Drunkblogging the First Presidential Debate
Vodkapundit Stephen Green watched Friday's face-off with cocktail(s) in hand.
[Presented in reverse chronological order]
8:35PM OK, one more one last thing. McCain kinda sucks with or without a teleprompter. But Obama keeps fumbling the easy ones, where all he has to do is segue into his stump speech talking points. If that reminds you of his initial response to the Georgia invasion, it’s for good reason. The man simply is not ready for the burden of this office. But I’m more than ready for another martini. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see you next week at the next debate. Cheers!
8:33PM One last thing. McCain is finishing with, “Obama still doesn’t understand.” It’s true that McCain pulled a lot of punches. But he’s won on points — and at the end, I think that was his strategy all along. Had he come on too strong, McCain would have left himself open to those charges of being imprudent. Tonight he was prudent, if sometimes overly so. Obama came across as an impudent naif — and that’s not what Americans want, need, or can afford in times like these.
8:30PM OK, I’ll give you a real close now. Obama strikes me as a modern Chamberlain, praising his (oh-so-transient) “peace with honor.” McCain, however, comes across as “peace when we’re done kicking you ass and not one moment sooner.” And since this was ostensibly a foreign policy debate, I give the win to McCain. Oh, and one other thing — Obama is still talking as I write this. But he’s spending his last answer angling for the European vote, which does nothing but reinforce my point.
8:27PM Now that it’s almost over, may I at long last say … “oh, the humanity!”
8:25.5PM I mean, who would notice?
8:25PM “I’ve never said I object to nuclear waste.” Then let’s store it on Chicago’s south side!
8:24PM Last question …
8:23PM Obama expected Russia to trade its “peacekeepers” in South Ossetia and Abkhazia with “international peacekeepers.” And how did he propose to do that, even prior to the invasion? If you thought I was too harsh calling him a “naif” before, surely you agree with me now.
8:22PM This debate still has ten minutes or so to go. But it’s not too soon to give you a wrap. McCain is no debater. He wouldn’t last a second during Question Hour in the British Parliament. And yet Obama is coming off in third place in a two-man session.
8:19PM Quoting Obama, “Both sides ought to show restraint.” Both sides including … GEORGIA! And again McCain draws a contrast between himself and Bush. And again Obama comes off as me-too at best, a naif at worst.
8:18PM Don’t get me wrong — McCain is hardly my dream candidate. Unfortunately for me, and the nation, Cal Coolidge has been dead for quite some time now.
8:18PM Do I sound dismissive about the distinguished senator from Illinois? Oh, good!
8:17PM How do you see Russia? Obama: “uh … um … ah … we need to assess…” Maybe even a study group!
8:16PM On to Russia …
8:15PM “Aw, please,” says McCain. It’s about time somebody said that to this contorted naif.
8:15PM “Preconditions” = “Preparation,” says Obama. To again put it in high school terms: Studying for your exams is the same as expecting your teacher to just give you an A.
8:14PM I don’t know if McCain will win. I still doubt it, and sometimes I dread it. But if he doesn’t do better with Jews than any Republican since… ever, then there’s something wrong here.
8:13PM “I’m not going to set the White House visitor schedule before I’m elected.” And Obama just got another welt across his behind.
8:12PM Every time Obama complains that the Bush strategy hasn’t worked with Iran, he reinforces the point that his own plan is just more of the same, only granting Iran even more prestige. How stupid does he thing we are? How naive is he?
8:11PM Obama is man enough to admit that “it may not work” to have the Iranian president over at the White House. Back in high school, we used to say, “No sh*t, Sherlock?”
8:10PM “Let’s talk about this,” says Obama. Isn’t that the goddamn problem, you inexperienced, officious little whelp?
8:09PM Pardon me as I wet myself while McCain spanks Obama over his promise to negotiate with Iran “without preconditions.” It’s like gay porn, only this stuff turns me on. (Sorry, Bruce!)
8:08PM “Tough, direct diplomacy against Iran!” I wave papers in your general direction, you Persian sons of hamsters!
8:08PM But yet we need “tougher sanctions.”
8:07PM Obama just said sanctions haven’t worked against Iran!
8:06PM Oh, and he slid it in under the wire, but every Jew watching just noted McCain say “never again.” Obama should have followed suit, but so far hasn’t.
8:05PM The best way to hurt Iran is to lower oil prices. McCain ought to be hammering that fact as part of his Drill Now, Drill Frickin’ Everything mantra.
8:04PM In the comments, Dave writes, “‘Paahkistaahn’ might be closer to the correct pronunciation, but it comes across as effete. (Jenjiss kaahn?)”
8:03PM Lehrer says they’re even on time. But that they’ve run out of five minute thingies. Give it to Lehrer for running an even debate, if nothing else.
8:02PM “You’d think Obama would have gone to Afghanistan.” And then McCain further slammed Obama for hiding behind Senate rules (although I doubt many people caught that one).
8:01PM “No soldier ever dies in vain,” says Obama. That’s in direct contradiction to something he said during the primaries. Can someone look that up for me, please, while I drink? (I’m lazy, it’s true.)
8:00PM Can I vote McCain for Best Old Uncle?
7:58PM Do a shot every time McCain says “I have a record.” He doesn’t *need* to say, “And my opponent doesn’t.”
7:58PM Now there’s a bit of history I’d forgotten. McCain voted against his “dear friend” Reagan’s deployment of Marines to Lebanon. Kind of squashes that whole “prudence” complaint.
7:57PM This is Obama’s first really solid answer. So I can promise you it’s the one all the news outlets (save *maybe* Fox) will be running tomorrow.
7:57PM Heh. Obama just slammed McCain about “prudence” after that “Bomb bomb bomb Iran” song. It’s a fair cop.
7:56PM “Nobody talked about attacking Pakistan,” says Obama. This must be Obama v2.0. Three-point-oh?
7:54PM “You don’t say that out loud,” says McCain, about Obama’s promise to invade Pakistan. My exact words, from the first time Obama made his stupid, juvenile threat.
7:53PM You know, Obama is right — and has been right — about calling for more troops for Afghanistan. But now he’s calling for more eradication of poppy seeds… and extending the Drug War to Afghanistan is the single biggest mistake Bush has made in that country.
7:52PM I just spent HOURS talking to Austin Bay about Afghanistan last weekend. And his assessment — wise when Obama was writing junior high school love poems — does not match up with that of the senator from Illinois.
7:50PM Obama has got to stop doing that half smile thing. I know, because I do it too. All the freaking time.
7:49PM Wasn’t Obama promising to reduce our troops in Iraq “in 16 months” at least 12 months ago? Why won’t the left call for his warmongering head?
7:48PM I live and breathe this stuff, even while drinking, but I can barely follow Obama’s answers. McCain is hardly inspiring, but he at least seems to make sense.
7:47PM I haven’t been paying attention to CNN’s audience-o-meter. Can someone tell me how the candidates are doing? It’s a gimmick, but I’m curious — and I have to LISTEN to these debates while I focus on typing on the screen.
7:46PM “Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy.”
7:46PM Ahhh.
7:44PM I’m going to miss some stuff now, while I go shake another martini. I trust you’ll understand and forgive.
7:43PM McCain says the next President won’t decide IF to go into Iraq, but HOW to exit and WHAT to leave behind. And it’s there that Obama’s judgement has been wrong for years.
7:42PM Obama has GOT to stop counting the costs of the Iraq War, at a time when Americans are feeling better about it. It’s bad politics, bad strategy, and absolutely shitty leadership. If you’ll pardon my English.
7:41PM Obama opposed Iraq. Who knew! But didn’t he also oppose the surge that McCain endorsed before Bush and before the Pentagon? “Distraction… Afghanistan… blah blah blah.”
7:41PM OK, quick question: Without peeking, repeat one thing Obama has said.
7:40PM If I’m not mistaken, there’s been a foreign policy question, and an answer to match. “We are winning in Iraq… with honor,” says McCain.
7:39PM “It is well known that I haven’t been voted Miss Congeniality” in working with Bush. And then McCain outlined lots of places where he has parted ways with Bush… while sneaking in an endorsement for Palin. Nicely turned, McCain. More of this, please.
7:38PM “I just have to make this point, Jim.” Obama his hitting McCain hard for voting for “most” of Bush’s budgets.
7:36PM “Spending 300 billion dollars on tax cuts.” That right there explains why I haven’t voted for a Democrat for President since 1992, and would rather not until they beat that sentiment out of themselves. Preferably using ball-peen hammers.
7:35PM I understood that there would be a foreign policy debate. And that there would be no math.
7:34PM McCain just put Obama on defense again on energy. “You can’t get there from here.” I’m starting to wonder if the old guy has been laying low this whole time.
7:33PM McCain would freeze spending on everything but defense and such. Obama says, “yes, but…” Which has been his entire performance so far tonight. That’s playing defense. That’s playing to lose.
7:32PM Obama’s liberalism is just “opposition to Bush’s failed policies.”
7:31PM Obama says some things “will have to be delayed.” Lehrer says “What?” Obama answers with stuff he doesn’t want to delay, and stuff he doesn’t want to cut, and taxes he wants to raise. And college tuition! Somebody’s got to pay off his wife’s loans.
7:30PM If this were Oxford, it would start like this: “Resolved: That we would like to hold all of the primaries over again.”
7:29PM “It’s hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left.” “I oppose ethanol subsidies.” I know McCain wasn’t planning to take Iowa, but I wonder if he just kissed off Indiana and Ohio, too.
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Stephen Green writes, broadcasts, and enjoys the occasional lovely adult beverage at the home he shares with his wife and son in Monument, Colorado.
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142 Comments
1. Vodkapundit » Debate Drunkblogging — LIVE!:[...] by Stephen Green on 26 Sep 2008 at 06:47 pm I’m drunkblogging the debate – right now! – for Pajamas Media. Bruce Carroll is Vicodinblogging the debate because, well, he has [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 5:47 pm 2. Capt Nemo:I just lost a little respect for Tony Blair.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:00 pm 3. Dave:How was it decided that the moderator would be a leftie?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:03 pm 4. Dave:Why am I hearing mwah mwah mwah like the adults in the Peanuts™ cartoons?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:05 pm 5. GayPatriot » LIVE & Drug-Induced Blogging of Presidential Debate:[...] I almost forgot! My Pajamas Media colleague, Steven Green from VodkaPundit, is drunkblogging at Pajamas Media. [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:06 pm 6. rc:Did O just say that 700 billion is ‘potentially a lot of money’? One wonders what the circumstances are under which 700 billion is not a lot of money…I wonder what Moneybags Obama would consider a lot of money…
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:07 pm 7. Mark Hanna:I feel like a channer with my finger hovering over F5
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:10 pm 8. Dave:How? Why don’t you ask Barney Frank(D-Fannie) and Chris Dodd (D-Countrywide)?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:10 pm 9. Linda Strickland:I want to see a copy of that letter that Obama just said he wrote to the Sec. Treas. about the meltdown…just curious
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:10 pm 10. Jim:VP, I’m reading. You gotta tell me what happens because I can’t listen to that idiot speak.
I’ll keep refreshin’ as long as you keep drinking. But for chrissake have a goddam gin one, not just vodka ones:
Tanqueray
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:12 pm 11. John Moore:a little vermouth
two olives, no juice
McCain is failing to address the regulations that caused a lot of this crisis – Democrat created.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:12 pm 12. Capt Nemo:Great foreign policy debate,huh?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:14 pm 13. rc:McCain seems to be avoiding the fact that he is in a debate…He’s avoided every open door O has given him…I could see the panic in O’s face as he was talking about McCain’s support for the policies that caused the crises…and McCain simply let him have that point…McCain is losing this badly.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:15 pm 14. Linda Strickland:Good line on the earmark’s per day Obama was in the Senate.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:16 pm 15. The False God:McCain just called Obama on earmarking.
This sissy-bitch-slap cat fight is heating up.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:17 pm 16. Mark Hanna:Good on pork, Obama is so fail: I suspended my pork until we can clean up? so you can pork moar in a cleaned up pig pen?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:17 pm 17. carol:Did Obama just say people were being killed by gas?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:18 pm 18. Curtis:What was the website McCain mentioned ? Citizensagainstporkspending…
Yea, McCain uses the web !
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:19 pm 19. Stephen Green:I’m less sure about that, RC. But also I’m drinking.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:19 pm 20. Dave:I love how across-the-board tax cuts that benefit everyone are “tax giveaways to corporations and the rich”. Hey Jughead, taxes are “takeaways” by definition.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:20 pm 21. Marco:I’m with Capt. Nemo. Where the hell is the foreign policy debate?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:20 pm 22. Mark Hanna:“pork corrupts” plz, plz mention Freddie and Fannie Fail.
Close loopholes, rite. Does O have any principles, “line by line so we are not spending unwisely.” I forgot. He’s teh Messiah.
J; great he is talking about the biz tax. JMCC ftw!
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:20 pm 23. Linda Strickland:Obama’s going to go line by line in the budget? When did the line item veto pass? Did I miss that??? Must be the wine..
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:21 pm 24. John Moore:McCain is uncomfortable talking about the current crisis, obviously. So he has successfully turned the debate back to what he is more informed on: taxes and spending.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:22 pm 25. PhilA:Did Obama just say that our businesses pay the lowest taxes in the world? I thought they were near the highest…
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:24 pm 26. rc:Stephen..Barney Frank! Chris Dodd! Barack Obama! Bill Clinton!
That was the correct response to ‘what mysterious force caused this crisis?’
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:27 pm 27. Mark Hanna:Why, oh why didn’t O get his ears pinned back before the debate?
O: more regulation = we are better off. lol.
J: two tax brackets – ^^THIS^^
I am surprised by the Messiah. He’s giving us policy wonkery. A boring Messiah. God save us.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:28 pm 28. Capt Nemo:So…will they cover foreign policy at a future debate?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:28 pm 29. Kat:How do you get them to answer the actual questions? I’m going third party . . .
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:29 pm 30. Dave:There he goes being generous with my paycheck again.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:29 pm 31. carol:“hard to reach that far to the left” LOL
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:30 pm 32. Dave:$50 says that the Fox and CNN post-debate analysis won’t mention any “reach around”.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:31 pm 33. John Moore:It is time for Lehrer to quit talking about the financial crisis, and go back to the contracted subject of the debate! I guess he knows it’s the only thing where O really has an advantage. Sigh.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:31 pm 34. Capt Nemo:Eliminate cost plus contracts? Good grief, John. How depressing that my candidate is so clueless.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:32 pm 35. Curtis:Oh oh, McCain just proposed a spending freeze. Obama seizes it. But McCain rebounds …
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:34 pm 36. Linda Strickland:Come on McCain….softball..just say that assumes we are going to sign a bill that puts 700 billlion into this situation. Obama has run off of the mouth.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:36 pm 37. Dave:The PJM hamsters are getting tired.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:37 pm 38. Kat:Are we drunk yet? The war is OVER. Let’s move on . . .
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:41 pm 39. JustPassingThrough:Obama doesn’t seem so good at multitasking after all.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:42 pm 40. John Moore:The PJM hamsters are probably seeing a nutroots DDOS attack
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:43 pm 41. Capt Nemo:Get ‘em John.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:44 pm 42. gmsc:Obama: “There are more troops in Iraq now than before the surge.”
So, Obama, what you’re saying is that there are more troops in Iraq now than before we sent all those additional troops over?
sarcasm – Brilliant – /sarcasm
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:52 pm 43. Dave:O sounds like he’s lonesome for his Binky. (His friend Mr. Teleprompter)
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:52 pm 44. dkrising:Ha! I’ve switched from martinis to Schlitz Classic. Despite its political leanings, oorah! Minnesota.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:55 pm 45. Kat:Can’t we cut off aid to Everyone while we cover our 700 billion dollar problem?
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:55 pm 46. John Moore:When O starts counting points on his fingers, the voters go to the bathroom or the kitchen for a break.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:57 pm 47. Capt Nemo:Just switched from beer to whiskey, in keeping with Johnny stepping his game up.
Sep 26, 2008 - 6:57 pm 48. Dave:“Paahkistaahn” might be closer to the correct pronunciation, but it comes across as effete.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:01 pm 49. Mike:(Jenjiss kaahn?)
“I have a bracelet too…I have a bracelet too…” What a maroon.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:02 pm 50. tim maguire:When Obama said he had a wrist band, did he have to look at it to see whose name was on it? He definately looked down at his wrist.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:02 pm 51. rc:“Can I say this Jim?…I’ve got a bracelet too…from seargent…oh, what’s his name…whose mother…Mrs. what’s his name…that she gave to me and asked me to make sure I am the next Presiden…so seargent what’s his name’s name will never be forgetten….
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:03 pm 52. Curtis:Did Obama just say he’d “take out” Pakistan, if they don’t cooperate with us ?
And he just said “no soldier dies in vain”. Huh ? Didn’t every soldier killed in Iraq die in vain (according to O?)
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:03 pm 53. val:take a shot every time Obama says McCain is right.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:04 pm 54. Capt Nemo:JMac is taking him to the woodshed.
Dave, I read a biography of Gengis Khan by a liberal writer and he spent half a page explaining how ‘jengiss’ could have been a correct pronounciation.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:07 pm 55. Jules Crittenden » Debate:[...] house favorite Vodkapundit’s drunkblogging at Pajamas, as long as his legs can stand it. Which shouldn’t be a problem, he’s a [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:08 pm 56. Rogue Leader:Obama: “Military lives wasted” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6_vFcW9pZI
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:09 pm 57. Curtis:Sorry Obama. It’s called “tit for tat”. It’s how you negotiate with your enemies.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:12 pm 58. Dave:S E A L !!!
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:12 pm 59. Capt Nemo:I wish they’d both stop saying “‘when’ I’m president of the US”. We need to elect one of you bozos first.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:14 pm 60. matrixslb:John McCain – I don’t have my own seal yet!
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:15 pm 61. Marcus:JSM : “I don’t even have a seal yet.” Ouch.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:15 pm 62. John Moore:Wasn’t there a theme that McCain is the hothead who would lose his cool? It’s Obama that keeps looking really ticked and then makes mistakes.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:18 pm 63. bustoff:“I wave papers in your general direction, you Persian sons of hamsters!”
Thanks, Stephen. I just shot half a glass of zin out my nose after reading that one that one. At least vodka doesn’t leave the ugly stains.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:19 pm 64. Wade:Drink every time O says “I agree”
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:22 pm 65. julie:Is it me or does Obama sound petulant in response to McCain? He is definitely on the defense.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:22 pm 66. Capt Nemo:That was an ass-kicking.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:22 pm 67. Marcus:What do you want to bet that The One couldn’t recite the names of the countries bordering Georgia?
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:23 pm 68. jvon:Thank you sir for your brave service tonight. I watched about half an hour of it, but since I no longer drink, I have to shut off the television to avoid permanent damage. I will rely on your analysis from here on out.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:25 pm 69. Kat:I agree with your early wrap-up, bro.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:25 pm 70. Dave:How about mentioning Reid’s attempt to stick an anti-shale oil provision into the economic bailout plan?
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:26 pm 71. Dave:“Less respected”.
Who cares?
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:31 pm 72. Mike:It took McCain a while, but he finally took over and spanked the kid.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:31 pm 73. Capt Nemo:I just went to Democratic Underground to find a great quote for you all, but it was too depressing.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:33 pm 74. Concerned Citizen:McCain is kicking Obama’s butt. Hitting him on the surge again, all Obama can talk about is his alternative energy plan. Obama’s having a hard time giving a straight answer on the topic.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:35 pm 75. Tom:Obama’s pronunciation of Taliban and Pakistan remind me of Christianne Ampour – someone who was raised outside the States and wants to remind you that they pronounce the words the way the locals do. Does Barry really want to point out he was raised partly abroad?
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:35 pm 76. Dave:OK, I’ll feel good about McCain winning for a while until the MSM starts to spin it the other way.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:37 pm 77. Antoine Roquentin:Obama has been petulant, and rather condescending.
I just checked CNN (and feel really dirty about it) but it is absurd how they all score this for Obama in the fashion they do, far beyond me…
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:37 pm 78. bustoff:Thank you for sparing me the agony of having to watch Obama self-destruct on live TV. Nice work, sir.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:39 pm 79. John Moore:(sound of polite golf-clapping in the background)
And now, for the MSM spin (sigh)
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:39 pm 80. Capt Nemo:My final comment, John took this one. I’m still flabbergasted that McCain wants to eliminate cost plus contracts. I have a new level of concern for how clueless a US Senator is. Yes, I’m in the biz.
Good job, Steve.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:39 pm 81. Antoine Roquentin:….I can’t stop laughing…..CNN just said they were going to fact check what both candidates said. I found 3 flat lies from Obama without checking.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:40 pm 82. Pedro:Note to Obama: Grinning is not an effective rebuttal.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:40 pm 83. TeamPlayer:From an Obama supporter – McCain did a wonderful job and inspired confidence in his ability to deliberate national security issues. Good job John.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:41 pm 84. The Vodkapundit is Drunk Blogging! « Naught Relevant:[...] Vodkapundit is Drunk Blogging! Steve Green, the VodkaPundit, is Drunkblogging the debate for Pajamas Media. His wrap up is below: 8:30PM OK, I’ll give you a real close now. [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:42 pm 85. Dave:In the Fox wrapup, the Obama camp considers this an Obama victory because 1. Hope, 2. Change.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:49 pm 86. Mike:McCain nailed this hen he went on an listed his opposition ot foreign adventures, beginning with Beruit.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:52 pm 87. Tom:One thing O’s handlers seemed to forget to remind him of – holding his gestures in check due to the split screen. Given how badly Gore came off on his split screen gestures and grimaces, I would have expected O to be a bit more controlled.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:53 pm 88. CRush:I can’t believe CNN actually linked your blog to their site. Not only are you not perceptive or informative, your “drunken” revelry of such a pivotal moment in our nations’ history is a travesty disguised as journalism. Get yourself an IQ, a friend, and perhaps a cup of coffee.
If you were in any way sober, you would realize that McCain is a blinking, slimy idiot who will run our nation even farther into the ground.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:53 pm 89. Tamekia:Barack is not African-American. I feel sad to say, but, it is time for Americans to face it after this debate. SN Obama is not patrioc at all.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:55 pm 90. Antoine Roquentin:Why can liberals not debate (argue as liberals call it) without calling names and spewing insults?
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:58 pm 91. Marina:Now I understand why Obama never wanted to debate McCain… : Eh – Uh – Jim — John – - Eh – Uh – etc. Empty suit incarnated.
Oh, I’ve forgotten: Uh – Eh- etc.
Aghhhhhh….
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:58 pm 92. julie:Antoine Roquentin – I used the same word: petulant. Yes! And don’t worry about the MSM spin: the truth is, the American people are, and have always bee, smarter than that. I am more enthusiastic about McCain’s performance than Stephen is, but I loved his insights!
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:58 pm 93. Dave:CRush: YesWeCanHopeChange.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:58 pm 94. HRPKathy:John McCain won this debate – he handed 0bama a lesson in foreign policy. Unfortunately, we’ll have to deal with the spin.
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:59 pm 95. Stephen Green:Three martinis after half a bottle of champagne, I still make more sense than “CRush.”
This doesn’t speak well (even against my slurred speech) of Obama fans.
And on a personal note, it saddens me somewhat to see sobriety and naivety go so hand-in-hand.
Oh, who am I kidding — your kind just makes me smile, CRush. Keep up the, uh, work.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:08 pm 96. Dave:Even Fox News is spinning it for Obama.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:12 pm 97. Nine-of-Diamonds:I missed the first part but I heard it didn’t go too well for McCain.
Obama had adequate delivery – much better than I expected. Still too many uh’s & hesitations. Pretty sharp with the economic questions, if you ignore the fact that his ideas are mostly wrongheaded. His finish was weak & came across as overly critical of America – caring more about what foreigners think of us than National Security.
Unless I missed it at the very beginning, McCain missed some golden opportunities to tie Obama to the financial mess. Didn’t press Obama hard enough on earmarks or how much money Raines & the others took from Fan. & Fred. He also didn’t call O on anti-Semitic foreign policy advisors, campaign activists coddling Ahmadinejad, etc. Not good.
On the plus side, he totally schooled Obama on the Kissinger comments. Not to mention meeting with Dinner Jacket without preconditions. Johnny M. obviously has a very thorough knowledge of the Georgia situation. Also, good job mentioning that O never convened the committee that he supposedly led.
Overall, McCain 6/10 and Obama 5.5/10. From a strategic POV, potentially a big win for Obama because expectations were lower for him & because the media spin in his favor will be a huge boon.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:14 pm 98. Antoine Roquentin:julie –
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:16 pm 99. Post-Debate-Blogging « Grand Rants:I truly hope you are right in regards to the intelligence of the American people. I have given them the benefit of doubt only to be proven wrong more than once; I am not convinced considering the implications of what the outcome could be. Perhaps I am too cynical? Perhaps it is too many martinis?
[...] of folks are liveblogging the debate. I’m not going to do that, I’m just going to make a few notes to myself while [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:18 pm 100. Alex:Re: the “bomb bomb Iran” song — not saying it was advisable, but there’s an important distinction, namely, that Iran and North Korea are open adversaries rather than nominal allies whose cooperation we are dependent on.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:25 pm 101. rachel:McCain beat Obama over the head with his knowlege of foreign policy and national security. Obama looked like a schoolboy. He sounded very sure of himself, so he came across well in terms of attitude. But he just hasn’t done enough in his life of any substance to be prepared to lead a nation. He should stick to the debate team where he can live in his theoretical world where theories never survive the reality.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:34 pm 102. BJM:I too got a high school vibe so:
Obama came across as the cool kid with the smooth moves everyone wants to sign their yearbook; the guy who befriends you so he can screw your sister.
McCain is the grumpy adult who will whip your ass and make you get a summer job but can rack a Mossberg in the dead of night when necessary.
BTW-Stephen, hands down best quip/insult of the week:
“Tough, direct diplomacy against Iran!” I wave papers in your general direction, you Persian sons of hamsters!
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:36 pm 103. Presidential Debate Liveblog! « WitSnapper | The Blog:[...] debate’s over, and full liveblog transcript is below the break. Other liveblogs here, here, here (drunkblogging!), here, and [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:43 pm 104. rachel:Is it just me, or does listening to Obama talk about military matters and war, like listening to a frog singing opera? Dissonant and kinda scary and doesn’t make any sense.
Sep 26, 2008 - 8:51 pm 105. Marina:Btw, does anyone know what Obama was looking at? The MSM neutrality set between Obama and McCain, Obama answered his questions either to the camera, directly in front of him, or … looking at something TO HIS LEFT. Was there a teleprompter? If so, how can you say the candidates didn’t know the questions? Actually, Obama was TOO GOOD for an impromptu speech. Did he have a TELEPROPMTER after all? Has anyone see the object he actually has spoken to?
Thank you for the answer.
Sep 26, 2008 - 9:06 pm 106. John McCain Is Right « Evynn’s Weblog:[...] http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/drunkblogging-the-first-presidential-debate/ [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 9:32 pm 107. Wizz:Obama wiped the floor with feeble little McCain. McCain kept repeating his set of 3 or 4 pre-scripted notes over and over…like a broken record. Obama’s Military strategy is the only logical way to go, it made perfect sense. McCain will cause so many personal conflicts with other countries that he’ll push us into more wars and tarnish this country’s image even further. When you want to work something out with someone you sit down and talk to them in order to make progress, you don’t punish them into submission like McCain prefers…that’s primitive and wreckless. Both sides of our Texas born traditionally Republican families will be voting for Obama. this is the first time all of us will be voting for a Democratic President. But we all feel he is definately the man for the job…and he proved that tonight. No thanks McCain, we don’t want our sons to die in some senseless war that was started due to false info.
Sep 26, 2008 - 9:36 pm 108. peter jackson:I can’t believe I’m saying this, but to get a great idea of the left’s take, go check out DailyKos’ front page, especially the posts by Kos himself. It’s very interesting and mostly free of the gratuitous poo-flinging they usually engage in over there.
From the looks of everyone’s initial reactions, this one was a wash. The left believes Obama delivered what he needed to deliver and the right is equally sincere believing the advantage going to McCain. Which is of course the most excruciating result imaginable, with the possible exception of both candidates simultaneously revealing creepy, insane beliefs and positions. To know whether it helped either of them we’ll have to wait for the polls of independent voters. The partisans are locked and loaded in their positions; nothing will make them change their positions short of something incredible. And now the middle, the middle that always decides, will have to make their choices.
Thanks Stephen. I haven’t watched a debate since 2000 thanks to you.
yours/
Sep 26, 2008 - 10:14 pm 109. Anthony:peter.
Go McCain, you fight for what’s right, and that is the Iraq War. You don’t need a junior telling you how to run the Iraq War. McCain has plenty of experience about war and does not need this junior to tell him what’s right or wrong about the Iraq War. I personally believe that when it comes to war, McCain is hands down the most knowledgeable. If he thinks that America should continue, nobody can question that from the one who knows the most about war, and that is McCain.
Sep 26, 2008 - 10:16 pm 110. julie:Antoine Roquentin, you might be right. I should disclose at this point that I am also drunkblogging. Also, I tend to be a happy (and subsequently an optimistic) drunk.
However, they were smarter in Reagan’s time. The MSM spin on him was horrendous.
Sep 26, 2008 - 10:33 pm 111. M. Simon:Obama was so totally wonderful; all my Democrat friends and relatives are so concerned about McCain. They think McCain is totally scary. So they are all voting for him because they think Putin needs a scare.
Sep 26, 2008 - 10:47 pm 112. Bart:Obama got spanked. The most charitable judgment any reasonably intelligent person of whatever political stripe could come to is “this guy’s not ready”.
Sep 26, 2008 - 10:59 pm 113. CRACKHEAD ALMANAC:Hey Wizz…..HAHA What military “strategy?” False info……omg.
Maybe you can help BO watch over all of our nuclear waste barrells were sending as a kwanzaa gift. Hes definitely the man for that job. In the back of obamas brain he was hoping Chavez and Putin weren’t watching in his moment of frailty/international ignorance.
http://www.crackheadalmanac.com
Sep 26, 2008 - 11:10 pm 114. The Presidential Debate « Tai-Chi Policy:[...] after it has completed, on MSNBC’s website right now. It’s worth watching. There are many reactions to it, and in fact I have my own, but you know what, they don’t matter. I [...]
Sep 26, 2008 - 11:11 pm 115. Martin:I feel that Senator Mcain kicked but and took names. Barrack constantly tried to interject comments as Mcain spoke. I feel that the score card was not democratic at all. Were those people really listening to what was going on. Obama does not understand anything bout war and wartime efforts. Something tells me that what we see and hear is only 15% of what really goes on. Mcain was there, he knows how these towelheads need to be dealt with. This is like a vietnam war. We sometimes o not know who is the enemy. Obama was on the defense because he was like Hollifield being kocked around by Tyson.
Sep 26, 2008 - 11:26 pm 116. G-Ma:I read all of this blog this morning. Too funny! I watched the debate, did’t watch any commentary afterward and don’t drink. I’d like to try it, but I would fall asleep after the first glass of wine.
Sep 27, 2008 - 5:00 am 117. Barbara:Obama should have knocked it out of the park because he has been in Florida
all week studying for the test. McCain goes to Washington, looks for facts about this crazy bailout, goes to Mississippi and does a debate. If McCain
had a week to remember all he has done, he would have brought up the bills
he tried to get thru that would have stopped this mess.
Did anybody notice that Obama never actually answered Lerher’s first question, in spite of him posing it twice?
Sep 27, 2008 - 6:34 am 118. Gina:After watching the candidate’s debate last night, it became apparent that Obama would be better to play the President in a movie, but McCain is the man who can actually do the job. Obama is like a movie set. He looks good, but behind the facade, there’s nothing there. When you have no track record, like Obama, all you can do is criticize and attack America … whereas McCain, who has actually contributed to this country for decades, obviously loves America. I never felt like Obama has sincere pride and love for this country, he just seems to be in this for personal ambition.
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:46 am 119. The Presidential Debates - Page 8 - StrafeRight Forums:[...] Pajamas Media » Drunkblogging the First Presidential Debate __________________ Admin – sR Source servers [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:49 am 120. Donnie Mac Leod:One thing I noticed about Obamba that nobody seems to be keying in on. He thinks he can throw billions of dollars at every problem in the world and solve it. I hope you folks got deep pockets and remember that those folks he wants to buy of are very fond of buying military might with your money. You can not buy friends around the world ,in the sand lot or in Chicago no matter how many millions he threw away there..
Sep 27, 2008 - 9:39 am 121. Ernie G:One more comment about the bracelet business. McCain’s bracelet honors the memory of Matthew Stanley. Obama’s bracelet is a reminder of a pledge to David Jopek’s mother that “another mother is not going through what I’m going through.”
One of the hardest things for a President to do is to send troops into harm’s way. With a pledge like that, how could he do his job as Commander in Chief, and how could he negotiate with an adversary?
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:11 am 122. steve:Are you serious? McBush did not even have a flag lapel on and said that Pakistan was a failed state. McBush never looked at the camera and his eyes were shifting. The bottom line is no matter how much you spin this and no matter how much bad press on the blogs, you CAN NOT RUN AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT MCBUSH VOTED WITH BUSH 90% OF THE TIME. YOU CAN NOT TAKE YOUR UNIFORM OFF AND PRETEND THAT YOU DON’T KNOW BUSH. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS NOT THAT STUPID. THAT IS WHY THE POLLS ON THE DEBATE EXCEPT FOR FOX FICTION NEWS SHOWED THAT BARACK WAS PRESIDENTIAL AND DID VERY WELL. NO I CONCEDE THAT BOTH CANDIDATES COULD HAVE DONE BETTER AND I DON’T THINK THAT NEITHER WAS AT THERE FULL CAPACITY!
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:48 am 123. Election 2008–Presidential Debate I Recap | THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS:[...] http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/drunkblogging-the-first-presidential-debate/ [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:48 am 124. steve:Lets be correct, McBush went to Washington and a lot of the Republican and all the Democratic Senators didn’t want him there. McBush sat with his twin Bush, Obama and other members of Congress, the facts are he was an empty suite, he said nothing until the end were he said this is what the Republican House wants. They almost had a deal and this would have been done, but McBush had to make an appearance as if he was going to change everything, but did nothing. Everything went south as soon as he got there. Remember what he said, I am not going to leave until there is a deal. Well there was no deal and there is McBush getting on a plane and flying to Mississippi. So, he accomplished nothing. It just goes to prove he can talk the talk, but he cannot walk the walk! McBush was jittery and cut Obama of repeatedly and his only come back is he doesn’t understand. Not once did McBush say that he agreed with Obama, he just said he just doesn’t understand. That is not diplomatic and that is no way to negotiate. Obama showed charisma and character when saying he is right on certain subjects, but showed the difference in philosophies. McBush didn’t ware a flag lapel and said the Pakistan is a failed state. This is the same person who said there is trouble on the Iraqi Pakistan border, didn’t know the difference between Shiites and Sunnis, repeating that Czechoslovakia was a country, didn’t have use the correct name for the leader of Spain, and said that Iran was training Al Quida and had to be corrected. These are some of the many of other blunders that he made about foreign policy.
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:06 pm 125. ElectionCyclist · Debate and Spin:[...] Alley. Live blogging. Real-time debate monitoring. [...]
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:41 pm 126. kabud:McCain was very good last night, very serious and diplomatic
Sep 27, 2008 - 12:54 pm 127. AdrianS:UPDATE TO MR. PHILLIP BERG’S LAWSUIT AGAINST BARACK OBAMA BASED ON OBAMA’S INELIGIBILITY ON HIS CANDIDACY AS REGARDS THE REQUIREMENTS OF NATURAL BORN CITIZENSHIP ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Partial excerpt from an email I sent Mr. Berg:
“I trust the judge did not originally dismiss your lawsuit because it does indeed have merit. We, as Americans, in order to fulfill the intent and directive of our Constitution are bound by patriotic duty to determine the legal status of any citizen running for the Presidency of the United States; such determination of status having to do with a requirement that said citizen must be a natural born citizen. Mr. Obama should be required to present pertinent evidence that would allow a judge or qualified public official to determine if he is, or is not, a natural born citizen. It is a legal requirement.”
Mr. Berg sent this copy of Mr. Obama’s and the DNC’s response.
Update: http://www.nextgenerationcorp.com/NextGenBlog/?p=66
It appears that Mr. Obama is trying to stall the matter. The outstanding issue is Mr. Obama’s birth certificate (Certificate of Live Birth). It appears that so far he has obfuscated this issue as well by providing, or having his agents provide, a false certificate of birth for publication.
But to Mr. Obama’s determent, the people of the United States of America demand that he (Mr. Obama) remove himself from eligibility to run for any political office for which he is not qualified and/or for which he (Mr. Obama) will not publicly present authoritative qualification for his candidacy as required by the Constitution of the United States of America.
God bless.
Sep 27, 2008 - 1:33 pm 128. CRACKHEAD ALMANAC:Suite? It’s in the south. The deal was that Obama didn’t know if he was gonna debate JOHN MCCAIN or Fluffernutter BIN Biden. What walk does Obama walk? Obama never said: “Wrong John, I AM experienced!.” “I DO understand!” Because if he did, MCCAIN would say: prove it! Thats why Obama had no response.
“wear” not “were”…….Leader of Spain? YOU CANT EVEN WRITE JOHN MCCAIN RIGHT!!!
I think you meant to spell MCCAIN but wrote “MCBUSH” because you cant even spell your OWN name.
“don’t think that neither” = double negative.
“AL QAEDA!” Obama had nothing to say about any foreign countries other than that he wanted to talk face to face with people that either want him dead, or are his bosses & financiers.
Sep 27, 2008 - 2:03 pm 129. Freedom is just another word...:“I looked deeply into Putin’s eyes and I saw KGB” That was the line that I will remember.
I was disappointed that McCain did not hammer Obama on the Acorn bailout provision. That was one area he could slash the budget, and inform the American people about the corruption in this bailout. Perhaps he left it alone due to the current negotiations. I’m fired up over Acorns, and want this to get out.
McCain is a tough officer. He knows where, when, and how to pick his battlefield.
I did not realize that Obama had never been to the war zone countries or to Pakistan. Obama wasn’t even “present” there. Perhaps he just “checked-out” the travel books at the library?
McCain showed Obama to look like a fool over Obama’s “strike ready” comment. I couldn’t help but think, “Obama, where did you go to school? Didn’t they teach you that loose lips sink ships?”
The cherry on the whole night was the Kissinger tit-for-tat. Geez, Obama!
But, overall they both did good.
I just hope Joe Biden gets the memo that Obama is FOR nuclear and coal plants.
Sep 27, 2008 - 7:45 pm 130. Marc Malone:I think the most important thing about this debate went totally missed by everyone. I’ve read all kinds of articles and blogs and haven’t seen it.
When they were done with economics section, Lehrer said they were exactly even on time. Everyone was really surprised. They all felt that McCain had been doing most of the talking and couldn’t understand it.
Here’s what went unnoticed: The reason it seemed like McCain did all the talking is that Obama hardly said anything of real signifance. McCain’s talk was simply more meaningfully dense.
Just my take….
Sep 27, 2008 - 9:44 pm 131. Jeff:This is just a fictional story that I have created to bring light to the time that we are in now —
Two men from the year 3000 decided to take their spacecraft on a trip back in time to learn the events of the past.
One man asked the other, “Steve, which part of history should we go back to?”
So Steve replied, ”Let’s go back to 2008, John. It was a very significant time in our history. This was the time when our country was at the crossroads of deciding our future and the end results of their decisions are what we are living with now. I heard that our country was at its most crucial time because it was economically crumbling at the core of its foundation.”
“Fair enough Steve, let’s go back to 2008,” John agreed.
So they both entered their spacecraft and took a trip back to 2008. Within light speed they zoomed across time going back to 2008 and soon appeared above The White House in Washington DC, up in the sky just hovering in stealth mode.
Steve turned to John and said, “Let’s turn on the screen and watch all the events of this time starting back from the day America was attacked on 9/11/01, John.”
So John turned on the screen and the two watched all of the events starting from 9/11 to the current year that they were in, which is 2008. While they were watching all of the events of 9/11, the Afghanistan War, and the events of the Iraq War up to the current time that they are at, which is November 4th of 2008. They paused the screen and looked at each other, just scratching their heads.
John looked at Steve and commented, “Steve, these events are devastating after 9/11. We went into Afghanistan which was right but everything shows that we had no reason to go into that other country called Iraq. There was so many of our soldiers and people that died in this carelessness.”
So Steve thought about it and replied, “It appears that you are right, John, but the people of America seem to stand with this President. Now let’s un-pause the screen and watch this 2008 election and the 4 years that follow this. Then we go back home.”
So John un-paused the screen and the two watched the 2008 election and the 4 years that followed this election and went back to their own time, which is the year 3000.
John looked at Steve and commented, “This trip gave me a new view of humanity, Steve. I don’t understand why we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. That white man was just a continuation of that last President but our ancestors voted for him anyway because America could relate to him more. They voted for him because he looked similar to the majority of them but denied the other candidate simply because he looked different. Although that other candidate looked different, he seemed to want to help the country turn around. He seemed to look forward to the future and had futuristic ideas of not just transforming America for the better but creating a unity in the world. He seemed to be a man of the world and the world seemed to view him very favorably.”
So Steve answered, “I understand how you feel and I share the same sentiments, John. At that time in history, human mentalities had not transcended beyond fear of the different and the unknown. The human mentalities at that time had not transcended above and beyond the differences in color, creed, religion, and cultural backgrounds of this world. Because of this ignorance, our society is what it is today. It’s the year 3000 and wars are the only one thing that seems to be unable to evade humanity. Now, we are crumbling at our feet with all these wars all across the globe. We had a defining movement in history, John. We had a chance to open our minds and hearts to something different and something new, but we, as a collective, blew it. Now humanity is at an endless conflict and I fear that we are meeting our extinction. God help us all.”
Sep 27, 2008 - 10:23 pm 132. Marie Rowan:ya, what about the part where the democrats put this country where it is and shall not forget that that’s where it gets it screwed up start from. Then the republications go in to do a more realistic job and just when it’s going where it should ,America freaks out over one thing and throws the wrench back in ! you’ll need to get off the Pot and alcohol.At least until the Elections over.
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:44 pm 133. Ed Wallis:Poor “Jeff” (10:23pm),
Destined to spend the rest of his life copy/pasting “transcendental” nonsense in the ether….
Sep 28, 2008 - 12:53 am 134. Earl:Capt Nemo:
My final comment, John took this one. I’m still flabbergasted that McCain wants to eliminate cost plus contracts. I have a new level of concern for how clueless a US Senator is. Yes, I’m in the biz.
—————
Totally agree with this comment.
Unfortunately, most Americans probably think that cost-plus jobs are the way contractors fleece the government (rather than the way contractors and the government share risk on development of new technology).
Not sure what McCain was trying to do, other than lose the support of contractors (who generally support him strongly).
Sep 28, 2008 - 7:58 am 135. CRACKHEAD ALMANAC:I think the BROKEBACK SPACESHIP story is pretty great. Jeff should send a copy of that to hollywood. In the sequel, BROKEBACK SPACESHIP 2, Steve, Jeff, and John go back in time so they can get Obama elected as US emperor. Upon returning to 3000, they realize that THEY DONT HAVE A GD TIME-MACHINE because the american inventor was stomped out by 5th worlders with outstretched arms and pitiful eyes, and pro-entitlement wealth redistribution. Steve, Jeff, and John are also very puzzled at the fact that Judeo-Christian names, like “steve” “jeff” and “john” have been globally outlawed. So they make a camp fire amongst the “cracker slave-huts (translated to english)” where they are imprisoned. In BROKEBACK SPACESHIP 3, an old man tries to build a lightbulb, despite public opinion that the “Spark-God” should never be manifested for fear of certain death.
Sep 28, 2008 - 2:09 pm 136. Debate transcript | Think Forward:[...] Blow by blow with Vodka. [...]
Sep 28, 2008 - 2:46 pm 137. Nine-of-Diamonds:@CRACKHEAD – Jeff has been making identical posts time after time on different sections of PJM, and everyone is sick of it. IMO he’s a fine candidate for a banning.
Sep 28, 2008 - 3:02 pm 138. imp:Obama’s STATEMENT ON RUSSIA was VERY IGNORANT AND UNINFORMED as Russia would veto any resolution rplacing Russian peacekeepers with international peacekeepers!.
Obama on Georgia in the Debate
” So back in April, I warned the administration that you had Russian peacekeepers in Georgian territory. That made no sense whatsoever.
And what we needed to do was replace them with international peacekeepers and a special envoy to resolve the crisis before it boiled over.”
AS PER WIKIPEDIA
The Charter of the United Nations gives the UN Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security. For this reason, the international community usually looks to the Security Council to authorize peacekeeping operations, AS ALL PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS MUST BE AUTHORISED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacekeeping
As such Obama’s statement was VERY IGNORANT AND UNINFORMED as Russia would veto any resolution rplacing Russian peacekeepers with international peacekeepers!.
Sep 28, 2008 - 10:57 pm 139. imp:Obama\’s statement was VERY IGNORANT AND UNINFORMED or just naieve as Russia would veto any resolution seeking to replace Russian peacekeepers with International peacekeepers!.
Obama on Georgia in the debate
“No. 1 is we have to have foresight and anticipate some of these problems. So back in April, I warned the administration that you had Russian peacekeepers in Georgian territory. That made no sense whatsoever.
And what we needed to do was replace them with international peacekeepers and a special envoy to resolve the crisis before it boiled over.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/the_first_presidential_debate.html
BUT
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the branch of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization for military action.[1] Its powers are exercised through United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council#Role_of_the_Security_Council
The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security among countries. While other organs of the United Nations can only make ‘recommendations’ to member governments, the Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that member governments have agreed to carry out, under the terms of Charter Article 25.[6] The decisions of the Council are known as United Nations Security Council resolutions.
unacceptable to it
VETO POWER
Under Article 27 of the UN Charter, Security Council decisions on all substantive matters require the affirmative votes of nine members. A negative vote, or veto, by a permanent member prevents adoption of a proposal, even if it has received the required number of affirmative votes. Abstention is not regarded as a veto despite the wording of the Charter. Since the Security Council’s inception, China (ROC/PRC) has used its veto 6 times; France 18 times; Russia/USSR 122 times; the United Kingdom 32 times; and the United States 81 times. The majority of Russian/Soviet vetoes were in the first ten years of the Council’s existence. Since 1984, China (ROC/PRC) has vetoed three resolutions; France three; Russia/USSR four; the United Kingdom ten; and the United States 43.
Procedural matters are not subject to a veto, so the veto cannot be used to avoid discussion of an issue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council#Veto_power
Sep 28, 2008 - 11:24 pm 140. The Show’s Over; How Was the Live Coverage? (video) - Mashable:[...] the online coverage of the debates? I’m not talking about the punditry, the live streams and the drunkblogs. I’m specifically talking about the much-vaunted live coverage on Twitter and FriendFeed. You [...]
Sep 29, 2008 - 6:39 pm 141. The Show’s Over; How Was the Live Coverage? (video) »TechAddress:[...] the online coverage of the debates? I’m not talking about the punditry, the live streams and the drunkblogs. I’m specifically talking about the much-vaunted live coverage on Twitter and FriendFeed. You [...]
Sep 29, 2008 - 7:30 pm 142. Darius:on martini #3 the defense department did not invent the computer just like Al Gore did not invent the internet.
Oct 7, 2008 - 6:52 pm