Spring Break
Presidential candidates engage in debate
Cameron Birch
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: News
Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) faced off Oct. 7 in a 90-minute debate in which they discussed topics from the economy to national security, with brief touches on energy and healthcare.
The debate, held at Belmont University in Tennessee, followed a 'town-hall' format where moderator Tom Brokaw took questions from online submissions and from members of a live audience of undecided voters.
As focus first turned to the economy, both candidates followed up with long answers.
"I want to just remind you one more time about time. We're going to have a larger deficit than the federal government does if we don't get this under control here before too long," Brokaw said with a laugh.
On the fastest solution to bail people out of economic ruin, Obama said: "We've got to make sure [the bailout package] works properly, and that means strong oversight. … Prosperity is not just going to trickle down. We've got to help the middle class."
McCain proposed an economic plan he has not spoken of in past events.
"As President … I would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes … be able to make [people make] those payments and stay in their homes," McCain said.
McCain also made an effort to separate this plan from something Obama or President Bush would have or have proposed.
As the debate turned to energy discussion, McCain brought up a bill that was, "Loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and was sponsored by Bush and Cheney." Motioning to Obama, he added: "You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me."
Obama was then questioned on healthcare policy and refuted the $5,000 tax credit proposed by McCain.
"[McCain] says that he's going to give you a $5,000 tax credit. What he doesn't tell you is that he is going to tax your employer-based health care benefits for the first time," Obama said.
The debate, held at Belmont University in Tennessee, followed a 'town-hall' format where moderator Tom Brokaw took questions from online submissions and from members of a live audience of undecided voters.
As focus first turned to the economy, both candidates followed up with long answers.
"I want to just remind you one more time about time. We're going to have a larger deficit than the federal government does if we don't get this under control here before too long," Brokaw said with a laugh.
On the fastest solution to bail people out of economic ruin, Obama said: "We've got to make sure [the bailout package] works properly, and that means strong oversight. … Prosperity is not just going to trickle down. We've got to help the middle class."
McCain proposed an economic plan he has not spoken of in past events.
"As President … I would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes … be able to make [people make] those payments and stay in their homes," McCain said.
McCain also made an effort to separate this plan from something Obama or President Bush would have or have proposed.
As the debate turned to energy discussion, McCain brought up a bill that was, "Loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and was sponsored by Bush and Cheney." Motioning to Obama, he added: "You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me."
Obama was then questioned on healthcare policy and refuted the $5,000 tax credit proposed by McCain.
"[McCain] says that he's going to give you a $5,000 tax credit. What he doesn't tell you is that he is going to tax your employer-based health care benefits for the first time," Obama said.
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