Discuss the second presidential debate

The Nashville debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama focused on domestic issues.  Did the town-hall format benefit one candidate over the other?  Were the issues that matter to you discussed?  Perhaps most importantly -- how much will it matter to voters?

Share your thoughts here.

Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Comments

[William Hale]

Test post.

[L.A. Times Administrator]

You're live, William! :)

[Jon K.]

Both candidates have started off well, but it's early.

[Gary C.]

Sen. McCain, please stop using the phrase, "my friends" its lame and sounds too political. And explain your VP's involvement in Alaska Independence Party.

[Jon K.]

McCain just lost it. He just hit the "testy" point. There's no going back with this guy once he's dropped over that waterfall.

[Jon K.]

The "my friends" comment is lame. Unfortunately, McCain isn't clear on that because he's out of touch.

[Joe Rotes]

McCain is attacking Obama and his anger is barely contained. More emotion from McCain but no content. McCain is defending tax-cuts for the FAT CATS. Amazing !

[Tombstone Realty]

I really liked McCain, but this debate performance is pathetic. He mocked Obama for not answering the question of "Can you fix Social Security and Medicare in two years", when he *did* - yet then McCain snarks and then HE doesn't answer the question himself.

He just seems to be reciting these disjointed phrases - one minute he says the economy isn't going to get worse, then he's tossing an insult Obama's way that the economy is "bad".

I do enjoy Tom B. slapping down the both of them. That's the only amusement I'm getting out of this. Our country is in trouble, we don't have time for this crap.

[Jon K.]

I really thought that McCain would do better. I thought that he would have the clear advantage in this debate. Right now I'd put Obama way ahead.

[bruce]

John sounds like the worst parts of Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II.

[Xenu]

If McCain's Ginkgo Bilboa supplements wear off during the debate it's gonna' be embarrassing.

[Joe Rotes]

McCain has become an empty bag for Karl Rove. What do you expect from someone who bypasses tens of more capable women to pick the following:
- brain-dead Sarah Palin
- golden-parachute Carly Fiorina
- two-timing Joe Liberman

He is way too patronizing and BITTER. Get this over with. It's a farce.

[Jon K.]

Wow. I honestly thought that it would be favored towards McCain, but Obama is sweeping the floor with him so far.

[Andrew Burt]

Stop saying "MY FRIENDS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not your friend mate.
McCain just said Reagan was his hero. Scary.

[Jon K.]

McCain is stuck in Vietnam. He's reliving it through the war in Iraq. I understand how he feels. I have compassion for him and his desire to "win" but we can't be doing that now. We've done enough in Iraq. He needs to get that. Not everything ends with the super happy ending of a World War II-type victory.

Did the veterans of Korea get a huge parade?

[Andrew Burt]

Hey it's either Reagan or Roosevelt Mr McCain.
"My Hero", "My Friends".
My Goodness he is shockingly bad.

[Brian Daicos]

McCain getting a bit testy.
Follow ups allow him to be exposed.
An angry old man who is desperate to get the Presidency and stick it to the Neo-Cons.
He isn't interested in the America.
YES!! Obama calling McCain out on his Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran etc stoopid calls.

[Jon K.]

Obama just knocked out McCain. It's over.

[Benny J]

McCain can't even get his "favorite" quote right.

[Mary Nell]

My friends is on my list now of words that are irritating - in the top 3 right up there with maverick, gotcha, and if I am so blessed.

[Jon K.]

McCain almost sounds scrambled. Wow. I'm an Obama supporter and I was hoping for a tie. Instead I got an overwhelming victory by Obama.

[Jon K.]

McCain did beat Obama on the Russia issue. He was clearer.

[Jon K.]

Obama should not have avoided the last question. If he would have addressed it directly, he would have scored a grand slam.

[david martin]

Obama won hands down how can any country elect a senile president

[Michele]

John McCain won hands down. Obama could not give a straight answer to most questions. Watch out.....if you like communism and socialism...you have him in Obama. I think personal responsibility is what makes a country great. Obama is so lacking that it is down right scary. WAKE UP AMERICA! Vote for the RIGHT change!! McCain/ Palin 08

[Sherry]

Give me a break. Can anyone else see how biased the media is here? After the debate was over the cameras were ALL OVER Obama following his every move and McCain was almost not seen. It's disgraceful journalism in my opinion and I've lost a LOT of respect for ABC news as a result. These events should be non-partial to the end and this was certainly not in terms of camera coverage.

[Chris]

McCain announced a new program to buy mortgages directly? Please! Read the bailout legislation - there is an option to buy these already, if the Treasury Secretary decides to... the money is already there, as part of the $700 billion. McCain should have read the Bill before he voted for it.

[tarakl]

if mccain said he had a plan for something but gave no further details one more time i was going to lose my mind. as an independent who is undecided, his responses frustrated me.

[Ann]

"McCain unveils the major surprise of the night as he promises to launch a federal program to buy failing mortgages directly. "

Ohmmigod! What a grasping-at-straws ploy. And I'll be doubled-damned if I am going to pay for someone who makes $50,000 to stay in their $500,000 house because they did an option ARM loan where they didn't have to prove their income, put down whatever they wanted for income, barely qualified for the loan on just the payment that doesn't even cover the interest and are now whining they can't afford the house when the payment resets to interest and principal.

Of all the financially suicidal, completely irresponsible proposals, this one takes the cake. I wouldn't let the McCain or the Republicans run a lemonade stand in the front yard - they would bankrupt the neighborhood.

House prices will continue to fall until they are back in line with incomes. Period.

[josh]

McCain did okay, but Obama way better.

[Archangel]

McCain... shuffles like an old rusty unoiled android, has a voice like the whisper of a charming snake and blows rhetoric completely devoid of any substance or committment.
Then did you notice how fast he and his trophy broad bailed the stage while Obama took the time to bond and dialog with each and every member of the audience? Any questions left as to who is better qualified to engage America and its challenges?

[caseclosed]

I liked the way McCain surprised Obama with the mortgage buy back plan. Obama will be trying to till us it was his idea if everyone likes it. If it is hated by everyone, he will give McCain the credit. But debates prove nothing it would be better if they gave them a list of questions for them to answer then if they lied or they don't keep there promises they must retire in three days no exceptions.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Obama is a fraud. He is the most underqualified moron to ever run for the office of president, and I know how all you Libs hate W, but that’s just the sad fact. He’s not only a smooth talking Marxist, but just plain dangerous. While we’re all waiting to see what ACORN office gets raided next, pass the time by looking up any or all of the following:

Obama ACORN
Obama / Ayers
Berg vs. Obama
Obama / Khalid al-Mansour
Obama / Donald Warden
Obama / Mohammed Hasan Chandoo
Obama / Rezko
Obama / Saul Alinski
Obama / Wright
Obama / Khalidi
Obama / Malcolm X
Obama / Alwaleed bin Talal
Obama / Farrakhan
Obama / Woods Fund
Obama / The Black Panthers
Obama / Cloward-Piven Strategy
Obama / Public Allies Youth Group

[pg]

Does McCain's economic freeze of all but the essential govt programs (VA, military, etc) include the buying of bad home loans?

You can't have it both ways. Erratic.

[Scott]

This type of format was supposed to be McCain's forte. He looked like a wind up toy stuck in a corner, unhinged and rambling. If Obama just held his own in the "town hall format" then it was a victory. Not only did he hold his own, he owned McCain!

p.s. I am not "your friend" Senator McCain

[Olivier G]

McCain is back on whatever drugs lead you to say "my friend" every two minutes. They will be confiscated before next week.

[John stewart]

Wakeup!!! Not only did MacCain have far more substantive things to say (unlike Obama who talks in nice sounding platitudes), MacCain's logic, when scrutinized, is far more powerful. That is, though both candidates commit logical fallacies, Obama commits them far more often then MacCain. Obama's smooth talking sure does get him a long way; that is about all Obama has going for him, and apparently, that is all you need to dazzle people.

[becky]

I can't believe McCain actually proposed for the federal government to buy ALL the mortgages that people are defaulting on and then ridicules Obama for wanting to spend money. Why are we bailing out companies and people for being greedy? If you can't afford a house on a conventional or FHA loan, than you have no business buying the house!!!!! The people who signed these mortgage papers need to take some responsibility and not go crying to their nearest councilman to bail them out. Please.

[miles Zaremski]

In boxing parlance, Obama won on points in a split decision. He was, though, clearly more "presidential". Sen. McCain was "tilting at windmills" ala Don Quixote.

[greg]

The debate were the way I knw it would. Mccain has nothing to say. He waas looking for somethng to lean on both physically and mentally. Obama is what we need, cool, calm and in control. The 'Pig in Lipstick' was inciting a riot during her Florida speech. Trying to paint Obama as a terrorist is another tactic to ask for someone to hurt him. after ORielly asks for the lynching of Michelle we now have her looking to win by any means. The country first theme is dead...no we see the real people. When we hear first HIlary then Sara talk of some of the worst days of our history. The links showing this are here. Is there any wonder that he did not pick her as a vp...this also is a point in his favor that he willnot stoop to any tactic to win. Obama unlike these others has true honor!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-cohn/hillary-invokes-assassina_b_103551.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-feldman/is-palin-trying-to-incite_b_132534.html

[John Sullivan]

Obama looks and acts presidential, he won big.

[Don Jsko]

Obama's the clear winner, but I would still prefer Ron Paul.

[chioma]

Obama did well. He had composure and was in control all the time. McCain was just the grumpy, old man and had no substance!

[Maurice S]

How many times does Obama have to say this? "%95 of Americans will pay less taxes." It is amazing that both McCain and Palin keep saying that Obama wants to raise taxes. That's absolutely correct... if you make over 250k/yr. This just makes them look stupid. Most Americans, myself included, dont make over $250K/year, and under Obama's leadership, we wont pay any more taxes. C'mon, McCain, lett that go! Who do you think will believe that? These look like desperate blows to me. Clearly, Obama won this one.

[KVA]

I thought the best part of the debate was hearing Obama talk about his mother's fight with cancer. It was real and personal. It made me think about my own mother and family and hoping that I would not go through this

[Karen]

The physical contrast was huge: an old over-the-hill guy who can barely keep his train of thought or move his arms (and with an ill-fitting suit that showed off a bit of a dowager's hump), versus a young guy with lots of energy and MUCH more focus, who was elegant enough to treat the old guy with respect.

Obama came across like he "got it". McCain came across as barely keeping it together til the end of the night (like that was an endurance contest).

I have to say I liked McCain much more at the end, when he seemed (almost) human. But I can't, just can't, vote for the guy. And I'm registered Republican.

Too much hubris; zero humility, humbleness, or hope.

[Diane - Vancouver, WA]

Barack Obama commanded the stage. He was clear, precise, Presidential looking. A clear winner.

[Jerome Melgar]

Tom Brokaw did an AWFUL job as moderator. There was no hard-hitting questions for either candidate. The reason we have these town-hall debates is to hear what Americans what to know!

[BJ Withall]

A disappointing debate; a repeat of much of the information and swipes tossed around in the first debate. Guess both candidates are afraid to rock the boat.

[j b goode]

To the commenter re: media bias.

Yes, the cameras were all over Obama after the debate. Why? Because Mccain immediately bailed. What were they supposed to do, go chasing after him? Obama stayed behind to connect and speak with the audience - there was no other candidate there to have the cameras all over. Is that biased??? That's a no brainer.