with a clear knowledge of foreign policy. Obama’s response once again was directed toward the families and the people and said things that make me think that he sees himself as some sort of panacea to foreign affairs in not only Cuba but also in North Korea (bold?). Next, they brought up the economy which led to a discussion about taxes…and don’t even get me started. Immigration was a significant issue for this debate, with the largest Hispanic audience yet. I respect the Democratic stance on Immigration and agree with both candidates that the key is to secure the borders and find a way “accommodate” the immigrants who are already among us. Obama, in his response to immigration, humored me by referencing an immigration bill that he was a “part” of that eventually died. Overall the debate seemed to go as well as I could have hoped. Coming for an outsider’s perspective, Obama is needlessly to say the most likable candidate on either side of the race. He is the funniest the best speaker, and plays his role as the candidate of the people as good as anyone in Washington. However he lacks experience and let’s get serious, at this point America needs more than a 4 year Senator to be its President. But it is hard to say Obama looks bad when he is sitting next to Hillary Clinton. She, on the other hand, has plenty of experience and is in my mind the most logical pick for the democratic nomination, but at the end of the day it is still Hillary Clinton. It seems to me that the democrats have gotten themselves into quite a pickle. In one hand, they hold Obama, who, next to McCain, looks like the (adopted) up and coming grandson of Washington, and in the other, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Need I say more?

• 2    Brad Dornak // Apr 10, 2008 at 1:14 am

  I went to watch the Austin presidential debate at a friend’s house who was hosting a watch party. There were about 10 people there and we were all very involved in the debate at hand. During the debate we watched intently as Clinton and Obama debated. The first things we noticed were their similar views on the issues and how they were barely differing from each others ideas. At first we thought this was very strange, but they continued to do this the entire debate. We noticed that the candidates were trying to focus on the Democratic party as a whole, although Clinton needed to make her move. Being with others to watch the debate really made the debate more interesting and gave me a chance to debate some of the issues as well. During commercials we would talk about what the candidates had said and how we thought the debate was going. One point we thought was really interesting is how both the candidates supported a fence on the boarder, but thought the Bush administration “had gone of the deep end”. Their policy on this topic is not to unlike Bush’s, yet they say that Bush’s is terrible. We concluded that the candidates were just once again trying to focus the debate on how Democrats are going to be better for Washington. At the end of the debate we had concluded that neither candidate gained too much ground, because of their weak attacks on each other. Clinton’s attack about stealing lines from a speech was covered well by Obama, and did not harm him. Obama just refocused the debate on bringing the country together and not tearing each other down. Obama’s method of just trying to remain neutral worked well for him because he already had the momentum. Attending this watch party really helped me focus on the issues that the candidates were talking about, so that I could then discuss them soon after. I learned that debating and talking about politics is actually fun, when you are well taught on the subjects. I will continue to follow the presidential debates and election process, and hopefully attend another watch party.

• 3    Meghan O'Rourke and Mary Nguyen // Oct 1, 2008 at 7:02 pm

  After watching the debate we felt very informed about the current situation of the economy. Both candidates spoke passionately about each issue while reinforcing own personal ideals. We saw several major differences between the candidate’s responses. With McCain we noticed his more personable approach to the questions where as Obama was more bold and up front with his answers. Senator McCain used primarily pathos to pull in the audience in order to gain sentimental feelings from them. Senator Obama used more logos in his responses showing his vast knowledge on each topic. We found that both styles were effective in drawing in the viewer’s attention; however we felt that Obama gave a stronger presentation. His level of confidence and assertion surpassed that of McCain’s while also seeming connected to the audience. He mainly focused his attention and energy into talking to the camera and the moderator. On issues of controversy, Obama seemed less rehearsed and spoke directly to McCain. Nevertheless, McCain seemed very composed with his rebuttals and oppositions towards Obama’s statements. He came off as less rehearsed and talked slower. This helped the viewer to better understand and follow his views and thought process.
  Throughout the debate we learned that the camera captures everything. From posture to facial expressions the viewers can see it all. This is important it reveals the nature and habits of the candidate. By seeing them on television it is easier to judge the candidates. McCain appeared feeble and aged while Obama looked strong and confident. After viewing the debate, viewers might see McCain as too mature to handle the stress of being president. Obama seemed secure in his ideals and looked as if he could hold the country together. Although McCain has the experience needed to run the country, he may lack the vigor to withstand the strains that comes with the position of presidency. To the best of their ability, both candidates got across their message well just in different ways.

• 4    Dhruv Sharma // Oct 1, 2008 at 10:11 pm

  I found the debate to be intriguing in that the moderator asked interesting questions that were also of importance to the American people. Foreign policy is a crucial aspect of a politicians campaign, and it was an important debate for both candidates. Obama was strong on his performance, and was generally on the attack, while McCain seemed more on the defensive, but both held their ground and I wouldn’t say either candidate definitively “won the debate.” Obama seemed more open with his ideas, and critical of the Republicans ideals, continuing to emphasize that McCain will be “more of the same”. McCain attacked Obama’s inexperience, and pressed his own experience and war-time experience. Overall it was an impressive performance by both candidates. They were able to give viewers answers to questions that the public wanted answered, and were able to point out similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses. Both Obama and McCain did a fine job of gaining supporters and strengthening their ties to their current supporters.

• 5    whsapgov // Oct 2, 2008 at 5:36 pm

  Susanne Burgess

  The Presidential Debate, Friday September 26th
  I watched this entire debate, hoping to get a solid grasp on each of the candidates’ positions and views on foreign policy, national security and the global economic crisis. My reaction to it is mixed. Feel that each candidate prepared well for the debate but not equally. For me, Obama spoke clearly and objectively, while McCain hid behind catch phrases and didn’t answer many questions directly. Most of McCain’s responses seemed to hardly answer and almost find a way around answering the question at hand at all! Obama was very direct and specific with his ideas and was prepared to elaborate on them. As far as each politicain’s recognition of audience, Obama made much more eye cantact with the camera, therefore the viewer. While McCain didn’t seem to make much of a connection with the camera (don’t blame him, they were after his time), he did seem to be focusing more on the studio audience in the University hall. Not surprisingly, neither candidate spoke directly to the other. They almost spoke as if there was a thin wall between them so they could hear each other talking about each other, but never look at each other. I found the mediator, John Lehrer of PBS, effective but not as assertive as I would have liked. Unfortunately, after all of this analysis, the debate was, in fact, ruined for me. For the one reason of professionaliam, the debate was frustrating to me. Each time McCain would crtitcise one of Obama’s strategies or past actions, Obama would accept the challenge and rebutt in a civilized and well thought-out manner. Senator McCain on the other hand, while being reprimanded equally (maybe not even as much as Senator Obama) would smirk and slimily chuckle to himself. This was outrageous to me! I founf myself raising my voice to the TV “Grow up!” “Stop smiling you idiot!” Even after his creepy smiling he would have no rebuttal but to laugh, thinking he could confuse the audience enough to not know that he had nothing to say. Senator McCain acted rudely unprofessional and almost childlike. I lost quite a bit of respect for his character in this debate. And thus he ruined it. Obama was the CLEAR choice by the end of this debate. Who’s laughing now John?!

  From Introduction, 2008/10/02 at 7:39 AM

• 6    Meghan O'Rourke and Mary Nguyen // Oct 15, 2008 at 6:46 pm

  After watching the second Presidential debate we decided that the first debate was more diplomatic. In this one the candidates were just running around in circles both physically and with their answers. However, we felt that McCain was stronger in this debate due to the fact that it was more loosely formatted in the town hall and he could get up close and personal with the audience members. He went right up to the men and women in the audience and shook their hands or patted them on their backs. On the other hand we noticed that Obama kept a safe distance from the audience. Close enough that they knew he was talking to them but far enough away to give them room to breathe. They had all ranges of people ask the questions from younger to older, and people of all different races. However, they were all undecided voters and therefore their questions were directed to both candidates, not just to one party. For instance, one woman asked about the reliability of both candidates and parties. The mediator, Tom Brokaw was very tense throughout the debate and was strict about the rules. He commented several times about how the candidates needed to stick to the time limits allotted. Even though it was a town hall format, Mr. Brokaw did not give the audience much of a chance to ask their questions. He took over and asked several questions from the internet and some of his own questions. Unlike the first debate, the candidates did not look at one another while answering the questions. Each candidate spoke as if the other was not present. They looked passed each other and never really made eye contact. Even when the candidates were talking about their opponent, there was never any direct connection. We were very astonished when McCain called Obama “that one” because it was very disrespectful. When Obama address McCain, he always said his name in order to show respect for his opponent. Throughout the night McCain had been speaking very colloquially and to the common people. He excelled in talking to the whole audience and getting the point across that he cares for all Americans.

• 7    Ankur Bajaj // Oct 17, 2008 at 1:14 am

  The Vice Presidential Debate:

  I watched most of the Vice Presidential debate, hoping to see the relative prowess of each of our Vice Presidential candidates for office. (I say most because I do confess to changing the channel on some portions when Sarah Palin really struck a nerve through her meanderings and not answering the questions…) I felt that this debate was equal to, if not surpassing in importance compared to the Presidential debates this year, mainly because if, god forbid, something were to happen to the President elect, the Vice President would have to take charge of our current international affairs and economic positions, which aren’t in the best of positions. I felt that both candidates had something to prove in this debate, Palin had to show her perspicacity in foreign relations and her knowledge of the issues, and Biden had to tone down his snootiness and arrogance that he sometimes shows. In that regard, I felt both candidates did well, but if I had to award the winner of the debate, I’d lean towards Biden, mainly because of his true knowledge of the issues they were talking about. I’d also award Biden the winner position because, in my opinion he answered the questions posed by the moderator more readily and often than Palin, who avoided the questions a lot. It almost seemed like at one point during the debate that she was asked a question about Gay Marriage, and answered with comments about her Energy Record in Alaska, so her answers were a little disjointed.

• 8    Kate Nelson // Oct 19, 2008 at 12:38 pm

  This post concerns the third presidential debate. I feel the moderator, Bob Schieffer, did a fantasitc job being a non-partisan and fair moderator and asked appropriate questions about what Americans want to hear right now from their future leaders. These topics included domestic policies, such as tax policies, campaign tactics, health care, energy policy and sending children to college. An attempt was made at explaining their individual economic plans to help our country get out of the situation its in right now, and there were clear outlines of what they intended to do. I appreciated that. But then, the topic changed to each candidate’s negative campaigning and an obnoxious exchange followed. The negative attacks from each side are low and uneccessary. At one point, Obama tried to say that fighting is not going to help us solve “two wars, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression” and many other issues and in order to solve these problems Republicans, Democrats and Independents have to come together, not tear eachother down. McCain immediatly came back and kept on trying to ruin Obama’s reputation. Annoying? Yes. I found it hard to watch the debate because both candidates constantly stated false statistics, accused eachother of things that they either hadn’t done or skewed what they had done to make them sound bad. McCain made incredible jabs at some ideologies which he didn’t agree with that I found innappropriate. For example, saying that anyone who was for Roe v. Wade wouldn’t be an experienced candidate for the Supreme Court.

  All in all, i found the debate to be a good source of information from both candidates. While Obama basically stated his policies and defended attacks from McCain, McCain stated his and focused on attacking Obama.

• 9    Daniel Algaze // Oct 19, 2008 at 4:38 pm

  I watched the third presidential debate. By the time this debate took place, like most Americans I already had solidified my presidential choice, but I was excited to see if McCain could save his campaign and take it in a new direction. Personaly, I thought that the whole debate was very even, with few major thrusts (though some attempted ones) but either candidate. In this respect, it could almost be considered a victory for Obama, because he is already ahead in the polls and will probably win if no major occurrences takes place. The debate really centered around the economy, and especially the candidates differing tax plans; it almost seemed like no matter what the item or question at hand, the argument somehow always devolved to a discussion about Joe the plumber. The only thing that I really considered a mistake was McCain’s bringing up Obama’s rather tenuous involvement with a certain William Ayres. First of all, the connection is tenuous if not rediculous, and the American people don’t really care about it as far as I can tell. Secondly, and most importantly, I think that McCain made a mistake their in going off message. Had McCain given less importance to things like this and concentrated on the economy then I think he would have stood a fair chance to win a debate that otherwise was a draw.

• 10    Susanne Burgess // Oct 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm

  The final Presidential debate.
  The key topics of this thursday night debate were economic policy, and resolution to economic crisis. I was interested in this debate especially because of the issues i believed I would actually be learning about. Silly me! I, of course, learned nothing tonight. I sat for an hour and a half watching candidates protect themselves and stray from the topics at hand. Educatedly, I watched this debate with the preconceived notion, based on the most recent televised advertisements, that the negativity would be a little more prevalent, or at least equally below the belt. This debate was the epitomy of self control by Barrack Obama, I feel. Every response made by Senator McCain was a personal attack on Obama. Never did McCain make a point that didnot revolve primarily of even solely around a negative remark or even monologue about senator McCain. His dodging was apparent and reflective of his desparation. My thoughts are that Obama could not have handled McCain’s “tactics” more perfectly. Senator Obama didnot once falter or seem not composed in any way. His responses were about him, his campaign and his goals for america. He actually spoke about the issues and hardly sunk to McCain’s level. Obama used his presidential strategies to actually appear much more ualified even though he was being constantly attaked by McCain. Obama’s composure made McCain seem childish. I only hope that the maojrity of America’s voters are able to see through McCain’s transparent and desperate attempts at removing any attention for himself and his extremely weak economic plan.

• 11    Michael Long // Oct 21, 2008 at 11:38 pm

  Final Presidential Debate

  In my eyes Obama won the debate. I went in favoring Obama and came out feeling the same way. The main reason i feel that Obama won the debate was because he did not get flustered. I feel like McCain became flustered at certain points in the debate. He would get a very angered look on his face. Most would say that they paid attention to the candidates position on issues only. Most people also feel that other are affected by the image of the candidates. I believe that every body is in different degrees. I feel that Obama’s image greatly defeated McCain’s. The Obama campaign is taking advantage of this and using clips of McCain getting flustered in there Advertisements.

• 12    Meghan and Mary (M&M) // Nov 4, 2008 at 8:16 pm

  After watching the third and finals presidential debate, we decided that we liked this format the best. It felt as if the candidates were actually debating one another and telling us their ideas for the country. It felt more organized with the questions on the bottom of the screen. We felt that the moderator, Bob Schieffer, did an amazing job asking the question and not being too strict. Neither candidate seemed rehearsed this debate and they did not look like they were just putting on a show for the camera. Also, Obama was very strong in this debate. He seemed to draw people in to listen to what he had to say and stayed strong throughout. He never got defensive like McCain did at some points and he got his thoughts across. McCain kept referring to the notorious Joe Plumber, while Obama sounded more sophisticated. Both candidates talked about the issues they wanted to and didn’t really stray away from the questions. More so than other debates, they answered the question at hand then elaborated with other thoughts. We didn’t like the question about how the candidate’s running mate would run the country. We felt that the question had no relevance to THEIR domestic policy and how THEY felt on issues. The vice presidential debate was the place to hear these things, not in the presidential ones. We wondered however, that if Obama had known that McCain was going to choose Palin as his running mate, would he have chosen Hillary as his?

• 13    Daniel Algaze // Nov 5, 2008 at 8:28 pm

  I watched the Vice Presidential Debate because I was very interested in seeing if Sarah Palin could put on a good showing after all the bad hype that she received. I have to say that I was only partially satisfied, because though Palin successfully demonstrated her knowledge on a wide range of issues, she was very evasive and somewhat rehearsed feeling. I thought that Palin’s worst moment was when she twice avoided a question to talk instead about the petty details of her tax plan. Biden, for the most part, was a strong performer except in one or two situations where he was obviously evading the question. Overall I’d give Biden a slight edge, though with Palin its hard to determine how the public will react to her performance. In terms of the debate as a whole, I was pretty satisfied but I was bored with the constant bickering over unimportant economic issues and especially taxes. Additionally, I thought that there should have been a few more foreign policy questions, but it was reasonably balanced anyway. I would have to say that based on this debate I think that Obama will win the Presidency.

• 14    Ankur Bajaj // Nov 6, 2008 at 12:02 pm

  Wow.

  The final presidential debate, the one that attempts to decide the league of still undecided voters…didn’t focus on the issues. Instead of insight on their respective economic and health care plans, specificities on their foreign policy especially in regards to Iraq and the War on Terror, stances on germane issues of abortion and the right to privacy, we got personal attacks. Oh, and don’t forget Joe the Plumber.

  Not to say that the entire night went to waste, we did get a good feeling of personal bias and the respective positions of the candidates in their respective campaigns. For example, in my view, McCain was resorting a little to superficial appeals and low personal attacks, mainly to depserately drag away the momentum from Obama.

  I’d also like to say that I enjoyed this debate style much more than the previous debate; it seemed more fluid and organic.

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