Lively Presidential Debate No Revival for McCain Campaign (VIDEOS)

(SALEM, Ore.) - Tonight's Presidential Debate was a little more aggressive, a bit more poignant, even angry and pathetic at times, but it failed to bring about a much needed revival for Senator John McCain as polls continue to show support shifting toward Senator Barack Obama.

McCain repeatedly stated that a vote for Senator Barack Obama would lead to increased taxes, but Obama's plan as he has described it, would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, while raising the burden for a small part of the nation's richest citizens. Obama says McCain's plan would leave the average American behind, giving tax breaks to oil and gas companies.

"We both want to cut taxes," Obama said. "The difference is who we want to cut taxes for."

McCain blasted Obama for comparing him to the current President too often, saying, "Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you want to run against President Bush then you should have run four years ago".

Obama retorted with, "If I occasionally mistaken your policies for George Bush's policies, it's because on the core economic issues that matter to the American people, on tax policy, on energy policy, on spending priorities you have been a vigorous supporter of President Bush."

McCain brought up Barack Obama's association with '60s radical Bill Ayers, one of the "Weathermen" who committed terrorist acts against the U.S. government and is a professor today in Chicago. Obama was 8-years old when Ayers committed his subversive acts. They were on a committee once and Ayers donated $200 to Obama's campaign.

McCain betrayed his own challenges by referring to Senator Obama as "Sen. Government" shortly after 7:00 PM. It is the last thing McCain needed. The 72-year old candidate, honestly hoping to lead the nation through his 80th year, exhibited the difficulty he has keeping names straight at such an important point. It does not breed confidence.

On the subject of education, Senator McCain failed to address the critical subject of college funding, and described tax vouchers that would allow families to enroll their children in private and religious schools as his priority.

Senator Obama on the other hand, says he would pump billions of dollars into the school system while overhauling the what many view as a failing "No Child Left Behind" program. Obama talked about improving college accessibility and affordability.

"Joe the Plumber" is McCain's descriptive for an average American small business owner who will be affected by Obama's tax plan. Obama says he is not after small businesses.

McCain's idea that he says would aid "Joe the Plumber" involves tax breaks for the unemployed and retirees, and it calls for a cut in the capital gains tax.

Obama backs a tax credit for businesses that hire new full-time workers. He also seeks a 90-day moratorium on some home foreclosures and he wants to extend unemployment benefits.

McCain says the average cost of a healthcare plan for an Americans is $5,800. "I want to give you $5000," he said.

McCain added, "The kind that he mandates for you, that is big government at its best. 95% of the people in America will receive more money under my plan, they receive their current benefits and add $5000 onto that."

A number of recent opinion polls indicate that McCain's flurry of attacks on Obama's character are mostly backfiring, and in turn raise unfavorable opinions about McCain among voters who want answers about the state of the nation's economy.

The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan failed to become much of a subject at this debate, which many Americans likely fail to understand.

When the third debate is available on YouTube, we will add it here. In the meanwhile, here are the first two debates between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Full video of the second 2008 Presidential Debate with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) from C-SPAN:

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) participate in the first 2008 Presidential debate, courtesy of C-SPAN:

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Simoncini October 17, 2008 10:43 pm (Pacific time)

Mr. Ruark I simply do not have the time to respond to your type of questions at this time. My previously stated observations are based on extensive professional experience. You have asked me for source links on previous statements of mine that have been in the general news, possibly you have restricted your information gathering process in too much of a limited way, possibly even in a myopic manner? Best regards, Steve Simoncini

Henry Ruark October 17, 2008 7:13 pm (Pacific time)

S-cini You wrote:"Unfortunately standards have been dropping for many years now in practically all professions and vocations so we deal with what we must deal with." Per your usual pattern you provide no link or other check beyond your unacceptable lone word. My information for a number of key professions, used as a consultant in Chicago for over a decade, showed constant and demanded growth in both the qualifications needed for licensing and other similar essentials and for the same kind of growth among the institutions offering the training for professionals. That fact was instrumental in any planning for learning media innovations for those professions. Can you offer any checkable proof that this trend has not continued and increased, as is the common understanding in most professions NOW ? Re your denigration of any level below FBI, you will now surely hear from those who can speak to those levels; my experience runs directly counter to yours, albeit my several FBI contacts were individually fine persons, it was common knowledge then in some media circles that this was far from universal. Re guarantee, you indicated such strong belief I felt sure you would not hesitate to put your own stamp of curent full approval on all bearing FBI qualifications, especially since you now point out the careful selection and training processes involved. What maketh doubt now surface, sir ?? Your certainties now seem not so certain...

Simoncini October 17, 2008 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

FBI personnel undergo very comprehensive background checks, but considering that we all are human I don't believe you can provide a 100% guarantee for anyone's future behavior. Though I do provide more trust in these people than I would in say a munincipal law enforcement agency from an urban location, or most any other organization. Unfortunately standards have been dropping for many years now in practically all professions and vocations so we deal with what we must deal with.

Henry Ruark October 17, 2008 1:34 pm (Pacific time)

S-cini: Dunno yr yrs. with FBI, but mine more than 40 working with media at every level. FBIers I knew were fine guys but even some of them felt agency sometimes under orders, rightly or wrongly. Re "bad applies", in media most driven by career fears, sometimes compensation. Can you guarantee that does not also operate in FBI ?

Simoncini October 17, 2008 11:12 am (Pacific time)

I have considerable trust in the FBI based on experience. There are bad apples in any organization, but statistically it is very low in the FBI. Even when there are administration changes the rank and file agents generally don't allow politics to influence their missions. For some strange reason people will trust other organizations, like the media , more than they will this fine organization.

Henry Ruark October 16, 2008 10:56 am (Pacific time)

T.A. et al: "Joe" now seen as surely fixing that flush-valve. Which polls cannot remedy by small-sample, distorted questions, deceiving answers, unknown impact of BradleyE, etc., etc. VOTE from past means nothing in this one since situation with economy, f/policy, eight years debacle never happened before. Note your "historical reading" fails to mention who did that one; in error re total impacts over key decades. Do you really still trust the FBI ? Check out alla rumored actions in last 8 yrs. for real answer there.

Todd Andrews October 16, 2008 10:42 am (Pacific time)

The below breaking Gallup poll is before the "Joe the Plummer" has resonated. The smart money is that beyond the media polls the battle state internals show McCain is ahead 51 to 48. When you incorporate the so-called Bradley Effect you can add anywhere from 5 to 10 points for McCain. People see what they want to see but historical readings of polls show that McCain will win by a landslide and Obama will be like he was after New Hampshire, walking around dazed and confused holding a tire gauge. See how the sour grapes Sec. of State in Ohio appealed her voter fraud scheme to the USSP Court? Also the FBI has opened a national investigation on ACORN. Gallup: O - 49%, M - 47% (LV - Traditional) Gallup ^ | 10/16/2008 |

Henry Clay Ruark October 16, 2008 10:21 am (Pacific time)

Tim has given us a superb overview of this third, climactic debate, as well as a review of the other two. So "see with own eyes", make your OWN decision. That's the American way,driven by wit, wisdom and WILL of "the People", and "informed" by honest, open reporting.

Henry Clay Ruark October 16, 2008 9:06 am (Pacific time)

To all: E.E. Dionne, WPost famed opinion writer, has this pgh today: "What's striking about the past month is that the great American middle has shifted Obama's way. Recent polls by The Post and ABC News, Gallup, and the Pew Research Center suggest that Obama's gains since mid-September have been especially large among whites, particularly white men, and also among independents and moderates. At this crucial juncture, the contours of the 2008 contest are remarkably similar to those of the 2006 midterm elections that ended with a Democratic victory. Strikingly -- and no doubt unintentionally -- McCain echoed the Democrats' 2006 campaign theme when he said that voters want the country to move in "a new direction." That's McCain's problem." --------------- "See with own eyes", evaluate with YOUR OWN mind via access to www.wpost.com

Michael Santomauro October 16, 2008 12:44 am (Pacific time)

"I served with Joe the Plumber, I knew Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber was a friend of mine. You're no Joe the Plumber."-Mike the Plumber from NYC

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