Okay, can we get back to our regularly scheduled Armageddon?

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:41 AM | Comments (60)
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I've whipped together a quick summation of tonight's debate for those who missed it or would just like the reference.

A few preliminary matters: some observers during the liveblog (including me) thought that Ifill was giving Biden the last word more than Palin. I counted and found that was not the case. Biden got first crack at 10 questions; Palin got to answer first for 11. Biden got the last word for 11 questions; Palin got the last word 10 times. Occasionally the same candidate who answered first would answer last, but Ifill would then see to it that the other one had an opportunity to do that to keep it even.

The following table goes according the questions Ifill asked. Occasionally one or both candidates would get off topic or return to a previous topic. Also, a number of times the candidates would exchange words more than once on a topic. I've included the most precise summation I could muster; you'll note that their answers aren't always responsive to the question asked.

A rush transcript of the debate is at CNN; watch out, it sometimes gets the name of the party speaking wrong.

Huh: The table displays fine on the main page, but is preceded by a bunch of white space on the minx page. Just scroll down. Somebody can explain to me what I did wrong. more...

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 11:42 PM | Comments (62)
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Posted by: Ace at 09:58 PM | Comments (117)
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Over at the Corner, McCarthy is giving it to Spruiell for saying he thought, on balance, Ifill did "a good job."

Well, I don't want to pile on Spruiell -- McCarthy is forbidding enough -- but...

Gwen Ifill did not ask a question about energy.

Oh, Palin answered -- by forcing that answer in to an unrelated question.

And Ifill asked about global warming and how to stop it.

But in Palin's area of expertise? The area in which Republicans have one of their few edges? One of the most important issues in this campaign, and one of the few where Obama's and Biden's position is decidedly unopopular?

NO QUESTION.

This is bias of one kind or another. Part of it is dyed-in-the-wool liberals simply being unable to even consider the idea that questions the stupid, moronic public consider interesting might indeed be interesting.

And part of it is Ifill refusing to toss Palin a question which she'd destroy Biden on.

Either way, it's bias. Drilling here, drilling now is one of the top five issues this cycle. And yet Gwen Ifill just didn't seem to think it was worth discussing.

It's almost as if she didn't want it to come up or something. It's almost as if she didn't want to play to Palin's acknowledged strength.

But one can excuse her. After all, she has a lot more riding on this this than politics.

$400,000, baby.

Abortion and Guns: Two more issues that cut against Obama. (Abortion would usually cut against Palin, but not when she's opposed by infanticide-supporting Obama.)

The media used to like asking about guns, when guns were an issue that hurt Republicans.

Now that the issue hurts Democrats -- no questions. Fancy Fucking That!

Posted by: Ace at 09:23 PM | Comments (149)
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more...

Posted by: Ace at 08:39 PM | Comments (59)
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Kos describes it as the key moment. Ten minutes later, after reading Kos on the computer, Olbermann announces he's discovered a key moment -- and oh, look, it's the same one!

Posted by: Ace at 08:33 PM | Comments (48)
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Posted by: Ace at 08:03 PM | Comments (55)
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I'd link Hot Air but I'm not sure they can handle additional traffic.

Posted by: Ace at 07:51 PM | Comments (33)
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I'm watching Hannity & Colmes and Dick morris just called Colmes a brain dead cretin who is incapable of doing anything other than spewing Dem talking points.

Morris noted that he said Obama won the last debate and how he objectively thought Palin won this one. And then when Colmes interrupted, Morris fuckin' destroyed Skeletor.

Anyone have a clip of this? If so, throw a link into the comments. I'd love to embed it. And dip my balls in it. It was perhaps the greatest moment of Live television since FDR spoke to Americans about the Moon Landings.

Posted by: Jack M. at 07:42 PM | Comments (90)
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No confirmation on this, no tip, no hint.

But I know what he's doing.

John McCain is waiting until the bill passes.

And then he will unleash the dogs of war.

And he will say, "I stayed away from making these partisan attacks, even though you lied ridiculously about me and your own attempts at 'reform.' I held back, because partisan attacks -- even truthful ones -- would harm our country and reduce the chances of getting a vital bill passed.

"Well, the bill is now passed. I put country first. You didn't, and you lied on top of that. And now -- only now that this crisis has been dealt with, to the extent we can -- I'm going to give you a bit of straight-talk about Fannie, Freddie, my attempts to reform it, and your attempts to block reform on behalf of your big donors and friends in ACORN."

Count on it.

Posted by: Ace at 07:22 PM | Comments (206)
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