DEBATE VIDEO: John McCain versus Barack Obama at the University of Mississippi

Here’s the full vid, in case you missed it:

My previous coverage of this debate can be read here. Memeorandum has blogger reax, and the latest on hot off the press polling numbers which give Obama the edge. Did these people even watch the same debate I did??

More post-debate polling info can be found here.

Via the C-SPAN Debate Hub.

34 Responses to "DEBATE VIDEO: John McCain versus Barack Obama at the University of Mississippi"

Carsten says:

September 27, 2008 at 2:20 am

Thank you for posting this! I searched all over the web for a full video of the debate. None of the major networks had it. Not even YouTube. Again, thanks!
Anthony (Los Angeles) says:

September 27, 2008 at 2:30 am

I wound up watching a replay on TV. (The dinosaur documentary was great, btw. ) Maverick didn’t score a knockout blow, but he was definitely keeping The One on the defensive through most of this, and was impressive in his seriousness and depth of knowledge. Look at it this way: The Obamatons in the MSM are saying their guy tied. Assuming they’re hyping, that means they think he lost.

I agree.
alchemist says:

September 27, 2008 at 8:38 am

(note: wife wants to watch the debates today, so I only caught snippets).

Look at it this way: We really don’t matter in these debates. We already know the arguments, we already have biases set up and know which arguments stand up, and which are horribly vieled attacks.

Undecided voters probably don’t have this background to begin with. So I think it’s very difficult for those of us ‘in the game’ to look backwards.

That being said, I agree with the analysis that read you can gauge alot about a debate by turning the volume off. Subconciously, body language has as large an effect on independents as arguments do. Trying this, I thought McCain looked much more agitated than Obama.

However, all the analysis reads “no knockout blows”. I thought McCain really needed that, especially after this week, especially since this is his most experienced area. IF it’s a tie, I think that favors Obama (though only long term strategically, I don’t expect the polls to change much)

Still, debates are interesting not just in overnight reaction, but that candidate responses will be replayed continously over the next week. Even a debate winner can be turned into a loser over 24-hour cable.
Great White Rat says:

September 27, 2008 at 9:06 am

I thought McCain looked much more agitated than Obama.

Then I suggest you make an appointment with your local optometrist today. Look particularly at the split-screen shots. McCain is calm. Obama is often petulant, shaking his head, rolling his eyes, etc. You know how well that worked for Al Gore 8 years ago.

What you do not get with the sound off was the repeated whining interruptions coming from your candidate. That only emphasizes his lack of presidential demeanor.

And as Anthony says, if you’re willing to call it a tie, that means your guy lost. He was clearly overmatched on the questions of Iraq, Iran, Russia, and overall national security. McCain had full command of the history and the facts; Obama spent his time denying his own record.

Here’s the way the flow of the debate will be remembered –

McCain: Obama doesn’t understand the situation.
Obama: I agree with McCain. But hey, there’s health care to think about…

That’s hardly a draw. That’s getting taken to school.
Lorica says:

September 27, 2008 at 10:31 am

I really wish Mac would stand on the rock of his authority that he has due to his history. He let alot of Barry’s lies go, especially when it came to “this present financial crisis”. This debate is suppose to be gentlemanly, but Mac didn’t have to let Barry get away with all that BS. We all know where the beginning of this crisis started, and it wasn’t the Bush Administration. You can blah blah blah all you want about “accountability” but as Harry Truman once said, the buck stops here, and Bill Clinton and his administration has alot to answer for. – Lorica
alchemist says:

September 27, 2008 at 10:59 am

I haven’t seen it, I’m not calling anything (I tried to capitalize the word IF). I’m just going with most analysts I’ve found, who have called it a draw.
Baklava says:

September 27, 2008 at 11:02 am

Obama knocked himself out with this moment. He had to READ the name on his bracelet.
Baklava says:

September 27, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Alchemist, The analysts you read are the problem.

Go to Hugh Hewitt for a different analysis.

Read the transcript that ST posted also.

Alchemist, let’s try this. What is your opinion on just the Pakistan part of the debate? Who has the better a) diplomacy skills b) was McCain right to tell the American people and Obama, “you don’t do that”.

There are stages to a relationship with a country and the U.S. has been trying to have Pakistan’s involvment and cooperation. Do you recognize that? We are NOWHERE near 14 UN resolutions with Pakistan and a 10 year policy of regime change. To threaten Pakistan as Obama has does not seem very “diplomatic” nor does it foster a cooperative relationship.

If you want Alchemist, you can follow up with your thoughts on Pakistan and then move to a single other debate topic that you thought Obama did well on.
Lorica says:

September 27, 2008 at 12:26 pm

I am sorry but I have only watched this half way thru, and there is no way possible that this debate was a draw. Barry clinging to the same old rehetoric really isn’t good. Look at his “I was against the war before I was for the war, after I was against it again” answer. AQ is not more powerful than what they were. At one time they controlled a country, they don’t have that anymore. Thank God, and George Bush. – Lorica
Great White Rat says:

September 27, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Good debate wrap-up from Jules Crittenden here:

OK, it’s over. McCain, at ease, knowledgeable, experienced, unruffled. On the attack without being mean. Condescending, maybe a little. Obama, halting, searching for words and facts, on the defensive. His digs when he did get them in sounded moderately well-memorized â€¦ and they should be, every rank-and-file lefty blogger is reading off the same cue cards. Never a good sign when you are compelled to agree with your opponent repeatedly.
Lorica says:

September 27, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Yeah Bak, that did look bad. Mac looked at his bracelet just to remember, Barry looked at his so he could read the name. It is sad. I would be interested to see if Barry has that bracelet on next week. – Lorica
Lorica says:

September 27, 2008 at 1:10 pm

How do you go from our relations with Russia to our oil supply?? Barack was rambling quite abit on his answer about our relations with Russia.

He is visably rattled and getting angry.

This could have only been a draw if you were already backing Barack. Those guys were hoping for a draw, it wasn’t. – Lorica
Trish says:

September 27, 2008 at 1:16 pm

If you poll an area that is populated mostly by those who lean leftwards (even if they claim to be “undecided”), you’re going to get poll results that lean that way.
Lorica says:

September 27, 2008 at 1:20 pm

We are less respected now because you Dems took politics beyond the water’s edge. Because you all bad mouth this country, this government, our army to anyone who will listen, then sit back and point fingers at everyone else. Dems need to learn to keep their mouths shut. Barack just does not look good he just said something that was completely a lie. We are not sending everything to Iraq. Afghanistan is now a UN mission, and John should have reminded him about that. Where we have pulled back others have filled the gaps. We are not losing Afghanistan, we have crippled the Taliban, and AQ is desperate, and is looking for a new country to control. – Lorica
benning says:

September 27, 2008 at 3:20 pm

McCain won, Obama lost. Let’s pray it’s a forecast of November!

OT: Paul Newman has died.
Chris in NC says:

September 27, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Ugh, I have to disagree with the masses. Obama left McCain so many openings to score knockout blows that this debate should have been the end of the Obama campaign. McCain did not take any of them. He even let lies go unanwered like when Obama said he tried to stop the meltdown and McCain didn’t. Huh? McCain let it go and that was fatal.

Sorry, but I think Obama sealed the election with this debate. There are 18% undecided who were just looking for an excuse to vote Obama or go with that “old shoe” as I think Zobgy put it. Obama didn’t lose it and was able to parry McCain and that will be all they need to make the jump to Obama.

Watch the RCP averages and you’ll see a decided shift starting Monday or Tuesday. McCain had his chance and unless the 527’s get off their butts and do something, it’s over. I hope I am wrong and I will do all I can for McCain, but at this time, it looks bleak.
Beachbabe NC says:

September 27, 2008 at 5:54 pm

I agree with you Chris. There was a time last night when I was yelling at the Tv for Obama to shut up and to quit interrupting McCain. Where was he?(McCain) Why in the heck was he not on his game last night. I talked to someone today and they said that McCain was using a tactic that was supposed to be the nice guy. Well we all know where nice guys finish sometimes!!
Obama was in Greensboro today. I hope that the truth will come out! My vote is still for John “Wayne” McCain. I laughed when John was talking about the bracelet and then Obama said I have one too. hahahaha God help us!
Trish says:

September 27, 2008 at 8:04 pm

With so much time until the election, you’re conceding it already? Shame on you.

That’s what really frightens me about the country nowadays–the fact that conservatives, and Republicans in general, aren’t willing to fight. They roll over and play dead whenever the left says “boo.” Even if you see this close debate as a setback for McCain–and I don’t–it hardly translates into certain victory for Obama.

Unless we give up.
Anthony (Los Angeles) says:

September 27, 2008 at 8:16 pm

I’m voting for Trish.
Chris in NC says:

September 27, 2008 at 11:34 pm

I didn’t say I was giving up Trish. I fight to the last breath. However, there comes a time when it is obvious what is happening. McCain tanked last week when he stood by and watched the whole meltdown mess. His trick (and yes, his DC trip was a campaign trick) backfired and this debate was the way to stem that fall. He failed to do so.

As I said above, unless something major happens and/or the 527’s get off their butts, we’re in very serious trouble. The first attack back should be Palin in the debate. She needs to point out the fact that Obama has 3 people who had over 100 million in total “golden parachutes” from FM/FM on his staff. She needs to take a copy of that lawyer letter threatening the various TV stations and ask why Biden would support a censoring candidate. In short, she needs to do McCain’s job for him. Forget reassuring people about her. Win the election and you have 4 years to do that. Her entire debate needs to be a full scale attack on Obama, ignoring Biden.

We need the 527’s to put up ads linking Obama with Ayers, Wright, and whoever else we can find to let people know what kind of person Obama is. We need commercials detailing his Infant Born Alive act views. If we can’t tell people what Obama is, we’re finished.
Trish says:

September 27, 2008 at 11:43 pm

Chris,

I’m sorry, but your tone indicates that you have given up. Your posts are fraught with cynicism. If you truly believe that McCain’s effort to deal with the current fiscal crisis was a “campaign trick that backfired,” then you don’t understand the man at all.

I am confident that McCain and Palin know how to manage their campaign far better than you or I do. If they don’t, they shouldn’t be elected anyway.
Lorica says:

September 28, 2008 at 10:09 am

this debate was the way to stem that fall.

How could that be when this debate was set up more than a month ago. I have to agree with Trish Chris, you sound like you are fighting a desperate battle that you are certain you are going to lose.

There is a great deal of time yet. You still have 3 debates, and in one of those Sarah Palin is going to rip into Barreta Biden like a “moose into a cabbage”. I am thinking that after the Veep debate, you are going ot see Biden get a mysterious “illness”, and Hillary is going to be your Veep, but I tend to think in Dem conspiracies ever since I found out I was part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy – Lorica
omapian says:

September 28, 2008 at 11:27 am

Conservatives watching the debate should realize McCain is a Republican, not a conservative. Conservatives have to make a choice to either support the Republican or allow others vote Obama into office.
McCain’s “Maverick” status comes from dragging conservatives into the middle and appealing to the liberal establishment. He entered the debate as a moderate, with no intent to embarrass the socialist elites. As a moderate, McCain may have done very well and scored debating points but he missed a golden opportunity.
When faced with the question how an economic crisis would impact the programs of the next administration, a conservative answers: “I had already intended to cut government spending, this crisis will only further encourage the next congress to abandon earmarks and cut failed programs.”

During this debate, Obama play to his base without being asked how he could cut taxes for 95% of the population, guarantee homes for people who could not afford them, and provide universal health care while giving away $700 trillion taxpayer dollars. Where is there equality in expecting 5% of the population to carry the rest of the nation?
Recently, when these two candidates had a chance to “Lead, Follow, or get out of the way,” Senator Obama responded with “call if you need me” while Senator McCain suspended campaigning and went back to his day job.
A true conservative at the top of the ticket would have no problems with questions on the economy by pointing out that “greedy bankers” would not loan money to someone who could not pay back unless there were government pressures to make the loan and some guarantee the bankers would not loose their money. The current bailout is simply the best congress money can buy reaching into taxpayer pockets to protect the lobbyists who put them into office, and increase employment opportunities if taxpayers turn them out of office.
NC Cop says:

September 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm

I’m sorry, but your tone indicates that you have given up. Your posts are fraught with cynicism.

I don’t think he’s given up, in fact, I agree with Chris. This election will be lost unless McCain shows up at the next debate, Palin scores a slam dunk, and these ads pick up. Personally I think McCain did win the debate, but that’s not the way it’s being seen. I may not put a lot of faith in polls, but being down 45% to 39% is not good. The media is doing everything it can to get Obama elected and there’s not much anyone can do about them. Just look at how most Americans view the Republicans being responsible for the current economic crisis when most of it is the dems fault. That’s thanks to our one party media.

As I’ve stated before, most Americans don’t have the time to research what the candidates say and therefore would not know how much full of you-know-what that Obama really is. Facing facts is not being cynical. I know exactly how Chris feels, but I haven’t given up. I have donated to the McCain campaign, the first time I’ve ever donated to any campaign. My car is adorned with my “McCain/Palin” stickers, and whenever I hear someone brag about the Holy One or trash McCain, I give it to them with both barrels. I would hardly say I’ve given up.

Lord knows, I hope I am wrong about what I think is going to happen in November, but nobody’s giving up.
Chris in NC says:

September 28, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Trish, believe me, I never give up. I believe in miracles and it will take a lot less than a miracle to turn this around. We can still win, but as the title of my last post said, it’s bleak. Obama is in a much stronger position than we are and everything is trending his way. But hey, Michigan won after being down 19-0 (oh yeah!) and turning the ball over 5 times. If that doesn’t scream “keep fighting” nothing does. A major gaffe by Obama or a stupid move like putting Hillary on his ticket would turn it around fast.

Anyway: “Your posts are fraught with cynicism.” Well, first, thank you for reading. Whether you agree or not, I always appreciate the people who actually read the stuff I put up, so again a very sincere thank you. But I don’t see cynicism, I see a realistic look at the landscape. It can change, but barring a major shake up, it won’t.

McCain needs to get his campaign going again. I believe he can, but he needs to get going. The ads hitting Obama have to come out and they have to play as rough as Obama does. Only then can we have a shot. Believe me, I have not given up. There is still time for a bombshell (remember W’s DUI revelation 3 days before the election?).

Lorica, the fact that it was scheduled months ago doesn’t change that this was McCain’s best chance to turn the tide. The debate is where you put your best stuff on display and the first debate is the one most people watch. He needed to point out where Obama was lying about him (like when he said that McCain never put a plan forward for the FM/FM crisis) and point out where Obama wasn’t practicing what he preached like having 3 golden parachute receiving CEO’s on his staff from FM/FM. Those are knock outs. Those turn the tide. McCain was handed several hanging curveballs and didn’t even swing at them. So even if he has 2 more debates, unless he changes his laid back style, his debates won’t help.

Palin needs to tear Biden a new one and tear into Obama too. I think the election may hinge on her. Gibson and Couric did their best the screw her over and she did ok. Could you watch those two and not see “if I could shoot this woman I would” in both of their eyes when they interviewed her? She’s tougher than anyone and can fight. The McCain campaign needs to turn her loose and get out of the way.

I really hope she hits Biden like that moose on a cabbage. Heck, Biden is about as sharp as that head of cabbage, so it won’t be too tough for her. But we need game changers and unless she can expose Obama, the VP debate isn’t going to be one.

I can see where y’all think I’ve resigned defeat. But I am more sounding the warnings. I don’t believe CBS, CNN, Zogby, etc but when RCP who averages in Rassmussen and Lake and others show the trends, I believe that. And those signs currently say danger to our side.
Chris in NC says:

September 28, 2008 at 9:33 pm

Omapian, you are dead on with the debate items. McCain had several chances to score huge and just let them pass.

He will get them again in the debates as Obama is an empty head, but he needs to hit them this time.
Chris in NC says:

September 28, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Hi NC Cop! So where in NC are you? I’m in Salisbury. Anyway, you hit my intentions right on. I just ordered 2 more bumper stickers for my van. One says “Sarah Palin: More experienced and more qualified than Obama” And the other says “So, War is not the answer. Gee wally, if only Bin Laden, Hussien and the terrorists could see your bumper sticker”

They will go proudly next to my “Palin/Whassisface 2008” and my campaign issue “McCain Palin” sticker as well as my “I’m cancelling out your Obama vote sticker”.

As coach V says, never quit! never give up!
Chris in NC says:

September 28, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Oh, and Trish, I will be trying to lighten things up a bit at the site. The Canine Party is about to have their convention and some funny vids too. You are right on the tone of the site lately. It has been way too serious.

But again, I do appreciate your visits. Thank you.
NC Cop says:

September 29, 2008 at 9:50 am

Hi Chris, I’m in the glorious metropolis of High Point, the furniture capital of the world! I’ve been to Salisbury a few times, it’s a nice city.

I love those bumper stickers! Where did you get them?
Lorica says:

September 29, 2008 at 10:53 am

Chris if you look at my original post I say very clearly that Mac should have beaten Barry around the head with all of Barry’s lying. I personally don’t see that much of a fall from Mac, I am not a poll watcher tho. If the polls would have been right Hillary and Rudy would be facing off right now. I think polls are more about what the drive bys want than what the American people care about. There was expected to be abit of a dip in the polls as the Convention is over and the drive bys want to demoralize Republicans so they are overweighting them with “independents”, most likely North Eastern folk who supposedly are open minded.

We shall see what happens. There will be other chances to knock Barry out of the ball park. I also think that Barry is going to hang himself with all his lunacy, and God knows Biden isn’t helping the cause whatsoever. I am certain that Mac is thinking this is a gentleman’s race, but Barry continues to prove him wrong. – Lorica
Karmadancer says:

September 29, 2008 at 1:37 pm

One last lick for the deceased equine:

Favorite line from the debate?

McCain to Obama after BO’s announcement that he’s willing to try “diplomacy” first and then glass Pakistan for not “coming to Jesus:”

(incredulously) “You don’t say things like that out loud!”

omg…..nearly fell out of the comfy Chair on that one, lol!
Chris in NC says:

September 29, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Lorica, I hope you are right. I tend to disregard polls until the ones I respect (Rasmussen, Lake, etc) come out. I have debunked CBS and CNN polls over and over and you’re right. They stack those like crazy.

Obama tended to underperform the polls by about 2% in the primaries and while that is in the margin of error, it was consistent. Add to that the Bradley effect and we’ll see what happens.

I’m furiously trying to learn to make videos so I can put some up to do my part. As I said, I never quit until it’s over.

Thanks for the “hang in there”‘s. A lot of times a smack in the head and a “snap out of it” is a good thing. I appreciate yours and Trish’s.
Lorica says:

September 30, 2008 at 9:55 am

Chris it’ll be all good. I firmly believe that Sarah is going to wipe the floor with Joe. That Biden is going to be so dumb struck that he is going to finally be revealed for the doofus we all know he is. But watch the time, let’s see just how many times he is warned to stop going over his alloted time. – Lorica
Chris in NC says:

September 30, 2008 at 7:00 pm

NC Cop,

Those wonderful bumper stickers are on cafepress. I’ll put a post up on them at bamapachyderm.com tonight with the links to the exact stickers. I’ll also put a picture of my bumper too.

–Chris

Comments are closed.