I think I'm too nervous to watch the debate.

[gauguin57]

I have every confidence that Obama will look EXTREMELY brilliant and presidential, but I don't trust the Repugs as far as I can throw them. McCain will lie his ass off and try to belittle Obama as much as possible to score points tonight.

I think I may tape the debate, listen to what the commentators say, and then go back and watch the debate a little at a time.

Seriously ... I get SO nervous before these things. My colon is going all spastic today. I can't play debate bingo or the "my friends" drinking game. I can barely eat.

I was so sure Gore and Kerry would clean Republican clocks in 2000-04, and then all I hear the next day is about Gore's sighing and Kerry's "gaffes."

Tell me when it's over! I'll be under the covers praying.
:scared:

[DrPresident]

1. OMG I feel the exact same way

I don't think I can bear to watch either. I'm just too scared.

[K Gardner]

16. My innards are spazzing out too, but I'm watching. I don't want to miss Gramps blowing it.

[DevonRex]

2. Glad I'm not the only one. I know I'll wind up watching it just so I don't

look like a big chicken. But I'd much rather be upstairs with a good book and a nice pot of tea and some earplugs.

[bluestateguy]

3. This is what I do

Watch it on C-SPAN, then turn off the TV (and all media, including the Internet) and go to bed.

Don't watch any of the post-debate bloviating on TV afterward.

[Politics_Guy25]

That's a great idea-will do the same-n/t

[SmokingJacket]

4. I'm nervous too. I was traumatized by Bush v. Kerry.

I remember laughing out loud at the terrible answers Bush gave. I might even have been playing soem kind of debate Bingo.

For a while there, it was pure, unadulterated pleasure.

But I kept the radio on too long and heard the INSANE spinning afterward. That Bush "sounded strong" and "decisive" etc. It was CRAZY.

[PearliePoo2]

20. Right! Me too

I couldn't believe the spin...I wanted to throw-up.
I mean, COME ON..did the talking heads just watch the same debate I did?
WTF?
I'm nervous as hell.
(I hope Obama isn't too cerebral and keeps his answers short and to the point because his intelligence will go over a lot of people's heads)

[SmokingJacket]

30. Obama's smart AND intelligent, if that makes sense.

The debates are more about "looking presidential" than they are about coming up with the right answers. Obama's smart enough not to look too intelligent...

[PearliePoo2]

40. That does make sense

But I remember his very intelligent answer at Saddleback about when life begins and he gave a thoughtful reasoned answer. He concluded it was above his pay grade and he was ridiculed.
They spun it that McBomb was clearly the winner.
So that's what he's up against. There's a lot of stupid mindless fucking sheep out there.

[shaniqua6392]

5. Barack Obama is in a league way above Kerry.

I don't mean to be disrespectful to John Kerry, but he ran kind of a crappy campaign. I was terribly nervous seeing him debate. But I have full confidence in Obama. Just think of how he is going to look next to Grampy McBush!! I went out and bought snacks for tonight. I hope you will reconsider and watch it. He is going to be great. Take some Immodium and sit down. Everything is going to go our way this time!!

[democrattotheend]

13. I agree with part of what you said.

Obama has run a better campaign than Kerry in many ways, but Kerry was (is) a good debater. Obama can be but sometimes he comes off as too professorial and he stutters a little, which makes him seem less knowledgeable even though he's not. I hope he can be a little smoother tonight than usual...I know he hates canned soundbites but sadly that's how our culture works.

[politicasista]

42. Why do people feel the need to continuously attack Kerry to praise Obama?

Not you, but the poster above.

They are both different and unique in their own way. Kerry has been Obama's best (one of) surrogates. It does not help Obama that we continue to slam/put down his best surrogate when Kerry is doing for Obama what no Democrat did for him in 04.

If people thought Kerry was lousy or a lousy candidate with a lousy campaign, that's their opinion. Maybe they should try to run for president and campaign sick, pull all nighters and eat on the run.

The big difference was that the times each ran in are different.

We are now in post Iraq Civil War, post Schiavo, post Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav, post economy in the toilet, post $3.00 a gallon, with YouTube, and Dr. Dean's 50 state strategy. Bush and Rove are now at their weakest, compared to 04 (they were at 90%, and extremely strong) And Democrats are standing with Obama, not against him. Obama also has Biden, a strong VP attack dog, something that Gore and Kerry lacked.

We do not need to eat our own and play into the hands of the Repukes. Let them attack and eat their own. We are better than that. Obama, nor Kerry does not deserve that.


JMO

[democrattotheend]

47. I like Kerry a lot now. More than when I voted for him.

I think he was a lousy candidate but a great senator and would have made a great president. And he has been a terrific surrogate for Obama. I have nothing but respect for him now, and I applaud his courage in endorsing Obama when he was still the underdog.

[Hamlette]

44. Kerry was one of the best debaters I've ever seen. I don't think Obama can come close

and I fear McCain will do his self satisfied, quip answers that the media and his supporters love.

Like Saddleback.

I too suffer from PTSD and fear watching.

[regnaD kciN]

45. Not as a debater, he isn't...

Kerry was a much better debater. Obama was, to put it bluntly, unimpressive versus Hillary. He overexplains (putting audiences to sleep), and improvises too much (leading to those "umm...umm" moments almost every other sentence).

[blondeatlast]

6. I'm watching with 17 people in my house--and I can't wait.

Anyone in the Phoenix area wants to join us, feel free! I can't hardly wait!

[graywarrior]

25. We're all hitting Horsefeathers in North Conway to watch

I can't be alone at a ime like this.

[asjr]

7. I will test my sanity tonight by

reading the last half of a very good book.

[scorpiogirl]

8. I'm more worried about feeling embarrassed for McCain! n/t

[PlanetBev]

9. I can totally relate to this

Best thing to do it put the TV on mute, jump on DU, click on the debate threads and see what the members comments are.

I did this during the Kerry/Bush debate and it was a lot easier on my nervous stomach. For some reason, I don't feel as nervous tonight. I'm so confident about Obama, I think I've got the chops to watch it.

[ailsagirl]

10. I thought I'd tape it then listen to the commentary (probably KO)

afterwards. But watch the DU threads in the meantime. Glad I'm not the only one biting my nails!!

[FrenchieCat]

11. Isn't the commentaries the problem to begin with?

Isn't that how they can turn a Winner into a loser?

So why watch what they say? Why give commentators that kind of credit? That's what the dumbasses do.....so why put yourself in that category? :shrug:

[ailsagirl]

24. Well, I trust Keith. It depends on the commentator.

Most are just talking shill-heads

[gauguin57]

12. I'll be praying to St. Thomas More, the patron saint of statesmen and politicians.

Since Obama will be the only "statesman" on that stage tonight, St. Thomas will know for whom I'm praying!!!

[PlanetBev]

14. Keep in mind

The media were cheerleaders for Bush, in 2000 and 2004. They spun for Bush like a bunch of whirling Dervishes.

Not so much McCain, especially in light of his behavior in the last few weeks. I think they've grown disgusted with him.

[PearliePoo2]

27. Oh...good point

I hadn't thought about that.
Now that he has pissed off the press, won't take questions anymore or allow reporters access to McWolfkiller, they are not as likely to give a glowing assessment.
Whew...I feel better now.
Thank You!

[PlanetBev]

29. Anytime, Poo

We're all here to help.

[ellie]

15. Me too!

I will read about it on DU though.

[TwilightGardener]

17. I don't think I can bear to watch, either. Will just check DU for the final verdict.

[Abacus]

18. I'm too nervous not to.

But I always had to watch the doctor stick the needle in, also.

[polmaven]

19. Not me!

I am EXCITED, not nervous. Senator Obama will show this putz up for what he is, and will do it big time. I can't WAIT! Gonna get my popcorn popped and jammies on and settle in to watch!

[demokatgurrl]

21. Do what I'm doing

watch baseball. Read about it online tomorrow. That will spare you the pain of watching McCain.

[Alhena]

22. Relax- it's like a golf major tourney and our guy is Tiger Woods

[politicasista]

23. Not afraid.

This is my second time watching a presidential debate, although I won't be watching the spin after this though.

If this was the primaries, I would not watch, but I am hopeful that Obama will do fine. :)









edit for word

[Narkos]

26. Me too. Cover the ears....lalalalalalalalla, call me in the am

[Lucky 13]

28. Watch that Sarah Palin interview a few more times...

...then maybe a few clips of Grampy being completely incoherent. That'll guarantee you feel MUCH better about tonight.

[leftynyc]

31. I get like that when my sports

teams are in the playoffs. Each game just gets harder to watch. Have some herb tea, a hot bath and have faith in Senator Obama.

[Phoonzang]

32. Just get drink like I plan to. You'll enjoy it no matter what happens. n/t

[budkin]

33. I'm nervous watching my sports teams in big games... this I'm freaking psyched for!

Obama is going to mop the floor with McLame.

[jules1962]

35. I will be watching

Went to the store and bought more popcorn. Ya know it is bittersweet that we have to worry about our guy looking to cerebral for the rest of the country. We have to dumbdown our candidate and the repugs can't get their media darlings Bush and Palin to put one coherent sentence together.

I have to wonder what kind of gaffe the old fart will say tonight. He has to be under tremendous stress of his campaign faltering right now. When one is under stress, one's temper can be ignited easily. Woohoo! May be going to see fireworks.

I know Joe will be praying to St. Thomas More. I am Methodist, but I plan to start saying a prayer to St Francis of Assisi for him to protect our animals from Palin.:grouphug: :popcorn:

[amber_86]

34. I hear you

I am thinking the same way. But I know Obama is going to be great tonight. I been getting ready all day made a shirt for my three year old she can't wait, we all can't wait till tonight. This will be my second time to vote for Democratic. So Obama is gonna do good I am gonna pray my heart out.

[iconicgnom]

36. relax. watch. It'll be your loss if you miss it.

[lolamio]

37. I feel exactly the same way. I'll keep the forums open here and walk back and forth to the tv...

and then back into the kitchen for another drink! I'll look to all of you for reassurance that our guy is doing a good job, which I am sure he will.

[Spike89]

38. Hate what campaigns have evolved into

I have no illusions that it was ever perfect, but we've almost lost all concept of what we're participating in. The election should be about presenting ideas, and to a lesser extent, ideologies so that the electorate can make an informed decision. Instead, we have broad-brush policy and caricature ideology at best and even then they are nearly overwhelmed by what really should be far down the list--the individual's "performance", charisma, image, etc.

Of course I'll watch, and I hope Obama "wins" all the popularity points, because it's what you need to do to win the election. However, I really wish there wasn't such an American Idol-level frenzy and sports-like "go team" feel. It's absurd, but even the cheesy TV campaign commercials promise more substance than these beauty-pageant bastardizations that call themselves debates. Maybe I'm wrong and the headlines tomorrow won't be about who wore the most presidential socks, but I can't get my hopes up.

[LSK]

39. totally the opposite!! I cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joshcryer]

41. Anyone know what time it will be?

[Neecy]

43. Oh, I'm watching

I'm going to a debate party tonight and I'll watch every second while noshing on party snacks.

If you don't watch it live, yourself, how will you trust what the talking heads tell you? We saw in 2000 and 2004 how reliable an indicator they are. Relax, watch it, and trust in our candidate to do just fine.

[DCBob]

46. McCain may lock up tonight. The pressure on him is getting enormous.

He is likely getting advice and instructions from dozens of people, who I am sure, do not all agree. I suspect there is a battle going on right on the best strategy and it is probably a very ugly scene. In some ways I feel sorry for the old warmonger.

[Misskittycat]

48. I chickened out; went out to dinner and made sure I stayed till it was over.