Musings on debate round 2

* Anyone else notice McCain immediately start scribbling notes as soon as he had entered and sat down? I wonder what important things he was reminding himself... "Things to not forget: My... name... is... John McCain. I... am... a POW."

* I've been hearing that the mortgage buyback plan McCain proposed (which is, number one, expensive, and, number two, incredibly leftist) was apparently already proposed by Obama. Can anyone confirm?

* So, for Treasury Secretary, McCain would consider Meg Whitman, who ran eBay... which laid off 10% of its staff yesterday. Either her or the guy that is one of Obama's main economic advisers, Warren Buffett. Yet Obama's economic plans are unsound.

*Love how McCain corrected the audience member, saying the bailout plan was actually a rescue. Which is what Bush has been calling it...

* Also love how McCain faulted Frannie and Freddie as the catalyst for the economic implosion. I worked in mortgages for 2 weeks (Really. They hired me to be a translator, as a number of their clients spoke only Spanish (!), but then had me cold calling. I quit promptly), and I tell you, the predatory lending going on was insane. Not only were we providing adjustable rate loans with lots of fine print to people who were getting in way over their heads and couldn't even read the fine print anyway, I was also calling up economically stable people with decent fixed-rate mortgages, nearly paid off, trying to get them to take out a line of credit against their equity and refinance at an adjustable rate that was presently lower than the rate that they were at, but which would balloon in a few years. But, hell, by then they could just refi again! The problem was not Freddie and Fannie. The problem was human greed on an individual level. The problem was the arrogant guy pushing people who did not know enough and who didn't know where to go to find important info to get in waaaaaaaaaaaay over their heads just so he could afford a shiny new Vespa.

*My friends! I reach across the aisles! I have a clear record of bipartisanship! My friends! Aisles! Records! Take on leaders! Friends!

* I love how, when Brokaw asked how the candidates would rank energy, healthcare, and entitlement in order of priority, McCain needed the issues repeated. I also love how he claims he can work on them all at once. Because he knows! He knows my friends! He knows where bin Laden lives! That bump on his jaw is actually a source of nuclear power that will provide us with all of our energy needs for the next 1000 years! He single-handedly will see to all of our health needs! He will perform surgeries, colonoscopies, and teeth cleanings! Also, free lobotomies for everyone!!

* For real, though, now is the time to face up the fact that we are going to have to make some sacrifices, my friends. And I do think a lot of us are hungry for it. We are feeling helpless, at a dangerous crossroads, and we can do nothing. I, for one, feel like I need to do something. I do really like Obama's call for a national volunteer peace corps. That idea relates a bit to this. (Thanks Dave)

* M: "I'll answer the question. Heh heh heh..."
Brokaw: "And Medicare?"
M: "I'll get to Medicare in a second."

* M: "Look at my records! Listen to my vision of the future!" Which is...?

* Obama: "For 30 years, the Senate hasn't done anything [about environmental issues]. McCain was there for 26 of them!" Sweet!

* Anyone else notice Obama didn't get a chance to partake in the 1 minute discussion period after the environment question?

* Screw McCain with the hair plugs jab. Not only was it irrelevant (shock, I know) and incredibly rude (particularly as Biden was burying his mother-in-law that day), the joke FAILED! And if you want to point fingers about plastic surgery, McCain, start with your wife!!!!!

* M (mockingly): "All small businesses want to give their employees insurance!" Oh really? Because, from experience, I beg to differ. As would many in this city. Say it ain't so, John! There you go again, underestimating the reality of human greed.

* First of all, the idiom is "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Also, Teddy Roosevelt's famous turn of phrase referred to the practice of diplomacy and negotiation backed up with the threat of military power, if need be. "Speaking softly" does not refer to not announcing one's intentions, but to practicing exactly that type of diplomacy Obama supports.

* We need to get the support of the people in Pakistan! Just like we did in Iraq!

* Favorite part of the night: Obama referring to McCain as somber, McCain interrupting with "Thank you very much. Har har har" and Obama shutting him up with "This is the one who said 'bomb bomb bomb Iran' and then wanted to destroy North Korea." McCain, as your supporters are so fond of saying, sit down, boy.

* Lastly, is Brokaw Republican? Say it ain't so, Joe!