I Voted Today

Woohoo! My first time voting. It was quite an experience. Knowing the poles opened at 6am, I woke up at 5:30. I walked to my precinct which is only a couple blocks away because I didn't want to have to mess with parking. It was dark and cold and raining so I wore my new rain coat and Josh's rain pants. The line was long and for some reason I was nervous. Mainly because I have never voted and Josh wasn't around to calm my nerves. He got to do an absentee ballot. I waited an hour and fifteen minutes. Walked into the building, checked in and voted within two minutes. I am not one for politics but I am proud I could take part in such a historic occasion.

The Final Debate

The third and final presidential debate is one of the last chances for Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to use a national stage to get their message out to undecided voters.

The debate, taking place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, begins at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday. CBS News' Bob Schieffer, host of "Face the Nation," will moderate the debate.

The 90-minute face-off will undoubtedly focus on the economic crisis plaguing the country. Unlike at the other two debates, the candidates will sit at a table facing one another.

from CNN.com

My Debate Analysis

With John McCain's opening stab at Obama-welcoming him to a town meeting-the tone of the debate was set. McCain was in his element on the town hall setting, but Obama held his own. McCain tried to connect with the audience. He stood close to the questioners, called them by name and thanked them for their questions. He had a great line to a former Navy CPO saying "Everything I learned about leadership I learned from a Chief Petty Officer." I know the CPO's at the squadron will be talking about that this morning!

However, McCain seemed sporadic and grumpy when answering questions. He uncomfortably stalked the stage, and for the first time I really noticed his age. He appeared to be dismissive and condescending, and his few attempts at humor ran dry. His "that one" comment is difficult even to discuss, and he used "my friends" at least 20 times.

Obama came across smooth and composed. He calmly countered McCain's attacks with firm, concise rebuttals. Obama was stronger on the topic of the economy and stronger on foreign policy. He successfully connected McCain with President Bush.

On a personal level I admire McCain more than Obama (I've read Faith of My Fathers twice but have read neither The Audacity of Hope or Dreams From My Father). Nevertheless, McCain's campaign has not equaled his story. This was a "must win" debate for the McCain campaign, and they just didn't get it done. Obama walked in as the front runner and walked out as the front runner.

McCain vs. Obama: Round Two

With just four weeks left until Election Day, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are preparing to face off in Tuesday night's high-stakes presidential debate.

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will meet again Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.

The debate comes amid stepped-up attacks from both sides. Gov. Sarah Palin accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists who would target their own country," and Obama's campaign released an ad quoting editorials that called McCain "erratic" and "out of touch."

On Monday, the Obama campaign released an online documentary that criticizes McCain over his involvement in the "Keating Five" scandal of the 1980s.

The back-and-forth this weekend could set the stage for a more heated event than the first presidential debate -- one that had few sharp exchanges as both candidates largely stuck to their talking points.

CNN.com

Show-Me-State Showdown

Katrina and I will be watching Democratic vice presidential candidate and Washington veteran Sen. Joe Biden square off against his Republican counterpart, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in their one-and-only debate of the election cycle. Be sure to tune in Thursday October 2nd at 9pm ET.