First Presidential Debate

On the economy, even though you may not have expected it, I believe McCain did much better than Obama. Obama, unlike McCain, began by stating that the current fincancial crisis is the worst "since the Great Depression." In fact, it is currently better than it was in the recession of the late 1980's.

Moderator Jim Lehrer asked the candidates again and again about how they would adjust their campaign agendas given the fact that they both supported a bailout in some form. McCain finally responded conclusively, "how about a spending freeze on everything but defense, veterans and entitlements?" Obama said that "the problem with a spending freeze is using a hatchet when you need a scalpel" and started talking about early childhood education. In other words, if you clear the fog, McCain actually offered an answer to the question and Obama did not. There is no other way of looking at it. Furthermore, McCain claimed that Obama was for earmarks and Obama claimed that he had suspended his earmark requests. McCain pointed out that Obama had requested over $932 million in earmarks and that his suspension of earmark requests only began once Obama began running for president. Obama had absolutely no response other than to evade this issue.

McCain pointed out that Obama's proposed programs, such as universal health care and more, would require a large increase in taxes in a time of economic crisis. Obama had no real response other than to claim that McCain was not being honest. But Obama never once explained how with his unwillingess to specify any government program he would cut along with his insistence on the drastic expansion of government, he would not have to impose higher taxes. Obama claims in the debate that %95 of Americans would recieve a tax break. Obama never once explained how only "the rich," what he admits to be anyone making above $250,000, would alone be able to pay for the large growth of government that he proposes.


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