The Third And Final Presidential Debate: Open Thread…JOE THE PLUMBER’S ELECTION

Posted by Pam on 10/15/2008

Use this thread to discuss the debate.Â I will update as the debate progresses

McCain opens with Obama: “It’s not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure that everybody that is behind you, that they have a chance for success too. I think that when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” which was a great point

Schieffer asks what specific programs the candidates would cut.Â Obama goes on and on without naming one, McCain is stopped and Bob demands a specific from him..

Obama should have run against Bush 4 years ago!Â That was niceÂ McCain.

Obama supports charter schools and testing for teachers?Â Let’s see:

When Obama collected the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers, he told the teachers that support for alternatives to the education monopoly amounted to “tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice” even though efforts like the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship, unlike those of the CAC, have produced stunning improvements.

McCain went for the jugular and Obama is a terrible liar!Â Ayers and Acorn

Obama said nice thigs about Palin, McCain said Biden is qualified but he has been wrong on a number of foreign policy issues.

MM:

10:08pm Eastern. Schieffer throws in a SCOTUS question. McCain and Obama agree they wouldn’t apply a litmus test. Obama invokes Roe v. Wade.

McCain better bring up Obama’s lies about his born-alive survivors bill vote.

10:11pm Eastern. YES! He’s finally making up for all those missed opportunities. McCain nails Obama for his extreme, pro-abortion votes. “That’s his record. He voted in direct contradiction to the feelings of mainstream America.”

Obama spins. Filibusters.

McCain rejoinder to Obama ” nails him on disingenuous “health of the mother” language/loopholes. Mentions that he and Cindy are adoptive parents, but that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to stand for the rights of the unborn.

Very eloquent. Good job, McCain. (See, who says I can’t say nice things about Mac?)

10:16pm Eastern. Last question is on education.

I’m tuning out Obama. He just said “INVEST” for the 998th time tonight. Blahblah.

McCain calls education the civil rights issue of the 21st century. Talks about choice, parental empowerment. Give parents the same choice that the Obamas have and Cindy and I have to send their kids to good schools. Throwing money is not the answer to the problem. You will find that some of the worst public school districts get the most money.

BINGO.

10:21pm Eastern. Schieffer asks if there should be increased federal role in education. Obama says yes despite the failure of No Child Left Behind. Pay teachers more, fund early childhood education. I AGREE with McCain on charter schools, says Obama. Opposes vouchers.

McCain dings Obama again for exercising his own school choice, but not allowing other parents to do the same.

Obama called on people to put down their video games, but as a McCain staffer e-mails: “But he advertises on them? Disingenuousness.”

Obama tries to rationalize his opposition to vouchers.

McCain sums it up for him: “So because there aren’t enough vouchers we shouldn’t have any even if they work. Got it.”

Obama claims that DC superintendent only supports charter schools, not vouchers. McCain corrects him. Obama sticks to his claim.

Obama is wrong. McCain is right. More here.

Obama: Out-of-touch with minority families demanding choice in D.C.

Debate wrap-up here.