On October 7, the candidates for president faced off for a second time. After a couple of weeks of mudslinging, John McCain and Barrack Obama participated in a Town Hall style debate from Belmont University. Here is a log of the notes written down from one Valley voter during the debate.



PART ONE- Healthcare and entitlements

Beginning of the debate: OK, the themes sound familiar, very similar to all that we've heard before. Maybe I should take some notes to sort out who is answering the questions, who is filling time with vocalization, and who is dancing around the issues...

Alright, now I have a note pad. I'm in business.

Question--Would you give Congress a date certain to save Social Security and Medicare in 2 years.

Obama-We won't be able to deal with entitlements unless we understand revenue. I call for a tax cut to 95% of Americans, including all small businesses making under $250,000, which are most. McCain will give CEO's a tax cut averaging $700,000.

McCain- I'll answer the question. Social Security is not tough to fix--I can take on my party leaders. On Medicare, we need to get people together to determine what to do, and then put it to the Congress for an up or down vote, like on the base closure commission. My record is that I have fought higher taxes. Obama never has.

Valley Voter-Hmm. I guess I didn't record a couple of questions and answers. Apparently, McCain had just attacked Obama's tax plan, which is why Obama responded to that instead of answering the question.

Question-What will you do to make Congress move fast on green technology and environmental issues?

McCain-I believe in greenhouse emissions. Nuclear is the key piece. Obama is worried about safe disposal. Nuclear is safe!

Obama-Energy is our biggest challenge, but also our biggest opportunity. We can create 5 million new jobs. We need to invest in wind, nuclear, and solar power. I am not against nuclear power, as McCain claims. I do know we can't drill our way out of this issue.

Valley Voter-Well, neither one answered the question about moving Congress faster to act. As for the answers they gave, I'm worried that McCain isn't as concerned as he should be about nuclear waste disposal.

Question- (from Tom Brokaw, moderator) Should we fund one big program, or 100,000 small garages?

McCain-It is appropriate to have government research and development until there is a breakthrough, and then turn it over to the private sector. We've got to drill off-shore.

Valley Voter-Don't know if there was an Obama response, but if there was, I didn't record it. McCain answered the question, but threw in a response to Obama's previous answer concerning drilling.

Question- Healthcare is a profitable industry. Should it be treated as a commodity?

Obama-This is the most asked about issue since the beginnings of my campaign. If you have healthcare, you will be able to keep it, and we will reduce the costs. If not, you can purchase the same healthcare offered to Congress.

McCain-This is a fundamental difference. Obama wants government to intervene. My plan wants to give $5000 refund for health care coverage. You will be able to acquire healthcare from any state.

Brokaw-Is healthcare a right, a responsibility, or a privilege?

McCain-It is a responsibility, to an extent. Obama wants to fine people and companies if they do not provide healthcare to the people that work for them or their dependents. How much is that fine going to be?

Obama-It is a right. It is absolutely true the government should crack down on insurance companies. Deregulation will not work. If people may acquire insurance from any state, as suggested by McCain, all the insurance companies will move to the state with the fewest requirements--just like the banking industry has moved to Delaware.

McCain-Did we hear how much is going to be the fine?

Valley Voter-My pen started to run out of ink in the middle of these two questions. Anyways, it is apparent there is a divergent view here on healthcare. Obama is fighting for universal, government-provided healthcare. McCain wants no government provision, other than a rebate check, and puts it on individuals to find their own healthcare.

to be continued....

Labels: Barrack Obama, Election 2008, John McCain, Tom Brokaw