Second Presidential Debate in Thorne

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Author: Knar Gavin

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama met for the second presidential debate of 2008. Debate topics ranged from the economy, foreign policy and health care to energy and entitlement programs. The debate was shown in Thorne Hall. Following the debate, Professors Anthony Chase (DWA) and Caroline Heldman (Politics) offered brief comments and led a student discussion.

Tom Brokaw (NBC News) served as moderator for the debate at Belmont College in Nashville. Eighty uncommitted voters were in attendance. Audience members and online submitters supplied the questions. There was a time limit assigned to each question and Brokaw reminded the Senators on several occasions to mind this limit. “We’re going to have a larger deficit than the federal government does,” Brokaw said.

The debate’s opening question addressed the recent economic downturn. Later questions returned to the economy and, more specifically, the bailout package. The economy was a divisive issue for the candidates.

Senator Barack Obama was quick to identify a cause for the economic downturn. “This is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years,” he said. Obama noted that financial deregulation, as previously supported by John McCain, was a primary contributor to the current economic conditions in the U.S.

Senator McCain discussed the importance of energy independence and home value stabilization in grounding the economy. McCain identified the loan policies employed by Fannie Mae and Freddie as culprits in the present economic situation.

These opening comments set a negative tone that continued throughout the debate.

Discussions of foreign policy, terrorism and national security were central to the debate. Obama called for a change in U.S. policies with Pakistan, noting that force will be used against militants if necessary to protect national security. Obama’s comments about Pakistan led McCain to say “Senator Obama likes to talk loudly.”

McCain proceeded to explain his plans for policies with Pakistan, emphasizing President Teddy Roosevelt’s old maxim: “walk softly, talk softly, but carry a big stick.” McCain suggested garnering the support of the people. He said “where necessary [he would] use force.”

Obama was quick to respond to McCain’s accusations, reminding the audience that he had not suggested invading Iran. Obama then matched McCain’s accusation that he talks loudly. Obama said, “[McCain] sang “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran,'” the implication being that McCain was in fact the one who spoke loudly.

The candidates were asked to prioritize their plans for reform of health care, energy and entitlement programs. McCain suggested working on all three simultaneously. He noted that this would be accomplished most effectively by reaching across party lines.

Senator Obama offered a clearly prioritized list of reforms. He identified energy as the most pertinent issue, followed by health care. Obama’s third priority was education. “We’ve got to deal with education so that our young people are competitive in a global economy,” he said.

Audience member Ingrid Jackson asked a pertinent question about what each candidate intended to do to combat the environmental issues of climate change and green jobs. McCain talked about developing nuclear power, green technologies and alternative fuels.

Senator Obama made the observation that developing green technologies would create jobs, thereby supplementing economic growth. “We can’t simply drill our way out of the problem,” he said, referring to suggestions that drilling could be expanded in the U.S.

The debate’s closing question was “What don’t you know and how will you learn it?” Obama cited the opportunities that he was afforded growing up. In his closing remarks, Obama emphasized the importance of keeping the American dream alive and creating reform that will grant Americans the opportunities that were available to him.

McCain’s closing answer addressed the unprecedented challenges that face the world at present. McCain said that U.S. “need[s] a steady hand at the tiller” in these trying times and suggested that he was such a tiller.

Following the debate, Professor Anthony Chase (DWA) spoke briefly. “Obama was really the clear winner,” he said. “McCain stylistically was the clear aggressor,” Chase said, noting that Obama held his own well against the aggression.

Professor Caroline Heldman (Politics) discussed the substance behind Obama’s responses. “He exud[ed] presidentialism,” she said. According to Heldman, McCain was effective in his use of first names when responding to questions from audience members. This gave him an air of congeniality.In closing, Heldman posed an interesting question: “What if politicians were honest and gave straight answers?” she asked. “If politicians were to give that to us, we wouldn’t elect them,” she said.

The final Presidential Debate will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. in Thorne Hall. Immediately after there will be a short student debate led by Professor Caroline Heldman.

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