Three Things:
1. Barack Obama appeared as ever very cool, very collected, very smart. McCain appeared, just like his campaign, rather erratic, all-over-the-place, and definitely a stream-of-consciousness man.
2. Both gave their stock answers on the Roe v. Wade question; though it is worthwhile to take a close look at McCain’s answer:
SCHIEFFER: But even if it was someone — even someone who had a history of being for abortion rights, you would consider them?
MCCAIN: I would consider anyone in their qualifications. I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade that would be part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.
That’s my bolding, call it the bolding of shock. McCain directly contradicts himself within two sentences. Deciding whether a candidate is qualified for the bench by looking at whether he/she supported Roe v. Wade is a litmus test.
3. Sex Ed, anyone?
It got a brief mention by Obama:
But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, “We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.”
And… that was it. I’ll have more to say on this tomorrow. Sex and Sensibility is, per usual, running a bit late but will be up tomorrow.
Comments
frau sally benz — October 16, 2008
McCain directly contradicts himself within two sentences. Deciding whether a candidate is qualified for the bench by looking at whether he/she supported Roe v. Wade is a litmus test.
I said this exact thing to my guy last night as we were watching the debate and was very annoyed that nobody called McCain out on it. Maybe he doesn't know what a litmus test even means.
gwp_admin — October 16, 2008
Yeah, and how bout that bumbling conflation of autism and Down Syndrome that he made. I wonder if Palin has since set him straight. Seems McCain has a little homework to do... See: litmus test.
gwp_admin — October 17, 2008
Exactly, Frau Sally Benz-- now the question is whether this was a deliberate wink to the anti-choice crowd or a just a flub revealing what was already obvious, that he would appoint anti-choicers.
And hey, Deborah, the Down Syndrome/Autism conflation was pretty mind-boggling, as was his disparagement of a "woman's health," because you know how those women are just always making such a big deal about the headaches, and the cramps, and the birth complications...? Pretty stunning.