Obama: I would not have appointed Clarence Thomas

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I don't know if anyone else is watching the Obama and McCain interviews at at Saddleback church, but Rick Warren just asked him which of the nine serving SCOTUS justices he would not have appointed, and Obama named Thomas.

There was this pregnant pause before he answered the question, and it turns out that both my wife and I were thinking "he should say Thomas, but he won't have the balls to." Nice to be proved wrong.

It'll be interesting to hear McCain's answer to that same question, since the court's liberals are all more substantial and less ideological figures than Thomas.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting. I'm probably wrong.

[Darius871]

Anyone know where and how soon there'll be a youtube/etc. relay of this thing?

[Patroklos]

There can be only one token

[Harry Tuttle]

McCain kicked Obama's ass. Legislation from the bench. HA!

[Asher]

Originally posted by Harry Tuttle
McCain kicked Obama's ass. Legislation from the bench. HA!

You're in some other world...

[The diplomat]

McCain was great, especially with the personal anecdotes. I was puzzled by both Obama and McCain's answer on the question of America's greatest moral failure: How come neither one mentioned slavery? I would certainly consider slavery to rank pretty high on the list of America's moral failures.

[Harry Tuttle]

Originally posted by Asher
You're in some other world...

The pretty one, with flowers and bumblebees...

[Theben]

McCain connected with Joe sixpack better than Obama, that's for sure... but whether he solidified his base or gained ground has yet to be seen.

Obama answered better, McCain told better stories. Unfortunately as we know, fluff is more important than substance in politics these days.

[Harry Tuttle]

Originally posted by Theben
McCain connected with Joe sixpack better than Obama, that's for sure... but whether he solidified his base or gained ground has yet to be seen.

Obama answered better, McCain told better stories. Unfortunately as we know, fluff is more important than substance in politics these days.

I don't think Obama answered better. In fact he seemed to ramble and stayed very vague on issues. Plus, when you're in front of a large audience, and on national TV, it's always good to speak to the audience, not the moderator. This was probably one of the worse outings I've seen him have.

McCain on the other hand was vibrant, spoke to the audience, and spoke about what he's experienced with his personal faith not about his innermost feelings on the sustenance of Christ.

[Naked Gents Rut]

Obama almost said that Thomas wasn't "experienced" enough to be nominated, then caught himself and changed it to "strong enough." It was a close call...

[Dinner]

I haven't found the whole debate yet but I found a few snippets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdST0rJZ5Mo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i3-CxaJLw0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLRGfNJRX40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NulWGXPDP0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SBIuTm0RRA

[Deity Dude]

I only saw it once and didn't really concentrate on it but didn't Obama basically name all of the conservatives and McCain name all of the liberals.

Pretty predictable to me.

[Swissy]

This typical of what we should expect for the remainder of the campaign. McCain will appear to be the better candidate in non-scripted forums, Obama in scripted appearences. Its the reason McCain's people were pushing for a number of these question and answer events and Obama's have only agreed to a very small number.

Obama almost stepped into it by bringing up the experience issue with Thomas. Consider that 6 years ago Obama was a first term state senator religated to head a committe that basically codified state agency's interpretaions of regulations. The blacks in the Illinois Democratic party wanted to get back the US Senate seat Mosley-Braun lost by being stupid, Obama had what they needed, personality without the baggage of a long career in state politics. Obama has carved out more sucess via lack of track record than many have with long positive ones.

[Darius871]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I haven't found the whole debate yet but I found a few snippets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdST0rJZ5Mo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i3-CxaJLw0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLRGfNJRX40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NulWGXPDP0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SBIuTm0RRA

ty

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut
Obama almost said that Thomas wasn't "experienced" enough to be nominated, then caught himself and changed it to "strong enough." It was a close call...

That would have been hilarious if he had said it though.