3rd Presidential Debate.

McCain needed to do well last night. And he did. Libs will call it an act of desperation. The truth is, McCain's a great fighter.

He was solid on the issues, kept a pleasant face and wasn't afraid to go after Sen. Obama's shape-shifting "eloquence." I was particularly bothered by Sen. Obama's continual laughter. Every time he disagreed with McCain, he would get this huge smile and turn his head away from McCain.

Obama supporters will no doubt approve of this reaction. After all, "the old man" is out of touch, right?  But imagine how the mainstream media would excoriate McCain if he snickered and snorted every time Obama was speaking. At the very least they would call it disrespectful. At the worst, they would call McCain a racist. Oh, wait. They already have.

One of McCain's best lines was: "If you wanted to run against George W. Bush, you should have done so four years ago."

Until now, no-one ever mistook McCain's policies or positions for Bush's. Now, it's politically expedient to align McCain with Bush, to pretend McCain is "more of the same." It's unfair. And with ACORN's help, unfairness just might win Obama this election. Heh.

Did this debate change anyone's mind? I doubt it.

As an unashamed one-issue voter, I know that if Sen. Obama is elected, Roe v. Wade will be permanent. As a mother, this breaks my heart. As a citizen, it makes me fear for my country.

Some have said that the Civil War was a reckoning for the injustice of slavery.

What will the reckoning be for the injustice that is abortion?

I shudder to imagine it. Lord, have mercy on us.

Comments

[Melissa]

Well said! Melissa

[Rachel]

I am surprised that anyone believes a Conservative Candidate who says they are going to change Roe v Wade. Ever since Roe v Wade came into being, conservative candidates pull that issue out and make promises on it every election. Yet nothing has changed in nearly 30 years. It makes me wonder if any of these candidates really intend to do anything about it or just pull it out as a guaranteed "vote-getter."

I guess, the worst that can happen is that it stays the way it is and maybe one day, one of these candidates who claim to want to reverse Roe v Wade will do it. Hopefully, those candidates will also do other things that courageously lead our country.

[Frances, New Yorker in the OC]

I have a lot of respect for McCain and truthfully, I do want him to look good. Count me as one of the folks who reflexively shouted, ooo, snap! when he said the "I'm not Bush..." line. Strategically speaking, he really should have said that a while ago. Because I think it's coming down to this country wanting an about-face from this administration and the current perception is that Obama fits the bill. And that is without ACORN's help.

Watching the split screen, I would agree that I found some of Obama's reaction off-putting as condescending. But I also couldn't help but feel that McCain occasionally had a fixed tension on his face that was a hair-trigger away from bursting out "get outta here, ya punk!" Which I can see some as translating as desperation but I think is more frustration that he is perceived as holding hands with W. Unfortunately, no one cares to recall those 2000 primaries when he was running against W.

I was not impressed with either one's plan for education, which really, there is no easy fix. I'm disappointed that neither party is standing up for gay marriage (I know, it didn't come up but still disappointed). And frankly at this point, I'm zoning out on all this tax cut talk because at my level, it means nothing if my husband or I are out of work.

[Heidi Jo]

an irony that was more clear to me last night was the "guilt by association" bit. talking about the people that obama has kept company with is totally unacceptable and called, "distracting from the real issues"....YET last night i realized that that is EXACTLY what he wants to do to mccain in regards to bush. because mccain is conservative, because he is a repub, because he may have voted with bush on occassion...he is GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION. funny the double standard.

the difference being that whether you like bush or are one of his many haters, he is a PRESIDENT of this country. he has at least proven that he loves america. obama's associations wish to see it destroyed.

[Just Mom]

"One of McCain's best lines was: 'If you wanted to run against George W. Bush, you should have done so four years ago'."

I totally busted a gut laughing when I heard that.

[terry, ornament of His Grace]

McCain did much better than in previous debates. That was the most rattled I've seen Obama since this became a two man race.

Switching gears: Who knew the fate of the country would turn on Joe the Plumber?

[Tressa]

Deciphering the debate.

This link did well in helping me see things a bit more clearly.

http://www.citizenlink.org/videofeatures/A000008465.cfm

[Jennifer (Et Tu?)]

"What will the reckoning be for the injustice that is abortion? I shudder to imagine it."

Great line. Great post.

[Tressa]

I came back to comment and poof... my brain shut down and I can't remember what I was going to say.

After reading Jennifer(Et Tu?) comment on abortion, I thought of this link on Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor:

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000008470.cfm

[Caroline]

I think that McCain really shone in this debate. In addition to being tough, he has a lot of class. Did anyone else notice how after the debate, McCain enthusiastically shook Obama's hand and said, "Good job, good job, good job!"?

Also, McCain's classy, comedic, sincere and poignant eloquence at the white-tie press affair the next night totally topped Obama.

[Betty Beguiles]

I feel exactly the same way. Well said. I'm hoping that McCain really goes on the attack during these last two weeks. He needs to emphasize just how extreme Obama's views are.