Second Presidential Debate Predictions

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Now that the first debate has ended with Obama having trounced McCain, what does everybody think the next debate will be like?

My predictions for McCain is that he will find SOME way to be able to at least glance occasionally at Obama. Him not staring at Obama apparently didn't go over very well and he'd be damned to repeat it (well, he's already damned but anyway). Of course, that could probably end in disaster as well because I believe that him NOT looking at Obama was probably the ONLY thing keeping him from losing his cool, so maybe during the second he'll finally have a massive PUBLIC blow-up (hey, one can hope, right?)

I believe that Obama in turn will be a little more aggressive (but not overwhelming) and probably be more confident, particularly since the subject will be the economy (I believe), an area that he and Democrats generally fare better on. I just hope we're not treated to another long stretch about "earmarks", McCain's "topic du jour".

Anybody else having any thoughts/predictions about the next debate?

[Muttocracy]

1. anyone remember the format? sit down vs. lecterns? nt

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Town hall.

[malik flavors]

3. Is this the town hall one? So, I guess the questions will be about anything?

[Diamonique]

7. Yes. Town hall.

I'll be interested to see how they both relate to the people in the audience.

I see this sort of like my last job interview... except I only had 4 people in the room questioning me. But it's the same type of thing. Obama and McCain both want the audience to vote for them so they can get the job.

[BlueIdaho]

4. I suspect we have seen the largest debate audience of this election season at debate #1.

Nt that that's a bad thing...

[smoogatz]

5. McCain won't know whether to smile or shit in his hat.

He'll also appear openly hostile to some of the questions, because he's used to the fake "town hall" format Republicans favor, in which only supporters are allowed in. But the weirdest part of his performance will be watching him trying to decide what to do with his face: make eye contact? Not look up at Obama? Produce that horrible snarling rictus that passes for a smile? Stay straight-faced and scowly? Try not to blink rapidly three hundred times whenever he answers a question? You know all the critiques of his first performance have gotten to him. The fact that he knows fuck-all about the economy won't help--so his scolding, sneering demeanor's going to look even weirder.

[Median Democrat]

6. It's A Townhall - McCain Will Shamelessly Try To Turn It Into A Collection of His Favorite Anecdotes

I predict that McCain will throw in a couple references to him being a maverick, throw in four or five POW stories, three or four stories about some deceased solider who's dying wish was that McCain get elected for President, and end up doing okay. McCain loves to talk about himself, and a townhall is just one big giant ego trip for McCain.

[Diamonique]

8. Oh gawd spare me his anecdotes!

[LonelyLRLiberal]

12. and how many times do you think he will say he asked Obama to go to a series of town halls with him?

Give me a break!

[Arctic Dave]

13. For the next debate we are trying to go with a

Rocky Horror Picture Show like theme. Whenever McSame gives some lame anecdote we will have a sign with "prop" on it, or do some type of scene. We haven't worked out all the details yet, but at least this way we will have fun with it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. But that sort of thing is a turn off for some viewers

Like my 90 year old mother, a registered Republican, who said "McCain was trying to brainwash people with his lies, but they didn't work. Anyone watching Obama saw that Barack was telling the truth." She's looking forward to voting Democratic in November.

[blue-kite]

9. Confidence

After how he performed first time in Obama must be high on confidence... always could be too much but with him it just seems unlikely.
The more presidential he bears himself, the more respectful he is to McCain, the less he has to do... or perhaps thats because it seemed so easy to him.
We'll see.

[TheKentuckian]

10. Obama's mission

is to tie in questioners to their specific situation, be personable, and relay some anecdotes in his answers. This one is about connecting to individuals and their issues and "feeling their pain".
Obama wins another if he can personalize well.

The third debate will be the time to damn trickle down to the depths of hell, blame the bailout on it, and make McHoover accountable. At least that's how I see it with the current dynamics.

[votetastic]

11. Obama will only improve, having had a little practice against McCain