The Second Presidental Debate Thread

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
And did I mention that none of Obama's contributions comes from lobbyists?

False.

From June 20:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_lame_claim_about_mccains_money.html

By CRP's definition Obama himself has taken in $161,927 from lobbyists.

[Guynemer]

Who Would Better Handle Iraq?
Obama - 51%
McCain - 47%

Who Would Better Handle Terrorism?
Obama - 46%
McCain - 51%

The fact that Obama is polling even with McCain on security issues has got to make the GOP extremely nervous.

[Patroklos]

did mccain just say that health insurance is a responsibility?

He did, and it is the best line of the night.

[-Jrabbit]

For those who didn't see it, here's the post-debate handshake video.

[Guynemer]

Sigh.

Must we really get bogged down in such bull****? Yes, in fact, they DID shake hands post-debate:

[rah]

People only see what they want to see. *sigh*
Thanks for posting this one because I was so irritated when that other clip was used over and over like it was a smoking gun or something.

[Guynemer]

No problem. Foolishness from my own side irritates me more than foolishness from the other side.

[Bosh]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui


False.

From June 20:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_lame_claim_about_mccains_money.html

By CRP's definition Obama himself has taken in $161,927 from lobbyists.

From that website:

"The lobbyist figures we give here could stand some minor refinement. The totals might be reduced somewhat if the CRP used Obama's rather narrow definition of "lobbyist." Obama makes a point of refusing money from those who are currently registered to lobby at the federal level. The CRP has a broader definition, counting money from anyone working at a lobbying firm, registered or not, state or federal, and their families as well. By CRP's definition Obama himself has taken in $161,927 from lobbyists."

Depends on your definition of "lobbyist."

*shrug*

[Imran Siddiqui]

Btw, if you think this Presidential election is ****ed up:

http://www.cracked.com/article_16680_5-presidential-elections-even-dumber-than-this-one-somehow.html

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Guynemer
Sigh.

Must we really get bogged down in such bull****? Yes, in fact, they DID shake hands post-debate:

I only brought it up because my wife said, "Wow, McCain blew off the handshake" at the end. (I was working/listening to the TV.) When I checked, many were talking about it already, probably due to McCain's supposed personal dislike for Obama.

The fact is, perception is reality, so I think it's fair to characterize it as a gaffe.

[Guynemer]

Well, no doubt he should have shaken his hand again when Obama offered. But this meme that has spread that they didn't shake hands at all is just asinine.

[Kidlicious]

Obama doesn't look to happy to shake McCain's hand either.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
False.

From June 20:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_lame_claim_about_mccains_money.html

By CRP's definition Obama himself has taken in $161,927 from lobbyists.

You neglected to cite the part before that:

Obama makes a point of refusing money from those who are currently registered to lobby at the federal level. The CRP has a broader definition, counting money from anyone working at a lobbying firm, registered or not, state or federal, and their families as well.

As I said in a subsequent post, Obama doesn't take donations from Federal lobbyists. The CRP number does not refute that.

Since he's running for a Federal office, state lobbyist dollars are inconsequential.

[Imran Siddiqui]

But those working at lobbying firms, but not registered as lobbyists, are inconsequential?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
But those working at lobbying firms, but not registered as lobbyists, are inconsequential?

What's CRP's breakdown of Obama's donations?