The debate has just started, and the schedule has been thrown out. The first question is about the economic crisis . . . so much for foreign policy. Interestingly enough, both candidates agree that the prior economic policy was not correct. This seems to leave President Bush hanging and rotating in the wind. Neither candidate wishes to connect themselves with President Bush.
Interestingly enough, Sen. Obama has been the first one that ducked a question when he was accused of using earmarks himself. He quickly answered by talking about tax cuts rather than addressing the question of earmarks. Sen. McCain quickly retorted by claiming that Sen. Obama is proposing billions of dollars in new spending. It is quickly becoming a fencing match between two well-trained Senators. I will say that each of them has come well prepared. Both have so far mentioned unexpected connections that have allowed them to shift the ground of the debate question.
The moderator has just pulled the questions back to the financial rescue plan. He is not about to let them loose on that subject. He just asked them a doozy of a question. Given the probably lessening of income from taxes for the government, given the lowered availability of money because of the bailout, which programs that you propose will you have to delay and which programs will you maintain as a priority that must be funded, regardless. This is an incredibly good question. And, he keeps pressing them over.
As the first half hour is finishing, and the debate is still going, it almost seems to be a tie. Neither one wishes to really answer what they will have to cut in order to make the budget work.
Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.