What They're Saying About John McCain at the Hofstra Debate
McCain-Palin 2008
15–16/10/08
I think the fact that John McCain was able to make Joe Wurzelbacher a character in this campaign, I'll bet you we're going to see him in campaign ads starting tomorrow, shows that, why this was his best debate so far. He was able to set the agenda on a lot of issues like taxes, especially with Joe Wurzelbacher.
— George Stephanopoulos, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08
HUGE moment for McCain. Slams Obama for comparing him to Bush. VERY savvy. AND, he looked directly at Obama. … McCain with a break from Bush Administration — 'disappointed' with Paulson's approach on financial crisis. … McCain has done well for himself so far — kept Obama on defense.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", 15/10/08
John McCain creates an instant headline with some of his firmest language yet to distance himself from President Bush. 'Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush,' McCain said, in a line clearly in his pocket. 'If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago. I will take this country in a new direction.'
— Jonathan Martin, "Your Morning Lede (So Far)", Politico, 15/10/08
McCain's best line so far: 'Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.'
— Jim Geraghty, "If You Wanted To Run Against President Bush, You Should Have Run Four Years Ago", National Review, 15/10/08
I do believe that this was John McCain's best campaign. I think he clearly won it on points. It was his best performance. He was intense and ideological and he's appealing to the base, clearly.
— Pat Buchanan, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08
Joe the plumber gives round one to McCain on points! … McCain much more aggressive and specific, and more compassionate on John Lewis, issues of ACORN and Ayer.
— Pat Buchanan, "Buchanan And Maddow: Live Debate Commentary", MSNBC, 15/10/08
McCain again shows that he came into this debate more focused and more disciplined than in the past ones.
— Don Frederick and Kate Linthicum, "Live blogging The Final Barack Obama And John McCain Debate,", Los Angeles Times, 15/10/08
McCain's doing well on the issues…
— Marc Ambinder, "Live blogging The Final Debate", "Marc Ambinder" blog, The Atlantic, 15/10/08
Good zinger from McCain; Obama mentions he wants Warren Buffett to pay more taxes and McCain says we're talking about Joe the Plumber, not Warren Buffett.
— John Podhoretz, "Warren Buffett Vs. Joe The Plumber", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08
McCain says sure he's qualified but then points out his record of bad ideas. Digs at his 'cockamamie' idea about dividing Iraq. Maybe his best answer.
— Jennifer Rubin, "Joe Biden", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08
I am impressed with McCain tonight. Obama is off his game, as they say.
— Mark R. Levin, "A Different Debate", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08
McCain came ready tonight, he has Obama resorting to his stump speech answers and a bit unnerved, IMHO. And for the most part, he is not letting Obama get away with his endless dissembling.
— Mark R. Levin, "Ready. Set…", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08
McCain has best debate yet in final face-off. … McCain: A- …
— Time's Mark Halperin, "Enough (!)(?)" TIME's "The Page" blog, 15/10/08
During the first half of the debate, showed off the best of himself — dedicated, sincere, patriotic, cheery, earnest, commanding — all without seeming old or anxious. Even scored some points in the 'change' category, against the candidate who has owned the theme. Clear, upbeat, and totally on message. … [I]f a majority of persuadable voters watched the debate, they saw why McCain's advisers have faith in him and still believe he can win this race.
— Mark Halperin, "Mark Halperin's Grades For The Final Presidential Debate", "The Page" blog, TIME, 15/10/08
It was by far McCain's best performance of the three debates. … It was by far McCain's most aggressive, assertive.
— John King, CNN, 15/10/08
This time, John McCain kept Barack Obama on the defensive. The feisty Republican tried hard to find a lifeline Wednesday night, challenging his Democratic rival at every turn over his truthfulness, associations and record. By that measure, McCain won the last debate of the 2008 campaign.
— Liz Sidoti, "McCain Puts Obama On The Defensive", The Associated Press, 15/10/08
I thought John McCain had a very strong night. I thought it was his best debate, clearly.
— Andrea Mitchell, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08
I thought it was a stronger night for McCain, though, than the last debate, and he got in some licks, like the one that Dan was talking about where he said you know, if you wanted to run against George Bush you should have run four years ago. I think he brought up Joe The Plumber and used that quite effectively for most of the times he brought it up, which was a lot of times. So a stronger performance from McCain.
— Former Clinton White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, "Presidential Debate", CBS, 15/10/08
I would agree this was not Obama's best debate.
— Candy Crowley, CNN, 15/10/08
John McCain finally got to say tonight I am not George W. Bush. … That was his best line. That's the line he has been waiting to say.
— Gloria Borger, CNN, 15/10/08
I thought that McCain had the best start than he's had in any debate. The first 30 minutes I thought he excelled, I thought he played very well to his base. Obama started to look, I thought, flat.
— David Gergen, CNN, 15/10/08
My sense is that McCain has done much of what he needed to do tonight… … The 'long line of McCains' remark a slightly emotional, and probably effective, close.
— Rick Klein, "Live Debate blog", "Live Debate" blog, ABC News, 15/10/08
I thought McCain was feisty and tough.
— Charles Krauthammer, "On The Record", Fox News, 15/10/08
It was interesting — my only thought, when he said that, first of all, very good line.
— Charlie Gibson, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08
McCain's best line of attack in this debate: Obama talks about bipartisanship but doesn't get it done.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", "The Fix" blog, Washington Post, 15/10/08
Well remember last time I said I didn't think that McCain broke through. I think he did this time. He had a very strong debate.
— Bill Bennett, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 15/10/08
Clearly. Best of the three debates. especially at the beginning when he did introduce Joe the Plumber and put Barack Obama on the defensive on issues like taxes, especially taxes and the economy. Also laid out his plan for buying up those bad home loans. I think his first half hour was very, very strong.
— ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, "Good Morning America", ABC, 16/10/08
Wednesday night John McCain put a dent in the Obama persona. There's no doubt that out of all the debates this fall, John McCain had his best one at Hofstra University. He was able to pokes some holes in Obama's armor. He nicked him with Ayers, ACORN, public financing, negative advertising, abortion and yes, Joe the Plumber. … The 'Joe the Plumber' moments were probably some of McCain's best moments. Not only was McCain able to use the Joe the Plumber story as an example of class warfare, he also used Joe as a way to make the economy a personal story. … Clearly, the line of the night was when McCain's distanced himself from the President by saying [that Obama should have run four years ago if he wanted to run against Bush]: I'm sure a lot of McCain supporters thought 'It's about time'. Obama has been hammering McCain on his ties to Bush forever but Wednesday night McCain not only delivered the big line but also listed numerous examples of how he is different than President Bush.
— David Brody, "McCain Dings Obama At Hofstra Debate", "Brody File" blog, Christian Broadcasting Network, 16/10/08
Senator John McCain was in a groove early in the presidential debate on Wednesday night, looking Senator Barack Obama in the eye and chiding him over taxes, over his backbone in standing up to Democrats and over the Obama campaign's portrayal of Mr. McCain as the second coming of George W. Bush.
— New York Times, Patrick Healy, "Pressing All The Buttons, McCain Attacks, But Obama Stays Steady", The New York Times, 16/10/08
For McCain, It Clearly Was His Best Debate Performance And For At Least The First Part Of The Proceedings He Effortlessly Kept Obama Off-Balance.
— Dan Nowicki, "Both Candidates Stand Tall In The Final 2008 Presidential Debate", The Arizona Republic, 16/10/08
The winner, and in my view quite decisively, was John McCain. From the very first question, McCain seemed certain of himself and his answers.
— Stephen Hayes, "McCain Wins Round Three", The Weekly Standard, 16/10/08
Who Won? There Seems Little Doubt That McCain Scored Many More Points Than Obama.
— Byron York, Op-Ed, "'I Am Not President Bush.'" National Review Online, 16/10/08
On issue after issue, McCain made his case, deftly countering Obama's jabs. Why, he asked, does Obama 'always say we have to spend more?' Added McCain: 'Throwing money at every problem is not the answer.'
— New York Post, Editorial, "Lessons From The Plumber", New York Post, 16/10/08
With an assist from Joe the Plumber, John McCain delivered the best debate performance of his campaign last night. And it was probably the best night of the entire general election so far for him, rivaled only by the electric evening on which Sarah Palin gave her acceptance speech during the GOP convention last month. … McCain last night made the strongest and most convincing argument yet that he is prepared to keep the federal government from making the current economic crisis even worse.
— Charles Hurt, "Old Warrior Finally Has His Great Debate", New York Post, 16/10/08
So the Republican's tone was crisper, sharper and more cutting than it had been in the first two debates. He kept Obama on the defensive for much of the 90-minute forum, attacking him for everything from his association with '60s radical Bill Ayers to his decision not to take public financing for his campaign.
— USA Today, Editorial, "Analysis: McCain More Cutting; Obama Low-Key", USA Today, 16/10/08
On Wednesday, Joe, you saw Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain making their cases, seated uncomfortably close, without the distraction of a town hall. It wasn't Obama's night.
— Joanne Ostrow, Op-Ed, "McCain Seemed Energized; Obama Kept Cool", Denver Post, 16/10/08
John McCain Last Night Put Barack Obama Through A Red-Hot Grilling, Barely Hiding His Disdain For The Illinois Senator And His Outrage Over Obama's Policies. … McCain Also Scored Substantively By Focusing On 'Joe The Plumber,' A Real Person Who Wants To Buy His Business And Worries That Obama's Tax Policies Would Hurt Him.
— Peter Canellos, Peter S. Canellos, "Intensity May Help The Republican", The Boston Globe, 16/10/08
15–16/10/08
I think the fact that John McCain was able to make Joe Wurzelbacher a character in this campaign, I'll bet you we're going to see him in campaign ads starting tomorrow, shows that, why this was his best debate so far. He was able to set the agenda on a lot of issues like taxes, especially with Joe Wurzelbacher.
— George Stephanopoulos, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08
HUGE moment for McCain. Slams Obama for comparing him to Bush. VERY savvy. AND, he looked directly at Obama. … McCain with a break from Bush Administration — 'disappointed' with Paulson's approach on financial crisis. … McCain has done well for himself so far — kept Obama on defense.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", 15/10/08
John McCain creates an instant headline with some of his firmest language yet to distance himself from President Bush. 'Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush,' McCain said, in a line clearly in his pocket. 'If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago. I will take this country in a new direction.'
— Jonathan Martin, "Your Morning Lede (So Far)", Politico, 15/10/08
McCain's best line so far: 'Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.'
— Jim Geraghty, "If You Wanted To Run Against President Bush, You Should Have Run Four Years Ago", National Review, 15/10/08
I do believe that this was John McCain's best campaign. I think he clearly won it on points. It was his best performance. He was intense and ideological and he's appealing to the base, clearly.
— Pat Buchanan, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08
Joe the plumber gives round one to McCain on points! … McCain much more aggressive and specific, and more compassionate on John Lewis, issues of ACORN and Ayer.
— Pat Buchanan, "Buchanan And Maddow: Live Debate Commentary", MSNBC, 15/10/08
McCain again shows that he came into this debate more focused and more disciplined than in the past ones.
— Don Frederick and Kate Linthicum, "Live blogging The Final Barack Obama And John McCain Debate,", Los Angeles Times, 15/10/08
McCain's doing well on the issues…
— Marc Ambinder, "Live blogging The Final Debate", "Marc Ambinder" blog, The Atlantic, 15/10/08
Good zinger from McCain; Obama mentions he wants Warren Buffett to pay more taxes and McCain says we're talking about Joe the Plumber, not Warren Buffett.
— John Podhoretz, "Warren Buffett Vs. Joe The Plumber", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08
McCain says sure he's qualified but then points out his record of bad ideas. Digs at his 'cockamamie' idea about dividing Iraq. Maybe his best answer.
— Jennifer Rubin, "Joe Biden", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08
I am impressed with McCain tonight. Obama is off his game, as they say.
— Mark R. Levin, "A Different Debate", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08
McCain came ready tonight, he has Obama resorting to his stump speech answers and a bit unnerved, IMHO. And for the most part, he is not letting Obama get away with his endless dissembling.
— Mark R. Levin, "Ready. Set…", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08
McCain has best debate yet in final face-off. … McCain: A- …
— Time's Mark Halperin, "Enough (!)(?)" TIME's "The Page" blog, 15/10/08
During the first half of the debate, showed off the best of himself — dedicated, sincere, patriotic, cheery, earnest, commanding — all without seeming old or anxious. Even scored some points in the 'change' category, against the candidate who has owned the theme. Clear, upbeat, and totally on message. … [I]f a majority of persuadable voters watched the debate, they saw why McCain's advisers have faith in him and still believe he can win this race.
— Mark Halperin, "Mark Halperin's Grades For The Final Presidential Debate", "The Page" blog, TIME, 15/10/08
It was by far McCain's best performance of the three debates. … It was by far McCain's most aggressive, assertive.
— John King, CNN, 15/10/08
This time, John McCain kept Barack Obama on the defensive. The feisty Republican tried hard to find a lifeline Wednesday night, challenging his Democratic rival at every turn over his truthfulness, associations and record. By that measure, McCain won the last debate of the 2008 campaign.
— Liz Sidoti, "McCain Puts Obama On The Defensive", The Associated Press, 15/10/08
I thought John McCain had a very strong night. I thought it was his best debate, clearly.
— Andrea Mitchell, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08
I thought it was a stronger night for McCain, though, than the last debate, and he got in some licks, like the one that Dan was talking about where he said you know, if you wanted to run against George Bush you should have run four years ago. I think he brought up Joe The Plumber and used that quite effectively for most of the times he brought it up, which was a lot of times. So a stronger performance from McCain.
— Former Clinton White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, "Presidential Debate", CBS, 15/10/08
I would agree this was not Obama's best debate.
— Candy Crowley, CNN, 15/10/08
John McCain finally got to say tonight I am not George W. Bush. … That was his best line. That's the line he has been waiting to say.
— Gloria Borger, CNN, 15/10/08
I thought that McCain had the best start than he's had in any debate. The first 30 minutes I thought he excelled, I thought he played very well to his base. Obama started to look, I thought, flat.
— David Gergen, CNN, 15/10/08
My sense is that McCain has done much of what he needed to do tonight… … The 'long line of McCains' remark a slightly emotional, and probably effective, close.
— Rick Klein, "Live Debate blog", "Live Debate" blog, ABC News, 15/10/08
I thought McCain was feisty and tough.
— Charles Krauthammer, "On The Record", Fox News, 15/10/08
It was interesting — my only thought, when he said that, first of all, very good line.
— Charlie Gibson, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08
McCain's best line of attack in this debate: Obama talks about bipartisanship but doesn't get it done.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", "The Fix" blog, Washington Post, 15/10/08
Well remember last time I said I didn't think that McCain broke through. I think he did this time. He had a very strong debate.
— Bill Bennett, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 15/10/08
Clearly. Best of the three debates. especially at the beginning when he did introduce Joe the Plumber and put Barack Obama on the defensive on issues like taxes, especially taxes and the economy. Also laid out his plan for buying up those bad home loans. I think his first half hour was very, very strong.
— ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, "Good Morning America", ABC, 16/10/08
Wednesday night John McCain put a dent in the Obama persona. There's no doubt that out of all the debates this fall, John McCain had his best one at Hofstra University. He was able to pokes some holes in Obama's armor. He nicked him with Ayers, ACORN, public financing, negative advertising, abortion and yes, Joe the Plumber. … The 'Joe the Plumber' moments were probably some of McCain's best moments. Not only was McCain able to use the Joe the Plumber story as an example of class warfare, he also used Joe as a way to make the economy a personal story. … Clearly, the line of the night was when McCain's distanced himself from the President by saying [that Obama should have run four years ago if he wanted to run against Bush]: I'm sure a lot of McCain supporters thought 'It's about time'. Obama has been hammering McCain on his ties to Bush forever but Wednesday night McCain not only delivered the big line but also listed numerous examples of how he is different than President Bush.
— David Brody, "McCain Dings Obama At Hofstra Debate", "Brody File" blog, Christian Broadcasting Network, 16/10/08
Senator John McCain was in a groove early in the presidential debate on Wednesday night, looking Senator Barack Obama in the eye and chiding him over taxes, over his backbone in standing up to Democrats and over the Obama campaign's portrayal of Mr. McCain as the second coming of George W. Bush.
— New York Times, Patrick Healy, "Pressing All The Buttons, McCain Attacks, But Obama Stays Steady", The New York Times, 16/10/08
For McCain, It Clearly Was His Best Debate Performance And For At Least The First Part Of The Proceedings He Effortlessly Kept Obama Off-Balance.
— Dan Nowicki, "Both Candidates Stand Tall In The Final 2008 Presidential Debate", The Arizona Republic, 16/10/08
The winner, and in my view quite decisively, was John McCain. From the very first question, McCain seemed certain of himself and his answers.
— Stephen Hayes, "McCain Wins Round Three", The Weekly Standard, 16/10/08
Who Won? There Seems Little Doubt That McCain Scored Many More Points Than Obama.
— Byron York, Op-Ed, "'I Am Not President Bush.'" National Review Online, 16/10/08
On issue after issue, McCain made his case, deftly countering Obama's jabs. Why, he asked, does Obama 'always say we have to spend more?' Added McCain: 'Throwing money at every problem is not the answer.'
— New York Post, Editorial, "Lessons From The Plumber", New York Post, 16/10/08
With an assist from Joe the Plumber, John McCain delivered the best debate performance of his campaign last night. And it was probably the best night of the entire general election so far for him, rivaled only by the electric evening on which Sarah Palin gave her acceptance speech during the GOP convention last month. … McCain last night made the strongest and most convincing argument yet that he is prepared to keep the federal government from making the current economic crisis even worse.
— Charles Hurt, "Old Warrior Finally Has His Great Debate", New York Post, 16/10/08
So the Republican's tone was crisper, sharper and more cutting than it had been in the first two debates. He kept Obama on the defensive for much of the 90-minute forum, attacking him for everything from his association with '60s radical Bill Ayers to his decision not to take public financing for his campaign.
— USA Today, Editorial, "Analysis: McCain More Cutting; Obama Low-Key", USA Today, 16/10/08
On Wednesday, Joe, you saw Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain making their cases, seated uncomfortably close, without the distraction of a town hall. It wasn't Obama's night.
— Joanne Ostrow, Op-Ed, "McCain Seemed Energized; Obama Kept Cool", Denver Post, 16/10/08
John McCain Last Night Put Barack Obama Through A Red-Hot Grilling, Barely Hiding His Disdain For The Illinois Senator And His Outrage Over Obama's Policies. … McCain Also Scored Substantively By Focusing On 'Joe The Plumber,' A Real Person Who Wants To Buy His Business And Worries That Obama's Tax Policies Would Hurt Him.
— Peter Canellos, Peter S. Canellos, "Intensity May Help The Republican", The Boston Globe, 16/10/08
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