10:26: For a debate whose format is supposed to encourage a lot of direct interchange, these candidates don't really seem to want to talk directly to each other much, particularly McCain to Obama. Deliberate strategy? Personal issues?
From Amy Sullivan: Is it just me, or does Lehrer sound like a family therapist? 'Tell him what you just told me... Look at him, talk to him!'
What's My Motivation? JP: "Say it directly to him!" Well, that's one way to stage-direct drama into a debate. Gesture with your hands! More populism!
-I think that they're warming up to talking directly to each other. By the end there really will be a debate.
-McCain is going to veto every spending bill that comes to his desk? That's crazy talk. He meant to say if they were pork laden. I'm not sure of that. But it was a minor gaffe.
-No more spending anything! Also, economy!
Earmarks KT: For the record, they don't have much to do with the current financial crisis.
-Seriously, do they have much to do with anything? This obsession of his makes the old Proxmire awards look like the New Deal or the Great Society.
-Oh. You're looking for relevancy. I guess the McCain campaign didn't lower expectations enough...
-McCain's point is that earmarks, while certainly less of a financial burden than the Iraq war, represent the fundamental problem with representation in DC, i.e. corruption. Earmarks aren't the worst fiscal burden, he's saying that they're a moral burden and responsible for the poorly functioning political system.
- Oh boy, Obama doesn't look detached and aloof tonight. I'm more worried that he's going to walk over and kick McCain in the shins.
