Obama Trumps McCain Among Swing Voters in Debate

Reader Comments

Back to blog

..Obama sure did a hell of a lot better than the old timer! It wasn't even a contest. A man of his skin tone showed up out of nowhere and bested all of the old boys and girls as proven by his overwhelming success thus far. Proof is in the pudding as they say. He's where he is because of who his is. He's a proven winner and success story before he's even been elected! I think 09 won't be so bad(at least for Obama's part)

Decapoe of NC 10:28PM October 19, 2008

Amazing undecided voters still exist. But I guess it is nice to know how they are thinking in this whole bit: http://www.236.com/news/2008/10/17/thought_process_flowchart_the_1_9608.php

Alyssa of NM 8:24PM October 19, 2008

Both campaigns are very weak on detail and many policies seem to be thought up on the hoof simply to surprise the other side,and many of these are then forgotten or not developped,if theres no immediate impact.

The debate shows its the media that will decide the election and therefore its far from over yet, as anything can still happen to move public opinion.

This absence of detail and seeming reliance on mood music seems incredible after such a long campaign, that important issues are barely discussed, and politicians behave like performing seals out for a good line learnt off-stage.

In terms of democracy its pathetic.That the future of a huge and important nation should be decided by mood is completely pathetic.And it was the B movie actor Reagan who asked wheres the beef......!!!!!

You deserve much much much better USA

bill haymes 8:57PM October 17, 2008

As an 80 year old male my thoughts are simply this. I have enjoyed life for all these years because my mom did not have an abortion. What is the difference an abortion refusing me the right to live or just killing me after I was born? Or maybe as Obama has voiced in the Illinois Senate, an abortion might have failed so the Doctor would stick a sissor like instrument in my head and twist my brain out or he could have just picthce me in the garbage can and let me die. Obams was against this becuse it "affected the womans first choice of haveing an abortion"

I knew what Obam's answers would be before he answered because he has said the same thing in all 3 debates. Just what his speachwriters has drilled in his head. Only when he is by himself does the real Obams show up. "Spread the wealth" was just a casual answer because it is how he feel after all the tutoring he has received from his friends. I think he lied many times in the debate about his asssociations.

All the people who just "lived down the street" are ones who he has spend years with........ at least 5 years with Ayers. 20 years with Rev. Wright..... years with Father Flager,,,,,,, and over 2 years with Acorn.

Obama shows no emotions whether he is lieing or telling the truth and if elected President he owes so much to Georg Soros, MoveOn.org, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid..

That scares me.

Levoid Davis of TX 8:01PM October 17, 2008

You make valid points, other than the fact that there is no such thing as safe contraception. No method other than abstaining is 100 percent effective; even some tubal ligations are faulty. If you honestly think that the human race is going to abstain, as sex is a natural part of the human conditioning, and quite a healthy thing, then your utopic dream is unfounded. Reality is that abstaining is not always what's going to happen, and women will get pregnant. You have to deal with the reality, and if you don't it's irresponsible and quite frankly naieve. Deal with the facts of reality, not with wishes. I certainly want my daughters abstaining until they're ready to deal with the consequences of sex, but I'm also smart enough to know that anything can happen in a lifetime, so I'll do my best to make sure my daughter's rights, and their lives are protected, and that any life they'd ever consider bringing into the world would at least have a reasonable chance at a good life. Filled with support, love, and all of the things children are afforded by the Rights of the Child act. Let's face it R.L, quite a few people might say to you in light of our current world.."I'd have been better off not alive". What right do YOU have to speak for them? You claim people should have responsibility for their actions, many who have abortions do bear the responsibility. They have to live with their decisions, which are often made with the help of a counselor. It's mandatory in a lot of States already. Given a chance, I'd think that most might choose to keep their children, but in the end hearing "why do I have to pay for your mistake" will come back to haunt them when they have to go on welfare. Are you going to complain when your tax dollars help pay for that unborn child? Are you going to complain if that child ends up with no home at the age of 18 after being ushered out of the State system? Then when they end up homeless, not paying taxes, and "sucking" the system dry..we'll see where your moral highground is. It already happens daily R.L, what solution do you have now? I'm really frustrated at the hypocratic nature of many of the pro-life do-gooders. They want to protect out of one side of their mouth, yet won't put their money where their mouth is when it comes down to it without a whole lot of judgemental crap to go with it. R.L..what you do to the Mother..you do to the child. Life has to have a basic level of meaning and has to have a good foundation if it's going to be productive, happy and not a "burden" on society, not to mention simply be born healthy. You can't tackle the abortion debate until you first deal with foster care, orphan abuse, social welfare, education, healthcare... need I go on? Like I said, if you want to save a child, where should we send the bills? I'm sure a pregnant, homeless teen would love to hear your response.

M of OR 12:58PM October 17, 2008

An anonymous poster had this to say regarding my suggestions;

"t's people who make comments like "I believe a woman has the right to choose to abstain from sex during the few days per month she can be made pregnant." that make me fear for the future of our country, and also makes education funding that much more of a priority..."

I made several suggestions regarding birth control. However since she/he seized on this one let me point out that, when I "googled", "natural birth control methods" ,I got 168,000 hits. I took a moment ans actually read some of them ( ibelieve she was concerned about my lack of education). Amazingly. I found that they are nearly as effective as all other birth control methods. Granted, they (there are different methods) take a bit of self control and discipline. However, if they are too arduous for "anonymous" then might I suggest that she take one of my other suggestions in preventing pregnancy. However, it seems she supports the option of abortion as birth control for those lacking the self control and discipline to act responsibly. She, I think, shares that position with Obama... What middle ground, what compromise, can there ever be with self centered, irresponsible hedonism ?

R.L. Schaefer of CA 11:40AM October 17, 2008

My jaw dropped when McCain spouted that "Troops to teach" line - so they wouldn't have to get "those (pesky) certifications" ...

I'm suprised that there has been no discussion of this ..

It's so clear to me that neight McCain or Palin have any interest in or knowledge of education. Yeah, sure if you learned how to fly a helicopter in the army, you MUST be qualified to teach - what a bunch of crap, which truly demeans the PROFESSION of teaching. By that logic, I'm sure McCain is willing to have a medic be his doctor. He's such a mean old idiot.

Dude - that's what the GI bill is for - to allow vets to have better access to EDUCATION so that they can take on another profession as a qualified individual. But then, of course, McCain didn't have to worry about this as he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and probably had daddy buy his way through school anyway.

Anna B of CA 3:58PM October 16, 2008

"I served with Joe the Plumber, I knew Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber was a friend of mine. You're no Joe the Plumber."-Mike the Plumber from NYC/917-974-6367

Michael Santomauro of NY 3:44PM October 16, 2008

I am a supporter of Obama. I think he has carried himself very well through the whole campain. One issue that really bothered me about the debate last night, was when they were talking about education. McCain stated that he thought "Troops to Teach" would be good. If you remember in the debate if you were a troop then you should be able to teach our children without taking any test or following any state guidelines for teaching. I'm sorry, I am very thankful for what our troops do for us and the freedom they allow us to have, but being a troop does not qualify you to beable to teach our children without proper steps. That bothers me to think that we could possibly have a president that is that clueless about education.

of VA 3:28PM October 16, 2008

on Obama's experience: I believe that we generally value experience because it confers judgment and consistency. However, I think that Obama has displayed these traits much more than has McCain over the course of these last few months.

of CT 2:13PM October 16, 2008

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

advertisement

Robert Schlesinger

Obama's Mixed-Bag Week

The Obama camp can celebrate Dick Lugar defeat, but should worry about the Scott Walker recall.

Concordia Ship Disaster

The Costa Concordia luxury cruise ship keeled over after it ran aground off the coast of Italy.

advertisement