Oooh, follow up questions are encouraged!  If the candidates don’t ask them, the moderator will.  That sounded like a threat…

The set makes this look like a scary job interview which, in effect, it is.  A job interview for potentially the scariest job in the world.

McCain is using up some of his 2 minutes to sell his economic plan sending wishes to Nancy Reagan, who has broken her pelvis.  It’s hard to see whether this is genuine, or a recognition that he doesn’t have 2 mintues’ worth of explanation for his plan.

“They want this country to go in a new direction,” says McCain.  Surely the response to this is: vote for somebody who does not represent the party currently in charge.

McCain sounds old.

Obama is saying that the “fundamentals of the economy were weak” before this crisis.  That’s a nice, subtle dig at McCain, but perhaps too subtle.  Obama sounds measured and calm and looks very confident.

McCain’s follow up: Obama’s encounter with a plumber in Ohio called… wait for it… Joe.  Eight minutes in, and we have our first Joe! Um, what’s your actual question, Grandpa Simpson?

Aaaand McCain’s given Obama a nice, wide open invitation to compare tax cuts.  Blowback!

McCain seems to think that “spreading the wealth around” is a bad thing.  He thinks that Joe-the-plumber will spread the wealth.  God.  Stop saying “Joe the plumber“!  Both of you!

McCain’s just rude.  Stop interrupting. And he’s just talked about Ireland’s tax rates as though Ireland  currently has an economy any government would aspire to.

Obama’s talking about refocussing budget spending on preventative measures – energy, health.  Sounds like a good idea.  Let’s see how McCain responds…  Home ownership.  Increasing home values.  Isn’t over-valued housing part of the problem?  McCain knows how to save billions of dollars in defence spending – please share!  Eliminating tariffs on imported products is going to lose money, isn’t it?

We’re back to the “overhead projector”.  Hasn’t this been explained?

Hatchet vs scalpel.  That’s good imagery – McCain would probably embrace being a “hatchet” since he’s such a maverick.

“Hurtin’”.  First dropped “g”!  21 minutes in.

Next section: the nastiness of the campaign.  Is each candidate willing to repeat the campaign allegations about the other in this forum?  This will be interesting.  Or boring.  I’m predicting both candidates will avoid the question and it will be boring.

McCain regrets some of the negative aspects of both campaigns.  He’s repeating allegations against his campaign which is not addressing the question at all.

According to Obama, 100% of McCain’s ads have been negative.  The fact that he goes on to characterise this particularly dull encounter as a “vigorous debate” does bring me to question his judgement here.  He would love to see the next three weeks devoted to the economy, healthcare, energy and how the average American can afford to send their kids to college.

McCain watched sport on the weekend.  His team must have won, since Obama interjected with “congratulations” in a rather funereal tone.

Joe the plumber somehow manages to get back into it.  God.

Now Obama is talking about crowd behaviour at Republican rallies and wondering whether this was repudiated.  McCain is ignoring him, writing notes, and then interrupts.  McCain is “proud of the people that come to [his] rallies.”  Now it’s descended into “your rallies suck”, “no, yours do”.  Boring.  What’s on Dr Phil?  Agh, a Colourbond ad.  Back to Obama.

McCain’s just interrupted again to focus on the “full extent” of Obama’s relationship with ACORN, which he characterises as “maybe destroying the fabric of democracy” and the relationship with Ayers.

The broadcast has just been interrupted with a long beep, which made it seem as though Obama’s initial response was to swear prolifically.  Not the case – he’s talking about Ayers’ and his role as a Professor of Education and describes his earlier activities as “despicable”.

Now McCain is talking about “Senator Obama’s relationship with them” (emphasis mine), rather than “him”, which is definitely aimed at drawing a connection between Obama and The Weathermen, not just Ayers.  The moderator has called an end to this section, but it has been deeply unsatisfying.

To the running mates!  Obama is talking about Biden and his support for the “little guy”.  Maybe he only chose him because his name is Joe.  Joe!

What on earth can McCain say about Palin?  Oh, she’s a model for women.  Sure.  She’s a “freth of bresh air”.  Apparently she understands “special needs” families.  How is that, again?  She understands that better than almost any American McCain knows.  He’s proud of her!  Her husband’s a tough guy!  That’s a good thing.  Apparently.

Obama has called McCain on the “special needs” bullshit by saying that it needs funding.  McCain’s describing some of Biden’s foreign policy ideas as “cock-a-mamie”.

When he speaks, McCain gives the impression that he is only just managing to keep his anger in check.  It’s just his speaking style – the clenched teeth and minimal movement of the head makes it seem as though he’s containing an explosion.

On to climate change. Drilling, energy independence.

On to free trade.  The South Korean trade agreement?  Obama doesn’t really like free trade – he doesn’t think this is fair.  America has lots of Korean cars and Korea doesn’t have many American cars.  He would like to advocate for American car manufacturers.  Oh, god.  I can’t imagine why Korea wants even 5000 American cars!  Surely they only buy them as an expensive prank.  In the “I will take a Hummer to my wedding!  Classy” way.  If Americans are buying Korean cars by the shipload, that’s their choice.  Why are they making that choice?  Korean cars are cheaper.  Why?  What can government do?  What should government do?

Healthcare – would either candidate favour controlling costs over expanding healthcare.  Obama says both are required.  Anecdote about potential voters, who are not called Joe.

“Working families”.  Does Kevin Rudd get royalties for the use of that term?  McCain wants to give every family a $5000 tax credit to use on healthcare.  He’s speaking directly to Joe-the-goddam-plumber now about this.  I really don’t understand Americans and healthcare.  Both candidates are describing policies that seem inordinately complex.  Makes me grateful for our Medicare.

Obama is talking to Joe directly now, too.  The Joe-the-plumber debate.  Does he work out?  Have a six-pack (of either variety).

Joe’s been working 10-12 hours a day, 7 days a week.  I’m sure plumbers are in shortage on the MOD list here – perhaps he would have a better lifestyle if he migrates.

Roe vs Wade.  McCain thinks it should be overturned but wouldn’t use it as a litmus test on a Supreme Court candidate.  Surely this won’t play well with conservatives, but maybe he’s been practicing a highly sophisticated dog whistle where he hopes that potential voters will assume he’ll cark it and Palin will be the one to deal with SC appointments.  If not, then it’s a pretty good answer.  Go Grandpa. Ah, maybe this is the kicker: “strict adherence to the constitution” – is he talking about originalists only?

Obama also doesn’t think in terms of litmus tests.  Fairness and justice are his keys.  Obama is standing up for his opinion on Roe vs Wade.  There’s clearly been some polling on this that shows that he can pick up some support on this.

Yay – focus on the Ledbetter case for equal pay!  Good on you, Obama.  Make McCain respond to that!

McCain touched his heart when he said “We who are pro-life”.

“Nobody’s pro-abortion” – that’s a key line.  Good for Obama.

McCain just did “AIR QUOTES”.  Gah!

Oh, I zoned out and don’t know what it is that “poses a threat to national security”.  Ah – education?  Once again, Obama has answered an either/or questions with “we need both”.  Higher pay for teachers!  Oh, a pay-off: only for higher standards and accountability.  But it’s not just the teacher’s job.  Parents – step up!  Put away the video games and turn off the TV.

McCain is talking about choice and competition between schools.  How does that work?  Instead of creating competing schools, it would seem more sensible to create good schools in the first place.  McCain is also going to find bad teachers another line of work.  That sounds good, but how much effort will the government put into actually finding jobs for bad teachers?  Obama agrees on charter schools.  I really don’t get this as a concept.  Why set up a second, publicly funded system instead of improving the existing public school system?

“Your wife.”  Doesn’t McCain know Obama’s wife’s name?

Sarah Palin is brought up again as a leading expert on autism.  Where does this expertise come from?  I’m genuinely curious about this.

Final statements: McCain goes first.

He thinks the discusion has been healthy and he uses the phrase “my friends”.  Long record, careful steward.  He mashes the words “affordable” and “available” and seems to say that he wants to make health care avoidable.  He’s spent his ENTIRE LIFE in the service of his country.  It sounds a little like a self-obituary when he says “I’ve been honoured”, which is a fairly weak way to end.

Obama – drops a g.  Yep – “fundamental change”.  Excellent final emphasis of the link between the past eight years and the future.  Paraphrases the “doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result” insanity definition to good effect.  Uses “my entire career”, which is a more believable phrasing than McCain’s.  His final sentence was a tad hesitant, but I would say he went through safely.

“Go vote now.  It will make you feel big and strong”.  Thanks, moderator.

McCain’s yapping of “good job!  good job!” when he went for the handshake was a pissy ending.

Transcript of Palin, Biden debate

I particularly like this line:

Palin: “Now, what I’ve done as a governor and as a mayor is (inaudible)…” Or, perhaps, a void is indescribable.

And what does this mean? “…we need to be appreciative of John McCain’s call for reform with Fannie Mae, with Freddie Mac, with the mortgage-lenders, too, who were starting to really kind of rear that head of abuse.” (R)ear that head of abuse? Is that what happens when Putin “rears” up and crosses into Alaskan airspace?

I think this might be what’s called a Freudian slip: “It’s a toxic mess, really, on Main Street that’s affecting Wall Street.”

During the debate, I was confused when I heard this line: “John McCain is right there with an “all of the above” approach to deal with climate change impacts.” Having read through the transcript, and seen that the “all of the above approach” is mentioned three times by Palin, I am not much clearer. I’m guessing, though, that she likes multiple choice tests.

There’s more, but to finish: “Oh, yeah, it’s so obvious I’m a Washington outsider.” Please, American voters, keep it that way.

“Can I call you Joe?” Good opening, Sarah…

Fear on the sidelines of Saturday soccer. Nice try – making McCain seem like the strong guy on economic policy.

God, “fundamental of our economy” – it’s a small thing, but get your cliches right.

So, Palin’s idea of a “new” energetic approach is to put… another old man in the White House.  Good call.

I want Palin to spell out the “corruption” on Wall Street.

Does Joe six-pack work out a lot, or drink a lot?  I demand clarification.

Oh, Joe, an anecdote…  Yay.  The guy (another “Joe”) at the petrol pump.

“Debate Camp” has obviously worked – she’s doing a good job at responding to the issues she can attack on, which are not necessarily the same as the issues Biden was addressing or asked to address.

What Palin could do as mayor of a small town does not speak to what she could, or would, do as a VP, right?

The person who seems most nervous in all this seems to be the moderator.

For the past few years, it’s been “working families” as the focus in Australia.  Politicians here shy away from talking about supporting the “middle class”; as a term, “middle class” seems to imply a comfortable place to be and therefore earmarking assistance for the “middle class” just doesn’t feel like it should fly.  As much as “working families” as a phrase made my skin crawl during our recent election campaign, it hurts less than hearing “middle class”.

A note on style: Biden seems comfortable, but a bit dull.  Palin seems patronising.  I think it’s the tightness in her voice when she gets on the defensive.  Oh, big slip, – Biden said “Obama” instead of “McCain” on the attack.  I do like that he rephrased “redistribution of wealth” as “fairness”.  Fairness works.

Bad audience!  They laughed.  No laughing!

Character…characterism…characterised – why was that so hard, Joe?

Biden’s good at looking at her when she’s speaking and the camera’s on him.  She seems to be constantly revising her notes and looking for key-word links to attacks when he’s speaking.  That’s probably why her responses seem unmatched to the questions.

Oh.  My.  God.  “It’s been, what, five weeks… so I haven’t made many promises.”  That’s a good ploy.

Don’t say “let me just ask a rhetorical question”, Joe.

Ha!  McCain brought people to the table???

Biden should avoid the “Chapter 7, chapter 13, it’s complicated” type of approach.  It’s condescending.  And don’t say “quote, I’m paraphrasing”.

Palin: “Your ticket’s energy ticket also.”  Maybe Babelfish will help me with that one.  God, she’s really showing her breadth of understanding, making it all about Alaska.

“As the nation’s only Arctic state…” blah, blah, blah.  “How are we going to get there to positively effect the impacts?”.  Maybe it was “affect”.  It doesn’t make sense either way.

“If you don’t understand what the cause is, it’s virtually impossible to come up with a solution.”  Hear, hear.  I’m so glad Biden has the guts to differentiate on this issue.  I’m sure it will lose some votes – hopefully it will gain more.

I like the way Palin uses the description “most expensive” as a good thing to describe an infrastructure project.  Seems to imply she wouldn’t be looking too hard to cap costs if a cost blow out makes it number one.

What’s an “all of the above” approach to combatting climate change?  A little from column A and a little from column B?

I like what he’s got on same-sex relationships.  Uh, she’s defending herself against accusations of intolerance in interpretations of her answer… before she gives her answer?  And she’s doing this with a some-of-my-best-friends-are-whatevs here?

Oh.  So, not gay marriage.  God.  I wish they didn’t agree on that.

Um, Sarah, Al Qaeda are not still in Iraq.  That implies they were there before you invaded.  They are now there.  See how that is different?  And success in Afghanistan may have been achievable if this Iraq folly hadn’t taken precendence.  How does winning in Iraq or losing in Iraq mean anything but a distraction of resources from Afghanistan?

Why does Sarah Palin keep saying “that’s another story” in lieu of actually stating some facts?

I’m glad Biden has reiterated McCain’s voting on troop funding.

Pakistan/Iran.  Nucula.  Gah.

Quoting Ahmadinejad is really not helpful in this context.  And saying the name over and over and over again is plain annoying.  When Palin mentioned “the Castro brothers” I thought she was talking about a new boy band.

Those people who “hate what we stand for with our freedoms”.  I hate the way she whines that.

I don’t think this is the place to start analysing who has the actual power in Iran, Joe, but focussing on allies, diplomacy and Spain is gold.

“Waning days of this Bush administration.”  I like that phrase.

It has been an abject failure – I think that’s a good summation of the Bush administration’s foreign policy.  I’m glad Biden repeated that, and that Gwen used the phrase when directing Palin’s rebuttal.

Blunders, blunders.  I can’t believe she’s looking at winning whilst using this language to describe her party predecessor. I’m hearing “vote for McCain, he’s not really a Republican” from her.

Watching Palin answering the nucula question makes me feel like a dog in a Larsen cartoon.  I’m just hearing “blah blah blah”.

Wow – “three weeks (spending) in Iraq, (equals) seven years in Afghanistan”.  That’s an amazing statistic.  I’m glad he repeated that.  He tends to get very flustered when the clock ticks down.  He’s also focussing more on his notes now than he was.  He’s starting to look a tad worn out.  She looks like she had lots of energy drinks this morning.

I’m glad somebody’s talking about Darfur.  The “rally the world” language is really good.  He hit that one well – “no stomach for genocide” and the fact that he’s been to camps in Chad.  So, how does Palin respond? Oh, the “Washington outsider” line.  What a crock.

“We a), first of all… that’s number one”.  There is a chance, just a chance, that Biden overshadowed his first point there, by emphasising its first-ness.

“John McCain knows how to win a war.”  WTF?????

Oooh, the what would you do if the President became incapacitated question.  Another chance to give the Presidential candidates’ stump speeches.  Good idea to name-check the “Bush doctrine” here, Joe, although to say “in essence, I agree with everything he’s saying” seems a bit weak.  He just handed Palin the chance to paint him as having “check(ed) his opinions at the door” but now she’s w-a-a-a-y overplaying it.  “A team of mavericks”, “bringing Wasilla main street to Washington”.  That’s just scary.

Does Joe Biden really spend a lot of time in Home Depot?  Aaaaand we’re back with the middle class.  “Say it ain’t so, Joe!”

I’m guessing we’re not going to get much detail on Palin’s education plan – blah, blah, flexibility, blah, blah, funding, blah, blah, near and dear, blah, blah, reward in heaven.

Hey, she’s finally woken up to the “it was just a joke” line.  God knows why she hasn’t used it earlier, but it would have kept a lot of laughs at her expense off the screens.  I’m a bit squeamish about the fact that she’s talking about focussing on “special needs” children “because that’s dear to my heart”.  I understand that she has a baby with a disability, but how does that give her any insight into what such children need?  Will she be implementing policies that send mothers back to high-stress environments soon after their “special needs” babies are born?  Grrrrr.

Oh, let’s not talk conventional wisdom.

Fark!  We’re back to Alaska.  Connection to the heartland as a mom with her goddam concern over her special needs kid.  That worldview is… exceptionalism.  That “shining city on a hill”, “the beacon of hope”.  What about “the economy that drags the world down”?  I like that Biden acknowledges the difference between his salary and position and the “heartland”, and I like that he talked about parenting as not just a “mom” thing.

Why is she trying to position Obama as “more of the same”?  That has to bite her.  And overselling the “maverick” line.  I’d rather have Ice Man in the White House than Maverick.  I’d much rather have Goose.  Does this talk really resonate?  But Biden buys into it – instead of saying “yeah, he’s a maverick, who’d want that”, he’s all “no, he’s not REALLY a maverick!”.

Up there in Alaska…  Sounds like la la land.  Bringin’ Alaska to DC.  That’s gotta work. “Walk the walk, talk the talk”.  Spew.

Honestly, why hasn’t Biden been hammering “change”?  He’s totally handed that word to her by not reclaiming it and… another Republican president represents change how?

I like the fact that Yahoo already has a past tense analysis of this up on their site.  So clever.  Such good typists.  Or maybe lots and lots of monkeys.

Finally – he’s hitting change!  Fundamental change!  I don’t know how well his “get up when knocked down” comment will go down – are people ready to acknowledge that America has been knocked down?

Anyway, it’s over.  Not as many giggles as I’d hoped.  Just more eye-rolls.