Obama: I would not have appointed Clarence Thomas

[Darius871]

Originally posted by Harry Tuttle 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.

That's the first thing I noticed, but even more cringeworthy was the way he just stared down at the table more than half of the time. The man just could not engage the audience for some reason.

[asleepathewheel]

I can decide which is worse, the stuttering of Obama or the "my friends" of McCain.

I found Obama's answers to be pretty weak, for the most part, though I also found that I was more reminded of my grandfather than a president after McCain gave his 20th anecdote. A little bit of that adds weight that Obama can't match, too much, and its story time at christmas by grandpa.

[faded glory]

Obama says
Clarence Thomas did not have the expierence



Uhhh.. Barack...

I didnt think his performance was his best last night. He stutters so much.

When he doesnt have a teleprompter Every third word is uhh and ummm. Pay attention. He really needs to fix that quick.

McCain is a big crowd pleaser.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It seems McCain really helped himself out with the Christian Right with his answers. He also looked a bit more confident up there than Obama. Obama seemed to be a bit more thoughtful in his answers, but at times stumbled over his words and, yes, directed answers to the moderator instead of the audience too much.

That all being said, for Warren for setting this up.

[asleepathewheel]

Yeah, it was definitely nice (for me) to see a "debate" without being moderated by a media member. It was pretty even handed without the "gotcha" questions and direct antagonism. Though it is weird to hear Obama talk about religion and faith and advisers and nary a peep of Wright, but eh.

[faded glory]

How insensitive.

even bring it up, obama about his racist pastor wright when that case was closed a year ago..

You must be racist

RACIST

[Zkribbler]

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 kept thinking of Adlai Stevenson in '52 & '56. He was a very cerebral candidate but came across as an "egghead" and was rejected by the voters...twice.

Obama has to forget that he's a Harvard graduate and to get back to his roots in South Chicago. I was glad to see he'd jettisoned his tie and overstarched whiter-than-white shirt; that's one small step.

[siron]

[SIZE=1] McCain will appear to be the better candidate in non-scripted forums, ...

Cone of Silence...

[DRoseDARs]

...was a lie. Turns out A) he was stuck in traffic, giving him ample opportunity to listen in on radio or have others tell him about the questions and Obama's answers and B) now Warren is saying he had told both candidates in advance about some of the questions.

This wasn't a non-scripted forum, it was a complete scam.

[Naked Gents Rut]

If it were a complete scam, one would think Obama would have performed better.

[DRoseDARs]

Except he did far better than McCain. Remember, McCain is universally reviled by the religious right because of his many flip-flops and panderings. Obama is hated because he's liberal.

[Zkribbler]

You also must consider the formum. An evangical church in the heart of Orange County is obviously going to lean to the right.

I wonder if they'll re-do this discussion in another religious forum: a Buddhist temple, ora Muslim mosque? That'd be wild.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Obama most definitely did not do better than McCain, either in the debate or with evangelicals.

[DaShi]

Actually, he did.

[Imran Siddiqui]

No, he didn't.