News-Record.com

Some of our Voterspeak participants checked out the presidential debate on Friday, and here's what they had to say:

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: Am I understanding that Obama wants to cut funds for defense budget but wants to send more troops to Afghanistan? Personally I think Obama is just "speaking" He states that he voted "no" to go to war - he was NOT a US Senator when we went to war.

Both candidates didn't focus a lot on foreign affairs - McCain could remember the name for whom he was wearing the bracelet- Obama was "blundering" on the name - so was it a serious gesture? He was just copying McCain.
Obama is still just speaking about issues in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan - McCain has been there (literally) He really gets it. Do we want a president that would not even visit those wounded while protecting us?

On the question about Russia - Obama just does not get it! As McCain suggested very politely - maybe he is just naive. (Having or showing a lack of experience or judgement.) Obama was great at changing the subject when he didn't know the answer.
It appears that Obama wants our country protected by talks - He really does not get it. When talks fail - then we have to take action.

Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: I liked what Obama said over what McCain said over issues of the economy and the issues in Iraq. McCain wants less taxes for large businesses and wants to keep everything else the same. Those types of statements sound like a nice statement for making the rich richer and not doing much for the majority of working class Americans who are much more strongly affected by the sways of the economy. On the other hand, Obama plans to provide tax breaks to 95 percent of the population.

In regards to the issues in Iraq, McCain sounds like he plans to do things the same way they have been done for the past 5 years, which sounds like if he is elected it could go on forever. I also did not like how McCain attempted to compare Bush's stubborn personality trait about the war to Obama's.

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: I – to my own disappointment – had my hopes up way too high for this debate. Maybe it was all the “Will he? Won’t he?” over the last few days. But my disappointment was realized in the opening minutes, when Jim Lehrer had to point out that neither McCain nor Obama had answered his first question about each of their stances on the Wall Street bailout plan.

As a teacher and someone who spends all day with 12-year-olds, I understand very well the need to “sell” the points you’re trying to make. The debate tonight was not much different and at times I felt a bit like one of my 12-year-olds, trying to make sense of what was being said but at least understanding that each man sure wanted me to believe him. I thought both McCain and Obama made excellent points on various subjects. Obama’s comment that, “John, you like to pretend the war began in 2007,” was a perfect way to express the frustration I and many others have felt about Bush’s claims of overwhelming success in Iraq, but I did feel that McCain at least sounds as if he has a better grip on how dealing with hostile or potentially hostile nations is specificially done (I personally agree with Obama’s “direct diplomacy” approach). Also, Obama did a particularly lovely job of pronouncing “Pakistan.” And both of them wear bracelets, apparently.

Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: I eagerly watched the debate, witnessing both candidates list their promises on the economy, energy policy, & their love of Gen. Pratreus. I paused when they got to Afghanistan because this is something I know a little about.

I'm married to an Afghan. I have family in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Neither candidate really knows the issues at hand. By the way, I've been to both countries.

Afghans and Pakistanis do not trust nor enjoy American troops in their borders. Having more troops in a military capacity will breed even more resentment and allow the Taleban to gain more popular support.
The US needs to 1) help form a legitimate Afghan government made by the people rather than a leadership imposed from the outside. This may mean involving some members of the Taleban as they do have grassroots support in certain areas of the country 2) help develop infrastructure and improve capacity building. One way is to immediately stop local corruption associated with development projects
3) Take steps to rebuild trust among Afghans who feel used by American troops and policies.

One important point that Obama harped on was the need to kill Osama bin Laden. This is moot: Al Qaeda exists independent of bin Laden. It is designed to do so. His death at the hands of American military may make him more popular.

The best way to defeat Al Qaeda is to promote more equitable foreign policy in the Muslim world.

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: Immediate impression: McCain whipped Obama. Dadgummit!

In the beginning both were regurgitating stump speech phrases. Maybe that works for people who are just starting to listen, but it makes my cynicism raise its ugly head.

McCain had much better preparation to weave emotional appeals into his points, which probably appeals to the largest undecided cohort. Obama will likely be prortrayed as "uppity" for being the first to interrrupt, 'cause that also works with another undecided cohort.

Obama's careful and precise communication appeals to me - I want clarity and details. I don't imagine it comes across with my cousins in Mississippi that well.

I do think it's clear how much both candidates are being "handled". I wish "debate" still had some of its dictionary meaning left. Now it just means "long ad with video photo op".