I cannot stand you. You are so completely biased, and very typical of Baltimore Sun "reporters". You are a joke.

I guess you want to "spread the wealth around" also. Raise taxes so the people who have money they worked for, can have Obama give it to his friends...

so sad... economic 101.. you failed that course, didn't you

Better to see someone so passionate about the issues that they occasionally get angry, right? (your guy Clinton blows up all the time, and he gets very little criticism from the Dems).

On the other hand, Obama was his usual smoooove self. Does he get passionate about anything at all?

And Obama spent the bulk of his time on the offensive, responding to (but mostly deflecting, rather than answering) questions about Bill Ayers and other shady associates; Obama's extremist pro-abortion view; the fact that his tax plan will hurt Joe the Plumber and other owners of small businesses everywhere, thus increasing unemployment; his thin record of accomplishment; his mixed messages on NAFTA; his contributions to, support of and history with ACORN, an organization actively working to fraudulently register voters (Mickey Mouse, dead people, etc.); and, last but not least, Obama's ginormous flip-flop of public financing of elections. As a result of that last switcheroo, Obama has probably three times as much $$ to spend on his negative campaigning - by which I mean those ads that purposely misrepresent McCain's views on everything from climate change to immigration.

So, yeah, Obama was unruffled. But, yet again, he offered little of substance, and very little to persuade voters that he isn't a decidedly risky pick for president.

And if you're going to point to polls, why not look at Gallup and Zogby.

It sure would be nice - not to say fair - if MSM "journalists" everywhere would stop working so hard to convince voters that the election is "over." There are about three weeks left, and anything can happen.

Remember the last time the Democrats were overconfident about their chances of winning the White House?

Exactly - McBush came across as a nasty, angry (and senile) old man, while Obama came across as calm, reasoned, intelligent, and Presidential.
McCain proved himself as unqualified for higher office as his idiot running mate.

McCain had an opportunity to address the uber-negative supporters he has and rein them in. He failed to do that. His entire performance came across as someone who can't stand to be near his opponent, and who he thinks is clearly beneath him. Patronizing, rude, etc.

Before yet another blogger with a distorted perspective refers to Obama as a socialist or a communist, please remember the leaders throughout history that behaved as McCain did last night. Chairman Mao, anyone? Completely discrediting the opposition and participating in unjustified character attacks are the standard tools for communists and socialists to get control of a government. And nationalizing banks does not hurt either.

The moral is that politicians are politicians and all of them pander to their special interests. But we are facing crises on multiple fronts and we need someone who can think and work his way through these issues, not stomp his feet and do it his way or no way. And also multitask - McCain can't run his campaign and deal with the economic rescue package at the same time. How in the world is he going to face righting our troubled economy, the war in afghanistan, the war in iraq, the peace process in the middle east, fix social security, etc.

In football terms, we (the USA) have the game and the season on the line. We are 4th and 20. We do not need a 2nd string almost retired running back. We need a strong arm and a fresh perspective. Right now, we have to win. McCain is not the answer. Obama is our best chance to return as a world power.

Obama is JELL-O that can't be nailed to a wall... He is a liar. McCain has INTEGRITY and stands heads and shoulders over this lightweight liar. Obama is a gateless pit.

David, the worst thing in the world to be called is a racist or an anti-semite. Once your called that you are dismissed and no one cares about anything else you have to say. When John Lewis made his comments, he was essentially calling John McCain a racist and if John McCain isn't a racist he has every reason to be incited. In fact, anything less and he would be perceived as being a racist! It was a catch 22 in order to have him either exposed as a racist by inaction or as an angry guy by passionately defending it.

By the way, if you polled the public, it's always shown that there is a segment of the population that won't even know who our current president or VP is. With that being said, I am tired of McCain correcting his crowd and standing up for anything wrong they might say about Obama, while Obama doesn't reciprocate. You responded to my comments a couple weeks ago when I said "I think the main stream media should let the candidates pick a couple of minutes each night to have them show us what THEY wanted us to hear and not just what the Main stream media wanted to show us." You responded, and I am paraphrasing, " that the main stream media shouldn't do that and the candidates had lots of ways to convey their message. Well..using your train of thought, if it's up to the candidates to clarify their message and no one else's. Then McCain or Obama shouldn't bother to correct their audiences if they make false comments about the opposition.

Mike: I agree completely. McBush fumbled for words because of his inability to have anything intelligent to say. He came off as angry and cocky (eye rolling, stupid grin) and unable to form simple sentences (he mispronounced more than one word or name). His mode of action: When backed against the wall, sling mud and hope the American people dont have the brains to see it for what it is. And as for his running mate..one IQ point higher and she'd be a plant!

Z or should I say ZZZZZZZZZZ for your same old tired take on all things liberal.
Looks like you just might have your way with this clown.
Let's use Baltimore City as a great model of democrats running the show.
Extremely high taxes, poor services,
filthy neighborhoods riddled with crime, drugs and poverty. It's not the rich get richer-it's the politicians that get corrupt and richer.
The people that get the hand outs also get promises for more hand outs and it goes on and on. Instead of truly grabbing them by the hand and pointing them to a better life you guys just keep them down so they can vote again.
Look at every city that has been run by the democrat machine and you will
see the same thing played out over and over again.
More taxes and more promises that's all we hear over and over with you guys in the media constantly playing the pied pipers tune. Unfortunately for the rest of us that work hard, pay
taxes and try to live the American
dream, our aspirations will soon be replaced with the same. Why work hard if I have to give it to someone who cares less to acheive.
If you think slavery was over in this country guess again. We are all being shackled and sold off by people like you over on Calvert Street.
How many times did I hear Obama say "the failed economic policies of the Bush administration" If memory serves me correctly, we have enjoyed some pretty good economic times over the last 8 years. If you don't remember, look up the data. Yes, everything was going pretty good until the meltdown on Wall Street. Your boys Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, to name only two helped blow it up. McCain did sound the alarm bells but they were too busy lining there pockets with gold from FNMA & FHLMC. Either you know this to be true or you are a liar.
Obama is a socialist tried and true and is becoming so cocky that he's starting spew his real intentions more each day. The day after the elections Chavez, Putin, Castro, and all of the militant "peace loving" muslims will be dancing in the streets. The gates to that shining city on a hill will be flung open and may God help us-oh, I'm sorry, is it still OK to mention God here?

John and Truthbetold. It is said to see that you don't get it. GWB-McCain and the Republicans that have increased our national debt by 100% from 5 trillion to 10 trillion are the REAL tax increase and spending politicians. It is one thing to label people as tax-spend; it is another to actually say "deficits" don't matter and ruin the American future. My son and daughter will have to pay much more taxes in the future than they should all because of the Repubs - GWB-McCain. We will have less money for defense spending and less for food safety, etc because we will be left with interest payments on the debt we now have. Wake up and stop just repeating Republican talking points from 1980 - the world has changed and so should your ideas.

people should ask one thing themself, where the money gone after clinton era within last 8 years? If this is the model of republican small goverment and less expendeture then forget it, No more eight years to McCain and Palin( do we have to consider her as a candidate or republican protected lady)

Hey Carl "Marx" Newman:
The President submits budgets, it then goes to the house for passing. I think I read somewhere that the democrats have been in charge for almost two years now. Some very wealthy socialist originally from Baltimore is the Speaker of the House. You may or may not recognize her in between all the plastic surgery but they say it is her.
So they more guilty by reason of adding pork and appropriations to whatever the President sends their way. He unfortunaley does not have the power of line item. I agree that Bush has grown government more than I've cared for and really upset that our borders are still like swiss cheese.
But all in all look at congress' approval rating. It's much lower than Mr Bush's.
I guess for you world view of change is Socialism which you probably are more well versed in than the Constitution of the United States.

Hey Jerry. It's Karl with a "K" -- both for the gentleman who posted the comment and the author you're referencing whom you clearly never read." Z

Karl Newman Posted.."GWB-McCain and the Republicans". What does GWB-McCain mean?

I am guessing George W. Bush, but maybe Karl wilkl confirm or elaborate. Z

Oh...OK on the GWB. I thought the mantra was Bush McCain. One good thing for McCain, like Guiliani who was loved and then hated while running against Hillary. Then loved again after he dropped out due to prostate cancer. McCain will be the media darling again once he loses to Obama.

Hi, I think you are right about McCain being loved again once he loses. It will be interesting to see if he is Genial John again on David Letterman tonight. Thanks. Z

Thanks for the correction Z
My mistake, you have clearly read up more recently than I have.
I am totaly against redistribution property & wealth in any form. Although I realize his plan has never been fully implemented, I'll stick to a capitalistic form of government. Anyone who wants to achieve more can do so here no matter what the challenges may be.

Hi Jerry, you are a good sport and fun to spar with. But here is my thought on the Karl Marx stuff: Folks on the right have been loose and reckless in calling people communists and have wrecked careers and lives. And that is horrible. So I am very sensitive when I see folks doing it on this blog... Now, back to sparring and a reply to your statement about capitalism. There isn't much capitalism left is there with all the money the Bush administration has been spending to buy parts of banks and insurance companies up and down Wall Street? How do you feel about that? And I wonder how conservative talk radio show hosts who decried government regulation or intervention of any form in the marketplace feel about what the guy they helped elect is doing today. Thanks. Z

Obama is a gateless pit... JELL-O that can't be nailed to the wall... a LIAR. I feel sorry for McCain trying to get him to admit anything. Obama will sell America out to socialism or, worse, communism. He's all talk, no substance. I know you won't post this because of your bias. Sad.

Obama is a gateless pit... JELL-O that can't be nailed to the wall... a LIAR. I feel sorry for McCain trying to get him to admit anything. Obama will sell America out to socialism or, worse, communism. He's all talk, no substance. I know you won't post this because of your bias. Sad.

Hi Mary, It is not Obama putting the government in control of banks, insurance companies and Wall Street these days. Thanks. Z

Z, the Bush Administration? Quit reading Karl Marx and ready how our form of government works. Who spends money? Congress does. Yes and the President signs. Will you not admit that this mess could have been avoided if it weren't for a few democrats that blocked any regulatory measures a couple years ago.
This was a well orchestrated plan by socialist as laid out back in the sixties by some other guys I'm sure your familiar with to open the doors of socialism.
Do the names Richard Clowan and Frances Piven and there "Strategy of Manufactured Crisis" ring a bell.
As a republican I want to change the world by working hard and reaping the rewards of my labor.
You guys want to change the world sitting on your ass with a mighty pen.
In one stroke you want to change the founding principles of this country and eliminate God.
Why? because this is the only country to stand up to the failed principles of your idea of utopia.
I say get a real job, or better yet try starting your own business and I bet you'd have a much different perspective.

"...don’t know about you. But it left me feeling talked down to like a child – and angry that this was the level of debate initiated and sustained by McCain while America sits on the precipice of another Great Depression."

Feel free to add the level of this, and any other political message board debate, to that statement.

On display again last night was the

Obama strategy for responding to legitimate questions about his background, associations and (in)experience:

1)Call it "negative campaigning";
2)Call it "racist";
3)Feign ignorance about the misdeeds of the person (Ayers, Wright, etc.) or organization (ACORN) in question
4)But whatever you do, don't tell the truth.

What's the matter Z? Afraid to post my last comment? Why? It couldn't have been because of the typos.
Be a man and let everyone read it.
You know I'm right. Do I have to start my own blog to expose you?

In all honesty, is there a regular writer/columnist on the Sun's staff that presents an alternative view to the far left-leaning views of Z? What would be wrong with that?

You should stick to movies because you know nothing about politics.

Sticking to movies is kind of hard for a TV Critic. But thanks for the excellent and ever-so-informed advice. Z

OK Z,
I take it back. I thought it was intentional but I guess a lib needs to step away from his desk every now and then too! :)
I'll have to check out some of your lighter side blogs

Hi Jerry. Thanks. Yes, I promise lighter stuff is ahead. But I think you and I are in total agreement on how important this election is to the country -- and how important a role TV is playing in it. Z

The problem with the debate last night was not that Obama did not adequately address his connections to Ayers or that McCain fumbled over his words...the real problem was what was mentioned in Z's article. The fact that it was not a debate over the issues but a fight over who could appear more connected with the people via Joe the Plumber. While spending so much time claiming a closer connection to Joe, the candidates simultaneously disregarded the concerns of the American people.

I could not agree with you more!

IT ISN't obamma yet bailing out the greed and narcists but give him four years and you won't have the freedom to spew out your poison. -DR B G DRAKE